Being outside was still a strange sensation for Sigurd, prior to leaving with the wardens he like nearly all dwarves in Orzammar had never seen the sky. It was nice, the sun felt warm on Sigurd's face and it was a lovely shade of blue. And clouds, Sigurd had to admit he liked clouds. Though while Sigurd found himself fascinated and enjoying being on the surface he knew his now friend Brynja was not having as easy a transition. When they first stepped out onto the surface she had a panic attack convinced she would fall into the sky, obviously she'd calmed down but she did keep glancing at the sky nervously every so often and mentioning how strange it felt being surrounded by people so much taller than the pair of them. Not that she'd let the others know her discomfort. With a few hours to spare Brynja had told him that she was going to find weapons and armour vendors and see who she could find, leaving Sigurd to wander around by himself for a while. He'd tried approaching Mahalath but the woman didn't feel like being sociable as she'd jumped up onto the fence around the camp and ran off.
The elven bride Atarah was with the kennel master helping to look after the mabari's with Dinah, as far as he knew Cadfael had gone to visit the other mages in the camp. Rhiannon had gone to find and speak with some of the higher ups about her brother, Sigurd felt sympathy for her about the whole situation. He walked through the camp, holding his axe casually over his shoulder, the other soldiers didn't seem to be paying him too much attention, it was nice having people look at him more with casual disinterest than disdain. He passed by a tent that's entrance was maned by two soldiers, so clearly someone important was inside but it didn't look regal enough to be the Kings so he approached the soldiers.
"Ho there, you are approaching Teryn Loghain's tent state your business" the soldier informed him, the Kings most trusted advisor and lead strategist, Duncan had told them that Loghain had been good friends with Maric, Cailan's father. It had been him to grant him the title of Teryn after they fought in the war against the Orlesian's together. An interesting concept, a commoner being lifted up in station so high from his own ability.
"I'd like to meet this man" he told the soldier who looked at his friend uncertainly "Surely there's no harm asking"
"Alright I'll ask, wait here" the soldier said heading into the tent, Sigurd glanced up to see Mahalath somehow balancing on the roof of the tent near an opening near the top. Before he could say anything the soldier came out with an older man in armour that could only have been Loghain.
"Ah one of the new wardens I assume?"
"Sigurd Brosca, I thought it polite to introduce myself to the Kings advisor. I hear the other soldiers speak highly of you"
"A gesture that is appreciated, thank you. Maric thought highly of the Grey Wardens, it was he who brought them back to Fereldan. Though his son's fascination with your order" he paused there, it was clear he had a lot of respect for Maric but he had some reservations about the man's son and the current King. Of course, he wouldn't say anything out rightly about him. On top of the tent Sigurd noticed Mahalath slip into the tent.
"You think his trust is too absolute?"
"It is not my place to say, we just pray that he will take on the advice of his advisors instead of being enamoured with the glory of battle"
"It is unusual for a King to be so close to the battle"
"He's heard the stories of the Grey Wardens and considers it a great honour to ride into battle at their side"
"I haven't seen any horses, though I doubt you'd have one to suit my stature" Sigurd pointed out, that got a chortle out of the older man, out the corner of his eye he saw Mahalath climb out of the tent carrying something.
"Perhaps not, it was nice meeting you Sigurd but I have matters to attend to before tonight's battle"
With that the Teryn returned to his tent, Sigurd let out a sigh and stormed off in the direction he saw Mahalath walk in but there was no sign of her. As he walked past a pillar there was a crackling of tiny falling stone, looking up he found the archer perched on the broken pillar. He waved her down and after a few moments hesitation she came down, the poor girl didn't look well, he was surprised she was still moving as well as she was. Without saying anything he guided her to one of the camp fires had her sit down while he grabbed them both a plate of meat and bread that the fire attendant was handing out. The elf didn't have any outward reaction but was quick to start eating the food offered to her, she'd sat her bow and quiver by her feet along with a small bag with the edges of paper sticking out.
"That tattoo, you didn't get that the same way I got this" Sigurd said pointing to his casteless brand, taking a small pleasure in how the mark meant nothing on the surface.
"The ink used for our vallaslin is sacred to the Dalish, it is our mark of adulthood" she explained between mouthfuls.
"Casteless get our brands when we're young. It's not our choice, just meant to make it clear to everyone that we were the lowest of the low" Mahalath paused eating looking like she wanted to say something but didn't. "Are you feeling better?"
"Why do you care?" she instantly snapped back, clearly someone didn't enjoy being vulnerable.
"I've an older sister, but I've always had to look after her. Make sure she was safe, it's become second nature"
"…sorry, that was rude. I'm very tired" she admitted
"Shouldn't you rest then instead of sneaking into someone's tent?"
"I've been forcibly taken from my family and expected to fight in a battle I did not sign up for with human soldiers who have been looking down on me since I arrived. One of them came up and asked why I hadn't finished deliveries yet as though I was just another one of their worker elves"
"That doesn't mean you're allowed to invade another's privacy and steal their belongings" Sigurd pointed out "I won't rat you out or insist you return that. Sometimes you need to rise above others expectations, even if they hurt you, understand?"
"Maybe I'll be in better spirits when the wardens give me the cure and I'm not dying. Thanks for the food" she said before setting her plate aside, grabbing her belongings and wandering off. With a sigh Sigurd kept eating his food.
The kennel master couldn't tell them if the flower would successfully cure the mabari, but Atarah was hopeful, the mabari in question was quite adorable with a squishy face. The younger mage was looking glum about the whole thing. After getting the cure the mabari curled up and fell asleep, they stayed petting her for a few minutes before the kennel master asked them to leave to let her rest. They ended up walking around the camp together.
"I like your dress" Dinah said in a whimsical voice looking at the dress in awe.
"Thanks, my father had it made for my wedding"
"You're married?"
"Um no, it's a long story. I'd rather not get into it right now, another time"
"Cadfael made my dress, it was a present for passing my Harrowing" she said happily twirling to show off the dress "This was from Cullen one of the Templars, he gave me it for the same reason" she said pointing to the pendant around her neck.
"Wait I thought Templars and mages didn't get along? And Cadfael makes clothes? I have to say he doesn't look the type" Atarah asked confused, patting the head of Reginald who Dinah had insisted she hold for a while.
"There are tensions but it's possible. I mean Grand Enchanter Irving and Knight Commander Greagoir have been running our Circle for years and get along, I think if the tower went haywire as long as Irving was alive and well Greagoir wouldn't do anything bad. Cullen's nice too we're close, Carroll is a little odd though. And well, there isn't much to do in the tower and the Templars don't have a problem with getting us cloth for clothing"
"What does magic feel like?"
"Um… I don't know how I'd explain it, Cadfael might be better to ask that"
"I'd still like to hear how you'd explain it"
"Um, it's like a limb. It's not something you're consciously aware of being there but you always know it's there. Like when your reading and want to pick up a cup, you can do that without looking cause your mind knows your arm is there and what its reach is and where it is in relation to everything else"
"So it's like an extension of yourself?"
"Not an extension. It is as natural a part of us as any limb, it is what makes us feel whole" came the voice of Cadfael as they had arrived at the sectioned off part of the camp reserved for mages. "It is a force as present and constant as the beating of our hearts, it surrounds us and is always within reach, it's intangible but very real for us mages. It may not be received as a blessing to many and a curse to some but it is still a part of who we are and we'd be lost without it"
"See? Cadfael's better to ask about magic" Dinah said with a proud smile, she calming took Reginald from Atarah's hand and the bear hugged into his owner's chest.
"Wynne's here" Cadfael told Dinah as though the name was familiar and thought of fondly, at the mention Dinah's eyes widened and a giant smile covered her face as she started hopping excitedly
"Friend of yours?" Atarah asked
"In a sense, she's another member of the Circle Dinah and I came from, she's well liked. The younger members regard her as a grandmother of sorts"
"Can we go see her?" Dinah asked still bouncing excitedly, Cadfael looked over to Atarah asking her permission to take Dinah away without saying anything. She nodded, appreciating the fact he was making sure she'd be fine being left alone for a time.
"Come one then Rotten" he said before turning and walking away waving to Atarah over his shoulder, Dinah gave her one last happy grin before skipping along after him. Atarah made a mental note to get the girl some new shoes as already they were caked in dried mud.
She turned in time to see Mahalath storming off somewhere, heading away from Sigurd who was sitting eating at a campfire so she thought better than to interrupt him. That was until her stomach let out a loud rumble so she went to join the dwarf for a spot of food. The attendant was happy enough to give her a plate of food, while Sigurd gave her a warm smile.
"Mind if I sit with you?" Atarah asked still wanting to be polite
"Company's good, please sit"
"How's Mahalath? I just saw her"
"Struggling to adjust, very ill. Not that difficult to get her to talk though just not for long"
"I wish they'd stop messing around and give her what she needs"
"Just a few more hours" he said reassuringly. An easy silence fell over them as they ate by the fire.
The training dummies they had set up in camp were crude, and very basic. Rhiannon could hardly hit them at full strength without almost uprooting them from the ground, still she kept hitting it with her sword again and again. With a final scream she knocked the dummy to the ground in splinters, she stood there staring panting hard with tears coming down her face, her family sword and shield gripped so tight her knuckles had gone white with the strain. They couldn't find Fergus, the one member of her family she had left and she couldn't find him and likely wouldn't until after a battle that could likely get her killed.
"You need something sturdier than one of these things" Brynja said sounding impressed, Digby barked in agreement.
"Are you volunteering?"
"As long as you don't mind me fighting back" she retorted readying her own sword and shield.
Their swords slammed into each other, the metal ringing loudly through the air.
The fight only lasted five minutes before Digby jumped between the two of them, forcing Rhiannon to acknowledge she'd just broken one of her father's rules for training. Never spar with someone when you're angry, and judging from Brynja's guilty look she was having a similar epiphany. Rhiannon dropped to her knees bruised and exhausted, Digby came over and gently licked her face.
"I'm sorry, it was wrong of me to take my anger out on you" Rhiannon said
"I'm sorry too, I've not adjusted well to all this, it's just too much too take in so fast" Brynja admittedly as she laid down flat on her back.
"I understand, this isn't where I thought my life was going to go. I always thought I'd eventually meet a nice noble have a few kids and raise them to be forces of nature. Not to have nearly my entire family killed while I'm completely powerless to save them, to survive only on the condition I abandon my name and be forbidden from seeking retribution"
"I can understand wanting revenge, I'm sorry about your family"
"Rendon Howe is the one who will be sorry" Rhiannon snapped out with bitter venom.
"That's a beautiful sword" Brynja said changing the subject
"It's the Cousland family sword, been in our family for generations. When Howe's men attacked mother and I retrieved it from the vaults so he couldn't get his hands on it" calmly she sheathed her sword and placed her shield back on her back, she stood up with Digby excitedly bounding at her feet. "Thank you for the sparing match but I need to walk" Brynja gave her an acknowledging wave as Rhiannon walked away with Digby at her heel.
By this point it was about an hour before Duncan wanted them to converge for the Joining, though the sun was beginning to set so she made her way back to the bridge they had crossed to get into camp. Sat on the wall she looked out over the forests, watching as the sun set turning the sky into fire. She used to do this with her brother and Gilmore when they were younger, they'd gather on one of the balconies of the estate to watch the sun go down and then count the stars when they came out. Gilmore was probably dead now, Rhiannon couldn't begin to fathom how many lives were lost in the massacre and now her home was probably overrun with Howe's men and being used as his new estate. It made her sick to her core the thought of those monsters having run over her family's home but there was nothing she could do, without Fergus she had no claim to Highever.
There were footsteps approaching them, Rhiannon turned and saw Cadfael walking over to her.
"The others have gathered for a meal before the Joining, please, join us" he said calmly
"I'm not that hungry, thank you" Digby whined in disagreement.
"The battle is scheduled not long after we go through the Joining, we won't get another chance to eat anything. You are not going into battle on an empty stomach" Cadfael said more insistently, they locked eyes for a few moments before Rhiannon conceded standing up to follow him. He led her to a small fire that had been set up near the entrance of a more secluded section of the ruins, through the entrance Rhiannon could just see Duncan and Alistair setting things up. The rest of the group were seated around the fire with plates of food, Atarah and Sigurd only had a roll of bread each though. She sat down next to Dinah who handed her an already made up plate and a water skin.
"It might have cooled down a little" she said with puffed up cheeks as she was stuffing her face with food at the same time. Though when Digby laid down beside her Dinah started feeding him bits from her plate, Reginald was happily sitting in his owner's lap, he probably didn't need to eat. Glumly Rhiannon ate the food given to her, it didn't taste of anything and she hadn't been lying when she said she wasn't feeling hungry but she knew if she was going into battle she needed the energy. Breaking the silence was Dinah happily talking about her experiences in the Circle, Sigurd and Brynja eagerly asking questions about magic and dreams as she spoke. Atarah looked just as interested in the young girl's stories but was restrained enough not to ask questions every few minutes, Cadfael and Mahalath weren't really paying attention though considering Cadfael had likely experienced all of Dinah's stories and Mahalath was withdrawing from her illness it wasn't surprising.
Soon the sun was completely gone from the sky, and in its place a dark sheet covered the landscape. Instead of the moon or stars thick heavy clouds were rolling in, rain would be falling very soon. There was a noise from inside the secluded section and moments later Alistair came out to see them. They were finally ready to proceed with the Joining. Silently one by one they each stood up and went into the space, Duncan was standing there waiting beside a table with seven goblets of what looked like wine that was just a bit too thick.
"Hey I was right" Dinah said sounding impressed with herself
"Right about what?" Rhiannon asked confused
"We have to drink the blood they had us collect" Cadfael explained, his face was expressionless but Rhiannon could feel an aura of rage radiating off him. To her left she heard Mahalath start breathing heavily, she was snarling and her hands were bunched in tight fists.
"What?! No! I'm already infected with the taint how is putting more of that stuff in my body going to save me?!" Mahalath demanded trying to sound angry but coming across more as terrified, Rhiannon couldn't blame her.
"The Grey Wardens were first founded during the first blight, it was then the first of us drank darkspawn blood and mastered the taint. You will consume this as the first wardens did and as we have done, those who survive will become Grey Wardens. Through consuming this we are granted our abilities to sense darkspawn and defeat an archdemon as well our immunity to the taint"
"Those who survive? You made joining the wardens a condition to help most of us, you didn't tell us the mere process of becoming a warden could kill us" Brynja angrily pointed out
"Because who would join if they knew, and if we refuse you'll need to ensure we won't talk" Cadfael bit out glaring at Duncan, at least Alistair looked a little guilty for everything. Cadfael moved passed Duncan grabbing two goblets, handing one to Dinah. Reluctantly everyone else grabbed a goblet and stood in a circle.
"This is the price of becoming a Grey Warden and yes it must be kept secret to protect our order. Now, we only say a few words before the Joining but they have been said since the first, Alistair if you would" Duncan said bowing his head in prayer.
"Join us, brothers and sisters. Join us in the shadows where we stand, vigilant. Join us as we carry a duty that cannot be forsworn. And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten and that one day we shall join you" Alistair said with hardly a stutter or hesitation. The group all looked around at each other and the goblets in their hands. Sigurd was the first to raise his goblet, said cheers then downed the contents in one go, everyone else followed suit.
A startling wave of pain assaulted Rhiannon's head, the pain forcing her to fall to her knees clutching her head. There was screaming but she couldn't tell who it was, or if it was just in her head. Then everything went black.
