So i have been playing DA for like ever and finally got an idea for a fanfic. So here it is.

Chapter 1
The Beginning

Katie groaned as she awoke, her head hurt and so did her back. The last thing she could remember is camping with her friends and then out of the shadows came a nightmarish creature. They looked like bald men but with shark like teeth and smelled like a waist facility.

Katie strained her eyes open, the sky was moving…no she was moving. She was being dragged by her feet. The nasty smell hit her again, these ugly people held her hostage and dragging to where ever they were heading.

Katie kicked her feet out, trying to get away, she heard a hiss and growl and the fingers around her ankle squeezed. She hissed in pain raising her head to see who exactly was holding her. The dark of night and the shade of trees blocked most of her view of the armored figure. Suddenly an arrow was logged into her captures neck.

It made the 'thunk' sound as it sunk in. Her capture dropped in a heap at her feet with a clanking thud. Katie scurried backwards to get away from the nasty smelling creatures and into a tree. She grunted on impact the bark was harsh on her already scratched and raw back. She silently watched, freighted, as more arrows sailed into the creatures before a white light hit one. The creature exploded spraying blood everywhere. Then a loud cry of battle and she several heavily armed men charging at the creatures.

The battle was over fast, these creatures weren't all that good at fighting back, but they had a great amount of power behind their blows. The men looked about talking quietly to one another, Katie must have made a noise for soon all the worriers were looking at her. One of the men stepped forward making Katie press back into the tree.

"It's alright young lady, we will not hurt you." He sheathed his weapon, as if that was going to help calm the frightened woman down. "Are you injured?" He asked finally getting close, about four feet. He kneeled looking her over. "Andrew get over here…" The man yelled behind him. The was a scurry of feet and a man in robes ran over. The knight in front of Katie gestured for the robed man to slow down.

"They were dragging her." The robed man, Andrew, nodded coming closer.

"Miss, I'm a mage, let me have a look at you." Katie stared wondering if she came across a group of people playing live role play. Because no 'mages' existed. Not sure what to do Katie just nodded, she was tired, her head hurt and her back was screaming at her. Andrew drew closer gently touching her shoulders.

"Lean forward miss." He gently pushed her forward and then hissed. "She needs a healer, a really good healer." He commented to the kneeling knight before them both. "I'm going to get rid of some pain." Katie's eyes widened when his hands began to glow blue. She wondered how he was doing that before she felt her pain dissipate to a throb. "She is not to walk…so someone is going to need to carry her." Andrew stood dusting off his robes. There was a quick debate on who was going to do that task before a man sighed and came over to her. Gently as she could in armor, he lifted Katie up bridal style and they walked back to camp.

"what's your name miss?" Katie's carrier asked. Katie raised her hands to his face and started to make letters. In truth Katie was mute, mute since the day she was born. During her development in the womb her vocal cords were not developed properly, leaving her voiceless. "What in the maker are you doing? Andrew, is she cursing me?" The man carrying her sounded worried. Andrew turned and made his way over. In his hands he held a ball of light, he had been leading the others threw the woods.

Andrew looked at her and then got an amazed look on his face. "She's talking."

"Talking?" Another guy said sounding as he didn't believe.

"She's speaking with her hands, she mute. I've read about from the books in the tower but never actually thought I would meet someone who actually used it to communicate." Andrew opened his other hand to Katie. "We don't know how to read that…but are most welcome to trace the letters." Katie reached over and ran her figure on Andrew hand slowly. "K-a-t-i-e…Katie." She nodded giving a smile. "Well then miss Katie, pleasure." Andrew moved back to the head of the group.

It seemed like hours to Katie but they finally made into camp. Camp was actually a large camp of soldiers. There appeared to be some sort of war, Katie figured out by now that one, this wasn't some fantasy role play and two, these people were actually worriers and yes Andrew was indeed a mage…powers and all. It kind of one of her video games…Dragon something…if only she could remember the story-line.

A man in gold armor was walking toward the group, several other heavily armed men fallowed him. Helmets were one and they didn't look inviting at all. The men around her gave a bow, except the one holding her, who merely tipped his head forward. "The man you sent a head of your group told me of what had happened. Where is the girl." The golden armor man, Lord Calien, was the man in charge here…he was King apparently and Katie felt rather foolish being in front of him covered in dirt and blood.

When everyone cleared a small path towards her Calien's eyes grew wide.

"Have her see a healer right away." He demanded and then addressed Katie directly. "We will speak later." Katie was quickly rushed off the mages side of the camp. The Templar's let Andrew threw without a fuss but halted both Katie and her carrier. A rather strong looking mage came to them and gently deposited Katie into a gurney once inside the tent on her stomach.

"Ah child, a run in with the darkspawn. How unfortunate." The woman smiled gently and started to heal Katie's back. The conversation was once sided, the woman, Wayne, didn't seem to mind at all. She gently laid her hand on Katie's head and whispered a sleeping spell.

Katie awoke will little to no pain in her back. She looked around the best she could, she was lying on her stomach, which was currently gurgling for food. She razed herself on her elbows only to hiss.

The mages obviously didn't heal her all the way for she now felt the bindings on her back. They were obviously there to help with infection, she hoped it wasn't. Cringing Katie sat up slowly, bring the sheets with her to cover her front. Changing her position on the bed she found herself in a small tent meant only for one person, two could fit of one was willing to share cramped quarters.

Katie stood slowly and rapped the blanket around her shoulders like a cloak. With gentle non jarring steps to the tent door flaps, opening them slowly. A guard turned towards her when he heard the flutter.

"Your awake. Please lay down, well have a healer here very soon." He flagged down a elf that was running by. "Get a healer to this tent." Katie stepped forward lifting her hand up to grabbed the elf. "Miss." Katie made a gesture of eating. "Get her food as wel." The soldier pushed the elf into going.

Katie went back into the tent she slowly sat down waiting for her food and the healer. The tent was plain, gray in color filled with only a cot. The smell of mud and dog was prominent in the air. Rubbing her nose Katie held back a sneeze.

Katie remembered the story…how terrible that everyone was going to die…maybe she will too. She knew this wasn't some dream, for in dreams on couldn't feel pain. An 'excuse me' brought Katie out her musing. Wayne, her healer from before came in with a gentle smile.

"You should be lying down child." She placed her hands gently on Katie's shoulders as she unwrapped the bindings from her mid section. "Your wounds were infected, so we waited till that stopped for the actually healing."

Her hands glowed as soothing blue before they were placed on Katie's back. The pain faded and Katie was able to sit up striate finally. Katie brought right hand to her chin and then pulsed in the times towards Wayne. She signed thank you, but Wayne stood there not sure what to do about the strange gesture. "Child, I do not understand." Kaite dropped her head. This was harder than she thought. She waved Wayne off.

Several minutes after Wayen left an elf came in with a bowl of soup. "I was told to bring this to you." Katie stood now dressed in a barrowed shirt. She took the soup with a nod of thanks before sipping it. It was filled with some sort of meat that made Katie gag.

She cringed pulling the bowl away from her lips. Kaite's parents were both vegetarians, there for she grew up one as well. She never had meat, though her friends ate it around her, they respected enough not to eat it around her all the time.

A man all armored up and rather tan, entered the tent. "I was told you were awake, the king wishes to meet you. But please finish eating." Katie put down her bowl and stood gesturing that she could leave. Duncan, he had introduced himself after a few seconds, was happy that she was alive and well even with her ordeal with the darkspawn.

"Your majesty," Duncan said as they neared the golden armored king. "Katie is awake and walking around just fine." The king turned towards her smiling.

"Its good to see you out and about." Katie bowed. "How are you feeling my friend." Katie singed ok. "Ah, Andrew said you spoke with your hands. I am sorry to say but I myself have no idea what you have said. Katie gave him a thumbs up. The blond haired King laughed. "That I do understand."

Katie smiled happy to be understood by someone around her. "What were you doing out there in the woods?" Katie sighed shaking her head. These people didn't understand her, how was she supposed to tell them her story.

In the end a blank volume was handed to her and a quill. Katie jotted down a few things like how her and two friends went out camping and then next thing she knew they were being attacked by darkspawn. Katie wrote that she didn't know where her friends were, but she came to being dragged by one of the darkspawn.

Hours later, more like early in the morning, Katie walked around the camp. It was rather peaceful, calming and it helped Katie think. If she was stuck in this game, then she would need to find a way out of it…best bet was to beat the game…or find someone with teleporting dimension powers. The first option seemed for of a reachable goal then the second.

Katie sat down on a ledge suddenly not feeling all too well. Her head felt foggy, slight dizziness and then her body temperature sky rocketed before her vision swarmed and she slumped forward. Not too long after she awoke hearing muffled voice and a room swaying like she was one a ship. Duncan's face appeared in front of her swaying vision talking to her.

Katie singed to slow down before her brain caught up to her and she realized he wasn't reading her hands. She made a swaying motion wither her hands and then touched her head with her hands.

"I forgot of your non-vocalizing." He helped her sit up before pushing several pillows behind her back so she was propped up. "I have serous news for you. I will be blunt." He took a breath squaring himself. "I had hoped what I had felt around you was just darkspawn blood, but sadly it is in your system. You have been tainted." Katie knew what he was talking about right away. Two options for her, die or join the greywardens and possibly die.

Katie gesture writing something on her hand with a pen…or quill in this place. A parchment was placed in her hand and a quill in the other. She quickly wrote she wished to joined the wards. There was no way she was going to die a slow agonizing death. A ghoul is not what she wished to become, let alone serve the darkspawn. Duncan looked up after reading the sheet with a critical eye. Katie just gave him a tired smile. "If that is what you wish. You seem to know more than you let on." Katie shrugged not really giving an answer.

After two days of resting Katie was shoved into leather armor and told she will be heading out in the woods with two other new recruits for the Greywardens. Katie nodded when Duncan had asked if she knew how to fight. Then made a so-so gesture when asked if she could use a blade. Duncan patted her on the back and told her best way of learning was having to defend one's life. Katie had to ask herself isn't that what she was doing in the first place.

So now she stood watching Alister talking…arguing…one sided argument, with a mage. She actually found it quite funny…but couldn't bring herself to laugh. Not that she could. Katie was brought out of her musing being rudely shoved to the side by the mage who hissed at her like some angry cat that got its tail stepped on. Alister sighed asking some question that Katie couldn't quiet catch before turning towards her.

He gave her a smile. Katie was actually dumb struck and how rather handsome Alister looked in real life. He had this boyish look and feel to him. But he was still taller than her. Katie couldn't help but smile back.

"So…who are you?" He asked slowly unsure if that was even the right question to ask a lady let alone her. Katie raised her hand but stopped knowing it was pointless to even start signing. She grabbed the front of his armor and gave it a tug before heading off. She beckoned him to fallow when he didn't move. Getting the hit he fallowed after her, his slightly longer strides easily caught up to her smaller ones.

Duncan stood by the fire with two other figures, he was talking to them but paused when he saw Katie with Alister. "Thank you Katie." Katie nodded. "Now that we are all here we can introduce ourselves properly." Duncan said. Introductions were made, and random questions answered it was time for the mission.

"Alister you will be leading your charges through the Koraki Wilds, one for viles of darkspawn blood and two, for old treaties." Alister nodded. It wasn't long before they all headed out. Katie had a dagger and a short sword strapped to her back.

Alister took lead when they headed out…then got them lost. Which left them running in circles for half an hour before Alister gave up and said someone else should lead, the knight and the thief started to play rock, paper, scissors to find out who should lead only to be grabbed by Alister who wound up fallowing Katie back to the main path they were supposed to be fallowing. Katie made arm gestures that this was the road that they would be staying on it. No one got that but just smiled sheepishly. Katie lifted her arms shaking them and rolling her eyes. Yelling in her head 'MEN.'

A shout of 'Over here!' drew Katie's. There was a soldier crawling…kind of…at them. He said his scouting part was attacked; he just wanted to be patched up and wanted to get back to camp. Which wasn't too far, but Katie had no bandages. Alister kneeled and pulled some bandages out of the pack, he did somewhat of an ok job of helping the man off and then sent the soldier off.

Sir Jory panicked, acted more like a chicken than anything else…complained a little then the group proceeded on. The first group of darkspawn that came at them scared the soul out of Katie so badly she had backed into Alister trying to get away. Sensing her unease Alister got in front of her drawing his blade and shield. "Draw your weapons and fight." He stated quietly and then charged into at one of the bigger darkspawn.

Shakily Katie pulled her blades and gripped the tightly. She took a deep breath and moved forward. One of the smaller darkspawn put its bow away and charged at her. Katie easily danced out the blades way…and the darkspawns claws. But she had a hard time hitting with her own weapons. She just couldn't get close to it.

The nightmarish man like creature freaked her out to a point where she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep for many days on end without nightmares…or not sleep at all. One grabbed her from behind, freaking out she slammed her foot down on its own, kicked up into its crotch, elbowed its face then finally flipped around to stab in the head with her dagger. Blood spurted from its wound and on to Katies face making her gag and cough as she back up. She tripped backward over the other dead darkspawn.

"Easy." Alistar said wiping the blood of her face. You have to be careful." Katie wrote in the dirt. 'I have the taint already, more blood won't kill me any faster.' She paused then did a happy face. Alister chuckled. "You don't know how to fight with a weapon do you?" Kaite shook her head.

'Self-defense.' Katie erased the thing before and wrote anew. Alister nodded and helped her up. They collected a vile and then moved on. Katie found the clues to a chasind trail. Which they had fallowed…in circles. During one of their searches they stumbled upon and old camp swarming with darkspawn. Once again they fought. Katie managed to actually cut one of the darkspawn and help take down another.

In the campfire she saw a silver box. Slightly tarnished and covered in dirt, ash and dust. It had a note with it…meant for a woman named Jetta who lived in Redcliff. A man named Rigby wanted to give this to her. Stashing it away in Alister's bag, Katie wanted to give this to the woman.

Continuing on, Katie was forced to fight more of the creatures, in a larger number. But finally getting through they were able to find the last place the Chasind stashed their stuff. They grabbed everything and filled more viles of darkspawn blood. Walking by one of the fallen logs Katie spotted a yellow flower with a red center. She came over to it and picked it, sadly it had no scent, about to drop it someone stated the kennel master needed a flower that looked like that to cure one of the dogs. She tucked it away for later use.

Alister stated that up that ridge should be where the treaty papers should be held. Should be was the key component of the statement, for they weren't there and in the end were being questioned by Moragin. Eventually Katie managed to get Moragin to lead them to her and her mother's place for the document exchange. The old bat also held up Katie's camping bag asking if they knew what the hell to do with this weird object. Katie reached for it nodding. And promptly went through it to see what she had.

Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Hair brush, Pens and pad for communication, Fire starter kit, Change of clothes, Pocket knife, Flashlight, Bags of dried food, Soap, Shampoo, feminine products, Hiking boots, Deodorant, Fiji water bottle and Rope. Katie clutched the bag happily. Something from where she was from…some normality for her. Morgin lead them back close to the Kings camp and then left as swiftly and silently as they came. Everyone split off when they finally got threw they gates. Alister went and delivered the viles as well as the treaties.

Katie made her way over to the Kennel Master. She pulled out the flower when he asked what she wanted. He asked her to muzzle it. The Master probably was too afraid of the poor ailing dog. It gave Katie no trouble. The kennel master thank her, gave her twenty silver. Katie gave a small bow and then moved to the quarter master. There she sold some extra weapons she collected from the darkspawn and managed to make five gold, seventeen silvers and sixty-nine copper. She bought some health potions and first aid stuff. Knowing she was going to need them. Happy with her perches she moved to her tent and stripped out of her armor the best she could. There was a big bowl of warm water by her bed.

Grabbing a cloth she wiped herself down the best she could. She could always take a bath in a stream later. Dressed in her spare clothes… which were now her only cloths. Tight black cotton jeans and a long sleeve blue shirt with a low v-neck. She slinked on her former shoes she was wearing, some hiking sneakers. Before sitting down and reorganizing her pack. In truth her pack was her old school bag that could fit four binders and three thick textbooks and any other school supplies she was going to need.

What seemed like forever Katie finished and went to explore of the camp. On her way up one of the ramps she was caught up by a knight telling her the Duncan of the Greywardens wished to speak with her. She thanked him in her silent language and moved off to the fire pit, she knew Duncan would always be at.

Katie greeted him with the traditional bow which he gave a small smile to. "Alister mentioned that you were rather…lacking with your weapon usage." Katie shook her head yes. Confirming Alisters words. She made an 'X' with her hands and then patted her chest.

"You defend yourself…"Duncan guessed. Katie made a flip flop movement with her hands. "Self Defense…you know only self defense. Makes sense. One of the captains is willing to teach you basics, but you must practice on your own to get better."

Duncan lead her to a man with a stern scowl. He gave her one look over and sneered. Before scowling at Duncan. "Basics Captain, just basics." Duncan said as if scolding a child. The captain sighed and moved off. Duncan pushed Katie into fallowing the said scowling captain and into a training ring.

"Pull your weapon." Katie pulled both of hers. "A rouge…dam it Duncan." The captain growled. "Lets start with you stance." Katie got into a fighting stance…or what she believed a good fighting stance with weapons should be. "Good, but lean on your heals just a bit more, you have to compensate for your weapons weight." Katie shifted a bit back feeling uncomfortable in the position. "Good now swing." She fallowed only to fumble and fall. "Again." He snapped. Katie glared at from her sitting position on the ground refusing to do something couldn't do. "Up soldier!" the captain yelled to have Katie shake her head no. Growling the captain lifted Katie up from under her upper arm. "Again." He hissed. It went on for several hours before Duncan came to retrieve Katie from her torture.

"How did it go?" he asked." Katie glared at him and stuck her middle figure up. She hoped that was a universal sign here. Duncan looked shocked as she walked by him, dripping in sweat and dirt. Katie sat down on her cot wincing as she finally started feeling the pain or her training and then promptly went to sleep.

The next day Katie awoke and did some more training, surprisingly she got the hang of it pretty well fast. She spared with a few soldiers. Making her way back from training she passed the kings tent. It was all nice, colorful and big compared to hers. Two men watched her, giving Katie the willies before she moved on quickly. Duncan was at his usual spot and gave a wave to her as she passed by. Katie waved back slightly before heading towards him.

"Tonight we are doing to joining tonight. Meet us in the old temple." Duncan instructed. Katie nodded, knowing exactly what that entitled. She nervously waited all day then made her way to said temple. Run down and depressing looking as it was in the game Katie came upon the two other recruits talking to one another.

Jory was acting like a baby once again, complaining and whining about tests and such, Katie shook her head. He was in no way a warden if he complained about the little things, when they had a horde running at them tonight. Deveth mumbled something that got Jory quite but made him pace. Alister stood there watching all three recruits with a grim look on his face.

The next thing Katie knew she was drinking from a silver cup, it smelled putrid…worse than week old dog breath and tasted just as bad. But the shier pain she felt after she swallowed was not like anything else. Katie passed out after a few seconds of gasping in pain.

Few minutes later she awoke, slowly from a terrible nightmare. A dragon staring at her, dark black eyes void of a soul and filled with such malice. Dark blood red and spiky, she heard a roar and then she truly felt its presence. The world was fuzzy and swayed side to side showing the silhouette of Duncan and Alister, who looked grimly at her before sighing. Duncan officially welcomed her to the wardens, while Alister babbled away nervously. They gave her a few minutes to herself, but the king had wished for her to be part of the meeting.

Katie just nodded waiting for them to leave. As soon as they did she ran over to the bushes throwing up what little she had in her stomach. Spiting once she was done to get rid of the taste Katie sighed thanking the gods that she felt much better. Slowly she straitened herself and walked to the meeting table.

A heated discussion was going on about who would be where and when charges should take place. They were a bunch of young children to her fighting over a cookie, but she wasn't going to mention that to them…not that she could. Katie gave a small smile to Duncan and the meeting continued on.

Tower of Iahal wound up to be overrun by darkspawn, so they, Katie and Ailister had to battle their way up…but first they had to get to the front door…easier said than done considering the amount of darkspawn already outside battling a small force of Logan's men. They didn't last long but it helped both wardens out greatly to have those extra swords.

Once inside Katie shivered at the immense dark feeling she was getting from the tower. There had to be a lot of darkspawn in here, Katie ducked hearing a arrow whiz by her left ear bring her out of her stupor. Drawing her weapons once more she moved forward being careful of traps and triggers. Seeing none Katie watch the positioning of the darkspawn. These things were harder to fight in real life than actual game.

Katie stabbed on in the neck but had a hard time yanking it out, once she did she stumbled backwards. Feeling sick to her stomach again do to the flood now running between her sword and hand and the parts that had managed to get onto her armor. Alister grabbed her arm by the elbow dragging her along to the next part of the first floor.

Floor after floor, darkspawn after darkspawn both wardens managed to reach the top floor. Panting both looked up to find themselves watching a Orge ripping the head off a soldier and crunching it down like it was eating a walnut. It turned towards them blood and saliva dripping from its mouth and roared, spiting everywhere. If Katie wasn't nauseous before she was certainly now, and not liking any moment of it.

The Orge charged making the floor shake. Katie ran off to one side while Alister ran to the other. The Orge fallowed Alister, he biing slower do to armor wait. Katie pause her running looking around for anything to kill this guy. She wondered where grenades were when you needed one and then remembered she was in a swords and shields kind of game not a gun on gun. Drawing her swords Katie ran at the Orge's back and chopped at its shins. Anoyed the orge kicked back sending Katie tumbling backwards and into a wall.

Ignoring her, thinking she was dead the Orge went on chasing Alister around. Katie groaned as she sat up and then hissed in pain when her rips cried out in protest. Cringing as she stood Katie looked over to the mantle where the fire was saposed to be lit, the wood was their but nothing to light it. Katie crawled over there and pulled her bag from her back and rummaged through it for her fire starter.

Shakily striking a match and tossed it in the pit. The wood had to be coated in oil for it when up in flames quickly making sitting next to it impossible. Katie scurried back only to be picked up by the Orge. She heard Alister shout 'no' before she was slammed down face first onto the floor. Darkness took the pain and the sound from Katie quickly…she wished she could scream in pain.

Katie slowly opened her eyes. Above her was a wooden ceiling. Nothing fancy, one would find in a hut of some sort. Her body didn't hurt as much anymore, though the head ache was still there, but manageable.

"You eyes do open." Morigan's voice sounded of to Katie's left. Katie shifted her head looking at the scarcely dressed woman. "My mother wishes to speak to you. She is outside with your suspicious dimwitted friend." Morgain walked off mumbling about a stew.

Slowly Katie got up and dressed before heading out. Her head hurt and her ribs pulsed wish each step as she finally made it outside. Alister stood looking over the swam looking like a lost kicked puppy. He turned hearing Flemeth comment about Katie being fine and that he worried too much.

Just the first chapter Review