Leyla decided to see how Fenris was doing; she also wanted to see if the two of them could be more on friendly terms. Though she was rather surprised to see Fenris rather cheerful, she then realised that he had been drinking when she noticed the bottle of wine in his hand.

"Agreggio Pavali," he said as she led him inside. "There are six bottles in the cellar. Danarius used to have me pour it for his guests. My appearance intimidated them, he said, which he enjoyed."

Leyla stared at him. "You were his servant as well as his bodyguard?"

Fenris narrowed his eyes. "I was a slave. I propped up the furniture when he was so inclined." He took another drink and then flung the bottle to the wall. It shattered, and the remainder of the wine began to drip down. Fenris gave the mess a satisfied look. "It's good I can still take pleasure in the small things."

Leyla nodded as she sat down. "You've had a difficult life."

"I'd rather not speak more of it."

"Are you certain? I'm willing to listen."

Fenris chuckled. "To my whining? Very charitable of you." Fenris sat himself down in a chair. "I've wanted to leave my past behind me. But it won't stay there. Tell me, have you never wanted to return to Midgard?"

"I grew up in Midgard. It will always be my home."

"The Blight is over. You could rebuild what you and your brother lost. Do you two truly not want to?"

Leyla pondered on the idea. "I have to admit, it's an attractive idea."

"But not now," Fenris nodded. "I understand. Still, to have the option… must be gratifying."

"If you're looking to start a life, you could stay," Leyla offered.

"I could see myself staying—for the right reasons. I should thank you again for helping me against the hunters. Had I known Anso would find me people so capable, I might have asked him to look sooner."

"It turned out well enough," Leyla shrugged.

"It did at that."

Dak and Leyla decided now was the time to make good on their promise to the witch. Aveline has informed them that they Freefolk Elf Clan had made their presence on Sundermount. Accompanied by their companions, they made their way to the mountain peak.

There, they were stopped by two Freefolk elves, a man and a woman, stopped them as they approached the camp. The man held out his hand. "Hold, shemlens! Your kind are not welcome among the Freefolk."

"We were given an amulet for someone named Marethari," said Leyla, presenting the amulet.

"How do you know that name?"

The Freefolk woman then spoke. "Wait! They are the ones the Keeper spoke of."

"A pair of shemlen? I thought they'd be an elf."

The Freefolk woman stepped back to let him pass. "Enter the camp. Keeper Marethari has been waiting for you."

Dak and Leyla looked back at Aveline, who looked equally as confused. Clearly, this was no coincidence, and Dak was willing to bet it had something to do with the amulet and the witch.

"Cause trouble and you'll meet our blades, stranger," the Freefolk man warned.

They nodded, and they entered into the camp.

The woman at the fire was older, heavily tattooed, carried a staff and received many nervous looks from the young elves.

"Marethari?" said Leyla, showing her the amulet. "I was told to bring you this amulet."

"Andaran atish'an, travellers. Indeed, I am Keeper Marethari. Let me look at you." Her large eyes were piercing, making Dak feel almost like she'd put them on a scale. "There's truth in your faces. A rare thing in a human." She gestured at them. "Tell me how this burden fell to you, child."

"Your guards said you spoke of us. How did you know we were coming?" Dak asked curiously

"I listened. To the wind. To the birds, as the hunters do. To my dreams. I watched the stars. There is great wisdom to be found all around us, if you know how to listen for it. But I was not certain. Nothing is certain."

"Exactly what have I been carrying around? Is it magic?" Leyla asked.

"It is a promise, child. Made by one whose word still has weight. And therefore, it has terrible power. There are few things in this world stronger than a promise kept. Remember that."

"This amulet's owner rescued our family from the Blight. In return, we agreed to bring it to you," said Dak truthfully.

"I honour you for coming to me, but I'm afraid your pot is not yet done," she said ominously. "The amulet must be taken to an altar at the top of the mountain and given a Dalish rite for the departed. Then return the amulet to me. Do this, and your debt will be repaid."

"Are you going to teach me this rite for the departed?" he asked.

"I will send my First with you. She will see to it the ritual is done." Marethari hesitated before continuing. "And when it is complete, I must ask that you take her with you when you go."

"Who is your First? First of what?" Leyla frowned.

"Your people would call her my apprentice or heir. Merrill would have taken my place as Keeper." Marethari shook her head. "But she has chosen a new path. Please guide her safely from here." She gestured. "You'll find Merrill waiting for you on the trail just up the mountain. Dareth Shiral."

They followed Marethari's directions and soon heard a strange humming noise followed by a small glow. However, they quickly vanished, and they were soon approached by an elven girl.

"Oh! I didn't hear. You must be the one the Keeper told me about. Aneth ara." She shuffled her feet nervously. "I'm so sorry, I didn't ask your name. Unless… it's not rude to ask a human their name, is it?" She twisted, looking at the ground before looking back at him. "I'm Merrill. Which you probably knew already. I'm rambling, sorry."

Like all the Freefolk, she had tattoos on her face and walked around with bare feet. Her black hair was tied up in a bun, and she clearly looked very nervous seeing them, which Dak found rather cute.

"You seem awfully nervous," Leyla noted.

"You're only the second human I've seen up close. Last time was not a happy memory. A Grey Warden took away one of our hunters to fight the darkspawn. I heard he fought the Archdemon. I wonder what's become of him."

"My name is Dak Hawke," said Dak. "And this is my sister Leyla. We're glad to make your acquaintance, Merill."

"Thank you. I'm afraid I'm not very experienced with your kind." She shuffled her feet again, and her hands fidgeted. "Have you been in the Free Marches long? Do you like it here?"

Dak shrugged. "I miss the cold. And the dirt. Huttsgalor's not brown enough for me. But hey, no darkspawn!"

She actually looked offended. "Midgard wasn't that brown! The dirt and muck gave it character." She glanced up the path, then back at him. "We should go. Your task is for Asha'bellanar. It's not wise to make her wait."

"Let's get this over with."

They had made it a few hundred feet when they were attacked by corpses. Anders sent a spell to one group, and Leyla fired her own spell at another group. Then blinked when a third spell entered the fray. Once the corpses were dealt with, they all turned to Merrill.

"The Keeper didn't mention you were a mage," said Leyla.

Fenris gave her a distasteful look. "I imagine it's difficult to give away something nobody wants."

She gave them a defensive look. "All Keepers know a bit of old magic." She shrugged. "The stories tell us that all elvhen once had the gift, but like so many things, it was lost. It's a Keeper's job to remember, to restore what we can."

Leyla had heard that the Freefolk elves had mages among them, but she suspected there was another reason why they stayed away from towns and cities.

Dak then gave her a small smile. "I'm glad you decided to pitch in back there."

"Oh! You're welcome," she said, rather surprised. "I wasn't sure I'd be much good." She smiled. "I've done a little fighting before, but it was with… I'll try not to hit anyone. On our side, I mean. I'm babbling again. Let's go."

As they made their way up the mountain, they had to fight corpses, and eventually, they met up with a scout halfway up.

He narrowed his eyes at Merrill with resentment. "So the Keeper finally found someone to take you from here."

"Yes," said Merrill simply.

He then looked at Dak and Leyla. "Then finish your task quickly, humans. We cannot be rid of this one too soon."

"The Freefolk are one big, happy family," said Dak under his breath.

Merrill looked at the scout. "I have made my choice. And I will save our clan, whatever you think."

Then, as the elf walked past them, he purposely shoved Merrill.

Leyla looked at Merrill curiously. "What's going on here, Merrill?"

"Nothing. Just ignorance," she then carried on down the path. "We should go."

Leyla suspected that there was more to this than Merrill let on, and when they reached the mouth of the cave, she stopped.

"I'm sorry," she said apologetically. "You not really seeing the Freefolk at their best." She then turned to face them with an apologetic look. "We're good people that look out for each other. Just not today, apparently."

Dak shrugged. "But the Freefolk are delightful! I was just thinking of inviting the whole clan over for tea."

Merrill looked at him strangely. "I'm sure they'd never accept an—" She stopped when she realised that he was joking. "Oh. Right. Sarcasm." She then regained her composure and looked at them all. "Even if my people don't appreciate my efforts, I must see this through. Let's go. Asha'bellanar isn't known for her patience."

They had to make their way through the cave, which was crawling with giant spiders, but they were able to cut their way through. However, they couldn't proceed any further as a magical barrier barred their way.

Merrill hesitated, then glanced at them. "I can open the way forward. One moment." She strode to the barrier and then took a deep breath. Then she drew her knife, cut open her palm, and sent a spray of blood to dissolve the barrier.

"That was a summoning!" Anders gestured. "That takes blood magic. Are you crazy?"

Fenris shook his head. "Blood magic? Foolish. Very foolish."

Merrill gave them a defensive look. "Yes, it was blood magic, but I know what I'm doing. The spirit helped us, didn't it?"

Lelya narrowed his eyes. "Call it what it is. You summoned a demon."

She shook her head. "Demons are just spirits. Like honour or joy. It's not their fault they are what they are."

"You know nothing of spirits." Anders clenched his fists. "Don't try to spread your ignorance."

"'Ignore the tiger. Not its fault that it's going to eat you'. Sound advice," said Fenris, shaking his head.

That was probably the first time those two actually agreed on something.

Merrill turned and began walking. "Be careful up ahead. Restless things prowl the heights." She gestured. "In the days of Arlathan, the elders came here to sleep. Uthenera. The endless dream, they called it. But they don't sleep peacefully anymore."

Leyla didn't like the idea of wandering into a graveyard, especially since they had been attacked by corpses, but will she and her brother wanted their debt to the witch to be over and done with.

They finally managed to reach the altar, and at once, Merrill stepped forward and began to speak in elven. "Harhren na melana sahlin. Emma ir abelas souver'inan isala hamin vhenan him dor'felas. In uthenera na revas."

Suddenly, the altar glowed with a spiral of golden light. Then Flemeth suddenly appeared as if she had been inside the amulet all this time.

"Aaah, and here we are."

"A witch!" Fenris's hand started to go for his sword.

Dak quickly held a hand to stop him, as did Aveline.

"Calm yourself," she said. "We know this one."

Merrill bowed. "Andaran atish'an, Asha'bellanar."

Flemeth gave Merrill a considering look. "One of the people, I see, so young and bright. Do you know who I am beyond that title?"

"I know only a little."

"Then stand. The people bend their knees too quickly." Flemeth turned and took a step towards Dak and Leyla. "So refreshing to see someone who keeps their end of a bargain. I half expected my amulet to end up in a merchant's pocket."

Dak narrowed his eyes, much to Merrill's horror. "I agreed to deliver the amulet, though you could have told me you are inside it."

Leyla didn't think it was a smart idea to antagonise the witch who could transform into a dragon at will.

"Just a piece." Flemeth smiled. "A small piece, but it was all I needed. A bit of security, should the inevitable occur. And if I know Valka, it already has."

Dak blinked. "Is that someone I should know?"

"She's a mother who thinks she knows what is what better than I or anyone." Flemeth laughed. "And why not? I trained her to be as she is. I cannot expect her to be less."

Dak shook his head. "I'm not sure whether she's your apprentice or your enemy."

Flemeth smiled. "Neither is she."

"You are no simple witch," Fenris said.

She folded her arms and gave him an amused look. "Figured that out yourself, did you?"

"I have seen powerful mages, spirits, and abominations. But you are none of those things. What are you?"

"Such a curious lad. The chains are broken, but are you truly free?"

"You see a great deal," Fenris noted, looking disturbed.

"What are you?" said Anders, repeating Fenris' question. "A spirit? An abomination? This is no magic I've ever seen."

"And you would know of spirits and abominations."

"I'm a mage. Of course, I know of such things." Anders lifted his chin.

Her yellow eyes watched him for a moment as she tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Of course." She spread her hands. "I am a fly in the ointment. I am a whisper in the shadows. I am also an old, old woman. More than that, you need not know."

"Why did you need us to bring you here?" Leyla asked.

"Because I had an appointment to keep." She waved a hand. "And because I did not want to be followed. You smuggled me here quite nicely."

Leyla frowned. "I don't understand. Are you some kind of vision?"

She merely laughed. "Must I be in only one place? Bodies are such limiting things." She examined her gauntleted hand. "I am but a fragment cast adrift from the whole. A bit of flotsam to cling to in the storm."

"A fragment?"

"You do not need to understand, child." She stepped closer to him. "Know only that you may have saved my life, just as I once saved yours. An even trade, I think."

"You have plans, I take it?" Dak assumed.

"Destiny awaits all of us, dear boy. We have much to do." She smiled. It wasn't a comforting smile. "But before I go, a word of advice for you and your sister?" She turned and gestured at the view. Half a world seemed to spread out before them. From here, Huttsgalor seemed small. "We stand upon the precipice of change. The world fears the inevitable plummet into the abyss. Watch for that moment… and when it comes, do not hesitate to leap." She turned back to face them. "It is only when you fall that you learn whether you can fly."

"Cheap advice," said Dak. "From a dragon."

"We all have our challenges."

"I hope we don't regret this," Leyla sighed.

"Regret is something I know well. Take care not to cling to it, to hold it so close that it poisons your soul. When the time comes for your regrets, remember me." Leyla found that warning rather ominous. She turned to look at Merrill. "As for you, child, step carefully. No path is darker than when your eyes are shut."

"Ma serannas, Asha'bellanar."

"Now, the time has come for me to leave. You have my thanks…" She nodded to him. "And my sympathy." A moment later, she'd taken the form of a dragon and was winging her way east.

They walked down the mountain, and as they walked, Merrill looked at them.

"Will you take me now? To the city, I mean. That was the bargain, wasn't it?" she asked.

Dak gave her a concerned look. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I… yes. Yes, I've made up my mind." She closed her eyes. "There's no going back to the Keeper now, anyway."

Dak and Leyla exchanged looks before looking back at Merrill.

Dak sighed. "Follow us."

She smiled. "Ma serannas. Thank you."

Once they reached the foot of the mountain, Leyla gave the amulet back to Marethari. "Ma serannas, child. Your debt is paid in full." She then turned and looked at Merrill. "It's not too late to change your mind, da'len."

"Dareth shiral, Keeper," said Merrill. She then turned to them. "I'm ready. Let's depart."

Before leaving, Dak gave Marethari a look, saying that he would protect her, and she nodded, informing him that she understood.

They soon returned to Huttsgalor and showed Merrill the alienage. Merrill frowned at the site, which was filled with poorly maintained buildings squashed together, and the smell was terrible.

"Elgar'nan. Is this… is this really where the elves live?"

Anders tried to smile at her. "If you think this is bad, you should see where I live."

"I didn't think it would be so… so…" She folded her arms and seemed to shrink. "I've never seen so many people in one place before. It seems so lonely."

"You already know me. You'll make other friends soon enough," Dak assured.

"I… thank you." She smiled and then turned towards him. "Thank you for everything. For all your help." She gave him a hopeful look. "Will you come visit me? Not now, of course. But maybe later? I could use a friend."

He placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'll like that, Merrill."

"Thank you. I'm thanking you too much, aren't I? I mean it, though."

Merrill then left to check her new house, which Varric was able to acquire. Leyla smirked at Dak and leaned over to him.

"She's cute," she said.

"Yeah," Dak agreed and then blinked as he looked at her. "Sorry, what?"

Leyla merely giggled.

After that, Varric invited everyone from a game, Wicked Grace, though Aveline declined the offer and returned to the barracks. Anders wanted to check on his patients.

Once everyone sat down and began playing their game, Varric used this opportunity to ask Dak and Leyla a few questions.

"So, I've been dying to know: what was going through your head when you fought that ogre?" Varric asked.

"For the first few seconds: 'What do they feed those things?'" said Dak, spreading his hands to indicate the size of the thing.

"I don't know anyone else that's even seen one. You're lucky to just be standing here." He pushed a cup over. "Somehow, I imagine things won't be dull with you two around." He took a drink from his own cup. "Not that I expect the Deep Roads to be boring, mind you. Constant threat of doom does tend to keep you awake."

"Anything in particular we should know about your brother?" Leyla asked as she grabbed a card.

Fenris folded. Dak and Varric called. Varric shrugged at the question. "To understand Bartrand, you've got to understand the Dwarven Merchants Guild. These are dwarves who would sell their mothers if they thought it'd get them a better share of the lyrium market. Anyone who deals with them has to sleep with a knife under their pillow. In my family, that's Bartrand." Varric collected his winnings and then handed the deck to Leyla.

Leyla dealt. "If we'll be working together, we should find out more about you."

"True enough. I suppose you ought to know my credentials." Varric looked at his hand. He'd been waiting for the questions. Frankly, he was surprised at how long it had taken. No doubt Varric was trying to get a good feel of him while he did the same to him. "My family came from Orzammar - noble House Tethras—until my father got caught fixing Provings." He threw in a raise. "He and our whole House got exiled. No huge loss. I was born up here. Sunshine suits me just fine."

"Are you a merchant? A mercenary?" Dak asked as Leyla called.

"I'm a younger son. It's a difficult and dangerous profession. A lot of us die of boredom. Fortunately, being Bartrand's younger brother keeps me on my toes. Maker knows he lacks subtlety. I'm the one who pulls strings to keep the Coterie out of our hair—keep us just a whisker ahead of the other families."

"What are your plans for this trip into the Deep Roads?" Leyla apparently hadn't been bluffing after all.

"Bartrand's running the show. Andraste's ass, he'd probably do that even if we weren't paying for everything. The thaig we're looking for is supposed to be a week's travel from the surface. So I hope you aren't scared of the dark. We've got supplies, muscle, excavators… the plan is to carry out everything that's not nailed down."

They continued to play. Fenris lost steadily but was starting to get the hang of the game. Isabella was the one to worry about since she cheated flawlessly.

"A lot of things can keep you awake, you know. I wouldn't reach were doom first," said Dak, leaning back in his chair.

"Sure, I could have a cup of tea in the morning, but I hear it's bad for you," Varric smirked. "I've spent my whole life in Huttsgalorl. Dangerous enough most days, but it doesn't compare to the Deep Roads." Isabela then showed her hand in the all groaned as she took their coin. "So, this will be... let's just call it 'an adventure,' I guess."

"Great, now we're adventurers…"

"So Merrill was a blood mage," said Cassandra. "And the Champions just allowed her to roam free?"

"Merrill was a danger to no one; she never used blood magic on a single person," Varric assured her.

"And I'm going to assume it was a coincidence that this was the same clan that Warden Commander Ragnar belonged to?"

"And do you think it was a coincidence that she taught the Queen Mother the art of magic and then rescued her son, which led him down the path to becoming King?"

"No, I don't," Cassandra agreed. "And you do not know what happened to her afterwards?"

"Never saw her again, but there's no denying that she had a hand in history, first the Fifth Blight and now our current mess."

Cassandra looked at him curiously. "You think she intended for this to happen?"

"No, but I think she predicted it, and that's why she rescued the Champions; she knew they had an important role to play."

"The question remains, however, what this role is."

"Then I take it you wish for me to continue."

"Go on."