Private A Light Shining in Darkness (A Dragon Age RP)

"The Enchanter isn't gonna take us for adults no matter what we do. Trust me." Selana said as she walked back over "Although Alice should get dressed. If nothing else, red isn't her color." The girl did have a point. Someone like a first enchanter will always view these girls like they were seven. She supposes all grown adults do, almost like parents. Even hers did when she came of age.

"Child, what are these clothes you are wearing?" a elegant voice crept up from behind the. Kenzi's eye picked up the fragile and smooth lines of tattoos; not just any tattoos, but vallasin. Attached to that was sharp freckled face, with long brown hair and flat ears. An unusual combination on an elf. She took note of the bow, smiling to herself that there was another archer. She was going to make it a point to make this one feel welcomed.

"Why does it matter to you!? Haven't you ever seen...!?" Alice suddenly stopped when she saw the sheer elegance of the Dalish.
"Blessed Andraste I'm so sorry." She said with sadness her voice. "I'm afraid you've found me in quite an embarrassing situation and I snapped at you without just cause. These are my pajamas..."

As Alice continued to talk, Kenzi was staring at a flat eared Dalish elf. She had the markings, but her ears were that of city elves. Most were cast out and into alienages. Harsh punishment that kenzi did not agree with. How can they say they need unity yet they cast out their own kind as easily as she loosens in arrow from her bow. In some way she was enamored with the elf.

"My words exactly. Name's Kenzi. Good to see another girl that will stick a sharp one right up their arse'ole! You obviously just met little bird. Odd taste of clothing, that one. Don't stand there all buggered, have a seat! There's one right by me!"

As the girl initially snapped at her, Lyra tried to hide her smirk, having found her anger amusing. As someone who was quick to anger, she understood her reaction but nonetheless it was still entertaining to witness.

"Blessed Andraste I'm so sorry," the girl began and Lyra found her apologetic tone endearing and unexpected, if not confusing. It had been quite a long time since someone, a human no less, had apologised to her.

As the girl rambles about the clothing Lyra listened, genuinely interested in the strange customs of human children. The young girl apologised again and introduced herself.

"Are you a Dalish elf? I've read tales about your people but I've never met one! Your vallaslin tatoos are so beautiful!"

She frowned a little when she mentioned her people, but it was what she had said next that had surprised her. Lyra almost told the truth and said yes, but decided not to when she considered that others may not respond so kindly to that fact. Before she could reply and introduce herself another human began to talk.

"My words exactly. Name's Kenzi. Good to see another girl that will stick a sharp one right up their arse'ole! You obviously just met little bird. Odd taste of clothing, that one. Don't stand there all buggered, have a seat! There's one right by me!"

Her common and somewhat vulgar manner of speech reminded Lyra of the mercenaries she used to know. She smiled at both of the girls as she took a seat next to Kenzi and replied,
"Thank you. And no, I am not Dalish. Pleasure to meet you both, I am Lyra."

She wondered just how young Alice was and whether she was old enough to be fighting darkspawn. Lyra did not know how to determine what age humans were, but she would have guessed that this one was around the age of 15.

Alice smiled at Kenzi's energetic and welcoming attitude towards their new Dalish friend. Her speech was rough and somewhat vulgar, with a strong common accent (OOC: I 'ear a cockney accent in me 'ead). It was the speech of most Fereldens, rough but effective and warm. Yet all of her other aspects screamed nobility. Her appearance was more well-kept than everyone else's around her. Her poise and posture were too proper and graceful for a commoner. Her equipment was well-cared for and of high quality. Alice found the duality strange and she worried pointing it out might offend Kenzi, so she stayed quiet. She stopped caring about it when the elf called herself Lyra and explained that she was not Dalish.

Now this confused Alice. Lyra was dressed like a Dalish, moved and talked like a Dalish and had the facial markings of the Dalish and yet she was not. That could only mean she was exiled from her tribe or left voluntarily for some reason and that caused questions to explode into Alice's mind. She wanted to spurt them all out at once but she held her tongue. She just met this girl and didn't want to come off as annoying. Plus she really needed to get dressed. Peter had broken his stony silence to remind her of that.

"Alice, it is inapproprate to wear your pajamas in public. Please return to the room and get dressed."

"Than you, Peter." Alice said, putting a thin layer of politeness under sarcasm and annoyance. Tranquils really could be thick sometimes. "I'll be back shortly everyone."

Alice got back upstairs and stripped her footy pajamas. After a quick wash in the bathroom and some generous application of cream foundation, pink blush, black eyeshadow and black mascara Alice proceeded to get dressed. First a simple white bra and panties. Then a pair of footed leggings with light blue and white stripes lined like how a loaf of bread is sliced. Then her short blue dress. The skirt ended just above her knees, the sleeves end just above her elbows and she did all three small brass buttons that did the collar. Her black knee high boots were polished to a shine and went on next. A white apron went over her dress and the thick strings were tied in a large bow that dangled when she walked. Finally came her jewelry, all polished to a shine. A black and foreboding skull ring she slipped over her apron's bow know to keep it from getting undone. A silver sapphire ring went on her right ring finger and a small pair of silver sapphire earrings went into her ears. After brushing her neck length ebony hair until it was neat and smooth she looked herself over in the mirror. Her outfit was practical, comfortable and most importantly, cute. Way cuter than mage robes, fur boots and long underwear could ever be, even if they were warm and comfortable and kept her cozy in a cold library. Satisfied, Alice headed back downstairs to greet everyone anew. She had been gone about fifteen minutes.

"Hello everyone, I'm back! And I look much better, don't you agree?" It was of course a rhetorical question. Alice looked lovely and adorable and couldn't help but spin around just to watch her skirt puff and fall back down while her apron stayed secure.

"Alice, it is inappropriate to wear your pajamas in public. Please return to the room and get dressed."

"Than you, Peter." Alice said, politeness seeping under the sarcasm. Tranquils really could be thick sometimes. "I'll be back shortly everyone." she turned on her heels and retreated back up the stairs from which she came to finally change into something more suitable. Kenzi began to finish her drink before looking at her new friends and figuring that they had to be in this rocky tomb for the damned march. Before too long she'd be in the deathly prideful parade with her fellow countrymen. Her armor began to glisten for a moment as she got up to join the march until Alice came down,

"Hello everyone, I'm back! And I look much better, don't you agree?" Alice dawned a quaint and typical dress a girl her age would wear; just above the knees and sleeves stopping at the elbow, with enough blue to match the white apron to make it seem like she cut a piece of the sky and sewn it into the fabric.

"What 'ave we 'ere? Look at you all regal and plopse. Good thing you got yourself a protector watching over you; wouldn't want some knobhead ripping that dress. As much as I want to shoot the piss, I got to take part in this sodding march. We'er not getting any younger, eh? Time to shove the pointy end up some arse'oles! Damn frigging blighted bastards," Kenzi eventually trailed off and into the march, getting bumped by a mercenary and shot a threat at him, "You want an arrow in the eye?"

The man scooted forward a ways while she walked with enough room to be comfortable. As she continued the steady beat of the footsteps, she caught sight of a brown haired man of at least 6 feet. How was it to spot a short, blonde haired girl in a sea of Fereldens? Not very hard in fact.

Arthur had gotten drunk last night; that much was a fact. He had ordered many drinks at the bar and slept heartily afterwards in his room. This morning, however, was the morning that everything really would set into motion for the March. He knew he wanted to attend the parade but he didn't want to war any of his simple clothes. He spent a few minutes polishing his armor a bit, not doing a thorough job but at least ensuring that the blood was off. Blood never shined gloriously like all the stories told.

He went out into the city to see the marching units. They would soon be thrust into battle as part of a crusade but it was enjoyable to see the extravagance beforehand. He had no delusions that the March would be easy; darkspawn never had the sense to die easily. He knew that plenty of people would die.

That's when someone caught Arthur's eye. A short, blonde haired Dalish Elf. Certainly not another figure that faded into the background amongst the Human Ferelden Sea. And then he also happened to notice a tranquil with two girls and, from the way they clumped, he could tell they were all in the March Together.

"Well, I've been all around Ferelden for as long as I could hold I sword, but I've never seen a group quite like this" he said, to no one in particular.

Gendrick smiled as Derek drew up alongside him. He looked back over his shoulder at the men behind him. The onyx black armor of the Legion of the Dead mixed perfectly with the polished silver of the Grey Warden's armor. They were a formidable crew to be sure. "Let me guess... Astyth the Grey? We could use a good dozen Silent Sisters down here right about now." He chuckled not sure if Derek understood. "She's a Paragon. The bravest woman to ever walk among our kind. A fierce warrior, no doubt." They walked in silence for a short while. "I expect we'll find some Darkspawn, soon. You're a Warden, you lot can sense them right? You'll tell us when they're coming?" The Grey Wardens claimed to be a great many things. Gendrick didn't fully trust the surfacers. Derek was a friend, an ally. But if Gendrick had said he fully trusted the man, he certainly would have been lying.

Alice was a bit confused as to Kenzi's sudden eschewing of manners. The woman seemed positively drunk despite only seeing her twenty minutes ago. It wasn't a good way to begin any important task, much less a holy war against the darkspawn, but before Alice could voice her concerns Kenzi was gone. She had bumped into a large warrior that looked to be a fellow Fereldan. This didn't really interest Alice though, as she felt little for her countrymen. Being locked in a tower with mages had a way of making your world very small and had stripped her of any real sense of national pride. Unless there were other Fereldans who wanted to help her like Kenzi, or other mages from other parts of the world, Alice simply didn't care. Selana wouldn't care either but that was more because Selana tended to see the great cup of life as half-empty. It made her hard to live with some days.

Thinking about Selana made Alice curious as to exactly where she was. Tapsters was getting crowded and she had lost sight of Selana and Peter. After a few minutes of searching however she found them both at the bar. They were ending a conversation that had something to do with why Selana couldn't have a mug of ale to "deal with the crowds." Alice was more concerned about when and where the three of them were supposed to join the March.

"Peter." Alice called, her soft and sweet voice barely audible over the background. "Where exactly are we supposed to go to join the March? I'm eager to get started and I'm worried we might have missed it."

"You needn't worry Alice, for we have not missed it." Peter said in his usual flat voice. "The First Enchanter has ordered us to wait here while the rest of the Circle assembles. We are to march in under Templar protection with a vanguard of mercenary warriors to clear our path. We will wait here until the First Enchanter sends for us."

"All right then, I just hope it's soon. I'm afraid to say it, but the waiting's making me nervous."

"There is no need to be nervous child. You are in good hands."

Alice wasn't convinced but she trusted Peter. She took a seat by Selana and looked to her best friend. "Do you feel ready for this Lana? Do you think they'll send us to fight? I hope not."

"But-" Selana's sentence was suddenly cut off by Alice, who asking Peter about when they would be seeing the First Enchanter. Good question! Selana was really tired of dealing with the Tranquil. She couldn't wait to get into the Deep Roads. And of course Peter just told her that they would have to wait. Ugh. Selana tuned out the rest of their conversation.

After a few seconds, Alice plopped down on the stool next to Selana. "Do you feel ready for this Lana? Do you think they'll send us to fight? I hope not." Asked Alice, clearly nervous.

Selana looked over at her friend. While she wasn't surprised by Alice's opinions on the matter, she didn't understand them. "Alice, why would we be here if it wasn't to fight? Isn't that what the whole thing is about? Going into the Deep Roads and killing Darkspawn?"

Despite being her friend, Alice was very good at confusing Selana. Selana had made the trek all the way to Orzammar, putting up with Peter the entire way. There was no way she went this far only to find out that she wouldn't get to fight. She would sneak into the Deep Roads if need be.

"Of course it is. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't. I just figured we'd be in some sort of supporting role. Healing wounds perhaps, or helping with buff spells. I mean, I know some healing magic and I've seen you enchant weapons with flame magic so I figured..." Selana gave her an annoyed look and Alice scrambled to qualify herself so as not to give her the wrong idea. She was babbling and that was because she was scared. Logic dictated she had every right to be scared. They were about to go to war and anyone who wasn't at least a little afraid in battle was a fool. Peter reinforced this when Alice was addressing her concerns to him yesterday. But Alice was also a creature of emotion. She wanted to be brave so she could do her duty. If she showed her fear she was a coward and no one respected a coward. She sighed and simply decided to be honest with Lana. If she didn't understand she might listen. And if she didn't do that, it would still be good to get it off her chest.

"Look Lana, I'm just as ready to fight as you are but I'm scared. I'm worried that I won't be able to fight when we need to. That I'll fail when I'm needed most. I've also got some reservations about the Templars. If we're really going to be travelling with them and if they realize our Circle's no longer being watched thanks to what Paul did they might not be so careful in guarding us. What if they mistreat us or give us some other grief?"

"Then they will have to answer to Ser Titus and there isn't a soul alive who would dare cross him now." An old wizened voice said from behind Alice. She felt a warm wrinkled hand on her shoulder and saw that the other was on Selana's. She turned around and saw that the hands' owner was none other than First Enchanter Irving himself. It seemed their wondering was over.

"F-First Enchanter?" Alice asked, startled. She hastily straightened her dress and apron while her cheeks turned pink with surprise and some embarrassment. "Maker's breath, please forgive me sir. I-I had no idea you were behind me and with the Exalted March finally upon us I..." Alice was interrupted when Irving hugged her. She returned it, immensely grateful for his warmth and kindness. Alice had never had a grandfather but if she did she imagined he would be like Irving. "Thank you First Enchanter. I needed that. Good morning sir."

"Good morning child." He said with a chuckle and a smile of endearment. "Peter tells me you've been very well behaved. I'm pleased to hear that as this March has many dangers and we must be able to trust each other." He turned to Selana. "And you, my dear, have been causing a bit of mischief from what I hear. Peter has almost expressed frustration in looking after you and that in itself is quite impressive. Well done in keeping Peter alert! All the same child, you could do without that little rain cloud that seems to follow you."

"I wouldn't worry about that sir." Alice said, instinctively covering for Selana. "I'm sure Lana's mood will pick up when we get underway."

"Ah yes. Our grand adventure into the Deep Roads to slay the Darkspawn. That's one reason I'm here. We will be providing support for the third wave of the March and will be leaving before midday. Upon that time you three will assemble with the rest of the Circle and we will march to Aeducan Thaig, which will be secure by then."

"Understood First Enchater." Peter said. "And what is the other reason?"

"I wanted to check on your charges Peter. I understand they had a harrowing night and wanted to make sure they were well enough to march. We must all be fully ready and should take the time to rest if not. I promise you both that you will not be left out. Do you feel you are ready Alice?"

"I feel I'm as ready as I'll ever be sir." Alice said honestly. "What will Lana and I be doing?"

"We mages will be supporting the main advance of our wave and you two will help support us. This is an excellent opportunity to practice both your healing magic and your protection spells."

Selana did not look pleased at this.

"I'll do my best sir. By the way Lana, could I maybe borrow your nightgown tonight? Or at least try it on? It's really cute and I want to see how it looks on me. You can of course borrow my footy pajamas." Alice said.

"I know you will child." He turned to Selana with the same kindness. "And what about you Selana? Are you ready to aid us? Peter tells me you had quite the nightmare last night. If you want more rest you can march with a later wave."

Selana turned to Alice and shrugged. "Sure. Why not?"

"And what about you Selana? Are you ready to aid us? Peter tells me you had quite the nightmare last night. If you want more rest you can march with a later wave."

"I'm fine" Selana said quickly, perhaps a bit too quickly. You got this, she thought to herself. She breathed in deeply. "I'm fine First Enchanter".

She didn't want to rest, or go in with a later wave. It was bad enough that they weren't going to be fighting, there was no way she going to wait longer to go in.

She would be bored out of her mind waiting. She hoped the First Enchanter didn't try to force her. If he did she would probably sneak out. Come to think of it, she would be bored out of her mind not being able to fight. Then again, they couldn't really stop her from fighting, could they? She wouldn't be anybodies top priority while killing darkspawn. "In fact First Enchanter, I'm feeling great."

"Thanks Lana." Alice said, smiling at her friend. "We'll do the trade tonight once we're settled into whatever camp they're sending us to and we're ready for bed." She held her arms out for a hug and hoped Lana would give her one. Alice was rattled with nervous energy. They were going to be in a support role as she expected, in the rear away from the fighting. She was fine with that, relieved even, but that would not suit Lana at all. She was so eager to get out there and start killing Darkspawn and Alice just didn't understand that. Battles were terrible, terrifying things and children had no business in one. Yet she and Lana were doing just that because their Circle needed her. A skilled warrior had just as much chance to die in battle as an untrained peasant and Lana wanted to rush off into one? Alice was certain that she'd try and sneak off as soon as she could and if that happened she'd get herself killed. Alice would not let that happen. If and wen Lana snuck off to get into trouble then Alice would follow and by Andraste's buck teeth they would both come back.

"That's good to hear child." Irving said. "Be sure to be outside the entrance to the Deep Roads at 11:30 and be ready for a long march." Then he leaned in closer to Lana, close enough so only she could hear. "And if, by some wild chance, you decide to sneak off to some ill-thought adventure without Peter's notice than please, for the Maker's infinite mercy, bring Alice with you. You cannot and will not be alone in the Deep Roads. I cannot stress that enough. If you do you will die and no one will know the difference. Do you understand me child?"

Meanwhile, at the end of the commons and the entrance to the Deep Roads the vanguard force of Legion of the Dead, the Silent Sisters and the Grey Wardens were assembled and ready to march. King Harrowmont had arrived with his personal guard, the finest warriors of houses Dace, Harrowmont and Aeducan, to personally address them. He walked up to Gendrick, Leader of the Legion's contingent and Derek, leader of the Warden detachment. The Legion's entire number were here along with half the Grey Wardens. Over a thousand men in all and the tip of the spear. Ser Titus was with the other half of the Wardens in the second wave of the March, consisting of the armies that made up the parade.

"Brothers, sisters and Wardens of the First Wave." Harrowmont began. "You are the vanguard of the Exalted March. The tip of this mighty lance of stone that will skewer the heart of the Darkspawn. Your target is Bownommar, the headquarters of the Legion and the base from which you will launch the campaign against the most important asset the Darkspawn can have. Their broodmothers. If you fail, the Darkspawn will have endless reinforcements but if you succeed the Darkspawn's numbers will be depleted in a matter of weeks and this March will be a total victory. This is the hardest of tasks and all of you may die. But you are the elite of both Orzammar and the surface. You are the best of the best and the only ones capable of doing this. And I know you all will. Battle is an old friend to all of you so I will not waste my breath on heavy speeches, so remember this. If you survive you will be a hero forever. If you fall, you will be wit the Stone for ever. But whether you live or die, get the job done. That is all."

They all gave a loud cheer and Harrowmont smiled. Then he stepped closer to Gendrick and Derek to address them personally. "Gendrick. Derek. I have a request for both of you. We are about to take the fight to the Darkspawn for the first time in hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. Our information is poor at best and this entire March will fail if not handled with exacting care and luck every step of the way. Many from the surface are inexperienced and naive and thousands will die in the next few days. If all should fail, if things get to their absolute worst down there, I ask that you lead as many as possible out of the Deep Roads so they may see the sun again. That means you two must keep yourselves alive at all costs. You are leaders and as leaders we cannot afford to take personal risks. If we die our armies die with us. Will you do this for me?"

"And if, by some wild chance, you decide to sneak off to some ill-thought adventure without Peter's notice than please, for the Maker's infinite mercy, bring Alice with you. You cannot and will not be alone in the Deep Roads. I cannot stress that enough. If you do you will die and no one will know the difference. Do you understand me child?"

Selana nodded and Irving drew back. As much as she would love to heed Irving orders and take Alice with her, she knew that wasn't an option. Alice would never go with her. She would likely rat her out to Peter, or possibly try to make her stay herself. Neither was an option in Selana's eyes. As much as she loved Alice an wanted to be with her, it wasn't going to happen.

Selana turned to Alice. "You want to go out now? I'm getting restless waiting here."

Without waiting for an answer she hopped up from her seat and ran out the door, a huge smile on her face.

Derek chuckled at Gendrick's comment about the Paragon. "Aye, I know who she is. You spend as much time down here as I have, you pick up on a thing or two." He replied.

"I expect we'll find some Darkspawn, soon. You're a Warden, you lot can sense them right? You'll tell us when they're coming?" Gendrick asked him. Derek shuddered a bit. "Yes, we can, in a way. Not the best feeling." He said, shrugging. Harrowmont stopped the column, coming forward to give a speech.

"Brothers, sisters and Wardens of the First Wave." He began. "You are the vanguard of the Exalted March. The tip of this mighty lance of stone that will skewer the heart of the Darkspawn. Your target is Bownommar, the headquarters of the Legion and the base from which you will launch the campaign against the most important asset the Darkspawn can have. Their broodmothers. If you fail, the Darkspawn will have endless reinforcements but if you succeed the Darkspawn's numbers will be depleted in a matter of weeks and this March will be a total victory. This is the hardest of tasks and all of you may die. But you are the elite of both Orzammar and the surface. You are the best of the best and the only ones capable of doing this. And I know you all will. Battle is an old friend to all of you so I will not waste my breath on heavy speeches, so remember this. If you survive you will be a hero forever. If you fall, you will be wit the Stone for ever. But whether you live or die, get the job done. That is all." He said finishing up. As everyone was cheering, Harrowmont looked right at Derek and Gendrick, walking up to them. Derek bowed slightly in respect. "Gendrick. Derek. I have a request for both of you. We are about to take the fight to the Darkspawn for the first time in hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. Our information is poor at best and this entire March will fail if not handled with exacting care and luck every step of the way. Many from the surface are inexperienced and naive and thousands will die in the next few days. If all should fail, if things get to their absolute worst down there, I ask that you lead as many as possible out of the Deep Roads so they may see the sun again. That means you two must keep yourselves alive at all costs. You are leaders and as leaders we cannot afford to take personal risks. If we die our armies die with us. Will you do this for me?" He asked them both. Derek let out a sigh. "I will do my best." He said simply, looking at Gendrick.

The tall man that she had been staring at finally piped up, making Kenzi snicker as she began to talk "I 'avent seen this many Fereldens in one place in me life! Name's Kenzi. I'm ready to shove an arrow up their sodding arses!" She said as she gave a smirk as she twirled one of her arrows. The marching of numerous boots came to a sudden stop, making her bump into someone as the king half stack, Harrowmont, started giving a speech. Her and half of her countrymen couldn't help but sigh at the nobles speech.

"Brothers, sisters and Wardens of the First Wave." Harrowmont began to get fire in his belly. "You are the vanguard of the Exalted March. The tip of this mighty lance of stone that will skewer the heart of the Darkspawn. Your target is Bownommar, the headquarters of the Legion and the base from which you will launch the campaign against the most important asset the Darkspawn can have. Their broodmothers. If you fail, the Darkspawn will have endless reinforcements but if you succeed the Darkspawn's numbers will be depleted in a matter of weeks and this March will be a total victory. This is the hardest of tasks and all of you may die. But you are the elite of both Orzammar and the surface. You are the best of the best and the only ones capable of doing this. And I know you all will. Battle is an old friend to all of you so I will not waste my breath on heavy speeches, so remember this. If you survive you will be a hero forever. If you fall, you will be wit the Stone for ever. But whether you live or die, get the job done. That is all."


As soon as he was done, the parade started moving again, making her sigh in relief as she was starting to want to hit multiple people for standing too close to her. She wanted to get to the damned fighting already. This speech made her think of her past life, and of her family. As much as she hates everyone, she dearly loved her family, although being a noble's daughter was hard and sometimes very annoying. Right now, she misses that very sense of annoyance. Instead of the annoying memories, like the time her mother tried to pick suitors, she chose to remember a few key memories instead.

'I remember when my father would go out to ride during war time and fight alongside his men, not order them around behind thick walls as if they were his chess pieces. That's how every man should be. I still remember having worry in the back of my mind about father when he rode out, but always knowing he could fell anything. Fergus would always tell me stories of his achievements and battles. One dark evening, just before bed, our cook, Nan, made us a plate of her Orlesian sweet cakes with honey and sugar, and then we sat by a fire as we talked. Most people didn't know that Ole' Nan knew how to make the Orlesian treats, but I knew and it was our little secret. She told me that a king who just sits on his throne and makes speeches while his men are dying is not a decent man or a decent king. My father was an exceptional man and father while still being a fair king.'

Even as a noble she couldn't stand her own kind; how they put on a 'show of strength' for a crowd when all they are is fierce in the mouth. Her family never seemed like that on the inside. Maybe to some peasant, but she knew that her father tried his best for the common folk. He was loved by most of his subjects. How she missed her family. Fergus rules over their land, and she is out here, in a giant underground city participating in a massive several kingdom march to lay waste to the Darkspawn. Fergus would be proud knowing that his little sister's arrows will find the head of every hurlock. Hells, Kenzi would give up her tremendous shot for her family to be whole, in it's entirety. Either way it wasn't going to happen and either way she was about to sent off to spill tainted blood.

"When will this bloody march end and get to stickin the Darkspawn, eh? I came 'ere for killin, not bloody speeches by high born tits!"

"I...guess so." Alice said as Selana simply walked off without her, not even bothering to wait until she could say "Templar." Alice loved her Lana like a sister, they really were sisters in all but blood, but she could be so insufferably stubborn.

"Andraste's long underwear Lana, you are stubborn as a mule and twice as frowny."

"I'll have to agree with you there child." Irving chuckled. Alice turned to him with her hands behind her back and gave him a pleading look.

"First Enchanter, please! Do something about Lana! She's going to get herself killed fighting the Darkspawn simply because we told her not to!"

"And what would you have me do child?" He asked Alice quizzically. "Put her under Templar guard? Lock her into her room? Put a dog collar around her neck? She will find a way around any barrier we place because she had made up her mind to do so. Just as you have made up yours to behave yourself. Nothing I do can deter Selana from her course."

"What are you talking about?!" Alice exclaimed, raising her voice when she really shouldn't have. "You're the First Enchanter! OUR First Enchanter! You have sway over even the Circle's Templars! You can make sure Lana goes nowhere!"

"How would that be any different than the way she's been treated for the past ten years?" Irving asked calmly. He pulled out a chair for Alice and then sat down himself. "Sit down Alice." She was getting upset. She didn't understand how Irving could be so calm about this. She wanted to storm out into the street, grab Selana by her hair and drag her back but she knew that wouldn't do any good. He was right. Selana would do what she would do. She always did. Alice took her seat and looked at Irving, tears welling up in her eyes and trying hard not to cry. "Alice, Selana has been locked away in the Circle Tower all her life just as you. Her magic is great but unstable. She has suffered terribly under the Templars and almost all the mages, even I, have been been hurt by her at least once. Now she is in the wider world, free from walls and books and spells. She is free for the first time in her life and is so incensed by this that she's trying to experience that all at once. She wants to get into battle so badly because she is afraid that it will be over quickly and she'll have to go back to the tower. But this is not the case. This will be a long hard battle, one which may take years to win. Once Selana realizes this, and a little fear will help it along greatly, she will be more cooperative. But that has not happened yet. She's worried the world will run away without her and is desperately trying to keep up with it. That is why she is so impatient and restless. Do you understand child?"

"Yes First Enchanter." Alice said. "I understand very well and that's why I'm so scared for her. I don't want to be a tattle tale or to drag her back to the tower in irons. This is a wonderful world we live in and I want Lana to experience it with me. But she can't do that if she's dead or carried off by the darkspawn or Maker knows what else. And when she rushes off to battle that's exactly what's going to happen. And I can't stop her."

"We've already established that child, but you can be with her."

"What do you mean?" Alice asked, suspicious that the First Enchanter was about to tell her to break the rules and not liking that at all. "You mean sneak off with her? Be an accomplice to her rule breaking? Get into trouble along with her simply for trying to keep her alive? How can you even consider that!? You're the First Enchanter!"

"You keep invoking my title as if it's some sort of mandate from the Maker himself." Irving said, unable to hide his smile. "Yes, I am the First Enchanter. Responsible for the care and safety of every mage in my Circle. And I must do this by any means necessary. You're a rule-follower Alice. You always have been. You've had to be considering you were a husk for so long. But you're going to learn that following the rules isn't always the best thing to do. Especially when the rules keep you from something or someone you love, just as now. You're a good and lovely girl and going with Selana on any wild-eye adventures to make sure she stays alive adds to that, not detracts from it."

"So....Are you saying...It's okay to break the rules under special circumstances?"

"It's a part of growing up child. Until you break a few rules you cannot know which ones are there for your protection and which ones are there for your obstruction. All of it comes down to choice. And you have the choice of sitting here and worrying about your friend and sister mage or running after her and doing something about it. What does your heart tell you to do?"

He was right. Alice wanted to be with Selana, wherever she went. It was only her sense of duty and what she thought was expected of her that's kept her here. And now Irving had given her leave to do what she wanted. She couldn't help but hug him. "Thank you First Enchanter. I know what I need to do. I promise I'll stay with Lana and bring both of us back to the tower!" She started running off towards the door. "I promise!" She called. Peter stared with blank observation but Irving couldn't help but smile. Alice was finally growing up.

"Is that course of action wise First Enchanter?" Peter asked. "Alice and Selana are still very young. They cannot control their magic as you can. They will be in grave danger."

"We're going to war Peter. We're all in grave danger. The other Circle members and many of the Templars know our girls and will keep a watchful eye on them. Plus we have their phylacteries. If they get lost we will find them. They are also more powerful than you may think my friend. They will be alright."

"Lana!" Alice called as she ran after her. "Lana, wait up!" When she caught up to her and could walk beside her she did so. "I'm coming with you. I'm not going to let you face the Deep Roads alone. If the Templars don't like it let them hang! I'm not going to abandon you!"

Meanwhile, the March was finally beginning to move. The first wave was marching out, the second wave was in position and the third wave, the wave of mages, chanters, mercenaries and adventurers, was getting ready to march in several hours. There were over fifteen thousand people in this wave and every one of them needed a hot meal before they left. Nan was organizing one of the many food lines battling a crusty beef pot when she saw Kenzi in the distance. The aging woman dropped her brush in shock. Ever since Howe's men sacked Castle Cousland she and her two city elf assistants Jack and Lisa had been living hand to mouth on whatever odd jobs they could find. They had been able to return to Highever after the Blight when Fergus was made the new Teyern and were now part of Highever's forces under the command of Ser Gillmore. All of them had survived Howe's treachery through running, hiding and in some cases, cowardice. Shameful but life-saving and now vindicated. But she had no idea Kenzi was still alive. She had built a whole life for herself outside Highever as a wandering adventurer and Nan had only been able to return six months ago. She had heard a great deal about Kenzi in that time but thought it was all hogwash. Now she knew it was true.

"Jack! Lisa!" She snapped. "Drop yer brooms and get over here! Our Ladyship is alive and by the Maker we're not letting her get away!"

"Lady Kenzi is alive!?" Jack spouted, nearly chocking on his own spit. "But when Lord Fergus told us..."

"I bloody well remember what he told us boy! That was six months ago and he didn't know better! Our Ladyship is alive and he he's been away so he can't bloody well tell us!"

"Then let's go!" Lisa said. "Maker be praised this is a miracle!"

"You bet your knife-ears it's a miracle!" Nan said. "Now there's gonna be a lot more Darkspawn gettin' an arrow shoved up their arse holes." She sprinted over to Kenzi with the elves following close by. "My Lady!" She shouted over the thousands of marching boots and soldiers. "Lady Cousland!"

"When will this bloody march end and get to stickin the Darkspawn, eh? I came 'ere for killin, not bloody speeches by high born tits!" Kenzi shouted to no one in particular. Yes. That was definitely Nan's little firebrand. She hadn't changed one big. She put on her nan voice. It always got Kenzi's attention. "You watch your language you little moppet! Or it'll be the wooden spoon for you!"

Her eyes widened and her head perked up as her ears focused on a familiar sound. This very sound haunted her childhood at times, followed by pain and slight defeat. It was a voice; the voice of... Nan. "My Lady!" She shouted over the chiliad of steel feet, armored chests, and roaring men. "Lady Cousland!" "Nan? Oh gods no! She'll blow my cover! It's to late to slip into the crowd. I'll have to confront her How in the hells did she make it out of the castle anyway? Might as well ask her at this point' It would seem Kenzi's life had caught up with her in a weird turn of events. Apparently Nan and her elven assistants, Jack and Lisa, had escaped that very night and now they're serving Fergus as cooks for the men and women of the frontline. Even cooks have important roles. Hunger can kill just as effectively as a blade. When a man is hungry, they are slower, weaker, and not at their best. Strength is at a minimum as it's feeding on fats to keep going, then at it's lowest will begin to eat itself. She remembered being under siege and how one piece of bread would be worth a lot more than a bauble. Thieves were peasant kings for the people that her father could not help. They tried their best to help their subjects, but they had to do what they had to do. Not a pleasant memory to say the least.

"You watch your language you little moppet! Or it'll be the wooden spoon for you!"
"Nan! Keep it down! I really don't want to be marked as the Lady Cousland!"
"And why not? You are a lady! It needs to be known!"
"Not as long as I can help it. Jack, Lisa, it's so good to see you! Same to you Nan!" she gave the group a hug as the second wave was in preparation for moving, "I hear you might be at our camp later on. Good! I want you to meet someone. She could use your sweet talking.... and your stern talkings as well. How is Fergus? What of Ser Gillmore? I assume you're under his wing?"

The one place where she knew that she wouldn't see anyone from her past life, instead was filled with faces from her old home. Who else was she bound to see? Welcomed faces yes, but more of a surprise and now she must fill them in as to why she wants to be incognito among her countrymen and women. For as long as she could remember she almost never used her last name to get further ahead than the average person. If people found out now, she could not only be singled out, but some would come to her for counsel or blame her for the Darkspawn. What else did they want? The blight ravaged her family's land, and both her and Fergus bled enough for the damned Darkspawn. They lost their parent's because of it. Now, she wanted to repay every last tainted piece of filth for as long as she could breath. At this point, her sole purpose was to end every Darkspawn, and anyone else who wants to get in the way of Kenzi Cousland.

Selana was running down the streets of Orzammar, dodging between soldiers and other people who covered the streets. She was laughing. Getting around them was easy for her, considering her narrow frame. Her blood boiled in excitement.

"Lana! Lana, wait up!"

Selana slowed and turned to look at the familiar face of Alice. Selana took note of a flicker of something that she had never seen on Alice, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

"Glad you caught up Alice". She smiled.

"I'm coming with you. I'm not going to let you face the Deep Roads alone. If the Templars don't like it let them hang! I'm not going to abandon you!"

Utter shock washed over Selana. Those words were not something the Alice she knew would ever say. As the shock subsided, slight suspicion creeped in. She could be trying to trick her, so that she could bring Selana back once they left.

"Your sure? Your not just trying to trick me?" asked the Selana, examining Alice's face for signs of dishonesty.

As Derek stood waiting for Gendrick's answer, he began hearing a familiar, if nagging, voice, piercing its way through the commotion which was just beginning to flare back up after Harrowmont's speech.

"You watch your language you little moppet! Or it'll be the wooden spoon for you!" The Voice broke out across slowly increasing noise level. "Nan?" He said under his breath. Turning to look back at Harrowmont, he bowed slightly to the Dwarven king. "If you would excuse me." He said politely. Harrowmont nodded, but warned him to be quick. Turning towards the rear, he proceeded to make his way back quickly, pushing gently through the dwarven and Warden lines. As he broke through the first rank, at the rear, he saw the unmistakable form of Nan, and her two workers, Jack and Lisa. Nan seemed to be giving a stern talk to a young woman, who's face was hidden from the angle that Derek was approaching from. "Nan?" He called out, this time louder. The older woman looked up at him, and raised an eyebrow.

"Aye, that's me. And who might you be?" She asked, her face somewhat stern. Derek was somewhat taken aback by the question, but then he remembered he had his Helmet on, which covered most of his face. He shrugged his shoulders, and then lifted off his helmet, giving Nan a lop sided grin. Recognition donned on her face, and she let out a chuckle.

"I haven't seen you since you joined up with the Army. So, your a Warden now, eh? Times sure have changed, although I can still remember the little brat that did a small stint in my Kitchens." She told him.

"Still a sweet old lady I see." Derek replied, chuckling. "In actuality, it is good to see you. I had heard that almost everyone had been killed back home. Being with the Wardens had prevented me from returning back, so I never knew what truly happened, besides something to do with Arle Howe. Still, it is good to see a friendly face. Well, sort of friendly, anyways." He said, winking, to which she replied with a scoff. Derek nodded at Jack and Lisa, who smiled and nodded back in return.
"So, what did she do to earn such a good scold..." Derek's voice trailed off as he got a good look at the woman, surprise taking over. "I had heard that everyone in the Teryn's family had been slain. Mostly from rumors, but still, I didn't know any still lived." He said. Curling his helmet up under his arm, he brought his hand up to his chest, fist closed, in a salute, and gave a slight bow to Kenzi. As he straightened back up, he realized he had taken to long, lifting his helmet back up, he set it onto his head gently. He turned to look at Nan again. "I'll try and catch up with you fully later, hopefully, at the forward camp." He told her. Steeling one last glance at Kenzi, he turned, and began making his way back to the front, to take his place by Gendrick. It took him about two minutes to push his way back to the front, falling back into place. "Lets get this show on the road." He said, chuckling.

Gendrick wanted to be reassured, but he just couldn't be. He refused to rely on Derek's Warden senses solely throughout the March, even though he trusted the man with his life. The pair waited side by side as Harrowmont addressed the crowds, and as they burst into rapturous applause,the King of Orzammar turned to address Gendrick and Derek. "Gendrick. Derek. I have a request for both of you. We are about to take the fight to the Darkspawn for the first time in hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. Our information is poor at best and this entire March will fail if not handled with exacting care and luck every step of the way. Many from the surface are inexperienced and naive and thousands will die in the next few days. If all should fail, if things get to their absolute worst down there, I ask that you lead as many as possible out of the Deep Roads so they may see the sun again. That means you two must keep yourselves alive at all costs. You are leaders and as leaders we cannot afford to take personal risks. If we die our armies die with us. Will you do this for me?" That was the moment where the enormity of the March hit him. The responsibility that was upon his shoulders. He was a dead man, meant to be devoid of all sense bar that of duty and honor, and yet he knew deep down that he was responsible for the lives of millions. What if he couldn't do it? If Gendrick should fall, then the Legion fell wit him. Should the Legion fall... then may the Paragons have mercy on those that followed.

Gendrick shook the doubt from his mind as he steeled himself to reply to his King. Derek spoke first, replying simply; "I will do my best." Derek and Harrowmont looked to him, but as he opened his mouth to speak they were interrupted. Something had caught Derek's attention, and he excused himself. Gendrick watched him curiously as he conversed with another surfacer. Harrowmont caught his gaze. "Do you trust him, Lieutenant?"
Gendrick pondered the question, cursing Derek for moving out of earshot. He looked up and into Harrowmont's eyes. "It may be a mistake... but yes." Harrowmont looked Gendrick up and down. "Then so be it." Derek pushed his way back alongside Gendrick, facing Harrowmont. "Let's get this show on the road." Gendrick clenched his fist and slammed it against his breastplate, holding it against the cold steel and dropping to one knee before the King. "My axe is yours to command, my King. The Darkspawn shall know your wrath, that your light may cleanse these tainted halls and reclaim that which was lost. Even the shadows shall know your fury, my King." He stood and lowered his fist. "We will not fail you."

"Look Lana, if I had my way we'd both go back to Peter and report to whatever menial task the March needs from us. We're mages but we're also servants of the Maker and we're here to help in whatever capacity needed. But you and I both know that's not going to happen. You're already on your way to make trouble just because you can, heedless of the consequences. So I'm going with you. I'm going with you because you're going to need my help and I'll give you a better chance of going back home alive. First Enchanter Irving and I had a talk and...well...he convinced me that sometimes loyalty to your sister is more important than being a good girl and following the rules. And I say the templars can hang if they don't like it because our Circle no longer answers to the Templars. If we're allowed to watch ourselves then we can make our own decisions. Any trouble we face we'll face together."

She held out her hand and smiled at Selana, her own speech building up her confidence. "C'mon. Let's go join the March."

Nan wasn't happy that Kenzi wanted to hide her nobility. She was a Lady and she deserved to be treated like one. But it had been over two years since they'd seen each other and Kenzi was all grown up now. She had built a life and she could make her own decisions. Nan didn't like it but it wasn't her decision to make and Derek's bumbling wasn't helping. She was glad to see him again, she wasn't sure any of the soldiers besides Ser Gilmore had survived, but the boy always was a bit thick. She folded her arms and looked back at Kenzi.

"Well my lady, if that's really what you want then I guess we'll have to abide by it. But I don't like it and I'm damn well gonna tell your brother about this when we get back to Highever. Assuming I'm still breathing that is."

"I wouldn't worry about that Nan." Lisa said smiling. "I don't think there's a Darkspawn alive that could crack your hard leathery skin.

"Or that shrill voice you've got." Jack said. "You could scold those Darkspawn back to the Black City you could." Both elves knew they were treading on thin ice but right now they needed a little catharsis.

"Oh really?" Nan asked, raising an eyebrow and brandishing her frying pan. "I might just use you two as sword fodder for that one. Certainly wish I could but pots don't scrub themselves. Shame that." They looked to each other nervously and when Nan saw the looks on their faces she did something no one had seen her do in years. She laughed. A great big belly laugh that caused her to drop her pan, causing it to clatter to the floor. Jack and Lisa were very confused at this but amazed that their mistress and mentor could actually laugh and smile.

"Oh come off it you two! I'll be the first to admit I'm an old hag with a Genlock's looks and a mule's head but you both know I'm not heartless. Old Nan's been lookin' after you, all of you, since you were in nappies and that means you're all my charges. Do yer jobs, don't sass back to me and you're both gonna be fine." She looked back to Kenzi. "That goes for you and Derek too My Lady. And I can't promise I'll stop calling you that but I will make the effort." She pulled Kenzi into a big hug, the group hug they'd just had not doing either of them justice. "Now forgive me but I've got a lot of hungry soldiers to feed before our wave marches. You'll be with us with the rest of Highever's forces under the command of Ser Gilmore. He wanted me to track you down and report to him when you're ready. Also, if you wouldn't mind helping out your old nan I've got two girls that are supposed to report to me for dish duty. Circle mages. Can't remember their bloody names but their First Enchanter said they were green as grass and needed a bit of time to get acclimated to a war camp. One of them's supposed to be trouble and would try to sneak off. I told him I took that as a challenge. Anyway My Lady, if you see them, Allie and Serana I think their names are or something like that, send 'em my way."

She was about to head off when she remembered something else and turned back around. "Oh, and if I see that bloody dog of yours I'm showin' him the business end of a meat cleaver. This isn't the castle and I can't be havin' him eating up all my roasts. Keep that dog away from my kitchen. Are we clear?" She brandished her pan like a sword to emphasize her point.