"This way, down the bank." Cassandra spoke, pointing to a path that branched off of the brick road that lay before them. "The road ahead is blocked."

"We must move quickly." Solas said.

Varric strode alongside Solas, toting his crossbow at the hair on his chest while simultaneously cradling it. From just one look, William could tell that the bolt weapon was very precious to the dwarf.

William strode to the front on his own behalf. He had just closed a rift with his bare hand, and now they were looking on him to lead the way. It wasn't as though he didn't want to - far from, he actually enjoyed leading - but given the circumstances of his place in the Frostbacks, he didn't exactly feel welcome. After all, he was still a prisoner.

A set of fallen planks stood in the way of the path, which William vaulted with ease. As soon as his feet hit the ground, he was back to walking. The frozen water below his feet was rough to the step, but still slick. Taking a glance down, he noticed irregular patterns in the ice, like flowing tubes. He was standing on a frozen river. Who knew how long it had been solid like this?

"Where are we headed?" William asked.

"We're going through the river bank and across the lake. The forward camp lies beyond the hills." Cassandra replied.

"I could use a brisk walk." Varric said.

Just as Cassandra opened her mouth to retort, as William was sure that she would, balls of demonic flame smashed into the lake. Shades and Wraiths erupted from the blasts, roaring and screeching.

"More demons, up ahead!" Cassandra shouted back, her hands drawing out the sword at her side and the shield on her back.

"Here we go." William said, laying his own hands on his sword and shield.

"Glad you brought me now, Seeker?" Varric said, just loud enough to be heard over the roars of the Shades. He raised his crossbow and aimed it towards the first demon he saw, and pulled the trigger, sending a razor sharp bolt flying in its direction. The bolt vitally impacted in the forehead of the demon, which happened to be a Shade, and knocked the monstrous being to the ground. There it twitched, until a moment later it stopped.

Most of the other Shades were almost upon them, Wraiths attacking from afar. Rushing like wild, rabid dogs, they charged at William and Cassandra, both of whom bore raised shields and taunting stances. They thought very much alike in combat; there was almost no coordination, and still they were... well... coordinated.

Solas shot a wide, bright beam all around the three and himself, and a bluish green aura flew over them all like a sheet. William had never seen barrier magic in action, but he assumed that this was it, and he had to admit that he was impressed.

The first Shade smashed into Cassandra's shield like an enraged animal, but her very strong and powerful stance held the demon in its place. Very quickly she dropped the shield and plunged her razor sharp sword into the Shade's neck and downward into its chest cavity, ripping the sword out once it reached the hilt and kicking the demon directly in the chest, where it lay still and began to disintegrate.

William stepped forward with his shield and slammed it into the Shade that charged in his direction. The impact knocked the demon to the icy ground, but it quickly recovered, lunging once more. Wraith fireballs shot towards the four in green streaks. William ducked and plunged his blade deep into the Shade's stomach and ripped upwards, holding it up to block the wall of lime fireballs. They crashed into the Shade's back, and the flimsy cloth lit aflame like dry tinder. William raised his leather boot to the Shade's burning chest and kicked it off of his sword. There were still a hand full of demons, Wraiths included, but it seemed that Solas was handling the latter sect of monsters with fluid attacks.

From the tip of the elf's staff blasted intense spells of several elements. Fire scorched the icy ground, electricity zapped from the sky, and ice froze demons in place. With every Wraith frozen by Solas, a piercing bolt from Varric's crossbow soon followed, stunning some and killing most. The two were very well synergized.

William looked to Cassandra. Every time that he caught a glimpse of the Seeker's face, she bore that same scowl. He hadn't noticed before, but as she fought now, the scowl did not look the same. In normality, it expressed disgust and dislike. Here, it shone an incredible hate. She sliced in all manner of direction, taking every opportunity to attack.

Varric fired a bolt into the last Shade's chest, and Cassandra kicked the tail end of it even further in, burying the round deep. The demon collapsed, and the Seeker crushed its head under her heel.

Wasting no time, Cassandra sheathed her sword and advanced. William and the others followed.

After a moment of silence, Varric spoke up.

So, I take it you're from here." He said.

It took William a moment to realize that the Dwarf was talking to him. "How do you figure that?" He asked, intrigued.

"Accent. Ferelden people have that same accent. Maybe you're from further out east, considering the commanding tone." Varric answered. "Like you're nobility, or something similar."

That was... unsettling. Though he was rather impressed with how easily he was able to distinguish what he was, he didn't want the truth, his truth, to slip yet. They would expect something more of him because of it. Either that, or they would be confused. Maybe a little intimidated.

"Rather impressive, that ear you have." He replied, keeping cool.

"I'm all kinds of impressive." He said with a grin.

"Ugh." Cassandra sighed.

"I lived in Highever for most of my life." William said, not telling the entire truth."When Rendon Howe attacked before the Blight, I was forced to flee."

"And after that?" Varric pried.

"I wandered. All over Ferelden, looking for... refuge." William said.

"Mm. So I'm guessing you were an officer of some sort in Highever?"

"How can you tell?" William lied.

"Just a guess. I wouldn't have guessed that by the way that you fight, but..." Varric smirked, shrugging.

"Am I supposed to take that as a compliment, or an insult?" William chuckled. Varric grunted, surely an amused look on his face.

His unorthodox fighting style was attributed to his experience in the Blight. Anything to survive.

"We need to get moving." Cassandra said.

"Faster than we've been." Solas agreed. He hung near the back, but he picked up his pace., passing William. Something was off about that Solas. William couldn't put his finger on, but he had the notion of it.

The four approached a steep hill with steps inlaid on the hillside. Taking head of the group still, Cassandra took the first step and broke the partially covered footprints in the snow made quite easily minutes before. Behind her walked Solas, then William and Varric. There was Something quite calm about the Dwarf that made William enjoy his presence. Perhaps it was because they were alike in some respects. He reminded William of Oghren, just a bit. Without the constant stench of badly distilled alcohol, of course.

"So... are you innocent?" Varric asked.

"...I don't remember." William said. "I have no idea how I got here. One minute, I was somewhere else, and the next..." He stopped, shaking his head. He knew of nothing in between.

He silently hoped that Cassandra would let that sentence be. She knew that it was deeper than that. After a moment of silence, Varric huffed mockingly.

"That'll get you every time." He said, wagging his finger at the Warrior. "Should've spun a story."

"That is what you would have done." Cassandra said,

"It's more believable." Varric said, pointing at Cassandra in order to put emphasis behind his point. "And less likely to result in premature execution."

"More demons! There!" Solas said, pointing with his staff. He was correct, another handful of Wraiths and Shades were ahead, nothing that they wouldn't be able to handle with the same ease they had the last.

"Cassandra and I will take point. You two take out the Wraiths and keep them from throwing their flame." William said, drawing his sword. Cassandra gave him a sideways glance, one of light intrigue.

"Giving orders?" She asked.

He chuckled. "Old habits die hard." He replied. "My mistake."

Cassandra ran forward with sword and shield raised, William behind her in an instant with his own.

"I hope that Leliana made it through all of this." Cassandra said, watching the body of the final shade disintegrate. William realized that, in the heat of all that had been happening, he had forgotten that she ran away from him in hate and fear.

"She's resourceful, Seeker." Varric reassured.

"Varric is right." William added. "She can certainly handle herself."

"So you've met the Nightingale." Varric said. "A wonder you're still among the living."

"Oh, I've known her for years. We're... we're very good friends." William said.

"That could certainly work out in your favor. Maybe that will help them from... well, you know." He replied, dragging a stubby thumb across his neck.

"Maybe." William muttered

If she doesn't kill me first.

"We shall see for ourselves at the forward camp." Solas said, waving the other three over. "Come. It is not far."

This story is going to receive periodic updates from this point onwards, regardless of consistency. Sorry for such an enormous wait, ladies and gents.

~Husky