The official titles which loomed over Izarre's head were Warden-Commander of Ferelden, Queen of Ferelden, and Prince-Consort to the High King of Ferelden. He openly distained the Queen one and promptly corrected anyone who used it that Warden-Commander or His Royal Highness were much easier to mentally process. With the death of the Archdemon, the Blight was defeated and most of the horde scattered north from Denerim towards the Coastlands where they fractured into warring tribes.
Despite the fall of their supposed leader, the region still fell into chaos as the darkspawn emerged from hidden lairs to terrorize the countryside. As the new Warden-Commander of Ferelden, it was now Izarre's responsibility to rebuild the order and deal with the lingering threat. As part of Alistair's new reign, the Wardens also had gained control over Vigil's Keep, once home to Arl Rendon Howe, and happily ransacked it after his death.
"Is there a reason why we're walking up this path instead of taking a cart?" Annoyed at the ridiculously long hike, Izzare turned to his female guide to the Keep and supposed bodyguard, Mhairi, to ask the question.
"I apologize, Warden-Commander. We were to be picked up ages ago. Perhaps the day of your arrival was confused, but we should be seeing others at their post. What is going on? Why are there no Wardens here to greet us?" The dark whispers which began to fill Izarre's mind held the answer to her question. Holding out his arm, he stopped the solider at his side as a pair of twin ice blades manifested in the palms of his hands.
"Darkspawn. We're surrounded." Looking at startled at first, Mhairi quickly found her conviction as she also readied herself to fight as well. Soon, two small Genlock rogues popped out from the shadows in an attempt to catch the humans off-guard. Izarre kicked one of the little critters in the chest, effectively knocking it over, which gave him time to toss a magical blade into the back of the neck of the second rogue which was trying to find an opening past the woman's defenses.
"Gratitude, Commander," she smiled while bashing the Genlock down onto the cobblestone with her shield and decapitated the beast with its sharpened under point. The Warden used his off-hand ice dagger to stab his attacker in the chest and let the magic seep into the monster until it froze over completely. As he yanked the blade out, the frigid corpse shattered from the force of it.
"It's you!" yelled a male solider as he came out of hiding and ran towards the victors. "The Hero of Ferleden! Oh, thank the Maker!"
"How did this happen?" Izarre asked as he noticed the surviving man had more than just darkspawn blood on him. "Where are the other Wardens?"
"There was someone right behind me, a mage! He might have been a Warden, I don't know! All I heard were screams and people dying; I got out as fast as I could and ran into these…" Physically exhausted and distraught, the man choked up at the thought of what the darkspawn may have done to the others. "You need to help them. You need to do something!"
"Run for help. Now," the Warden ordered as he pointed off into the distance. "I'll take care of this."
"Yes, my lord! Thank you, my lord!" After bowing several times, the man ran off back down the path as fast as his bruised legs could carry him.
"We don't have a lot of time, Commander," Mhairi said with a stern look in her eyes.
"No, we don't. This is the Keep, yes? Who's in charge here?
"We are at the Keep," she replied. "Which once belong to the Howes, but considering what he did to you and the rest of the order, losing their lands is probably the least of his family's problems. The Seneschal here is Varel. He is the Keep's Steward, I believe, working for the Wardens." After thinking over the information for a bit, Izarre nodded and pressed onward.
"We should keep moving. Stay close and we won't be taken by surprise. Maker, I sound like Alistair…"
"Right! Let's teach these evil bastards a lesson." Walking into the fortress wasn't a pleasant stroll. The bodies of those who died trying to keep the horde at bay were left scattered all over the ground while the stench of burning flesh and hair crept inside of Warden's and his bodyguard's noses. "Unbelievable! The Keep has been overwhelmed!" Turning to the Commander, Mhairi asked the most obvious of questions. "How did the Wardens not sense the darkspawn coming? I don't understand it!"
"Something strange is definitely going on," he mumbled in a low voice while trying to listen out for the familiar scratching and garbled conversations, but his guide's nerves were getting the best of her.
"For the darkspawn to have ambushed the Keep so effectively…I didn't know they were capable of such a thing!"
"Pull yourself together and keep your voice down before we get ambushed ourselves!"
"Ye…Yes, Commander. I'll try." In an attempt to shake the feelings off, she straightened her posture only to duck down again when a loud explosion and smoke came from a small storage shed to their right. Both ran off to see what was inside, only to catch the last few seconds of flames coming from a stranger's fingertips which were effectively roasting the last few darkspawn that were trying to kill him. Shaking the sparks from his nails away, he turned to realize that he wasn't alone anymore.
"Er," he stammered as he looked at the heavily armed guests. "I didn't do it."
"Do what exactly?" As Izarre leaned over, he noticed that some of those burnt to crisp bodies were also Templars. "Oh. Nevermind."
"Oh, don't get me wrong," the seemingly guilty Mage tried to explain. "I'm not broken up about them dying, to be perfectly honest. Biff there made the funniest gurgle when he went down…But that was from the darkspawn, not me. Honest." Cocking an eyebrow, the young Warden folded his arms over his chest to stare at the blond in front of him.
"And…who are you supposed to be again?"
"Oh. Right." After clearing his throat, the man formally bowed. "I'm Anders, mage and wanted apostate."
"An apostate? In Vigil's Keep?" Mhairi asked, sounding a bit concerned.
"You weren't here when we arrived. I'm sure I would have remembered such a lovely woman as yourself…You too, there," Anders commented suggestively towards both the bodyguard and to whom she as supposed to be protecting. "We were just stopping here on our way back to the towers. Just a short rest, they said, and now they're dead. Such a shame."
"I care not who or what you are so long as you kill darkspawn," Izarre shrugged and turned to leave the building.
"Then you and I will get along just fine, I think. I hope," the Mage flirted a bit more heavily and wasn't very specific of the direction it took. "Look, I suppose I could help you with the rest of these darkspawn…or you could just let me go. They'll send more Templars to find me eventually. They always do."
"So help then. We need to force our way past the barricade." Anders snickered a bit and began to mimic the Commander's militant stance and walk until Mhairi shot him a nasty glare.
"Are you sure about this, Commander?" she asked hesitantly as she questioned the logic of bringing along such a character.
"I can't say I'm fond of these darkspawn, even though I'm no Grey Warden," Anders interrupted as he pushed himself between the two. "Let's deal with them now, and we can discuss what comes later…later," He smiled at the cautious protector and then to his new fearless leader with all the charm he could muster. Before she could protest, a charge of darkspawn ran through the gate just a few yards ahead of them only to be mocked by a surviving dwarf.
"Oh, we're scared now. Don't come over here. Ha!" While waving his hands in the air, the stout man mocked the monsters into running inside the courtyard, but before the trio could make it down the stairs, a massive triggered bomb blew the tainted attackers into fiery meaty chunks. "It'll take more than that to kill us, beasties. Come again if you dare!" With a mad cackle, the dwarf ran off into the shadows. Izarre groaned knowing the fireworks would probably only alert more darkspawn to their location and walked ahead to let himself into one of the main buildings before that could happen. There, he saw yet another dwarf as crazy as the first one, but at least he knew this one's name.
Oghren took the time to stop cutting off heads with his massive axe for a moment to wave at his friend. Both Mhairi and Anders were taken back as Izarre suddenly bursted out laughing. "A-ha! There you are!" the Firebeard yelled. "When these darkspawn showed up, I thought, 'just you wait until the new commander gets here and you'll all be spitting teeth out of your arses!' Followed the screaming, and sure enough, here you are. Good on ya!"
"He's not that dangerous, is he?" Anders asked Mhairi. "I mean, look how little and cute he is. It must be like being attacked by a giant bunny rabbit." Ignoring the comments about his height and fluffiness, Izarre walked towards Oghren to speak to him instead.
"It's good to see you, but what are you doing here? Last time I checked, you got a little boy and Felsi to take care of."
"Came here thinking I might try my hand at becoming a bona fide Grey Warden."
"He was here when I left. I can't believe the Wardens didn't kick him out," the female fighter huffed.
"And why would they?" Izarre rebutted. "Oghren was the Commander in charge when the darkspawn attacked Denerim's gates. He's a hero to everyone he saved by stopping the second and third waves of attack while the rest of us were attempting to take down the Archdemon."
"Hey!" Oghren laughed. "Don't embarrass me in front of the new recruit with the great rack! Who's the mage anyway? Boyfriend? Should I leave you two alone?" It was another joke that didn't specify if it was meant for the woman or the Warden himself.
"Wow," Anders rolled his eyes. "A dwarf that smells like a brewery. You never see that anywhere."
"Huh. A mage comedian. Thought those normally died young."
"He's still young," Izarre smirked and turned to pat his friend on the shoulder. "You know there are risks to joining the Grey Wardens, right?"
"There are risks to getting up in the morning," the Dwarf scoffed. "I piss on risk."
"I'm sure risk appreciates that," Ander mumbled under his breath, but was ignored by everyone else.
"We should get going then. We need to enter the main hall and flush the rest of these foul creatures out." Nodding in agreement, Oghren followed Izarre which left Anders and Mhairi feeling a bit left out of the inner circle. Upon entering another hallway, they spotted another survivor doubled over pain and barely able to speak.
"Oh no! Rowland!" Mhairi cried out. "Commander, Rowland was a knight recruited from Denerim like me. We must do something for him!"
"…He looks beyond healing magic," Anders sympathized. "Maybe a shot of whisky for the pain?"
"I like the way you think," Oghren agreed.
"Stop joking!" she yelled at them for making light of the situation. "This isn't funny!"
"The…the Commander?" Rowland asked weakly while turning to see his hero.
"Yes," Izarre nodded as he kneeled down to get close. "What happened here? Where are the others?"
"We…only had a moment's warning before they were on us, Commander. The Seneschal ordered a counter-attack, but they came out of nowhere! There's one with them, a darkspawn who talks; his magic is powerful."
"A talking darkspawn?" Oghren questioned. "The lad must be delirious."
"There's…something…in my blood! It hurts!" The injured recruit cried out as he grabbed his sides.
"It's alright." While speaking in a soothing voice, Izarre placed a hand on the man's shoulder. "Close your eyes. The pain will be over soon."
"It was an honor to meet you, Commander. I wish I could have fought at your side just once…" A spurt of blood was coughed up from his final breath as the man's own sword was run through him.
"What!" cried Mhairi. "Why did you do that?!"
"He was infected with darkspawn blood," the Commander stated matter-of-factly. "As a Warden, you are immune from the infection as long as you live…but anyone else…It would have been a slow and painful way to go. There is no cure for the taint…I am sorry. I thought you knew."
"I…I will avenge you, Rowland. I swear it." As they continued to press forward though the Keep, the Bodyguard had more vigor in her strikes. Oghren seemed to just enjoy killing things while Anders actively shielded his new comrades with a natural knack of the healing arts. After making their way to the rooftop, Izarre once again heard a darkspawn's voice, but this time, it wasn't just in his head. Ducking behind a corner, he shushed his raiding party before peeking around to see what was going on.
"It has ended just as he foretold," a large armor Hurlock spoke with his actual voice before punting a hostage solider of a ledge to the ground below. "Be taking this one, gently. We are wishing no more death than is necessary." It referred to an older man behind held down on his knees with a sword to his throat.
"Necessary?" the prisoner said with disbelief. "As if your kind has ever done anything else!"
"You are thinking you know of our kind, human? It is understandable. But that will soon be changed."
"Others will come, creature! They will stop you!"
"It seems your words be true, more than you are guessing," the undead monster spoke.
"It is talking!" Anders said loudly with a smile, effectively exposing his group's hiding spot.
"Well, let's shut it up already!" Oghren grumbled as he pushed his way to the front with his axe tightly gripped in both hands.
"Capture the Grey Warden! These others, they may be killed." As the second Hurlock holding the older man captive was about to slice the throat of its prisoner, it soon found itself with a frozen spike it its forehead before it could do any more harm. Anders looked to Izarre surprised by the use of magic from the combatant, but didn't have time to worry or ask any burning questions about it before being ordered to take care of any dire or life-threatening wounds the prisoner may have had.
The talking darkspawn put up a fight, but was grossly outnumbered and soon fell to Mhairi's sword. Izarre busied himself helping the older man to his feet after Anders was done with some magical triage. "Commander," he said. "I owe you my life." Looking over the roof's ledge, he spotted a few moving bodies marching towards the Keep that thankfully weren't anymore darkspawn reinforcements. "Soldiers on the road," he pointed out. "It seems we have more company." Looking over as well, Izarre quickly recognized the banner being flown and hurried back down to the main gate in order to greet them properly with the rest of his party running after him.
Out of breath by the time he got down to the courtyard again, he leaned against a stone wall until the new arrivals came through the entryway led by King Alistair and an unknown female Templar. Everyone took a knee as the King walked up to his lover with a smile of his own. "It looks like I arrived a bit late. Too bad. I rather miss the whole darkspawn-killing thing," he teased.
"King Alistair!" Mhairi exclaimed from her kneel. "Commander! You must also take a knee in front of royalty!" Alistair looked to the woman with a bemused expression for a moment before eyeing Izarre with the same face.
"Yes, you must bow in front of royalty," he agreed as he took Izarre's hand and bowed deeply in front of everyone. A blush crept upon the young Commander's face as he gave the hand that was being held an affectionate squeeze.
"Stop joking and stand up," he mumbled and Oghren just laughed.
"You two at it again? Does the smell of darkspawn blood work as an aphrodisiac with you Wardens or something? You know, there's a closet I can point you to in case you're looking for a quick pick-me-up, heh." Mhairi looked up front her kneel confused while Anders seemed less amused by the pair and was entirely too busy staring daggers at the Templar instead.
"Do not fret, madam," Alistair said to Bodyguard. "This may be your new Commander, but this is also my better half. My best half, really."
"So…there are two kings?" she asked, but Izarre shook his head.
"One King," he promptly corrected while pointing to Alistair. "And one Prince-Consort, but please, simply address me by Commander here. We aren't in the castle."
"True enough," Alistair nodded. "I'd wanted to come and give the Wardens a formal welcome. I certainly wasn't expecting this. What's the situation?"
"What darkspawn remained have fled, your Majesty. The Grey Wardens who had arrived from Orlais appear to be either dead or…missing," said the man whom Izarre rescued from the rooftop. Bewildered by the news, Alistair raised a curious eyebrow.
"Missing? As in taken by the darkspawn? Do they even do that?"
"I do not know, your Majesty. I know only that we cannot account for all the Wardens."
"Wonderful." While sighing, the King's shoulders slumped. "And how about you, my love? You weren't badly hurt, I see." Shaking his head, Izarre squeezed he was still holding for a second time.
"Of course not, but are you planning on joining me, dear husband?" It was a flirty suggestion which made the bystanders uncomfortable once again.
"Oh, I wish. Doesn't even tempt me like that, you minx. Eamon will have a heart attack."
"More so than when he walked in on us that one time…?"
"Hm…yes. For some reason I believe forgoing my kingly duties to chase baddies with you again will make him not even bat an eye if he walks in during our sexy alone again. Still, you have quite the task ahead of you. Really, I'd like to help you fight darkspawn, but you're on your own for the moment."
"Hey!" Oghren yelled, apparently having listened to the entire conversation. "What am I? Chopped nug livers?"
"From the smell, that's not a bad guess," Anders added as he finally stopped squaring off what appeared to be his mortal enemy.
"I came here to join the Grey Wardens," the Firebeard declared as he puffed his chest out. "And from the looks of it, you could use the extra hands! Where's the giant cup? I'll gargle and spit!" Making a face, Izarre turned to his friend.
"You're not allowed to spit."
"Heh. That's what I always say…" Both Alistair and Anders snickered at the remark while Mhairi looked disgusted and Izarre just rolled his eyes, but gave a playful nudge to his King knowingly.
"I…suppose all are welcome, in this dire time," the female warrior said against her better judgment.
"Joining the Wardens, hey?" Anders shrugged. "Well good luck with that."
"King Alistair," the Templar finally spoke up. "Your Majesty, beware! This man is a dangerous criminal!"
"Oh, the Dwarf is a bit of an arse, but I wouldn't go that…"
"She means me," Anders interrupted with a lowered head.
"This is an apostate who we were in the process of bringing back to the Circle to face justice!"
"Oh, please!" With a dismissive hand, the Mage waved her off. "The things you people know about justice would fit into a thimble. I'll just escape again, anyhow."
"Never!" she protested. "I'll see you hanged for what you've done here, murderer!"
"Murderer?" Anders's face cringed at the insult. "But those Templars were…Oh, what's the use? You won't believe me anyhow."
"Well," Alistair interrupted and stepped between the two. "It seems there isn't much to say. Unless…you have something to add, my dear?"
"I do," he said as he turned to Anders with a mischievous grin. "I hereby conscript this mage into the Grey Wardens."
"What?!" the Templar nearly screamed. "Never!"
"Ahem," coughed the King. "I believe the Grey Wardens still retain the Right on Conscription, no? I will allow it." Outnumbered and cornered, the woman had no choice, but to accept the ruling.
"If…If your Majesty feels it is best…"
"Ha!" laughed Oghren. "Way to go, kid! Welcome aboard!"
"Me?" The blonde's mood suddenly lightened. "A Grey Warden? I guess that will work…" Even though Mhairi didn't approve of this new recruit either, she swallowed her pride and forced a smile at him as well.
"Congratulations, ser mage. I look forward to fighting at your side."
"Then you have everything under control, I will need to take my leave," Alistair said softly to Izarre while gently pulling his hand away.
"I believe the estate has been secured, yes," the rescued captive spoke with a bow. "We have suffered great losses, but the darkspawn are gone and there are survivors. Oh…excuse my manners. I am Varel, seneschal of Vigil's Keep. And I am most grateful for your timely rescue, Your…other…Majesty…Commander. I will aid you in ruling the lands of Amaranthine."
"Just Commander is fine, and other survivors?"
"Yes, Commander," Varel bowed once again. "Some of the soldiers and the Vigil staff survived. But none of the Orlesian Wardens made it. Come and speak to me soon. There are many matters to attend to, not the least of which is the Joining. You will need to replenish your numbers." The Wardens watched as the Seneschal took his leave until Alistair's hands were upon his spouse's wait and backside, turning him around.
"I hate having to ask you to do this, love. I'd be so much more interesting to keep you at court," the King whispered into a pale ear as he nosed the sensitive flesh there.
"So why don't you?" the smaller Warden whispered back even though it was something they both knew the answer to.
"Such a paramour," Alistair grumbled. "Sadly, I need to deal with trouble in the Bannorn and now explain why Grey Wardens from Orlais are missing without sounding like I'm the one who caused it, but I will return as soon as I'm able. I promise. Hopefully, this mess will be dealt with and it'll be just the two of in bed again. Is it too early for a second honeymoon?"
"A bit," Izarre sighed as he took a step back away from Alistair to make the separation a bit easier.
"It will be up to you to deal with the vestiges of the Blight before the situation grows out of control. No easy task, but I'm confident you are up to it. Now, let me say a quick good-bye before I change my mind." With that, Alistair reached out to give his loved one a kiss on the cheek, but was easily swept away when he was pulled into a much deeper kiss causing even his own soldiers to look towards the sky to keep from staring. With a smile, he turned to walk away, giving a wink before leaving. Izarre turned away only after the King and his accompaniment vanish over the horizon. With Alistair out of sight, his militant tone returned as he ordered everyone else back into the Keep.