Chapter 10: Ostagar
The next few days of travel fell into a routine. Delia would wake and begin her exercises with Duncan joining her to coach. Then she would spar with Duncan or Aeden, followed by breakfast and packing. They would walk for several hours and stop for lunch, then walk several more hours and find a suitable campsite for the night. While Delia and Duncan would assemble the tents and form the camp fire, Aeden and Dusty would hunt for small game. Delia taught the two men how to use the herbs she would collect on the roadside, and dinners were spent conversing amiably.
Delia started to feel almost at home with the two men. Duncan was her new teacher, and she felt as comfortable with him as she ever had felt with Salvatore and Justine. Aeden was almost her brother. They would tease each other mercilessly, making Duncan roll his eyes at their antics. Their routine was comforting, and she found that she was able to put her tragedy out of her mind for longer periods of time. The only time of day she dreaded was when she would lie back on her bedroll and try to fall asleep. It was then that her mind would replay the events from Highever or the fight with the bandits. Once she would finally fall asleep, her dreams were not faring much better. Delia would often wake in the middle of the night, crying as softly as she could so that she wouldn't disturb the others. Sometimes Dusty would hear her and come into her tent. The mabari was comforting to her, and she appreciated the dog's sensitive side.
If it weren't for the nights, Delia found that she could enjoy this new life. It wasn't long before their journey came to an end, however, and one afternoon they found themselves on a hill overlooking Ostagar. The ruins gleamed in the sunlight.
Duncan pointed at the gates of the ruins. "One more hour of walking and we will be there. Once we arrive, we will go to the main Grey Warden tent. Delia, we will wall off a section for you to sleep in. I want you to remain close to me for your protection. Aeden, you will share a section with my Junior Warden and the other two recruits. You will have time to acquaint yourselves with Ostagar, meet some of the wardens, and visit the quartermaster. I also expect you to rest as you will have a busy day tomorrow."
As they walked the path leading downhill towards Ostagar, Delia suddenly started to feel insecure. She would be one of a handful of women at the camp, and she suddenly couldn't get Nehairel out of her mind. Would the soldiers be gentlemen or would she have to fend them off by herself? Dairren was no longer there to champion her, and although she felt much closer to Aeden she doubted if he would care about her honor. She also questioned if she was ready to join the wardens. Was she prepared physically? Mentally? It all suddenly was hitting her, and she felt very unworthy.
Finally they approached the gates. There were a few soldiers standing there with one man who wore gilded armor. His hair was flaxen and worn with two narrow braids from his forehead encircling his head and joined in the back. When he saw them approach, his eyes lit up with recognition and he walked toward the group.
"Ho there, Duncan!" The man in the golden armor approached.
Duncan answered, "King Caillen! I didn't expect…"
"A royal welcome? I was beginning to think you would miss all the fun."
Delia looked around at the ruins surrounding her. Duncan and Aeden spoke to the king and explained the events at Highever. Delia couldn't bring herself to listen as they told the tale.
The king reached to her and gently took her hand. "Lady Delia, are you alright? I am so sorry for your family tragedy. I will personally see to your safe return to West Hill as soon as the battle here is over."
"Oh, your Majesty, please, no. I am working most diligently to become a Grey Warden."
"What? Duncan are you mad? This is a lady, not a warrior. To recruit her would be a grave disservice."
Duncan smiled at Delia. "Your Majesty, this is her choice, not mine. Delia begged me to consider her, and I have never seen anyone work as diligently toward that goal. I believe that she has earned the right to take part in the Joining."
Caillen scowled and looked at Delia, carefully appraising her. "My dear, are you certain that this is what you want? You are born of a noble family, and your future should be secured with a marriage."
"I appreciate your concern, my King, however I have thought a great deal about this course and I do desire to join the wardens. I have been working hard toward this goal, and I am pleased that Duncan has faith in me." She smiled at Duncan.
"Very well then, I suppose the wardens need all the recruits they can amass."
Duncan looked at the king. "By the way, your Majesty, your uncle sends his regards and reminds you that he can send his troops in three days."
"He merely wants some of the glory for himself. We've already won three battles, and I'm not sure that this is even a real blight."
Aeden looked at Duncan, then at the king. "You sound very confident, your Majesty."
Caillen chuckled. "Some would say over confident. There are plenty of darkspawn on the field, but there has been no sign of an archdemon. Unfortunately I must take my leave of you. Logain is expecting me in his tent, no doubt to bore me with more of his battle strategies. I need to get there before he sends a search party for me. Farewell, Grey Wardens." With that the king and his knights turned around and walked across a long bridge toward the center of Ostagar.
"What the king says is true. They have won several battles." Duncan looked concerned.
Aeden scowled. "Yet you don't sound very reassured."
"Despite their victories the darkspawn horde grows larger, but I cannot have the King act on my feeling."
"What would you have him do, Duncan?" Delia asked.
"Wait for reinforcements. Our numbers in Fereldan are too few. We've requested the assistance of wardens from Orlais, but they have not arrived as of yet. For now, we must prepare for the coming battle, and as such we should arrange for your Joining as soon as possible."
"What do you need us to do, Duncan?" Aeden looked at him questioningly. "Can we get a hot meal before we get to work?"
Laughing, Duncan replied, "You have time to explore the ruins and find a meal. There is a quartermaster, so you may wish to visit him to see what supplies he has available. There are two other recruits that I would like you to locate, Aeden. As for you, Delia, when you have seen enough of the ruins and you both have eaten your fill, I would like for you to locate my Junior Warden, Alistair. He will assist me in determining if you are ready to be part of the Joining. When you are both finished, meet me at the Grey Warden tent which is located next to the King's tent just across this bridge to your left. Dusty may come with me, if he would like."
A soft woof told them that Dusty would like that.
"Alright then, come with me Dusty. We'll get some food for ourselves while our friends here have a look about." Duncan and Dusty walked across the bridge together, leaving Aeden and Delia watching.
"No offense, Delia, but would you mind very much if I went off by myself for a bit? I'd like to have a chance to clear my mind alone."
"That's fine, Aeden. I will see you later then, at the tent."
Aeden bowed slightly to her, as nobles would, and left her there. She noticed some wildflowers growing nearby, so she decided to look for some herbs before she crossed the bridge to the other side. It was quiet on this side of the bridge, with very few soldiers walking about. She had to admit to herself that it was kind of nice to not hear the men's voices in her ears. There were actually birds singing and the area seemed safe and secure.
Before very long Delia decided to cross the bridge to the camp side. The soldiers assigned to the bridge were immersed in their work and barely noticed her. When she arrived at the far side, one knight said hello and asked if she needed help with anything.
"I will have to find a Grey Warden named Alistair. Do you have any idea where I might find him?"
"I thought I saw him earlier walking toward the northeast part of the ruins. He's easy enough to see, tall fellow with blond hair. Usually is making a fool of himself somehow," he replied with a laugh. "He's a nice chap. Are you a recruit?"
"Yes, I hope that Duncan will think I am ready. I've been in training with him, hoping that I will be worthy of joining the wardens."
"Ah, well best o' luck to you then. The wardens are good sorts. Haven't met one yet that I didn't like. Maker watch over you, recruit."
Delia smiled at him. "Maker watch over us all. Thank you, ser."
The ruins were bustling with activity. The Chantry mothers were singing the Chant of Light and blessing soldier after soldier. Mages were busy performing some kind of protective spells that the Templars watched carefully. They turned Delia away from the circle, telling her that the mages needed to keep their full concentration on their current task. There were ash warriors painting their mabari who seemed to watch Delia with distrust. At one end of the ruin, a darkspawn lesson was taking place. The leader of the class was showing young soldiers a darkspawn corpse and discussing battle strategies.
Then she came across a man in a cage. He was dressed in nothing but smallclothes and was terribly thin.
"Excuse me, miss, but you look like you might have some kindness in you. All I want is some food and water. They haven't fed me since they locked me up and I am starving."
"Why would I help you?"
"Because I have something that you may be able to use. Those mages have a chest with magical things. I got one of them mages drunk and stole their key to it. I figured I'd go back later, but the guards caught me sneaking around. That's why they think I was deserting. I'd trade the key to you gladly for some food and water. Just ask my guard for his. He had some dinner left over. I saw him put it into his coat."
"I'll see what I can do." Delia walked to the guard and introduced herself as a warden recruit.
"You lucky wardens. You get to go into battle while I'm stuck here guarding this here deserter."
"I had a talk with him actually. He claims he hasn't been given any food or water."
"Did he now? Since nobody sends me nothing to feed him with, the only way he'll get that is if I give him mine!"
"So you miss one meal – this man could be hanged soon."
"All right, all right. I guess the man could stand to have one meal in his belly. Don't know why you care. I had nothing to do with it though. If anyone asks why he's burping I'm gonna say it was you, just so you know."
She thanked the soldier and walked back to the prisoner, handing him the food and water.
"Much obliged! May Andraste herself rain blessings upon you! As I mentioned, here's the key. Use it in good health, hey?"
As Delia walked away, the prisoner ate his food. He watched her as she disappeared and thought to himself, "Interesting what sorts this blight is bringing together. Never thought I would see someone like her as a warden. Just can't tell what people'll do, eh?"