Saitada filled Duncan in on the events in the wild. Alistair interjected occasionally. Duncan raised an eyebrow when they got to the part about the scrolls and the two women. "Were they wilder folk?" he asked.

"I don't think so," Alistair replied. "They might be apostates." He glanced at Saitada. "Mages hiding from the Chantry."

Duncan shook his head. "I know you were once a templar, Alistair, but Chantry business is not ours. We have the scrolls; let us focus on the Joining."

Saitada glanced towards where the others were standing, replaying various fights to each other. "Think anyone is going to have second thoughts?" she asked.

Duncan sighed. "They are not volunteers. Whether conscripted or recruited, they were chosen because they are needed." His voice became serious. "There is no turning back now. They must gather their courage for what comes next."

Daveth blinked as Duncan's words caught his attention. "Courage? How much danger are we in?"

"I will not lie," Duncan said. "We Grey Wardens pay a heavy price to become what we are. Fate may decree you pay your price now rather than later."

Lenore blinked. "You're saying this ritual can kill us?"

"As could any darkspawn you might face in battle. You would not have been chosen, however, if I did not think you had a chance to survive."

Daveth fidgeted. "Let's go, then. I'm anxious to see this Joining now.

Jory swallowed. "I agree. Let's have it done." Slowly, the others started to nod agreement.

"Then let us begin," Duncan said. "Alistair, take them to the old temple. We will begin at sunset."

#

Brehan built up a small fire. Brosca rummaged in his bag for a bottle, then offered it to Alistair. "What can you tell us about this Joining?"

"Try not to worry about it." Alistair accepted the bottle and took a drink. He blanched, then offered the bottle back. "It will..." He coughed, and his voice returned to normal. "Just distract you."

Brosca took a drink. "Could do with a distraction."

Alistair cocked his head towards Cathiel. "You know... it just occurred to me that there have never been many women in the Grey Wardens. I wonder why that is?"

Cathiel shrugged. "Probably because we're too smart for you."

Alistair snorted. "True. But if you're here, what does that make you?"

"Just one of the boys?" Cathiel offered.

Daveth laughed. Alistair shook his head. "Sad, isn't it? I know Brosca and Saitada have fought darkspawn before. What about the rest of you? First time?" He glanced at Brehan. "Well, not for you, I suppose."

Brehan shrugged. Lenore nodded. "They are... somehow worse than I pictured."

"When I fought my first one, I wasn't prepared for how monstrous it was. Still, this is better than memorizing yet another verse from the chant."

Brosca grinned at Alistair, "sounds like being a warden is a dream come true for you."

Alistair smiled back. "What about you?"

"My mother told a few tales when she was sober. Bold heroes, worthy of being claimed by the stone. I admit a dream or two, I think most dusters do."

"Not just dusters," Saitada winked, snagging the bottle from him and taking a drink before passing it on.

Brehan sighed. "I admit, back when I was a kid, I thought being a Grey Warden would be a noble calling. Though I wasn't entirely convinced they actually existed."

Cathiel nodded. "Swooping in on a griffin, saving the world..."

Lenore grinned and took a drink out of the bottle, and almost immediately started coughing. "They are good stories. I dreamed of being a warden sometimes. Or a pirate. Or a warden pirate." She passed the bottle to Jerath. "What about you? Did you dream of being a warden when you were a kid? Well, when you were a younger kid, anyway?"

Jerath shook his head. "I wanted to be a blacksmith." He passed the bottle to Daveth without taking a drink.

Daveth shook his head. "Blacksmithing is boring. Now, Warden-Pirate! That sounds fun. We should do that after this blight business is done."

#

Brosca shifted his weight from foot to foot.

"Nervous?" Lenore asked. He nodded. "Me too. I've read a lot of stories about Grey Wardens, but I don't recall this 'joining' ever being mentioned."

"You asked Duncan if it was like a... what was it... Harrowing?" Brosca hopped up onto the ledge to sit next to her.

"Harrowing is the test given to mages to see if they have what it takes to control their abilities. To become more than apprentices." She wrinkled her nose at the memory.

"Reckon the joining probably is the same kind of thing."

"I hope not, I had to fight a demon."

"Er... huh... well, I guess that's not so bad." He shrugged. "I mean, we already did that once today, and it worked out alright. Here I was all nervous that they were going to make it a spelling test."

Lenore laughed.

#

Brehan glanced over at Saitada. "You know what's next, don't you?"

"A vague idea, only," Saitada said. That was true enough. She'd considered asking Duncan for more details, but had decided against it. There were better uses for pillowtalk than discussions of darkspawn.

"What are they testing us for? I'm tired of waiting. It's..." He scratched at his arm. "This is the thing Duncan said could cure me."

Saitada smiled gently at the elf. "It will be over soon enough."

Brehan nodded before going back to pacing.

Saitada walked over to where Jerath sat on the ledge overlooking the Korcari wilds. The kid appeared calm enough. "Nice view," she said.

Jerath pointed to the southeast. 'From here you can just make out those two statues, where we found that blade Brehan likes so much."

Saitada smiled. "I'll take your word for it. All that open air still makes me a bit queasy. Still odd sometimes, to look up and see sky." She glanced over her shoulder at where all the others were engaged in some form or another of fidgeting. "You don't seem as nervous as the others."

"Should I be?"

"That's what I was going to ask you." She gave him an appraising look. Until their latest venture into the wilds, she'd been considering talking Duncan out of putting the kid through the Joining. He'd proved he could handle himself. For that matter, he'd proved he could likely handle any of the rest of them as well.

"All Grey Wardens go through this. If I accept tomorrow's battle, why should I fear this ritual?"

"That's... a very good point, actually. What's a ceremony compared to a darkspawn horde? Though you don't seem nervous about the battle either."

"Will being afraid change anything?"

"I suppose not."

"A blade will break, or be sheathed to fight again another day. Either way, the battle goes on, and it is not the blade that decides."

"An elfish saying?"

"No." He went silent for a moment, then nodded at the horizon. "There, sunset."

"Well, let's get ready then."

#

Jory's pacing was becoming more desperate. "The more I hear about this Joining, the less I like it."

"Are you blubbering again?" Daveth asked. He gave an annoyed shake of his head.

Jory kicked at a rock. "Why all these damned tests? Have I not earned my place?"

"Maybe it's tradition." Daveth smirked. "Maybe they're just trying to annoy you."

"Calm down," Brosca said. "There's nothing we can do about it now."

"I only know that my wife is in Highever with a child on the way. If they had warned me... it just doesn't seem fair." He kicked another rock.

"Would you have come if they'd warned you? Maybe that's why they don't. The Wardens do what they must, right?" Daveth asked.

"Including sacrificing us?" Jory shook his head.

Daveth glared at him. "I'd sacrifice a lot more if I knew it would end the Blight."

"You make a good point," Jerath said quietly.

Daveth nodded at him, then looked back at Jory. "You saw those darkspawn, ser knight. Wouldn't you die to protect your pretty wife from them?"

"I..."

Daveth cut him off. "Maybe you'll die. Maybe we'll all die. If nobody stops the darkspawn, we'll die for sure."

Jory stared at him, then shook his head again. "I've just never faced a foe I could not engage with my blade."

#

"At last we come to the Joining. The Grey Wardens were founded during the first Blight, when humanity stood on the verge of annihilation. So it was then that the first Grey Wardens drank of darkspawn blood and mastered their taint." Duncan's voice was calm as he spoke the ceremonial words.

Jory blanched. "We're going to drink the blood of those... those creatures?"

"As the first Grey Wardens did before us, as we did before you. This is the source of our power and our victory."

Alistair nodded. "Those who survive the Joining become immune to the taint. We can sense it in the darkspawn and use it to slay the archdemon."

"Those who survive?" Brosca folded his arms, then unfolded them, then folded them again.

"Not all who drink the blood will survive and those who do are forever changed. This is why the Joining is a secret. It is the price we pay. We speak only a few words prior to the Joining, but these words have been said since the first. Alistair, if you would?" Duncan stepped back, and began pouring black liquid into a silver chalice.

Alistair bowed his head. "Join us, brothers and sisters. Join us in the shadows where we stand, vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that cannot be forsworn. And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten and that one day, we shall join you."

Duncan held out the chalice. "Daveth, step forward."

Daveth glanced at the others, then stepped forward and took the chalice. He took a deep breath, then put the cup to his lips and drank. Duncan caught the chalice as it fell from Daveth's hands. Daveth staggered as his eyes rolled back into his head. He put a hand to his throat, then collapsed to his knees as bloody froth began to pour from his lips. Cathiel gasped, and turned away. Alistair put a hand on her shoulder, and she buried her face in his chest.

"Maker's breath!" Jory cursed.

Duncan's face was pained. "I am sorry, Daveth." Daveth twitched, and jerked once more before going still. Duncan poured more of the black liquid into the cup. "Step forward, Jory."

"But... I have a wife. A child! Had I known..."

"There is no turning back," Duncan said.

"No! You ask too much!" Jory put a hand to his sword. "There is no glory in this." He drew the blade, and started to swing. Duncan's own blade drove up under the man's ribcage. Jory gasped once as he died.

Duncan withdrew the blade, then turned to the others. His face was grim. "I am sorry. But the Joining is not yet complete." He looked over their faces. "You are called upon to submit yourself to the taint for the greater good."

Jerath stepped forward, and took the goblet from Duncan. He drank, and started to hand it back. He staggered, and Duncan caught the chalice. Jerath's eyes seemed to go white as he collapsed to his knees, and then fell bonelessly to one side. Duncan smiled. "From this moment forth, you are a Grey Warden." His eyes went to the dwarven woman. "Saitada, step forth..."

#

Jerath opened his eyes and stirred slightly. Duncan came over to kneel beside him. "It is finished. Welcome." He offered a hand, and Jerath let him pull him to his feet.

"Two more deaths." Alistair shook his head. "In my Joining, only one of us died, but it was... horrible."

"How do you feel?" Duncan gave him a concerned look.

"I'm over. It's fine." Jerath nodded to where Saitada was starting to stir, and Duncan immediately went to the dwarf's side. Jerath could see relief on the older warden's face as Saitada's eyes opened.

Alistair went to assist Cathiel. Brosca started to stir, and Jerath went to offer him a hand up. Brehan sat up, shaking his head in confusion. Lenore put a hand up over her face, and groaned.

Alistair gave her a sympathetic look. "Did you have dreams? I had terrible dreams after my Joining."

"Such dreams come when you begin to sense the darkspawn, as we all do. That and many other things can be explained in the months to come." Duncan looked them over.

Jerath looked around. The fire had burned down, and the bodies of Jory and Daveth were nowhere to be seen. They'd been unconscious for some time.

Alistair dug into his belt pouch. "Before I forget, there is one last part to your Joining. We take some of that blood and put it in a pendant. Something to remind us..." He sighed. "Of those who didn't make it this far."

"Take some time," Duncan advised.

#

Duncan began walking back towards the warden camp. Saitada caught up with him, and grabbed his hand. "Duncan, about Ser Jory... Are you okay?"

Duncan nodded. "He didn't leave me much of a choice."

"I know," she said.

He smiled down at her. "Thank you," he said.

"You didn't eat, earlier," she said. She pulled his hand. "Come, I think you could use a drink."

He smiled, and walked with her down the stairs.

#

Brehan stared out over the ledge, his eyes unfocused. "There are so many of them out there."

"Huh... I don't sense anything," Brosca said. "Except what I think is you guys. That's... kind of interesting." He suddenly frowned. "How the hell am I supposed to sneak up on any of you now?"

Alistair laughed. "I'm told the range we can sense varies somewhat from Warden to Warden."

Brehan shook his head. "It's like having a foul taste in your mouth."

"Well then, I ain't gonna envy you," Brosca said.

Lenore gave Brehan a worried look. "How are you feeling now?"

"No more bugs under the skin. I think that's good." Brehan frowned, then nodded. "I can block them out, a bit. That's also good."

Cathiel shivered. "So, we are wardens now?"

"Yes," Alistair said.

"Great," she said. She fingered an arrow in her quiver. "Great," she repeated. "Now what?"

"Now, we kill darkspawn," Brosca said. "Save the world. Be big heroes. Let people buy us drinks and tell us how wonderful we are."

A soldier approached. "Wardens," he said, giving them a nod. "Do you have a moment?"

Alistair nodded. "What's wrong?"

"I've been asked to let you know that a darkspawn may have managed to get into the camp."

Alistair raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think that?"

"A soldier was killed. Torn up something awful."

Alistair glanced at the rest of them. "Shall we do a quick patrol, see if we can find anything?"

Lenore nodded. "Might as well. Better than just sitting here."

Alistair nodded. "Brosca, you, Jerath, and Brehan go north. Cathiel, Lenore, and I will go south. We'll meet back up at the campfire."

"How come you're taking the pretty girls and I'm stuck with the elves?" Brosca asked.

"I'm senior warden," Alistair replied with a cheeky grin.

#

Lenore followed Alistair back to the campfire. She was almost standing next to Duncan before she could sense him. A dejected sigh escaped her. Duncan raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"

"Alistair started sensing you from all the way back there," she said, waving her hand. "Cathiel only had to take a couple more paces. If I step back ten feet I won't sense you at all."

"It varies for each warden," Duncan said. He looked up as he sensed the others approaching.

Lenore caught the action. "You sensed them, and which way they were." She kicked a rock and sat down on the log that was serving as a bench.

"I guess you'll have to content yourself with being able to rain lightning down on everything," Saitada said, patting her on the shoulder.

Lenore let out a long suffering sigh. "I suppose."

Alistair chuckled, then looked up at Duncan. "Despite the report, we've sensed no darkspawn in the camp."

Duncan nodded. He waited for the others to arrive. "What of you? Sense anything?"

Jerath and Brosca shook their heads. Brehan smiled. "I can almost pick out which of you is which," he reported.

"I hate him," Lenore said. "I'm going to set him on fire."

Duncan just shook his head. "Saitada, when you are ready, I'd like you to accompany me to a meeting with the king."

Saitada stood up. "What kind of meeting?"

"The king is discussing strategy for the upcoming battle. The meeting it so the west, down the stairs. Please attend as soon as you are able."

#

"Loghain, my decision is final. I will stand by the Grey Wardens in this assault."

"You risk too much, Cailan! The darkspawn horde is too dangerous for you to be playing hero on the front lines."

Cailan shook his head. "If that's the case, perhaps we should wait for the Orlesian forces to join us, after all."

Saitada saw anger flash on Loghain's face. He gritted his teeth, forcing the words out. "I must repeat my protest to your fool notion that we need the Orlesians to defend ourselves!"

"It's not a 'fool notion'. Our arguments with the Orlesians are a thing of the past..." Cailan drew himself up, for a moment reminding her of Trian when he had his back up. "And you will remember who is king."

"How fortunate Maric did not live to see his son ready to hand Ferelden over to those who enslaved us for a century!" Loghain folded his arms.

"Then our current forces will have to suffice, won't they?" Cailan's voice was almost petulant. He turned towards her and Duncan. "Duncan, are your men ready for battle?"

"They are, your majesty."

"My lady," Cailan inclined his head to Saitada. "I understand congratulations are in order."

"Thank you, your majesty," Saitada replied.

"Every Grey Warden is needed now. You should be honored to join their ranks."

Loghain pinched the bridge of his nose. "Your fascination with glory and legends will be your undoing, Cailan. We must attend to reality."

Cailan all but threw up his hands. "Fine. Speak your strategy. The Grey Wardens and I draw the darkspawn into charging our lines and then...?"

Loghain gestured at the map on the table. "You will alert the tower to light the beacon, signaling my men to charge from cover."

"To flank the darkspawn, I remember," Cailan interrupted. "This is the Tower of Ishal in the ruins, yes? Who shall light this beacon?"

"I have a few men stationed there. It's not a dangerous task, but it is vital."

"Then we should send our best. Send Alistair and the new Grey Wardens to make sure it's done."

Saitada blinked, then glanced at Duncan. Duncan narrowed his eyes slightly. She had a feeling there was more to the king's order than he was saying. "I'll do my best, your Majesty," she said.

"You rely on these Grey Wardens too much. Is that truly wise?" Loghain asked.

"Enough of your conspiracy theories, Loghain. Grey Wardens battle the Blight, no matter where they're from."

Duncan gave Cailan a respectful nod. "Your majesty, you should consider the possibility of the archdemon appearing."

Loghain shook his head. "There have been no signs of any dragons in the Wilds."

Cailan shrugged. "Isn't that what your men are here for, Duncan?"

"I..." Duncan's face became resigned. "Yes, your Majesty."

Saitada watched a brief argument between a mage and a cleric, and idly agreed with the mage. Sending seven wardens to light a fire seemed foolish.

"Enough!" Loghain's voice put a halt to the argument. "This plan will suffice. The Grey Wardens will light the beacon."

"Thank you, Loghain." Excitement shone on Cailan's face. "I cannot wait for that glorious moment! The Grey Wardens battle beside the king of Ferelden to stem the tide of evil!"

"Yes, Cailan. A glorious moment for us all."

#

As they walked back from the council to find the others, Saitada sighed. "Hammer and anvil, fairly basic stuff..."

"But?"

"The supply lines aren't positioned right for it. The anvil is woefully under supplied, especially if the Darkspawn manage any kind of siege position."

Duncan frowned, and played the battle through in his head. "I see what you mean, the anvil won't be able to hold out very long. But it's a large hammer. And no archdemon in the field, perhaps they are holding the supplies in reserve."

"You'll be with the king?"

"Yes."

"In the anvil?"

Duncan glanced down at the dwarf. "Yes."

"Surely not all of us are needed at the tower. I'd feel better if..."

"The king has given an order."

Saitada sighed. "The king is young."

Duncan raised an eyebrow at Saitada, who smiled and responded, "Dwarves grow up fast." Her smile became a frown. "The last time I got sidelined like this, I ended up exiled."

"Ah, but we are far from the politics of Orzammar here, and you have no brothers to interfere this time."

"True." She started up the stairs, and Duncan took advantage of the height they added to kiss her. She ran her fingers through his beard and murmured softly, "okay, maybe I could braid it."

He laughed.

#

"You and Alistair will go to the Tower of Ishal and ensure the beacon is lit," Duncan said as they reached the other new wardens.

Alistair's face grew confused. "What? I won't be in the battle?"

Brosca wrinkled his nose. "What kind of sodding beacon needs seven wardens?"

Duncan laid a hand on Alistair's shoulder. "This is by the king's personal request, Alistair." His tone was almost fatherly. "If the beacon is not lit, Teryn Loghain's men won't know when to charge."

"So he needs seven Grey Wardens standing up there holding the torch. Just in case, right?"

Cathiel shook her head. "I agree with Alistair. We should be in the battle."

"That is not your choice," Duncan said firmly. "If King Cailan wishes Grey Wardens to ensure the beacon is lit, then Grey Wardens will be there." He looked them over. "We must do whatever it takes to destroy the darkspawn... exciting or no."

Alistair sighed. "I get it. I get it. Just so you know, if the king ever asks me to put on a dress and dance the Remigold, I'm drawing the line. Darkspawn or no."

Cathiel gave him an appraising look. "I think I'd like to see that."

He grinned at her. "For you, maybe. But it has to be a pretty dress."

Brehan laughed. "I don't know. That could be a great distraction."

"Me shimmying down the darkspawn line? Sure, we could kill them while they roll around laughing."

Duncan and Saitada exchanged an eyeroll. "At least morale is high," Saitada told him.

Duncan sighed, and nodded to her. "Once the beacon is lit, you can join Loghain's lines. The tower is on the other side of the gorge from the king's camp, the way we came when we arrived. You'll need to cross the gorge and head through the gate and up to the tower entrance. From the top, you'll overlook the entire valley."

"Sounds easy enough," Brosca said.

"We will signal you when the time is right," Duncan said. "Saitada knows what to look for." He nodded. "I must join the others. From here, you are on your own. Remember, you are Grey Wardens. I expect you to be worthy of that title."

"Duncan..." Alistair said. "May the Maker watch over you."

"May He watch over us all." He looked at Saitada once more, then walked off.

"Alright, people," Saitada said as she watched him go. "Let's go light a fire."