Duncan asked me to observe the Joining of three Grey Warden recruits with another Warden named Alistair. Alistair seemed like a cool guy, sarcastic, but cool.
The man from my vision was there. He was the only elf present. He was about as tall as me, short black hair and exotic, ice blue eyes like I had never seen before. The same blue tattoos decorated his face saying that he was truly a Dalish. This was Cayne Mahariel.
I stood at attention with Alistair. The sun had gone down and the soft moon was out. The recruits talked amongst themselves. I didn't really pay attention to what they were saying.
Duncan came up to us. He looked grim, I knew why.
"At last we begin the Joining ritual. It is tradition the we drink the blood of the darkspawn, and master their taint." He said.
"We're going to drink the blood of those...those creatures." The knight Jory said.
"Alistair will say the words that have been said since the first." Duncan said. Alistair bowed his head, as did I.
"Join us, brothers and sisters. Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that can not be forsworn. And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten. And that one day we shall join you." Alistair said the same things that Riordan said at my Joining.
"Daveth," Duncan said, "step forward."
The human rogue of the group step forward. Duncan offered the cup to him and he took it gratefully. Daveth looked into the cup for a moment and drank from it. He gave the chalice back to Duncan and then gripped his head and began to choke. He choked until he fell to the ground. I could tell he was trying to resist the embrace of death but it still claimed him and he collapsed.
"I'm sorry Daveth." Duncan said. "Step forward Jory."
Jory began to step back.
"I have a wife," he said, "a child."
"There is no turning back." Duncan said darkly.
"No, you ask too much. If I had known..." He drifted off, drawing his blade as Duncan drew his.
Jory lunged at Duncan, but Duncan parried skillfully and sunk his dagger into Jory. I watched in horror. He killed him! Just killed him! Like it was nothing!
"I am sorry." Duncan said as he pulled his blade from Jory's corpse. "But the Joining is not yet complete." He took the cup over to Cayne. "From this moment forth, you are a Grey Warden."
Cayne drank from the cup and handed it back to Duncan. He stumbled then fell as if he fainted.
"He lives," Duncan said, "he will awaken soon."
"He's the one." I said solemnly.
"The one?" Alistair said curiously.
"The one from my visions who I had to find." I said. "This is him."
"A Dalish elf then." Alistair said.
"Yes." I said. "I didn't know he'd be a Grey Warden though. I guess I should've assumed."
"He's coming around." Duncan said.
Cayne stirred and looked up at the three of us who were standing over him.
"It is finished." Duncan said. "Welcome."
Cayne stood up and shook his head.
"Two more deaths." Alistair said. "At my Joining, only one of us died. But it was horrible."
"Cayne," Duncan said, "this is C.J. a Grey Warden who arrived earlier today." Cayne nodded to me. "Take some time. When you're ready, meet me across the way to discuss the strategy for the upcoming battle. C.J.," he said turning to me, "I suggest that you join him. Ashley will be there as well."
"I will," I said. Duncan nodded and walked off. Cayne turned to me.
"I have something I need to do." He said. "Care to join me?"
"Sure." I said. I walked with him out of the old temple.
"So where are you from?" He asked.
"That's actually a really long story." I said chuckling. "And it's not exactly believable."
"I think I can manage." He said. I smiled.
"Well," I said, "I'm from a city called Denver. Though you can't really find it on a map."
"So where could I find it?" He asked.
"On another world." I said with some hesitation. He looked at me curiously.
"Another world?" He said.
"Told you it was strange." I said. "My friend and I walked through a door in our world and here we are now."
"Have you ever seen darkspawn before?" He asked. I laughed.
"They're the reason I'm a Grey Warden." I said. "I was bitten by one and the taint got in me." I gestured to my bare arm with the markings on it. "Tobias told me that these markings don't normally show up on someone who has the taint in them. I'm not sure what they mean."
"Interesting." He said.
"You're Dalish right?" I asked.
"That I am." He said.
"What exactly does that mean?" Cayne hesitated and smiled.
"It means that we are too proud to forget what we lost." He said. "We are the people who refused to bend to the shemlen's will."
"Shemlen?" I asked.
"Humans." He said simply.
We approached the kennel master.
"Ah, you're back!" He said looking at me. "Have you considered?"
"I have." I said without really thinking. "I'll take him."
"That's great!" The kennel master said. "And you have that flower for me?" He said this to Cayne.
"I do." He said handing him the same kind of flower I had given him earlier.
"Splendid," he said, "now, could you follow me here for a moment?" I nodded and followed him to one of the other kennels to the large black dog that I helped cure. He was in incredible shape. He looked completely healed.
The kennel master laughed.
"I think he's already chosen." He said as the dog barked happily when he saw me. I smiled as he let the dog out.
The mabari hound walked up to me and panted happily.
"So," I said, "he's mine now?"
"That he is." The kennel master said.
I petted him gently, scratching him behind the ears.
"I think I'll call you Shabon." I said. "You remind me of him." Shabon barked happily and licked my hand. I looked at the kennel master. "Thank you." I said.
"No," he replied, "thank you."
"We should see what Duncan and the king have planned for us." Cayne said.
"Right." I said. "Let's go."
We walked back to the old temple with Shabon following us.
The king, Duncan, a priestess, Ashley, another mage, and a tall general stood around a table.
"We do not need the Orlesians to defend ourselves, Cailan." The general said.
"Our quarrels with the Orlesians are a thing of the past, Loghain," King Cailan said, "and you will remember who is king. Are your men ready for battle Duncan?"
"They are, your Majesty." Duncan said as Cayne and I stood next to him.
"And these must be the two newest Grey Wardens. I understand that congratulations are in order." He said amiably.
"Thank you, sire." I said. I saw Ashley raise an eyebrow at me.
"You both should be very honored to join their ranks."
"Your fascination," the general said, "with these Grey Wardens will be your undoing Cailan."
"Then perhaps we should wait for the Orlesian forces then?" Cailan said.
"No," Loghain said begrudgingly, "your Majesty."
"Then our own forces will have to suffice. Now, run the plan by me again." Cailan turned to the map that was on the stone table. "We attack the darkspawn directly in the valley, correct?" Loghain walked leaned over the table a little and pointed to something.
"You signal for someone to light the beacon at the Tower of Ishal for my men to-"
"To flank the darkspawn," Cailan cut him off, "I remember. Who shall light this beacon?" Loghain stood up straight.
"I have men stationed at the tower." He said. "It's not a dangerous task but it is vital."
"Then it is decided." Cailan said. "Send Alistair and the two new Grey Wardens to oversee the operation."
"What about me?" Ashely asked. Cailan looked at her with a smile on his face.
"You will be fighting with the mages in the valley." He said.
"Your Majesty," I said, "please excuse my rudeness, but I'm sure you're-."
"I'm very aware of yours and Ashley's..." he drifted off, "delicate situation. However, we need all the mages that we can muster for the battle." I looked at Ashley who looked at me with pleading eyes. I swallowed hard.
"It's probably best for Ashley to stay with the other mages and Grey Wardens who can protect her while she uses her talents." Duncan said. My anger built up in that moment. I wanted to scream at him for even thinking of sending Ashley into the fray when she was so inexperienced.
I didn't say anything. I looked at her with complete regret because I couldn't protect her.
I didn't pay attention to the rest of it. I just wanted to punch the king in the jaw.
I walked up to Ash after the meeting and let her hug me tight.
"I'm scared." She admitted. I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
"Everything is gonna be fine." I said. She pulled away and held my hands. I sighed. "We'll regroup after the battle." I told her optimistically. "We'll meet on the bridge." Ash looked like she was about to cry.
"Okay," she said, "meet on the bridge, got it." I nodded and looked past her to see Cayne and Duncan beckoning me to follow them.
"I have to go now." I said.
"So do I," she said, "Uldred is giving me a dirty look." I laughed.
"I'll see you on the bridge after the battle." I said.
"Okay," she said replied, "good luck."
"You too." I said. I was about to leave when I felt her lips touch my cheek in a small kiss. I gave her an astonished look as she jogged off the join the bald mage who was probably Uldred. I stood there in shock for a moment until I felt Shabon's nose push me toward the awaiting Grey Wardens.
"You heard the king." Duncan said when we returned to his tent and Alistair had joined us. "You three are to go up to the top of the Tower of Ishal and light the beacon."
"What?" Alistair interjected. "I won't be in the battle?"
"The beacon is important, Alistair." Duncan said. "Without it, Loghain's men won't know when to charge."
"I'm with Alistair," I said boldly, "we should be fighting alongside the other Wardens." I mainly said it because I wanted to protect Ashley. She could get seriously hurt out there.
"I understand your concern for Ashley's safety." Duncan said as if reading my mind. "However, you must understand the grave importance of this task."
"Will we be able to join the battle after we light the beacon?" Cayne asked.
"If your assistance is required," Duncan said, "then we will send word to you."
A terrible thought came to my mind.
"What if an archdemon appears?" I asked.
"We soil our drawers, that's what." Alistair said solemnly.
"Leave it to us." Duncan said. "we will handle the archdemon if it shows itself." I nodded. Even with his words, I was still scared for Ashley.
"That's all we need, Duncan." Cayne said.
"Then I wish you all well and good luck." Duncan said.
"Duncan," Alistair interjected, "may the Maker watch over you."
"May He watch over us all."
The battle had finally begun. Cayne, Alistair, Shabon, and I waited patiently until the right moment to move.
I looked out over the bridge and saw the fires of war. The bridge was far too high to truly see the battlefield but I knew that good people were fighting and dying down there.
"We have to get to the Tower of Ishal!" Alistair screamed above the rain. I tore myself away from the scene and looked over at the two men behind me.
Cayne took the lead and jogged ahead of me across the bridge. I went after him with Shabon at my heels. We jogged through the rain and I could barely see the elf as he ran ahead.
We were almost to the tower when we were stopped by two exasperated men; one mage, one guard.
"You there," the guard hailed, "you're Grey Wardens, aren't you?" Before we could answer, he added, "The tower, it's been taken!"
"What are you talking about, man," Alistair demanded, "taken how?"
"They came out of the ground and took us by surprise," he said, "most of our men are dead!" I looked up at the huge tower and looked over at Alistair.
"Then we have to get up yo the tower and light it ourselves." He said.
The mage nodded and both men let us pass them. We jogged through the rain, I felt my hair start to stick to my forehead as we all headed to the tower.
Then I felt it, the taint slowly creeping at the corners of my mind. Darkspawn were near us, and I could sense them. It wasn't long before we saw them.
I drew my daggers and took a deep breath. I charged in at the flank like Darah taught me. I ran at a few shorter darkspawn and cut them down from behind. I spun round and slit the throat of one about to backstab me, then followed up with a stab in the chest. I kicked the darkspawn off of my blade and turned to see Shabon guarding my back. Good dog.
I saw Cayne kill the last darkspawn in this area and I sheathed my daggers. We continued up to the tower, killing a few other groups of darkspawn. I sensed them every time. It was as if they were a dark cloud in the corners of my mind. As if they lurked in the dark shadows of my past, present, and future and waited for something. What it was, I don't know. The thought of those things being in my head terrified me though.
We reached the tower entrance, opening the large door but still on our guard because we could still sense them behind it.
"We need to get to the top of the tower." Alistair said. Cayne opened the door and rushed inside. I ran after him with Shabon and Alistair behind me.
Darkspawn were everywhere inside the tower. Why were they even here? How did they get here? There were so many questions as to how this plan could've gone wrong.
We fought our way through the first floor. The creatures seemed like they wouldn't ever give up the fight. I constantly sensed them around and above me. I couldn't get away from the taint that clouded my mind. It was overwhelming. I could barely think straight.
We finally got up to the second floor when Alistair said, "How did the darkspawn get past our defenses? There wasn't supposed to be any resistance here!"
"Weren't you complaining that you wouldn't be in the fight anyway?" Cayne asked. I chuckled.
"He's got a point." I said.
"I guess you're right." Alistair said. "At any rate, we need to get to the top to light the beacon. Teyrn Loghain's men will be waiting for the signal."
We continued through the second floor. Darkspawn were here too. I revolted at the gruesome scene before me. Soldiers' heads were on pikes and blood was stained into the stone floor. The smell made me want to be sick. It reminded me of the Deep Roads. Gore and fire mixed together with the stench of death.
We fought to get to the top floor. To ease the tension, I thought of the Jay-Z song, "Started From The Bottom." It didn't really work but it didn't really hurt to try.
We got to the top finally. I was exhausted but the adrenaline pumping through me kept me going. We got to the top floor and I saw the biggest, most terrifying creature I had ever seen.
It was huge and ugly with demonic-looking horns sprouting out of it's skull. It's ashen skin was scarred, it even had a few fresh cuts on it but they didn't seem to phase the creature. It roared at us and saliva and blood dripped from it's teeth.
I drew my daggers bravely and turned them in my hands. Now or never.
I charged with the other two Grey Wardens at the beast. I tried to swipe at it's heels to cripple it but it kicked me back. I hit the ground and got the wind knocked out of me. I got up immediately and charged at it again. Shabon came up from behind out of the corner of my eye and closed his jaws on the monster's calf muscles.
I saw it look at the dog and made a gutsy and really stupid decision in a split second. As the creature began to kneel down, I ran at him and slashed at his face. I slashed again and as it doubled back, I leaped up into the air and drove both of my blades into it's chest. I pulled one out and drove it back in and did so again with the other blade until the beast fell on it's back. It tried to reach for me again, but I drove my dagger into it's head. I felt it slump and relax when life slipped away from it.
I sat up and looked at the dead creature. At first, I thought I was going to be sick, but then I had an overwhelming sense of astonishment and relief that I even killed the thing. My hands were covered in blood and gore both from the creature and from the darkspawn before. I looked over at Cayne and Alistair who were both staring at me in complete surprise. I just smiled awkwardly.
"Shouldn't we light that beacon now?" I said trying to get the attention off of me.
Cayne nodded and looked over at where the signal fire should be lit.
"We probably missed the signal." Alistair said. "Go ahead and light it."
I jumped off the large monster and sheathed my daggers. Shabon came over to me and put his head in my hand. I scratched his ears as Cayne threw a nearby torch in the signal fire. I watched the flame burst and grow.
"Now we wait." Alistair said.
I hated those words. I hated waiting. What was I supposed to wait for? Ashley to turn up dead? Or worse? What if she got captured by those things again? I'd never find her. I heard Tobias talk about the broodmothers in the Deep Roads. Would she become one of those?
I sensed them again. I looked behind me and saw a huge number of darkspawn. In an instant, I felt three arrows enter my abdomen and chest. Pain wracked my body and I fell to the ground unconscious.