"If you are mages, congratulations on evading the Templars."

"Evading the Templars is not difficult in the Wilds," she says over her shoulder, striding over the uneven ground with grace and confidence.

Acara doesn't really know much about Templars but is starting to think of them as "Guards, only moreso."

"Is it something about living in forests that makes people stealthy, plain-spoken, and terrifyingly competent?" wonders Tev, watching Shiral follow effortlessly after the stranger.

"I don't think so," says Shiral.

"Are all the Dalish not like you? I'll feel less embarrassed to be representing city elves, then."

"Oh, was that a concern? Yes, I am unusual among Dalish elves."

"A minor one."

She nods.

The stranger leads them to a small charming cabin tucked into the side of a low ridge.

"Guests, Mother," she says to the cabin.

A thin old woman, grey-haired but bright-eyed, emerges. "Ah, good," she says. "I've been expecting you. I am called Flemeth, and this shy woodland creature is Clare," with a wave at her daughter(?). "Why don't you introduce yourselves?"

"I'm Acara Tabris."

"Carlos Amell."

"Jago."

"Tev Rasna."

"Uh, Daveth."

"Shiral."

"And I am Ambrose. Clare mentioned you had the old Warden treaties."

"Yes, she did," says Flemeth. "And yes, I do. Are you not going to demand them?"

"I thought I'd wait and see whether you gave them up of your own accord."

"Very polite, this one," says Flemeth. "Could stand to be more assertive."

"Could I now."

Flemeth gives a raspy chuckle. "Maybe not," she says, and she goes into her little cabin and retrieves a wooden case, which she hands to Ambrose.

"Clare will guide you back to your camp. Don't tarry, now; I'm sure you have important things to do."

"Thank you."

If Clare objects to being volunteered for guide duty, she doesn't show it.

Clare seems to be pretty good at leading them in directions that don't involve murdering more darkspawn, which may be part of how she isn't dead yet with darkspawn all over the Wilds.

Clare is indeed very good at that thing. They don't encounter a single darkspawn the entire way back.

Acara makes a mental note that it's probably either a good or bad sign that she's slightly disappointed by this and isn't sure which.

Duncan is waiting for them when they get back to camp.