Meredith Stannard studied her newly acquired charge. Neria Surana came highly praised by not only her First Enchanter, but the Knight-Commander stationed at Kinloch Hold. Gifted, devout and generally regarded as unassuming and peaceable when not under the influence of her friends. The elven woman kept her eyes away from Meredith except when spoken to, her hands nervously twisting upon her lap. She was petite, as all elves were, with large eyes of brilliant green. Dark hair pulled atop her head, a few curls loose, allowing her pointed ears to be fully on display as well as allowing a couple deep scars near her chin to be seen. Her complexion was olive-toned, denoting a heritage that was most likely of northern origin.

Meredith's Knight-Captain stood behind the mage against the wall, chin high, back so straight it appeared as if it would snap and jaw clenched. In observing him, Meredith knew she had made the correct move in approving the elf's transfer. She had done so to test the boy's mettle…and conviction.

He was young at twenty-two, Meredith knew, but his prior posting—the Circle the elven mage came from—had left him scarred and angry. Meredith could mold that, wield it, hone it to ensure The Gallows would be run with a strict hand when the Maker took her to His side. She wanted assurance that the people of Kirkwall would be spared the inevitable when the evocative image of the subjugated mage was heeded. As the city was succumbing to as of late.

As she looked at the elven girl, slight and pretty as she was, Meredith was certain that she would fulfill that image more vividly than any of her charges to date. For there was something compelling about her and it was clear Cullen felt the same despite his poor attempts to hide it. Never mind the fact that Meredith was well aware of the two's history, both rumored and not.

"How was your journey here, Miss Surana?" Meredith inquired.

Neria lifted her eyes to the Knight-Commander. Meredith was intimidating from where she sat across her desk from Neria. Eyes of unrelenting blue, fierce and intelligent. She was clearly a no-nonsense woman from the set of her mouth and shoulders. Blonde hair fell in waves to her shoulders, Neira surprised by both the relaxed hairstyle and the hood that covered it, along with the simple circlet that adorned her brow instead of a helmet. It evoked an image of Andraste and wether that called to Meredith's faith or vanity, Neria could not discern.

"Uneventful, thank the Maker," Neria responded, "There was a concern about storms, but the weather was calm on the sea."

"I'm pleased to hear it," Meredith stated, "Tell me, why exactly did you wish to transfer here?" Meredith watched the young woman carefully. She suspected the truth, but wished to see if the girl would lie.

Neria fidgeted in her seat, heart thrumming. Should she tell the truth or the partial truth? She couldn't deny the feeling that this was some sort of test from the Knight-Commander. Swallowing thickly, she decided upon the truth.

"Though I do not know what Knight-Commander Greagoir or First-Enchanter Irving disclosed to you, allow me to clarify. The day following my Harrowing, my friend, Jowan, asked me to assist him in escaping the tower in order that he and the initiate he was conducting a secret affair with could live out their lives. I opposed the notion, believing it wouldn't end well. I went to First Enchanter Irving, he already aware. He instructed me to assist them, in order for the initiate's indiscretion to be punished as well as Jowan's. I only sought to spare them both from grave consequences. Upon exiting the phylactery chamber, having destroyed Jowan's, the Templars were waiting. Jowan used blood magic to escape. I had no idea he had…fallen to temptation. The initiate was sent to a prison."

"Why were you spared? And why did you not go to your Knight-Commander about the situation?"

"I was spared only because I was acting on Irving's behalf. Had I not…well, I do not think we'd be having this conversation. As to why I did not go to Greagoir…honestly, I simply didn't think of it. Now, I wish I had gone to one of the templars. Perhaps the whole of it could have been prevented."

"You and my Knight-Captain were cordial, were you not?" Meredith noticed Cullen stiffen, "You could have gone to him."

Neria met Meredith's eyes. She had to force her features to remain neutral as she realized the game Meredith was playing.

"Yes, I would've considered us friends at the time. But again, I just didn't consider it."

"At the time? But no longer?" Meredith picked up a letter from her desk. A letter Neria recognized to be written in her own hand. "I would take from your attempted correspondence with my Knight-Captain that you would still consider him a friend. That he is the reason you are here now."

Cullen looked to Meredith, something uneasy fluttering in his gut. It was as if she were interrogating Neria, like she was a suspect or had committed some wrong. He knew the danger of magic and mages, that Neria needed to be within a Circle like all the others, but had she committed some wrong beyond that? And the letter? Had she taken it?

Neria shifted in her seat again. "I have not finished explaining." Meredith waved her hand. "When the Blight began, a Senior Enchanter named Uldred staged a revolt. He and his followers turned to blood magic and summoned demons. The tower fell. Nearly everyone within died—mage and templar alike. Until the Hero of Ferelden came. She and her companions saved those that remained, requesting in return the aid of the mages to save a boy possessed by a demon."

Meredith had not failed to notice Cullen's change in demeanor at the turn of the conversation. She knew a little of what had occurred, but the boy had refused to share more than the vaguest details. She returned her attention to the mage. "Connor Guerrin. Yes, I've heard the tale."

"Among the mages that went to assist was my oldest friend, Solana Amell."

"A family that is no stranger to tragedy, I am afraid," Meredith stated, garnering surprise from Neria, "The Amells were once a prominent family in Kirkwall."

"Solana…ran. And with her absence, I had nothing else to tie me to Kinloch Hold. The loss of friends, the horrors we suffered…I wished for a fresh start."

"And Knight-Captain Cullen?"

"I chose Kirkwall because he was here, yes. Knowing there was someone I was familiar with made leaving far less daunting than leaving for a place where I knew no one." Meredith assessed Neria, causing her to swallow. "I know my place, Knight-Commander. I wanted a fresh start, but took comfort in knowing I knew at least one person here. My correspondence with Knight-Captain Cullen was intended to make him aware of my intentions to transfer here so that he would not be taken off-guard by my sudden arrival. It was meant as a courtesy. There is no more to it than that."

"I thank you for your honesty," Meredith replied after a time, "but I warn you, trouble is afoot in this tower. And I have no time for leniency. Conduct yourself well and you've nothing to fear."

At those words, an elven male rapped his knuckles on the door. His green eyes took in the room, hardening as they landed on the Knight-Commander. "You sent for me, Meredith?"

"Ah, Orsino," Meredith greeted as she stood, "May I introduce you to your new charge? Stand, if you would." Neria stood and faced the elder mage. "Neria Surana. She has transferred here from the Circle tower of Ferelden."

"A pleasure, Miss Surana. I am First Enchanter Orsino," Orsino gave a nod, his face softening, "We fellow mages welcome you."

Neria bowed slightly. "Thank you, First Enchanter."

"With your permission, I would room her with Bethany and Ella. As they are fairly new as well."

"Very well." Meredith looked to Cullen. "Knight-Captain, escort Orsino and Surana, would you? And then return here, we have things to discuss." Cullen saluted. "And Miss Surana," Neria looked to Meredith, her blue eyes cold, "Welcome to Kirkwall."

Neria swallowed as those words sounded more like a veiled threat than a true welcome.

"Come, my dear," Orsino gestured for her to follow. Once they were in the hall, Orsino looked to Cullen. "Captain. Your escort is appreciated, but unnecessary."

"I have my orders," Cullen stated.

"Of course," Orsino acknowledged, his jaw clenching, "But the girl is not a threat. Her welcome here should not feel as if she's being imprisoned. No matter the truth of that statement."

"You know as well as I that things are strenuous within these walls," Cullen challenged, "I am ensuring her safety."

"Yes, because grave harm will befall her between here and the mage quarters," Orsino scoffed, "it is far more likely that Meredith wishes you to listen and ensure we are not conspiring against her."

Neria looked to Cullen at those words. He kept his eyes straight ahead, but she noticed his fingers tighten on his helmet where he held it in the crook of his arm.

"We are trying to keep you safe," Cullen eventually stated.

"I know you believe that, my boy," Orsino chortled without humor, "but wether that is the truth remains to be seen."

They were silent as they passed through the Gallows to the mage quarters. Walking along unwelcoming hallways and up drafty staircases until they reached the third floor. Orsino stopped before a door, knocking. A few moments later, a pretty girl opened it. Raven hair, brown eyes and kind features. Her gaze flicked between the three visitors at her door.

"First Enchanter?"

"I beg your pardon, Bethany, but we have a new mage joining us," Orsino indicated Neria, "Seeing that you and Ella are still fairly new, I thought she would do well roomed with you."

Bethany's eyes looked to Neria. "I am Bethany Hawke."

"Neria Surana," Neria greeted.

"I will take my leave," Cullen stated before turning, sliding his helmet into place.

Neria turned, her mouth open to speak, "Kn—"

"Farewell, Surana," Cullen bit before pointedly walking down the hall.

Neria closed her mouth, hurt needling her heart. She let out a breath and turned to the other mages.

Orsino placed a hand on her elbow. "The day is yours to get acquainted with the tower. Bethany will guide you. Tomorrow, come to my office and we will discuss what you can accomplish here."

Neria gave him a nod. "Thank you."

Orsino left, leaving Neria and Bethany to stare at one another. Bethany cleared her throat and stood back from the door, waving Neria inside. "Where are your things?"

Neria looked at her. "What things?"

"Did you have no…personal affects?"

Neria shook her head. "What is important to me, I carry. Whatever trinkets I had before were destroyed during the Blight."

"Oh," Bethany looked away, "I'm sorry."

"You sound Fereldan," Neria observed, "How did you come to Kirkwall?"

"We fled Lothering once the darkspawn attacked," Bethany began, "We were lucky enough to escape. We boarded a ship and made our way to Kirkwall. Our uncle was able to secure…work for us to get us into the city."

Neria looked to Bethany. "You were…"

"An apostate, yes," Bethany finished for her, "All my life until I came here. Until the Knight-Captain brought me to the Circle."

This caused Neria to pause. "Cullen brought you here? Is that…normal practice?" Between herself and Bethany, she now had to wonder just how long Cullen had been the Knight-Captain? And it made her wonder even more of the kind of woman Meredith was to place that mantle upon Cullen when he was still so young. More over, what had Cullen done or what had she seen in him to make her trust him so soundly?

Neria watched as Bethany shifted uncomfortably. "Most likely not, no. My circumstances were…unusual."

Neria raised a brow. "How so?"

Bethany's lips tightened. "My sister…we'll just say she's a woman of the people. We'd earned some notoriety due to an…acquaintance of hers and I suppose the Knight-Commander believed a higher ranked templar was warranted. Aside from that, the Knight-Captain and my sister are cordial. I believe he thought it a courtesy that it be him." Bethany's brown eyes met Neria's gaze and she spoke before Neria could. "You seem rather familiar with the Knight-Captain? May I ask how?"

It was Neria's turn to be uncomfortable. "He was at my previous Circle. I suppose you could say we were friends there until…the Blight happened." Neria looked away, her brow knitting. "We both changed after that."

"So why are you here?" Bethany probed.

Neria's jaw clenched, recalling the anger in Cullen's eyes, the unspoken accusations in Meredith's words. "We both may have changed, but he's lost himself."

"Meaning?"

Neria chuckled. "For a stranger, you're awfully nosy."

Bethany pinked slightly. "I—"

"Don't worry about it," Neria dismissed with a wave of her hand, "I've no idea what the future brings. But I am here. That's a start."

"Fair enough."

Neria made her way to the unoccupied bed and sat. Letting out a breath, she looked to Bethany once more. "The First Enchanter said you were relatively new here, but if you would, please tell me everything I need to know about the Gallows. And Kirkwall."

Bethany's face fell. "Maker, where to begin…"