I am packing a light bag for my trip to conclave as my friend Ketila sat on a stool swinging her legs back and forth as a child would.

"I wish I could go with you," Ketila said setting into a good fast repetitive leg swing.

"Yea, I'm so special I get to go hang out with Shems and flatears," I quip, "Honestly though I'm just acting as the clan's spy to see what happens at this conclave. Stupid circle mages and templars fighting everywhere now, the keeper thinks that the conclave will affect us as well."

"Like the fighting hasn't caused us to move around like crazy fennecs already," drily retorts Ketila.

It's true, the clan was packing up and moving every few days now to stay clear of the war.

"I wonder what the keeper hopes these talks will accomplish?" questions Ketila.

"I don't know 'tila, however I will do as the keeper asks and bring back a report," I said closing up my bag, "I will miss you most my friend."

After saying my goodbyes to the clan, the keeper stands waiting for me. "Here are some circle mage robes, add them to your pack you must blend in as much as possible…..Dareth ma'arlath emm'asha" said the Keeper.

"Dareth shiral keeper," I return as I hugged the woman who was basically my mother.

The clan had provided passage on a ship to get to the storm coast; from there I marched to Haven. There were many others walking this path as well and in the circle robes nobody took me for anything but circle mage. Finally when I reached Haven and the temple of Andraste, I had to admit it was breathtaking. These Shems would create such an opulent temple to a human woman the thought was a bit disturbing. It was almost as they revered Andraste as a god just as much as their Maker. Strange I thought, they scorn our many gods and us but revere a human woman as the wife of god, basically making her a god as well. The conclave was starting and this roused me out of my musings. Then it was like the trickster was set loose and all went black.

"I'm awake …what happened ...by the dread wolf!...where am I?" I think as I regained consciousness.

Slowly I get to my feet checking to see if I am uninjured. Broken arm I realize and quickly sent a healing spell to the appendage. I hear spiders….their creepy crickety sound. Spiders usually let the Dalish alone.

They were coming closer, by the dread wolfs hairy arse, those aren't normal spiders….run!" my mind screams at me. I start running and running up the hill the rocks are sliding around me and the footing is tenuous. Almost at the top there is a light ….no not a light but a person holding a hand out to me, without thinking, I grab the hand and all goes black.

Translations:

Shems- humans, shortening of shemlen meaning quick children(shorter life spans)

Dareth ma'arlath emm'asha- I love you, my girl

Dareth shiral – be safe …a way of saying goodbye

By the dread wolf- a exclamation referring to Fen'Harel (pronounced fenn-HARR-ell) is also known as the Dread Wolf, He Who Hunts Alone, Lord of Tricksters, The Great Wolf, Roamer of the Beyond and Bringer of Nightmares.

Author's Note: Edited for grammar and better readability.