He wasn't sure what amused him more. Telling four legions of chevaliers that Ferelden had handled the blight on its own and thus they were unnecessary, or the expression on the man's face at being told this by a sixteen year old elf. The leader of the Orlesian forces all but winced every time he had to refer to Jerath as 'commander'.

Slowly, reluctantly, the Orlesian soldiers turned around. Their camps emptied quickly, for which Loghain was grateful. He'd still harbored the concern that the Orlesians would try to push their way into the border. He spared a glance for the small contingent of dwarven soldiers that King Bhelen had sent to observe. Jerath had ensured the soldiers were clearly visible during the proceedings, counting on Celene's reluctance to endanger her own ties with the dwarven kingdom to help keep everything peaceful.

"...Questions that still need answering," the Warden Constable was saying.

"A full report is being prepared," Jerath replied. "Senior Warden Lenore Amell will be sending it on to Weisshaupt, along with the bulk of what was collected."

Constable Veril shot Loghain look just shy of hatred as Loghain shifted his position to stand behind his commander. It was a strategic move. Those Jerath didn't unsettle by merely standing there, alive, were put off balance by the presence of a man that had until recently, been one of their worst enemies. Veril tore his eyes away from Loghain, and looked back at Jerath. "This changes many things. I will have to report back to my commander to determine our next moves."

"Inform Hasivar that the Wardens have been given Vigil's Keep in Amaranthine. We will be basing our operations there."

"I will. Fare you well, Warden-Commander." He turned and gave the order. A few minutes later, they were heading away.

"That went easier than I expected," Loghain said.

Jerath shook his head. "We are technically on Orlesian soil. He wasn't prepared to cross that line without a more direct order." He shrugged. "To cross the Frostbacks here, he'd have to deal with the forces Alistair sent to aid Orzammar, the dwarven forces returning to Orzammar, the Dalish hunters sent to scout and take word of the new land, and the dozen mages I stationed in the pass, right by those easily loosed rocks."

Loghain blinked, and then shook his head as his lips twitched slightly. "I had wondered where they went."

"We have some business in Orzammar. I assume you are finished touring Orlais?"

#

He left Loghain to oversee the soldiers. Being that nearly a third of them were men from Gwaren, Loghain knew better than he did how to assign them.

"Hello. How can I-" Dagna looked up from the counter, and her eyes went wide. "It's you! And it's been... well, quite a while. Enough time to get to the circle and back, I hope?" She bounced. "Oh, please tell me what they said."

"When we leave Orzammar, we'll be dropping by the circle. First Enchanter Irving has accepted you for study."

"Ancestors bless you; I can't believe it! There hasn't even been a dwarven observer in the Circle since Ureldin in the thirteen century."

"Will you be ready to go in two days?"

"I-I-I I need to pack. No. My parents would get suspicious. I need to go. Is there anything I should bring? Books? Tuition?"

"I've taken care of it."

She hugged him. He hated when they did that. "Where do I meet you?"

"We'll be with the Ferelden soldiers. If you can't find me right away, ask for Loghain."

"I will. Thank you again."

#

Loghain watched Jerath press a pouch of coins into the young dwarf's hand. Dagna bounced twice before hugging him, and Loghain shook his head at the expression of consternation on his face when she did. The girl climbed into the ferry gleefully. If she didn't stop bouncing, it was going to sink. The mages followed.

"Is there a reason we aren't recruiting any of them?"

"They did well enough in the fighting, but I'm not sure any of them would take to life as a warden," Jerath replied. "And if I have to listen to Gundbar pontificate on early Tevinter lore one more time I may just kill him."

"Where too now?"

"Now, you take the rest of those soldiers and head south. Lots of sightings of small bands of darkspawn coming out of the wild and hitting Gwaren's farms." Jerath shrugged. "I'd join you, but I have to attend a wedding."

"What about the elven lands?"

"Brehan organized the hunters, but if you can lend a hand, do so. If you find any good potential with a death wish, recruit. Otherwise, I think that Weisshaupt is going to stuck us with reinforcements."

"Yes, Commander."

#

He caught himself fiddling with the ring again, and clenched his fist. Vigil's Keep was visible in the distance. In a way, it was good to be out of Denerim. Cathiel insisted on fussing. He wasn't entirely certain, but he believed she might have been responsible for every single servant he encountered being a comely young woman. He told himself to be grateful, as her worry meant she'd forgiven him for Loghain.

A young woman met him at the crossroads. "Warden-Commander?" There was a note of uncertainty in her voice. He was growing used to it.

"Yes?"

"I am Mhairi. One of the new recruits. They sent me wait, and to escort you." She was staring at him with a mixture of awe and worship. It was more annoying than the disbelief.

So he needed an escort, did he? Which meant that Weisshaupt had sent forces to Vigil's Keep. "How many have arrived?"

"There are a dozen wardens stationed at the keep. They arrived two weeks ago, and have been settling in."

A dozen. It could have been worse. Hopefully, they knew their duty. He'd rather have people he knew and trusted, but since the number of those on Ferelden soil was currently... well... one, he'd take what he could get.

As they grew closer, Mhairi frowned. "There should be someone out to meet us."

He started to reply, and then something pinged his senses. He drew his weapons. "Darkspawn."

She didn't flinch. Just drew her blade and prepared to head in. He gave her an approving nod, and her face lit up like one of Lenore's spells.

They moved in, through the lines. She had a tendency to rely too much on her shield, but training would take care of that. They found one of the Vigil's guards, beating in the head of a hurlock. "I think it's dead." Jerath said.

The guard blinked, and then turned. "It's you! Oh, thank the maker!"

"Where are the other wardens?"

"There was someone right behind me. A mage, he might have been a warden. All I heard was screaming and..." You need to help them. You need to do something!" The man was near panic. Useless.

"Get yourself to safety."

"Yes my lord! Thank you my lord!"

Mhairi shook her head. "We don't have a lot of time, Commander."

"The darkspawn launched a sneak attack." He started forward. "That's unheard of."

"This isn't a blight, how could they be so organized? I don't understand."

He nodded. Something else was at play here. "Nice sword work."

"I was a knight in the king's service until I was recruited."

"Let's move."

"Right, let's teach these evil bastards a lesson."

#

They cut their way through the courtyard, rescuing the guards that were trying to mount a defense. One was managing to hold the stairs, keeping the darkspawn off the wounded. Jerath took a hurlock's head, then spun as he went forward, driving his sword into the next hurlock's chest. He continued the spin, and brought his axe down to split the genlock emissary's skull. The guard blinked, and looked around in disbelief.

He saluted, and stammered a report. "The fighting is worse inside, Commander."

Jerath jerked his head at Mhairi, and she handed him the medical supplies they'd recovered from the body of another guard. "Stay here, we'll send any wounded to you."

"Yes, Commander."

#

Shrieks met them just inside the keep. He ducked under the claws, and swept both weapons through the midsection of the first, bisecting it, before turning to deal with the second. He moved, and then twisted, sending his sword through the chest of the one attempting to come up behind him, then taking off the top of the skull of the other one as it tried to charge.

Mhairi was managing to keep the fourth shriek away from her, but was unable to close. He flanked the beast, and when it turned towards him she took the opening to drive her sword through it. She panted. "Unbelievable, the keep has been overrun. How did the Wardens not sense the darkspawn coming? I don't understand it."

He cast his senses. He could feel more darkspawn, but where were the wardens? "The wardens should be mounting a better defense."

"I agree." She shook her head. "Where are they? For the darkspawn to have ambushed the keep so effectively - I didn't know they were capable of such a thing."

"It doesn't matter." He started up the stairs, to where he sensed darkspawn falling. Someone was fighting, at least. "We will defeat them."

#

The mage was unleashing fire on a genlock as they entered. One would think after so much time around Lenore, he'd actually be used to the smell of roasted darkspawn.

He shook the fire off his hands, then turned and saw them. He took a step back, then glanced at where the bodies of several templars were strewn. "Er... I didn't do it." He shrugged. "Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not broken up about them dying to be perfectly honest. Biff there made the funniest gurgle when he went down."

"Not too fond of them, huh?" Jerath said as he continued into the room. He ran his sword through a still twitching spawn, then looked at the mage.

"Oh I know, most people enjoy being kicked in the head to be woken each morning, but me, I'm so picky. I'm Anders, at your service - mage and wanted apostate."

"An apostate?" Mhairi's tone was aghast. "At Vigil's Keep?"

Anders immediately smiled at her, in what he probably thought was a charming manner. "You weren't here when we arrived. I'm sure I would have remembered such a lovely woman as yourself." He shrugged. "We were just stopping here on our way back to the tower. Just a short rest, they said, and now they're dead. Such a shame."

"Those men were templars?"

"So they kept saying - although, come to think of it, there's no real way to know for sure, is there?" A trace of worry showed in the mage's eyes, but his voice remained light. "The templars captured me and were taking me back. And then, you know, darkspawn attacked. Could be a sign, yes?" He turned away, but was watching Jerath out of the corner of his eye.

A small test. "I could use your help here."

Anders didn't hesitate. "Then you have it."

Mhairi, on the other hand... "Are you sure about this, Commander?"

Anders smiled at her. "I can't say I'm fond of these darkspawn, even though I'm no Grey Warden. Let's deal with them now, and we can discuss what comes later... later."

He was a Grey Warden. He just didn't know it yet.

#

They rescued a small group of servants and a single guard, sending them to the fall back point. Anders didn't quite have Lenore's knack for sheer destructive capability, but he proved to be an able healer, getting the wounded back on their feet and able to flee.

Jerath found the lever for the gate. As a group of darkspawn entered, he heard an unfamiliar voice and looked over to see a dwarf start taunting the darkspawn. "Oh, we're scared now. Don't come over here. Ha!"

The darkspawn began to head towards him, and then the barrel next to the wall exploded, sending darkspawn pieces flying everywhere. The dwarf's face looked... well, it was actually just a bit disturbing. "It'll take more than that to kill us, beasties. Come again if you dare!"

More darkspawn flowed in. Mhairi, perhaps inspired by the crazy dwarf, jumped off the ledge onto one of the shrieks. Jerath gave her an annoyed look, and made a mental note to apologize to Saitada next time he saw her. Then he followed, bringing his axe into the head of a shriek, and then rolling forward to send his sword up under the ribs of a hurlock. He came up smoothly, and brought the axe down into the head of a genlock as he pulled his sword free. If she was going to jump on things bigger than she was, he could at least show her how to do it properly.

Anders took the stairs. Mages.

#

He wished he was surprised. Shocked. Angry. Anything but slightly pleased at the sight of the dwarf in legion armor. Oghren took the head off a genlock, then caught sight of them and actually gave a cheerful wave before going back to fighting.

A half dozen hurlocks were barely enough to slow Oghren down. Jerath went for the emissary, vaulting up over the railing and calling upon his templar training as he attacked. The emissary turned towards him far too slowly, and he sent its head rolling before turning to the alpha. Mhairi and Anders reached Oghren just as the dwarf brought the massive axe down with enough strength to cut a genlock in half vertically. He hid a smile at the looks on their faces.

"A-ha! There you are!" Oghren laid his axe over his shoulders. "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!"

"Oghren? You're here?" He was supposed to be in Redcliffe, with Felsi, annoying Teagan.

"Doubting your eyes, huh? I get like that, after the fifth bottle or so." He stretched, rolling his neck and shoulders. "Came here thinking I might try my hand at becoming a bona fide Grey Warden."

Mhairi narrowed her eyes. "He was here when I left. I can't believe the Wardens didn't kick him out."

"Hey! If it isn't the recruit with the great rack!"

"Yes. A prize for the Wardens, to be sure." Disapproval dripped from Mhairi's voice. Jerath shook his head. He wondered how much she actually knew of the wardens.

"I know, I know, too good to be true, right? Hey... who's the mage? Boyfriend? Should I leave you two alone?" Oghren had better be talking to Mhairi.

"Wow. A dwarf that smells like a brewery. You never see that anywhere."

"Huh. A mage comedian. Thought those normally died young."

For a moment, things actually felt like they were back to normal. "It's good to see you again."

"I find that hard to believe," Anders muttered. Mhairi chimed in an agreement. He wondered if either realized they were talking to one of the gatekeepers. Granted, the slightly less impressive looking one, but still one of the men who had held the gates of Denerim against impossible odds.

Oghren unlimbered his axe. "Now let's go introduce some darkspawn arses to my foot. Only polite thing to do."

#

He could sense the taint in the man. Even if he hadn't been mortally wounded, there was already little hope for him. Mhairi let out a gasp, and ran ahead. The man blinked up at her. "Mhairi?"

"Rowland!" She turned to him. "Commander, Rowland was a knight recruited from Denerim like me. We must do something for him!"

There was really only one thing they could do. She was not going to like it. "He looks beyond healing magic." Anders sighed. "Maybe a shot of whiskey for the pain?"

"I like the way you think." Maybe having Oghren along wasn't a good thing.

Mhairi sounded near tears. "Stop joking! This isn't funny."

Jerath moved to crouch down next to the dying man. "The... the commander?" Rowland blinked up at him.

"I'm here, Rowland. I'm sorry I didn't come sooner."

"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? The lad must be delirious," Oghren said.

"There's something in my blood. It hurts." Rowland shuddered. Mhairi's eyes widened as Jerath drew his knife, but Rowland nodded. "It was an honor to meet you, Commander. I wish I could have fought at your side just once..."

Mhairi turned away. "I will avenge you, Rowland. I swear it."

Jerath sheathed the knife. He touched Mhairi's shoulder as he rose, and she nodded. There was work still to be done.

#

The voice was raspy, and strangely accented. "It has ended just as he foretold."

Jerath held up a hand, and then crept forward. He saw the darkspawn kick a guard off the top of the battlements, then turn towards where another darkspawn was holding a prisoner, blade pressed against the man's throat. "Be taking this one, gently. We are wishing no more death than is necessary."

The prisoner glared. "Necessary? As if your kind has ever done anything else!" Jerath felt a bit of surprise when he realized the man wasn't a warden.

"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!"

There was no way for a stealth approach. Jerath stepped out from behind the wall. "There it is," Mhairi said.

The darkspawn turned to them. "It seems your words be true, more than you are guessing."

"It is talking." Anders sounded fascinated by the phenomenon.

"Well, let's shut it up already!" Oghren reached for his axe.

Jerath started forward, drawing his weapons.

"Capture the Grey Warden." The darkspawn gestured. "These others, they may be killed."

Capture. So some of the other wardens might still be alive. Good to know. He went for the leader, trusting his companions to handle the rest. It had been a long time since he'd had a fight that was truly a challenge, but this darkspawn was tough. Mhairi tried to come in to help, but it merely threw her aside. He had to step in to prevent it from delivering a killing blow before she could recover. Then he stepped back, giving it an opening to cast. It took the opportunity, and he sent forth energy of his own to disrupt the spell. He closed as the darkspawn staggered from the dissipated force, and ran his sword through its chest. He followed with a blow from the axe that sent its head from its shoulders.

He started to give the instruction, but Anders was already freeing the prisoner and weaving the healing magic. The man got to his feet. "Commander, I owe you my life." He looked around, then his eyes widened. "Soldiers on the road. It seems we have more company." He winced. "Hopefully they're more hospitable than our previous guests."

#

His senses told him the darkspawn were gone. A few more survivors seemed to be trickling back to the where the guards were holding. A half dozen more hurlocks were laying at the feet of the guard he'd spoken to earlier. Jerath made a mental note to promote the man.

He heard a few reports being given to the man he'd rescued, and then he saw the soldiers reaching the gate. He recognized the man leading them, and strode forward. Oghren, Anders, Mhairi, and the man they'd rescued fell into step with him.

As the man approached, he took a knee. The rescued man followed a heartbeat later, then the rest of the soldiers. Surprise showed on Alistair's face, and then was quickly hidden. It was like the man kept forgetting he was king now.

Alistair walked forward. "It looks like I arrived a bit late. Too bad. I rather miss the whole darkspawn-killing thing."

Mhairi belatedly dropped to her own knee. "King Alistair!"

Alistair looked around, concern showing on his face. "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." The rescued man rose as Jerath did.

Alistair looked startled. "Missing? As in taken by the darkspawn?" He turned to Jerath. "Do they even do that?"

"I do not know, your Majesty," the older man continued. "I know only that we cannot account for all the Wardens."

"I see." Alistair gave him a concerned look that turned to relief. "At least the Warden Commander is still here, and alive. That's something, right?"

"I'm fine, Alistair," Jerath said. He looked around the courtyard. He could count at least a hundred dead. "But this makes things difficult."

"That's a bit of an understatement, isn't it?" Alistair sighed. "What did happen?"

"Still figuring that out," Jerath said. "I arrived to find the darkspawn holding my fort. We've taken it back, saved who we could." He saw Alistair look back at his own force. There were less than a dozen. He was surprised that Cathiel had let her husband leave with so few, and he gave Alistair a reassuring nod. He could handle the situation here. He'd rather face another archdemon than Cathiel's wrath.

"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."

Oghren sounded indignant. "Hey! What am I? Chopped nug livers?"

Anders laughed. "From the smell, that's not a bad guess."

"I came here to join the Grey Wardens, and from the looks of it, you could use the extra hands! Where's the giant cup? I'll gargle and spit!"

Jerath just shook his head. Some things would never change. "You're not allowed to spit."

"Heh. That's what I always say..."

"I... suppose all are welcome, in this dire time." Mhairi sounded like every word was being dragged out of her.

"Joining the Wardens, hey? Well good luck with that," Anders said.

A woman in templar armor stepped out from Alistair's soldiers. "King Alistair! Your Majesty, beware! This man is a dangerous criminal!" Jerath wondered briefly which man she was talking about.

Alistair shrugged. "Oh, the dwarf is a bit of an arse, but I wouldn't go that-"

"She means me." Anders hung his head.

"This is an apostate who we were in the process of bringing back to the Circle to face justice!"

"Oh please. The things you people know about justice would fit int a thimble. I'll just escape again, anyhow."

"Never! I will see you hanged for what you've done here, murderer!"

"Murderer? But those templars were - oh, what's the use? You won't believe me anyhow."

"It seems there isn't much to say." Alistair blinked as Jerath stepped forward. "You have something to add, Commander?"

"I do. I hereby conscript this mage into the Grey Wardens."

"Never!" Rylock said.

Alistair gave her a look he must have picked up from Saitada. "I believe the Grey Wardens still retain the Right of Conscription, no? I will allow it." He didn't add because otherwise, the Warden Commander will just kill you and conscript the mage anyway. He thought it went without saying.

"If... if your Majesty feels it is best." She glared, then turned and stalked away.

"Ha! Way to go kid! Welcome aboard!"

"Me? A Grey Warden?" Anders actually sounded pleased by the idea. "I guess that will work..."

Mhairi smiled. "Congratulations, ser mage. I look forward to fighting at your side."

"Then if you have everything under control, I will need to take my leave." Alistair gave him a concerned look.

The rescued man nodded. "I believe the estate has been secured, yes. We have suffered great losses, but the darkspawn are gone and there are survivors." He stopped suddenly then turned to Jerath. "Oh... excuse my manners. I am Varel, seneschal of Vigil's Keep. And I am most grateful for your timely rescue, Commander." He bowed. "I will aid you in ruling the lands of Amaranthine."

"Are there other survivors than the ones at the fall back point?" Jerath asked. How many people had he lost before he'd even taken command?

"Some of the soldiers and Vigil staff survived behind a barricade. But none of the Orlesian Wardens made it." Varel bowed. "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."

He stepped to the side at Alistair's gesture. Alistair looked genuinely worried. "The security of Ferelden relies on the Grey Wardens now, even weakened as the order is." Alistair sighed, and Jerath realized the man was trying to be encouraging. Even inspirational. It was almost sweet. "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."

"Careful, Alistair. You are starting to sound like a king."

Alistair smiled. "Good luck, Commander. May the Maker watch over you."