A few days passed, and the new Wardens prepared for the battle everyone knew was coming. Groups of scouts from the regular army met roving parties of darkspawn with increasing regularity, and not a few casualties occurred. Loghain still refused to allow the Wardens to take over scouting duties, and to avoid dissention in the army, Anthatal did not press the issue. Frankly, the tall man was tired of wrangling with the stubborn, arrogant general of the Fereldan army. He spent most of his time training the young Warden Alistair, improving the ex-templar's fighting technique. The rest of Anthatal's day consisted of drinking with Gregor and Ulath, arguing philosophy and comparative theologies with Kheva and Joss, and seeing to the needs of the new Wardens.

After a few weeks in camp, a scout from the Imperial Highway came in with the news that a pair of men were coming towards the camp. Anthatal met them at the old gates of Ostagar. They said that they had been sent ahead by Duncan, who was at most three days behind them. The tallest one was a middle-aged knight from the Arling of Redcliffe, and he introduced himself as Ser Jory. He was accompanied by a lanky thief with a quick sense of humor named Daveth, from the capital at Denerim. Anthatal greeted them warmly and directed them to the Wardens' encampment, placing them under the charge of the templar Joss.

With the arrival of Daveth and Jory, the number in the Warden encampment once again rose to twenty. Daveth quickly became the life of the group, always ready to tell a tall tale or quick joke that often had even the more serious Wardens roaring with laughter. However, many small items went missing on a daily basis, and Anthatal was often forced to reprimand the witty thief. Jory was more serious, spending much of his time alone, often looking at a small portrait of his wife, who he said was with child. He seemed almost reluctant to be with the Wardens, but on the training fields he was a force of nature, wielding a greatsword with a skill topped only by Anthatal himself.

Three days passed, and the same scout came to Anthatal, saying that he had met Duncan on the road. Anthatal headed towards the gates near the Tower of Ishal, but saw Cailan heading that way and decided to wait. He watched as Duncan met the Fereldan King and introduced him to the three that accompanied him. Anthatal couldn't quite make them out, but one was obviously a dwarf, and one seemed to be a noble. The third, however, remained an enigma, as he was often hidden from view by either Duncan or the young king.

After a few minutes, Cailan returned to his tents, where Loghain awaited him, and Duncan spoke briefly to his companions as they crossed the wide bridge spanning the canyon. They split off as soon as the four of them reached the other side, and Duncan approached his friend.

"It is good to see you again, Duncan."

The older Warden gripped Anthatal's forearm with a viselike hand. "The same to you, my friend. Tell me, did you have any trouble while I was gone?"

Anthatal shook his head. "None at all, Duncan. Two of the recruits didn't make it through the Joining ceremony."

"It is an inevitability; I can't remember ever hearing of a Joining where everyone survived."

The tall warrior nodded. "The knight and the thief arrived three days ago. They told us you were coming."

Duncan smiled. "Yes, the two of them were both accidental finds, to be honest with you; Daveth more than Jory."

A brief smile flitted across Anthatal's face. "I see you had some luck yourself, my friend."

"Yes, indeed I did. Denerim yielded both Daveth and Anadhel, the elf over there. He's quite skilled with those twin blades of his, though how he kept them hidden in the Alienage I have no idea. I recruited him just after he had killed the Arl of Denerim's son; apparently the pompous ass ruined his wedding. I came across Gaelan in Highever when I arrived to look in on another candidate. He's the youngest son of the late teyrn Bryce Cousland. Rendon Howe killed his family. From Highever I went on to Orzammar, and came across Kiln wandering in the Deep Roads. He wouldn't tell me any of his background, but from the looks of him he was sealed in the Deep Roads as a form of capital punishment. Overall a good group; I have high hopes for them."

"We need as many Wardens as we can get, Duncan. I'm glad you had such success."

Duncan smiled at his longtime friend. "As am I, Anthatal."

Anthatal clapped the shorter man on the shoulder. "Oh, incidentally, Loghain's been causing some difficulties. But, since you're here, I'm sure you can handle it." The tall warrior smiled as he strode towards the Wardens' encampment, leaving Duncan shaking his head after him.