"If a Grey Warden tried to do something about the Templars after the Blight was over, would they get in trouble with the Wardens over it?"

"Yes, almost certainly. The Warden's mandate is to do whatever it takes to save the world from darkspawn, and stay out of politics because we can't afford to fight another war alongside our first."

"Ugh."

"I agree."

"Why is that the rule when there's not a Blight on?"

"Because we never know where the next Blight is going to start until it does, so we can't afford to have any nation close their borders to us, or to lose the trust of the Chantry or the Dalish. We have to be welcome everywhere because we might be needed anywhere."

"Ugh.

At least Elissa's not a Warden, I guess."

"Yes. She is entirely free to pursue whatever political goals she might like."

"And she's, you know, a Teyrna, so."

"Yes. Although not fully secure in her title, last I heard."

Shrug. "For now."

"Yes. I wish her the best of luck."

"King Cailan, whatever other traits he might have, believed her. I'm not sure it's plausible that we survive the battle but she loses her teyrnr."

"Well, I'm not quite optimistic enough to expect it will all work out perfectly."

Shrug. "What I know about shem politics could be written on one of the studs on my armor."

"Understandable."

"I don't suppose mail gets delivered from here."

"I wouldn't depend on it."

"If I write a letter to my family and die in the Joining, will you try to hold onto it and mail it later?"

"Yes, of course."

"Okay." She goes to write a letter.

Ambrose continues presiding over breakfast until everyone has had some. Or, in Tev's case, had a lot.

Yeah that's a Thing now. Eventually Acara finishes her letter and gives it to Ambrose.

He files it carefully among his personal effects.

And Acara finds herself at a bit of a loss. There isn't really anything in particular she needs to do before the Joining, and wandering around camp looking for useful things to do would be--not a good idea, in an environment where people are likely to mistake her for a servant anyway. Helping with the mabari was fine because the kennel master specifically identified her as a Warden recruit, but going looking would be. Not good.

Oh, look, there's Carlos looking like a kicked puppy again. Maybe she can make him not look like a kicked puppy, that would be good.