Dragon Age Origins: A Grey Wardens Tale.

Prologue: Looming Darkness.

The skies turned dark over what had once been a magnificent fortress; on one side lay the treacherous and equally hazardous Korcari Wilds, and on the other lay rolling plains of flat open ground that offered little in protection from arrows or charging foes; lining the battlements stood row upon row of Archers with bows of Elm, Oak or Ironbark in-hand with a full quiver of arrows strung to their backs, standing in silver Chainmail or Plate emblazing with the crest of arms of families, the royal crest or the silver Griffon of The Grey Wardens.

Overlooking the training grounds where Knights and Wardens alike practiced their swordplay against Dummies and in free sparring, Archer's fired Arrow after Arrow into targets, and Ash Warriors sat by their Mabari Hounds with their Two-Handed Axe's under whetstones.

Amongst the noice of training and blacksmithing was the sound of the portcullis raising as two horses as well as a horse-drawn wagon raced out at prime speeds; the trio of Wardens racing out to gather the fresh recruits that

"My King; Ser's Duncan, Claude and Dalila have just departed on their recruitment missions only moments ago; it is likely to take another three days for them to return with possible recruits" spoke a young Grey Warden; his short brown hair and stature gave The King the respect he demanded given his standing though his eyes gaze away familial feelings towards The King.

"Yes; thank you for your message, take some time at the mess hall for yourself" The King in the golden armour gave a kind familial smile to the Warden but his brief connection of eye contact only lasted a second.

"Thank you My King" spoke the young Warden whilst giving a deep bow before leaving down the stone steps to the ground; only the slight chink of his Grey Iron Splintmail Armour as he walked before vanishing into the crowd of soldiers.

"Tis a shame that Orzammar has shut its doors to those of us above ground as we could use their assistance" spoke the man in Silver Armour; outright ignoring the presence of the young Grey Warden who'd stood in his midst, though his eyes lingered on the young man as he's left.

"Rumour has it that The Dwarven King has passed" spoke a female Guardsman in red Chainmail Armour; instantly shutting herself up as she'd spoken out of turn though the Silver-Armoured man gave a dismissing wave of his hand.

"Such rumours make sense given the lack of Dwarves present here at Ostagar" The King spoke plainly; now that The Grey Warden and The Female Guardsman had left the two of them alone, The Silver-Armoured Man looking at his King with distain as he was supposed to show strength to his people and not dependency of those of lesser standing or the meagre legends of the land.

"I can only pray that Duncan, Claude and Dalila are successful in finding us some new recruits for The Grey Wardens" Spoke the Man dressed in fine Golden Armour; turning his back on the battlements for he decided to not inspect the ramparts or increase the morale of the troops unless he had The Warden Commander by his side.

"As do I My King… as do I" spoke the sour-faced man in Silver Armour; following after The King with his Red-Armoured woman following by his side, a silent march back to the tents as a flock of crows flew overhead leaving only the sound of that caws in their wake.