Chapter four

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I sat up slowly, rubbing my head and looking around. I appeared to be in a tent. I ruffled my soft curls slightly, and looked down realizing my armor had been removed. Azeri rested next to me, still asleep. She had her armor removed as well. I reached over and touched her shoulder lightly trying to wake her, but stopped when the sun peeked through the little flap that served as the tents entrance.

"You're awake," Alistair stated, then looked down to Azeri.

"Am I?" I replied sarcastically.

"How do you feel?" He chuckled lightly and sat next to me, handing me a bowl he'd probably gotten for himself. I took it gladly, though I did feel a bit guilty for taking his food.

"Like a mule's ass." I replied with a slight groan, and stirred the noodles around a bit in the water that'd been left in.

"Yeah, you will for a few days. You'll feel better soon though." He reassured me, watching me carefully and smiling.

"Azeri survived it as well then?" I looked down to the peacefully sleeping elf, then back to Alistair. He nodded in response, and laughed a little.

"She panicked when you collapsed though, then passed out right in the middle of her own panicking." He laughed again, and this time I joined him.

"She's a Dalish elf, yes?" I asked when our short laughter died.

"Yes, I believe so. A strange one, I thought they were a much more serious people. She seems like a bit of a... ditz." He said quietly after bit of thought.

"Cute one. I'm glad she survived." I replied, watching as she shifted slightly. "I'd like to get up, can we go?" I looked back to him after I finished what was left in the bowl he'd given me. He nodded slightly, and adjusted so he wasn't in my way and I could climb out. He kept his hands out, making sure I didn't fall then came out behind me.

"So, how does it feel to be a warden?" He asked, standing straight beside me and tapping his armor a bit.

"The same it did to be a city elf. Except a little sicker," I began walking in whatever direction I saw fit. He followed me, chuckling lightly again. "What did you do before you became a warden?"

"I was training to become a Templar," He responded simply with a bit of happiness in his voice.

"And?"

"Well Duncan came along, and I assumed he'd be a better one to work for then them, so I left." He shrugged simply, and looked around to see where we were. "What about you?"

"That's a long story," I laughed and winked at him.

"Well, why don't you tell me it? It will give us something to do?" he pointed ahead to a ledge that dipped off a very steep fall. He and I took a seat there, with our legs dangling over the side.

"I am city elf. Do you know how they are treated?" I asked, looking at him briefly before turning my attention to the edge.

"Yeah, not the most loved race I've heard." He replied with a sigh and I shook my head.

"Yes, well the other day two of the wealthier men decided to make their way into my little alienage and thought us women-I mean objects were going to be taken as toys. And I killed them. I killed two of the wealthy men very happily, and took their money after releasing the others. And after that I made my own way home and waited. When the guards came for me Duncan saved me from execution."

Alistair listened to my story contently, and when the last words left my lips he nodded in response. "That wasn't a long story." He stated, then nodded again. "You've got a temper though don't you?"

"A bit," I held up two fingers and pinched them together to show him how much, then laughed.

"So that's what he was referring to the other day when he said that thing about you killing anymore men." He said as he came to the realization. I nodded again and fell back so I was laying with my legs over the edge. "Are you still tired?"

"Yes, extremely." I looked at him then closed my eyes and he laid back next to me.

"Why don't we go to the tent then, and you can sleep a bit longer?" He suggested, but I shook my head. I was much too content to leave now. Not to mention I hated sitting still for too long, and sleep kind of required that. "Then what would you like to do?"

"Explore." I stated absently with a pleased sounding sigh and he sat back up.

"Then let's go get your armor, yes?" He looked back at me for a second before getting to his feet. It seemed like it would be difficult to move in such thick armor, yet he managed it in a... Well it wasn't necessarily graceful. But it was definitely a skilled way. A bit awkward, but still skilled. I stood up as well, stumbling slightly with my dizziness. I still hadn't completely recovered from drinking the blood, and apparently I wasn't going to for a few more days. Alistair watched me stumble, and held a hand out to make sure I didn't fall completely. When I regained my composure, I crossed my arms and walked on much like Azeri had when she'd fallen in front of that witch. I hears a quiet chuckle leave Alistair before he followed me back to the tent.

I wasn't really surprised that Azeri was waking up now. She sat upright, holding her head with both hands and pouting. I sat down next to her, and looked up at Alistair as he sat down in front of both of us.

"You okay?" I asked quietly to the blonde, and she sniffled.

"What's wrong, Azeri?" Alistair reached out and put a hand on her arm.

"I don't feel good. I don't like this." She replied quietly, moving to lean over on him. He laughed a bit and rested a hand on her back.

"You'll be fine in a few days. We've got a day or two to rest before the battle, so why don't Venra and I go get you something to eat and you can relax, okay?" He pulled back and looked down at her. He spoke to her gently, as if she was a sick child, and she responded just the same by sniffling and continuing her pout. Alistair gave another slight chuckle, then looked at me expecting me to follow as he crawled out of the tent.

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