Ashya’s eyes were wide with excitement as the last trek of their journey brought them finally to Amaranthine. The white robed children were of particular interest to her – after all, she was no older than some of them. Why were they dressed like so? Although she had absorbed all the lessons pertaining to magic and the Fade without effort, she had been a much less interested student with regards to other subjects. In other apprentices, isolation from the outside world had ingrained within them the wish to learn more about such traditions, but Ashya had never really been interested much.
However, now that she was immersed in what was a foreign world to her, she was drinking in every sight, every sound. Her wide eyed wonder only made her fifteen years obvious, and she found herself torn between raising her nose high in the air – she was a mage, beyond this rough and probably unwashed rabble – and feeling jealous at the way they seemed to have no pressing concerns beyond the upcoming festival.
Her eyes widened impossibly at catching sight of the Qunari, her jaw dropping conspicuously open. She was not the only one stumped – Byron and Emrys were quite vocal in their questions, until an insufferable Lirana pointed out condescendingly that they could only be Qunari. Ash snapped her jaw shut, but kept her eyes firmly fixed on them until they were through the gates and out of sight. They looked scary.
Once inside, she studied the imposing Keep before turning to survey everything and everyone she could. Her interest seemed to be matched by that of two warriors and a beautiful woman who stopped to stare at them, and Ashya drank in the sight of them eagerly. Were they Grey Wardens? She was so caught up in staring that she only realized her pack had been taken inside once the servants had already disappeared inside with most of the things.
Although the thought of hot water, clean clothes and food was simply enticing, and she knew the new world wasn’t about to run away, she couldn’t bear the thought of waiting before exploring more about this place. Although her face creased visibly in irritation at the barked order for the templars to watch them - really, couldn’t they give us a single break – she instantly headed towards the massive gate.
She wrapped her hands around the bars, peering openly at the two Qunari waiting outside. Although she couldn’t go outside because of their orders, she wouldn’t have been eager to even had they been allowed. The two men were massive, and looked too imposing to approach without the comfort of a barrier such as the gate between them.