A/N: This one is a bit longer than the last one. Enjoy! And again...I do not nor will I ever own DragonAge (as cool as that would be).
They had entered the woods by this point, and the sun had begun to set over in the distance. The forest was quiet, other than the occasional wolf howl, a fact which seemed to unnerve Jory even more.
"Those soldiers were careful," he continued in a hushed whisper. "And they were still overwhelmed. How many darkspawn can the four of us slay? A dozen? A hundred? There's an entire army in these forests."
"There are darkspawn about," Alistair warned the group, "but we're in no danger of walking into the bulk of the horde."
"How do you know?" Jory asked sounding increasingly panicked as they continued walking. "I'm not a coward, but this is foolish and reckless. We should go back..."
Alistair looked to Gabriela for help, clearly aware that she had not been shaken by their task. She sighed and tried to smile at her other companions, "Overcoming these dangers is part our test. To turn back would show Duncan that we are not worthy of joining the Wardens."
"That's... true," Jory replied, frowning.
"Know this," Alistair supplied reassuringly, "all Grey Wardens can sense darkspawn. Whatever their cunning, I guarantee they won't take us by surprise. That's why I'm here."
"You see, ser knight," Daveth interjected, "We might die, but at least we'll be warned about it first."
Out of the corner of her eye, Gabriela could see Alistair slap a hand to his face. She turned to hide her grin, "Let's just move on."
After a quarter of an hour they came across their first darkspawn scout. It was shorter than a man, and was covered in rotting flesh that they could smell long before Alistair had the chance to say he could sense one about. As they came up, it let out a mixture of a growl and a moaning noise, no doubt alerting its kin to their presence, for the group had only just dispatched it when five or six more poured in from behind a hill.
These darkspawn were not particularly tough, mere grunts it seemed. Their use of weapons was clumsy and Gabriela almost found herself mournful for being given such an easily accomplished task.
From this group alone was more than enough blood to supply the recruits each with a vial for their Joining, and so they hurried on to find the abandoned tower Duncan told them about, eager to get back to camp before the sun's last few rays disappeared. Twice more they came upon small outposts of darkspawn, each with only half a dozen creatures each, giving Gabriela ample chances to study the foe of the Grey Wardens.
Fortunately, Alistair was actually quite well-informed about the darkspawn, and was all too happy to share what he knew with his charges. There were three main kinds of darkspawn they were likely to encounter: genlocks, who were once dwarves; hurlocks, who were once men; and shrieks, which were once elves. Genlocks were the most common, mainly due to the darkspawn's origins in the Deep Roads where the dwarven nations once stood.
It appeared to Gabriela that darkspawn were creatures of quantity, not quality, as each wave they encountered seemed to be stronger in numbers than the last, though their combat capability remained relatively low. They seemed to prefer to claw and bite at their prey, rather than use weapons in their misshapen hands. And while she found this quite disgusting, she could hardly consider it dangerous much less lethal. After all, it was the blood of darkspawn that was toxic to humans, though this thought could only make her wonder at Duncan's request that they actually bring him some.
It was not a moment too soon when they at last reached the ruined tower as, Daveth pointed out, they would probably lose the light just as they were returning to camp. The outpost had clearly been abandoned many centuries ago: what was left of the stone was crumbled pitifully on the ground, and weeds crawling up what remained of the walls. There was not much left inside, save for a few iron arrowheads, the odd scrap of metal, and a broken chest that theoretically should have deteriorated long ago. Alistair bent over this, under the impression—as they all had been—that the treaties Duncan asked him to retrieve would be inside. However, the Warden straightened up, looking back to his companions. "They're gone!"
"Well, well, what have we here?"
An amused voice sounded behind them so suddenly that even Gabriela gasped in surprise. The speaker was a woman who looked to be a few years older than she, dressed in a rather... exotic outfit that left little to the imagination. A staff was strapped to her back and there was a positively feral air about her, though she did not look if she lived primitively. She was standing on a half crumbled wall, but as the foursome turned to face her she jumped down and continued to talk, "Are you a vulture, I wonder? A scavenger poking amidst a corpse whose bones have been long since cleaned? Or merely an intruder, come into these darkspawn filled Wilds of mine in search of... easy prey? What say you, hmm? Scavenger or intruder?"
It was hard to say to whom she posed the question, but it was Gabriela who found her voice first. "We are neither. The Grey Wardens once owned this tower."
"'Tis a tower no longer," the woman scoffed. "The Wilds have obviously claimed this desiccated corpse." She smirked and began to walk towards them; the men drew back from her, but Gabriela stood her ground, determined not to be intimidated. "I have watched your progress for some time. 'Where do they go,' I wondered, 'why are they here?'"
"Don't answer her," Alistair warned under his breath. "She looks Chasind and that means others could be nearby." Where he had gotten that notion was beyond Gabriela, for if anyone appeared more arrogant and far-above such uncivilized folk as the Chasind Wilders, it was this stranger.
The woman snorted; apparently her hearing was better than he thought and clearly she shared in Gabriela's disbelief of his conjectures. "You fear barbarians would swoop down upon you?"
"Yes," said Alistair, gazing at her warily. "Swooping is bad."
"She's a witch of the Wilds, she is!" Daveth cried suddenly. "She'll turn us into…" He swallowed hard as if nothing could be more fearsome. "…toads."
"'Witch of the Wilds?'" The woman repeated skeptically. "Such idle fantasies! Have you no minds of your own?" She turned to Gabriela, "You there. Women do not frighten like little boys. Tell me your name and I shall tell you mine."
She decided no harm could come from sharing her name with the stranger and replied, "You can call me Gabriela."
"And you may call me Morrigan, if you wish." She smirked haughtily at them again, plucking at the feather arrangement on her shoulder. "Shall I guess your purpose? You sought something in that chest. Something that is no longer here."
"No longer here?" Alistair asked alarmed. "You stole them, didn't you! You're some kind of... sneaky... witch-thief!"
Gabriela felt rather embarrassed for her friend. Morrigan, however, lifted her eyebrows in an amused expression. "How very eloquent your friend is," she said to Gabriela. "Tell me, how does one steal from dead men?"
"Quite easily it seems," said Alistair, his cheeks faintly pink from his outburst. "Those documents are Grey Warden property, and I suggest you return them."
"I will not," replied Morrigan, "for 'twas not I who removed them. Invoke a name that means nothing here any longer if you wish; I am not threatened."
Gabriela sighed, getting quite tired of the unnecessary hostilities. "Then who removed them?" She asked wearily.
"'Twas my mother, in fact," Morrigan smirked, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Can you take us to her?"
Morrigan laughed at this, but it was rather cold and empty of amusement. "That is a sensible request," she said. "I like you. Follow me then, if it pleases you." And with that she turned on her heel and marched straight out of the ruins without a backward look to see if the Wardens were keeping up with her pace.
Gabriela did not hesitate and fell into step right behind the mysterious Morrigan, though she could hear her companions behind her debate in quick whispers whether or not it was a wise idea to do so. Let them stay here then, she thought, her patience wearing thin, they can return to camp without the treaties and face Duncan's disappointment.
It was almost as though Alistair had heard her thoughts because only a few moments later he was striding alongside her, Daveth and Jory not far behind. They walked for only a short time, but Morrigan's directions led them off the path and soon none of them knew which the right way back to camp was. Gabriela tried to appear more unconcerned with this than she was, as already Jory and Daveth were starting to moan pathetically about the deepening darkness.
Finally they came upon a small hut, where an old woman was working outside. Morrigan called for her and she turned to face them, seeming supremely unsurprised that her daughter had brought guests. "Much as I expected," she said as they reached her.
Alistair scoffed, "Are we supposed to believe you were expecting us?"
"You are required to do nothing," Replied the old woman curtly. "Least of all believe. Shut one's eyes tight or open one's arms wide... either way, one's a fool! Therefore, believe what you will." She turned her wizened face to Gabriela next. "And what of you? Does your woman's mind give you a different viewpoint? Or do you believe as these boys do?"
Gabriela shifted her weight uncomfortably. She could not understand why, but this woman disquieted her much more than Morrigan had, and yet neither Alistair nor the other men were under the impression that she was very dangerous. "I'm... not sure what to believe."
"A statement that possesses more wisdom than it implies. Be always aware... or is it oblivious? I can never remember." The woman took a few steps nearer, peering right up into Gabriela's face. "So much about you is uncertain... and yet I believe. Do I? Why, it seems I do!"
"Mother," Morrigan said exasperatedly. "They did not come here to listen to your ramblings."
The woman turned back to her daughter. "True, they came for their treaties, yes?" She shuffled off into the hut and returned carrying a stack of scrolls, passing them off to Alistair. "And before you begin barking," She said sharply to him, "your precious seal wore off long ago. I have protected these."
"You…oh!" Alistair exclaimed, taking an extra moment to realize what she had said. "You protected them?"
"And why not?" The woman asked, "Take them to your Grey Wardens and tell them this Blight's threat is greater than they realize!"
Gabriela's ears perked at this statement. "What do you mean the threat is greater than they realize?"
"Either the threat is more or they realize less." The old woman said, smiling wildly. "Or perhaps the threat is nothing! Or perhaps they realize nothing!" She began to laugh mirthfully as though she had just delivered a rather humorous joke. Gabriela sighed at this, frustrated with herself for expecting a real answer.
"Well…time for you to go, then." Morrigan said with her customary smirk, however her mother stopped her.
"Don't be ridiculous, girl! These are your guests!"
Morrigan sighed in aggravation, "Oh, very well. I will show you out of the woods. Follow me."
"Show us right into a Chasind trap, more like," muttered Alistair to Gabriela, who elbowed him hard in the ribs.
No more was said until they reached the camp. Gabriela had intended to thank Morrigan for her help in completing their task, but as soon as Ostagar came into view she disappeared into a shadow and was gone. Although they were confounded at this mysterious departure, they did not have time to ponder it as they rushed to return to Duncan.
"So, you've returned from the Wilds." The Warden said as they approached him, standing attentively at his bonfire. "Have you been successful?"
"We have," said Alistair, indicating to the stack of scrolls in his arms. "They each have their blood and we were able to recover the treaties."
"Good. I've had the Circle mages preparing. With the blood you've retrieved, we can begin the Joining immediately." He turned to Alistair. "I must ask that you keep those in your care for the time being, Alistair. With the battle tomorrow, I am afraid I do not have the time to figure out what to do with them."
"I'll guard them with my life, Duncan," replied Alistair, tucking them into his pack.
Ser Jory cleared his throat nervously, as if eager to voice something that had been on his mind for quite some time. "Now will you tell us what this ritual is about?"
Duncan exchanged a dark look with Alistair before sighing heavily. "I will not lie; we Grey Wardens pay a heavy price to become what we are. Fate may decree that you pay your price now rather than later."
"I have no problem facing what is to come," piped up Daveth eagerly.
"Nor I," Gabriela said. "Let us have done with it."
Duncan couldn't help but smile at his recruits, though Gabriela had the impression it was rather sad. As a father might smile at his child's innocence yet know that it would not always be so. "Then we shall begin. Alistair, take them to the old temple while I finish the rest of the preparations."
"You know, the more I hear about this Joining ritual, the less I like…" Complained Jory as they walked away, not even bothering to keep his voice down now.
"Ugh, are you going to start blubbering again?" Daveth snapped. "I can't take it anymore."
Jory glared at the other man, but it seemed halfhearted. He appeared more concerned with the impending Joining. "Well, why all these damn tests? Haven't we proven ourselves worthy already? Have I not earned my place?"
"Maybe its tradition," Daveth sneered in reply. "Maybe they're just trying to annoy you."
"I swear, I'm the bravest one here and I'm a woman…" Gabriela muttered, which caused Alistair to snort.
"All I know is," Jory continued as if he had not heard either one of the interruptions, "that I've got a wife in Highever with a child on the way. If they had warned me... it just doesn't seem fair."
"Including sacrificing us?"
"I'd sacrifice a lot more if I knew it'd end the Blight," Daveth replied sagely.
Gabriela glanced at Alistair, who could only shrug. "I wouldn't go quite that far…" She said slowly, "Each person has their own choice to make. But he does make a good point. Maybe you'll die, maybe we'll all die. But if the darkspawn win this war, then we're dead for sure."
The knight sighed, rather displeased that he was outnumbered in the issue. "I've just never faced a foe I could not engage with my blade."
It was at this moment that Duncan rejoined them, carrying a lavishly jeweled silver goblet full of a sloshing red liquid that looked horribly like... "At last we come to the Joining. The Grey Wardens were founded at the end of the first Blight when humanity stood on the verge of annihilation." He held out the cup to the recruits to look inside. "And so it was then that the first Wardens drank of darkspawn blood and mastered their taint."
Ser Jory drew back immediately, horrified. "We're going to drink the blood of those... creatures?"
Duncan nodded solemnly, "As the first Grey Wardens did before us; as we did before you. This is the source of our power and our victory."
"Those who survive the Joining become immune to the taint," chimed in Alistair. "We can sense it in the darkspawn and use it to slay the archdemon."
Gabriela snapped her head around to him, "Those who survive?"
"Not all who drink the blood will survive and those who do are forever changed," said Duncan heavily. "This is why the Joining is a secret. It is the price we pay." He paused briefly before continuing. "We only speak a few words prior to the Joining, but these words have been said since the first. Alistair, if you would?"
Alistair nodded and bowed his head, as if about to offer a prayer. "Join us brothers and sisters," he murmured softly. "Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that cannot be forsworn. And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten. And that one day we shall join you."
Duncan sighed before turning to look at Daveth. "It is time." He said solemnly, handing Daveth the goblet.
Daveth frowned as he stared down at the red liquid, but brought the goblet to his lips to drink. After drinking Duncan relieved him of the cup, watching Daveth intently as were the others. In mere seconds Daveth began screaming in agonizing pain, hands clawing at his hair as he began convulsing. His fits lasted for another minute before collapsing on the ground, his body still.
"I am sorry, Daveth…" Duncan told the corpse before turning to face Jory. "Step forward, Jory."
Jory shook his head, backing away slowly from Duncan. "But I have a wife, a child had I known—"
"There is no turning back."
Jory gulped, shaking his head vigorously as he pulled out his weapon. "No, you ask too much! There is no glory in this!" He cried before lunging at Duncan, who had already drawn his own weapon. Jory tried his best to fight his way out, but did not expect Duncan to be too quick for him. He gasped, sword dropping from his hand as Duncan's blade collided into his stomach.
"I am sorry…" Duncan whispered, pulling his blade from within Jory. He closed his eyes briefly as Jory fell to the ground, a pool of blood surrounding his body. He sheathed his blade before glancing over at Gabriela, "But the Joining is not yet complete…"
Gabriela watched in horror at the scene before her, unable to believe that Duncan had just slain Jory. She looked up at Duncan as he approached her with the goblet, heart pounding.
"You are called upon to submit yourself to the taint for the greater good." Duncan began as he passed the goblet into Gabriela's shaking hands.
She stared down into the goblet, gulping down her fear before bringing it to her lips. Gabriela closed her eyes before drinking down the horrid substance, forcing herself to swallow as Duncan took the goblet from her. Almost instantly a fire from within began to consume her, causing her to wither in pain. She could feel herself slipping away, feeling nothing as she crashed against the stone floor…darkness consuming her.