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I remember this place... though I can't remember if it was real, or just a dream from the Fade. Or perhaps the work of a demon.

[He shakes his head, scowling a little.]

That is a puzzle for another time, I think.

There are people from my own world here, as well. One of them is someone I've been seeking for a long time: Elissa Cousland. If you know of her I suggest you tell me where I can find her as soon as possible.

We have some... unfinished business to take care of. [That doesn't sound ominous at all.]

[OOC: For anyone familiar with the Dragon Age canon, Nathaniel is being taken from just before the beginning of Awakening, en route to Vigil's Keep.

For anyone else, the key factor is that Nathaniel is very, very pissed, and not likely to be as level-headed or rational as some might remember him to be.]

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Don't lie, Elissa--it's unbecoming of you. It is common knowledge that you took what you thought was revenge upon my father. An innocent man who was fighting for his country.

Innocent? Are you so blind? He killed my family, had his men slaughter my entire household! Every man, woman, and child within the castle is dead because of him.

[Her voice catches but she refuses to seem weak. She holds her head high.]

My nephew, Nathaniel. He had them murder my nephew and his mother as they slept! How could you ever believe that he's innocent?

Your father was a traitor to Ferelden! He was going to sell us out to Orlais, and betray his own king!

[The part about Elissa's nephew gives him pause, though.]

I'm sure my father had no part in your nephew's death. He probably didn't realize that the castle was fully occupied, and he can't be blamed for some of his soldiers acting against orders.

My father fought beside King Maric during the occupation. He would never sell his people out to Orlais and your father knew that!

[She grits her teeth in anger.]

And his mother? And what of my mother's friends visiting? What did they do to deserve death? There were children being taught downstairs earlier that day; do you believe they were spared?

That isn't what I was told when I returned to Ferelden--how do I even know you're telling the truth? You could just be embellishing his actions to justify what you did.

[She spreads her arms. Her cloak opens to show the state of her dress: the blood on her tunic, the dirt on her boots.]

Do I look like someone who wants to lie? Do you truly believe I would want to tell such a tale? I want nothing more than that night to be a lie. But I won't sully the memory of the people who died by pretending it didn't happen.

[Now Nathaniel's confused.]

How can you be dressed like that? The battle at Highever happened months ago.

It didn't for me.

[Her voice cracks again and her fists clench at her side. It's all she can do not to become emotional, to not shake with the barely restrained anger and despair.]

It didn't for me, Nathaniel. All of that happened last night. I fled my home with my dog and the Grey Warden, Duncan, who saved me.

Oh, I know about that part. "The Great Hero of Ferelden."

[From him, it sounds more like an insult than an honorable title.]

[She looks confused once more.]

"The Great...?" What are you even talking about?

Don't you know? You wind up vangquishing evil and saving the world.

Me? You're certain you're not looking for someone else? I've done nothing of the sort.

It's in my past, but it seems to be in your future. There's something strange going on here with time.

Needless to say that you did many things people loved you for, but you gained quite a few enemies along the way.

[She looks uncomfortable at his tone.]

And you hate me for this. Not just for your father but for all of that. For whatever else it is I do and become recognized for.

[There are a few beats as he tries to restrain himself.

No such luck.]

You murdered my father, is that not enough? How about the people you sacrificed on your way to fight the Blight? You were everyone's savior, fixing everyone's problems and saving the world, but you seemed to have no problem letting others fall if it suited your purpose. And lets not forget you and your fellow Grey Wardens didn't even manage to defend the king at Ostagar.

Even after all of that, you were a bloody hero; while the remains of my family were cast into disgrace.

[The king is dead too? Elissa's surprise is evident on her face, the emotion strong enough to cut through the inevitable anger she feels from his accusations. She isn't like that, she would never do something so cruel; she doesn't want anyone to have to be cut down, even in the name of necessity.

The words savior and hero feel like daggers in her gut. She holds Nathaniel's gaze for as long as possible but, eventually, she has to look away.]

I never wanted your family to suffer. Please, believe me. It was your father's crime and his price to pay, not yours.

[And as for the rest... She doesn't know. But she prays that isn't to be the true outcome of her future.]

[That serves to cool Nathaniel's temper, just the slightest bit.]

Whether I deserve to pay or not matters little; the sins of the father are the sins of the son. Or so many Fereldans would say.

Your father acted alone.

[Even if what Howe did was monstrous, even if he had taken away everything and everyone Elissa cared for, this much she's certain of.]

You weren't there. I don't want you to be punished for what he's done. However I can...I want it known.

[Nathaniel lets out a sigh of frustration. How can he stay hateful in the face of someone offering peace?]

You're supposed to hate me. It would be easier that way.

I hate him. Why should I hate you? If you kill me now, I might just think you're giving me a blessing.

[But as much as she might want that...she made a promise.]

Unlike your father, I won't let my hatred extend further than the one responsible for my pain and my loss. It isn't necessary. Killing him won't bring any of them back; hating you won't make me happy.

[This isn't how this is supposed to go; she's supposed to be this horrible monster that he can justify getting revenge on. He can at least hold on to his anger, though.]

Your hatred extended further than you wanted, then. You've punished me by taking my father; and nothing you can say will ever change that.

[There's silence as Nathaniel cuts the feed.]

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