Alistair found Duncan in the command center looking at Loghain's map. Thank Andraste, Loghain himself was not there. Alistair hated that man, and knew he hated him as much. Or more. Duncan looked troubled. "Trouble?"

"Alistair, I didn't know you had returned," the older Grey Warden, his friend, smiled. "Good thing you're back. The King has decided to attack tonight. We don't have much time."

"Tonight?" Alistair asked surprised. "What about Loghain?" He might not like the commander but of the two he was the one with most of the sense, if not reason.

"Unfortunately, on this they both agree," Duncan sighed. "I wish they would at least wait for the Orlesian Wardens to arrive." Alistair had been looking forward to meeting the other Grey Wardens of Orlais. "What of your mission? Did you return with the items I asked for?"

Alistair put the three vials of darkspawn blood on the table, and took a rolled parchment from his pack. Duncan unrolled the document and quickly read it. "What was so important about that document anyway?"

"This," Duncan became even graver, "could be our only chance if we truly face a Blight." He rolled it back up and handed it to Alistair. "I want you to hold on to it." Alistair returned it to his pack. "How did it go with the recruits?"

"Jory handled himself well enough, though, he tends to fight as if he is still dueling in a tourney. One on one he's impressive but against multiple foes he loses his focus," Alistair told. "Daveth is quick with the bow, but needs work on his aim."

"About as I figured," Duncan said. "And Nynaeve? What did you think of our mage?"

What did he think of the mage? She was as brave as she was beautiful. And as clever as she was funny. "She was... impressive. If it hadn't been for her, we probably wouldn't have gotten the document."

"There was trouble?"

"Yeah, the outpost was overrun by darkspawn," he told. "No survivors." It had been a bad scene.

"Loghain will need to be told of this," Duncan said. "Not that it will change his mind. What of the Warden keep?"

"Overrun by darkspawn. I almost turned back," Alistair admitted. He wasn't proud of it. "But Nynaeve took over and we managed to defeat them. She even got Jory and Daveth to work together," he grinned. "By the Maker, I feared the two would kill each other before the darkspawn could."

"Alistair, your orders were to take no chances," Duncan reminded. "We cannot risk losing you."

"I know," Alistair sighed. He knew Duncan meant well, but he was tired of being coddled; he had hoped to prove himself with the mission, but as usual screwed it up. "There's more. There was a strange girl... woman. I think she was a mage. An apostate. Maybe an abomination. She claimed she was a shapeshifter."

"Mmm," Duncan said. "There have always been rumors of magic users among the Wild folk. What did she want?"

"Nothing," Alistair shrugged. "She helped us find the cellar. She talked mostly to Nynaeve."

"Hopefully, she retreated somewhere safe," Duncan said. "It's starting to get dark, we should begin the ceremony before it's too late."

"Now?" Alistair had thought Duncan would wait until after the battle.

"There may not be a chance after."

"I don't like it. It's too soon."

"You like her, don't you?" Duncan guessed.

"I... do."

"I do too."

"I just... I hope she makes it."

"As do I," Duncan agreed. "After the ceremony, I am to meet with the King's command. I want you there."

"I... don't know," Alistair said. "Loghain won't want me there."

"I want you there."

"I don't belong there."

"Alistair," Duncan put his arm around the young Warden. "You are your father's son. And he would have been proud to know you."

"That must be why he never came around."

"He stayed away to protect you, son," Duncan said. "Come, we have business to conduct."

Waiting on Alistair to return Nynaeve yawned. Jory was cleaning his blade. And Daveth was explaining the finer points of thievery and women; they seemed somehow connected in the thief's mind.

Duncan and Alistair walked up the ramp. Duncan was holding a large bowl. And Alistair carried an ornate goblet. Nyn was reminded of the Harrowing.

"Think it's a victory drink for passing their test?" Daveth asked. Nynaeve didn't think so. She had a strong feeling that this was the test.

"We are probably expected to make an oath of loyalty," Jory said.

Duncan placed the bowl on one of the broken stones of the ruins. He stood before them. Alistair held the goblet tightly, and stood next to him.

"Before we begin," Duncan said, "I congratulate you all on a successful mission. The reason for the mission was twofold. It is to give you experience as a Grey Warden. It will be a life of danger. If any of you wish to leave, now is your last chance. You will be placed in the king's army. If you stay, know this, the only way out of the Order is death."

There wasn't even a doubt in Nynaeve's mind. She had felt alive out there. This was what she wanted. She expected Daveth to be the one to leave, but he remained.

"So we begin," Duncan told. "I will warn you, to speak of anything that you will see here to someone outside the Order is punishable by death." He drew their attention to the bowl. "This bowl holds the darkspawn blood that you collected. To become Grey Wardens, you must drink of it."

Nynaeve felt numb.

"You wish us to drink that?" Jory spoke. "What of the taint?"

"You made your choice, ser Jory," Duncan reminded him, all of them. "Daveth, come join us."

The small thief shrugged. "I'll try anything once," he smiled and winked at Nyn. He joined Duncan. Alistair dipped the goblet into the bowl. "Join us brother. Join us as we stand in the shadows vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that cannot be forsworn. And, should you die, know that one day, we, shall join you," Alistair spoke as he brought the goblet to Daveth's lips.

Daveth grinned, and then began to twitch horribly. He screamed. And then fell, silent and still.

Nynaeve felt sick.

"Unfortunately, not every recruit survives the process," Duncan told them. "Jory, you are next."

The big man backed away in fear and disgust. He brought out his blade and pointed it at Duncan. "Do not touch me, you villain. I will not take your poison."

"Is this your final choice, ser knight?"

"It is," Jory answered. Duncan moved and before Nyn knew what had happened, the knight lay bleeding and unmoving at the Warden's feet.

"I am sorry that it came to this," Duncan whispered. "Alistair?"

Alistair knelt by Jory and closed the knight's eyes. "Join us brother. Join us as we stand in the shadows vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that cannot be forsworn. And, know that one day, we, shall join you."

"Nynaeve, come and join us," Duncan said.

Nyn knew fear, but more than than being afraid, she was angry. Who in the fade were these people? They were worse than the demon.

She stepped forward.

Alistair stood before her with the goblet, his face was pale in the darkening light. "Join us sister," he spoke weakly. "Join us as we stand in the shadows vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that cannot be forsworn. And, should you die, know that one day, we, shall join you." He lifted the goblet toward her lips.

If she had to do this, she was going to do it her way. Nyn took it from Alistair's shaking hands, and toasted Duncan. "I'll see you in the fade." She drunk before she lost her will.

And she knew nothing more but blackness.