It was a good minute before she spoke again. The Arishok hadn't said anything; he was silent in every way. Sicilia found it amazing that, even though he was so large, she never heard him breath unless he was angry when it came out in quick huffs.

"Now, about that plan." She paused for effect. "I know that you won't like it, but my companions agree that it's the best course of action. Since neither of us know where the tome is being held, we have to wait until the Tevinters get here. We'll follow them to wherever and…You're really not going to like this, but just trust me ok? We let them take it." She watched his metaphorical temper gauge skyrocket. A huff later, she held up a hand to silence him. "Just trust me. Ok? We let them take it. I'll have one of my friends follow them out of town while I come tell you that we're leaving. My other companion and I will head to them. You cannot make any action against them, do you hear me? If you do, they'll stay in town and gather followers. We need them unaware of your intentions. Don't even start packing until they leave town. Once we go after them, you can start getting your men ready to leave. There's a small forest North of town. You need to set up camp as soon as you get in that forest. My companions and I will attack them at the opportune moment and get the relic. You'll probably be a day behind us. We'll head back and meet you at your camp. It'll probably be three days time after we leave town before you see us."

"Do you think I can sit by and do nothing?" he growled through his teeth.

"You must. The forest is not a dense one. Even we're going to have trouble staying hidden. We have to have the upper hand in the attack. We have to catch them off guard, not the other way around. For this to work, you have to trust me."

"What should I do if you do not return? In that time, they would have moved far ahead."

"I won't let that happen. I'll make sure of it. Please. You must trust me in this." She was nearly begging. Sicilia was sure the plan would work only the Arishok could keep his nose out of it for just once. His fists clenched tightly before he nodded in agreement. She let out a breath in relief.

Once again, the silence was overwhelming. The sun had set and darkness surrounded them; only the moonlight shone brightly, illuminating the waters. Sicilia heard a soft 'swooshing' sounds, which she, at first, dismissed at the waters or wind, but it had become louder, closer. Looking over, she gasped as she saw their arms and legs pushing against the sand. The turtles hatched. She bumped his arm with the back of her hand, his skin hot against her own. With an excited smile, she held a finger to her lips, signaling him to remain silent, and pointed to the show. "Sea turtles. They just hatched," she whispered. "It amazes me that they instinctively know where to go even without their mother to guide them. It also saddens me to know that, without their mother to protect them, some will die if they can't make it to the water."

She watched them scurry their way towards the sea, creating trails behind them. There had to have been at least a hundred. Scanning the area, she noticed that they all seemed to have made it, but then she spotted one having trouble getting across a mound of sand. Sicilia got up and walked to the small turtle. It darted back into it's shell at her approach. Walking it to the water, she set it down gently just before a wave washed up to carry it away.

"Those who are strong enough to survive will," he said sharply.

"There are some who become stronger if only given the chance," she retaliated.

"If it was meant to survive, it would have." The Arishok hardly moved from his spot. He always remained in his hunched position, legs crossed, and his elbows propped against his knees.

"And so it has," she added smiling, happy with herself. "How does the Qun see family?"

"Why do you ask such a question?"

"Curiosity."

"The Qun cannot change the nature of birth. I assume you ask about the relationship. Females care for the children until they are of age to be sent into training. When they receive their rank, they are sent into further training for their specific rank. The relationship between mates and imekari is not like your human family."

"It must be hard for converts to adjust to that." Sicilia understood the ways of the Qun and agreed with many of them. She felt that, were she to convert and have her own children, she could accept when the time came for them to leave. She would be happy for them; they would be learning their purpose, helping not only themselves, but the Qun as a whole. In all honesty, she knew that she would be proud of them, but she knew that she would miss them. Qunari women probably had a feeling of sadness when their children leave, but the happiness and pride would far outweigh that.

"They adjust eventually."

"What about mates? Does the Qun recognize love?"

"Love is not the correct term. Love often leads to an unbalanced sense of purpose. When someone feels love for another, they put that person above themselves, leading to a loss of self, a loss of purpose. Once mates choose each other, it is for life. The Qun is equality. Mates have great respect for one another, but not love. Humans see this as love, but the Qun understands the difference."

Sicilia could see the difference, too. She had seen some over the years who lose themselves in the emotion and forsake their own purpose and passions. It was something she could never do, she couldn't see how someone could forget their purpose for one person. Her mother had always taught her brother and her that you can not love someone else without loving yourself first. For Sis, it was the same idea.

"I can see that." She had wanted to ask a more personal question, but was unsure if she should. Curiosity always won. "Have you found your mate?"

"No." It was a simple answer to a simple question.

"It must be hard being away from Par Vollen for so long."

He did not comment. He had wanted to ask about something else. "Why are you so adamant in your search?"

"My mother sent me here. She is a seer. She told me that there was something I needed to do here. I, being her daughter, inherited some of her talent. I sometimes have dreams that tell of the future. I saw myself fighting to attain your relic. My other reason is for one of my companions."

"How do you know that it was not a simple dream?"

"In dreams, you don't feel pain." She saw the questioning expression he had and continued. "I will be knocked down after a fight with a mage. That mage, just before death, will call forth a rage demon. All I saw was the rage demon above me putting his hand on my leg. Rage demons are covered in fire; all I felt was the pain after that until I woke up. I do not know if I will die or not, but I plan to take that demon with me if I do."

"You said that your other reason was for a companion. What need does this companion need of the relic?"

Sicilia thought about her answer for a moment. She was sure the Arishok wouldn't trust the fact that the son of a Tal'vashoth was helping her. "He wants to help the Qun, prove his worth, gain some respect." They did not speak for a short while. Yawning, Sicilia had realized how late the night grew. Stating she needed to return to the inn, they both stood. She gathered her things after sliding her boots back on. After a few steps towards town, she turned. "Arishok. At first, I only wanted to find it because of the reasons I told you. Now it seems like I have found another. Now I not only want to fulfill my purpose, but I want to help you." Hesitating, she said before turning away, "Panahedan…Kadan."

Upon returning to the camp, he had sat in his tent contemplating her plan. The Arishok found it hard to admit that there were things the Qunari weren't the best at. Stealth was one of those things. Yes, they could strike an enemy by surprise, but it would be difficult in a quiet wooded area. Their best quality was attacking on a whim barely giving their enemy time to react, not taking down enemies one by one slowly and soundlessly.

A part of him wanted to take down the Tevinters as soon as they led him to the relic. The other part of him trusted this female to get it done just as quickly. He knew that she was trying to prevent destruction of the town and, dealing with mages, as soon as Qunari came into the picture, they would conjure as many demons as they could to protect themselves. Ultimately, there was a risk they could get away with the tome before he could get to them. Her plan avoided all of that. Ultimately, he would do as she said. He would trust her. For once, he would step back and let someone else, a human, take the brunt of the battle. It is the best option to get the tome back quickly and painlessly to the Qun.

His mind wandered elsewhere. Her words crossed his mind again. "Kadan," he breathed. It was a word he had never expected to leave a human's mouth in reference to him. She had asked about the relationship of mates, of love. He hadn't expected her to understand the difference, but she had said otherwise. She was foreign to him in every way, a contradiction.

It was true that he had come to respect her in some manner, but could it be that respect was growing? Even if it was true, we would not even be able to. She is human. She would not be able to survive such. Would she?