Duty's Choice: The Bastards of Ferelden - Chapter 13
All Along the Watchtower
Close to East Watch – two weeks later
The coastal road had not been well maintained in the years since the Blight. It wasn't a well-traveled route even before. The Brecilian Forest crept up to the rocky coast line, which gave enemies far too good cover. And of course, the stories about the forest itself discouraged travelers going over land. Sea routes, even to land-loving Fereldens, were much safer.
Despite the slow going, it had been a pleasant trip. The forest kept them well supplied in food and firewood. A cool sea breeze kept the heat of summer from melting the soldiers in their armor, though they did get doused with the occasional rainsquall. But all in all, a fine time to be outdoors.
Little Cailin had taken to travel like a duck to water. Too young for his own mount, he rode with anyone who would have him, which was just about everyone, especially the Wardens. His favorites were Alcina, Maphisa and Elinora herself. The boy was going to be very charming trouble in ten years.
Most nights they camped. This part of Ferelden was not well populated and a royal retinue was too much for any household to manage on short notice. There were a few small villages along the coast, mostly devoted to fishing and boat building. Runners and scouts went ahead to make the population aware that their king was approaching. The results varied. Sometimes they found villages totally scrubbed up and welcoming. Others showed their wear and tear and made sure the king knew their hard use. Alistair bore both praise and criticism with good grace and kept notes.
The Wardens kept their camp separate from the king's, yet Elinora's tent went un-slept in and was generally used for storage. Each night she slipped off to Alistair's much more comfortable accommodations, and each morning escaped back to the Wardens before the sun was fully up. In the end, she was fairly certain that she was the only one concerned about propriety, and she really couldn't explain why.
On the twelfth day of travel, about half a day outside of the coastal town of East Watch, their pleasant journey was interrupted.
"Darkspawn!" Maphisa and Alcina came running up to the column to report. "We counted a dozen of them, about three miles a little south and west of here.
Elinora's eyes darkened. "Good." She rode over to Alistair, transferring a mildly protesting Cailin to his saddle. "If your majesty will allow us, we'll take care of this, then met you in East Watch."
"Like you need my permission." He grinned. "But I will ask a small boon of my Commander of the Grey before she rides off to certain death."
Elinora snorted. "As if. What boon, good king fancy-pants?" If he was going play, so was she.
"A kiss, in front of the Maker and everyone."
She sighed. She really was trying to maintain some semblance of distance, some professionalism. Oh well. She leaned across her saddle, aiming for a quick kiss. He, of course, caught her and made it a real one. A cheer went up through the column, except for Cailin, who ducked.
Aldo cleared his throat and Alistair released her. "Right, work to do. See you in East Watch. Don't be long."
She gave him one last long look. "I love you," then turned her horse and rode to her Wardens, already mustered on the side of the road.
Bitten had the map out and was consulting with Maphisa and Alcina. "Commander, these two made contact about here," he indicated a spot on the map at the edges of the forest, "and they're moving east."
She scanned the map. "What's that?" Elinora pointed to a mark, not far off the Darkspawn's path.
Bittan looked closer. "A ruin, an old Trevinter watch tower." He looked up to her. "I know what you're thinking, and it's a good idea."
Elinora's eyes searched for the three new recruits that chosen to come with them. One soldier, recently dishonorably discharged for fighting with his superior, and two elves. She called them, Alcina and Maphisa to her. "You five are going go hunting. You are to bring back three vials of Darkspawn blood, one for each recruit. If and when you return, we hold the ritual of Joining, and then you will be full Grey Wardens. Wardens Alcina and Maphisa are to hang back in the fighting somewhat, they are there to detect the enemy, you are there to fight it. The rest of us will camp at the watchtower. Dismissed."
The five saluted, then headed off hunting.
The rest of the Wardens turned for the watchtower, which was an excellent place for the Joining; isolated and regal. It stood on a hilltop, maybe half a mile from the rocky coast. From that vantage point, Elinora could see a long stretch of coastline, fairly deep into the forest, and could just make out the dip that lead down to the town of East Watch. The watchtower stretched five fragmented stories towards the sky, vines creeping in and out of empty windows and doors. A few ancient statues watched over them.
They spent the afternoon setting up camp, gathering lots of firewood and waiting. Aldo set about making the rest of the preparations for the Joining. There was more in that chalice than blood, and he wouldn't tell her what.
Stars were starting to appear and Aldo was forcing a bowl of stew down her throat, when the hunting party reappeared, all five of them.
Aldo noticed the relief on her face. "The hunt is the easy part. Next comes the hard."
She nodded very slightly as Maphisa handed Aldo the vials. "Bring the cup." She loosened her sword and dagger, ready to draw if needed, and marched over to the fire, followed by the recruits. The other Wardens waited there too.
Elinora looked over the three of them, a little bruised and bloodied from the hunt. Bordy the disgraced soldier; his reasons for being here was obvious. Kinna was just barely an adult, as elves judged these things. She didn't want to end up as many Alienage girls did, servants, srcabblers or whores. Cathial was also an elf, but could have been Kinna's father. He'd seen just about every inch of the dark underbelly of Denerim. He had said something about not wanting to die there.
She memorized each name and face.
Elinora took the cup from Aldo and raised it high. "The ritual of Joining is as old as the Grey Wardens themselves. During the first Blight, a few brave men and women drank of Darkspawn blood, taking on their taint, and mastering it."
Looks were exchanged between the three recruits, but no one spoke.
Alcina and Maphisa, together in everything, flanked Elinora.
Alcina started, "Join us brothers and sisters."
Maphisa picked up the litany, her elven ears twitching. "Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant."
"Join us as we carry the duty that cannot be forsworn."
"And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten," Maphisa intoned.
"And that one day we shall join you," Alcina finished.
Elinora held the cup at chest level, offering it to whomever would take it first.
To her surprise, Kinna did, and drank deeply. She reeled, Elinora catching the chalice before it could spill. Kinna staggered a few steps before of falling with a piercing scream, her eyes white, but she kept breathing. Alcina and Maphisa carried her off to the tent they had set up for the coming fevers.
Bordy took it next and drank quickly before he could lose his nerve. His reaction was much the same as Kinna's, what Elinora was starting to consider a healthy reaction to the Joining. He too, was carried off to the tent.
Cathial was the last. He took the cup with shaking hands and drank. A moment passed with no reaction, and then he convulsed, like his ribs were being squeezed. Reddened eyes opened one last time upon the world, then closed forever.
With a heavy sigh, Elinora handed the cup back to Aldo for cleansing, then got to work with the others building the funeral pyre for Cathial. She took the silver token from his body and slipped it into her pocket.
She stayed by the pyre as it burned through the night, leaving it only twice to check on her two newest Grey Wardens. Their fevers burned, but they should live.
Elinora knew she should be pleased; two out of three was good, but each death was one under her command. Causalities were a part of war, but she didn't have to like it. And for each she could, she would do the honor of standing vigil as the fires consumed their earthly remains.
At dawn, fires cold and fevers broken, they headed for East Watch.