Part 01: Tainted Hero
Chapter 11: A Proper Grey Warden

"How do you feel?" Duncan's face hovered over her own, his expression neutral. A small hint of relief reflected in his eyes.

"Like I've been trampled by a Gurn . . . And that nightmare . . ."

"What did you see?"

"The horde . . . Thousands of nightgangers . . . And . . . And a huge dragon . . . The Archdemon."

Duncan nodded. "Now you understand how we know this is a Blight. I've arranged a meeting with King Cailan and General Loghain at mid-morning. I want you and Alistair present."

"Me? I've only been a Grey Warden for a few minutes."

"I can't discuss it now, but there's an important task you and Alistair are best equipped for." Duncan turned on his heel and left.

Brina glanced back at Jory and Daveth. At some point after she passed out, Alistair and Duncan had wrapped the bodies and draped blue flags with the Grey Warden's silver griffon sigil over them both. Such a waste, but I understand now. Thank you, Korth, for delivering me from such a fate.

Alistair sighed heavily. "Two more dead . . . At my Joining only one of us died, but it was . . . Horrible." They stood in silence for a time.

Brina couldn't erase the images of their deaths from her mind. Without warning, her stomach growled loudly. Sudden hunger brought cramps to her stomach.

"By-the-way, you're going to be very hungry for a few hours. It was a surprise to me too."

Brina shot him a look of irritation. "Thanks . . ."

A broad grin spread across Alistair's face. "Don't mention it!"

"You could have warned me sooner."

"Where's the fun in that?" Alistair unbuttoned a pouch on his belt and took out a slice of bread wrapped in cheesecloth. "Here, it's not much, but it will get you between here and the breakfast fire at the Warden's Camp."

The hunger prompted Brina to snatch the bread from his hand and devour it in two bites. After she swallowed the last mouthful, her eyes grew in embarrassment and horror. She covered her mouth. "I'm so sorry! I don't know what's come over me."

Alistair laughed. "I told you! Go get some food. I'll take care of everything here."

Brina nodded and went down the steps. She turned at the bottom. Alistair had knelt between both bodies with his head in one hand. This . . . This is only the beginning, isn't it? Brina, what have you gotten yourself into?

She followed the scent of food; eggs, sausages, flatbreads, various roasting meats and fish from the Wilds. Vegetables were somewhat scarce with winter so close at hand. As long as the battle was soon, what food remained would last the journey home, however far it might be. So long as they won.

Brina found herself back at the infirmary. It had become familiar. Sister Paulette greeted her with a smile. "Good morning, Sister . . . Ah . . . May I have some of that?"

Over the central fire were several pans. One had sliced sausages and scrambled eggs. Brina's mouth watered and her stomach growled again.

"Of course!"

"My thanks."

Paulette handed Brina a full plate. She then went to a nearby table and sliced a chunk of bread and spread some butter on it. "Here. A shipment from Rainesfere came in just before you arrived. They haven't sent soldiers, but at least they are helping . . ."

Brina struggled with her food. She wanted to eat it in a single gulp, but she forced herself to eat slowly, one bite and a time. "What is your name, Sister?"

Paulette's face turned red. "I'm sorry, I never introduced myself! My name is Sister Paulette."

"Where are you from?"

"Edgehall, originally. I lived in Honnleath for a time when I was little. Then my family moved to Denerim. It was there I joined the Chantry. Being the youngest of six with few prospects, it made the most sense. What about you? I know you're Avvar . . . But that's it."

Brina swallowed a particularly large bite. Her appetite was getting the better of her. "My hold is the- was . . . The Black Wolf Hold. I am called Brina Ulriksdotten, daughter of Ulrik Brynjolfsen. He was the Master of Hunt. Considered the best in our region even among the other holds. He was such an expert, the Thane depended on him during war times for organization. My Ma was Aela Caldansdotten O Stone Bear Hold." Brina laughed to herself at the thought of a story she was once told. "You know, my Da was so good at hunting and tracking, he managed to sneak into Stone Bear, steal my Ma, and sneak out without even leaving footprints. What makes it even more impressive was the fact he had announced he would sneak in that night and challenged the Thane into doubling the guard and having them watch for him."

Paulette nearly dropped her cup. "He stole her? I don't understand. That's so . . . That's so-"

"Barbaric?" Brina raised her brows.

Paulette blushed again. Brina laughed. "'Ts all right. I know how it sounds. That's how it's done." Brina paused and took a drink of water, noting that Paulette was listening very intently. "She was willing and even helped. The Thane of Stone Bear was so impressed that he pledged a blood oath to our hold . . . If only they had known we needed help . . ."

"What do you mean?"

"Do you know how Duncan recruited me?"

"The Warden-Commander?"

"He was visiting the hold when I underwent my ritual to become a shaman . . . The hold was attacked by nightgangers. Darkspawn. It happened so fast, during the night. No warning. No time to react. Too many for my hold to take."

Paulette's hands were over her mouth. "Oh . . . I- I had no idea . . . I'm s- . . . I'm so sorry, Brina."

Brina shook her head. "I will not rest until every last one of those bastards is dead. It may not bring back my hold, and I'm sure there are too many nightgangers for me to take alone, but I'm going to try."

"I . . . I think I would too . . . were I in your place."

Brina finished off her stew and bread. "Thank you again, Paulette. How are Carver and Aveline? The injured soldiers from yesterday?"

"Aveline's fine. Senior Enchanter Wynne completely healed her. She'll go back to the main camp today. Carver-"

A commotion broke out. A large man with messy jet black hair and blue eyes tried to force his way between the guards at the entrance. His armor bore no sigil. In fact, it appeared his armor was pieced from multiple sets and were ill-fitted for someone as burly as he was.

"I need to see my brother! I need to see Carver!"

"Ser, you cannot just barge in here! The patients here need rest to heal."

From across the infirmary, Wynne approached calmly. She placed a hand on one guard's shoulder and the other on Carver's brother's arm. The men stopped struggling.

"Ma'am, are you in charge here? Please, how is Carver? I only just heard. When the soldiers didn't report back this morning, I thought he was dead! But he is here . . . I must see him. Please."

Wynne turned to the guards. "It's all right. Let him in. I will take him to his brother."

The guards released him. "Thank you. Where is he?"

"This way. What is your name, Ser?"

"Garrett. Garrett Hawke."

Wynne and Garrett approached a tent, where Brina assumed Carver was being kept.

"What? What are you doing here?"

That was Carver's voice, I think.

"What do you mean, 'what am I doing here?' I thought you were dead and then found out you were here. I came to see if you were okay!"

"I'm sure you did. You came to gloat because you came back from your scouting mission unscathed."

"Well . . . I- . . . No. All right, maybe. Did you at least get the bastard that did that?"

"Do you really care?"

"Yes. I need to know you aren't going to go on a revenge rampage."

"Yes, I got him."

"Good. You won't be able to participate in the main battle tomorrow."

"What? They said I'd be good to go!"

"I say you're not."

"That's not fair! You're not Mother. You're not Father either!"

"Carver . . ."

"No! Say it. Say I'm going to be at the battle!"

"I just don't think you're ready."

"I'm going. I don't care what you say."

"You-" Garrett cut himself off before growling. He was silent for a moment. "Fine, but you will be at my side the whole time. Mother can't know. Or Marian . . . Or Bethany for that matter. This is between you and me."

Brina couldn't see them, but Carver's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Yes, Mother."

Garrett sighed loudly. "How do you feel?"

"Fine."

"I'll . . . I'll let you rest . . ." Garrett emerged from the tent, rubbing his face. Under his breath, as he passed Brina and Paulette, he muttered, "Fucking little shit. He's damn lucky I love 'im."

Brina glanced at Paulette. "Well . . . That answers that . . . I must be going."

"Oh! All right."

Brina made her way to the Grey Warden Camp to find Alistair. At the entrance, another guard stood watch. At first, he eyed her suspiciously but seemed to recognize her.

"Warden Brina?"

"Aye."

"A messenger was just sent to find you. Report to Warden Constable Amaya. She has some equipment for you."

"Where is she?"

"Follow this row. Third on the right."

Brina followed the row and stopped at the third tent on the right. The flap was tied open. She bent to glance inside.

"Well don't just stand there. Come on in."

"Oh!" She entered the tent but was unable to stand upright. The tent was too short for her. As her eyes adjusted to the dimly lit tent, Brina was surprised.

Warden Constable Amaya was a dwarf. Her hair was shoulder length and mostly grey. Half of it was pulled back into a ponytail. What was surprising to Brina, was the fact that most female dwarves she had encountered kept a clean-shaven face. Amaya had thick mutton chops on her cheeks and a long braided goatee that was tucked into her belt.

This dwarf was obviously a warrior. Her armor was made of thick plate. The few bits of visible leather and cloth were dyed blue, matching the Grey Warden sigil that decorated most of the tent's furnishings.

Inside the tent sat a cot and a table covered in maps and messages. A gigantic, very thick two-handed hammer was propped against the bed. A large number of mugs laid about as well. It was then Brina realized the air smelled heavily of liquor. It was almost enough to make Brina feel warm and fuzzy.

"So, I see you survived the Joining. Good thing, too. We lost every single recruit in the last three groups." Amaya never once looked up at Brina; instead she was focused on one particular map in front of her. "Be prepared for nightmares until the sodding Archdemon is dead. Then get used to it. Drinking helps sometimes. Drowns it out." Amaya looked at her. "Until then, you need better gear. You can keep your staff . . . Or whatever that is, but we have armor that will better protect you from melee and ranged attacks. And, as a Warden, you're expected to bear the sigil." Amaya gestured at Brina, and they left the tent.

Brina was relieved to stretch upright again. She blinked at the bright light.

"Normally, I'd tell you that you'll be kept to the back, up high so you can strike at a distance, but the Warden-Commander told me he has a different job for you. So your gear has some modifications."

They walked all the way down the row and stopped in front of a blacksmith.

"Hey! Jerome!"

The man stopped hammering. "Yes, Warden Constable?"

"Is the new recruit's shit done?"

"Eh? Oh, yea. It's here. Just got it back from the Tranquil about ten minutes ago." Blacksmith Jerome went to a chest and pulled out several armor pieces; several layers of chainmail and padded leather, a metal breastplate, bracers and shin guards, a set of rerebraces with griffon-shaped pauldrons, and cuisses. Lastly, she was handed a helmet with griffon wings adorning the sides.

"Oh, Sweet Tyrrda's Tits . . . I've never worn anything like this before . . ."

Warden Constable Amaya blinked at her. "That's right. I forgot you're a savage. Come, I'll take you to Warden Lorrel. She was one of the last recruits who survived before you. She's also a mage. She can show you how to put on your shit. This way. Thanks, Jerome."

Jerome grunted and resumed hammering. Brina followed Amaya two rows over and back up the direction they had come. They were about seven tents down from the entrance. Both flaps were tied back.

"Hey! Lorrel! Help this new Warden." Amaya turned on her heel and left.

Brina stood looking back and forth between the tent and the dwarf.

An elf appeared from the darkness. "She's a bit much, 'in't she?"

"Ah, aye . . ."

"Ya never worn armor before, have ya?"

Brina shook her head.

"A'ight, com'on. First, take off your outer layers, but keep your small clothes on . . . Trust me. Chaffs less . . . then put this on." Lorrel tossed one of the chainmail layers at her.

Brina noticed it had a soft cloth layer on the inside and had straps that went around her feet and hands to keep the sleeves and legs from riding up. Gaps on the inside of her elbow and knees for improved moving and comfort were also present. Brina noted the flap tied between her legs. And here I thought I'd have to worry about bathroom breaks.

"Okay, now this layer." Lorrel tossed another layer of chainmail. This draped over her like a tunic with straps at the sides. It went down to her knees. Lorrel threw the padded leather. It also hung like a tunic and was about the same length as the chainmail tunic. It was striped blue and white with a black belt around her waist.

"I'll help ya with everything else. They're tricky the first couple times." Lorrel slid the breastplate over Brina's head and tightened the straps. The bracers had leather gloves attached. Brina got them on, and Lorrel tightened the belts. The rerebraces and pauldrons were trickier, but soon they were strapped to her upper arms and shoulders as well.

Brina slipped her boots on. The shin guards covered the front of her knees and part of the top of her foot with tiered plate. The cuisses attached to her belt. When it was all on, Lorrel helped her connect them together.

"There now! A proper Grey Warden ya are!"

"Thank you." She glanced outside, and a realization hit. Brina's eyes grew wide. "Hakkon's balls, I'm late! I'm sorry, I must go. I need to get to a meeting. Thank you, again!" Brina ducked through the opening of the tent and dashed out of the camp back toward the old temple. On the way out, the guard at the entrance yelled after her. She didn't hear most of it, but managed to catch the words "Alistair" and "war meeting." She waved behind her.