A/N: Hiya everyone! Not much to say this time. I hope everyone is enjoying the story thus far. From what I'm seeing, there are more and more people reading everyday. That's awesome! Thank you guys for the support- even if ya'll aren't that vocal about it.

Varric sat leaning forward with his chin resting on his hand, deep in thought. Mina had just told them the little bit she knew about what Ceras was doing. The thing was, she didn't exactly know what her sister was doing... She knew the other woman had a history with slavers and wondered if maybe something had gone wrong. It was quite likely. They were a temperamental bunch.

Merrill piped in, "Maybe she just wanted to go on a trip and enjoy herself! And maybe he knew her when she was younger and hasn't seen her in years!"

Isabela rolled her eyes and looked at her lover, "I don't think so, sweet thing." She picked at her nails with one of daggers and eyed Varric with a smirk. Mina knew that the others around her were the most deviously brilliant people she'd ever met and if anyone could figure out what to do, it'd be them.

Varric was the tactician, Hawke was the leader, Isabela was the distraction, Merrill was the magic and healing, and Mina was the assassin. At least, if they were to go head-on in a fight. The only way their team could get any better was if they had Fenris, Ceras, and Anders. Of course, they had Keter to scare the ever living shit out of whoever they were up against. She was pretty sure that the wolf could make a Darkspawn shit itself.

Varric finally looked up and nodded at Mina, "I know what we're going to do. First thing's first: We need to talk to that servant and we need to get into that estate."

Hawke's eyes lit up, already fired up. He was ready to get things moving. "Isabela, Varric, you two can handle locks adeptly enough, so you'll search the estate. Merrill can go with you and act like a new servant. It'll be a good way to keep anyone from discovering you two. Mina, and I will go find this guy and... persuade him to tell us what he knows."

Keter growled from beside Mina. He knew he hadn't been included in their plans and he was offended. Mina chuckled and nudged Garrett with her shoulder.

"What about Keter? He's apart of our team."

Garrett sighed and eyed the enormous hound, "I don't know. He can keep watch or something."

That earned another growl.

"I'm not quite healed enough to fight very well on my own. You'll be with me, but if you get distracted, it'll be nice to have him with us."

Keter stared at the Champion, daring him to refuse. Of course, he didn't. He couldn't argue with Mina's logic, and she knew it. He wouldn't take a chance if one mistake meant she'd get hurt.

Varric took a drink from his mug and tapped his fingers on the table. "You know, it might be easier to go in at night. Just to avoid as many people as we can," he added.

Mina had taken a nap to try and regain as much strength as she could for that night. It wouldn't do if she collapsed right in the middle of things. She wouldn't allow it. Garrett often asked if she needed her father to heal her any further, but she refused each time. She somewhat regretted it, since they seemed to sting each time she tried to get comfortable in her bed. She was thankful that Garrett had gone back to his house to get ready, otherwise he'd be fussing over her and wear himself out. She was afraid he might not even let her go if he knew.

Eventually, she did fall asleep, and she visited her wolf... And that creepy little bird.

She sat atop a large statue of a dragon, admiring the details of it's wings. Whoever had carved it made sure to take care to get every bone and every scale perfect. The otherworldly mist swirled about her as it always did. This time, it seemed less thick. She could hear the raven singing from a tree not far away and the barely audible footfalls of Fen'Harel. She stood; the long white dress she was wearing fell down around her ankles. She hadn't noticed her change of clothing and admired her reflection in the gently flowing river below her. The dress faded to a soft green color at the bottom. It had a sash the same green color, and tied around her neck instead of having sleeves or straps.

She jumped down and landed right beside her friend who smiled at her. She hugged him in greeting. They began to walk, the bird following behind them, ever watchful. Mina ignored it.

"You are beginning to manipulate the fade more, Da'assan. I can see your mind is less burdened by the fog and you've even changed clothes," he half teased her. He seemed to be genuinely pleased that she seemed to be getting a hold on her weird dreams.

"I honestly don't know how I did it. Maybe it's a subconscious thing," she replied.

The Dread Wolf stopped and stared at her for a good long moment. He was studying her for a reason she could not discern. She thought that maybe he was gauging her abilities to manipulate the fade. She was no mage, so she figured it'd be harder for her than it was for Bethany of Merrill.

"You've talked to me about your... 'special talent', but I have never seen you do it. Would you play for me? I do not think I have ever heard of something like it before. If I observe it, perhaps I can determine what it is," he said suddenly. Mina was a little surprised, but she hadn't heard anything from Bethany yet, and she wanted to know what it was. It was useful for deafening people temporarily, and fun when she got bored. She missed music from the other world.

"Alright. Let me think of a song real quick. Anything you want to hear?" she asked.

He tilted his head and thought a moment. "Play me something from where you come from. I don't know your music. In fact, I hardly know any music anymore. The songs I sang have all but vanished."

Mina searched her mind for a song she wanted to play, and bounced excitedly when one came to mind. "This one is a little different. It's got sounds I can guarantee you've never heard. It's a song for a holiday that we call Christmas, but it's more intense than the traditional version. It's called carol of the bells," she explained, nervous about it all of a sudden.

She took a deep breath and imagined the guitar and violins playing. She started waving her arms and spinning around, dancing to the song she was creating from memory. She'd heard the Trans Siberian Orchestra on the radio one winter and loved the way they sounded. She had wanted so badly to learn how to play an instrument just so she could play their songs. Her dress twirled around her as she hopped from one foot to the other, hair flying this way and that. She imagined the hundreds of people playing to her directing, intently following the music on their papers. She thrust her arms into the air above her and lifted her head to the grey sky at the end of the song, breathing heavily. She hadn't had that much fun in a while, and her stomach wasn't killing her.

Fen'Harel smiled at her and nodded in approval, "That was amazing, Da'assan. Truly a wonder. The music of your world is very different than the music of anywhere I've been. It seems you're the master of a phantom symphony. Would you play another?"

Mina giggled and obliged him, "This one was written about a famous music composer by the name of Ludwig Van Beethoven. It's a story about him contemplating what comes after he dies. It's called 'What is Eternal?'"

She began to sway softly and move her fingers only barely. The music began; sad and dark, just as she remembered. And, much to her surprise, a man's deep voice began to sing to her music. It was the bird Fen'Harel called Dirthammen. There was no way he could know the words to the song she was directing. It was from her world, and even she had a hard time remembering the words. She'd always had a good memory for lyrics and remembering how the music went to a song. Mina watched the bird as she swayed with the dark music. Every word was perfect; every note was wonderful; right on beat.

Fen'Harel seemed slightly surprised as he watched the bird and his Elven friend. Mina stopped and bowed her head slightly to the raven. She noticed he seemed to be bigger than before. He was bigger than a raven as much as Fen'Harel was bigger than any wolf. Save Keter. He also had six earthy red eyes that peered at her. He bowed his head back and went back to watching it's surroundings. She turned to Fen'Harel with a questioning look.

"Dirthammen has always had a love for music. It's likely that he heard the words from across the fade. He is trapped deep within the Beyond. He has nothing much else to do. He may have searched for the words purposefully just to be able to sing with you. I think that he might be regaining some power the more he interacts with you. though, I doubt he'll ever be able to break out of the beyond," he explained.

Mina lifted the skirt of her dress up and dipped her feet in the cold water, "But I wasn't singing."

"Your soul was. When you play, your spirit glows with emotion. It is like nothing I have ever seen before. And I... I hesitate to tell you something, fore I do not think you will like what I have to say," he answered. He sat beside where she stood in the river, his six eyes scanning their surroundings. As watchful as the raven. Mina got out of the water and sat beside him, unsure if she even wanted to hear what he had to say. She'd had enough earth-shattering news for one lifetime. They both stayed silent for a while, enjoying the changing scenery around them. Mina could almost feel a trickle of energy coming from her and seeping into the ground. They were now surrounded by palm trees and sand. In front of them was no longer a river, but a vast ocean from her memory. It was Corpus Christi with its murky green-blue water and salty, fishy smell. It was warm, but not too hot. The sun was almost ready to set, and there were no others around. The raven strutted around in the sand, exploring and chasing a crab.

"Mina," Fen'Harel started, "Though you are not showing signs of it, and I can barely sense the energy in you, you are indeed a mage."

Mina buried her head in her arms. That was not something she wanted to hear. She'd heard stories about demons and inexpirienced mages accidentally hurting people. Anders and Merrill flashed into her mind. One friend shared his body with a spirit, and the other practiced- and often failed at- blood magic. She didn't have good examples to go from. Bethany was a good mage though. if only she weren't in the Circle. The short time they'd spent together, Bethany often showed Mina her skills. She had far more control of her power than any of the other Circle mages her age, and some of those that were older than her. What she lacked didn't really matter that much to anyone besides the Chantry and some of the more stiff elderly mages; she lacked the 'proper' education and incantations. Basically the fancy words.

"I'm no mage, my friend. Just an unusual person. Excuse me, I need to go find my sister," she said before closing her eyes.

Mina woke up with a knot in her stomach. She didn't hate mages in general. She didn't even hate Anders. Magic seemed useful. But, she didn't want to be a mage. She was afraid she wouldn't be able to control her power.

She was terrified that Fenris and Garrett would hate her.