AN: Chapter 19 for reals this time.

The Maker, or more likely plain old luck, was on their side. The next day, their journey took them to a small outpost, a sort of last gathering point for travelers and caravans crossing the plains. Regardless of what happened, they would need supplies, so Seren went in and haggled for what they would need, including some light linen wraps to cover their heads and faces.

The shopkeep, though that seemed a generous term, made small talk as she picked out her purchases. Seren was aware that he was probing for information, so she did her best to tell as much of the truth as she could. Harder to catch a lie when it really wasn't.

"We're looking for passage across the plains," she said as she counted out coins. "Do you know if there are any caravans crossing soon?"

The man squinted at her. "We?" he asked, ignoring the question.

"My companion is outside. He doesn't really get along with people."

"Is that so?" He took her coin, weighing and testing the coins. He seemed satisfied that they were real and handed back her change. "Just the two of you? Not many people leave the country that way."

She smiled tightly as she began to stow their belongings into both packs. "We had a disagreement with our employer. Everyone felt it best that we part ways. Unfortunately, he was the one handling our travel arrangements and it leaves us stranded a thousand leagues from home."

"That's a long way. You a Marcher?"

"Fereldan," she clarified. Let Danarius waste resources trying to find them there.

His expression went flat, lips twisting a little. "You a merc?"

"I've been known to sell my blade from time to time."

He muttered something in Tevene under his breath, and while she couldn't quite make out all of it, she clearly caught the word for "whore." She just kept smiling. Let him think she was some stupid dog lord.

"Might be a caravan coming through in the next day or two," he finally offered grudgingly. "Can't say as to whether or not they'll take you on, or what they cost will be be."

Seren inclined her head. "My thanks."

He waved her off without another word and turned back to whatever he was doing behind the counter. Seren slipped back outside, heading to where she'd left Fenris watching the road, and handed him his pack. With a jerk of her head, she gestured to the small cluster of scrubby trees and they retreated there to settle under what scant shade they provided.

She repeated what she'd learn, Fenris silent as he absorbed the information. "And if the caravans know of us? If the hunters have told them to be on the lookout?" His tone was grave.

"Then we're fucked," she replied bluntly. "And you know that already. We can't go forward without help, we can't go back without putting ourselves in more danger. What choice to do have?"

"You're right. I know this, yet…" He broke off, looking away. "Forgive me. I know we were not safer back there, but I am...ill-prepared for what is to come."

"Hey." She waited until he looked back to her. "We're going to make it. It's not going to be easy at times, but I'm not giving up. Not on this and not on you. We'll figure it out."

His expression didn't change, but the tightness in his frame eased. Seren let the matter drop for now. Under Danarius, Fenris knew what life was like. He'd mastered the skills he's needed to survive. If he'd ever had a free life, he remembered none of it. Since the night they ran, everything was different. It made sense that he should feel unmoored, lost even. She had no doubt that he would adjust, thrive with the weight of slavery gone, but he needed time to get there.

Their luck continued to hold. Later that evening, as the last rays of sunlight gave way to dusk, a caravan rolled into the outpost. The wagons were heavy, loaded down with trade goods and supplies needed for the crossing. There was a merchant with his servants and a company of guards. They watched as the caravan settled for the night, the guards unhitching the oxen and leading them to a trough filled from the well. The merchant bustled inside while his servants quickly shook out blankets and set up a bed in the smallest of the wagons, which was clearly meant for the merchant's own use.

Seren waited until they had mostly settled down and were eating before she approached. As much as she thought she might have more luck with the guard captain, she knew that without the merchant's approval they'd never be allowed to accompany them. She was watched as she approached, and made sure to keep her weapons and hands in plain sight.

"That's far enough," one of the guards called and she immediately stopped. "What do you want?"

She looked at the merchant even though he wasn't the one to ask the question. "My companion and I are looking for passage across the plains."

He ignored her as he finished eating and then dusted his hands off. "And just who are you and your companion."

"Shea," she said gesturing to herself and then to Fenris. "Rhys."

The merchant scrutinized her and she forced herself to stay loose and relaxed. "And why are you looking for passage?"

It was likely that the shopkeep inside had at least mentioned them to the merchant, so he knew what answers she should give. "We were with a mercenary company. We left a few weeks ago and are looking to go home."

"And why did you leave?"

"Because he was an asshole."

That earned a snort of laughter from somewhere behind her. Even the merchant smirked just a taf. "I see. Have your...companion, did you say? come here."

This was where it could get dangerous. She turned and motioned to Fenris, holding her breath as he walked closer. If any of the men recognized him, then they were in trouble. The merchant gave Fenris the same perusal, eyes narrowing and lingering at the markings. "He Dalish?"

"Used to be."

"Doesn't talk much, does he?"

"Does he need to?"

That comment got her an actual smile from the merchant, though it wasn't very nice. "True, there are better uses for them than talking." He sat back. "So, I assume you have some way of paying?"

"Coin or trade, your choice?"

"Trade, you say?" He let his eyes roam up and down her.

"Our blades," she said pointedly. "I won't be fucking you or your men."

"A shame." His gaze turned to Fenris. "What about him? Men can't afford to be choosy on the road. And while he's a bit," the corners of the man's lips turned down, "muscular, he'll do."

Beside her, Fenris stiffened. To the onlookers, it would have been imperceptible, but she knew him too well for the tension to pass unnoticed.

"Sorry, gentleman," sahd said reluctantly, shaking her head. "I don't like to share."

The merchant's lips twisted again. "Pity. Then I suppose coin will have to suffice. Let us say...fifty gold? That seems a reasonable bargain, yes?"

It was a lot of coin, more than most people in their position would have had. But Danarius's purse was heavy, and though this would bite into their funds, they had enough to spare. "A moment," she said and stepped back, Fenris following her to the spot where they had set up. She counted the coins carefully, ensuring that what they were doing couldn't be seen by the others. If they knew how much coin they carried, there was a good chance they wouldn't get to keep it. "We'll have to hide the rest, " she said, dropping the coins into a smaller pouch. "Keep small amounts on us, to it doesn't look too suspicious, but they can't know how much more we have."

"I'll do it," Fenris said.

"Great. Be right back."

She crossed back over to to the merchant. Surprise crossed his face as she handed over the pouch, and she held it just a bit too long, letting reluctance show in her expression. Let them think she didn't want to part with this much coin and was only doing so because they had no choice. The merchant tugged it free and loosen the drawstring to peer inside. He didn't pull the coins out and count them right there, but he did weight the pouch in his hand several time.

"Well," he finally said. "Everything looks to be in order. See my guard captain. He'll tell you what you need to know."

The merchant stood, brushing dust and crumbs from his robes and made his way to his wagon. Seren watched him for a moment longer and then turned to the guard who had risen and motioned to her. His armor was a bit nicer than the others, but that was all that separated him from those under his command.

"We leave at dawn. You are to stay behind the last wagon," he said curtly. "How far back is up to you, but do not lag behind my men. If you are unable to keep up the pace, you'll have to ask Master Vandrian if you can ride in one of the wagons, but know that he doesn't like burdening the wagons any more than he has to."

He eyed her daggers. "Should we be attacked, you have leave to defend yourselves, but under no other conditions are you to draw your weapons. Do you understand?"

"Yes, ser."

He looked her over again. "And a word of advice: I suggest you restrain yourself from fucking your elf on during the journey. I can't promise my men will be able to help themselves if you tease them."

"I'm sure I'll be able to restrain my urges for that long."

"See that you do." He turned on heel and walked off back toward his men.

Dismissed, Seren went back to Fenris, relaying the instructions she'd been given. "We'll be eating dust the whole way, but at least we should get there in one piece." She tried to recall what she remembered of maps. "We can leave them just after the plains or at the Minanter to keep making our way south. The Highway run to cumberland, and then we go take a boat and travel the coast to get to Kirkwall.

Fenris frowned, but didn't say anything.

"You disagree?" she asked.

"I do not think we should go directly the Kirkwall."

"But...that was the plan. That's where my family is."

"I know." He reached out to take her hand. "And we will go, I promise. But I don't think you want to lead the hunters to them."

"We've seen no sign of them yet."

"But we will." His voice was quiet, but insistent. "We should go west, into Nevarra or Orlais, or even east, through the Marches and possibly to Antiva."

What he said made sense. It would be safer if they took a circuitous route, and gave themselves time to intercept and deal with hunters before they could endanger her family. Seren tried not to feel disappointed, but it was hard.

"You're right," she said, choking back her objections. "Of course, you're right."

"We will get there," he promised her. "But only when it's safe." He paused. "Safer. It will never be truly safe, but we can give your family some protection. It will just take time."

He squeezed her hand one last time and then turned back to their blankets. "We should continue to take turns sleeping. I don't trust them."

"Neither do I," Seren confessed. "Stay as we have been, then? You take first watch and I second?"

"That is fine," Fenris agreed. "I will wake you when it is time."

"All right. Do you want your blanket?"

"No, the cloaks will be more than enough. I prefer to have my arms free should anything happen."

Seren nodded and made herself comfortable. Even though the days were warmer, nights were cooler now that the land was becoming more desert-like. Seren was glad of having both blankets, though she would have preferred sharing body heat. The memory of cuddling under the blankets with Carver and Bethany during snowstorms came to her. She wondered if she could convince Fenris to go somewhere snowy someday, just for the experience of curling up warm and cozy while the world outside covered itself in a silent white blanket. He'd probably hate the snow, she thought. But the rest… The rest he might very much indeed.

That wasn't going to happen any time soon. But, someday, they would get there.