(Duncan)

Duncan was amazed at the sudden change he had seen in Jace. For a few miles, the young elf had laughed occasionally, and his eyes had been a bright blue for almost half an hour.

Jace was now looking around, keeping his horse in check. He had asked only a few questions during lunch, but had stayed silent the rest of the time. The young man had clearly ridden before, but was out of practise.

They stopped outside of Redcliffe Village, two miles from the settlement. They tied the horses to nearby trees, and set up camp. Jace set up the fire, using magic to light it. Duncan found some wood, and stacked it a few metres from the fire.

Jace watched him move, eyes hovering somewhere between navy and dark blue. He sighed, and pulled out his daggers, inspecting them. Apparently, someone had taken care of his Dalish dagger, keeping the blade sharp and metal in good condition. Jace was pleased, and twirled it around in his hand feeling the familiar weight settle in his palm. The other was of simple make, but the steel was strong and sharp. Jace stood, and went through a few of the moves his mother had taught him, trying to feel the confidence he'd had when he came to the Tower.

Duncan cleared his throat, and Jace stopped, "Yes?"

"How did you learn how to fight?"

"My mother taught me. She was a Dalish elf," Jace replied, looking down at the daggers clenched in his hands.

Duncan nodded, "It's good you have memories of your family. Did you have more family?"

Jace's face hardened, "No."

Duncan nodded, and strode over, "I can help you practice, if you wish."

Jace paused, but readied himself. Duncan strode over, and pulled out his own dagger. They sparred for a while, Duncan occaisonally pointing out what Jace was doing wrong. The mage relearned quickly, even after such a long time. Jace was soon keeping pace with Duncan, and attacking on his own. They sparred for a while, but stopped as the sun began to set.

The mage sheathed his weapons, and curled up in his bedroll, almost instantly asleep. Duncan watched the still night for a while, keeping the small fire going, but soon retired himself.

(LINE BREAK)

Duncan shot up from a sound sleep, wondering what had woken him. He focused on his Warden senses, not feeling the chilling shiver that normally ran down his spine if darkspawn were approaching. He looked around, and spotted what had woken him.

Jace was sprawled out, sleeping fitfully. He tossed and turned, muttering in another language. Duncan set down his sword, and got up, walking up to the sleeping mage, "Jace."

Jace didn't respond, but muttered something else, something Duncan didn't quite catch. Duncan crouched down, and listened in the darkness. Jace's eyes fluttered behind his eyes, "...big mistake...will be your undoing..."

Duncan blinked, what is he dreaming? Jace's eyes rolled around again, and his hands twitched, "...death...war..chaos. All..gone...including you."

Duncan began to worry, and put a hand on Jace's shoulder, "Jace!"

Jace bolted upright, magic flashing in his hands. His eyes flashed black, "What?-"

"You were unsettled, and almost rolled into the fire. I thought it best to wake you."

Jace nodded, running a hand through his hair, "Thank you.." The word were quiet and in monotone.

Duncan nodded, and went back to his own bedroll. He lay down and despite his intention not to fall asleep, did just that.

(LINE BREAK)

The next few days were filled with travel, sparring, and learning. Duncan learned a lot about his prodigy, including the fact the young man suffered from horrible dreams. The elf rarely made a sound, only waking Duncan when he knocked something over. One of the other main things that Duncan learned about Jace was how expressive his eyes were. The colour normally remained a navy blue, but if he was content they lightened. If he were angry, they darkened.

It's amazing, what magic can do.

When they reached the outskirts of Ostagar, they dismounted leaving the horses with the stables. Jace got his supplies, and waited for Duncan to lead him into the main camp. They started down the road, and Jace was nearly blinded at the large company of men that met them. They were wearing shiny plate mail that glinted in the sunlight. At the front was a blonde haired man wearing golden armour, he smiled when he laid his eyes on Duncan.

"Your Majesty! I was not-"

"Expecting a royal welcome?" The man's eyes danced, "I wanted to greet you myself. Is this the new recruit?"

"This is King Cailan," Duncan gestured to the man in golden armour.

Jace felt his eyebrows creep toward his hairline, "Andaran atish'an, your Majesty. I am Jace Surana."

Duncan blinked, staring down at Jace. I didn't know he could speak Elven.

King Cailan seemed impressed as well, "Greetings. Let me be the first to welcome you to Ostagar. The Wardens will benefit with you in their ranks, I'm sure."

Jace bowed, "Thank you your Majesty."

One of the guards stepped forward, and whispered something in Cailan's ear. The king sighed and nodded. Duncan raised an eyebrow, "What is wrong, your Majesty?"

"My guard reminded me that if I don't go back soon, Loghain will come looking for me, no doubt to bore me with more strategy."

"Your father-in-law knows what he's talking about, your Majesty."

"I know, but we've already won several battles, I do not see how this one will be any different."

Jace bit his lip, but stayed quiet. Duncan mentally applauded him for his restraint, "Your Majesty, as nice as it is to see you, you should probably go back."

Cailan sighed, looking defeated, "Yes, before he sends a whole contingent after me."

Duncan smiled, "He cares."

Cailan smiled, "I know. Good luck Wardens."

The king left, guards following him. Jace sighed, "Wow."

"Didn't think you would meet the king?"

"No. I didn't, is he normally like this?"

"Yes. It affects the troops morale. If he is confident, the army will be as well."

Jace nodded, "Alright. That makes sense, but he's making it seem like the Blight is almost over."

Duncan sighed, eyes darkening, "That is not the case, but who am I to challenge a king? I want you to find Alistair, at the old Temple, in the northern part of camp. I will meet you by a large fire near the kennels. If you wish, you can talk to people around the camp."

"Thank you, Duncan."

Duncan smiled, eyes crinkling. As we walked down the slope that led to the bridge, he wondered if he had done the right thing. He sighed, he couldn't take back what he had done now, all he could do was sit and wait near the fire, and hope the Templars kept their distance.

(LINE BREAK)

Duncan was not surprised when he saw Jace looking angry, with an equally angered Alistair standing behind him. Duncan himself was angry, as one of the Templars had come complaining about how Alistair had relayed the Revered Mother's message to the mages.

Alistair noticed the disappointed look he was wearing, and ran a hand through his hair, "I'm sorry, Duncan."

"We're trying to keep everyone on good terms, egging the mages on will not help."

"I know, but I couldn't help it."

Jace rolled his eyes, and crossed his arms over his chest. His eyes were navy, and his jaw muscles were working, "What do you need us to do?"

"Alistair, can you get the other recruits and get them to come here?"

"Of course," Alistair left, coming back minutes later with two men following.

Jace spotted them first, and his face clouded, "More shem? Is there any elven Wardens?"

Duncan shook his head, "Not here. There are many in Orlais, and even more in Weisshaupt. I'm sure you'll meet some after this battle."

Jace sighed, "Fine."

Alistair and the others approached. A tall man dressed in plate mail, and a shorter man dressed in leather armour. The man dressed in plate mail extended a hand, "Hello, I'm Ser Jory. I-I apologize, but I am not sure what to call an elf in your position..."

Jace's face smoothed a little, "Call me Surana. Treat me as you would treat a human in this position," He glanced at the proffered hand, but didn't take it.

Jory lowered his hand, and gestured to the other man, "This is Daveth."

"Pleasure," Daveth had an odd accent, one Jace couldn't place. He shrugged, and nodded at the man.

Duncan cleared his throat, and all attention was focused on him, "The ritual for your Joining is almost done being prepared, we still need three vials of darkspawn blood. We've also found out that the old Warden outpost here could have some treaties that could be useful if this is a Blight," the recruits nodded. Duncan continued, "I need you to go into the Kocari Wilds and get these items. Alistair has the map with the location of the outpost, and I am certain that you will encounter some darkspawn."

Jace nodded again, eyes staring into the fire, "Why is the outpost abandoned?"

"The Wardens were exiled from Fereldan some time ago, only allowed to return recently, and when we left we had to get everything of importance. Some things were missed, such as these treaties. Do you have any more questions?"

The three recruits and Alistair shook there heads, "Good, be careful. If you run into anything too dangerous, come straight back. I want you back by nightfall."

The group took off toward the gate, and Duncan sighed. He leaned against the nearby pillar, feeling shivers running up and down his spine from the darkspawn. Come back safely.

(LINE BREAK)

Several hours later, the group returned, covered in blood, but triumphant. Jace's robes and face was splattered with blood, but seemed uninjured beyond a bruise rapidly forming on one cheek. Daveth was clutching a wound on his left arm with his right, blood seeping from his fingers. Jory's armour was dented, but the knight seemed fine.

Alistair, blood smeared but safe, handed him the role of old parchment, "Here. We found these, just where you said."

Jace shot Alistair a look, rolling his eyes. Daveth shifted his stance, and winced. Jace sighed, " Sit down."

Daveth's eyes widened, and Jace scowled, "Sit down, I'm going to heal your arm before it becomes infected."

Daveth sat on a nearby stump, leaning against one of the pillars next to the fire. Jace pried Daveth's hand away, moving the arm in the firelight. Jace dug around in his pack, and found a rag and his waterskin. He doused the rag, and wiped at the blood around the wound, making Daveth wince.

"This isn't going to hurt, right?"

"It won't," Jace replied. He waved his hand over the wound, muttering a spell.

Daveth howled in pain, and clutched his arm. He jumped to his feet, taking a few steps away, "Maker's breath! You said it wouldn't hurt!"

"I lied. Now you're wound is healed, and we can get going on this 'Joining.'"

"You said you couldn't heal earlier!" Jory exclaimed.

"Not without causing the person I'm trying to heal pain. Should've seen the look on the instructor's face when I healed one of her cuts," Jace snorted.

Duncan cleared his throat, "Now we have everything, meet me at the old Temple in a few minutes. Get yourselves cleaned up. Alistair, come with me."

Jace left the pavilion, and found a small river where he could bathe. He stripped off his soiled robes and cleaned the blood off his skin. He healed his bruise, and changed into clean robes, and debated on what he could do with his long hair. He combed it out with his fingers, and put it back into a pony tail. Jace, deciding he was presentable enough, went back into the main encampment and walked to the old Temple.

Jory and Daveth were already there. Daveth's shifty eyes were unusually still, while Jory was looking around worriedly, "I don't like this," He said.

Jace rolled his eyes, "None of us do. Deal with it."

"If I had known, I wouldn't have left Highever. My wife is with child, and I do not want to leave them alone-"

"Stop it, you're giving me a headache," Jace rubbed his forehead.

They heard the clanking of metal on stone, and turned to see Alistair and Duncan walking toward them. Duncan was holding a large chalice in his hands, and it was filled with a dark red liquid. Jace could feel the magic, and something darker, radiating off it in waves.

"This is the Joining," Duncan said solemnly, "To become a Grey Warden, you must take in the darkspawn taint. There are a few words that have been said since the beginning. Alistair, if you would."

Alistair sighed, "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," He looked down, voice quiet and solemn.

Jace felt a shiver run up his spine, and the whispers escalated. This will be your undoing... Jace steeled himself, and took a deep breath. Shut up, shut up, shut up.

Duncan held out the chalice to Daveth, "From this moment forth, you are a Grey Warden."

Daveth took the chalice, and drank some of the potion. He handed the chalice back to Duncan, and suddenly gasped. Jace heard the taint move through Daveth. Daveth choked, clutching his throat. He looked around, eyes frenzied. Jace felt real fear drive through him at the sight of Daveth's eyes; they were pure white. Daveth gave one final choke, and fell to the ground, dead.

Jory shook his head, "No. There is no glory in this! I have a wife, a child!"

"Do your duty."

Jory drew his sword, "Please! No!"

Duncan sighed, handing the chalice to Alistair. He drew his sword and dagger. Jory attacked first, but Duncan overpowered him, blood spilling over the stones, "I'm sorry."

Jory choked, and died crumpling to the ground. Duncan removed his blades from the corpse, sheathing them again. He took the chalice from Alistair, and held it out to Jace, "From this moment forth, you are a Grey Warden."

Jace took the chalice, and grimaced as the dark power came closer. He held it to his nose, sniffing. It smelled of death, lyrium, and corruption. Internally shrugging, and ignoring the screaming voices somewhere in the back of his head, Jace drank.

At first, Jace felt nothing. He handed the chalice back to Duncan, and suddenly gasped. He felt his eyes roll into the back of head, and the corruption spread over himself all at once. He felt his knees give out, and allowed himself to be swallowed by the darkness overwhelming him.