To The Tower

Kestrel stood at attention outside the Library, it was his post, as it was every day of his life since he came here to the tower a few months ago. His muscles were sore from staying in one place all day, and the long nights of training. The man was bored, and there weren't any young magelings to scowl at and scare, and would just love to do anything other than stand at attention all day, hoping that one mage would trip up, just for a bit of fun.

Unlike the other Templar, Kestrel wasn't interested in fun and games time after his shift. The others would sit around, play cards, train with one another, and do all the things that the half-elf wouldn't even consider now with the death of his elder brother.

Kestrel was in the midst of dozing off when one of the others came up to him. "Did ya hear? The Wardens are here. And the Hero of Ferelden is going to talk to Irving." This caused him to roll his eyes. "Interesting." was all he had to say. The Wardens pissed him off; allowing their ranks to be infested with mages and elves alike.

"A hastily constructed answer because you know that I am right, Templar. You are too soft on these Saarebas."

Greagoir stopped cold and turned to glare at the much taller man then growled as he walked off, "You are nothing but ignorant."

"So this is the Saarebas leader. I was thinking he was more... short and slumped over than he truly is. Why is he not broken?"

Nygozy rolled her eyes. Diplomacy certainly was not the Tamassran's strongest points but then again there was no reason to believe it would be, "Irving." She said happily as she walked over to the old man and clasped his arm at the elbow so he could do the same, "Well now you don't look a day over ..."

"Give it up, youngling. You know full well I'm much older than that." He looked to the Quinari with no hidden dismay, "I see you bring guests. This one is more unnerving than the Sten and much more vocal."

Nygozy shrugged, "This is a Tamassran, a teacher per se. He has come to bring us knowledge of how to be like the Qun for when they finally arrive to take us over. And these are ..." She noticed that Sophia and Calliara were not there but Lithawen stood at the door, "Lithawen, but my other two companions seem to have gotten lost."

"Ah and the one in shadows?"

"My bodyguard, Kai."

Lithawen's arms linked across her chest and she glared, "We know each other, Nygozy, there is no reason for introductions. I caused a fair bit of trouble inside these walls when they caged me, I doubt my impression has faded." She tilted her head down and frowned. Hiding no amount of her displeasure.

If it weren't for the fact that the idiot men were outside she wouldn't have even opted to come in. The stupid red-head was getting drunk, and he had given her fair warning that her ass was very likely to attract his hand when intoxicated.

Now there was something she wanted to do. Go get drunk. That was a million times better than being in the stifling atmosphere of 'scholars'. Lithawen never thought these men and woman, who spent their life over a book, as wise. The wise were those who lead their followers and protected their loved ones, those who learned from the world instead of from ancient tombs speaking of mathematics and other unnecessary things.

Sophia's smile blossomed. She couldn't help it.
"... nothing changes a song, except for the ones who sing it..." She laughed along with her newfound friend, slipping her arm securely through that of the elf. There. Two people who so obviously thought alike shouldn't be parted under any circumstances.
"But each of those apprentices would have had their own ways of seeing the world, their own reasons for coming to you to learn. You can look back on them with the wisdom of age, but you were once the same. Back then, I doubt everything was so simple. You would have had your doubts and your hopes, little goals and loves that changed day by day. Maybe I can't talk, having not had your childhood... but those little things are the most important when it comes to considering what a person dreams about. What you just told me... younglings learning the same lessons as you did... makes up a greater tapestry: and I won't disagree that it is beautiful." Sophia glanced to the side, making sure that she hadn't lost the elf somewhere in the gentle twists of her monologue.
"But the weave for each tapestry is different. Like magic. Each spell is theoretically the same, but in fact is unique to each mage able to cast them. Little differences." She shrugged, her sudden giggle pealing off the stones. "But no less wonderful.
"Curiosities about the mysteries of the wise... but what were you curious about? What were they? What did they, through their own stories, want to learn, want to be?"

But Calliara's response to her earlier question shocked her into silence. It took the willowy mage twelve paces to get her breath back, and another three to wrap her brain around a response.
"... why would love be denied to you? Is it because of your status as a Warden? Are you afraid of passing your taint onto your children?" Sophia shook her head. "I'm sorry... I am not a Warden, so I cannot understand, but to give that dream up as impossible... it seems foolish to me."

They were drawing close to the sanctum of the High Enchanter. Sophia found herself dragging her feet, not wanting her little forum to end. She could hear the babble of voices from inside: small talk, introductions... and in the case of the Qunari, insults. Ah, Nygozy had noticed their disappearance after all. No matter. And who was this? Another elf...? Yes, but as different to Calliara as it was possible to be. This elf seared with barely contained rage, practially spitting her contempt at the Tower around her. Sophia's eyes widened, sharpening. The tower was no longer important. Though she kept her head bowed as a good follower should, waiting on Nygozy's instructions, the feelings of the two elves held her suspended between rage and melancholy, their stories aching to be told.

One way or another, she would make it a point to have them told to her.

"... why would love be denied to you? Is it because of your status as a Warden? Are you afraid of passing your taint onto your children?" Sophia shook her head. "I'm sorry... I am not a Warden, so I cannot understand, but to give that dream up as impossible... it seems foolish to me."

''I had love. He died in Ostagar'' Calliara said softly, with her calm voice. ''And now... I love again. For that I am grateful to the Creators, for having him... And for the children thing... well... let's just say it's more likely impossible for a Grey Warden to conceive. It is a known matter among us''

The Dalish shrugged, not showing any emotion or sadness on her stoic expression. Once they both arrived where Nygozy, Irving, Lithawen and the Tamassran stood, she bowed her head a little to the Warden Commander and the First Enchanter.

''My apologizes. Our talk distracted us and I have no shame admitting that these walls make me confused'' The Dalish said absolutely serious, even if it was absurd that a ranger could get lost ever. She just didn't wanted to say that Sophia was trying to sneak a peek to a private chamber. ''First Enchanter Irving, I supposse. It is an honor. Duncan told me many good things about you, and so a Warden mage that served with us did as well. I am veteran sargeant Calliara Mahariel''

Lithawen's arms were crossed tightly across her chest, every muscle and fiber in her body cried for her to get running before the Templars caught and caged her within the stone cold cage. The elf knew that she would have to escape, and if such plans proved to be unsuccessful, there would be no hope in her shriveled heart and it would dry up fully and fly away as dust in the wind. Such a future (although an unlawful imprisonment now that she was a warden) was the nightmare that she never wanted to live again.

"I shall. . . be waiting in camp." she said lowly to the leader. The Arcane Warrior turned on the balls of her feet and high tailed it out of the tower, scowling at all whom she passed along the way.

It was a night and day difference once the renegade mage stepped out of the large and heavy wooden doors. They loomed in the distance, whispering sweet nightmares even as Lithawen rode the small row boat back to the shore lines, and towards the camp.

"We know each other, Nygozy, there is no reason for introductions. I caused a fair bit of trouble inside these walls when they caged me, I doubt my impression has faded."

Nygozy's eyes moved slyly as there was a tiny movement at the left edge of her lips and she turned her head to see Lithawen. She waited, watching the larger woman with calm eyes, knowing that she did not like this place and did not care that she did not. Nygozy had not requested her to come on this little trip so she felt no compulsion to be sensitive to her feelings. All she did was wait, letting Lithawen's own feelings get the best of her.

"I shall. . . be waiting in camp."

As she left, Nygozy turned back to the man in front of them.

"It seems that you have not changed much in your choice of assistants." Irving pointed out, "That one is almost a duplicate of the young lady who continually growled if you tried to do anything nice for others. Now, what can I help you with exactly?"

Nygozy noted that the man did not say anything about her bodyguard but figured he was trying not to say much, "I have come for initiates and to peruse the library. Actually, I'd like to send my teams to do that."

"I will take you through to where you need to go and point out possibilities." Irving took out some papers and handed them to Nygozy before turning to go, "I figured you would be back at some time."

The small woman took the notes, scanned the top page with names on it then noticed the other two coming in, "Ah. Sophia and Calliara are back. You two have good timing. Please, come with us." The First Enchanter was already walking and Nygozy followed. The first place they were going was to the library and Nygozy was already smiling at the changes in the place.

"Well, this is fair timing Nygozy. Kestrel and Ranyin, please greet our guests. This is the Hero of Fereldan and her entourage."

Kestrel stood straight when he heard the voices down the hallway, and his friend stood to attention at the other side of the door to the library. It was The First Enchanter and a small group of followers, a mage among them though not one he recognized (at least right away), a dwarf, and an elf. A motley crew indeed. Though Kestrel was not outwardly showing it, he was disgusted by the elven lass. Even if she had tried to cover her ears she would still be obvious, the thin but muscular build and a fair face would give her away in a second.

He bowed his head slightly to Irving, though he owed him only the respect of an elder, other wise he was just another troublesome mage, and ultimately the Templars did not have to follow his orders. Only the Knight Commander had the authority to give the Chantry Knights binding orders, but Gregoir did try to teach his Templars to at least be courteous and respond to simple requests at least.

So Kestrel nodded his head grudgingly, that was all the greeting he felt was necessary, though Ranyin was not so reserved. The other Templar was removing his helmet to give a proper greeting to the Dwarven woman, he held it tightly under his arm and smiled. "It is an honor, Nygozy." he said happily, with a bow.

Kestrel sighed inside his helm, having to show a bit more effort now that his eager companion jumped on that quickly. "Irving. Ladies." He left it at that now, there was no need to be as eager as the other, nor was there a need to be completely rude (although he wanted to be to the elf, as she was utterly repulsive to him).

The Qunari's face grew more and more disgusted the longer he stayed in this place. And then the blonde elf girl went out for some air presumably, he couldn't blame her. The lack of security in the Tower was appalling. And then Irving and Nygozy got to talking, the Qunari listened half-heartedly. He was busy deconstructing how many ways the Saarebas could escape in his head.

Another elf entered the room, a man this time. The Qunari grunted as he seemed to have taken notice of everyone but The Tamassran and the one-eyed bodyguard. "What am I, chopped liver?" He growled with his golden eyes dangerously glinting. It was rude to not be addressed by a lower sentient being. He folded his arms over his barrel chest once again to mark his displeasure.

[Note: Dragonis, I think Kestrel is a half elf, not an elf... Also, Bunnying Nygozy with her permission and following her suggestion]

Contempt. It was in the air, and Calliara's nose twitched when she noticed. Looking around while one of the templars was taking off his helmet, her ice blue eyes focused on the another templar, who was watching them intently behind his own helmet. That man wore his contempt like a cloak, and the Dalish wondered why.

Feeling his gaze, she stared at him without blinking, just like a wolf. Amused but not showing it, she wondered what the coleric templar would think about a 'wild' elf covered in tattoos and obviously proud and free.

Nygozy put a paper in her hand while talking with Irving and the other Templar. With the corner of her eye, Calliara read a name list, and her eyes soon found a known name. The Dalish lifted an eyebrow and then stared again at the templar, returning the paper to the Commander's hand.

Then she kept staring at the templar, calmly and not blinking at all. That was a kind of game that she liked, and she wasn't going to look away

"It is an honor, Nygozy."

"Irving. Ladies."

Nygozy looked at Ranyin and smiled at him then gave Kestrel a sideways glance, noticing the way he reacted and exuded an aura of distaste. She gave him a cold, calm assessment, her eyes moving up then down his frame slowly. The sneer from Kai could almost be felt as she considered this person due to his name having been on her list of possible candidates.

She handed the list to Calliara to see what she thought and was not surprised that the other woman played a cool game of indifference, not standing down from the man's attitude. 'Good.' She thought as Calliara gave the man look for look, 'She needs to stand up to people like this one.'

The Dwarf smirked then turned to face Ranyin first, giving him a nod and slight bow, "Thank you and good day to you, Ranyin Dane." She said then noticed the scowl on the Tamassran's face just before he spoke.

"What am I, chopped liver?"

"A mountain of it, maybe, Tamassran but even if you were then you would hardly be unnoticeable. I am certainly glad you do not smell like it." She stated to the huge man before giving the more eager young Templar a smile and changing her target to sight Kestrel himself.

"I'm surprised you did not notice and acknowledge someone that large, presenting only a pleasantry to the feminine part of the group out of duty." Her eyes turned to Kestrel's face, looking up with a raised eyebrow, "Maybe whoever made notes for Knight-Commander Greagoir was mistaken in the names he presented for possible promotion and testing for entry into the Grey Wardens. I am sure he meant someone who had better observational skills and believes in more than only doing as much as duty requires."

Politics. Recruitment. Sophia was finding it hard not to giggle. She had a feeling that inducting the young templar into the group would certainly make for an... interesting time. Especially if he were forced to spend time amongst the elves. The contempt rolling off him was enough to make her hair curl. Not that anyone would have noticed. So far, she was almost a non-entity. Which was just the way she liked it. It was just a pity that they had caught up with the Warden so quickly... she would have relished a chance to hear more of Calliara's past. The willowy mage shrugged to herself, smile flickering. Another time, perhaps.

That was when the scent wafted from under the door that the two Templars were guarding, snapping Sophia out of her dreamy stupor, eyes sharp. Of course... hadn't Nygozy said that she wanted to visit the Library? And here they were, stuck outside interviewing prospective initiates! Weren't the others aware of the knowledge that waited for them on the other side?

Then again... would much have changed since her last visit? New volumes would have been added, perhaps... a new filing system? Treatises offering insight into new and intricate spells? Sophia fidgeted: she could almost hear the Tower laughing at her. Resisting the urge to poke her tongue out at it she stood up straight, even brushing her hair out of her eyes. Hopefully, Nygozy would send her on ahead. If not... well. Slipping past was always an option.

When his shift had ended, Devin had retired to the library, his nose in an interesting book about the Tevinter Imperium that he had taken from the shelves. He knew that the Magister Lords of Tevinter were evil people who had done terrible things, but history was history and there was more to it than the bad things. Of course, having worked the night shift, he was tired and he was hungry, but the book had been so interesting that he'd kept reading.

He didn't realise he had drifted off until he woke up, aching as he had had fallen asleep in his heavy Templar plate. He glanced to a window to see daylight filtering in. What time of day it was, he didn't know, but he wondered why no-one had poked him to wake him or something.

He found his book lying on his lap. He frowned as he saw that one of the pages had been bent. He smoothed it out the best he could and placed a bookmark in it, then went to replace it on one of the shelves. He figured he should retire to his quarters and rest, but he didn't feel tired at all. Maybe some training would do him some good. That's when he noticed the strange gathering, the dwarven face of one which he could not mistake, for not only had he seen her face in a history book, but he had seen her at the Tower one time before. Of course, at that time, he'd been nursing one of his own wounds that an Abomination had given him.

The Hero of Ferelden. Accompanying her was quite a motley crew. Was the gray-haired woman a Dalish elf? She certainly look like one. And there was another woman with her, as well as a Qunari. An interesting people, the Qunari, though he didn't like what he'd heard of how they forced their religion upon people. He'd rather die than be forced to follow some foreign creed. And the First Enchanter was there, as well as two Templar guards that he recognised. He nodded to them as he passed them all, replacing the book back into the history section.

Calliara kept staring at Kestrel, not wanting to be the first looking away, but noticed movement with the corner of her eye. As a ranger, she could 'see' with more than one sense, and when the Templar walked pass them she studied him with a quick glance. That one looked curious about them, not excited like Ranyin and not pissed off like Kestrel. Templars were complicated warriors to handle, they had to be mentally balanced to deal with their own addiction and to fulfill their vows and duties with the Chantry and towards Mages. But that man just looked curious, even seeing a tattoed elf, a dwarf (that surely he knew well), a Qunari and another woman. And he had a book in his hand.

The Dalish moved her head just a bit to keep the new Templar in sight while staring at Kestrel, and for some moment her eyes wanted to wander through the books exposed there. If only she could read properly... How many tales, songs and stories were kept there?

She shook herself from her fascination, still looking at Kestrel seriously and not blinking at all. She knew how unnerved people were when she stared at them like that, but it was a good defense against them. Make them nervous and they won't get close. Like wolves. She waited for someone to say anything else, but she remained silent. It was not her place to speak, at least before Nygozy decided something.

He quickly replaced the book, and glanced back at the group, but it was rude to stare and even ruder to eavesdrop. Shyly, the Templar started back towards his seat, when he heard something from the other side of one of the book cases. He followed the sound of the weeping, to find a black-haired apprentice desperately moving around, as if looking for something. “What's wrong?” he asked her.

She looked up. She was human, female. An apprentice, judging by her robes. “Oh...it's nothing...I-I'll just go...it's almost time for my lesson...at this rate, I'll never find it...”

He frowned. “Find what? Maybe I could help.” He was friendly to mages, unless they gave him a reason not to be. And this poor girl was obviously very troubled at the loss. It must have been special to her, whatever it was.

“Mother's amulet. She gave it to me before I was...taken to the tower...the clasp must have broken, it must have fallen somewhere. I-I've got to go...my mentor will yell at me otherwise...”

“Tell me what it looks like,” he requested. He didn't have many keepsakes, though his most treasured would be his first copy of the Chant of Light, which was battered from years of reading from its pages. He hadn't had a mother, and this girl had been taken from hers. That amulet was probably the only memory she had of her. And it was important to her, even though the apprentices left family ties behind upon joining the Circle.

She described it to him and told him of the places she'd been to, and then left hurriedly. The Templar now began his search for the girl's amulet. His search eventually brought him closer to the table where Irving and the Grey Wardens were...

((OOC: The apprentice is no-one in particular, just a random NPC. This is sort of to show that Devin's a nice guy. ^^ He didn't notice Calliara was glancing at him, because I'd assume Calliara's very good at not getting such actions noticed)).

Watching the two Templars to see their reactions was a lazy ploy used when the Dwarf wanted to assess instead of address something. She waited while another Templar came closer. Part of her attention was on this new gentleman who certainly was a gentleman. As he took his time helping a mage girl it made her consider the names on the sheet she'd had. She knew that face. Was he here during the demon problems and stuck in with the mages while the trouble had erupted?

"Kestrel, you are with me on the orders of Knight-Commander Greagoir so that we can speak together." She eyed him suspiciously before turning to the other young man, "We may speak again later, Ranyin. Thank you for your help, Irving. I know you are a very busy man so I will come see you later with my results."

Irving smiled at her, "That I am sure of." He turned and walked towards his room.

Nygozy took a moment to view her own group, "Calliara, Sophia and Tamassran. If you would go through to the librarian quarter master in charge of books then we can get going on our research. You have the paperwork, Calliara, for what we require. I know there are books here in your own language as well so that will help. We will meet here just after the supper bell at that first table."

She walked into the library expecting her people to do as she stated without problem. If they had any questions they would ask now but she believed there probably would not be any.

Torture rushed ahead, sniffing about the sides of the bookcases and moving both Devin and the young girl then started scratching at a crack at the bottom of one of the bottom shelves then barked.

A smile lit upon the small woman's face as she watched her mabari search and waited for the results.

"Calliara, Sophia and Tamassran. If you would go through to the librarian quarter master in charge of books then we can get going on our research. You have the paperwork, Calliara, for what we require. I know there are books here in your own language as well so that will help. We will meet here just after the supper bell at that first table."

Calliara nodded silently, still staring at Kestrel, and slowly her lips curved in a cold, wolvish smile, just as a predator eyeing a bug that thought it was a menace. She turned her head, slow, her eyes focused on Kestrel's face until she looked at Sophia and the Tamassran.

''Sophia. Hahren Tamassran. Please come with me'' The Dalish motioned them to follow her and started walking, reading the list she had in hand. She had some difficulties with many of the words, but she was determined to fulfill what she was asked. Surely the person in charge off the library would read it properly

More Templars filed in, and the Tamassran looked incredibly bored. He then stood up straight upon receiving orders from the Warden-Commander. "Calliara, Sophia and Tamassran. If you would go through to the librarian quarter master in charge of books then we can get going on our research. You have the paperwork, Calliara, for what we require. I know there are books here in your own language as well so that will help. We will meet here just after the supper bell at that first table." She said and the Tamassran nodded. "Yes... although I do not know what it is we are looking for." he grunted, then looked towards Calliara. ''Sophia. Hahren Tamassran. Please come with me." she said and the Qunari nodded, once again. "Curious... the term hahren." He mused to himself.

((OOC: Sorry on the delay. My muse left me, and I had house cleaning and stuff to do. In case you didn't know—though you probably do—ser isn't used just for men. ^^ Hope I'm not doing anything wrong by slightly bunnying your Mabari)).

He heard the scraping of paws against stone floor, and glanced down to see a dog, sniffing around as the Templar himself looked desperately. He glanced back and saw the owner of the dog; not only a familiar face that he'd seen at the Tower during the demon attacks but the Hero of Ferelden herself. He was surprised to see that she would take the time to aid him in finding the apprentice's trinket.

And soon it was found, not by he, but by the Mabari hound. They were as smart as they were large, that much was for certain. He opened his hand for it, sighing with relief. “Thank you, ser, for getting your Mabari to help me,” he said, to Nygozy. “We've spared that poor girl a lot of heartache. I'll return it to her when her classes are over.” The trinket dropped into his hand, and he wiped the saliva off with his cloth. “Good doggie,” he told the Mabari. He wished that he could have one, though he doubted he ever would be allowed one, as he'd probably live and serve in the Tower until retirement.

“You were the one,” he said. “The one who rid the Tower of all those Abominations. I saw you when you came to the Tower.” He was still amazed by this.

((No problem and I don't mind Torture being bunnied))

Nygozy didn't even watch as the others left her side but continued to watch Devin as he reacted towards Torture's help. The dog's inate ability to find almost anything made it so that she did not doubt for a second that his nose would pick out where the piece of jewelry. In fact, she had no idea how her hound found anything considering some of the slobbered items he'd brought her before. It was always a surprise to see what he could find next. Not always a pleasant surprise but at least this finding was a good one.

“Thank you, ser, for getting your Mabari to help me. We've spared that poor girl a lot of heartache. I'll return it to her when her classes are over.”

"Torture does as he pleases. I did not request that he help you. That's all his slobbering goodness." She chuckled as the trinket dropped into his hand, and he wiped the saliva off with his cloth.

“Good doggie,” he told the Mabari.

Nygozy noticed the yearning eyes as the Templar looked at Torture and the way her Mabari reacted to the man. Her eyes twinkled in thought as she considered what was going on.

“You were the one. The one who rid the Tower of all those Abominations. I saw you when you came to the Tower.”

The amazed inflection to Devin's voice was easily caught and Nygozy smirked, "My friends helped with that a lot. If it weren't for working together it never would have gotten done. I remember faintly seeing you as well. Good fighter. Swift hand, hard action. You were impressive."

((Lith using Fei's computer and not feeling like logging out and logging back in.))

Kestrel kept his face long, the frown stretching the edges of his lips towards the ground, each inch protruding his contempt for everything about this group. He was spoken to by the others of the group, but his mouth did not stray to answer their insignificant words. His eyes stayed to Nygozy, she was what he had to worry about. He had no love for the organization of the Wardens, but he knew that if given the word, he could not deny their recruitment (or rather conscription). And as the little one opened her mouth to speak to him directly he knew he had cause to dread.

"Kestrel, you are with me on the orders of Knight-Commander Greagoir so that we can speak together."

His muscles tensed, he wanted to say no, but he could not do such a dishonor to his great family. There was nothing Kestrel had wanted more than to bring them back up to the statues they deserved. His head nodded though his body did not do so easily. "Then I will follow you." He would not open his mouth anymore, unless addressed directly.

((OOC: Sorry about the delay. Hehe, Lith, it'd be interesting if we made Kestrel and Devin bunkmates.))

"Well, then, thank you, Torture," said Devin with a smile. "I see the things I've heard about Mabari's smarts are not exaggerated." He pocketed the trinket, not wanting to interrupt the girl's training. He would deliver it to her once she had free time. "Ah, thank you. I'm nothing special, really. Was merely doing my job." He frowned. "So many good people lost their lives that day."

He hoped she didn't mind making conversation with him, but decided to ask first. She was a dwarf and the Hero of Ferelden; she probably had seen a lot. And he was curious. "So, are you busy?" He noticed Kestrel, and simply nodded to him. He was under the impression that Kestrel disapproved of him, but he couldn't really tell.

((That's ok. Life happens and geez that is a good idea hehe))

Nygozy watched as the other three left from the side of her eyes then regarded the two Templars before her, "Ah. I am feeling that Greggy may have tossed me a non-compliant." She said partly to Kestrel and partly to herself, her nickname for the large man ringing of amusement, "Make yourself comfy, Kestrel. This may take a while and I don't want you to fall asleep on your feet."

She pulled out a chair with her foot and swirled it around to him in such a way that it faced away from her then grinned at Devin, "Mabari are a lot smarter than some say." Torture barked, wagged his little tail and started jumping up and down, "No you cannot steal their lamb." She said and the dog put his head down and whimpered, "But you can ask for some bones but get your back butt back fast." Torture brightened up and rushed from the room, knowing exactly where to go.

The warden sighed, "I do have time to talk with you, Devin. In fact, you are one of the people I wanted to see."

Nygozy let the dog leave to ask for bones. Devin chuckled. "I'm sure the Tranquil that works in the kitchens will give him a bone or two," he said. She was one of the few that had survived, the head of the kitchen staff. He didn't recall her name, though.

"I do have time to talk with you, Devin. In fact, you are one of the people I wanted to see."

"Me?" He was surprised, and his voice revealed as such. That wasn't what he'd expected. "You came to see me?" Getting over the surprise, he asked, "You're going to test me for recruitment into the Wardens?"

She hopped up onto the table backwards and sat there looking at Devin with a cheeky grin, "Something like that." The little woman tapped her fingers on the table for a moment then continued, "You were quite brave during the infestation of abominations, took it upon yourself to help and do your best to protect those not as strong as yourself. That is admirable."

Nygozy hopped down from the table and let her eyes wander over the bookshelves, "You were born here, raised here and have a good record for learning etcetera etcetera. At least one person I know has pegged you for a possible recruit, if not specifically to be a Grey Warden then at least to work with us as an aid."

There was a moment of silence as she turned back to Devin and she waited for it all to sink in, "What do you think? Is this something which would please you?"