Chapter 16:

Alistair sat down at the fire and, breathing a sigh of relief, stretched his legs out toward it. He felt his muscles loosen and did his best not to yawn. He closed his eyes and leaned back against a log, soothed by the warmth emitting from the fire. He sighed. Today had been interesting, he thought. It had started like any day so far until...His eyes opened and strayed to the other side of the fire where the recruits were whispering to each other…well, Daveth and Sylina were whispering while Ser Jory stared solemnly into the fire. He guessed what they were talking about.

Duncan had told them all that they would be headed into the Wilds tomorrow to get three vials of darkspawn blood and some ancient Grey Warden treaties. Alistair groaned as he shifted his weight. He was not looking forward to it. He didn't like the idea of being responsible for the three recruits, but Duncan had told him it was tradition for the newest Grey Warden to prepare recruits for their Joining and to help train them after they had made it...if they made it. Alistair was more worried about what mistakes he could make tomorrow. What if he got them lost? What if one of them got hurt? What if he lost his pants? What if darkspawn snuck up on them? Well, okay, that last one wasn't likely to happen while he was there, but still. So many things could go wrong, and he didn't want any of them to fail.

He watched as Daveth leaned in closely to whisper in Sylina's ear and the mage's eyes went wide. She gaped at him and then whispered something back, worry etched on her face. Alistair watched the way she bit her lip and how her hand strayed up to her neck to fiddle with the chain hanging there. His eyes roamed over her face with her clear green eyes that told exactly what she was thinking and to her hair that was as dark as Duncan's – and yet, her skin was so pale in comparison. He wondered if it was because she had been stuck inside her whole life.

He watched as Daveth began to tell a story - from the way his hands moved, Alistair could tell it was the one where he had cut Duncan's purse and ended up being recruited to the Grey Wardens. Sylina rested her chin on her hand, a small amused smile on her lips. Alistair noticed the ring on her finger - the Circle ring. He wondered what her life had been like, in the Circle. He had heard stories about some of the things that happened to apprentices there. But she seemed so happy…? Surely nothing bad could have happened to her. Yes, Alistair, I am sure her life was roses and daises. Because she couldn't be happy now because she is away from there you, idiot! he thought to himself.

He frowned. What if something had happened? Duncan had said he nearly had to invoke the Rite of Conscription on her. Was that the reason she had reacted the way she did when finding out he was a templar? Alistair frowned. Perhaps she did not trust templars - not that he would expect her to, given that she came from a prison filled with them. But the thought that she would distrust or even hate him over it made Alistair sad.
He sighed and got up. Sylina looked up at him and their eyes met. She wore a small smile that didn't fade as she looked at him. Alistair suddenly found himself grinning like a fool. Perhaps she doesn't hate me after all? Her eyes were amused as she watched him.

Alistair tried to bring his grin under control and cleared his throat. The other two recruits looked up at him. "We will be leaving early tomorrow morning. I suggest you all try to get some rest."

Sylina nodded, still watching him, and he heard Daveth murmur, "Easy for you to say." Alistair almost laughed - if he only knew. He shook his head as he walked off. There would be little sleep for him tonight.

"Watch over your charges, Alistair," Duncan said, meeting them at the entrance to camp early the next morning. "Return quickly and be safe."

Alistair nodded and looked at the three recruits. "We will Duncan."

"Maker watch over you," Duncan said, and nodded to them.

Alistair led them out of camp and in the general direction of the ancient Grey Warden outpost. If they retrieved the Grey Warden documents first then they could look for darkspawn, though by the feeling he was getting, they would have no problem locating them.

"Alistair." Alistair looked down at the woman striding next to him and smiled. She had tied her hair back, but some of the bangs kept falling in her eyes and she would push them back.

"Yes?" he said, watching her as she bit her lip and fidgeted.

She took a deep breath. "I was...well I was just wondering...I mean I know Grey Wardens are important and all, but..." She paused and looked up at him. He was trying to keep himself from grinning and he doubted he was all that successful.

"Go on," he prompted.

"Well, what makes Grey Wardens so special?" she asked timidly.

Alistair laughed and saw Sylina blush. "Well, for starters we are excellent warriors. Every time darkspawn have threatened to destroy the world Grey Wardens have been the ones who lead mankind to victory. Not to mention there is no one who knows more about darkspawn than the Grey Wardens and we are the best equipped to deal with them." He smiled down at her and saw confusion in her eyes.

"So you are...like knights? Or...heroes?" A tiny smile touched her lips before she hid it and Alistair felt warmth wash over him. Maker help him. He had known her less than a day and he already felt some affection for the young innocent mage who bit her lip and fidgeted with the thin chain around her neck.

He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Well...I don't know if I would say heroes." She looked up at him with concern and he plunged on. "I mean...it's not that we don't do good things – we do – it's just...well. Duncan once told me that Grey Wardens are willing to do whatever is necessary to bring victory."

"I don't understand," Sylina said, her brows furrowed.

"Well...perhaps it's best not to speak of it." She did not look happy with his answer, but stayed quiet. They walked further into the Wilds. Alistair was aware of darkspawn on the edge of his consciousness.

"Over here! Please...help me!" Sylina saw Alistair head quickly in the direction of the voice. As she approached she saw a man lying on the ground holding his side. "Grey...Wardens?" the man asked, looking up at Alistair.

Alistair bent over him and then looked at Sylina. "He's not half as dead as he looks. Do you have anything that might help?"

Sylina bent down and examined the man's wounds quickly. "I am not very good at healing, but I can try to help stop some of the bleeding."

"We were...attacked by darkspawn," the man mumbled as Sylina crouched by his side with Alistair. She looked up at Alistair and saw confusion in his eyes. He was looking at her.

"What are you waiting for? Use your magic! You said you could help!" Alistair said loudly, irritation in his voice, looking from her to the man.

Sylina started and turned back to the man. She had been waiting for a sign from Alistair to heal him. She did not normally perform complex spells without supervision or being told when to. She felt odd and nervous, like this was her first time casting. As if any second, should she make a mistake, Alistair would smite her and leave her alone in the Wilds. The idea made her shiver and she almost lost control of her spell. She healed a few of the man's wounds and Alistair bent down next to her. He handed her a bandage and she didn't look at him. She bandaged the man up.

"I...I have to get to camp," the man said. Alistair helped him up. He stumbled away.

Sylina remained on her knees. Alistair turned to look at her. He hesitated. "Sylina?" he asked. She bent her head and didn't look at him. He looked to Daveth who shrugged and turned away. Alistair kneeled down next to her and put his hand on her shoulder. She stiffened. "Sylina, come on. We have a task to complete." Sylina nodded and stood up, throwing his hand off of her. She refused to look at him and stared out into the swamps.

Alistair sighed, taking a step toward her and lowering his voice. "Listen. I am sorry if I sounded harsh. I was just...I apologize." Sylina finally looked up at him. He looked worried and a little anxious. She nodded and walked on.

They had been walking for a few minutes when Sylina heard Ser Jory whisper to Daveth. "An entire patrol of seasoned men killed by darkspawn! This is reckless!" Daveth looked at the man and shrugged. Alistair stopped and turned to Ser Jory.

"We are in no danger as long as we are careful."

Ser Jory's voice rose. "You don't think those soldiers were careful? We may be able to fight off many darkspawn just the four of us, but there is an entire army in these forests!"

Alistair sighed. "There are darkspawn around, but we are in no danger of encountering the bulk of the horde."

"And I am supposed to just take your word on that? I am not a coward, but this mission is foolish and reckless. We should go back."

Sylina glared at the knight, remembering his comment about her being a woman yesterday. He didn't see her fretting like an old woman did he? "You sound like a coward to me," she said harshly. Alistair turned to her with raised eyebrows.

"I am only trying to stay alive!" Ser Jory said, turning to her. He ground his teeth and turned back to Alistair. "But I will not flee."

Alistair looked at Sylina. "Fear is natural. Darkspawn are not particularly pleasant, especially the first time you meet them. You should not be eagerly awaiting your first introduction." Sylina looked away, not meeting his eyes. She found herself still a little angry at him over his outburst earlier. He had made it sound like she should just know when to do her magic - that she should just trust that he wouldn't strike her down.

"I didn't say I was," she said stubbornly, setting her jaw and meeting Alistair's eyes.

Alistair shook his head and turned back to Ser Jory. "Know this. All Grey Wardens can sense darkspawn. I will make sure we are not surprised."

"Well, there you go Ser Jory. Even if we die, we will at least be warned about it," Daveth said, smiling. "Shall we get a move on then?"