Do not own Dragon Age.
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5 Frumentum, 9:30 Dragon, Ostagar
The companions entered the compound just as the sun set. Morrigan disappearing when the camp was in view, returning from whence she came. The party splits up, Alistair, Alim, Daveth, Elissa, Faren, and Jory heading to Duncan. Darrian, Lyna, Sereda, and Solona, turned to the kennels to drop off the Wildflowers and to check on the hounds, before returning to Duncan. Solona secures the recipe from the master, just in case.
Duncan bids Alistair to take the recruits to an old ritual site, while he prepares something for the Joining. Everyone gathers in a secluded part of the compound, waiting for Duncan to arrive.
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"Now we come to the Joining." Duncan began, walking toward the group, carrying a Chalice. "As the first Grey Wardens did before us, we partake of the darkspawn's blood and master it's taint." he continued, place the cup on a table.
"We're going to drink the blood, of those creatures?" Jory asks, frightened.
"We say only a few words beforehand. Alistair if you would?" Duncan inquires.
"Join us brothers and sister. Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that can not be forsworn. And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten. And that one day we shall join you." Alistair recites.
"Faren, you are called upon to submit yourself to the Joining." Duncan commands softly, handing the chalice to him.
Faren, then Sereda then Alim drink from the cup. All three passing out, but otherwise fine.
"Daveth, step forward." Duncan proceeds.
Daveth drinks, but begins to choke. He collapses, struggling.
"Makers breathe!" Jory exclaims, stepping back.
"Jory, step forward." Duncan orders, handing the chalice to Alistair.
"No! You ask too much. There is no honor in this!" Jory conveys, frightened, drawing his sword.
Duncan pulls one of his daggers. Jory lunges, Duncan parries, turning Jory's sword outward, then with a quick change, plunges his dagger into Jory's chest.
"I'm sorry." Duncan says, sorrowful.
Turning back to the others, Duncan retrieves the cup, and asks the rest of the companions to step forward one by one. Each one drinking, and surviving. It is late into the night by the time Faren begins to stir. The others coming around in short order, Duncan and Alistair watching over them. Duncan sends them to their bedrolls at his camp, to get some more sleep, and to collect themselves.
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6 Frumentum, 9:30 Dragon, Ostagar
The party takes the day to process the events of the previous night. The visions still fresh in their minds. Solona and Alim converse quietly to themselves. The others being unusually silent. Just after dusk, Duncan receives news that the horde is close, a few hours away, he indicates to the new Wardens to join him at the war meeting, per the King's request.
The plan is simple enough, although Sereda and Alistair agree that it's disappointing not to be in the main battle.
"That is not your decision to make." Duncan chides.
"I get it. I get it. Just so you know, if the King asks me to put on a dress and dance the Remigold, I'm drawing a line." Alistair wisecracks.
"I think I'd like to see that." Elissa comments, grinning.
"For you maybe, but it would have to be a pretty dress." Alistair returns, smirking.
"Enough. Watch for the signal, then wait for further orders with Teryn Loghain's men. The seven of you..." Duncan states, but is interrupted by Thea.
"Sorry, the eight of you, will have less than an hour, so move quickly. And be careful." Duncan corrects.
"Duncan? May the Maker watch over you." Alistair adds.
"May he watch over us all." Duncan concludes.
/
The group moves fast to the Tower of Ishal, as they approach a guard warns them that darkspawn have broken through from below, and are inside the Tower, as well as, the surrounding area. The companions rush through the gates, Alim and Solona in the rear, casting their spells. Alistair and Sereda are in the lead, taunting the darkspawn to engage them. Faren and Darrian split to opposite sides sneaking behind their targets, cutting the creatures down before they even knew what happened. Lyna shooting down two, back to back. Thea runs ahead, jumping up and tackling a darkspawn to the ground, ripping it to shreds. Elissa slips behind a straggler, quicker and quieter than a mouse, she slashes it across the throat, then melts into the shadows, looking for her next target.
Inside the Tower, the party clears the first and second floors. On the third they see a trio of mabari, still in their cages. Elissa, steps into the shadows of the room, without make a sound, she moves to the lever to raise the gates on the cages, releasing the hounds. Thea rounds them up, guiding them as the group continues onward. Solona casts a healing spell over the whole group, refreshing them. The mabari bump against her legs, looking for scratches.
On the top floor, the party encounters a hulking beast. Alistair shouts out it's an Ogre. Alim casts a cold spell, freezing the creature for a minute, giving the group a chance to attack. The monstrosity picked up Sereda, just as it was about to crush her. Solona sends a stone fist to it's head, stunning it. Faren and Darrian take advantage, both slashing at it's tendons, Alistair seizes the opportunity, jumping up and running it through with his sword, holding on as it falls backwards. He pulls the sword free, but stabs back down, into the beast's face, just to be sure.
Alim lights the signal, while Solona checks for injuries. Faren, Darrian, and Lyna watch from a window, they do not see the charge. In fact, it seems as if Loghain's forces are with-drawing. The hounds start barking like mad, then everyone hears a crash, the doors splintering, a large force of darkspawn pouring through. The companions fight, but are being over-whelmed, Solona is hit with an arrow to her leg, forcing her to drop down. She spots the others, Faren, Elissa, and Darrian are already down. Alistair and Sereda are surrounded. Alim is hit by a arrow, striking his abdomen. Lyna falls next to her, Solona throws a fireball into the force of darkspawn, then follows with a healing spell for the group. Just then an arrow hits her in the shoulder, she is certain she hears wings, before passing out.
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14 Frumentum, 9:30 Dragon, Korcari Wilds
Solona begins to stir, rising is slow, her body aches from being idle.
"Your eyes finally open. Mother, will be pleased." Morrigan states, putting items away around a room.
"The others? Are they alright?" Solona questions, concerned.
"Yes, they are fine. Mother, was able to rescue you all, though it was close." Morrigan reassures. "They are outside, by the fire. Your injuries were more severe, as you are the last to awake." she elaborated.
"Duncan and the King?" Solona inquires, sitting up.
"Dead. The darkspawn won your battle. The one who was to charge at your signal, quit the field." Morrigan explains. "Your friends are each taking it differently." she continues.
"How long?" Solona asks, standing laggardly.
"'Tis been seven days since the battle. You needed the time to rest and heal." Morrigan answered, handing Solona her robes.
"Thank you, for helping us." Solona says, grateful.
"I...you are welcome, but it was Mother, who did most of the work. I am no healer." Morrigan concedes, puzzled by the woman dressing.
"How, exactly, did your Mother manage to rescue us from atop a Tower?" Solona queries, securing her herb pouch.
"You would need to ask Mother. Though, I doubt she will tell you." Morrigan evades.
Solona stares at Morrigan, her eyes searching, then nods her head. Morrigan hands Solona her staff, before heading outside to her friends.
/
Everyone turns as the door opens, Solona stepping out into the sun. Sereda, Lyna and three mabari rush to her, checking her out, the mabari's, she recognizes from the Tower and the kennels.
"I'm alright, mother hens." Solona humorously admonishes, scratching each hound behind the ear.
"The one beast wouldn't let me take you, without it tagging along. The other two showed up here three days later" the older woman declares.
"It's called Imprinting. Mabari choose their masters. Once chosen, there is not a force in Thedas that will sunder it." Elissa explains, petting Thea.
"The one from the Tower has taken to Alistair, and one of the kennel hounds has bonded to Lyna." Darrian explained.
"Thank you, for saving and for helping us." Solona expresses to the older woman, truly appreciative.
"You are welcome, child." the woman returns softly.
"Don't you ever do that to me again! You're not allowed to die on me damn it!" Alim exclaimes, hugging Solona to him.
"I'll try, brother." Solona says softly, hugging him back.
"Still not sure how that's possible." Sereda observes.
"Not all family members are related by blood." Darrian contends.
Alistair is sitting next to a pond, staring out. Thea and the Tower hound relocate over to him, laying down close by, Elissa moving to sit next to him. Solona walks to them, putting her hand on Alistair's shoulder, giving it a squeeze. He looks to her, then begins to cry. Solona's eyes soften. Elissa pulls him into her embrace, who clings to her as he weeps. Solona leaves them, everyone else gathering around the fire.
"So. Not to sound like a Debby-downer, but what now?" Sereda asks, solemnly.
"I'm not sure. We need to find a way to rebuild the army. The darkspawn are not going to go away because we asked them nicely." Faren answers.
"But how do we do that? Where do we begin?" Lyna queried.
There is a pause in the conversations, everyone thinking to themselves.
"We start at the beginning. We have the treaties. We can go to the Dwarves, Elves, and, I say it with distaste, Men. With the treaties we can force their hands. We are Grey Wardens, we fight darkspawn and Blights. So that's what we will do. Ma'am, may we spend one more night, and leave on the morrow?" Solona decides.
"So then, you are ready to be Grey Wardens? Yes, spend the night, what's one more. You are determined on this course?" the older woman queries.
The group concurs.
"We can also go to Redcliff. Arl Eamon wasn't at Ostagar, he still has all his men. I know him, he's a good man. He will help us. If anything, he can help us bring charges against Loghain." Alistair adds, he and Elissa moving toward the companions.
"Loghain was a good man too, Alistair. What makes you think he will help us?" Alim questions.
"For one, he's King Cailen's Uncle, or was. He would not be apart of this treachery. Two, he is a strong voice in the Landsmeet. If he speaks out, the other nobles will turn away from Loghain." Alistair replies.
"Alright. Let's get some sleep. In the morning we head out." Solona orders.
The older woman smiles softly, a knowing look in her eyes.
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15 Frumentum, 9:30 Dragon, Korcari Wilds
The companions packed up, with some provisions provided by the older woman.
"I'm sorry, we never asked your name." Alistair states.
"Names are pretty, but useless. The Chasind call me Flemeth. I suppose that will do." she returns, stunning some of the group
"From the legend?" Alistair asks at a whisper.
"What legend?" Faren inquiries.
"I'll tell you later." Alim answers.
"Before you go, I can offer one last bit of help for your journey." Flemeth says.
"Mother, I have finished drying the herbs." Morrigan states.
"Good. Go pack your things, your leaving." Flemeth orders.
"What?!" Morrigan shouts.
The two woman banter back and forth, before Morrigan goes into the hut, returning a bit later with her pack. She suggests Lothering as the companions first stop. There, they can get news and determine their first destination. Morrigan also has a balm that will help the group get ahead of the horde. Everyone begins heading out, Solona taking the rear. She looks back at Flemeth, mouthing a 'Thank you', who smiles and nods her head.
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16 Frumentum, 9:30 Dragon, Korcari Wilds
The mabari from the Tower of Ishal bounces around the group, but stays closest to Alistair. It's antics are helping to bring him out of his melancholy. It nipped at Morrigan's heels, when she gave Alistair a snide remark.
"Have you decided on a name yet?" Elissa asks.
"Are we to travel with these mangy beasts?" Morrigan questions.
"Their not mangy." Alistair states, using a baby voice, scratching his hound next to him.
All four mabari bark, agreeing with the human.
"Assan." Lyna says.
"Ma ghilana mir din'an" Alim speaks, looking at the mabari.
"You speak elven?" Lyna inquires, surprised.
"I am elven." Alim responses, sarcastically.
"No. You misunderstand lethallin. You speak it as one of the People." Lyna explains.
Alim chuckles dismissively, turning to continue forward. Lyna looks to Solona, who shakes her head in the negative, asking Lyna to let it go for now. The others follow after Alim. Elissa and Alistair are in the back of the party, who continue conversing.
"I am thinking about Ishal. For the mabari's name. I mean, that's where we found him." Alistair confesses.
"I think it's perfect." Elissa agrees.
"What about you? Hmm, do you like Ishal?" Alistair queries to the hound.
The mabari barks once, wagging his tail, seeming to like it.
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Solona and the last mabari catch up to Alim, matching his pace.
"I am here, ma falon." Solona says, softly.
"I know. Ma serannas." Alim whispers.
They walk together, but speak no more.
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"What did he say?" Darrian inquires to Lyna.
" Ma ghilana mir din'an. 'Guide me into Death'" Lyna replies.
"And what does 'Assan' mean?" Faren questions.
"'Arrow'." Lyna answers.
"Assan, ma ghilana mir din'an, 'Arrow, guide me into death'" Darrian pronounces.
"Close. It's the meaning behind the phrase. So in this instance, it would translate too, 'Arrow, guide them into Death." Lyna clarifies.
Darrian nods, understanding.
"The dwarven language is similar. Depending on what you're implying, it can change the meaning of some words." Sereda adds.
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I am combining some things hear and there, again, just easier, and makes more sense. I guessed on the time jump. I figured a week to rest and recover from injuries atop the Tower. With that logic, the mabari hounds should have been able to track you. I added the one from the Tower, because they should be able to follow you up the stairs. I mean, why not?