What did you do today in DA? [Spoilers]

Rowan sat upon a grassy hill, overlooking the Dalish camp. It was near dusk, her favorite time of day. She took a deep breath, relishing the smell of snow in the air. That smell that is cold, wet and yet, smells like nothing. She could smell the wet pine in the forest and the frost on the leaves. Smiling to herself, looked down at the wildflowers in her hand.

"Little Alhana will love this," she thought. With practiced ease Rowan began carefully weaving the flowers into a cornet. Such actions were like meditation to her. The quiet weaving of different colorful elements into one whole.

As the sun began to glint pink, she looked again towards the camp. The evening fires were starting and dinner had begun for most. She could care less. She'd long since dropped off the fat ram and was content to sit on her hill.

As always, her eyes were drawn to the statue of Fen'harel. "Just you and me again, old wolf," she thought. Out of all of the Dalish tales, his made the least sense. No one would willingly banish their brethren to darkness, at least without reason. He was always placed just outside the camp. "Good enough to protect, yet is vilified in Dalish history," Rowan thought with a sneer. Many times she was overlooking the camp and inevitably ended up sharing space with the Dread Wolf.

She returned to her weaving. She didn't notice when soft and careful steps came up beside her. "Dalen," the voice said.

Without thinking, Rowan instantly grabbed her bow. She turned towards the voice arrow drawn. The calm and implacable face of the Keeper stared back at her. Blushing, Rowan lowed her bow.

"Keeper, forgive me," she stammed.
"Nothing to be forgiven for, Dalen. I should have known better than to startle you."

The Keeper smiled at the younger elf. Rowan fumbled slightly as she put away her arrow. The Keeper was one of the few that cared. She stayed by Rowan's side as a child, when Rowan was first found. She found time for the hot-headed scout when she could.

"Please child, sit. I always did like your flower wreathes. So do the children."

Rowan shrugged and plopped down on the ground, giving a slight "ooph" as she did so. She gave the Keeper a slightly embarassed look. The Keeper smiled and sat down beside her just as fiercely. Rowan laughed despite herself.

"So Keeper, what can I do for you?"
"A huge service for the clan, if not all the Dalish."

Rowan groaned internally. The last time the Keeper said something like this, it turned into a three week hunt for "ancient elven magic." The "magic" was an old boot. The leather was in perfect condition, but the Keeper, her First nor the Quartermaster was able to replicate it.

The Keeper smiled gently. She'd read the look on the young one's face.

"I assure you Dalen, this isn't a hunt for an old shoe. Well, at least not this time." The Keeper winked and Rowan smiled despite herself. "Now, what I ask you to do is far greater...and will take you far from this land."

Rowan stood up, slightly alarmed. "If you mean sea travel, you need to tell me what's going on, Keeper. I'm not good on a boat and I hate to leave this land."

The Keeper paused, then smiled. "Ah my child. You have an elven grace with a brash human tongue, as always." The Keeper held up her hand to avert Rowan's stammering protest. "Now now child, that has been your greatest strength despite how others might think." Rowan paused.

"You walk in Thedas as no one else in our clan does. You've always been half in the human world and half in ours. I need that perspective, for the fate of the world may lay in that point of view."

Rowan looked at her with curiousity and fear. The Keeper was never prone to grandstanding and dramatization. For her to speak like this conveyed the gravity of the situation.

"You may have heard that the templars and mages are gathering in the eastern area of Ferelden." Rowan stared at her. Of course she had. The movement of the mages and templars were closely monitored by all of the local clans. The explosion in Kirkwall had made sure that no elves were safe. Some say that a Dalish mage was friends with the apostate that destroyed the Chantry, which didn't help matters.

"The human Chantry is trying to declare a cease-fire between the groups. Divine Justina is looking for a middle ground between them."

Rowan laughed, a mocking sound full of bitterness. "Keeper, you've seen what I've seen. The human mages only want their freedom. Templars want to follow their precious Maker and drink lyrium. There is no way they'd ever agree."

The Keeper shot Rowan a look, and it instantly silenced the scout. "Indeed, that may be the case. But you cannot deny that the human Chantry does effect us Dalish. Most would dismiss this as a matter for devout shems, but you and I know better."

Rowan fell silent. She knew this to be the case. She was usually out scouting from dawn until dusk and had diverted the clan away from crazed templars more than once. "True. And their decisons could make the difference between life and war for us."

The Keeper nodded. "Exactly. Therefore, I want you to go to Ferelden and watch this Conclave for us."

"What!" Rowan dropped the flowers from her hands. "Keeper, you can't be serious. Me?!? I'm considered nothing but a flat-ear, an unbeliever from the human cities. I have no ink to show the world the love of my goddess. I have nothing but scars! What in the name of the Abyss makes you possibly think I would be the best choice?"

The Keeper, used to these outbursts, touched Rowan's shoulder gently. "It's because you are all of those things. You know these shems better than any of us. You can blend in, without immediately being seen as a "wild Dalish elf that kidnaps babies and dances naked in the moonlight."

Rowan laughed, "Well Keeper, I've seen the Spring celebrations..."
"And if you'll care to notice, that children are never involved." The Keeper gave another small wink.

Rowan took a deep breath. "Very well, you've talked me into it. I'll go. If the human mages and the templars are meeting up, they are up to something. Someone is going to take advantage of the crowd. I know it. I feel it. I'll try to let you know what it means for us."

"Very good, Dalen. I've already booked passage for you on the next boat south."
Rowan smiled wryly "I guess I'm being volun-told."
"What?"
"You've asked me, but you already assumed that I was going."

The Keeper stood up. "I know you, Dalen. Curiosity was going to get to you sooner or later. I just made it sooner." She brushed the excess grass from her tunic. "Go, say your goodbye to the Quartermaster. Mythal keep you safe, my child." The Keeper hugged Rowan. Surprised, Rowan returned the embrace. "Come back to us safe." The Keeper walked away.

Rowan took a deep breath of the cold evening air. She was hungry, and needed to sleep.

"Ferelden, hun? Land of dogs and the Avvar. I wonder what's going to happen now. Nothing good, right old Wolf?"

i.imgur.com/sQeU86g.jpg
I was asking around the markets for a lead on Marjolaine, when this clown pulled me up and accused me of killing King Calian.
He said he recognized me from Ostagar, which meant he must have been one of the cowardly traitors that fled the battle.
After I removed his head, we went in to Wonders of Thedas, and what Wonders they had.
I bought Morrigan a ring, and the tome she wanted, she hopes to learn a new spell from it.
Oghren hit me up for a sovereign, he wanted to buy the head of an adulterer preserved in honey.
i.imgur.com/vwtIVx9.jpg
A man in the markets told me that a woman with an outrageous Orlesian accent had rented a house just west of here.
Oh, very nice Leliana.
A little tall for me though I think.
i.imgur.com/jqs5cmT.jpg
Ah yes, that's better.
i.imgur.com/3QNACVW.jpg
That evening at camp, Leliana was unusually quiet.
While I welcomed the change, I thought I better go and talk with her.
I told her Marjolaine would have done the same to her, and she should not punish herself for being the better bard.
I don't know if this helped, but she said I had given her much to think about.
i.imgur.com/gmrOvPj.jpg
Oghren tried to cop a feel, he said I had wiped my feet on the Oghren doormat of love, and then fell in a heap.
i.imgur.com/yOAy1JH.jpg
And while I enjoy Morrigans open shows of affection, I think she only does it to embarrass Alister.
i.imgur.com/JDZm9Z9.jpg
I told her to get inside the tent, she started giggling and I had to throw her over my shoulder and take her there.
i.imgur.com/uwsFvj9.jpg