The Warden-Commander led her group up the mountains, covering themselves with thick fur cloaks as the temperature gradually dropped. The horses had a more difficult time climbing up the mountains while having someone mounted on top of them, so they decided to go on foot while guiding the horses up. Sigrun shivered as she wrapped the cloak around her tighter before moving closer to Anders. He conjured a ball of fire with one hand, his other hand kept the cloak wrapped around his body. He let out a loud sneeze and sniffed.

"Are we there yet?" he asked.

"We're close," Elisa assured him as she pointed up at the silhouette of the fortress.

Even from that distance, Soldier's Peak looked huge, and as they got closer, the mage couldn't help but stare at it with his mouth gaping. "Woah…" he muttered.

"Same thing the last time I saw it," Oghren grumbled as he walked past Anders.

Nathaniel, while walking beside his Commander, stared up at the old fortress as he removed the hood of his cloak "If you already had a base here, why take my family's land?"

"It was not taken, boy. It was given by the Crown." It was Loghain who replied just as he moved on the other side of Elisa. He scowled but kept whatever snide comment he would add to himself. "Months ago, this fortress was not easily accessible. This path we're using right now had just been made by the merchants staying at Soldier's Peak – quite recently. The other route takes a few days longer."

"If we don't get lost in the tunnels, that is," Elisa added, "which happens a lot – almost always actually."

"Only to you it seems, Commander," Loghain stated dryly though his features softened a bit as a smile threatened to form on his lips. His statement earned him an incredulous look from the auburn-haired woman, not believing that he never got lost every time he used that route. As proof, he took out a map from his satchel and showed to her the marks he made while navigating the tunnels.

She stared at the map while rubbing her chin. The slight grin on her face indicated that she was impressed by the older Warden's cartography. Her elbow lightly nudged his forearm as she shook her head. "Show off." Her grin widened a bit as she challenged him. "Let's see you try mapping the Deep Roads." The two had continued to walk ahead with their topic then shifting to the Deep Roads, neither realizing that the archer had slowed his pace.

Nathaniel placed the hood over his head once more as he watched Elisa's full attention on her Second. It felt like a barrier would always form around them whenever they talked. He shouldn't be surprised about it really. They did after all spend a longer time together as comrade-in-arms. It was simply that he was so used to fact that his Commander was the too-young daughter of the late Teryn Cousland who would always search for his company. He wasn't oblivious to her infatuation back then. In fact, Fergus would often tease him about it. And even if he would not openly admit it before, he enjoyed her company as well. He might have even courted her if he hadn't been sent to the Free Marches before she was presented to the nobility. Seeing her flinging her affection now to another man just did not sit well on him.

His last thought made him suddenly pause. His brows knitted together as he stared intently at them. No, that can't be… could they? He then remembered the night he and the mage entered her chambers, catching those two in a… compromising position. His anger that time dominated any curiosity, so he never made much thought of it until now. While the former Teryn had only been bandaging her wounds that time, the fact that she showed no signs of embarrassment meant that she had already shown him her bare flesh at least once. Question of when and how it happened popped in his head followed by more questions that just bothered him to no end. It was only when his Commander called their attention that he was pulled out of his own thoughts.

"We're here."

Everyone settled in the fortress' bed quarters for it had been late in the afternoon when they arrived there. Elisa was grateful for the Dryden's that they cleaned up the place. Shame, though, that Levi hadn't arrived yet from his trip into the Frostback Mountains. Poor weather contributed to his delay, his relatives explained. Good news was that they expect him to arrive tomorrow noon.

During dinner, she invited Levi's family to join them in the dining hall. It lessened the eerie memory she had of the place with a lively group in one room. Without them, it felt like a demon could sneak an attack from behind. She had to remind Oghren though to keep his profanity to the minimum, having children join them and all. The red-haired dwarf begrudgingly agreed, thank the Maker for small favors.

Nathaniel watched his Commander who sat a bit far from him with Loghain on her right and the Dryden's smith, Mikhael, on her left. From the sound of it, she seemed to be trying to convince the smith to ply his trade in Amaranthine. However, her voice lowered, with all the loud chatting around the hall, it was difficult to pick up whatever they were discussing. Loghain had joined in the conversation, he voice lowered like the woman beside him before the two shared a look. That made him scowl, yet he tried to push away whatever ill suspicions he had. This was the kind of thing Anders would be suspecting and he reminded himself not to act like the mage.

"Cheer up. No one likes a grump."

Nathaniel was startled by the sudden comment of Sigrun who he immediately remembered was sitting next to him. The short woman grinned knowingly to him before following his gaze which he quickly shifted back to his plate as he silently ate, his cheeks turned light red from the embarrassment of getting caught.

Thinking quickly, he changed the subject. "For a dead woman, you're remarkably perky."

"I could be less perky if you like." Sigrun made an overdramatic melancholy pose. "The darkness of the Deep Roads is seeped into my soul. The world is dead, my heart is black. Alas... woe… woe!"

Nathaniel shook his head as his lips cracked a faint smile. "Right… let's stick to perky." He resumed eating though his eyes kept flickering back to Elisa every now and then. At one point, he saw her subtly lean closer to her Second and whispered something. The latter's expression remained unreadable and only responded with a small nod. What are they talking about? The unanswered question irritated him, making him scowl deeply once more.

"Don't worry. The two aren't at it, from what I heard." The archer mentally cursed at being caught by the dwarf beside him once again. She added with a grin, "Hope that'll help stop you from brooding."

"I'm not brooding." His expression became neutral once again before he excused himself and left the dining hall. Whether his Commander or anyone other than Sigrun noticed his exit, it didn't matter to him. He simply just wanted to get away, and find some quiet place to think.

Nathaniel's wandering led him to the fortress' training room. It wasn't as large as the one located outside but it was enough for the dark-haired archer to practice with his bow while clearing his thoughts. It worked for a while. His focus was concentrated on the center of the target, and his arrows hit that area each time. Then, he missed just as he felt something tingle in his blood. She's coming. She's… alone? He considered hiding in the shadows until he could no longer sense her. Yet, it would be pointless if she was looking for him. Did she notice me leave? Did it raise her concern? Or was it just coincidence that she was passing by outside?

He didn't have to wait further for answers. "Nathaniel." Her voice made him lower his bow before he faced her with the mask of neutrality.

"Commander." He nodded. He noticed her raise a brow and he wondered if she noticed anything.

"You left the dining hall early," she said as she strode towards the nearby weapon rack and took a practice bow. "I hope it's not because of the food. You'd be breaking a lot of hearts if the girls find out."

It's the scene more like. "The food's fine," he replied when she stepped behind him to take an arrow from his quiver, "I was just… not hungry."

She grinned slightly. "A nice way to say you didn't like it." She raised the bow and aimed the arrow at the target. "So, what's really bothering you? You've been brooding the entire time during dinner and I doubt it has something to do with the stew unless you have an Orlesian stomach."

He blinked as he stared at her. Was he that obvious? His surprise must have been evident on his face as she added, "Sigrun told me when I asked her why you left."

"I'd rather not talk about it." He didn't add anything else after that nor did she push him to answer.

The room became quiet with the only sound of an arrow hitting its mark, echoing in the training room. Offering his quiver to her, he settled with just watching her shoot arrow after arrow. Some landed close to the center while others were a bit far from the intended target. The silence stretched far enough for it to become awkward, at least for him anyway.

He watched her and tried to find something to start a conversation. "You've improved a little compared to the last time I saw you hold a bow."

She snorted and turned her head to the side. "Just a little?"

"You don't hold it like a sword at least." Grey eyes studied her form while pushing any thoughts of the curves of her body far back in his consciousness. "You posture is still a bit off though."

"My posture's perfectly fine." She positioned herself and in the corner of her eye she saw the archer shake his head.

"No, like this." He walked up behind her as he guided her arm to stretch it further and raise it higher. As leaned closer, his nose picked up her scent – the smell of lavender and something uniquely hers alone – which was doing things he would rather not have the lady in front of him notice. Focus. He scolded himself mentally. "Point the bow to the ground," he instructed as he reached for an arrow from the quiver and handed it over to her. "before loading it."

As she placed the arrow against the string and held it in place, he put a hand on hers and pulled it back. "Look at the target," he whispered and, for a second, he felt her frame slightly shiver from his breath brushing against her ear. She gave a small nod before firing. The arrow flew swiftly towards the target, directly hitting the center.

"Did you see that?" She grinned widely – a smile that resembled his memory of the too-young daughter of Teryn Cousland. Perhaps he was wrong to assume that part of her to be dead. Perhaps, it was possible that it only remained dormant within her due to all the unfortunate circumstances that she had to face, and all it needed was someone to wake it up. Perhaps that someone could be…

"Elisa," he spoke her name softly, making her turn her head to the side. She was close, so close that if he would lean his head forward, he could…

"Commander." From the doorway, a familiar voice called out. It broke whatever spell was cast between them as she stepped away from him and strode towards the weapon rack, placing the practice bow back where it was before. Grey eyes focused towards the doorway and met icy blue eyes glaring back at him. His father was right when he said that the man's sharp gaze was intimidating but he wasn't going to allow himself to falter.

"Get some rest, Nathaniel," he heard his Commander state as she patted his shoulder. Her cold passive demeanor had returned and the barrier was brought up again as she and her Second left the training room.

"I still don't trust him."

Loghain stopped and Elisa followed suit once she was a few steps ahead of him. She turned around to look at him with a raised brow. "I stand here alive and unscathed even when I allowed an opportunity for him to get close enough for a quick knife-stab on my back. And you still don't trust him?" She sighed in exasperation as her thumb and forefinger massaged the bridge of her nose. "We've answered your curiosity, so could we move past your paranoia?"

He scoffed but followed her nonetheless as she resumed walking. Moving beside her, he added, "For now. Know, however, that I will watch him carefully."

"Do as you like." She shrugged as they passed the rampart walkway that led to the Peak's highest tower. Once they stood just outside the most secluded room of the fortress, she took a deep breath. She had promised to explain to him everything but something was tugging within her that said not to. It was fear perhaps – fear that his view of her might change for the worse. Loghain did many terrible things, but she doubted even he could have stooped this low just to protect everything he cared about. "Are you… certain?" Her voice whispered softly.

His response left no uncertainty. "Yes."

Taking another deep breath, she knocked on the door a few times. When a voice of an elderly man said "Come in", she opened the door and led her Second inside the large room. Tomes and all sorts of vials filled the shelves. Parchments were piled up on one desk. At the center of the end of the room was an alchemy table where a wizened mage turned around to face them as they approached.

"Avernus," Elisa greeted with a curt nod.

"Commander," Avernus did the same before his gaze fell on the man beside her. He raised a brow out of curiosity. Loghain scowled at the mage in returned the look with wariness. Magic was something he found difficult to trust, and he wasn't going to start now.

"He's my Second." Elisa's statement made the elderly man to focus back to her. "He has the right to know this, in case my… condition worsens."

Loghain's brows furrowed. "What condition?" He didn't like where this was going.

She took a deep breath. "During the Blight, I came here with some of our companions to reclaim the fortress. I figured it would be a good base in case the Landsmeet didn't go as planned and the civil war continued. That was when I met Avernus." Her fingers began to fidget out of instinct. "I've mentioned to you before that he was researching on the hidden powers of the Taint within us Wardens." When he nodded, she continued. "What I did not tell you is that he had already created a concoction to unlock them – an increase in strength, speed, stamina…" After removing her gloves, she took her dagger out and slashed a shallow wound on her arm. Blood began to trickle down but even so, the injury began to heal itself. "… Regeneration."

Loghain's eyes widened as the memory of her injured back flashed into his mind. He had thought back then that the Shrieks had not injured her as much as the archer, and her quick recovery without the healer's help was because the salve he applied on her wound was potent.

Avernus stepped beside the Warden-Commander as his bony hands took her arm to examine the regenerating wound. "Impressive. None of the others reached this far to have such effect. If you had allowed me to have more…" In the corner of his eye, he glanced towards the other man who quickly moved his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"I have already stated that further unethical means will not be permitted." She glared at the blood mage as she pulled her arm away. "You have me as a test subject. That's all the sacrifice I will offer." She saw the elderly man's brows crease, but made no further argument as he returned to his alchemy table. Glancing back to her Second whose blue eyes stared at her intently, she took a deep breath as she continued, "It was not perfect, however. There were… side-effects – minimal, manageable quirks, until it progressed into something… dangerous and uncontrollable."

"And what happened in Kal'Hirol," Loghain asked, "that was one of them?"

Elisa nodded as she tried to keep herself from looking away. "Yes. Bloodlust, among other things, triggers such… violence."

"Anger, bitterness, hatred," Avernus suddenly spoke and the two other Wardens focused their attention to him. Turning around, he asked. "Those are the other things you spoke of, correct?" When she nodded, he took a tome from one of the nearby shelves, pacing toward them while he opened the book, searching for a certain page. He paused just a few feet away from her, and stopped flipping through the pages before he stated, "It has accelerated the corruption within you. I made some miscalculation it seems, but some progress nonetheless considering that it did not outright kill you."

"Miscalculation!?" Loghain gritted his teeth as he charged towards the blood mage, his hand pulling out his sword from the scabbard. However, his Commander was quick to move between him and the elder Warden, her hand raised up, signaling Loghain to stay his blade. He did so reluctantly though, and glared at the man behind her.

Once ensured that her Second would not attack, Elisa looked over to Avernus and asked, "For how long?"

"Three to five years, if fortunate. If not, a year at most before you start hearing the call of the old gods." The blood mage closed the tome he held and added, "As I said in my letter, I can develop a tonic to delay the effects, perhaps up to ten years at most."

"How about reversing your miscalculation instead mage!?" Loghain growled as he motioned forward but his Commander pressed a hand against his breastplate and glared sharply to silence him.

"What materials do you need?" Elisa asked while still glaring at Loghain.

"I have all in stock, Commander," Avernus replied, "however, I will need your cooperation tonight. The blood sample you sent me isn't enough—"

Loghain moved past his Commander, caring little if ignoring her orders to stay his hand would result to insubordination. He grabbed the mage by the front of his robes and lifted him up from the floor with ease as he gritted his teeth. "You want to bleed her dry!?"

"Loghain, enough." Her tone was icy cold as she grabbed his forearm, clutching the metal a bit too tightly that it made a small dent on the armor. "I will do this and whatever you say will not change my mind. Now, release the mage so he can begin with his preparations."

He did so only because her tight grip on his gauntlet seemed to tell him that her control over her darker side was slowly slipping away. Still, that would not silence his apprehension. "How can you be certain that this would not worsen your condition? Have you ever considered that this time it could kill you!?"

"I'm going to die either way, Loghain!" Pausing, she released her tight grip on his forearm and stepped back as she tried to calm burning anger within her. Seconds after, she spoke in a soft even tone. "Look, right now, what's keeping me from ripping everyone's heads off is that I stay far from the front lines. But, you have to consider that if my condition remains unchecked, in a few months or so, that strategy might not work any longer, and thus, put everyone in danger."

Loghain scowled deeply. Stubborn woman! He hated to admit it but she made a good point. Throwing his hands up in the air, he begrudgingly gave in. "Fine, do what you like, Commander. Die or live, I care not!" He strode toward the door and slammed it behind him.

End of Chapter 12