Thank you for adding me to your watch list and favorites list. You're awesome. My son just had his senior prom this last Saturday. His girlfriend broke up with him on the dance floor. She was a junior. She broke my son's heart. So, this chapter is dedicated to my son. It's my whole angst chapter. =)

I'm gearing up for the love scene. Not sure if I should change rating to mature or not, just to be safe. We'll have to see. Please enjoy. Galesong

Chapter 6

Haven is for Cannibals

"What! You're taking the assassin with you? Does that really seem like a good idea?" challenged Alistair.

I listened to Alistair pace behind me. His armor rattled as much as he complained. I grinded down on my teeth in irritation, "I don't see the problem, Alistair, his skills will be…useful."

"You don't see the problem?" he contended, "May I remind you that he tried to kill us….you on more than one occasion. Or…have you forgotten?"

I finished securing my bedroll to my pack. "If he wanted to kill me, I would be dead," I countered, "I don't know what the big deal is? You seem to be the only one who has issues with him."

"Issues? You think I have issues?" he continued.

"Amongst other things," I answered as I gathered up the rest of my gear. I could sense Alistair watching me. "Besides, I won't be alone with him. I'm bringing Morrigan with me as well."

"Oh, whatever. I'm sure you know best," responded Alistair.

I finished fastening the last of my equipment to my pack and paused to regard my fellow warden. His face was flushed in incensed anger. "Apparently I do," I replied, "You put me in charge."

"And what is that suppose to mean?" Alistair shot back angrily.

"It means…," I held my breath then released it slowly, "I was thinking of taking Sten along. Meaning…I think you should stay here."

"Right! Don't mind me, just a peon in your command structure here, wallowing in my insignificance," he inveighed.

"Don't be so naive," I interjected, "I was right in thinking you were taking this way too seriously."

"Very naive, apparently," he decided, "I thought that you cared about me, for instance, but I was probably wrong about that, too."

"Alistair, that's not what I meant," I acknowledged, "I just thought…"

"It was stupid of me. I don't know what I was thinking," he interrupted, "Just forget I said anything. We have better things to do right now, anyhow."

"I suppose you want to come?" My voice lacked its natural enthusiasm.

"Is that going to be an issue?" he argued.

"Do you want it to be?" I threatened, "Because I could let you explain the circumstances to Morrigan why she has to stay behind and guard the camp."

"Fine with me," he turned and walked away.

I called forth a glowing red-hot orb, "Fine!"

"Ouch," he complained as an insignificant blast of fire struck his obstinate arse.

I smiled, in spite of myself, as Sten pelted him with a rather large snowball to douse the fire. "Serves him right," I thought.

The strenuous pace up the mountain was not enough to warm my chilled body. I held my cloak tighter around me and sighed heavily. My breath came out in a stream of frosty white vapor. I peeled my fingers from the hilt of my sword and blew some warmth into them. I surveyed the twisted evergreens ahead as I did. Their downcast branches were made lower still by the weight of the falling snow. The rattling of armor and the crunching of snow was to be my only company as Zev, Sten and Alistair followed silently behind. The air felt as heavy as my mood. Both could be cut with a knife.

I stepped off the path and pulled Zev to the side, "Tell me a little about Antivia."

He looked surprised, "Oh? It is a warm place, not cold and harsh like….this." I watched as Sten and Alistair passed us. Alistair looked apoplectic as he did. I motioned for the elf to continue, "In Antivia, it rains often, but the flowers are always in bloom…You are a terribly odd woman. You know this, I hope."

"I suppose you won't be the last to tell me this," I smiled back at him, "I was simply trying to dissuade you from your freezing."

"You know, I think it might be working," he chuckled, "But there are much quicker ways to warm one's self up, no?"

"You don't like Ferelden?" I hedged. We picked up our pace to catch up with Sten and Alistair.

"It's fine enough with its dogs and its mud. The people are spirited even if they can't tell the difference between an assassin and a mere killer," he paused to wink at me, "You and that other warden...there is something between you, no?"

"He would like to think so," I reasoned.

"I do not mean to be impertinent, my dear grey warden," the elf apologized, "I was simply wondering what my chances were. You deserve a little fun, do you not?"

"Right now they're about as good as his," I offered.

"It is good to know one's options, to be sure," he answered, "Let us be on our way, shall we?"

Little else was said as we continued our arduous journey up the slope. Since Ostagar, It seemed I was always watching Alistair's back. I looked at his extensive shoulders as they carried his heavy shield and sword. He bore both with ease. I wondered if he would have the strength to wear the crown with that same ease. I knew I would always be there to protect his back, but was I strong enough to watch it if he became king?

Our destination was marked by two burning torches that preceded a stairway etched into the cleft of the mountain. The manmade steps were reinforced by rough planks to keep the earth from sliding. We continued our ascent to the top until we were met by a tempestuous guard wearing rusty armor. He wore a single sword at his hip and carried an unmarked shield at his side. Not the most inviting person one would expect to greet new visitors.

The grizzled sentinel blocked our entrée, "What are you doing in Haven?" His breath was rank and his teeth were rotten, "There's nothing for you here!"

I arched my brow speculatively at Alistair. He gesticulated once before he looked angrily away. "So this is Haven," I questioned the guard.

"What do you want?" he grumbled.

I had the distinct feeling that something was amiss, "We were just passing through," I answered.

"You may trade for supplies at the shop," he pointed in the direction, "And then I suggest that you and your companions leave."

"Did it just get a lot colder? Or is it just me?" flouted my lack-brain companion.

I glared at Alistair, "I had some questions about Haven," I inquired. I smiled apologetically at our host.

"Ask and be on your way," stated the flustered guard.

"How long has Haven been here," I questioned, "I have never heard of it before."

"It's always been here," he glowered, "We see no need to announce our presence to the world. It is more peaceful that way." I watched as his hand gripped tighter around his sword.

"Who is in charge of the village?" I pressed on.

"Father Erik, our spiritual leader and guide," he seethed.

I grabbed Alistair's arm and pulled him along with me, "Very well. Excuse me," I leaned my head against Alistair's shoulder and batted my eyelashes up at him, "Come on, sweet cheeks, we must trade for supplies before we travel on."

We proceeded up the path a ways then stopped to see if we were followed. Alistair pulled his arm free of mine, "Huh. I'm not sure how to react to that, so I just won't."

"No worries here," I grated, "I wasn't expecting you to."

"A Reverend father, huh?" Alistair looked about, "That's new. I wonder what that means."

"I don't know," I shook my head, "But we aren't going to find any answers standing here."

I listened to the sucking noises our feet made as we walked through the mud and wet patches of snow. Solitary dwellings skirted the village square. Smoke billowed from the flues of their brown thatched roofs. A dog barked in the distance. Hens pecked at the ground as they scavenged for food. An ax leaned casually against a tree by a pile of logs. Haven was the epitome of a peaceful village.

"Interesting strategy, tell me," disrupted Sten, "Do you intend to keep going north until it becomes south and attack the archdemon from the rear?"

"It'll never see us coming," I answered superfluously as I tried to watch for movement behind the shuttered windows of the dwellings.

"Truly, It would surprise me if my enemy counter-attacks by running away," grumbled the frustrated qunari.

"We are not running away, exactly…," I drew my sword and looked at Alistair, "It's quiet, too quiet for my liking. The sun is high and there aren't any townsfolk about."

"Maybe it's a holiday?" I glanced at Alistair mystified by the stupidity of his answer. He simply shrugged, "What?"

"Zev," I called out quietly, "Get away from there." He tested the door of a nearby dwelling, winked then slipped in.

"He can't do that," Alistair accused. I shrugged and followed the elf leaving Alistair to sulk outside.

"The archdemon is our goal and we are heading away from it to find the charred remains of a dead woman." Sten complained as he ducked under the doorway of the spacious room.

I walked to the large hearth that immersed the single-room dwelling in warmth. Again, it struck me odd that such a large fire would be unattended. I warmed my hands before the blaze, "I see you decided to come out of cold?" I prodded Alistair.

"Do you see this gesture? Can you hear what I'm saying?" replied Alistair.

I ignored Alistair's infantile remarks and walked over to the closet that Zev was riffling through, "Find anything of any importance?"

"Nothing but this," Zev grinned wickedly as he patted the bed beside him.

I shook my head in complete annoyance, "Andraste's flaming knickers, I'm tired with the lot of you. I should have brought Leli and Morrigan with me," I complained.

I walked over to the other side of the room but was blocked by the qunari, "Do you mind? You're bigger than this house," I griped.

"Your grasp of the obvious is remarkable," Sten grumbled and stepped aside.

"Need I say more?" I stated.

I looked down at the carved block of wood before me. Blood moistened the surface of the table in deep pools. Dark rivulets ran down its side. A dagger stuck upright next to a piece of meat. I pulled it out and stabbed at the bloody flesh. I smelled it distastefully.

"Used for food preparation, perhaps," Alistair suggested.

I dropped the dagger back onto the table causing the blood to splatter around it, "Does meat bleed that much?"

"I'm trying to be optimistic," Alistair suggested, "The other explanation is slightly more disturbing."

"What are you telling me," I questioned doubtfully, "This is an altar?"

"I wonder…the crows often made sacrifices of blood, and it gave them uncanny abilities," Zev advised, "I wonder if this is the same thing?"

"Eeww," I crinkled up my nose.