"We shall."

Ilyanna leads Duncan out of the room and down the hall.

"So, an official Mage? Congratulations," the man says warmly.

"Thank you, Sir," she replies.

"Please, just call me Duncan, I'm no nobleman."

"Alright. Duncan, it is then."

"May I ask where you choose to focus your talents?"

Ilyanna shrugs.

"Well, not to brag but I'm pretty good at basically everything. Ask Irving, he'll tell you the same thing. So to be honest, I never thought much about specializing," she says, "Though that's not to say I'm opposed to it. If I ever saw a need that needed filling, I would at least consider working to fill it."

"I see. That is a rather unique attitude, Ms. Surana. It seems like you've given it a fair amount of thought."

"I have. But I do know one thing."

"Oh?"

She smiles at him.

"I definitely don't want to spend another minute in this dank old tower."

Duncan smiles.

"I can't blame you. I've been here but one day and already it seems..."

"Stifling? Oppressive? Smelling of rotten things best left unmentioned in polite company?"

"Indeed," he laughed, "Exactly what is that smell? It is truly awful."

"No one knows. But after 20 years, you get used to it."

"Oh, dear. I can't imagine living here that long."

Ilyanna sighs.

"Well, that's the lot of us Mages. The world fears us, and we stay here, locked away from them all," she says, "Ah, here we are."

They arrive at the door to Duncan's quarters.

"So tell me, what exactly is going on down south. News here is rather scarce on the subject," she asks, "When we get any at all, that is."

"I suppose it would be, wouldn't it," he says, "Well, a Darkspawn horde has formed within the Korcari Wilds. If they aren't stopped, they'll strike north into the valley."

That gets Ilyanna's attention.

"Darkspawn? Really?" she says, before turning her words inwards, "I thought Darkspawn stayed in the Deep Roads?"

"Normally they do. Though sometimes they do attack the surface in small groups. The fact that a hoard is growing is... troubling."

"So it sounds."

"Ask him if they've seen evidence of an Archdemon."

"Well, Duncan, if there is a horde forming, shouldn't there be an Archdemon leading them? If so, where is it?"

"Very good, you know your history," he says, "And yes, there should be. As for where it is? We have yet to find it, or any definitive proof. But sometimes, it really just comes down to intuition. And Grey Wardens? We would know."

"I'll take your word for it," she tells him.

As they arrive at the door, Ilyanna holds the door open for him.

"Here you are, Warden-Commander Duncan," she says.

"Thank you, milady," he says bowing his head slightly, "Though I admit, I don't recall telling you my title."

Ilyanna freezes at his words. A brief glance at his face reveals a trace of suspicion in his gaze, hidden under his polite expression. Luckily for her, Ilyanna was an excellent liar.

"No, you didn't. At least not out loud," she tries.

"Hm? How do you mean?"

"Well, the Circle Tower is barred to entry from all except Templars and members of the Chantry Clergy. Wardens may have the right to go anywhere, but even then, it would take someone special to get in here," she says, "And based on that, I took a guess."

If he knew she was lying, Duncan didn't show it. Instead, he just smiled warmly.

"Yor are every bit the woman Irving said you were. It was a pleasure meeting you, Ms. Surana."

"And you as well Duncan."

"That was close," she thinks.

"Indeed. Though it was fortunate, in a way."

"How exactly?"

"Well, now you know to be careful. The knowledge I give you is vast and will give you tremendous power. But people will want to know where or how you learned it, and that can lead to... well. I'm sure an intelligent woman like yourself doesn't need me to explain."

"You're right. I need to be careful what knowledge I reveal."

As she turned away from the closing door, she saw Jowan, walking towards her.

"Is it just me, or is he looking even more worried than usual?"