The months following her father's death passed in a complete blur for Eriana. Mornings and nights bled together into one long, never ending chain of training, study, business meetings, and anything else the elf could find to occupy her not only her time but also her mind. She would awake every morning before the sun had even begun to tint the sky, getting out of bed the moment she regained consciousness, never giving herself a moment to simply relax and let her mind wonder. Every morning she could be found running laps around the battlements of the keep, stopping occasionally to speak with the guards or Wardens who had been assigned to the night watch during the three to five laps she took around the place.

After her run, yet still before the sun was ever fully up, Eriana would make her way down into the courtyard to train on her own in the archery yard, claiming that the dim light of early morning helped to heighten her senses, making the workout more challenging. After that came training with her daggers where occasionally one of the other rogues, usually Nathaniel or Sigrun, would accompany her. However, more often than not, this too was done alone as she was often finished moving through her normal exercise regiment before most of the Wardens were even out of their rooms.

A quick breakfast would usually follow where Eriana would actually eat a rather hearty meal before moving up into her office where she spent the rest of the morning meticulously studying the business of the Arling. By the end of the first week, she had memorized the name and names of the immediate family of everyone who held a title who lived in her region. By the end of the second, she knew the name of every major landowner and could correctly identify their holdings on a map. By the end of the first month, she knew every landowner by name, could locate their property on a map, and knew their primary source of income, whether that was livestock or any number of crops that grew well in the warm Amaranthine air.

After she finished with that, she turned her attention to the city of Amaranthine itself, studying business owners, private homes, city guard rosters, and shipping logs. She knew every store, every tavern, and every trader who did business in Amaranthine. Based on her meticulous studying of docking logs from the past ten years, she was able to make predictions as to when certain traders would be coming into port and what goods they would bring. She arranged caravans to outlying areas of her arling so farmers there wouldn't have to leave their land at crucial times in order to restock on necessities.

Due to her exhausting efforts, the arling was flourishing by the time spring began to bleed into summer, and the people, even those who were most skeptical about her at first, were beginning to relax under the rule of their elven arlessa. And a flourishing economy meant that repairs to the city and keep were moving along ahead of schedule. According to the estimations of Eddard, the dwarven stonemason who was overseeing both sights, repairs and upgrades would be completed to both in fewer than three years.

Her foray into governing was only one of the things that occupied her time. Besides running the arling, Eriana also busied herself with several personal projects. She read everything she could get her hands on from Weisshaupt about the Grey Wardens and the Blights as well as everything the Keep library had about the histories of the nations of Thedas. On top of that, she also read books on military strategy and fighting techniques.

It was when she announced that she planned to learn to speak Arcanum, Rivaini, and Ander that Nathaniel decided that it was time to say something about it.

"It's nothing, really, Nate. I want to learn Arcanum because the Magesters from Tevinter have written several studies on the taint that I would very much like to read."

"Get the translated version; I'm sure that there are plenty of those out there. Write to Weisshaupt, I'm sure they've got plenty of copies."

"I'd like to see the originals. They might spread some light on some of the things that the Architect left in his writing."

"Okay, I could buy that, but what about the others? What are your reasons for learning them?"

"Well, many of our merchants come from Rivain, and it would be nice to speak to them in their native tongue."

"We have translators for that."

"And the Wardens are stationed in the Anderfields, so it would make sense to me that as the Commander of the Ferelden Grey, I should speak Ander as well."

"The First Warden always writes in the common tongue as does everyone else around. Now, are you really going to tell me what's going on, or am I just going to have to guess."

Eriana sighed heavily and looked up from the book in front of her. "Alright, in all honesty, Nate, I've just trying to keep my mind occupied here lately. Learning these languages, immersing myself in the business of the arling, they're all good ways of distracting myself."

"Ana, I know that your father's death has been difficult, but you'll never move past this unless you deal with it."

"Well, maybe I don't want to deal with it. With everything else that I have on my plate, it's just too much to deal with right now, and I'd rather just keep myself busy, body and mind, than to let my mind wander."

"Ana…"

"No, Nate, you of all people should understand this. I don't have time to have a breakdown right now. You know what kind of pressure is on me here. I have to prove that I am worthy of the faith Alistair has given me in placing me in this position; I have to prove that I am capable of leading the Wardens; and I have to do all this in the public eye at all times. I can't let myself dwell on Father's death, or I'll break down completely."

Nathaniel did understand where she was coming from, but still wished she would make an effort to deal with her grief rather than simply ignoring it. However, an outsider looking at her would never know she was upset; in fact, she was looking healthier and happier than he ever remembered seeing her. She had regained all the weight she had lost after the death of her child, and the strenuous daily workouts had left her body lean and powerful. Her long blond hair was silky and her face bright and full of life. Oghren, though, was among the new people who weren't fooled by her apparent turn around. She may look like the picture of health, and she may smile and occasionally laugh, but the fire and determination that used to make her eyes sparkle were gone. She was still hurting though she tried desperately to convince herself and everyone around her that she wasn't.

The only time he ever saw her eyes light up anymore was when she and Ramoth would work with the other Wardens and their new mabari puppies. The Cousland brothers had sent the Wardens several male puppies from the litters that Ramoth had sired, and all four of them had imprinted onto one a Warden. Eriana took great pride in working with Ramoth to show her fellow mabari owners how to train and fight along side of their dog, and Ramoth himself took great pride in whipping his pups into shape. The residents of the keep were often amused by the sight of the massive war dog strutting through the court yard, the litter of puppies bounding after him, nipping at his haunches, trying to get their sire's attention. Ramoth would seemingly ignore them until they got too raucous; at which time, his massive head would whip around, issue them one gravely bark that served as a warning which without fail would make the quartet fall into line behind him. Only once they were properly disciplined would he relent and play with the pups. Watching her russet hound roll around with the four puppies, barking like a pup himself, was the only thing that brought a little light back into Eriana's eyes.

And that was her life for most of the spring. Eriana would wake up, work herself to the point of exhaustion and collapse into bed each night, too tired to think. If she was too tired to think, then she'd be too tired to grieve, and Zevran and her father would stay out of her dreams each night. That was the way life was for the young elf.

Until a package came from Antiva that changed everything.

-0-

Eriana walked in to her throne room and was surprised to see a few of her stronger servants and guards carrying in several rather large shipping crates as a few of her Wardens milled around, cautiously watching the situation.

"What is all this?" she said, gesturing to the boxes. She glanced over at Nathaniel. "Are we expecting a shipment of any kind today?"

"Not that I know of. Saul, Garevel, do either of you have any idea where these boxes are from?"

The seneschal shook his head while the Captain of the Amaranthine guard stepped forward with an unfamiliar young man. "This messenger showed up this morning with the usual caravan headed for Amaranthine with a cart loaded down saying that he had delivery for the Wardens of Ferelden. Apparently, he was hired in Denerim to bring this shipment here along with this letter."

Eriana took the sealed letter, glancing at it briefly before looking back at the currier. "Do you know who hired you to deliver this?"

The young man nodded. "I was hired by the new leader of the Ferelden branch of the Antivan Crows to bring this shipment into you. I traveled with a group of traders who were making their way into the city."

"Antivan Crows, huh? It's been months since I wrote to Ignacio, so I had almost given up on ever hearing back from them. I assume this is who sent the letter?"

"I'm not sure, mam; I only picked up the order once it was unloaded in Denerim. The packages as well as the letter came over with a few of their, um, guild members who were moving here."

Eriana nodded as she glanced over the boxes again, motioning for the Wardens to inspect the crates only after Ramoth had thoroughly sniffed them. As she read the letter, Nathaniel came up beside her, looking at the parchment over her shoulder. "Ignacio?"

Eriana nodded and read the letter out loud for Nathaniel whose Antivan wasn't quite as fluent as her own.

Warden Commander,

Allow me to begin by expressing my deepest apologies for the trouble that you have been having with the Ferelden faction of my organization. It seems as though we have placed the wrong man in charge of that particular branch, and he seems quite unable to keep his assassins under control. This is not a shortcoming that will continue, believe me. He has already been replaced by someone more trustworthy. His negligence, however, has caused you trouble, and for that, I am sorry. I would rather our reputation not be harmed by this, so I will be taking personal interest in the situation.

I have sent an envoy into Ferelden with the specific task of dealing with the matter. We believe that the same person is behind all of the attacks on you as well as the recent attack on your father, which, I wasn't made aware of until after it happened. Zander has been told to assist you in finding out who is behind this. He has already been in the country for several weeks and should have information prepared for you should you choose to accept our assistance.

As for the crates, consider them a gift, an apology for allowing the situation to get out of hand and allowing you to get caught in the crossfire. They are full of weapons and armor from our stores here in Antiva City that I believe will be of some use to you and your Wardens in the future. I hope to hear from you soon. We would be most pleased to see you in Antiva City at some time.

Move like shadows, strike strong and true.

Ignacio

Eriana stumbled over the last part of the letter. Surprised she glanced up and handed the parchment to Nathaniel. "I know your Antivan isn't the best, but read that last part for me. Tell me, did I translate that correctly or have I completely lost it?"

"I think you did," he said after a second. "Wow."

Sigrun glanced up at them. "What's so surprising; what'd I miss?"

"The way he closed the letter," Nathaniel said, "that last creed, 'Move like shadows, strike strong and true,' that's the unofficial motto of the Crows. They never sign correspondence that way unless it's meant to be internal."

"Ignacio signing the letter this way is his way of saying that he considers us equals in this business, not clients. It's an honor really." Eriana sighed and glanced over at Nathaniel. "So, what do you think? Do arrange a meeting with this Zander?"

"Absolutely not," said Oghren sternly. "There is no way we're letting a known assassin in here, not with everything that's been happening, no. I know you have an unnatural tendency of trusting people who are trying to kill you, but it's not happening now."

Eriana was about to agree with Oghren when Garen, who had been sorting through a box of leather armor, shouted out in surprise. "Wow, this is dragon skin armor, and detailed, gorgeous. Check this thing, Commander; it could rival Master Wade's work."

Shaking her head, Eriana turned to look at the armor and her heart nearly stopped at the sight of it. Of course it could rival Wade's armor. It was Wade's armor; more specifically, it was the second set of armor Wade had made for Eriana during the blight, the armor that she had commissioned specifically for Zevran, the armor that he had been wearing when he disappeared. Crossing the room in a few seconds, Eriana snatched the dragon skin cuirass out of Garen's hands. Turning to face the messenger, she snapped, almost shouting, "What is the meaning of this?"

"Meaning of what?" the messenger stuttered, surprised at her sudden angry tone. "It's just a piece of armor. These pieces were spares that they pulled from the armory; that's all."

Eriana took several deep breaths, trying to slow her racing heart. "Bring him to my office in ten minutes," she said to Garen and motioned for Nathaniel to wait a minute before following. "I need a minute alone."

Once she had the office door shut soundly behind her, she immediately began searching the armor, looking for any clue, any message that might be hidden there. She searched every pocket, ever hidden crease, but found nothing. Dropping the armor to her desk, she leaned forward, bowing her head and taking several deep breaths to compose herself before Nathaniel, Garen, and the messenger arrived. She could break down later, but for now, she needed to at least appear to be composed.

A few moments later, Nathaniel knocked on her door, waiting for her command before entering. "You alright?"

"Later," she said tersely as she moved around to lean against the front of her desk. "So, what do you think about all this?"

Nathaniel sighed, sinking down into a chair in front of her, propping his head up on his hand. "I'm not sure. You say you wrote to Ignacio months ago about the previous attacks." Eriana nodded. "Do you know him relatively well?"

"We've spoken on several occasions, even after we had finished our business during the blight, and in every circumstance, he's been nothing but honest with me, even warning me on several occasions. Besides, several people know of our arrangement. If he or the rest of the organization backs out on it, it could seriously hurt their business in Ferelden and abroad. This offer of help benefits him as well as us."

"So do you want to meet with this Zander character?"

"I think it would be wise to meet with him; we should at least see what the crows have to say, see what information they have. Besides, with the way Braxton has been talking me down in the city, whoever is behind this may have already contacted the Crows again."

"Oghren isn't going to like this one bit."

"Oghren isn't going to know about it. For all intents and purposes everyone will believe that we've turned down their offer, accepting their gifts as all the payment we need. Have Garen return to the city in secret with the messenger. He will escort Zander back and sneak him into the keep."

Nathaniel sighed, leaning forward on his knees. "Ana, I don't like this, entrusting your safety into someone else's hands, especially to a Crow. Are you sure about this?"

"Nate, my father is already dead because I let this go on so long. This has to stop before anyone else I love gets drawn into my mess. The sooner this is dealt with, the better."

"Ana, I know you're concerned about all this, but we can't rush into anything. You're too important to do something halfway."

Eriana pushed off the table and dropped into the chair with Nathaniel, wrapping her arms around his neck. "We will be careful. You'll see to that. I just want this to be over, to move on."

Nathaniel kissed her on the forehead. "I know, Ana; I know. I want it to be over too; we'll see this assassin. Hopefully, he'll have the answers we need."

The meeting with Garen and the messenger was brief. In the end, the messenger stormed out, acting thoroughly insulted while Garen went to quickly pack his things for the journey to Denerim. After they left, Nathaniel walked over to Eriana's desk and inspected the light armor that was still lying there.

"It's Zevran's armor isn't it?" He asked, lightly tracing the intricate inlay Wade had etched into the dragon hide. Eriana nodded, a slightly surprised look on her face. "I figured as much. That's the only thing that would have gotten a reaction like that from you."

"What do you think it means? Is this some kind of message? Clearly it is because it's simply too great a coincidence for it to be mere chance. I just don't know what I'm supposed to get from this."

"I suppose it can be interpreted in one of two ways. It's either a message from Zevran saying that he's safe and that the Crows are no longer a threat to him, or it's the Crows way of telling you they've eliminated him."

"Yeah, I was afraid of that. I guess there's no real way of knowing with message it is that they're trying to send without a Crow to explain it. This wasn't exactly one of the circumstances Zevran talked about."

Nathaniel examined her for a moment. "How do you want to interpret it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, which interpretation would you prefer? Zevran's safe and he's working with the Crows, or he's been eliminated by them?"

Eriana sighed, "Honestly, I'm not sure. Part of me hopes this is a sign that he's still alive. As much as I want to hate him right now, I can't because there's still too much of me that still loves him. But if that's the case, then he's chosen not to contact me in nearly a year, and that hurts probably more than the thought that he's dead. All I know is I don't need this right now. For so long, I struggled not to fell, you know, to dull myself to everything."

"I know, Ana, but that's not in your nature."

She furiously tried to swipe away the tears that were welling up in her eyes. "He told me that very thing one time, but it's been easier since Father died. Anymore it's hard to feel anything anymore." Sniffing softly, she reached down to pick up the armor in front of her. "I just wish I had some closure, that's all. Maybe that's what this is supposed to be, I don't know, but I'm definitely going to need something more definitive if I'm ever going to move past this.

-0-

It took Garen just over a week to return to Amaranthine with Zander in tow. In that time, Eriana had made it quite clear, not only to Oghren, but to the other Wardens as well that they would not be working with the Crows. Only Sigrun, Nathaniel, and Garen knew the truth. It wasn't that Eriana didn't trust her Wardens; it was just that she preferred to play this one close to the chest. The fewer people who were aware of this meeting, the better.

Sigrun and Nathaniel met Garen and Zander just outside the walls of the Keep just as the last lights of day were dying. Blindfolding him, the three rogues led him through the labyrinth of secret passages that snaked through the castle before leading the assassin into the office where Eriana was waiting.

"Ah, the illusive Warden Commander herself," Zander said, bowing dramatically to her as he exited the secret passage and strolled into her office. "I have to say, when Ignacio first asked me to handle this situation, I had no idea it would be so difficult to meet with you. Assassination attempts, it seems, have made you somewhat paranoid."

"I wouldn't call it paranoia, just a healthy caution," Eriana said, trying not to be phased by his thick Antivan accent that sounded extremely similar to Zevran's. In all honesty, she had been expecting that, but hearing that smooth, seductive accent for the first time in so many months was a bit unnerving to the Warden. It was a good thing that the accent and the fact that he too was an elf were the only real similarities between the two men. Zander had thick dark hair that danced around his face in curly waves. His piercing green eyes shone out from his pale skin. He was lean and fit, as were all assassins from Antiva, but his voice lacked the obvious swagger and arrogance that Zevran's had.

"A little caution is a good thing, especially dealing with those you don't fully trust, so allow me to offer you a boon to help me gain your trust," he said, pulling from his pocket a missive. "This came to us just days before your man came to me in Denerim. I believe you'll recognize the name of the target."

"Soris," Eriana breathed, her composure slipping.

"Indeed," Zander said with a solemn nod. "Now, we did not accept this bid; attacking members of the Cousland household staff would be detrimental to our position here in Ferelden after all. You people simply don't handle attacks on your highest ranking nobles with the same ease as we Antivans; at least, that is what we told the man who brought us the request."

"The Crows refused a contract on my cousin?"

Zander nodded, "We did not want any more bad blood between you and the organization. When Ignacio found out that your father's death was approved by the head of the Ferelden branch; well, let's just say there's new leadership here now."

"So how can you help us?" Nathaniel asked, walking over to stand next to Eriana.

"Ah, yes, down to business. Thanks to your friend Braxton at the Gnawed Noble Tavern, I have been approached by an emissary of an unnamed noble in the city asking to hire me to deal with you. However, the request was most unusual. I'm not to kill you; only apprehend you so that whoever hired me can finish the job themselves."

"You're supposed to kidnap her? How would you ever manage that; she rarely ever leaves the Keep and when she does, she's under guard? It's a crazy notion," Nathaniel pointed out.

"For a normal person perhaps, but remember, Crows are trained to be master manipulators. Besides, I didn't take the contract just yet. I have come to Amaranthine in order to 'scout out' the potential for carrying out the request. It is important that I'm seen doing just that."

"So you think you're being watched?" Garen said, "Meaning they have agents in the city."

"Undoubtedly. Though our target is clearly based in Denerim, there are definite ties to Amaranthine."

"So what is your suggestion, then?" Eriana asked.

"A chance encounter, somewhere public where I can be seen with you, gaining your trust. The easiest and most believable encounter would be a rendezvous, a seduction of sorts."

"No," Nathaniel said sternly. "Absolutely not. She is agreeing to do nothing of the sort with you."

Zander laughed. "Of course, of course. I wasn't talking about an actual seduction, no, no, no; I didn't intend for her to actually sleep with me. Unless of course, she wants to," he added with a slight smile. Eriana sighed; there was that Antivan swagger. "What I had in mind was something a with a bit more deceit. We meet in a tavern; one in the city that she frequents. Casually I make my advances, which she will eventually respond to; at which point we disappear into her room for a time. I leave and she remains safe and well sated…looking."

"Then you report back that the mission is a go," Nathaniel said.

Zander nodded. "Once I do that, we meet again in public a few times before I begin visiting the keep. After a few visits, I disappear with her, taking her to the drop point with a team of Wardens following close behind. Once we are there, we should be able to take out whoever is behind this."

"Why go through all the trouble, though," Sigrun spoke up. "I mean, why make such a public showing of that? Wouldn't it be easier if the Commander just went with you the first time instead of this elaborate show of sneaking away after weeks of pretending?"

Zander glanced at Nathaniel, motioning for him to answer the dwarf's question. "It can't look like he got her so easily or they'll suspect trap. Eriana wouldn't allow herself to be overpowered, and they know that. Plus, even with that first meeting in a tavern, Zander would never escape the building with her, not with the other Wardens standing guard. If we play it the way Zander suggests, we'll be able to trick whoever's behind this into believing that he's really starting to gain her trust, giving us a better chance of nailing them."

"Well, Commander, what do you think?" Zander asked, eyeing her cautiously.

"Let's do it. I have business in the city in three days; I was already planning on spending the night. We can do it then."

"In three days then," Zander said with a nod. "I'll find you in the tavern in the evening. Make sure that you are sitting alone. Be reading or something like that, but remember, you have to be open to my joining you, otherwise the seduction will never be believable."

"I can do it as long as you play your part well."

"Of course, now if there' nothing else…"

"Actually, before you go, I had a question of a personal nature to ask you. Guys, if you don't mind giving us a minute." The other rogues nodded, and Nathaniel said that they'd be waiting outside the door. Eriana waited until the others were gone before pulling out Zevran's armor. "I found this with the weapons and armor your master sent to us. It used to belong to me, so I was curious as to what the message of it was."

"When you say belonged to you, you mean of course that it belonged to Zevran, yes?" Eriana nodded. "As for the intended message, I am not sure. I was not given any addition information apart from the fact that you would be receiving the weapons and arms as compensation."

"So can you at least tell me what has been going on with the Crows? Our reports have been sketchy at best."

"Alas, my Lady, that I cannot do. What happens within the Crows, I am afraid, stays within the Crows. Until there is a definite end to our internal conflict; outsiders must be kept out of the loop. I'm sorry that that was not the answer you were looking for, but it is all I can give you."

"I understand," Eriana said with a sigh. "I may not like it, but I do understand." Moving to the door, Eriana waved the others in. "Garen will see you out of the keep. Thank you for all your help, and I'll be seeing you in a few days."

"Good night, My Lady."

-0-

Ah, so we have a new sexy Antivan enter the picture, and no, it's not Zevran in disguise. Same voice, but a different man entirely. There's no way Zev could have pulled that off; Ana would have recognized him instantly.

Anyway, please review and let me know what you think.