Chapter 2: Acquaintances

Shiarna's POV

Duncan and I travelled south towards Ostagar where King Cailan's Army and the other Grey Wardens had gathered to face the coming darkspawn.

It took us three days to reach it and whilst travelling Duncan tried to prime me for the differences of living in the outside world. This seemed a tougher task then it probably should have been. He got me to buy my own necessities – which I was not used to – and taught me how to judge how much something was worth – everything we ever needed was in the Tower's store rooms and I had never had any need to have money to buy anything, it was all there for me. Another thing I am certain I will never get used to is the sky. It seems endless. Even when its' filled with the smoky clouds it's limitless, and the stars, well if I could I would happily watch them all night – if I wasn't so tired, anyway.

Duncan told me that he was from a place far from here, called Highever. It sounded beautiful and, like the Circle, very independent from the rest of the country, not held up by war as much. Despite the initial gruff impression I had of Duncan he was a kind man and I could imagine that he was a great 'father figure' to his troops. Like … Irving had been. I was usually quite shy with strangers but I found that I could talk freely with Duncan and we had a lot in common; he enjoyed reading and talked highly of the library we had in the Tower, I thrived in this conversation as our library had to be the best in Ferelden, and I had spent most of my free time there. I asked him whether there would be a library at Ostagar but he just laughed at me. How was I to know that Ostagar was a ruin? We talked of the recruits on the Grey Warden camp; he spoke of the Wardens as his own children, mainly of how he would scold them and laugh when they picked on each other. It reminded my greatly of the Tower; none of us related by blood but related by circumstance.

I encountered my first Darkspawn with Duncan. We had been walking along a main dirt track, chatting of minor things when Duncan suddenly stopped in the road, grabbed my arm and walked me into the bushes.

"Well I just thought – um … what are you doing? The track goes that way."

"Shh." Was all he said, as he held a finger on his other hand to his lips. I merely frowned at him, completely confused, as we hid behind a bush.

After a little while I could hear rhythmic clattering coming toward us and I looked – panicked – at Duncan. He motioned with his hand that I should follow him and move forward slightly, closer to the road. And then I saw them. The clattering had been the dishevelled armour on … what appeared to be walking, decomposing bodies. Some very nearly almost looked human but some were half the size and stocky – as much like dwarves as humans. Their skin was a filthy, dark colour and clung to their skulls so tight that their heads looked like they were merely rotting skulls and there was an acrid stench that filled my lungs and burnt my throat. My hands flew to cover my mouth and nose.

"What are they?" I whispered, muffled by my hands.

"These are darkspawn. Foul creatures from the Deep Roads." There didn't seem to be many and Duncan seemed to notice this too. "Care for some practice? Follow me." He whispered.

He stealthily ran through the trees, swords drawn, and ran up behind the small crowd, stabbing a tall one in the back. I ran to catch up with him; freezing the darkspawn that next attacked Duncan, as I went. The creature at the head of the crowd had a horned helmet on and something told me that he might be a little trickier. Duncan was a bit caught up with his own creatures to notice this one so I stunned the darkspawn near by and then concentrated all fire on the helmeted one.

Maker, that thing just did not want to die! By the time I had defeated it, Duncan had managed to kill seven others, consequently finishing the rest of the hoard.

"Not bad for a first fight."

"What do you mean? I suck." I pouted.

"No, you are merely inexperienced, Shiarna." He chuckled at me. "Come. We should be at Ostagar by dawn tomorrow."

~:~

Soon enough we arrived at the start of a huge stone bridge made of pale grey blocks and standing under the first arch we reached was a tall, blond human with gold and silver plated armour. He had a handsome face but his hair was way too long for my liking. It made him look … feminine.

"Ho, Duncan." Greeted the man.

"King Cailan! I did not expect a- "

"A royal welcome? This must be your new recruit. I am told that you are from the Circle." Oh crap, it's the King. I just criticised the King's hair!

"I am, your … highness." What do I say to a King? "My name is Shiarna."

"Pleased to meet you. I can't wait to be in battle with the mighty Duncan at my side. How glorious!"

"You must have patience, your majesty, there is still more to do before battle." Warned Duncan.

"Yes, yes. Well I am sorry to have to cut this short but if I stay too long Loghain will send out a search party. I look forward to seeing you on the battle field."

Duncan bowed and I quickly followed suit as the King turned to walk back to the ruins.

"He seems … confident."

"Yes. A little overly so, I believe." Duncan rolled his eyes.

Duncan told me to rest a short while and then, when I was ready, to go find a Warden called Alistair. I had no idea where this Alistair would be nor what he looked like, but I suppose I will have to find out. I took off my staff and pack and left them in one of the Warden tents before deciding that I wanted to talk to some of my own kind, so I searched for the magi – shouldn't be too hard to find, you know … no armour, possibly flying sparks, big wooden stick – can't be too hard to find, right? Soon enough I saw a silver haired woman, dressed in red Circle robes, standing under a tree. I recognised her but … just could not place her name. She saw me approach.

"Ah you must be Duncan's new recruit for the Grey Wardens."

"How can you tell?"

"You are in Circle robes and I know that you were not one of the seven that Greagoir decided he could spare. I recognise you … you are the Surana girl that Irving mentored, are you not?"

"I am. They call me Shiarna, but I am greatly surprised that you remembered my last name. I recognise you too but I am sorry that my memory is not a good as yours."

"Shiarna. That was it. Do not worry about it there are many people in the Tower and even more out here. I am Wynne. From what I remember, Irving was very proud of you. Almost like his own child." She smiled at me kindly but all I could do was wince at her words, knowing that that was not what Irving would think now. Not after what I had done.

I diverted the conversation again.

"Yes, I remember now. You are a Senior Enchanter, aren't you?"

"Yes, that's correct. My congratulations on your Harrowing, by the way, apparently you were very impressive." I smiled at her; I could feel a flush spreading across my face. "But I am sure that Duncan has more for you to do than to talk to me. Off you go now, it was lovely meeting you. Oh, and good luck with your Joining."

I nodded to Wynne as I walked away and heard an array of barking so decided to investigate. It was a kennels and the kennel master was standing outside it. I asked if he needed some help. He told me that he needed to muzzle this ill hound but it wouldn't let him near. I offered to do it for him – I had a way with animals so thought I stood a chance. The dog backed away form me but remained still as I attached the muzzle over its snout. I turned back to the kennel master, quite pleased with myself, and saw a look of amazement on his face.

"Hey, tell you what. If you happen to go into the Wilds and come across a white flower with a blood red centre, we can see if we can heal this dog and imprint him on you." He said. I was baffled. A weak ago I was still and apprentice mage and had nothing of my own. Now I was buying my own stuff and might have a dog as well!

Further on my exploration of the ruins I found another mage. He was talking to one of the soldiers and by the sounds of it the conversation was not going well. In the end the mage flew up his hands in defeat and stormed off in my direction.

"Get out of my way, fool." He bumped my shoulder as he passed. Huh, nice man, don't remember him. I scowled after him.

"You know, one good thing about the blight is how it brings people together." Said the young soldier.

I recognised his face but couldn't place where from – what was up with my memory today?

He was rather cute, didn't look much older than me – maybe a year or two – and he had hair of a soft brown-blond colour that was cut fairly short and stuck up in all directions at the front. He stood tall – though granted I'm vertically challenged, myself – in a grey-brown suit of armour. His eyes were like stones of amber that reflected every ray of light that shone to them, and I couldn't help but stare ... Ok, come back now, Shi.

"You're a very strange human." Deciding to open with a compliment, I see. I grimaced at myself.

"You're not the first to tell me that. Wait, we haven't met have we?"

"No. I'm Shiarna Surana of the Circle."

"I don't suppose you happen to be another mage?" He asked glumly. Um, did I not just say that?

"Well that usually comes with being 'of the Circle' I'm afraid. Would that just make your day worse?" I grinned at him, nervously. It probably would make his day worse, everyone hated mages. Especially ones like me.

"Hardly, I just want to know my chances of being turned into a toad at any given moment." I tried to refrain from laughing. There is no magic that could do that, that's what the Circle said. But he doesn't have to know that. I can feel a little mischievous smile creep across my lips.

"Well, we'll just have to see, won't we?" He chuckled at this.

"Wait, I do know who you are, you're Duncan's new recruit. I should have recognised you right away, I apologise." Really? Well that was unexpected.

"How could you have recognised me?" I frowned.

"Well, Duncan sent word … and you told me your name. I'm Alistair, the junior member of the order." He smiled at me. So I smiled back. "You know it's just occurred to me that there have never been many women in the Grey Wardens. I wonder why that is?"

"Probably because we're too smart for you." Was I flirting now? Provocative eye-brow raising and all.

"True, but if you're here, what does that make you?"

"Incredibly unlucky." I grinned at him slyly. Yes, definitely flirting – and doing it very, very badly!

"Ouch!" He grinned at me. "Anyhow let's go find Duncan; I can imagine that he's eager to get started." We started to walk towards the great fire that Duncan was standing by. Whilst he wasn't looking I got to appreciate his figure a little more, he really suited that armour. I smiled.

"What did you do to that other mage?"

"Nothing!" he insisted. I giggled at his too quick answer. "It's just that the Chantry like to make sure that your Circle of Magi are made as unwelcome as possible. Which puts me in a rather awkward position; I was once a Templar." Damn, why did he have to be a Templar? It was going so well. Stupid Chantry, making my life miserable with every opportunity.

"You were a mage-hunter? Seriously?" I try to hide the pain in my voice.

"Er, yeah. I would not have delivered the Revered Mother's message but Duncan says that we are all to cooperate and get along." He sighed. "Apparently they did not get the same speech."

"Ok well, we'd best get this ritual started. I look forward to travelling with you." What the hell was that? Why did I say that? It sounds so stupid.

"You do? Huh, that's a switch. If you have any questions then let me know." How could he smile at me again after what I just said? He must just be being polite. What's wrong with me today?

Alistair's POV

Why did the Revered Mother always get me to do this kind of thing? She knew they all hated me. Come to think of it that's probably why she made me do this. It was bad enough just being here at Ostagar – so awkward. Duncan helped most of the time but he was off recruiting. Now I was stuck talking to this mage – who did not believe a word I was saying.

"Tell her I will not be harassed in this manor!"

"Yes, I was harassing you by delivering a message." I rolled my eyes.

"Your glibness does you no credit." Then get over it.

"Oh and here I was thinking that we were getting along so well. I was even going to name one of my children after you ... the grumpy one."

"Enough, I will go if I must!"

I watched him leave and then noticed a pretty little elven messenger standing patiently under the stone archway. She was wearing a powder blue dress that had netting over her shoulders and had dark patches on the skirts that accented her dark hair which contrasted her snow white skin and gave her an unusual sense of innocence; she can't be from round here. Ok so she's not pretty, she's stunning. As she turned her dark eyes to me and I felt a strange fluttering feeling in my stomach – must still be hungry, stupid Grey Warden traits.

"You know, one good thing about the blight is how it brings people together." That was a weird opening line.

"You're a very strange human." Ha! Suppose I deserved that one. It seems to be the accusation of the day for me.

"You're not the first to tell me that. Wait, we haven't met have we?"

"No. I'm Shiarna Surana of the Circle."

"I don't suppose you happen to be another mage?" I said glumly.

"Well that usually comes with being 'of the Circle' I'm afraid. Would that just make your day worse?" What? Did she say that? Why didn't I listen? Now I just sound stupid.

"Hardly, I just want to know my chances of being turned into a toad at any given moment."

"Well, we'll just have to see, won't we?" I chuckled. I liked her, she's funny. Oh, why'd she have to be a mage? Wait. Shiarna? Where had I heard that before … Duncan's letter!

"Wait, I do know who you are, you're Duncan's new recruit. I should have recognised you right away, I apologise."

"How could you have recognised me?" Her eyebrows crinkled to make the cutest little frown on her forehead.

"Well, Duncan sent word … and you told me your name. I'm Alistair, the junior member of the order." Well at least I didn't make some jibe about her being a messenger, I make a bad enough first impression as it is. A thought came to me and I smiled. She smiled warmly back, probably confused. "You know it's just occurred to me that there have never been many women in the Grey Wardens. I wonder why that is?" Was I flirting now?

"Probably because we're too smart for you."

"True, but if you're here, what does that make you?" Now I'm flirting with a mage of all things – and as badly as ever. Well it's not my fault there's no one to practice on.

"Incredibly unlucky." She grinned at me.

"Ouch!" I smirked. "Anyhow let's go find Duncan; I can imagine that he's eager to get started." I started to walk her back to Duncan's fire.

"What did you do to that other mage?"

"Nothing!" I insisted. "It's just that the Chantry like to make sure that your Circle of Magi are made as unwelcome as possible. Which puts me in a rather awkward position; I was once a Templar."

"You were a mage-hunter? Seriously?" What's so hard to believe about me being a Templar? And wait – she knows what a Templar is? Oh yeah, she's a mage, doy. I keep forgetting that.

"Er, yeah. I would not have delivered the Revered Mother's message but Duncan says that we are all to cooperate and get along." I sighed, now that was a boring lecture. "Apparently they did not get the same speech."

"Ok well, we'd best get this ritual started. I look forward to travelling with you." Huh? Really?

"You do? Huh, that's a switch. If you have any questions then let me know."

What a nice, but really … strange girl – even as strange as me. And apparently that's saying something.

A/N Ok quick update :D dont expect this to keep going but I hope it does - I like writing this story and hope you like reading it - if you do then please review (very sneaky begging there) :D