"Good luck to you."

"Thank you."

"I was wondering, might I ask what the Joining entails? Metella said something about controlled exposure to the darkspawn taint."

"There is a - substance - made using darkspawn blood and other things. The recipe is secret and we don't currently have access to it. Prospective Wardens drink it, and then they either die or become Wardens."

She nods. "I ask because the process by which Wardens survive seems like it may very well be relevant to reversing the corruption."

"I'm sorry we can't be more help, then."

"I still have Stalas to work from. What happened to him must have been at least loosely similar, if in effect and not execution."

"As far as I know, the children of Wardens are not born Wardens themselves. It's rare for Wardens to have children at all. I'm not sure what implications that has for Stalas's situation."

"Finding out will be an adventure."

"I suppose so."

"Not exactly the same as killing dragons and bringing peace to a divided land, I grant you. But I find it just as rewarding."

"I prefer the kind of adventure that involves expanding our understanding of the world, honestly. In order to bring peace, you must first find yourself confronted with a war, and those make messes."

"This is true."

"Whereas to expand your understanding of the world, all you need is a question and a means of answering it. Much neater that way."

"Usually. Depending on the means."

"True. Tidier in principle, then, at least."

The remains of breakfast are suddenly very interesting.

It is of course entirely reasonable to be interested in such an excellent breakfast.

Shortly thereafter, Eliana makes her goodbyes and returns to her room. She can at least take some preliminary steps with what she has now. She spends an hour or so on that, then wanders out to see if the arl keeps a library.

He does! Metella is there, reading his books.

"Any recommendations?"

"Well, that depends on your taste. Personally, I'm fascinated by this series about the history of the Avvar."

"The southern barbarians? Or, well, the more southerly of the southern barbarians."

"Yes, those."

"We only say that because a pretense of cultural superiority makes us feel better about the fact they successfully resisted conquest."