Arïs breathed deeply the moist morning air of Redcliffe, cool and refreshing, as the senior Mauve Warden Berick quickly led them through the village.  Despite the light dew covering the distant fields, the road was dry and dusty.  Heavy use this early indicated the village was like to be busy, as much so as a one-road town could be.  The group stopped a moment, taking note of Redcliffe's Request Wall at Berick's instruction.  As the Wardens began moving again, to the village exit to see their senior off, Arïs slowed up to observe his companions.  Six they were, excluding Berick, all of different upbringings, all of dissimilar Castes, all of various social classes.  Whether that would prove an aid or a weakness, Arïs wondered.  

As they approached the end of the dirt road, Arïs noticed two wooden gateposts, worn and rotting.  A white-yellow ball curled around the base of one, fur blowing lightly in the grass, as if a patch of snow had fallen only in one small circle.  Arïs knew what it was, of course; the Joining had seen to that.  Still, it felt unnatural to know where Eithina was at all times.  He found himself skeptical of whether or not the sense was accurate.  Once again, it was.  Arïs let out a low, short whistle as they approached the remnants of the old gate.  Eithina's head turned at the sound.  As the wardens drew closer, Arïs saw red on her muzzle, the blood of some prey she had been hunting.  The sight reminded him of the Joining, of the darkspawn blood, and of the oath he and his fellow Wardens had taken.  [i]Brothers and sisters.[/i]  Though still not fully trusting of the others, he was confident in their intentions and was glad to be among the like-minded.  

Eithina bounded toward him then, red eyes glistening in the rising sun.  Arïs took a cloth out of his cloak and wiped the matching gore from her face, then stroked her head.  They stood side by side at the edge of the gate, watching as the Mauve Warden left, picturesquely, with grey mountains in the distance glimmering white sunlight from their snow-covered tips.  When Berick had all but disappeared from sight, the Wardens reached the consensus to check the Request Wall back at the village tavern.  As they reentered Redcliffe, Arïs again noted the dryness of the main road.  He thought it funny to see such a number of farmers in an area so parched.  Arïs wondered if perhaps the Blight had caused the lack of rain.  The thought was lost, however, as he realized they had arrived. [color=1a7b30]"There it is."[/color] the Emerald Warden said grimly.    

While the others entered and made straight for the requests, Arïs paid the man behind the bar for a pitcher of mead for his fellow Wardens and milk for Eithina, then made his way over to his companions.  They huddled around the board until Sasha suggested they decide which to accept over a meal.  Arïs walked back towards a table to find Eithina staring puppy-eyed up at him and at the milk bowl he had forgotten to place on the floor.  He set it down, to her gratification, poured himself a glass of mead, and drank deeply.  [i]And now,[/i] he thought, [i]the real work begins.[/i]