well here is yet another chapter, i hope everyone likes it. As always i own nothing except my spelling and grammatical errors =)

"Lothering, pretty as a rose" came Alistair's sarcastic remark as the group approached the highway which bordered the far eastern side of the town.

Banter, senseless banter was all that Fayne had heard since leaving Morrigan's house seven days before.

"It seems you have decided to join us Warden, t'is a shame your insights could not have helped us earlier" Morrigan's little mouth curved into a smile that oddly reminded Fayne of a scythe.

Morrigan turned to Fayne then, and the smile widened, into full sarcasm. Fayne wondered whether it was directed and Alistair or at herself; she never forgot how much the women knew about her…gift.

"The human is right, this town is wrong." Leric said from her right. Even though he had been severely injured, he insisted on being at the front with her. Fayne's chapped lips frowned as she looked at Leric in her periphery. He was right, she knew, but the way he seemed to say it made the town look more morose than it had before.

Shaking her long locks, Fayne leaned on the old railing that indicated the border of the town, "You look better, I was afraid that you were going to die." Even though it had almost been a week since Leric's close run in the darkspawn, Fayne had been unable to talk to him alone. Alistair and Morrigan's argument presented a good opening for her to talk to him.

"You were afraid that I would die?" his voice was incredulous. "I think you meant to say that you were afraid that I was going to live." Leric stood apart from her and crossed his arms.

A flare of indignation rose like bile in her throat, "No I was not mistaken!" she had to clench her teeth to fight back the urge to yell, "I realize what I said earlier was…improper, this I understand."

"You understand do you?" he repeated dryly. He uncrossed his arms and walked around her to the other side of the fence.

Following him with her eyes, Fayne sucked in a breath, "I am…I am …sorry for the terms in which I addressed you." It was like pulling a ring from the mud; the apology was thick in her mouth.

For a moment Leric stood very still against the railing as his hands worked the wood. He did not look at her and Fayne began to wonder if he had heard a thing she had said. In the distance she could hear the noise of Lothering, plaintive cries of children and the murmur of scared labourers. Finally after a thoughtful pause, Leric turned to look at Fayne in the eyes. A bright green glimmer shone in his eyes, along with some other emotion that she could not identify. Was it anger? Or maybe forgiveness?

"We will talk later."

Usually, being dismissed was a peeve of hers, for she was a Cousland, only the royal family had enough power to dismiss so casually, but something in his tone made her think that he would actually talk to her in later on. So she nodded in assent and turned to her other two companions.

"Lets go, we have supplies that need to be gotten" Fayne started a head of the group as she walked down a ramp into the village.

"I must say I am surprised warden" Morrigan's voice echoed from behind the group, "Why are you in the lead, t'is it not true that Alistair is the most senior of your now endangered group?"

"Witch, why do you assume that this Shem is in the lead?"

"Why?" another rhetorical question from Morrigan, "Do you believe that limping behind Fayne is a sign of leadership. Because if it is, you are an excellent commander"

Fayne sighed and winced at how now Morrigan and Leric began to argue. Why can't she just leave us alone, Fayne had a feeling that Morrigan secretly was trying to tear apart the group. The apostate sure had an ability to destroy the thin bonds that held them together.

Swiftly turning around, Fayne decided that she had had enough, "Stop, please" she meant to sound commanding, but the exacerbated tone to her words made her sound weak almost. However all three of her companions turned to look at her; a frown on Leric, a raised brow from Morrigan, and of course the goofy half smile that so often graced Alistair's lips.

Regaining some poise, she pointed to a dingy tavern on the far side of the village, "Leric, Alistair could you two please go and find some information about the situation of this village.

"And what of me warden?"

"Morrigan you can come with me to get some supplies, I once heard that mages need lerium, and I do not know what or how much to obtain"

Morrigan huffed, "Your small knowledge of us is true, but I highly doubt a …village such as this will house such things. Never the less I shall accompany you."

The two groups split up without further comments, Fayne silently said a payer to the maker for letting her commands go unquestioned. What Morrigan brought up earlier was a sound question. Why was she, a girl barely a woman, leading an order she knew nothing about? And what of Leric, he must be at least a couple yeas older then she; did his hate for her race stretch so far as for him to not want to take command of their entourage?

Leric POV

The tavern smelt of human piss and sweat. His nose flared as a barrel chested man pushed him aside dragging a large bosomed woman to the stairs. It seemed even in the calamity that was most likely to occur, the Shems had no problem rutting like animals.

"Soooo…who do you think we should ask first" asked Alistair as he came to stand beside him. Leric tensed, he really really did not like Alistair, the man was weakness and like a wolf, Leric had the desire to put the weak out of their misery.

"I don't know, I have never been in a place such as this human"

Alistair looked over and crossed his arms, "You know, I can understand your attitude with Fayne, but we are both wardens now, you can call me Alistair."

Something in the way Alistair said Fayne's name caught his attention. Leric could not put his finger on it, but there was some sort of meaning the man associated with her name, his utterance of it was not of a neutral person. So caught up in his thinking, Leric failed to realize that an angry man was addressing the two of them.

"E'y you's there, you be wardens then?" the half drunk man swayed a little as he sloppily pulled out a sword, "There be a price on your head, Loghain said you left the king to die."

Leric fingered the feathers of the arrows on his back, too small of a place to draw a bow; he let his hand drop to the long dagger at his hip. It was for hunting, that was true, but in the end it gutted humans as well as it gutted deer.

"What are you talking about man?" Alistair too had noticed the others standing and making a formation behind the other. Two against six, the odds were not in their favour.

"I be talking 'bout killin ya."

"Such language is not needed sir, please let us put down our blades and reconsiders the choices here." A light feminine voice sounded from Leric's shoulder, and as he looked down he saw a shock of red hair, so much like the Cousland girl. Quickly killing that line of thought, he looked further down into the pretty face of the lay sister. Her hands were clasped in front of her, and her small mouth had a friendly smile.

"Sister stay out of this, this matter is for us to deal with" for once, Alistair's tone took on some semblance of authority as he quickly glanced at the young woman.

However that glance acted as a signal for the men to lunge, two came at Alistair, three for Leric and one waited in the wings egging his men on. As quick as a fox, Leric stabbed the first human in the gut and then spun the man around, cutting his tendons in the calf. A noise to his right alerted him that a sword was coming for his head, so he ducted, and kicked out with all his might. As Leric went to land the killing blow, the soldier lurched forward a knife in his neck. There behind him was the lay sister, still an image of serenity, but covered in blood and holding a wicked looking dagger. She looked down and him and winked. Behind her two more men were dead.

Deciding that now was the best time to take their leave of the tavern Leric walked over to Alistair and slanted his head towards the door. Both of them headed out into the cool air, it was refreshingly sweet against the sweat that beaded the rim of his forehead.

"Is it true that you are wardens?" the Orlisian accent drifted behind them and Alistair turned and regarded the lady.

"Yes sister, I am Alistair and he is Leric, we are both wardens"
"Oh the maker has truly blessed me; I was hoping that you would come here. My name, monsieur, is Leliana"

"Well it was nice Leliana but we have things to do," came Leric's response as he pulled on Alistair's armoured shoulder.

"WAIT." Leliana ran up to him, "I was sent by the maker to assist you, don't you see I can help with the blight". The more she went on, the less he thought her sane.

"I don't have time for crazy people; unlike the Chantry I do NOT do charity." He pushed past her pouting face.

"Hey wait Leric, why don't we take her to Fayne, she has proven useful with a blade."

Leric rounded on Alistair, "So what, are we taking in crazies now too"

Fayne POV

"The Qunari are a proud people, warden, and fierce fighters."

"So Morrigan, you think that we should free this man, there must be a reason for him being locked up?" Fayne paused in front of the giant of a warrior, his eyes never left her and it made the skin on the back of her neck stand on end. When she planned to by supplies, she certainly did not account for having to weigh a prisoner's life.

"It would be prudent to ask him, but it would be wasteful for us to leave him like this, you and I both know what is coming."

She pondered her choices; she could kill the Qunari, let him free, or enlist him. "What are you in here for Qunari?" she asked harshly hoping to feel less small then what the man made her actually feel like.

He looked at her then and showed no remorse, "I was captured when I killed a family."

Fayne's mouth went dry, she opened and then closed it, her words coming out like a whisper, "Who did you kill first, the children or their parents?" she gripped the bars until her knuckles went white. Do I want to know?

"The parents, it is obvious. The ones who pose the greatest threat must be eliminated first." Again he replied with a stoic tone and icy glare

Eliminated first, his words, though simply said, twisted in her head accompanied by the sound of swords and fire. The men who killed her family morphed into the image of the huge Qunari man in front of her. Their crimes became his crimes, and without thought Fayne unhooked the dagger from her waste and plunged it into the man's side. He made a grunting noise and then slumped to the floor of the cage. Fayne watched as his blood made a path down his muscled body, like a river. Standing back abruptly, she bent down and began to scrub the blood off her dagger with the sandy earth.

"It is always nice to see one's leader act in a rational way"

Fayne stilled her cleaning and clutched her dagger, the witche's words brought murderous ideas to her head. For a split second she weighed her ability to kill the woman without her letting off one of her lethal spells. She wanted to look at Morrigan, but she could feel the murder in her own gaze and she feared it would undo any trust they had built.

Male voices accompanied by an Orlisian female accent made her head whip up, What an Orilisian here…. The shock was enough to wipe her murderous gaze and change it to one of confusion. It was not long before the two men, who turned out to be her fellow wardens, and the red headed woman arrived in front of the cage.

"What happened here?" of course Alistair would ask about the dead man at the bottom of the cage.

Fayne stood up, brushed the dust of her knees and regarded the man. Alistair looked at her then the cage, his eyes lingered on the blood, "I put him out of his misery, Alistair, he was going to be left for the darkspawn." She didn't wait for his reply, rather she brushed past him and his open mouth, to stand in front of the woman.

"Who are you?" hands on her hips, Fayne was the picture of nobility dressed in second rate armour. The irony was not lost on her.

The woman's eyes tightened a fraction, but other than that she responded with peppy happiness, "My name is Leliana, it is a pleasure to meet you" a big smile graced Leliana's face.

"Yesssss" drawled Leric, "Apparently the maker sent her here to help us against the blight"

Fayne looked at the young woman with a raised brow.

"Yes what he said is true," she raised her hands in a pacifying way, "But you must believe me, the maker sent me dreams of the blight and told me I could be of help. Ask these two fine men, I can fight as well as they." She ended in a huff, her cheeks slightly pink.

Fayne was about to cast the woman off as crazy, but Leliana's last admission stilled her tongue. She said she dreamt of this, what does she mean by that? She knew enough to know that the maker was most likely not the source of her dreams, but could Leliana have the same problem as her? Maybe, maybe not, but if the woman could fight and just maybe she could see like her, then it was worth the risk.

"Leliana, is it?" Fayne rolled her shoulders, "You can come with us for now, but if you could refrain from comments about the Maker, it would be nice."

Morrigan let out a soft chuckle, "You would put more stock in dreams, wouldn't you girl."

"I am going to go get some wood, it is freezing out here." Stated Alistair as he threw his pack on the ground with a thud.

"Oh I think I will go hunting then, wait Alistair I'll accompany you" Leliana sprung up and grabbed her short bow. Gone was he lay sister's robe, instead she now wore light green leather armour with studs along the sides. Her bow bobbed against her back as she ran ahead of Alistair into the darkening woods.

For a while Fayne just sat on the ground staring after the pair, wondering when they would be back. Her stomach gave a loud noise and she laid her hand on top of it to still the rumble. Another bonus to wearing the mantle of the grey wardens, she thought. Her morose feelings were interrupted by Leric unceremoniously sitting crossed legged in front of her. For a breathless moment all she could do was stare at the elf's golden chest. He had untied the strings of his shirt earlier and it graced her with the perfect view of his chiselled torso.

"I have come to finish our earlier conversation Fayne." A thrill went through her body when she heard him say her name.

"I was not aware there was more to say, I apologized, you should take it, for I very rarely give one." Quick as lightening she went from dazed female to defensive noble.

"There you are very wrong" he pinched the bridge of his nose and gestured with his other hand, "My people, we treat such disrespect differently."

"Like how?" Fayne was genuinely curious.

"Well if you would stop interrupting me I might be able to tell you something!" Fayne nodded and folded her hands in her lap at his reprimand.

"When a person is wronged by another, they have a right to ask something of that person to the extent of the wrong done. I believe you human's have a saying such as 'an eye for an eye'"

Fayne nodded once again a little afraid of where the conversation was going. What is he going to ask me to do, cut an arm off or something?

"Well if you want my forgiveness then you are going to have to do something with me."

It felt like a stone had fallen in her stomach, so much like Thomas, "What…what would you have me do?"

He paused and looked her in the eye. For a moment he looked alarmed and then it was replaced with a wry smile, "Don't worry Cousland, I won't ask you to sacrifice your honour" he looked like he was on the verge of laughter, but Fayne did find it funny. Little do you know, Leric, I already gave up that honour. She shifted uneasily in the armour she had bought with that very same honour.

"Since you so disrespectfully referred to my people, the Dalish, I would have you do something that is an important part of our culture." Continued the elf.

"And what would that be, I can hunt if you are asking"

"No. I do not want you to hunt, I want you to get Va'halisin, or in your tongue, blood- writing."

"YOU WANT ME TO WHAT?" Fayne stood up and paced a view feet away while fingering her face tenderly, "Let me get this straight, you want me to get a tattoo and without it you will not forgive me. Am I right?"

"Yes you are, however I never said you had to get it on your face." this time Fayne could clearly hear the mirth in his voice.

At his words she dropped her hand to her side and rolled her eyes, "Fine"

"Fine?"

"Yes, Leric, I'll get this…blood writing of yours." She wanted to prove to him that her venomous words earlier were not her true thoughts of the Dalish, and that she was strong enough to conquer anything he threw at her. "When and where will it be done?"

"Excellent" he sounded almost happy Fayne thought, "I will give you a week to decide what you want and then I will perform the blood writing ritual."

"You're doing this?"
"Why yes I am, is there a problem with that?" he smirked

"No, I will let you know in a week what I want."

As if by unseen hand Morrigan appeared, Fayne did not know if the witch had heard the conversation, but she really did not care, "It seems the dim-witted one and the crazy woman are back with some deer."

True enough Leliana was skipping beside Alistair as he carried a rather scrawny looking deer towards the camp. "Look what I caught Fayne, the maker gives aid in his own small ways."

Fayne watched as Leric shoved the woman away from the deer and started skinning it, "I don't want you wasting what little meat you caught" was his excuse.

That night Fayne ate the dullest venison she had ever had in her life, no flavour no stew, it was just a hunk of meat sitting in its own fatty juices. But it didn't stop her from devouring the animal as if it might spring from her hands. Any embarrassment she would have usually felt disappeared the moment she saw her two fellow wardens eating as barbarically as she.

After finishing her 'meal' Fayne stood up and stretched, "Tomorrow we will leave for Redcliff, Leliana would you mind taking first watch?" The woman smiled at being given something constructive to do and Fayne wondered whether the woman was who she said she was, what lay sister has such skills as she? But fatigued caused her to care little about things that did not directly involve her and the hard packed dirt she know called bed. The other three likewise stood and left to their respective tents. Tonight they would sleep under a clear sky.

Bright purple swirled around her naked form as she stood on sodden ground. Voices, sweet voice sang their wonton songs to her about death and defilement. With a strange urge Fayne found herself following a path through black bushes and dead trees. Suddenly she found herself dressed in bloodied armour standing beside Leric and Alistair; they too looked confused and disoriented.

"Where—," but Fayne was cut off by a loud wail that rumbled the ground below her feet. It started out like a thousand voices screaming and then it slowly turned into a beastly rumble. A head like a twisted snake slithered down from the sky and hurled purple fire at the trio.

Fayne quickly covered her head with her hands and screamed. Instead of feeling the slow burn of blighted fire, she felt a cool breeze on her back. Slowly unfurling her arms, Fayne took in her environment. Leric and Alistair along with the dragon were gone, and in their wake was a path with a large tree in the middle.

Immediately she knew she was in a vision, though it's appearance was far too close to reality for Fayne's comfort.

"The wardens die here!" came a yell from a man in the distance. She could tell he was blond, and guessing by his build he was an elf. Other than that she could make no more detail of the man. It was like the more she tried the more he slipped away.

"Fayne, Fayne, FAYNE!" she turned to look at the horrified face of Alistair and then a large crack caused her to whip her head towards the tree in front of her. She only got a quick glimpse of it before its falling form smothered all the light.

Sitting up with laboured breaths, Fayne took in her surroundings. Sweat dripped of her chin and along her breasts as she struggled to get her breathing back to normal. I died, I have never DIED before.

"Hey Fayne are you alright?" She didn't realize how she missed the two men in her tent before, but there they were. Alistair stood over her with a concerned look on his face while Leric squatted by the entrance to her tent. He looked oddly disturbed.

"What are you doing in my tent?" her voice cracked with unshed emotion.

"What do you mean, you were screaming gibberish and thrashing around" he looked back to Leric, "We were worried because both of us had awoken from the archdemon, but you were still stuck in the fade." His eyes, like Leric's, sported bluish dark circles.

"That…creature was the archdemon?"

"Yes, I guess I forgot to tell you guys that besides ravenous hunger, grey wardens also dream about darkspawn. Think of it like a gift that keeps on giving." His humour was sorely misplaced at the moment and his smile fell into one of a thoughtful frown. "Are you sure you are alright, I know one's first dream can take a lot out of them."

"I am fine, I just need some air." Your dragon is the least of my worrie,s thought Fayne as she excited her tent. She shivered as the cold air hit her soaked back. She forced a smile to get both men to leave her alone and once they had tuned back to the fire she slowly walked into the forest.

At the sight of the closest stump, she sat herself down and ran her shaking hand through her red hair. It stuck together creating twisted strands.

"I see you have had another dream then hmm" Morrigan's voiced startled Fayne so much that she jumped into a standing position.

"How do you know that?"

"Well t'was just an observation, your actions, to those thoroughly informed such as myself, clearly show your gift."

"They are not a gift Morrigan, I can't control them, nor do I understand them half the time" whispered Fayne as she sat down once again. "They are becoming too strong, I fear they might carry me away one day."

"Whatever you say warden." Morrigan stood there and watched as the woman ran her hand through her hair once again.

Morrigan POV

Foolish girl, she has what only one other has had in a century and she calls it a curse, What a fool! However Morrigan had long ago learned that her thoughts were best left unsaid so she kept her mouth shut.

Watching the girl struggle with her grasp on reality was disgustingly sickening. Such power in such a weak vessel, she is not even a mage.

A presence behind her made her tilt her head to the side slightly, the very same presence had been trailing them for the past week. Once, when no one had been looking, she had transformed into a crow and found the man who was following them. She had felt a templar's training in the man, but he seemed to be unconnected to the Chantry. For several days she had been toying with the idea of letting her precious warden know of the 'guest' but she thought it might hinder her plans for the girl.

"You should go back before the others start asking question." She watched as Fayne raised her head and she was satisfied to see tears on the woman's skin.

"Fine, I'll see you at camp Morrigan" she shuffled through the young trees and Morrigan waited until she could no longer see the silhouette of Fayne.

"Why don't you come out now boy, I have known of your presence for some time." Said Morrigan in a conversational tone, the man was close enough for her to not have to raise her voice.

Silence was her only answer, "Fine, be a coward, but know this," she turned to where she knew the man stood, "If you interferer... I will hunt you down and destroy you. I can assure you that however much you want the girl, I want her more." Without waiting for a reply the witch turned her back to the hidden man and returned to camp.

Que dark and evil music.

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