When the Grey Wardens saw the gates of Ostagar, they let out a great cheer. Alistair leaned heavily on Zalandri's shoulder, faking a limp, and sighed, "Maker, finally." It had taken them a week to arrive, being slowed down here and there by attacks by darkspawn. They were all tired and badly needed baths and rest.
They entered through the gates and set up camp quickly, got a fire going, and went about to making some food. Zalandri pitched her tent and threw her cloak and scarf down inside, and went look around the grounds. She walked slowly, with Feren on her shoulder, thinking about Duncan's offer. The Grey Wardens , she mulled the idea over in her mind. Fighting the Blight, the Darkspawn, until my days are over… It seemed desperate, but she was surprised that it did not feel a heavy burden. She had already fled her home, and had no intentions of going back, and this had purpose, unlike aimlessly wandering the lands of Thedas, collecting knowledge on plants and animals.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw a pair of booted feet facing her. She looked up, surprised, and came face to face with Alistair, who broke into laughter.
"Someone's distracted," he chortled. "What's eating you?"
She shrugged and laughed with him, and he moved on. "Duncan is calling for you," he said, with a questioning look.
She nodded. "Right, I'm ready." They set off towards a large fire where Duncan was standing, talking to two Grey Wardens. He saw them coming and he sent the Wardens away, turning toward Zalandri.
"I've made my decision," she told him. She felt secure in her thoughts, and, in a way, relieved.
He raised his eyebrows. She nodded. His face gave into a smile and he placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Welcome," he said warmly. She smiled back and thanked him. "There are a couple other recruits waiting for the Joining. I will have all of you finish the tasks together."
"What?" Alistair was alarmed, eyes flickering between Duncan and Zalandri. "You… You're becoming a Warden?"
Zalandri smiled and nodded at him, but to her surprise Alistair looked indignant and extremely worried.
"But-"
"She has made her decision, Alistair." Duncan interrupted him, with a pointed look. Alistair stared at him for a moment before muttering "Yes, ser…", biting his lip. Duncan nodded.
"I will go find the recruits." He strode away from them disappeared into camp. Alistair stood, looking at the ground in silence.
Zalandri tentatively took a step forward to him. "Alistair… What's wrong?"
He looked at her, and it was as though he did not know what face to make. He was a mix of emotions, and seemed worried, sad, but at the same time, hopeful. "I… nothing. I'm sorry. It's… exciting. It really is. You joining the Wardens, I mean." He forced himself to smile. "I'll be with you through the Joining. You know, it just occured to me that there never have been many women in the Grey Wardens. I wonder why that is..."
"I can handle myself better than most," Zalandri teased. "What do I have to do for the Joining?"
Alistair looked worried and uncomfortable again. "There's... not a lot I can tell you. We go and collect darkspawn blood, and then you'll hear everything."
"Surely there's something you can tell me," she pressed. He looked apologetic, stepped closer to her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"I… look, Zala, I can't tell you much, alright?" He seemed nervous, and Zalandri smiled to him to try to cheer him up.
"Hey, I'll be fine!"
He smiled weakly, and let his fingers graze her cheek before moving back and clearing his throat.
"Ah, look, there's Duncan.."
Duncan walked briskly up to the fire with two men, slightly older than Alistair and Zala. They were introduced as Daveth and Jory, and they were the two other recruits. When polite greetings had gone around, Duncan addressed all of them.
"You will be heading into the Korcari Wilds to fulfill the first task for the Joining," he said, looking at each in turn, then to Alistair. "Alistair will be accompanying you. You will be collecting three vials of Darkspawn blood: one for each of you. Return when you have completed this task, and we shall complete the Joining."
"Darkspawn blood? What do we need that for?" Daveth asked.
"You will see soon enough," Duncan replied, face unreadable. "There is another thing. In the wilds there are some ruins to the north east. In those ruins is the Grey Warden's Cache- an important set of documents allowing us Wardens to seek aid from our allies. Find this and bring it here."
The recruits bowed to Duncan and set off to the gates with Alistair. They were warned of danger by the guard, and the gate shut behind them.
"Well, then!" Alistair said in a fake cheery voice. "Let's go hunt some darkspawn, shall we?"
He let Zalandri lead the group northeast, towards the lake. Halfway past the lake, Alistair took hold of Zalandri's arm and gestured forward with his eyes. She squinted, and saw a group of figures moving in the distance. She looked back at Daveth and Jory, who were watching them with their weapons ready. Daveth was taking an arrow out of his quiver, and nodded at Zalandri. She took a deep breath, and they began making their way toward the Darkspawn, swiftly but silently. Once they were within charging Alistair and Jory gave a great yell to attract the Darkspawn, and charged through them, knocking some down and injuring others. Daveth let loose arrow after arrow, and Zalandri crept behind those attacking Alistair and Jory to deliver killing blows.
They ended the fight quickly, and Zalandri brought out the glass vials to collect blood. She put the vials in her pouch and they moved on, headed toward the tall ruins they could see in the distance.
They searched the ruins, but could not find the treaties. Alistair was cursing under his breath when suddenly they heard a voice behind them.
"Are you a vulture, I wonder? A scavenger, poking the midst of corpses that were long since cleaned? Or merely an intruder? Come into these dark spawn filled wilds of mine in search of easy prey."
A woman with odd clothing and pinned black hair was walking down the steps of the ruins toward them. No one said a word, but drew their weapons.
She smirked. "What say you? Hmm? Scavenger or intruder?"
Zalandri spoke first. "Neither. The Grey Wardens once owned this tower."
The woman smirked and walked past them. "I have observed you for some time. Where do they go, I wondered; why are they here? And now you disturb ashes that none have touched for so long. Why is that?"
Alistair moved close to Zalandri. "Don't answer her," he whispered, "she looks Chasind, and that means other may be near by."
"Oh, you fear barbarians will swoop down upon you!" the woman mocked.
Alistair narrowed his eyes. "Yes… swooping is bad…" he muttered.
"She's a Witch of the Wilds, she is!" Daveth was nearly trembling in his boots. "She'll turn us into toads!"
"Witch of the Wilds…" the woman repeated, and chuckled. "Such idle fancies. Have you no minds of your own? You there," she looked at Zalandri, "women do not scare like little boys. Tell me your name and I shall tell you mine."
Zalandri figured being polite could do no harm. "I am Zalandri," she answered, "a pleasure to meet you."
The woman seemed please at this response. "And I, Morrigan," she said. "Shall I guess your purpose? You sought something in that chest? Something that is here no longer."
"'Here no longer'?" Alistair looked at Morrigan with disdain, "You stole them, didn't you? You're some kind of… sneaky… witch thief!" He looked put out that he could not think of something harsher to say.
"How very eloquent," Morrigan was unimpressed, "How does one steal from dead men? It was not I that took them, but my mother. I can take you to her, 'tis not far from here, and you may ask her for your papers if you'd like."
Alistair spoke to Zalandri again. "We should get those treaties… but I don't like this… Morrigan's sudden appearance. It's too convenient." He eyed Morrigan suspiciously. Zalandri thought for a second, then made up her mind.
"I say we go with her," she said to Alistair, who nodded grimly, "Please, lead the way." She called to Morrigan, who shrugges and turned to walk out to the Wilds.
"I hope this goes well," Alistair muttered. Zalandri took his hand, taking him by surprise, and squeezed it. He gave back equal pressure, and suppressed a smile despite their situation. Zalandri let go of his hand to draw her blade, just in case, as they followed Morrigan deeper into the Wilds.
They arrived at a small hut in a swampy part of the Wilds, and were met by an old woman with white hair, who didn't at all seem surprised to see them.
"Much as I expected," she murmured to herself.
"Are we to believe you were expecting us?" Alistair was clearly distrustful. He had an expression like he was forced to eat dirt.
"You are required to do nothing. Shut ones eyes tight or open them wide… either way, one's a fool!" the old woman smirked.
Daveth and Jory whimpered about witches again, and the old woman scoffed at them before turning to Zalandri.
"What of you? Does your woman's mind offer a different perspective on the matter? Or do you believe in stories like these boys do?"
"I am not sure what to believe," she replied honestly.
"A statement that implies more wisdom that it seems. Do I believe? Yes, it appears I do," the woman mused to herself.
"So… this is the dreaded Witch of the Wilds." Alistair's sarcasm did not go unnoticed, but the Witch brushed it off with a laugh.
"You came for your treaties yes?" she turned and walked toward the hut, "Before you begin barking, let me tell you that your precious seals wore off long ago. I have been protecting these." She handed the documents to Zalandri, who passed it to Alistair behind her. He took them, face changing quickly from suspicious to surprised.
"You… oh. You protected them?" he asked the Witch blankly.
"Any why not?" she answered, raising her eyebrows. Then her expression became serious. "Take them to your Grey Wardens and tell them that this blight's threat is greater than they realize."
"Greater than they realize?" Zalandri asked.
"Oh, do not mind me. You have what you came for," the Witch laughed, amused by herself.
"Time for you to go then," Morrigan drawled.
The Witch turned to her daughter and looked at her as though the comment had been directed at herself. "Don't be ridiculous child, these are your guests!"
Morrigan looked utterly exasperated. "Very well then, I shall lead you out of the woods," she sighed.
With Morrigan leading, the group returned without incident to camp. The young witch left them at the edge, and had disappeared when Zalandri turned to say goodbye. They found Duncan and presented the three vials of darkspawn blood and the Grey Warden's Cache. He seemed pleased enough with the vials, and very relieved to see the Cache. Alistair summarized the Witches they had encountered in the Wilds, and Duncan frowned and seemed thoughtful about this, but dismissed it quickly.
"We will carry on with the Joining now. I know they are apostates, Alistair, but leave your Templar training aside for now. Let us go." He lead the way to the Old Temple, and in a large goblet, made a mixture with the vials of blood.
Jory was starting to grow impatient. "The more I hear of this joining, the less i like it. Why all these damned tests? Have I not earned my place?"
Daveth tried to calm him down. "Maybe it's tradition. Maybe they're just trying to annoy you,: he joked.
Zalandri watched the two of them discuss their feelings about the Joining in silence, listening. Alistair appeared next to her to watch them as well.
"And… what do you think about it?" he asked her in a low voice.
Zalandri was silent for a moment, watching Jory grow more and more anxious. Alistair watched her, unable to keep the worry from his eyes. Then she gave a small nod and answered him.
"I trust you. I trust Duncan. Whatever you cannot tell me, I trust you have good reason. I am not afraid of the Joining."
Alistair let out a sigh of relief, as though he had been holding his breath for her answer.
"Although," she added, looking at the goblet Duncan was handling with disgust, "if it involves… drinking Darkspawn blood… I might hate you a little for it. I still trust you, but my tongue resents you already."
Alistair laughed, drawing looks from Jory and Daveth, and an exasperated one from Duncan. He saw the look from Duncan and quickly stifled it, turning it into a cough and covering his mouth with his hand.
Finally Duncan was ready for them. Alistair performed some words, and they began. Jory looked pale, eyeing the goblet incredulously.
"We're… going to drink that.. the blood of those-those creatures?" he gaped, looking both furious and terrified.
Duncan's face remained unchanged. "As the first Grey Wardens did before us, and us before you. It is the source of our power- the way we avoid taint from the Blight."
"Those of us who survive the Joining gain the power from the blood to become immune to the taint. We can sense the Darkspawn, and we use that power to slay them-and the Archdemon." Alistair explained.
Jory looked completely unconvinced as Duncan took the cup and faced Daveth, who looked nervous, but steady.
"Daveth, step forward…"
Daveth took the goblet from Duncan and raised it to his lips, drank, and handed it back to Duncan. First he looked sick, deathly pale, then suddenly he collapsed to the ground, groaning and writhing in agony. His body convulsed violently, and everyone took a step back. His body slowly stopped twitching, his noises fell silent, and suddenly he stopped moving. Alistair bowed his head and Duncan did the same.
"I am sorry, Daveth," Duncan whispered. He then turned to Jory, who had backed up against the wall and was staring at Daveth in horror. When he noticed Duncan turned towards him, his hand shot to the hilt of his sword.
"I-I have a wife," he stammered, drawing it, "a child… Had I known-"
"There is no turning back," Duncan told him, but Jory grew desperate.
"No!" he yelled, getting ready to swing, "You ask too much, there is no glory in this!" He swung hard at Duncan, but the Warden had drawn his sword as well and was quick to overpower him. He thrust the blade into Jory's ribs, killing him, and covering them both with blood.
"I am sorry," he whispered into the younger man's ear, then let him drop to the floor. He sheathed his weapon and turned to Zalandri with the goblet.
Alistair looked as though he might stop Duncan, he was beside himself with anxiety. He looked at Zalandri frantically, but she seemed to remain calm, though she was feeling quite sick with nerves and the smell of spilt blood.
Nevertheless, she took the goblet from Duncan, and with a final look at Alistair, she raised it to her lips and drank. She gagged, both from the wretched, rotten taste of the blood and from the smell, and Duncan took the goblet from her before she could drop it. She staggered back, then suddenly she bent over, doubling in pure agony shooting through her veins. Her eyes fell shut and she could not support herself standing anymore, and felt her body fall. She did not feel herself hit the ground, but faded into black.
She felt a cold, wet sensation running across her forehead. Her eyes, still heavy, flickered open, and it took her a moment to be able to focus on her vision. Blurry images came into view, and she was looking into Alistair's extremely worried face and Duncan's relieved one. She groaned, and Alistair's face broke into a nervous grin, and Duncan wiped her brow with the cold cloth one more time before standing.
She realized Alistair was holding her half sitting up, and though she wanted to, she could still not sit by her own strength. Her body was numb, and her senses were only slowly beginning to come back.
"Congratulations, and welcome," Duncan said with a smile, bowing. "You made it. Forgive me, but I must go speak to the King. He has called a meeting, and sends for me. He would also like for the two of you to attend, though I am not certain as to the reason why. When you are ready, come before the bridge." He turned and hurried off.
Zalandri closed her eyes for a moment again, then groaned as she tried to sit up. Alistair helped her, and though she sat independently now, he still kept a firm hand on her back, expecting her to fall limp again. He still looked worried, but a little less so than when she had first woken.
"I'm alive," she mumbled, rubbing her face. She could wiggle her toes now, and could feel the strength returning to her legs.
Alistair laughed and patted her back gently. "I know the feeling," he said. He watched her as she blinked slowly, and his smile was slightly less when her gaze fell on him. He was looking at her intently, face filled with relief, as if making really sure that she was in fact alive. Suddenly he found he was lifting a hand to her cheek, which she allowed him to stroke. They gazed at each other in silence for a moment as his fingers trailed down to her neck, when he murmured, almost to himself, "When you collapsed, I thought… you…"
Zalandri took his hand squeezed it, closing the gap between their foreheads. "I'm here," she said, barely audible, but he heard her and nodded. She let go of his hand a pulled back, turning to her legs.
She looked at them blankly, as if willing them to move. She sighed and fell into his chest suddenly, leaning her head on his collar, much to his alarm.
"Zal! What-"
"I'm fine," she groaned, "My legs just aren't working."
"You- oh. Ah. Yes, yes I remember that feeling. Um… here… Let's try…" he trailed off, and hesitantly scooped one arm under hers and around her ribs, drawing her closer, and the other under her legs.
Zalandri lifted her head. "What-" she began, but suddenly he had lifted her, standing, and she gave a small, surprise yelp and automatically clung to his neck. His cheeks flushed, but he slowly set her down upright, keeping a firm arm around her torso, but letting her feet find the ground. She understood what he was trying to do, and gripped firmly onto his shoulders as she felt the ground, stable beneath her. She stood there with his help for a few moments before loosening her grip.
"Hm," she murmured when she didn't sway, but felt quite steady. "Thank you," she said to him. Alistair still had an arm around her tightly, but when she turned to him he flushed and let go quickly, making sure she wouldn't fall. He grunted his reply and looked at her feet distrustfully, as though he were sure they would break at any moment. Zalandri took a deep breath, and they began slowly making their way to the bridge.