Obligatory Chapter Heading:

Chapter 1:

The man looked around, as if searching for something. Someone. Maybe he knew I was here, hidden in the shadows. Watching. Stalking. Wondering what he was doing so deep in the woods.

A branch snapped close by, catching his attention. Slowly, carefully, he drew a sword from the scabbard hanging on his hip. He inched toward the sound. A horde of shadows detached from darkness, descending upon him. A war cry on his lips, he turned and charged. It was fascinating. I stayed hidden, knowing I'd be more of a secret weapon if I remained...well, a secret. The moon shone through for a moment, just long enough for me to really see. My eyes widened. We were in the middle of a group of darkspawn. Oh, Maker...

A larger one raised a greataxe over its head, meaning to behead the man. One moment, I was safely tucked away. The next, I was running quickly across the battlefield, my daggers held firmly in my hands. I reached the hurlock's side easily, none of the creatures paid any attention to the small girl, and stabbed one of my blades into its side. The other sunk deep into the space between its shoulder blades on its back. It hollered and fell to its knees. Without a second thought, I dislodged a dagger and, using the other as a handle, slit its throat. The darkspawn died shortly after, staring into my eyes.

Several minutes passed, with only the cries of the dying filling the space between the man and me. As I glanced around to see how many were left, one of the bodies lying at my feet suddenly reared up and grabbed my leg. Bit me. I screamed in pain, lashing out. My blade found its eye. The genlock died. Hopefully, it was really dead this time.

When the last one had fallen, the man made his way to me. Looked me over. Pried my hands from my leg.

A sharp intake of breath, "How are you feeling?" Wise eyes steadily met mine.

"I... I don't feel well." I panted, truthful. Nauseous.

He closed his eyes and stood silently for a moment or two. He nodded to himself, opened his eyes, and pulled his pack from his back and rummaged through it. Took a roll of bandages out and wrapped my bite wound.

"Where are you from? Do you know where the nearest village is?"

I fought against the urge to close my eyes and sleep, "I know there's a place," I frowned, glanced around, "that way." Pointed toward the direction I'd come from earlier.

The man scooped me up in his arms, "My name is Duncan, and you need to stay awake as long as you can. However you can."

A sigh escaped me, "My name is... Anastasia." I murmured, focusing on the shadows that danced in my vision.

I made it as far as the edge of the forest before finally succumbing.

My eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light. I was lying on a hard bed, my head propped up by several pillows. Uncomfortable, to say the least. Although, the blanket covering me was soft and plush. That was a plus.

I glanced around, thinking hard. Where was I? What had happened? I was in the forest, leaving a message for a Jenny, when... Oh! That's right. An older man had wandered close by, setting me on alert. And then a group of Darkspawn... Oh, no. Where was I? What had happened after that? It was all a haze after I joined the fray.

A movement caught my attention. A small girl, around my age, was rummaging through a chest of drawers.

"Hello?" I croaked, surprising her and myself with how bad my voice sounded.

She jumped, whirling around, "Oh! You're awake. This was not in my calculations. You weren't supposed to wake up for another," she looked down at something in her hands, "forty-three minutes. Erm, please don't tell anyone I was here."

"What's your name?" I asked, curious.

She dithered, conflicted.

"I'll keep it a secret, if you tell me." A bargain.

She stepped toward me, out of the shadows. Sandy hair fell down past her shoulders, framing her heart shaped face. Accentuating her small features well. Her gaze sharpened, studying me with her grey eyes for a few moments in silence, "Promise?"

"I promise."

"Calilian."

"That's a pretty name." I smiled, "I like it. Are you named after the lily flower?"

She tilted her head, "I think so? I'm not really sure. I-"

"My name is Anastasia." I watched her closely, noting the slight raise of her eyebrow.

"That's not…. Are you sure?" She glanced again at what she was holding, frowning, "My information was wrong? Again?"

What was she talking about? "What information? Where did you get it?" my tone was deadly.

Her head snapped up, her eyes wide, "I-I…" she stuttered, "I can't say. I, uh, have to go. Look at the fern, what can I say? Apples and jeans and BUTTERFLIES!" With that, she bolted from the room, pausing to silently close the door behind her.

….

Alright. That just happened.

I shook myself and moved to get out of bed, quickly forgetting the incident as a wave of dizziness assaulted me. I fell to the floor with a soft thud and a whimper.

The door opened and a shadow stretched out, covering me. I weakly raised my head, my eyes searching for the source.

The man from the forest made his way to my side, picking me up and laying me gently back onto the bed. A quiet sigh escaped me as I pulled the blanket on top of me, needing that small comfort.

"How are you feeling?"

"Weak. I feel like death just barely passed me over." I murmured, closing my eyes wearily. Now that that other girl was gone, I was able to fully appreciate the extent of my health, which was almost null.

"I have something to tell you, and you won't like it. You may choose to go off on your own; I will not stop you. I simply ask that you hear me out." He sounded serious.

I knew I wouldn't like what I was about to hear, but I wanted to know why he seemed so solemn.

"You have been tainted by the Blight."

My mind went blank.

It must have shown on my face, because his expression clouded for just an instant. Concern and something else. I couldn't quite make it out.

He turned and lit a candle, busying himself, "I saw how you fight. I watched as you bravely came to my aid. You saved me, the other day. It is my hope to offer you a way to live. Join the Grey Wardens."

His words knocked the air from my lungs, "What?" I choked.

Facing me again, he spoke with determination, "It would be different, for both the Wardens and yourself. I doubt we have ever recruited one as young as you, and I also doubt you have experienced anything like being one of us. Instead of waiting to die an excruciating death in a matter of days, if you're lucky to last that long, you should join us. At least consider it. That is all I ask. It would be a shame for your talent to go to waste." He paused, "You could save many lives, if you came with me."

I found myself nodding, "I agree. Are you allowed to recruit me, though? I am young, like you said."

"Yes. It is my job to bring in people with skill and talent, no matter their age or background." He said knowingly.

Might as well.

"I'm a Friend of Red Jenny. It's why I was out in the woods; I was leaving a message for a fellow Jenny."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised, "Is that so?"

"Would I still be able to do what I do, if I join the Grey Wardens?"

"If it helps people, and you keep it secret, I wouldn't see why not." Immediate. No hesitation.

"I…." I glanced toward the door, trailing off.

The man moved to close it, coming to stand closer to me afterward.

"I'm a mage." I murmured almost silently.

He took a step back, his eyebrows nearly shooting into his hair, "An apostate?"

I hesitated, then nodded, "I suppose that's what I am, but I'm not untrained. I know how to do a lot, especially control it. I don't even use any of it, not unless it's absolutely necessary. I can heal almost any wound and rejuvenate energy to keep myself on my feet. I can go days without sleeping, if I have to. I've done it many times."

"You've never been caught, otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation. Do your Friends know this about you?"

I shook my head.

"Why tell me, then?"

I chewed on my lip, "Because, if I need to know if there will be a place for me in the Grey Wardens, should I choose to say yes. Other than being a Friend, I've been invisible. No one notices me. No one cares to see the small girl, the one carrying the daggers sharp enough to cut through steel, walking the streets in broad daylight. I've never had a place in society."

His expression softened, "There will be a place for you, if you allow yourself to have one."

I took a deep breath and, for some reason, it triggered a coughing fit. I doubled over, clutching my chest, until it was over. Until I didn't have the strength to cough any longer.

"You need to decide quickly, though. You haven't much time left."

"I accept. I want to live. I want to keep helping people. If becoming a Grey Warden is what it takes, then I'll do it. I'll become a Grey Warden."

"Then we leave for Ostagar as soon as you are able."

Fuck when I'm able, I thought. I'm obviously not going to get any better.

"We need to leave now, or I'm not going anywhere. Alive."

He nodded, "My name is Duncan, by the way."

"Oh. Right. I'm Anastasia. I can't believe I'm going to wherever Ostagar is, and I didn't even think to ask your name." I blinked.

A gruff laugh, "You probably don't remember telling me your name after your daring rescue."

A vague memory drifted to the front of my mind. I did tell him, didn't I? Before I passed out. Huh.

"Oh, now I remember. Of course."

He opened the door and spoke to someone out of sight, inaudible whispers filling the silence.

Duncan poked his head back in to the room, "We'll be leaving within the hour."

"Good." I replied, wondering if I would make it to Ostagar. If I would live long enough to become a Warden.