Placing her swiftly congealing bowl of porridge on the floor as Rannon replied, Feri supposed it was unsurprising he felt that way. Certainly not correct, and Rannon was being more than harsh on himself. But in many walks of life, if you witness death, no matter the scale or horror of it, you are left feeling different. Survivor's guild plagued more than a few in this land, and Feri herself had had moments of it herself - she understood what he felt, and could hopefully help him out of it. "Punishment? Oh, Rannon. You fought your battle. You didn't desert like Loghain did, you just had the wits to save your own life when everyone else..." She paused uncomfortably; she hadn't been present at Ostagar, but she didn't need much imagination to know the death toll there. For the King, countless soldiers, and even a handful of Grey Wardens to die, the battle must have been an impossible one to live through. Feri shook her head in simple refusal of what he had said. "Don't judge yourself for being alive. I've been there - definitely in a different context, but it's still a dark path to go down." [i]So is revenge...[/i] She thought to herself wordlessly. While Loghain had to be brought to justice for his treachery, there was a fine line between that and vengeance. Revenge rarely brought about any peace in those affected - it could turn too quickly into something nasty and blood-filled. [b]"You make me feel better."[/b] Feri was glad that Rannon's eyes were averted at his outburst, as her face once more flushed crimson. Cursing her seemingly ever-rosy cheeks, the young half-dwarf had to consider that she was blushing rather a lot around the warrior. Usually she kept minimum contact to men, or were completely at ease around them, treating them no differently than a friend. Perhaps because they had known each for only a day? [i]There must be something beyond his comeliness for me to be reacting so oddly.[/i] Feri cleared her throat before answering, willing her cheeks to calm down. "Well... I'm glad! When we first came across one another, you had quite the grim look in your eye. Admittedly, that could have been something to do with all the blood you were covered in, and then the Darkspawn we killed, not to mention your injuries - " She paused, deciding the tangent had gone on long enough. "What I mean to say is that I'm glad you weren't alone, traipsing through those wilds. Gideon here is fine company, but I find sentience in your comrades goes a long way for feeling better. Helps conversation too." Standing up with a sigh and nudging her unfinished breakfast towards the Mabari with a friendly smile, Feri dusted her hands off from where she had sat upon the ground. "You make me feel better too. Not only have you already saved my life, but things seem a little brighter with someone else around. It helps that you're a good talker too; I don't think we'd have as much of a good time if you were a mute." Said with a light grin, Feri offered her hand to the still sitting Rannon, just as he did earlier; except the height difference was a bit more comedic, and hoisting him up would take a bit more effort on her part. "You'll have my company and my swords to Redcliffe and beyond, Rannon. I may not be Fereldan, but I know a friend in need when I see one. I also know a traitor - and they're looked down upon everywhere." Feri said, serious up to that point, where she paused and frowned. "Except in Orlais, actually. Maker, they're an odd sort. We're staying in this country on our travels, right?" Feri only hoped the joke masked the hopefulness in her tone. She had some doubts on whether Rannon would want to do what he needed to do alone, but she'd feel too guilty leaving him at this point. He needed help... besides: They made each other feel better - why ruin something like that? [@POOHEAD189]