Chapter 4 - Ostagar
Everyone in front of them was passed out. For a long while it seemed like time had just stopped. Kali and Lily just looked at each other awkwardly. Finally after what seemed like an eternity, Greagoir, Irving and the other Templar's started to stir again. Kali went to Irving's side and helped him up.
"Are you alright?" he asked sounding groggy. Kali gave him the smallest of nods. "Where's Greagoir?"
Kali didn't need to answer. The sound of metal angrily hitting more metal from his armour indicated the Knight Commander was getting to his feet again. She turned to look at him. His face was twisted with fury.
"I never imagined he was that powerful," Greagoir spat. "That he was capable of that."
"Neither did I," Kali said quietly under her breath. He glared at her but she was unsure if he had heard her or was choosing to ignore her.
"None of us expected this. Are you alright Greagoir?" Irving asked.
The Templar threw his hands up furious. "As well as can be expected, given the circumstances," he said icily. "If you had let me act sooner this would not have happened."
He was starting to turn bright red. "Now," Greagoir continued loudly. "Now we have a blood mage on the loose. And NO WAY TO TRACK HIM."
Kali flinched. She had witnessed the Templar leaders rage on occasion before but never been in the firing line.
"Yes, Jowan destroyed his Phylactery," Kali said.
He whirled round and glared at her again. She staggered back. Some form of energy was floating round her. She couldn't see anything but the feeling was heavy, making her feel hazy and tired. It was harder to concentrate.
"Greagoir. There is no need for that," Irving demanded. "Kali is not a threat."
"SHE AIDED A BLOOD MAGE," he roared.
"I didn't know," Kali yelled back trying to resist but it was pointless. It felt like she was wading through mud or something. She could feel her mana reserve but nothing was happening except she was getting tired. She gave up and staggered back again. Irving steadied her.
"Greagoir. Cease. CEASE NOW,"
There had been plenty of gossip around the tower to the volatile relationship between the First Enchanter and Knight Commander. Both were formidable and very powerful. Plenty of disagreements had gone on behind the closed doors of both leaders offices respectively.
"She didn't know," the First Enchanter defended her narrowing his eyes at the Templar. "Now cease or I will be forced to turn to my own magic. And we both know that I can break through your blocks when I need too."
Greagoir turned round and made a noise akin to a growl. As he did it Kali almost fell forward as whatever energy was surrounding her disappeared again.
"Where is the girl?" the Templar demanded to his men. Kali watched as Cullen roughly grabbed Lily and pulled her in front of Greagoir. A flash of anger went through the pit of her stomach and she flashed back to their brief awkward conversation earlier. If she had failed her harrowing he would definitely have struck her down.
"Get her to Aeomar. Get her out of my sight."
"And you," Greagoir rounded on Kali again. "You helped a blood mage escape. All our prevention measures for naught. Your antics make a mockery of this circle."
Kali swallowed hard.
"It is a rare person who risks everything for a friend in need," Duncan chose that moment to come join them.
Greagoir whirled round to look at the Grey Warden, Kali noticed that he had a little vein throbbing near his temple. She had never seen the Knight Commander this angry.
Completely unfazed Duncan continued. "Knight Commander if I may - I am not only looking for Mages to join the kings army. I am also recruiting for the Grey Wardens. Irving spoke highly of this mage and I would like her to join the warden ranks."
"Duncan," Irving said sadly. "She has assisted a Maleficar and has shown a lack of regard for our rules."
"She is just as dangerous as the blood mage," demanded Greagoir. "One can only imagine the power she is also capable of if you let her loose. She was in the process of going rogue. We should execute her." With that he drew his sword.
"Invoke the right of conscription," Kali pleaded to Duncan. "He will not be reasoned with. I did not know Jowan was a blood mage. Believe me."
"If she is as powerful as you say, she will be useful against the Darkspawn that plagues the world." Duncan continued calmly. "I will take her under my wing and bare all responsibility for any further actions. I conscript her in the name of the Wardens."
Greagoir seethed at them but it seemed he had nothing further to say. Instead he chose to yell, throw his sword down and storm off instead. Cullen dragged Lily behind him and the other Templar knight picked up his commanders weapon before following suit.
"Thank you," Kali turned to Duncan.
"Your gratitude may be premature. It is a long journey to Ostagar and you must go through an initiation."
"Yes," Irving chimed. "And the sooner you leave the better. He may yet change his mind and return. You push him Duncan within his own authority. A dangerous move. Yet you wardens always seem to get your way."
"I understand old friend but Ostagar is in need," Duncan replied. They walked to the tower door in silence.
"Kali, I had high hopes for you here. But it seems you are destined to carve out your own place in the world. Your new life awaits. Be careful child," Irving said as they parted.
The five day journey to Ostagar had been the most tiring in Kali's life. At first, after the adrenaline of facing the Knight Commanders rage and narrowly making it out of the tower with her life had worn off she had been in an almost euphoric state being away from the walls that had been her life for so long and seeing and experiencing the world outside again.
To begin with it was enough to not think about the tower, Jowan and all that had just occurred but that euphoria had worn off quickly walking miles and miles, camping each night and braving the Ferelden weather. When they weren't walking he urged her to practice her arcane and primal magic.
Duncan was a man of few words it seemed. Kali had tried several times to question him on the initiation she was now to face, deciding to put her mind to that. It was her only way forward now. He was having none of it however, merely repeating that he would explain more when the time came and laughing at her impatience.
"You are improving," Duncan said simply as he stirred the small stew pot they had set up over a fire. Kali sat on her bunk roll, had been conjuring lightening.
She nodded. "I can control it better now. Not just conjure it but send it in directions. Like I can do with fire and spirit energy. It's tiring though."
"Of course," Duncan handed her a bowl and dished up some stew. "You are using more of your mana force and that tires you out."
She took the stew, looked at it and realised it was pretty much identical to what they had eaten yesterday. Root vegetables collected on the road.
"Can my mana force be drained in other ways?" she asked. "Or blocked."
"Why do you ask questions you already know the answers too?" Duncan replied in his usual cryptic manner. He smiled at her and ate a spoonful of stew.
"Greagoir. He did something to me," she told him.
The old warden nodded. "They have their own forms of power. But they tire just as Mages do."
"So they hate Mages, imprison us and treat us like we are nothing because we have magic yet they too have magic," Kali said putting the stew down.
"As you say," Duncan agreed with her. "But they are disciplined to use their magic only to stop other magic if necessary."
"They are just as dangerous as they say we are," Kali spat annoyed. "And they abuse that discipline."
"Some, but then some would say that about Mages too," Duncan said. He was of course right but that did nothing to curb her irritation at this discovery.
"Do you have an Templar wardens?" Kali asked.
"One. Well not quite. Almost a Templar,"
"How can you be almost a Templar?" she demanded.
Duncan laughed. "He was a unique recruitment. Just as you. We all have our own paths. Sometimes they just lead people together. Such is the life of wardens."
"Do you trust him? This warden Templar?" Kali asked after a while as they finished their stew in silence.
"With my life," Duncan said seriously. "He is my youngest charge. You will meet him tomorrow and you will learn to trust him too."
Kali raised her eyebrows at the suggestion but said no more.
Kali knew full well from living in the magi tower that places gave off there own energy. The circle had always felt very isolated yet powerful and intimidating. Ostagar felt similar but much darker.
Clearly it had been a place of much power back in the past but what Kali saw as they made their way into it was mainly ruins and one tower. She shivered involuntarily as they made their way up to a guard station. They recognised Duncan and allowed them admittance in.
"This was where the first Blight was fought," Duncan told her as they walked down a long bridge. "And the place where the first of the Grey Wardens formed," he added. "It is steeped in a long bloody history."
Kali nodded memories returning to her, "Constructed by the Tevinter Imperium. I remember some of the history I learned before I became an apprentice. That is the tower of Ishal yes?"
The old warden looked both surprised and impressed.
"So named after the Archon who constructed it – one of your people I believe," Duncan responded.
"At one time, there was much magic here," Kali told him. The memories were really flooding back. She shivered again. Something was uncomfortable about this place. It was almost like she could feel a shadow of something lingering. It was like she was feeling the Fade again, but it was very far away.
"And much death," Duncan added darkly. "King Cailan see's it fitting that this be the scene of the next Blight. Come," Duncan steered her down some steps that opened out in to a massive courtyard full of tents. "We must report in to him."
The Kings Tent was naturally the most ornate. As they were once again admitted, it seemed all the guards knew Duncan, another man stormed past them on his way out.
"Another squabble Sir," one of the guards said quietly, "Their second one today."
Duncan smiled gently. "It's just sport between the two of them."
The guard shook his head wearily and indicated they go into the main chamber where 4 people were peering over papers on a large table.
"Duncan," a friendly voice exclaimed. "You have returned once more. And you must be the new recruit."
A heavily and ornately armoured blond man walked towards them and hugged Duncan warmly. He then turned to her.
"Yes Sire. May I introduce her, this is Kali," Duncan bowed at the regent and then indicated in Kali's direction. "She shows much promise as a young Mage."
"Allow me to be the first to welcome you to Ostagar. The Wardens will benefit greatly with you in their ranks." The King informed her.
Kali flushed not expecting such a warm welcome from Royalty of all people. She suddenly remembered protocol and curtsied. "Thank you Sire."
"Ahhh such formalness, I will not have it among my soldiers. Out here I am a warrior just as you." The King insisted. "Now then, we must catch up. Our plans are moving forward, the Mages are repairing all the fractures in the Fade in the immediate area."
Kali blinked. So that's what she could sense. She had no idea that there could exist fractures in the Fade.
"The Templars are training my men in their advanced sword techniques. We have even had a few elves join the fray. City ones of course. The Dalish continue to be elusive,"
"As we feared Sire," Duncan replied.
"A minor matter. We will still be victorious with or without them," Cailans eyes sparkled in excitement. ""I cannot wait for that glorious moment. The Grey Wardens battle beside the King of Ferelden to stem the tide of evil." The King clasped his gauntleted hand down hard on Duncan's shoulder.
Excuse me sire, I have a message from Tehr Loghain," a servant informed him.
Calian laughed. "Ready for round two already. Stay there Duncan, we have more to discuss." He sauntered off with the messenger.
"The king is very confident," Kali said to Duncan quietly.
Duncan nodded also keeping his voice down. "He is young; some say naïve but I have confidence in him. The King and Loghain both."
He put his hands on her shoulders facing her directly. "Now I must discuss matters further with the King. The Grey Wardens have a tent, go find it and rest up. Have a look around and get your bearings. There are two other recruits also here, Ser Jory and Daveth. You may wish to speak with them. When you are ready seek out Alistair and we will convene back. Then we can set in motion your initiation"
Kali left him and walked around Ostagar. Her first stop was the Grey Warden tent where she was thrilled to find facilities for a bath next to it. As exciting as it was leaving the circle, being on the road for 5 days had not been fun. She relaxed, enjoying being able to get clean and wash her hair properly. Kali took her time, for who knew when she would get another one.
Reluctantly leaving the warm comfortable water, she wrapped herself in a towel and started fighting with her hair trying to comb it with her hands as she had no brush. "You will have to start wearing this up," she muttered to herself, "It's not practical . . .
One of the indoor tent flaps flew open and something collided with her. "Oh Maker sorry," was all she heard as she whirled round to find herself facing a tall brown haired man. Kali attempted to balance herself again and the realised in horror her towel was slipping. She made a mad grab to stop it and preserve her modesty.
The man in front of hers mouth fell wide open and he started to turn red. "Oh Maker." He forced his eyes up and looked from one side of the bathing area to the other panicking before finally just turning round.
"I am so sorry. Women . . . women are never in here. Normally just wardens. This . . . this is a Warden tent you see. I erm . . . I am going to go now. I can bathe later," he fumbled before disappearing from view.
For the first time in 5 days Kali burst out laughing.
She was still smiling when she was dressed again, hair braided back out of the way this time. Even the sight of several Templar's didn't seem to phase her as she grabbed something to eat from some of the Kings servants and walked towards a table. Then she recognised someone.
"Senior Mage Wynn?"
The older women looked confused for a moment then recognition appeared in her eyes. "Why are you here child?"
"It's a long story," Kali sighed.
"Sit," the older women said indicating the chair next to hers. "And do tell."
Kali put her plate down and suddenly found she wasn't that hungry anymore.
"Did Irving let you join us?" Wynn asked clearly trying to make sense for her being there and not in the Tower.
"Not exactly," she said uncomfortably looking down. "I passed my harrowing and then unwittingly aided a blood mage."
The older mage made a loud gasp in shock.
"I didn't know he was a blood mage," she looked up at the circle's elder who was studying her intently.
After a long moment she said, "I believe you child. So your punishment was to come here?"
"No. Greagoir wanted to execute me but . . . instead a Grey Warden conscripted me," Kali told her.
"So you are the new Warden recruit."
Kali nodded.
"We knew there was a Mage joining them," Wynn smiled at her ,"but no one had any idea it would be a women. It seems the camp gossip has failed on this occasion."
Kali smiled despite herself. "Did you come voluntarily?"
"They need healers as well as fighters and I hope my "creation" skills will help save the lives of those giving themselves to protect us," she answered her. "The First Enchanter put up a fight, I may be old but I can be quite persuasive when I need to be."
"I never got the chance to start learning that branch of magic," Kali said sadly thinking healing abilities would probably be useful if she was to go up against the Darkspawn.
"Never say never child. I can teach you some basics,"
Kali smiled at her and then crossed her arms and bowed respectfully at the Elder Mage. "I thank you."
"I am due back at the infirmary but come find me if you can later tonight. I brought some texts with me purely for this purpose. The King has asked me to train every Mage here in basic healing," she said as she stood up.
"And Kali, you are not the only Mage to unwittingly aid a Blood mage," she said sadly walking off.