Sten opened the door to my room, moving aside to give us space to go in.
"I leave her in your silent hands." Zevran bowed, picking up my hand and literally putting it in Sten's.
We blinked at each other as the elf strode away without a backward glance.
I hastily dropped his hand, sighing, "I apologize for him."
The towering Qunari merely turned and pulled out a chair at the small table Zevran had been at earlier that day. Standing behind it, he waited.
Confused, I stepped toward him hesitantly, sitting on the chair. That was apparently the right thing to do, because he sat in the chair across from me.
"You are well?" a man of few words, this one.
"I'm a bit tired, but I think that's to be expected, after being unconscious for days at a time." I stared at the tabletop, drawing imaginary designs with my fingertip.
"You talk in your sleep."
I kept a poker face, "Oh, yeah. I tend to do that. What did I say?"
"You spoke of saving mages at the Circle Tower, by name. Solana and Neria. We did not encounter any such individuals."
"Could I ask you what happened at the Tower?" I interrupted his train of thought.
He stared silently.
"I can't remember anything between giving the boat Templar cookies and waking up in the fade."
"You remember nothing?" genuine interest in his eyes, he leaned forward slightly. Just slightly.
I let my expression crumble, "Yeah."
He rested his hands on the table, eyeing me keenly, "Why have you not shared this with anyone else? Almost two weeks had passed between the Tower and when we arrived in Redcliffe."
"I know." I blew out a gust of air, "But everyone else would worry or ask questions. I didn't want to say 'I don't know' to everything. You're the logical choice, when you think about it like that. You would either say no or you would tell me. Two clear, defined options. I like that."
"If I do not wish to tell you?"
"I can bake cookies, if that helps." I gave him my best Mabari puppy eyes.
He looked at me like I was a demon, eyes narrowed, "I will tell you."
I smiled graciously, pulling my knees up to my chest and hugging them close, "I appreciate it."
"There is not much to tell." He warned, monotone as per usual, "We entered the Tower and immediately, the Templars were questioning our reasons for being there. The leader demanded to know how you had attained the knowledge of their plight. You ignored him." His lips quirked for the quickest of moments, "You walked to the large doors separating us from the rest of the Tower and announced that if they waited for the Rite of Annulment, they would be too late. Not only would we then be dealing with the Blight, but an infestation of abominations, as well. The apostate said offhandedly that you seemed possessed, yourself; nothing could stop you, she said. I did not doubt her words, just as I do not doubt them even at this moment.
"When we encountered the elder mage, you gave her a choice. Either she lowered the barrier and came with us, or you would destroy it and leave her behind. She chose the first." He paused.
"You led us through the tower, unflinching at the carnage, until we approached the demon." I was thinking he could narrate movies, when I realized he had finished.
"What happened next?"
"I woke up in the fade."
"Oh." I made a face, mulling over the new information, "Thank you. I'll bake the cookies after I go to the market tomorrow and get the ingredients." Flashed a winning smile.
He grunted.
Shortly after, he pointed to the bed, a stern expression on his face. Not that he appeared much different, but it was the feeling he gave off. I was to go to bed and rest until I didn't have to have someone watch over me.
I didn't mind so much that he was ordering me around. My last thought before I drifted off, was of feeling secure in not having to make any decisions for the time being.
...
I bolted upright, something-no, somethings-screeching horrifically all around me. Getting to my feet, I skittered back from a fallen body. A darkspawn.
I glanced around.
Many dead darkspawn.
And I was in a…cave? An underground tunnel?
"What-" I groaned, my eyes narrowing.
"Oi! What's a human child doing here?" a sultry female voice called out, catching my attention.
Two dwarves stood back to back, their movements so fluid they could be mistaken for dancers. Except the woman held a giant hammer and the man, a greatsword.
They nodded to each other and started my way, cutting a swath through the monsters.
I pulled my daggers free, leaping at a small group of darkspawn. They fell easily enough, not any real problem. No sweat.
"Ha! Look at that!" the male dwarf laughed heartily, amused by me, "She's a real killer!"
I impulsively stuck out my tongue, growling as I swung my right arm backward, stabbing one in the gut. I raised my chin.
They stared. And stared.
The woman grinned ferociously, "We have some help, it seems."
"C'mon, girly! We don't bite!" he glanced over his shoulder to leer at his companion, "Well, not kids, anyway."
"Oh." I said, nonplussed, before looking beyond them, "Duck."
They didn't hesitate, choosing to trust the strange child and doing as I instructed. I slipped a knife from the belt at my waist and threw it. It landed with a thud between the eyes of a genlock. The spell it had been weaving died on its lips.
"I like you already, kid." He winked, jumping back in to the fray.
We fought in silence. Well, as silent as was possible, given the circumstances.
Before long, we stood alone, bodies everywhere.
"So." The man rubbed a cloth at his blade, "What brings you to the Deep Roads?"
"The...Deep Roads?" I massaged my temples, "You're kidding me."
"Nope." He swung his arms wide, gesturing around us, "This is where the exiled go."
"Exiled? From where?"
"Orzammar." They responded together.
"But. I was just in Denerim." I sighed, "Who are you?"
"I am Duran Aeducan, my lady." The male dwarf bowed ceremoniously.
"I'm a duster." The woman shrugged, giving no other explanation.
"Ah, don't mind her. She's Natia Brosca." He answered for her.
She raised an eyebrow in surprise, "You know who I am?"
"Of course." He nodded sagely, turning to me, "Who are you?"
"I'm Anastasia Snow. I don't know what I'm doing here. Or how I even got here." I looked off to the side, "What day is it, do you think?"
They both shrugged.
"I was in a cell for days, so I have no idea."
"Same for me."
Wait, Aeducan? The ruling family of Orzammar? The ones we were going to talk to for the treaties?
"How…. Maybe you should tell me what's going on." I started pacing, "Aeducan is the ruling family. Why were you locked up?"
Natia gave me a look that clearly stated I had overstepped my bounds. I didn't pay her any mind, and he answered readily enough.
"My brother, Bhelen, killed our older brother, Trian, and pinned the blame on me. My second, Gorim, told me after everything had been said and done that Bhelen had been working the noble houses for months, if not years." Duran's eyes had a faraway look to them, "He'd also paid off the men I had under me on the mission. They'd been bought to say they had seen me kill Trian. Only Lord Harrowmont and his followers believed my innocence."
"What about your father?"
"There was too much proof. Too many witnesses. In the end, I was given exile to the Deep Roads, my name struck from the records, and Bhelen was recognized as the lone heir to the Aeducan name." a heavy sigh.
"Huh." Was all I said before I began pacing again.
"That's it?"
"What's your story, Natia?" I talked over him.
Eyebrows raised, she waved it off, "Doesn't matter."
"What is your story, Natia Brosca?" I repeated, stopping momentarily to eye her.
"I killed the leader of the Carta." She blurted quickly, "But the guards had been bribed by him for years, and a new leader rose up almost immediately. I was going to be executed, but I managed to escape to the Deep Roads. After I made it here, I realized I didn't have a plan for after. Then I bumped in to him."
Duran was nodding again, looking very wise. For no apparent reason.
"A new leader? Who?" demanding tone.
"Jarvia. She was his-"
"Second in command. I know who she is." My pacing grew more frantic.
Months ago, before Duncan and I had met, I'd had a vision about a dwarf being raised to Paragon. A dwarf Grey Warden. Natia Brosca. Yet, here we were, and she was clearly not a Warden. Was I supposed to take her somewhere to go through the Joining? The idea halted my movements. I stared off in to space, the thought running rampant.
"Would you join the Grey Wardens, if I took you to the others?" I murmured, my words echoing off the stone walls.
"The Wardens? Are you serious? They'd never take a duster." Natia scoffed.
"They took a nine-year-old human girl." I raised my chin defiantly, "They'll take you, too, if you come with me. Both of you."
"I'm game." Duran grinned widely, more than eager for the challenge.
She tapped her chin, deep in thought.
"We'll be making a pit stop by the Circle Tower in Ferelden, but after that, we'll be on our way."
"To where, exactly?" caution filled her eyes.
"Ostagar. Where the battle alongside King Cailan will be." My words trailed off sadly.
Natia's eyes slid over Duran while he was focused on me, "I'll join you. For now."
I clapped my hands, "Good. Let's go."
...
Solana's eyes widened at the sight of us, "How did you find us?"
Neria chuckled, "I told you she would."
I glanced between them, "Would you be interested in-"
"Yes." They both exclaimed, jumping to their feet.
"Oh. Good. We're going to Ostagar, then. As soon as possible."
"So, right now?" Neria shouldered a bag, Solana mirroring her.
"Yeah. Yes." I narrowed my eyes at the two of them.
I introduced them all, Duran immediately flattering the mages. I suppressed a sigh. It had been like that the whole trip here; Duran had flirted over the top with Natia. Nonstop.
Neria ruffled my hair, "You mentioned this a long time ago, and I told Sol about it. I figured you'd be good on your word eventually."
I flattened my hair back down, my eyes slits, "That explains a lot. Do not ever do that again. I don't like my hair being touched."
"I know." She shrugged, smirking.
Well, f-
"Is there anyone else we need to pick up?" Solana asked softly, her shyness returning full force.
I hesitated. Something wasn't sitting right. Something was wrong.
"What's the date?" I murmured to the elf.
Her eyes lit up, "Well…. It was the eighth month when we fell asleep last night, but when we woke up this morning, it was the fifth. The first day of the fifth month."
I blinked, my mind reeling. Had I somehow drawn them in time with me? Five months back? What things were we changing? I prayed this went well, though I had my doubts.
...
"Ah. Anastasia. How did you- Who are-" the guard straightened up, hailing me.
"Hi, Gerald!" I smiled brilliantly, barely remembering his name, "Do you know where Duncan is by chance? He had me go greet some other recruits because he was busy."
"Yeah, he's by your camp."
"Thank you! I'll stop and chat with you later." I waved, passing him.
"This is before the battle, I take it?" Neria whispered.
I nodded, keeping an eye out for Duncan. I had no idea how I would go about explaining the situation without him thinking me mad.
"Ana." A deep voice called out.
There he was, standing by the fire.
"Wait here. I have to talk to him about something really quick." I sprinted away before anyone could say anything.
"I can explain." I blurted, holding up my hands.
"Is that…prince Aeducan? And the winner of the Proving?" his words turned to a mumble, "What was the girl's name? Natia?"
I nodded mutely.
"How did you happen upon them?" he glanced at them again, "And are those…mages?" a sharp look directed my way.
"Yes. I can explain." I took a deep breath, lowering my voice, "The secret I told you about. I'm…." I felt dizzy suddenly, swaying.
"Ana." He reached out and grabbed my elbow, "Here, sit down."
I sat on one of the logs strewn in front of the fire, Duncan crouching in front of me.
"Sorry. I don't know…." I straightened, alarmed, "I might be waking up soon."
He raised an eyebrow, staying silent.
"I'm…not going to make any sense, and I doubt you'll believe me, but I'm asleep right now. Five months in the future. I, uhm, met the dwarves almost two weeks ago, and the mages are…. Well, they're from the future, too. If you went to the Circle right now, you'd find them there. I don't know how it will effect everything, but they need to be Grey Wardens."
His eyes lowered to the ground.
I bit my lip, fighting the childish urge to swing my legs.
"I have visions, and they need to be a part of us. They need to be Wardens. I didn't know what to do, other than come to you." I hung my head.
He chuckled softly. My head snapped up.
"We will have to do a second Joining, though, am I right?"
I nodded, mumbling, "It would be bad for me to meet myself."
"We can do it before your own, if you prefer." He offered, standing.
"Could we? I'd like that, yes." I took the hand he held out, letting him pull me to my feet.
"The ritual is already prepared, so we should do it now."
I waved everyone over, "Would now be alright with you guys?"
Various noises of agreement made me smile. The dizzy feeling came again, causing me to reach out and grab Duncan's wrist.
"Are you alright, Ana?" he asked, concerned.
"Yes. I'm fine." I replied, my words stilted, "Let's get started."