Hadn't met anyone's eyes yet. I'd instead spent my time thinking about Denerim, remembering 'walking' around its twisty turny streets. In the what, weeks? It had taken to get here, Wilder attack woundy time notwithstanding. But cresting that slight rise, it was really something else. First of all… it kinda smelt. Dun dun. But I really should have expected that. So much stuff and so many people and things in a relatively small area I guess. But even for that, it was really inspiring to see the turrets on that massive wall, that huge gate that barricaded its entrance, and those flags. Long pennants that at the moment were only lazily flapping. That little bit, those flags, was what I had dreamt in my mind what Ferelden, what Denerim had been like for the Wardens. A reinforcement of the real people and real places they were fighting for. While I wasn't really part of Denerim, in any respect, this was one of the places that my people fought for, whom I fought for so it was kinda like that Circle of Life thing. Creators rein me in from bursting into song because it was a real proper urge. I channelled that instead into a grin.

"I thought dalish didn't like cities?"

I looked at Alistair, first time in two days I'd looked at anyone. Kinda missed his face. Which was smiling away happily.

"Doesn't mean I can't be impressed."

"Oh, oh, Ana. Wait until you see the marketplace, not just that but the shops that ring it. There are dress shops, shoe shops and others with swathes of beautiful material."

To be honest, everything Leiliana had pretty much described scared the bejeesus out of me.

"I think we need to be more worried about how we enter the city when Loghain has a kill order on the Wardens."

Wynne. Brutally honest and right.

"Catapults?"

I said.

"Good to see you are back to yourself."

Finn. I was slower to look at him. But I did, eyes travelling from that awkward point on his shoulder to his eyes. And encountered what passed for a grin on his face. It filled me with utter wonderment. I sound like a twat. PS though, he looked nothing like Kane.

"I'll do better."

A gloved hand rose, paused above my shoulder before dropping to touch it lightly.

"We will all do better. You are…"

"Adequate. We really need to work on your hand skills yes? I offer my services."

Aaaand Zevran just comes literally sliding in. First time Finn's even come near me since Redcliffe, let alone doing the comradely stuff and the Antivan just dripping with sleaze stops that like a snuffed candle. But. But in that corner of my mind that I think was still the domain of a primal Maharial she narrowed her eyes. I quite literally slid sideways from Finn's hand, rotated somehow around Zev, drawing a dagger free. He did try to stop me, only doing so as I winced at ghost pain from my taut thigh. I slid out my own knife, as we moved into stillness his blade sat against my neck, the edge of mine resting against his cheek.

"I choose not."

Zevran blinked, not from surprise but like that little two step had been foreplay cos his little grin lifted his sexy little lips. Finn tugged me back and away as if I were a time bomb and he'd been expecting this the whole time. Like since we had met in the Wilds. Taking possession of my knife and sliding it to the sheath on my back,

"How about we come up with a plan for entrance like Wynne said. Any horseplay can take place later when we are not quite such a big target."

"Horseplay? Oh Finn, no, no. That was fore-."

Leiliana slid over this time, a hand covering Zevran's mouth which probably was not the best move to make. But at least it stopped him from getting out the rest of his words. Just for those taking notes, Finn had one hand gripping my shoulder it staying there from his comment till Alistair outlined an idea.

I shouldn't have been let out. T'was obvious. In the group I was with… that simply compounding the issue I shouldn't have been let outside with the big kids. Not with Finn and Wynne and Wolf who went to Genitivi's house. Not to Wade's place with Alistair and Zev and Leiliana. Which would have been the smartest and best idea since my armour was torn and rent. But instead the Wonder's of Thedas with Morrigan and Sten. Nothing screams apostate more than feathers and a few straps keeping those bad boys down. Though Sten had humphed and stayed outside like a very large bouncer keeping the other shoppers out. Handy and also terrifying. I let Morrigan peruse a few tomes in a corner while I ventured in further. They were beautiful, everything was so beautifully made and sparkling with precious stones and gold. Crystals sparked from every corner, there were even animals in cages, dark eyes peering at me as I moved slowly past. It was really like an old alchemist slash book shop slash natural therapy shop. I recognised some things, from the before as well as from Marethari's aravel. Incense and smoke swam in lazy lines below the ceiling, changing the smell from old book to wood smoke to herbal tang. It made me feel at home. Which lasted ten seconds before,

"Welcome to the Wonders of Thedas."

Utter monotone. Like a robot though it was so obvious it came from this flesh and blood man in front of me. It made me jump no matter I had known it was run by the Tranquil. That sentence made me hate that rite even more than I had previous. There was the faint burn scar on his forehead as he placidly looked at me. I recognised it as the Chantry's symbol, a sun. Bile rose in my throat but I swallowed that motherfucker down.

"I see they put their handicapped to work now."

Morrigan said, sauntering to my side.

"What the hell?"

She gestured to the tranquiled guy, dude, man. Jeez I can't even use the mage word to describe them. They are so far from mage and person anymore they are just like soulless automatons.

"That. The lyrium brand, it severs them from their link to the Fade and their magic."

She might have said it matter-of-factly, but I think even Morrigan was moved to fright at what this one represented.

"Yes, I am a tranquil mage. May I help you?"

Morrigan snorted and left us alone. Yay.

"Um. I'm not a mage. I don't think that there is anything in here that could be of use."

He didn't smile, but nodded.

"It is true this shop does cater for the mages of Circle, but there are many things even you may find of use."

And then he sorta floated away. But I didn't want to touch anything. It was like everything now had a shimmer of magic upon it and I was afraid of what I might see in the shiny surfaces of crystal geodes and magical mirrors. Creators knew that I did not want anything more to do with mirrors. Hey, hey I did find that little golem doll, action figure. It was real, pretty impressive though. I wound the key on its back and its arms thumped up and down. I picked it up and used it to punch books, stones a whole number of things that were probably worth more than my life. Hulk smash! I put it down pretty quickly though when I felt eyes peering at me. I snuck a look behind me, but it had been Morrigan not the tranquil guy. I'm not sure what he meant about things being useful, and one like me. A dalish? A soul cast adrift, upon a journey through time and space…. My elvish eyes settled upon a box, slightly carved, tendrils of ivy softening dark corners of wood. The wood was a really beautiful dark red; I fancied I could still smell the sap and the forest it came from. I shifted into corner where I couldn't be seen and opened it. Inside it had been lined with dark red velvet. Sitting inside was a halla horn pendant. Don't ask me how I know it was halla. I couldn't believe it was here to be bought and sold, they couldn't understand what a relic this was, how important it was. I touched the corner of it; it was broad, segmented pieces of carved horn. Pale, creamy almost glowing. It had been carved with reverence and love. So much care taken. In the centre was a Halla, one leg raised as if caught mid stride, his spread of antlers formed the whole top of the necklace. Stretching from the top of my pinkie across to the top of my thumb spread wide. Below that crown of twisting horns were wolves, bears, squirrels and bugger me if that wasna a griffin in the right hand corner. I could even recognise the owl that I had set free. It reminded me so much of home that I wanted to cry a little. It was everything Maharial was in a single scene. There were no qualms with what I did next, I wrapped it in a small silk handkerchief that I lifted from the corner of the table and slid it between my material bra and my skin. The box I closed and replaced. I slid out fingers tracing over books, maps, rolled parchments tied with ribbons. I stopped when I saw the display of incense. There were a couple that drew me despite the purloined piece against my skin. It smelt like sweet smoke, sap and feathers. I drew a few cones out. From another that was like leather and leaves I took a few more. The tranquil seemed to slide across the floor, offering a small box for the incense cones. I passed over a few bright copper coins, my allowance, allowed by Finn. There was the ghost of smile, or what now passed as a smile.

"I'll be with Sten."

Morrigan nodded, engrossed in some book of something magical.

Sten had a little posse of followers. Well, little kids who seemed in awe of the Qunari. I was impressed that he was still just standing there, arms crossed totally just not even caring about the horde of children before him. Sorry, bad descriptive word. Group of children before him.

"Found a new fan base Sten?"

Nothing. Until a kid came up holding up a small thing. I could see Sten's nose flare and watched with utter glee as he reached out for the… COOKIE! I solemnly swear that he actually said it exactly like cookie monster. He chewed it and gave a nod to the boy. It broke the spell and the kids just roared as if they had won a contest. They continued to cheer as they ran off, chasing the boy who had braved the Qunari. I smiled,

"Softie."

Our little bonding session was stopped by two things. The door slamming closed behind us as Morrigan exited. And the spurt of flame out of a chimney. A chimney that belonged to the very house Finn, Wynne and Wolf had entered a short while previous. My pack of three had their weapons out even as the flame dissipated, even me, and then were off in a run. Sten charged the door, smashing the poor thing off its hinges. It struck the wall behind it, things tumbling off the shelves from that impact and Sten's momentum. Then it was me, arrow to string, then Morrigan her hands radiating cold. I'll let Sten take the credit for the tossed chair. It collided with Weylon who was readying another fire ball, or fire wall or whatever. Wynne was kneeling next to either Finn or Wolf I couldn't tell from the smoke and tossed furniture. I think that they had gone in a little soft. But when a dazed Weylon turned towards Wynne cold dread that had nothing to do with Morrigan's ice, slid down my spine. I pulled back on the string a fraction and fired as I strode forward, hands readying another arrow as I moved. It struck Weylon on the shoulder and he spun back. I'd never really felt anger like this before. I mean I'd been angry at the spawn that very, very first 'fight' but this time it was for a person. A person I had let three important friends meet without a warning. A warning that I could have given in a breath. It made me angry at myself over him. But I took it out on that faker. My next arrow struck in him the chest. My eyes taking it in slow motion. The burst of blood from his mouth. The spray of ice flaking off from the ball Morrigan had tossed. His torso splintering as it struck him with a little more ferocity but with none of the finesse of my attack. I was heaving in breath like I had run a marathon and was scared to look at Wynne and whoever she crouched next too. Instead I whipped around and stalked towards the door at the rear of huge, and destroyed, room. I of course knew what I would find in there, but as much as I knew what to expect, I didn't want anyone to see what expression my face was in even more.

Mistake. Not my first and not my last. I'd smelt rotten meat before, you know the spoilt milk, road kill carrion whiff. For the record, NOT the same when it is a person. Lying on a bed that he had slept on happily, living in a house that had been safe. Pretend Weylon had not killed the Real Weylon quickly or neatly. Creators knew how long he had been keeping up that ruse. For all my stomach and nose rebelling I stood at that bedside. I said prayers for this one, whispering them into a room that had never heard a dalish word let alone a prayer. On his bedside table sat a book, obviously well read and quite worn. I picked it up moving out as Wynne stood. I tossed the book towards her finally letting my eyes move towards Finn. He had been the one Wynne had been healing, but he was already standing, sword at his side, busy flexing an arm and shoulder; as much as plate armour would allow him anyway. He was breathing and whole. I opened my mouth to say something when Wolf barrelled into me damn near knocking me into the fire place which was still on fire. I windmilled hard to regain my balance, the bloody mabari grinning literally ear to ear. Punk.

"I think it prudent we return to our lodgings."

One of the smartest things Morrigan has ever said. I took the arrows Sten offered, not looking at 'Weylon' cos of the mess the Qunari must have made to retrieve them. I also didn't look at Finn. Meekly I followed Wynne, the mage busily peering into the book I had thrown her way. I felt sick whenever I thought of Finn behind me; I have no idea what I had been going to say to him.