I begin to hear the crackling of a fire, the light steps of feet on wooden floors, soft breaths mixed with a set of heavy struggled breathing... my mind fires off signals to stop sleeping so comfortably and my eyes shoot open, i feel my sheild in my grip, thankful that my habit of locking my hand onto my equippment has been so deeply ingraved that even uncursed i refuse to part with my weapon and shield-!

"My Sword!? My talisman and Catalyst!-" I worry for who or what might have taken them until i find a surprised quip of a gasp from my right by a fire pit.

"I see you are awake... and Lively"

My eyes fall upon the vissage of Morrigan... now my eyes stay uppon her face, lost in her yellow eyes as i struggle to form even a simple word.

"Are you surprised to see me? Or perhaps you are more cautious of me now that i have your weapon... Tis a joke, your oversized sword, lock of hair and that stick you have are all over there" She gestures to a corner "we tried to pry that shield out of your hand so that you could rest more comfortably but alas your grip simply would not loosen" Morrigan sighs as she fills a small wooden cup from a barrel and offers it to me "you must be thirsty"

I continue to stare dumbly at her face before looking to the cup and carfully taking it from her.

"I thank you... Morrigan" I softly thank her still confused as to how she carried me from so close to the battlefield...

"Tis good that you remember my name Art. My mother has Questions for you. I shall fetch her while you rest a little longer" Morrigan walks out of the hut with a sated expression.

I am still too dumbfounded to properly respond but i manage a nod... when she leaves however i recieve a wave of bitter pain over my body, completely ignored untill this very moment.

"It would seem i went a bit over board this time" i rest my shield against the bed.

I stretch out my limbs a little and begin removing my hood and gauntlets, but i note how one of the straps are already loose.

"Guess my spare hand was locked as well?" I tell myself as i slide them off.

I concider removing my rings but decide against it, for one, removing the duskcrown ring will only result in me feeling further drained. The wolf ring, speckled stoneplate ring and the orange charred ring arent in the way as of now. I take a moment to look around without standing up given how my legs feel.

On another bed lies a woman, sweating and breathing shakily from wounds. On the floor next to her is a less injured man resting-snoring rather.

I take a few extra seconds to notice sets of markings on the womans face before i note the pointed ears, was this some sort of defect common in this land? Not to mention how leath she appears.

The man sleeping away seems like a warrior, though my first guess would not be one of experiance, but appearances can often be misleading... but given how he is sleeping without care in the world right now then maybe i am right?

The door to the hut opens and in walks Morrigan but she becons to me before speaking.

"Mother thought it best that you speak privatly concidering our warden Guests" She tells me as she waits patiently.

"Very well" i respond calmly trying to ignore the pangs in my body as i stand and pick up my shield.

Morrigans eyebrows vissibly narrow when i start walking to my weapon.

"I dont plan on useing them against your Mother Morrigan" I reasure her as i sheath it and place my catalyst and talisman where they should be.

"Tis curious... why the Stick? And the Hair?" Morrigan shakes off her caution for curiosity.

"The 'stick' is my Sorcery Catalyst, without it i cant cast something as simple as light. The 'Hair' is Velka's Talisman..." i tell her also curious as to her reaction.

For a few moments she just stares as if expecting something, when irritation shows she speaks up.

"Well who is this Velka that gifted a lock of hair? I am not a mind reader Art" Morrigan sternly states.

"Apologies... last time we met you turned into a crow so i assumed... Velka is the Goddess of Sin, weather or not this talisman is actually of her hair or not is still a mystery even her Pardoners dont know and i doubt they would say if they did" I tell her informitivly as i walk to her.

"Pfft, Goddess of Sin? Let me guess you Worship this goddess yes?" Morrigan mocks.

"No..." i bitterly state.

Worship one of the gods... there was a time when i belived in them yes, we all did, alot still do... but given the things i have seen and the vile secrets behind the gods...

"Curious" Morrigan simply replies as i leave the hut.

Waiting for me a short distance away is an aged woman with white hair and an unkempt appearance yet... something lingers at the back of my mind telling me that this particular woman should not be underestimated... yet i cant place the reason as to why i should be on guard.

"Morrigan tells me your name is Art young man... hmm strange" she lingers after turning to face me before finishing her sentence.

"Greetings. I am Art, might i know your name?" I ask her respectfully.

"My such mannars" She chuckles "doubt you have heard any of my names but Flemith shall suffice for now" She grins amusedly before gesturing closer to her.

"Then it is a pleasure to make your accountance Lady Flemith. Morrigan mentioned you had questions for me?" I respectfully respond as i walk to her untill an arms length seperates us.

"Such a tall Lad, strong, a good degree of intelect resides in your eyes, the kind one earns from years of study no?... and this air that surrounds you Lad... how old might you be-no, not important. Lets cut to the heart of it all shall we" she straightens her expression before suddenly waving her hand.

A thin vail of clear glass covers the area, if i wasnt watching with the caution i always observe strangers with then i would have missed it easily.

"What did you just do?" I ask cautious of her presence.

"Fret not Art. Had i wished you harm, i would have left your fate to the darkspawn. This is simply a way to keep your secrets between us. Unless you wish for all to fear you?" Flemith grins lightly.

"Why would everyone?-"

"You are a gaping void cast before the world. The vail folds around you, the air trembles from your every motion and yet... you walk about like you understand none of this?" She speaks plainly yet criptic in its simplicity.

She reminds me of others that speak as though all understand when few ever do.

"I dont know what you mean this Vail folding around me? Isnt that the... what was it duncan said... Mages dream? Something about mages dreams" i try to fully remember but find myself realising fatigue has caused a few more comforting yet worrisom problems.

"Hahah! We my Lad have much to talk about" Flemith smiles calmly.

It took hours. Explining things i still cant understand and then telling me i have barely scratched the surface of the very things we descused.

But to sumorise, the Fade, and this world are seperated by a barrier called the Vail. My existance in this land... this world, is directly breaking yet fixing this vail all at once, the Vail is trying to accept my existance but for some reason it can not. Hence the cryptic Void before the world. To her it looks as though the Vail is being forced around me and pushed as it tries to push back it cracks yet my presence seems to sear the cracks shut again like cloterising a wound.

The air is in motion around me but its not harmful or anything she simply likend it to the heat of summer on the paved roads...

Above all... she belives i have been thrown between worlds and something here or something between played a hand in my arrival.

As for the curse and anything else she simply says nothing for the magic and what not here is fundamentally diffrent from my own.

In essence...

"So basically we are both clueless regarding my being here?" I sigh heavily.

Flemith laughs at my statement before seriously looking me over.

"For now i would advise against making a name for yourself as a mage-or what ever you call yourselfs in your world. Here all magic is viewed the same be it fire, blood or healing spirits. Templars, chantry forces and others do not view our kind as people but something dangerious, to be locked up and observed for the remainder of our fickle life spans" Flemith almost mocks as she finishes her words.

"If the situation demands it i will not hesitate in using my Sorceries or Pyromancies but i understand what you have told me. I thank you for your words Flemith" I hold a sincere tone.

"My, my, if only i was a few years younger" Flemith burst into a hearty but breif laughter before sternly gazing to me.

"Perhaps you have been sent to aid the Wardens in this crucual time of need... the timeing of your arrival does make one ponder if a hand is at play far beyond our understanding... the Grey wardens are all that stand against the Blight and the rest of the world, should they fail here in fereldan the Darkspawn will spread their darkness across thedas without hindrance, many will fall and all will whine 'where were the gray wardens' Blah blah Blah ... perhaps you may even find out 'why' you are here in the first place by aiding them" Flemith explains grimly.

I take a few moments to silently concider my options...

"Morrigan will go with them if i have anything to say about it" Flemith lightly curls the side of her lips.

"Then i will accompany the Wardens" I respond a little too quickly.

Flemith with a knowing smirk nods her head approvingly before shrugging her shoulders.

"My how unfortunate, such a man and yet still a fool before something pretty yes" Flemith chuckles once more.

She flurishes her hands and with a few blue and red sparks between her fingers an amulet appears in her hand. Then she holds it out before waving her spare hand and i watch the glass bubble shimer out of existance.

"Take this Art. It shall fix the problem you cause against the Vail, do not lose it and wear it always lest you start unleashing demons appon us all. Though this will do nothing for the air that surrounds you im afraid" She places it in my left hand with a heavy sigh.

I stare at the simple amulet for a few seconds. It was silver but a hint of blue glimered with the silver, the main part of the amulet was a series of extreamly small symbols and what i assumed to be writing yet it was all far too small for me to know for sure. I put it on and tuck it to my chest before speaking.

"Thank you for the gift flemith..." I thank her waiting for the catch, back home nothing was truly free.

"Haha. Not one for charity? Or simply unacustomed to it?" Flemith questions.

"Normally a portion of my soul or humanity would be the obvious and expected return gift but here... i am unsure what is used for currency?" I state still unsure of the price...

"Hmm... an intresting custom yet impossibly silly here-or is it? Hmm for others to ponder yes. As for easing your suspicious expression. It was a gift, but since that doesnt sit so easily on those broad shoulders of yours... yes lets try that. One day i shall ask you for a favour, it may be tomorrow or in 10 years, perhaps i wont even get the chance to cash it in haha..." she looks behind me to the hut with a deep expression on her features i cant quite read.

"Very well... but may i be permitted to refuse if the favour goes against my nature?" I ask calmly.

Favours and such arent too common as payments but they are something i am familiar with, typically refusing was frowned, like braking a promise or betraying trust. Hence the dislike for 'Trusty' patches... fucking hyena.

"If i say no?" Flemith grins.

"Then i will have no choice but to go against my better nature and fulfill your request. I dont have much but i learned a lot from Keeping my Word" I calmly watch her smile flicker to surprised amusment.

"Oh-ho haha truly a rare find in these parts. A man that would fulfill a request without objection... or so he says haha. But trust that when i do come to collect what i am owed it shall not betray your honor-well unless i feel a few years younger" Flemith laughs heartily before walking off to her hut.

I admit to a shiver of uncomfortable anxiety. I had no idea she would blurt something so misleading at the end... i do hope she doesnt seek that particular favour.

"Flemith... something about her unsettles me, but she has yet to show anything other than a friendly attitude" i rest my eyes on the hut for a breif moment.

I begin to enjoy the silent serene swamp as i close my eyes to better focus on the sounds of unfamiliar Birds singing, insects shirping and the ocasional Croak, the light breeze bringing all manour of new smells to my nose some causing me to grimace and others leaving a pleasent smile on my face.

After a time enjoying such things my sense of smell is tickled by something sweet, a combination of floural smells that smell too sweet to be passive flowers... sweet enough to be poisonus-

"T'is quite peaceful in the wilds" Morrigan suddenly annouces her presence.

My eyes flick open like a brazier coming to life, how long had she been silently watching me exactly?. At least now i know where the sweet smell originates.

"Morrigan, you startled me... but yes, it is peaceful here. Too peaceful given what happend. How are your other guests?" I try my best to not dwell on the recurring image of that battlefeild.

Had i known how truly endless the Dark spawn was... i would have retreated earlier than i did. Guess i need to be more cautious than i once was... but i dont want to get too soft or i wont be able to handle similar situations either.

It truely does feel strange to worry about death again, for so long death has been as natural as breathing, all i need do is exhale and eventually i will inhale again regardless of how much time had past.

"The Man had begun to waken, Mother is speaking with him now... the Elf has yet to wake up but her wounds have been treated and she should wake before the day is done. Something has changed about you since you spoke to Mother... more natural now than when you and i met" Morrigan inspects me with her eyes breifly "curious, no doubt mothers doing" She scoffs mockingly.

"Whats an Elf?" I shift the comversation in favour of my curiosity.

My ears are filled with amused laughter, an almost snorted giggle finishes her minute of amusement before shaking her head and realising i was lost.

"Right... you are a Strange one, very well i shall give you some common sense, lest you cause problems for yourself by not knowing what all know" Morrigan mockingly states with a grin curling her lips.

I listen to her intently for what must have been an hour yet it felt like a blissful day had past me by.

"-The Dalish have many reasons to hate humans despite what i have told you, so should you stumble into one of their camps best to turn back or prepare to slaughter them all, makes no diffrence to me. Ah and City elfs are rather easy to tell appart from Dalish elfs, for one their faces do not have Marking" Morrigan takes a second to face the hut behind her "T'is almost time for supper, lest i end up with mothers... cooking-if one could call it that, i shall leave our little chat for another time" She states walking back to the Hut.

"Thank you again Morrigan" I bow polightly to her as she keeps walking.

"T'was my pleasure Art" Morrigan turns her head with a calm smile before facing the hut again.

I admit to myself that i gaze upon her for far to long, averting my gaze and trying to shake my thoughts straight...

"Was i always so leering towards Maidens?" I breifly hold my chin wondering.

If i recall correctly-no vaguely, i was intrested in another before my curse... but while cursed i cant quite remember if i ever felt like this towards another.

"Then again, the veriety of Lordran was not very wide, if they where not also Undead or Hollow then they where the Gods or Monsters so perhaps my current intrest in Morrigan makes sense?" I tell myself nodding away.

Self convinced i am not overly Leery and simply just a man feeling attraction to a Mysterious and intelligent Maiden...

"At least we arent trying to kill each other, thats also a valid reason to like someone" I mutter out as my shoulders relax.

"Couldnt agree more"

My body moved on pure instinct, my weapon drew from the sheath in my sheild and sliced vertically down through the air in a swift motion before halting just a hairs width above the strangers shoulder.

I watched him wince and grimace breifly before i recognised his face and armour from when i had woken up... also impressed that Morrigan didnt cause me to react so impulsivly-she disarms me but im glad it seems to be her alone.

"S-sorry, didnt mean to sneak up on you like that. Names Alistar, warden Alistar..." Alistar shows his hands in a placating manour.

"Warden... Do you know Duncan? He should have gotten out of that battle with a few soldiers carrying that golden clad Lad" i pull back my sword with a concerned look at his expression.

"Then Duncan... could have made it out. Thats good... thats probably the best news i could have hoped for given how many of those Darkspawn poured out of that forest" Alistar smiled warmly but then shook his head "king Cailan made it too so thats even better-"

"No... It was his corpse they where carrying. Im sorry for the loss of your king" I correct before showing a respectful bow of apology.

His lips thinned and a lonesome saddness breached his eyes, yet it didnt overwhelm him as i would expect, but the saddness was not like one directed towards a King or a leader, it was bitter and warm, a strange saddness i was not familiar with.

"I see... If you'll excuse me, id like to be alone for a while" Alistar walked towards a stump and sat down on it.

He stared mindless into the swamplands, his mind occupied with too much that the view was clouded behind his eyes. It was a situation i had been in many times yet never quite seen the gravity of it all untill now, besides... i had a friend that would firmly grip my shoulder and tell me to get back up and keep going... though a stranger has no place doing such a thing so i shall simply give the Warden space, besides the area is peacful enough for one to sit and think.

Given how peaceful it is, i decide now is as good a time as any to Maintenance my equipment, which does not take me too long allowing me to check-probably the most important item i ever found, The bottomless Box.

Its a strang item, i hold it within a small bag that holds a similar effect but anything placed within the bag still weighs me down. The box once pulled from the bag grows in size and then again once opened up.

"Thats releiving, dont know what i would have done if everything i gathered over the years had just vanished... whats this!?" I Almost Gasp as i find something within my Box that should not be here.

The item in question is a Sword i am Keenly familiar with...

"Sunlight straightsword... My friend... why do i have your Blade?" I question both saddend beyond my ability to hold back tears and soothed from holding something so familiar to me.

The appearance of Solairs sword in my box spurred me to search more. And the suspicion i held proved correct.

I found more than just his sword.

His sheild and armour where here, so too was his talisman...

"Its still covered in blood..." i weakly speak as i check over his armour and helmet.

Even his talisman has little spatters. I must have held some expression given the Warden from before suddenly started walking to me after a glance.

"Are you crying?" Alistar questions after getting close enough to be out of sword reach.

I stare at him surprised for a second before feeling at my face and holding my hand out to find little wet droplets.

"It would seem so..." i state obviously.

"...need a hug?" Alistar quips joking before my smile matches his grin.

"Thats alright, not much of a hugger" i tell him before begining to place Solairs things away.

"Were they special to you?" Alistar asked sincerly as he watched me carfully put the armour away.

"He is... was, my best friend... and the man i trusted my back to no matter what we faced" i state as i carefully run my hand across his helmet.

Alistar remains silent as i finish putting it all away.

"How did he die?" Alistar questions as i close the box.

I stayed silent for a while, then i looked from him to the sky.

"Following me" I responded calmly before standing up and ensuring my gauntlets where fastened and my weapon was sheathed.

"I'm sorry for bringing it up... where are you from? I dont recognise the accent or the armour-and im saying nothing about the smithswork of your equpment" Alistar chuckles curiously.

I felt relieved by his natural ability to change the subject, especially given where my mind was when i thought back to a few days ago... not even a full week yet.

"You wouldnt have heard of it. Lets just say its across the seas and leave it at that" i told him before reaching out my hand "I apologise again for earlier, my name is Art"

He locks his arm with mine with a smile.

"Warden Alistar, Its a pleasure to make your aquantace Art" Alistar firmly grips before releasing my forearm.

"Like wise" i respond simply but a little dissapoined.

His grip was softer than i expected it to be... but maybe comparing the strength of my self and those from Lordran to someone that has yet to face the likes of an Asylum demon is a bit unfair.

"Young warden, we should talk" Flemiths voice reaches over to us.

I give them both a simple nod, understanding that their 'talk' must be similar to my own descusion with Flemith. I walk to the edge of the swamps water and find myself a dry log to sit upon while i double and triple check my wrapons and armour before making a count of things like firebombs and throwing knifes and mosses... how will i aquire more of these if Lordran is indeed out of reach?.

By the time i had an accurate count on my supplies i realised i had no form of rations... but the Elf with facial marking was up and begining to finish a conversation with Alistar and Flemith... untill Flemith caught my eyes and waved for me to approach, which i did slowly as Morrigan left the hut and informed her mother of supper being ready.

"Morrigan will go with you" Flemith grins.

What followed after was a familial conflict i tried to ignore as i eyed the Elf close by. She was smaller than the others, her face was chisseled and eyed the rest of us with caution but that caution focused like a sharpened knife on me, her head was bald at present but i could see the red bristles begining to grow in, her red lashes and eyebrows confirmed her natural colour as well. But her Hazel blue eyes where filled with conflicted hatred, the look of someone lost and wholly aware of how to get back yet... trapped.

"Can someone explain-or introduce this Shemlen?" The elf pointed a thumb at me.

She cut the arguing mother and daughter off and Alister tried not to thank her for that. Muttering under his breath about them readying spells to hurl about.

"His name is Art Young Warden" Alistar quickly chirps proudly.

"Uh huh" She responds waiting for more.

"He is a capable warrior, while the army was fleeing, he alone held the darkspawn back... he also covered your Warden commander while he retreated with the kings corpse" Flemith infirmed them.

I felt no room to introduce myself now that flemith added all that. Plus they now knew my name so...

I began to realise Alistar and the elfs gaze, pure disbelief at flemiths words.

Then there was Morrigan, an equal hint of confusion.

"If thats true then you have to come with us-i promise to not hide behind you when things take a turn" Alistar ends his request with humour.

"Great, another Shemlen to watch out for" The elf woman stated bitterly as she crossed her arms.

"T'would be a comfort to have Art accompany us-not that i wish to go" Morrigan adds with a glare at Alistar and her Mother.

"My name is Art, pleasure to make your aquantance...?" I wait for a respons.

"Call me what you like Shem, we wont be friends" She scoffs before begining to walk off.

"Id say she warms up to you after a time... but i only met her recently so i dont know if she does warm up" Alistar explains before following after her.

"Good bye mother, do try to survive without me" Morrigan chides walking after them calmly.

Flemith lightly scoffs before smiling at her daughter.

"Keep them safe would you Lad" Flemith requests finally as she walks into her hut.

I gave her a nod before following behind the group...

"Where are we going exactly?" I asked them unsure of the direction.

"Closest settlment from herr is Loathering" Alistar barks back.

I hummed a response...

"Where is Loathering?" I asked Morrigan.

Her sweet chuckle filled my ears before she silently grinned and refused to respond.

One thing was sertain regardless of where we where going or not...

"Carful, a Beast must be stalking us from-" The elf warden began drawing a bow before i cut her off.

Morrigan being closer to me tried not to laugh at the elf.

"That was just my stomach" i quickly told the woman before she aimed for me at the next gutteral growl.

If we dont aquire traveling rations in Loathering then my stomach will prove a major problem.