Dean sticks close to Vaelyn once they arrive at the city. Wynne branches off with Morrigan to sell their extra potions and browse the Wonders of Thedas. Leilana departs with a reluctant Shale, and Oghren and Zev follow with lecherous smiles on their faces. Vaelyn sets off to meet with Ignacio and then the contact for the Blackstone Irregulars, in order to get the coin she'll need to pay for the repairs to her armor.

Only a few people glance at Lyn and her party, mostly to stare at Sten. Occasionally they pass someone who knows they're not just another band of mercenaries. Those people who know who they really are either glance in the other direction or nod respectfully. Last time they were in the city Dean had asked Alistair why no one bothered them, as he'd remembered that Loghain had put a price on their heads. Alistair had smiled and then answered him, "It's simple really. We've helped the right people, killed the people who've tried to arrest us and now the rest just look the other way. The city guard won't touch us thanks to Sergeant Kylon, the Crows won't take anymore contracts out for us thanks to our friend, the Blackstone Irregulars are supporters and the Mages Collective makes sure the local templars look the other way. We still have to watch out for Loghain's cronies and Howe's men, but otherwise we're good."

Upon their arrival at Wade's Alistair stops and pulls Lyn aside. Dean can't help but notice Lyn stiffen after Alistair says something, her shoulders hold so much tension it looks like a truck could hit her and she wouldn't budge. She makes a few angry looking hand gestures and the templar replies with some of his own. They argue with hushed voices for another minute and then Lyn throws her hands up in the air, evidently giving into whatever Alistair is planning on doing. Alistair looks slightly guilty for a brief moment but then turns and walks away briskly. Lyn spins on her heel, looks at her mabari hound and addresses him with a tone of frustration.

"Go with him, will you? Make sure he doesn't get himself killed."

"Woof!"

Dane wags his stubby little tail and then takes off at a lope and easily catches up with Alistair, who is doing his best to look aloof and forbidding. Lyn doesn't bother to watch her hound leave, and instead just stomps into Wade's shop with a look on her face that could freeze your blood. Dean gives Sten a questioning glance after she passes him.

"Any idea what that was about?"

Sten merely glances down at Dean for a moment and then follows Lyn, taking care to duck through the doorway so he doesn't hit his head. Feeling a bit foolish, Dean quickly ducks inside as well, not wanting to be alone outside. Lyn calms outwardly as she talks to Wade and Herren. Dean leans against the post in the middle of the room and does what is increasingly becoming a habit with him, he studies her. As usual the first thing that he notes is how damn short she is. All the elves seem to be shorter then the humans, but Vaelyn is even shorter then most, only standing around five foot three or so. Long brown hair is swept back and up into a bun, with wisps that have escaped to frame her face. The more she talks with the slightly crazy armorer the more animated she becomes, using her hands to paint the picture of what she wants. It's about then that Dean realizes that Wade keeps glancing at him and then nodding at Vaelyn. Seemingly satisfied at last, Lyn picks up her armor and slips into a back room to change.

"Alright young man, step over here."

Wade's ridiculous mustache quivers as he speaks and Dean can't help but wonder how impractical it is for a armorer to have so much hair on his face when his job requires him to work closely with fire.

"Young man! I do not have all day!"

Dean blinks at the now irritated Wade and gives him a questioning look.

"You talking to me?"

"Who else would I be talking to? The giant already wears my handiwork, so that just leaves you."

Cautiously, Dean makes his way over to Wade and stands with a bit of apprehension on his face. Wade doesn't make it any easier for Dean by promptly stripping him of his armor and leaving him standing there in his borrowed breeks and tunic. Wade then proceeds to measure Dean and otherwise manhandle him. Feeling decidedly uncomfortable Dean starts to hum Enter Sandman quietly to help keep calm. Eventually Wade leaves him alone, but when he tries to start putting his armor back on Wade yells at him and tells him to stay where he is.

Lyn emerges from the back room with the leather armor in her arms and carefully steps around Dean in order to deposit her bundle on the counter in front of Herren. Dean can't help but feel a bit flushed when he notices her studying him intently. Determined not to loose his nerve, he studies her in return. Her armor suits her slim frame, surprisingly. Gold and black with it's dragon's head breastplate it is certainly eye catching. Wade did more then fix the dents and holes apparently, as it seems to fit her better then before. When his gaze lifts to her face he meets her gaze, her brown eyes are smiling at him and his stomach does a funny feeling little flop. Before he can make a fool of himself Wade comes to his rescue and starts making him put on a new chainmail tunic. Amazing this one actually fits, and Dean can't help but wiggle around and swing his arms testing it out. No pinching, no chafing and even better this set doesn't squeak. Wade doesn't let him do anymore testing, instead he starts fastening on a new set of armor. The armorer fidgets with the straps, then steps back and inspects his handy work. Seemingly satisfied, he looks past Dean and addresses Lyn.

"Well Warden, what do you think?"

Lyn moves away from the counter she had been leaning on and walks around Dean, closely inspecting his new armor. She seems deep in thought for a moment, her arms crossed across her chest.

"I think it is a large improvement. What do you think Dean?"

Dean raises his eyebrows but then decides to play along. He lifts his arms again and then jumps up and down a few times. His new armor not only ways less then his borrowed plate but also stays in place and doesn't restrict his range of movement much. He glances down at himself and finds that he can't quite figure out what the new armor is made out of. He taps it with a finger and eyes it with suspicion for a moment before glancing back at Lyn and shrugging.

"Not bad. What's it made of?"

"Dragonscale. I had extra and last time I was here I'd had Wade start on making another set of armor with it. It's great against swords, arrows and the like but not so good against being crushed, just so you know."

"I'll remember that."

Lyn finishes her transaction with Herren and then leads the way out into the marketplace. She casts a glance around her and then gives Sten a huge smile. Dean's jaw almost hits the ground when Sten smiles back at the Warden. Lyn notes his shocked look and chuckles.

"Can you keep a secret Dean?"

Dean answers her reflexively.

"For you? Always."

As the words leave his lips he freezes, mortified. Lyn however just smiles at him and seems to ignore all the hidden meaning behind his words. He's not sure whether to be relieved or disappointed.

"Good. Whenever we're in Denerim, Sten and I sneak off to have a little fun on our own. You can come if you promise not to tell the others where we've been or what we've done."

Dean glances at Sten and the giant glances back at him with an emotionless look. He considers his options and then shrugs his shoulders again.

"I promise."

"Good."

Lyn sets off with Sten right behind her, Dean is quick to follow. His mind is full of ideas as to what this secret activity might be. He's so caught up with his musings that he doesn't pay attention to where they're going. Lyn winds through a bunch of side streets, moving with her inherent elven grace. Sten keeps up easily as people part before him like water, and Dean follows in his wake.

When Lyn stops at her destination Dean is shocked. He'd thought they might be going to a secret bar or back alley with bare knuckle boxing or something, not a bakery. The baker's wife greets Lyn with a wide smile and even smiles at the giant, who only has eyes for the box in her hand.

"Aye my lady, I got the note your hound delivered. Here be a box of your usual, would you like anything else?"

Lyn glances over her shoulder at Dean and motions for him to step up closer to the counter.

"Get whatever you want Dean, my treat."

Suddenly Dean feels like he's five years old and sitting at Missouri's kitchen table again. She'd bake him anything he asked for in exchange for helping weed her garden or raking up the leaves in her front yard. The counter before him holds racks and racks of every kind of bake good imaginable. It's all he can do not to drool all over the floor. He gives Lyn a questioning look and she just smiles back at him.

"Go on, pick something!"

"Pie, I want a pie."

The words come haltingly and unsure, making him sound like the little boy from his memories. The plump woman behind the counter chortles good naturally and then motions to shelf full of pies of all shapes and sizes.

"What kind of pie, lovey? I've got Apple, peach, blueberry, mincemeat, and pumpkin."

"Apple."

Dean watches intently as the woman slides a large pie off of the shelf and puts it in a paper box carefully. Lyn hands the woman some coins, then hands the pie to Dean, and the other box to Sten. Both men regard their packages with small smiles and reverence, as if in their hands they hold their own personal saviors, not just boxes of baked goods. Lyn restrains the urge to chuckle again, instead leading the way to a quiet spot near the river.

They find a spot to sit under a tree on a grassy bank, once settled they open their packages. Dean glances over at Sten's box and finds that it's filled with cookies of all different shapes and flavors. The giant qunari is smiling again, as is Lyn, who is helping herself to one of the sugary confections. Dean returns his attention to the beautiful thing on his lap. Using a knife he keeps in his boot, he carefully cuts a slice and stuffs it in his mouth. Sugar and spice fill his tastebuds, and the apples practically melt in his mouth. It is the best pie he's ever had.

No one talks, they just sit and enjoy the view of the city while stuffing their faces. This is Dean's kind of fun, and he's happy that Lyn trusted him enough to share this secret tradition with him. Once his pie is gone, every last crumb picked from the paper pan, Dean lies back on the grass and folds his arms behind his head. This world he now lives in has given him new appreciation for the quiet moments. He's well fed, safe for the moment thanks to Sten's presence, and in the company of a woman who fascinates him. Dean has to admit, life is pretty good.

Lyn leans back against the tree trunk and lets her legs stretch out in front of her. Sten watches the river intently as he finishes the last of the cookies in his box. Once finished, he pulls a small book from the pouch at his waist and begins to read it. The sun filters through the tree's leaves, leaving dappled patterns that dance and sway when a breeze passes by on the three companions. Dean dozes off and has pleasant dreams about pie and hips swaying in gold and black armor. Lyn lets him sleep, his worries melting from his face in his slumber, making him look younger and happier. She lets her mind wander, fingers absentmindedly playing with the silver dragon ring on her left hand.