[b][i][center]The Grey Warden
The Heartlands[/b][/i][/center]

The Grey Warden nodded his head towards the others. They seemed ready to go, and for the moment The Grey Warden allowed himself a moment to really think about his current compatriots. Airthel was a quiet fellow. Seemed competent, if aloof. The Grey Warden wondered why he was here, not out of distrust, merely curiosity. Not often that Dalish would leave their clans. He spoke of beasts who they may face, but as luck would have it he was no stranger to these lands. If they move quickly they could, they would be able to return to the city within the late afternoon. That is, if all goes well. [b]"I will be relying on your knowledge, Airthel."[/b] Than there was the large human Corraich. A boisterous fellow, seems to be rather rough around the edges, but so far has done The Grey Warden no wrong. He kept to himself and did as he was told. The Grey Warden wondered if he worked in the army, as he carried himself as though he was an old soldier. Corraich also warned them about possible bandits; desperate men looking to prey one desperate refugees. The Grey Warden has yet to deal with any himself, but he would soon get his chance. [b]"I am certain that no mere bandits will be a challenge for a formidable warrior such as yourself."[/b] Lastly, there was Angelo. The Grey Warden wanted to tell him to stay behind, but couldn't . They would need all the help they could get... Even if it was from this strange fellow. He already had his weapons out before they even left the city, which seemed contradictory to his previous request to keep their encounters peaceful. But as they say; if you want peace, prepare for war. Angelo also optimistically wanted to prevent the wife from becoming a widow, to which Corraich remarked would not matter on the grand scale. The Grey Warden agreed, in his own way. [b]"To be honest, I am expecting to find his corpse. But it would make for better news to bring him home. Now than, let us leave."[/b]

Soon afterwards the group left the city. They took the roads until the Grey Warden allowed Airthel to lead them into the forest proper, through thick bushes and trees. Everyone kept their eyes open for any sign of the husband, and soon enough they did find a rather conspicuous trail; blood and arrows. Following the torn plants, soon a trail was formed. The Grey Warden knelt over a small puddle of blood. The ground kept it moist, but it's top layer was congealed. Not fresh, but not old either. The Grey Warden put his finger into what little of the crimson liquid was left and tasted it. [b]"Human blood. Might be the husband's, or a careless hunter. These arrows don't look to be your normal game arrows however. They looked more suitable to puncture chain mail than animal hide. Likely the bandits you mentioned Corraich. I do not see any Deathroot around here however..."[/b]

The Grey Warden walked further along the path to see where it lead when he saw something jump out of the bushes and attack him. [b]"Wolves!"[/b]

[b][i][center]Karine Madeleine 
Val Royeaux[/b][/i][/center]

The mage used a cone of cold on Karine, hoping to freeze her solid. But her blood was boiling too hot to be frozen in ice, and she charged. Slowly, but she was charging nonetheless. By the time the mage's spell was over Karine emerged from the frost and tackled the mage over with her shield. It knocked him against the railing and nearly over the water but he managed to keep himself steady. Karine's body was weighed down by ice now, but she wasn't going to worry about that. [b]"Pathetic!"[/b] She roared as she charged the mage again. He ran to the opposite side, his light weight and speed being the only thing keeping Karine away from him. He tried to blast a bolt of magic at Karine, but it sputtered into nothingness against her shield. Right as he was going to try to run again Karine caught up to the mage and knocked him over with her shield. She raised her morning star up high and brought it down onto the man, who managed to block the first place at the expense of his staff. The second blow managed to crush his ankle as he tried to roll away, and now he was in no position to run. Underneath her full-face helmet Karine snarled at the mage. [b]"Is that it? That is all that you could do? Weakling!"[/b] Karine brought her morning star up high to kill the mage, but he had one last trick up his sleeve.

Using the blood that was pouring from his ankle, he used the last bit of his magic and some of his own blood to summon three [url=http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090318060548/dragonage/images/4/41/Rage_demon_concept_art.jpg]demon of rage[/url] between him and Karine. The summoning caused a small explosion, one that knocked the mage down to the lower deck and caused Karine to stumble, but she stood her ground. The warrior smirked as the demon roared at her, and she resumed her stance. [b]"This should be fun... Let's go!"[/b] Karine charged at the demon just as the demon lunged at her.

The scene on the boat did not go unnoticed by the city however. Various onlookers ran away screaming, hoping to warn the local authorities of what was going on. One man in particular, more interested in spreading the news, went inside a tavern and shouted over the noise. "There are demons in the city! They're just underneath the bridge, a Templar is fighting them all by herself!" This caused a few people to get up and head towards the bridge to watch the fight, against all better logic.