Circles Within Circles Chapter 8
By Of Quirky Excellence aka LyriumGhost18
Caroline sighed as she finished up an ice spell she'd been focusing on, and her energy weakened, and eventually the spell's effects wore off the basin full of water. What a pointless exercise. She thought to herself. Karl nodded his approval and she gathered her books, exiting the training room without a word.
"Nice work in there, Amell." Said a voice as she shut the door and entered the hall to the apprentices' quarters. She turned around to see Cullen, a newly Knighted Templar who'd been very conversational with her after she'd broken up the fight between Jowan and his rival, Jonathan. Cullen had been recently transferred to the tower from Denerim, Fereldan's capitol.
Caroline smiled.
"Thanks Cullen." She now walked alongside him casually. "Have you seen Jowan? He was supposed to introduce me to someone after my training session."
"Erm, no." Cullen said. "You might find him in the library but I haven't seen him today."
"Heh," she paused. "He seems to have been keeping himself rather busy lately."
"I suppose that's a good thing," Cullen chuckled. "So long as he's not preoccupied from his studies."
"You Templars are all the same." Caroline said, jokingly.
Cullen smiled. "We try." He then met up with a few Templar recruits and walked off with them. Caroline was exhausted from studying and training, so after a little bit of leisurely reading, she drifted off to sleep in her bunk, deciding that Jowan could wait until she was more well rested in the morning.
She had quite a difficult time falling asleep that spring night, unsure whether or not someone was watching her. It sure felt like it, making her feel rather uncomfortable. Soon enough, however, her lack of mana and energy won over her nervousness, and sleep finally came.
She awoke with a start at around midnight. "Caroline, Caroline, wake up!" a hushed voice whispered. It was not necessary as she nearly jumped into a sitting position, and found Cullen standing at her bedside, his armor gleaming in the light of the candle he held.
"It is time." He said, his voice cracking nervously. More confidently he added, "The day of your Harrowing has come." Caroline raised an eyebrow.
"Are you testing me, Cullen?" she asked.
He shook his head. "I'm here to escort you to the Harrowing Chamber. "
Caroline's eyes darted down. There was no way her skills were going to be tested dressed in her nightclothes. She blushed. "I have time to get dressed, right?" she asked modestly.
"Um, I suppose you do. I'll, uh, wait outside. Just, don't speak to any other apprentices and try not to wake anyone." He said nervously.
Who would want to be awake at this hour anyhow? She thought suspiciously. "Right." She said, halfheartedly. It was sinking in now. Those who failed their Harrowings were never seen again. Jonathan, the boy Jowan had gotten into a fight with weeks ago was rumored to have failed. She knew nothing of his fate, but she did know he was no longer bullying anyone.
She grew fearful as she slipped into her robes, wondering what had happened to Jonathan. Although she bore no love for him, she wished the other mage no ill-will.
"Miss Amell?" Cullen knocked lightly on the door of the washroom she was in. "Are you almost ready?"
"Yes," she said, running a wooden comb through her hair. "One moment please."Then she threw some cold water on her face and opened the door. "I'm ready." She smiled nervously at Cullen, who was blushing, and she wondered why.
"The time has come, my child, to test your skill. Your Harrowing shall be given tonight." The First Enchanter said as Cullen led the apprentice into the large chamber. Another Templar stood near the oldest mage, along with Knight Commander Greagoir. There was a pedestal with a pool of what looked like Lyrium in it sitting in the center of the round chamber. Caroline raised an eyebrow when she was it and took a few more steps into the room. Cullen took his place with the other Templar.
"I don't understand why this is such a big secret." Caroline said, confusion evident in her voice.
"You'll see in time, dear one." Irving said as Caroline stopped near him.
Those in the room stood at attention as the First Enchanter spoke. "You will be entering the Fade, the realm of a demon, armed only with your will, and your ability to resist temptation and corruption shall be put to the test."
"Should you succeed, you are not to speak of the Harrowing to any mage who has not undergone it." Greagoir ordered.
"And if I fail?" she glanced back at the door, which the helmed Templar had shut when they had entered. Cullen sighed loudly, and she shot him a reassuring, yet slightly nervous smile.
"You will become an abomination, and we will be forced to slay you." Greagoir said, not making eye contact with Caroline.
Her heart sank. So it was true. She felt the color leave her face.
She hesitated, "Is…there no other option?" she asked weakly.
"Your magic is a gift but it is also a curse. There is the Rite of Tranquility." Greagoir offered. The young mage gulped. She'd seen Owain, the stock room manager. He was so…empty.
"Ah, but that would be a waste of talent. Miss Amell, you are very skilled, more than you may realize. Every mage must go through this trial by fire. As we succeeded, so should you." Irving assured her.
Caroline nodded. "Lyrium? " She guessed out loud as the First Enchanter turned towards the pedestal.
Irving nodded. "The very essence of magic. We will use it to send you into the Fade."
"Prepare yourself." Greagoir said dutifully.
Irving placed a hand on the apprentice's shoulder. "A demon lurks within this realm. Trust nothing but your will, and you will be alright. Good luck."
"Irving," the Knight Commander said, sounding slightly annoyed. "The apprentice must undergo her Harrowing alone. You are ready, Miss Amell?"
"I suppose so." She said, trying to sound confident.
As she placed her hand near the Lyrium it glowed, and when she touched it the liquid slipped through her fingers but the silvery glow remained. Maybe Tranquility would have been a better choice. She thought. She quickly reconsidered as the image of Owain flashed in her head. No! She had too much pride to be seen like that. She just hoped her pride wouldn't get in the way.
A/N: Sorry for such a long wait. I personally love how the ending ties into the end of the Harrowing. I can't wait to see how this story turns out!