I woke up laying on the floor, Xbox controller still in hand. I move my eyes around my room, the T.V. is still on and my sim is yelling to the screen in starvation. Oops, sorry Sarenna. I fell asleep again while playing the Sims Urbz. My mom got me this game for Christmas and my entire Christmas break from school has been spent huddled up in blankets in my room playing this game and listening to my new Green Day C.D. American Idiot. While also eating some of the hoard of Twizzlers that my grandma got me. The garage is always cold in the winter and brutally hot in the summer. I have rugs piled up on the floor to take away from the cement feel and lock some warmth in as well as thick curtains hanging along the garage door. I remember begging my mom to let me turn the garage into a bedroom space. I love it in here, I've made it completely my own personal space. Downstairs and away from all of the commotion of my siblings upstairs. I spend most of my time in here playing video games or hanging out with friends. Video games have always been my escape from the outside world. I always tended to feel depressed, angry, or sad for reasons I never understood or could explain. But, when I was away from it all, I was happy. The last Psychiatrist I had seen thought that video games were a part of the reasoning that I suffered with my emotional issues, that and puberty. But, she couldn't explain some of the things I would see. Silhouettes or shadows of a person in our last house. I believed our last house was haunted, no one believed it at the time, not even the psychiatrist. But, I did. Too many things happened in that house that I could form no other explanation for. Doors opening by themselves, the bathroom drawer opening and slamming shut by itself. There was always that feeling in the upstairs hallway and bathroom that someone was watching. I remember always booking it down the stairs because I felt like someone was either following or chasing me down. There was never actually anyone there, but it felt like it. It's like a sensing, almost like when someone is walking so quietly that you don't hear their footsteps but you feel their energy. A tingling sensation and a slight ringing in the ears that someone is there.

My brother, when he would come to visit, would always try to sneak up on me and scare me. I remember one day he tried, I was playing Need for Speed on the Playstation in my mom's room. Her bed was so big that when you laid on it you could only see half way down the bedroom door, not allowing the floor to be seen. He would try to crawl in from the door way and sneak under the bed and wait for me to get off so he could grab my ankles. I always sensed him though, no matter how quiet he was and would call him out on it. But one time, I sensed that energy moving from the doorway to under the bed and it wasn't him. I called him on his scare and laughed while I bent over on the bed to look underneath it, only to find that my brother was not there. Nothing was there. I was so scared that I immediately booked it out of my mom's room and ran downstairs. Still, no one believed me. It wasn't until my mom and her fiancée woke up one night to the creaking sound of a door opening and closing. They thought it was me getting up out of bed on a school night and sneaking downstairs. But, what they found was me asleep in bed and my door slowly opening all the way and closing by itself over and over again. My mother from that moment on slept downstairs, too frightened that something was upstairs watching her. We moved not long after that to the duplex in Oregon City.

I sigh and pull myself out of my thoughts and memories. I grab the controller and pause my game. I missed dinner and the effects on my empty stomach are enough to make me decide a midnight snack is a must. I pull myself out of my mess of blankets and stand. I push through the curtains that hang to separate my room area from the water heater and door to the house. Quietly I open the door and notice that all the lights downstairs are on. My mother was always one to make sure everything was off before bed, but when I look down the hall into the living room, no one seems to be down here. I shrug my shoulders and work my way down the hall and towards the open area that have the kitchen, dining room, and living room connected in an open space. My cat Josie is sitting by the kitchen counter on the floor. I move to walk to her and pet her when I notice her ears go back and her fur raises. "Hey Booboo, it's just me." I speak to her, but her position doesn't change. She glances behind me and hisses. I look behind me and see nothing, then look back to her. Josie hisses again and turns to run under the dining room table. Weird. I decide to go look down the hall and see nothing. The front door to our house sits at the end of the hall and is locked. The stairs also sit to the right of the door and begin at one big step that turns to angle the stairs to lead up in opposite direction of the front door. I look over the banister to see if anyone is awake and then pull myself around to the first step and stop. Sitting at the top of the stairs is a bright white orb looking light. I freeze in my fear and just stare at it. It begins slowly floating its way down the stairs towards me. I feel like my body is locked in place, muscles refusing to move. All I can do is stare. Every part of me wants to scream or run, but something is forcing my body to stay in place. Every single muscle locked. Including my eyes, which remain locked on the floating white light. The closer it floats to me the brighter and bigger the light gets. I hear ringing in my ears, starting as a quiet hum and amplifying to a piercing ring the closer the light moves. The light gets too bright and the ringing too loud as it moves ever closer to me. Finally reaching within grasping distance it shines so bright that all I see is white all around me. All I hear is the ringing tearing at my ear drums and pulsing throughout my entire body.

I jolt awake and fling my body upwards to sit up in the bed. Light from the sun rising shines in through the window that sits just above my bed. Then the pounding in my head and spinning of the room cause me to slowly bring my body back down. A hangover, wonderful. The memory I had in my sleep caused my heart to pound within my chest and sweat to bead up against my skin. I feel disgusting, sticky, and way to hot under the covers. I move my hands to free my body of the suffocating feel of the blankets. I sigh and roll over to look towards the other bed across the room. Garrett is no longer in his bed and it has been made. I didn't get a chance to really take in our room last night, I was too tired by the time Garrett carried me up and attempted to tuck me in. Cocky ass he is. The room is rather smaller than I remember from last night. Both my bed and Garrett's only sit about five feet from each other. The entrance to our room on the opposite wall of my bed, only a few feet away from Garrett's bed. A small desk sits along the wall a few feet away from the foot of the bed. Then a few small wall mounts for lighting.

"Garrett?" I call and receive no answer. None of his belongings remain in the room as well. He must have gotten up early and left without saying goodbye. Well, that's unexpected from him but also relieving. Talking while dealing with a hangover is not something I want to endure. But, it still is rather disappointing. My time with Garrett was nice and he had helped me so much. I would have liked to say goodbye and thank him for everything he has done for me.

The aching pressure in my bladder gives me enough resolve to slowly move my body out of the bed. There is an additional door in the room Garrett had gotten for us that I hope leads to a place where I can relieve myself. Crossing the room and turning the handle to open the door I find that it led to a small room that housed a chamber pot and a bathtub?! Not the biggest room, actually it's rather cramped. But it works perfectly as a bathroom and holds a freaking bathtub! I immediately lock eyes on the tub and noticed it has been filled with warm water. 'Oh sweet maker!' I resort to relieving my bladder first, then move to the bath. Next to the bath on a small stand is a tray filled with an assortment of bottles and a bar of soap. I pick up one of the bottles and pull the cork. A rush of lavender fills my nostrils. I smile and begin dropping a good amount of drops into the bathwater. I remove my armor and slip into the water. Slinking down and allowing my muscles to enjoy the warmth that surrounds them. My hangover already beginning to disappear altogether. Grabbing the bar of soap, I begin lathering my skin and hair. When finished, I dunk my entire body under the lavender fused water to rinse the soap off my body and out of my hair. Slowly coming back up for air, I sigh with a moan and allow my body to relax again attempting to completely forget about my dream. If I dream, I only ever dream up memories of my life on Earth. Keeping disconnected from the Fade only allows my dreams to be memories. At least, I can remember in some form, though some of those memories are not always pleasant.

Finishing with my bath, I begin to redress myself. After I have my armor back on I begin to wrap my foot wraps up to my thigh. Hearing the door open in the other room and slam shut I freeze in my movements and shout "Hello?"

"It's just me. I went out to get us some breakfast." He shouts back.

Garrett? Well, I guess he didn't leave then. I am actually happy he didn't and so much so that I rush through wrapping my other leg. I come out of the bathroom and see him sitting on the edge of his bed with food laid out. I smile and move to sit opposite of him and grab a piece of bread that has butter with sugar on it.

"I thought you had left before I woke up."

He looks at me, swallows his food, and smiles before speaking. "What? And leave without saying goodbye? Never."

I smile back and begin eating my piece of bread. We both continue to eat our breakfast in silence. When we are finished, we both begin cleaning up our mess and putting the leftover food back in the basket that Garrett had brought our breakfast in.

"Thank you Garrett, for breakfast and everything you have done for me. It truly means more than you know."

"You are very welcome. In truth, I have actually enjoyed your company. I'm even guilty of prolonging us going our separate ways…. " He pauses and runs his hand through his hair. "I was actually hoping that you would accompany me to the market. I have sometime before I have to meet up with a contact of mine. I thought we could enjoy some time checking out the Wycome markets."

"I would love that! I was actually wanting to do that today. That and talk with the inn keeper about possibly working as a barmaid or a bard with the piano to help pay for my stay."

"I think that is a great idea Hallie, a good start to a new life here right?" He smiles and winks at me. He then offers his arm in which I take and we begin making our way to the markets.

The markets were filled with crowds and bustling people. Different races coming to and fro throughout the different shops. It was almost claustrophobic, but at the same it was awe inspiring. To see so much life within such a diverse crowd. Humans, Elves, and some dwarfs alike both shopping and tending to shops. I have never been inside any cities will being in Thedas, but I know that such calm diversity is a rare sight. There was a few shops that were inside of buildings, but most lined up in stalls surrounding the market. With beautiful set of flowers and bushes to add color and more life. Garrett and I wandered into many shops, browsing the wares. We started to work our way into an open area Just down a paved path from the market where more outdoor venders gathered near the docks. The docks had a variety of small fishing boats and a few larger ships, it was such a beautiful sight. Off to a short distance I saw a familiar man trading with a wine vendor. I had to squint my eyes a little to get a more clear look at him. Long blonde hair and wearing Dalish Rogue armor. Then I froze at his wrists that are now adorned with leather gauntlets. Taren! My eyes wide in panic. 'He can't see me!' I quickly grab Garrett by the wrist and yank him with me as I ran behind a building, pulling us against the wall for hiding. Garrett towered over me with a confused look on his face. I pushed my back up against the wall and pulled him closer to cover me.

"Who are we hiding from?" Garrett says as he begins to peak his head around the corner. I immediately bring my hand up and place it upon Garrett's cheek and move his head back towards me. He gives me a half smile that turns into a smirk. "You know Hallie, you're a very beautiful woman but…" I cut him off with my hand covering his mouth.

"Shh! That's not what this is, there is a Hunter from my clan at the wine vendor. He can't see me Garrett. I don't know what he would do and all possible outcomes end with something bad happening to me." I whisper to him.

He leans towards my face, his lips still pulled in a half grin. I locked eyes with him and then realizing how close he is to my face I gulp down a swallow. Then he moves his head to the side of my face and whispers into my ear "I was going to say that I would prefer something a bit more romantic. And I also have a plan to keep you hidden."

I glare at him then playfully shove him back and smile. "Okay what's your plan?"

He looks at me and chuckles then lifts up a finger towards me before moving to bring his pack around his shoulder. He pulls out the black cloak I saw him wearing the night I stole from him and swings it around my shoulder then clamps the front of it together with a pin. Then he brings the hood up over my head and tucks my hair in.

"There. Now you're just a mysterious person in a dark cloak." He smiles. I roll my eyes at him and smile back.

"Thank you, can we head back to the tavern? I need your help with one last thing. Then I promise you can be on your way." He nods at me and we begin walking out from behind the building and back up through the market to the tavern. I don't dare to even look back to see if Taren is still at the wine vendor.

We make it back into the tavern and Garrett finds us a table and orders ale for the both of us. I remove his cloak and hand it back to him then move to sit with him. The barmaid brings us our ale not much longer after that. I grab my tankard and take a large gulp.

"So, what is it you need my help with?"

"I need you to help me cut my hair off." I say in a matter of fact tone. Completely mute of any emotions on the outside. On the inside however, my body is flooding with a variety of negative worries and emotions.

"What?!" He asks in shock, then lowers his voice almost to a whisper. "I can't help you do that."

"Garrett, I need to hide myself. Change my appearance drastically and become unrecognizable. My clan trades with Wycome vendors often. I didn't consider the fact that I could actually run into them anytime soon until today when I did. I need to remain hidden."

"Hallie, your hair is a vibrant red color. It will stick out like a sore thumb no matter what length you have it. That and I will not help you slowly remove who you are from your body like that."

"Then, I will have to do it by myself." I sigh and feel a rush of disappointment and heartache. I know Garrett is right, changing the way I look drastically will not just change my appearance over time. I will begin looking at myself differently and feel differently about who I am. In time, not only my appearance will change but my personality. I will hide so much of who I am on the inside and out that I will eventually lose myself as well. But, I need to survive here. The only way to do so is to hide who I am. To forget Hallie entirely and learn to be and look like someone else.

"No Hallie. I won't ever tell you what to do, but I will say this from experience. Changing who you are and what you look like will make you no safer here than you are right now."

I ponder his words for a moment. Sure he is right, but honestly, what else am I to do. My options are extremely limited. Yes, I know I am safe in the tavern. I know no one of the clan will wander into any sort of a tavern. Their business in Wycome is to trade and that is where it ends. The only thing I can do is to except the inevitability that they will one day find me. I will one day accept the consequences for my hurting Taren with my magic and breaking my promise to keep my aura suppressed to Deshanna. Whatever they may be, when the time comes I will accept them. For now, I will heed Garrett's advice and keep low in the tavern. Make a living here and survive the best that I can for as long as I can. Though if I'm going to be honest with myself, I know my paranoia will eventually lead me to either drastically chopping my hair off or turning myself in. But, Garrett does not need to know that.

I open my mouth to speak but get cut off by Garrett's words. "Come with me."

"Um…..what?"

"Hallie, come with me. True, I am just a vagabond now, but technically so are you. At least until we find you a more suitable alternative than this. But we can help each other. I'm currently traveling to Haven. Varric is there and personally I would like to have my friend back. I could use the help in such an endeavor as well as we could both use the company and freedom to be ourselves."

He's going to Haven? That can't be right. He doesn't show up in the inquisition until after Skyhold. This is so different from the game. Then again, I am not in a video game. Spending a year here as already proven that much true. This world is real and everyone and everything in it is real. If I go with him to Haven then only three possible outcomes that I can think of would come of it. Well, technically two possible outcomes and one very impossible outcome. One: I could be killed by the explosion at the conclave, which honestly seems most likely. However, perhaps dying here would bring me back to my world? Or, maybe the breach will do the job? I have no idea, but it is something to consider. Two: I could survive the conclave and use my knowledge to assist the inquisition. Three: I could end up becoming the 'Herald of Andraste' which honestly is most unlikely. The only reason that option came to my mind was because of all the fan fictions I read back on Earth. The other two options aside from that last one seem most likely. Dying would…well, be dying. And possibly returning to my world. I would definitely have kept my promise to myself about keeping low key in Thedas and unattached to anyone or anything. The second however, would destroy that promise entirely, if Garrett isn't already doing that himself. No matter what, all those options honestly sound better than staying here locked up in tavern.

I sigh. "Okay. You sure you want to put up with me for that long?" I joke.

He smiles and then nods his head. "Definitely."

He leans over and wraps an arm around my shoulders bringing me in for a side hug then releases me. "Okay, I do have to meet with my contact now. It shouldn't take me long, would you be okay waiting here? I promise I will return shortly." He moves to stand then reaches into a pouch attached to his hip. He pulls out a few coins and places them in my hand. "For food if you get hungry." Then he smiles and leaves the tavern.

"Delicious Cheddar Cheese" I sigh and then a hooded figure walks out of the darkness that fills the end of the alley way. He slowly walks towards me and then removes his hood.

"Alistair, seriously you need to come up with a better code word." I say to him with a grin.

"But cheddar cheese is sooooo good! And I am not that creative. Literally, I gave you the code word to what I was eating when I wrote that letter."

I laugh "It's good to see you Alistair."

"And you, Hawke." He smiles for a moment then it fades.

"Any word from her?"

"None since her and Zevran had to run again. The Wardens were hot on their tail and now I don't think they just want an autograph. Though I'll bet that would annoy her to no end, I'll be sure to ask her for one the next time I see her."

"It doesn't make sense. The Wardens disappear and go completely silent. Now they are out to kill the Hero of Fereldan? I understand why they would be after you, no offense. But her? Why?"

"Since I left the Grey Wardens, I fear the corruption in the ranks has only darkened. The closer she gets to finding the cure to the taint, the harder they press to find her. Zevran refuses to leave her side, regardless of her wishes."

"That isn't too surprising. Zevran's heart and loyalty lies with only her. I saw that much when I had a brief run in with him back in Kirkwall."

"Hawke, there's something else…Aeryth and I began hearing the calling."

"What? How? The both of you have many years until the taint over comes you."

"We're both unsure. She was doing some digging for information about it when she was attacked by a few grey Wardens. Before she ran back into hiding, she got word to me. Saying 'They are out for blood and want our mouths permanently shut'. They don't want her to find out why she and I are hearing the calling. It doesn't feel right Hawke. It tingles in my brain and feels corrupted, black, and vile. It feels like I ate a rotten burnt nug. Makes me feel disoriented and wrong. I have managed to not let it over come me, as she as. But, it is not right."

I nod my head in acknowledgment. "I will see what I can find out, I'm heading to Haven. Perhaps Varric will be able to help uncover something with his contacts."

"I thank you Hawke."

"The mess with the Wardens effects all of Thedas Alistair. I will do what I can to help. Plus, you helped me out of Kirkwall. I owe you one." I say with a half-smile.

While I was waiting for Garrett to return, I took some time to offer assistance to the barmaids. They let me help bus tables for them. It feels as if only an hour has gone by, but I know it's been at least two. I feel a hand pat my back and I look over to find Garrett mere inches from my face. He seems to be making a habit of this.

He whispers with a smile "I have a surprise for you." I look at him over my shoulder and raise my eyebrows. I turn to the barmaid and announce my leave. She hands me a few coins and says "For your work." Then saunters off.

"You ready?" Garrett asks me. I nod my head in acknowledgment and turn to grab my bow. I attach my bow and arrows to my back, then follow Garrett out of the tavern. While outside Garrett leads me to two horses that sit tied to a post just outside of the tavern, then turns to me and smiles.

"I got you a horse, he has no name so you'll have to name him. But I thought he would fit you perfectly. You also needed a riding companion. We can't very well both ride my horse in the distance we're traveling."

I stop to look at Garrett with surprise written all over my face. He's smiling at me like usual when he does something that shocks me. Then I turn my gaze to look upon the horse that Garrett had purchased for me to use during our travels together. Gazing at the horse I can't help but allow a smile to form between my lips.

"He's so….beautiful Garrett." I slowly walk up to the horse. He is tall, but I am also pretty damn short so that's not saying much. But he has a light blonde, almost white, mane and tail. He has light champagne colored skin with white specks that almost cover his entire backside near his tail. His front right leg is almost all white going up and his two back legs have white socks. Then I lock my gaze upon his eyes, they are gorgeous. He has one eye that is a beautiful blue/grey color and his other eye is a golden color. Ironic as it is, it reminds me of both my eye color and of Garrett's.

I walk up to the horse and hold my hand out to him. He sniffs me first, then nudges my hand with his head. I slowly move closer to him, he takes a step back and raises his head. Then I stop with my hand still out and whisper "May I call you Dhruva? It means the North Star." I continue to stare at him and wait for his response. He slowly huffs and moves closer to me and nudges my hand again with his head. "Dhruva it is then." I say to him in a soft tone. I move my hand up his nose and to his forehead then bring my hand down his beautiful long mane. I move to his side and rub my hand along his neck and down the side of his back. I feel a tear trickle down my face. I have never gotten such a beautiful gift in my entire life. I look over to Garrett who is smiling at me. I walk towards him and stop myself only a few feet away. I have to look down at my hands because I can't bring myself to look him in the eye when I can feel the warmth of my tears filling mine.

"Garrett….I" I stop speaking and practically throw myself at him and wrap my arms around him. His body tenses up for a moment, then relaxes and he brings his arms down to wrap around my back. "Thank you so much." I whisper against his chest. He tightens his arms around me in response.

"There's one more thing." I let go and look up at him with a questionable expression. He shifts slightly, letting only one arm fall from around me to grab a bag off his shoulder. He hands me a black leather pack.

"You didn't have one of these either, so I picked one up. I also made sure to put some necessities in there for you."

I look up at him in complete disbelief. Why does this man continue to do so much for me? He has literally taken me in and completely taken care of me. This is something I truly do not think I will ever understand. Except for that, he genuinely cares for me as a stranger. This man who holds pain in his eyes, has lost everything he ever loved and cared for. Now, he wanders alone from place to place. Never being able to stay in one spot for too long. A true vagabond and alone. Something I feel he is unaccustomed too. Growing up he had his family, when he began losing them he had his companions. Now, he has no one. It truly breaks my heart, but we are also in a similar predicament. That realization alone makes me want to cling to Garrett even more than I already have.

I turn and hug him again, attempting to pull myself together. He chuckles and hugs me in return. Then I release him with a smile and turn to attach my pack to Dhruva's saddle. This time, I do manage to get on my horse without falling backwards. Which is an achievement in itself for me. It has been a while since I have ridden a horse, but luckily, I remember for the most part how to do so. Just means, I will definitely have a sore ass by the end of the day.

We begin riding out of Wycome and back into the woods to make our way to Haven. I asked Garrett how long it would take us to get there. He told me we would travel for a week and a half, if all goes well, until we arrive in Haven. Apparently, we will also spend half a day on a ship crossing the Waking Sea. Which I am undeniably excited about!

We travel continuously throughout the day. Only stopping every few hours to feed and water the horses, as well as ourselves. And of course for bathroom breaks as well. I am so glad I have long gotten used to using leaves as toilet paper. A luxury I truly never thought I would miss. We made small talk along the way and in moments of silence I would hum a tune to stop myself from overthinking. Every once and a while Garrett would ask me what song I was humming, in which I would just say whatever came to mind. I couldn't very well tell him it was Queen 'Under Pressure' or Mumford and sons. Seriously that would gain me some crazy looks or give my identity away entirely if I were to even try to explain with the truth.

"You know, I would enjoy hearing you actually sing again. You have a beautiful voice and sing songs that I have never heard before. It is actually quite stimulating."

"Perhaps sometime I will." I reply with a smile.

"I hope so." He smiles at me then brings his gaze around the area we are in. "We can stop here to make camp for the evening, the sun is almost completely set and we shouldn't travel at night."

I nod and dismount from Dhruva's back. I tie his reins to a tree and begin removing my pack and his saddle. After I've finished, I give Dhruva some water and brush him down until his mane and fur are smooth again. I then give Dhruva some food and deciding he has been completely tended too, I make my way towards camp to find Garrett building a fire. It doesn't take him long at all. He just puts a few sticks and logs together and calls his magic to bring fire. Easy peasy. Honestly, it is nice to not have to struggle with catching a flame and keeping it going strong. I bring myself around the fire and begin to lay my bedroll down, then I gently lay on my bedroll and sigh with a moan. I'm honestly surprised that I am not walking funny or bull legged because my ass is hurting something fierce from riding all day. Our camp is pretty well hidden within the forest, green and rather large trees covered in thick branches surround us. We've managed to pick a decent clearing within the trees to form our camp in, with the sun setting and stars beginning to litter the night sky, it actually feels rather peaceful. The sun will set completely soon, very soon in fact. I bring my eyes to watch the flames dancing in the pit that Garrett made for our fire.

I lost myself for a few minutes or more within the dancing flames, going over in my head the events of the past two days. I then sigh and glance up to look at Garrett who is sitting on a log by the fire chewing on a piece of bread. I glance back to the fire for a moment, then bring my gaze around our camp. The sun is now completely set, but there is something odd in the air. I can feel it in the pit of my stomach that something doesn't feel right. I slowly bring my gaze back upon Garrett.

"Garrett, something feels…" My words were cut off by the sounds of a twig breaking off in a short distance. The horses began acting distressed as they stand a few paces from camp. Garrett and I both quickly stand, bow in my hand with an arrow pulled back ready to fly and a staff in his hand pulsating with magic ready to be released. Off in the distance I see two men in armor appearing out of the darkness of the forest, both without helmets walking towards our camp. They wear the symbol of the Grey Wardens on the chest piece of their armor, an elegant design of a griffon. The Grey Wardens? Perhaps just passing by? No. Something feels wrong about them, their energy is off. If only I could release my aura, then I could sense more of what that wrong is and be able to put label and meaning to it. The first Grey Warden walks towards Garrett until he is but a few feet away, the second comes closer to me.

"Champion of Kirkwall, Garrett Hawke, we have been waiting for an opportune moment since you left Wycome to speak with you."

Waiting? They have been following us since Wycome? How did Garrett not sense them? Or if he did, which is more than likely with his aura out, why did he not say something? This feels wrong and I feel anger boiling in the pits of my stomach along with panic. I am going to have to fight to keep my aura down and remind myself to breathe in deeply and slowly. The Grey Warden who has walked towards me is staring at me, eyes locked on my head. I refuse to make eye contact and continue to watch Garrett, my bow still in place and ready to send my arrow flying should I need to.

"What is it you want? I hardly believe you came for just a friendly chat by the fire" Garrett replies sarcastically, he is still extremely tense and keeps the magic engaged with his staff. Never once letting down his guard. He must sense something is wrong as well.

"We as the Grey Wardens have been instructed to find you, I am invoking the Right of Conscript to recruit you within the Grey Warden ranks. You of course will be trained for a higher station in command when we reach Adament." The Grey Warden then brings his gaze to me. "I am sorry milady, but you cannot come and we cannot allow this information to be known. It is sensitive, we will have to terminate you."

My eyes widen and my panic rises from my stomach to my chest. My heart begins to pound and my breathing begins to shorten in breaths. I glance at Garrett with panic written over my face, he shares the same expression towards me. Then I glance back to the Grey Warden standing in front of Garrett and pull my bow back farther. Aiming it at the Warden who is standing near me. My eyes remain locked on Garrett and the Warden in front of him.

"FUCK NO!" Garrett replies with gritted teeth. "You are not taking me and you will not touch her!" The tone in his voice is low and almost to a growl as Garrett continues to speak through gritted teeth. How could they just speak their commands so calmly? As if expecting us to just simply comply without hesitation.

"You would dare disrespect the Right of Conscript by your disregard? The Grey Wardens have the right to use the Conscript to recruit any person deemed worthy to our cause." The Warden speaks through his rising anger and irritation.

"Your cause is irrelevant to me for there is no Blight! I have no desire to be a Grey Warden, so, yes I will disrespect and disregard your fucking cause. You will not threaten me and you will not threaten her or I will see to your death myself. Now, GET OUT!" Garrett replies.

The Warden unsheathes his sword. "So be it." And swings down on Garrett. Garrett immediately brings a barrier up over the both of us. I turn and launch an arrow at the Warden coming towards me with his ax raised high. I pull another arrow and launch it towards his arm holding the ax up. It hits his armor and falls to the ground. He is too close and I need an opening against his armor. I step a few paces back and turn my head to see a large boulder. I run for the boulder and pull my legs up in to a high leap and land on the boulder. I turn and launch another arrow towards the Grew Warden aiming towards his head. He ducks beneath and begins to charge towards me. I catch a break in his armor at his wrist and launch another arrow. It pierces through his chain-mail and he shouts in pain and rage. Still charging at me with his one dead arm. Blood leaking out of his wrist and down the side of his arm. He moves to swing his ax at my legs and I pull myself to jump over his attack. Landing swiftly back on the boulder. Then I leap over the Warden and twist my body in the air to bring myself to land on the ground behind him, turning quickly to face him. I launch another arrow to the back of his head. The arrow pierces through his skull as blood sprays out to the ground. His entire body stops and slowly he falls, hitting the ground with a loud smack. Panic is now rising throughout my entire body and my aura is itching at my skin to get out.

I hear Garrett scream and I shift my gaze to him. Another Warden who had never appeared before had sent a smite at Garrett from behind him. Garrett loses his mana and painfully drops to his knees, dealing a final blow with the blade at the end of his staff into the neck of the Warden in front of him. The warden behind him raises his sword at Garrett's back. 'Come on Garrett turn around!' He is too weak from the Smite attack. It drained his pool of mana entirely, disconnecting him completely and leaving him in the beginning painful stages of losing his aura. He's going to die.

"GARRETT!" I scream at him. He locks eyes with me. His gaze intense, painful, and defeated. No! I feel the burning rise, the panic moving towards my arms. I release my aura in one powerful surge, causing me to gasp for air. The force of doing so allowing a quick and heavy release throughout my entire body. I call towards the Fade and bring it to my body and towards my feet. I lock my gaze on the Warden slowly bringing down his sword to Garrett's back. Everything feels as if it is moving in slow motion. I take a step and shift through the Fade. Coming out right in between Garrett and the Warden about to kill him. I Grasp the Warden's neck with my hand and release the burning that is boiling and pulsating through my arm, to my wrist, and out of my palm. All I see is his eyes and a bright red flashing. I hear nothing, but the Wardens mouth is agape in a painful cry. I breath in deeply and uneven, then grit my teeth together and pull my lips up into a snarl. I tighten my grip on his neck and pour more of the fire in my hand to his throat. I can feel the wetness of his blood flowing and boiling down my arms, fingers reaching for flesh and bone. I keep my eyes locked on his face watching the life drain from his body. His sword drops to the ground next me, but I don't let go. I pour more fire into his neck until his flesh and bone are boiling hot. When I have finally burnt and melted away enough muscle and flesh to feel bone, I grasp his neck tighter and wrap my fingers around his spine, quickly snapping my hand to the side, disconnecting and breaking his neck and spinal cord. I release the Warden and his lifeless body slips to the ground, blood flowing out of his body.

As I stand over his body, palms still boiling in rage. My head begins to sway and my legs go limp. I lose all of my strength and allow my eyes to roll towards the back of my head. My legs give out from underneath me and I feel my body begin to fall limp towards the ground. I feel someone catch me, gently bringing me down and then hands cupping my face. Then nothing as I slip into darkness.

"HALLIE!"