Okay, first of all, a massive THANKYOU to Zoe Whiteraven, to whom this chapter is dedicated to. Thanks for the awesome review!
The 4 Wardens approached the old woman warily. She had salt and pepper grey hair and piercing slate grey eyes that seemed to see right into your soul. It was her eyes that unsettled Alistair so. Asleena watched mother and daughter interact curiously, intrigued by what she saw. She had no idea if this was an accurate representation of family. Morrigan did not seem at ease in her mother's presence, on the contrary, she was tenser than a cornered wolf. Asleena waited patiently while the younger witch introduced them- or tried to.
"Yes, I can see them, girl. Mmm… much as I expected." The old woman said in an easy tone, the words slipping from her tongue as if she had said them many times before.
"Are we supposed to believe you were expecting us?" Alistair asked incredulously, honey brown eyes wide. Asleena shot a glare in his direction. He shrugged, raking a hand through his hair.
"Pleased to meet you. You can call me Asleena," Asleena said with what she hoped was a friendly smile. She was undaunted by the fact that these two were dangerous chasind witches.
Doesn't she see how badly this whole thing could go wrong? Alistair wondered, somewhat afraid of the old bat. She was quite obviously a nut. Asleena could have sworn she felt a mana drain spell being worked, but that was impossible. There were no Templars about. Were there? She glanced around nervously.
"Such manners! And always in the last place you look... like stockings!" the grey haired woman crowed.
"So this is a dreaded witch of the Wilds?" Alistair asked, a smirk showing clearly on his face, one eyebrow raised.
Yep. Definitely nuttier than a…very nutty…thing… Alistair thought to himself.
The talk had gone well. For a nutty, scary, apostate mage woman, she had been very helpful, Daveth thought. Jory was still white with fear, hand clasped firmly around the hilt of his sword. Asleena strode at the front of the group, a small smile evident on her cheeks. She was as pleased with the outcome as anybody. They had successfully retrieved the needed Darkspawn gore and the Warden Treaties that Duncan had requested. The party had found a good number of items, which they now sold to the quartermaster. Asleena led them quickly back to Duncan, to prepare for their Joining.
The experienced man stood before a fire, back to the flame, casting his face in shadow. It made him look eerie.
"Alistair, take them to the old temple…" He whispered. Asleena shivered, though it was not cold beside the blaze and there was no wind, Duncan's deep, calm voice made the statement sound ominous.
Alistair gave a grim smile to the group and said "Follow me." Just then, Asleena remember the white and scarlet blossom in her small pack.
"You go ahead," She called to the rest of the group. "I'll be there in a minute. There's something I forgot to do." Alistair inclined his head and continued to the temple with the other two recruits.
Asleena watched as Daveth and Jory stared at her in discomfort, wondering what she was up to. They had felt secure with her in charge; she was so confident and self assured, nothing like the twit leading them now.
She walked with a brisk pace until she found the kennels. She had no idea where it was, but she found it soon enough by following the sound of dogs barking.
She handed the kennel master the flower, refusing the 10 silvers he held out to her. He suggested that they imprint the hound he was treating on her, and she agreed with enthusiasm, saying 'after the battle,' decisively. The mabari blinked up at her dolefully, the poor animal was clearly in a lot of pain.
"Don't worry boy, it'll be all better soon." She said soothingly. "I'll be back after the battle, and then we can have a chat, you and I. What do you say?" The mabari cocked its head thoughtfully and issued a soft, unmistakably happy woof. Asleena smiled, and ran to the old temple.
Duncan was waiting there already by the time she arrived, panting. He looked at her disapprovingly and motioned to Alistair to begin.
"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." Alistair said in a hushed voice, barely louder than a whisper.
"Step forward, Daveth." Duncan passed a chased silver chalice to the cutpurse, who drank deeply. Asleena gasped in horror as seconds later, he convulsed, choking on the ground before her.
"I am sorry…" Duncan said, heart heavy. "Step forward, Jory."
"But-but-but… I have a wife! A child! Had I known…" Jory stammered, drawing his greatsword.
"There is no turning back." Duncan said, voice low and regretful.
"No! You ask too much! There is no glory in this!" Jory protested. In an instant, Duncan leapt forward like a cat, skewering Jory. Asleena locked eyes with the dying man, surprised etched into his face. He had clearly not thought Duncan would actually attack. She stared horrified first at the corpse, then Duncan. She gulped; he was advancing upon her.
"Step forward, Asleena." She obediently grasped the stem of the goblet and threw back her head and drained the contents into her mouth. It writhed down her insides like a fiery snake, hurting her, burning her. She gasped for air, but none would come. Red and black flashed behind her eyes. She was reduced to an animal, knowing nothing but the intense, agony and the wish to escape from it.
I'm dying… she thought, before slipping into blissful unconsciousness.
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