With a nod Aaron set out once more, the woman in his arms hardly affecting his stride. It did not take them long to pass by the palisade that led into the village. Once they crossed the boundary they were set upon by children of every size. They shouted excitedly, calling out "A Grey Warden!" and "Do you have a Griffon?" They had all grown up with stories of the Grey Wardens, ancient heroes who slew Darkspawn and rode upon mythical Griffons. The excitement was not limited to the children. Many of the adults saw the man and were shocked and giddy in equal measure. Others, however, saw the Warden for what he was, an Omen of Doom. The Wardens of the Grey were only called upon in times of Blight and if they were here now then the situation to their south was much worse than they had believed.
Aaron was sure that the Grey Wardens were some Knightly Order. Likely similar to the Brotherhood of St. Lloyd or the Blades of the Darkmoon. It took quite a bit of time to navigate through the throng of villagers and back to the Chantry, and only when they finally opened the doors to the Chantry did he let himself relax. There was something about this building that eased the load on his soul.
Aaron went straight to the only person he knew within the Chantry, Sister Marion. He approached the Lay-Sister and asked "Milady, is there any place this young woman could rest? She has been through quite an ordeal."
The Lay Sister flinched slightly before turning and regarding the Knight and his charge. "Oh! Ser Aaron! Yes, come with me, I will take you to the Sister's Quarters," she turned and led the Knight out the back door of the Chantry and to an outbuilding just aside the Shrine where he awoke. They passed the threshold into a small room that smelled of incense. They were in a small sitting room that was currently occupied by a group of Lay Sisters huddled around one of the low tables. When they saw them enter the young women stopped whatever gossip they were doing to stare after them as they walked through the room to the rear of the building. They went through one of the three doors to the rear of the room. The door opened up into a barrack of sorts. Beds lined the room and it was to one of these beds he brought the young woman in his arms.
"The Miracle did its work. She will need rest, but is otherwise fine." The Cariman Knight informed the Ley Sister.
"I will ensure she gets it. You have my word," with that she turned and left the room, likely to inform her superiors of the situation. After ensuring his charge would be well looked after, Aaron left the room flanked by Raynauld. As they returned to the village center, Aaron turned and spoke to his shadow.
"Well, now that you have seen my intentions were honorable what shall you do?" inquired the Cariman.
The man narrowed his eyes slightly before replying: "I shall be returning to my commander and we will resume our course to Ostagar."
"Ostagar? What is that?"
Raynauld's eyebrows crept up in surprise before replying "You do not know of Ostagar? With recent events being what they are I doubt even the most isolated Serf has not heard of that place. In any case, it is an old Tevinter fortress to the south. The King is using it as a fortification against the Darkspawn incursions from the Korcari Wilds.".
"I see. Tell me, these Darkspawn, where do they come from?" Aaron inquired. The similarities in the presence of the Spawn and the Darkwraiths was worrying, to say the least. Raynaud looked at him strangely before replying.
"The Darkspawn come from the Deep Roads, the underground tunnels of the old Dwarven Empire. As to their origins, none can say. The Chantry teaches us that Tevinter Magisters forced their way into the Golden City and were cast down by the Maker. It is thought these Magisters were the first Darkspawn who brought about the First Blight. Though this is largely thought to be an allegory, it is also the only real explanation we have" he explained.
"I suppose that is as good an explanation as anything" Aaron mused. The Chantry's idea on the origin of the Darkspawn was at least passingly similar to the origins of the Darkwraiths of New Londo. Once more the arrogance of men has brought doom upon the world, though these Darkspawn did not seem particularly dangerous on their own.
The two Knights fell into an awkward silence as they awaited the arrival of Ser Bryant and the other Wardens. It took only a few minutes for the Templars and Wardens to arrive, Ser Geoffery's body was carried on a makeshift stretcher by his comrades. The solemn procession made its way past the two, heading to the Chantry. The haunted young woman and Duncan broke off from the group, the woman wandered off to the Chantry wall and sat down, while Duncan approached the two.
"I trust the young woman was safely escorted to the Chantry?" Duncan questioned. His weathered eyes still regarded Aaron with mistrust, though somewhat lesser.
"Indeed, she is resting currently. My miracles are potent, but they can be draining for the unprepared," he replied. These Wardens were still a potential threat, the taint running through them made sure of that.
"Miracles? You claim to act on behalf of the Maker?" Duncan's voice was slightly incredulous as he asked the question.
"What? Of course not. Miracles are simply spells powered by one's faith. I would never presume such a thing," he clarified. Aaron was not nearly so arrogant to believe he had the patronage of a God.
"Ah, so you are a mage then? Strange to see one who uses martial skill as well as spell power."
"I would not call myself a Mage, no. Knights of Carim are mandated to learn certain Miracles to better serve their Maiden, though I have picked up quite the collection of spells over the years." It was something of a point of pride to the knight that he had been able to learn all of what his tutors could teach him, both at the Shrine and in Carim. Still, though, he would never consider himself a true mage the likes of Big Hat Logan or the lovely Karla.
"All knights of Carim are mandated to learn magic? But how?" Raynauld seemed both surprised, fearful, and very interested in that and, though his composure was much greater, even Duncan seemed concerned about it.
"It does not take much to learn at least some basic Miracles. They are powered by one's faith, Sorceries are much more involved but almost anyone could learn some of the basic offensive spells, and Pyromancies can be learned by just about anyone, though certain hybrid spells can be troublesome to learn. I am surprised that you would not know this, as far as I knew such spells have been ubiquitous for centuries at least," Aaron explained.
"The magics of Thedas are mostly hereditary. As far as I have ever heard, magic cannot simply be taught. It is simply shocking to think that there are entire other areas of magic that can be freely taught."
"That is… interesting, to say the least. Though I have not the slightest idea as to why such a difference could come about. I was never the most interested in the theory behind the magic. That was always the purview of the Vinheim scholars and their ilk. But enough about such things, as much as I would wish to continue this discussion, I must procure supplies for my journey," Aaron attempted to excuse himself.
"If I might ask, where are you planning on going? You seem to be an able warrior, we could use someone of your skill in the fight against the Blight."
"I have been separated from my companion, I will be setting out to find some hint of her whereabouts as soon as I can. I awoke here only hours ago with no thought as to how I came to be here,"
"Interesting. Well, if you change your mind we shall be here for some hours yet to restock our supplies," Duncan offered. He was intrigued as to the potential for the young knight, but he would not press too much. He was only one man, after all.
"I will keep that in mind," was his reply before he turned and walked to the market that dominated the center of town. He needed to restock his supply of mosses and alchemical reagents. He went to three different market stalls that sold alchemy supplies and he was indeed able to restock his stores for the making of powders, but despite his persistence, he could not for the life of him find any color of moss, other than benign green moss. He had just about given up when the haunted elf girl came up to him.
"You'll never find those mosses you are looking for in a Shem marketplace, you know? Only the elves have knowledge of the sacred mosses," she explained.
"Is that so, in my homeland such mosses are commonplace."
"Be that as it may, it is not the same in Thedas. The closest place you may find such things would probably be the Highever alienage. I was told by my... my betrothed that they grew plentifully," she seemed regretful when mentioning her potential husband. He could tell right away that his fate was likely not a kind one.
"Hm, a shame, I suppose my current stock will have to do. Where are my manners, I am Sir Aaron of Carim, Knight-Protector of Maiden Alandra, the Last Firekeeper," he introduced himself using his full title. It was not necessary but perhaps it would draw her thoughts away from such dark memories.
"That is quite the lofty-sounding title you have there, I am Eliana Tabris, Maiden of the Great Denerim Bookstore," she replied, amusement clear in her voice.
"Well met, great lady. Would your Highness like to join me for a drink? I have not been to the local tavern, but I am sure it will befit a refined pallet such as yours."
"I would be honored, oh great and noble knight."
They found their way into the tavern quickly enough and the barkeep was all too happy to take his old coins in exchange for some of his finest drink. They stayed there until the sun was starting to dip out of its apex when a Warden messenger collected the young elf-maid. They exchanged farewells and promises for more drinks when next they met. By the end of the fourth hour of the afternoon, the caravan had disappeared into the distance along the Imperial Highway, onward to their final destination.
When they had disappeared into the distance Aaron returned to the Chantry to check on his charge. The elf maid's name was Lelandra, and she had been traveling with her family to Highever when they were attacked by Darkspawn. She was cut off from them and chased into the woods. Thankfully for all involved her family was able to fight off the Spawn with minimal casualties and were able to make it to Lothering at noontime. Once again he said his goodbyes to an elven woman and was awarded twenty silvers for her rescue. When they had taken rooms at the tavern he decided to ask around about the Firekeeper. He was able to gather some bare descriptions of a woman in the Firekeeper's garb who had passed through town almost two months ago before she headed South into the Wilds. With new determination, he set out onto the Imperial Highway southward.