Tabris POV:

Arl Eamon and Anora are awaiting me, Morrigan, and Leliana in one of the finer decorated rooms when we reach the estate. I take a seat with my companions on either side of me as Anora and Eamon sit down across the table from us. I start the conversation with the queen.

"Good to see you escaped while I was kneeling.". She nods and shows no remorse for fleeing.

"You did what you must and I did what I must. Besides, you looked rather fond of groveling at a woman's feet.". I smile and take a small jab that I know won't hurt either of us.

"I might be fond of groveling at women's feet, but there's only one that I love groveling for.". Leliana leans down and kisses the crown of my head to make sure Morrigan isn't mistaken for my love. Anora smiles at me as Eamon moves things along.

"We have Anora back with us, but now there's a problem in the Elven Alienage.".

Now's my chance. Now I can be the elf I was meant to be.

I do my best to sneer at Eamon.

"What did you humans do to piss us off?". Eamon looks completely taken aback.

"There's a plague-". I interrupt him.

"Probably carried in by humans. I understand. I'll go and see what the plague is and the effects. I'll also check in and see if the unrest is caused by anything.". I stand and bow to Anora.

"Queenie.". I don't give Eamon even that as I turn and lead Morrigan and Leliana from the room. As we walk, I scream at the top of my lungs.

"DUNCAN!". The dog comes running and I stroke him behind his ears for being so cute. Then, my heart begins to flutter. I begin running and get to the gates of the alienage in less than a minute. I wait for my companions while trying to prepare myself. I'll be going back to my home. The one I left with Duncan for bringing down the hammer of justice upon rapist humans. I'll be returning with a woman. That much won't offend my father. He knew of my desire for other women. He ignored it for the longest time, but he never discouraged me.

Only I'll be returning with a human woman as my best friend, and a different human woman as my lover. I shudder a bit as Duncan catches up to me and licks my hand. For a brief second, I wish I were a dog and didn't have to deal with all this shit. Then, Leliana comes up and I decide being an elf is better than being a dog. A dog can't appreciate Leliana's beauty. Morrigan is the last to arrive.

"Alright, come on. Let us see where our fearless leader was born and raised.". I nod and lead them down the steps into the front of the alienage. It's exactly like I remember it. Ramshackle shacks thrown around in disorder, an odd stream or two of water and sewage here and there, and twisting paths through the chaos that only someone born here could ever master.

I lead us deeper into the alieange, past some elves beating a human senseless, and into the village square. I look around my familiar home and already see the problem. A once abandoned building is being guarded by two mages with a line of elves waiting outside it. Shianni is screaming at them and waving her hands. I don't even bother listening to what she's saying. I charge my cousin. Shianni howls when I pick her up and begins hitting me, then stops when I toss my helm off and show her it's me.

"Kallian!". I laugh and put my cousin down.

"Shianni!". We talk for quite a while. I show her the necklace with her face on it, the new scars I've gotten, and Duncan. Leliana and Morrigan hang back enough they aren't part of the conversation, but also so they aren't mistaken as not being with me. Shianni tells me about what she's been up to, how she's been dealing with the aftermath of her rape, and how the stray dogs we use to play with as kids have had puppies. Ultimately, though, we have to get down to business. I motion for Morrigan and Leliana to come closer. First, I introduce them.

"This is Morrigan. She's a mage, and one of my closest friend.". I hesitate for only a second before introducing Leliana. Thankfully, my love doesn't seem to have noticed and can't get hurt by me because of it.

"And this is Leliana. She's a rogue, and she's the love of my life.". Morrigan scoffs at her introduction, but Leliana waves and tries to be friendly.

"It's so nice to meet you! Kallian has told me so much about you.". Shianni smiles at Leliana.

"All good things I hope.". She turns her smile towards me.

"You're kidding?". My heart sinks and I shake my head. The laugh that leaves Shianni's lips doesn't help. Leliana comes up with something before I do.

"What's funny?". Shianni waves off Leliana's comment and keeps talking to me.

"You hate humans! You use to throw rocks at their dogs in the marketplace from the entrance, then lead them down here and steal them! Hell, then you'd go back and "find" them for the humans and demand a reward!". I remind her of something very, very important.

"I was a child then. Mother was still alive, and if you remember correctly she was the one who taught me how to steal them. I just always wanted to play with them for a bit. The dogs down here are mean, or they didn't have the energy to play with an active six-year-old.". Shianni reminds me of something even more important.

"When we were teenagers you'd throw rocks at the people. You'd beat them up and take their stuff to pawn!". I shrug because I know there's no use in denying it or saying I wouldn't do that now. I always loved mugging humans, and I'd mug a human I didn't know right now if I could. I do try to tell Shianni a little bit of the truth, though.

"I've found it in myself to prefer female humans over their male counterparts. Humans don't treat their women as equals like they'd like us to believe. They're oppressed in their own way.". Shianni looks at the two women flanking me.

"Is that why you're traveling with two women? To please your eyes?". I shrug.

"I'll be honest, if they weren't women I probably would never have given them a chance. But they are, so now they're my friend and lover.". Shianni seems to finally believe me.

"So, you actually love her? Neither of you are just fulfilling a fetish?". I shake my head and I'm certain Leliana is shaking her head behind me. Shianni keeps smiling at me.

"It's more than a little ironic you fell in love with a human. You know that, right cousin?". I nod and hold out my hand for Leliana. The bard comes forward and intertwines her fingers with mine. Shianni just keeps smiling that same beautiful smile she's always had.

"If you're both happy, then you have my blessing.". Shockingly, it's Leliana that Shianni offers some help to.

"If she ever treats you mean, then tell me and her other cousins. We'll be on her like hounds on a hog.". I scoff and Shianni shrugs at me.

"You and I both know you've been a little violent with humans in the past. Leliana needs to know your elven family won't excuse you pushing that violence off on her.". Unsurprisingly, it's Morrigan that gets us back on track when she steps up beside me.

"Shianni, isn't there some problem you need our brave leader to fix? Some puppy stuck in a well or kitten in a tree?". I elbow Morrigan a little.

"Keep talking and there'll be a witch stuck in the woods.". Morrigan takes the joke of her abandonment well and laughs at me. Then, Shianni finally gets us back on track by explaining the situation to me.

"These Tevinter mages showed up and insisted that a plague that began needed to be quarantined and studied. There are also shortages of food and work, so everyone's dying from starvation or getting sick. We needed leaders like you and your father around, but you left and he was quarantined a while ago. Even the Elder was taken from us. Soris and I kept trying to act like you and told everyone what we honestly thought you would do in the situation, but nobody wanted to hear your advice after the fiasco at your wedding.". Leliana interrupts.

"You told me the wedding never happened.". I nod and hiss at her.

"Another time, but trust me when I said it didn't.". Leliana falls silent and I decide to ask Shianni a more important question.

"You said my father was taken?". She nods. Already, I know what I'm going to do.

"I fucking hate humans. Tevinter enslaves elves. Thus, I hate Tevinter humans even more. They have my father. So, I'm going to go around back, break in, and slaughter them all like dogs." Shianni throws back her head to laugh, then opens her arms. I find myself trapped in another hug by my cousin.

"Get the people to safety. I'm sure the mages will attack when they realize what's going on inside.". Shianni nods and pats me on the shoulder.

"Good luck, cousin. I doubt you'll need it.". I smile as I watch my cousin go over to the crowd again. Finally, I'm forced to go down a narrow alley to the back of the building that was once abandoned. A single male elf in elven armor with hair longer than mine is guarding the place. He's a race traitor, so I waste no time hacking him apart and watching his guts and blood spill out onto the ground and mess up my boots. I step over the corpse and enter the building. There are cots set up and a desk at the far end that looks like a place to check in, but not a single elf is in sight.

Obviously, this is a lie. The plague might be real, but this place isn't helping them. The guards and mages charging me already attest to the fact I'm right. I don't even hesitate or think as I slaughter these bastards like they deserve. I rip their guts from their stomachs, rend their heads from their necks, and saw them completely in half. Their blood washes over me and their sticky, soft insides squish beneath my boots. I revel in the battle and find myself purposely hacking them apart enough they spew blood in miniature fountains. Finally, the battle is over. I approach the desk and begin searching for any clue as to what's going on. I find my answer in the form of a key wrapped up in a note. I pocket the key and read the note. My hands are shaking by the end of it.

Veras, bring seven males and four females for the next shipment.

- Caladrius

I scream as I smash the nearest corpse's head in with my boot. I feel myself shacking as I tear through the hospice. I find the trapped elves shoved in a kennel in the back room. I unlock the cage and give them some advice.

"Get out of here. A war's starting.".