Following the directions that Mervis gave them they found themselves in the Wending Woods in the moment they turned the corner they found bandits along with some burn in caravans.

The bandits saw them at once and they began to panic, but before they could draw their weapons jumping out of a nearby tree was a man with a hood over his head. He landed behind one of the bandits and snapped his neck and then flung a dagger at an archer and when the third bandit tried to strike him down with his sword, he pulled his own sword and its sliced right through the sword and the bandits head.

"Quick work," said Nathaniel.

"I hope he's on our side," said Anders.

"This mortal is certainly impressive," Justice noted.

Faren looked at the sword and recognised it as Starfang. This could only mean that the man with the hood was Theron Mahariel, the Hero of Ferelden.

"Wolf?" said Faren.

"It's been a long time, old friend," said Theron as he lowered his hood.

"A Dalish?" said Nathaniel, looking slightly concerned.

"Bah, that's not your normal Dalish," said Oghren cheerfully. "That there lad is the Hero of Fereldan."

Nathaniel and Anders looked at one another then back to Theron, who simply just stood there.

"I would rather you call me Theron," he insisted. He then looked at Oghren. "I see you joined."

"Ha, I couldn't let some wood elf trump the great Oghren."

Theron shook his head. "I see you haven't changed."

"What are you doing here, Wolf?" Faren asked as he wandered over towards him. "I thought you went with Leliana to Orlais?"

"I did, I even met a friend of hers, but once word got back of new darkspawn I came back at once," said Theron as he examined the bodies of the bandits.

"I take it from your expression that there are darkspawn nearby," said Faren grimly.

"Indeed, but the over that bridge," said Theron gesturing to a bridge not too far away.

"At least we took down those bandits," said Oghren. "At least now the caravan can receive journey to the keep, more or less."

"Less actually," said Theron.

"Do you mean?" Nathaniel asked.

"Because the merchant guards that were paid to defend the caravan could easily dealt with these fools," said Theron.

"He's right," Faren nodded. "Could it be the darkspawn?"

"It's possible, but my gut is telling me that something else is afoot."

"Then its weapons ready," said Faren. He then looked at Theron. "You coming with?"

"Like you could stop me."

They made their way over the bridge and that once they saw a bandit came running towards them. "Out of my way! I need to get out of here!"

"What's wrong? Can we help?" Theron asked moved to block his retreat.

"No!" cried the bandit. The man ducked and tried to hide behind Oghren, peering out to look back up the path.

"Who's after you?" Faren asked.

"The elf?" he cried. "She makes the trees come alive! All we wanted was some easy money from the caravans, but—"

The tree leaves rustled as the wind shifted. He gave a plaintive wail. "Maker help me! She's here! Got to get away." He shoved Nathaniel aside and ran.

Roots and branches shot out of the ground on the bluff above them, and then vanished, revealing a Dalish woman. She glared down at them, but start when she saw Theron. "I recall you from the last gathering of the clans," she said. "Your keeper is Marehari, is she not?"

Theron took a step forward. "She was when I left. I haven't seen my clan for while."

"I see…" she said looking down. "I… understand. I was with our Keeper Illshae, when she spoke to Marehari. I am Velanna." She then began to study the area. "Watch your back around these parts; there are darkspawn, and the shem settlements do not look kindly on the Dalish."

Theron frowned. "So why haven't you left?"

"I have a score to settle with the shems who march through as though the woods were theirs," she said bitterly.

Theron looked at the others and then back to Velanna. "What score?"

"They stole my sister and likely sold to merchants. I will not rest until I have her back," she yelled at the top of her voice. "You should go. I have no quarrel with you and I would hate for that to change." The branches and roots enveloped her again, and she vanished.

"I think we may have found the problem," said Nathaniel.

"Indeed, but I have a feeling that this problem goes a lot deeper than we believe," said Theron.

Anders leaned down towards Faren. "Does he always talked like that?"

Faren shrugged. "Pretty much."

"There he is planning to jump that elven woman," Oghren laughed.

Theron glared down at him. "I don't jump on anyone."

"Well, you practically jumped on Leliana when you first met," Faren reminded.

Theron then turned his gaze onto him.

"We should seek justice for those the elf have killed," said Justice firmly.

Theron turned on the spirit. "We should at least investigate."

"You're the elf, you lead us," said Faren gesturing to the road.

Talking Alamarri statues. Probably a good thing Daylen had left earlier, or they'd have been there all day. Or he'd have insisted on hauling them back to the Vigil. He hoped they did find their rest.

"Why are trees attacking us?" Nathaniel asked.

"Because Velanna has possessed them with demons," said Theron.

"Never mind about the bloodied trees, we need to stop this elf and killing anyone else," said Faren firmly.

"You're standing in my dirt."

They all turned to see a woman in mage robes glaring at them, her arms folded.

"I'm sorry?"

She gestured at him. "Don't be sorry. Just move." Faren stepped off the patch of bare earth. "That dirt was specially prepared for my plants. I only have to find the seeds now. It's just a matter of time, I'm sure."

He sighed. "Are you Ines, the botanist?"

She actually smiled. "You've heard of me then? Read one of my books, have you?""

Faren shook his head. "Wynne told me to find you."

"She best not want me to teach slack-jawed apprentices again. She used to pester Uldred about his 'duty' to the apprentices when he just wanted to be left alone. No wonder he went crazy and tried to kill everyone."

"She said the College of Magi needed a voice of reason." Clearly, mages defined 'reason' differently than the rest of the world.

"Hmmm. It's been some time since the College was called together. Why now? No…" She shook her head. "I can't go. Not yet." She set her jaw. "I'm not leaving till I get the seeds of the northern prickleweed. I've been here too long to just give up."

Faren pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers tiredly. "If I find the seeds for you, will you go to Cumberland?"

She described the plant. It took them the better part of half an hour and a bunch of trees nearly killed them again, but they found it. Wynne owed him.

Ines was at least grateful. She actually cooed over the seeds. The prickleweed was apparently one of the few plants that could grow in blight infested lands, and helped recover the land. Ines practically forced a bunch of poultices and a sheaf of notes on them before taking her leave. And they'd found some black granite. Not a total loss then.

"Let's go find this crazy Dalish woman and get out of the woods."

"Indeed, we need to find the source of her rage," said Theron.

They climbed up the hill towards an ancient ruin and found the Dalish camper ransacked. The weapons were just lying around, as if they'd been discarded at random. Fareb exchanged a glance with Nathaniel. The archer bent to look at tracks, and then shook his head.

"This looks like a Dalish camp," said Oghren. "Think they are hiding, watching us?"

"They're dead," said Theron, gesturing at the burial mounds. "But something isn't right."

"What you mean?" Anders asked.

"For starters, this is far too small only count half a dozen tents," said Theron. "Also, we wouldn't actually sent up camp inside a ruin like this, there's only one means of escape in case of an attack. Also these weapons are out of place."

"Indeed," said Justice looking at the discarded weapons. "They are certainly out of place."

He then examined the mounds of earth and brush some earth way to see the face of a young Dalish man.

"Death," he said he looked at Faren. "We spirits know no more of it than you do. What lies beyond is obscured, even to us." He then looked at Theron. "Can you tell me who these people were? You bear the shame markings."

"We're called the Dalish," said Theron.

Justice pondered for a moment. "The body you inhabit was familiar with that name. My memories say the Dalish were cast out, unwelcome in almost every land. Why is that?"

Faren looked at Theron and knew that this question was not simple to answer. Theron, cleary had to think about how you answer this question to the spirit.

"We choose our own path," he said simply.

Justice frowned. "Hmm. An odd path to choose." He then looked the mounds of earth and then back to them. "How odd that mortals find so many differences to hate when you have so very much in common. To once such as is I, it is difficult to tell you apart. Are these similarities not worth rejoicing in?"

Faren rubbed the back of his head. "We're not as similar as you think."

"It seems I lack a key understanding of your world. But then, I do not even understand demons. My entire existence is spent seeking out wrong is to right."

"You can decide for yourself, you know."

Justice nodded. "Perhaps you are right. But what else am I if not a seeker of justice?" He took one last glance at the mounds of earth and at the Dalish man. "Enough. I wish to look at this no more."

Nathaniel and Theron use their tracking skills to fall the trail that led to the Dalish camp and hopefully to answers.

"Find anything?" Faren asked.

"These bodies were brought here. You can see drag marks," said Nathaniel, pointing out the tracks. "Here and here. Someone was trying to hide them."

"Our Dalish friend displayed her kills quite openly." Faren looked over the pit. "No weapons."

Nathaniel nodded. "Because they were left at the Dalish camp."

Theron cast out his senses. "There… I think I sense something close by."

They sensed the tainted wolves before they attacked they could be all took up their positions and began to fend off the walls without any real problem. Nathaniel bent to retrieve the arrows, then nodded and followed. They found a soldier, his flesh already blackening from the taint.

"Don't look… don't look at me!"

He watched Faren approach the man, and nocked an arrow, keeping it ready. "What are you doing here?" Faren asked.

"Olaf… my name. Came with friends to… to drive out… away the elf. But… the darkspawn were too quick." He gasped out his breaths. "Everyone dead… dead soft meat melting into the ground. I… I crawled away... came here. Can't stand to… see it…"

"Do you know anything about the elf's sister?" Theron asked.

"Sister? I… have a sister… do I? Elf-sister, no… we did not take her. Probably dead. Or eaten."

Theron sensed the darkspawn moving in. He signalled Faren, Oghren, Anders and Nathaniel, then drew out Starfang, watching carefully for the first signs of their enemy.

"Did you kill the elves?" Faren asked. He drew his blades, keeping them at hand as he continued to question the man.

"No. No. Darkspawn came first. They slaughtered us… took our steel. Brought it to the elven camp. Tricked us, tricked the elf. Now… she thinks we are to blame. Hunts all in her rage… while they watch…" His head came up. "The dark ones are curious about you too. They watch you as well as her. Can you feel them?"

He could. They moved just out of sight, stalking closer. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Faren draw a knife from his belt and slit the soldier's throat in a smooth, practiced motion. Then he stood, hammer in hand, and prepared to meet the darkspawn.

Darkspawn attacked them, but Faren and Oghren managed to knock them back with their heavy weapons. Anders blasted them with a barrage of ice, Nathaniel shot a genlock through the head with one of his arrows and Juctice kept on pushing them back with his mace. But Theron was in a league of his own dodging every single swing they made and stabbing them through their guard before they realised what was going on.

In no time at all every single darkspawn laid dead on the ground.

"Traps and trickery. Darkspawn are supposed to be all but mindless," Oghren spat.

"Indeed," said Theron examining the dead darkspawn. He then looked at Faren, "Faren, we need to destroy every single one of these… awakened darkspawn. Can you imagine the carnage in the next Blight if the darkspawn can think for themselves."

Faren nodded. "I got you, Wolf. Bird let's first head back to the Dalish camp. Maybe we'll be lucky, and she'll be in a reasonable mood."

They'd reached the base of the hill when she appeared again. "Why are you still here? I told you to stay away from me! I warned you! This place is not for you!"

Theron took a step forward. "The humans did not kidnap your sister."

"I know human crime when I see one. I have experienced more than enough of them," she snarled. "Your pay for repeating their lies."

Faren had hoped that Theron could talk some sense into her, but it was not to be. Pale green light shown around her as the trees around them came to life and moved in to attack.

After killing the trees they found her at the camp, kneeling by the graves. The spells had clearly taken a lot out of her. She had to use her staff to stand up, and her breath came in ragged gasps. "How can the Dalish hope to revive our past glory when we slaughter each other like animals?"

He gestured for the others to hold their position, and allowed Theron to talk to her. "I'm not going to kill you."

"Then you will let me go? For the sake of our people and what we share?"

Theron shook his head. "Not yet. I wish to talk."

She laughed. "Talk."

"The humans are not to blame for what happened here."

She shook her head. "You expect me to believe that? What of the weapons, or my sister's disappearance?"

Faren then took a step forward and looked at her firmly. "The weapons here were planted by darkspawn."

Velanna looked around the camp. "I wondered why anyone would discard the weapons, but you say the darkspawn planted them?" Her eyes widened. "That would mean the darkspawn killed my people and took my sister!"

Theron nodded grimly. "Yes."

Velanna got to her feet. "Why would the darkspawn do this?"

Faren crossed his arms. "I don't know, but I'm going to find out."

"You have no reason to trust me, but let me come with you."

He narrowed his eyes. While it was not really her fault what had happened, she still glorified over the deaths of the merchants. There again, they had no idea what they were going into and he needed all the help he can get. "Fine, but I'm watching you."

"This elf should be brought to justice," said Justice. "Why should we assist her at all?"

"Because she's a looker!" Anders said unhelpfully. "What you think her sister's like?" He then whistled. Velanna glared at him and he suddenly remembered that she hated humans. "Uh, I mean, darkspawn bad. Grr."

She looked at Theron. "We Dalish must band together. I apologise for… my actions." Her voice did sound apologetically, but Faren bared that she wouldn't be so apologetically if Theron hadn't been here. "Now, where should we seek the darkspawn?"

"Tunnels, most likely."

"There is an abandoned mine some ways to the north of here; the tunnels run far into the earth." She pointed. "We will likely find the darkspawn there."

Justice did not seem to like this idea, but he did not argue either.

They did had a small battle with some darkspawn on their way to the mine, but they managed to reach it and began to walk some wooden stairs.

"Something's not right here," said Theron.

That's when they saw a dwarven woman wearing warden armour and far gone to the taint. The emissary… was something else. They pulled out their weapons, and then it spoke. "Shhh… sleep…"

Beneath them, the glyph activated. He tried to counter, but the dwarf threw a pouch of dust into their midst. The powder rose up, choking. He felt himself fall, and then everything went dark.

Faren was still slightly dazed, but he found himself strapped to a table. He looked around and saw the emissary looking down at him.

"So you are the commander of the Grey Wardens," it said. "Do not be frightened. Your injuries have been tended to." Faren tried to move, but he could barely feel his arms or legs. "I apologise for what I must do. I do not wish to be your enemy. But now is not the time for this. Rest."

He awoke in a cell. His first thought was a realisation that he also wasn't wearing armour, weapons, or clothes. He sat up.

Velanna was sitting in a corner, knees drawn up to her chest. She'd also been stripped of gear. Oghren lay in the back. There was a bleeding knot on the man's head where something had struck him. Anders was tending to him and Theron was examining Nathaniel's wounds. Justice was also there, but it was a little disturbing to see a corpse naked and he turned away quickly.

"I see you're awake," said Theorn.

"What happened?" Faren asked rubbing his head.

"What do you think happened?" Velanna spat. "The darkspawn stripped us of our gear and placed us in this cell."

"I like to know why," said Theron. "They don't often keep prisoners and as far as I can tell they haven't exactly tried to taint you yet." He then looked at the cell door. "Can you pick the lock?"

"If I had my tools," said Faren grimly. "Any idea how long we have been here?"

"No."

Suddenly Velanna stood up, staring out of the cell. Another elven woman had entered. He could feel the taint within her. There was something unusual about it. Not like a Warden, but not like a ghoul. "Seranni! Oh creators, what have they done to you?"

"They haven't done anything. I… I'm fine, Velanna. It's not me he wants…" She turned her gaze to the Wardens. "I have to get you out before something bad happens. I don't want anyone else to be hurt."

"Yes, all right. Let me out and I'll take you home."

"The darkspawn have your things. You can still get it all back if you're careful and clever."

Theron looked at her curiously. "Tell me what's going on. You must know something."

"I don't know anything. But take this key. It… It opens a chest in the emissary's room. Maybe you'll find some answers there."

Faren stared at the girl. "How did you get this?"

"I… I found it…" Exchange looks with Theron and they came up with the same thought, she was a terrible liar. She set the keys down outside the cell. "You have to go, find a way out of the mines. Please." She ran.

"I can't just leave you! Seranni, wait!" Velanna cried

Nathaniel managed, just barely, to get the keys. He unlocked the cell, and Velanna started to dash off after Seranni. Theron caught her arm. "Let go of me."

"There are darkspawn all over. You run off, you are just going to get killed, or worse."

"I have to find her," she said desperately.

"We will."

"We have to move," said Faren.

"Are you really planning on fighting your way out of a dungeon while completely naked?" Velanna asked.

"Do you have any better suggestions?" Faren asked.

"Were not so helpless, you and Anders are still able to use your magic and Faren still has his Templar training," Theron pointed out.

"Ha, first time I use magic naked," said Anders humorously.

They used a ballista to topple a statue onto a group of darkspawn. Faren slid jumped down from the ledge and used his Templar training to negate the survivor's spell. Then he punched it in the face as hard as he could. It went down. Quickly they stripped the darkspawn of gear, and headed in.

When they turned the corner, they saw a female elf turned ghoul. Faren blinked. Velanna snarled. "That… That ghoul has my things! She has it all! I'm going to get it back." She looked at Theron. "Are you with me?"

Theron nodded and they charged at the ghoul, she didn't stand a chance and once she was dead Velanna removed her gear and place it on, much to her relief. It must have been quite embarrassing for her to walk around naked alongside them.

They wandered through another tunnel and there they found. A man was lying in a corner room and Faren realised he was a Warden. He was pale, and his legs were… They'd tortured and maimed one of his Wardens.

"You're the Warden-Commander! I…" The man looked at him in surprise. His accent marked him as Orlesian. "Wouldn't have expected to meet you here." He pulled himself into a sitting position. "Did those bastards get you too?"

"Yes, they did." He looked towards Anders, but he shook his head. They didn't get there soon enough.

"I had hoped you would avoid capture, would be luckier than the rest of us." The injured Warden coughed. "I was to help rebuild the Ferelden Wardens, just as you were. We were at Vigil's Keep less than a week when the darkspawn came. I think I'm the only one left. The others are dead or worse."

Faren sank his head. "I arrived too late to help."

"There's no sense in regret. You must escape," he said. "The darkspawn have some kind of plan for you, and it cannot be good." He sighed. "But listen—there is a darkspawn here carrying a huge maul. He crushed my legs. He took my wedding ring. Please, Commander, slay him. Bring the ring to my wife, Nida, in Amaranthine. Tell her I died trying to make this world better."

"I'd rather bring you to your wife."

"No! I'll only slow you down. Please, do this for me. It is all I ask."

Those were his last words as he collapsed.

"He deserved a better fate," said Theron.

"They all did," said Faren.

They found the darkspawn and cut off his head off, and then found the wedding ring. At least they were able to fulfil the Warden's last request.

It took some hunting, but they managed to find all of the armour that had been grouted by the darkspawn.

"That was the most humiliating thing in my entire life," said Theron as he adjusted his gauntlets.

"Tell me about it," Faren muttered as he adjusted his armour.

They wandered for a bit and then surprisingly they came across a Qunari. They recovered the rest of their gear from Armaas's crates. Apparently he been doing his services with the darkspawn, which was stranger than actually talking to them, but he was able to convince him to sell his product at Vigil's Keep. He wasn't certain how Mistress Woolsey would respond to this, but she had been on the lookout for trading possibilities.

They found the strange emissary in the next room. Seranni was with him, as was the not-quite-a-warden. The emissary gestured, and two dragons leaped down to attack.

Nathaniel and Theron drew out their bows and fired as many arrows as they could as the dragons jumped and leaped about. One started to breathe fire, and then Faren slammed his hammer under its jaw. Oghren kept swing his axe at the other one while Justice attack it from the rear. Anders then casted an ice spell freezing is in place.

They turned and looked at the emissary who was with Seranni and dwarven Warden. The creature watched them a moment, then gestured for Seranni and the warden-thing to go. They went through the tunnel. The creature used its magic to seal the tunnel behind it.

"No! Why is she with that monster? We must get to her!"

"We'll find another way," Faren assured. He was fairly sure her sister was lost. It seemed she was following the creature of her own free will. That notion was seriously disturbing.

Oghren spat. "They're darkspawn. They'll head underground, to the Deep Roads. They always do."

Velanna nodded. "The home of the children of Stone. Yes…" She turned to Faren. "They say Wardens can sense darkspawn even deep beneath the ground. I would join the Grey Wardens. Give me the ability to hunt down these monsters in the Deep."

Faren was quite surprised of this. "The Joining could kill you."

"At the very least, it's hard to get the taste out of your mouth for a few hours," said Anders.

"I am not afraid of death." She gestured.

Justice turned on Faren. "You cannot mean to have this murderer join our ranks! She should not be allowed to escape justice so easily!"

"I will pledge my service to you in exchange for the powers your order can grant. What say you?" said Velanna

Faren didn't exactly trust her and partly agreed with Justice, but right now he was indeed shorthanded and it appeared they were facing a greater threat than originally thought. "Very well. Welcome to the Grey Wardens."

"Ma serannas. Shall we go then? I've had enough of this place."

"I'm gonna stay here," said Theron.

"Any reason why?" Faren asked.

"I might be able to find out more about this emissary and what he's planning. If I find anything else in your way."

Faren nodded. "I think this is bigger than anything we could have imagined."

"I agree."

Meanwhile, deep within the Deep Roads, the emissary was wandering the ancient roads with the dwarf by his side.

"Unfortunate," he said. The door of looked at him and while she did not speak, he knew what was on her mind. "No, it is lost to us now. There is no point in returning, Utha. Your former comrades are impressive. They will be difficult to convince."

She then began to walk away, but he stopped. "No, Utha. I will fulfil my promise to you. All is not lost, yet. Come. We must prepare for battle."

The two of them then wandered deep within the roads.