Dragon Age Origins: The Tale of Solana

Chapter 12: Alistair

Solana seemed only to have more questions now. She sighed and turned to make her way further north. Up past some more tents, men and women, was a ramp up that lead to more ruins. It was cut off from the rest of campsite, despite being so near. Solana glanced around, seeing really only servants and laborers scurry around to mingle. She went up another ramp and heard men's voices. She eased closer in the shadows.

She peeked around the edge of a column and saw two men standing afar off. The one, tall and prime, wore long robes and appeared mad as all get out. The other, well-built and slim. His golden eyes danced with humor in a green hue. His scruff on his strong chin line gave way to a laid back attitude. His angular features and ears that came to only the slightest tip, gave Solana the hint he may be halfblooded, as other children in the Alienage were.

She was only just entering the conversation, but she could tell it wasn't good.

She came closer into plain view. Approaching, she was surprised when the robed man cursed. She stopped a little short of them. "What is it now? Haven't Grey Wardens asked more than enough of the Circle?"

Alistair smiled smugly at the mage's wrinkled up face of anger. If the man named Tyler hadn't been so rude right off bat, he might not have gotten so rude back. "I simply came to deliver a message from the revered mother, ser mage. She desires your presence."

Tyler's cheeks bulged out as his anger over spilt again. Talk about high strung, Alistair thought. "What her Reverence desires is of no concern to me! I am busy helping the Grey Wardens--by the king's orders, I might add!"

"Should I have asked her to write a note?"

"Tell her I will not be harassed in this manner!"

Alistair laughed outright. "Yes, I was harassing you by delivering a message."

Tyler clenched his teeth and narrowed his eyes. "Your glibness does you no credit," he mumbled.

"Here I thought we were getting along so well," Alistair said with sarcasm. "I was even going to name one of my children after you... The grumpy one."

"Enough!" The mage sighed, done with this mockery and torture. "I will speak to the woman if I must!"

He began Solana's way and shoved her aside as if it was nothing. "Get out of my way, fool!"

Solana watched the angry mage stalk off in a huff. She doesn't know what the conversation had been about, but this other man seemed to get a kick out of, nevertheless. "You know," she turned and the man shook his head as he spoke to her, "one good thing about the Blight is how it brings people together."

Her eyebrows came together in befuddlement. "You are a very strange human."

Alistair chuckled, but it quickly died off as all the other people he had known had given him similar statements. "You're not the first to tell me that. Wait," he quickly searched her up and down. "We haven't met, have we?"

Solana gave him a cross look, as if to say "Duh!" He gave a strange stare, his golden eyes playfully thinking up something to say. "I don't suppose you happen to be another mage?"

Solana stopped a laugh two seconds late before composing herself. "Don't worry," she managed, "I'm no mage."

"Less being yelled at for me, then. Though the day is still young." Alistair scratched his chin and turned his head. He took a moment, as he thought as to why a young woman would approach him suddenly... An elf of all things. Then it hit him.

Duncan's messenger had mention the new Warden was going to be an elven woman! This must be her!

Her blue eyes shimmered, and the straight black hair was beginning to curl at the tips. The dress she wore was covered in grass stains and had started to rip. Too bad, looks expensive. An expensive Denerim dress was it? That didn't make sense, then again, he has heard some wild stories from other Wardens.