"So, Markl, can I ask a personal question?" she sounded hesitant. The sun had nearly set, but the three remained on the coast, not sparring as per usual, but discussing life and their dreams.

"Sure."

"Why do you want to enter the Qun? You said that your father fell in love with someone not of the Qun and that is why he became Tal'vashoth. Do you not disagree with how he was treated?"

"I disagree with his treatment; I believe that his reasons are justifiable for him. However, I am not my father. I also disagree with my treatment, but there is something in me that is drawn to the Qun. I do not know why, but the answer to your question is, 'I just do.' No creature in this world has a choice of what they like or do not like. Do you like the sand beneath your feet because you choose it to be so? For some people, the sand is itchy and irritating. I understand that, for me, victory is the Qun, but it may not be so for others. I find that those who find victory elsewhere have found perfection in their imperfection. It's something that makes humans so desirable for those who leave the Qun; there's something beautiful about imperfection for those people."

He continued, "The majority of the Qun will treat others with disrespect because of that, but things are as they should be. Why should we try to covert others when the nature of the world has made things the way they are?"

Silence followed his speech. Sicilia was in awe; the philosophy of it all spoke to her. His words made her think in ways she never had before. Markl said, "I'm not one for spirituality, but this is what makes sense for me. The Qun makes sense to me."

"It does make sense." It was all she could say; Sicilia's mind seemed to be overwhelmed.

"You say that you fear what will become of you. Why not hope for the unpredictable? We all die; that is predictable, but we do not know when. Death does not wait for you to be prepared. Let yourself be surprised, let down, and angered. When I die, I hope for it to be meaningful; I hope that my death will not be in vain or that I won't regret trying. If I die in battle, let me take my enemy with me. If I die in sickness, let the doctor's learn something from it to help others. Sicilia, seek out the unpredictable and she what you can make of it. It is not the event itself that you will regret, it's what you do or do not do with it that will make life meaningless, purposeless."

Sicilia continued to think on this ideal as Haiden spoke. "I never knew you to be such a philosopher, Markl."

"Oh, I'm not. Those words are the last words my father said to me before he passed. By reaching me with those words, his death was meaningful."

"I wonder," Haiden spoke softly changing the subject. "Do seers foresee their own death?"

"My mother always told me that death can always be avoided, fates changed. To her knowledge, no death has ever been foreseen. What a person will see is an injury, illness, or situation that could lead to death, but never the last moment. I just wonder what it is that my mother saw or if she saw the same thing I did."

"You haven't had another dream since?" asked Markl suddenly.

"No. It's hard not knowing how it will end even if I do know that I will be injured. Then, I will act on Markl's words! If I die, I'll take that evil demon with me, but you both must promise me something," she paused. When they both nodded, she continued, "If I die, make sure it's not in vain. Get the tome back to the Arishok. He may be the most frustrating person I've met, but if this is the mission I was sent here to do, it will be done."

Markl and Haiden looked at each other; a solemn look appeared on both faces. Haiden hooked his hand around behind her shoulder and pulled her close. His warmth calmed her a little. When the sunlight had finally dipped behind the waters, she stood.

"I should get back. I've got some job hunting to do tomorrow," she said waving to her companions who remained until she was gone.

"You like her," said Markl abruptly, startling the half-elf.

"So do you."

"Not in the same way you do." Haiden's silence seemed to be his answer. "What will you do if she converts after all this is over?"

"Then I will convert as well. It may be for all the wrong reasons, but, for me, it is justifiable," he said repeating Markl's words from earlier. Haiden was always taught to believe that, for love, you'd do anything. Apparently, Markl's father had believed the same and Markl simply smiled.

"Is it love?"

"It's hard to say. I've only known her for a short while, but in that short while, I've found it harder and harder for her to leave my thoughts," he contemplated as he leaned against his hands, feet spread in front of him. A few moments passed. "I will not let her die. If that means going against the promise I made to her, I will. In a choice between her and that tome, she wins."

"And that is where you will lose." Haiden, offended, turned to his friend with a furrowed brow. "If it comes to that and you let the tome get away from you to save her, she will not forgive you. You would hurt her by doing so."

"Then I will do both." He stated simply as he rose to leave. "This tome is a purpose for you and her, not for me. Mine is to protect her, which I will do at all costs."

It wasn't hard for Markl to tell that he had offended Haiden by telling him these things. Haiden was being selfish in Markl's eyes. Though his intentions were good, his selfishness would also bring his failure. Markl made a mental note to keep an eye on his friend. He could not let one choice bring them all down. If Haiden makes this choice in the end, Markl would make sure that everything worked out. He also did not want Sicilia to die.

Sicilia was a friend, a true one. Markl saw her worthy of respect. She didn't care that her vision had foretold of her own severe injury. She wasn't helping him or the Qun for some selfish reason. This human female was more Qunari than most could ever hope to be. Granted, she was also very human. She was kind and had a good heart.

He could clearly see how Haiden could love her. However, Markl was not sure if the feelings would be reciprocated. He wasn't sure if Haiden, though just as kind-hearted, would be enough for her. It wasn't as if he thought anything less of either of them. It was that he though Sicilia deserved someone who saw life the same way as she.

She didn't seem to be the type of girl to want just unconditional love forever; she seemed to strive for respect and honor. She would be happier with someone she could respect and honor and who would do the same towards her…not just someone how promised to protect her. She didn't need protecting. Haiden was not this person; at least, he wasn't yet.

Haiden allowed his heels to click against the stone street underneath. He thought about the words that his friend had said. Deep down, Haiden knew he was right. Sicilia would never forgive him if he gave up the tome to save her. He knew this, but he was not about to let her die.

The streets were empty except for the few who hid in dark corners and alleyways. His mind wandered. He couldn't escape the thoughts of her and the possibility that she could die. Would she ever even know how I feel? All his thoughts, now, were accompanied with questions. Would she feel the same? Would I just make her worry? Would it just be a burden? None of them he could answer.

"Let yourself be surprised, let down, and angered." Those words cycled in his head. Markl's words had even struck a chord in him. Haiden could live with being let down. However, it would be another thing entirely if telling her were to cause her more stress.

The more he thought on it, the more problems he thought of. He had been walking for what seemed like hours with no destination. Looking around, seeing where he was, you would think it a sign. His feet had led him to her doorstep.

Sicilia stretched. Her weapons had been tossed aside after their weekly sharpening. Leaning over a wet stone always put a strain on her back. She looked at Gwen; an almost inaudible snore slipped past her lips.

The more she had thought about their talk on the beach, the more it made sense to her. On the other hand, things making sense doesn't make them easier. She still held that deep fear. It was her self-consciousness that held that fear; in her mind, she could argue with that fear for hours, but she still couldn't let it go.

Deciding that she simply needed sleep, she stood and began to change into her bedtime clothes. She walked to the wash basin and splashed her face with the luke warm water. As she dried her face with a thin cotton cloth, she heard a soft creak of a floorboard. Stopping, she strained to listen. Is that a breath I hear? Is there someone outside? A small tap could barely be heard on the thick wooden door. She walked over to the door and opened it wide.