Part 01: Tainted Hero
Chapter 4: Ostagar Welcomes You

The noon sun burned down on the travelers. Brina's limbs were heavy with exhaustion. The darkspawn had been on their heels since they set foot in the Korcari Wilds. She was still reeling from the last encounter a mere hour earlier. What was usually a two-day trek only took them a little over a day.

The trees grew fewer as they entered a valley. As they stepped over the ridge, Brina drank in the sight. Before them at the edge of the forest was a crumbling white castle bustling with people. Many of them wore armor that glinted in the sunlight. A small group rode out to meet them.

Ostagar. Brina wanted to run the rest of the way. A grin spread across her face.

She took a few steps and dropped to her knees. Sudden pain in her left side made her cry out.

"Brina?" Duncan knelt beside her.

"It- it's nothing." She tried to stand but the pain shot through her again. Brina gasped.

"Warden Commander! What's the matter?" A soldier in blue and silverite rode up on a bay stallion. A griffin with open wings, just like the one on Duncan's armor, shone brightly on his breastplate.

"Alistair, take her to the infirmary." Duncan pulled Brina's arm around his neck and lifted her to her feet.

"No, I'm fine," Brina gasped through the pain.

"If you're fine, then I'm the Empress of Orlais," the soldier named Alistair quipped. "Can you hold on?"

Brina nodded. "I think so."

Duncan lifted her as Alistair pulled her up onto the back of the horse. Despite herself, she leaned into Alistair's back and put her arms around him. He was smaller than she was and she was concerned about crushing him. I feel so weak all of a sudden.

"Don't fall off. I may not be able to lift you a second time."

"Don't . . . Don't be . . . a bronto's ass."

Alistair laughed, "I just wanted to see how lucid you were. The sisters will fix you up in no time."

Each gallop aggravated the pain. It took all of Brina's willpower to keep from passing out. Before she knew it, hands were pulling her down from the horse and peeling back her clothing.

"What's wrong with her? The Blight?" a female voice asked.

"I don't believe so. We were riding out to meet her and Duncan when she collapsed. I'm sure the Warden Commander can fill you in better."

"Thank you, Alistair. You should go now. We'll take care of her."

More female voices joined in. "Look at these burns."

"I've never seen anything like this before."

"I have. Magic . . . from a demon."

Several voices gasped.

"Call the Senior Enchanter."

Brina couldn't open her eyes. I'm so tired . . . And the pain . . . The voices faded away.

Her head pounded, but the pain in her side was mostly gone. Brina's left side felt heavy. With her right hand, she felt around. A poultice and bandages. No wonder it doesn't hurt so much.

Brina looked around the makeshift lean-to. Dried herbs and runes hung from the wooden support beam. The night was cold, but the fire in the hearth cast a warm glow. The heat radiating from the flames stayed inside the tent.

A voice near the fire startled her. "Well, now, nice to see you awake. You've taken quite a beating recently." An older woman turned to face Brina. Her silver hair was in a tight ponytail. Crow's feet and laugh lines were prominent on her pale face. Her grey eyes were kind but wary. "I was told your name is Brina."

"Aye."

"My name is Wynne. I'm a Senior Enchanter from Kinloch Hold."

"Wynne . . ."

"Yes. The Warden-Commander told me you're the only survivor of an Avvar Clan to the west of here and that you are a powerful mage fresh out of apprenticeship."

Brina remained silent.

"You're fortunate to have survived an encounter with a Pride demon."

"I'm not certain I should speak of my ritual with a Lowlander."

"You don't have to. I understand you don't trust me. I certainly wouldn't trust me in your situation either. I was simply curious. We at the Circle are taught very differently about spirits."

Brina was silent once more. She observed Wynne. Wynne had turned back to the fire. A cast iron kettle hung from a hook above the flames. After a moment, it whistled. Wynne removed it and poured its boiling contents into a simple cup with a spoon and stirred it. "Here, this will help keep the pain at bay."

Brina sat up and took the offered cup. She could smell the unmistakable scent of willow bark . . . And . . . Firebloom? To cover the taste of the willow bark, maybe.

Contrary to its name, the Firebloom was mildly flavored. It didn't cover the willow bark completely, but enough she was able to down it in one gulp before making an involuntary face. "Thank you."

Wynne took the cup and set it down on a nearby table. "May I ask what happened to your arm? That scar was not caused by the demon you faced."

Wynne reminded Brina of Hulda. She couldn't help but feel the need to tell Wynne what happened. "There was a fire . . . A year ago. I thought I could control it and put it out. My Ma died saving me."

"I'm so sorry. It is difficult to lose family."

"Da is gone, too, thanks to the darkspawn."

They sat in silence for a while. After some time, Wynne sighed and stood. "I'll leave you be. I'm sure you don't want to talk to an old woman such as myself. I'll inform the Warden Commander you're awake. He wanted to speak to you."

Aside from the crackling fire, very few sounds could be heard in the camp. Brina suspected most were asleep. Two voices approached, whispering. One sounded like Duncan, and the other was angry.

"A demon? Don't you know how risky this is?"

"Alistair, calm yourself. She is not possessed. I was informed she collapsed from exhaustion and pain from the burns, nothing more. It was a hard journey here."

"What if she didn't kill it? What if it comes back and attacks the camp? What if it . . . What if it brings friends? There are very few Templars here."

"Alistair, I would not have brought her here if I thought she posed any danger to the order. Do you not trust me?"

A tense silence followed. Alistair sighed. "Of course I trust you, Duncan."

"Give her a chance to heal and prove herself. I think you'll be quite surprised at her abilities. I know you have difficulties trusting an unknown mage. She may not have trained in a Circle, but she is no true apostate. Her abilities and control rival some of the senior and first enchanters I've met, and I truly believe we are only seeing a glimpse of her potential. Don't let first impressions or secondary opinions cloud your judgment."

"Yes, ser. I'm sorry. You're right. I will reserve judgment."

Oh, for the Lady's sake . . . It never ends.

Duncan rapped lightly on the tent frame. "Do you mind speaking with me, Brina?"

Brina gestured to Wynne's empty chair. Alistair stood back, looking sheepish. Brina sat up, leaning against a headboard attached to her cot. "What is it you need, Warden-Commander?"

"Please, just Duncan."

"I'm sorry, it's how everyone here addresses you."

"I know it. I've told them otherwise, but no one listens to me." Duncan gave a small smile.

Brina chuckled.

"Your entrance was quite dramatic, and we were unable to introduce you properly. Since you are healing, I don't want to overwhelm you. We will start with Alistair. He's a junior member of the order and will accompany you and the other recruits when you take on your tasks for the Joining."

Brina nodded at Alistair.

"I am pleased to meet you, Brina."

"Even if I'm a shaman?"

Alistair's face turned red. "I- well, I . . . I mean- I'm just . . ."

"My people have a saying, 'The only thing that comes from a bronto's ass is shit.'"

Alistair was stunned for a moment, but let out a hearty laugh. "You do make a point!"

"Brina, tomorrow I want you to rest. We'll begin preparations for the Joining the day after. If you feel up to it, explore the camp and get to know some of your fellow comrades. Come, Alistair. Goodnight, Brina."

Brina nodded. "Goodnight, Duncan. Alistair."