My Spanish speaking guest: Thank you for your comment...but I don't understand. Cousland and the Mage are the only Wardens.

This chapter corresponds to the flashback in chapter 13 & 14 in Seeking Alistair

9:30 Dragon, 3 Wintermarch – War Camp at Ostagar

Aedan and I stood facing Duncan with Alistair between us. We'd accompanied Duncan to the Regents strategy meeting right after I awoke. I found it strange that Alistair who was more senior wasn't chosen to go instead.

We hadn't spoken more than a few words since the death of Ser Jory, Daveth and joining. Aedan was horrified at Duncan killing Ser Jory. When concentrating on it I realized was stunned but not completely shocked. Mostly I would miss Daveth.

In fact, through the entire ceremony all I could see was how much it mirrored the Harrowing. I now understood why Duncan apologized for another ordeal so soon, and Alistair couldn't look me in the eye when I asked about it.

Thinking back to Alistair leaning against the wall not talking was probably him preparing himself and not the spat with Duncan like I thought.

I wondered if the Templars kill the Mages like that if they refused the Harrowing. Knight Rutherford had said that if I became an abomination, he would do the Makers will. But were there those who were struck down for not being willing to chance it?

Was the Rite of Tranquility the mage version of Duncan plunging a sword into your heart? Were the Grey Wardens any different from the Templars?

Duncan brought my attention back to the matter at hand. "You've heard the plan. You and Alistair will go to the Tower of Ishal and ensure the beacon is lit."

"What!? I won't be in the battle?" Alistair demanded angrily.

"This is by the Kings personal request, Alistair. If the beacon is not lit, Teyrn Loghain's men won't know when to charge," Duncan countered.

"So, he needs three Grey Wardens standing up there holding the torch, just in case, right?"

Aedan pounded his fist into his hand and said, "I agree with Alistair we should be in the battle."

Rabbit barked his approval of desire.

I said nothing. I wasn't pleased at being excluded. But I wasn't broken up about not being in the thick of the storm either. Aedan and Alistair were warriors used to being in battle. A month ago, I had only used offensive magic in the Tower guarded by Templars.

The Wilds were more my comfort level. Small bands of Darkspawn I could plan tactics for and not just throw fireball after fireball and hope something died.

To be fair, I didn't understand the king's request for three Grey Wardens when a Mages fireball would work. Especially if the Grey Warden was a Mage. The Revered Mother could rot.

"That is not your choice. If King Cailan wishes, Grey Wardens to ensure the beacon is lit. Then Grey Wardens will be there. We must do whatever it takes to destroy the Darkspawn. Exciting or no."

Alistair shrugged his shoulders in surrender and said, "I get it, I get it. But just so you know, if the king ever asks me to put on a dress and dance the Remigold, I'm drawing the line. Darkspawn or no."

I giggle, "I think I'd like to see that?"

He turned to me and flashed a smile that made my heart skip a beat. "For you maybe. But it has to be a pretty dress."

I want to ask if he imagines it to be an Orlesian ball gown or a simple day dress. I am sure he would have some funny quip, but I am not quite brave enough to ask. I had surprised myself by teasing him about becoming a frog. I didn't want to push my luck. Aedan could laugh at me all day, but I didn't want Alistair to think I was silly.

Duncan groaned, causing both Aedan and I to burst out laughing. And Alistair to look pleased with himself. We turned to leave when our commander asking me to stay stopped us.

"Rhiannon a moment if you would."

Aedan, Alistair, and I all exchanged glances. Aedan shrugged. He was used to Duncan pulling me aside to teach me or show me how to do something.

I turned back the few steps we had taken and stared at the bonfire. There was an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. And it grew when Duncan dismissed my companions telling them I would find my way, but he needed to talk to me. I almost waved goodbye to them, as I had a feeling I would never see them again.

Rabbit nudged me until I scratched his head. A quick curl of my fingers in the hair between his ears was he allowed me before he followed his Master and Alistair.

When they were gone Duncan said, "Come, we have little time. And we have a lot to talk about."

I followed Duncan as we walked back up the embankment towards the open paddock. So many men and women were on the field, it was a wonder we left any in all of Ferelden.

As he walked Duncan said, "The Teyrn was correct. This battle is much too dangerous for King Cailan to be at the center. But he believes the myths around the Grey Wardens to the exclusion of common sense. Do you remember what I said about magic and Wardens?"

I agreed. In truth, Aedan and I spoke for a few minutes before we went our separate ways to explore the camp. For, the King of Ferelden to be on the front lines with soldiers was both daring and foolish. He knew the way to his men's hearts. And it made both of us want to serve with him more.

And Duncan had said there was a place for magic in the battle. The darkspawn had their own magic users with no rules. He also said there were worse things than blood mages and abominations. I disagreed, but since I just participated in a blood ritual, I had no room to throw stones. I said "yes" and waited for him to continue.

"Grey Wardens do whatever it takes to end the blight. No matter the cost or the belief. If the King were to die on the battlefield fighting with the Grey Wardens…"

I immediately understood where he was going. When things went wrong someone always wanted a scapegoat.

"There are those that could say the Grey Wardens killed him. But what does this have to do with me, Duncan. I can't compel the King not to fight, or to go home. I know I willingly helped Jowan to escape. And I told him that the Knight Commander and First Enchanter knew what he was planning. But I am not a blood Mage. I helped him because he was my friend. I couldn't betray him, but I didn't know he was a blood mage."

Duncan frowned. He thought they had discussed this before, and she knew how he felt. "I know that, Rhiannon. If I had suspected, when I conscripted you, you proved the accusation wrong on the journey. Had you been a blood mage the first time we encountered Darkspawn; you were frightened enough, you would have used it. I would never suggest compulsion against a human. But there will be plenty of the enemies who can be compelled with the right amount of offensive magic."

"So, you want me too…?"

"I want you to focus on the king. Because of his father and him, Grey Wardens are allowed in Ferelden. If he dies, we face expulsion again. Don't worry about the Horde. Someone will protect you. Forget about the other soldiers, they are expendable. Ignore the other battles going on around you. You will only lose your focus.

You and I are not joining the other Wardens on the field. You and I are going to protect the King. You with magic and I with blades."

"His Majesty will not like that very much."

"No, he won't. But he will have to survive the battle to be annoyed with us. And then I will remind him who holds the title Commander of the Grey. His father would not approve how much of a glory hound he has become."

Suddenly a chill ran the length of my back and I rubbed my robed arms in response. What I wouldn't give for a fur mantle and cloak because suddenly I was colder than I had been in the wilds. And we had to keep moving to stay warm out there. Standing next to the huge bonfire told me it was an internal chill. Duncan had just made the king of Ferelden my responsibility.

Aedan and Alistair were going to be upset with me and this assignment when they found out. And for two copper pieces, I would trade places with either of them. Although if these two busy body apprentices in the Tower could see me now, they would eat their socks. Me protecting the most important man in all of Ferelden. "Do I have time to go get something?"

Duncan sighed. "I thought I told you to have everything done before coming to the joining."

"You did, but you didn't tell me I would be responsible for keeping the king alive. I need to make sure I have plenty of healing balms, injury kits. I used most of what I had in the wilds, and I had not planned for being responsible for someone else. Normally I would make them… but all the herbs…"

"I thought mages could heal without potions."

I laugh. That is a common myth. Not completely a myth. There were spirt healers. Every circle had at least one. But they were rare. And the Templars discouraged them because it put you in constant contact with Fade spirits.

I thought about the departing book that my teacher gave me. "That is not a skill I currently have. But I have a tome that can teach me the basics. I started reading it on the way."

I could tell that I was babbling from the frown on his face. Or maybe he thought I intended on looking in the book and trying to heal during the battle. "I have several attack spells and a few defensive spells. I will try not to let you down. But maybe you have time to get Aedan and Alistair instead or at least a better mage."

"No. They have their own duty and so do you. We can do this. You have a few minutes to get into place before the call for battle. Hurry and get what you need."

I took off running. I wasn't getting very far, very fast as the tightness of the skirts of my robes constricted the moment of my legs. Another Templar trick to keep the mages from running away. I took out the obsidian dagger Duncan had given me. And slit both sides of my orange enchanters robe from ankle to mid-thigh.

The makeshift alterations could have been better, but I didn't have time to worry about the appearance. The sad part of the story was I gained a little more maneuverability, but not much else. I would still have to pull it up, which meant my staff would be an issue. If we survived this battle, before the next one I was going to find something else to wear. Could mages wear armor? Because that was what I really wanted.