"I love you my darling girl, you know that, don't you?"

Elanda always thought it was strange when her mother said that to her. But she didn't realize that it meant that her mother knew something bad was going to happen.

Knew being a strong word... More of... Intuition.

She had felt it too. But she chalked it up to being nervous about her father and Fergus leaving for battle.

She rubbed her temples as they arrived at Ostagar. And Elanda was shocked when she saw King Cailan greet them. Golden armor and a big smile on his face he greeted Duncan with pride and then turned to her and greeted her in a similar fashion. He was proud to have the Grey Wardens at his side. Elanda didn't say it, but it was almost as if Cailan had put the Wardens on a pedestal. If Duncan thought that this was truly a Blight, then she had hoped that the King would take it more seriously.

But he took the news of Howe's treachery more seriously than Duncan's warning.

"I... Can scarcely believe it! How could he think he will he away with such treachery!? As soon as we are done here, I will turn my armies north and bring Howe to justice. You have my word." King Cailan proclaimed.

Elanda was humbled. She didn't think that he would do such a thing... For her especially. He had just met her! Was it because she was a Grey Warden recruit? Or was he sincere? The anger in his voice told her that it was the latter, but not really knowing the King that well... She couldn't say.

"No doubt you wish to see your brother. Unfortunately, he and his men are scouting in the Wilds."

"I... I'm not eager to share the news." She admitted her eyes cast downwards.

He sympathized, and said that she would see Fergus once the battle was done.

"I apologize, but there is nothing more I can do. All I can suggest is that you vent your grief against the darkspawn for the time being."

Her blood boiled. She wanted to scream at him, 'What do you know of grief!? I lost my entire family to a madman and yet you stand here proclaiming you can do nothing!' She she knew that this was not the case. Cailan had a glint in his eyes that told her he would uphold his promise. She would not lash out at him in ruthless and causeless anger. He did not deserve her wrath.

"Thank you." Was all she could say as she bowed.

Cailan excused himself for his strategist Loghain would send out a search party if he wasn't in the man's tent soon.

However Elanda was fortunate enough that the King didn't know quite when to keep his mouth shut. She was able to glean some information from him.

Cailan didn't believe it was a true Blight. Elanda don't think anyone did. There was a glimmer of doubt in her mind as well, but she knew nothing of Blights. So she supported Duncan. If he believed it was a Blight, then she would treat it as such.

Cailan now confirmed what Elanda had thought: Cailan DID put the Wardens on a pedestal.

Not that they weren't valorous, they sacrificed themselves for the greater good, killing darkspawn, stopping Blights.

Elanda was iffy on the near worshiping aspect.

"I'd hoped for a war like in the tales! A king riding off with the fabled Grey Wardens against a tainted god!" He sighed, longingly, "But I suppose this will have to do."

With a final small bow he excused himself.

Even with the information that Cailan and his men had won a few battles against the darkspawn before, and no sign of an Archdemon, Duncan remained strong on the fact that it was indeed a Blight. And if he believed it, then she did too. The Blight needed to end before it began. The fact they had already consumed most of the Korcari Wilds was bad enough.

"Then I should join the Wardens as soon as possible, what do you need me to do?"

"when you're ready, speak to the other Grey Warden Alistair. He'll get you and the other recruits ready. Until then, feel free to explore the camp, but don't leave it."

With that Duncan and Ares trotted away.

Elanda crossed the bridge and walked into the camp. Where to start? Duncan hadn't exactly been specific on where Alistair was...

"Wander the camp it is then."

During her wandering of the camp she had met a few interesting characters before she had finally found Alistair, though they weren't all unpleasant.

She had met a mage, for example, Wynne from the Fereldan Circle of Magi. An older woman with white hair and tan robes. She couldn't help but be drawn in by her kind and wise stormy blue eyes. She seemed a wise grandmother.

Wynne picked up that Elanda was the recruit that Duncan had brought, and said she was but Elanda didn't say much else.

Wynne did provide Elanda with some extra information, the connection between the darkspawn and the Fade, for example. Elanda wasn't... A devout person to begin with, but when Wynne told her that the Maker cast the mages back to the mortal realm they were the first darkspawn, she was... Oddly un-surprised.

And despite not knowing any mages personally, she heard that mages were dangerous to the public and that's why they had to be put in the Circle, as if she believed that bullocks. She felt bad for them, truth be told, being taken as a child and raised in a singular tower all your life... Under the restriction of the Templars. She could barely stand being cooped up in the study for a few hours, much less years.

But she dispelled these thoughts. She only knew that Templars were people between Mages and the 'normal' people of Thedas. Wynne didn't seem dangerous, so why lock them up?

"Perhaps it is an allegory that teaches us that our own evil causes suffering."

Perhaps... Wynne held the same amount of devotion as Elanda? When Elanda gave her a quirk of the eyebrow the sagely mage offered a small smile, "It is a good enough reason for now."

Elanda agreed and began to walk away when she saw a man standing near a small tent, looking calm, but alert.

"Welcome young woman." He adressed her when she walked up to him. His tone was flat, it was hard to put her finger on where the emotion was exactly.

"I didn't think there would be so many mages, it' a refreshing experience." She smiled, "But who are you?"

That's when he said he was Tranquil. He said it so calmly it made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Something was very wrong here, wasn't it?

He told her of enchanting and how it benefits the Circle. And a powerful enchantment meant more power had to be used.

It sent shivers up her spine when he mentioned that it was "ironic" that because he couldn't access his former magic it allowed him to work with lyrium.

All with that calm flat tone.

"I... I don't mean to um..." She tried to hide her discomfort, but failed miserably, "offend. But your manner of speaking... It's not Fereldan is it?"

She expected a chuckle, a pang of hurt, something. But no. The Tranquil was perfectly calm. She was never going to play any sort of card games with him... Period.

"Let me put it to you this way, do you know why those with magical talent are feared?"

"I... No. Not entirely... The Chantry says it's sinful, but I refuse to believe that."

"Not sinful in and of itself. They claim it leads to sin. And there is basis for that argument."

She wondered how many times he had been asked this. How many times he had thought about it.

And she wasn't expecting the next piece of information that was thrown at her, Mages attract demons and spirits. They are possessed quite easily in fact and that's how abominations come into the world.

Oh Maker. She could use a stiff drink. Magic was dangerous, she wasn't exactly stupid. But... She had no idea they could be possessed. Suddenly it all clicked. Templars were not only the middle men for the 'normal' people and mages, but they also protected Mages from themselves.

It all stemmed from the fact that demons pass on knowledge of blood magic.

How it is that when everything comes from a small group of people the entire populace gets blamed for it? Because a few mages go crazy with blood magic, they are locked up in the circle? Her blood boiled. How was that fair, at all? Any idiot had the potential of wielding a sword and becoming a killer. Why weren't they locked up?

It was lunacy.

"Thus I was made Tranquil. Stripped of emotion and talent. I am no longer dangerous."

Wait... Stripped of emotion? She looked at him with pity. How could she not? Despite her own anger reeling through her at Howe's treachery, her sadness that her family was gone... She would never ever wish someone to be Tranquil. Despite all of the negative emotions that humanity had, she would never wish someone to not experience them.

How could the Maker do this? Allow this?

"That is a terrible practice."

"It might seem such to you, but I feel no horror. I am content to serve in my role."

Because you don't know any better! Because you're tranquil!

She wanted to slap him and ask if that made him angry... But she did not. She stayed her hand and continued to dumbfoundedly stare at him. This... Was more eye-opening than she thought possible. She knew she hadn't expereinced the world, but this... The fact that people do this to other people... Was terrible.

She meant no insult when she excused herself and turned away. She knew he would not take it as an insult because he couldn't feel insulted. Insulted was simply a word and a definition of how he SHOULD feel, but he didn't.

In her attempted controlled haste she bumped into a man.

She went to apologize but the man, who she determined was a rogue based on his gear. It was a nice bow, she had to admit. She never had the patience for archery. Tried and tried again, but she didn't get better. But she didn't get worse. She had that at least.

The man smiled widely, "You're Duncan's other recruit!" He was almost giddy.

"You know of me?"

"Duncan described a warrior, I didn't think you'd be a woman, but here you are... But I don't know you persay..." He stroked his chin thoughtfully, "But I could."

At first she was furious. She had just been through so much, Duncan had described her as a warrior, but all this man cared about was her damned gender! How could he hit on her like this!? Did he not-

No. No he didn't. No one but she and Duncan knew. Perhaps it was for the best. A burden for only her to bear.

"Sorry." She swallowed, "Going to have to pass on that."

"Bugger." He shrugged it off though.

Strike one for first impression. A rogue and a play boy? Ugh. She wanted no part. No doubt he was some petty thief... But who was she to judge? Duncan had recruited him so that should be enough.

But when 'Daveth' told her that he was spying on the Wardens that were here, that she nearly lost all respect. There was no call for trickery here! How dare he do such a thing. But out of his sheer paranoia, he was able to find out something about the 'Joining'. They'd be going into the Korcari Wilds.

She merely shrugged, "We have nothing to be scared of. What's being a Warden without overcoming a few challenges?"

Does loss of family count as a challenge to overcome? A betrayal? The stress of not grieving?

"It's all too secretive for me. Makes my nose twitch."

She released a heavy sigh and he excused himself, making his way to Duncan. Wandering the camp was turning more into an adventure today than she liked.

She shook her head, holding her head in her hands. There was a man with a two-handed sword on his back and her hoped soard, Cailan had said that Fergus wouldn't be back for a while. What if he was wrong?

Tears began to form and she couldn't help but walk faster towards the man.

The noise she caused seemed to make the man turn around and her heart fell. It wasn't Fergus. He was still out there.

The man she was approaching was a little plump in the face but tall. He had dark hair that was cropped almost near his scalp. As if he was trying to hide the fact that he may have been balding. His beard covered most of his chin but had been kept the same way as his hair. Neat.

"You must be the third recruit we've heard about?"

"How does everyone know that?"

"Duncan talked about you with us." Then he stuck out his hand, "I'm Jory."

"I'm Elanda." She said taking his hand and giving a firm shake. She had a good impression about this man already.

Her ability to read people kicked in, he was tall, stood proud, back straight, no slouching, his hair and beard was short and neat. His armor was used, but not bent or broken.

"Where did you serve?" She asked with a smile.

He looked a little shocked, "I served as a knight under Arl Eamon in Redcliffe. But after I met my wife, I asked Arl Eamon if I could go to her."

Highever. Damned small world. All she wanted to do was run away, but she couldn't.

"I was not aware they permitted to join the Grey Wardens. None of those I've seen thus far have been."

First Howe was saying that her being trained as a warrior was 'peculiar' as if she couldn't handle her own because she was a woman. Now her gender was being put in question? As if she was any less worthy than he was.

Her eyes narrowed, "Is that going to be a problem?"

His eyes held respect as he looked her in the eyes, "You impressed Duncan. That is enough for me."

She felt slightly relieved. She wouldn't feel like she had to prove herself here. She had already done so by her mere recruitment.

"Just think that soon we're going to be Grey Wardens." His face lit up, "I've worked so hard to get here, and now that I am... I'm proud to be here."

She smiled sadly, "As am I Ser Knight. As am I." She spoke truth but her tone was sad. She AND Ser Gilmore could be here.

"Have you heard anything about this 'Joining'? The Wardens are keeping it a secret. Another trial on top of everything we've done?"

She shrugged, "I can't say I've heard anything except going out into the Wilds is a distinct possibility."

"Won't know for sure, right? Not until we actually get there?"

"Sounds about right. I'm sure the Wardens have their reason for keeping this 'Joining' a secret. They don't do anything without cause and justification."

Ser Jory didn't exactly like the sound of that, but he shrugged it off and nodded, "It has been a pleasure Lady Elanda-"

That title. She wasn't a 'Lady' anymore. Not when Howe had seized her father's land.

"Just Elanda. Please."

He nodded, "Very well. I must get to Duncan. I look forward to traveling with you." And with a small bow, he set off.

An adventure indeed. A knight, a thief, whoever this Alistair person was, and Duncan. All Grey Wardens. All in the coming battle together. All going to end the Blight. It made her smile, ending the Blight before it started was going to put them all in history. She couldn't be more proud.

But she still had to find this Alistair. And this camp was large. But with several factions here... What did she expect?