Claustrophobia. (Alia/Open)

[Arley Voegeli]

The Deep Roads...[/i] Arley hated the Deep Roads, the dark tunnels the weird growths on the walls...The fleshy sacks. Arley had been sent to the Roads to find a lost boy, well a teenager and an 18 year-old Apostate, he didn't know his name, but a Mage shouldn't be hard to find in the Deep Roads, he had been helping Apostates all over the place, but never here. He was in Orzammar now, the underground Dwarven city, it was magnificent, but still he didn't enjoy being there. No sky, no rooftops, all stone tunnels that could fall at anytime.

He had passed through the Frostback Mountians, and the Hall of Heroes, finially making it to the Orzammar Commons. It was bustling with short people and he felt out of place. The Dwarves eyed him supiciously, but said nothing as they saw the Grey Warden Griffon on his chest, it usually wasn't seen he usually fought the people who could see the black Griffon outline on his black armor. He didn't wear the traditional Warden armor, he didn't like it; it wasnt stylish enough for his tastes, instead he wore black imbroitered with red, and a griffon on his chest. The bystanders gave him respect and said nothing by "Good day Warden."

He honestly was afraid the Dwarven cities he hated being underground, he was claustriphobic to an extent. There was also the spiders....They were gigantic, and freaked Arley out. He walked past a stand selling health potices, he stopped and bought a few. He would need them while fighting darkspawn, he also bought some food. He figured he might be there for a while, which he loathed, but he had to help the Mages, unless they be Meleficarum. "Thanks for the business," said the merchant as Arley set off down the long road to the Deep Roads...

[Alia Nauvre]

She was checking her pack, making sure everything was in order. Of course it would be though, but...it never hurt to be sure. There were plenty of supplies in the pack, which would be needed. She had entered Orzammar, the great dwarven city. Surfacers didn't come there often, but she had a mission. She had been contracted to track down and kill one of the casteless, someone who was establishing power in Dust Town. She didn't care about that, just the fact that he was abusing his power and taking advantage of others.

Unfortunately, during her time in the great city, the assassin had learned that her target was in the Deep Roads, presumably looking for any precious treasure down there that they might be able to sell to a merchant in Orzammar. That, or they were looking for a good weapon for themselves, who knew? The problem with the Deep Roads was that they supposedly contained darkspawn. Yes, during the last Blight, a great many had died, but...she was hesitant to trust that enough to brave the Roads by herself. One could get the taint, after all, and that was never conducive to a long life.

Perhaps if she had someone willing to help her through the place...then she might be able to track her target down. But who would be mad enough to go into the Deep Roads, besides those Legion of the Dead fools? That was the exact thought that was passing through Alia's mind as she walked past a man. Not just any man though...a moment later she paused and turned around, recognizing that symbol, that griffon on his chest. His armor was a bit off, but that was definitely the armor of a Grey Warden. One of them, here...? Either he had some sort of mission or he was here to fight the darkspawn until he died, either way he might be able to help her.

"Excuse me, but...you are a Grey Warden, yes? If so, I was wondering if you could help me with something, if you aren't too busy yourself." the assassin clad in hardened leather armor asked of the male, her Nevarran accent easy to hear if one was familiar with said accent.

[Arley Voegeli]

Arley walked through the road when a small brown-haired woman stopped him and asked him a question. She was human, and he was suprised, most people who talked to him where glad to see a Warden, or trying to sell him something, but obviously this woman was human and she had a mystique about her. He had two daggers, and she was short, almost short enough to be a Dwarf, but she wasn't heavy set, she was very small. Arley himslef stood about a foot-and-a-half taller than her.


"Yes, I am in fact a Grey Warden," Arley smiled at the woman. She was so short! She was about the size his father discribed his mother. "What is it that you need help with? I must warn you though, I plan on going to the Deep Roads, so if your business isn't there I cannot help you, I hope you aren't unfortunate enough to go there in the first place," Arley stated bluntly, he was usually nice but the fact he was going to the Deep Roads threw his mood off.

The womans Nevarran accent was deep, he knew where she was from, Arley had met many people in his travels as a Grey Warden. "Sorry if I sounded cold, I just hate the Deep Roads...They bother me for some reason I can't explain. But, my name is Arley Voegeli and I'm pleased to meet your aquaintence," Arley smiled at the woman, feeling bad, as he was never so blunt, he was such a nice man most of the time. The Deep Roads was the only time he was completly serious, especially if he was with someone who wasn't a Warden. He would have to do the Joining all by himself, a fact he was extremely uncomfortable with. If she wanted to enter the Deep Roads he hoped she could handle herself extremly well, though the darkspawn horde was very demoralizing, and was a scary sight to behold.

[Alia Nauvre]

The man was tall, but...well, she had gotten used to others being taller than her. It came with being so short. Some might have wished to be taller, but...not she. No, being so short often meant people didn't see her as such a huge threat. Men usually wanted to protect the small woman who didn't look like she might be able to protect herself. Women usually just didn't pay attention. "The Deep Roads? Don't the Wardens usually go down there to kill darkspawn until they die, before the taint takes them?" she queried. So her initial guess had been correct then, he was a Warden, and it took her a bit of effort to not let a small triumphant smirk cross her face when he had said he was going into the Deep Roads. He might turn her away, true, but...she doubted it.

If she was going to go in there anyway, he might feel it was his duty to make sure she didn't get hurt, many Grey Wardens were like that. Always looking out for others...in her own way, she was too, making sure others didn't have to have a life that she had. Growing up with Mavre for a lot of her life hadn't been too bad, yes, but she still would have preferred to stay with her parents. "I can see why the Deep Roads would bother you though...plenty of monsters down there, not even including the darkspawn. I'm Alia Nauvre, by the way," she said next. Now...what to tell him about why she was going into the Deep Roads...?

Ah, yes, that might work. "As for what I need, I was wondering if I could accompany you into the Deep Roads? You see, me and a friend of mine encountered some casteless dwarves in Dust Town. They bumped into us, and later my friend discovered he was missing some coin. It took some asking, but we figured out they had went a little into the Deep Roads, for some reason or another. I urged him to not chase after the casteless, since I felt he'd surely die, but...when I woke up this morning, he was gone, and everyone I've talked to said they saw him going into the Deep Roads." she told him. Would he believe it? Hard to tell, but even if he didn't, she still might have ways to convince him. It just depended on what kind of person he was.

[Arley Voegeli]

Arley didn't lie when she asked him why he was going to the Deep Roads. "Yes we go there to die, but I am chasing an Apostate boy who needs some help, I want to save him from the taint, or being eaten by Darkspawn, that, and my main goal is to make him a Warden, the Templars wont hunt him then," Arley told her. "Yes but I'm not scared of the monsters or the darkspawn, I am scared of the underground tunnels that could fall at anytime, the tight spaces." Arley shivered thinking about it, he also hated how dark it was, but they where called darkspawn for a reason he guessed..

"Nice to meet you Alia," he addressed, she began to tell him that she wanted to accompany him into the Deep Roads, and it wasn't often that someone would go there willingly, even with a Grey Warden by there side. She explained that a casteless had stolen coin from her friend and chased after him, they fled to the Deep Roads she added. Arley didn't believe it, it seemed.....Shaky, her story. "I'm sorry ma'am, but I highly doubt that your friend would follow someone into the Deep Roads for coin," Arley said plainly, "That is a horrible lie, no one would go into the Deep Roads for coin, most count it as a loss. And if there willing to do that then they either have an army behind them, or they are very stupid, so try a better lie," Arley gave her a warming smile, she didnt have to fib to him. "Tell me the real reason why you are going and Ill accompany you, the Deep Roads isnt a place you want to travel alone in, matter of fact I dont even know why I am," Arley laughed loudly, turning the heads of some of the dwarven commoners.

"Lying about your reasons for going there will only put us both in danger, plus, no offense but that was one of the worst lies I've ever heard. Now if your friend had like a chest of coin stolen from him I could understand, but no one will chase an ignorant castless whos dumb enough to seek refuge in that horrible place, you have a Wardens word that Ill help you with your problem, no matter what it is and no questions asked, all I require is the truth on why you are here." Arley was back to his normal self now that he had someone to talk to, she seemed like she could handle herself so he wasn't worried about her getting hurt in the Roads, but if she lied about her purpose it could cause problems for both of them...Like if she tried hard to keep a secret and got split up, it was bad to be alone down here unless you where a Grey Warden that was about to die. But still Arley was warm and inviting, and would help her anyway he could, as he would need the help too.

[Alia Nauvre]

Alia couldn't help but wonder...was he intentionally being foolish? He could have answered his own question right then and there, but instead he hadn't. He seemed dead set on believing she was lying, even though he had provided a believable reason for her friend to have gone into the Deep roads. "Warden, I'll be blunt. Are you sure you're not a fool? What if my friend IS an idiot and chose to venture into the Deep Roads after the casteless thugs? What if my friend believes in a sense of justice and isn't about to just hand over his hard-earned coin to a bunch of dwarven thugs?" she queried to him, keeping her tone and expression as serious as she possibly could.

And she felt she was successful at that much, at the least. Even if he had been able to see through her lie, which she had been expecting since there were so many holes in her story, she knew she would be able to control her tone and facial expressions well enough. "And plenty seem to go into the Deep Roads for coin, by looting precious artifacts in there and selling them later, so you're wrong there as well," she told him, though she had no idea how widespread that practice was, if it even was widespread.

The only thing she knew was that her target was one such dwarf, one that went into the thaigs to loot and make easy money. She didn't view that as necessarily evil, but coupled with the fact that he was abusing his power...that was reason enough for her to dislike him and accept to taking him out. Still, all things considered, it was probably best to just be honest with the Warden. Besides, he had given his word of honor, and Wardens typically didn't just go back on their word.

They really couldn't afford to, not if they wanted to attract potential recruits. "But...I guess I'll tell you the truth. And I'll begin by saying you're wrong again. I AM chasing an ignorant casteless, though he's not taking refuge in there so much as looting the thaigs. He's a villain, there's no doubt of that much, and it's my job to make sure he doesn't hurt anyone else," was what she decided to tell him. She could have been more blunt, make it obvious she was there to kill the man abusing his power, but...she wasn't sure how he would even take her sugarcoated words, she wasn't sure what kind of person he was.

Which was always dangerous when you were an assassin. It was important to know the personality of everyone, even bystanders, in order to maximize one's chances of success. "By the way...I don't believe I've ever heard of a claustrophobic Warden. The darkspawn are probably shaking in their boots at the thought." she said with a rare smile. Best to try and get on his good side, to show him she was killing for the right reasons. Well, as right a reason you could have for murder.

[Arley Voegeli]

"No I am no fool, and I know that you're lying, I am not stupid. Yes people do go to the Deep Roads in search of riches, but they still have a reason. Most people don't go to the Roads because somebody stole their "hard earned coin." You would have to be a fool to go into the most dangerous place in Thedas to get 50 soverigns, is that worth a life? Probably not, I have met many suvivors from the Deep Roads, and they are either crazy, or they are in an expedition of some sort," Arley told her, she had no idea what she was walking into. The Deep Roads where the reasons Darkspawn slayers, the Grey Wardens, went to die. She seemed to be an even bigger fool then she though Arley was. This was a place of no hope, no favors, if you couldn't help yourself, then you would die. "Notice though fool woman, that the men who go searching for riches have more than one person with them they have a small army usually," She really had no idea that most of the men that went searching for riches never returned. Searching for fortune in the Roads was like trying to kill a dragon with a stick. Arley became annoyed with the woman.

"You maybe chasing a Casteless, but a friend going to the worst place around to get gold? Thats stupid, there is no reason he cant do a job to regain it back, running into the Deep Roads is a deathwish, I am a Grey Warden, you should listen to my knowledge on this, I speak no false promise," Arley stated, she really didnt understand, in the Roads it was either eat the tainted, become tainted, or die. There was no other option: Unless you where a Warden, Legion of the Dead, or with alot of skilled soldiers. Arley bellowed a laugh at her feeble attempts to sway him into her lie. He was good at reading people, and it seemed that she couldn't tell that he knew she was lying to him.

Finially she told him the truth. Arley was relieved, this possibly could have saved her life, and his...."So you where telling the truth about the Casteless man, fine. But you either have to assume he has a bunch of soldiers or he is dead, most who loot the Thaigs do not last long, or end up eating the darkspawn and becoming a shell of their formerselves. I gave you my word, I will help you find him, and if you do find him, Ill help you kill him, it is obvious to me that you are an assassin right?" Arley questioned, he was almost demanding with his questions and statements. But the Deep Roads made him nervous, they scared him, the strange growths, the Broodmothers, the darkspawn eating crazy folk. Most of all he hated the tunnels.

"Well just because your a Warden doesnt mean you have to like the Deep Roads, I just dont like the tunnels, I prefer to fight them on the suface, where I dont see stange creatures or the sickening fleshy growths and spikes, though I am afraid, I will venture the Roads with confedience in my ablilities, believing I wont die makes all the difference, but I cannot be tainted again, you can. You had better hope you are ready for this, because it will be the fight of your life," Arley gave her a reassuring smile with his harsh words, he was trying to be nice, but when it came to the Deep Roads there was nothing nice. No light, no gods, no hope..

[Alia Nauvre]

Honestly...50 sovereigns did sound enough for someone to risk one's life for it. With that kind of money, one could probably spend the rest of their days doing nothing, or at the very least, they would have an easy life. It wasn't that expensive to live somewhere, after all, and 50 sovereigns could keep one going for a long time. Though, compared to the money her family had been making before everything that had happened, 50 sovereigns was not a lot at all. Because of that she knew that one could survive off 50 sovereigns, because she had once had a life of luxury. But that was neither here nor there, this man seemed unable to realize she expected him to have seen through the lie.

That was disappointing, really, but she wasn't about to insult him again. He seemed like a good man, even if he didn't realize what her intentions had been. "Sorry for calling you stupid. It's just...you provided a valid reason, that my friend could have been a fool. And besides that...I didn't intend for that lie to work, I expected you to see through it. There were enough holes in it for a darkspawn horde to climb through," she joked. Most might not joke about the darkspawn, especially those who lived in Ferelden, but seeing as how the most experience she had with darkspawn had been at the Battle of Denerim, she felt it was still acceptable to joke about them, even if she WAS somewhat afraid of them.

Not that she'd let this man know she feared the darkspawn. If he knew that, he might just advise her to stay behind, and she definitely wasn't going to do something like that. Once she took on a job, she finished it, even if that meant killing her employers if she found out they put a hit out on an innocent man, or woman. Whichever the case might be. "And yes, I know that he is either dead or that he has others with him. Either way, I have to make sure he is dead. Also, you are correct in that I'm an assassin. I didn't really want to reveal it to you because some Grey Wardens might find my job...not morally right," she explained to him, even though she didn't view her job as that at all, it just showed that there were many people in the world with different viewpoints.

Alia glanced towards the direction the Deep Roads were in, after his last statement, and then back to him, a firm look of resolve on her face. "Trust me, I'm not going to go down easily at all. Some say the Deep Roads are devoid of hope, that they're the darkest place one can imagine. And believe me when I say I'm used to that." she said. Some she had killed were some of the darkest beings one could think of, cruel to the core. Alia knew that the bad of the world far outweighed the good, and she understood that the Deep Roads was an extreme example of that.

[Arley Voegeli]

Arley laughed at the joke, as it was a good one. "I accept your apology, but make no mistake, if you arent afraid of Darkspawn now, you soon will be, also there is the giant spiders, I would rather Darkspawn over the spiders anyday. Also, if you are looking for a Dwarf, might I suggest a few things?" Arley asked her but it wasn't a question. "You are going to want to have a large amount of food and water, torches are also needed, the Deep Roads are dark. Bring potices and salves. Also make sure you keep your distance, I dont want to getting the taint. You will definitley need me for this as you could catch the blight and I will be forced to kill you." Arley stated, he tried to be reassuring but the Deep Roads weren't for the weak hearted and ill prepared, but by looking at her, he could tell she wasn't either.

"You look like you know whats in store, there is water but it is best to bring your own, as it is hard to find. Oh I almost forgot to mention, Dwarves have what people call 'stone sense' so we might be down there for a few days, even weeks, because I am searching for someone just like you are, though I dont intend to kill him," Arley chuckled lightly. He observed the woman, she seemed to have herself together well, and seemed to be a good person. He could feel that they might become friends, seeing the Deep Roads could make people who despised eachother, become best friends. "I do not dissaprove of what you do, nor will I think any differently of you, what you do is up to you not me. Though a warning, do not stray to far away from me, spiders nest in the high ceilings, and the can pull you up in the their nests, I've been in one before, they tried to cocoon me, it was bad." Arley shuddered the thought of the spiders made him cringe.

Arley listened to what she said, and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hmmm..That is good, though I wouldn't let you go if I thought you weren't capeable." Arley smiled at the woman, for some reason her eyes seemed to peirce right through him, as if she could read him like a book, but he couldnt be sure, Delphine was short like her, and Alia resembled her in a way he couldn't describe. "It is a place devoid of hope, but sorry if I offend, you are not used to the Deep Roads, it is devoid of more than just hope, it is devoid of everything, even life, as I do not consider what is down there as life, there is no ecosystem, there is nothing but stone, and nasty looking taint fungus. But I you wish to go, very well, but we must travel together and we must trust eachother. I don't have to know your life story or anything I just need to know you wont leave my side, if you do you will die, I have a map of the Deep Roads, and you will not beable to navigate with out me. Unless you can read the Dwarven signs." Arley smiled warmly.

He walked up to a food mechant selling dried fruits and meats, likely things he got from the surface, but they wouldn't go rotten fast. "Also I suggest we go to Tapsters and get a warm meal before we depart, my treat." Arley left her to chew on what he said and continued to look at the dried food.

[Alia Nauvre]

She had always wondered what darkspawn might be like in combat. Of course, she didn't really want to face one in combat, but she had been curious as to how they fought...as an assassin, things like that interested her. She might be able to incorporate any such techniques into her own style, after all. But of course, that was expecting too much, perhaps. Of the few times she had seen the darkspawn, the Battle of Denerim being the most notable time, they didn't really seem to have that good of a fighting style at all, honestly, so it wasn't worth it to learn how they fought. If one even could learn from creatures like them.

She doubted one could. "I never said I wasn't afraid of the darkspawn. I actually am, just...I think I'm capable of overcoming that fear," Alia told him, frowning a bit. Even then she could still remember Denerim, when it was being assaulted. Dead bodies everywhere, people screaming, crying. It had been just dreadful, and even to this very day still shook her to her core. It made her question if what she did was the right path. "And of course I thought of that...it'd be suicidal to go into the Deep Roads without any water or poultices," the girl replied.

As good as she was, she knew that it was inevitable that she'd take an injury, and what would she do if she was out of poultices? In her eyes, it was better to be safe than sorry, even if that meant she was slowed down a little by her supplies. And as for the stone sense? Everyone had to know dwarves had that. It was part of the reason they lived underground and thought that they'd fall up if they ever left it. Silly, considering the fact that people aboveground never fell up, nor did any other dwarves who happened to come up, but...whatever.

That was their way of life, so who was she to question it, especially when it was oh so easy for anyone to question her own way of life? The answer to that was, of course, that she had no right to question them, not when they could question her back just as easily. And, perhaps, more easily because she didn't have her traditions set in stone as much as they did. They were practically taught that they'd fall up if they left, after all. Once more she listened to the advice he had to give, and nodded her head.

Devoid of life...honestly, she could always say the places she went to were devoid of life. People who were like the ones she killed didn't really contribute anything, but that was just philosophical, and not actual truth. The girl had yet to be anywhere where no one else had ever ventured, or if they had ventured there, they weren't there any longer. The girl had never been in a place comparable to the Deep Roads. But she wasn't about to let this show. Nor was she going to let it show that she was a bit squeamish at the thought of being a meal for a bunch of spiders. "Right...Tapster's. Makes sense, and...thank you. Not many would offer a meal to a stranger." she said, again offering him a rare smile. She often didn't go to inns or the like, preferring to work herself to the bone instead of giving herself any rest.

[Arley Voegeli]

Arley looked at the small woman, "I is good that you are afraid...That fear will save your life. It is ok to be scared, honestly, be afraid. That will be your greatest ally." Arley told her with a smile. He looked at her, she would be fine if she could get over her fears, or best her fears. "You will need that fear to stay alive. I assume you are prepared. But being in the Deep Roads the Darkspawn will not let you sneak up on them, though you aren't a Warden so it will be easier for you, but they are vigilant.

Arley looked at her, "I welcome stangers...They could attack me, but it would be unwise. I can destroy most. But I look for recruits. You could be a potential recruit, if you agree to be a Warden, if you attack me, fine, but you will have a big problem on your hands. Not that I believe you would, still caution is a virtue. But also, you are not nieve, I just hope you know what your getting into." Arley said while taking a breath, he had hoped for a new recruit. If not fine, he was ok with that. But he didn't want to have a pretty woman dead in the Deep Roads.

"Yes Tapsters, have a drink and some food, then we leave for the Deep Roads. We need a good meal and some good drink, gotta go in with a level head!" Arley exclamed as he walked to the bar. "A few questions tough. One. You do realize that going into the Deep Roads is almost a deathwish right? And two, well you should expect me to hit on you while were there." Arley said with his wicked looking smirk, he was a sucker for pretty ladies.

[Alia Nauvre]

Fear saving one's life...it often didn't save her targets, but then was that perhaps because she had more fear than they did? After all, if she ever happened to fail an assassination, it wasn't extremely possible that she would get caught and killed herself, or worse. Alia was, of course, curious about one of his comments, the fact that he had said it would be easier for her to sneak up on darkspawn than, say, him. Why was that? Being a Grey Warden, she thought that he'd have an easier time about it.

But...regardless, it didn't matter that much. "Me? A Grey Warden? Have you lost your senses?" she half-joked. The girl had entertained the thought, especially since more and more she wasn't sure if her line of work was the ideal one, but...she wasn't sure she had the fortitude to face darkspawn. Perhaps this venture into the Deep Roads was a chance to test that. "Sure, I'm one of the few crazy enough to go in that place, but I'm not so sure that means you should just be saying I could be a recruit," Alia said as she followed after him, towards Tapster's.

She nodded to him about his first comment, that going into the Deep Roads was practically suicide, but...as long as they kept their wits about them, they'd be fine. And besides, whenever a Grey Warden went in, either one of two things happened. They came back out, or they died in there, as from what she heard. all Grey Wardens came to the Deep Roads to fight darkspawn to the death, when the time was right. "Hitting on me in the Deep Roads, or in Tapster's? I don't think the darkspawn will just stand idly by while you flirt with me if you do it in the Deep Roads." was what she said next, keeping her expression serious even if she was joking with him. It was a rare thing that she experienced, joking with people, but...if she was to work with him, might as well get along with him.

[Arley Voegeli]

"Well Grey Wardens need recruits, but you do have to be worthy...I'll see how well you do in the Deep Roads and then I'll offer again, its your choice weather you want to or not. I'm not going to conscript you or anything." Arley explained, the Wardens where in need of recruits, as usual but there wasn't a Blight, or any immdiate dark spawn danger pressing at the moment. Though he could sense them, he was very close to the Deep Roads and their presence was felt, even through the stone. "I noted your confusion when I told you that you have a better chance than sneaking up on them than me. As a Grey Warden I can sense darkspawn, and in turn they can sense me also, its really kind of a drag...I enjoy sneaking up on people." Arley said with a smirk, "And yes I know hitting on you wont stop them from killing us, but it doesn't hurt, actually its best to keep your attention on something else other than spiders and darkness. The Deep Roads isn't a very fun place," Arley said grimly, he walked in to the Tapsters and ordered an ale and a nug steak.

The bartender told him it would be a few minutes, then Arley turned to Alia, "What would you like to have?" Arley asked her, "Pick anything, it doesn't matter, I do get paid for being a Warden. Better than most jobs if I do say so myself," Arley smirked, it was nice to have money, seeing as he would die young, in a crowd of darkspawn, spiders, and who knows what else. Already had the horrible nightmares, and to top it all off, he would be chased by the feinds every so often. It was an exciting life, but it could never be normal. Not that Arley minded of course, atleast he wasn't some nobody who lived in the same place his whole life, drowining his sorrows in alcohol. But it would be kind of nice to be a family man one day, but thats just not going to work, plus he didn't even know if he could father a child. It didn't matter now, he had other things to deal with.

"So, who do you work for? Are you a Crow? Freelance? or "Private parties"? Not that it matters or anything I am just curious. Even lowly criminals become Wardens, I've met a few....It wasn't pretty, they where murderers, but still great Wardens," He couldn't remember their names, he just remembered how they talked in stange analogies, and used weird euphimisims, it was freaky. But still he was curious to get to know who he was traveling with, he wanted to know he could halfway trust her. Not that she would kill him and get lost in the Deep Roads, but Arley tried to stay optimistic.

[Alia Nauvre]

Whatever he might say, it was still somewhat silly to extend such an offer to her right then. He had yet to see her in an actual fight, after all. For all her boasting, she could be lying, and then where would his recruitment get him? "It'd be rather silly of you to conscript me anyway, at least right now. After all, you haven't seen me fight or anything, now have you?" Alia said to him. Despite the fact that him contemplating on recruiting her into the Wardens made no sense, she still rather liked the male at times. What he said afterwards really intrigued her; the Grey Wardens could sense the darkspawn?

Well, perhaps that was common knowledge, but not to a girl that had never had anything to do with the Wardens before, if you didn't count the fact that a Warden had saved Denerim and, by extension, her. But she didn't feel any kind of debt to the Wardens for pretty much saving her from the darkspawn in Denerim. "Well, it could hurt if you let yourself get too distracted, to the point that you wouldn't sense the darkspawn coming," Alia retorted. Was that retort a bit rude? Maybe, maybe not, but she didn't really care, he would likely realize she wasn't too serious. And even if he didn't realize that, well, she could always tell him so.

The pair walked inside of Tapster's, and while he ordered, the girl looked around. Any one of the dwarves in here might be able to give her even more information on the target, but without knowing anything about the patrons, she would just be guessing when it came to which ones might know about the one she was hunting. Besides that, the casteless didn't seem to come to this area of Orzammar often anyway, so there was the possibility no one here knew of the casteless she was going after. "Anything, hm?" she queried, but she really didn't order anything expensive from the bartender. She decided to order what the bartender recommended, though she stayed away from any alcohol. Being drunk while on an assassination mission was...not exactly the brightest idea, after all.

And besides that, the girl doubted she could handle any alcohol this city had, owing both due to her small size, and therefore greater susceptibility to getting drunk, and the fact that a lot of the alcohol here was designed for dwarves, who had hardier constitutions. "As for who I work for...do I look Antivan to you? So no, not the Crows. I'm not affiliated with anyone aside from myself," the girl answered him. What an interesting man, to suggest that she might be a Crow. Not that she had a ton of experience with Antivans, but they didn't seem much like Nevarrans at all. "So, aside from imminent death at the hands of darkspawn, what's being a Grey Warden like?" the girl asked of him.

[Arley Voegeli]

Arley looked at her, no one had ever asked him what being a Grey Warden was like. He almost couldnt answer. "Well...Its freedom, a different kind of freedom, you are obligated to fight darkspawn, but ou help others also, most people respect your position, you can go where you like and everyone looks at you like a Keeper of the Peace or, legendary "Warden of the Grey." A lot is expected from Grey Wardens, we are ment to do the unexpected, and go out of our way to help those who are unfortunate." Arley explained, when you became a Grey Warden, you give up everything to fight not just darkspawn, but all evil. Thats why random people would walk up and ask him for help, everyone can recognize the Griffon on his chest if they looked hard enough.

She was right about the fact that he had know idea if she was skilled or not, but ametures did not go in to the Deep Roads, you go in only if you are skilled and well equipped. Or have a battallion of men behind you. She had to be skilled if she was going into the Roads alone. "You would have to have some sort of head on your shoulders if you where going to brave the Deep Roads by yourself, I imagine when the time comes, you will come through, though as I said, try to keep a small distance between me and you, as they can't sense you." Arley said, though she was an assassin, frontal assaults wouldn't be her thing, if it was that would be unexpected. Arley was a rogue yes, but he prefered blade-to-blade combat. Though he didn't mind sneaking up on people either.

Being a Grey Warden was no joke, you had to be the best of the best, eventhen only 20% of recruits survive the Joining. Being a Warden was a great sacrifice, "But as I said being a Warden is a difficult life, but it is worth it, just cant have a children, or anytype of family, unless you bed a Mage or something, I dont know the details but there are ways around it." Arley explained while taking another bite of his nug steak. He loved nugs, they tasted great, but where expensive.