[b]Kingdom of Ferelden: Woodsmen Outpost[/b]

As much as she wanted to go back and check for survivors or any information, or even supplies, Julien was right.

It would be a breeding ground for the enemy.

Gathering information wouldn't be easy. Even if they got information, she wasn't sure if it would be reliable. If only they had first hand accounts, as opposed to the usual rumor and gossip which blew across the land effortlessly. Tall tales could be spun without checking for validity. Could Wystellia put her trust in what a stranger said? Ideally, they'd find someone who was credible but even so, she would have liked to find Loghain himself and see what was needed and what actually happened. Something inside her gut, told her clarity wouldn't be easily found otherwise. 

But they also had to assume the worst, that they were the only Grey Wardens, which was a tough pill to swallow. More bad news wasn't good for the body, let alone brain. Wystellia's stomach now housed both anxiety and worry and she was certain more would follow. As Julien got up from the bed, she found herself trying to win the battle raging in her head. Everything felt so futile, so hopeless and yet they were in a small village that should have been wiped out and yet it remained steady the way their team hadn't. The Grey Wardens' numbers were already dwindling while they tried to recruit new members, but to think that their future rested on her and Julien's shoulders, was a heavy weight to carry.

Julien walked over and mentioned how they couldn't give up, that they needed to do their duty and find others to help them. Help them do what? Fight Darkspawn? How could they do that when there was already restlessness among the towns and cities of Ferelden? A lot was being asked of two battered Wardens. Julien then let out a laugh which did little to comfort or amuse the mage but she appreciated the gesture's intent so she gave a small smile in response. His final statement did strike a cord with the elf though and she let a small dry chuckle. "Yes, these moments of impossible hardship aren't painted on banners that parade around recruiters."

Wystellia looked to the man next to her. "Tomorrow morning we'll need to go and head for the next town we can find." She told him. For now, she wanted to be cautious and let them both have one more night of restful sleep before they hit the road. A village would be too small since they both would need to find supplies and see what they could trade as well. "I might try look around this afternoon, see if I can find anything useful." She mentioned to Julien as she walked around and paused at the door. "We may not be able to do a formal Joining but that doesn't mean we're going to be alone in this fight."

Wystellia was determined to make sure they had allies somehow.

With that, she saw herself out and walked into the middle of the camp to see if she could help with anything. The old woman said she needed some more water from a nearby river. Wystellia was happy to oblige and took both large wooden buckets and headed off into the woods. Even though she was an elf, she wasn't Dalish but did dream of finding her own kind sometime and getting in touch with her roots. Her parents weren't Dalish but her grandparents were, sadly they died but not before filling the young girl's ears with wild tales which spurred her to dream of a bigger life beyond the walls of the Alienage. 

As she walked along the dirt, she kept her ears perked for any enemies. When she arrived at the small river fifteen minutes later, she filled a bucket and moved away to quickly wash herself off. When she was done, she took both refilled buckets back to the camp grounds and the woman thanked her. Being a Grey Warden was often a thankless job but hearing those words, even for the water, made the mage feel a little less dull and worthless. The rest of the day passed without incident and in the morning, she gathered her belongings and headed out the door, ready to move on with Julien.

"Julien, are you ready to go?" She knocked on his door and waited for an answer. As she did, she turned and looked to the majority of the folks who stayed to see them off. Wystellia smiled at them and assured them that she didn't sense any hordes coming for their grounds but that it could change suddenly, and to move camp as soon as possible, to be safe. They handed her two red shiny speckled apples and she placed them in her leather messenger pack which went over her dirtied yellow robes. "Thank you." She said, knowing any food would do her and Julien some good on the road. Once they hit a town though, she would want to get real supplies for food and potions, her supplies had been wiped out and lose in battle and she was just happy to have her staff still with her.

"Let's hit the road, we'll find breakfast along the way." She knocked again.