“Many ways lay forth, but I there was only one direction. Forward.”

From the Journal of Eratus Riverwood

I peeked around the wall, and found the same as I did in the last ruined house. Bits of weathered clay, ancient wooden boards which could have been part of the floor or the ceiling, and lots of grass crooning in the direction of sunlight.

No hidden trap-doors. No suspicious switches which would have revealed a hidden passageway. Nothing special.

If the surge of disappointment wasn’t enough, my back creaked with pain as I stood back up.

I winced, biting down a groan, before crouching and rolling onto one of the boards. I shifted over to lay against what remained of the house wall. At least the stones held against my weight. If the long assault of time and weather hadn’t battered these foundations, then the extra pounds from my body was unlikely to do so.

At least the sun was now out of my eyes. I took just a moment to relax, sighing as the cold bricks soothed my baked back like a healing balm. A breeze whistled past my face, carrying with it the scent of the ocean. Just a moment, before the reality of my situation sunk back in.

Fifty-six ruined houses and nothing to show for it. Nothing except for chapped lips, torn fingers, blistered feet, sweat-drenched clothes, and a sunbaked neck.

The injuries and bodily punishment I could handle. Not much worse than a regular day’s patrol in the desert Badlands.

What grated me was the lack of progress.

I looked over my right shoulder, past a crack in the wall where the city of Denerim lay. Two figures, probably members of the city guard, patrolled along the outer walls. The same ones who had been pointing in my direction earlier. Likely calling me some dolt who was simpering about long looted ruins.

Now I was tempted to agree with them.

“It appears today’s efforts did not yield a productive outcome.”

“No need to remind me.” I rolled my eyes, taking out a goatskin pouch and taking a sip of stale water.

“It doesn’t appear that the advice given by this Flemeth figure has led to a productive outcome. Besides the vagaries of her speech, her trustworthiness is also deeply in question.”

“Again,” I said, feeling the heat rising in my head. “I don’t have a better idea. It isn’t like I ever prepared myself to be transported into some alien world.”

In hindsight it did seem a little silly to go about trusting an old crone I just met in the woods.

“But if you have one, I’m all ears… or mind, since I guess this all happening in my head.”

“In fact, I have decided to communicate at this moment because I do.”

“Really?” I raised an eyebrow, hope simmering up at the Lorekeeper’s words.

“Yes. Our recent journey underground revealed an architectural system of the makers. One that I was able to interface with. If we delve into it, we may be able to find a transit system.”

“So, you want me to go back down the Deep Roads. Where we ran into those light-knows-what fiends and will likely run into light-knows-what-else. That place?”

“Analysis indicates our survival capability would be low with current available resources. However, I foresee greater survivability through the use of augments to your combat capabilities.”

“What sort of augments exactly?”

“Materials that you have acquired from earlier. Identified as Lyrium.”

“Which we have a limited amount of.” I put my goatskin poach away. “Not exactly the easiest thing to come by, not to mention the legalities of possessing it.”

“I only offer an alternative. One which may bear more substantive results.”

I stayed silent, as several moments passed by.

“I only ask you consider this proposal.”

A flower petal brushed against my thigh as the wind passed by. The shape sparked familiarity and perked my interest. I plucked the petal and brought it up to my eyes.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t what I thought it was. The pattern of lines along the petal were wrong for it to be bruise-weed. The poultices and potions I could make if it was though. Like a balm for sunburns…

Just another reminder how little sense everything made out here.

“I’ll consider it.” I sighed then tossed the flower away. “If nothing else pans outs here.”

I stood back up, tapping away dust which gathered on my pants.

Maybe it was time to relook the Chantry archives. Maybe there was something I had missed. Just last look before I threw myself into an option which involved imminent danger.

As I left the ruined house, I caught sight of Kallian in the distance.

The elf was squared off in a fighting stance in the shadow of a lone tree. Her gaze was straight, focused against some imaginary foe across from her. I blinked, then she swept into motion.

Her arms swept in then out, drawing her daggers and sending their points forward in one smooth motion. Then she ducked, as if dodging a retaliatory strike. Her hip pivoted, sweeping left to bring her knee into her imaginary opponent’s leg, before her thigh came up into the chin.

She flipped back, landing several paces away, squatted low ready to pounce.

“Nice and smooth,” I clapped as I walked into the tree’s shade. “Now let’s get going.”

Kallian brought her feet together, then twirled her daggers back into their sheaths.

“Hey what’s the rush?” She jogged up beside me as I began making my way back to Denerim. “I take it you didn’t find what you were looking for?”

“No,” I said, reaching around to scratch an itch. Damn tunic.

“Thought so,” she said. “I told you there was nothing here. Anything worth taken has been taken, and a long time ago at that.”

“Still,” I said. “It was worth trying.”

“What are you looking for anyway?” she said. “Treasure? Lost love letter? Ancient powerful relic?”

“Nothing you should be concerned about,” I said.

“Fine, fine.” Kallian crossed her arms. “I take it that is the last place you wanted to see?”

“Yes,” I said. “For now, at least.”

“Odd place I must say,” she said. “Not that I minded too much. Not too many folk venture out here. Pretty scenery though.”

“I won’t deny that.”

“You sure you aren’t a templar?” she asked. “You certainly act like one. Quite short with words. All work and no play.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I was surprised when she mentioned her age, and had trouble believing her at first. Then I got her talking, which cast away all doubt at her adolescence and temperament.

“So,” she said. “What did you think of it?

“Think of what?”

“My little bout under the tree,” she said. “I saw you looking.”

“It looked good,” I said. “Must’ve been pretty effective in actual fights.”

“Never got the chance to try it,” she said. “Most people I fight never take me seriously. Means I don’t have to use anything fancy to take them down.”

She flicked a stray strand of black hair from her cheek, throwing a jab in the air. I didn’t respond.

That didn’t stop her from asking another question in the following two breaths.

“So… What’s next for you?”

“Market,” I said. “Probably find another job. Got to make a living wage somehow out here.”

“Sounds wise,” she said. “Coin makes the world go round and round. Only reason why I was getting involved with mercs.”

“And what would your parents say to that?” I stuttered, realizing I never knew if she didn’t have a family in the first place. “Unless, sorr-”

“Hah!” Kallian laughed. “Like they’d care. Especially my mother. Sorry old hag probably prefers me gone.”

An awkward silence fell as we trudged along.

“I wouldn’t bet on that,” I finally said.

She snorted.

“Well, it might make sense for you Mr. Shem. You seem like someone who grew up with some well-to-do couple under a well-thatched roof that doesn’t leak or give way. Not like some of us here.”

“Fine, fine let’s get going,” She was right, at least partially, but I wasn’t going to admit that. I decided to shift the topic back to fighting. “Also, you favor your left side. Just be careful with that.”

“Really?”

“You pivot off the left, strike first from the left. Not just in that little demonstration earlier but every time I’ve seen you fight. Little tip for the future.”

“Hm… why not now?” She stopped and pointed at the ground.

“What?”

“Let’s have a bout. A fight. Right here. Weather is nice. Grass is comfy. Not too many things we can accidentally bash our heads into. I haven’t had a decent spar in sometime, and I bet you haven’t either.”

“No thank you but I’ll pass.”

“Oh, come on! Don’t tell me you are too chicken to go up against a she-elf like me?”

I was going to decline but my nerves were wracked thoroughly. It was a good opportunity to cut loose. Fighting did have a way of clearing the mind after all.

I turned around.

I could feel a mental sigh from the Lorekeeper as if he disapproved. Too bad, he was half the reason why we were stuck out here.

“Excellent,” she said, squaring off against me, and tossing her daggers to the side.

I did the same with Captain Falmore’s sword.

“First to fall wins,” she said.

“Agreed,” I said, before moving into a fighting stance. A good thing too because Kallian didn’t waste a second to close the distance between us.

Her arms moved like an incoming strike, but I caught the pivot from her hip, revealing the faint. Her arm stayed cocked as her leg swooped around towards mine.

I bent low crossing my arms in front of the incoming strike. I felt the blow push me sideways, but compared to taking a blow from that darkspawn monstrosity or the infernal, it was but a sucker punch.

After I absorbed the impact, my arms looped out to grab her leg but she peeled them away before I could do so. She spun out of melee range as I brushed off my arms.

She glanced at me confused, as I brought my arms back up with no sign of injury.

I raised an eyebrow, which she replied with a glare.

She closed the distance once more. This time she stayed low to the ground, her left fist coming barreling towards me. I parried it away with my left arm, then reached out to grab her shoulder.

She ducked below the swipe, bringing an uppercut above which I parried as well. We kept moving like that, parrying, swiping, and dodging. Her being too fast for me while I was able to block any of her attempts.

It was turning into a battle of stamina, and judging by her haggard breaths I was going to win.

Then finally I caught Kallian’s right arm.

I thought the fight would be finished then as both her arms were trapped. However, she leapt forward, twisting mid-air and causing my grip on her arms to break free. She drove up, and above snaking around and wrapping both legs around my neck.

Before I could even pull her off me, I felt her pivot her full weight backwards. I could feel my balance tip as I tumbled backwards. Moments before we crashed onto the ground, she let go letting me slam to the grass. Stars sputtering across my vision.

I looked back to see her land upright several paces away.

“Guess I do favor my left.” She smiled. “Thanks for the tip.”

Grappling was never my strong suit. I should have just tackled her to the ground off the get-go. I started to stand back up when she offered a helping hand.

I looked up at her. As much as my pride took a beating, I was still a paladin, not some common buffoon. I knew when to accept defeat with grace.

I accepted her hand and pulled myself back up.

“Alright,” I said. “Let’s get back to the city.”

***

“Wait, what?” I looked down at the Blackstone liaison perched in his chair, scribbling down on a piece of parchment.

“You got another job,” said the old man.

“I’m sorry but I would very much like the other one.”

“You are a Blackstone mercenary,” said the old man. “Which means you take what is given to you. Besides, the one with the baker hardly pays anything. Also, this one is coming straight from the boss’s son. I wouldn’t wager not showing up. Especially if you want to keep working in these parts.”

Taoran. Damn him.

He passed me a small scrolled up bit of parchment.

“You can read right? This’ll explain everything.”

He looked at my shirt, which had been thoroughly sweat-stained and torn from the earlier scuffle with Kallian.

“Also, get something decent to wear as well. There will be big wigs in this one. Now scram. Next!”

I picked up the scroll then moved out of the line. As I walked back into the bustle of the marketplace, I undid the scroll and read its contents.

You are expected as a guard at the Landsmeet Ball. Many benefactors will be present at this meeting. Meet at the noble’s tavern tonight. Show up in good dress attire.

Of course. I rejected his initial offer, so now he was going to try to entice me with something else. Just another scheme to get me more wrapped up in whatever plans he had. There was something off about those hooded figures he consorted with and I wasn’t going to do any more delving for them.

Then there was a loud commotion which jerked me out of my thoughts. The crowd in front of me split as an armored figure walked forward with a girl in tow. I immediately recognized her as Habren Bryland.

“Please!” said Habren. “Father!”

“Not. Another. Word,” said the armored figure. “I have had enough of your insolence. First, you embarrass me among the peerage and now you’re strutting about the market like some common fish-wife. Vigils at the Chantry? Hah! You should be happy I don’t send you off immediately to the convent!”

Her retainer walked behind, trying to balance several rolls of cloth. Her expression a cross between misery and fear.

Nobles and their family drama. Somethings stayed the same it seemed, even on a different world.

“Not everyday that you see a lordling get put down in public like that,” a familiar feminine voice said from behind me.

I turned around to see Shianni, holding a basket full of marketplace wares. She gave me a hesitant smile, and waved at me with her free hand.

“Fancy seeing you here again,” she said.

“You as well,” I said. “How are you doing?”

“I’m um… fine.” She looked away, dipping her head and breaking eye contact. I could have sworn I saw tinge of red sprout from the freckles along her nose. She brushed the side of her hair back, revealing the fading bruises present on her wrist.

“It looks like you are healing well.” I said glancing on her wrist.

“Oh! Right. Mostly from a tincture. Some family recipe. Uncle had it on hand.”

Despite everything she still looked tired. Her flustered appearance reminded of those poor denizens of Alterac during the occupation. It was easy to heal physical injuries but the ones of the soul less so. She must have still been suffering from the attempted kidnapping earlier.

“Well, that’s good to hear.” I smiled, which was the least I could do. I also needed to go look for clothes and she seemed to be busy enough as it was. “I’ll be seeing you around.”

“Wait!”

I felt her tug at the cuff of my shoulder. I turned, almost stumbling into her, her face turned another shade of red. I also caught whiff of something different from the usual market stench. Sweet like lavender. Perfume?

Well, I figured that she would want to smell something different than the city stench in her condition.

“I-um… I just wanted a chance to thank you properly.” She looked up to me and her eyes immediately zeroed onto my neck. “Also, what happened to your clothes?”

“Oh,” I flicked the torn tunic. “It’s nothing. Just part of what I do for a living.”

“Well, if you would like,” she said. “Maybe you wouldn’t mind if I help find you something to replace it? Free of charge of course.”

I was about to decline as I didn’t want to trouble her any further but then I realized I also needed to find something for tonight.

“About that,” I said. “You wouldn’t happen to know where I might find something suitable for something formal would you?”

“Oh, what’s the occasion?”

“My next job. It’s tonight and… it requires me to be presentable. Probably will have most of the city’s nobility there.”

“Then you’re talking to the right person,” she smiled. “I work at the Arl’s manor as a laundress. I know all of the places to go.”

“Excellent,” I said. “Shall we?”

“Yes!” she started to move but stopped. Then she turned back around towards me.

“Before we go, you wouldn’t be doing anything next week would you?”

“Nothing planned for now,” I said.

“Well, the elves are having a festival at our quarters. I was wondering if you would like to come?”

I thought it over. It detracted from my efforts but it seemed like a good reprieve from the daily grind. It wasn’t like every waking moment had to be spent in search of a way home after all.

Also, I could see the hope gleaming in her eyes, as if she really wanted me to accept.

It would be a good opportunity to learn more about the habits of the local elves.

“I’d be honored to,” I said.

“Great!” Shianni beamed. “First things first about formal attire. We’ll need to get you measured…”