Salem

As a whole, the group stopped. "What is it?" I asked, reaching for my swords.

"The road has widened." Leliana, my surrogate eyes, explained. "There is a village up ahead."

"Is it Haven?" I wondered, hoping it to be true.

Genitivi's research had led us to that name, and nothing more. A rough map had been made out of several clues that led us to what the others described as "rather unremarkable landmarks." Much care had been taken to hide this village's location. It worried me.

"According to the maps," Zevran's thick, Antivan accent entered my ears, "this is the place. But it doesn't make sense. Looks like a normal village below the mountains to me."

"And you look like an elven whore to most." Morrigan teased. "I'm certain few would suspect that your blades are sharper and more skilled than your tongue."

"Ah, yes." Zevran took her words as a compliment. "Women and men both have fallen prey to their foolish assumptions. What can I say, I am an excellent chameleon."

"And a humble one, at that." Wynne had a smile behind her voice.

I smiled as well, grateful that everything had smoothed over. The first few days after the argument had been tentative, on the verge of falling to shards again, but each one overcame themselves and we were back to our impromptu, merry band.

"Proceed with caution." I advised, remembering the attack at Gentivi's home, and the fake assistant that someone had set in place. Someone who wanted no one to discover the location of this village, and the secrets it potentially held.

We strode forward and I stopped, hand going to my side. I felt a chill in the air and the numbness of my skin. All was not well within this village.

"Salem," Leliana's arm slipped around me in support, "are you all right? You've gone pale."

I cannot feel my side. It feels like my lungs won't hold air. "Something is amiss." I whispered. "I want a small group to go through the gates. The few of us who won't attract suspicion."

"Very well." Leliana sounded hesitant. While it was safer to go in numbers, I sensed that our motley group would not be well received. Not here. "What do you want us to do, love?"

"Leliana, dress in your Chantry robes." I bade her, turning to face the others, even though I could not see them. "Wynne, you, Leliana, and I will enter the village by the main road. You will pose as Chantry sisters guiding a blind templar to seek healing. Alistair and Zevran, I want you to scout the village from the left, Sten and Morrigan from the right. Oghren, stay with Shale and keep behind all three of us. If you sense trouble, or if this does not go as planned, join the battle."

"I don't like the idea of leaving you." Alistair spoke up while chatter rose among the others. "This place feels off. Not darkspawn off, but, you know."

"That's why I need you to get a complete layout of the village. We'll meet up later." I held my hand to my side again, gouging my nails into my flesh to try to feel...nothing.

Why now...of all the times for this to happen.

It had been occurring more often, with greater intensity each time. Still, I refused to inquire of Wynne what it might be. Who knows what Marjolaine might have done? I thought. She was a bard of great skill, why use one poison when they can be layered? Maker's breath, I'm probably still dying...just more slowly.

"Salem," Leliana rejoined me, "Wynne and I are prepared. Are you ready to put on your armor?"

"I will not be wearing any." I waited for the arguments.

"Salem, this is most unwise." Wynne's voice joined the conversation. "As you say, we do not know what we will be facing. You need as much protection as possible."

"And anonymity will buy me that." I replied, keeping my tone even, ignoring the cold wash of numbness through my veins. "The fact that I am wearing my swords will give us enough unwanted attention."

Wynne's footsteps faded away and Leliana rested her hand on my shoulder. "Are you certain, love?"

"That was my final word." I wrapped my arm around her. "Let's go."

The three of us approached what I assumed were the gates of the village, Wynne on one side, Leliana on the other. Each of them held one hand and I stilted my steps, retreating fully into my blindness.

"Halt." a harsh voice called. "Who goes there?"

"Two sisters of the Chantry, seeking aid." Leliana answered, her accent smooth and covered with charm. I fought down a smile as I listened to my lover do what she knew best.

"What's your business in Haven?" another query.

At least now we knew we had come to the right place. However, I could not help but sense that something was very wrong. In most small villages, representatives of the Chantry were greeted with great hospitality and open arms. But the guard's tone still held suspicion.

"We were told you had a house of healing here." Leliana continued, letting Wynne play a silent partner. "We were aiding a plagued caravan and our templar escort fell prey to the illness. Her eyesight is gone."

The clanking of metal as the guard moved, towards us. Plate armor? I recognized the sound. What kind of small village in the middle of the Frostbacks can afford plate armor? Or feel they have a need for it?

"Blind, is she?" he asked. I sensed his hand waving in front of my face, waiting to see if I would break the charade.

"Yes, kind sir." Leliana entreated with her voice. "Please, do let us enter. She is still very weak, and we are exhausted from the journey."

He grunted. "Get in, find the healer, and get out. You've no reason to linger, so see to it you don't."

"Thank you for your kindness." Leliana finished the play and we entered the village, tense with what we had discovered.

"They do not want anyone here." Wynne whispered. "We could have come as traders with the finest luxuries from across Thedas and we would have been turned away."

"You're right at that." I answered, feeling my unease deepen and settle in the pit of my stomach. "I don't hear anything."

"That is because there is nothing to hear." Leliana answered. "The streets are empty; there aren't even dogs or chickens or...anything."

"The birds are also silent." Wynne mused. "I could swear I heard them on the road."

"Well, if no one is here, then no one is watching." I ventured. "We should investigate. It's possible that Genitivi, if he still lives, is being held captive somewhere in this village."

"There's a large house to the left." Leliana gripped my hand tighter. "Larger than the others that I see here. The village headman perhaps?"

"We shall see."

Leliana started off and I followed the sound of her footsteps, giving up the ruse of helplessness I had portrayed before the guard. Haven might try to hide her mysteries, but I would seek them out, at sword point if need be.