I'll be perfectly honest... I was meant to post this last week, then forgot to, then forgot that I'd forgot. So we're a week behind my schedule :(

Mazanti: You know what, that's an excellent point. And I'll admit that I rarely leave a review everytime so I can't be too hypocritical. So yeah, here's to the favouriters and the followers, FenrisulfrWotanbane, GreviousPridakArbiter, LadyoftheDrow, Lichrune, MasterAssassinScrolls, Mazanti, Myladi, N7warrior93, Pannthour, Phalanx213, Puppystomper, Roisin556, Ruri7533, SasyainWarrior075, SleepiPanda, Snowhelm, Xaiael, fxyyddr21, paraeclipse, readerHaku, sonsofsparda01, the goat of power, undeadyeti, zillah1199, DarkStorm00, Killer999, dohste, dude41, , smerrick1 and taovkool.

God that was a mouthful. Anyhoo, thank you all so much for liking this story, I'll do my best to keep up this dash of madness you guys seem to like :)

MasterAssassinScrolls: Yeah, ominous is good. Well, it's bad, but for this context, bad is good... And Tamarel's a funny elf, she'll tell Sparrow eventually. Maybe. If I remember... Should do

So now, we continue the mystery...

Chapter 12: Nightmares and Nightcaps

We're back at the Barracks, Duncan, Tamarel and I. Sitting by the fire, not a word spoken between us since we left Ignacious.

A thousand sovereigns... That's quite a price tag.

Who knew I was so valuable?

"Do you have any idea whom this "Captain" is?" Duncan asks quietly. I shake my head, staring into the fire blankly. "What about this "Dread Wolf" character?"

"She's elvish," I say quietly, feeling my eyes dry as I look int the flames.

"How can you tell?" Duncan asks curiously. I remain silent.

"The Dread Wolf is a Dalish deity," Tamarel supplies helpfully. "Not many shemlen know of it," she adds, looking at me inquisitively. Most days I would feel proud of flaunting my knowledge. But now? I just feel depressed.

"How do you know of her?" Duncan asks me after a few moments of stroking his beard.

"We've met before, on the bridge to the Alienage," I say hoarsely. "She knew who I was, but she let me walk away."

"What?" Duncan questions further. "That makes no sense. Did she say anything?"

"'Your kindness has been noted, and repaid.'" I quote before shrugging my shoulders. "Didn't make much sense at the time when I was pissed, makes even less now."

"What kindness?" Tamarel asks, and again I shrug. I sit there for a few minutes, trying to think of all my good deeds since I came here. The only ones I can think of, in the fucking year I've been in this world, is feeding the Tabris family. Maybe as a fellow elf, the assassin was grateful for my contributions? Maybe it was just because I was polite?

But to give up a chance at a thousand sovereigns?

"First off, we need to eliminate this second assassin," Duncan says thoughtfully. "While they are in play, we are all in danger. Then, we can take on this Captain."

"What does that solve?" Tamarel asks, looking at Duncan desperately. "Sparrow is in grave danger. The Crows don't stop: ever. They will keep sending more and more assassins until he's dead."

"It gives us more time," Duncan answers calmly. "We will start investigating this Captain tomorrow. In the mean time, Sparrow, you are not allowed to leave without an escort. Preferably, not at all."

I nod, not paying much attention.

"I volunteer," Tamarel says. Duncan nods at her.

"Sparrow?" Duncan inquires. "Are you alright?"

I look at him and give him a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine," I say brightly. "Just thinking is all."

"What about?" asks Tamarel quietly.

"All sorts of clever little things," I say with a wink, as she gives me a weak smile.

"You did well tonight," Duncan says, praising my interrogation skills. I feel sick.

"Yeah thanks," I say with a smile as I stand. "I'm off to bed, night." I speed from the room and race up the stairs and don't stop until I'm in bed and shivering myself to sleep.

It's been another two weeks since our visit to Ignacious. I haven't seen him in the marketplace recently, though Cesar continues as usual. Probably laying low for now, though I'm sure he'll resurface eventually. I've kept Darrian following Cesar for now, waiting for someone to initiate contact with the other side. So far there's been nothing. But I'm still waiting.

My training has resumed and while it was hard going the first few days, I'm better now. Adjusting is the word I guess. Don't get me wrong, occasionally there'll be a pain in my side and I'll have to take a few moments. But I'm back on my feet quick enough. Physically anyway. I've been distracted with recent events.

Tamarel has become my impromptu bodyguard while the others search for the second assassin, using past connections. She has... a unique way of keeping me from brooding. A strange lass, she has many redeeming features. Oh, how she makes me laugh.

So far all we have is the assassins alias, , The Dread Wolf. Apart from that, there's only rumours about her movements and activities. Some say she was born among the Dalish, which would explain the name. Others say she died 15 years ago. Maybe they're wrong, or maybe we're looking at a copycat trying to live up to their predessesor. Neither are heartwarming thoughts.

Thankfully, the Crows have not seen fit to replace their first fallen assassin yet. I'd much prefer eliminating the second before they're back to full strength.

And then there's the matter of this Captain person. Who are they? What have I done to invoke their wrath? Why are they so desperate to see me dead?

There's something I'm missing, something huge. The big elephant in the room. I need to figure this out.

There has to be someway to get all my ducks in a row, to get everyone where I can take them out...

I run through the street, slipping as my lethargic limbs fail to respond to my commands. Every step is harder and harder until finally I collapse, shuddering. Behind me the monster approaches, wreathed in shadow and darkness. It pulls a blade and moves into the light and it's the Crawler right there in front of me and oh god he's free he's free and the world will fall.

I look around and see bodies everywhere, and fire. The Wardens. Tamarel. Isabella. Varric. Duncan. Darrian. Beside of the bodies of Duncan and Tamarel are the broken blades of Jack and Oakvale.

Everyone's gone. I'm alone.

"Sssparroww... I'mm Coominggg... Allll yourr faulttt," it hisses menacingly before it's face turns into the mask of the Dread Wolf. The mask is alive and it smiles as it drives the blade into my heart. The final thing I see is the Crow emblem on the crossguard before darkness takes me.

I jolt awake, sitting up and panting heavily. I look around desperately before my senses come back to me. Forcing myself to relax, I lie back down and take deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. I look over to Tamarel and I sigh, relieved that my panic hasn't disturbed her rest.

Realising I'm way too warm I tear the blankets off of me and notice the sheen of sweat all over my body.

A shaky breath escapes my lips and I have to fight the urge to sob. I keep my breathing level and squeeze my eyes tight.

This is getting too real. Assassins coming to kill me? Kings wanting me in jail? Dark creatures seeking escape?

I'm really missing the days when the worst feeling was forgetting my homework, or leaving some chores too late. Not this soul crushing life fearing vice on my heart.

I need to get out.

"This is a bad idea," Oakvale warns uneasily as I leave the barracks quietly.

Noted.

"I agree, this is an unwise strategy," Jack repeats as I sling.

Gotcha.

I start walking and at the end of the street, come to a stop. Sighing, I look back at the barracks, feeling tears of dread emerging from my eyes. As long as I'm with them, the Grey Wardens are in danger. And they will be needed soon. So I can't be selfish. I need to keep them safe.

I can't keep putting everyone else in danger just to save myself.

With a final glance, I turn on my heel and walk away from the only ones who have a chance of protecting me from my fate.

BANG BANG BANG

"Darrien. Darrien?" I say pounding on the door. I look over my shoulder, trying to see if I was followed here. I'm about to knock again when the door opens.

I look to see his red headed mother, who looks shocked to see me. "Mrs Tabris, good good. I have to leave town for a while, some errands can't be avoided, and I wished to speak with Darrien before I leave. Is he in?" I ask, looking over her shoulder.

"He's away," she says before biting her lip and glancing over my shoulder. I turn quickly in fear and, seeing nothing, look back at her with a shaky smile.

"May I come in?" I ask politely.

She looks wary before nodding, standing aside so I can enter. I move forward and see that the fire is still raging, despite the late hour.

"Please, sit," Tabris says, gesturing to the chair by the fire. I place my pack by the door and do as she commands. She takes the chair opposite and we sit in silence for a few moments. "What brings you to my home?"

"Uhh, to be honest I'm leaving town and wanted to check up on the kid one final time. And to give him a parting gift," I say as I scratch my knee nervously. It's dangerous coming here, I could be putting the family on the assassins radar, but I had to come one last time.

"Oh, Darrien will be sad to hear that," Tabris says cooly. "What gift do you speak of?"

I reach into my bag and pull out two coinpurses. I weigh them in my hand for a second before I hand them to Tabris. "Darrien has been doing some jobs for me for the past month or so. Consider this a... severance package if you will."

She glares at the money suspiciously. "What kind of jobs?"

"Oh, just some odd jobs I needed doing, somewhat like an assistant," I lie smoothly before placing the money on the table. "Your boy really is a hard worker," I say with a true smile. Not once did the kid complain about what I asked from him. He was even surprised when I paid him the first time, having not expected even more gifts from me after the hog.

Tabris smiles proudly and nods, before her eyes narrow slightly. "What is making you leave?"

"Business," I say quickly, though hopefully unsuspiciously. I look above the fireplace to avoid her eyes when I see something. I stand and move closer to the fire, ignoring the heat and only focusing on a small wood carving.

A small figurine. Wood carving. Made of ash I think. About the length of my hand. A wolf.

"Ash?" I ask as I delicately pick up the figurine and turn it around in my hands. Tabris stands to join me.

"Yes, It was made for me when I was very young. It is the Dread Wolf, the-"

"Trickster god who locked all the other elven deities in a seperate realm from this one to ensure they did not control and abuse mankind," I say with a smile. Tabris sends me a smaller one in return. "I've heard the story. Though most of the elves I know do not keep an effigy around?" I say in a questioning tone.

"I was raised among the Dalish, long before coming to Ferelden," she explains, gently taking the carving from me. "The teachings of my people are very important to me."

"As they should be," I say with a soft smile. I remember all the history classes, of Scottish history. The rich tapestry my people wove through the loom of time stirred the patriotism in my heart.

"What of you?" she asks as she replaces the wolf on the mantel. "Where do you hail from?"

"Oh," I say with a small, sad laugh. "Somewhere very far from here. I doubt you would have heard of it."

"Do you miss it?" She asks as we both sit back down. My face falls as I think back to my home, and all the people that came with it.

"With every fibre of my heart," I say morosely. Tabris looks at me for a moment, taking in my answer I suppose.

"Would you like a drink, Messere?" she asks as she moves towards a cabinet. My head twists at something familiar, but I can't figure out what.

"Uh, sure. Yes please. And it's just Sparrow, Mrs Tabris," I say as she prepares the drinks.

"Please, Adaia will do just fine, Sparrow," she smiles as she passes me a glass filled with an amber liquid. I raise my glass to her.

"So what brought you to Ferelden?" I ask as I sip my drink. The taste reminds me of whiskey, but none I've tasted before. A lot stronger as well, as I can already feel the warmth spreading through my stomach.

Oh, I just realised how much I miss kebabs.

"Oh, it was time. I was pregnant with Darrian at the time and his father insisted that we left Antiva," she says with sad eyes. I take another sip, awkwardly.

"Antiva," I say, surprised trying to add some levity. "Exotic! What happened to him?" I ask as I look at her. She looks at me with wounded eyes and I quickly add, "If you don't mind me asking."

"Not at all," she says, spinning her drink around, and I can see the sadness in her eyes. "He works very hard on Bann Rodolf's estate and uses the servant housing there. Darrian and I do not see much of him."

"I'm sorry," I say as I take another drink. "That must be quite difficult for you."

"I've had a long time to become adjusted to the way of things Sparrow, and I accept my life for what it is," she smiles kindly. There's a few moments of silence, only broken by the crackle of the flames. "But what of yourself? Why did you come to this land?"

I laugh into my drink as it's warmth spreads through my belly. "Adaia, I have been asking myself that question for over a year now," I chuckle for a few moments, before I answer properly. "I think... I came here to help."

"Help whom?" she asks quietly, looking at me intensely.

"Everyone," I whisper, staring into the flames. I take another sip and realise that my glass is empty. I feel the effects as my mind begins to dull. The fire blazes next to us and a sweat breaks on my face.

She takes another sip of her drink before leaning forward and looking at me in the eyes.

"What do you want with my son?" she asks harshly.

I'm taken aback by the venom in her words. "Excuse me?"

"What do you want with my son?" she repeats, and the anger in her eyes surprises me.

"Your son... has a destiny ahead of him," I answer slowly, slurring slightly. I don't want to tell her that? What's going on?

"What destiny," she asks in derision. "He's just a boy."

"For now..." My speech fails and the glass slips from my hand numbly, shattering on the floor. I look to it and my vision swims for a second before I look back at Adaia, confusion etched in my face. I'm not sure that was whiskey.

And then it all clicks. A day late and a dollar short.

Dalish upbringing. Antivan. Elven woman. Green Eyes. Red Hair. Dread Wolf.

"Oh fuck nuggets," I whisper as she smiles darkly as she rises to her feet. I try to move but my limbs aren't responding.

"It's taken a month for you to come out from under the protection of the Wardens Sparrow. How convenient that you fall right into my lap a second time. I was merciful when we first met. But that was your only chance," she says, moving towards me like a cat approaches a mouse as my vision swims and I see no more.

If you guessed that little twist before the end, let me know so I can send you a cookie :D

The Dread Wolf is revealed, but the story is far from over... Join us next time.