Vigil's Keep

The door to the Deep Roads was well guarded by some Wardens who would allow any passing through. Byron would have given Runt a small backpack with supplies, and a cart with supplies for the Legion. The dwarf wouldn't be accompanying the fellow, he had too much to do at the Keep. However Runt wouldn't be going alone.

Tobias, an elven mage, was accompanying him. The fellow was heavily scarred and burned on his left side and it was obvious to anyone that he had a wooden left leg, one that he'd lift and drag awkwardly. It was clear from his walk that he would never be able to run if it ever came to that. An eyepatch covered his left eye as well. He waited at the door for Runt.

Interestingly, Tobias, despite wearing the insignia of a senior warden, was not present at the Joining.

Runt approached Tobias and offered a peaceful bow,"Greetings Master Tobias. My name is Runt. Master Byron informed me that I will be traveling with you into the Deep Roads." He stated calmly.

The Avaar carefully observed the elf, trying not to be obvious when he noticed the scar. Curiosity lit up within him. But the Avaar was raised not to question or be curious about superiors unless they offered.

"Ah..Hmm.." he slowly and awkwardly offered out his hand,"This is customary in this region, correct?"

Tobias nodded his head slightly although he'd tilt his head so that he could seize Runt up with his good eye. The elf looked genuinely surprised at the fellow, although he said nothing about it.

"Just Tobias would be fine. I'm afraid I'm all the backup the Commander could spare for the Legion including yourself," the elf said as he extended his right hand to shake the Avvar's.

"In some places yes, it is good manners. I'm afraid you'll have to forgive me if I'm not as nimble as you. Feel free to run as well if things look hopeless and you have to return alive to the Keep," the elf said gesturing at his leg. "Never was that nimble in the first place anyway... and I asked for this assignment anyway."

A swift gesture of his hand was made and the end of his staff lit up brightly to light the cavern. "Any questions for me as a new recruit? Will the ladies go crazy for you? That sort of thing?"

"I have no intention of altering the minds of women. I was not even aware being a Grey Warden did that to them..Perhaps those in the Keep have become resistant due to exposure..?" Runt mumbled, you would think the Avaar was joking but if you looked at him closely it was apparent that he was serious.

"I should be careful..Anyway, Tobias.." he continued,"I am certain that you would not have been assigned if your skills were not admirable. Your wounds only prove you are a strong man." He gently patted the elf's back.

The large man looked in the direction of their destination,"..I do have one question about being a Warden. Can I trust my fellow Wardens? Can I trust them to assist me with anything I ask?"

Tobias had thought Runt was joking until he ended up talking about those at the keep being resistant. The elf barked out a laugh.

"My apologies Runt, I had meant the part about the ladies in jest. There are some who view us as strapping handsome men and there's a few of us who have been invited to the houses of nobles have returned with a more than a few marriage proposals."

There was a slight shift in the elf's demeanor when the Avvar mentioned his wounds. It was a sore topic to him still and he'd let it slide for the time being as Runt's next question was a good one.

"Do you trust me to give you an honest answer then? The answer would be yes and no. You can trust your fellow wardens... Most of us would have each other's back in a fight. But when it comes to secrets, some are a bit more dubious than others. Not all of us who come to the Wardens have a clean background and while most try to make their best of a fresh start, old habits can die hard. Most after the Inquisition are decent folk. Some of us who can't find a place in the world, others on the run for crimes, others chosen as its an honour... you take your pick Runt," Tobias said as he got up and shifted his leg in an awkward manner to drag it forward with the help of his staff.

"Best way of picking up who's your ally, just fight with them. Even men who have their differences can share a camp when dealing with the darkspawn. I'm afraid the pulling of the cart is on you my friend."

Runt blinked at the elf's sudden laughter, only to feel somewhat embarrassed,"Ah, I see..That would make the most sense, wouldnt it. Women of this region value titles and wealth I assume." He stated before getting a good grip of the cart, pulling it slowly for a moment before earning a steady speed.

With his strength it was not very difficult to pull. As they walked, Runt took Tobias' words deep into consideration, the deep thought was evident on his face. He wanted to be able to trust his fellow Wardens. Obviously that was easier said than done, however, Tobias did bring up an excellent idea. To fight with someone is to trust them. For now he will remain patient. Gather information for his mission on his own. Should anyone earn his trust. Perhaps he will let them know.

Tobias nodded his head.

"Mostly the humans, elves like me are... well we're usually unnoticed." Their progress would be slow given Tobias' leg. After a while of walking, he'd sigh and look at Runt. "I don't suppose I could sit at the back of the wagon. It might help with our speed. I am rather sorry for holding us back like this."

The frustration was evident in his voice. The roads they were on were quiet. Rubble lined them and there was no sensing of Darkspawn anywhere for the time being, but there were one or two nug families about.

Runt shook his head as he slowed to a stop,"It is no trouble at all ser. Get on, I'll ensure our quick arrival to our destination."

After assisting his ally onto the cart, Runt began to pull again, this time he had more speed he was practically jogging at this point.

"Ser. Earlier you said that elves like you were unnoticed. Can you please explain? I am..Not familiar with interactions with humans or elves. So far I have mostly met with dwarves."he glanced back,"Do your kinds not get along?"

Tobias clambered into the cart with Runt's help. It was clear he was still recovering the use of most of his left side of the body, although the elf looked surprised when Runt began to jog as he pulled the cart. Even more when he asked the question.

"I'm surprised you're not familiar with it. It's quite common for elves to be seen as second class citizens. If you visit the southern towns, there's always an alienage where the elves live and its... well its usually more of a slum. In Orlais, some newly minted Chevaliers are known for testing their blades on the local city elves. No one really cares if we live or die. More so for a mage. You'd see elves more of servants around the parts where humans are dominating. We get along all right with most dwarves but there's not really much to keep us talking to them save for trade."

Tobias would direct Runt and for most part, their travels were uninterrupted although there was some skittering noises by giant spiders at one point.

A small grunt escaped Runt's mouth as he pulled the cart over rocky terrain,"I mostly stayed within forests ser. I have seen encampments of humans and elves but never approached. I mostly did my trading with few traveling merchant dwarves. The relationship between humans and elves never came up during our exchanges."

He kept his eyes forward, but remained cautious for any enemy or beast that may attack,"I do not understand. What is the point of belittling a race? From how you described it seems the humans do not have much reason to hate your kind. Very confusing.." he stated.

Tobias held on to the cart, grimacing but not making that much of a show of it as they travelled through the roads. It was blessedly quiet save for the occasional skittering but those avoided the fire and the cart.

"That... I do not know... We've been seen as second classed citizens for ages. A lot of it had to deal with the shemlin forcing our kind out of the lands we once held. But those times have gone past and people need to move on. When you grow up being told that its all right to hate on one kind of race... I suppose you go with it," Tobias said with a sigh.

"Elven mages tend to get the short end of the stick. We're already feared as mages, corralled by fear in towers... and then war breaks out."

Their journey would take a few more hours and when the time came, the cavern would open to reveal an abandoned Thaig. The stones that the dwarven builders had made were lit up and there would be an encampment of dwarves milling about, cooking food made from nugs and the like. The dwarves themselves would be heavily tattooed, but their numbers were worryingly small. Only ten could be seen about.

"..That seems like a horrible way to live..Perhaps I am not the only one that is without sight."Runt said, although this was more to himself, he was sure that Tobias heard him. When they arrived to the camp Runt was surprised to see such a small number of men. He could be seen looking around occasionally for any more.

Ensuring that the cart was secured he offered to assist Tobias down from the cart,"Who are we to speak to?" He asked

Tobias nodded his head when the man said it was a horrible way to live.

"Sometimes that is all we can do, live. Life as a warden is better than all those," he said though he looked at his wooden leg and wondered if it truly was. The mage appreciated the help Runt provided as he got off, glancing about. Runt's search for others would not reveal anymore members.

As they had neared, one of the dwarves moved up to greet them and the others would begin moving to assist in removing the supplies from the cart.

"You're a big one," one of them said as they studied Runt before looking at Tobias. "And you're ugly... but well it's always good to see Wardens down here. The name's Hamund, leader of this sorry troupe. Don't worry about our numbers. The rest are off fighting Darkspawn if you're wondering," the gruff fellow said.

Runt crouched down to the dwarf's eye level,"And you are small and rude.." he stated bluntly before standing back up.

"Hamund, is it? What are we dealing with exactly? How many if your men are fighting darkspawn?" He asked.

Hamund smirked at Runt, breaking into a laugh. "I like this one."

Tobias would glance at Runt and Hamund, shaking his head. "I'm Tobias and the senior warden on assistance. This is Runt."

"Runt eh? Good name for one your height," Hamund said as he gestured to the dwarves to continue unloading the supplies. "Just about twice of what you see here. We found a new tunnel a few days ago and went in but there was an orge among them. Took out quite a few of us and those here are injured. Myself included. We managed to beat them down well enough but there seems to be quite a few there. Sent word to the Warden-Commander... I hope two of you are good enough as the ten of us."

Runt slammed his fists together,"We shall destroy this foe, the Lady of the Sky has blessed us." He stated, it seemed that Runt became excited when it came to fighting, though the look on his face wouldn't convince many.

He turned to Tobias,"Master Tobias. Have you ever fought an..Ogre?" He said, although he looked at Hammund when stating the Darkspawns name,"Any strategies?"

The dwarves and Tobias gave Runt a look when he slammed his fists together. Despite his expression, he still got it.

The grey wardens and remaining legions exchanged a look. In the back, several of them were busy gathering supplies to head off to take their shift at the barricades. The remaining few began making food.

"Unfortunately no. I didn't encounter them on the surface during my time as a warden..."

Hamund waved his hand slightly. "Well that'll involve a good number of hacking at its feet until it topples over... that goes for anything darkspawn really. Just try not to get killed. Sometimes we can use explosives but the caves here aren't good for that sort of thing. Could risk a cave in."

Tobias shuddered visibly at the mention of a cave in and he'd take on a distant expression. "Well... let's hope it doesn't come to that."

"Do not worry sir.." Runt said as he placed a hand on Tobias' shoulder,"..If we believe in our strength, our sight, we shall emerge victorious."

He looked at Hammund,"How many explosives do you have left?" He asked, genuinely curious.

Hamund stared at Runt when he asked about the explosives.

"Not much bout seven barrels left... but we aren't going to use them. We only use them when we need to close a cavern. When there's too many darkspawn about... you're new to this darkspawn business aren't you?" the dwarf said before he made to move.

"We'll be relieving some of my men. Come along. You can keep up Ugly?" he asked turning to Tobias. The senior warden said nothing and nodded his head.

"Do not be so eager to rush into battle Runt. I understand your desire to face the darkspawn but we are few while they are many. We have to be smart."

Runt scratched the side of his head,"I do not understand Master Tobias..I though Darkspawn were weak, primitive creatures..Hammund and his men look strong. You look strong. I am strong.." he continued.

"Why not eliminate them outright? Surely we are capable." The Avaar eventually caught himself,"I am sorry if I sound too arrogant. This is just how I am most days.."