Chapter 2: Ostagar

Gabriel and Duncan had stolen some horses from a nearby town. They then headed off toward Ostagar, the fortress of the Grey Wardens, where Gabriel would undergo the ritual of becoming a Grey Warden. Little talk went on while they were riding their horses. Gabriel was sad that he lost everyone he loved dearly. When he and Duncan were leaving, they were also looking for Gabriel's brother who had disappeared before the attack.

'We are almost there.' Duncan said to break the silence.

'Great.' Mumbled Gabriel.

On the way to Ostagar Duncan and Gabriel had to fight three black bears and two great bears all at once. It was hard to do since Gabriel was the only one who could attack. Duncan didn't have a bow so he couldn't do much without taking injuries. Also, for such big creatures they could move fast so they dodged quite a few arrows which were impaled into some trees. By now he had no arrows left.

'Ostagar should just be past that hill.' Duncan pointed to the hill in front of them.

'Well, I hope we get there soon. We've been followed for quite some time now.' Gabriel nodded behind him, and Duncan noticed that they were indeed being followed by bandits.

'We should speed up.'

'No argument here.'

Gabriel and Duncan sped up and left the bandits to be dealt with from the Malbari, a Grey Warden's war dog, that were released once they got in sight of the fortress.

Duncan and Gabriel got inside the fortress, and were welcomed by some other Grey Wardens and even King Cailan.

'Ah, welcome back Duncan.' Cailan said, 'I see you have brought another recruit with you. We are going to need every last Grey Warden we can get.'

'Has the Arch-Demon shown itself? Or is this not a blight yet?' Duncan asked.

'No, there is no Arch-Demon yet.' Said a Grey Warden behind Cailan.

'Ah. Hello, Alistair. I'm glad to see you are okay. But where are my manners, this is Gabriel. He is the son of the passed Arl of Gwaren. Alistair would you show Gabriel around, while I talk to the King.'

'Yes sir.' Alistair responded.

'And this is the King's tent, and that over there is Teryn Loghain's tent . . .'

'Look, I know you're trying to keep me entertained, but it is not working. I just lost my family, so I am not in the mood to be talking.'

'I know how it feels to lose everything, I lost both my parents when I was young, and then I went to stay with my uncle but his wife hated me so she had him put me in the chantry to become a Templar. I absolutely hated it there, as soon as Duncan came for me to become a Grey Warden, I didn't even think about it. I accepted his offer before he could finish talking. So don't worry you are in good hands here.'

'Please, could you just show me to my tent. I had a long trip and I would like to catch up on my sleep.'

'Yup, no problem. It's right over there.'

Gabriel only slept for an hour, before Duncan came and got him. He said he had to go on the quest for the ritual. He and two other recruits had to go with Alistair to get some Darkspawn blood. Jory and Daveth were the other companions, they were getting some supplies together, Jory was collecting throwing knives whilst Daveth was gathering some arrows for his quiver. Alistair was going through the armoury looking for a well-balanced sword and shield, out of the corner of his eye he saw Gabriel coming towards him.

'Hello. You come to pick up your weapons?' Alistair asked him.

'Yes . . . I have come to pick them up.' Replied Gabriel looking through the daggers and testing them out.

'You feeling any better?' Alistair asked nervously.

Gabriel sighed. 'Ya, I'm feeling a little better, sorry for freaking out on you earlier. I was just pissed off that I lost my family and everything. Where is the leather armour?'

'Over there,' Alistair said pointing over towards it. 'But I completely understand why you acted the way you did. Are you putting on leather armour with two daggers and a bow with arrows?'

'Yes, why?'

'No reason, it's just . . . I never thought anyone would fight that way. Are you a rogue?'

'I believe so, yes. You are a warrior right?'

'Yes, I am also a Templar, so I know some dirty tricks against magi.'

'Okay, what do you know about the others, Jory and Daveth?'

'Not much, just that Daveth has a wife and kid, and Jory has a sister who is a mage.'

'Hmm . . . well I've got my stuff, let's go see to Duncan.'

'Yes, alright let's go.'

Duncan was waiting by the fire. Alistair and Gabriel arrived five minutes before Jory and Daveth.

'Hello.' Duncan said with his back to everyone.

'Hello.' Everyone else replied.

'Is everyone ready, Alistair?'

'I believe so, Duncan.' Alistair looked around at everyone.

'Then you shall go and get the blood, you will need to get an emissary's blood, a genlock's blood, and a hurlock's blood.'

'Okay, you heard him, let's move out.' Alistair commanded.