"Not yet. I need to know more about the progression of the infection. Darkspawn samples, and ideally ghouls as well."

"Ghouls are going to be hard to come by. You can have some of mine if you think it'd do you any good, and I can take Hesta and Kador out and see if we can catch a stray darkspawn."

...He'd probably veto turning a person into a ghoul deliberately.

"A sample of your blood would be useful, yes. If you cannot find a ghoul easily, do not trouble too much over it. I ought to be able to do without. And unless the arl has an apothecary's laboratory somewhere, I shall need to have some specialized glassware blown."

"Tell me what you need and I'll take care of it," he says cheerfully. "I like having a problem to solve. Gives me an excuse to avoid sleeping for a while longer."

She has a list of instruments and specifications that they should be made to.

"I'll see what I can do!"

And he traipses off to collect Hesta and Kador and go darkspawn-hunting.

In the morning, there is plenty of darkspawn blood - neatly labelled and carefully sealed in bottles - and some of the glassware she wanted waiting for her outside her room, with a note saying he'll be going out to pick up the rest that afternoon.

Then she can take all of that carefully inside, and begin setting up. Shortly, she determines that she's still missing a few pieces she needs, and also that she has not eaten since yesterday. She goes to look for food.

Elissa is having breakfast with the blond elf from yesterday and a quiet, serious-faced human Eliana hasn't seen before.

"It'd all look very different if I ruled the world, of course," she's saying as Eliana approaches. "And here's Stalas's new friend! Good morning, Eliana! If you're looking for breakfast, you've found it!"

"Good morning. That is indeed what I was looking for."

"Are you joining us, or just taking some food and going? Either way is fine."

"Continuing work on my project must await the arrival of the rest of the glassware. I will join you, if you do not mind."

"Not at all; have a seat. And some introductions." She indicates each of her companions in turn, the quiet human and then the blond elf. "These are Warden Ambrose, my fiancé, and Zevran Arainai, my bodyguard."

"A pleasure to meet you," says Zevran, bowing slightly in his seat. He has a strong Antivan accent.

"Good morning," Ambrose adds, with a faint, shy smile.

She nods acknowledgement to each, getting herself a plate and a seat.

"I confess myself somewhat surprised that a Grey Warden needs a bodyguard who is not himself a Warden."

"Well, some fool keeps hiring assassins to kill her, you see," says Zevran with a little laugh.

"Only the once so far. But it was memorable. Why Teyrn Loghain is so determined to kill all the Grey Wardens he can find in the middle of a Blight, I really can't fathom."

"He was a strong supporter of Ferelden independence. Perhaps he believes he needs no help."

"If only he were right about that."

"History has amply proved that lesson."

"Yes."

Mm, breakfast.

"Are you interested in the political situation here at all?"

"More knowledge is always better than less."

"A perspective I tend to share. All right. How much do you already know?"

"Loghain was friendly with the father of the previous king, he served in an advisory capacity to both, and his daughter was married to Cailan. After Cailan's death at Ostagar, he took over the Regency. Some of the nobility do not much like his rule."

"All true," she says. "So, the next important piece of political background here is that Ambrose is Cailan's half-brother."

"Unacknowledged bastard?"

He nods.