Temene awoke with a terrible headache, with only a vague recollection of the previous night's events. She remembered being in the Fade and fighting a demon, but little else besides that. She opened her eyes and saw her friend Jowan sitting on the bunk across from hers.

"You're finally awake!" he announced loudly.

"Not so loud," she groaned, holding her head. "What time is it?"

"It's well past breakfast. The templars said you could sleep in since you passed your Harrowing. A Tranquil already took your belongings upstairs to the mages' quarters. The First Enchanter wanted to see you as soon as you woke up."

"Did he say why?"

"No. He was talking some man with a beard when he asked me. He seemed distracted."

"I should go then," Temene got up, heading towards the lavatories instead of the door.

"Perhaps you could ask Irving about my Harrowing when you see him?" Jowan added hesitantly. "I should have had mine months ago."

"You know he won't tell me anything," Temene chastised him. "They'll test you when they think you are ready and you've been neglecting your studies lately. In fact, you're skipping rune divination as we speak."

"I think they just don't want to test me," Jowan moaned. "Nearly everyone else in our classes has been tested."

"Don't be ridiculous. Why would they be singling you out? Just keep practicing and tell that mysterious girlfriend of yours to let you study once in a while."

She walked away before he could say another word. In the past few months, he'd been prone to blaming everyone but himself for his woes. Every time he complained about still being an apprentice, she had to remind him that he was hardly ever studying. They had been friends for a long time, but ever since he'd begun seeing his mysterious lover, they'd grown apart. She'd heard rumors that he was practicing blood magic, but hoped it was only a cover for him sneaking off for secret trysts.

She washed up in the lavatory and plaited her hair into her usual buns. Her robe was slightly wrinkled and a few of the buttons had been done up wrong and she wondered if anyone from the Harrowing had noticed, including the handsome templar, Cullen. She fixed her buttons and smoothed the wrinkles down as best she could and headed upstairs. As she approached Irving's study, she heard the raised voice of Knight-Commander Greagoir inside, so she hesitated near the doorway.

"Absolutely not, we've sent enough already," she overheard Greagoir shout, before she spotted a templar coming down the hall. She didn't want to be accused of eavesdropping and stepped inside the study. Irving was standing next to a bearded man, who seemed to be keeping the peace between the templar and the first enchanter. All three men stopped talking and looked at her when she entered.

"I am sorry to interrupt, but Jowan mentioned you wanted to see me," Temene said meekly.

"Yes, of course, come in," Irving replied.

"We will finish our discussion later," Greagoir cast an angry look at both men and then Temene, before walking out without another word.

"Warden Commander Duncan, this is Temene Surana, the newest mage in the Circle Tower," Irving introduced her.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Surana," Duncan nodded at her.

"I can come back later if you are occupied," Temene asked.

"No, Greagoir is just having one of his fits, as he does," Irving chucked to himself. "I have a few things to give to you," he turned towards a cabinet near his desk. He pulled out a gnarled wood staff and a pile of yellow mages robes. "These are the trappings of a full fledged mage of the Circle of Magi. They are your reward for your years of hard work."

The robes he handed her were made of fine brushed cotton and damask silk, a stark contrast to the scratchy cotton robes she'd been wearing as an apprentice. "Feel free to rest for the remainder of the day, most mages find the Harrowing quite exhausting," Irving continued. "Could you show Duncan to the guests quarters?"

"Of course," Temene nodded, folding her new robes under her arm.

Duncan followed her out as she headed towards the guest wing. She wondered what a Grey Warden was doing in the tower, but didn't ask. Duncan seemed to read her thoughts and asked "Do you know much about the Grey Wardens?"

"I only know they used to ride griffins and ended the Blights," she replied.

"That we did," he laughed.

"Was that what you were arguing about? Mages being sent to fight darkspawn? Will there really be a Blight?"

"I do not know for certain, but I am trying to gather as many resources as I can. We haven't seen a darkspawn horde this large for a long time."

"Here you are," Temene stopped before the suite of rooms reserved for the few guests they received. "One of the Tranquil can get you anything else you need. I hope you secure the men that you need."

Duncan thanked her and she left the Grey Warden in search of something to eat in the kitchens. It was mostly deserted this late in the morning aside from Cullen, who sat alone at a table. Temene got some bread and jam from the attending tranquil and sat down near the hearth. "Congratulations on passing your Harrowing. It went quickly," Cullen blurted out as she took a big bite of bread.

"It seemed like a long time to me," she replied after quickly swallowing her food. It caught in her throat slightly and she started to cough.

"Here, have some tea," he stood up and brought over a cup and kettle that was on his table. "I took the last of the Orlais blend.

"Thank you," Temene swallowed and tried to clear her throat.

"No, thank you. I would have had to strike the killing blow if you'd become abomination. Um, I mean, uh, I'm just glad," he mumbled, instantly regretting what he had just said.

"I would have appreciated your mercy," she blushed, the warm spicy tea bringing more redness to her cheeks.

"I, I should get back to my duties," he looked away from her shyly and walked out.

Temene let out a sigh and finished her food before retiring for the day. The Harrowing had left her drained and she found her new accommodations much more comfortable than her old bunk. She'd picked up a book about the Blights from the library, but could barely concentrate on the words. She decided to bathe and go to bed early, leaving the book to be read in the morning.