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Requiem for the Nameless Dead ~ Adrian von Ziegler (The Fade)

When I awoke I found myself in the araval I shared with my family. What an odd dream I'd had. I stood and went outside.

Braylyn jumped on my back. "About time you got up, sleepyhead," she said before planting a kiss on my cheek.

My mother smiled. "Good morning, sweetheart."

I kissed her cheek. "Good morning, Mother."

"How did you sleep?"

"I had the oddest dream last night. I dreamt I was a Grey Warden."

"A Grey Warden? Now, why would a Dalish join with the Shemlen?"

"I don't know. Like I said, it was an odd dream." No Dalish would join the Wardens, would they? Something was tugging against the back of my mind.

"You look disturbed."

"Have you seen Tamlen? In the dream, he was lost."

"Check his araval. I believe he was with Ashalle."

I went in search of my best friend. As I looked for him, that strange tugging kept on. It had been a dream, right? I felt someone playing with my hair and turned around to Tamlen's smiling face. "Are we to go hunting today?" he asked.

"Of course. You know I love to hunt."

"Don't I! You know you're the better Hunter anyway."

"You're too modest."

Then I saw my father walk towards us, his staff in his hand. I frowned. What trick was this? My father was dead. I was told he and my brother had been slain by Wild Sylvans.

Tamlen's face looked worried. "Are you alright?"

"Something isn't right..." I responded.

"What? Are you a Mage all of a sudden?"

"Shut up."

Something didn't feel right. I knew my father was dead. He had died when I was five years old. Duncan. The name came into my mind. Where did that come from? Who was Duncan?

"What is bothering you, my daughter?" my father asked.

"Something doesn't seem right, Father," I frowned. I couldn't put my finger on it. I turned towards Tamlen. The mirror. Alistair. Ostagar. Alistair! Where was Alistair? Everything came flooding back. I looked back at my father. "This isn't real."

"No, it's not, Realin."

I blinked. "What?"

"Follow your gut."

My gut was telling me this wasn't real. This wasn't my clan. And this wasn't Tamlen. I turned to the Tamlen imposter. "You died of the Darkspawn taint."

Tamlen laughed. "Realin, you've been listening to Hahran Paivial's stories again," he said.

I didn't know where I was or who this was, but I knew this was not the Brecillian Forest and this was not my best friend. I wasn't sure if this was my father, but he was not trying to deceive me. "No," I said. "Both of you are dead. I am a Grey Warden. None of this is real."

Tamlen became angry. "You are willing to turn your back on your clan, Realin? On me?"

"You are not my clan, impostor. You taint the memory of Tamlen. Be gone!"

The two suddenly shifted their stances. Tamlen drew his sword. I had to tell myself that this was not Tamlen. My father protectively stepped forward. My father or not, it was aiding me. I drew my own blades as the Tamlen impostor attacked. I knew every trick in Tamlen's book. This impostor didn't. I crossed my blades as his sword came down upon me. I disengaged and spun around him, bringing my sword down across his back. The Tamlen impostor cried out and swung. I bent backward to avoid his blade. I twisted and blocked a hit to my abdomen. He tried again and the blade bounced off mine and sliced into the inside of my left arm just above the elbow. I grunted and retreated back. My father sent a blast of magic at Tamlen, knocking him back. He recovered and charged. I brought my right blade down, spun around to where my back was to him, and then stabbed my left blade through his back. The Tamlen impostor cried out and fell to his knees. I beheaded him with the right blade. I pulled my blade free, then fell to my knees. I looked at my arm. The cut wasn't deep, but it needed tended to. I reached for my pack, only to discover it was missing. The treaties! Who would take them?

My father knelt next to me. "I am proud of you, Realin," he said.

"Who are you? Why did you help me?"

He laid his staff down. "I am Ainnileas and I am not. You trusted your gut."

"Is this the Beyond?" I asked.

"In a way. The Shemlens call it the Fade. I felt it when you became trapped here and I came looking for you. You need to find a way back."

"Not without my friends."

"The Shem that are trapped here as well?"

"Two aren't Shem, Father. One is a Qunari and the other is a hound."

He nodded. "I will help you as much as I can, but this test is for you alone."

"I need to know about my enemy."

"There is a Shem here, another Mage. Speak to him." He helped me to my feet. I saw a door and we walked over to it. It was pulsing in a white light. My father took my hand and pushed it open.

~~~

I found myself in an unfamiliar place. I looked around. Where in the Creators' names was I? Was this the Beyond? I had come so close many times. If I was in the Beyond, then Alistair was Ferelden's only hope. Come to think of it, that was a scary thought. My father was by my side as we walked. I turned around and came face to face with a Mage. Startled, I took a step back.

"Who are you?" he cried. "Where did you come from? Are you a demon? No... I see that you're not. You're like me. Congratulations on getting out of that trap."

"Trap?" Ainnileas had mentioned a trap.

"The demon traps everything that comes here in a dream it thinks they can't, or won't, try to leave. I thought I'd escaped too but I've been wandering these empty grey spaces for a lifetime."

"What is this place?"

"This is the Fade. Well, I guess I shouldn't expect someone who had never been here to recognize it."

"Are you a Mage of the Circle?" Ainnileas gave me an odd look. "I've been away from the clan for a few months."

"Yes, I am. My name is Niall. I was trying to save the Circle when I encountered the Sloth Demon. I expect our experiences were similar."

"Niall? Owain mentioned you."

"Owain helped me greatly. I don't suppose I'll ever be able to repay him. The Litany was our weapon against the Blood Mages' dominion. But it's too late. Everyone's dead..."

"Why are there so many Blood Mages here?"

"I don't know. They must have been practicing in secret, even teaching others. I knew these people, trusted them. The Litany was our only hope of saving the Circle. But now...," He shook his head. "This place drains you of everything... hope, feeling, life..."

"It's not too late, I'm sure."

"No, there is no way out of here. You think there might be, but you'd be wrong."

"I believe there is a way out," I saw the smile on my father's face. "We'll just have to find Sloth and defeat him."

"Nothing dampens your enthusiasm," Niall said. "He's a powerful demon. Be careful. Find your friends and free them if you can. And good luck."

Father and I went to the door that appeared and walked through it.

~~~

I was transported to a city. I turned to find that my father wasn't with me and I felt an emptiness I wasn't expecting. I barely remembered him. I forced myself to remain at a walk. Around me, shopkeepers peddled their wares. I kept an eye out for anyone I knew. I tried to think of who I could find in a city. Several Shem were staring at me, no doubt surprised to see an armed Elf and one outside the Alienage, the walled-off quarters that that City Elves were forced to live in. I was drawn to a small house and went inside. Alistair was talking to a woman with blond hair and a brown dress that I didn't recognize and there were a few children sitting nearby. Did the demon think Alistair's desire was a family?

He saw me and his face broke into a smile. "Hey! It's great to see you again! I was just thinking about you. Isn't that a marvelous coincidence?" He motioned to the woman. "This is my sister, Goldanna."

 "You have a sister?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes, great isn't it! Anyhow, these are her children and there's more about somewhere. We're one big happy family at long last!" Sure they were.

"They're demons, you know." Surely, he could see past the ruse. I had, although it had taken me a little longer than I liked to admit and the spirit of my father had aided me.

"Oh, that's what everyone says about their relatives but I've never been happier!" This was going to be a bit harder than I thought.

"I'm overjoyed to have my little brother back," the Goldanna demon said. "I'll never let him out of my sight again." I had a stray wonder if Alistair really did have a sister or if Sloth had seen some desire of his to have a sibling other than Cailan.

"May I borrow him for a second? We have business elsewhere," I said.

"I... don't think I'll be coming," Alistair said. "I don't want to spend my life fighting only to end up dead in a pit along with rotting Darkspawn corpses."

Okay, this was going to be a challenge. I had a cold feeling in the pit in my stomach. I had it when I realized I would never see Tamlen again. I may have given up the search for him, but I would die before I let this demon have Alistair. That fierceness for a Shem surprised me.

"Well, Alistair, is your friend staying for supper?" the Goldanna demon asked.

"Say you'll stay. Goldanna's a great cook. Maybe she'll make her mince pie," He turned to the demon. "You can, can't you?"

"Of course, dear brother. Anything for you."

"We have to get you away from her before this gets any worse," I said.

"You're acting really strangely."

"Think about this and how you got here. Think carefully."

"I don't feel like thinking right now. I was never very good at that, anyway."

"Obviously," I muttered.

"I think you're odd behavior is brought on by hunger. Now come and have some pie. I promise you'll feel better."

"Don't move."

"Sometimes I don't understand you."

I walked over to the demon, who had kept the ruse up by stirring a pot over the fire.

"Are you sure you won't stay for supper?"

"Let him go. Now."

This pissed it off. "He's ours," I had forced it to reveal itself. It was still in Goldanna's form but the voice had deepened. "Nothing you say will convince him otherwise. He sees only what we want him to see."

"Then I guess I'll just need to get rid of you."

"I'm not so easily disposed of, Grey Warden."

I felt a sharp pain go up my back and I gasped in pain. I spun around and saw two skeletons, one with blood on its blade. My blood. I drew my swords and went after them, while Goldanna went for my back. I kicked one skeleton and caused it to fall apart and simultaneously beheaded the other and ran a blade into Goldanna. It had happened so fast that Alistair only had his blade half drawn. I went down to a knee, the wound on my back throbbing. The scene of a modest house disappeared.

"Bloody demons," I muttered before I rose. "Always boasting."

"Goldanna?" Alistair looked down at the bodies. "I can't believe it. How did I not see this earlier?"

"You're in the Fade. It's not like the real world." I saw my father coming towards us, worry etching his face.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. We need to find the others."

"Well, uh, don't tell everyone how easily fooled I was."

I chuckled. Alistair saw Ainnileas and reached for his sword. I stayed his hand. "He's a spirit, not a demon."

"How do you know?"

"He's my father." Alistair looked back at my father. It was obvious that he was a Mage. And I really hoped that he wouldn't ask questions later about it.

He started shimmering. "Hey, where are you going?"

"Alistair!" Then he disappeared. At least I'd freed him. I didn't think he would wake before Sloth was dealt with, though.

"If that is any indication, I will not be able to follow you when you face the demons holding your friends," Ainnileas said.

I nodded my head. "Will you be able to help us against Sloth?"

"I don't know. We'll only see," He placed a hand on my cheek. "Make me proud, daughter." He disappeared and I took off looking for the others.

~~~

Morrigan had a perturbed look on her face when I found her. She was back in the Kolcari Wilds standing outside her mother's hut. "Away! Away with you!" she was saying to a Flemeth look-alike. "I shall have no more of your pestering!"

"I am your mother. Do you not love me?"

"You are as much my mother as my little finger right here is the Queen of Ferelden. I know you, Fade spirit, you cannot fool me." Oh, good. At least I wasn't going to have to convince Morrigan that she was in the Fade and Flemeth wasn't real.

"Are you more clever than your dear mother? Surely such pride must be punished!" The Flemeth demon gave Morrigan such a slap that she staggered back a few paces. She stepped back to where she was, even more perturbed than she was before. "There! That is for not showing respect!"

"'Tis far more like it, but 'tis too little too late, spirit," Morrigan saw me and a look of relief showed on her face. "'Tis you at last! Come and help rid me of this vexatious spirit! I weary of being prodded!"

"You know that's a spirit?"

"'Tis not plain to see? We are in the Fade and this is a Fade spirit and not my mother, despite its constant assertations."

"Just confirming you knew that. Makes my job easier."

The Flemeth demon turned to me. "She doesn't even acknowledge her own mother! My heart, it breaks!"

"Oh, slay it! And quickly! Even the true Flemeth was never as annoying as this!"

I drew my swords and charged the Flemeth demon while Morrigan sent a bolt of energy towards her. At least she was aware enough to fight her demon although. Between my hack and slash approach and Morrigan's magic, the demon fell, along with the scene that had been surrounding us. I sheathed my swords as Morrigan walked towards me. She noticed the wound on my arm. She even reached out and took it, examining the scratches.

"What have you been doing?" She moved her hand away.

"Only slaying demons."

"Sounds like a fun time," She leaned on her staff. "I do say 'tis about time that thing was slain. That was most—" Morrigan started shimmering like Alistair had. Not again. "Wait, what is this? No, not this again! I refuse!" She disappeared and I sighed.

~~~

I found myself back in the Tower. Wynne was surrounded by the bodies of what I assumed were apprentices. Or at least demons making her think they were apprentices. She had a sorrowful look upon her face as she looked down on them. "Maker, forgive me," she said when I approached. "I failed them all. They died and I did not stop it." And here I was thinking a Mage could tell when they were in the Fade.

"Don't believe it, Wynne," I said.

"How can I disbelieve what I see, what I hear and smell and feel? Death. Can you not see it? It's all around us."

"You're in the Fade. This is all a dream."

She seemed to ignore what I had just said. "Why was I spared, if not to help them? What is my life now that I failed in the task that was given me? Leave me to my grief. I shall bury their bones, scatter their ashes to the four winds and mourn their passing 'til I, too, am dead."

"You have to fight this feeling, whatever it is."

"Your blatant disregard for the souls of the dead strikes me as being utterly inappropriate."

"They're not dead yet. This is a trick."

"I do not know what you are trying to tell me. Why must you make this more painful? And where were you when this happened? I trusted you as an ally and you were nowhere to be found!"

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Can't you tell this is the Fade? Aren't you a Mage?"

"The Fade?" Wynne seemed to comprehend what I was telling her this time. "I... have not considered that. I have always had an affinity for the Fade and I would assume I would be able to recognize it," She rubbed her forehead. "It is... difficult... to focus," She was having the same problem I had when I awoke in my dream. "It feels as though something is... stopping me from concentrating. I have never had so much trouble."

"That would be the Sloth Demon that trapped us here."

"Perhaps some time away from this place will help me think clearly."

"Being away from here will make you feel better."

Suddenly, one of the apprentices stood. "Don't leave us, Wynne," it said, startling the Mage. "We don't want to be alone."

"Holy Maker!" she cried. "Stay away, foul creature!"

"Hmm. More demons to kill, it seems," I remarked.

"Stay, Wynne. Sleep soundly in the comforting embrace of the earth. Do not fight it. You belong here with us."

Wynne shook her head. "N-no. Not yet. My task is not yet done. It is not time yet."

"Come. Come away to your rest."

Wynne sent a blast of energy towards the demon, while I went for the demon that had risen behind her. A blast of energy hit me in the back and sent me forward onto my hands and knees. I cursed. I was on my knees a moment later as the Mage demon I had originally attacked came at me with its staff, intending to use it as a club. I blocked with one sword and cut across its belly with the other. It screamed, dropped the staff and fell to its knees, clutching its wound. My blade found its heart and I went to help Wynne with the one that had sucker punched me. The vision of the Tower disappeared, replaced by the Fade.

"Is it over?" Wynne asked. "Thank the Maker for you," Like the others, she started shimmering. "Wait... What happening? Where are you going?" And she disappeared. Apparently, to their eyes, I was the one disappearing. To me they were. The Fade was funny like that.

~~~

I found Tristan fast asleep. He looked so peaceful. He was barking in his sleep and kicking his back leg. I couldn't help but smile.

"Come on, Tristan. Time to get up," He gave another sleep bark. "Get up!" When he still didn't wake up, I grabbed his shoulders and pulled him. He gave a surprised yelp and was on his feet in a moment. He looked around, then looked at me. He gave a happy bark and wagged his tail. "Now isn't that better?" He licked the wound on my arm and gave me a puzzled look as if to say "Been fighting without me?" I smiled. "Let's go find Sten and Leliana, shall we?" He barked and ran off, disappearing as he did so.

~~~

I was standing outside the doors of a Chantry. I had no doubt who'd I find here. I opened the doors and made my way down the long aisle.

"Blessed are thou who exists in the sight of the Maker," Leliana was on her knees before a Chantry priest, hands clasped in prayer. "Blessed are thou who seek His forgiveness."

"Now really isn't the time for prayer, Leliana," I sighed.

The priest demon turned to me. "I beg you, do not disturb the girl's meditations."

Leliana stood. "Revered mother," she said. "I do not know this person."

"The Fade is messing with your mind," I explained.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know what you are talking about."

"Please do not vex her. She needs quiet and solitude to calm her mind and heal her heart."

And here we go again.

"Leliana, listen to me. This isn't real."

"Isn't real? I don't understand."

"Don't you remember why you left the cloister?"

"I remember there was a sign."

"Leliana," the priest demon said. "We have discussed this... sign... of yours. The Maker does not care to interfere in the affairs of mortals. This vision was likely the work of demons."

"Yes," I motioned to the priest demon. "She would know about demons, being one herself."

"The Maker cares for us," Leliana argued. "I believe He misses His wayward children as much as we miss Him. My vision may not be from Him, but it guides me to do what is right. My Revered Mother knew this. I don't know who you are, but are not her," She turned to me. "Let us leave. My head has not yet cleared but there is something familiar about you and I believe I trust you."

"This is your home," the priest demon insisted. "Your refuge. Do you truly wish to leave the comfort of this place behind? Stay and know peace."

"There is no need. I carry the peace of the Chantry in my heart."

The priest demon's voice changed. "You are going nowhere, girl. I will not permit it."

"You can and will not stop her, demon," I challenged. "You have no hold on her any longer."

"No, she is ours! Now and forever!" The priest demon showed its true form and Leliana put some distance between her and it. I rushed it, blades whirling as Leliana fired arrows at her. It left a scratch on my chest and I removed the offending hand. Leliana finished it off with an arrow to the eye. The Chantry disappeared.

"Holy Maker!" she cried "She... She was a ..."

"A demon, yes," I said, matter-of-factly, as if this was a typical Thursday.

"You're hurt!"

"I'll live."

"My head feels heavy as if I've just woken up from a terrible nightmare. I believe we have some tasks to accomplish. Let us be on our way." She started shimmering.

"Oh, come on, now!"

"Wait. What's happening to me?" And she was gone.

~~~

I approached three Qunari, Sten being among them. I thought it odd the other two had horns. All three were huddled in the snow with a small fire going. Sten said something I didn't understand.

"Who are you talking to?" one of the Qunari asked.

"Don't bother the sten," the second one said. He sounded to be the older of the two. "Isn't it your turn to cook?"

"Cook what? There's no food in this miserable frozen country."

"We have a guest," Sten said. "Make room at the fire."

"Who are these people?" I asked.

"They are Beresaad, of course. My brothers."

"Who is that little thing you are speaking to? Has it seen Darkspawn?"

"Don't interrupt the sten, garashok."

"We've been days in this place. There is no sign of any threat. The arishok's report was wrong. Can we not go home?"

"No."

The younger Qunari grunted.

"None of this is real, you know." I hoped I wouldn't have to take on both of the Qunari demons on my own.

"I know."

That surprised me. I was expecting to have to have a long drawn out conversation convincing him otherwise.

"What? You know?"

"This is a dream. I'm not a fool, Warden. I remember seeing the garashok there having his head torn off."

"Well, at least it's not a great loss," the older one said.

"You are so entertaining, Kadan. You should perform in the square with the other trained monkeys. We can throw you peanuts." So Qunari did have a sense of humor.

"It's a dream but it's a good dream," Sten said.

"This isn't like you. You're supposed to be practical."

"Yes, and what has that accomplished? Death. Dishonor. Exile. There is nothing left to fight for."

I motioned to the two Qunari. "What about your slain brothers? Don't you want vengeance?"

"Revenge? What good does that do them? Their corpses will not taste it or share in the victory." This had to have been the hardest one yet, despite the fact that Sten was aware.

"I wish we didn't have to taste this," the older Qunari said. "What is this anyway? Stew?"

"It's bread," the younger one said flatly.

"Of course, it is. Rational men would call this despair." He stood.

"If you stay here, they'll have died for nothing," I said.

"For once, you are right, Warden," I took that as a compliment from him. "I owe them a victory."

The younger one stood. "You can't abandon your post!"

"Stand aside. I'd hate to see you all die again."

"No. We won't let you leave us again."

The older one drew his sword. I drew my blades and Sten drew his. The younger one came for me while the older one went for Sten.

You can defeat him, Realin. I told myself. They are only demons. They are not true Qunari.

I twisted to avoid a sword to the throat. I swung my blade for his throat. He brought his sword down in a wide arc. I jumped back to avoid it. I twisted around to go for his back but received a swift kick to my back. I cried out, his foot having connected with the wound I'd received from freeing Alistair. I did a somersault and was on my feet once more. The Qunari charged me. I dove between his legs, slashing the area behind his knees where his armor was weakest. He cried out and fell to his knees. I rolled and was on my feet, running my blade through the back of his neck. I pulled my blade free and staggered back.

"I am impressed, Warden," Sten was wiping his blade. "I have never seen an Elf take down a Qunari."

"I didn't think I was going to be able to," I said. "Even if it was a demon."

"Let us be off."

"Agreed." I turned to see him shimmering. He nodded at me and disappeared. A door appeared and I went through it for my final destination.

~~~

Sloth was in the form of a spirit. "What have we here?" he asked when I approached him. "A rebellious minion? An escaped slave?" He laughed. "My, my... but you do have some gall. But playtime is over. You all have to go back now."

"Oh, here I am!" I looked over my shoulder at Alistair's voice to see everyone, including my father, behind me. "And there you are! You just disappeared. Well, no matter!"

Tristan growled.

"You made a dangerous enemy, demon, by toying with my mind," Morrigan said.

Sten only grunted. The tip of Ainnileas' staff glowed.

"You will not hold us, demon," Wynne said. "We found each other in this place and you cannot stand against us!"

"If you go back quietly, I'll do better this time," Sloth said. "I'll make you much happier."

"I'll make my own happiness, thank you," I spat.

"Can't you think of someone other than yourself? I'm hurt. So very, very hurt."

"And I don't care. I'll take my chances. I'll do nothing you say."

"You wish to battle me? So be it. You will learn to bow to your betters, mortal."

I drew my blades. "We are the Dalish," I muttered "Keepers of the lost lore, walkers of the lonely path. We are the last Elvhenan. Never again shall we submit."

I ran towards Sloth as he turned into an ogre. Morrigan, Wynne, Leliana, and Ainnileas kept their distance using spells and bow. Sten, Alistair, Tristan, and I attacked with swords and teeth. He went down easier than the ogre in the tower with all of us after him. There was an explosion of energy and we were all thrown back.

"What was that?" I shook my head and saw a Rage Demon racing towards me. Alistair intercepted it and I jumped to my feet. It, too, fell quickly and we scrambled backward to avoid the bulk of the energy blast. Now he was an Abomination.

"How many forms does this bastard have?"

We assaulted him again. I was feeling weary from all the quick succession battles I'd had since becoming aware of being in the Fade. Another blast and Sloth took on a fourth form, this time a Shade. Tristan and Alistair barreled into him. Sten and I went from behind and sucker-punched him. We were thrown back again when he changed back into the spirit. Sten pulled me to my feet and I used the momentum to attack this form. With a final explosion, it was all over. We defeated Sloth.

"Now what?" Alistair asked.

"We need to go see Niall," I said. "Tell him he's free."

"Niall's here?" Wynne asked.

"He was trapped here, too."

"Um, I have a question," Morrigan said. "Is anyone else wondering who this is?" She motioned to Ainnileas.

I sighed. "He's the spirit of my father. He's been aiding us the best Falon'Din is allowing him."

"Who?" Alistair asked.

"He's one of our gods. I'll explain him to you later. We need to find Niall and get out of here."

Wynne stuck up a conversation with Ainnileas as we walked.

~~~

Niall was standing in the same place I'd left him. "You defeated the demon," he said when I approached him with my companions. "I never thought... I never expected you to free yourself, to free us both."

"Grey Wardens are good at impossible tasks," I responded.

Ainnileas smiled.

"When you return... take the Litany of Adralla from my... body. It will protect you from the worst of the blood magic," Niall said.

"Your body?"

"I cannot go with you. I have been here far too long. For you, it will have been an afternoon's nap. Your body won't have wasted away in the real world while your spirit lay in the hands of a demon."

"You think you're going to die?"

"Every minute I was here, the Sloth Demon was feeding off of me, using my life to fuel the nightmares of this realm. There is so little of me left... I was never meant to save the Circle or... survive its troubles. I am dying. It's as simple as that."

"There must be something we can do." I wasn't going to give up on him.

He smiled. "Thank you but it is too late for me. I do not fear what may come. They say we return to the Maker in death and that isn't such a terrible thing. My only regret is that I could not save the Circle. But you...," He placed a hand on my shoulder. "You can. Take the Litany off my... my body when you return. It is important."

I looked at the others and nodded. One by one they disappeared until it was only Alistair and I left.

 "What about you?" I asked as they disappeared.

"I can rest easy knowing you will save the Circle. I'm not... a hero. Perhaps trying to be one was foolish."

"Ordinary people can do great things when they have to." Look at me. I was an ordinary Hunter doing extraordinary tasks.

"Dark times, greater acts of heroism, eh? You may be right. Before I was taken to the Circle, my mother said I was meant for greatness. That I would be more than my ancestors could have ever dreamed. I hope I haven't disappointed her."

"You didn't, Niall."

Alistair put a hand on my shoulder.

"Go," I said.

"Not without you," my fellow Warden responded.

"Go, Alistair."

He was the last one aside from me to awaken. He saw I wouldn't awaken until I knew everyone else had. He nodded and soon he, too, had disappeared.

"It is time for us both to be on our way. Remember the Litany of Adralla. The Circle is all that matters now. Thank you and goodbye... friend."

"Goodbye."

I turned away from Niall. "I wish you could come as well," I said to Ainnileas. "I wish you could have been able to meet Braylyn."

"So, Elise gave me another daughter. I, too, wish I could have met her before I died. I wish I could go with you, my child, but my time is over," He pulled me into an embrace. "I am proud of what you've accomplished so far. Perhaps it will be you that will bring the Dalish and the Shemlen together," He kissed my forehead. "Go now and change the world and do not forget where you came from."