Dragon Age Origins: A Grey Warden's Tale.

Chapter 5: Neria Surana Part 1.

Gifted with the power to control the elements and damage or mend the body; Mages are feared by much of Ferelden for their great power as well as treated with suspicion even within The Circle Tower of Lake Calenhad by The Templar Knights who guarded them.

Since the sun had set casting an ominous blood red light over the skies; a single Mage had been called to undertake the most important test in the life of a Mage: The Harrowing, set atop the highest interior floor of The Circle Tower where Apprentice Mages undergo their test to become fully educated Mages, and tonight was Neria's turn.

Neria Surana though an Elf by birth had been brought to The Circle at the same time as a Noble Family was visiting; she'd been dressed in rags at the time but given a warm travelling cloak by The Nobleman's Youngest Son but now as a fully grown and matured eighteen year-old woman and dressed in the yellow robes of a Female Apprentice Mage with her pretty face framed by brown hair as she stepped up the final step and entered The Harrowing Chamber.

Ahead of her stood three figures around a tall table with a cauldron emitting a soft blue light, to the table's left stood First Enchanter Irving: an elderly man who presided over all The Mages but his age was quickly catching up to him with each passing year, to the right of the table stood Knight-Commander Gregor: a tall and often gruff man with greying hair and a beard but always dressed in full Templar Armour as if he expected The Mages to revolt or change into monsters at any moment, and beside the stairwell stood a second Templar Knight in full armour: Cullen; a handsome knight with short blonde hair and pretty blue eyes.

"Neria Surana; thirteen years have passed since you were brought to The Circle and your proficiency with Primal Spells and Body Spells is undeniably skilled in both offence and defence but your ability to support others is what allows you to stand apart from your brethren; I am honoured to preside over your Harrowing" First Enchanter Irving spoke; alluding to how easily Neria could control her Flame Spells without burning herself or those around her, her Ice Spells able to strike targets dead centre while her ability to heal flesh wounds and tend to a human body was second only to professional healers.

Neria wordlessly stepped up onto the dais; brushing a strand of her sleek brown hair from her green eyes before dipping her fingertips into the glowing blue cauldron, the moment her fingers touched the liquid within she felt a shock run through her very veins as if she burst int flames as her vision blacked out.

Upon opening her eyes again Neria found herself standing on an island floating in a glowing green ocean, statues of warped knights with legs instead of arms and vice-versa, glowing plants of Lyrium bloomed under the hand-feet of the warped statues while only ruins of buildings surrounded her that bore slight resemblances to The Tower's Chantry Chamber.

"So this is the Fade? Its more barren and twisted than I expected" Neria spoke to herself noticing that her voice echoed while within The Fade; her imagination having pictured grand or ruined cities when learning about The Black City where The Throne of The Maker sat with Andraste by his side as his Wife, her thoughts dashed as a shadow slid across the ground only to rise out from the dirt into a figure equal to her in height before revealing its true form.

Standing before her stood lone figure; a woman with purple skin and horns sticking out from her head that curled down and around her shoulders like hair, her body from the waist down cloaked in fine silks while her chest was only covered by golden piercings and gold chains, but her black eyes that leered with her black-lipped smile turned Neria's nerves to steel.

"Oh my… a new fledgling Mage? Such a pity that you came to my domain" The Lust Demon spoke; her voice seductive as silk against skin, her black eyes staring deeply into Neria's mind and heart while searching for what desires she had to tempt her with.

"It just had to be a Lust Demon… what do you want? Tempt me with Blood Magic? Pleasures? I know your kind and you don't scare me" Neria spoke; lifting her hands up to the air at the ready as she knew that even without a Staff to channel her Mana through she could still perform some Spells to defend herself with and even defeat the Demon if she chose the right Spell.

"Oh? You think you know all your desires better than I? Do your little books and tomes tell you of your truest most inner wishes? Well I do" The Lust Demon spoke; her voice seductive and cool while her silk-robed arms swayed with her bodies swaying motions, her black eyes staring deep as if looking into Neria's Soul.

The sight that The Lust Demon conjured shook Neria to the soul; she stared at herself when she was but a small child of eight having been dragged from The Alienage by Templars after her accidental burning down of her Families small house, she remembered how cold and wet she'd been after the heavy rain and brutal cold of that year's fall; the figure stood beside her younger self was that of a young Noble who'd given her a cloak to warm herself with

"I offer you a chance to change this fate; allow me to become one with your own body, mind and soul then I shall gift you with a life of joy and happiness with the young Noble whose name you never learnt" The Lust Demon spoke; the demonic figure shifting in and out of Neria's vision as the illusion of a new life hung before her, tempting her with a life that could be hers if she surrendered her body to the Demon.

Neria would be lying if she said she didn't feel a temptation by the offer; the simple act of kindness in giving a warm cloak to a freezing child was a charitable act that so few gave to Elves or even their follow Humans, "No deal; I know that someday I might meet this person again and it won't be because I gave in to a foul creature like you!" Neria didn't wait to hear The Lust Demon's reaction; instead she threw her hands up as an icicle formed between her palms, grinning as she hurled the Icicle headlong and piercing The Lust Demon's chest right between her ample bosom.

The Lust Demon gasped as the Spell struck her; falling to the ground and fading without so much as a trace and leaving Neria alone on the floating island; glancing around herself thinking that this test was a little easy until a large shadow loomed over her, the next thing she saw was an impossibly large claw-like hand reaching for her and a ghastly voice booming into her ears.

"Soon… The Tower you call home shall fall by the hands of your own brethren! None but those chosen few will save or destroy all that The Circle Tower contains".

Neria's eyes fluttered open again to find herself laying on her back in The Harrowing Chamber; gasping for breath with a cold sweat dripping from her forehead and down her back, the comforting hands of Irving touched her as she nearly jumped out of her skin at the mere touch from The First Enchanter.

"Congratulations Neria; you have passed" Irving spoke carefully; he'd seen too many Mages lash out after their own Harrowing Tests for he still bore burn scars from past Rituals where just so had occurred.

"You've done well Neria; you've earned your place amongst Mages" Gregor gazed down upon Neria; his tone one of impressed mind as well as exasperation as another Apprentice had passed and become a fully trained Mage.

Cullen stood silently; his eyes wide with stunned shock as he'd borne witness to his first Harrowing, it had been instantaneous for his eyes, one moment Neria had touched the Lyrium and fallen backwards onto her back; he and Gregor had both drawn their Swords in case she'd begin changing into an Abomination but instead she'd woken in a cold sweat only seconds later when for her it had been several minutes.

Neria wore a smile of pride in her success before passing out on the floor with her head in Irving's comforting grasp.

Opening her eyes again Neria felt the hard worn-out mattress under her body, the wooden boards of the bunk above her own as she'd been returned to The Frist Floor Dormitories for Apprentice Mages; few still remained within that particular chamber, a Tranquil Woman fixed up sheets with sowing needles and thread in-hand: Neria always felt bad for her, but the other sat in the bunk across from her; his chocolate brown eyes gazing out from an untidy mop of pitch-black hair was Jowen.

"Jowen… you know I don't like it when you watch me sleep" Neria had woken with a start upon seeing Jowen's face leering at hers; rising from the uncomfortably hard bunkbed into a sitting position across from Jowen's adjoining bunk.

"I'm sorry… I wasn't sure if you were still you after your Harrowing… how did it go?" Jowen enquired with a curious expression; his eyes trying to examine Neria's own from the short distance of their bunks.

"I passed" Neria spoke with an honest smile; allowing herself a glimmer of pride in defeating a Demon though the disembodied voice's warning bothered her but dismissed it as very few Mages were within The Tower due to having ridden down south with The King.

"That's good; you'll be moving up to the upper floors then?" Jowen seemed pleased for Neria's success but could tell when his friend was not telling something in this matter, his tone becoming distant when her leaving him occurred to his mind.

"I assume so; fully trained Mages get their own quarters after all" Neria chimed in and a sudden tone of happiness; having spent thirteen years in a crowded Dormitory with other boys and girls, endured the sounds of those engaging in unruly acts such as fighting, improper spell use and even acts best saved for privacy but all that had ended when only she and Jowen remained in the Dormitory.

"And I'll be left alone" Jowen's cheerful smile for his friend quickly turned to a frown of despair as he spoke; the very idea of his one friend abandoning him scared him deeply.

"Don't say that; you and me… we'll still be friends" Neria reached out and touched Jowen's hand with her own; almost recoiling at how hot his hand was to the touch for his skin as if he was on fire but also perfectly normal to an untrained eye.

"I don't know about that… I fear I'm going to made Tranquil" Jowen kept speaking ignoring how Neria recoiled from touching his hands; turning his head away as talking about his presumed fate was too difficult to talk about.

"I really don't think that's going to happen, I'm sure your own Harrowing is next" Neria spoke by dismissing Jowen's worries and concerns; batting her hand in gesture of her dismissal.

"No it's not! Every time a Templar so much as looks at me they look like their looking at her or Owain!" Jowen stood up from his bunk and shouted down at Neria; his hands open as if asking for help before thrusting his arm out and pointing to a Tranquil Woman tidying the already tidy bunks that hadn't been slept in for weeks.

"Jowen can you please stop talking about them like that; I pity what they've become but…" Neria began; frowning as she saw the Tranquil Woman; remembering her screams as she'd been forced through The Rite of Tranquillity as punishment.

"But what? I'm going to be a pathetic hollow shell just like them!" Jowen again pointed to the Tranquil Woman in his frustration at the prospect of being made Tranquil himself while shouting in Neria's face, The Tranquil Woman not even glancing in their direction as she walked out the Dormitory and returned with a mop and bucket of water.

"If it'll shut you up I'll go speak to First Enchanter Irving about it; would that please you?" Neria spoke after having heard enough of Jowen's brash and abusive words towards The Tranquil; finally offering to speak to Irving in Jowen's place about his suspicions.

"It would actually; thank you" Jowen's attitude brightened as Neria stood up to talk with Irving; his smile and eyes beaming at her until she'd left the Dormitory before glancing at The Tranquil Woman still cleaning and tidying.

Rolling her eyes at Jowen's blunt words and whiny attitude as she left to walk to The First Enchanters Office; it was true he'd been waiting for his Harrowing longer than most when he was well into his twenties and most Apprentices didn't like staying in the same room as him for longer than necessary and there were rumours that he'd been breaking curfew to head into The Chantry Chambers in the late hours.

The hallways of The Circle Tower were ling and winding each ending in a circular chamber with a staircase headed either up a floor or down a floor depending on which way somebody was going, heading up to The Second Floor where she'd find The Offices and The Library, The Libraries were a source of constant noise, child learning about what it meant to be a Mage, Ferelden History, Legends of assorted lands, Neria merely passed through as a group of children newly induced in The Circle as Apprentices were being lectured about Magic and its uses to serve mankind rather than rule over mankind.

The hallways to Irving's Office was straight and narrow; most passed it by on their way to The Third Floor but Neria stopped in her tracks upon spotting a person she'd never seen before.

Neria spotted a second person entering The First Enchanter's Quarters and Office; a woman dressed in a silver armour with the crest of a Griffon over a flowing silver dress but noticeable silver greaves on her feet as she walked, her flowing black hair trailed behind her but what caught Neria's eye most was the bladed Staff of a Battlemage she carried in her right hand: she was also a Mage and one she'd never seen before, changing her walking speed to that of a creeping tiptoeing walk until she could eavesdrop on the meeting.

"Ser Dalila! A pleasure to make your acquittance; what can I do for a Grey Warden? Perhaps my best new recruits again?! I expect they are safe" Gregor spoke up; his voice as firm and proper as a Knight-Commander should speak but Neria noticed a hint of animosity when speaking to the strange woman named Dalila.

"Ser Gregor… they are doing fine as of last I saw them though two of the six sadly did not survive our own Rituals much like how some Mages don't survive The Harrowing" Dalila spoke; her voice silky and smooth but her tone was that of guilt in revealing the fates of two Templar Recruits that had died being inducted into The Grey Wardens.

"You damned bitch! I gave up those men and women to stand amongst your ranks and you tell me that two of them fucking died!" Gregor burst into bellowing so loudly that his voice carried down the empty hallway except for Neria, his sword hand moving to his weapon while Dalila merely stared at him like she'd expected this response.

"Gregor please… let us not descend to the use of profanity so quickly, I believe a dozen Mages have already left with The King, what more do you ask Ser Dalila?" Irving spoke up as the voice of wisdom in an increasingly volatile situation.

"I've come to seek a Recruit for The Grey Wardens; any one will do as long as they've passed your own little test" Dalila spoke quickly; getting to her point by making it clear with her no-nonsense tone of voice.

"A little test?! The Harrowing is important to assess which Apprentices have turned to the use of Blood Magic and will become Abominations while those that pass…" Gregor snapped harshly with a matching voice; his words spoken as if he was shouting in anger.

"Those that pass only earn a stay of execution… I know what you Templar's think of us Mages, always waiting for an excuse to cut us down where we stand or rip away our magic, souls and emotions with that barbaric Rite of Tranquillity" Dalila countered and cut Gregor off as he spoke; her eyes shooting a look of strong dislike that wrinkled her nose.

"Excuse me… you wished to see me First Enchanter?" Neria saw this as the moment to interjected and halt any conflict; having seen that Gregor had already motioned for his Broadsword while Ser Dalila had reached for her Staff, stepping through the door before any blood could be shed.

"Ahh yes Neria; I apologise if you overheard any of that" Irving spoke with an expression of surprise that Neria had been around the corner listening to the shouting match, beckoning her in with a simple motion of his hand.

"It's alright… I just had an argument with Jowen myself" Neria spoke up; her voice normal though she felt on edge after the shouting and imminent threat of combat between Templar and Mage.

"Oh dear… this isn't the first time this has happened" Irving spoke; his fingers pinching at his grey beard in contemplation of Jowen's previous issues of arguing with Instructor's, Fellow Apprentices and even Irving himself.

"I was wondering if we could speak alone" Neria spoke quietly; noticing that she had Gregor's and Dalila's eyes on her, Gregor glaring with suspicion while Dalila merely gazed upon the girl as she was sizing her up for a Grey Warden Battlemage Uniform.

"Of course… Gregor, Ser Dalila, please give us a moment to ourselves" Irving gave a nod of appreciation; raising a dismissing hand to Gregor and Dalila as they'd continue their conversation later once Neria's situation was resolved.

Neria's eyes lingered on the strange woman who'd backtalked Knight-Commander Gregor so fiercely; observed as she walked out with grace from the office alongside the Knight-Commander of whom stomped out in fury as if they knew each other well until they'd both disappeared and their footsteps echoed away.

"Now then; the reason I called you here is that since you have passed your Harrowing you'll move from the Second Floor Apprentice Dormitories to those on The Fourth Floor; you'll find your new Robes there as well as your first Staff, a gift from me to you" Irving spoke; his soft smile widening into a smile of pride in Neria when at heart he viewed her like a Daughter when they were both highly skilled in the same Magic Types.

"You honour me First Enchanter but I have something else to talk about" Neria gave a bow of her head in thanks for the private quarters and her very own Staff; her voice turning from a thankful tone to one sounding more emotional.

"And what is that dear Neria" Irving spoke gently; understanding Neria by the sound of her voice.

"When is Jowen going to undergo The Harrowing? He fears he is going to be made Tranquil" Neria enquired; her expression turning from her normal calm to one of serious questioning.

"Ahh… I had assumed the matter would be this; I'm afraid his fears are to be confirmed" Irving leant back in his high-back chair; his hands pressed together at his fingertips as he spoke with a tone of resolute assuredness.

"But why? He's desperate to undergo The Harrowing so why can't he?" Neria spoke up without warning; pressing her hands down upon Irving's Desk; her eyes spotting a black-covered book amongst the papers that Irving tucked out of sight with one hand.

"Dear Neria; I fear that Jowen may have delved into the forbidden spells… I speak of Blood Magic" Irving spoke slowly; his tone grim when he knew all too well the dangers and travesties that came from the misuse of such dark magical arts.

"That's impossible! I know my friend and he would not do that! He'd never turn to that kind of Magic!" Neria backtalked Irving like how Dalila had backtalked Gregor, Irving's eyebrows raising at the tone in her voice.

"Neria… we have witnesses and evidence that are sufficient to condemn Jowen to Aeonar" Irving spoke again but speaking slowly in an attempt to gain Neria's understanding that Jowen's Harrowing would only result in a possibly much worser fate.

"The Mage's Prison?! I'm sorry but I refuse to accept this; Jowen is innocent and you know it!" Neria took a step back at the very mention of Aeonar as it sent a shiver down her spine as the name alone was feared just as much as The Rite of Tranquillity.

"I'm sorry Neria but Jowen's fate has been sealed… there is nothing that can be done to prevent it" Irving stated just as Neria was about to leave; his sad eyes meeting Neria's angry eyes for a split second before she left.

After an hour had passed Neria sat looking out through her solitary window in her new lodgings; having changed into her new Robes consisting of an ornate red robe with a brown ankle-length skirt from the waist down, her Staff one made from Elm Wood with a green jewel set into the head of the Staff, but her one treasured possession remained with her, a small child-size travelling cloak that had been given to her for warmth by a Noble when she'd first arrived at The Tower; it reminded her of basic human kindness that not all people hated Mages or enslaved Elves.

Her train of thought halted as a knock came to her door; the knocking making her jump as for years she'd slept amongst a community of other Apprentices and now she had her own lodgings but that felt alien to her as well as lonely, "Come in".

The door opened as a tall man stepped through; his eyes blank and vacant while his face expressionless and as he spoke he spoke with no emotion or feeling, "Miss Neria; I come with a message".

"Owain… you scared me for a moment, of course; please speak" Neria spoke the man's name with fondness; she'd always thought highly of Owain regardless of the fact he was Tranquil.

"Apprentice Mage Jowen would like to see you in The Chantry Chamber; he asked that you come alone" Owain spoke with zero concern or emotion; his voice was flat and low as was the blank expression on his face and in his eyes.

"Thank you Owain; your service is appreciated; have a hot bread bun on me" Neria bowed her head in thanks for the message before passing Owain a silver coin for one of the hot bread rolls served by the other Tranquil and Chantry Sisters.

"My thanks Mage Neria" Owain bowed deeply as he accepted the coin; turning on his heels and leaving Neria alone in her private quarters.

The Tranquil always made Neria feel sad as their very souls had been forcefully taken away by the brutal Rituals they'd been forced through; watching as Owain left before taking a deep breath as she'd not returned to see him after her earlier meeting with Irving, glancing towards her very own Staff leaning against the wall but decided to take it just in case of anyone who threatened her now that the suspicion of Jowen being a Blood Mage had been planted in her mind, leaving the room and immediately heading to Jowen's desired meeting point.

"Neria' you came quicker than I thought" Jowen called out as he spotted Neria walk through the doors; waving his hand to signal her as he stood in a corner of the chamber by one of the Prayer Alters with a woman hiding behind him.

"Jowen; what reason do you have to call me here? Its past curfew" Neria spoke sternly; her new rank gave her authority over Apprentices and Jowen's earlier attitude as well as the suspicions surrounding him hardening her to his very presence.

"I know; but I wanted you to meet somebody special to me" Jowen said with a wave of his arm; the woman who'd been stood behind him made herself visible, the woman wore the long flowing robes of a Chantry Lay-Sister with her hazelnut hair tied back with a series of prayer beads, her face pretty with high cheekbones and hazel eyes.

"Hello Neria, its nice to formally meet you since Jowen speaks so highly of you; I'm Sister Lily" The Woman introduced herself with a polite nod of her head; her pretty smile beamed at Neria who stood in shock of the reveal.

"A Chantry Sister?! Jowen… Sister Lily… that's forbidden! For both of you!" Neria exclaimed in her moment of shock; she couldn't believe that this was the reason that Jowen had been sneaking out at night when Templars roamed the corridors at all hours.

"I am aware of that and I don't care! We want to escape this Tower and live our own lives as we see fit" Jowen answered; his words of resolve matched as he joined hands with Lily, The Mage and The Sister gazing lovingly into each other's eyes indicating their wish to live free of the restraints placed on them was genuine.

"Neria; Jowen has absolute trust you and we'd like to ask if you will help us now that you know of our love?" Lily spoke with a voice as sweet as honey; even Neria had to admit that Sister Lily was a beautiful woman with truly good intentions if a little misguided.

"And how exactly are you planning to escape? Jumping off the roof? Many have tried and all died! Including Ryden!" Neria questioned; calling upon the name of a fellow Mage Apprentice who'd also been ruled as a lost cause and was gong to be made Tranquil but leapt off the top of The Circle Tower where only to dark waters of Lake Calenhad and hard rocks of the inlet where The Tower stood awaited.

"Yes I remember him and how he died by jumping off the highest floor in hopes of landing in The Lake; we want to enter The Undercroft and destroy my Phylactery so The Templars cannot track us; and then escape through the Storerooms with this Fire Rod I stole from Owain while he was delivering you that message" Jowen spoke with indifference to the unconfirmed death of one of their former Apprentices; his indifference caused Neria to stare at him like he was a different person.

"You stole from Owain as well?! Don't you pity what he's become?" Neria exclaimed but controlling her outrage at the theft of a Fire Rod from The Stockrooms that were under Owain's jurisdiction.

"No; because I don't wish to become just like him! An empty shell of a man with no emotion! No feelings! No Soul!" Jowen began shouting again; his voice raising until Lily tightened her grip on his hand thus calming him.

"Neria please… help us… only you can get us past Templar Guards" Lily added to Jowen's plea for help; her free left hand reaching out for Neria to take it and begin their plan to escape The Circle Tower.

"I need time to think this through…" Neria spoke just as she turned her back on Jowen and Lily; her Staff resonating as she sensed a dark power welling up from Jowen only for it to vanish a second later, walking away with a hastily speed to get away from whatever it was that she'd sensed.

"Do you think she'll turn us over to Gregor or Irving?" Sister Lily spoke; her tone of concern catching Neria's ears as she left.

"Not a chance; I trust Neria with my life" Jowen spoke; that same emotional tone of voice she knew him for returned but his words pulled at her heartstrings while she walked away.

Neria thought hard on what Jowen said about trusting her; in one hand she wanted to save him from being subjected to The Rite of Tranquillity; she'd heard the screams last time it had been performed and still heard them in her worst nightmares; her thoughts so lost in the cloud of Jowen's unexpected romance with a Chantry Sister, their escape plan that was bound to fail without her, her feet carried her to Irving's Office without her even realising where she'd been walking to.

After her chosen words only an hour ago left Neria feeling self-conscious about returning to Irving's Office after choosing to deny Irving's concerns and Jowen's fate but after hearing Jowen and Sister Lily's escape plan she felt she couldn't stand by her friend any longer; if he truly was dabbling in forbidden texts and practicing darker magical arts then she had to prevent his escape.

"It is rather late dear Neria; do you have more to say regarding Jowen's fate" spoke the voice of Irving; the man himself standing in the doorway before Neria had even knocked at the door.

"Actually yes… I believe you might be right… can I come in?" Neria asked; waiting until Irving stepped to one side and welcomed her in regardless of her previous rude attitude towards him and the decisions regarding Jowen.

After recounting the conversation she'd had with Jowen and Sister Lily; repeating their escape plan word for word and step by step, Irving remained sat in his chair while pinching at his grey beard in deep contemplation before he finally spoke again.

"This is worrisome… if we stop this from happening before they can act then The Chantry will merely say that Lily was being manipulated by Jowen's Magic and further vilify Mages and Jowen will be killed on the spot" Irving sat silently at his desk for a long series of moments until Neria sat down in another chair; her eyes following to Irving's own Staff: a length of Ironbark with a deep red jewel and a work of Elfish Craftsmanship, her gaze returning to Irving as he spoke but with a dark glint of opportunity in his eyes.

"First Enchanter… are you trying to undermine The Chantry?" Neria enquired; spotting the dark look in Irving's eyes as he spoke of how badly The Chantry tended to belittle Mages when Andraste herself spoke on how Magic should serve and not rule.

"In a sense… The Chantry always seeks to protect its own while demonising us Mages; but if we're to prove Lily's guilt then we must catch her in the act of assisting a suspected Blood Mage thus condemning her for a crime The Chantry cannot protect Lily from"

"That's awful but I don't think we should seek to take revenge of The Chantry… and Jowen is not a Blood Mage! But what should I do?" Neria said with concerns of Irving's dark thoughts towards The Holy Sisters; again reaffirming her beliefs that Jowen was not what others claimed him to be.

"Dear Neria… I shall inform Gregor of this matter personally but I want you to assist Jowen with his plan; ensure me makes it to The Phylactery Hall but do not allow him to destroy his own vial, escort him back to the Exit to where Gregor and I shall be waiting to capture him and Lily"

Neria couldn't believe what she was hearing; Irving's plans to take down The Chantry though she agreed that Mages were often demonised by The Chantry Sister's and The Templar's were always seeking an excuse to make somebody Tranquil, "I have a condition".

"What is it?" Irving said while leaning forward from his chair; intrigued by whatever Neria had in her mind.

Neria took a deep breath; her thoughts flashing back to the Female Grey Warden Battlemage she'd met earlier, "That I go with Ser Dalila afterwards, I want to be her recruit for The Grey Wardens".

Irving felt taken aback by Neria's request; in all the years of sending Templar Recruits and newly Harrowed Mages to The Grey Wardens via Ser Dalila he'd never known a single one to openly volunteer to become a Warden given how so many died, "You ask a high price… are you aware that not all who seek to join The Grey Wardens even survive The Joining?".

"Yes; I… I overheard Gregor's harsh words earlier" Neria held her own hands as she confessed to eavesdropping on the meeting with Gregor and Dalila earlier.

"I thought I saw your shadow earlier" Irving spoke with a chuckle; having spotted hints of Neria's eavesdropping such as her shadow and sensing her Mana.

"When should I begin taking part in Jowen's plan?" Neria spoke lowly; his tone of voice barely hiding her shame in betraying her friend even though she knew he was going to attempt the escape plan with or without her.

"You should go immediately! I shall go ahead and unseal the doors to make accessing The Undercroft much easier for you but you must not tell anybody about this; if Jowen or Lily speak of the ease then you must lie! You must keep your true allegiances secret"

"Very well First Enchanter; I shall find them both at once" Neria gave a bow; her brunette hair loosening with her swift bow so it fell in bangs about her pointed ears, turning on her heels and leaving the First Enchanter's Quarters with the upmost haste.

As Neria left The First Enchanter's Quarters/Office and almost immediately she nearly bumped directly into Knight-Commander Gregor; his cold stare locked solely on her, "What are you doing here at this time? Aren't you tired after your successful Harrowing?".

"I am yes; but Irving and I required to talk about certain matters… and please forgive my boldness… but Irving would like to discuss the same urgent matter with you too" Neria spoke quickly; her plan was to find Jowen quickly and get him into The Undercroft before any Templars could catch them while they were off on their evening meal break.

"Would he now? very well; I thank you Mage" Gregor spoke down to Neria like he always did by calling her a Mage rather than her name like he did for Irving or Wynne; speaking in a tone of condescension that always made her imagine setting the man's head on fire or freezing his feet in place.

Neria knew correcting Gregor with her name would prove fruitless as he only ever called Mages by name after they'd done a great service to either The Tower, become a Tranquil or served him personally but she needed to find Jowen.

Thankfully she didn't have far to go for she found Jowen sitting alone in their old Dorm Room; a large chamber with multiple bunks from multiple Apprentice Mages to sleep though the majority had already been called to their Harrowing Rites thus leaving Jowen alone, his sleeves suspiciously torn with slight rips by the sharp edge of a knife but strangely no blood was staining his sheets, clothes or anywhere, Jowen's eyes staring solely at Neria as if she'd just walked in on him having a private moment to himself; his eyes leering at her where she noticed something amiss in his eyes but halted by Jowen's strangely raspy voice, "What do you want?!"

Neria was put off slightly by the raspy sound to his voice when his voice was normally so jumpy like he was constantly looking over his shoulder; speaking the words she'd been running through her mind with a tone of compassion, "I've decided to help you and Sister Lily escape; Irving and Gregor are going to make you Tranquil like you said… I won't let them destroy my friend when I could do something to help you".

"You will?! I knew you'd come through for us; Lily had her doubts but I knew you'd help" Jowen leapt to his feet; his hands grasping at Neria's in his moment of thankful gratitude towards his trusted friend.

"But we have to move fast! I just saw Knight-Commander Gregor go to First Enchanter Irving's Office and he'll only be there for so long" Neria spoke lowly; her emotions withdrawn from her voice that Jowen turned an eyebrow to but dismissed it due to the late hour.

"Yes… those two can argue for hours and once we get down into The Undercroft we may have some searching to do if we're to find my Phylactery" Jowen agreed having witnessed the arguments between Irving and Gregor; recalling one particular day when Gregor had pressed his Broadsword to Irving's throat onto to had been talked down by Irving's immense wisdom to defuse Gregor's anger regarding a Templar who'd falsely accused a Mage of seducing him and thus been made Tranquil after a single night of being together: she now walked the halls with no memory or feelings towards The Templar who'd used her and then punished her with Tranquillity though Irving had been saddened by the girl's fate.

Neria and Jowen both hurried out from The Dorms only to take a longer route around the First Floor before reaching the stairwell down to The Ground Floor so Irving and Gregor could unlock the doors before their arrival; Jowen kept a widening smile as no Templars were in sight of either The Stairwell or the doorway to The Undercroft where Sister Lily stood waiting for them.

"Neria! You decided to help us?" Sister Lily exclaimed; her hands held together in prayer as if she had been praying that Neria would choose to help them.

"Yes; I'll see you through until you both get outside The Tower and then you're on your own" Neria spoke quietly; her eyes stared unemotionally at the Sister with silent hopes she'd not seen .

"You'll have my enteral gratitude Neria; you are a true friend" Jowen spoke cheerfully; the most cheerfully that Neria had heard him speak in weeks or maybe months.

"I've seen Gregor leave moments ago and he'd left the door unlocked! We're ready to go at a moment's notice" Lily spoke with a tone of happiness that it appeared a stroke of good luck had fallen into their laps while Neria knew it was because Irving and Gregor had unlocked the doors prior to their arrival.

"That stupid excuse for a Templar must have forgotten to lock the door after an inspection" Jowen mocked; a wide smile appearing on his face in his overconfidence as a glint of excitement sparked in his eyes.

"We should be careful though; we don't know what is down there" Sister Lily spoke up; offering her hand to Jowen while Neria stared and watched as the Mage and The Chantry Sister interacted.

"I agree; we proceed with caution" Jowen spoke; his hand holding Sister Lily's as the descended the stairs only to pass through the open doors and into the dark corridors of the unknown depths of The Undercroft.

Neria couldn't help but watch as Jowen and Sister Lily descended down into The Undercroft; her thoughts wandered away from destroying Jowen's Phylactery and towards what would happen when they exited The Undercroft and Jowen learnt of her betrayal, would he blame her? Curse her name for as long as they lived? Or merely run away with Sister Lily like he intended, but what worried her most was the slight blood red tint to the normally chocolate brown eyes of his.

Author's Note: I took the liberty of including a reference to my previous Dragon Age work; Ryden is referenced by name but whether he is alive or dead remains to be seen.