She looked at me with a crinkled smile. The woman had a matronly grandmother-like look, with gray hair tied back into a bun and wrinkles adorning her face.

"You've seemed to have gained quite a fair bit of attention this evening." She chuckled.

"Although with so many young people present, I would be surprised if you escaped without being pestered. Curiosity and youth go hand in hand, while elders such as myself resolve to watch from the sides."

"True." Then I realized the accidental insult in the reply. "Well, you don't look that old."

She laughed.

"No need to tell me sweet lies my dear boy. Maker knows that my prime has passed long ago."

"Ah." I scratched my head. "Sorry."

"Don't be," she said. "But for an apology would you mind the company of an old crone?"

Well, it was either that or return to whatever boredom awaited me for the rest of the evening. Besides, I was used to being in the company of much older people. Bluebeard was a century old, and Alamere was older still. I knew because he talked about being in the Gnoll Wars, which had happened a century and a half ago.

"Of course," I said.

"Excellent. These functions can be terribly boring, and you looked like you were about to fall asleep until those elves came about."

"Did I?" I said. "Well, I'm not unused to guard duty. It isn't so bad."

"You don't need to dress things up to seem better than the actually are dear boy." She leaned against a pillar. "Sometimes it is better to acknowledge drudgery when you see it. After all I'm sure the two of us have places we would much rather be."

"I guess so," I said, leaning against the pillar opposite hers. "If I might ask how long have you served the Arl?"

"Serve?" she said. "Oh no, I do not serve the Arl."

"You're not one of his bannermen then?"

"Oh no," she said. "I am just a free agent much like yourself. Although, to your original question I've provided my services for years now. Countless years according to some."

"I see," I said. "I take it the pay must be pretty good."

"Decent," she said. "Though are much greater opportunities afoot for someone of my experience. Money is of no concern for me. In fact, I provide my services free of charge."

I blinked. What a peculiar old lady.

"Really?" I said. "So… you're out here, being a guard, out of your own free will with no compensation?"

"I do have my reasons. In my age, I have found the accrual of wealth to be a pointless effort. I find it far more interesting in being where the great changes of the world are seeded. People say I have a good sense of the hearts of men, and that is the service that I provide."

Now she started to sound like someone who was a bit too full of themselves. Like those would-be diviners who claimed to be able to see the future by reading the stars.

"Not to be rude but I've met a good number of people who claim the same."

"Really?" She nodded in the direction of the corner. "Let us look upon the crowd for example."

She pointed to Taoran and Vaughn who were continuing their drinking spree.

"Two boys, heirs to two men. Men who have performed deeds worthy of song and verse. However, where they succeeded in battle they failed in the rearing of their sons. One has shown nothing but greed, gluttony, and lust. On the other you have ambition, but one that is tied to vanity. I quake for what will happen when both must rise to fulfill the positions of their forebears."

She then directed her gaze to the opposite corner toward Ferghus who seemed to be well intoxicated and Aedan who still appeared to be well and truly miserable.

"There, are the two brothers you spoke with earlier. Two heirs of another great man. Yet, their upbringing their born nature or both reveal all the difference. Modest and prudent, both fulfilling their own dedications to duty. An older brother to his younger, guiding him in the ways of things. A noble to his country, seeking to prove himself worthy of his obligations."

I blinked. She got everything I suspected but never vocalized about the four individuals pretty accurately.

"I am precisely here because I can see such things," she said. "And I tell you that you wouldn't be here if you weren't worthy of being so. The Arl's Herald has almost a keen an eye for such matters as well. To a lesser degree though."

I scoffed. "Really? I'm sorry but how much do you think you know about me? We have barely met."

"I know enough that you lied to that young lordling of your heritage," she said. "Born out in the seas and fighting since? Quite an amusing tale."

"And what makes you think that?" I said, a bit concerned.

"All too easy. Your manners for starters. You speak like someone comfortable in the presence of nobility, and you address them using decorum, albeit not the most proper ones. An ordinary sell-sword wouldn't have the slightest idea what to say. You also came dressed and groomed for the occasion, and have likely spent money to do so. An ordinary sell-sword hardly takes account of such matters, especially one who never grew up around customs and out in the open seas."

"Okay, fine," I shrugged. "I made some things up."

"Then why lie?"

"It's… complicated. I don't want to discuss it."

"Mmm…very well then," she said. "I can see however you didn't lie regarding the second half of your tale. You are a man of war, who lived through many battles that many did not survive. One who has seen the kinds of monsters desperation and callousness can wring out of people."

I said nothing, not really wanting to dredge up the past.

"I won't pry," she said. "But I think you have a good heart nonetheless. If there is anything you take away from this old crone, it is this. Forgive yourself."

I looked at her with a face.

"You wouldn't know."

"I believe I do know an inkling, having been through it myself and having seen many others go through the same. Nobody is perfect, everyone falters and falls short of what we deem to be good. What matters is that we reflect and strive on to do better things. And you look like someone who has done an ample amount of reflection."

I pondered her words, doing so even as it brought up painful memories. A red dress. Alterac City. Shrieking amidst a snowy landscape.

"I'll think on it," I said. "And I guess I was wrong about you as well."

"Do think on it. There are too few good men and women in this world. On a brighter note, I would like to point out again that you've come quite well dressed for the evening."

"Oh, this?" I pointed a finger at the shirt. "It does feel nice, although I think it has drawn far too much attention to myself this evening."

"It suits you quite well," she said. "And is well-suited for the times too. I find it mildly amusing how humans can despise the Dalish yet fawn over their goods. That little red-haired elf picked it out for you, yes?"

"Shianni? She did in fact."

"Interesting." She looked at my shirt. "The leaves are a representation of friendship, but upon closer look the pattern is drawn in symbol to Mythal. Do you know who Mythal is?"

"No. Is it why people were looking at me so funny?"

I didn't think Shianni would be as crude to dress me up to pull a prank but…

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Hah, not at all. I doubt most of those here would know the significance. Mythal is a goddess of the Elvhen pantheon. She represents justice, born of the seas and protector of Elvhenkind. Justice and kindness."

Oh, that made a lot more sense. It was quite thoughtful as well on Shianni's part.

"She is also the goddess of love. Did you know that in their kind, choosing the clothes for a man is an action taken by one's wife?"

"Wait, what?" I laughed. "No, we aren't anything like…"

The words got stuck in my mouth as every interaction I ever had with Shianni played back in my head. How she seemed to go out of her way to help me. How it would seem my actions to her would appear from her perspective. Her reaction when I told her about my friend at home and our most recent encounter.

All of it gave me a resounding new perspective on things.

"Oh no…"

"I believe." The woman dipped her head in a knowing nod. "Nothing more needs to explained. You don't seem to be the philandering type, but you should be clear with your intentions. After all, you appear to be besotted with another this good evening, and a noble at that. Elf or noble, both leading to a future of peril for one of your station."

"Look uh," I said. "I don't mean to pursue anything with anyone."

"Ah then celibacy?" She chuckled. "Even more perilous than the first two, one noted to drive even the greatest of men mad."

I pursed my lips. "I did not mean it like that."

She cackled, and something about that cackle nudged my memory.

"Relax," she said. "I am only jesting. The young mock the old and the old mock the young."

I didn't reply, still coming to grips with the implications of this evening. It made me embarrassed to even think about it.

"One day I shall stand before the Maker for judgment and I would like to have lived in such a manner that I know both what I've done and why I've done it. If you have a chance to visit the Chantry, you should look for the mural there. A famed one of Andraste guiding a flock of people, like a shepherd to her flock. The maiden pointing the way. Oh, how the prophet loved her analogies. Quite inspiring, even to an old crone such as myself."

There was something in the voice, that made me swear I heard it before.

"Have we me-?"

Gasps and the sound of crashing glass interrupted my question.

"Oh dear," said the old woman. "It appears it is time to go. You shouldn't keep people waiting."

I didn't bother to look back as I bolted down the stairs. The music cut out and the crowd dispersed from the center of the court, revealing Vaughn wrestling Taoran on the floor.

I had no idea what had happened since the two of them seemed to be drunkenly celebrating together at one point. Then I realized I answered my own question. Alcohol and youth are a recipe for disaster.

The other bannerman on the second floor were moving the same way, hands ready to draw their swords. I knew I had to break the fight up before they arrived, otherwise things could get extremely messy.

I rushed across the court, avoiding goblets and puddles of wine. By the time them, Taoran had broken free of Vaughn's vice-grip and had gotten up.

"You dare!" said Vaughn. "What did you say to me?!"

"I said." Taoran wiped the blood off his mouth. "She doesn't deserve you."

Vaughn threw a fist at Taoran, but not before I got between them. I shoved his arm, causing his punch to go wide and making him tumble off to the side.

I thanked the Light Taoran didn't try and fight back. Instead, he stood there, sneering at the noble with just a bloodied nose.

Vaughn stood back up, as his bannermen lined up behind him. The crowd of partygoers backed themselves toward the walls, trying to get as far as they could from the fighting.

"Guards!" Vaughn looked at the bannermen. "Make short work of these scoundrels."

The air reverberated with the sound of swords being drawn. One of the bannermen strode forward before the others, raising his weapon high.

I drew my own sword, the light-blue metal of the weapon shimmering in the torchlight. Mithril met steel in a clash of noise as the two blades met mid-air.

A better swordsman like Captain Falmore wouldn't have met the opponent's weapon head on, and probably would have deflected it to the side to leave them in a position for a counterstrike. Instead, I met the blow as if I was wielding a hammer.

The man pressed down, and when I did not give way, he looked at me with a confused expression.

I willed but a speck of Light through my arms and pushed with force. The bannerman was sent tumbling backward, his sword clattering to the floor.

Upon seeing their fellow fall, the others halted their advance. In their fickle movements and fidgeting hands, I could see paralysis. Paralysis from both uncertainty and inexperience.

"Well?!" said Vaughn. "Why did you all sto-!"

"What is the meaning of this?"

Everyone looked at the man with graying hair who pushed out from the crowd.

"My lord," said the Herald. "Do you find it entertaining making a mockery of this household?"

"This commoner has insulted me." Vaughn pointed at Taoran. "I am just taking my dues."

"And you sought to make a public display of this?" said the Herald. "Your father will be most displeased upon hearing this."

Vaughn looked as if he was going to say something but pursed his lips. He stomped away.

"And you." The Herald pointed at Taoran. "I was expecting little and still you managed to defeat my expectations. Please, take your men and depart from these premises at once. I shall have it made clear that you or your lot will never find employment in our functions again."

"Whatever," said Taoran, who appeared to still be running on drunken bravado to contemplate the significance of his actions.

He left through the front door. I followed him, aware of the stares of probably every single young noble in the country in our wake.

I didn't say anything as we crossed into the cold evening air. We stopped just short of the manor gate and we stood there waiting.

It gave me time to realize just who Taoran was. In every interaction I've had with him, he had shown nothing but vanity, cruelty, and greed. Not even the calculating kind given that he had ruined what could have been a lucrative business relationship in the course of an evening. All over a petty squabble over a woman.

He was the same kind of person I despised working for, and as I watched the remaining Blackstone Irregular be pushed outside by the Arl's men, I knew exactly what to do.

"Well, at least we won't be dealing with him ever again." Taoran rubbed his cheek and looked toward me.

"You're right." I turned and started leaving. "As I am with you."

"Hey," said Taoran. "Hey!"

"I'm done," I said. "I'm done working for you and I'm done working with you. Thank you for the payment and have a good evening."

"You'll regret this!" he said.

I didn't bother responding, and he didn't try to pursue. I pushed him out of my mind and made my way back to the inn. On my journey back I realized I had another festival to attend tomorrow, and all I could think of until I slept was what exactly I was going to do with a particular red-haired elf.