"Aaah Duncan, it is good to see you here" one of the elder wardens cried out and rose from the fireplace where he and a few of their fellows had been talking.
"And you, Terrin. I have gathered a few recruits, is everything ready for the Joining this evening?"
"It is, how many did you manage to gather this time?" Terrin smiled and motioned Duncan to take place among them.
"Only three" Duncan replied as he moved to them, suddenly feeling exhausted, despite his body he knew he would die soon, one way or another. "The youngest of Teyrn Cousland's family, and two dalish elves though they are almost too weak to take part in the joining now."
Terrin frowned, treating Duncan to one of his questioning looks.
"They encountered a relic that housed a caged pride demon, exactly how they managed to free it enough for it to do harm I do not know." Duncan closed his eyes, his mind already back at the scene. The two elves had been badly wounded, the boy more so as he had been discovered almost a day later, but without a doubt the taint was within them both. The darkness of the cave seemed oppressing at the time, only enhanced by the ever present whisperings of the darkspawn.
The youths had been thorough though, every spider and creature in that cave had been killed off and all the traps had been disabled, from there it had been an easy task to follow the traces of a demon.
"They carry a form of taint that the darkspawn also carry and it weighs them down, but they are worthy additions to our cause" Duncan closed off his memories again, least they get too firm a grip.
"If they survive" injected Terrin, looking into the fire.
"If they survive" agreed Duncan "What of you?"
"ha! I got myself an Aeducan"
"A dwarfen noble?"
"The second son of the first house" Terrin waited a moment as he observed Duncan. The other warden was doubting him which brought a smile back to his face, the youth always thought they had it all figured out. "Of cause he was sentenced to death for killing the first in the succession line."
Duncan's expression changed from doubtful to worried. Not all that were picked to become wardens were worth admitting after all. "And did he?"
"He refuses it, and I believe him... Still dwarfen politics have always been a bloody sport so it may be the case. Either way really, he fought through quite a lot of darkspawn to get to us so he is more than a worthy addition."
"Dwarfen politicians are not the only one who play a bloody game, the Couslands' daughter was one of the few who survived Howe's attack on their castle"
"Curious, still, there are more important matters to attend!"
Indeed there were. Duncan stood again, he would make his rounds in camp, gather the blood and other supplies needed for the ritual joining and then send the rag-tag band of recruits into a trial by fire: they will have to slay darkspawn and return with blood samples.
As he walked certain plans were falling into place, the elves would be too weak to attempt to best the wilds and the darkspawn alone and Alistair needed a few men for a task of his own.
By midday everything had been set in motion. Aeducan's second had taken command of the group going out to hunt for blood and Alistair had been sent to see on the elves progress. If they were well enough then the three of them would also be heading into the Wilds but for a different task entirely.
Alistair groaned when he was out of earshot from the rest of the wardens. First the Reverend Mother succeeded in her ambush and now to look up on two sick dalish.
At the infirmary the elves had been easy to find, they were the only ones not screaming their lungs out in pain or fear. The girl was sitting by the lad's legs, one hand clutching to his. The boy lay with closed eyes and his face was twitching slightly from the pain. As Alistair approached he could hear her quiet song. Alistair gave a light cough but it didn't seem to alert her. Not surprising considering the commotion all around them. Time for a different approach.
"I am sorry to interrupt"
In response the girl whirled to face him in a graceful motion. "Greetings sheml... human"
Alistair noticed that the boy was watching him as well, though he kept lying on the makeshift bed, his eyes only opened a fraction.
"Duncan asked me to see how you are doing"
The girl seemed surprised at that. "We are holding out, thank you." she glanced at her friend. "Is he ready to let us through the Joining?"
"The other group of recruits have just left, they will be getting what is needed for the ritual."
Her face was unreadable and for but a moment her eyes became unfocused. "I am glad to hear" she gave a smile though it didn't reach her eyes.
"There you are Alistair" he turned only to find Duncan walking through the crowd towards them.
He might as well have checked on them himself. Alistair unconsciously straitened a bit as Duncan joined them by the dalishs' beds.
"I am pleased that you are already up Lyra, because I have need of your skills, and yours as well Tamlen." The elf in question gave a miniature nod but didn't bother opening his eyes.
"Of cause Duncan, we will aid as best we can." the girl replied in an almost singsong voice making Alistair wonder if she didn't use that phrase overly much back in their old home.
"Alistair and the two of you will be heading into the Wilds." The interest was at once piqued. "There is some old documents, treaties, in an abandoned tower a few hours walk from here. I want the three of you to get them and get back."
"That is in the part where the darkspawn have set up residence though, isn't it?" Alistair asked, though of cause he knew that. He wanted the elves reaction though when Duncan told them. To his dismay neither seemed surprised though the girl gave a concerned glance at the Tamlin.
"It is, but it is still far from the main force. You three will sneak in and sneak out once you have the treaties." Duncan's voice was his usual resigned one, the one he usually got when darkspawn was mentioned.
"We will not fail, Duncan."
I will not fail you, Duncan.
That of cause was easier said than done. The two elves had gotten a potion that nulled much of their pain but it didn't make the mood much better. The three of them had not even made it to the gates of the camp before Tamlin had pointed out that sneaking in splintmail was a tricky task, which had inevitably resulted in a disagreement which Duncan had settled. And so Alistair had been made to change armor to a stinking leather armor which was biting all the wrong places.
As they moved through the forest swarms however he was forced to give the elves their due, Lyra had been moving ahead a bit and with an unmatched teamwork they managed to kill two scouts which Alistair had picked out using his special ability to sense darkspawn. He felt almost useless though, compared to how he usually did things. He was used to charge with a sword and enough armor to stop his opponents. But here things were much different and Alistair had resigned to sensing the darkspawn, keeping an eye on the map and simply following the elves as they made their way further and further into darkspawn territory.
They had been going for over an hour before Lyra asked for a rest, which Alistair agreed to only due to their sickness. The forest and the swampy undergrowth made both travel and rest unpleasent.
"You both seem very at home out here"
Tamlen didn't dignify it with a response and once again Lyra tried to cover for it though she looked much more pale than she had earlier. "We used to visit the Wilds in our travels."
She sat down on a flat rock and the two others followed suit. "I am sorry for the stop, my vision was just... swimming... a bit." Tamlen gave her a smile but quickly returned to his set features and kept an eye on their surroundings.
"It is fine, gather your strength while I look at the map"
Alistair trailed the route he guessed they had gone, there were very few actual landmarks out there though he did have a fair guess where they were. The ruins they were going for was only a small kilometer south-west. He closed his eyes and sensing for the darkspawn taint, there was a little in that direction, though he couldn't see so far. Alistair doubled his efforts, Gray Wardens were masters of sensing out darkspawn and he wanted to be useful on this mission so Tamlin wouldn't get all the credit for their coming success.
Alistair sensed a bit further and a bit more... his senses sharpening and then... a huge mass appeared out of nowhere. Moving in one motion like a single being, so vast that it covered most of his sight. The chock drove him out of the meditation.
"Are you alright shemlin?" Tamlen asked, only a slight concern in his voice. Which was enough for Alistair, deep down Tamlen was a good guy, which was heartening.
"I was just sensing out the darkspawn"
"Any around?"
That was a good question. As far as he saw there was nothing, but the vast masses of taint that had appeared from nowhere had filled most of his vision. "I don't think so"
Alistair wanted to look again, to be sure without a doubt that the way was clear, but the revelation had been overpowering. What if taint was all he was seeing? What if his senses had become useless just because he pushed himself?
He didn't dare look. He admitted to himself in shame. It was as simple as that. Duncan could likely guide him, but seeing such taint was a horrible sight, even more so when facing it alone.
"Are you ready Lyra?" Alistair asked, hoping to avoid dwelling on his problem. Only to realize that she had fallen asleep where she sat, a half eaten lump of bread lying in her lap.
Tamlen and Alistair exchanged a glance and Tamlen moved over to wake her while Alistair gathered the map and consulted it for a last time.
"This is the place." And it was, Alistair was sure of it. The tower ruins had been home to a small band of genlock. Lyra had gotten an arrow in her side but Tamlin had examined her and treated it to the best of his ability. In the end it had become somewhat of a brawl in the camp and finally Alistair had gotten a chance to use his sword, glad for the chance to help the group along.
"It has collapsed" Tamlin said practically while he supported Lyra to the foot of the crumpled tower.
"The chest the treaties were kept in should have been protected and heavily warded, it should still hold." Alistair moved around the base, looking for a way to get in, or a place where the stones were small enough to dig through. Tamlin looked around as well while Lyra sat on one of the larger stones only half conscious.
They were about to give up when a woman's laugh startled them. It came back from Lyra and their backpacks. They were met by a young woman as they entered their makeshift camp site.
"And these are the brave men who leave a defenseless woman alone in the Wilds is it?" The woman gave them a grin but shrugged as Tamlin got bow and arrow handy. "'Tis hardly the way to greet anyone, even here."
"What are you doing here?" demanded Tamlin, his arrow already aimed at her.
"I am just traveling the Wilds, helping Mother..." She turned her back to Tamlin and moved to face Lyra who had wrapped herself in a blanket but hadn't dared move.
"Come, let us have a proper civil greeting. Those two friends of yours have worse manners than the chasind."
"You are a Witch of the Wilds, aren't you?" Alistair asked, to her back. Survival had to be more important than proper greetings.
"A Witch of the Wilds? Ha! You may call me Morrigan, if you wish, but don't tie me to an image made to spook children." She was laughing at him, of cause she was laughing at him. What a stupid question.
"My name is Alistair, and this is Tamlin. The girl over there is..."
"Lyra, yes she told me. You shouldn't have brought her here, she will die from those injuries."
Alistair looked at Lyra more closely, she wasn't scared, she was sleeping, or unconscious.
"I didn't know she was..." only then did Alistair notice Tamlin, he still held the bow drawn and following Morrigan. He must think that Morrigan had done something to Lyra.
"Can you help her?" Alistair asked, trying to gauge the situation more objectively. Lyra and this woman had obviously spoken, and while Morrigan had been laughing Lyra had gone unconscious. Without a doubt Morrigan was also an apostate which made her dangerous and an unknown quantity.
"I cannot, Mother might however, and I think she would like to see you."
Alistair thought for a moment, so many unknown factors, and why was this suddenly up to him? He had always hated to be the center of attention, the one to make the choices.
"Can you show us the way?"
He had known he would ask, to save a friend he could do nothing else, but asking for aid from an apostate might lead them all to their deaths.
Alistair offered a silent prayer to the Maker though experience told him that it would not help at all.
It had not been their deaths though traveling the swamps with Morrigan and a sleeping girl between them had certainly taxed both he and Tamlin. It was nothing however, compared to the meeting with Mother, which had been more than a little unnerving for Alistair.
Tamlin had been as hostile against Mother as this Morrigan right until Lyra had recovered from sleep. The old lady had spewed some nonsense about beliefs and fate and other random stuff before she without much fuss had handed him the treaties from the tower. She was mad as a fruit bat but who was he to look said fruit bat in the mouth?
Just as Alistair had gotten the treaties, Mother send for Morrigan and instructed them all to start moving onward to Ostagar because the darkspawn horde was moving north which would make the trip back difficult if not impossible if they didn't set off now. Morrigan had played the silent guide leading them almost the fully way to Ostagar without meeting a single darkspawn without waiting for thanks she had headed back to Mother and their small hut.
Alistair had never been so pleased by the smell or sound in the camp as he entered with Lyra and Tamlin. Alistair had taken her backpack and Tamlin had been supporting her all the way. About a half hour into the walk from Morrigan's hut Lyra had collapsed the drug keeping the pain at bay had failed her and she had not been able to stand unaided since. Tamlin and Lyra headed off to the infirmary to get Lyra's wounds tended and Alistair was left with the treaties.
"So you return, I was beginning to worry that you would not make it back. It is good to see you safe Alistair!" Duncan exclaimed as had found him in the Circle mages area. Despite an effort Alistair couldn't help be warmed by the elder wardens concerns.
"It is good to be back Duncan, and we found the treaties." Alistair fished the documents from his back they were worn from time but otherwise quite whole.
"It is good that these are once again in our control." Duncan placed them carefully in his own pack which was tied to his belt. "How are the elves faring?"
"The potion you gave them is wearing out and Lyra was injured but they are both alright."
Duncan frowned but if he had any comments he kept them to himself. "And you Alistair, are you alright?"
Alistair was about to joke it away but the feeling from the swarm returned to him, the dreadful feeling when he had tried to sense the darkspawn. "Master, I," how to explain it? "In the swarm I tried to sense the darkspawn, I may have pushed a bit and I..."
"And you saw the taint in the elves?" Duncan sighed and motioned Alistair to follow him.
"I should have mentioned it, it is the taint that makes them so ill, but they must master it in the Joining."
"That wasn't what I..." A piece fell into place. It was not the land he had seen, it had been the elves and the taint within them. The huge mass of corruption that suddenly appeared was the diffuse one inside the people sitting right in front of him! His sense had not been ruined.
"Sorry, I never realized it was they who had the taint, I was worried that maybe..." Alistair ended it with a nervous laugh. How silly he had been. Duncan just smiled fatherly and shook his head.
"Don't worry Alistair, I doubt you will have any trouble with the taint within yourself for many many years. - Now, go to the old Temple and prepare. I will send them all to you within an hour.
The old Temple was much like the rest of Ostagar – a ruin. All the recruits were gathered for the first time. Duncan stood with his three, ser Terrin stood with the dwarf and ser Mack stood with two humans who Alistair didn't recognize. Ser Mack was only a year into the Wardens service and as such his students would be the last to enter the Joining, the first was Duran Aeducan the dwarf who may have killed his elder brother to get to the throne...
"We are all gathered. As the newest of us Alistair, would you recite the words of the Joining?"
Alistair felt his heart skip a beat. He had known this would come of cause, but he hated being the center of things.
Duran had taken the first sip only seconds after Alistair had spoken the ancient words. The dwarf had fallen to his knees hacking and coughing violently until a violent cough sent him backwards where his head (fortunately with helmet) struck the stone floor and he was knocked out. None of the Wardens moved to check on him, it was all a process they must go through. Shortly afterwards the Dwarf awoke coughing and cursing in the same breath and the cup was passed to Tamlin.
Tamlin had taken the cup without the slightest hesitation almost drinking greedily perhaps hoping that the quantity alone would kill him and rid him of the sickness that had forced both elves into a such weakened condition. Tamlin survived though and as did Lyra and Elissa Cousland. Lyra had woken from her initiation rite only long enough to stand where she fainted again. The Wardens took it as of her illness and not that she failed the joining.
Ser Mack's charges were less lucky though, that a few die in the Joining was not uncommon but that a Warden picked two new recruits only to have them both die said a lot more about the Warden than anything else. Ser Mack was taken aside when the last of his recruits had been declared dead.
"I welcome you all to the order of Gray Wardens. You arrive on the eve of battle, and as such you will all take part in the battle. This will be worse than first test you went through earlier this day but take heart. We gray wardens have always succeeded in our undertakings and this will be no different!" Terrin had met everyones eyes as he spoke, and his face radiated such confidence and control that his words seemed so possible.
Everything seemed so quiet after that and gathered in the midst of Gray Wardens, Alistair could not help but think back on all the wonderful times he and the others had shared in the last half year.
"Come Duncan, the King asks for you at the meeting, we should not delay any longer. - Recruits you will get your orders after we have settled on a battleplan. I suggest you get to know your fellows and rest up if needed." The last part was directed to Lyra who was sitting barely conscious near Tamlin.
The Aeducan brat had finally left the table, if only to get more ale, and Elissa was glad for it. Throughout the first test into the Wilds the Aeducan's Second had attempted to take command, barking orders for seemingly no other reason than to yell at them. It had taken all her training to talk some sense into him and even then he seemed like a bloodthirsty lout without a shred of human decency!
"You must be teyrn Cousland's daughter, am I right?" A young man had taken the dwarf's seat opposite her which was a fortunate change of company, even if this man was a commoner.
"That is correct, but you have me at a disadvantage."
"My name is Alistair, I was only made a Gray Warden half a year ago."
Elissa offered her hand and Alistair shook it – the first breach of protocol but she was willing to let that slip. "Ah yes, you were the one stuttering at the Joining!" Damn it! "I apologize, it was all just so new to me."
She could see how he had taken the comment the second she pronounced it but such trouble was ever present. Besides it was difficult to take the concerns of commoners seriously, though she knew that it was a flaw in herself. A flaw which may now risked to chase off the lad and thus open the way for that Aeducan.
"It is quite alright, my lady." Alistair smiled taking a healthy swig of his mug. "How do you feel now that it has all passed?"
It was an interesting question, how did she feel? The grief of losing house and parents were still there, as was the fears of the horde which was heading their way. They might all die but how did she feel?
"Relieved, I think. For some reason things seem less dark than they have in the last few days."
"I know!" Alistair thew his hands up towards the sky as if to say that she was the only one understanding what he had been preaching. "It is the warm fuzzy feeling that only a blight can give." He looked perfectly serious for a moment before gave a sly grin. "Or something along those lines, surely"
Elissa gave him a dry smile "Surely"
"Alistair you are asked to gather the new members and show them to Duncan's tent for orders" One of the Wardens not so much older than Alistair called giving his shoulder a friendly slap.
Alistair might be commoner, but the easy charm he carried with him and the acceptance of his fellows was something Elissa could only envy. The Cousland was generally well liked but it was in no way an easy acceptance. It was always strained, even her brief flirtatious phase with Dairren had been held at arms length.
With an inward sigh Elissa rose as well, Duncan was her superior here and had held his word, granting an audience with the King. Now all that was left was to survive the evening and then pass the news to Fergus. Tears threatened and Elissa closed herself off to the softer side. Being a warrior was like being royalty, it demanded part act and part skill. She had trained both and her acting was now such that it came, perhaps too, easy for her. Alistair had already gone to fetch the dwarf who must have stumbled over a keg somewhere.
The elvers had already arrived when Elissa got to Duncan's tent, the girl seemed to have gotten up after passing out for the second time in only five minutes. Had it not been for all the stories of the prowess of the Wardens she would have said that it was a mistake letting those two in, they look far too frail, and the fact that they were sick spoke of poor hygiene, even their backpacks, which they still carried around, were thick with mud - some of it even fresh.
"Welcome Elissa, you have met these two in the joining, Tamlen and Lyra."
They both gave a small bow, with their hands crossed across the chest. Unsure of a proper greeting she just gave them a van smile. "I am Elissa Cousland, Teryn Cousland's daughter, a pleasure"
Both elves were quietly giving each other a glance in turn before the boy, Tamlin supposedly, returned her smile. "It is good to meet you" though the greeting was as half hearted as his smile had been.
At least she wasn't the only one out of place. At least he hadn't kissed her hand, otherwise she would have had to wash it, no telling where dalish elves wander. Thankfully Alistair and the dwarf arrived not long after, both looking to be in high spirits as they were laughing over something.
"Ahh, you have all come, good. The king and the teyrn has deviced a strategy. The king and a minor part of the army will stay before the main gate awaiting the main force of the darkspawn horde. They will be the only directly visible target on the battlefield and the darkspawn should not see the trap we have laid for them unless the archdemon itself appears in the battle."
"And if it does?" Elissa asked, not entirely comfortable letting the king be a decoy against such odds.
"If it does then leave it to the senior Gray Wardens. As I was saying. They will not notice that Teyrn Logaine lies in ambush. He will when the main part of the horde has passed cut them off and attack them from their flanks. This will ensure that the darkspawn cannot flee"
Elissa looked around, most there seemed to agree with the warden readily. Fools!
"It will also ensure that the darkspawn will fight all the fiercer! Besides, how can the king survive that long in the heat of battle? Surely they cannot survive a continued onslaught while they wait for the main part of the horde has passed!"
"There is also the question of how Logaine and his men will know when to attack." Duran muttered darkly, giving the slightest of nods in Elissa's direction which she deftly ignored.
"There are mages, catapults, stones and various traps to hold the worst of the attack at bay, when the teyrn attacks the gates will be opened and the king and his men will slip out of the fight. Teyrn Loghain will get his tactical victory and the king will get to fight at the front lines. Alistair and another Warden will, along with a minor group of soldiers, will light the signal for the teyrn."
Elissa felt her cheeks warm. It was like being back at the castle listening to fathers strategy meetings, everything was considered... The thought of her father stung a bit though less than it had. She quelled the emotions and focused on the task at hand.
"Your part in this will be to protect the fortress itself from attacks from the east and north."
"We will not see combat?!" Duran asked, sounding not a little offended that he would not be in the main battle.
"You may, but we can hope you will not!" Snapped Duncan. "If this is to work everyone needs to do their part." Duncan sighed and in a less sturdy voice added "Hopefully the darkspawn too will do what we expect of them."
"you sound doubtful" It was Tamlen who spoke this time, his accent very different from the rest of the group.
"I just worry, as do we all... I suggest that you split up as you did as earlier and gather whatever is needed to defend against groups of... say ten or so. They must not breach you! There is a small group of conscripts already gathered at the entrances who will follow your command... But remember these are not trained soldiers... I have much to see to, so feel free to do what you must before the evening. It is expected that the darkspawn will want the cover of night but nothing is certain."