A small taste of their future. 

And then: head out? 

Best not to waste any more time.

A sentiment Duncan shares, when they meet up. They set out across the bridge to the mainland without further ceremony, and then turn south down the Lakeroad.

Lys has questions on the walk, about the state of the world, the war against the Blight, who they'll be meeting up with - but she does get distracted a few times looking around, and she drifts closer to Briony, shoulders nearly brushing, once they're out of sight of any Templars.

The horde seems to be massing in the Korcari Wilds, at Ferelden's southern extreme. It's only the very remotest of the Bannorn that's been affected by the darkspawn so far; they haven't even gotten so far as the crossroads at Lothering. The king's army is gathering at the old fortress of Ostagar. After answering the initial call at Denerim, Duncan and his apprentice split off to try to find a few more recruits at King Cailan's leave. The Grey Wardens have been few in number here since Ferelden's war for independence, as most of them were originally Orlesian.

So even just Lys and Briony will be notable additions to their ranks? 

For now, yes.

It's annoying (and unfortunate) that more people aren't willing to fight this, even when it's in their own - and everyone else's - best interest. Even when they're well suited to it - and it's incredibly annoying that those in power, who should know better, try to interfere with conscription. 

The sad truth is that Grey Wardens are almost unnecessary, until they are very necessary. And the times when they are necessary are some of the worst for the world. People would prefer to ignore the Wardens, and the troubles they herald, keeping themselves safe in a comfortable illusion until it is shattered by reality.

Then it will be part of their job to both shelter the foolish, and show them the truth. 

That would be beyond the call of duty.

But if it's required to truly stop the Blight...

The only thing that will stop a Blight is the death of the archdemon leading it.

She's guessing though that the archdemon won't be trivial to find and march up to? 

No, it will be in the heart of the swarm.

So allies - ones with armies - will be useful.

Such as the king of Ferelden, yes.

(Lys is not, it must be said, an optimist - but she'll drop this for now, instead keeping the 'but what if that's not enough' in the back of her head.)

It's pretty nice getting to just... Hang out with Briony on the road, too.

And sharing a bedroll?

Absolutely. (One on the other side of camp from their escort, too.)

How tantalizing.

Though they still can't get noisy...

Briony might have an idea or two on that front.

Oh, so Lys is interested in that sort of thing?

In one direction or another.