Chapter 9: The Joining
Night fell over Ostagar as Daveth, Jory and Alistair also accompanied by a few more Grey Wardens waited in the old temple in the north-eastern part of the camp. Daveth, Jory and Alistair stood together in a group while many other wardens were stood casually in various places around the temple.
"Why all these damned tests?" complained Jory, "Have I not yet earned my place?"
"Are you blubbering again?" asked an irritated Daveth.
"How much more of these tests must I undertake? And what is this 'Joining' even?" Jory was uneasy, "The more I hear about this, the less I like it.
"Duncan even said if we survive the Joining, we will become Grey Wardens. What does it mean by 'if we survive?"
"Maybe not all three of us will make it out alive," Daveth answered casually, "The Grey Wardens do whatever it takes to end the blight."
"Including sacrificing us?!" gasped Jory, "for Maker's sake, I have a wife and an unborn child waiting at home!"
"If it would end the blight, then yes," said Daveth, "In fact, I would sacrifice a lot more if it would end the blight."
"This is very admirable of you, Daveth," Alistair spoke with admiration, "quite unexpected, honestly," he muttered under his breath.
"You saw those darkspawn, ser knight," Daveth said gravely, "would you not die to protect your pretty wife from them?"
"I… yes," stammered Jory, "I mean, look, I am not a coward but it's just that this Joining is making me very… uneasy. I just hope all goes well."
"So, do I," said Daveth, he peeked his head behind Alistair at the entrance of the temple area, he saw two newcomers, "look, here comes Prince Charming."
Alvar and Nelson entered the temple area, they looked around and did not see Duncan anywhere, "your master is still not here," said Alvar.
"Yes," agreed Nelson, "I think he is not done yet,"
"You want to know what I think?" asked Alvar sardonically,
'No' Nelson answered in his mind.
"Your master has no sense of punctuality," stated Alvar, "But honestly being the uncouth knave that he is, I do not expect much of him."
Nelson did not answer, he was in no mood to get into a debate with Alvar.
Alvar looked around him, he counted at least twenty Grey Wardens in the vicinity. He wondered what happens during the Joining that would require the presence of so many Wardens. He suspected it might have something to do with the secret nature of the 'ritual' which already made him uneasy.
"Look, he finally graces us with his presence," commented Alvar as he saw Duncan and four more Grey Wardens entering the old temple.
"At last, we are here," proclaimed Duncan, as he walked towards a table, his followers were carrying some chalices and some vials filled with vague dark contents. "Gather around, new recruits," Duncan commanded their attention. Alvar, Jory and Daveth stood in front of Duncan; Alistair and Nelson stood on his either side.
"Now we shall begin the ancient ritual which was designed by the first Grey Wardens. The Joining is what gives us Grey Wardens our strength, this ritual is what makes us who we are," Duncan spoke solemnly, "By consuming the darkspawn essence, we gain the strength we need to defeat them."
"We are going to drink the blood of these creatures!?" Jory exclaimed in horror.
"Yes, just as the we have done, just as the Wardens before us have done." Duncan answered, "this is the Joining. Those who survive will forever be changed. Nothing will remain the same after this."
'Those who survive' these words and all the facts Alvar had known about the Grey Wardens like why joining them was for life, why no Grey Warden was known to retire, why he had never heard of Grey Wardens dying of old age etc. finally made sense to Alvar. He was immensely appalled at the discovery. 'Maker, are they really men?' he pondered, he tried to remain calm, 'Whatever they do, if my plan works out; I can still escape and leave these monsters behind. No longer then will I have to worry about these devils and their heathen rituals.'
"Before we begin the Joining, we always say a few words," Duncan's words snapped Alvar from his ruminations, "Alistair, will you do the honour?"
Alistair nodded, he cleared his throat, "Join us brothers and sisters. Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant." He recited solemnly, "Join us as we carry the 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."
Alvar listened to the words, but his mind was too occupied to comprehend. In fact, he was actually observing his surroundings as Alistair recited the words. Alvar noticed that the two exits to the temple area were now manned by a couple of Grey Wardens each. And the remaining Wardens had a made a large wide circle around the recruits, Alistair, Duncan and Nelson. Their faces were void of any emotion.
"Step forward, Daveth," Duncan called out with a chalice in hand.
Daveth slowly took a step ahead, he received the chalice. He glanced at the contents and with a deep breath, he swallowed the contents.
Silence fell for a few seconds. A silence soon shattered by a cry from Daveth. He staggered, the chalice dropped from his hand. He gave out an excruciating screech stunning the onlookers. His face filled with an unendurable agony. The next instant he slumped forward to his knees, crying out while clutching his throat. He then fell flat on the ground and there were no more movements from him.
Nelson bent towards Daveth's limp body, he checked the pulse. He then turned to Duncan and sadly shook his head.
"I am sorry, Daveth," Duncan uttered remorsefully.
Alvar and Jory were speechless. Alvar could not believe what just happened before his eyes. He was appalled and emotionally conflicted, sure he had no love for the lowlife former thief; but this kind of a death was too gruesome even for wretches like him. He breathed hard as he watched Daveth's corpse being hauled away by two Warden soldiers.
"Step forward, Ser Jory," Duncan called out, his face was back to his inscrutable calmness. He carried another full chalice.
"No!" cried a panicked Jory, "I can't…. You are asking too much!"
"There is no turning back." Duncan said coldly.
"But…. I have a wife and a child!" pleaded Jory, as he slowly took a few steps backwards.
Duncan was not bothered, "I have warned you that the Joining is a high price," he said as he advanced towards Jory.
"But you did not say this!" cried Jory as he drew out his sword. Alvar glanced around to see that the Grey Wardens standing around and the ones guarding the exits, were now clutching their weapons and watching Jory intently.
"No!" screamed Jory and turned back. He tried to flee but found his way blocked by the Wardens. He turned around and saw Duncan advancing menacingly towards him with his short sword drawn. Duncan lunged at Jory, flailing his blade. Jory defended his attacks, but Duncan was more agile, he struck quicker than the knight. After a couple of sword clashes, Duncan found an opening and slide his blade into Jory's gut.
Jory yelped as he felt the blade. "I am sorry, Ser Jory," Duncan said with remorse; was he really remorseful, no one can say. Duncan wrenched his blade as the Jory slumped on the ground, his body still writhing as blood spilled from the gash in his stomach. He would breathe his last soon. The onlookers including Alistair were stunned.
Alvar stood gaping at what he saw. A good man skewered like a hog for not doing these thugs' bidding. Jory's death really hit Alvar, as out of all the Wardens in Ostagar, Jory was the only one Alvar felt was tolerable. Alvar's thoughts drifted towards Jory's wife and unborn child, he pitied the poor woman who was widowed by this unscrupulous thug, he pitied the unborn child who would grow up without a father in this ruthless world. The latter thought brought memories of his own father, who was also unlawfully murdered like this.
"The Joining is not over yet." Duncan proclaimed as he picked up a filled chalice from the table. It was going to be Alvar's turn now. Duncan approached Alvar and handed him the chalice.
Alvar was still horrified by the events, he looked down at the chalice in his hands. It contained a crimson liquid darker than the blood which he had extracted from the darkspawn bodies. Clearly it was not just darkspawn blood; Alvar was not sure whether he wished to know what manner of foul ingredients were used in addition to the darkspawn blood.
He glanced at his surroundings, all the Warden soldiers stood alert in their positions. They watched him with ready weapons in his hands even more intensely than before, like as if ready to attack him at the slightest undesirable movement from him. 'Even a sneeze from me would have them at my throat,' he pondered, 'a pack of cowardly wolves trying to hunt a lone lion. 'Heroes of the old', indeed.'
He was surrounded, but there was adequate space for movements, inside the ring formed by the Wardens. 'A cornered lion fights better than a demon from the void,' his grandfather Fearchar Mac Eanraig had told him these words, during his training. With the memory of that, Alvar glanced at the side of his waist and remembered that he had given his sword and his shield to Arl Bryland. A thought struck Alvar, 'was this why, Duncan made me give away my sword and shield?' The Warden soldiers' increased vigilance clearly meant they saw him as a more dangerous fighter than Jory or Daveth.
Alvar sighed resignedly, he did not see any other way. It was either drink poison and you may die or take chances to fight your way singlehandedly and unarmed through more than a score of Grey Wardens. He stared at Duncan, Alistair and Nelson who were standing in front of him, their faces were inscrutable. He looked down at the chalice, he stared at the dark liquid. Various memories of his life flashed before his eyes. Memories, he shared his closest friends, his family members, even the occasional arguments he had with all of them. The times he spent playing polo with his close friends, his four-year study in Orlais. His trips to various parts of Ferelden, Orlais, Nevarra, Free Marches and even Antiva etc.
Then lastly came Sancia, the image of her beautiful face, the sound of her pleasant voice and all the moments in their two years of marriage and three months of courtship. These had been the happiest days of his life. Tears swelled in his eyes as he felt he may never experience such moments anymore.
'So, Duncan and his lackeys will do what Howe failed to accomplish?' he thought, 'Oh Maker, preserve your faithful child!' he prayed. With a mirthless smile, he looked at Duncan and raised his chalice, "to your health and long life, Duncan!" he toasted sardonically, earning angry glares from all those present. He gulped down the mouthful of the taint.
Silence fell over the vicinity again. Alvar handed the empty chalice to Alistair. For a couple of moments nothing changed. Then, Alvar felt an indescribable burning sensation in his throat. He clutched his throat and cried out in pain. He shut his eyes tightly, as he groaned in the unanticipated pain. Vivid images filled his mind, he saw a large dragon standing ready on a hill. In front of the dragon was a host of darkspawn cheering in gibberish. The dragon's scales were similar to the rotting hide, he had seen on the darkspawn. The dragon suddenly looked at him and stared intently. Alvar stared back with eyes wide open, completely mesmerised by the dragon's glare. Alvar felt he heard some vague whispering voices in his head.
Alvar then clutched his stomach as he felt another jolt of pain in his gut. He crouched on the ground with both his hands on his on his belly. And with an agonizing screech, he slumped on the ground and went still.
Nelson knelt near him and checked the man's pulse on his neck. "He breathes, he will live!" he exclaimed with relief.
"Good," said Duncan, "I would not want to lose him. He will be a very important to our order."
"Duncan, I have wanted to ask you something," said Alistair.
"What is it?"
"It's just… I still do not understand why did you take him into our order," said Alistair.
"He is a man of exceptional fighting and leadership skills, Alistair," answered Duncan, "And he is a man of high nobility as well, having a member of such high standing will give us a political edge we need considering the hostility we face from the Fereldan nobility. Alvar Cousland is a rare find."
"Yes, but he does not want to be a Grey Warden," said Alistair, "In fact he seems to hate the Grey Wardens, even more than the other nobility here."
"He is right, Duncan," added Nelson, "I have had my doubts as well. If he does not warm up towards our order and sympathise with our cause, then his recruitment would be cost us a very high price. There would be consequences which the entire Grey Warden Order might have to pay for,
"He is a high-born, his name has a lot of weight in Ferelden and he has allies within and outside Ferelden. If his hatred does not end or worse if it grows more, then his recruitment will cause more trouble than we can cope with."
Duncan shook his head, "your concern is valid. But once he learns everything about us, I believe he will see us in a different light.
Besides, when I was inducted into the Grey Wardens; I hated them as well. Yet, look at me today, my views on the Grey Wardens today are vastly different than what I thought twenty years ago."
Nelson frowned, he was not sure whether the comparison was accurate. Duncan was taken into the Grey Wardens as an alternative to being hung for thievery and murder. Joining the Grey Wardens was the only way he had any chance of keeping his head. Alvar's case is different, except for Howe no one is hunting him. Alvar is not hiding from any law, he does not have much reasons to be forced into the Grey Wardens. Nelson knew that Duncan was firm on his belief that Alvar will warm up towards the Grey Wardens as time comes and any further discussions on this topic will be futile.
"Alright," he said resignedly, hoping that things go as Duncan has thought.
After some time, Alvar who was lay flat on the ground slowly opened his eyes. He looked to see Duncan, Nelson and Alistair standing around him.
"We bid you welcome," said Duncan, "you are now a Grey Warden."
Alvar did not answer, he took Alistair's offered hand as he tried to stand. He stood up slowly and panted like he was exhausted.
"How do you feel?" asked Duncan.
"The pain…. It was unbearable!" he exclaimed.
"But you have survived where many have failed," Duncan said calmly.
"And how many have died by your blade?" Alvar demanded angrily, "you killed Jory for nothing! How many good men have died to satisfy your spite you murderer?!"
"I could not risk him run away and spill the secrets of the Joining to outsiders," responded Duncan, "I had to do what I did."
"Did you have to kill him for that?!" yelled Alvar, "you could have at tried to calm him down, you could have at least tried to talk to him. But no, that would not satisfy your bloodlust, you heartless murderer!"
"Jory left me no choice when he went for his sword," retorted Duncan, "I cannot reason with such a man."
"Yes, he went for his sword," cried Alvar, "But he did not deal the first blow! He did not even strike you! He was only defending himself from your blows," he took a deep breath, he gave a scornful smile, "Actually, you are not at fault…. you are a wretched knave, an immoral thug dressed in armour; it is my fault that I expect some civilised behaviour from wild animals like yourself. You just did what your criminal upbringing taught you…."
"Alvar, I know you are upset," Duncan tried to calm him, "I do not like what I did, But the blight demands sacrifices…."
"Shut up, you old snake!" Alvar snapped, "Every time you do something despicable, you say the same thing. 'I do not like what I did'" Alvar mocked the Warden Commander, "you mean just like the time you extorted my helpless father to agree to my recruitment?"
Alistair gaped at Alvar, he then turned towards Duncan. Duncan faced his protégé without any answer.
"What is he saying Duncan?" Alistair asked his mentor.
Duncan did not answer him, he faced Alvar and with a sigh, "I have kept a new suit of armour and your weapons on the table there," he said indicating the table behind him.
"And there is one more thing," Alistair joined in, "We take some of that blood and put it in a pendant. It serves as a reminder... of all those who didn't make it this far." His voice trailed as he spoke. He handed Alvar a small pendant. Alvar held the pendant in his hand and gazed at it.
"You must get dressed and take some rest," said Duncan, "King Cailan will be holding council soon, he has asked for your presence."
This came as a surprise to Alvar, "Why does that imbecile request my presence?" he demanded, he wondered was it regarding the discussions he had in the evening and the terms he had made them accept.
"I do not know that, and I again advice you to be civil while talking to His Majesty."
"You are telling me to be civil?" Alvar laughed heartily, "A lowlife scum is telling me to be civil!"
Duncan just shook his head and walked towards the exit, Nelson followed him. Alistair stayed behind.
"Did you have any dreams?" asked Alistair, "I had dreams during my Joining."
"I saw some vague dreams," answered Alvar, "It was not clear what I saw."
"It is common to have dreams during the Joining, they get clearer as time passes."
"Maker, Alvar, what did you mean when you said that about your father?" Alistair asked curiously, "What happened…."
"Andraste's mercy! quit your yapping, dog!" Alvar lashed at him, "my head still hurts from drinking that cursed blood. I don't need you digging into my brain further. Go to your master Duncan, he might have some bones for you to gnaw at!"
"A… alright man, I… I am leaving!" Alistair stammered and hurried towards the exit. Alvar stood alone in the ruined temple. He changed into the new armour, after discarding his old gambeson which he had been wearing since he left Highever. He examined the new sword and shield, the steel blade was indeed of fine make and had the griffon motif of the Grey Wardens on its hilt. The round shield was finely made as well which had the griffon on its face. They were no adequate replacements for his silverite family sword and shield which he had entrusted with Arl Leonas Bryland for safekeeping, but they were still better than most weapons.
He then sat on a seat wall nearby and leaned his back on the wall behind him. It had been the longest day of his life, Alvar recalled all the events that took place today. The arrival at Ostagar, discovering that his Fergus is missing and may not return till the end of the battle that is if he is still alive; his heated dispute with Cailan, Duncan and Loghain regarding his conscription to the Grey Wardens; planning the next move with Ser Alan and after finally deciding the next course, he bid goodbye to Sancia which hurt him deeply. He prayed once more for her safe journey to Storm Coast. And then their dangerous quest in the Wilds for blood and treaties which was followed by the disturbing Joining ritual. And now the council with Cailan and the other lords; after which there might be a vicious battle, the outcome of which no one can say.
Alvar could still feel the bitter nauseating taste of the darkspawn blood in his mouth. His body felt uneasy as well. 'It must be that damned darkspawn blood,' he pondered as he slowly patted his belly, 'or is it hunger?' he then tried to remember how long had it been since he had some food.
'Those who survive will forever be changed,' these words of Duncan haunted his mind. Alvar wondered what changes they might be. He hoped the consumption of the darkspawn blood would not have any serious effects on his body. Mayhap he can soon forget about this and it would not bother him in the future, but this seemed a fool's hope. During the past few days, he had learnt many things about the Grey Wardens first hand, and he did not find even a single aspect he liked or found sensible, so why should the Joining be any different? Duncan also said the Grey Wardens pay a high price by taking the Joining. And how high would this price be?
After approximately fifteen minutes, Alvar had enough rest for now. He got up and adjusted his armour; the pendant which Alistair gave him was still in his hand. He gazed at it as he held it, it is supposed to serve as a 'memory of the Grey Warden recruits who did not make it' or in memory of those mercilessly killed to satisfy Duncan's bloodlust as Alvar thought it. He wondered how did Alistair believe him to actually wear this pendant even after he made it extremely clear that he utterly despised the Grey Wardens and wanted nothing to do with any of them.
'Did they hope I might change my mind?' he thought, he grimaced with loathing as he stared at the pendant. Then he carelessly hurled the pendant aside into the grass and slowly made his way towards Cailan's tent for the council.
xXxXxXxXxXx
"Loghain, my decision is final," declared Cailan, "We are not talking about this again, I will stand with the Grey Wardens."
"Your majesty," a guard called out from the entrance of the tent, "Lord Alvar is here,"
"He finally graces us with his presence," commented Loghain, as Cailan ordered the guard to let Alvar in.
Alvar entered the tent, he saw Cailan, Loghain, Duncan, Arl Bryland, Arl Wulffe and Lord Braden standing around the table on which a large detailed map of Ostagar was sprawled. There also stood a revered mother of the Chantry and a middle-aged bald man dressed in strange robes, Alvar suspected him to be a mage. There were small pieces on the map placed in strategic positions. Alvar approached them and stood near the table.
"Ah, Alvar!" bellowed Cailan "you are here now," he glanced at Alvar's Grey Warden uniform and brightened, "you have finally made it into their ranks! I suppose congratulations are in order!"
Rage filled Alvar, 'Congratulations? has he forgotten all that had happened in the day?' he thought as he remembered how he had treated the Grey Wardens recruitment with nothing but scorn. He was enraged at Cailan's words which again reminded him of how much he worshipped the Grey Wardens. 'Or is he trying to provoke me?' he pondered, 'is he trying to rub it on my face on how he finally succeeding in letting Duncan have me?' if the latter was true then Alvar decided he should not give Cailan the satisfaction of seeing Alvar in pain.
"Thank you, my king" Alvar answered coldly.
"Not many get accepted into the Grey Wardens," said Cailan, "you must be honoured to be accepted into their ranks."
Alvar's palms curled into fists and writhed in anger, he clutched the hilt of the sword in his belt with his left hand. The feeling was different as it was not his family sword which he cherished greatly and this did not help his rage. If Cailan continued his prattle, Alvar was not sure how much longer he could control his rage.
"Your Majesty, shall we discuss the strategy? Now that he is here," suggested Bryland.
"Yes, let us talk about the strategy," agreed Cailan.
Alvar calmed down and glanced at Arl Bryland across the table. The Arl gave him a quick furtive glance. Alvar thanked him mentally, for it seemed he had sensed the young nobleman's rage and decided to change the topic before the rage consumed him.
"Well, Loghain, speak your strategy." Cailan ordered.
Loghain cleared his throat and bent slightly towards the table, "As we are speaking, the darkspawn hosts march, and are on their way here. They will be on us in a matter of hours. Our scouts believe, they outnumber us by more than three to one. We will fight a defensive battle. We shall have our infantry hold the lines in the valley here," he pointed at the valley on the map, "Our archers and our mages shall all take positions on this causeway, this will give them a height advantage and keep them away from the melee.
"While our knights and other cavalry shall take position in here, away from the battlefield."
"They shall flank the darkspawn when the time is right," added Cailan.
"Yes, the infantry shall form shield walls and will hold the lines, with assistance from the archers. When the time is right, the men will send the signal to light the tower of Ishal. And at once, our cavalry will charge the darkspawn from the flanks. Caught between our cavalry and the infantry, we shall mow them down and win the field.
"Now we must decide our own positions; the Arling of Denerim contributes the most infantry so, Lord Braden shall be in the valley. Arl Wulffe shall command the archers on the causeway. I and Arl Bryland shall command the cavalry. The Grey Wardens shall take position in the centre, they will be facing the brunt of the darkspawn assault."
"And I shall stand among them!" said Cailan excitedly, like a child who had just received candies.
"I object," Loghain said sternly, "The frontlines are very dangerous for you to be playing hero. I say, you must stay behind."
"There will be no glory in that!" protested Cailan.
"This is not a matter of glory!" thundered Loghain, "This is a war not a game for you to be playing the hero."
Cailan reddened at being censured in front of others, "Loghain, As the king, I must be where my men can see me," said Cailan, "What kind of a leader will I be if I hide behind my men? No, as I have said earlier, I will stand with the Grey Wardens and lead my men to victory and glory."
Loghain gave up and was silent, he knew how stubborn and naïve Cailan was.
"We must also consider the possibility of the Archdemon appearing," suggested Duncan.
"The scouts do not report any signs of dragons in the Wilds," said Loghain.
"Isn't that why your men are here for Duncan?" questioned Cailan.
"Yes… your majesty," answered Duncan.
Cailan then pointed at the tower of Ishal on the map, "The lighting of the tower, who is responsible for this?"
"I have men stationed up there," answered Loghain, "It is not a difficult task, but it is vital."
"Then we must send our best," declared Cailan, "We shall send Alvar and Alistair to do it." He then faced Alvar, "You and Warden Alistair shall be the one responsible for lighting the signal."
Alvar was not sure what to think about this, half of his mind was still recovering from the shock of the Joining, "I, yes, Cai… my king!" he agreed.
"The Grey Wardens?!" exclaimed Cailan, "You are relying on these outsiders too much!"
"Loghain, throughout history, the Grey Wardens have proved again and again that they are best at dealing with the darkspawn," countered Cailan, "I have full faith in them and so should you.
"And do not call them outsiders again!" Cailan warned sternly, "Duncan and his men have been in Ferelden for twenty years. They are as much Fereldan as all of us here."
The last sentence brought feelings of disagreement from all the nobility, especially Alvar. But knowing Cailan, none of them wished to argue about that. Hence, they were all silent, even their faces did not betray any emotion.
"Duncan," Cailan faced the Warden Commander, "Are your men up to the task?"
"Yes, your majesty," Duncan answered hesitantly, "My men are brave but we are too few. Still, we will do our best and not fail you."
Cailan thought for a few moments, "Then we shall have to rectify that. It seems we will have to open our borders to the Orlesian troops from Jader after all. With them on our side, the odds will be heavily in our favour."
"Maker! How many times must I protest this foolish notion of yours?!" Loghain exploded in rage, For the last time, Cailan! We do not need those masked snakes to defend ourselves!"
"Loghain, our arguments with Orlais are a thing of past, we have been in peace with them for the last twenty-seven years," retorted Cailan, "We must work for a bright future, which we can achieve through cooperation and peace. Not through hostility."
"We cannot have peace with Orlesians!" Loghain yelled, "We will not open our borders to men we cannot trust!"
"Then you shall remember who is the king of Ferelden," Cailan replied coldly.
Loghain threw up his arms in frustration, "How fortunate Maric did not live to see his son ready to hand over Ferelden to those who enslaved us for a century, to those oppressors against whom he and many Fereldans including myself, shed blood to drive them out!" he exclaimed resignedly, he sighed, "Maric would be rolling in his grave…. if I could have given him one…" his voice trailed.
"Then our current forces will have to suffice." Cailan declared. And there were no more objections from anyone.
"Well then, everyone knows what is to be done, yes?" asked Cailan.
They all nodded, "er... your majesty?" the bald mage spoke, "I have a suggestion, if you will."
"Out with it," demanded Cailan.
"There is actually no need to place two Grey Wardens or any men on the tower, to light the signal… I mean," he said politely, "The Circle of the Magi can handle that from the ground itself. We shall…."
"Silence, mage!" the revered mother countered him, "We will not trust the lives of good men and women to your heathen spells! Save them for the darkspawn!"
The mage looked at Cailan hopefully for his answer. "You heard her, mage" Cailan answered him, "we are assigning the lighting of the Tower to the Grey Wardens."
The mage nodded in resignation. "Enough! This plan will suffice. Now let us prepare for the darkspawn," declared Loghain.
"Thank you, Loghain," said Cailan, "I cannot wait for that glorious moment! The King of Ferelden riding alongside the legendary Grey Wardens against the greatest evil! A glorious moment it will be!" he declared exuberantly.
"Yes, Cailan. A glorious moment it will be." Agreed Loghain, his tone was stoic with no enthusiasm.
xXxXxXxXxXx
At the conclusion of the council, the nobles all left to their respective tents and dined hastily. After dinner, the camp became live with activity as the soldiers all readied for the onslaught. In the Grey Wardens' encampment, Duncan summoned Alvar and Alistair for a briefing.
"…. Then you will light the signal and Teyrn Loghain and the cavalry will charge their flanks."
"What?" Alistair was surprised, "We will not be in the fight? That is not fair."
"Without the beacon being lit, Teyrn Loghain will not know when to charge," answered Duncan.
"It is a crucial part of the strategy, Alistair," Alvar cut in, "Loghain is depending on us. His cavalry charge will be decisive in routing the darkspawn."
"So, he needs two Grey Wardens to hold the torch," said Alistair, "It is still not fair!" he complained.
"You do not have a choice," Duncan said sternly. "King Cailan himself has asked you both for this and you will do as he tells," Alvar did not give any response which surprised Duncan.
"Fine, alright, just to let you know if the king ever asks me to put on dress and dance the remigold. I am drawing the line! Darkspawn or no." Alistair commented dryly. Alvar rolled his eyes and Duncan sighed.
"When should we light the signal fire?" asked Alvar.
"Our standard bearer will signal you by waving the Grey Warden flag," answered Duncan, "he will be near mine and King Cailan's position in the centre."
"Can we join the fight afterwards?" asked Alistair.
"You will be summoned if you are needed," replied Duncan, "But until then, stay with the Teyrn's men and guard the tower."
"And what if the Archdemon appears?" Alvar questioned gravely.
"We soil our drawers, that's what." said Alistair.
"If the Archdemon appears, leave it to us," Duncan answered solemnly, "I do not want any heroics from either of you."
"No worries there, Duncan," Alvar said coldly, "I have no intention of becoming dragon food when there are better volunteers like yourself and your lapdogs."
"Hey, you are a Grey Warden now, you can't talk like that about your brothers…." Alistair protested but stopped as Alvar glared him down.
"The darkspawn will be on us soon," Duncan cut in, "There is less than an hour for you to get in position, move quickly."
"Yes," they both nodded.
"Duncan... May the Maker watch over you," Alistair said fondly, and offered his hand.
Duncan clasped his protégé's hand, "May he watch over us all," he said gravely.
Alistair then proceeded towards the tower, but stopped after a few steps. He turned back to see Alvar still standing there.
Alvar approached closer towards Duncan, "I hope you win a glorious victory today, knave!" He said coldly, "But for your own sake, you better hope you do not live to see your victory!" his voice dripping with venom.
"Because, mark my words you taint guzzling swine! If you survive the battle, I will make you rue the day you crossed me!
"Goodbye Duncan, may you be damned to rot in the void!" with a grimace he turned and stomped towards the direction of the tower of Ishal with Alistair following him.