Chapter 4 Harrowing in more ways than one

Another year passed and I knew my harrowing was approaching or I was hoping at least. Cullen had finally succumbed to Solona and the two were secretly seeing each other. Jowan was madly in love with Lily and was day dreaming of running away and living on a farm. Anders, sweet Anders was in stitches every time he found a Templar knocking on the wall to see if that was the brick to open the door. I was still working on getting out of the tower to live with my family.

In the comfort of my chair that had worn down to the shape of my ass I had happened on a book, sex and magic. It was late no one was around so I felt free to indulge this once besides I wanted to know what was so great about this whole love sex thing.

The first chapter sent a fire to my cheeks like I had never felt before between the descriptions and the drawn images. I fanned myself and glanced around. Andraste's tits so this is what it looks like? I turned the book; my head cocked the side "How in the Maker's name do you get in that position?"

"Ahem!"

"Holy Maker!" I screamed the book flew out of my hand landing at Gregoir and Irving's feet. I could hear the snickering of the Templars and prayed to the Maker to just let me pass into the fade right now. Death would have been preferable than having to watch Irving pick the book up smile at the title and set it down in front of me without a word.

"It's time Mage Cousland." I stared at him blankly "Time for what? Did I forget something? Maker was it my turn to do dishes?"

"NO Mage Cousland, it is time for you harrowing."

I actually relaxed which seemed odd to them. "Oh okay then."

They had surrounded me as I walked perhaps they were afraid I'd lose my nerve and try to run, I don't know. But we finally reached the pinnacle of the tower a place I had never been. In the center lay a large cauldron with Lyrium glowing inside...a lot of lyrium.

Cullen was there and he had a sick look on his face. Gregoir went on to talk about Andraste and the chantry's views on magic.

"If you fail, we Templars will do our duty, you will die." Gregoir said.

"Well isn't that cheery." I said.

Irving groaned. "Remember child this is a dream realm, your will is real."

"Irving she must do this alone, you are ready." He pointed to the lyrium.

Walking up to the bowl I felt the energy surging around me. Okay all I needed to do is go to the fade, kill the demons come back, right let's do this. I stick my hand in the bowel when the light explodes and I'm thrown back. I open my eyes to see the most dismal place in all of creation around me and creepy statues everywhere. The haziness of the bleak world made me slightly sick to my stomach. I rubbed my eyes hoping for it to go away.

"Well this place is welcoming." the world was colorless, a sea of tan, brown and black shades.

Little wisps attacked me on sight and I flicked them away with a simple cold spell. The fade wolves took a couple hits but were gone as well. A mouse had begun following me, he had turned into a man earlier talking about how he had been a mage before. I wanted to point and scream demon but that didn't seem the thing to do at the moment. I found a spirit of Valor working on weapons and he was all about battle and wanted to fight. Why not? I thought and we squared off. A couple of spell blasts later he surrendered and offered me a staff to use.

The sloth demon was so ugly, I thought about killing it just to spare my eyes but the mouse wanted to learn shape shifting into a bear. I played a long and did the stupid riddles and mouse became a bear why didn't he teach me to be a bear? I'd have better use of it. We went back to where the demon was supposed to appear and the rage demon popped up threatening to possess me which made me laugh to be possessed by rage you had to be in a rage, I wasn't even angry. Cold spells took him down several notches and he was dead quickly after.

Mouse then turned into a man praising me "Mouse, you're a demon from the way you are talking I would say a pride demon. So let's just get this over with shall we?"

"Clever little mage aren't you."

What I had not expected was for him to turn into a monster five times larger than me. Staring up I then suddenly realized why this was called the harrowing. That damn thing almost crushed me when his hand slammed down. The idea of letting loose all that I had learned was too tempting not to, I destroyed him in seconds. "No meal for you…" I said when things began to get dizzy.

I coughed and struggled to get up "Easy Isabeau it's all right you just came out of the fade you're going to be immobile for a bit." It was Irving talking. I thought I was speaking but it was gibberish coming out. I just groaned and lay back down.

Gauntleted hands reached under me and pulled me up I thought for a minute I was going to be slung over his shoulder like sack of flour but instead I was cradled. It was comforting "Ser Cullen take her to her room to rest. Irving inform her parents."

"Isabeau are you all right?" I heard a voice call to me and I struggled to open my eyes to see both Solona and Jowan inches from my face "Ahh!" I screamed and they jerked back.

"Shh its okay it's just us."

"Ugh Maker is it the morning already?"

"Yeah Cullen brought you in last night, said it was the quickest cleanest Harrowing they had ever seen! " Solona said excitedly.

"That's good." I sit up and stretch.

"Word in the tower also says you were into some heavy breathing...I mean reading last night." Jowan's eyes were glittering thrilled that there had finally been some sort of dirty rumor concering me.

I felt my cheeks getting red again at the memory "I was not I was just reading another aspect of magic when I got startled."

Solona started laughing "Oh there is no getting out of this one Isabeau Couslind Cullen saw the name of the book and so did all the other Templars." I felt light headed.

"This is not happening." I groaned.

"Oh its happening." Jowan chuckled.

"Shut up Jowan!"

"Hey its about time you got something naughty attached to you! Don't worry eventually it will die down...eventually."

"Well we were told to tell you Irving wants to see you. I think, I think its good news." She smiled at me.

"Maker I hope so. I'll see you soon." I wave at them as I head up to his office.

Templars were growling at me not to run but I didn't listen. I slid into the room and Irving grinned at me. "There is our newest sister of the circle sit down my dear."

I sit clenching and unclenching my hands.

"Now I have your new mage robes, your staff and a ring for you. Take some time relax. You have done well."

He hands me my things and I smile weakly "Thank you first enchanter is that everything?"

"Yes go on child."

I get up slowly and start towards the door "Oh yes, you will need to pack. You have been granted permission to return to your home as a mage in your father's home."

"Thank you first Enchanter."

I was close to bursting as I returned to Solona and Jowan. "I get to go home!" I yelled and they all jumped up and down with me.

"This is great I am so happy for you." Solona said with tears in her eyes and then I realized leaving here I would leave them.

"I'm going to miss you guys." I said. They hugged me tightly.

"Don't you worry we will be all right and I know we will see each other again."

I smiled and nodded realizing I would also get away from the rumor that was calling me a closet sex addict. Thank the Maker for small mercies.