The other recruits were already gathered around the bonfire and chatting with Alistair when Ana and Gilmore arrive. The former thief she had met previously scowls at Much as the hound gives a low growl. Holding his collar, she gives it a light tug. "Shh. It's okay, boy." She coos, kneeling beside him. After some petting and well-placed scratches, he seems to calm down a bit and lies down on the muddy ground.

"Shouldn't that mutt be locked up?" He sneers. "Maybe the kennel master can give him a couple good kicks to fix his behavior."

Rising, Ana glares at him. "Maybe we should lock you up, thief." She snarls, her eyes flashing. "Or I can just command my hound here to rip your throat out and correct your behavior."

The man gives a decisive snort and Gilmore steps in. "Okay. That's enough."

The man looks him. "An' who the fuck are you?"

"Ser Gilmore!" Ser Jory grins from beside him. He salutes him. "It's an honor to see you again. I should have known you'd be out here."

Gilmore exchanges a glance with Ana before frowning. "Forgive me, but do we know each other?"

Jory chuckles. "Only in passing, Ser. I was part of the tournament in Highever. We fought during the combat and once in a joust. You are quite the fighter."

Gilmore's brows shoot up and he reaches out a hand. "Ah! Ser Jory! Now I remember. You were quite skilled yourself." He smiles. "I'm assuming you're here to fight for the king?"

The other recruit rolls his eyes and mutters something under his breath as Ana felt Alistair's gaze on her.

Jory shakes his head."I'm here to join the Grey Wardens. The Warden-Commander recruited me following my win at the tournament." He motions to him with his chin. "Are you here to fight alongside the Teyrn? I've heard that he sent his men here."

Hearing this, Ana's eyes widen. "The Cousland army is here? Is Fergus Cousland here as well?"

Jory shrugs as he shoots her a rueful look. "I'm not entirely sure if they're here or not. I only heard that they were sent out. Perhaps General Loghain would know."

She frowns and her shoulders slump just as Duncan walks up. Looking around at his group, he nods. "Good, you're all here." He states, his dark eyes flicking to each of them. "I trust you all slept well and have eaten?"

They all mutter a yes and Much gives a sharp bark. Seeing the hound beside his mistress, Duncan gives him a half smile. "Good. As you all may know, before the Joining can take place, I need you all to do a task." He reaches into his pocket to grab something. "Your task is to go as a group out into the Korcari Wilds where you will each collect a vial of darkspawn blood." He holds up a small glass vial.

"Are you fucking mad?" The thief exclaims. "Fully trained soldiers have gone into those Wilds and never returned! Yet you want us to go and collect darkspawn blood!" He looks at the others who seem to be equally unnerved but they say nothing.

"It doesn't matter." Duncan booms. "That is your task and you are required to do it before you can become a Grey Warden. It's tradition."

"Fuck tradition!" The man spits.

Ana can feel herself shaking but she holds her head high and keeps her expression neutral.

"I doubt that Duncan here would send us out if he didn't think we were capable of surviving." Gilmore states. "If this is the task that helps us prove our worth to the Wardens, I say we do it."

"Cunt." The man mutters under his breath which earns him a glare from Ana.

Jory nods. "Ser Gilmore is right. If this is the task we must complete to prove ourselves, let's do it and get it over with."

Nodding, Duncan steps forward and hands the vials to Alistair. "Since Alistair is the junior Warden, he will accompany you into the Wilds. As Grey Wardens, we have the ability to sense the darkspawn. With him at your side, there is little to worry about as long as you stay vigilant. Darkspawn are not the only creatures to lurk in the Wilds."

Turing, he points out past the mabari pens toward the big palisade gate where a guard stands nearby in his bulky armor. "I recommend dressing warmly. It can get quite cold in the Wilds." Turning back to the group, his eyes slide over each person. "If you don't currently have your weapons or armor, go prepare now and meet me over at the gate. Time is of the essence."

As the others disperse, Duncan turns to say something to Alistair before Ana approaches him. By the look on his face, she could tell that it wasn't good news. "I'm sorry, Ana." He frowns. "I checked with General Loghain and he has had no news of the Cousland army or your brother."

Ana's nails hit into her flesh as she clenches her fists at her sides. "Then what will become of me?" She asks, her voice hollow. "Am I to go out to the Wilds?"

He shakes his head. "No. You will stay here with me while Ser Gilmore goes with the other recruits."

Her eyes widen. "He can't!" She exclaims. "I refuse to allow it."

Gilmore places a hand on her shoulder as Duncan sighs. "Unfortunately Ana, you have little say in this. If you are worried about his well-being, I assure you that he will be safe. Alistair-"

Ana rolls her eyes. "Yeah, like I trust that bumbling idiot with the love of my life!"

"Ana, stop it." Gilmore says from behind her as Duncan's eyes flash at her.

"I would watch your tongue. Noblewoman or not, there is no reason for you to speak about the lad that way." Duncan snips. "While Alistair may be a junior Warden, he has plenty of experience taking recruits out to the Wilds for their task. He has the Grey Warden sense that comes with our profession and he's always brought back all the recruits he takes out." With exception of occasional recruit who tries to flee and gets killed by darkspawn. He thinks to himself.

Turning her to face him, Gilmore puts his hands on her shoulders. "Like Duncan said, there's no reason to worry, my Love. Am I not a skilled warrior on my own?"

"You are." She mutters. "But-"

He gives her shoulders a light squeeze. "With or without Alistair's aid, I can take care of myself out there. No matter what, I'll always come back to you. I promise."

While Ana wanted to believe him, recent events had made her skeptical. Life was so unpredictable! Even if he meant every word, who knows what could happen out there? For all they know, that thief could go rogue and stab people before fleeing. Fleeing alone into the Wilds was insane on its own but who knows what somebody would stoop to when desperate?

Together they return to Gilmore's tent and Ana silently helps him fasten his plate metal. He watches her solemn expression and touches her hand. Pausing what she's doing, her bright blue eyes look up at him.

"Everything will be alright, I promise."

"You know better than that that that is something that is entirely out of your hands, Rory." She says, chillingly. She finishes attaching his pauldron before letting her hands drop to her sides. "I am so tired of waiting and yet that is all I can do." Her bottom lip trembles slightly as she reaches up to caress his cheek. "I shall pray to the Maker and his bride for your safe return. It may not mean much but it is the best I can do."

He offers her a sad smile. "It does mean a lot. I feel safer already knowing that you will ask him to watch over me." He pulls her into an embrace and feels the wetness from her tears on his neck. "I shall also pray for the Maker that you are safe while I'm gone and that your brother returns to you." He mutters. "It breaks my heart to see you so sad."

Leaving his tent, Much runs ahead as a rabbit darts out from the ruins. They stop at the camp blacksmith to have Gilmore's sword sharpened before they join Duncan, Alistair and Ser Jory at the gates leading out to the Wilds. As they approach, Ana's brows furrow as she looks around.

"Where's the thief?" She asks, feeling both a sense of relief and nervousness at the lack of the rat-like man's appearance. "Is he not going to the Wilds?"

"He is." Duncan replies, looking not very happy at the man's absence.

"Daveth told me a few minutes ago that he was going to have his daggers sharpened and visit the chantry to pray." Ser Jory says.

"Most likely he'll try to steal the donations from the chantry tent." Ana sneers, earning am exasperated look from Duncan. He sighs and turns to Alistair.

"Go check the chantry and blacksmith. I can't have you leave until you're all together."

With a brisk nod, Alistair's gaze flicks to Ana before she notices his cheeks pinken and he averts his gaze before scampering away. What a strange man .