"-ke up! Wake up!" Now, Liara loved Jowan like a brother, but when he woke her up in the mornings… it wasn't pretty. It was her fault, he should have learned by now. Liara groaned and turned over, not interested in whatever Jowan wanted this morning. She felt like she'd been hit by the tail of a dragon. A very big, very angry dragon. "They brought you back in in the middle of the night- they're saying yours was the quickest Harrowing ever! What was it like? Why haven't I had my Harrowing yet?" Okay, turning over wasn't going to get rid of Jowan that morning; it appeared Liara had only one option. To get up.
"Jow, I feel like shit. The Harrowing was shit. I got betrayed. Such is life. If you keep talking I'll hit you in the face with my staff." She sighed, Liara knew she was being rude but the Harrowing had just been plain awful… honestly she didn't know where she stood when it came to spirits anymore. Or people. Or magic. She just wanted to sleep. For a very long time.
They boy had guilt written all over his face. "Hey, Lia, I'm sorry. I just… I'm afraid they'll never call me for my Harrowing. I've been here longer than you, you know that. Anyway, Irving wanted to see you when you awoke. I can buy you some time if you-" His guilt-stricken expression now changed to one of worry and fear, neither of them even wanted to consider the alternative if Jowan didn't do his Harrowing.
"I'm fine. You'll be fine. Everything will be fine. I'll go see Irving and while I'm there I'll ask what's taking so long about your Harrowing, okay? It'll all work out, I promise." Giving her best friend a hug and a kiss on the cheek, Liara picked up her staff and got up; completely uncaring of how she looked, she stalked out of the apprentice quarters and upstairs, where the First Enchanter's office was.
As she walked, Liara once again found herself admiring the beauty of the tower. The archways were stunning and some of the rooms were just adorned with statues. Most of all though, the library was her favourite place. It was a place of both action and serenity, where one could read or practice, or even do both.
Once she entered Irving's study, that would be it. Her journey as an apprentice here would be over. Finally, Liara Amell would become a fully fledged mage of the circle. She was bursting with excitement. She'd been in the tower almost a decade, lived on the same bunk bed with Jowan for all that time. She had stolen the top bunk from him, of course. Much harder to be woken up in the morning if one is atop a ladder.
Finally approaching the doors to the First Enchanter's study, Liara noticed an unfamiliar man talking with Irving and the Knight-Commander. Suddenly, the young girl felt very self conscious about how she was presented. I can't greet a stranger looking like this! In a sudden rush, Liara ran to a mage she knew quite well and asked to borrow a mirror and brush. Quickly, the girl's sort brown hair was fixed and presentable with two single plaits adorning the sides of her face and separating her fringe from the rest of her hair. Once she had dabbed her face with water, too, Liara looked much better. Much more fitting for greeting a visitor. But now she was late. Rushing yet again, the girl finally made her way into the First Enchanter's study, where he, the man and the Knight-Commander were all in heated debate.
Irving was a kind man, and one of slender build. By Liara's count he must have been at least sixty years old, quite a feat really considering the amount of stairs in this maker-forsaken place. He cared about all mages under his care, and Liara honestly could never have imagined anyone else running their circle. He was the perfect man for the job. The Knight-Commander, Greagoir, who had brought her for her Harrowing just the night before, was a very different man to Irving. Almost like the yang to his yin. Where Irving was trusting and patient, Greagoir was over-cautious and definitely wasn't one to be kept waiting. Liara wasn't even sure if the man knew how to relax. Greagoir was the leader of the templars here in the tower.
The templars lived alongside the mages to both protect and defend both the mages and the rest of the world. It was well known that magic was a dangerous thing, even the Maker's prophet Andraste warned against it. The chant of light specifically dictates that magic is meant to serve man and never rule over him. And that's why templars existed. To make sure that mages were safe. They stopped abominations, maleficar, and rounded up apostates. For those lucky enough to not know what they are, abominations are mages taken over by demons, real nasty things. Maleficar are blood mages, instead of using mana to power they use blood; it doesn't even have to be theirs, they're not overly picky, they'll use others' if they can. And finally, apostates. They're mages who live outside the circle, they're illegal. If you're a mage you have to live in the circle, at least until you're given leave by your First Enchanter.
As Liara entered the room, Greagoir and Irving were arguing intently, as always. The stranger was actually the first to notice the girl, he cleared his throat to gain the attention of the others.
"Gentlemen, please. Irving there is someone here to see you." He was very well spoken, and his voice had a kind and comforting tone to it.
Liara just waved slightly awkwardly, unsure of what to do. Irving's entire demeanour changed to that of his kind and caring nature, rather than the argumentative side he'd just shown. He welcomed the girl as the new sister in the circle and the well spoken man stepped forward, talking with Irving as if they had already spoken about her.
Greagoir took this as his chance to leave, and in his usual grumpy manner turned to the First Enchanter. "Well, Irving, you're obviously busy. We will discuss this later." With that, he briskly left the room.
"Of course. Well then, where was I?" Liara's attention snapped straight back to Irving as he began talking again. "Oh yes. This is Duncan, of the Grey Wardens." He gestured to the man next to him as he spoke.
Liara immediately stood up straight; she'd heard stories of the Grey Wardens. The Wardens were an order of great men who fought the darkspawn and the Blight. The took casualties so ordinary men didn't have to, and they were the only ones who could stop a Blight. Her whole life, Liara had dreamed of being a hero that great. And all of a sudden, one of those very heroes was here, in front of her. And he knew who she was. Maybe this was her chance! She had to make a good impression. Did the order even take people as young as her?
"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir." The mage played with her right plait anxiously, worried about the impression she would make.
"You've heard about the war brewing to the south, I expect? Duncan is here to recruit mages for the king's army at Ostagar." Liara's heart sunk as Irving spoke; he wasn't recruiting for the Wardens at all.
"With the darkspawn invading, we need all the help we can get, especially from the Circle." Duncan's words rushed worry and a sense of duty into the young mage. Was this a new Blight? Why else would the darkspawn be invading? "I fear if we don't drive them back, we may see another Blight." Okay, so not a blight. Not yet. Thank the Maker Liara thought to herself, relief coursing through her body.
"Duncan, you worry the poor girl with talk of darkspawn and Blights. This is to be a happy day for her." Irving interjected into their conversation and Liara was reminded of why she was there in the first place. She had passed her Harrowing! After a brief conversation with Duncan, Irving turned back to her. "Your Harrowing is behind you, your phylactery was sent to Denerim. You are officially a mage within the Circle of Magi." Pride and happiness flowed through Liara. I've made it. I'm a full-fledged mage. All my hard work has payed off!
"I'm sorry, what is a phylactery?" Duncan sounded confused and curious. Our leash to stop us from running.
"When each apprentice arrives in the tower some blood is taken and preserved in a special vial" Short and snappy, Irving got the point across pretty well.
"So they can be hunted if they turn apostate." Duncan sounded almost... Disgusted. That gave Liara hope. Hope that not everyone outside the Circle thought of magic as a terrible thing.
"We have few choices. The gifts of magic are looked upon with suspicion and fear. We must prove that we can handle this power responsibly." Ah, Irving. One of the few people left who still see magic as a gift. The older mage then turned back to Liara. "Which you have done. I can now present to you your robes and a ring bearing the Circle's insignia. Wear them proudly, as you have earned them."
Liara broke out in to a wide grin, taking the robes and ring almost gingerly as if she believed they would vanish if she held them to hard. "I will. Thank you. Thank you so much." Tears pricked at the corner of her eyes as she just stood there smiling and staring at her new things, unbelieving that she had finally made it.
"Would you be so kind as to escort Duncan to his quarters? The rest of the day is yours." Liara nodded with a quick 'of course', and she was quickly on her way, Warden in tow.
The young girl asked question after question to Duncan as they walked, excitedly wanting to know as much as possible about the Grey Wardens. Though she was careful not to explicitly ask if she could join. When they eventually reached his room, Liara thanked Duncan immensely for having indulged her questions and wished him a comfortable stay before taking her leave.