Chapter 15) Ostagar

Nuada POV


"Nuada, are you all right?!" Cailan kneeled in front of me, snatching the first clean napkin he could find on the table to press against my face. "Anora, is there a physician on the way?" he asked desperately. "Damn it, Nuada, where did you even come from?"

"My mother?" I answered cheekily. He glared in response. "Hey, you asked!"

"A physician has been sent for!" Anora informed us. She passed her husband a scarf to use instead of the napkins that were rapidly deteriorating. "There's a lot of blood…"

"Head wounds bleed too much," I reassured, smiling. "No need to worry."

"Nuada, don't smile. You're making it bleed more."

"Loghain has the assassin," Cailan whispered. He was still putting pressure on the cut. "Why didn't you say something first?"

"Eh, I moved too slow," I explained. "Elspeth was getting Uncle Loghain, and I was coming to get you. Then Alfstanna wanted to talk about something, and it took a minute to get away."

"Next time, just shout, not catch a knife with your face."

"Yes, yes."


The ruins of Ostagar were old. They were old and grand, filled with mystery and wonder. Oh, I wished Oren could see this place! He'd have a field day!

"The Imperium built Ostagar long ago," Uncle Duncan was explaining to us as we made our way through the ruins. "They wanted to prevent the Wilders from invading the northern lowlands."

"Now, we are using it to combat the darkspawn," Layla murmured. "That sounds quite fitting."

"How many Wardens are there, Master Duncan?" Aiden asked.

"Less than a hundred," Uncle Duncan sighed. "All of us are here, of course."

"Why so few?"

"The Wardens attempted a coup in the past," I answered. "So, they got banished for two ages. Uncle Maric allowed them to return about twenty years ago?" I glanced at Elspeth, who nodded. She tried to just keep quiet when she wasn't talked to directly. "I'm glad to see I remembered the number correctly."

"So, they exiled the one group of people who can combat a blight?" Cleon sighed. "Idiots."

"Cleon, I'm not sure how they number things among the Dalish, but the last Blight was during the Exalted Age. That's over four hundred years ago."

"I read about that!" Layla noted excitedly. "It was the year 5:24 it ended, right?"

"With many darkspawn deaths," Uncle Duncan added. "The Wardens and dwarves knew the fight wasn't over, but the Fourth Blight had ended so triumphantly that the surface populace was convinced the Blights were gone. By the time of the coup, the Wardens were seen as an old legacy, and no longer needed."

"And now we have less than a hundred to stop a Blight," Cleon sighed. "Creators, guide and protect us."

"Worse is the fact we must stop it here. If it spreads north, Fereldan will fall." If it does, then the rebellion in the past would've been meaningless, in the end. That was a difficult pill to swallow.

"Hail, Duncan!" Oh, I knew that voice anywhere. Even if hadn't been dressed in the bright gold armor of his father that I was sure could be spotted from the Free Marches in this damn sunlight, Cailan always spoke with a very distinct mix of confidence and friendliness. He was always good for picking up my mood.

"King Cailan!" Uncle Duncan yelped, automatically taking the hand Cailan had outstretched for a shake. "I didn't expect-"

"A royal welcome? Of course I'd be here. I was beginning to worry you'd miss all the fun!"

"Fun?" Cleon repeated with a growl. He looked incredibly unimpressed. "Oh, joy, the shemlen are ruled by an idiot."

"Hush," Aiden hissed. "Be polite."

"I'll keep my mouth shut."

"I shall help you," Layla muttered before tiptoeing to put her hand over his mouth. I hid a smile behind my hand at Cleon's outraged look. "There we go."

"So, these are the recruits you found, Duncan?" I had to hide my smile as the other three jumped from Cailan's remark. "A mage, a city elf, and a Dalish, yes?" he asked. "Absolutely fascinating."

"Yes, allow me to introduce you," Uncle Duncan began. He glanced at Elspeth and me, but I mimed him to be quiet. I wanted to see how long this took.

"There's really no need to be so formal, Duncan. We're shedding blood together, after all." Cailan smiled. "I'm Cailan. Might I have your names?"

"Your majesty, I believe you know some of us?" Aiden suggested hesitantly. Aw, Aiden!

"Huh?" Cailan frowned, looked around and started when he saw Elspeth and me. "What?"

"Aiden, you spoiled the fun!" I complained, grinning. "Hiya, big brother!"

"It's good to see you're well, Cailan," Elspeth greeted, far more formally. Still, she smiled, and it was a real one. "Anora's letters speak of great worry."

"Probably about how I'll offend someone," Cailan laughed. His smile faded slightly, though, as he noticed who wasn't here. "Did… did something happen? Bryce isn't ill, is he?"

"Father's stronger than an ox!" I dismissed with a laugh. "He'll be-"

"Nuada, enough." Elspeth's interruption was soft, but the words still hit like a punch. "You can't pretend here," she told me. "You know that."

"You can't either." There was no heat in my retort. There wasn't a point, really. We both knew we had dysfunctional ways of coping and no amount of reminders would change that.

"Wait, what's going on?" Cailan demanded. "Nuada? Elspeth?"

"I'm afraid F…" Elspeth's voice caught and she had to pause a split second to get past the lump in her throat. "I'm afraid Father will not be coming," she whispered. "There will also be no more soldiers from our lands. We were attacked in the night by Amaranthine." She clutched the family sword and shield to her chest. She'd refused to let go of them the whole trip down. "Everyone is gone."

"You… what?" Cailan's mask slipped, revealing the wide-eyed scared boy he was at the moment. He'd probably been hoping to talk to Father about the battle. "Surely this is a poor jest."

"Father is dead. Mother, likely, is too." Elpesth's voice was talking that monotone she fell back to when trying to distance herself from things. "Oriana was slain. Oren and Eoin are missing. Countless soldiers are dead and at the mercy of a madman." It hurt all the more knowing that madman was someone I'd called 'uncle'. "Where is Fergus?"

"I… I just sent him out scouting." For a split second, Cailan looked ready to breakdown, but he hid it in time. "There was a troubling report, so I sent the person I trusted most to check." He forced a calm, reassuring smile. "He will not get away with this. I refuse to let that happen." He gripped both of us by the shoulder, eyes burning fiercely. "As soon as we're done here, I will turn this very army north to string him up. That is a promise."

"…Cailain, you're the best…" I mumbled, looking at the ground as I tried to remember where I was supposed to hide the memories and pretend they didn't exist.

"Yes, thank you, Cailan," Elspeth whispered. Her voice shook slightly, but no one would notice. "Do you think we can head in the camp and find a safe place for the sword and shield?"

"Oh, yes," Cailan laughed. His mask was back on, so he really looked like the overconfident king he was trying to play. "Just set it in my tent. There are guards all over the place there. Oh, but do be careful wandering the camp, you two. Some of the men will gawk at pretty ladies, and some of the ladies just love a man with scars." He brushed a hand over the one on my cheek. "I'm glad that healed well, by the way."

"Of course it did," I dismissed. "Okay, we're off."

"Please, be polite to the other Warden recruits," Elspeth whispered. "Two are going through culture shock, I think."

"Thanks for the warning," he whispered back with a smile before turning his full attention to them. "I'm terribly sorry for being so rude! Wasn't expecting my delightful siblings to join us in the glory."

"Man, he's milking that persona," I noted as Elspeth and I wandered deeper into the camp. "I guess things are bad."

"It's serving its purpose, though," Elspeth pointed out. "Morale is high."

"That is true."

"What are you two doing here?" I jerked my head to the voice, smiling brightly at its owner. "Fergus said you two were staying in Highever," Uncle Loghain continued, frowning heavily. "Please tell me you two aren't hitting a rebellious stage."

"Well, I'm a Warden now!" I informed him cheerily. "Sorry, I know you'd been pushing me to join the army, or your guard, but circumstances occurred."

He blinked at me for a minute before turning to Elspeth. "He's in one of those moods again where he's infuriating. What happened?"

"Everyone died, so Nuada volunteered," Elspeth answered bluntly. "In truth, Uncle Loghain, I am more of a refugee than anything."

"A Cousland refugee at that," I pointed out. "Been a while since Fereldan has seen that."

Uncle Loghain, however, didn't laugh. He just stared. "How did everyone…?" he began before shaking his head. "No, never mind. I'm not sure I want to hear." He sighed heavily. "When I saw you two, I half expected to hear Bryce had unexpectedly died or something, but not… you said everyone?"

"Well, Oren and Eoin could be alive," Elspeth whispered. "Some of the knights could be as well. But no one else is." She glanced at me, but I ignored her in favor of lala land. "You can see the effects for yourself, I gather."

"Yes, indeed." He fell silent, and we waited for him to get his thoughts straight, as always. "You don't have armor or weapons, do you?"

"We have the family sword and shield," Elspeth replied slowly. She held them up for emphasis. "But they belong to Fergus, not us." Elspeth had no clue how to fight with them, and there was now way I was wielding them.

"Come, then. I'll get you some. You can't be near a battlefield without them, and I don't want anything to happen to you two." He looked almost pained. "This way." We followed him obediently, knowing better than to reply directly when he looked like that. We continued to say nothing as he led us past the army's common stores.

In fact, no one said anything until we made it to his private guards' tent. "Do you have Elspeth's type of armor in here, Uncle?" I asked as we slipped inside.

"In the back, yeah," he answered. "I know most of my guard uses heavy armor, but a few of the scouts prefer the lighter armors."

"Excuse me, but no one is allowed… oh, milord!" We turned and I smiled to see Cauthrien at the tent flap. "My apologies," she stuttered, looking at the ground. "I didn't realize it was you."

"It's fine, Cauthrien," Uncle Loghain dismissed, smiling at his most trusted captain. "Do you mind helping Elspeth with her armor?"

"Ah, of course, milord." She looked up and smiled at Elspeth and me. "I'm confused to see you two, lord and lady, but I can't say I'm not happy about it. I feel more comfortable knowing you'll be near to help out, if I may be so bold."

"Cauthrien, you hand my ass to me at spars," I laughed. "No need to be so formal."

"Yes, milord."

"Here, Nuada." Uncle Loghain handed me a set of glittering white armor as Cauthrien led Elspeth to a separate area, behind a curtain. "This should be to your weight and build," he stated. "Here, I'll help you."

"Thanks, uncle," I murmured. As we worked on the armor, I asked, "Oh, I'll need a sword and shield."

"You can pick those out yourself. Good training for you."

"You are such the taskmaster."

"Good. Obviously, your other teachers were too lax." I stuck out my tongue childishly and earned a light rap on the head, and a smile, for the action. "All right, armor is all buckled. Pick your weapons."

"Yes, sir, general, sir." As he rolled his eyes, I hunted through the shields and swords set up. It was easy to find the kite shields, my preferred type, and it wasn't long before I found a simple metal one, made silverite. I picked up a longsword of the same material not long afterwards. "These seem to fit my style."

"Stand your ground until your enemy thinks he's figured you out, before you throw them into the wall," Uncle Loghain snarked. I just grinned in reply. "Not bad choices at all. We get through this, though, and I'm getting you a better set."

"Thanks, uncle."

"Okay, we're all good here," Cauthrien called as she stepped out behind the curtain with Elspeth. I forced a grin at her leather armor. Cauthrien had made sure she was in only the best, but I didn't really like it when Elspeth donned the chest piece, skirt, and boots. Elspeth hated fighting more than just about anything. "Just need to get her a good bow."

"I'll take care of that, Cauthrien," Uncle Loghain stated. "I found one in the market not long ago I'd been meaning to give her anyway. We can check if it's a good match."

"Thank you, Uncle Loghain," Elspeth murmured, carefully braiding her hair to keep out of the way. "I appreciate it."

"It's the least I can do, dear." He clapped me over the shoulder. "What about you? You've the armor and weapons. Do you need a spar to remember how to use them?"

"Not right now," I laughed. "We'll see how things go with the preparations. I think I'll take a look around and get a feel for the area."

"All right." He nodded and turned his attention back to the girls. "Cauthrien, I want your men to do two more drills before resting for the battle." Cauthrien nodded and saluted. "Elspeth, come with me." Elspeth smiled slightly. "Oh, and Nuada, if you die, I'm giving you drills."

"Ouch, harsh!" I kept laughing as I headed out of the tent. "See you later, then!" As I exited, I stretched and glanced around. Okay. Time to figure out what I can see without looking like I was seeing anything. Cailan could use the fresh eye.


Cailan had summoned quite the myriad of people for this. There was everyone from the simple farmer to the noble to the Ash Warriors to the mabari themselves. Those last ones were really making their presence known.

"Cailan, did you have to bring the whole damn kennel with you?" I laughed as he dragged me off to some secluded area in the camp. He must've finished greeting Uncle Duncan and the others. "The whole camp smells of wet dog!"

"It's their home too," he immediately protested, grinning like an idiot. "Besides, I'd sooner trust something precious to a mabari, right?"

"Oh, you know it. Eoin would tear through a wall if it was between him and Elspeth."

"Or protect Oren."

"That too." I had a feeling I knew what he was about to say. "Cailan, you know I have to be the strong Cousland."

"Just promise me you'll try and fix this when you're a Warden."

"I… sure, I promise to try."

"Good." He sighed. "Good."

I frowned and studied him a bit. "Cailan, not to be rude or anything to my dear big brother, but you look haggard."

He managed a smile. "I feel it."

"Well, I know I'm not Fergus, but I do have two working ears if you need them.

He almost protested, but stopped himself with a sigh. "Why not? You already know the biggest issue weighing on me." The lack of a royal heir weighed heavily on everyone. Anora was fast approaching an age where childbearing, and childbirth, was exceedingly dangerous for the mother and child, even with magic to help. "Uncle Eamon might've been the one to say it straight to my face, but I know most of the Bannorn is thinking it. Well, Uncle Teagan might not, but that's because he's nice enough to not bring up things he knows makes me uncomfortable." That was because Teagan actually had some tact sometimes. "It's… you know… caused some problems…"

"Uncle Loghain scolded you for sleeping around, didn't he?" It must've been after Fergus had left if it was still weighing on him. Cailan told Fergus everything. They'd been each others' confidants since they were children.

"Among other things, yes." He glanced around to make sure no one else was around and slumped, discarding the mask for a time. "I think there's something wrong with me, Nuada," he whispered. I immediately wrapped an arm around his shoulder. It was awkward, because of the bulky armor we had on, but the gesture still communicated well. "I think it's my fault. But everyone is blaming Anora. No one is even considering the problem might be with me. I hate it. I hate it so much." He sighed. "I've… I've been thinking of annulling the marriage."

What. "Is that so?"

"I should be glad you're not yelling. Fergus stared at me for ten minutes when I told him before launching into a rant." He strained a smile. "We've been arguing a lot lately, Nuada. It's not working. I… we agreed to talk after the battle. To see if there was a way to fix things. But I think the only way to fix it would be to end the marriage. Then, at least, she won't have as many people pressuring her. That can't be helping matters." Yeah, but I knew Anora. She liked being queen. "And most of the time, I think she really just hates me."

"You know that's not true."

"Some days, I really wonder." He sighed. "And then there's problems with Celene."

"You're talking about the Empress of Orlais?" He nodded. "Why?"

"She wants to visit, and the letter she used was quite… familiar." Oh, I could see where this was going.

"I'd talk more with Elspeth about anything dealing with her," I advised. "Out of the three of us, she spent the most time with the Empress when we were in Orlais. However, if I had to make a guess… well, I'd say she's trying to do the same thing with you as she does with all her other 'suitors'." Celene was brilliant, after all. She strung them along with false promises and let those families support her power. Honestly, though, if someone had told me she was sleeping with Briala, I wouldn't have been surprised.

"And if she's not, she's trying to get Fereldan without a war," he sighed. "I know. Fergus stated that bluntly. I just need to figure out a way to reply."

"I would definitely go to Elspeth for that." I grimaced. "I'm afraid thinking like an Orlesian noble tends to make me sick. I hate their Game."

"I've heard a lot of complaints of it. I don't want to play it at all."

It was time for a subject change, but to what? Hmm, oh, now there was an idea! "Hey, Cailan, there are some healer mages here and I'm sure some of them could be discreet."

His face lit up in a smile as he caught my implications. "You're right! I could ask one of them if there's something… yes, it would be something more definitive to talk about."

"I think I can figure out a way to ask," I teased. "I might as well take advantage of that reputation of mine, no?"

"Little brothers are the best." He suddenly got a thoughtful look on his face. "Oh, wait, that's right. Listen, there's something I need to tell you."

Whatever it was, though, I wouldn't hear. Right at that moment, a soldier blundered into our hiding spot. "There you are, your majesty!" he gasped out. He must've been running for a while. "My apologies, sire, but you're needed!"

"Duty calls," Cailan sighed before clapping me on the shoulder. "I'm sure we'll both be busy until the battle, so let's talk afterwards? Lots of catching up to do."

"That sounds good," I agreed with a smile. "Oh, and thanks for those tips. I think I can woo a mage now without ending up as a toad!" He laughed. "I'll see you later, Cailan."

"Until then!" He let the soldier lead him off and I thought about what would be the best thing to do now. Well, considering the hour, it was probably time to go find my fellow Wardens. It was back to wandering, then!


The air of the camp was getting more chaotic. People were racing about, trying to finish last minute preparations. It took some hunting, but I eventually found Layla in the mess. However, despite her beauty which was brought into focus by the make-up Elspeth applied this morning, all my focus went to her companion.

"Uncle… Maric…?" The name just slipped out. The face, the demeanor, and the mannerisms were almost exactly like him. But… but no, it couldn't be Uncle Maric. Uncle Maric had been lost at sea five years ago, with no body ever found. I couldn't pretend that event away anymore.

"Huh? Did you say something?" the look-alike asked. I didn't answer immediately as I focused on every possible detail that was different. The coloring was most obvious. Uncle Maric had been as blonde haired and blue eyed as his son, but this man had reddish-brown hair and hazel eyes. Uncle Maric had some faint scars on his neck from the Rebellion; this man had an even fainter scar only across his cheek. "Hello? Captivated or something?"

"Oh, I'm afraid most severely, epitome of handsomeness!" I joked, seizing the easy way out. How was I supposed to describe to a stranger that he looked almost exactly like my dead 'uncle', the Savior King? What really confused me was that he looked more like Uncle Maric than Cailan!

"Wait, you actually agreed?" Now he was grinning and damn did it not look like Uncle Maric's too. I had to immediately focus on the fact that his was wider and freer to differentiate the two of them again. "So, which one are you? Duncan sent word of there being four more and I'm all confused as to who's who." Ah, so he was a Warden? "Layla's easy, since she's the only girl, but the rest?"

"Well, obviously, I'm the admiring one."

"Yes, but I'd probably need something else. It's apparently not polite to call people things like that."

"Nuada, do not be difficult!" Layla scolded with a frown. She was often frowning around me. "Alistair, you should not encourage him, either!"

"So, it's Alistair?" I asked, holding my hand out for a shake. He took it after a moment, like he'd been startled. "Well, it's nice to make your acquaintance. I'm Nuada Cousland."

"The noble, right," Alistair murmured. "Wait, now that I think about it, didn't Duncan mention the other two being elves?"

"He probably did, seeing as they are."

"Oops. Ah well, it's not all that important, right?" He paused. "Wait, or is it?"

"I wouldn't say so. They're talented warriors who happen to have pointy ears and other elf characteristics."

"And here I thought the Chantry sisters were right about me being a weird, blasphemous child." He grinned again. "Anyway, nice to meet you, Lord Cousland. I'm Alistair, like Layla said."

"Please, call me Nuada," I corrected. "If I survive, we're going to be brothers in arms and that whole siblings and family calling each other titles junk is so… Orlesian." I paused as I thought. "Wait, that might've been Nevarra. Ah, damn if I remember. I'll have to ask Elspeth later. She kept it straighter."

"What do you mean 'if you survive'?" Layla asked, curious.

Oh, shoot, that slipped out. "Well, I'd explain, but then mister Warden here might have to hurt me for spilling Warden secrets," I immediately covered. I smiled at Alistair's frown. "You haven't been a target of Elspeth's questions yet, so hold judgment on your fellows until you have been. Nothing is safe from her once she asks a question about it."

"Duly noted," Alistair reluctantly replied. I took a guess and pegged him as the 'dutiful' type. "Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like the last two new recruits are walking up."

"Why do you say that?" Layla asked. It was her favorite form of communication, asking questions.

"Something about them being the first elves I've seen that don't look like they're expecting a beating?"

"If anything, it looks like Aiden had to keep Cleon from giving a beating," I laughed as the two came up. Aiden was dragging Cleon behind him, keeping a firm grip on his arm, and a firmer grip on his mouth.

"Milord, I am pleased to be a source of amusement," Aiden told me, letting only a little anger through.

"Well, you don't look too happy about it. What happened?"

"We made the acquaintance of Teyrn Mac Tir."

"Oh, what did Uncle Loghain do? He's horribly untactful."

"He made a comment that Cleon did not agree with."

"Well, that is obvious," Layla pointed out. "Cleon, you are going to make your condition worse if you do not calm down. What did he say anyway?"

"The Dalish have no kings," Cleon hissed, finally freeing himself from Aiden. "None!"

"Well, of course you all don't," I commented after a moment of just staring. Uncle, what did you say? "The Dalish are an autonomous group that wanders throughout Thedas because they lost their homeland long ago."

"We had it stolen!"

"My history books claim it was in retaliation. Yours likely claim otherwise. History is a biased story that you should always take with a grain of salt. You can never get the full story, even from a first-hand basis." The others stared at me. "Is something the matter?"

"Never seen a shem talk like that," Cleon answered after a moment. "You're weird."

"Thank you for the compliment!" I grinned at Cleon's stare. "Is something wrong, Cleon?"

"He is confused by your smile, like the rest of us," Layla muttered.

"You've been studying my smile?"

"Yes, I have."

"Oh, my! My heart is all a'flutter over being scrutinized by such a lovely woman."

"What?!" She flushed bright red. "I… I…"

"Time to come to the rescue?" Alistair cut in, smothering a laugh. "Have you met the other recruits?"

"I met Daveth," Layla announced, obviously glad for the way out of the conversation. "Though he mentioned something weird about how he shall 'definitely be watching' when I mentioned watching backs."

"That means he's going to be checking out your hindquarters," I noted. She glared at me, but I just shrugged it off.

"Shem are… odd," Cleon noted.

"The Dalish don't check out women?" Aiden asked dryly. I really wished he'd talked to me that casually. But I'd just roll with it.

"It isn't something we announce."

"Right, so, keep Daveth away from Layla," Alistair noted with a sigh. "That's just impolite. Have any of you met Ser Jory?"

"I have, Ser Warden." With those words, Elspeth joined our conversation, carefully stepping behind me as all eyes turned to her. "Master Duncan requested that I come find you," she explained softly. I noted how tired she looked already and knew all the signs of fighting were getting to her. "Ser Daveth and Ser Jory are already at the campfire."

"Then off we go," I laughed. She frowned at it, but I just grinned in reply and she shook her head before walking off, likely to do another errand for Uncle Duncan or Cailan. "Hey, tell Uncle Loghain that he insulted Cleon, will you?" She waved a hand to show she heard me before she disappeared around the corner.

"That isn't necessary," Cleon protested. Strangely, I'd thought he'd be glad to hear of a human getting reprimanded. "Really, it's not."

"Yes, it is," I argued. "You're an ally and you were insulted. Uncle Loghain should know better."

"On that note, let's head to the campfire," Aiden suggested. "If you will follow me, milord?"

"Thanks, Aiden."

However, just as I was about to follow him and the other two, Alistair stopped me with a light tap on my shoulder. "Hey, Nuada?" he began.

"What is it, oh handsome one?"

He chuckled at the joke before replying. "That girl. Who is she?"

"Elspeth is my sister. Why?"

"She looked sad. Do you think some flowers would cheer her up?" The question was simple, but it was enough to make me go slack-jawed. "What? Did I say something wrong? I'm sorry if I did. Raised by dogs and all, so I don't know manners properly."

"No, it's not that," I hastily reassured. "I was just startled. Not many people notice that." I smiled. "Yeah, she loves flowers. Go for it."

"All right." He grinned back. "Let's head to the fire, then."

"Lead on."


"Ah, and there are the last," Uncle Duncan noted when we arrived at the small grouping. I nodded a greeting at the two strangers. I recognized Ser Jory from the tournament, so that meant the other one had to be Daveth. Logic was nice, sometimes. "You're ready to begin the preparations, I take it?"

"Yes, sir," Aiden replied for us. He looked flustered for a split second before bowing his head to me. "My apologies, milord."

"Aiden, it's fine," I reassured. "Don't fret so much. It takes more than that to offend me."

"Yes, milord."

"I'm glad to see you're done riling up mages, Alistair," Uncle Duncan continued, leveling a stern look the young warrior's way. "I had a complaint or twenty."

"What can I say?" Alistair sighed. "The revered mother ambushed me. The way she wields guilt, they should stick her in the army."

"So, she forced you to sass him, then?" Alistair winced. "We cannot afford to antagonize anyone. They don't need more ammunition."

"Um… Commander Duncan?" Layla softly interrupted. She looked at the ground when Uncle Duncan turned his attention to her. "I know that mage. I have never seen a single person, mage or otherwise, come out of a conversation with him without wanting to strangle him."

"I see." He sighed. "Regardless, Alistair, try to keep the sarcasm to a minimum."

"Yes, Duncan," Alistair mumbled. "I'm sorry."

"I know." Uncle Duncan nodded at the rest of us. "Has everyone met?" We shook our heads. "Well, introduce yourselves on the way. We have until sunset to get ready."

"Ready for what?" Cleon asked. "Is there a test or something?"

"Yes." The look Cleon had told me he hadn't actually expected a reply. "I'm just waiting for a confirmation… ah, and here's Elspeth."

"Your recruits are cleared to go into the Wilds," Elspeth informed him as she approached. Noting the strangers, she subtly ducked behind Uncle Duncan to hide. "I have also confirmed the mages will be ready well before then. There is still no set area for the Joining, though."

"Well, we still have some time," Uncle Duncan responded as most of the group just looked around in confusion. I didn't, and Alistair frowned when he caught that. "Now then…"

"Wait, what are 'the Wilds'?" Aiden asked. "Is that the forest here?"

"Ah, yes." As Uncle Duncan explained the basics of the Korcari Wilds, I noticed Elspeth studying Alistair. I caught her attention and signaled for her to tell me later. She nodded and I smiled back. "That's it, really. You won't need to know more to head in."

"We're going into the Wilds?" Cleon demanded. He looked shaken by that. "That is the home of Asha'bellanar!"

"Yes, but you'll be on a path, and I need you to perform two tasks." Uncle Duncan's tone brooked no arguments, and Cleon knew it. "The first task is to obtain vials of darksparn blood. Six of them, to be precise."

"So, we each just need to get one," Layla murmured. "That should be easy, then." Yeah, I wondered when it would click that wasn't a coincidence. "What is the second?"

"There was once a Warden archive in the Wilds, abandoned long ago. Some of our scholars recently discovered that some scrolls were left behind, magically sealed to protect them."

"If they were important, why were they left behind?" Alistair asked. "That doesn't make sense."

"It was assumed we would return for them," Uncle Duncan explained. "A great many things that were assumed in those days did not hold true. But if there are there, we must have them."

"Are they promises?" I asked softly. "Promises would be very important in a Blight."

"Yes, they are formal treaties." That was even better. "We must have them."

"So, get the vials and the treaties," the fellow I assumed was Daveth summarized. I was honestly startled to hear him talk. Both he and Ser Jory had been utterly silent through this whole thing. "Sounds easy enough."

"Yes…" Uncle Duncan looked to Alistair. "Guard your charges," he ordered. "Return quickly and safely."

"Yes, Duncan," Alistair replied, saluting. "I'll have everyone back."

As everyone else just rolled their eyes, I caught Elspeth's worried look and tried to smile to reassure her. I wasn't sure how much it helped, though. We knew, unlike the others, that the worst was yet to come. The true test, the one that destroyed your life one way or another, was on the horizon.


Author's note: Welcome to Ostagar! There's a lot of Cailan here, but I wanted to show him off, and what better POV than Nuada's? …Even if it meant long chapter again. Oops. Briala is a character in the Masked Empire, Celene's childhood friend, maid, spymaster, and lover.

…Ugh, I now have to deal with Jory and Daveth, in addition to everyone else. We'll see if I can pull it off. Not promising anything though. Sorry for delaying in putting out the chapter. Finals hit, and now I'm tired, but I wanted to move the story along.

Next chapter – Into the Wilds with Cleon