Amell – Harrowed
The hall was buzzing with activity, as Emilie made her way through the unusually big crowd. The newly harrowed mage could hear bits of banter from the apprentices, mostly regarding Duncan's appearance and the looming war in the south.
Emilie, however, paid no attention to them. The young mage was thinking about what she had heard over the course of the day, as well as the behavior of a certain friend of hers.
'Jowan has been acting strange lately. I know that he's worried about the Harrowing, but I feel like there's something more.' She thought as she worriedly bit her lip. The young mage was so distracted by her thoughts that she didn't notice the man walking in the opposite direction, resulting in her bumping into him.
"Are you ok, Miss?" The man asked as he held out his hand.
"I'm fine." Emilie said, letting the man help her up. The young mage noticed that he looked familiar.
"I apologize. I was careless and I did not see where I was going." He said as he slightly bowed. It was then that Emilie realized who he was.
"You're the Grey Warden that came with Ser Duncan, right?" She asked as she looked at him. On closer inspection, he didn't look as old as she thought when she first saw him.
"I am still a recruit, so I'm technically not a warden yet." The recruit said while rubbing the back of his neck. His eyes seemed to be scanning her, and he looked like he was contemplating something.
"I- I should go. Good day, Ser Warden." Emilie said as she passed the recruit.
"Wait." The recruit said, causing the young mage to turn towards him. "Do you have some time to spare? I have not eaten all day, and well, I was looking for someone to point me to the dining hall."
"And you ask me?" Emilie asked with a mix of surprise and curiosity.
"We are talking, aren't we?" The recruit responded with a slight smirk.
'Maybe he can tell me more about what's happening outside the Circle.' Emilie thought as she eyed the man in front of her.
"It'll be my pleasure to help you, Ser Warden." The young mage said. "My name is Emilie."
"You can call me Anrothan." The recruit said as he chuckled. "Just Anrothan. I doubt I'm much older than you."
"Ok then, Anrothan." Emilie responded with a smile. "Follow me."
'He did say that he was hungry, but he looks like he hasn't eaten in ages.' Emilie thought as she observed Anrothan. The warden recruit was literally devouring steak after steak, and it didn't look like he would stop soon.
"How can you eat an entire deer and still be this hungry?" The young mage incredulously asked as Anrothan took a bottle and gulped it down in one go.
"This drink, I like it." The warden recruit said while looking at the bottle. Just then, a senior enchanter passed by them.
"I swear, I left a small bottle of lyrium somewhere." The old mage murmured. Emilie, who had heard the enchanter, turned her focus on the bottle that Anrothan just drank. Her eyes widened as she pointed at the warden recruit.
"You just drank lyrium!" She exclaimed.
"Another!" Anrothan yelled, completely unfazed, as he threw the bottle down, shattering it in the process.
"Sorry, everyone." Emilie hurriedly said as she got up to pick the pieces before anyone stepped on them. "Little accident."
She then turned to the warden recruit, who seemed completely unperturbed by the commotion.
"What was that?" She asked with the same incredulous look.
"It was delicious. I want another." Anrothan simply replied.
"That was lyrium." Emilie pointed out while showing him the bottle. "By all rights, you shouldn't even be able to drink it and stand like nothing happened."
"It certainly had a kick." Anrothan noted.
"You're impossible." Emilie exclaimed.
"I meant no disrespect." Anrothan said.
"Ok, well, no more smashing." Emilie requested.
"You have my word." Anrothan replied. He stared at Emilie for a moment, like he was thinking of adding something, before he went back to eating the steaks.
'I guess he wouldn't mind a couple of questions about the outside world.' Emilie thought as she stared at the warden recruit. The stories that Anders had told her a few months ago had only served to reignite her interest in the world outside the Tower. However, before she could think of what to ask first, she noticed Jowan making a beeline for her.
"Hey, Emilie." He hurriedly greeted before he leaned towards her and added in a whisper. "I need to talk to you."
Emilie glanced at her friend. He seemed as agitated as the last time they talked.
"Why are you whispering? Is something wrong?" She inquired.
"I can't openly talk here. We might be overheard." Jowan replied, again in a whisper. "Can you come with me? Please?"
"You're starting to worry me, Jowan." Emilie said with a concerned expression.
"Just, follow me. I'll explain once it's safe to talk." Jowan pleaded. Emilie looked around. They really were not in the right place for private talk.
"A-Alright." The female mage said, turning to address the recruit. "Excuse me, Anrothan. I have some business to attend to."
"Alright. I shall stay here and eat more." Anrothan responded. Emilie nodded at him, before she got up and followed Jowan, who seemed mildly relieved. The two young mages exited the dining and walked in silence until they reached the Chantry Hall. Emilie cocked an eyebrow in confusion; what were they doing in the one place where a templar or a priest could appear at any time?
"Jowan, there's a priest here. Are you sure it's ok to talk?" She said with a confused tone when she noticed that there was, in fact, a priest in the hall.
"I'm not a priest yet. I'm merely an initiate." The initiate said as she gave Emilie a small smile. "And you don't have to worry about me."
"Ok, what is really going on?" Emilie said as she looked back at Jowan.
"Well, a few months ago, I told you and Anders that I… well, that I'd met a girl, remember?" Jowan replied. "This is Lily."
"Oh." Emilie exclaimed. She did remember that incident a few months back. Anders had split his sides with laughter and almost fell off the bed, before he had dragged Jowan out of her earshot to give him all sorts of dating advice. She had never seen Jowan turn redder before.
"And you know how the Chantry Sisters take a vow of chastity, right?" Jowan added.
"That's why you've been so secretive lately." Emilie said, earning a nod from Jowan in response.
"We would both be in quite a bit of trouble if someone found out." Lily admitted, though she was smiling as she looked at Jowan with a fond expression. "But, well… I believe it's worth the risk."
"Don't worry about anything. Your secret's safe with me." Emilie said as she beamed at them. With all the disheartening rumors about a possible Blight, the thought of a dear friend of hers finding happiness was great news indeed.
"Thank you," Jowan whispered, smiling. "I knew you'd stand by me."
Emilie, however, frowned. Jowan still seemed nervous.
"There's something else, isn't there?" She inquired, wishing that it was just her idea.
"Unfortunately, yeah." Jowan admitted. "I… remember how I was worried that they won't let me take the Harrowing? Well, I know why now. They're… they're going to make me Tranquil."
"What?" Emilie blurted.
"They're going to take everything that makes me who I am. Dreams, hopes, fears, my friendships… even my love for Lily. All gone. I'll just be a husk. Functioning, but not truly living. Like Owain and the others."
"It'll be okay, my love," Lily whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It'll be okay."
"This makes no sense." Emilie said, unable to comprehend what she had just heard. "Irving would never allow it, not without a very good reason."
"Well, there are rumors." Jowan said. "You know how I've been sneaking around, lately. I'd been seeing Lily, but… people think I may have been dabbling in… blood magic."
"That's ridiculous; you know that it's dangerous to deal with blood magic." Emilie exclaimed with an incredulous look. "We need to talk to Irving about this. He'll understand."
"The First Enchanter has already signed the Rite of Tranquility." Lily said with grim expression.
"How- how do you know this?" Emilie asked.
"I was delivering papers to the Knight Commander and saw the document on his table. It had authorized the Rite. The First Enchanter had already signed it." Lily replied.
"And… what are you going to do?" Emilie squeaked.
"I can't let anyone who cares about me go through the pain of seeing me become a Tranquil. I-I need to escape. Destroy my phylactery and run." Jowan answered. He was visibly trembling as he pleadingly looked at his red haired friend. "You have to help me. There's no way Lily and I can do this alone."
"I…" Emilie started. She glanced at Jowan. Lily was trying to calm him down.
'It's a really tough situation for both of them. But, if I help Jowan, then I'm turning my back on the Circle. While it's not perfect, it's what I've called home for years. This isn't something I can decide on the spot.' The young mage thought as she bit her lip.
"Can you… give me a few minutes? Please?" She said after a moment.
"I understand." Jowan said, nodding. "I know it is unfair to force you to make a decision, but there's not much time."
"I know." Emilie whispered as she retreated out of the hall. "I just need… to clear my head."
"I figured I would find you here."
Emilie jumped in surprise, falling in a pile of books in the process. She didn't even realize how long she had been staring at the same shelf.
"Ow. That was mean, Cathal." The red haired mage said as she rubbed her behind. "Wait, when did you come back?"
The blond elf in front of her laughed as he helped her up.
"I only just returned half an hour ago. The Revered Mother didn't want us mages running loose in Denerim, so she shooed us away the moment we were done with the meeting." He said as he glanced at the girl's attire. "I honestly thought you would change into the yellow robes the moment Irving gave them to you."
"I… I think I left them at the dining hall." Emilie stuttered. She really had forgotten about the things that Irving gave her. Cathal frowned at that remark.
"Is something wrong? You're never this forgetful." He inquired.
"It's a big story." Emilie admitted. Cathal nodded as he pulled two chairs and motioned for her to sit.
"Is it about Cullen?" The blond mage asked.
"W-What? No, it's not like that!" Emilie quickly said as her cheeks turned pink. Cathal and Anders were always teasing her about the young templar's apparent interest in her. Cullen was a nice guy, but she didn't see him that way.
"Stupid Cathal." The red haired mage added as she nudged Cathal in his sides.
"Ok, I deserved that." Cathal said as he chuckled. "Did Jowan do something again?"
"Actually, it does involve him." Emilie replied, making Cathal furrow his eyebrows.
"Is it about that initiate he hangs out with?" He asked.
"You know about Lily?" Emilie exclaimed, her eyes widening by the shock.
"I got eyes, little sister." Cathal said with a slight smirk. "I've been covering for Jowan ever since our dear friend Anders escaped, without Jowan himself knowing of course. I'm not sure where the problem lies, though."
"He…" Emilie started before she stopped talking. Cathal had become a big brother to her over the years they'd been in the Circle, and he obviously cared enough about Jowan to cover for him, but how much could she tell about Jowan's plan without betraying her dear friend's trust?
"He's planning on escaping." Cathal whispered, realization evident on his face.
"Am I such an open book to you?" Emilie pondered.
"What, you think Anders has escaped seven times without a little help?" Cathal confessed as he winked at her. "I've been in your place, little sister."
"But, what do I do? If I help him escape, I'll be betraying Irving's trust in the process." Emilie said with a hint of panic.
"I think you know the answer to that." Cathal said, placing a hand on Emilie's shoulder. "What does your heart tell you?"
Emilie thought for a moment. If Jowan was innocent, which she wanted to believe more than anything else, he was going to be punished for something he didn't do. And he was right; becoming a Tranquil would be painful for everyone he cared, including her.
"Right." The red haired mage said as she looked at Cathal's chocolate brown eyes. "I know what to do."
"I'm still surprised about how easily you took the rod of fire." Jowan said with an astonished expression. The two mages and the initiate had already gotten past the first door with success, and headed deeper in the basement.
"It helps to have a good reputation, Jowan. Senior Enchanter Sweeney didn't think twice before he signed the form." Emilie explained.
"Are you referring to that time when Cathal lit a templar's pants on fire?"
"In case you have forgotten, they didn't let him near flammable items until he passed his Harrowing."
"Point taken."
"We're halfway there!" Lily beamed as she turned towards the two mages.
"Alright. Hopefully, the rod is going to work again." Jowan added with renewed vigor. Emilie, however, frowned.
"I'm not so sure about that." The female mage muttered as she touched the door. "Can you feel it?"
Jowan stared at his friend with a quizzical look before it hit him. "My magic. Something is blocking it."
"There's more." Emilie said as she inspected the door. "There are glyphs on the door. They're negating magic."
"I should have guessed!" Lily added. "Why would the Knight Commander and the First Enchanter use non-magical keys for such a door? Because magic doesn't work!"
"Then it's all for nothing." Jowan dejectedly muttered. "We might as well go back and forget this whole thing."
At that moment, Emilie looked to her right. She knew where the door on the end of that hall led.
"Jowan." She called. "That door. It leads to the cells."
"You think there might be a way around? What are the chances?" Jowan asked, though he seemed to have regained his vigor.
"Kinloch Hold is an old tower, built by dwarves and the Avvar tribe as an impregnable building." Emilie replied, moving towards the door in the meantime. "I wouldn't be surprised if the basement is linked with emergency exits."
"Right." Lily said as she followed the two mages. "We can't go back now."
"Though, I can't help but feel that I'm forgetting something." Emilie pondered as she opened the door.
"Really? Maybe those two statues ring a bell?" Jowan deadpanned as the sound of metal echoed in the empty hall.
"The sentinels. Of course." Emilie said. "I was down here two weeks ago. How could I forget that?"
"You know, Emilie, sometimes I wonder how far your head is in the clouds." Jowan remarked.
"Well, if they get in our way, then we must move past them." Lily said. "Any ideas?"
"Basically, they're just plates of armor." Emilie noted. "I wonder…"
Without a second thought, the female mage extended her hands towards the two animated statues while closing her eyes.
"Ha!" She exclaimed as she threw lighting at the two statues, overloading them and tearing them down in the process.
"Steel is a poor conductor. Good thinking." Jowan said.
"We should move. I don't like this place." Emilie said as she started walking at a faster pace. It was only for a moment, but these sentinels reeked of something otherworldly.
"Wait." Jowan called. "What happened?"
"I think I understand her." Lily said. "This place is as far from the Maker as one can get."
Jowan looked in thought as the two went along the hall. When they caught up to Emilie, however, they noticed that she had stopped walking and was staring at a cell.
"This is where Anders was for an entire year, right?" Jowan asked. Emilie looked at them with a startled expression, like she had completely forgotten why she was there.
"Yeah, and he still escaped one more time after that. Where could he be now?" The female mage wondered for a moment.
"Are you ok?" Lily asked with concern. Emilie shook her head.
"I'll be once we get out of the basement. Don't worry." She replied as she smiled at the initiate.
"I agree. I don't want to stay here any longer than we need to." Jowan added, looking slightly paler than before.
"Let's explore the repository. There's bound to be a way into the phylactery chamber." Lily said, earning a nod from the two mages in response.
"There are no signs of a door, or anything that even resembles a door. What do we do now?" Lily said with a hint of exasperation.
"I'm sure there is something. If my deduction is right, then the phylactery chamber should be on the other side of this wall, behind this bookcase." Jowan said as he checked the wall on their left. "Look, the mortar seems to be decaying here. If we find a way to knock down the wall, we'll be in the chamber in no time. See if you can use the rod again, Emilie."
The female mage, however, didn't respond.
"Emilie? What's wrong?" Jowan asked as he turned to see that his friend was in front of a statue. The female mage kept her eyes closed and held the statue by the shoulders.
"What are you doing?" Lily exclaimed as she ran towards Emilie and tried to shake her off. "This is of Tevinter origin. You shouldn't be near it."
"It's actually a victim of evil magic, trapped in a statue form because she foretold her lord's downfall." Emilie said as she opened her eyes. "I feel sorry for her."
"It could be a trick. Maybe it's trying to get you to lower your guard so it can cast a spell on you." Lily shakily said. "Come on, Jowan found a way into the Phylactery Chamber."
"I may have found a way into the Phylactery Chamber." Jowan clarified as he tried to push the bookcase out of the way. "We don't know if the rod can actually melt the stone."
"I doubt it will, but this can help." Emilie said while pointing at a dog statue. "It's an amplifier artifact. We just need to place it in the right angle."
"Let me help you with that." Lily offered. The two girls quickly managed to place the artifact, just as Jowan had finished moving the bookcase.
"I hope that works. We're running out of time." The male mage eagerly said. Emilie didn't talk; she focused on carefully applying the rod into the amplifier. Too much power input would simply cause it to blow in their faces, and that wouldn't be pleasant. The statue took the power and sent a blast of fire towards the wall, destroying it in the process.
"It worked! This thing can really pack a punch!" Jowan exclaimed, vividly impressed.
"We must find the phylactery, and quickly." Lily said as both Jowan and she ran inside the chamber. Emilie, however, simply put the rod back in a pocket as she walked into the Phylactery Chamber. It was a wide room, magically kept in low temperature so that the phylacteries could be preserved.
"I found it!" Emilie whirled to see Jowan studying the small vial made when he was a child. "It's amazing how something so small stands between every mage and freedom. So small and fragile."
He dropped it to the floor, where it shattered instantly. The blood spread out eerily on the floor, as if hunting for something to hide in.
"That's it. I'm free."
It was only a mutter, but Emilie caught the surprising underlined tone of her friend. Just then, she felt uneasiness, and she stumbled.
'Why do I feel… dizzy?' She thought as she held to the wall for support.
"We both are, my love." Lily agreed as she hugged Jowan. She didn't seem to notice anything strange about his remark.
"I wouldn't be able to do all this without both of you." Jowan grinned. "Come on, we're done here."
"I'm coming." Emilie said. The dizziness left as quickly as it came. However, she still felt the uneasiness. There was something she couldn't understand.
'How did Jowan find his phylactery so fast?'
Emilie was surprised to see that the chamber, in which they exited from the repository, was empty.
'There's not even a single templar in sight. Did something happen?' She thought as she leaned on the wall for support.
"Seriously, we wouldn't be able to pull this off without your help, Emilie. You were amazing…" Jowan said before he noticed that his friend didn't look well. "Are you alright?"
"I'll be fine." Emilie abruptly said, cutting him off. "You need to go. I have a bad feeling about this."
"So what you said was true, Irving."
Emilie stared in shock as a group of templars appeared out of nowhere. She could also see Cathal in the small crowd.
"I knew this would end badly." She muttered to herself, sliding to the ground with her back on the wall.
"A First Enchanter's job is to know everything that goes on in his Circle." Irving said, turning to address the Knight Commander. "And I've already given you another possible explanation, Gregoir."
"Doubtful." Gregoir said, his eyes falling on Lily. Meanwhile, Cathal came out of the crowd and approached Emilie.
"You don't look well, little sister." He said as he helped her up, then added in a whisper so that only she would hear him. "It'll be alright. You don't have to worry about anything."
"Huh? What exactly are you doing here, Cathal?" Emilie said.
"You just have to trust me." Cathal whispered.
'No. There's no way he would...' Emilie thought, not sure about her brother's appearance.
"Shocked, but in control of her mind. Not a thrall of the blood mage, it seems." Gregoir said before he sighed. "Why would you act that way then, girl?"
"Act how exactly, old friend?" Irving said with a knowing look. "The young always like to add a certain mystery in their endeavors, as you might remember."
"As for Emilie-" he added as he turned to look the female mage. "She was in the repository at my request, though I'm afraid I might have overworked the poor girl."
"Very well, Irving." Gregoir relented as he rubbed his forehead. "But, there's still the eyewitness testimony, so I'll imprison Jowan for now. Though I highly doubt the result will change."
"Lily, however, is a different story. Having a relationship with someone is against the vows which she took. Normally I would be more lenient, but we need to set an example here, or this will turn into a regular phenomenon. Take her to Aeonar!"
"No!" Lily yelled, taking a few steps back. "Anywhere but there!"
Emilie made a move to help her, but Cathal held her back.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"It'll only make things worse." Cathal said while trying to calm her down.
As the templars rounded on Lily, Jowan got in the middle.
"No! I won't let you touch her!" He snapped as he took a knife out his robe and stubbed his open palm.
Emilie thought that time had frozen. She couldn't believe what she had just seen. She only muttered a small "No.", before the whirlwind knocked everyone back.
"By the maker…" Lily muttered, looking as shocked as Emilie. "Why Jowan? You said they were lying!"
"I-I admit, I dabbled in blood magic." Jowan confessed. His entire body was covered in the blood he had just used. "I thought it would make me a better mage, give me an edge in the Harrowing. But I'm willing to give it all up."
He held out his hand, as if to reach out to his love.
"I just want to be with you, Lily."
"Blood magic is evil, Jowan. It corrupts people, changes them. I… I'm not sure I can trust you anymore." Lily said, visibly shaken. Jowan seemed to tremble as Cathal slowly got up.
"Look at this!" He yelled as he waved his hands around the hall, showing the damage that Jowan's spell had caused. Irving and Gregoir, as well as the other templars, were groaning while lying on the ground, and Emily was sitting down with the same shocked expression while muttering "No."
"You want to know why Irving tried to help you? Because I appealed for you! Because I trusted you! Because Emilie considered you a brother! And because there was someone who loved you!"
He was forced to stop as he fell on his knees.
"Cathal…" Jowan whispered.
"Leave, Jowan. Leave and don't come back again. Because if you do, I swear I will kill you!"
Jowan looked around and gulped.
"I-I'm sorry." He said before he started running away. Cathal slowly made his way back to Emilie just as Anrothan appeared.
"What happened here?" The warden recruit said as he ran towards the First Enchanter and helped him up.
"I knew it." Gregoir growled. "Blood magic. But to overcome so many… I never thought him capable of such power…"
He then turned to Emilie and Cathal.
"You two knew him, yet you didn't suspect anything?"
"I only knew about the affair." Cathal admitted. "But I never saw him practice blood magic."
"I… no." Emilie responded. "I never expected this."
"None of us expected this." Irving added before he looked at the younger mages. "Are you two alright?"
"I may have sprained an ankle, but other than that, I'm fine." Cathal said. Emilie, however, was on the verge of tears.
"He lied to me." She muttered, letting Cathal try to comfort her.
"We must get into the repository!" Gregoir shouted. "We need to use the blood mage's phylactery!"
"About that…" Emilie started. "He broke it."
"He what?" The Knight Commander hissed. "Where is the initiate?"
"I-I'm here, Knight Commander." Lily shakily said.
"You helped a blood mage!" Gregoir yelled as he pointed at his injured templars. "Look at all he's hurt!"
"Wait!" Emilie snapped. "She was tricked by Jowan. You can't blame her."
"You've been a friend, but you don't have to do this. I can speak for myself." Lily said, using her sleeves to dry her tears as she stood up. "Knight-Commander, I… I was wrong. I was a willing accomplice to… to a blood mage. I will accept whatever punishment is given to me. Even... even Aeonar."
"Take her out of my sight!" Gregoir said.
"And you wonder why they fear the templars." Anrothan bitterly noted as a templar took Lily away. "How do you expect mages to react when you deny them what little is left from their happiness?"
"I don't expect you to understand, Warden." Gregoir said as he glared at the recruit. "This blood mage just gave us a demonstration of how evil magic can be."
"From what I understand, you forced his hand." Anrothan retorted, glaring back at the Knight Commander. "Right or wrong, you do not threaten the loved ones of someone who is on his breaking point."
"Don't talk to me about right and wrong, Warden! Your order knows nothing of it!" Gregoir yelled.
"Calm down, Anrothan." Duncan said as he walked up to the group. The warden recruit turned his glare at the commander, before he nodded.
"Knight-Commander, if I may… I am not only looking for mages to join the king's army. I'm also recruiting for the Grey Wardens." The Warden Commander said. "Irving has spoken highly of Emilie. And I can see that she is a rare person who would risk all that she has, so long as it helps her friends."
"You mean to tell me that you intend to take her with you?" Gregoir angrily asked. "She's responsible for the escape of a blood mage! She must be punished one way or another, or our rules mean nothing!"
"I don't think you have a choice in the matter, Gregoir. Have you forgotten? Duncan need only invoke the Right of Conscription, and you're forced to it." Irving reminded the Knight Commander. "If you can't trust Emilie, then trust me, as you always have."
"Somehow, you have planned this, haven't you, Irving?" Gregoir pondered as he sighed. "Very well."
"You hear that, Emilie?" Cathal said. "You're going to become a Grey Warden."
"Wait, what?" Emilie squeaked. She had turned off the conversation ever since they took away Lily, still trying to comprehend what Jowan had done.
"Duncan wants to recruit you as a Grey Warden, dear." Irving softly said.
"But-but the Tower. I'll leave everyone?" Emilie asked.
"The Circle never forgets its apprentices, wherever they may fly." Irving said as he ruffled the younger mage's hair. "But, the Grey Wardens will be your new family now."
Emilie fought the urge to cry. That day was too much for her, but she knew she had to at least look dignified before she goes.
"Thank you, Irving." She whispered as she hugged the man who was like a father to her during the time she spent in the Tower. "For everything."
"Now go, child. I know you'll make us proud." Irving softly said, smiling at his pupil.
"You can go and gather your things, but don't take too much with you." Duncan said. "You can make your farewells too. Anrothan and I will be waiting at the gate."
"Here, I'll help you." Cathal offered as the two mages went up in the mages' quarters. The two mages worked for a couple of minutes in silence, before Cathal spoke.
"Listen, I know it's hard for you right now, but look at the silver lining. You'll get to see the world again like you wanted to." The blond elf said. Emilie gave him a sad smile; she knew he was hurt, like her, but he still tried to lift her spirits.
"I'll miss you, Cathal." She exclaimed as she hugged him tightly, like she would never see him again.
"I'll miss you too, little sister." Cathal said, giving a slight chuckle as the two broke their hug. "I have something for you. I wanted to give this to you when you passed your Harrowing but, well, much has happened." He added as he took out a necklace.
"It's beautiful." Emilie said as she took the necklace in her hands. It was a simple chain, with a stone that matched her jade eyes. She could also feel power emanating from it.
"Think of it as a reminder that, no matter how far you are, we're always going to be with you. No matter the race, we are family." Cathal said.
"Always and forever, right? Goodbye, Brother."
The more steps she took, the harder it was for Emilie to leave. Word of Jowan's escape, as well as her recruitment by the Grey Wardens, had travelled around the Circle, resulting in many of the residents waving her goodbye. She absently noted that even some templars looked saddened by her departure, with Cullen being the most notable one.
"I'm ready." She announced once she reached the door. It was then that the other recruit approached her, holding a pack of things in his hands and a staff.
"That's..." Emilie muttered in surprise.
"You left these at the dining hall." Anrothan said as he handed the robes, the staff, and the ring to his fellow recruit. "I was looking for you everywhere, when I heard the commotion."
"Thank you." Emilie said as she gently put the items in her pack while strapping the staff on her back. "I don't know what I would do without them."
"Don't mention it. We are about to fight side by side, so we should look out for each other. Don't you think?" Anrothan asked as he winked at the female mage.
"I-I guess so." Emilie said, allowing a small smile to form on her lips.
"Come, you two. Your new life awaits." Duncan said as the templars opened the giant door, blinding Emilie with the sudden sunlight.
'This is it.' The mage thought. 'My life won't be the same again.'
Author's Note: Man, writing an origin chapter is harder than I thought. The scene where Jowan shows that he's a blood mage was the toughest to write, because I tried to show everyone's thoughts while keeping it from a certain perspective, and not show just black and white. And in case I wasn't clear about it, Cathal is Surana. While he won't become a warden, he will still play a part in the events to come.
Anyway, while I looked at the previous chapters, I noticed that I haven't given any background info for the wardens that I've introduced so far. So, for those curious, Anrothan is 23, the oldest out of the new wardens, and, while he's comfortable with any kind of conventional fighting style, he has no problem using his environment to his advantage and he favors just the longsword. As for Emilie, she is 19, the second youngest, and a "student" of the primal and elemental schools, with a liking in ice and electricity spells, plus some basic healing. I guess that'll be all for now, or else I'll be spoiling background info that I could incorporate in the story.
The next chapter will probably be fillerish, with a focus on the two recruits. I'll try to upload it within the next month, but I can't promise anything. 'Till next time!