A/N: I have done both the Human mage and Elven mage origin for this part, so I have had to change some things to fit them both in. Within this chapter, and some of the future chapters possibly, I will change between characters via marking their 'POV'. Hopefully no one minds :)

Solona's POV

"I can't believe our Harrowing is finally here!" I exclaimed excitedly.

"Yeah, yeah... and you're first for that too," Alim moaned, obviously not enthusiastic about this at all.

"Hey, you're still straight after me," I nudged at him, and smiled. He looked up at me, almost smiled then looked down again, and grumbled. He was too stubborn. He claimed I was first for everything. Both being apprentices to the same tutor it was rather difficult for us both to do things together but we always stayed at the same level. Even now his Harrowing is taking place straight after mine, something that has not happened in the tower for years. Irving has confidence in us both, however. The only reason mine is taking place first is because he's an elf. Racist, I know but true. It was unfortunate and I felt sorry for him.

"Solona," Knight-Commander Greagoir called on me "We're ready for you." I nodded and walked upstairs towards the Harrowing chamber. Before I could enter Alim called my name.

"Good luck," He said to me and smiled. I smiled back and walked into the Harrowing chamber. It was now or never.

Alim's POV

I woke up, feeling groggy and with the biggest headache ever.

"Oh thank the Maker you're awake! You've been out for ages!" Solona called and hugged me. I hugged her back and realised she was wearing different robes than usual.

"You passed your Harrowing?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. She nodded and helped me up.

"As did you. And apparently you did it in record time. You beat me!" She laughed, not that bothered that I finished my Harrowing quicker than she did.

"Really? I would've thought you'd be the quick one," I commented, rather surprised. She was always the quickest for everything. Not just with me either. She's beaten records all over the tower.

"Oh I beat the record. But then you beat me," She said proudly "I suppose good comes from training together,"

"Indeed," I smiled at her, proud of both our efforts.

"Anyway, First Enchanter Irving wants to see you. Then we have to meet up with Jowan. Apparently he wants to tell us something," She explained to me. I raised an eyebrow when Jowan was mentioned.

"Where should we meet him?" I asked. She shrugged.

"Forgot where he told me. But it's somewhere on this floor,"

Solona's POV

"Okay Jowan, why is there a priest here?" I asked, when I eventually found him.

"She's just an initiate. And I'll explain everything when Alim comes," he replied. I didn't have to wait long. Alim appeared within five minutes. He eyed the initiate suspiciously.

"Not gonna bother asking about her," Alim said, then directed his attention to Jowan. "Speak up,"

"Well, a few months ago I told you two that I... met a girl. This is Lily," Jowan explained shyly. My eyes widened. It all made sense now.

"So THAT'S why you've been hiding it!" I exclaimed, then realised how loud I was being and covered my mouth.

"And I thought you two were just dating behind my back," Alim chuckled, gesturing to me. I sighed.

"You know for a fact that wouldn't be the case anyway," I lectured him and he bowed his head in upset. A couple of years ago he had admitted to me that he had a crush on me. I then had to explain to him that I was not interested in him. Or any of the male population, for that matter. Very embarrassing for the both of us.

"Anyway," Jowan continued. "Theres been a rumour going around saying I'm a blood mage. Which I'm not. And the Knight-Commander wants to make me tranquil! They'll take everything that I am from me - my dreams, hopes, fears... my love for Lily. All gone.."

My jaw dropped. "They can't do that, they have no proof!"

"They can," Alim added "blood magic is a pretty serious matter, which is why they will pay attention to silly rumours like this. Let me guess. You don't want to be made tranquil, because you want to be with Lily. So you need my and Solona's help to destroy your phylactery and escape the tower,"

Jowan nodded, confused as to why he would be able to guess that. I placed my hand on Jowan's shoulder.

"I'll help you," I smiled. Jowan looked to Alim, who was not as easily moved.

"No. I refuse. I've only just passed my Harrowing, I am not going to risk this," He then tried to walk off. I quickly cast a spell upon the door to prevent Alim from leaving.

"Please, Jowan is our friend," I pleaded. "He needs us. You know for a fact if you were in his place... he would help you,"

"No,"

"Please... Do it for me?" I asked. That made him pause. I was his only weakness. He turned around to face me.

"I cannot do this for you. Now, please. Let me go," He asked of me, showing no sorrow or sympathy in his face. I sighed.

"Okay, fine. But tell no one of this," I destroyed the barrier, allowing Alim to leave. I only wished he'd turn back.

Alim's POV

"Irving, I need to tell you something," I marched into the First Enchanter's office. He was sitting at his desk, reading a tome.

"And how may I assist you, Alim?" He asked me, with a smile upon his face.

"This is no time for smiles," I explained, trying not to show the regret in my words "My friend, Jowan is planning an escape from the tower with a priest, Lily. He has asked upon my and Solona's help with this. I refused but unfortunately Solona agreed upon his plan. I fear however they could still succeed without my help,"

Irving's face turned grim. He stood up and walked towards me. "It was rather brave of you to come to me about this. I need you to go fetch Knight-Commander Greigoir. Tell him to meet me here with a few of his templars. Please go fetch the Wardens also, Alim. We may need their help with this if the rumours about Jowan are true. Today will be a long day,"

Solona's POV

"We did it!" Jowan exclaimed, as soon as we got through the secret exit from the tower. "I can't believe we did it!"

I looked back, in sorrow. I wish Alim joined us. However, it seems I shall never see him again. I sighed. I had to ignore the pain I was enduring.

"What now then, Jowan?" I asked him. Then we looked ahead and realised it was all too late.

"Stop right there," Greagoir commanded us. "So what you said was true, Alim,"

"Alim?!" I turned around in shock. Alas my ears were not fooling me. Along with the templars and Irving and the Grey Wardens, there he was. Alim. And here I was, awake and everything.

"I had to tell Irving," Alim bowed his head in shame, "I.. apologize"

"How could you!" I screamed "I trusted you! I cared about you! It seems... it seems I mean nothing to you now," Alim sighed but did not reply to my telling off.

"G-Greagoir," Lily stuttered, in complete shock.

"An initiate, conspiring with a blood mage. I'm disappointed, Lily," Greagoir replied in shame.

"Jowan is NOT a blood mage! Your claims against him are false!" I raged, my fists clenched at my sides.

"That's what you think.." Greagoir muttered. "Neither of them seem to be within the thrall of blood magic. You were correct, Alim. The initiate and a newly harrowed mage have betrayed us. The Chantry will not let this go unpunished,"

"It's not their fault!" Jowan defended us "This was my idea!"

"That is true," Alim commented, "But they still could have walked away. Like I did..."

"How could I walk away from my own friend in a time of need!?" I yelled at him, hopefully making him feel guilty. He winced but otherwise did not show any emotion.

"As Knight-Commander of the templars here assembled, I sentence this blood mage to death. And the other two have scorned the Chantry and their vows. Take them to Aeonar," Greagoir announced. I was going to argue but instead hung my head in shame. I knew I would not win this battle.

"No! I won't let you touch them!" jowan yelled, and slit his wrist. He knocked the templars, Grey Wardens and Irving out, leaving only Alim awake. My jaw dropped open in shock.

"Blood magic... How could you!" I raged, facing Jowan.

"I admit, I dabbled.. I.."

"There is NO excuse for blood magic!" I yelled "You are no friend of mine!"

Jowan sighed, and faced Lily. She moved backwards in horror. Alim walked towards us.

"I knew it..." He grimaced, and spat on Jowan. Jowan punched him and ran off. I helped Alim up and looked out for Jowan. He was no where to be seen.

"I... am sorry, Alim," I bowed my head in shame. He placed his hand on my shoulder.

"You didn't know... but you should still be punished. It is I, who should apologize," He looked into my eyes with deep regret, then walked off to join the templars who had started to wake up.

"I knew it..." Greagoir said instantly, "Blood magic. But to overcome so many... I never thought him capable of such power..."

"He lied to me. He lied to both of us... he told us he wasn't a blood mage. He said he was going to be made tranquil, what else was I supposed to think!" I explained myself, trying to find a way out of this.

"There.. is no excuse," Alim replied shamefully.

"Are you alright, Greagoir?" Irving asked.

"As good as can be expected given the circumstances! If you had let me act sooner, this would not have happened!" Greagoir raged "Now we have a blood mage on the loose and no way to track him down!"

"Calm down, Greagoir," Alim replied cooly "He can't have gone far. You could still capture him,"

"Where is the girl?" He asked, ignoring Alim's suggestion.

"I... I am here, ser," Lily replied nervously.

"You helped a blood mage! Look at all he's hurt!" He exclaimed.

"As I said," I repeated "Lily and I did not know he was a blood mage. He fooled us,"

"Knight-Commander... I... I was wrong," She stumbled "I was accomplice to... a blood mage. I will accept whatever punishment you see fit. Even... even Aeonar."

"Get her out of my sight!" Greagoir ordered. Some templars then took her away to Maker-knows-what.

"And you," He faced me "You have turned your back against the Chantry and entered a repository full of magics that are locked away for a reason!"

"Did you take anything important from the repository?" Irving asked me.

"No, I did not, First Enchanter," I replied honestly.

"Your antics have made a mockery of this Circle! Ah.. what are we to do with you?!" Greagoir raged at me. I bowed my head, not replying. I saw Alim at the corner of my eye. He then walked towards us.

"Solona... did not know Jowan was a blood mage. If she had, she would not have joined him upon this. I know I am only a newly harrowed mage and... slightly biased. However, I suggest letting her stay in the tower. With a slight punishment, if you must," Alim defended me. I was shocked. After what he did today... I did not expect him to come at my side like this. I half-smiled at him. I suppose I had him on my side after all.

"Your opinion is of no importance, Alim," Greagoir spat, "Although I must thank you for doing the Circle this great service. That shall happen later. As for you-"

"Can I suggest something?" The elder Grey Warden, Duncan interrupted. I met him and his recruits earlier when I was asked to show them to their rooms in the tower.

"I highly doubt this is a Grey Warden matter, but speak, if you must," Greagoir allowed.

"This woman has proven herself, amongst all odds, a fine mage. I would like to take her in as a recruit amongst the Grey Wardens," Duncan suggested. I sighed in relief.

"A what?!" Alim exclaimed, in both shock and anger.

"I would also allow taking in this young man as well," He added. "He did what was right, even if going against his friends and himself. He would make a fine Grey Warden,"

"Two mage Wardens? Is this even allowed?" Greagoir asked in shock.

"Given the circumstance. And considering we are in the middle of a blight, Knight-Commander, I think the circumstance is indeed here," Duncn argued.

"Fine.. take them away, if you must," He stormed off, along with his templars. Alim was still in shock.

"We must press forward. We leave the Circle now," Duncan turned around to leave, with me, Alim and his other recruits in tow.

"I.. apologize for earlier. I should not have been so harsh with you," Alim mumbled.

"It's alright... I shouldn't have helped Jowan," We didn't talk after that. We just followed Duncan towards our destination, talking with the other recruits. Although we were together, we were no longer in the Circle. We were leaving the Circle. Leaving and heading towards our new life. Our new life as Wardens. Grey Wardens.