"I think it's a combination of several factors," says Metella. "I might summarize it as 'competence and audacity'. The audacity to try things no one in their right mind would expect to succeed at, and the competence to succeed anyway. And that's how you end up discovering lost Paragons and fighting dragons and climbing ogres."

Stalas snickers. "Listen, if you had to fight as many ogres as I have, you'd develop a technique too!"

"I have a technique."

"Yes, well, mine works in enclosed spaces."

To Eliana, he explains, "Sorry, it's a long-running argument. Metella thinks the way I fight ogres is ridiculous. I think having the ground open up and swallow her enemies is intimidating at the expense of practicality."

"Do darkspawn understand fear? And I think if you are encountering ogres in enclosed spaces, you must have pressing concerns besides the overall practicality of any one technique."

Stalas laughs.

"What a refreshing perspective. Yes, actually, they do, or at least they can be made to with a sufficiently persuasive argument."

"I admit I'm not totally unmoved by the intimidation value, but really it's a matter of efficiency. I've been refining my telekinesis since I was six and it's still 'precision, power, speed, pick two'. Having my enemies swallowed by the earth is an example of picking the last two. And the more animate something is by itself, the harder it is to affect with telekinesis, so it actually is easier to move the ground than the people."

"That's an interesting restriction. It's not a school of magic I'm very experienced with."

"It's normally too inefficient to be worth seriously pursuing, but I was a very stubborn six-year-old. I wouldn't recommend anyone make a serious attempt to pick it up as a practical discipline if they have other things they'd like to do with the next five years of their life."

"Noted. We have complementary strengths, the sort of magic I have specialized in does very well at affecting the living."

"Before the Blight, I intended to one day be First Enchanter of Ferelden's Circle, so there are things it would not have been prudent for me to study. I'd be absolutely fascinated to discuss magical theory with you whenever we have the time."

"I would enjoy that. Stalas tells me you have undertaken some investigation into the unique properties of his blood. I may be able to shed further light on the mystery."

"I can show you my notes back at Arl Eamon's estate."

"We're all staying there at present," Stalas explains, "and you're welcome to join us if you don't have an alternate arrangement in place. There's more than enough room."

"The warehouse also served as our living quarters. I would be happy to join you at the Arl's estate."

"All right."

To the Redcliffe estate they go.

"Elissa will want to see those papers we retrieved. She's working on getting all the political problems out of our way so we can take care of the Blight."

"Where is she?"

"Probably in her office, and if she's not there, we can leave her the contract with a nice little note."

Once inside the estate, he leads the way to a small office on the ground floor. The door is ajar. He knocks.

"Stalas! Come in! I hear you made a new friend!"

He steps inside.

"Word travels fast! Elissa, this is Eliana Fabil. Eliana, this is Elissa Cousland, Warden-Commander of Ferelden."

"Warden-Commander. I was told you would find this document of interest." She steps forward to place the papers on the desk. "Details of the agreement between Regent Loghain and Magister Caladrius, gold in exchange for unrestricted slaving activity in the alienage."

"The man just insists on continuing to sabotage himself. It's almost tragic," she says, pulling the papers toward her. "Thanks, I'm sure this will be immensely useful. And please feel free to call me Elissa. I think it'd be a bit silly of me to stand on ceremony when I command at most two and a half Wardens."

"How can one be half a Warden?"

"Wardens can sense darkspawn. I can too, but not nearly as well."

"You are just a continual font of fascination, aren't you?"