Hello Everyone! Thanks once again for subscribing and reviewing! All your comments are so helpful!
Shoutout to Winona W! Your review gave me some food for thought honestly. As soon as I read your comment... well I'll just say I liked it a lot. :)
So here we go. See you all at the end of the chapter!
Aedan and Alistair trooped through the swamp, collecting vials of darkspawn blood and fighting their way through to the forgotten fortress. Duncan had asked them to collect the blood for the Joining and find the Grey Warden treaties. While scouting the swamp Aedan noticed the wildflower that the kennel master had asked for. While picking the flower, Alistair walked up next to him and cleared his throat.
"So…. you and Claire."
"What?!"
"You know… you and Claire seem quite… close."
Aedan looked away from the former templar.
"She is just a friend. She saved my family during the attack on my home. And she has been helping us since."
"Oh! I see. Well. Good to know."
Aedan looked back at Alistair, who was starting to blush again, with a cocked eyebrow. Alistair scratched the back of his head and looked back at Aedan.
"What? Don't look at me like that. It's nothing. I just thought that the two of you seemed to…"
"If she's not interested in you louts, maybe she prefers a real man." Daveth drawled, while gesturing to himself.
"Then she will certainly not look to you, scoundrel." Jory retorted. "Can we move on Warden?"
The rogue and warrior were clearly impatient to return to camp. They had been trekking through the swampy wilds for several hours. Aedan insisted on exploring every corner of the map, just to make sure they didn't miss anything valuable.
"Yes, of course." Alistair replies shaking his head. He instantly reverts back from a blushing boy, into the trained soldier. "This way."
Alistair leads the small group to the ruins indicated on his map. The wilds slowly show more signs of a long gone civilization. Run down pillars started to flank the path that they were on. The air started to smell more of rotting wood and broken rocks rather than swamp gas. The old fortress was clearly on its last legs. Almost nothing was left of its gateway and walls except for ancient stone covered in moss and is some places, reduced to rubble. Aedan takes the lead again as they comb through the ruins looking for their treatises. Finally, they spot a cache embossed with the insignia of the Wardens. Aedan rummages through the cache, but finds nothing. Just as he was about to straighten up to deliver the bad news, a velvety voice called out to them.
"Well, well. What have we here?"
Meanwhile back in camp Claire had gotten a few hours of sleep. Feeling much better she sets about meticulously removing any blood and dirt from her armor. Leather and chainmail didn't play nicely with rust and grit and Claire herself couldn't stand having a speck of dirt on her equipment if she could help it. It was another hour before she was satisfied with her gear. Quickly donning her mail and leathers and strapping her blades on she tried once again to coax Skyler to come with her as she further explored the camp.
"Cmon girl." Claire whistled. "Let's go, I could really use your help. Please?"
Said mabari didn't even lift her head this time. Choosing simply to open one eye to shoot the annoying human another look that said 'Don't bother me, you're not my master.'. Skyler closed her eyes and resumed napping.
"Fine." hissed Claire. "Stay here and watch over them." Gesturing to the still sleeping Oriana and Oren. She spun on her heel and marched out of the tent. As she left she heard Skyler grunt as if to say 'I'd do that even if you didn't tell me to.'
"Damn mabari." Claire grumbled.
Orlesian kept fennecs and exotic birds as pets, as well as the occasional cat. Claire had no idea how to deal with a dog, particularly one as intelligent as a mabari. It certainly didn't help that the two didn't seem to like each other. But there were more important things to do than argue with a war hound.
Claire had to plan her next move. Escorting the Couslands to Ostagar was not the way she envisioned that night at Castle Cousland going. She had expected to murder the Arl and be fleeing back across the border by now. Not the best plan, actually it was a terrible plan, but she was desperate and furious when she left Jader two months ago. Her uncles refused to move against the Fereldan noble. They simply told her that there must be more going on. The Great Game does not take its victims without cause, and that the must tread carefully to find the true perpetrator. But simply waiting around was killing her. All she could see were her family's deaths. The nightmares finally stopped when she left. Somehow, moving towards a goal, even one that might end in death, seemed to help. But now, she had met someone who hurt like she did. Somehow it put her troubles into perspective with the troubles of the world. Her worries seemed huge to her, but the rest of the world was also in more danger than she thought possible. It was very confusing for her, although she tried not to let it show when she spoke with Aedan.
All in all it boiled down to a single question.
What do I do now?
Claire had been walking aimlessly through the camp with increasingly darker thoughts running through her mind and found herself near the mages and templars. The healer and enchanters were working hard to keep up with the demands of the army. There was one elderly woman who was resting a little ways away from the others, who looked up as she approached and gave her a kind nod. Claire gave a small nod back, but must have had a look on her face, because the woman approached her with a concerned look on her own face.
"Are you alright child?" She asked. "I only ask because you look like someone who has lost much."
Bristling Claire took a step back while trying to keep her voice pleasant. "Little personal for a first date isn't it? I mean, we've only just met!"
Taking a step back herself the woman replied. "My apologies, I didn't mean to cause offence. I am Senior Enchanter Wynne of the Ferelden Circle."
Reminding herself of her manners Claire slightly inclined her head. "Claire Callier. A pleasure to make your acquaintance Senior Enchanter."
Smiling softly now Wynne returned to the problem at hand. "My dear you have the look of someone whose world has fallen apart. I may be overstepping, but perhaps you would like to speak about it? Strangers can make for good listeners if you give them a chance."
"Oh... I don't think…" she trailed off.
Wynne nodded in understanding and was quiet for a little while before speaking again. "I don't know the details of your life Claire. I won't claim to know what you are feeling, but it may not be so different from what we experience in the Circle. Many young mages are torn from their families, never to see them again. Placed in a new and terrifying environment, and told that it is their new home. Our young ones are scared and hurting, and I can tell that you seem to be feeling similarly."
Carefully considering the older mage, Claire hesitated before replying. "Everything I know is gone. My family. My home was... is too empty without them and I can't do anything about it. I've lost everyone. Nothing is right and I don't know what to do."
Claire quickly looked up to meet Wynne's gaze.
"It's ok to feel like you don't know what to do Claire. Because you can focus on what you can do. Just do that. Do what you can do. And take as long as you need to come to terms with what will become part of your new life."
Wynne gave her a small smile. "I've said too much. Again, I am sorry. I don't presume to know what happened to you. But I wish you luck and happiness in these dark times."
With that Wynne stepped back to the other mages. Clearly her break was over. Claire turned around and returned to the main camp, still troubled.
"Are you a vulture I wonder? A scavenger. Poking amidst a corpse whose bones were long since cleaned? Or merely an intruder? Come into these darkspawn filled wilds of mine in search of easy prey. What say you hm? Scavenger or intruder?"
Morrigan slowly stalked down towards the men. Aedan stared at the woman moving towards them as she spoke. Everything about her screamed predator, and they were her prey.
She certainly knows how to make an entrance, I bet she and Claire would get along.
They were silent for a moment before Aedan realized that everyone was waiting on him.
"Neither my lady. We are Grey Wardens sent here to retrieve treatises that were stored here. I am Aedan, may I have your name?"
"It has manners! You, may call me Morrigan. I have watched your progress for some time now, 'where do they go?' I wondered. 'Why are they here?' And now my curiosity is satisfied. But perhaps you require assistance with your quest hmm?"
Morrigan moved through the small company so the ruins were at their backs.
"Perhaps I may be able to help you, for a favor of my own."
"Don't answer her" Alistar whispered. "She looks Chasind and that means others may be near by."
"Woo, you fear barbarians will swoop down upon you." Morrigan smirked.
"Yes. Swooping is bad." Alistair dryly replied.
"She's a Witch of the Wilds she is." Daveth stammered out. "She'll turn us into toads!"
"Witch of the Wilds." Sneered Morrigan. "Such idle fancies. Have you no minds of your own? You there handsome lad. Let us be civilized. You are not one to be afraid of myths and stories. Do you accept my help in return for a simple favor?"
Aedan looked closely at Morrigan, taking in her whole appearance, the torn robes showing off milky skin and a generous cleavage, staff holstered on her back, and eyes that reminded him of a wolf. This woman was without a doubt, dangerous. But what choice did they have? They needed those treaties and without Morrigan they had no idea where to start.
"Alright Lady Morrigan. We accept your help, and all it entails."
Morrigan smiled like she had caught them. And moved back towards the group.
"That which you seek is here no longer-"
"Here no longer? You stole them didn't you? You're some kind of.. sneaky.. witch thief!"
"How very eloquent." Sneered Morrigan. "Tell me. How does one steal from dead men?"
"Quite easily it seems."
"Enough Alistair." Aedan placed a hand on Alistair's shoulder. "Lady Morrigan has already agreed to help us."
Turning his attention back to the woman in question Aedan nodded to her to continue.
"Lady Morrigan, would you please tell us where the treaties are?"
Morrigan crossed her arms and shifted her weight, jutting her hip out she answered.
"'Twas my mother, in fact. If you wish I will take you to her. 'Tis not far from here and you may ask her for your papers if you like."
Alistair turned to Aedan.
"We should get those treaties, but I dislike this. Morrigan's sudden appearance… it's too convenient."
"We need her help Alistair. I say we go with her."
At this Morrigan turned and started walking away.
"Follow me then, if it pleases you."
Aedan quickly followed her and caught up with her.
"Tell me more about yourself Lady Morrigan."
Claire had wandered through the camp more, but she refused to be idle. She spoke to the quartermaster obtaining travel rations, which she put on Aedan's tab. Obtained a new sword with a wink and a smile from Pick, a young elven runner. And gave some food to the man in the cage who gave her a key to a chest in the mage camp as thanks. Focusing on what she could do and trying not to worry about what she had to do in the future.
She was about to return to the tent to check on Orianna and Oren when she spotted the others returning to the Warden's camp. She picked up her pace and called out to them.
"Aedan!"
The man in question turned to see Claire walking towards them. When she approached she seemed more down than he had ever seen her.
"Are you alright?" He blurted out without thinking.
Claire looked shocked for a second before smoothing her features. "I'm fine."
Aedan narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her. Remembering what she told him before she left about feeling 'fine'. But before he could push the issue she spoke again.
"Is everyone alright? No injuries?"
"I've got a bump you could check for me love." Daveth smirked.
"There are healers for that Daveth." Snapped Claire.
Aedan stepped forward before they could go further. "I gave the flower to the kennel master. Hopefully that mabari will make it. We also managed to retrieve what we needed from the wilds."
Claire looked at the men who were all strangely avoiding eye contact.
"Alright. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I'll be with Orianna if you need me."
Turning she stalked away. Aedan shrugged at Alistair's questioning look before making their way to Duncan. The Commander asked if they were ready and upon indicating that they were had Alistair lead them to an old temple. As the men walked Daveth and Jory bickered about the Joining and how much danger it presented. Alistair was strangely tight lipped about what was to come so that left the three of them to guess and wonder. Finally Duncan approached.
"At last we come to the Joining. The Grey Wardens were founded during the first blight. It was then that the first wardens drank of darkspawn blood and mastered their taint."
"We're drinking the blood of those creatures?!" Jory stammered.
Duncan nodded. "As the first wardens did. As we did before you. This is the source of our power."
Alistair, who had been silent until now, spoke up. " Those who survive become immune to the taint. We can sense other darkspawn and can use it to slay the Archdemon."
Those who survive huh?
Aedan's thoughts turned to the people that had died to get him here. The knights of Highever, his mother and father. Oriana and Oren, who needed him. Skyler, and strangely enough, Claire. Their last talk disturbed him. She was always trying to help him and cheer him up since they met. She had always been light and teasing. But when they returned to the camp she was curt and short tempered.
I can't die here.
While he was thinking Duncan had finished speaking and Alistair was reciting an oath.
"Join us brothers and sisters,
Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant.
Join us as we carry the duty that can not be forsworn.
And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten.
And that one day we shall join you."
Duncan turned to them holding a chalice with the blood in it.
"Daveth step forth."
Daveth bravely stepped forward and drank. He seemed fine for a moment before doubling over clutching his head and throat, screaming in agony. Writhing on the ground he looked up revealing eyes with no pupils. Even before he stopped moving Duncan bowed his head.
"I am sorry Daveth." He then turned to the knight. "Step forward Jory."
"No." Jory backed away while drawing his sword prompting Duncan to do the same. "You ask too much."
Duncan narrowed his eyes and attacked. Jory managing to parry a few blows before taking the blade to his gut. As Jory gurgled his last breath Duncan bowed his head again. "I am sorry."
Then soaked in blood and retrieving the chalice from where he had placed it Duncan turned to Aedan. "The Joining is not yet complete. You are called upon to submit to the taint for the greater good."
Aedan took the chalice with steady hands. Before drinking he thought back to his life. It was a good one, before it turned into a shit show leading here.
"To your health Duncan." Aedan toasted before drinking deeply.
Duncan was saying something, but the roaring and singing had already started. Aedan couldn't see them anymore. The edges of his vision went dark and dreams of an Archdemon took over.
Waking up a few moments later Aedan looked up to see Alistair and Duncan staring down over him. Aedan managed to struggle to his feet with their help.
"As I said before. From this moment on, you are a Grey Warden."
"This is some of the blood you drank." Alistair held out a pendant of glass and blood. "We wear it to remember."
Duncan spoke up as Aedan tucked the around his neck and under his armor.
"Take some time. When you are ready I would like you to join us for a meeting with the king."
Aedan nodded and moved back to the main camp. Not really trusting himself to speak. He staggered through to his tent like he was drunk. Aedan made it through the tent flap to see Orianna and Oren up and about. Claire was there too, sitting on her cot cleaning her blades. Oriana and Oren ran over for an embrace while Claire gave him a small smile. Aedan explained that he was now a Warden. Claire gave him a concerned look before returning to her task. Orianna fussed over Aedan for a while before finally allowing him to sleep for a few precious hours.
Well I hope that was an ok chapter. Not a lot going on yet again. Apologies for the slow burn. Blessed Maker this chapter was difficult to write. Having the two parties separate from each other made for confusing and one dimensional storylines. This chapter went through 8 rewrites. EIGHT. I hate my brain for thinking that splitting the group up was a good idea. Almost to the main story line people!
On Claire: Her personality is based off a friend of mine I met at the fencing club in college. She was seriously a firecracker. She was so witty and flirty that I had a hard time even keeping track of what she was talking about. I'm pretty sure everyone, guys and girls were in love with her. Thankfully nothing so dramatic as mass murder has happened to her and her family, that part's mostly my imagination on how someone would act. My friend that I'm basing Claire on was a fantastic fencer. I practiced Kendo in college and we would get into all out shouting matches about which sport was better. (Obviously Kendo) Usually ending in a bout or match.
On Aedan: He is based on a coworker of mine. Though it has yet to really shine through. Love the guy to death, but sometimes he frustrates me. I don't want to give too much away, but trust me, he is a good guy if you give him a chance. (this will make more sense in later chapters. like around chapter 30ish not that I've written that far.)
So notes on how I can improve my writing are super appreciated! Let me know with brutal honesty if you thought this chapter was boring, or if you don't like the way that I have dialogue or the way I describe something. OR if you just liked it, or wanna say hi. (lonely in my writer's block)
To Winona W: I like the idea that there will be multiple romances going on. Honestly I thought this would be a cut and dry "fall in love with the Warden" story. But since reading your comment and writing a few test scenes... ooo I seriously can't wait to write some more romance. (that sounded better in my head.)
To Arkin: I'm glad you can see that the healing in this part is a process. Never made sense to me in the games how they kinda brush the fact off that the Couslands all died. Thanks for the comment!
To esp: Heeeeeyyyy cmon man! I'm putting them out as fast as my lazy self can write! :) Love you! Thanks for staying with me even though I have such a spotty update schedule.
To Luke M: Glad you liked the last chapter. This one is Claire's turn to be a little broody. Honestly I prefer to write the lighter stuff like Alistair vs. Claire, but this is necessary to develop the story and not simply write (AND THEN Ostagar happened.) I'm dying to get past this part though. :)
To Stacy63: Glad you liked! Thanks for the comment! As to the upload schedule, I tried before to keep to a weekly thing, but that crashed and burned. (just as esp) I will try to have them out as soon as I can. Unfortunately, the way I write is I write it all in my head first, then let it marinate and fester before transferring it all to my google docs. Then it festers further until I can't wait any longer to post it. The short answer is... I'm working on writing on a schedule its hard, I'm not very good at it. 3
To tess-with-a-chance-of-reaper: What a fantastic name! Thanks for commenting! I'm glad you liked it. As I said in earlier chapters, I can't wait for Claire to meet everyone else. This is gonna be fun.
Thanks to:
themightyri (love your name),ProtonMudkip (Favorite starter), (Think i forgot you last time. Sorry!), WitchoftheWilds (Morrigan is that you?), XxrudexbutxnicexX (I have a panda hat too!), tess-with-a-chance-of-reaper, and kali yugah.
for follow favs.
Shout out to dashingcody23, my oldest favorite. Thanks for believing in me so long ago. (TALK TO ME BRO) jk.