Author's note: Important! This is the first chapter in what I hope will be an epic series. This will detail what could have happened to my Jace in Blood Mages and Blood Magic if he had a different past. Obviously, this is AU. Warning: This will change POV every few chapters, so if you don't like that, don't read. Please R&R, I appreciate it!
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Duncan kept his eyes trained on the argument between the two men in front of him. Knight-Commander Gregoir and First Enchanter Irving were talking about the darkspawn in the Kocari Wilds, and if they should send more mages or not.
Duncan hoped that Irving would let him take a mage or two for conscription purposes, the other areas of Fereldan were dry- no one wanted to be a Warden. They had forgotten, again.
"Ahem," Duncan turned to find a young mage standing in the doorway.
An elven mage, to be exact, he was reasonably tall for an elf, standing at Duncan's chin. He was dressed in apprentice's robes, his long black hair was tied back, revealing the blood red tattoo on the right side of his face, framing his brow down to cheek before outlining his jawline. Gregoir cursed under his breath, and promising he and Irving would finish the conversation later. He brushed past the elf, not saying a thing.
Duncan studied the elf closer, one thing stood out to him: the elf's eyes. They were navy blue, and hard as a rock. They were the eyes of someone who didn't care if they lived or died, "Is this he?" Duncan asked, wishing for the Maker to heed his prayer: this elf wouldn't survive the Joining.
"This is," said Irving, and Duncan felt his heart sink.
"You asked me to come here?" the elf asked, tone clearly unimpressed.
"I did. Jace, this is Duncan, the Commander of the Grey," Duncan extended his hand.
Jace shook his hand back, "Jace Surana," His grip was surprisingly strong.
"I believe congratulations are in order," Duncan said.
Jace nodded stiffly, "Thank you," his tone conveyed that he did not wish to be congratulated.
Irving turned, and retrieved a bundle of robes that had been resting on his desk, "These are your new Circle robes. Where them with pride, for you have accomplished what most do not."
"Thank you, First Enchanter," Jace's voice was flat, unemotional.
"I am surprised with you, you normally ask more questions," Irving asked.
"What do you mean, sir?"
"We have a visitor. Normally I cannot get you to stop asking questions about them," Irving chuckled quietly, and Jace's eyes hardened even more. Irving noticed, and cleared his throat, "Duncan is here, child, to see about our commitment to the army in Ostagar."
"We already sent seven mages. That is a good number."
Duncan nodded, "But we will need more if we are to defeat the darkspawn. They have their own magic, and we need ours to be more powerful."
"Do you think I can join?" Jace's eyes lightened a few hues. He asked the question to Duncan, not even looking at Irving.
Duncan cleared his throat, "It is not up to me, but I am sure you would be an amazing asset to us," Duncan would have to talk to Irving about this young man, it was unlikely that he would survive.
Jace's eyes flashed navy, "I can fight. I do have memories outside these walls, I was only brought here four years ago."
Duncan stared at the mage, trying to judge his character. He has to be strong-willed. Perhaps that will be enough to protect him from the Taint.
"My child, do you mind escorting Duncan to his quarters? Do you remember where the guest quarters are?"
"Yes, First Enchanter. Follow me, please."
Duncan shortened his stride a little to make sure he didn't overtake the young elf. Jace didn't say anything, but showed Duncan to the lavish room he was to stay in.
"Here you are. If you need anything, just ask anyone and I'm sure they'll help you as best they can."
"Do you have any questions?" Duncan broached cautiously, he didn't want to push his last hope of a recruit away.
"I do not wish to impose."
"Do not worry, you are not imposing."
"Do you have any news from outside?"
"I apologize, I am not a good source of news. I imagine you do not get out much."
"We are allowed to walk the grounds," Jace said bitterly.
Duncan nodded, "That would be hard to adjust to."
Jace nodded, eyes going dark again, "It was a big change. How is the war effort?"
"We have successfully pushed back the darkspawn several times already. There is no sign of the archdemon."
Jace furrowed his brow, "Archdemon?"
"The head of the horde. An Old God corrupted by the darkspawn, normally in the form of a dragon."
Jace nodded, eyes lighting up again, "This is fascinating, but I must return to my duties."
"I do not think the ramblings of an old man would be of interest to you."
"The ramblings of old men have defined the last four years of my life," Jace returned dryly. He bowed stiffly, and left.
Duncan mulled over the mage, he has potential. He looked around the room, he wondered what he could do. A mage knocked on the door frame, "Excuse me, Warden. But I was wondering if you would like to come to the library?"
"Of course, thank you," Duncan followed the mage to a large room filled with books and mages. Duncan was blown away at the sheer number of books.
He was browsing, trying to figure out the seemingly impossible ordering system being used, when he took a step back and bumped someone. He reached out and steadied them on instinct before realizing who it was. Jace looked slightly stunned, eyes lightening briefly, "Thank you."
"It was my fault. I ran into you."
"You didn't need to catch me."
"Nonetheless, it was mostly instinct. What are you doing here?"
Jace rolled his eyes, "I am a mage, reading is what we do."
Duncan felt a smile tug at the edges of his lips, "Of course."
"Do you need help finding anything?"
"No, I am just browsing. I will let you get back to what you're doing."
"Thank you," Jace walked away, toward one of the exits of the library.
Duncan felt a little worried, despite the facade, Jace seemed preoccupied. Duncan shrugged, it's his business.
Later, Duncan had found someone to lead him back to his room. He found Irving there with Gregoir and several templars waiting in the lavish room. The mage that had escorted him lost all colour and left without saying anything else.
"What is going on?" Duncan asked.
"A mage we've found using blood magic has gotten it in his head he needs to escape. He has with him a mage who has completed their Harrowing and a Chantry initiate. I request your aid,"Gregoir stated.
"Of course," Duncan replied.
"We are waiting for them to come back from the basement area. We can ambush them there, and stop the threat before it truly starts."
Duncan followed the group of men to the main floor of the tower. The mages stopped what they were doing, and ushered the children into other rooms. Duncan felt the tension rise, clearly the mages knew what was going on.
When they got to the door to the basement, the door opened and three people emerged. One was a young red-haired woman dressed in initiate's robes. The other two were mages, one an apprentice that Duncan had seen in the chapel. The other was Jace, who looked tense and unsure.
They all froze when they saw the templars. Jace's face lost all colour when he saw Irving and Duncan glaring at him. He drew himself up to his full height however, adam's apple bobbing. The other mages eyes danced in fear.
Duncan saw Gregoir bristle in anger, "Barely a mage for a day, and he's already breaking the rules. I told you we should have taken another course of action with these two, Irving."
"I will not have my mages punished without the Chantry realizing that their agents are not always pure."
The woman went bright red, either in anger or embarrassment Duncan wasn't sure. Gregoir tensed, "Take the initiate, she will be going to Aeonar."
"Th- the mage prison?" The woman cried, "Please no!"
"You won't take us!" The apprentice cried. He pulled a dagger from the belt he wore, and stabbed it into the palm of his hand without hesitation. The blood magic pulsed around him, and he pushed it forward, knocking everyone but the woman to the ground.
"Lily, please come with me!"
Lily, the woman, backed away, terrified. "You used blood magic."
"I'm going to give it up, I'm going to give up all magic, just come with me!"
"No, I do not know you blood mage!"
The apprentice looked torn, but he bolted.
"Jowan, you asshole!" Jace yelled, he threw a blast of magic at the other man, but missed, "You lied!" He threw another one, but Jowan was already gone.
Duncan stood, aiding Irving to his feet. Jace's fingers were sparking with fire, and his eyes blazed black. Gregoir and the other templars picked themselves off the floor, and Gregoir turned to Jace, "Do you have any idea on what you just did!?"
"He lied to me! That bastard lied!"
A vein in Gregoir's neck pulsed, "You will need to be punished for what you've done."
Jace straightened, fingers relaxing. His eyes stayed black, however, "His phylactery is destroyed. If you leave now, you might be able to catch him."
"Do not try to tell me how to do my job!" Gregoir snapped, "Do you have any idea of what you've done?"
"I helped a friend, and it didn't pay off. I will accept any punishment you give me."
Duncan stepped forward, seeing his chance, "I believe I have a solution, gentlemen," Everyone turned to look at the Warden, "I would like to recruit this mage for the Wardens."
"What?" Gregoir exclaimed, "He needs to be punished for what he did! We will need to waste resources to try to find his friend-"
"I will use the Right of Conscription, then."
Gregoir went red in the face, and stormed off, brushing past Duncan and Jace. Jace blinked, and his eye lightened to navy, "Are you serious?"
"Of course. It's either this or death," Duncan felt a twinge of guilt. Jace didn't need to know that he may die from joining the Wardens quite yet.
Jace nodded, "May I get my things?"
"Of course," Irving said softly.
"I do mean everything." Jace glared at Irving. Irving sighed, and nodded.
"I'll be here. You have an hour."
Jace walked off, Irving following. Duncan sighed, and sincerely hoped he was doing the right thing by giving this mage a chance.
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(Jace)
My heart was pounding in my chest, making me feel lightheaded and dizzy. The voices that were always present in the back of my head were quiet, giving me some much needed quiet.
I ignored all the people I hated in the dorms, and got my things form my trunk, apparently the Tranquil hadn't had time to move my things. I packed up my meagre belongings in a pack Irving had produced from nowhere. Maybe he knew this was going to happen.
I put a few changed of clothing, a comb, some of my hair dye, some coins I had hoarded for four years, several of my notebooks, and the necklace Mother had given me for my tenth birthday all in the bag. I caught sight of one of my favourite books lying on the nearby table, and shoved it in there too.
I thought for a moment, wondering if I had time to go to my hidden cache in the library. I debated it, but decided I could come back for it if I wanted. I slung the bag over my shoulders, the weight a little more than I was used to. I stretched, and went to Irving's office next.
Irving was waiting for me, leaning against his desk. His eyes looked sad, but I felt excited. I was leaving the place I hated, I would help people, like I used to.
Irving stood up straight, and gestured to his desk. On it rested my daggers, a staff, and the amulet I had stolen when I was thirteen. I got the amulet, and daggers first. Sticking the amulet in a pocket, and attaching the daggers to my belt. One was a simple iron dagger, the other radiated magic, it was of Dalish make, just like my mother.
I took the staff, and looked at it, it was barely a piece of wood, it was old. Clearly it was unwanted, and I didn't want it either, but I didn't want to disgrace Irving more then I already had, at least not to his face. I slung the staff across my back, adjusting the pack that rested on my hip.
Irving looked down at me, eyes sad, "Be careful, my child."
I snorted, and turned on my heel. I'm going to need shoes with soles. Might sell some good ones at the little town outside the Circle.
I went back downstairs, ignoring the accusing glances that the others were shooting my way. They never liked me before, I never liked them back.
Duncan kept his word, and was waiting for me at the door. The templars were glaring at me, but I kept my head up, I was leaving. I felt hope building in my chest, but it was destroyed when the voices started whispering again. No way back. I grit my teeth, and shoved them to the back of my head.
The doors opened, letting in a gush of fresh, cool air. I sighed, and cautiously stepped out, half expecting the templars to smite me, but nothing happened. Duncan walked slowly, allowing me to get my bearings.
The docks were slightly damp, and the man who owned the boat smiled, greeting us cheerily. I faintly remembered him from when I came to the tower, but didn't remember his name. The boat began to move, and I felt my stomach start to churn. I bit my tongue, and focused on my senses, feeling the magical tinge of the tower start to fade the farther away we got.
When we docked on the opposite shore, I scrambled out of the boat, stomach in my throat. I stood still for a few minutes, and my stomach settled. I sighed in relief, and looked around. A few shacks and a tavern surrounded the docks. There was a few stalls as well. I walked over to them, looking at the man's wares. I found a pair of good leather boots, and asked the price.
"Five gold pieces," The stall-owner barked.
"I am not naive. These are worth one gold piece, and that is all you're going to get," I growled.
The shopkeeper was slightly stunned, but nodded. I pressed a gold coin in his palm, and put the new boots on. They were far more comfortable then the other ones I had been wearing. I piled the old boots, the awful staff that Irving had given me and the old Iron dagger on the table.
"I want a waterskin, some food, and a new dagger."
The shopkeeper nodded, and rushed to fill my order. I heard heavy footsteps behind me, and heard Duncan chuckle behind me. I rolled my eyes, "You find this amusing?"
"This shopkeeper has been ripping mages and people off for years. This is the first time he's been reasonably honest."
"Men like that need a good kick in the ass sometimes," I replied, "I am not a naive child."
"I noticed," Duncan said softly, "I have horses waiting on the base of the hill, I will wait for you there."
I nodded, "Alright."
The shopkeeper gave me the requested items, even letting me pick the dagger I wanted. He gave me accusatory glances until I took my things and left. I took one final look at the tower, looking so large and imposing from where I stood.
I spotted a templar sitting on a rock, and remembered my promise to Senior Enchanter Sweeney: I'll burn the seat of the trousers of that templar that guards the library. Not there, but out here, bastard, should have stayed in the library.
I snuck around him, and pulled the fire rod from a pocket from my robes, and readied it. The templar turned away from me, looking out to the tower. Moving quickly, I activated the rod, and poked at the man with it. He yelped, and I felt a smile tug at my lips.
I laughed maniacally, and ran toward the tall hill to the left of the tavern. Apparently, running up and down those stairs repeatedly did pay off. One of the voices spoke up. I ignored it, still laughing, I caught sight of Duncan on one horse, standing beside another.
Remembering what Mother said about horses, I slowed a little, approaching from the side. The horse didn't shy away, even with the templar clanking along behind me, shouting abuse my way. I mounted quickly, feeling a little rusty, and kicked the horse into a gallop, "Let's go!"
END CHAPTER
Next Chapter: Ostagar, from Duncan's POV