The world works in mysterious ways. A lifetime ago I would have given almost anything to learn almost anything about true magic. Now, after spending years living with both the wonders and terrors of it, I've come to the conclusion that I wouldn't change anything even if I had the chance.

It's funny the thoughts that come to you when you're dying.

It shouldn't even have happened really. When my father was still alive we'd come out here all the time, both because it was a remote area where people were unlikely to be and because many and various special herbs grew in the area. These were necessary things when learning magic after all. Sometimes I regretted monopolizing father's time like that but I don't think anyone really held it against me, even with the looks my brother would sometimes send my way when we got home. I could tell he didn't really mean it; twins have a certain bond after all. And my sister spent a lot of the time with mother. She really liked to cook and do other busy-work, though you wouldn't know it from watching her juggle daggers and chase off any would-be suitors.

I winced in pain and rested a hand on my side as I propped myself up against the rock I'd fallen next to. A low whine drew my gaze as Mouse lay next to me and rested his head on my leg. I let my other hand fall on his head and let out a light chuckle.

"You did better than me this time, boy." The big dog whined again. He chuffed and raised his head slightly as the sound of hurried footfalls came up from the opposite direction. As much as I was able, I tilted my head to the side. "Ah, I suppose I should thank you for trying to help at least," I breathed out.

"Don't speak," the older of the two men said softly but firmly. He held a potion up to my lips. "This will help."

I humored the man as I felt his younger companion gently move the hand resting against my wound aside and begin to bandage it. He asked a question but I couldn't quite make out what... was... said...

I woke up.

That alone was worth saying, because I was not too sure it would happen again. Not like this at least. Which is a different story that doesn't matter any longer, I'd long since decided. But as I said this time it was worth mentioning. My hand automatically reached down to my side as I attempted to sit up. Stiff and sore, but not painful. Slowly I twisted my body until my legs were hanging off the small cot I'd been placed on, however when I tried to stand up a wave of, something, I don't know what, hit me and nearly forced me on my back again.

"Careful, you shouldn't try that right now," a semi-familiar voice said. I managed to look up in time to see the younger of my two rescuers, a blond man who looked to be a soldier.

Since I was already looking around, I took a small bit of time to take in my surroundings. I couldn't see too far beyond the hospice area I'd awoken in, but that didn't stop some assumptions. A camp of some sort, probably a military camp from the heavy footfalls I could hear. Although I could also hear chanting and other discussions going on in the background. Immediately old fears ran through my head. These two at least know I'm a mage. They had to after assisting me in the fight. Have they told anybody? Are there templars here?

Something must have shown on my face because the man held up both hands in a placating gesture. "It's alright it's alright, you have nothing to fear," he paused for a moment. "Well that's not entirely true, but just not the way you're thinking." He rubbed the back of his neck. "That is, we didn't tell anyone about your," here he lowered his voice, "magic."

"Thank you?" I said, very hoarsely as it turned out. I sounded horrible. "Sorry, but who are you? What happened, I- I don't understand. I thought I would be dead. Wait, my dog," I started to jerk up but was once again hit with a nauseating force, which forced me back to the bed.

The man lent a steadying hand to my shoulder until I settled myself. "He's fine, the kennel master is looking after him for now." He took a seat on a bench at the foot of the cot. "As for me, well my name's Alistair. The rest..." he trailed off, eyes darting around. "Ah good here he comes now. Ho, Duncan!" Alistair called out with a raised hand. I turned slightly to see a tall older man with dark hair and beard approaching, holding a goblet in his hands. Ah, my other rescuer.

Duncan nodded as he reached the bed. "Alistair. And you my young friend, it is good to see you awake at last."

"The others?" Alistair questioned Duncan in a more serious tone. The other man shook his head softly. "Damn," Alistair sighed in a somber voice.

I shook my own head. "Sorry," I repeated, "But what do you mean at last, can you please tell me what is going on now?" I tried not to sound too annoyed, but I think I have some right at this point. I raised a hand to my forehead as another flash of something washed over me.

Duncan shot a look to Alistair. "You haven't told her?"

Shrugging, Alistair replied, "We were just starting to get to know each other when you got here you know."

Letting out a sigh, Duncan sat down next to the blond. "Very well. Firstly, I want you to know I'm sorry we didn't reach you sooner or none of this would be necessary."

"It's fine, I'm just glad you were there at all," I replied with a small smile.

"You may rethink that soon," Alistair said under his breath. Duncan shot him a look.

"While he could have phrased that differently, I'm afraid Alistair isn't wrong. You should know, if you don't already, that what we fought together were darkspawn," Duncan said with an air of finality.

I felt like I was punched in the gut. All the air immediately exited my lungs in harsh fashion. "Darkspawn, but that's, they can't be, how?" My eyes flicked between the two men as my lips failed to form compete sentences.

"Unfortunately they were," Alistair continued the story. "Duncan and I were on our way here, to Ostagar, when we ran into you. You did well, especially if that was your first time fighting them."

"Yes indeed," Duncan picked up the tale again. "However something did happen which we must speak of."

"You mean when they poisoned me," I stated. By this time I'd managed to work out the probable cause of my bouts of unease and nausea.

Duncan and Alistair traded a look. "Of a sort," the older man answered. "It is not true poison as you know it. It is their very blood. Darkspawn will at times coat their blades in it, and if you are unlucky enough to receive a wound from such a weapon you will fall victim to the selfsame taint that infects all darkspawn. It is an evil thing, of which there is but one known cure."

My gaze was drawn to the goblet in his hands. Duncan noticed of course. He inclined his head before speaking again. "Let me explain. Alistair and I are Grey Wardens," he began.

Grey Wardens. I'd heard of the order of course, and truly if darkspawn were the enemy then Grey Wardens were the allies you'd want to have. But still, darkspawn above ground led to uncomfortable thoughts. Unfortunately it seemed I was about to be much more uncomfortable than I would have preferred.

"We have reason to believe that this is a true Blight," Duncan continued, and I shuddered. Very uncomfortable. "Therefore I in my capacity as Commander of the Grey in Ferelden approached the King and convinced him to commit an army in order to halt the darkspawn in their tracks. With luck we will succeed and the horde will not reach farther North."

Duncan paused again, allowing me to consider everything he'd said. Truth be told I still didn't want to think about it. It was horrifying to believe, and I was already feeling pretty terrible. But still, if the darkspawn could be stopped here…

"Wait," I said in a higher voice, still ugly sounding though, "You said Ostagar? That's only a week away from Lothering! You must-" I cut myself off before mentioning my family. I knew they were Grey Wardens not templars, but who could tell what could be overheard. And it's difficult sometimes to determine how people, even ostensibly decent people, will treat the family that had sheltered an apostate and helped her to remain hidden.

"We've sent runners," Alistair commented with a shrug, "but that's all we can afford to do now. All battle-ready men and women were needed here."

Another thing to worry about. This was definitely not something I needed. I opened my mouth but a rasping cough cut off anything I could say. Duncan moved to my side and knelt in front of me.

"We must speak of you now," he said with a certain solemness. "As you no doubt inferred, this chalice holds the remedy to the taint within you. Earlier I called it a cure, but that is not the whole truth. What is true is that it will keep the taint from consuming you, but that is accomplished by fusing it to you. In essence you will consume the taint, instead of the reverse. This is what it means to be a Grey Warden."

My eyes widened. This was very much not what I wanted to hear! I was alive, yes, but was the cost to be this high? All I wanted was to be able to go back home and see my mother, brother, and sister again. But then again if the darkspawn weren't stopped here then what would there be to go back to? I didn't know of course, and that was the point. If only I was more like my father…

"There is still risk of course," Duncan went on, oblivious to my internal struggling. "Many who take this serum do not survive the process. There were two here who I had thought might, but alas it was not to be. Of course in your case you are already infected," he acknowledged with what could possibly have been a hint of a smile. "So I have higher hopes for you."

Alistair must have felt a little left out because he piped up, "And think of it this way, if you don't take it you'll die anyway so really what do you have to lose?"

I shot as much of an evil look as I could muster under the circumstances in his direction. "Very well, I suppose I don't really have a choice." I brought my hands up to cup the goblet. They trembled a bit at the action but thankfully Duncan was there to assist in bringing it to my lips.

"Easy now," he cautioned as I gulped down a decent amount of the foul tasting brew. Immediately I started hacking, and felt the trembles start in. What I didn't feel was Duncan help lower me back on the cot as something huge and dark filled my mind.

"I hope she makes it," Alistair muttered as he watched the shaking body of their newest hopeful recruit. "Also that she doesn't wind up hating us if she does."

Duncan chuckled and quietly disposed of the remains if the serum. "I have no doubt she will survive," he said with some small amount of hope. "She has lived with the taint for days already and that is no small feat. I think she will end up surprising us both," he said with a small smile.

Quirking a lip in response, Alistair added, "Along with that dog of hers she's already held her own against darkspawn. I can't even find it in myself to care that she's an apostate. Not that that would matter anymore anyway," he huffed in ironic amusement. "I guess she really was lucky it was us who found her and not some-"

A sudden gasp from the bed drew both men's attention. They both leaned in slightly and were met with the young mage's wide eyed stare flashing quickly back and forth between them. Extending a hand, Duncan greeted the new Warden. "Welcome back sister…?"

There was a pause before the reply. "Amell. Bethany Amell."