When Destiny Calls

A Dragon Age Story

Author's Notes: Many thanks to the writers and developers of the original Dragon Age storyline, without which, this story wouldn't be possible.

This story is rated M for future chapters.

Chapter 7 – Into the Korcari Wilds

Sunrise came too soon, my anticipation of going out into the Wilds kept me tossing and turning throughout the night. I forced myself to stand, and grabbed my hair tie. My hair was knotted a bit, no doubt from all of the rolling about that I had done. I shuffled through my backpack, the very one that I had brought from the Circle Tower. Finding my brush, I slowly worked out the kinks in my shoulder-length black hair. After a few minutes, I was able to pull my hair back into a ponytail, not wanting my hair in my face while running about the wilderness.

I returned my brush to it's place in my pack, grabbed my staff, and a small dagger. As I began walking towards the gate that Duncan had mentioned last night, I placed my dagger in a small sheath that hung from my rope-belt. Hopefully, I wouldn't need to have to use it much, as I didn't imagine that I would fair well in close combat. I ran through all the spells I had learned from my apprenticeship, and from the notes I had written in my grimoire. As I approached the gate, I saw that Alistair was the only other one there. It seemed that perhaps Jory and Daveth were sleeping in.

Alistair saw me walking up, and waved. "Hey, Toryn! Did you sleep well?" I stood next to him, and shrugged. "Not the best sleep I've ever had, but it will do. Yourself?" He grinned, "Like a rock. I'm a very sound sleeper." I nodded, my head beginning to ache from the intense sunlight on this side of the camp. I rubbed my temples, hoping to relieve the pressure before heading out. "So, when do we head out?" I asked, trying not to put too much pressure on my teeth, which I had been clamping together without realizing it.

Alistair shrugged. "We are just waiting on... never mind. I see them over there." He said, nodding his head in the direction of the tents. I tried not to smile, as they looked like they truly didn't sleep well. Ser Jory looked rough, like he didn't sleep at all. Daveth, on the other hand, looked like he sleep too well, and was still fighting to wake himself up. Alistair cleared his throat. "Glad you could join us. We'll be leaving in a few moments, once everyone is ready." I nodded, as did the other two recruits.

I felt a bit anxious to get out there and back. I spent most of the night wondering what the Joining was going to be like, and I was ready to get to that part of the day. I knew that there shouldn't be a problem out in the Wilds, as I was confident in my abilities, as Daveth and Alistair also were. Ser Jory didn't seem as confident, but at least he was familiar with what we were to be doing.

"Alright, then. I will be leading the way into the Wilds, and I think that Ser Jory should be by my side. We're both heavy-armor fighters, unlike you two." He began, "Now, I'm not sure exactly how you fight, Daveth, but try to work around myself and Jory. Your leather armor would be ripped to shreds otherwise." Daveth simply nodded. Apparently of all of us, Alistair was best suited to the early morning. I wasn't doing too bad, but the other two must be more used to the afternoon, or so I suspected.

"And, Toryn. I imagine that I don't need to tell you to stay out of the way of the rest of us." Alistair said to me. I shook my head, clearing my throat to speak. "You don't have to remind me. I'm too fragile to be in the way. I'll keep my distance and provide support." Alistair nodded in approval. "Good. Well, we have quite a walk ahead of us. Make sure that you all grab something small to eat for later in the day, and whatever else you may need."

I watched as Jory and Daveth walked, at a faster pace than before, off to collect there things, and Alistair grabbed his sword, shield, and a rather large backpack. "What's in there?" I asked, not seeing why he would be carrying so much. He shrugged, "It's a tarp, and a few other supplies. You know, just in case we need to set up a camp." I was confused, so I spoke again. "Are we going that far out?"

"No, but it's best to be prepared for anything. Anytime I leave the main camp for anything, I make sure that I have this kind of stuff. You never know what could happen out here." He explained. It made sense, though I couldn't imagine trying to engage in combat with a bag like that on my back. I supposed that he would just drop it on the ground if we got into trouble. I decided to grab something to eat really quick. Alistair's attention was focused on getting something out of his bag, so I took that moment to grab something.

I returned to my tent, were a small bag was resting in front of the tent. I didn't see it when I left my tent, but it looked like it was placed there a short bit ago. There was a note attached to it, from Wynne. I read it, to find that Wynne had heard that I was leaving for the Wilds, and packed a few bandages, two apples, and a small vial of lyrium. This small bag also had a pocket in it that my grimoire would fit in perfectly. Making a mental note to thank her next time I saw her, I snatched up my grimoire, shoved it in my new bag, and rushed to get back to the gate.

The others had already returned, and Alistair was taking to the guardsman at the gate, who walked off to open the door. I slung the bag over my back, tying off the strap so that it would stay in place. Alistair walked up to our little group. "Let's go. Remember, be on your guard, and be ready to defend yourself out here." He said, as he began to lead us out of the camp.

We walked in silence for a ways along the path that stretched out before us. It was largely overgrown, barely recognizable as a path at all at times. I wiped the sweat from my forehead, looking up at the sun, which was fast approaching it's mid-day position. I was thankful that Alistair seemed to know where this old Grey Warden Tower was, as I was finding myself a bit lost as to where we were. All of a sudden, I saw Alistair drop his bag, and draw his sword and shield. Jory followed suit rather quickly. As I gripped my staff, I noticed that Daveth drew two long daggers from their almost unnoticeable sheaths on his back.

"What is it? I don't see anything." Jory's voice quivered from fear. Alistair put one finger to his lips, warning us to remain silent. Feeling some anxiety and fear eliminating from my comrades, I tightened my shields just enough to continue to sense them, but not their feelings. I began to sense something dark in the area. It didn't feel like an emotion, not any that I had ever felt anyway.

We heard a scream of pain in the distance, and Alistair darted forward. I began to run after him, passing Jory, who seemed to have frozen in his fear. Daveth overtook me, running close behind Alistair. I heard footsteps behind me, and assumed that Jory had gotten a grip on himself. In the distance, I saw a man, a Grey Warden from the Gryphon painted on his shield. I stopped running, seeing a tall creature, from it's appearance, I guessed a Hurlock. The Hurlock swung a sword into the man's chest, and I was horrified to see the Warden's armor crack from the stress. The man fell to his knees, and it was then that I saw Alistair jump forward, his own sword burying itself into the Hurlock.

The Hurlock screamed, a sound that would haunt my dreams for nights to come. From all around us, grunts and warcries began. I heard Jory gasp behind me as Darkspawn poured in from the dense trees around us. Daveth jump forward, stabbing two adjacent Darkspawn with his twin blades. As Jory finally charged towards a group heading for us, I saw Alistair leap into a small group of Darkspawn, his sword and shield smashing into each one in turn.

Seeing a larger group heading for Alistair, who was obviously the main threat in their eyes, I began to channel raw power from my source. Molding the power into a spell, with my intent and will, I swung my staff at the group, which vibrated from the amount of power being channeled from it. A large sphere of fire erupted from the tip, hitting the ground ahead of the group. A great explosion burst forth, throwing the entire group back, landing several feet away from me. Not wasting a moment, I pulled more power from my source. My hands crackled with raw energy as I dropped my staff, needing to channel this spell from myself. Lightning leapt from the palms of my hand, electrocuting the group before me. They screamed in unison, until suddenly, they fell silent, having used their final breaths in their agonizing screams.

I turned, too late, as I saw a Darkspawn was upon me. It was a Genlock, the short and stout variety. I saw it's sword began to fall towards me. I would have no time to react. I closed my eyes, not sure if I should see the blow hit me. Another scream, much closer this time, reached my ears. My eyes sprung open to see the Genlock fall forward on the ground. There was a long dagger in it's back. I looked up to see Daveth run up, snatching the dagger out of it's back as he ran past me to help Jory. I looked around briefly to see that Alistair was also charging for Jory. The last of the Darkspawn stragglers fell quickly.

I walked up to the Grey Warden that had been attacked. Kneeling down, I saw that he was unconscious, his breathing weakening. I focused, molding a new spell in my hands. There was a flash of light, and the Warden's body shimmered. I watched, somewhat surprised at the ease of it, as his wounds began to close and heal. Yet another thing to thank Wynne for, as she taught me that very spell not last year.

The Warden coughed, as he regained consciousness. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alistair walk up. "Grey Wardens? Thank the Maker. I thought I was done for. Like the rest of my party." The man said, obviously relieved to be alive, but bitter at the loss of his comrades. He glanced down at the large opening in his armor, where the Hurlocks blade had sliced his abdomen, the only remaining evidence that it had occurred, my spell having repaired the damage to his body. "How? I know I felt it's blade..." He coughed again.

"Breathe easy, friend," I began, "I'm a mage, and one who knows a little about healing. You'll be fine, though you will need to get back to camp and rest." His eyes lit up. "I had always heard that mages could do that, but I never really believed it, until now anyway."

Alistair spoke up then. "Here, let us help you on your feet. Toryn is right, you need to get back to camp." The man nodded, reaching an arm out towards Alistair, who pulled him on his feet. He stood still for a moment, testing his balance, which seemed to be just fine. "Thank you." He said to the four of us before he began walking back up the path that we had come from.

I heard what sounded like glass bottle hitting each other, and turned to see that Alistair was collecting blood from one of the fallen Darkspawn. I suddenly felt sick, and sat on the ground, my eyes closed. It was a surprise to me that the battle itself didn't bother me, yet watching Alistair get one of the things we came for did.

"Well, that's taken care of." I heard Alistair's voice say. I opened my eyes, seeing him put a stopper on the vials he had collected. "You all did very well for facing your first Darkspawn. How is everyone fairing?" He asked.

"Never better." Daveth's overly confident voice rang in my ears, littered with sarcasm. I turned when I heard what sounded like a whimper from Jory. "I'm ok." Was all he said, which no fool would've believed. I wondered how a knight could be such a coward about it, when I, a mage who had never seen combat before, was fine. Not that I wasn't a bit shaken up, by no means, but overall the worst I felt was a sick stomach.

"Aside from this tingling sensation in my hands, I'm ok." I jested, trying to lighten the mood. Alistair chuckled. Daveth turned, "All that fire and lightning, and all you feel is a tingling?" He asked, not sounding convinced. I shrugged, "Well, I don't feel those unless they hit me. They leave me in the form of raw magic, which makes my hand feel like it's fallen asleep." I explained, not really knowing why it did that myself, just that it did.

"That was amazing to see though. Kinda freaked me out when I heard the explosion." Alistair said, sounding impressed. "Anyway, we aren't far from the Tower now. We should hurry. I don't want to have to find our way back in the dark."

Jory made a sound of protest. "We aren't going back to camp? After being ambushed like that? What if there are more?" The fear was extremely noticeable to me, even without using my empathy. Daveth snorted, "Are all knights of Redcliffe as easily frightened as you are?" He sneered at Jory. Alistair cleared his throat, returning everyone's attention to him. "We are going to get those documents before we go back. Besides, we did just fine here. So long as we are careful, we will be fine." Alistair sounded pretty sure about that.

Jory sighed in defeat. I was finding that I didn't like him much. He seemed... whiny. Alistair began to walk again, leading us to the Tower that was beginning to loom. I was surprised to see it in extreme disrepair, having all but completely collapsed. There was a chest sitting next to the Tower entrance, which I didn't see very well until we approached it. Standing next to it, it was clear that whatever may have been in it was no longer there, the chest having been smashed.

A voice rang through the trees, wild and seductive in it's sound. "What do we have here? Are you vultures, come to scavenge the bones of a carcase long since cleaned?" I looked up to see a woman, standing atop a hill not far from us. She had a wild, nomadic look about her, and her clothing was unlike anything I had seen before. A fold of cloth was wrapped around her neck and chest, and the 'skirt' she wore was little more than strips of leather held together by a large belt. Around her neck, she had an interesting necklace, with a black stone pendant.

Alistair almost jumped when he saw her, and I watched with some amusement as Jory and Daveth both backed up a pace. I stood my ground, refusing to fear someone, merely because they were unfamiliar. The woman spoke again, "Shall I guess your purpose? You have come into my Wilds, and to this ruined tower, seeking something that is no longer here, yes?" Her vivid yellow-green eyes showed a great cunning and curiosity as she spoke. I loosened my mental shields, also curious as to who she was.

"Those documents are Grey Warden property! You will give those to us now." Alistair said, sounding furious, and under the assumption that she had what we needed. I could see why he might've got that idea, though I wasn't sure if I thought he was correct in that assumption.

"I will not, as I was not the one who took them." She glared at him, her eyes reflecting an exteme dislike of the accusation made of her. Behind me, I heard Daveth whisper, "She a Witch of the Wilds, she is!" I wondered what made him think that, but before I could ponder it too much, I heard Jory whisper as well. "Let's not make her angry then, she'll turn us into toads!" I found myself snickering at their fearful whisperings, especially since Alistair and I had just been talking about mages turning him into a toad just yesterday.

"Witch of the Wilds? Such idle fancies, those legends of old. Do you have no minds of your own? I am very disappointed." Her eyes met mine, and a smile crept upon her face. "You there, elves aren't scared little boys, are they? Tell me your name, and I shall tell you mine." It was odd, her voice was so full of confidence, and strength, and yet soft. Her face was very soft as well, giving her an almost ageless beauty.

"Don't answer her. She looks Chasind, and wild." Alistair whispered to me, the distrust strong in his voice. The woman clearly had better hearing than Alistair expected though, "Afraid that barbarians will swoop down upon you?" She sneered, to which Alistair's only reply was a mumble that sounded suspiciously like: "Swooping is bad."

I walked ahead of Alistair. "I am Toryn. It's a pleasure to meet you." I said, wanting to try to salvage what little I could of this conversation. The woman looked surprised, and amused. "Such manners! Tis a rare thing to find here in the Wilds. You may call me Morrigan." I smiled. "A pleasure, Morrigan. You wouldn't happen to know who might have the documents we came to get, do you?"

Morrigan nodded. "I do indeed. Tis my mother, in fact." Her voice was much friendlier. I thought for a moment. "Do you think you can take us to her, and see if she'll return them to us?" I requested of her. An actual smile crossed her face. "Now that is a reasonable request. I like you. Follow me, if it pleases you."

Alistair scowled behind me. "Careful. It starts out, 'Oh, I like you,' then zap! Frog time." He said. I heard Jory whimper behind him. I shook my head. "Are all humans such cowards?" I asked, looking at Jory, before walking off to follow Morrigan. I wondered about how much further we'd have to go, as the sun had now passed it's peak in the sky. I didn't know what to expect when we arrived, but I knew that if her mother was anything like Morrigan, this would be a very interesting visit.