They followed the witch through the wilds back to Ostagar. Daveth watched her warily, and for a moment, he was ten years old again. The worst part about it was that the witch seemed to know how nervous he was. She glanced over her shoulder at him with her mocking yellow eyes, reading him like an open book. Daveth steeled himself and flexed his fingers absentmindedly over the hilt of his dagger. The witch smirked and walked on. Soon they had arrived at the gates.
"Here we are, safe and sound at Ostagar," the witch said, the hint of a sneer playing on her lips. "Now, off with you before I decide to throw you into my stew."
Alistair stepped toward her and narrowed his eyes. "What did your mother mean about this Blight being a greater threat than we think?"
"Oh, how cute. I've brought you to safety, and now you're brave enough to speak?" The witch scoffed as she turned away from him. "But… I cannot say; my dear mother keeps many secrets."
"Even from you?" Alistair asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Especially from me."
Daveth felt a chill run down his spine. "We should get back to Duncan."
"Y-yes," Jory stammered, his eyes wide and face pale.
"Thank you, Morrigan," Natia said, brushing a stray hair from her face. The witch faltered slightly, and nodded.
Daveth glanced at Natia. The dwarf had more courage than three men put together, remaining calm even when the witch – Morrigan – had appeared. Natia caught him staring, and he felt a blush rising to his cheeks. He turned quickly, expecting to see Morrigan's figure walking through the trees. She was gone.
They entered the ruins and made their way toward the Grey Warden tent. Duncan was sitting by the fire, writing. He glanced up at them and rolled up his parchment before placing it into his bag.
"You have returned. Have you been successful?"
"We have," Natia stepped forward, holding out the treaties. Daveth held up the vials of darkspawn blood.
"Good. I've had the Circle mages preparing. With the blood you've retrieved, we can begin the Joining immediately," Duncan said, the campfire crackling behind him.
Daveth and Natia exchanged glances. The dwarf drew herself up and spoke. "Now will you tell us what this Joining is all about?"
Duncan's face softened as he looked at her. "I will not lie. We Grey Wardens pay a heavy price to become what we are. Fate may decide that you are to pay your price now rather than later."
"I've come this far," Natia said quietly. "I want to see this through."
Daveth swallowed hard. "Let's go, then. I'm anxious to see this Joining now."
"I agree… let's have it done," Jory said, his wide eyes betraying no sign of fear.
"Now, that's the bravest thing I've heard out of you yet, Ser Knight!" Daveth chuckled, slapping the knight's back. Jory glared at him, and he shrugged.
Duncan shook his head. "Alistair, take them to the old temple."
"The more I hear about this Joining, the less I like it," Jory whined nervously as he paced. His agitation was wearing on Daveth's nerves.
Daveth groaned. "Are you blubbering again?"
"Why all these damned tests? Have I not earned my place?"
"Maybe it's tradition," Daveth sneered. "Or maybe they're trying to annoy you."
Natia rolled her eyes. "I swear I'm the bravest one here."
"I only know that my wife is in Highever with a child on the way," the knight frowned. "If they warned me… it's not fair."
"Would you have come if they had warned you?" Daveth shot back, heat rising to his face. "Maybe that's why that don't. The Wardens do what they must, right?"
"Including sacrificing us?" Jory sputtered, his face blanched.
"I'd sacrifice a lot more if I knew it would end the Blight." Daveth shook his head and turned away.
"Daveth's right," Natia said, her dark eyes trained on the knight. "You saw those darkspawn in the Wilds."
"Yeah, Ser Knight, wouldn't you die to protect your pretty wife from them?" Daveth stepped forward and poked the knight hard in the chest. When Jory sputtered, he pressed on. "Maybe you'll die. Maybe we'll all die. But if nobody stops the darkspawn, we'll die for sure."
Jory shook his head. "I've just never faced a foe I could not engage with my blade."
Daveth opened his mouth to respond when Alistair caught his eye. The templar shook his head slightly and Daveth turned to see Duncan approaching.
"Finally, we come to the Joining," Duncan said. "The Grey Wardens were founded during the first Blight when humanity stood at the brink of annihilation. And so it was that the first Grey Wardens drank of darkspawn blood… and mastered their taint."
Daveth blinked, not sure if he had heard correctly. He glanced at the knight. Jory had gone pale and looked as if he would get sick. So he had heard correctly.
"We're going to… drink the blood… of those creatures?" Jory sputtered. Beads of sweat began forming on his brow.
Duncan looked at the knight with solemn eyes. "As the first Grey Wardens did before us, as we did before you. This is the source of our power and our victory."
Alistair cleared his throat. "Those who survive the Joining become immune to the taint. We can sense it in the darkspawn, and use it to slay the archdemon."
"Those who survive?" Natia asked, nervously tugging at her hair. Daveth noticed the lines of her tattoos as her face twisted into worry.
"Not all who drink the blood will survive, but those who do are forever changed," Duncan hesitated. "This is why the Joining is a secret. It is the price we must pay. We speak only a few words prior to the Joining. These words have been said since the First. Alistair, if you would?"
The templar nodded and bowed his head. "Join us, brothers and sisters. 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... and that one day, we shall join you."
Daveth looked around at his companions. Natia looked frightened, though he thought she was hiding it well. The knight, however, looked as though he was about to wet his trousers, and for the first time since they met, Daveth understood why.
"I'll go first," he said, his voice calm and level. Duncan looked at him, and Daveth thought he saw a hint of pride behind the Warden's dark eyes.
"Step forward, Daveth."
He moved forward on shaky legs, his footfalls echoing off the stone walls of the ruin. His breath was ragged and unsteady. Duncan held the silver chalice out to him and nodded. He hesitated. His fingers twitched involuntarily as they closed around the cup.
Daveth steeled himself and held the chalice to his lips, and he drank. The corruption was spilling into him. Overtaking him. His heart beat faster. He heard the blood roaring behind his ears. He fell, and the darkness took him.