Dragon Age Origins: A Grey Wardens Tale.

Chapter 8: Arrival In Ostagar.

Crossing the gorge atop an ancient stone bridge that remained standing even after centuries of weather battering the stone but the bridge stood strong like The Frostback Mountains over a deep ravine that mist clouded the true depths, a pair of Elf Messengers ran towards them and took the horses away without any words being exchanged much to Kallian's apparent dislike to the point that she glared at Duncan, Claude and Dalila.

"Ostagar… this is where our legends will be forged!" Jory spoke with grandeur as a knight who sought his fame and glory above the noble duty of a Grey Warden but blissfully unaware of the trials they had yet to overcome.

"Not so fast Jory; we have to pass a test before we can become Wardens" Daveth spoke lowly from behind Jory's back; poking him in the small of his back with the hilt of a Dagger out of frustration for losing to him the previous night.

"I remember; I just hope it won't take too long to overcome The Blight; I have a wife and child to return to" Jory answered back by batting Daveth's Dagger away while Daveth merely laughed in his face but Neria watched Jory with stares of concern for the man.

"All I want is some food… and some better clothes" Kallian spoke lowly noticing that none of her fellow recruits had paid her any attention except for Neria who'd been casting a basic spell on her to keep her from getting cold while dressed in a meagre unprotective ragged dress throughout their journey.

"Both shall be handled once the horses are sheltered; de-saddled, watered and fed, Aeden! Kallian! You two take the horses while the rest of you get the feed-sacks" Claude bellowed as the Elves had taken the horses to the stables but The Recruits would have to tend to the horses themselves due to how busy the Elf Servants had become with all the Knights, Warriors, Mages and others that had gathered to combat The Blight.

With a grumpy expression Kallian and Aeden followed though the aura of loathsomeness following her like a dark cloud over her head; following the muddy prints of horses hooves until reaching the stables where the horses stood with their reins and saddles still equipped but food and water had been left for the horses of which happily ate and drank to their hearts content.

"Let me handle the reins" Aeden volunteered himself for the arduous task of taking the reins from the horses heads; a difficult task when the horses were embroiled in their partake of water and feed.

"Do you think of me as some useless welp? I can handle some reins" Kallian spoke with such hostility that she shoved Aeden in the chest when she went to remove the bridle from the horse's face the beast of burden whinnied angrily and loudly for interrupting their feeding before rising up on its hind legs to trample Kallian, Kallian stared in horror as the hooves of the beast raised up before she was suddenly tackled to the ground moments before the horse could strike her.

The horse settled down quickly but its eyes glared at Kallian as she laid down in the mud while the horses walked into the stable by themselves, Kallian herself groaning as she finally realised that it was Aeden who'd tackled her down and was now laying on top of her.

"Are you alright?" asked Aeden; lifting himself up from Kallian and giving her a friendly smile in hopes that saving her from being struck by the horses might melt some of ice wall she'd been putting up between herself and the other Recruits.

"I'll be fine but I'd rather you get off me!" Kallian barked without so much as a hint of gratitude; her knee violently jerking up and slamming into his groin causing Aeden to roll off of her in great pain.

"I saw everything! Are you both ok?" came a voice form behind a ruined pillar; Neria came running from her hiding spot as the horse trotted away to take shelter within the stable interior.

"I'm fine… I cannot say the same for this Human" Kallian spoke calmly; though her expression was evident that she was slightly shaken by her brush with death but cast her sight to Aeden as Neria had gone to his side rather than to hers, the sight of a fellow Elf assisting a Human left her feeling both confused and slightly disgusted.

"You know… that's the most you've spoken since we met in Lothering" Aeden spoke highly; his hands grasping as his groin in sheer pain but smirking as he met Kallian's gaze; noticing that Kallian briefly looked apologetic for striking him before her glare turned to menace and contempt.

Kallian glared menacingly at Aeden while Neria attempted to help him up to his feet but the unfamiliar weight of Aeden's Leather Armour caused her to buckle but when Aeden's hand reached out and grasped Neria's hand to help her back up but the feeling of Aeden's hand holding her own felt oddly familiar like she'd felt his touch once before.

Upon returning to the Wardens as well as Recruits,; Aden, Kallian and Neria stood stunned as two men walked towards them, one clad in gleaming golden armour with a delighted expression on his handsome face while the other adorned in silver armour but looked sullen at The Grey Warden's return with success in their wake.

"My Heroes have returned! And it appears that you were quite triumphant with five fresh faces no less!" the man in the golden armour bellowed in delight, Duncan, Claude and Dalila all dropping to their knees in reverence of the man with Daveth, Jory and Aeden also dropping in a bow leaving only Neria and Kallain standing; both staring at the man with perplexed expressions.

"Kneel before your King; do so and you might keep your heads upon your shoulders" Ordered the man in gleaming Silverite Armour; his arms thrust out like it was built with a spring indicating that his arms speed was formidable but with the gleaming Dragonbone Knightsword on his back indicating that the man must hold a great deal of power and authority to be in such a position besides the King.

"Loghain please.. there is no need for such formality, Please rise back to your feet; The Grey Wardens shall be heralded as heroes of Ferelden after the battle is won and The Blight squashed beneath our very feet!" King Cailin spoke kindly; dismissing Loghain with a mere wave of his arm though his eyes stared pleasingly upon the figures of Neria and Kallian, Neria merely smiling in pleasantness at meeting The King while Kallian merely gave a dismissive turn of her head that drew Loghain's attention for her act of rudeness.

"Allow me to introduce our Recruits… first we have Ser Jory of Redcliffe: he showed great strength and skill at a Tourney that caught our attention, next is Daveth of Denerim: his skill as a thief but also his keen eye with a bow brought him to our attention, Neria of The Circle of Magi actually volunteered to join our ranks and showed an aptitude for Primal and Defence-based Spells, Kallian of The Alienage joins us after being exiled and lastly young Aeden Cousland" Duncan spoke highly with an honoured tone in his voice; indicating for each Recruit to step forward as their name was spoken in The King's presence.

"It is a tremendous pleasure to make your acquaintance! As for you my dear; it has been a long time since my last visit to your humble corner of Denerim… how is life there?" King Cailin spoke kindly; shaking the hand of each Recruit in turn leaving Jory and Daveth in a state of honour and pride while Neria gazed happily at The King but Kallian stared at him with thunderous eyes.

"It is difficult… Nobles like yourself are treating my people like mere toys to be broken and thrown away and yet you as King do noth…" Kallian began with a slow voice before her irritation quickly began to swell up before Ser Claude silenced her with a wave of his hand.

"And you must be the youngest son of Teryn Cousland! Ser Fergus has told me much of you and your skill with a sword… I look forward to fighting by your side" King Cailin turned his attention to Aeden while ignoring the silenced Kallian much to her disgruntlement.

"Thank you My Liege; but are you aware of what had befallen my family?" Aeden spoke with a bow of courtesy to his King; his tone low and grim that drew on the emotions of Cailan but Loghain stood with tight lips.

"I don't believe I have" King Cailin spoke with curiosity while Loghain raised an eyebrow as Aeden had spoken of his family but remained silent on the matter though his eyes stared with a nobile awareness at Aeden while he spoke.

"My family was massacred by none other than the soldiers serving under Arl Howe" Aeden spoke steadily so not to allow his emotions get caught in his tone of voice; his every word bringing back the memory of every still-warm corpse he'd seen, the heat of the flames, the sounds of voices screaming as they died, leaving his own parents to their fates so he alone would survive.

"Unbelievable! Your Father and Rendon Howe were great allies when my Father seized the throne from The Orlesian Army" King Cailin took a step back in shock of Arl Howe's accused actions; believing Howe to have been a valued ally but had chosen to not contribute any Soldiers or forces to combat The Blight.

"I remember the story My King; I only ask that Rendon Howe received his dues for his cruel and terrible acts" Aeden spoke while bowing; lifting his head exposing an expression of desired satisfaction while King Cailan pondered the request while Loghain stared hard at the young Noble as if ready to cut him down for his accusations and audacity to so much as speak them aloud.

"Very well Ser Aeden! Once this so-called Blight has been defeated and the Darkspawn crushed under our boots then I shall honour your family with the complete dissolvement of Rendon Howe's status and strip him of his lands" King Cailan placed a hand on Aeden's shoulder; promising him justifiable action will be taken once The Blight was defeated.

Loghain stared at Cailan with stunned silence; to decide of stripping not only a friend but valuable ally of his Noble status and lands without fair trial and taken in on the words of a young Noble alone was unthinkable; he'd have to look into the matter himself.

Kallian gazed over at Aeden with an expression of wide-eyed shock upon learning the reasons for being chosen as a Recruit even though he's a Noble; she'd initially assumed Aeden was just another Noble looking to further himself with the glory of battle and win the hearts of maidens across the land but she now saw the darkness in Aeden that was very similar to her own, the darkness that had settled within her heart after the death of her fiancé, her family and freedom taken away and the loss of everything she'd hoped for in her future.

Neria watched Aeden with tears welling up in her eyes; she thought she'd been dealt a bad hand by choosing between The Circle and her Friend when Aeden had lost everything dear to him, his home, family and all he had left was the strangers gathered around him, Neria clasped her hands together as she make a silent promise to herself to always stand by Aeden's side as his friend.

"Thank you My King; may fortune favour you in battle" Aeden answered on behalf of his fellow Recruits; all but himself and Kallian were knelt in reverence; turning to catch Kallian's eyes and noticing that she expressed hostility in the presence of Human Nobility.

"And you Young Cousland" Cailan smiled as he gave Aeden a pat on the shoulder as he turned The Wardens and shook their hands now that greeting the Recruits had been concluded, Loghain giving a dirty look to the Elves; his nose wrinkling as if he smelt something foul before leaving without any words given.

"Well then; now that our meeting with King Cailan is over with we must attend to your preparations… Kallian! You will accompany me to our Armourer and get you fitted with some clothes more fitting than a ragged old dress, the rest of you are to seek out Alistair, in the mean time I should attend to the other parties arriving" Claude spoke the instructions to the Recruits before taking his leave with the intention of attending to other arriving parties of warriors to aid in the coming Blight.

"Forgive my speaking out of turn… but who is he?" Neria spoke carefully so not to offend The Wardens in fear that they might revoke her chances of partaking in The Joining after acting so care free in front of The King.

"He is a Warden who has recently passed The Joining and he shall oversee your own" Duncan spoke of this mysterious Alistair with reverence as if he were addressing somebody of great importance, a way of speaking that Aeden knew too well was how somebody spoke to somebody who'd been born to a great family.

"I thought you were going to oversee our Joining Ser Duncan" Jory spoke up cutting off Aeden from speaking; his expression one of annoyance that warriors as renowned as Duncan, Claude or Dalila would not be personally seeing to their Joining Rites.

"We all shall oversee the Rites but the preparation shall be overseen by Alistair; until then I shall be in discussions with The King and his Generals" Ser Dalila spoke with a strike from her Staff against the cold hard stone floor, a wave of magic echoing through the air that even The Non-Mage Recruits felt as it passed through them though Aeden, Jory and Daveth all fell onto their rears by the sudden blast.

"And I need to attend to The Mages and Templars… only The Maker could know what might have transpired without a Warden Mage to keep a fragile peace between the two parties" Dalila spoke grimly; touching her forehead with her fingertips before she too turned to leave.

Neria.

Having wandered off to explore while her fellow Recruits got to work in seeking out the Warden named Alistair and Kallian had gone to seek out an Armourer to get herself dressed in some more suitable clothing and a weapon, Neria wandered around the wide and spacious area that had once been a sprawling courtyard that would have bustled with commerce and social gatherings but now was merely a gigantic training ground for the familiar groups of Templar Knights either practicing their sword-hands or praying to The Maker with a lady of cloth, groups of tattooed men and women in leather armour gazed at her as she passed but it was the groups of Mages engaged in silent meditation that caught her eye for a single elderly woman in bright red robes leaning against her staff was who seemed the most familiar.

"Wynne? Is that you?!" Neria asked as she walked up behind the elderly Mage Enchanter; her hand grasping the bright red robes of the woman as she turned around to reveal that the who was indeed Wynne.

"Neria my dear… I didn't expect to meet you here" Wynne turned and met the eyes of Neria; her lined face a picture of grandmotherly kindness and a matching sparkle to her blue eyes, her white hair pulled back and tied into a bun, every line in her aged skin seemed to smile whenever her lips curled into a smile.

"Well a lot has happened; I passed The Harrowing, met Ser Dalila, Jowen had been romancing Sister Lily and turned out to be a Blood Mage before escaping, betrayed me and Lily and The Circle, and I volunteered myself to become a Grey Warden Recruit" Neria listed off everything that had happened within the walls of The Circle Tower by using her fingers to count everything; excluding her journey and meeting her fellow Recruits but noticing the horrified look in Wynne's expression when revealing Jowen revealing his relationship with Sister Lily and being exposed as a Blood Mage when she too would have thought him innocent.

"Oh my… you have been through a lot in a very short time; but are you aware that not all who seek to join The Grey Wardens survive The Joining?" Wynne spoke with her usual tone of kindness; her blue eyes sparkling with life despite her years but a hint of sadness blotted out that kindness after learning of Jowen's betrayal.

"Yes I do; but they say that about The Harrowing too" Neria spoke proudly; her imagination running away with her as she pictured herself with a long pointed nose as she puffed out her chest in her moment of pride only snapping out of her daydream when Wynne spoke again.

"Indeed they do; but this is unlike The Harrowing… in fact; it's nothing like anything you have ever seen or read about in any book or tome" Wynne talked with care for Neria in her voice; seeing that the girl was easily excitable and eager to pass another test after passing her own Harrowing but had no idea what she was in for.

"Now you're just getting me excited" Neria spoke with a widening smile; his nerves having vanished and now all she could think about was overcoming The Joining and becoming a Grey Warden, Wynne knew too well of the wishes of young Mages; all of which had longed to go out into the world and experience all that they could only to be confined by rules or laws.

"Neria… this is something you should not take lightly for the likely hood of death is much greater in The Joining when compared to The Harrowing" Wynne spoke with a urgent tone for the simple child-like Neria to understand; though she'd volunteered for The Grey Wardens she knew little of the heavy cost that would possibly take her life.

"Have you witnessed it? The Joining I mean" Neria enquired; curious as to what The Joining entailed though Wynne pursed her lips as Neria had questioned her about The Harrowing the day before having to leave The Circle to come to Ostagar and be unable to attend Neria's own Harrowing.

"I have only once been present… and swore never to speak of The Joining's proceedings, I cannot tell you more" Wynne opened her mouth but spoke in a grim tone; what she'd seen on the sole occasion she'd witnessed The Joining was something that would haunt her for the rest of her days as even recalling the memory sent visible shivers down her whole greatly aged body.

The visible shivers that wracked down Wynne's body was enough of an indicator for Neria that The Joining was not something to be taken lightly; though she still desired to know though she would find out for herself once her new friends found this Alistair-person.

Neria pouted for a moment before Wynne spoke to her again, "Now that you're free of The Circle… have you had any luck finding the young lad who gave you his cloak when you were brought to The Circle?" Wynne asked; a knowing smile on her kind face as she gazed upon her former Apprentice for her answer.

"No; not yet as I was pretty much brought straight here except for a brief stop for a short rest and that yummy stew in Lothering" Neria admitted; having left out watching the entertaining game of chance where Kallian and Daveth had both lost to Jory.

"He might be closer than you think; dear Neria… have you not realised yet?" Wynne asked; knowing all too well that the man she was seeking was none other than the noble-hearted Aeden Cousland, she knew as she was present when the terribly thin, starving and half-frozen Neria was first brought to The Circle along with a visit from The Cousland Family; she'd witnessed the act of kindness from the young Aeden in giving his own winter cloak to Neria in order to protect her from a death by cold.

"Realised what? Come on! Tell me!" Neria squalled light a small child; grabbing a hold of Wynne's hand before jumping up and down with excitement that Wynne knew the young boy's identity nor realising how close he was.

Wynne felt like she could sink her face into her hands; Neria was a bright girl and exceptionally talented at Primal and Defensive Magic much like Irving in his youth but when it came to the other people around her she was quite dense and child-like in personality but in times of need she was strong-willed and mature, "Neria, You need to discover this for yourself… and I hope you will do so before it is too late".

Kallian.

Upon leaving the group of Recruits; Kallian noticed that many of The Royal Knights, Ash Warriors, Templar's, Mage's and others ignored her as they'd assume she was a mere serving girl or a servant at work as they walked through the gigantic courtyard, Kallian's Alienage-born mindset only seeing the courtyard as being three times the size of Denerim's Market District but she'd noticed that a Keeper was taking care of several Mabari Hounds, Elf Servants rushed with boxes of either food or medical supplies between the myriad of tents and the medical station under a large Chantry Banner.

Noticing that Ser Claude had gotten ahead of her but was speaking to a young-looking Chantry Sister; the two exchanging words before Ser Claude turned to her with a sour expression on his face, "Kallian… I'm afraid I must take my leave as urgent matters have risen that need my attention".

"Fine… where is this Armourer so I can see him myself" Kallian stated; giving a dismissive turn of her head while she flicked from of her auburn hair from her eyes.

Ser Claude grinned as the independence of Kallian never failed to impress him; he dearly hoped she'd survive, "He's just a little further up; just keep heading towards The Training Area and then take a left".

Kallian nodded before leaving without another word; leaving Claude to notice that she still carried the bloody wedding dress as a small bundle of rags under her arm, dismissing it as he knew that Kallian planned to destroy the dress before The Joining.

Walking around the camp of warriors and knights gathered from all across The Kingdom; her eyes observing Knights bearing no crests except for their armour being black, warriors dressed in light leather gear and their tan-skinned bodies lined with white body-paint and lastly caught sight of Neria with a group of Mages, exhaling softly as she walked towards an aged man with a thick ginger beard and dressed in ordinary slacks and a shirt with a leather apron.

"Hey! Are you the armourer?" Kallian shouted as she'd followed Ser Claude's directions and came to the very site she'd been seeking, her eyes briefly eyeing the range of small weapons and pieces of armour as the man turned to meet her.

"Yeah I am! Who's asking bitch?" The Armourer spoke with a harsh tone; displeased with the act of shouting when all he'd been doing was cleaning some Silverite Plate Armour for Loghain to wear in the coming battle and interrupted by some red-haired Elf.

"I'm Kallian Tabris: Grey Warden Recruit" Kallian spoke in a high tone with a furrowed brow; her expression showing her discontent with how The Armourer had spoken to her like she was a slave but used her Recruit status to levy some weight.

"Oh… I beg your pardon; it's been a while since we've had an Elf Recruit… what do you need?" The Armourer's tone of voice quickly changed as soon as Kallian revealed her identity and her status as a Warden Recruit; she'd had no idea that being a mere Recruit would carry so much weight at Ostagar.

"Something that's easy to move it preferably" Kallian spoke her request quickly and to the point; a shiver running down her whole body as her ragged old dress did nothing to shield her from the cold air.

"Easy to move in! I have just the thing… and did you want me to dispose of that?" The Armourer spoke with a cheerful tone; his eyes noticing her shivering but also glancing at not only the bloody bundle of a dress held in Kallian's arms but also the dirty and torn dress she wore.

"No! Touch this and you die" Kallian snapped aggressively; hugging the dirty wedding dress to her body so closely that the dried blood stained her current ragged dress.

"Ok then… try this on for size" The Armourer spoke lowly with a dismissive wave of his hand regarding Kallian's dirty dresses as he picked up a bundle of clothes as well as a strange-looking piece of armour that appeared to be a corset as well as a pair of sturdy leather shoes.

Kallian took the bundle of clothes as well as the strange leather armour that felt light to her hands but durable at first glance, stepping behind a wooden screen for the purposes of getting changed and dressed into fresh gear or armour without fear of prying eyes; the tatty dress she'd worn for the journey slid from her frame with ease leaving her in only her undergarments but quickly dressing herself in the new clothes due to the chilly air prickling at her skin giving her involuntary shivers, feeling surprised at how easily the fresh clothes fitted her when The Armourer had barely glanced her and picked out the exact size she required.

Kallian stepped out from behind the screens barely five minutes later dressed in a red breeches that clung to her legs giving her adequate protection from the cold, leather shoes and a clingy shirt with a battle-corset that protected her vitals from harm in battle, a harness hung from her hips for any Daggers she might gain, she'd done her stringy auburn hair up and tied it back but left her stringy hair strands framing her face.

"I'm guessing by your clothing request that you are a Rogue… now for a weapon, do you prefer a Bow or Daggers?" The Armourer spoke as he turned to the wall of weapons he'd had set up for equipping Knights and Wardens alike; lifting down a simple Bow of Ash Wood that would suit her body type and size as it wasn't only the weapon of choice for Elf Wardens but a normally natural fit for an Elf Rogue.

Kallian thought for a moment as she gazed at the weapons rack; the Bows, Daggers, Longswords, Braodswords, a huge Greatsword leaned against a wall of old weathered stone; she considered the Shortsword partnered with a Dagger but thought that the uneven weight would hurt her light-footed style but a pair of Knives would allow her to move freely and strike against enemies where it hurt most, "I would like Daggers… Knives actually".

"Light-weight, Easily hidden, deadly strikes but short reach… and you're from The Alienage correct? Sounds like how Valendrian fought in his younger years" The Armourer felt stunned by the rejection of the Ash Bow but spoke with nostalgic reflection when recalling his past comrade; setting the ranged weapon back before picking up a leather belt with two lightweight Knives forged from Steel that would hang from her hips when worn.

"You knew Elder Valendrian?" Kallian stated with stunned surprise; she'd known that Valendrian had travelled for much of his life but never expected to hear about her village elder from a mere Armourer.

"Knew him? I fought by his side in The War, I might not be a Warden but I'm a great Armourer and pretty good with a Battle-Hammer if I do say so myself" The Armourer answered Kallian as he puffed out his chest before coughing greatly, Kallian tilted her head as she'd heard this rattling violent coughing before as a symptom of black lung: a sickness of the lungs that affect elderly blacksmiths and Dwarves, "Worry not girlie… I see Healers every day about this cough".

Kallian glanced away knowing she could do nothing to help the old man; she had no idea that Valendrian had fought in The War when now he appeared to be a frail old man but still had the skill to dodge enemy weapons and coerce Guards into turning a blind-eye to something that could easily get him or any Elf arrested, there truly was no end to the surprises surrounding that old man but time was not on her side as she had a Joining Rite to pass.

"So… how does that outfit fit you? Not too tight? Too loose?" The Armourer asked; grinning at his choice in clothing and armour, his eyes also eyeing up Kallian's thin and slender body frame as her body-type was exactly what was required from a Knife Fighter.

"It's just right, you are a good armourer… for a Human" Kallian managed a slight thankful smile to The Armourer of whom smiled back to her as he handed her the belt along with the pair of sheathed Steel Knives with leather bound grips, ending her sentence with a jab at Humankind before turning her back on The Armourer and leaving.

"I'll tell you more after the battle… alright girlie?!" The Armourer yelled after Kallian looked back as she turned the corner and vanished but he swore he saw a brief smile of the Elf's face when she'd glanced back to him.

Aeden.

Having split off from Jory and Daveth as they'd gone to search the Mess Hall and The Warden's Barracks for the elusive Warden named Alistair; Aeden had wandered past an Armourer but heard Kallian's voice and chose to keep his distance from her but having also spotted Neria speaking with an elderly Mage like they knew each other but left them alone due to the urgent nature of his search, only the large Tower they'd passed on their arrival and The Chapel remained as possible locations leading Aeden to check the tall arch-roofed building where the surprisingly intact Stain-Glass Windows shone brightly with the light of the flaming braziers within.

Upon stepping inside gave Aeden a moment of atonement as the chapel within was nothing like the chapel back in Highever; the home chapel had only been a prayer alter with several pews for seating during service to worship The Maker and Andraste but The Ostagar Chapel was much grander by comparison with the gigantic hall lined with ornate pillars, tall windows depicting Andraste being raised as The Maker's Bride via her public execution of being burnt alive, stood at the foot of the alter stood two men with one being incredibly angry at the other.

"We already have Templar Knights and The Chantry breathing down our necks and watching our every move! What do you damned Wardens want from us now?" Screamed a middle-aged Mage; dressed in finely woven robes of teal with a Staff held in one tightly gripped hand, the man appeared furious with a younger man.

"Hey, I'm just the messenger boy; don't go throwing any fireballs my way, I don't need any more holes in my breeches" spoke the younger Knight; appearing to be not much older than Aeden himself, standing tall with a strong jawline and short-cut blonde hair and sparkling stormy eyes, dressed in finely polished Splintmail Armour and a simple Longsword coupled with a Shield bearing the symbols of a Templar Knight.

"I don't fucking care who or what you are Warden! Don't tell me what to fucking do or where to go unless it's a matter of actual importance and not some damned bitch of the cloth wishing to preach about Magic being evil" The Mage shouted again; his hand whipping around and grabbing his Staff in a threatening manner that forced Aeden to reflexively reach for his own Family Sword still holstered to his back only to noticed that the Young Knight hadn't gone for his own weapon but remained calm in the face of such a threat.

"I was only asked to deliver a message but if you'd like to make a complaint I'd be happy to…" The Knight-Warden spoke honestly; opening his gloved hands in a warm manner to the angry Mage only for The Mage's Staff to ignite into a flaming pole of possible instant incineration in response.

"To hell with all of you Templar Knights, Sisters and Wardens… I'm done! Good fucking luck fighting The Blight with one less Mage" The Mage shouted; a Fireball blasting off from the tip of his Staff that flew into a Brazier and sent the flames into a towering wall of fire that lit up the entire Chapel before simmering down once The Mage marched away from the alter.

"You try to pass a message and they blow up in your face… oh well; no skin off my nose" The Knight spoke; his tone humouring himself after facing down an angry Mage, patting down his breeches as he began to walk away from the alter until catching sight of another person present standing by the ornate pillars.

Aeden merely stood by as the angry Mage marched past without so much as a glance to him; standing idly as the Grey Warden muttered a remark to himself from dealing with the tension between Mages and The Chantry only to find a new person waiting for him in Aeden who stood against one pillar in wait for the heated one-sided argument to end.

"Well then; pardon me for keeping you waiting… I'm Alistair" spoke the Grey Warden; a charming yet humorous smile spreading across his face as his eyes sparkled with an ever-pleasant attitude much to Aeden's surprise.

Author's Note: I'd like to take a moment to speak on the inspiration for the additional Wardens seen in the Origin Stories though their backstories shall be revealed in due time, Ser Claude was named after one of the two central characters of Star Ocean: The Second Story/Second Evolution which is my favourite game on Sony's PSP, and Ser Dalila was named after the Black Dalila flower and thus was made a Mage due to the flower being one of many symbols for Pagan Witchcraft.