It was a sweltering summer day in the bustling village of Redcliffe, where the merciless sun scorched the earth and bore down upon the weary souls that toiled beneath its unyielding gaze. Amidst this oppressive heat, a young boy, scarcely eight years old, made his way down the crowded street with a sense of purpose that belied his tender age. His garments, though modest and worn from long use, had been meticulously cared for, their recent washing evident in the faint scent of soap that clung to them. A small wooden sword, tied precariously to his waist by a frayed rope, swung rhythmically with each determined step of his scuffed leather boots.
His family had spent the better part of the day peddling apples from their humble orchard in Honnleath at the Redcliffe Fair. The apples were renowned among the villagers for their extraordinary size and the succulent sweetness of their flesh, a welcome refreshment in the blistering heat. With the sun beating down mercilessly and the labor of the day leaving everyone parched, the boy's father had entrusted him with the task of fetching a jug of wine from the nearby tavern.
As he made his way through the throngs of people, his journey was interrupted by a faint, pitiful sound—soft whimpers emanating from behind a pile of discarded crates that lined the street. Curiosity piqued, the boy approached cautiously, expecting to find a stray kitten or perhaps a lost puppy. But what he saw when he peered behind the crates stopped him in his tracks.
There, huddled on the ground with her arms wrapped tightly around her knees, was a small girl, no more than four or five years old, her frail body racked with sobs. Her eyes, swollen and red from crying, stood in stark contrast to her fine, unsoiled clothing, which seemed out of place on one so slight and gaunt, more befitting a street urchin than a child of wealth.
"Why do you weep, little one?" he asked, his voice soft but firm.
"I've lost my momma," she choked out between sobs, her voice trembling with the rawness of her grief. "I chased a kitty and now I can't find her."
A shadow of worry passed over the boy's face, but he spoke with a calmness that belied the turmoil in his heart. "You shouldn't stay here. It isn't safe. Come with me to the Chantry. There's a Sister there who can help you find your mother."
The girl looked up at him, her red-rimmed eyes wide with fear and mistrust. "I'm not allowed to follow strangers... unless they're from the Chantry."
A flicker of determination sparked in the boy's eyes. "Well then, there's no need for fear. I'm training to be a Templar, see?" He pointed to the wooden sword at his waist with a pride that made the humble weapon seem grand. "This is my sword, a sign of my vow to protect those in need."
Her tear-streaked face lifted, hope dawning in her eyes. "Truly?"
"I swear it by the Maker himself," the boy affirmed, extending his hand to her with a solemn promise. "And if you stop crying, I'll give you a treasure."
"Treasure?" The word fell from her lips like a prayer, and the tears that had threatened to consume her were stilled.
A smile, tender and bright as the sun that now cast its golden light through the boy's tousled hair, spread across his face. "Yes, a beautiful amulet, engraved with Andraste's undying flames."
Her fear melted away, replaced by a child's pure, unguarded wonder. "Oh, good sir," she breathed, her small hand slipping into his, "I won't cry anymore, I promise."
And so, with the girl's hand held firmly in his own, the boy led her through the streets of Redcliffe, his heart swelling with a sense of purpose, as if, in that moment, he had been called to a destiny far greater than himself.