"Um, Duncan? I never got to say thank you, personally." Angelus whispered as the two traveled up the mountains to Ostagar. The sun was sitting low behind the mountain top, where the last of its rays touched the nearest grass and trees coming from the south of the pathway. It was a nice setting, the elf thought, and just for a moment, he couldn't help but feel giddy about his newfound freedom.

"Think nothing of it, young one. Even though it may seem like I had other motives, rest assured that I only did it for your protection. It wouldn't have been fair if a life such as yours would end just as soon as it began, no?" Duncan asked, making Angelus pause.

"That's true. I was really hoping to die just yet." He said.

"And I'm sure your mother was pleased by decision, even if the circumstances were hardly approval." Duncan said. Angelus couldn't help but smile at the mention of his mother, wanting to make her proud.

"What can you tell me about being a Spirit Eater? Out of curiosity, of course." Angelus asked.

"I will tell you the things I've learned from your mother. Spirit Eater is a class that has all the combination of a mage, a warrior, and a rouge build into one person. Spirit Eaters have energy, and they usually get their energy from devouring souls and cast them as soulgems for later use. Most considerate Spirit Eaters as a curse, heavily frowned upon, although many sees it as a gift. Your mother was blessed with it, and now she passes her gift onto you. You will make a great Spirit Eater." Duncan said, smiling as Angelus blushed at the compliment.

"Are there others? Besides my mother and me, I mean." Angelus asked.

"Not that I am aware of. As far as I know, you are the only Spirit Eater we have left in this world." Duncan said. Angelus didn't ask anything else until they reached the castle, where the structure stood tall against the sky, land stretching for miles and endlessly, as far as Angelus could tell. Despite how many years since the building was first build, it really didn't look a day old, and Angelus could tell that the castle was being well-kept, making him wonder just who was running place and for how long have they done this. In the distance, Angelus could see a few other - guards or Wardens, Angelus wasn't quite sure - in the background just as a man in beautifully plated gold and black armor began walking to him and Duncan.

"Hello there, Duncan."

"King Cailan! I didn't expect a-"

"Royal welcome? I was beginning to worry that you'd miss all the fun!" Cailan teased. Angelus was surprised. He had expected the King to be a bit...stuffed under the collar, on the borderline of being obnoxious, and heck, he even expected the King to hate him for being an elf - despite Duncan's words that there were elvens before him that joined the Grey Warden - but...King Cailan was completely different from what Angelus was expecting.

Cailan looked young, young enough to be around Angelus's age, and his attitude was more easy-going than the elf had expect it to be. The King had a air around him that just screamed friendly, and Angelus wasn't entirely sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

"Not if I could help it, your Majesty." Duncan said, stiffed. Angelus looked between the two, confused on Duncan's sudden poseur going from relax to stiff not moments before. This feels oddly familiar. Angelus thought sarcastically.

"Then I'll have the mighty Duncan at my side in battle after all. Glorious." Cailan said as he and Duncan stood side-by-side. A shiver went down Angelus spine when he realized just how powerful the two looked and feel, despite the easy-going smile on Cailan's face and a small, weak one on Duncan's. "The other Wardens told me you found a promising recruit. I take it this is he?"

They both turned to Angelus, startling the elf.

"Allow me to introduce you, your Majesty." Duncan said, but Cailan waved him off.

"No need to be so formal, Duncan. We'll be shedding blood together after all. Hello there friend, might I know your name?" Cailan asked.

"I am Angelus, your Majesty." Angelus said, giving a little bow, causing Cailan to chuckle and Duncan to smile.

"Please to meet you, Angelus. The Grey Wardens are desperate in both of their numbers and I for one am glad to help them." Cailan said, before eyeing Angelus closely, making the elf shift. "I see you're an elf, friend. From where do you hail?"

"From one of your Alienages, naturally." Angelus said. A spark of interest shine in Cailan's eyes, and Angelus, for a second, thought he was looking into the eyes of the a child.

"Tell me, how is it there? My guards all but forbid me from going there." Cailan asked, and Angelus felt very uncomfortable and nervous. How was he going to tell the King about the slavery, about how the humans treat them, and most of all, how was he going to tell him about the latest news of the Arl's son was dead, and Duncan had recruited him just so he didn't have to hang?

Maker, this was either going to cause some trouble for Angelus in the future, or Cailan was going to actually do something about this injustice. Angelus was praying for the second option.

"Er...I killed an Arl's son for raping my friend." Angelus said. Awkward silence filled the air as Cailan's face turned from joy to shock to confusion and even a little bit of sympathy, and Duncan tried to make the situation light as possible.

"You...what?" Cailan stuttered, and Angelus's could feel the tip of his ears burning. It wasn't something he'd proudly admit out loud to anyone, least of all the King of Ferleden, but he did what he thought he had to do, and while Angelus didn't regret it, he shouldn't have been forced into that situation in the first place, had the son been more...reasonable.

"Your Majesty, I wouldn't put it so bluntly. There are events in Denerim you should be aware of." Duncan soothed over, giving Angelus a warning glare before turning to Cailan.

"So it seems. I will hear more about this matter later - but for now, we have a war to intend to." Cailan said, turning back to Angelus with a smile on his face, despite the news he'd just heard. "Let me be the first to welcome you to Ostagar. The Wardens will benefit greatly with you in their ranks."

"You're too kind, your Majesty."

"I'm sorry to cut this short, but I should return to my tent. Loghain waits eagerly to bore me with his strategies." Cailan said, rolling his eyes in what seemed to be brief moments of annoyance, before it was gone and he turned his head towards Duncan. Angelus couldn't help but really like the King - he seemed fair and nice, if not a little 'up in the air' and Angelus was sure Ferleden was in good hands.

"Your uncle sends his greetings, and reminds you that Red Cliffee forces could be here in less than a week." Duncan said.

"Ha! Emond just wants on the glory. We've won three battles against these monsters and tomorrow will be no different." Cailan said, a bit too cocky for Angelus taste.

"You sound very confident in that." He said, rising an eyebrow.

"Overconfident some would say, right Duncan?" Cailan chuckled as a wary smile appeared on Duncan's face.

"Your Majesty, I'm not certain the Blight could be ended quite as...quickly, as you might wish." He said.

"I'm not even sure if this is a true Blight. There are plenty of darkspawn on the field, alas we see no sign of an Archdemon." Cailan said, frowning and folding his arms. If Angelus didn't know better, he would say the King was full-on pouting, and Duncan must've known that, because the smile on his face quickly grew as a playful spark enter his eyes.

"Disappointed, your Majesty?" He asked, the playfulness evident in his tone.

"I had hoped for a war like the one in the tales! You know, the king riding with the faithful Grey Wardens against a tainted God? But I suppose this would have to do." Cailan said, smiling cheekily. Then that smile quickly turned into a dark frown. "Now I must go before Loghain sends out a search party. Farewell, Grey Wardens."

And with that, the King left.

It was moment of silence before Duncan walked over to Angelus.

"What the King said is true. There was several battles against the darkspawn here." He said.

"Yet you don't sound very reassured." Angelus commented, making Duncan sigh and rub a hand against his face. He motioned Angelus to follow him as they both went deeper into the castle.

"Despite the victories so far, the darkspawn horde grows larger with each passing day. By now, they look to be outnumbering us. I know there's a Archdemon behind this, but I cannot ask the King to act solely on my feeling." Duncan said.

"Why not? He seems to regard the Grey Wardens highly." Angelus wondered.

"Yet not enough to wait for reinforcements from the Grey Wardens of Orlesis. He believes our legend alone makes him invariable. Our numbers in Ferleden are too few, we must do what we can and look for Teryn Loghain to make up for the difference." Duncan answered. "To that end, we shall proceed with the joining ritual without delay."

Angelus blinked.

"The what? What you do you mean? What ritual?" He questioned.

"Every recruit must go through a secret ritual we call The Joining, in order to become Grey Wardens." Duncan said. "The ritual's brief, but some preparation are required. We must begin soon."

"Why is it a secret?"

"The Joining is dangerous. I cannot speak more of it except to say that you will learn all in good time. Until then, you must trust what is done is necessary." Duncan said and there was a finality in his voice, so Angelus didn't push the subject even more.

"What is it exactly you want me to do?" Angelus asked.

"Feel free to explore the camp here as you wish. All I ask is you do not leave it for the time being. There's another Grey Warden in the camp by the name of Alistair. When you are ready, seek him out and tell him that it is time to summon the other recruits. Until then, I have business I must intend to. You may find me at the Grey Warden tent on the other side of this bridge should you need to." Duncan said and with a nod, Duncan was off, leaving Angelus alone.

Angelus watched him go before glancing back at the entrance as well as the walls, and chests that probably held certain gifts for Angelus to find.

Time to explore.

A/n: Gotta admit, when King Cailan first appeared, I've gotten a crush on him xD He's so sweet and a little childish at times, and just adorable. Too bad he...spoilers :P Gonna have to wait until a few chapters appear :P