"Little did I know the consequences of the decision I made that evening."

- From the Journal of Eratus Riverwood

Both of the men wore armor. Plate, fitted, and thin enough that it reminded me of those used by Alliance scouts. The creature emblazoned on their breastplates could be nothing other than a gryphon, with the head and wings of an eagle atop the body of a lion. Curious because I hadn't seen a gryphon in sight since I arrived. Back home you couldn't leave any major city without seeing their silhouettes flying in the sky, usually to avoid their droppings.

The older of the two sported a beard and mustache. His black hair was tied back in a small ponytail. I could make out the weary expression of a veteran on his face, someone who had clearly seen people at their worst. The younger by contrast had his face clean-shaven, and his blonde hair cropped short. He had a smug expression, either from naivety or arrogance I could not tell. Probably both.

These had to be the Gray Wardens, and despite the veneration that everyone else placed upon them, the Lorekeeper hadn't been wrong yet. As a paladin, part of my training was to recognize fel practitioners and anyone else the Church believed stood against the Light. I had categorized this "corruption" under the same kind, which meant I had to be prepared for anything.

For now, I chose not to escalate matters. This was hardly a good place to start a fight and I wasn't well-equipped for one either. I faced straight ahead toward the opposite balcony to avoid drawing their attention while observing them from the corner of my eye.

"Oh joy, another grand old party," said the younger man. "Not that I miss all the ones at Redcliffe. And… it looks like all the young lordlings and their ilk are out here."

"This won't do." The older man frowned. "We will have to find another way."

"Why don't we just walk through? It isn't like any of them would want to get in our way anyway. Ooh… is that Tybolt? I'd love to see the look on his fat face when he sees me."

"Because we do not want to draw attention to ourselves Alistair, and we will draw much-unwanted attention if we expose ourselves. Fame is not always a boon."

"I think our talk with the steward proved that, Duncan. You know, the way he looked at us, you'd be thinking he was talking to a couple of vagrants on the streets. Not that I wasn't used to that before. Is that the Bryley twins? I could recognize their getup anywhere."

"You will find that many people have many different opinions about us, and you mustn't let your past interfere with who you are now. The Steward has provided us with much-needed information, much more so than if the Arl himself was present."

"Right… A group of burly men dressed in black. About as helpful as telling us that they dug up a bunch of holes using shovels. That doesn't exactly narrow things down for us."

That part stoked my interest. Did they have something to do with the people that hired out Taoran? Then again, burly men dressed in black weren't exactly an uncommon thing out here.

"He has helped us in more than just that. Have patience Alistair."

"Fine…Fine… Well since we can't just stride our way through a crowd of the most coddled children in Ferelden, I guess we'll have to find another way out. Maybe one of the locals here would know…"

The younger man waved in my direction.

"Excuse me good ser. I take it you are a bannerman of this household?"

I turned in their direction. Slowly, readying myself for anything.

"I'm afraid not," I said. "I'm with the Blackstone Irregulars."

"Really?" Alistair raised an eyebrow. "Since when did the Arl of Denerim hire out sellswords for his parties?"

"The Arl is good friends with the current Captain, Raelnor Hawkwind." Duncan turned around. toward the hallway from where they came. "With all that you were privy to through Arl Eamon, you still have much to learn Alistair. Let us get going, we shouldn't trouble these people any longer."

"Right," said Alistair. "Thank you again good se- Wait, I guess you aren't really a ser. Actually, never mind, just have a good evening."

I nodded in return as the two men disappeared back through the hallway.

"Are you certain they were a threat?" I mouthed to the Lorekeeper.

"I was able to detect immense quantities of corruption in their midst."

"Immense? There wasn't anything about them that seemed odd. You're sure of that?"

"Positive."

I stared at the open doorway. My training taught me to pursue, but experience told me to withhold. If there was a confrontation, the best outcome would have wound up with me trying to explain to the local nobility why I instigated a conflict, which would only complicate my situation and draw further suspicion to my being here.

I didn't know what relation these wardens had to the corruption, but it wasn't my problem to solve if there even was a problem to begin with. There didn't seem to be anything off about them at first glance, although I was well aware that first appearances could be rather deceiving.

I turned my attention back to playing the role of the guard. Looking around, all the other guards on the second floor hung over the balcony, watching the processions below. I did the same, not wanting to be the odd man out.

Looking over, the party was in full-swing judging by the rising volume and laughter from below. I could make out the layout of the court, and the first thing of note were two large tables running lengthwise along the edges, filled with fruits, pastries, and other foods. Much of it appeared uneaten, and with the trickle of people picking up plates, would remain uneaten for the evening. I thought of all the starving children in the alleys and the beggars outside. All of it was wasteful. Even during the occupation of Alterac City, we had halted any luxurious celebrations to make rations available for all people.

Everybody else strode about in groups in the center. I made out Ferghus and Aedan in the middle of the court. The older of the Cousland brothers appeared to be sharing a story with a group of other nobles, catching a few chuckles and laughs. He looked toward his younger brother every few moments, probably to prevent him from wandering off again.

Aedan just stood there tight-lipped. A look of misery if I could recognize one. I felt a bit bad for him, it really did seem like he wasn't enjoying the festivities at all.

On the contrary, some young men seemed to be enjoying the festivities in the far corner. They cheered, gulping down goblets of wine. I recognized both Vaughn and Taoran among them. Good to see my employer fraternizing with the nobles. This attempt at showing off his connections may have worked with any other sellsword but I couldn't give a wit about it.

Closer to the entrance, Habren Bryland flicked her hair and flaunted her dress to an audience of other young ladies. Delilah, stood to her side, watching her friend with cheer. Both of them seemed to be in better spirits than when they were upstairs. My eyes kept moving toward Delilah, so I decided to look away entirely. It had been ages since I've been infatuated with anyone, and I repressed the desire to the edges of my mind. I had someone back at home anyway.

I sighed. Compared to everything else I've been through; this wasn't too difficult. It wasn't like a celebration like this would go on all night. All I had to do was last the evening.

During my time in the Alliance military, I was surrounded by if-not friends then at least comrades in arms. I say this because close quarters and the constant threat of life had a tendency to cause most people to abandon any petty quarrels for the sake of survival. Also, it helped stave off another malady, one which may have been as familiar to any warrior since the dawn of time. As familiar as the looming specter of death and harm.

Boredom.

With nobody to talk to and nowhere to go, I was having a lot of difficulties staving that particular irritant off. I don't know how many minutes or hours had passed, but I had remembered why I had a particular hatred of guard duty at the Cathedral.

The party-goers at least didn't seem to suffer that. As the evening progressed, wine and spirits had taken their effect, causing a variety of rather interesting sights. However, I wasn't the type to take much enjoyment in watching people make fools out of themselves, and so my interest in the crowd evaporated in a few moments.

All I had were my thoughts, which were consumed with how I wanted this all to end. That and the dense perfume lingering in the air. I walked away toward the open window to get a breath of fresh air for the eighth time.

"We've checked every other spot; this has to be it."

"I can't wait to see!"

"Girls please! We're going to get in trouble."

"Oh no Shianni, you've had your head in the clouds for the past three weeks. I think it is about time we see wh-"

Shianni? I also recognized her voice among the speakers, who were coming from the doorway left open by the Gray Wardens. What was she doing here? I moved towards the door when a mass of brown hair bumped into my chest.

There was a squeak, and I got a whiff of something floral.

"Oops!" The woman and based on the pointed ears, the elf, stumbled backward. She was dressed in the same plain beige attire worn by the other servants. "Apologies my…"

She looked straight into my eyes, and her voice stuttered. She looked away with a tinge of blush on her cheek.

Before I could ask, another elf with a familiar shade of red hair, appeared behind her.

"Oh, Eratus!" Shianni pushed past her friend and stepped in front of me. "Good to see you are here!"

"Wait." The brown-haired elf looked at me and then back at Shianni. "That's him?"

"Really!?" Another female elf with blonde hair appeared through the door. "I want to see! Oh my…"

"My… my… Indeed," said the black-haired elf.

"Uh… Ladies." I smoothed out my hair and dipped my head into a bow. "I didn't expect to see you here Shianni."

"Oh." Shianni chuckled and scratched her head. "I may have forgotten to mention it. I work here as a laundress and seamstress."

"Ladies." The brown-haired elf raised an eyebrow at Shianni. "He addressed us as ladies. You were right about everything you've said, he is a mite peculiar one."

"Nola…" Shianni frowned.

"Is it true you rescued our dear Shianni from being spirited away?" The black-haired elf looked at my shirt and then back at Shianni. "And those clothes… you picked it out for him didn't you? After all that talking about shem."

"I guess it is true what they say," said her other friend. "Love and hate are opposite sides of the same coin and one can become the other at a whi-"

"Alright, enough of that!" Shianni grabbed both of her giggling friends, pushing them back through the hallway. "Eratus, sorry for causing you trouble. I'll see you at the festival then?"

"I will." I smiled.

Shianni looked away for a moment as if she was trying to hide her face under her hair. I looked at her with a mix of confusion and concern.

Her friends giggled even harder, which caused Shianni to glare. Her face was red and she pushed them both back through the hallway.

"Okay!" Shianni waved at me. "I'll see you then!"

I waved back, as she pushed her friends back through the hallway, and closed the door behind them.

What I didn't tell her was that I had almost forgotten. My mind had been consumed with more important things such as trying to figure out a way home and more recent things like this guard post. Now that she brought it up, I was actually looking forward to the festival. I wasn't expecting anything outlandish like the parties in Silvermoon City but I was curious to learn a bit more about the local customs of the elves here. This time as a participant than from a cage.

Or a guard for that matter.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself."

The voice came far too close for comfort. I turned, coming face to face with one of the other guards. A bannerman judging by the outfit, or more accurately a banner woman.

She looked at me with a crinkled smile. The woman had a matronly grandmother-like look, with gray hair tied back into a bun and wrinkles adorning her face.

"You've seemed to have gained quite a fair bit of attention this evening." She chuckled.

"Although with so many young people present, I would be surprised if you escaped without being pestered. Curiosity and youth go hand in hand, while elders such as myself resolve to watch from the sides."

"True." Then I realized the accidental insult in the reply. "Well, you don't look that old."

She laughed.

"No need to tell me sweet lies my dear boy. Maker knows that my prime has passed long ago."

"Ah." I scratched my head. "Sorry."

"Don't be," she said. "But for an apology would you mind the company of an old crone?"

Well, it was either that or return to whatever boredom awaited me for the rest of the evening. Besides, I was used to being in the company of much older people. Bluebeard was a century old, and Alamere was older still. I knew because he talked about being in the Gnoll Wars, which had happened a century and a half ago.

"Of course," I said.

"Excellent. These functions can be terribly boring, and you looked like you were about to fall asleep until those elves came about."

"Did I?" I said. "Well, I'm not unused to guard duty. It isn't so bad."

"You don't need to dress things up to seem better than the actually are dear boy." She leaned against a pillar. "Sometimes it is better to acknowledge drudgery when you see it. After all I'm sure the two of us have places we would much rather be."

"I guess so," I said, leaning against the pillar opposite hers. "If I might ask how long have you served the Arl?"

"Serve?" she said. "Oh no, I do not serve the Arl."

"You're not one of his bannermen then?"

"Oh no," she said. "I am just a free agent much like yourself. Although, to your original question I've provided my services for years now. Countless years according to some."

"I see," I said. "I take it the pay must be pretty good."

"Decent," she said. "Though are much greater opportunities afoot for someone of my experience. Money is of no concern for me. In fact, I provide my services free of charge."

I blinked. What a peculiar old lady.

"Really?" I said. "So… you're out here, being a guard, out of your own free will with no compensation?"

"I do have my reasons. In my age, I have found the accrual of wealth to be a pointless effort. I find it far more interesting in being where the great changes of the world are seeded. People say I have a good sense of the hearts of men, and that is the service that I provide."

Now she started to sound like someone who was a bit too full of themselves. Like those would-be diviners who claimed to be able to see the future by reading the stars.

"Not to be rude but I've met a good number of people who claim the same."

"Really?" She nodded in the direction of the corner. "Let us look upon the crowd for example."

She pointed to Taoran and Vaughn who were continuing their drinking spree.

"Two boys, heirs to two men. Men who have performed deeds worthy of song and verse. However, where they succeeded in battle they failed in the rearing of their sons. One has shown nothing but greed, gluttony, and lust. On the other you have ambition, but one that is tied to vanity. I quake for what will happen when both must rise to fulfill the positions of their forebears."

She then directed her gaze to the opposite corner toward Ferghus who seemed to be well intoxicated and Aedan who still appeared to be well and truly miserable.

"There, are the two brothers you spoke with earlier. Two heirs of another great man. Yet, their upbringing their born nature or both reveal all the difference. Modest and prudent, both fulfilling their own dedications to duty. An older brother to his younger, guiding him in the ways of things. A noble to his country, seeking to prove himself worthy of his obligations."

I blinked. She got everything I suspected but never vocalized about the four individuals pretty accurately.

"I am precisely here because I can see such things," she said. "And I tell you that you wouldn't be here if you weren't worthy of being so. The Arl's Herald has almost a keen an eye for such matters as well. To a lesser degree though."

I scoffed. "Really? I'm sorry but how much do you think you know about me? We have barely met."

"I know enough that you lied to that young lordling of your heritage," she said. "Born out in the seas and fighting since? Quite an amusing tale."

"And what makes you think that?" I said, a bit concerned.

"All too easy. Your manners for starters. You speak like someone comfortable in the presence of nobility, and you address them using decorum, albeit not the most proper ones. An ordinary sell-sword wouldn't have the slightest idea what to say. You also came dressed and groomed for the occasion, and have likely spent money to do so. An ordinary sell-sword hardly takes account of such matters, especially one who never grew up around customs and out in the open seas."

"Okay, fine," I shrugged. "I made some things up."

"Then why lie?"

"It's… complicated. I don't want to discuss it."

"Mmm…very well then," she said. "I can see however you didn't lie regarding the second half of your tale. You are a man of war, who lived through many battles that many did not survive. One who has seen the kinds of monsters desperation and callousness can wring out of people."

I said nothing, not really wanting to dredge up the past.

"I won't pry," she said. "But I think you have a good heart nonetheless. If there is anything you take away from this old crone, it is this. Forgive yourself."

I looked at her with a face.

"You wouldn't know."

"I believe I do know an inkling, having been through it myself and having seen many others go through the same. Nobody is perfect, everyone falters and falls short of what we deem to be good. What matters is that we reflect and strive on to do better things. And you look like someone who has done an ample amount of reflection."

I pondered her words, doing so even as it brought up painful memories. A red dress. Alterac City. Shrieking amidst a snowy landscape.

"I'll think on it," I said. "And I guess I was wrong about you as well."

"Do think on it. There are too few good men and women in this world. On a brighter note, I would like to point out again that you've come quite well dressed for the evening."

"Oh, this?" I pointed a finger at the shirt. "It does feel nice, although I think it has drawn far too much attention to myself this evening."

"It suits you quite well," she said. "And is well-suited for the times too. I find it mildly amusing how humans can despise the Dalish yet fawn over their goods. That little red-haired elf picked it out for you, yes?"

"Shianni? She did in fact."

"Interesting." She looked at my shirt. "The leaves are a representation of friendship, but upon closer look the pattern is drawn in symbol to Mythal. Do you know who Mythal is?"

"No. Is it why people were looking at me so funny?"

I didn't think Shianni would be as crude to dress me up to pull a prank but…

"Hah, not at all. I doubt most of those here would know the significance. Mythal is a goddess of the Elvhen pantheon. She represents justice, born of the seas and protector of Elvhenkind. Justice and kindness."

Oh, that made a lot more sense. It was quite thoughtful as well on Shianni's part.

"She is also the goddess of love. Did you know that in their kind, choosing the clothes for a man is an action taken by one's wife?"

"Wait, what?" I laughed. "No, we aren't anything like…"

The words got stuck in my mouth as every interaction I ever had with Shianni played back in my head. How she seemed to go out of her way to help me. How it would seem my actions to her would appear from her perspective. Her reaction when I told her about my friend at home and our most recent encounter.

All of it gave me a resounding new perspective on things.

"Oh no…"

"I believe." The woman dipped her head in a knowing nod. "Nothing more needs to explained. You don't seem to be the philandering type, but you should be clear with your intentions. After all, you appear to be besotted with another this good evening, and a noble at that. Elf or noble, both leading to a future of peril for one of your station."

"Look uh," I said. "I don't mean to pursue anything with anyone."

"Ah then celibacy?" She chuckled. "Even more perilous than the first two, one noted to drive even the greatest of men mad."

I pursed my lips. "I did not mean it like that."

She cackled, and something about that cackle nudged my memory.

"Relax," she said. "I am only jesting. The young mock the old and the old mock the young."

I didn't reply, still coming to grips with the implications of this evening. It made me embarrassed to even think about it.

"One day I shall stand before the Maker for judgment and I would like to have lived in such a manner that I know both what I've done and why I've done it. If you have a chance to visit the Chantry, you should look for the mural there. A famed one of Andraste guiding a flock of people, like a shepherd to her flock. The maiden pointing the way. Oh, how the prophet loved her analogies. Quite inspiring, even to an old crone such as myself."

There was something in the voice, that made me swear I heard it before.

"Have we me-?"

Gasps and the sound of crashing glass interrupted my question.

"Oh dear," said the old woman. "It appears it is time to go. You shouldn't keep people waiting."

I didn't bother to look back as I bolted down the stairs. The music cut out and the crowd dispersed from the center of the court, revealing Vaughn wrestling Taoran on the floor.

I had no idea what had happened since the two of them seemed to be drunkenly celebrating together at one point. Then I realized I answered my own question. Alcohol and youth are a recipe for disaster.

The other bannerman on the second floor were moving the same way, hands ready to draw their swords. I knew I had to break the fight up before they arrived, otherwise things could get extremely messy.

I rushed across the court, avoiding goblets and puddles of wine. By the time them, Taoran had broken free of Vaughn's vice-grip and had gotten up.

"You dare!" said Vaughn. "What did you say to me?!"

"I said." Taoran wiped the blood off his mouth. "She doesn't deserve you."

Vaughn threw a fist at Taoran, but not before I got between them. I shoved his arm, causing his punch to go wide and making him tumble off to the side.

I thanked the Light Taoran didn't try and fight back. Instead, he stood there, sneering at the noble with just a bloodied nose.

Vaughn stood back up, as his bannermen lined up behind him. The crowd of partygoers backed themselves toward the walls, trying to get as far as they could from the fighting.

"Guards!" Vaughn looked at the bannermen. "Make short work of these scoundrels."

The air reverberated with the sound of swords being drawn. One of the bannermen strode forward before the others, raising his weapon high.

I drew my own sword, the light-blue metal of the weapon shimmering in the torchlight. Mithril met steel in a clash of noise as the two blades met mid-air.

A better swordsman like Captain Falmore wouldn't have met the opponent's weapon head on, and probably would have deflected it to the side to leave them in a position for a counterstrike. Instead, I met the blow as if I was wielding a hammer.

The man pressed down, and when I did not give way, he looked at me with a confused expression.

I willed but a speck of Light through my arms and pushed with force. The bannerman was sent tumbling backward, his sword clattering to the floor.

Upon seeing their fellow fall, the others halted their advance. In their fickle movements and fidgeting hands, I could see paralysis. Paralysis from both uncertainty and inexperience.

"Well?!" said Vaughn. "Why did you all sto-!"

"What is the meaning of this?"

Everyone looked at the man with graying hair who pushed out from the crowd.

"My lord," said the Herald. "Do you find it entertaining making a mockery of this household?"

"This commoner has insulted me." Vaughn pointed at Taoran. "I am just taking my dues."

"And you sought to make a public display of this?" said the Herald. "Your father will be most displeased upon hearing this."

Vaughn looked as if he was going to say something but pursed his lips. He stomped away.

"And you." The Herald pointed at Taoran. "I was expecting little and still you managed to defeat my expectations. Please, take your men and depart from these premises at once. I shall have it made clear that you or your lot will never find employment in our functions again."

"Whatever," said Taoran, who appeared to still be running on drunken bravado to contemplate the significance of his actions.

He left through the front door. I followed him, aware of the stares of probably every single young noble in the country in our wake.

I didn't say anything as we crossed into the cold evening air. We stopped just short of the manor gate and we stood there waiting.

It gave me time to realize just who Taoran was. In every interaction I've had with him, he had shown nothing but vanity, cruelty, and greed. Not even the calculating kind given that he had ruined what could have been a lucrative business relationship in the course of an evening. All over a petty squabble over a woman.

He was the same kind of person I despised working for, and as I watched the remaining Blackstone Irregular be pushed outside by the Arl's men, I knew exactly what to do.

"Well, at least we won't be dealing with him ever again." Taoran rubbed his cheek and looked toward me.

"You're right." I turned and started leaving. "As I am with you."

"Hey," said Taoran. "Hey!"

"I'm done," I said. "I'm done working for you and I'm done working with you. Thank you for the payment and have a good evening."

"You'll regret this!" he said.

I didn't bother responding, and he didn't try to pursue. I pushed him out of my mind and made my way back to the inn. On my journey back I realized I had another festival to attend tomorrow, and all I could think of until I slept was what exactly I was going to do with a particular red-haired elf.