Ragnar was now back in Midgard after six long months, but it felt even longer. He had been spending the past few months at Weishaupt, giving a report directly to the First Warden. Wardens there asked a lot of questions, more specifically on how Hiccup survived killing an Archdemon.

He told them that he had no idea, pushing it down to nothing more than a miracle though he had an inkling that Valka had some involvement in it. Regardless, there were more important issues regarding the state of the order in Midgard.

Thanks to Drago's betrayal, the entire order had been decimated save for two Grey Wardens, one of which had become King of the nation. Additionally, there were reports that the Darkspawn had retreated into the Deep Road as initially thought, travelling.

The logical solution was to name a Warden-Commander, who can then refill the racks. The only problem was who should be given a command. Given how short this particular Blight was and the fact that it only took three Grey Wardens to stop it, the reputation of the Grey Wardens hadn't improved.

There were also concerns of establishing a commander of foreign birth, as Midgard had long painful memories of the occupation of Asgard. Plus, the new headquarters were in the former Arling of Johann Tradesman, who had been Drago's right-hand man during the Civil War though possibly still noble still loyal to him.

Ideally, they would have preferred giving a command to the hero who had entered the Blight, but since Hiccup was now King of the nation, that was not optional. So they were only left with the only other viable choice, Ragnar himself. While Ragnar was born in Midgard, he was a Freefolk Elf and elves were treated like second-class citizens and as Commander, which meant that the nobles would swear fealty to him.

Ragnar could have refused, of course, but he understood the situation, and like it or not, he was the only man for the job. Once you reach the border guide, a young woman began taking him to the Grey Warden headquarters in Trader's Bay at Vigil's Keep, which had once been the home of Arl Johann.

The Keep was certainly impressive; it had high walls and could easily be defended against practically any kind of siege. However, something was amiss as they should come across patrol by now, and no one was outside the gates to meet them.

"What's going on?" said his guide. "Why are there no Wardens here to greet us?"

"I don't like this," said Ragnar.

Then suddenly emerging from the Keep was a soldier, and he was chased down by several goblins.

"Move!" Ragnar yelled, drawing his blades.

They immediately rushed in to engage the goblins. Fortunately, there were few of them swilled quite easy to dispatch. However, the soldier they rescued was clearly distraught as he began slamming his mace on the dead Darkspawn.

"I think you've killed it," said Ragnar.

The soldier looked at him, and his eyes widened. "It's you! You're one of the Wardens that saved Midgard! Oh, thank the Maker!"

"I don't suppose you can tell us what the hell is going on?" Ragnar asked, looking at the goblins. "How come there are Darkspawn in the Keep?"

"I don't know! They came out of nowhere! All I heard were screams and people dying. I got out as fast as a good and ran into these…" He looked down at the goblins and then looked back at Ragnar. "You've got to help them. You need to do something!"

Ragnar was still a little perplexed that Darkspawn had managed to enter the Keep, especially since there were no signs of a siege. However, the question of how the Darkspawn accomplish this would have to be solved later; right now, they have to eliminate them.

They needed every able-bodied man they couldn't get; the soldier was in no fit state to fight. "I want you to go and try and find some help."

"I will," said the soldier looking somewhat relieved. "There should be a patrol on the road."

The soldier then left them and began running down the road.

"How is this even possible?" said his guide.

Ragnar looked at her curiously. "Nice swordwork. You're not just a guide, are you?"

"Oh! Pardon me, Commander," she said apologetically. "I'd assumed proper introductions would be taken care of at the Keep. My name is Mhairi. I was a knight in the King's service until I was recruited a month ago, but I haven't taken my Joining yet. The seneschal sent me to bring you back. I was not expecting this!"

"I don't think anyone was," said Ragnar. "Clearly, this was some kind of sneak attack, but this is unheard of outside of a Blight."

"But how could they be so organised?" she frowned. "I don't understand."

It was a good question; the Darkspawn were little more than mindless beasts. Ambushes were uncommon, but usually, they were under the command of an Alpha or Emissary. However, for them to effectively attack a fortress such as this wasn't normal.

"Perhaps something else is leading," Ragnar frowned.

"Other than an archdemon, you mean?" she blinked. "Frightening thought."

"Clearly, the situation here was bleaker than I was led to believe, but we can answer these questions once the Keep is secured. Who is in command here?"

"Varel, the seneschal. He is the Keep's steward, I believe, working for the Wardens."

"Perhaps he can explain what's going on if he's alive."

Mhairi nodded. "Right! Let's teach these evil bastards a lesson."

They immediately entered the Keep's courtyard and found a group of gremlins and, more worryingly, an ogre. Soldiers were already engaging them, but they were completely overwhelmed.

"We need to back them up!" Ragnar ordered.

Mhairi nodded, and they quickly rushed in to assist the soldiers; Mhariri went to assist the soldiers in dealing with the gremlins leaving him to deal with the ogre. If he were still a raw recruit, this would have been a challenge, but now he had quite a lot of experience under his belt.

The ogre made a charge at him, but Ragnar slid across the ground and went beneath its feet. He then quickly jumped onto its back and began planting his swords into it. The ogre roared in pain, trying to grab him, but Ragnar had positioned himself in the small of its back where it couldn't reach. The ogre struggled for a few more seconds before it fell to the ground.

"That was incredible," said Mhairi looking at him in awe.

"Hard to believe over a year ago I had a hard time dealing with these creatures," said Ragnar as he removed his blades. "You men all right?"

"Yes, Commander, you arrived just in time," said one of the soldiers.

"Did you know how the Darkspawn got here?" Ragnar asked.

"They just came out of nowhere, pouring out of the Keep?"

"What of the Grey Wardens stationed here?"

"We don't know; we think they were all inside during the attack."

"Stay here and try and locate any survivors," Ragnar ordered.

"Yes, Commander," said the soldiers.

Ragnar then turned to Mhairi. "The two of us will keep pushing forward into the keep."

Mhairi nodded.

They eventually managed to reach into the keep interior, and it was just as bad inside as it was outside.

"Unbelievable," said Mhairi as she looked at the destruction. "The keep has been overwhelmed! How did the Wardens not sense the darkspawn coming? I don't understand it!"

Ragnar didn't understand it himself; even if the darkspawn managed to mask their presence is no way they would be able to enter this deep into the keep.

"How many Wardens are here?" Ragnar asked.

"Not many," she admitted. "A dozen. There are other soldiers who came with them, however. For the darkspawn to have been ambushed the keep so effectively—I didn't know they were capable of such a thing!"

"They shouldn't; I've never heard of darksapwn launching this kind of assault on a fortress such as this one," said Ragnar looking deeply troubled. "Regardless, we have to wipe them out."

Mhairi nodded. "Right. They won't get away with this!"

Then suddenly, they were attacked by three gremlins but quickly drew out his blades, and with one good swing, he sliced off the arm of one of the gremlins. He then spun around and cut up ahead of a second before stabbing the back of the first gremlin. Mhairi had already engaged with the third gremlin, and after blocking its blows with the shield, she quickly plunged his sword in its chest.

"That was unexpected," she said.

"Gremlins are sneakier than any of the other darkspawn and able to mask their presence more effectively than any of the other darkspawn."

Then suddenly they heard an explosion above them and quickly went to investigate. There they saw a mage roasting an orc with a powerful burst of fire. Ragnar also noticed that there were several dead templars at his feet, not really a good sign.

The mage then turned around and saw them. "Uh… I didn't do it. Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not broken up about them dying, to be perfectly honest. Biff then made the funniest gurgle when he went down.

Ragnar then noticed even more dead darkspawn on the floor, and most of them appeared to have been badly burnt, with only a few of them with sword wounds.

"You killed all these darkspawn," said Ragnar looking mildly impressed.

"Of course. Well, they helped," said the mage gesturing to the dead Templars. "A little. Before they tragically died. I am Anders, at your service—mage and wanted apostate."

"An apostate? At Vigil's Keep?" said Mhairi looking a little surprised.

"You weren't here when we arrived," said Anders smiling at her. "I'm sure I would have remembered such a lovely woman at yourself."

Ragnar then cough to get the conversation back on track.

"Yes, of course," said Anders. "We were just stopping by on our way back to the Tower. Just a short rest, they said, and now they're dead. Such a shame."

"You don't look terribly broken up about their deaths," Ragnar noted.

"I'm a mage. They're templars; we don't exactly like each other. Look, I suppose I could help you with the rest of these darkspawn… or you could just let me go. They'll send more templars to find me eventually. They always do."

Ragnar wasn't particularly certain whether he could trust this mage; his track record of apostates wasn't exactly good. Valka was the only exception, and then she disappeared on them just after the battle.

"I could definitely do with the help," Ragnar admitted.

"Then you have it," Anders smiled.

"Are you sure about this, Commander?" Mhairi asked, looking concerned.

"We need all the help we can get to get things under control," said Ragnar.

"I can't say that I'm fond of these darkspawn, even though I'm no Grey Warden," said Anders. "Let's do with them now, and we can discuss what comes later… later."

When they got outside, they saw more darkspawn swarming the keep and standing on the other side was a dwarf, who didn't exactly look as if he was right in the head.

"Oh, we're scared now," he said. "Don't come over here."

The darkspawn then promptly charged towards the dwarf, and they had made it to the centre of the yard when suddenly there was a huge explosion right beneath their feet.

"It'll take more than that to kill us, beasties," said the dwarf and quickly ran off. "Come again if you dare!"

"That was unexpected," said Anders.

"Let's just hope that he doesn't demolish the entire keep," said Ragnar.

"As if we need more to worry about," said Mhairi.

They continued searching throughout the keep eliminating darkspawn as they went and rescuing as many survivors as they could. How so many managed to breach the Keep's defences and took the Wardens by surprise Ragnar had no idea.

They soon reached a door and heard fighting on the other side. They quickly rushed in and saw the battle was in progress. Ragnar can believe his eyes because the one that the darkspawn were fighting was none other than Wartihog.

He quickly slew to goblins with his battleaxe, and that's when he saw them. He then promptly gave Ragnar a little wave before cutting off the head of another goblin.

"Back him up!" Ragnar ordered.

With that, they quickly jumped into the fray; Ragnar quickly headed straight towards the Orc Alpha that was leading the attack. It swung its large sword at Ragnar, who quickly leaned back and then quickly swung the sword in his right hand at it. The alpha quickly blocked it, used all its strength to push Ragnar back, and moved in once he lost balance. However, Ragnar immediately bent his knees to avoid its swing and then plunged the sword in his left hand right through its chest.

He looked around and saw that the others had finished dealing with the darkspawn, and Wartihog was leaning against the railing smiling at him.

"I have a feeling it would be you they would put in command," Wartihog laughed. "When these darkspawn showed up, I thought, 'just you wait until the new commander gets here and you'll all be spitting teeth out of your ares.' Follow the screaming, and sure enough, here you are. Good on ya!"

"I never thought I'd see you again," said Ragnar folding his arms.

Wartihog shrugged. "Came here thinking I might try my hand at becoming a bona fide Grey Warden. I mean, they let the likes of you in, and I hear you're very shorthanded."

"He was here when I left," Mhairi grumbled. "I can't believe the Wardens didn't kick him out."

Wartihog then leered at Mhairi. "Hey! If it isn't the recruit with the great rack!"

"Yes. A prize for the Wardens, to be sure," she said, rolling her eyes.

"I know, I know, too good to be true, right?" said Wartihog and then turned his eyes on Anders. "Hey… who's the mage? Boyfriend? Should I leave you two alone?"

"Wow. A dwarf that smells like a brewery. You never see that anywhere," said Anders sarcastically.

"Huh. A mage comedian," Wartihog huffed. "Thought those normally died young."

Ragnar merely shook his head. "I see you haven't changed the last six months."

"Now, why would I want to change?" said Wartihog.

"I can think of some very good reasons," said Anders.

"We can catch up later," said Wartihog. "Right now, there's more darkspawn around in sore need of a beheading!"

With that, they began making their way deep into the keep fighting more darkspawn along the way.

"I don't suppose you know how any of this happened?" Ragnar asked, looking at Wartihog.

"Not a clue; I was fast asleep when suddenly I heard screaming and then suddenly found the entire Keep overflowing by darkspawn," said Wartihog.

"This attack is far too organised for the loan group," said Ragnar.

"Aye, but there's something strange about these darkspawn," said Wartihog.

"What do you mean?" Mhairi asked.

"It's the way they fight; it's as if they're thinking and observing movements."

Ragnar had noticed this as well, but he had hoped that he had been wrong. However, Wartihog had fought more darkspawn than him even during the Blight. They just turn round the corner when they saw a wounded soldier bleeding out.

"Mhairi?" he said weakly.

Mhairi eyes widened. She quickly rushed to his side. "Rowland!"

"I take it you know this soldier?" Ragnar asked.

Mhairi nodded. "Commander, Rowland was a night recruit from Aresgan like me. We must do something for him!"

"He looks beyond healing magic," said Anders. "Maybe a shot of whiskey for the pain?"

"I like the way you think," Wartihog smiled.

"Stop joking!" Mhairi snapped. "This isn't funny!"

Rowland then looked towards Ragnar. "The… the commander?"

Ragnar then knelt down next to him. "I'm here soldier, I'm just sorry we didn't get here soon."

"We only had a moment's warning before they were on us, Commander," he said, wincing. "The seneschal ordered a counter-attack, but they came out of nowhere! There's one with them, a darkspawn who talks; his magic is powerful."

"A talking darkspawn?" said Wartihog. "The lad must be delirious."

"There's something in my blood!" Rowland yelled. "It hurts!"

Ragnar knew he didn't have much time, and it sounded as if he had caught the Blight as well. "Where is this talking darkspawn?"

Rowland pointed down the corridor. "It went that way, after… the seneschal…"

His arms and went limp, and they all knew that he had just died.

"I will avenge you, Rowland. I swear it," Mhairi vowed.

"Would you make of his claims of this talking darkspawn?" Wartihog asked.

"Are you saying that Rowland is lying!" Mhairi growled.

"That's not what he was implying," said Anders. "But as we all know, darkspawn are incapable of thinking, let alone talking."

"I don't know whether this talking darkspawn exists, but it does sound as if the seneschal is in trouble," said Ragnar getting to his feet. "We have to move now."

Varel was a man with silver-grey hair and currently at sword point watch as an orc alpha calling himself the Withering had cornered one of his men on the battlements.

"It has ended just as he foretold," said the orc and then kicked the soldier off the battlement. He then turned his eyes towards him. "Be taking this one, gently. We are wishing no more death than is necessary."

"Necessary?" Varel spat. "As if your kind has done anything else!"

"You are thinking you know of are kind, human? It is understandable. But that will soon be changed."

"Others will come, creature! They will stop you!"

The orc then saw Ragnar and the others had just arrived.

"There it is!" said Mhairi.

"It seems your words be true, more than you are guessing," said the Withering.

"It is talking!" said Anders astonished.

"Well, let's shut up already!" Wartihog roared.

"Commander!" said Varel sounding relieved.

"Capture the Grey Warden," the Withering ordered. "The others, they may be killed."

Anders reacted first by blasting the orc holding Varel hostage was a fireball. The orc cried out in pain, and Varel used this opportunity to break free; and Mhairi then looked rushed in and cut off its head before it had time to react. Wartihog drew his battle axe and began cutting through the other orcs.

The Withering began to engage with Ragnar, and he was proving to be quite strong, certainly stronger than any other alpha Ragnar had encountered. Fortunately, Ragnar had speed on his side and managed to use the momentum of his swings to push the Withering sword away. With his guard now open, Ragnar swung both blades and cut right through his neck, severing his head from his shoulders.

"Commander, I owe you my life," said Varel gratefully.

"I think the keep is pretty much secure now, only a few stragglers left," said Ragnar.

"That's something at least," said Varel and then turned his eyes to the horizon and saw a convoy heading towards them. "Hmm… soldiers on the road. It seems we have more company. Hopefully, they're more hospitable than our previous guests."

When they got down to the courtyard, they discovered that the convoy was actually Hiccup and by his side were a group of temples. Varel immediately knelt upon seeing him.

"It looks like that I arrived a little late," said Hiccup as he looked around.

"King Hiccup!" said Mhairi astonished, and then immediately went down on one knee.

"I wanted to give the Wardens a formal welcome," Hiccup explained. "I certainly wasn't expecting this. What's the situation?"

"What darkspawn remained have fled, your Majesty," said Varel rising. "The Grey Wardens who had arrived from Asgard appear to either be dead or… missing."

"Missing?" Hiccup blinked. "As in taken by the darkspawn? Never heard of them doing that before."

"These darkspawn seem to be rather unique. We even heard one of them talking," said Ragnar.

"Talking?" Hiccup stared in astonishment.

"All that we know is that not all the Grey Wardens are accounted for," said Varel

"I see," Hiccup sighed and then turned to Ragnar. "Though it's great that you're not one of the missing, my old friend."

"Completely fine, though this does make the entire situation more difficult," Ragnar sighed.

"No kidding," said Hiccup. "I would offer you my help if I could, but I need to make my way to Asgard; I only made the detours here because it was on the way. Thanks to Drago, tensions have risen in Asgard, especially among the nobility that had lost some land during our little rebellion."

"You're afraid that Asgard might invade?" Ragnar asked.

"The Blight to a heavy toll upon us; we're not exactly strong," Hiccup sighed. "I will cause naturally return as quickly as I can, but for the moment, you're on your own."

"Hey! What am I? Chopped nug livers?" Wartihog huffed.

"From the smell, that's not a bad guess," Anders joked.

"I came here to join the Grey Wardens, and from the looks of it, you could use the extra hands! Where's the giant cup? I'll gargle and spit!"

"You're not really allowed to spit," said Ragnar.

"Heh," Wartihog chuckled. "That's what I always say…"

"I… suppose all are welcome, in this dire time," said Mhairi looking at him rather uneasy.

"Joining the Wardens, hey?" said Anders. "Well, good luck with that."

"King Hiccup!" said a female templar. "Your Majesty, beware! This man is a dangerous criminal!"

Hiccup looked at her rather puzzled. "Oh, the dwarf is a bit of an arse, but I wouldn't go that—"

"She means me," said Anders.

"This is an apostate who we were in the process of lean back to the Circle to face justice!" said the templar.

"Oh, please," Anders scoffed. "The things you people know about justice wouldn't fit into a thimble. I'll just escape again, anyhow."

"Never! I will see you hanged for what you've done here, murderer!"

"Murderer? But those templars were—" He then sighed, not seeing the point of arguing. "Oh, what's the use? You won't believe me anyhow."

"It seems there isn't much to say," said Hiccup and then turned to Ragnar. "Unless… you have something to add, Commander?"

Ragnar knew what Hiccup was implying; he wanted him to win but the Right of Conscription. Ragnar could see the benefits, Anders was a powerful mage, and he wore shorthanded.

"I do," said Ragnar. "I hereby conscripted this mage into the Grey Wardens."

The templar looked outraged. "What? Never!"

"The Grey Wardens do still have the Right of Conscription," Hiccup reminded her. "So I'm afraid there's not a lot you can do."

The templar didn't look too happy, but she remained silent nonetheless and walked off.

"Ha! Way to go, kid!" Wartihog smiled. "Welcome aboard!"

"Me? A Grey Warden?" said Anders looking stunned. "I guess that will work…"

"Congratulations, sir mage," said Mhairi. "I look forward to fighting at your side."

"Then, if you have everything under control, I will need to take my leave," said Hiccup.

"I believe the estate has been secured, yes," said Varel. "We have suffered great losses, but the darkspawn are gone, and there are survivors." He then immediately turned towards Ragnar forget that he had never introduced himself. "Oh… excuse my manners. I am Varel, seneschal of Vigil's Keep. And I am most grateful for your timely rescue, Commander. I will aid you in running the lands of Trader's Bay."

"You mention survivors?" Ragnar asked.

"Some of the soldiers and Vigil staff survived. But none of the Asgardian Wardens made it. I would suggest that you get the Joining started right away; you need to replenish your numbers. After which come and speak me we have many masses discuss."

Varel then left with everyone else, leaving only Ragnar and Hiccup behind.

"The security of Midgard relies on the Grey Wardens, even weakened as the order is," said Hiccup. "The rest of our forces are busy trying to maintain the peace; both the Blight and the warhead caused an increase of crime on the roads, not to mention attacks from Drago's supporters. I will try and get you, helpers, best as I can, but until then, you're on your own. It will be up to you to do with the vestiges of the Blight before the situation grows out of control."

"No pressure or anything," Ragnar shrugged.

"I never said it was going to be easy, but I have every confidence in you. Best of luck."

The two of them shook hands, and Ragnar watched as Hiccup made his way back to the convoy and watched as they set off.