Thank you very much to Jen for working so hard on this chapter :D xx
x~~~~~~~~~~~x
Duncan, Blythe and Allis arrived at the ruins of Ostagar four days after leaving the Circle Tower. It had not been an easy trip. Blythe, frightened and confused, had spent much of it crying, and only spoke to the other two men when it would have been impolite not to do so.
Duncan was used to this reaction from conscriptees. He usually saved them from prison, death or exile. He very rarely received thanks for conscripting anyone; often they lashed out or threatened him, or many, like Blythe, grieved the loss of their former lives.
They were greeted by King Cailan upon their arrival. He presented himself as very young and idealistic, and both Blythe, being a mage, and Allis, an elf as well as a mage, were surprised and pleased that he treated them so equably.
Duncan told the mages that they were welcome to explore the compound, as he had business to attend to, but requested that they not leave the immediate area. He asked them to seek out a Grey Warden named Alistair, and inform him of their arrival.
The mages bowed as Duncan departed. Allis looked around and took a deep breath, awe-struck by their surroundings. "Isn't it magnificent, Blythe?"
While not friends at the Tower, Blythe and Allis had exchanged pleasantries in passing, and had occasionally borrowed one another's books. Allis was in his early 20s, and was good-looking in a fresh-faced sort of way. His hair was brown tinged with red, cut short at the back, but the front and sides were long, and he was endlessly tossing it out of his eyes. His skin was clear with a flush of red in his cheeks, and he smiled very easily, laughing at just about everything. Being an elf, his height only just reached Blythe's ear.
Blythe looked up at the sky, then at the ruins ahead of them past the bridge. "Is this where we're going to live now?" she asked, more to herself than Allis.
"No!" he laughed, "weren't you listening when Duncan told us? Well…I suppose you had other things on your mind. No, Duncan said there was a darkspawn horde in the Korcari Wilds to the south of here. We're to go into the Wilds and fight them! Isn't it exciting?"
Blythe looked at him blankly. "A horde…?"
"Oh, don't worry. It won't just be us. I think this Alistair will be going with us, and he's a proper Grey Warden, and a few others, as well."
Blythe sighed. "I hope Duncan didn't think me terribly rude for not listening to him, or talking to him. Or you…"
"It's alright," Allis shrugged. "We knew you were upset. For what it's worth, I'm sorry for what happened. I always knew that Jowan was a snake, but Irving? I can't believe he didn't stick up for you."
Blythe looked at him sadly. "None of that matters now, does it? I just can't believe I'll never see any of them again. Nila, Elspeth, Anders, and…"
Allis knew whom she meant, but didn't react. "I know," he sighed, holding his arm out for Blythe to grasp. She slipped her arm through his, a faint smile on her lips.
"I suppose I'll just have to make the best of things," she said quietly.
They began walking across the bridge, occasionally stopping to look over the side. They were very high up. A soldier greeted them as they approached the end of the bridge, and chatted to them.
"I must say, I expected the people here to be more hostile towards mages. Especially elven mages," observed Allis as they made their way around.
"I heard Duncan say that Grey Warden mages are very highly sought after," Blythe replied.
"Ah! So you did listen to something then!"
"I suppose I did," she smiled.
"I'll get you to show those pearly whites of yours, yet. Wait and see," Allis chuckled. He was a very cheerful person, and it was infectious. Blythe was glad to be in his company.
They walked around the camp, looking in wonder at the many different types of people and races. They spoke to a group of Ash Warriors, who fought alongside their Mabari hounds, and allowed the mages to pet them. They bumped into Wynne, another of the Circle's mages, who was at Ostagar to fight in the King's army before returning to the Tower.
They spoke to elves, dwarves and humans, and marvelled to see them all working together for a common purpose. They'd heard that outside the Tower, the people of Ferelden stuck with their own. The dwarves lived in Orzammar, the elves lived in alienages, and the humans, who were the most numerous, lived everywhere else.
"Did you come from an alienage, Allis, if you don't mind me asking?" enquired Blythe.
"No, I don't mind at all. I'm told I came from the alienage in Denerim, but I really don't remember. I was 4 when the Templars came for me." His face dropped at the thought of Templars. Like Anders, he despised most of them, although there were one or two he tolerated, Cullen among them. "How about you? What's your story?"
"I'm from Amaranthine. I was 7. My friends and I were stupidly playing on a frozen lake. The ice broke under one of them. I concentrated hard and wished the ice would mend, and it did. My friends all ran home, scared, and told their parents. The Templars called at my house 3 days later. My parents didn't even warn me. I do remember that," she added, sighing heavily.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," sighed Allis.
"Don't be," shrugged Blythe. "I was the one that brought it up, and you're supposed to be cheering me up, not the other way round."
They looked at one another and laughed.
"Knew I'd get you to laugh eventually. You have a beautiful smile." Allis beamed at her.
Blythe swallowed hard and forced a grin. Please don't say he's chatting me up.
Noticing her reaction, he laughed. "Oh, don't worry, pretty girl. You're entirely the wrong sex for me," he winked.
"Oh…!" Blythe looked embarrassed, then laughed once more.
"Well, I think that's broken the ice! If you'll pardon the pun, that is…" he laughed, referring to her earlier tale. "Now, let's go and find this Alistair. I hope he's better looking than this motley crew around here!"
They walked up a ramp, and spotted a young, handsome man wearing splintmail armour, who was being berated by a Senior Enchanter from the Circle. Allis nudged Blythe and whispered: "Now that's what I'm talking about! Look at the size of him! He'd break me in half!"
They stood there giggling, until the Senior Enchanter departed, and approached the handsome man. He spoke before they had a chance to introduce themselves. "You know…one good thing about the blight is how it brings people together."
"I know what you mean," replied Allis, winking at Blythe.
The handsome man continued. "It's like a party! We could all stand in a circle and hold hands! That would give the darkspawn something to think about…Wait! We haven't met, have we? I don't suppose you two happen to be mages?"
"Can't you tell?" asked Blythe in amazement. They were both wearing brightly-coloured robes and each carried a staff upon their back.
"Are you Alistair?" asked Allis hopefully.
"Yes!" he cried, glad to change the subject after stupidly asking two mages if they were mages. "And that must make you Duncan's new recruits. Glad to meet you. As the junior member of the Order, I'll be accompanying you when you prepare for the Joining."
Duncan had briefly mentioned the Joining. Some kind of ritual. "Can you tell us anything about this Joining?" asked Blythe.
Alistair looked uneasy. "Erm, not really…you'll find out soon enough. Anyway, let's get back to Duncan. I'm sure he's eager to get started. Lead on."
Blythe looked at him incredulously. "Shouldn't you be leading us?" She knew she was being rude, but she really didn't want to be there, and couldn't get the thought that she would never see Anders or Cullen again out of her mind.
Alistair winced, then chuckled. "Good point. I don't suppose you'd know where Duncan is anyway. Follow me, then."
Blythe walked behind the two men, pouting, with her arms folded. She felt guilty for being rude to Alistair, but at the same time she felt perfectly justified, as he appeared to be a moron. Allis, clearly smitten with Alistair, bombarded him with questions.
"So…that argument with the mage earlier. What was that about?"
Alistair shrugged. "The Circle is here at the King's request, and the Chantry doesn't like that one bit. They just love letting mages know how unwelcome they are. Which puts me in a bit of an awkward position…I was once a Templar."
Allis stopped in his tracks and glanced at Blythe. He wasn't smiling any more. She folded her arms even tighter and snorted.
"Ah…that look. I suppose I should be getting used to it by now. I take it you two are not members of the Templar fan club, then?"
"We're from the Circle Tower," Allis replied flatly. "No, we're not overly fond of Templars in general."
"Right. Fair enough, I suppose." Alistair continued walking towards Duncan's location, not really wanting to get into that old argument at this juncture.
The two mages cast disapproving looks at one another, then followed Alistair to where Duncan stood.
x~~~~~~~~~~~~x
With the trip into the Korcari Wilds complete, and the darkspawn blood and Grey Warden treaties retrieved, Duncan called Alistair over.
Ser Jory and Daveth stood together, talking. Ser Jory was anxious and Daveth looked exasperated. Blythe and Allis stood next to the Mabari pen and talked to the Mabari Master.
"What are your thoughts on our new recruits, Alistair?" asked Duncan quietly.
"A mixed group, to be sure," Alistair chuckled. "Jory, I'm not sure about. He hesitated several times when we encountered darkspawn, and dropped back occasionally, even though he was the most heavily armoured. Daveth is brave and a very capable scrapper, with a good attitude. I like him."
He sighed. "The mages…well, they're capable enough. Allis is an offensive spellcaster, and Blythe a healer. They didn't let us down. But…they're insubordinate, especially Blythe. She completely ignored my instructions several times, wanting to follow some old Chasind trail or something. I eventually lost my temper and ordered her to do what I said. She complied, but…ooh, the look she gave me!"
"Ah," said Duncan, nodding his head. "It is to be expected. She was conscripted. She is trying to find her way in a new life she didn't ask for. She is a good person. I saw as much at the Tower. Give her time."
"I also don't think it helped when I told them I used to be a Templar," Alistair muttered.
"Well, if they survive the Joining, they will have to learn to live and let live," Duncan replied. "There is no room in the Warden ranks for past rivalries. We are equals, united against a common foe."
"Thanks Duncan!" Alistair chuckled, a little sarcasm creeping into his voice. "That makes me feel a lot better!"
Duncan frowned and shook his head at Alistair, but as always, there was a hint of fondness in his eyes. "Collect our recruits, Alistair. The time has come."
x~~~~~~~~~~~~x
Blythe stood atop a tower. She looked around and saw she was alone. The sky was an unnatural brown colour and black clouds gathered overhead. An ungodly screech sundered the air and she span round, frantically, trying to locate its source. She was met by a blue-hot flame that consumed her, inside and out. She tried to scream but no sound came from her mouth. She caught a glimpse of razor-sharp fangs and black, dead eyes as her flesh melted and pooled around her feet. Her bones crashed to the ground, exploding in a cloud of dust.
"It is over. Welcome, Sister. How do you feel?"
It was Duncan. Blythe instinctively scooted away from him, before gradually realising where she was. "I'm…alive?"
Alistair offered his hand. She took it and unsteadily rose to her feet. "Allis!" she cried. "Where's Allis?"
Duncan pointed to the elf, who lay prostrate on the floor. "He lives, and will come to shortly."
Blythe exhaled shakily. "And the others…?"
Duncan and Alistair exchanged glances. "I am sorry. They did not survive," said Duncan sadly.
Blythe glanced at the two bodies behind her. Daveth lay face down, his hands clasped around his throat. Jory had been slain.
Allis moaned and began to stir. "No! NO! Get away from me!" he screamed, his hands clutching at the air. They ran to his side and knelt down. "It's alright," Blythe said softly, holding his hand. "You're safe."
His eyes flickered open. He looked at the three of them, terror apparent in his eyes. Then he exhaled and closed his eyes again, panting heavily.
"Welcome, Brother," said Duncan, helping him up. "How do you feel?"
Allis looked over at Daveth and Jory. The memory of their deaths slowly returned to him. He stepped over to Blythe and they embraced. "I'm glad you made it," he whispered.
"Same here, Allis."
Duncan placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "Take your time. When you are ready, I should like you to accompany me to a meeting with the King, to the west."
Alistair removed two pendants from his pocket. "There is one last part to the Joining. We take some of the blood and put it in a pendant, as a reminder of those who didn't make it this far."
He handed the mages a pendant each, which they slipped over their heads. Blythe looked at Alistair's neck.
"Yes, this is my pendant." He took it out and showed it to them.
Blythe suddenly felt a pang of guilt over her former rudeness as she realised that Alistair had been through the same as them. "How was your Joining, Alistair?" she asked.
He looked at the floor. "Only one person died during my Joining, but it was…horrible. I'm glad the two of you survived, though. Welcome to the Grey Wardens."
Blythe extended her hand to him. He shook it and grinned. Allis did the same.
The three of them, an uneasy alliance of mages and Templars, walked west towards their meeting with the King.