Cat looked around, heart pounding, as she took in the view from the row boat. It was really creepy, from the fog over the water, to the unnatural silence of her companions. Somehow, she was on her way to the circle tower. She had tried to stay behind with Morrigan, who refused to have any contact with the circle mages. She had tried to stay with Leliana, who would play her lute in the inn and make money while also gathering information, and when that failed, she finally tried to stay with Sten - who had flat out refused.

She couldn't come up with a good reason to stay behind, but even if she had, Zevran would have stayed as well. She couldn't keep a fighter from the group when she knew what they would face in the tower. Just that small act could result in horrendous consequences. And so, here she was.

Cat had contemplated just telling them what was actually happening so that Duran would keep his entire group with him, but when she thought of how that conversation might go, it always ended with her being given to the templars or killed outright. Neither option really suited her.

And so, she kept quiet. Once they got to the tower Duran would have Wynne to join his party so she figured they would be all right. So, she shouldn't be scared, and yet she was. There was a deep fear coursing through her, that she didn't really understand. What exactly was she afraid of?

As if he could read her mind, Zevran leaned close and said quietly, "Do not worry my little dove, I will not let the mages harm you."

It was meant to be reassuring, however she simply gave him a confused look. The mages? They were all trapped inside the tower, fighting for their lives…

"Or the templars," he added. Fear swiftly replaced confusion in her eyes before she could look away. 'So that is the issue,' he thought

"Thank you" she said quietly. "I'm sure everything will be fine." Her hands belied her words as he took notice of how she clenched and straightened her fingers around each other. She was a bundle of nerves, and even though he did not understand her fear, he would keep his oath and ensure nothing harmed her.

After what seemed like an eternity, they finally made it to the circle tower and were escorted inside. The party stopped and stared at the organized chaos that they found, templars rushing to and fro within the large chamber. Duran took the lead, quickly walking up to the stoic man that stood still in the center of the madness.

Cat listened as they were informed of the state of the tower and its mages. It sounded just as she expected, and that took a small part of her fear away. With the changes that she had experienced thus far, she worried about what else her presence may have brought about.

She snapped back to focus as she was steered with their group slightly away from the templars.

"So, what do you think Alistair?" Duran asked quietly.

"It's difficult to say," Alistair replied. "I'm sure we could handle the demons well enough, but who knows what else we could face? Blood mages, and abominations… could be trickier, but on the other hand if we don't help them we are sealing Conner's fate."

"I thought much the same. Oghren?"

"Bah, a fight's a fight. Just point me in the right direction." he stated while looking around.

"Zevran?" he asked.

"I am fine whatever you may decide, however I cannot leave Cat here."

They all looked at Zevran in surprise, then three of them looked at Cat.

"Why not?" Alistair asked. "She'll be safer here than anywhere else for the time being," he stated.

Zevran opened his mouth to respond, but Cat quickly interrupted. "I'll be fine here," she said in a rush. "Alistair's right, I'll be perfectly safe, though I wish I was a stronger fighter, so that I could help you." she added, looking at the wardens.

All four males smiled back at her. "You'll be strong soon enough toots," Oghren said. "Enjoy sitting out while you can," and with that, he pulled out his great axe and started walking for the door, with the rest of them following behind.

"You don't have to be brave," Zevran said quietly. "I can stay here with you, they will be fine without-"

"NO" she interrupted him, quietly yet with force. He simply raised an eyebrow, though she didn't notice as she was looking at her feet while they approached the door. She looked at each of her companions in turn, noticing Oghren preparing for a fight, Alistair and Duran speaking with the templar commander - though she couldn't remember his name to save her life- and finally she turned her eyes to Zevran and found his eyes meeting hers.

She knew he needed to go, and yet a part of her wanted him to stay. He had helped keep her alive thus far, and she was afraid of being alone now. All these thoughts ran through her head as they continued to gaze at each other, waiting for the other to speak.

Cat noticed that the doors were being opened, and the others were walking towards them. Then Zevran turned to join them, and without thinking she grabbed his arm turning him back towards her and threw her arms around his neck and squeezed.

Zevran's eyes grew wide in surprise, not expecting this reaction from her. His features softened into a smile as he put his own arms around her, realizing that she was worried she may never see him again.

"Please be careful!" she spoke softly into his collar. "Don't act reckless and just charge in. Follow Duran's lead, and help watch the others' backs as well." She began speaking faster, he words jumbling together, and his smile changed to a smirk as he noticed his companions' stares. "Watch out for blood mages, and be sure to take Wynne along, and keep back from abominations they tend to blow up when they are destroyed and-"

"I get the idea my dove," he interrupted her and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. "Do not fret for us. We will keep each other healthy and whole and return to you post haste." His hand cupped her cheek and he looked into her eyes, "besides, I want to finish this…" he said lowly and she shivered.

"Ugh, Zev!" she pushed back from him, but she was smiling. "Just go already!"

He gave her a last smirk, and turned to join his companions. He had enjoyed the hug, the feeling of closeness, though oddly not in a romantic way. But he had needed to see her smile, and to rid her eyes of fear before leaving. Flirting with her seemed to always end with that result, so he considered the toughest part of this mission a success.

Cat watched them head through the doors, none of them looking back as the doors shut behind them. Now, all she could do was wait. Wait and worry.

"Hold on a moment please," Zevran interrupted the Warden as he spoke with the elderly mage. "What did you say your name was?"

"Wynne. Why do you ask? Have we met before?" She asked him in return, looking him up and down, trying to see if he was familiar.

"No, I do not believe so," he answered. "Have you ever met a young women by the name of Catarina Lewis?" he questioned.

"Hmm, no, that name does not sound familiar" she responded with a frown.

"Interesting," he said. "Continue please, I am sorry for the interruption." Duran and Wynne both gave him questioning glances before resuming their conversation. In a few moments, Duran joined him where he stood with Alistair and Oghren.

"It seems she won't take no for an answer," Duran told them. "If we want to get through her barrier, we have to take her along."

"Surely it couldn't hurt to have a mage along," Alistair commented. "True we don't know her, but she obviously wants to help get the tower back under control."

"True…" Duran turned to Zevran. "Mind letting me know what all that was about?" he asked.

Zevran contemplated, then decided to go ahead and share. After all, he had pledged himself to the Warden as well, had he not? "Our lovely dove had been giving me some last minute instructions before we left," he said. When they only stared at him he added, "you know, don't get killed, watch out for blood mages and abominations. That sort of thing."

"And?" Duran questioned, glancing back at the mages huddled across the hall.

"And in the middle of all this, she said something that I didn't understand until now." He paused for effect since he had a rapt audience. "She said, to be sure to take Wynne with us" he stated emphasizing her name quietly. "I thought perhaps I had not heard the lady mage correctly, so I needed to verify her name."

The looks on the others' faces are how his own must have been when Cat first told him something she should not have known. Confusion and mistrust with a bit of awe he could see well on their faces. He chuckled as Oghren still looked confused, Alistair concerned and Duran in awe.

"I had the same reaction the first time it happened to me as well my friends," he stated. "But I will let her tell you the tale behind the mystery. For now, I suggest we follow the advice, and let the lady join us."

"You want her to join us simply because Cat told you to?" Alistair asked suspiciously. "Doesn't that seem, I don't know, crazy?" he asked Duran

Zevran laughed loudly this time. "You are reading this wrong Alistair" he said trying to make the younger man understand. "She was simply giving advice, and I think it is sound."

Alistair narrowed his eyes at Zevran. "That looked like more than advice from where I was standing…" he trailed off crossly, causing Zevran to chuckle again.

"Again, you read it wrong!" he stated, feeling that he had better clear this up for Cat. He knew she had not meant it to seem as if they were together, even though others would assume it was so. "That is merely tradition in her land, to give good luck before battle."

"Oh…" Alistair replied softly looking chagrined.

"Well then," Duran stated. "Let us get going." He turned to speak to the mages, and the others followed him. Zevran caught the soft comment Alistair gave to Oghren, which made him smirk.

"But, then why didn't we get good luck battle hugs?"