A thud, a hissing breath, and then a muttered curse. Elissa opened one eye. Dark as it was, she couldn't see much more than she could when it was closed.

The ship wouldn't reach Cumberland until the following day, and the Wardens unfurled their bedrolls below deck as night fell. Alistair had spent much of the day seasick and bent over the bulwark. By dinner, he was in no mood to eat and disappeared to the hull with a bucket under one arm.

Nathaniel, however, was used to sea travel. He waved Elissa over to the prow, pointing to the dolphins racing ahead of the ship, and shared stories of his time in the Free Marches.

Lindise spent most of her time with the sailors, playing cards and learning sea shanties.

Paien kept to himself below decks.

Now in the darkness of night, Elissa could just make out his form, tiptoeing around the sleeping Wardens and making his way up the ladder that led to the upper decks.

Elissa slid Alistair's arm from her middle, slipped out from under the covers, pulled on a pair of boots, and followed after the elder Warden.

She found him to the rear of the ship, arms folded on the edge of the bulwark, staring out at the dark horizon. "Commander?"

He turned to look at her, "Cousland." He shook his head a little, turning his gaze back to the sea. "I didn't mean to wake you. Stubbed my toe on something."

"I am beginning to wonder if you ever sleep," she murmured, leaning against the wooden rail beside him.

The old man actually cracked a smile. "Not lately." He sighed, running a hand over his face. "I owe you an apology, I think."

She lifted a brow, "Really?"

"Your mage," he said. "I pushed too hard, clearly." He frowned, drumming his fingers on the edge of the bulwark. "So for that, I apologize."

"Anders is more to blame."

"The blame lies not with him alone."

She was silent for a few moments, folding her hands and rocking with the motion of the ship. Finally she said, "You knew about Justice."

"I knew about Justice."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

Paien squinted up at the stars, "It wasn't important. He would be of no use to us on the road." He glanced over at her, "You kept him secret."

"I suppose," she said slowly, "I was worried you would make the sensible decision and… do away with him. I… wanted to delay that."

Paien nodded slightly, "He was one of your men. I thought you would handle it."

Elissa frowned down at the dark water, "Leaving Anders behind was part of handling the possessed corpse." Her head shook a little, "After you said he was joining us... I couldn't corner him to ask him what was to be done with Justice."

"He was avoiding you..." He exhaled, hanging his head. "I've gotten too bull headed. But we need to stop this woman."

"You haven't told us much about her," Elissa said, folding her arms across her chest and tucking her hands under her armpits to keep them warm. "Did you know her?"

"I did," he answered with a faint nod. "Sabinia was a good Warden. Smart, honorable, strong. I left Orlais before her mind began to decay… I should have known it was coming, however."

"Do you often blame yourself for things that are largely out of your control?" Elissa asked with a faint smile.

"Burden of leadership," Paien answered with a wry chuckle. "Perhaps when this is over, when you've been properly trained, you will be able to retake your place as Commander of the Grey at Vigil's Keep." He studied her out of the corner of his eye, "Your men are very loyal to you."

"Even when I make poor decisions on their behalf."

"We all make mistakes," Paien said in a low voice. "Yours just happen to be… astronomical. But you never put your people at risk. Your intentions have been good. You lack the ability to see the consequences."

Elissa grimaced a little at him and tilted her head to the side. "Thank you...?"

He chuckled again, "Ah, I believe that was a back handed compliment. That is what you call them, no? Unintended." Paien leveled a look at her, "Cousland, you are with me to learn and become a better Warden. A better leader. This is not a punishment." He paused, "It is important that I remind myself of that, as well."

Elissa studied him closely, searching his lined face. There was much more to him than the hard military front he put on. There was a storm in there, and it could just barely be seen now that the mask was allowed to slip.

Perhaps in Orlais he was the sort of man that got things done, a straight laced warrior who demanded results and was used to getting them. He was a bit like Loghain in that way, wasn't he? Cruso and Lindise certainly seemed fiercely loyal to him. She'd have to quiz the mage later to learn more about him. "Did you know Duncan?"

"I did," he nodded. "Many years ago. He was a bit of a rascal back then."

A grin slowly appeared on her face. "I can't picture that."

"I have a theory," Paien said, looking back out to the sea, "that being a Warden eventually tempers all who join. Perhaps it's the Taint, perhaps the training. Perhaps both. Wild youth calmed into firm, honorable resolve." He hesitated as if he wanted to say more, but he left the words unspoken. He turned back to Elissa, buckling his cloak a bit tighter around him, "You should get back down below, get some rest while you can. The journey ahead will be trying for all of us."

"So should you," Elissa responded, taking a step back from him.

The old man smiled grimly and shook his head, "I'll sleep when I'm dead."