We walked for ages. Luckily, Ashley was all healed up because of the Warden mage that was with us.

There were four other Grey Wardens that were also going to Ostagar. A mage named Lucas who had healed Ashley. He was a very kind man wearing mage's robes. Two people in metal armor; a man and a woman. The man was named Tobias and the woman was named Lucy. Lucy had a longsword and metal shield at her back while Tobias had a large two-handed battle-axe. The last Warden was a woman in leather armor with a bow at her back. Her name was Darah and she was an elf.

Ash and I travelled at the back of the group of Wardens. I wanted to stick close to her. Lucas kept giving her looks and I knew that she was scared to death of getting raped. As weird as that sounds, it was more for her benefit.

We traveled south on what they called the Imperial Highway. Tobias said that we would reach Ostagar within the next few days, passing through Redcliffe village.

So much walking.

"Why does he keep giving me those looks?" Ashley asked me referring to Lucas.

"Maybe he likes you." I said jokingly.

"He's twice my age." She said appalled.

"Maybe he senses something in you." I said. There had actually been some strange things happening in the night at camp. Little things, like my stuff would move across camp on it's own. Or like last night when my tent caught on fire. "Ash, do you think you're a mage?"

"No!" She said. "How can I be a mage?"

"Just a thought." I said. I looked ahead at the road. It was almost nightfall we would be stopping for camp soon.

Could Ash really be a mage? A mage would have it's advantages, but how would she train? If Ash was a mage, she can't control it. Hence the fire in my tent last night. Could Lucas train her? Maybe there will be mages in Ostagar and they can give her tips or something.

"We'll set camp at the clearing that's up ahead." Tobias said.

I wondered if Grey Wardens travelled a lot. Obviously they would times of a Blight, but like did they have families? I had so many questions. About Wardens, about this world, about Ashley and whether she was a mage or not. I didn't know what to think about all of this. Everything happened so quickly.

"Lucas," I said approaching him at the camp. He looked up at me and smiled.

"Ah, C.J." He said with a friendly smile on his face. "What's on your mind?" I sat next to the mage by the fire.

His brown hair seemed to glow in the firelight and his green eyes reflected the fire itself eerily.

"Do you think Ash is a mage?" I asked.

"I don't think." He said. "I know she is. To me, it's obvious." I looked at him curiously.

"How?" I asked.

"She radiates magical energy." He explained. "Ashley has been having nightmares, yes?"

I nodded recalling the times she woke up in the middle of the night screaming.

"The dreams are demons coming to her. As a mage, she is susceptible to becoming an abomination. She is like a beacon in the Fade."

"What's the Fade?" I asked.

"It's where we go when we dream or die." He said. "It's the domain of demons. They approach Ashley while she is in the Fade."

"Can you help her?" I asked. "Train her to control her powers?"

"I can." He said. "Tell her to come to me when she's ready." I nodded and stood up.

I walked Ashley's tent and opened the flap to see her reading.

"Hey," I said.

"Hey," she replied looking up at me.

"I think you should talk to Lucas about getting some training." I said. She looked at me curiously.

"Why?" She asked.

"He wants to help you with your mage powers." I said.

"But I'm not a mage." She said. I sighed.

"No," I said, "Lucas knows about your nightmares Ash. It's why all this stuff keeps happening. Lucas can help you." I sat next to her. "Besides, if you turn out to really be a mage, it'll be extremely helpful." She thought for a moment and nodded.

"Okay," she said, "I'll see him." I smiled and stood up with her.

I let her leave her tent first, then me. I watched as she walked over to Lucas and they began talking immediately. I smiled and walked over to the other part of the camp where Darah was keeping watch,

"Youngblood," she said.

"Darah," I said. It was more of a sign of mutual respect, or so I understood.

"Something on your mind?" She asked.

"I was just walking about the camp." I replied. "Mind if I join you?"

"If it pleases you." She said indifferently.

I sat next to her. Her steely eyes looked ahead at the path, alert.

"You walk a dangerous path youngblood." She said. "I hope you realize that." I stared at her curiously. "The trials ahead of you will test your physical and mental capacity. Most wouldn't dare tread the path that we do. Take comfort in knowing that the rest of us, excluding your friend, walk with you." It was actually very comforting, if not a bit creepy. I wasn't alone.

"Thank you," I said, "but Ash has my back. Just like I have hers."

"She's a mage, is she not?" Darah said.

"I suspect she is." I replied. "Why?"

"Despite not being from here," Darah explained, "she will be hunted by the Templars. They will take her to the Circle of Magi to train. She will be taken from you."

Aren't you a ray of sunshine? I thought to myself sarcastically.

"I hope it won't come to that." I said looking back at her and Lucas who had moved to another part of camp and were currently working on a spell that caused sparks to come from their hands. "She'll learn enough to hide it, I think. Then, she'll get stronger." Darah chuckled.

"You have a lot of faith in your friend," she said, "are you sure that's wise?"

"She has faith in me." I said. "I should have faith in her as well."

"What brought you both here in the first place?" She asked. "If you don't mind my asking."

"We went through a door." I said. "Then, I had a vision. A man told me that I have to find someone. I'm assuming it's another Grey Warden. Do you know anyone named Mahariel?" Darah thought for a moment.

"No," she said, "the name doesn't come to mind." I sighed and ran a hand through my blond hair.

"Oh well," I said. "So, can you teach me a few things about being a rogue?" She looked at me, taken aback.

"You seem like you can hold your own in a fight." She said.

"I'm still untrained." I said. "Can you teach me?" She thought for a moment.

"Sure," she said, "I'll teach you."

Ostagar wasn't like any other place I'd ever seen in my life. It was a huge ruin. Like those ruins that you see in fantasy movies.

"So what now?" I asked as I walked beside Tobias.

"We are going to the Grey Warden encampment." He said. "Riordan told us to send the two of you to Duncan. I believe he is back with a new recruit. You'll find him near the king's camp."

"King?" Ashley said from behind me.

"King Cailan, yes." Tobias confirmed. "He's the king of Ferelden." We stopped at a large bridge. "Find Duncan at his tent. Give him this," he held up a sealed letter, "this explains your situation and a message from Riordan." I took the letter.

"I'll give it to him." I said. "Who exactly am I looking for?"

"He's tall, a bit old, black hair and beard. You'll know it when you see him." He clapped my shoulder. "Good luck C.J. We may see you before the battle."

"I hope so." I said smiling at him. I regarded him respectfully and watched as he and the other Grey Wardens walked toward the Grey Warden encampment in the valley.

Ashley stood beside me.

"So where would this Duncan be?" She asked.

"Maybe we could ask around." I said. "He seems like a prominent figure. Someone should be able to point him out to us."

I looked over at her. She had changed since she had been getting training from Lucas. The staff she carried was given to her by the mage as were the green robes she wore. She looked more experienced. As did I.

We walked across the bridge together. I admired the view from the high vantage point. At one side, I could see what was the Korcari Wilds. From what the other Wardens told me, it was a vast marsh stretching further than any map cared to record. The other side was the Brecilian Forest. Also a vast wooded area.

"Hail to you." A guard said once we reached the other side of the bridge.

"Hail," I said fitting into the dialect, "I'm C.J., a Grey Warden, I'm looking for Duncan."

"He's at his tent," the guard said, "just past the king's tent. I'll wager he's addressing the new recruits." I heard some dogs barking from in the encampment.

"Are those dogs barking?" I asked curiously.

"This is Ferelden, yes?" He said chuckling as if I told a subtle joke. "The king has his kennels here as well."

"Who else is here?" Ashley asked.

"Didn't you come with the Circle?" The guard asked.

"I'm accompanying this Grey Warden." She said.

"Well," he said, "the Circle of Magi is here, Teyrn Loghain is also here with the king's army. Now the Grey Wardens. Can't swing a dead cat without hitting someone important around here. Most activity that this place has seen in decades."

I really didn't want to chat. I had the information I needed.

"Thanks for the information." I said gratefully.

"Take care." He bid me as Ashley and I walked into the camp.

What the guard said was true. There was so much activity in the ruin. Priests praying over soldiers, elves running about carrying either packages or messages, over to the side I could see a group of mages performing a ritual of some kind. Warriors in heavy plate armor observed them. Templars, I suspect.

"Is that the Circle?" Ashley asked.

"Of course, young one." An old woman near us said suddenly. "Pardon me for interrupting the two of you, but I couldn't help but notice two very young people in an army camp." I looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"I am Wynne, mage of the Circle of Magi." She said.

"I am C.J., a Grey Warden." I said.

"My name is Ashley." Ash said.

"Well met." She said. "I've never heard of someone so young joining the Grey Wardens. You should be honored."

"I am, thank you." I said politely.

"Could you point us to Duncan?" Ashley asked.

"Of course," the elder mage said, "he's over there, by the bonfire." She gestured over to the large bonfire where a tall, slightly older man that matched Tobias's description stood as if waiting for someone.

"Thank you," I said.

"Anytime," she said, "and good luck to you both on the battlefield."

"To you as well Wynne." I said.

"Will you be fighting with the king?" Ashley asked.

"Not technically." She said. "I will be making my stand with the Circle as will you, I suspect?"

Uh-oh. I thought glancing over at Ashley. Don't give yourself away Ash.

"Actually," she said, "I was going to fight with the Grey Wardens. C.J. and I are going to fight together."

Damn it. I thought mentally putting my head in my hands.

"I see," Wynne said, her tone more of suspicion than disapproval.

"Well, we should go." I said almost panicking that she would be discovered. "It was nice meeting you Wynne."

"And very nice to meet you as well, young Grey Warden." She said. "May the Maker watch over you."

I nodded and walked away with Ashley.

After Wynne was out of earshot, I rounded on Ashley.

"What the hell are you thinking?" I asked.

"What?" She said completely oblivious to the fact that she could've been discovered.

"Do you realize that you could've been figured for an apostate?" I said visually angry.

"Why does it matter?" She asked.

"Did Lucas not tell you?" I said. "Mages aren't exactly treated like first-class citizens."

"I know." She said. "I didn't think it was an issue. Why are you being so protective?"

"Because we are all we got right now. We are on our own. We have to stick together in this world." I sighed. "No matter. I just don't want you getting into some really big trouble."

"Whatever." She said sounding irritated. I sighed and walked over toward Duncan. I felt her presence reluctantly follow me.

I walked up to Duncan and cleared my throat.

"Greetings, young one." He said. "I apologize for I do not recognize you."

I recognized that voice. The voice from my visions!

"I'm C.J., new recruit of the Grey Wardens." I said. "This is my friend Ashley." I held out the sealed letter. "I was sent by Tobias to give this to you."

"Ah." He said taking the letter. "Tobias is a good man. Tell me, who performed your Joining?"

"Riordan." I said. "He sends his regards and regrets that he could not make it to the battle in time."

"It's quite all right." He said. "Thank you for delivering this to me."

"If you don't mind, sir." I said. "Could you read the message now? We were told to stay with you once we got here. And the sooner you know our situation, the better."

"Of course," he said, "and you may just call me Duncan."

"Of course." I said. I watched as Duncan opened the letter and began reading. I watched his face change from indifference to surprise, then to disbelief.

"You two," he said looking at us, "you are the two that the prophecy foretold?"

"That's what we've been told." Ash said.

"This is grave indeed." He said. "If you two are here, then we have to expect a Blight. Tell me, have either of you had combat training?" I nodded, resting my hand on one of my daggers.

"I know a few tricks." I said smiling.

"Have you ever killed a darkspawn?" He asked. I hesitated and shook my head. "Then I assure you, nothing can prepare you for what you will experience tonight."

"We can face it." Ashley said.

"Your confidence will aid you in the battle." He said. "Currently, the new recruits are in the Korcari Wilds to get some things for their Joining. I will send word for you when I need you. For now, feel free to explore the camp. However, I ask that you stay at this camp rather than going to the Grey Warden camp in the valley." I nodded.

"Understood." I said.

"Ashley," he said, "if I were you, I'd be wary of the Templars. They do not take kindly to apostates."

"I can handle myself." She said.

"All the same," he said, "please use caution around them. The Grey Wardens have enough to deal with without being associated with apostates at a time like this."

"I'll watch after her." I assured.

"Thank you." He said. "I'll be here if you need anything."

I bid him good bye and walked away from him.

"Mahariel has got to be one of those recruits." I said. "He's just got to be."

"Are you just determined to make me rely on you?" Ashley asked me irritated.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"You don't have to look after me C.J." She said.

"Ash, just drop it." I said. "I already told you. Just let it go." I looked around and saw the kennels. "Come on, let's go check out some stuff before we have to go back to Duncan." She sighed.

"All right." She said. "Let's go."

We walked over to the man that seemed to be running the kennels.

"Hello, friend." He said. "I don't supposed you have any herbs that I can use to help cure this mabari?" I looked into the kennels and saw a huge dog. He looked extremely sick. I remembered that I had found some herbs on the road.

"Will these help?" I asked. His eyes seemed to light up when I gave him a white flower.

"That will help, surely." He said. "Hey, are you interested in imprinting him on you? His owner died in the last battle. I'm sure he knows that you're the one who helped him. Mabari are smart like that." I shrugged and looked at the dog. His black fur was matted with dirt and he looked at me with his muzzled face. His eyes showed gratitude.

"I don't know." I said.

"Come back after the battle after you have some time to think about it." He said. "Just take another look, will you?"

"Sure." I said. "Do you need any help with any more?"

"I don't suppose you have another one of those flowers?" He asked. I shook my head.

"No," I said, "sorry."

"It's all right friend." He said. "An elf came by also offering to help. He said he was going into the Wilds." This caught my attention.

"An elf, you say?" I said. "Did he say his name?"

"No, he didn't." The kennel master said. I sighed.

"Oh well," I said, "thank you anyway."

"Come back after the battle. I'll be happy to imprint him on you." He said.

I bid him goodbye and walked away with Ashley.

"Do you think we should get a dog?" She asked.

"I wouldn't mind it." I said. "A wardog would be useful."

We walked about for a while longer, walking through the hospice where we saw a few priests praying over the wounded and nurses tending to patients. We stopped at one of the higher points of the camp, just stared out onto the horizon.

"Hey C.J.?" Ashley said.

"Yeah?" I replied.

"Do you think we will ever have the chance to go home?" She asked.

"Probably not." I said. "I hope not. I don't want to go home."

"Why not?" She asked looking at me strangely.

"Look at that!" I said pointing at the view of the Wilds. "Can anything compare to that?" I smiled. "There are so many possibilities for us here while there aren't any at home. We have no rules, no worries, except for stuff that really matters. We have an opportunity to change the world here. What are we at home? Nothing. We could be heroes."

"You mean," she said, "you can be a hero. I can't do anything." I looked at her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"The prophecy said that you were going to help me save the world somehow. We'll both be heroes." She smiled at me and looked back out into the distance.

"You're optimistic for a change." She said. "Maybe this place has a positive influence on you." I laughed.

"Well, we still have a battle tonight. Who knows what could happen?" I said.

"Promise me something, C.J." She said.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Promise me that you won't leave me behind while we go through this." I smiled and laughed.

"I don't need to promise." I said. "I was going to do that in the first place." Ash laughed.

I looked back out onto the horizon. I truly wondered what things lied ahead for us. I was excited and anxious all at once. I craved adventure.

My thoughts drifted to the battle that was about to take place. I had never killed anyone before. Not another human anyway. But, such was the consequence of war, I suppose.

"Grey Warden C.J." A young, exasperated voice said from behind us. I turned to see an elven man looking out of breath. "Duncan wishes to see you. He's at the old temple."

"Thank you." I said.

"What about me?" Ashley asked.

"Duncan asks that you wait for him with King Cailan." He said. "May the Maker watch over you both." He ran off.

"Well," I said, "I'm jealous. You get to see the king before I do."

"Grey Warden duties call to you." She said mockingly. I laughed.

"I guess I'll meet you later." I said.

"See you later." She said. She walked away

I sighed one more time and walked toward the old temple.

Chapter 3 is now posted and I hope that you guys enjoy it!