Lenore awoke to Jowan standing over her, his face revealing concern that bordered on fear. "Are you all right? Say something, please..."

"Jowan?" she said, blinking up at him.

He drew back, sitting down on the edge of the bed with a relieved sigh. "I'm glad you're all right. They carried you in this morning. I didn't even realize you'd been gone all night. I've heard about apprentices who never come back from Harrowings. Is it really that dangerous? What was it like?"

"We're friends but don't ask this. You know I can't tell you." She gave him a regretful look.

"Hmph. So much for friendship. I'll leave you alone then." He didn't move. "And now you get to move to the nice mages' quarters upstairs. I'm stuck here and I don't know when they'll call me for my Harrowing."

"Any day now, probably."

"I've been here longer than you have... Sometimes I think they just don't want to test me."

"Doesn't everyone go through a Harrowing?"

"The Tranquil never go through a Harrowing." He stood and began to pace back and forth, hands going everywhere. "You do the Harrowing, the Rite of Tranquility... or you die. That's what happens."

"They're not going to kill you, Jowan."

"They might not. But the Rite of Tranquility is just as bad... maybe worse. You've seen the Tranquil around the tower. Like Owain, who runs the stockroom. He's so cold. No, not even cold. There's just... nothing in him. It's like he's dead, but still walking. His voice, his eyes are lifeless."

"I'll watch for that next time I talk to Owain." She didn't have to. She knew what he was talking about. She watched her best friend pacing, and felt worry knot her stomach at the thought of him in that state.

"He's been made tranquil. I don't know how they do it exactly, but you're cut off from the Fade. It takes away your magic abilities, along with your dreams... and emotions. "

"It's awful."

"Apprentices can ask to be made tranquil if they fear the Harrowing. But the circle also forces tranquility on those they feel are weak. And sometimes they force it on apprentices they think might be too... dangerous as mages." He sighed, clearly realizing he was lecturing her on things of which she was already well aware. "I shouldn't waste your time with this. I was supposed to tell you to see Irving as soon as you woke up."

"I should go talk to him immediately."

"You'd better not keep him waiting." He hesitated a moment. "We can speak later."

#

She saw Cullen standing by a door. He was attempting to look as though he were on guard duty rather than waiting for her to walk by. As if she didn't know his routine better than he did. He looked up as she approached. "Oh, um, h-hello. I... uh, am glad to see your Harrowing went smoothly."

"Hello, Cullen," she said, keeping her smile polite.

"Th-they picked me as the Templar to strike the killing blow if...if you became an abomination. I-it's nothing personal; I swear. I...uh, I'm just glad you're all right. You know." He tried to match her distantly polite expression, but couldn't hold it for more than a few seconds.

She gazed at him a moment. "Would you really have struck me down?"

"I would've felt terrible out it..." He looked away for a moment before meeting her eyes again. "But... but I serve the Chantry and the Maker, and I will do as I am commanded."

Her eyes softened. "It's good to know you'll be there to protect me."

A trace of a smile touched his lips. "Um... I'm glad you see it that way."

She glanced over her shoulder, waiting until the patrolling templar was out of sight. "I have a few minutes."

His eyes lit up. "Well, I'm just guarding this storeroom..."

"Perhaps I can help you inspect it..." She arched a coy eyebrow.

He opened the door, then stepped back for her to enter. "Yes...um...yes... I could use some assistance." He closed the door, then strode forward and wrapped her in his arms. "I was scared for you."

She leaned into his embrace, putting her own arms around him. "There were moments I was scared for me too." She met his face for a kiss.

"You'll. Um... you'll have more freedom now. You could even leave the tower if you wanted," he said. He ran his fingers through her silvery blond hair.

"That does invite some possibilities." She kissed him again. "We can talk more later. Irving is waiting for me."

Reluctantly, Cullen tore himself away from her blue eyes. "Best hurry then."

She left the room, glancing once over her shoulder to see his smile.

#

She stood just outside the door of Irving's office, eavesdropping quite shamelessly. A templar, Mathias, was doing the same thing on the other side of the door. He gave her a conspiritoral wink. "...many have already gone to Ostagar - Wynne, Uldred, and most of the senior mages! We've committed enough of our own to this war effort -" Greagoir was saying.

"Your own? Since when have you felt such kinship with the mages, Greagoir? Or are you afraid to let the mages out from under Chantry supervision, where they can actually use their Maker-given powers?" Irving retorted.

"How dare you suggest -"

The third man in the room caught sight of her and lifted his hand, stopping the other men. "Gentlemen, please. Irving, someone is here to see you."

Lenore painted a polite smile on her face and entered. "First Enchanter?"

Irving practically beamed at her. "Ah, if it isn't our new sister in the Circle. Come, child."

"This is...?" The stranger was giving her a considering look. It reminded her of the look the Valor spirit had given her in the fade.

"Yes, this is she." Pride practically dripped from Irving's voice.

Greagoir shook his head. "Well, Irving, you're obviously busy. We will discuss this later." He strode out of the room, Mathias falling into step behind him.

Irving watching him go before turning back to her and the stranger. "Of course. Well, then... where was I? Oh, yes. This is Duncan, of the Grey Wardens."

"A Grey Warden?" Lenore turned to give him another look. No wonder he had put her in mind of the valor spirit. "In the tower?"

Duncan nodded to her. "Grey Wardens go wherever duty sends them."

"You've heard about the war brewing to the south, I expect? Duncan is recruiting mages to join the king's army at Ostagar."

Her eyes widened. "I would like to defend Ferelden."

"With the darkspawn invading, we need all the help we can get, especially from the circle," he said, approval lightening his stern features.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"The power you mages wield is an asset to any army. Your spells are very effective against large groups of mindless darkspawn. I fear if we don't drive them back, we may see another Blight."

"Duncan, you worry the poor girl with talk of Blights and darkspawn. This is a happy day for her."

"We live in troubled times, my friend."

"We should seize moments of levity, especially in troubled times. The harrowing is behind you. Your phylactery was sent to Denerim. You are officially a mage within the Circle of Magi."

"Thank you, First Enchanter."

Duncan raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry - what is this phylactery?"

"Blood is taken from all apprentices when they first come to the tower and is preserved in special vials."

He nodded. "So they can be hunted if they turn apostate."

"We have few choices. The gift of magic is looked upon with suspicion and fear. We must prove we are strong enough to handle our power responsibly. You have done this. I present you with your robes, your staff, and a ring bearing the Circle's insignia. Wear them proudly, for you have earned them."

"Thank you," she said. She shot another quick glance at Duncan.

"It goes without saying that you should not discuss the Harrowing with those who have not undergone the rite. Now, then... take your time to rest, or study in the library. The day is yours."

Cullen's words echoed in her mind. "Can I leave the tower?"

"Not yet. Remember, the tower's walls protect us as much as they protect others from us."

"I will return to my quarters."

"Would you be so kind as to escort Duncan back to his room, child?"

Lenore's smile was genuine. "It would be my pleasure."

"The guest quarters are on the east side of this floor, close to the library. Now, if you'll both excuse me, I have matters to discuss with Greagoir."

#

"Thank you for walking with me. I am glad for the company."

Lenore walked next to him eagerly. "I wanted to talk to you a little more."

"Yes? What about?"

"I just wanted to say how honored I am to meet you." The words practically exploded out of her.

The corners of his mouth lifted. "I am flattered. I was not expecting quite so warm a reception."

"I've read so many tales." She gestured grandly. "The Grey Wardens are great warriors. I am in awe." She thought briefly of the tapestry that had hung on the wall of her childhood room. The hero of the Fourth Blight on the back of his griffon, sword in hand, flying into battle against a monstrous dragon.

"Being a Grey Warden is a calling. A sacrifice. Our duty is to battle darkspawn wherever they appear. We are elves, humans, and dwarves united by this common purpose." She noted he was actually smiling now.

She glanced back towards Irving's office. "Have there been many darkspawn attacks?" Already she was beginning to compose arguments with the intent of convincing Irving to let her join the mages heading south.

"A horde has formed within the Korcari Wilds to the south. If they are not stopped, they will strike north into the valley. We Grey Wardens believe that an archdemon is leading the horde."

She blinked. "That sounds ominous."

"Darkspawn do attack the surface in ragtag bands, but archdemons are capable of rallying the darkspawn, turning them into an unstoppable force. A horde of darkspawn... a veritable army. It is dire news indeed. I fear this is what we will have to face."

"And the king is mustering an army to beat back this threat?"

"Yes. Perhaps it will be enough... if we play our cards right. Thank you for escorting me."

#

Duncan entered the room, and noted the young mage had followed him. "Is there something else I can do for you?"

"Why were Irving and Greagoir arguing about the war?"

"It is not my place to comment." He gave a mental sigh. And he did not want even the perception of taking sides in that particular age old dilema.

"Please, I'd like to know." The girl's blue eyes were bright and interested.

It was clear from her earlier words that she had a great deal of respect for the wardens. It was pleasant, in it's way, considering how often he was met with borderline hostility. "Greagoir serves the Chantry, and the relationship between the Chantry and mages has always been strained." He gave her a considering look, and found himself wanting to get a better measure of the young woman. "You've realized by now that the Chantry merely tolerates magic? They watch you only because they feel they must."

"Yes." She waved away the millenia of conflict between templar and mages with a gesture of one hand. "But they were arguing about the war."

Duncan felt a small sense of satisfaction. This girl, at least, had her priorities straight. "Any mages who join the king's army can unleash their full power on the darkspawn. In fact, I'm counting on it. Greagoir may be afraid of what will happen. What if the mages decide they no longer want to be governed by the Chantry?"

She frowned at that, then looked back at him. "What are your opinions on the matter?"

"I believe we must defeat the darkspawn, one way or another. My opinions end there."

She nodded. "How many mages have joined the king's army?"

"When the king sent out the call, the Circle of Ferelden sent only seven mages to Ostagar. I asked King Cailin's permission to come and seek a greater commitment from the Circle."

"Seven is quite a few," she said. Then she frowned and shook her head.

"I hope to place a mage or two within every contingent. I cannot do with just seven. Mages will make all the difference in this battle. The darkspawn have their own magic, and our resources must exceed theirs."

"Do you think I could join the army?"

"I don't know." He watched her carefully. "Do you?"

He saw her actually considering her answer before meeting his eyes. "Yes. I think I could help."

"Then perhaps I shall speak to Irving about this later. Darkspawn are a greater threat than blood mages, even abominations. It takes decades for the world to recover from a Blight. I wish the Chantry could see that. We must stop at nothing to defeat the darkspawn -" He caught himself giving her the lecture he'd given many a recruit over the years. "Ah, listen to me. An old man's rantings can't be very interesting."

She gave him a wry smile. "As an apprentice, old men talking have defined my life."

"Yes, I'm sure they did." He chuckled.

"It was actually quite interesting." She glanced over her shoulder, and Duncan noted a young man kept peeking in after her. "I'd like to talk more, but I have duties to attend to."

"Of course. Don't let me keep you." He watched her leave.

Saitada entered from where she'd been standing outside the door. "This thing with young human females, is it part of the whole warden package?" She gave him a teasing smile.

"I'm probably the first man she's seen in years that isn't a Templar or a fellow mage. She'd have been just as fascinated by Brosca."

Saitada frowned. "I don't get mages."

"What?"

"All that power at their fingertips, and they let you treat them like casteless."

"It's... complicated."

"Of course it is. It's politics." She set a couple books on a table. "I found something you might be interested in."

"Oh?"

"There was a warden archive just south of Ostagar. Lots of books and stuff that were probably duplicated elsewhere, an armory, and this... reference to several treaties that were stored there that give wardens some pull with groups like the dwarves, Dalish, and what do you know, the Circle of Magi?"

"Excellent find. I'd heard a rumor about it, but nothing concrete."

"And look, they have it marked on a map."

Duncan smiled. "Can you make a copy?"

"I traded a couple stories of Orzammar for the assistance of a half dozen young apprentices. I have a legible copy of this and a few other things of interest."

"Good. Perhaps I'll spend some time in the library myself. We'll be on our way in the morning."

"I'll leave the library to you for now. I'm heading out to the practice yard, and giving some eager young templars a brief lesson in deep roads tactics."

"Oh?"

"Their trainer has copies of some of the works the Orlesian Chevaliars use for their training. I've a mind to start Harl and Brosca on those."

Duncan blinked at her, then smiled. "An excellent plan."

"Are we recruiting her?"

"Irving spoke highly of her abilities, and she seemed eager enough. We have a day to consider, but yes, I believe she will be coming with us when we leave."