A/N: Not sure where I'm going yet, but do review when you're done! (also, drop me a pm if you think that something's off or if you have suggestions regarding anything)

Chapter 3:

Nice view.

Kiera

I had sprung out of the large cot that was my bed, found a small clearing a ways from the main settlement and started training, going through the movements my mentor had taught before being stopped by a night patrol. My dreams were now all nightmares, without the Blight's incessant Archdemon song; it was back to the Fade in all its wonderful glorious temptations. I wasn't going to get much rest; it seems, so it was understandable that I might have come off a tad aggressive. I also found out that the qunari did not like sarcasm much.

"Why are you out here so late at night—Grey Warden?" The kossith who stood in front of me was apparently the leader of the small aad – unit, all of them peering down from their great heights. Perhaps they had thought that I was an enemy?

"As you can probably see, I am training. Is that not allowed?" Maybe I was making too much noise. I would keep it down then. The qunari's eye's narrowed as he judged my appearance. I wasn't wearing my armor—the clanking was so loud—I'd never make it out of the building without waking half the priestesses. Suddenly I felt a little exposed, my shoulders were bare and the cloths covered precious little from the appraising glare of the male.

"You are a woman, so it follows that you do not need to wield—you should go back to the tamassrans where you belong." I'll admit that riled my temper, just a little.

"I might be female, but I am not a part of your Qun. I have proven myself in battle and that is where I belong."

His voice was cold, dismissing. I didn't like him very much, this karashok—a mere infantry private—who was he to question me? "My brethren had most likely underestimated you, and that is why you won."

"Oh? Do you truly feel that way, qunari? I could satisfy your… curiousity. Do you fancy that you could best me?" I stepped closer to him, and was gratified when he in turn took one back, warily. Good to know that I could scare him—I could use a workout.

The fury in his eyes ignited when he had found himself retreating, as was the unsettled ripple that went through the rest of his aad. He tried to keep in control, but the damage was done—pride was evident in this one's eyes.

"You speak dangerous words, human. Fighting words." I raised an eyebrow, considering his stance— was he giving me a chance to back down? No such luck.

"And here I was, thinking that we were having a friendly chat in the moonlight." There, that pride fed the growing anger, and he drew his sword with a sneer.

"Do you truly wish to test your mettle against us—woman? The Sten will not protect you here."

I faked a yawn. These men were young and reckless. I was like them, once. "I thought the qunari weren't chatty people. Are we going to stand here all night?" This was the last straw. The kossith swung his blade forward and advanced—the rest of his unit followed suit gladly.

xOxOx

I guess I had to take some responsibility for the ensuing fight—the clashes were so loud that we drew the attention of the main camp. At first, the curious ones merely stared, presumably entertained by our quarrel. These soon also joined the fray, and a few of them were on my side. Soon however, the officers came from behind the great stone walls and tried to stop the ridiculous mess we had created in the span of a half hour.

I didn't even see him coming, or rather, maybe I did—but it did not register immediately, but Sten had grabbed my arms, forcing them to my sides, before my blades would no doubt slice open his torso. I caught myself in time—and pointed my swords to the ground. And then, it hit me, I had never seen his chest this up close before; it was a nice… view.

"Kadan, stop."

"You don't have to tell me twice." I muttered. I felt myself relax, but my veins burned with a rising heat—a result of that sudden rush of emotion, no doubt. I rather hoped that it was not from that appealing image of my companion's bare torso; that would be… odd. I realized that he had never made me feel this way before, a strange, mixed attraction; but I hoped that he was doing well just the same—as the liege of Ferelden.

xOxOx

Sten

It seemed as if that I had come in time before the kadan slaughtered the karashoks—her movements had appeared unrestrained, very different from the usual measured way she fought. I needed to keep an eye on her.

"You truly should not have provoked them, kadan."

"But I am unharmed, Sten. It was a nice distraction."

"You are too reckless. The consequences would be worse if either of you were seriously injured in the brawl. Execution would be the punishment." She considered this carefully; her walk had slowed considerably while she did so. I matched her speed.

"I… understand. What will happen to him now?" I had no doubt that she had not even considered the possibility. The Qun viewed the harming of honored guests such as her very harshly.

"The arishok will deal with such transgressions of the antaam." And it would not be pleasant.

"Would it help if I told him that it was an enlightening experience?"

"No."

"I… I'm sorry."

"It is not your fault. The karashok should learn to not pick fights so near the barracks." She smiled at that, a little gingerly, having not forgotten her part in the affair.

"So… will I be chastised? For using a blade when I am a woman?" Her emphasis on that last word did not go unnoticed.

"Unlikely. You are not of the Qun."

The kadan muttered audibly, "But I am a direct challenge to your teachings."

I allowed myself a small smile. She had no idea how much so. "Among other things."

"Now that sounded disparaging." It was familiar, this feeling—the camaraderie we once shared, manifesting briefly.

"You are a Warden, a thing that is not recorded in the teachings. That will be sufficient for the arishok."

"A thing? Thanks." I caught her rolling her eyes, shaking her head gently.

"You know what I truly mean."

Her reply was non-committal, a technique that meant that she was not attending my words. "Mmm."

We had arrived back at the immense structure that housed the tamassrans. Light rays glowed in the distant horizon, it was almost dawn.

"Thanks for walking me back."

"I merely do not wish for another incident to occur."

She sighed heavily. "I'm not that trouble-prone, am I?"

"No, trouble just seems to find you naturally." The kadan made a face at me before disappearing into the building; she seemed almost a child, but meant a lot more. To me. This fact was most disturbing.

xOxOx

Kiera

The very next day (or rather, that same morning), I was transferred away from the precepts—the tamassran lodgings. It had to be due to that unfortunate incident, even though I was assured that there was no harm done. I gathered up my possessions, put on my still-fitting armor and followed the guide.

I was amused that he was leading me in the direction of the soldier's barracks, nodding disapprovingly before stalking off. Can't say I wasn't expecting the snub, but I truly had not imagined the next words said to me; my new duties were to train the same unit which I had scuffled with the night before. This was much better than serving food to the children; the karashok did have some nice baleful glares. And I got to see Sten more often.