(She's actually looking forward to fighting together.)

"Remember, try not to get any of the blood in your mouth or eyes. Open wounds are a risk too. You're not Wardens yet."

"I know - I've been fighting darkspawn for years."

"I have not. Thank you for the reminder."

"I'll be careful if any get near me."

And needless to say, Briony will do her utmost to ensure none get near Lys.

If everyone's ready, then, they should spring their ambush.

They're all ready. 

Then here we go.

Briony leads the charge, shield-first and sword drawn. She knocks the first hurlock down and slashes out at another as the pack turns to confront the threat.

She pulls her fair share with magic, bolts and chains darting around her allies to wreck havoc on her enemies.

While Shiremi takes down the hurlock's own archers with carefully placed arrows.

And Halna fights at Briony's side, darting in and out of direct melee contact, taking out any going for Briony from the side, or who Briony manages to distract. 

Xandra cleans up the other flank.

All in all, their first engagement is a relatively smooth success.

Is this sufficient for the vials of darkspawn blood? 

Xandra will pass out the vials and everyone can try to fill one.

Lys is pretty efficient at this. 

Briony manages it as well. Darkspawn blood has an odd consistency to it, thick and viscous and black. A foul stench as well.

Luckily, she isn't bothered by working with disturbing ingredients. 

Halna's also used to the smell. 

If everyone's got their vial, then they won't need to worry about going out of their way to find more darkspawn for the rest of this trip.

Though they might still want to kill any they run across, if it seems feasible.

Of course. 

Then if no one needs rest, they can continue on to that old Warden outpost.

Seems like they're all okay to keep pushing. 

Then deeper into the wilds. After a time, they find what could be the remnants of an old Tevinter road. It's not so grand as the highway that still circles Ferelden, but it's going in about the right direction and could speed their travel.

Finally.