I have something great planned for all you great people waiting from me to get out of creative hell still. It's coming, trust me. I love you all!

Bioware owns the story, but my version is kind of like a LSD version.

Still Encountering Issues

After gathering some supplies, Alistair was kind enough to sign us up for some jobs at the Chantry. We spent the day outside of the village, getting rid of bandits and bears, and finding a woman. The first two went well, the last did not.

"That's really sad," Alistair said nasally. He was covering his nose as he spoke. "There was a little boy looking for her at the Chantry. He was so lost, and no one would take him in. No one could."

I took her amulet and Morrigan set fire to her body so the animals wouldn't disturb her rest. Alistair said a quick prayer and we left for Lothering.

As we entered the village, I heard mumbling, and it wasn't in English. I could not actually identify what it was. It was a rough language, but not Russian, thought I wasn't sure why I expected that. My curiosity got the best of me and I created a detour.

A man stood in a large cage, speaking his strange tongue. The closer we got, the less manlike he became. His white hair was pulled back into corn rows, and then a ponytail, bright against his golden skin. Then his features became stranger, his face and chest square with at least seven feet to his body, all of him pure muscle. The most striking feature was his eyes; they were a deep violet.

I stopped at the door to the cage. He muttered for a bit longer then seemed to notice he was no longer alone.

"You aren't one of my captors. I will not amuse you more than I have the other humans. Leave me in peace." His voice was deep and stern, like he was talking to a child.

"If I am human, what does that make you?" I asked boldly.

"A prisoner. I am in a cage am I not? I have been placed here by the Chantry."

"Can I ask why?"

"I murdered a family," he said simply.

I blinked in astonishment. What a strange person. Why don't you tell me about your childhood while you're at it? I guess he's honest. "You still haven't answered my question."

"Have I not? Very well, I am Sten of the Berassad. The vanguard of the Qunari peoples."

The Qunari. Tanin had mentioned them. They lived on the island of Par Vollen and Seheron to the far north. Most figured that they came from a land very far across the sea, as they had only been in Thedas for three centuries.

"I am Abigail Corbit, warrior and Grey Warden," I returned.

"You mock me, or you show manners I have not come to expect in your lands. Though it matters little now. I will die soon." It sounded like he was just giving up.

"On the contrary Sten, I too, am not from this land."

The giant's eyebrows lowered slightly in some sort of a frown, but before he could comment, Morrigan spoke up.

"This, is a proud and powerful creature, trapped as prey for the darkspawn. If you cannot find a use for him I suggest releasing him for mercy's sake alone."

Alistair picked right up on that. "Mercy? I wouldn't have expected that from you."

"I would also suggest that Alistair take his place in the cage," she continued.

"Yes, that's what I would have expected," the Warden grumbled.

Sten spoke again, clearly unamused by the pairs chatter. "I suggest you leave me to my fate."

"Wait," I said, thinking quickly. "I need help. There is a Blight raging in this land, and I can't defeat it alone. I have companions, but we are a few number. It's the three of us and a dog. If I could set you free, would you join us?"

The giant blinked. "You could ask the Reverend Mother for the key. She may let me roam free if you tell her of your purpose." I didn't think he expected us to return. I was starting to have my own doubts. How does one persuade someone to just release a self professed murderer?

Alistair and I looked at our options. He volunteered to go to the Chantry and I decided to go with Morrigan to the inn again to buy more supplies now that we had the coin.

"Go with Alistair boy, go on!" I commanded Helíos. He looked at Alistair, back at me, and then trotted over like it was no big deal.

Smart dog.

"Is it wise to let him go? Do you trust him to succeed?" Morrigan asked. I hoped she wasn't talking about the war hound.

Her lack of faith should not have surprised me, but I still felt a little angry. "I am confident in him," I said lightly, "that he will do his best to be successful." I heard her snort, so I turned to observe her. "I trust you to do the same."

Her eyes flashed, I wasn't sure if it was from anger or from surprise that I would talk to her like that. She turned away, and didn't comment. I hoped that would be the last time she would try to undermine me.

We came into the tavern, almost walking into all the people packed at the door. I attempted to make my way to the front, wondering why everyone was watching the bar, until the both of us made it out of the crowd.

All of the people were giving a very wide berth to a group of heavily armed men, one of which was arguing with the barkeeper. A woman I had helped earlier with traps saw me and motioned desperately for me to leave. I was going to take her advice, but one of the men noticed her flailing. He gave the arguing man a push, and he pointed at us.

"Well, look at what we have here men," he boasted in his deep voice. "I think we've just been blessed."

His finger happy partner sneered. "Didn't we spend all morning asking about a woman by this very description?"

"It seems we were lied to," the leader shot a dark look at the barkeeper. The poor man turned very pale. The whole place was dead silent.

I moved in front of Morrigan and grabbed my hilt. I wish Alistair and Helíos were here. I thought frantically.

"Gentlemen," a sweet, gently voice broke the tense air. "Surely there is no need for trouble. These are no doubt simply more poor souls seeking refuge." A tall woman in bright yellow robes with a symbol of the sun walked forward. Her short red hair was simmering like fire compared to her bright blue eyes.

"They're more then that. Now stay out of our way Sister. You protect these traitors, you'll get the same as them," the leader growled.

There were some slight gasps around the room at his threat. But I was starting to fume.

"What are you talking about? What do you mean traitors?" I demanded.

The Sister answered for me. "Teyrn Loghain claims the Grey Wardens betrayed the king, or haven't you heard?"

I knew we we're in for a nasty bombshell when we got into civilization, but this was way to below the belt. He wanted all of the survivors dead; he knew we would come for him. That didn't bode well.

"Enough talk!" the guard roared. "Take the Warden into custody. Kill the sister and anyone who gets in your way."

I wasted no time; I didn't even wait for him to finish his sentence. I unsheathed my sword and rammed my body into one of the men. He fell back with a bellow and I gave a dirty kick to his groin. He rolled on the floor as I went after the main guard. I saw a man burst into flames before being frozen solid. The Sister's bright hair flashed in my vision as I parried a blow. Men fell before her like trees in a forest.

I knew I wasn't going to win this fight, so I dropped to the floor and kicked my feet out to flip him. The wood in the floor cracked as he landed. I jumped up as quickly as I could with my sword and pointed it at his throat.

"Stop! All right. You've won. We surrender," he squawked. His eyes crossed as I moved my weapon up to his forehead.

"Good," the strange red-head smiled. "They've learned their lesson and we can all stop fighting now."

"Loghain needs to know that the Grey Wardens are alive from the tower, and we will not be stopped. But is it wise to let them go?" I asked Morrigan.

"Please! I could give him that message!" the guard pleaded.

I was thoroughly disgusted with the man's begging. "Go then, and don't bother the villagers, or I will know."

"Yes, I mean no I won't. But I will give him the message."

I allowed him to get up and grab his sword from the floor. The villagers parted easily away from him and the remaining men. He didn't look back. The people in the tavern noticeably relaxed as the door shut and started whispering.

"I apologize for interfering, but I couldn't just sit by and not help," the Sister said.

"I appreciate it a lot. I was worried my companion and I weren't going to make it," I smiled weakly. Morrigan gave a sniff. She obviously didn't think so.

"Let me introduce myself," she continued. "I am Leliana, one of the lay sisters of the Chantry. Or I was."

That cleared up everything for me. I had never encountered a Chantry worker before like her. But why was she in the Chantry if she knew how to fight like that?

"My name is Abigail Corbit, my companion here is Morrigan."

"I own a voice, if you can believe it," the witch grunted.

"Sorry."

Leliana looked over us quickly. "They said you were a Grey Warden. Is this true?"

"Yes. I have another partner, Alistair, who is also a Warden. We are the only survivors from Ostagar of the Order."

She nodded. "I know after what happened, you'll all the help you can get. That's why I'm coming along."

"Oh? Just like that? You don't even know us, or what our plans are." I exchanged a look with Morrigan.

"Yes," she said confidently. "The Maker wants me to go with you."

"The Maker," I repeated doubtfully.

She looked at her feet before answering. "I-I know it sounds absolutely insane- but it's true! I had a dream…a vision! Look at these people here. They are lost in their despair, and this darkness, this chaos…it will spread. The Maker doesn't want this. What you do, what you are meant to do, is the Makers work. Let me help!"

I could not have said no. She believed in her claim so firmly, and she was totally right, I did need the help. She was volunteering herself and she could fight better then me, not like that was hard to do. Plus, I was in the process of trying to free a giant murderer.

"Welcome aboard Leliana. So glad to have you on the team," I said happily.

"Perhaps your head was cracked worse then Mother thought," Morrigan mused darkly.

"Thank you!" Leliana beamed. "I appreciate being given this chance. I will not let you down."