Chapter 9:
"Sylina...Sylina are you alright? Please say something." Sylina heard Jowan's voice through her slumber. She blinked and looked around. Jowan was standing at the side of her bed. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her eyes open.
She groaned. "Hi, Jowan," she said simply, rolling off the bed.
"Thank the Maker!" he said, helping her get up. "So you took the Harrowing, then? Was it dangerous? What was it like?"
Sylina sighed and tried to straighten her robes since she had slept in them and they now had creases. "Jowan," she said trying to not sound exasperated, "you know the Harrowing is a secret. I can't tell you anything about it. You will just have to wait for your Harrowing to find out."
Jowan folded his arms, "Fine. I see where our friendship is these days. I'll leave you alone then. After all you get to move to the nice mage's quarter upstairs while I stay down here. Meanwhile, who knows when I will be called for my Harrowing."
Sylina felt tired and a little frustrated by Jowan's attitude. He hadn't even congratulated her. "Jowan, try not to worry about the Harrowing. They will call you when you are ready."
"I'm older than you Sylina. I think they just don't want to test me."
Sylina gave a small laugh. "Please, Jowan, don't be paranoid. And besides, I had magical talent early. Perhaps that is why I went through my Harrowing before you."
"You don't understand." He looked at the ground. "I'm afraid of what will happen to me. Mages in the Circle only have three options, Sylina. We do the Harrowing, the Rite of Tranquility, or die. That's it."
She smiled. "No one is going to kill you, Jowan."
"Perhaps they won't kill me. But the Rite of Tranquility is just as bad, if not worse. You've seen the Tranquil - don't pretend they don't affect you. They are so cold, but… no, that's not the right word… they have nothing in them, Sylina. Their voices, their eyes…everything is lifeless." Jowan shivered and Sylina rubbed her arms.
"Jowan, you are my friend, but you are worrying about this too much. I am sure you will be fine." Sylina smiled at him and patted his arm.
"You're right. I shouldn't waste your time with this. I was supposed to tell you that Irving wants to see you as soon as you wake up. And since you're awake now..." Jowan smiled for the first time that morning.
Sylina laughed. "I better go, then. Thank you, Jowan. I will talk to you later." Sylina headed out the door of the dormitory.
As she was walking up the stairs she heard two apprentices speaking.
"Did you hear if she is alright?" a girl asked. Sylina stopped behind a bookshelf to hear the conversation. Were they talking about her?
"Oh are you her best friend now?" Sylina rolled her eyes - she knew most of the female apprentices disliked her, and her passing her Harrowing was not likely to change that.
The first girl spoke up again defiance in her voice. "I'm only curious. Ser Cullen said it was the quickest, cleanest Harrowing he had ever seen! He said she's very talented and very brave."
Sylina smirked. Oh, Cullen! she thought.
She could practically feel the second girl roll her eyes. "Well he would, wouldn't he?"
Sylina chuckled and moved on. She shouldn't keep the First Enchanter waiting after all.
As Sylina entered the First Enchanter's office, she immediately noticed Irving, Greagoir and a third man standing inside. She heard Greagoir arguing with the unknown man so she stayed back at the entrance to the large study, not wanting them to think she was eavesdropping. Greagoir was telling the man that they had already sent mages to Ostagar for the King's army and that they wouldn't send any more.
Sylina felt slightly disappointed. She would have loved to go help the King. That would have been exciting. And now that she was a Harrowed mage she could leave the Tower if she was granted permission by the First Enchanter.
"Are you merely afraid to let any of the mages out from under Chantry supervision? Where they can use the gifts the Maker gave them?" Sylina smirked at Irving's response.
Greagoir fired back at him. "How dare you suggest..."
The third man broke in. "Gentlemen, please." He motioned at Sylina. "Irving, I believe someone is here to see you."
"First Enchanter, you asked me to see you as soon as I awoke." She walked into the room and couldn't help her eyes going to the stranger. He was younger than both Greagoir and Irving, though that was not saying much since the other two men looked ancient to her. His skin was dark and his hair was black. She had only ever seen one templar with skin as dark as his. He wore two blades on his back.
"Ah, there you are. If it isn't the newest sister in the Circle. Come in, child."
The darker man walked to Irving's side and motioned at her. "This is...?"
Irving turned to him with a smile. "Yes, this is she."
Greagoir scowled. "I can see you are busy, Irving. We will discuss this later." He left, glaring at Sylina as he did.
Irving nodded. "We will." He motioned for Sylina to come closer. "This is Duncan, of the Grey Wardens."
Sylina smiled widely - a Grey Warden! She had read all about Grey Wardens and Blights, and darkspawn. She had heard that the King's army was going to Ostagar to fight darkspawn. She looked at the man, Duncan. "A Grey Warden? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be fighting darkspawn in Ostagar?"
Duncan smiled at her. "Grey Wardens go wherever duty sends them."
Irving smiled at her again. "You have heard about Ostagar and the King's army. Duncan is recruiting mages to join the King's army."
Sylina had heard Irving right: this man wanted more mages to go fight. "I would go," she said, her excitement getting the better of her as she grinned at both men. "I would go fight and defend Ferelden."
Duncan sized her up in a completely obvious way before speaking. "With the darkspawn invading, we need all the help we can get, especially from the Circle. The power mages wield is a great asset to any army. Your spells can be very effective against large groups of mindless darkspawn. I fear if we do not defeat the darkspawn at Ostagar, there may be another Blight."
Sylina's eyes went round and Irving quickly jumped in. "Duncan, you worry the girl. This is supposed to be a happy day for her."
Duncan shrugged. "These are troubled times."
"Well then, we should seize moments of levity, especially in troubled times," Irving stated, smiling back at Sylina. "Your Harrowing is behind you. You are officially a mage within the Circle of Magi."
Sylina smiled widely, feeling breathless for a moment. Her entire life she had worked up to this moment. Both the Blight and darkspawn were immediately forgotten. "Thank you, First Enchanter."
"I present you with your robes, your staff, and a ring bearing the Circle's insignia. Wear them proudly, for you have earned them."
Sylina took the robes and staff and put the ring on. She looked from the First Enchanter to Duncan. "Now what?" she asked.
Irving chuckled. "Patience, child. You have been through a lot in the last day. We should not rush things. Rest or study. The day is yours."
She had a sudden thought. "What if I want to leave the tower?" She knew the answer, but somehow she wanted the Grey Warden to see that she wanted to leave.
"Not yet, child. Remember: the tower's walls protect us as much as they protect others from us." Sylina couldn't stop her eyes from rolling.
"I will return to my quarters," Duncan said. Sylina looked at him. He was watching her with inquisitive eyes.
"Would you escort Duncan back to his quarters, child?" Irving asked, a small smile at the corner of his lips.
She smiled. "It would be a pleasure," she said, motioning for Duncan to follow her.
Duncan walked by her side in silence. She could tell he was watching her though. When they reached his rooms he stated simply: "Thank you for escorting me." Sylina was about to turn to leave when she paused.
Duncan, noticing this asked, "Is there something else I can do for you?"
Sylina bit her lower lip and turned to face him. "How many mages joined the King's army?" she asked.
"The king sent out the call and only seven mages were sent to Ostagar."
Sylina gasped. "Only seven? But there are many mages here that could help, and would want to as well."
Duncan shrugged. "I asked King Cailan's permission to come here and try to get a greater commitment from the Circle. I was hoping to place a mage in every contingent. I cannot do this with only seven." Sylina nodded. She couldn't believe only seven mages had left the tower. "Mages could make a big difference in the battles. The darkspawn have their own magic as well, and our resources must exceed theirs."
Sylina felt nervous, but finally she asked the question she had been thinking ever since she had heard why this man was here. "Could I join the King's army?"
Duncan looked at her. "Would you be of use?"
She looked slightly annoyed. Why would she be asking if she wouldn't be of any help?! "I know combat spells. I would be of use," she insisted.
Duncan nodded. "Then I shall speak to Irving about this later. Darkspawn are a greater threat than blood mages or abominations. It takes decades for the world to recover from a Blight," he sighed. "I wish the Chantry could see that. We must stop at nothing to defeat the darkspawn." He suddenly began to scoff. "Listen to me. An old man ranting can't be very interesting to you."
Sylina smiled at him. "I was actually finding it quite interesting and I have learned much. Thank you."
He chuckled. "You are too kind."
"Perhaps we can speak later?" she asked.
"Yes, after I speak to Irving about what you proposed." He smiled down at her and Sylina left his room.