Sorry for the long wait (that is of course if there is someone waiting). I was very busy… Anyway,in this chapter the main characters in the game start making their appearance. I can't remember their exact words so I sort of made it up as I went along. My game is busted so I can't check what they actually say. Another thing… I forgot that the Noble origin has the Mabari from the start, so I'm just going to bring it in, in this chapter.

4.

Wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes, Selene turned and continued on. A look of realization crossed her face, she looked up. "Jonathan, do you know where this temple place is?"

He paused and then replied, "I have no idea…"

Selene sighed and scanned the area. She caught sight of Wynne. "Maybe she can help."

The old Temple appeared to be an open room deeper into the ruins. They had found it quite easily; thanks to Wynne. In the middle of the open space stood two men. They were arguing. One was clad in armor, the other in robes. As they neared, Selene heard the one in armor, probably Alistair, say, "…I was going to name one of my children after you, the GRUMPY one."

Jonathan caught Selene by the arm and held her back. "Perhaps we should let them finish."

They didn't have to wait long, however. The mage stormed past them, his face blood red with rage. Selene watched him leave, saw him almost trip and started giggling. He must have heard her because he looked back, his face still red. Of embarrassment, not anger. Her fit stopped abruptly as Jonathan pulled her forward. Alistair, who had been standing with his back towards them, turned and said, "You know, it is amazing how the Blight brings us all together."

Selene lifted an eyebrow."I'm sorry, what?"

"O, nothing, just thinking out loud. You wouldn't happen to be another mage, would you?"

"Um, no but-"

"I am. Is that a problem?"

Alistair turned to Jonathan. "O, no, I… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause offence. Let me start over. I am Alistair. Nice to meet you." He said as he extended his hand towards Jonathan. Jonathan grasped his arm and shook. "I'm Jonathan."

"And I'm Selene."

"You're the two new recruits aren't you? I should have recognized you straight away, I apologize."

"No problem. We were sent by Duncan to tell you that he wants to start our initiation."

"Ah yes, the Joining. Well lead on then, we shouldn't keep Duncan waiting."

As they approached the bonfire where Duncan was standing, a man waved at them, "Hey, you're the new Grey Wardens, right?"

"Um, you could say that. Why do you ask?"

"I was wondering if you could help me. See that Mabari over there. He's been infected by the darkspawn taint. He ingested some of their blood during a fight. I can treat him but I have to muzzle him first."

"What seems to be the problem then?"

"He won't let me get near him. I was wondering if you could give it a try."

Alistair immediately shook his head. "Not me, no way."

Jonathan took a step back. "I'm not that good with animals."

Selene looked from the one man to the next. "You two are such women…"She turned and grabbed the muzzle from the kennel master. "I'll give it a go."

As she stepped into the kennel, the dog backed up, growling weakly. Selene approached slowly, trying not to frighten the animal. She got down on her knees next to him and gently stroked his fur. "There there." Jonathan and Alistair were watching from the other side of the barrier. How the hell is she able to do that? First the Revered Mother and now the dog. Guess she is just naturally likeable. The Mabari calmed after a few moments, giving Selene the chance to strap the muzzle over his snout. It gave a slight whimper as she stood and walked out of the kennel.

"That was quite impressive, thank you very much. I'll be able to treat him now."

Selene looked back at the hound. "Will he be ok now?"

"I'm not sure. Um, you aren't heading into the Wilds anytime soon, are you?"

"We might be, why?"

"There is a flower that grows in this part of the wilderness. Easy to spot, white with a red center. If you bring me one of those it will be a great help."

"I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks. In the meantime I'll be treating our friend."

Selene turned and walked over to the other two. "See, that wasn't difficult at all now was it? Let's get going."

Alistair and Jonathan watched her go, glanced at each other and then shook their heads before starting after her.

The bonfire next to Duncan blazed brightly even though the sun was still shining.

"Finally ready, are we?"

"Yes, Duncan."

Selene looked around them. "Are we the only recruits?"

"Um, no. I'll go collect the others."

He returned after a while, two others with him. The one man was slightly bigger than Alistair, short cut hair, pale face, a great sword strapped to his back. The other was shorter, darker skin, two daggers hung from his sides.

"This," Alistair said, pointing first to the larger one, "is Jory and this is Daveth."

"I'm Selene and this is Jonathan. It-"

Jory gave a deep bow. "My Lady, Cousland. It is an honour."

"Thank you for the bow but there's no need for that."

"Of course, my Lady."

"Selene."

"Selene then."

Daveth was staring. "So, you some kind of Princess? Don't look it in that armour."

"I'm no princess, believe me."

Daveth was about to reply when Duncan stepped forward. "We really should begin."

They all nodded and listened as Duncan explained their task. "Understand?"

"Yes, Duncan.

"Good luck."

The Wilds were cold, wet and full of death. Around almost every corner there was a rotting corpse. They found a survivor amidst a ruined campsite. After bandaging him up and sending him on his way, Jory started to panic.

"They wiped out an entire party of skilled fighters. What will they do to us?"

"Don't be a coward, Ser knight. We have that mage guy with us and Alistair. And don't forget the princess over there. What could happen?"

His words weren't even cold when they attacked. All they heard was a growl, then two Genlock appeared out of thin air.

"Scouts." Alistair growled. "Get ready there will be more soon!"

Blades were pulled free and the crackle of lightning could be heard as Jonathan raised his hands. The scouts were quickly dealt with. Burnt flesh tainted the air.

"More of them approaching!" called Alistair.

Five or six of them rushed down a hill a few strides away, roaring as they held their blades up high. One by one they fell. Fire, arrows, daggers, swords. All played their part.

Still panting, Jonathan took a glass vial from his pack and filled it up with the thick dark blood oozing from a nearby corpse. He passed one to Selene and she did the same. After a few minutes all four recruits had a vial of the foul substance.

"What do we need this stuff for anyway?"

"I'm sorry Daveth but I can't tell you. You'll find out soon, though."

'Why do I get the feeling that we won't like it?" Jonathan whispered to Selene.

Don't know when I'll be able to update again. Between projects, tests, attacks on the school and the fact that I'm grounded, I really don't know. But I'll try.