Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the Dragon Age franchise. Excluding, of course, any OC characters and/or alterations to the story line.
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Foreign Language translated into English"
Written Word
After the group had made its way to the horse master and informed him of what happened. He more than willingly gave the group the best steeds he had available. After which Landra and her son took their leave. They decided to return to their home and inform Bann Loren, Landra's husband, of what has transpired. Leaving the rest of the group to continue on their way to inform the king of what has happened and join the battle against the Darkspawn.
It has been a week since the events at Highever had transpired and they are less than a day's travel from their destination. They have stopped for the night, and most are talking around the campfire. Mostly it is the Warden recruits who have never before seen the dreaded adversary of all life in Thedas. Only the twins and Brutus keep completely silent, still stewing over the loss of their home and parents.
"I have read that there are four types of Darkspawn and that each is unique in form. Is that true?" Asked a nervous yet inquisitive Michael.
"Yes, there are three. The two most common are Hurlock's and Genlock's. Hurlock's are about the size of your average human, except for Alpha's of course. Genlock's, however, are quite a bit shorter on average. They mostly move around using their hands as well as their feet and are much thicker in body. Their Alpha's are much larger than their more common kin, closer in height to a Hurlock." Explained Thorin, with him having some of the most experience with Darkspawn among the initiates.
"Yes, but what about the other two?" Pressed Michael, still wanting to know more about these creatures.
"The second least common variety are the Kosslock, otherwise known as Ogre's." Picked up Duncan, deciding to properly explain their foe to his recruits. "They are the largest, strongest, and often times the singularly most dangerous breed. The only good news about them is that they are also the least numerous. Finally, you have the Sharlock's, or more commonly called Shriek's. They are the least commonly seen variety of Darkspawn. However, that is only because they mostly remain in the most isolated parts of the Deep Roads, deep in Darkspawn territory. They are far more numerous than Ogre's but only ever come to the surface when the Arch-Demon arrives. Both of which also have alpha varieties. There are also darkspawn mages that we call emissaries. However, they have only ever been seen within the Genlock and Hurlock varieties."
"Ok, that explains the types but how do the Darkspawn grow their numbers? I mean are there female Darkspawn." Michael asked, earning contemplative looks from most of the others.
"I don't know personally. I also don't want to know. One thing I do know is that I have no intention of checking under their …" Thorin decides to answer before he is cut off.
"No, there are no female Darkspawn. However, I do have one piece of advice for you. If you are fixing to be overrun by these creatures, go ahead and kill the women among your group. It is a far kinder fate than the alternative." Duncan says, staring into the fire, leaving the others to fully digest his words and there meaning.
Duncan decides to look up and tells everyone to go to sleep. That he will remain on watch throughout the night. With their minds still heavy from what Duncan said they turn in for the night.
-Time Skip—
Early the next day the group broke camp, before the sun even rose above the treetops. From there it was only another three hours journey from the camp site to being able to see the ruined fortress that was there destination. To call it a fortress at all would be a stretch. Even from a distance the group could tell that the only thing that truly remained of the structure was a few walls, the bridge, and a single intact tower.
The group makes their way closer to their destination and are crossing the crumbling, yet stable, bridge. As the party is moving across the bridge to the camp area, they were met by a surprising entourage. An entourage which included the young king of Ferelden himself leading it.
Said king has a smile plastered on his face, shoulder length blond hair that has a few strands hanging down in front of his face, and facial hair that is clearly hasn't been shaved in at least a week. The king's choice of attire is a set of intricate plate mail of red steel of such high quality that it shines like gold.
"Duncan, you finally made it! I feared we may have already dealt with the Darkspawn before you arrived at this rate." Cailan said in a loud happy voice.
All the while most of the party is thinking along the same lines. 'This loud-mouthed pons is the king. How has the kingdom not fallen already?' Though, in Natia's case there was a lot more swearing involved.
He then seems to notice the other members of the group. "I see you did quite well in your recruiting efforts. May I know what your names are?" Most of the recruits politely gave their names, though Natia did so with quite a bit of grumbling. "I hope to see you all on the field of … Oh." Cailan concluded, losing much of his enthusiasm, as he finally takes notice of the Cousland twins in the back of the group.
"Aiden and Annette, I see you have come with the Wardens. Does that mean your father will be joining us shortly?" Cailan asked awkwardly.
"No, your majesty. Our parents are dead, murdered in fact." Began a hesitant Annette, though the Warden recruits could not tell if it was because of how fresh the wound was or something else.
"Murdered! By whom?" Exclaimed the king, shocked.
"Arl Howe, he would have killed us to and spun whatever tale he wished to you. I have come to Ostagar to inform our brother on these events. While Aiden is here as a Warden recruit." Said Annette in a quite voice.
"How could Arl Howe think he could get away with this. I promise you Annette, once we are done here, I will march the army straight to Amaranthine." Said the king with conviction in his eyes and steel in his voice. Surprising those of the group who had not yet met him before and bringing questions to their minds on their initial assessment.
"However, I am afraid Fergus is not here at the moment. He and his men went out scouting yesterday and are not due back until after the next battle." Finished Cailan, with a much dourer mood than before.
"It is much appreciated your majesty." Annette said with a slight bow of her head.
With this said the king puts a smile back on his face, but before he can speak a messenger came running up.
"Your majesty," the messenger starts with a slight bow. "Teryn Loghain has requested to speak with you." He finishes his message.
"Uhh… He probably wants to go over battle tactics for the battle again. We have faced the Darkspawn three times already. At this rate I don't even think that this is Blight. Anyway, I will most likely won't see you until the prebattle meeting. Until then I wish you the best of luck." Cailan says politely before he takes his leave.
After everyone from the king's group leave the Warden recruits who did not take the kings attentive attention finally begin to speak openly.
"That arrogant nug licker is the king. If we are to have to depend on him, we're all doomed!" Natia speaks out loudly.
Earning muttered agreements from Ana and Theron. However, Michael is unsure on what to say on the matter and Thorin is quite thinking on what he noticed.
"The king may be confident on the outcome of the battle, but we must stay vigilant. The threat Thedas is facing is greater than anyone hear knows." Duncan says in a serious voice. "True, there have been victories, but the numbers of our foes grow with each battle."
"The surfacer king is actually not as confident as he lets on. In fact, I think he is quite worried." Thorin says, finally speaking on the matter.
"Huh, what do you mean. He seemed pretty cock sure to me." Ana says.
"Thorin is rite. Cailan is quite worried about the Darkspawn." Aiden speaks for the first time that day. "He typically does have a happy demeanor, but as you saw he can get serious. One of the first things the sons of Fereldan commanders learn is to show confidence in front of your troops before battle. This is to keep morale up and dissension down. Cailan may be many things, but a fool is not one of them."
"Warriors of Orzammar learn something similar." Thorin says in agreement.
"Either way, we need to get moving. There are preparations for us to make and we need to find the other recruits here. Can you go find them and a young Warden? They go by the names of Daveth, Jory, and Alistair respectively." Duncan's 'request' being structured more like an order. "I will be at the Warden campfire to the west side of the camp."
After he walks off four of the six soon to be Wardens think on what Thorin and Aiden said. They then split up to look around and see if they can find the other recruits.
Thorin and Natia head towards the sound of smithing. Thorin to compare standard human smithing to dwarfish smithing. Natia went because she wanted to see if she could make any contacts, knowing that the armor master would most likely have some. While over there Thorin began to watch the smiths and Natia ended up convincing a guard to give some food to a starving prisoner. Said prisoner in return gave the female dwarf a key to a chest that held some mage gear. The pair also met up with Daveth, who was hanging around the area.
Said man was a little shorter than average but not by much. He had a tan complexion, brown hair, and mousy facial features. His gear of choice was some hunting leathers and a pair of daggers on his back. During his conversation with Natia she found out he was originally a thief before he was recruited.
Michael ended up meeting his old teacher, Wynne. He explained why he left the tower the way he did. In the end the young man was just happy that his teacher and mother figure was not angry or disappointed in him.
Aiden, Annette, and Brutus stayed near the entrance of camp were there was a Chantry mother was preaching. The siblings, along with their mabari companion, decided to kneel and give proper prayers for their lost loved ones and for the Maker to protect Oren.
Theron decided to just follow Duncan and contemplate on what Aiden and Thorin said about the king and his true character. However, he nearly gutted an arrogant human that thought he was just a servant.
Ana decided to wonder around the east side of camp. While over there she met up with Jory, who was watching a commander show a Darkspawn corpse to some fresh recruits. She noted that Jory was a robust man. Wearing plate armor and wielding a great sword. He had very round facial features and very close-cropped black hair, almost shaved with how short it was. Ana told him that Duncan had arrived and to meet with him. She also managed to find Alistair, who was seemingly antagonizing a mage with his mere presence.
Said junior Warden was around six feet tall with lightly tanned skin. He had short reddish-brown, almost orange in color, hair with brown eyes. He is wearing finely made red steel split mail and is wielding a sword and shield. His face is what caught her attention the most, however. Not in the way of attraction, though she would not lie and say he wasn't good looking, but that it was familiar somehow. After a minute of being unable to place it she decided to just approach him.
After the mage walked away, she said. "Well, at least I know you humans seem to treat your own kind as badly as you do elves."
"I know rite." He says with a half-smile and awkward demeanor. "I was only delivering a message from the Revered Mother, but because he knew me from when I was a Templar recruit, he took it as an insult. It just warms my heart how in these stressful times everyone comes together." Alistair says the last part with a sarcastic demeanor.
"Ha Ha Ha," laughs out Ana. "I know what you mean. Anyway, my name is Ana, and I am one of Duncan's new recruits." She says while holding out her hand.
"Alistair, I take it since you are here, he is as well." Alistair says in a happy voice.
"Yes, he also sent me to find you. We should probably head over to him now. It was a while ago when we split up." Ana says.
"Then let's get going. I don't need to be reprimanded again for being late."
With that said the pair go over to the campfire Duncan is at. When they get there, they see everyone else has already arrived.
"Now that we have all gathered, I can explain the goal of your task. It is two-fold, first you must each collect a vile of Darkspawn blood. Second, there is an old Grey Warden fortress in the Korcari Wilds that has a collection of ancient treaties. I want all of you to go collect them." Duncan said.
"The Korcari Wilds! But the land is infested with Darkspawn." Exclaims Ser Jory.
"You will face much more before all is said and done, human. Even more than you can imagine if the Blight overtakes your surface." Thorin says stoically.
"He's right. I would give my life if it meant ending the Blight." Says Daveth with conviction.
Theron then catches Duncan's attention. "If these ancient treaties are so important, then why are they in this fortress?"
"We have only just learned about them. They were left behind when the Grey Wardens left Ferelden." Alistair speaks up.
"Yes, very true Alistair. However, you are not going alone. It is tradition for a member of the Wardens to go with you in this part of the initiation." Duncan then turns towards Annette. "I am sorry my dear, but only those who are taking part in the Joining may proceed. You will have to stay here."
Annette then gains a solemn look and turns towards her brother. He returns her look and speaks. "I know what you are thinking Ann, but please stay. Be sure to keep an eye out for you know who for me." Aiden says to his sister, the last part in a whisper. He then turns towards Brutus. "I want you to stay with Ann boy. Can you do that for me?"
He gets a happy bark and wagging tail in reply. Which also seems to signal to the others that it is time to leave.
The group proceeds out the North gate and begin to walk in the relative direction of the ruined fort. After a short amount of time a few members of the group feel like they are being watched.
"Does anyone else feel like they are being watched?" Asked Aiden.
"You are just being paranoid you bloody living mountain." Replies a bold Natia.
"No, he is right. I feel it to." Said Theron.
Then the group sees an injured soldier limping his way towards them. They rush to him and lay him down to look at his wounds.
"What in the name of Andreste happened to you?" Asked a worried Ana.
"Darkspawn. We thought we were prepared, but we were wrong. One minute we were doing the regular patrol. The next we were surrounded. It was as if they came out of the ground." Answered the partially delirious soldier, still haunted by what he saw.
"What can we do with him? We can't just leave him here." Asked Daveth.
"I say we patch him up enough to make it back to camp. The way there is clear, and we can't waste too much time if we want to get those treaties before dark." Answered Aiden. The others nod in agreement.
"Alright then. I have some bandages here somewhere." Said Alistair as he begins digging through his satchel.
After the soldier is on his way the group proceeds. Not to long after their encounter they reach a circle of some old pillars. After they get into the middle of them, they notice that the area is filled with corpses. The moment after this they are accosted by their first group of Darkspawn. The battle is short, but also fierce and bloody. The Darkspawn only numbered about six in all and were of the Hurlock variety. Most of the recruits that came with Duncan faced the creatures with out fear, except for Michael who had a bit of hesitance, putting the creatures down with relative ease. Jory and Daveth were another story, however.
After the last of the fiends is crushed by Aiden's maul Jory begins to look around with wide eyes and begins to hyperventilate.
"These are Darkspawn! Look at what they have done to these soldiers." Jory yells out.
Daveth, however, just remains quiet. To shocked by the carnage done to the soldiers' bodies to respond.
"This is horrible. We need to turn back." Jory said.
"We can't turn back yet. We need those treaties, not to mention you need the Darkspawn blood. We are prepared for this." Alistair said in a firm voice. Once again reminding Ana of someone she couldn't quite place.
"Do you not see what these creatures did. These men were prepared and look what happened to them. We should turn back now. There is no glory in this." Jory said with terror in his voice.
"Glory. GLORY! You think we are doing this for glory." Yelled the usually stoic Thorin.
"We do this to reforge ourselves and protect the innocent. It does not matter who or what you were before. All that matters is that we continue and accomplish the task that is set before us." Aiden said in a clear firm voice.
This gained the nods and approval from everyone else in the group. Daveth himself managed to pull himself out of his melancholy.
Seeing that he was out voted, Jory hangs his head and says in a resigned. "Maker help us."
The group proceeds forth to continue their search. Before they progressed to far, however, Aiden noticed a strange flower. He proceeds towards it and squats down to get a better look. Seeing what he was doing, Daveth comes to join him. When he sees the flower, his eyes get big when he connects it to a bit of information he heard back at camp.
"Oh, the kennel master was looking for a flower like that. He was offering a reward for it, he was." Daveth said.
"He was, was he. I wonder what use is a flower now at all times." Aiden questions out loud. "Might as well take it and any others we may find. Who knows they may be of some use down the line." Aiden then plucks the flower and places it in his satchel.
"What ever the kennel master is offering for this, I will be sure to split it with you, Daveth." Aiden said after he gets up.
The group, who have been waiting patiently for the two men to catch up, proceeded forth. After the little stop there, path was constantly being accosted by Darkspawn. With the group's numbers and skill, the beast stood little chance. Said creatures being cut down by either a blades cut, spell fire, or a powerful blow of a blunt weapon. During their search for the ruined fortress the group came upon many things to catch their attention. They came upon some strung up corpses, old trail markers, and more Darkspawn than they could count.
By the time the group made it to the entrance of the ruins they had collected more than enough vials of blood and came upon Darkspawn alphas and emissaries, of both the Hurlock and Genlock variety.
"How many of these shits are there?!" Yelled out a frustrated Natia, pulling her hatchet from a Genlock alpha wright at the entrance of the ruin.
"That's all of them for now, but we should probably hurry. That can change quickly though. With the Darkspawn horde so near there are bound to more on the way." Said Theron, cleaning his daggers of blood. With that the group makes there way into the ruins.
As the group comes into the ruins, tired from all the fighting, they begin to search around. In the end they only managed to find a dirty broken chest. A chest which was empty.
This seemed to have disheartened some of the members. While others felt their tempers flare, believing that they had been sent on a wild goose chase. That is until they hear steps being taken down from the nearby rubble.
The figure they see is a rather tall woman, just shy of six feet. She has raven black hair, skin as pale as snow, and eyes of a haunting golden hue. Her hair is done up in a controlled yet wild style. In one hand she is holding a roughly crafted staff. While her clothing of choice was a pair of well worn and patched up pants and boots and her top, if you could call it that, was more like a red cloth worn around a skimpy bra with an amulet at the base of her neck.
"Oh, what do we have here. A group of scavengers rummaging through the bones of a fortress long since picked clean. I wonder what they could be looking for." Said the mysterious woman to herself, in a slow and well-spoken voice. Obviously knowing the answer to her own "questions."
"Who are you?" Demanded Alistair, being caught off guard by this mysterious woman.
"What rite do you have to demand anything of me?" The woman asked in a haughty tone.
"I know what she is," spoke up Daveth, his voice is filled with fear. "She is a witch of the wilds, she is. She'll turn us into frogs and throw us into her soup."
"If that's true you should be careful what you say then." The woman said, neither confirming nor denying the claim.
Aiden decides to step forward to prevent any further escalation. "We are Grey Warden's, milady. I am Aiden of house Cousland May I enquire as to what your name is?" Aiden said with a charming smile upon his lips.
The woman smirked. "Now there is someone with manners. You may call me Morrigan if you must. Now what is it you want here?"
"This is a former Grey Warden fortress. There were some documents that were stored here. We were sent to retrieve them." Aiden said.
"As you can clearly see they are no longer here." Morrigan said, gesturing to the old chest.
"Did you take them? What are you, some kind of … of … of sneak thief." Said Alistair with a bit of fear in his voice. While the others look at him like he is stupid. "Give them back at once!"
"I cannot, for I was not the one to take them." Morrigan said in a slightly defensive manner.
"Then who did?" Asked Aiden.
"Tis would be my mother."
"Can you take us to her?"
"I may." She said before turning and walking out of the fortress and further into the swamp.
The others silently look among each other and follow the witch with caution.
-Time Skip-
The group still following Morrigan, at a few paces behind her. Strangely though they don't come upon anything but swamp water and trees. Not any animals or Darkspawn.
Soon, though, they come upon a hut. Outside of it was a woman who was two or three inches shorter than her Morrigan. Everybody assumed this was her mother and their home.
As they got closer, they saw that the woman had the same golden eyes as her daughter. Unlike her daughter, though, she has pale white grey hair. Her choice of attire was a worn and ragged dress, far more conservative than her daughter's attire. Her body seemed strong despite her apparent age, and she stood with a degree of poise that one would not expect from a witch in the woods.
"Mother, we have guest." Morrigan said, confirming the conclusion everyone has reached, and walking to the old woman's side.
"I may be old, girl, but I am not blind." Said the old woman in a calm scratchy voice.
"Be careful guys, one minute they may seem helpful. The next, poof, frog time." Said Alistair, showing his clear distrust for the mother and daughter duo.
"Mwah ha ha," came a cold mocking laugh from the old woman. "If I was going to do anything like that to you, wouldn't you think I would have already done so."
Before anyone else from the clearly uncomfortable party could say anything Aiden once again steps forward. "I am sorry mam. We are simply tired from the ordeals we faced to get here. I am Aiden of the Grey Warden's; we are here to collect some treaties that we were told were in your possession. However, before we continue may I enquire about your name."
"Now there is a polite young man." The woman turns to her daughter. "You could learn something from him." She turns back towards the group. "As for what you came for, here. Take them, the enchantments protecting them faded a long time ago." She said and hands the treaties over to Alistair.
"Oh, uh … thank you, I guess." Alistair said, unsure of what to say in this situation.
The woman then turns back to Aiden. "Now that is out of the way, you may call me Flemeth."
"Asha'bellanar!" Murmured Theron in a quiet and shocked voice. Catching the attention of the others and shocking those who have heard the tales.
Aiden kept a calm look on his face. "Would you happen to be the same Flemeth as the stories have told?"
"Perhaps, but that is not important rite now. You and your companions need to return quickly. This coming battle is more important than any of you may realize." Flemeth said in a mysterious tone. "My daughter will show you the quickest way back."
"If I must." Huffed Morrigan.
"Very well. Thank you for your assistance in this matter." Aiden says with a small bow before turning to Morrigan, who has already started walking away, with the others quietly following.
-Time Skip-
As the group gets close to the fortress of Ostagar, Morrigan stops and turns to the party.
"This is where I leave you." She said abruptly.
"As you wish, my lady." Aiden says with a bow and smile.
Morrigan accepts this with a haughty smile and turns to leave, walking back the way she came. While the rest of the party begin to walk towards the fortress, but before they get to far Aiden yells back at Morrigan.
"If you catch sight of us again, you don't need to hide and watch us." Aiden yelled out while still walking. Knowing that the raven-haired woman had stopped, looked back, and most likely had a look of shock on her face from being found out.
A minute after this Theron asked. "How did you know it was her who was watching us?" He said with a quirked eyebrow.
"Simple really. The feeling that we were being watched went away when she showed up." Aiden said. "Plus, only somebody who was waiting and/or watching us could have made an entrance as she did."
This seemed to impress the three rouges of the group. Not expecting the large man to be able to have that level of observational skills. The group then proceeds into the fortress were Aiden takes his leave to drop off the flowers he picked to the kennel master.
"Excuse me sir kennel master. I was told by some companions that you were looking for these." Aiden said as he held out one of the flowers.
Taking a look at what he brought the kennel master's eyes go wide. "Oh, yes I was looking for some of these."
"If I may ask, but what are these flowers for?" Aiden asked.
"I read that flowers matching the description of these can help treat a number of illnesses, including the blight. Not a cure per say, but a means of resisting it, in animals at least." The kennel master said. "However, I believe you may be to late for this one." The kennel master then turns to a nearby stall.
Inside the stall is a impressive specimen of a female mabari. She has nice plush coat of golden-brown color, and is surprisingly enough only a few inches smaller than Brutus. However, she also seemed a combination of ill and depressed.
"This one's master died in the last battle, and she hasn't been the same ever since. She barely eats or drinks, and not to long ago I noticed that she seems to be taking ill. I don't know how I am going to treat her though." The kennel master says with a sigh. "She won't let anyone near her and she hasn't imprinted on anyone else. I'm afraid I will have to put her down."
"Maybe I can try. I have a stubborn mabari myself. So, I may be able to help." Aiden proposed.
"Might as well." The kennel master said before moving to open the gate.
As Aiden walks in the mabari gets up and starts to growl. Trying to intimidate the large man into going away. But all Aiden does is calmly raise his hands in a calming gesture and move closer to the dog. As he gets closer the mabari begins to calm down and tilts its head, studying the large man. She then sits down, weakly barks in a happy tone, and tiredly wags her short tail. Allowing Aiden to get close and pet her.
"By the holy Andraste, you did it." The kennel master says in shock. "Alright, stay there and try to keep her calm while I go prepare the medicine." He said before running off.
A few minutes later he comes back, medicine in hand. He quickly hands it to Aiden who then gets the mabari to eat it. After words she becomes tired and lays down to go to sleep. Aiden then gets up, walks out, and closes the gait.
"Thank you, sir. After the battle is over why don't you come by and check on her again. I think she may have imprinted upon you." The kennel master said.
"I think I may, Brutus could use a companion. Anyway, I should get going. There are things I need to do before the battle." Aiden said.
"I completely understand." The kennel master said before the two shook hands and went their separate ways.
Aiden than walks to the Warden campfire and rejoins the others. Though as he gets there, he noticed some faces missing.
"Where are Duncan and Annette?" Aiden asked the group.
"Duncan went somewhere private to prepare for the joining ritual." Ana said.
"While your sister went to join your king to talk battle strategies. She also took your dog with her." Thorin said, picking up were Ana left off.
Nodding his head in understanding, Aiden sits down. Trying to get comfortable as he waited for Duncan to return.
-Time Skip-
About thirty minutes after sun set, while most of the camp goes to catch some sleep before the battle, Duncan comes back. In his hands is an ornate silver chalice, holding a dark foreboding liquid inside.
"As we join here tonight to take your initiation you must make one last sacrifice." Catching everyone's attention. "As all the Warden's before you have done. Now you must partake of the blood of our enemy." Duncan said, holding out the chalice.
"You mean we have to drink it?" Jory asked with an upturned nose.
"Yes, it is the only way forward from this point. You can't go back now." Duncan said with a tone of finality. He then turns to the entire group. "In War, Victory. In Peace, Vigilance. In Death, Sacrifice. These are the words that the Grey Wardens live by. No matter your orign or station before, you are now all brothers and sisters of the grey."
Duncan then holds out the chalice to Daveth. Seeing as this what he signed up for he accepts it. Putting the chalice to his lips he takes one gulp of the dark liquid before handing the chalice back. One moment passes, then another, and then Daveth begins to spasm where he stands. As his pain induced movements continues his eye's role up into his head and he falls dead.
Everyone, except for Duncan and Alistair, take a step back in shock and horror. No more so than Ser Jory.
"What just happened?! WAS that supposed to happen?!" Asked a startled and panicking Jory.
"Unfortunately, not all who go through the joining are able to become Grey Wardens." Duncan said solemnly.
As Duncan proceeds to walk towards Jory with the chalice the recruit suddenly takes another step back and pulls his blade from his back.
"I can't go through with this. I have a wife and a child on the way." Said a hysterical Jory. "There is no honor in this!"
"You must." Duncan said, carefully putting the chalice to the side. "All who come to take part in the joining must go through it. There is no going back." Duncan continued walking towards Jory.
As the eldest of the group got close to Jory the younger man swung his blade. Duncan dogged to the side and rushed towards Jory. Quickly pulling out his dagger and plunging it into Jory's chest.
"I am sorry." Duncan said quietly to the now dead Jory.
"Damn, not another one." Alistair said under his breath.
The others are all just standing around the fire. Staring with varying degrees of shock as to what had just occurred. Duncan then gets up, puts his dagger away, and picks the chalice up once again.
Duncan holds it out to Thorin and says. "All must go through the Joining."
With a moment of hesitation, coming to terms with his possible death, he quietly accepts the chalice and takes a drink. He hands the chalice back quickly. A moment later Thorin begins to shiver, and his eyes roll back. He soon falls to the ground, but it is apparent that he is still alive.
One by one the process continues. Some took it without hesitation, like Theron who knew he would die if he didn't take it, while others hesitated a bit longer, like Michael who is not yet used to the seen of death. Finally, only Aiden remained to take part. He stoically accepts the goblet and drinks the dark fluid within. Experiencing the same symptoms as Thorin.
-Time Skip-
Aiden begins to stir. As he gets up, he realizes that he still at the Warden campfire, surrounded by his fellow new recruits.
"I see you all made it." Said Alistair who is sitting by the fire. "It's a shame what happened with Jory and Daveth. When I went through my joining only one died. At least they went quick, it took five minutes for the other gut to die." He said solemnly. "Since you seem to be the first one up, Duncan wants to speak with us. He is currently going over the final battle plans for the battle with the king and his council."
"Very well. What about the others? Will they be alright?" Aiden Asked
"They'll be fine. One of the other Warden's here will watch over them and tell them where we went." Alistair said. "Oh, before I forget, here. Its tradition to pour some of the blood from the joining into amulet. To remember the ones who didn't make it." Said a solemn Alistair as he handed a crystal amulet filled with a dark substance.
The pair then headed out towards the king's war council. On the way there they saw many men and woman preparing for the battle. Soon as the two entered what was once the grand hall of Ostagar, Aiden took note of all the important figures in the room. Standing around the table was the king, a tall pale man that Aiden recognized as Loghain Mac Tir, and Duncan. Standing off to the side Aiden noticed a mage from the circle, Brutus, and Annette.
As soon as Annette saw Aiden a look of relief washed over her face, and she hurried to her brother's side.
"Thank goodness you are all rite. I have been worried sick." Annette said in a quiet voice.
"I'm fine Ann, no need to worry." Aiden said, trying to reassure his sister.
A deliberate coughing sound caught the twos attention. They turned back to the table and noticed everyone's eyes are on them. Causing them to gain abashed looks on their faces.
"Good to see you again Aiden, or is it Warden Cousland now." Said Cailan.
"Thank you, your majesty, and please. Just call me Aiden." Said Aiden with a small bow of his head.
"Now let's go over the battle strategy one more time. Let's see if our new arrivals can give us any further insight." Cailan said.
"Fine, the main body of our troops will be stationed here, between the two cliffs the fortress is built upon. The mages and archer support will be based just behind them." Loghain said in a gruff and agitated voice. "Me and my men will be waiting on top of the hill hear, to the east of the battlefield. Waiting for the signal fire from the old watch tower to charge."
"The Wardens will also be on the field; in case the Arch Demon shows itself. We will be behind the front line to give support if need be." Duncan said.
"Yes, sounds fantastic. Soon, Duncan, you and I will be fighting beside each other on the field of battle. Like in the tales of old." Cailan said with his typical exuberance.
"I still say this is foolish. I don't believe its wise to have you so close to the front. As for the so called Arch Demon, our scouts have reported no signs of a dragon anywhere in the area. We should pull back our forces and wait for reinforcements." Loghain said.
"We don't have that long. It would take weeks for more Ferelden troops to prepare to march down here and unless you want to wait for the Orlaisian Wardens …" Cailan said before he was cut off.
"I would rather hand Fereldan over to the Imperium than trust those Orlaisian swine." Loghain said with fury.
"Then we will have to make do." Cailan said with conviction. "Aiden, what is your take on our situation."
"It's a pity that Marric can't see his own son hand Ferelden over to the same bastards who enslaved us for nearly a century." Loghain ranted, ending with a bit of a yell.
Looking at the map Aiden says. "As long as everything goes as planned then it should be fine, but there should be a fallback option. Because of how the gorge is laid out if the troops at the front can slow the Darkspawn down and harry them, then the rest of the men can escape. My suggestion is to use some sort of spell to turn the watch towers fire blue as the signal to retreat. There should also be someone to organize emergency evacuations of the noncombatant personal in camp." Aiden said.
After a minute, "Good idea. Annette, I am putting you in charge of the noncombatants for the duration of the battle." Cailan said. "Now that's settled let's get under way."
"One moment your majesty." Said Duncan before turning towards Aiden and Alistair. "I want the two of you and the other recruits to stay behind. Your job is to make sure the signal fire is lit at all costs."
Alistair looked like he was going to argue before deciding against it. While Aiden only nodded. As the two were fixing to walk back to the campfire, Aiden called Brutus back to his side.
-Time Skip-
A few hours later, the king's army stands ready on the battlefield below Ostagar. Every man poised and ready to fight at moment's notice. All the while a storm roles in, giving the bleary landscape a far more sinister look.
Up on the bridge above the field, on the side of the actual camp, the newest members of the Ferelden Grey Wardens are making last minute preparations with their gear. Some of them, however, are paying more attention to what's happening below than what is around themselves.
"I can't believe after everything we went through to get into this club, were left behind from the battle and given the most boring role. I mean, by the ancestors, I thought being a Warden meant we went out to fight monsters. Not sit back and watch others do it." Natia said in a loud aggravated voice.
"Calm down Natia. If I understand Duncan's reasoning, he is just taking precautions. Not putting all of his eggs in the same basket, and all of that." Said Aiden, trying to calm the female dwarf down.
"What in the nug licking heck does that even mean!" Natia practically yelled.
"What I think our large friend here means is that the commander doesn't want all the Wardens at risk. In case the worse should happen. In essence, if all else fails WE are the last hope to stop the Blight." Ana said, seeming to calm Natia down from her fury. Not long after this, though a rumbling is heard in the distance, drawing everyone's attention.
Soon a foreboding light from torches is seen shining through the trees, shortly followed by the silhouettes of the encroaching Darkspawn army. The army, which appears to be twice the size of the king's own, begins to form in a loose formation. The entire force consists mostly of Hurlocks and Genlocks, with a couple of Ogre's spread throughout.
With the new army's arrival, the king's forces are now fully awake and waiting for the battle to commence. They did not have to wait long. An especially large Hurlock alpha marched forth and gave a battle cry that signaled the rest of the hoard to charge.
As they began to draw nearer to the front the king gave the order for the archers to release a volley. The swarm of arrows that soon followed struck down some of the foul creatures, but they were not dissuaded. They pushed over the fallen brethren, undeterred and uncaring of their death's. The order was then given to release the mabari. With said order the war hounds charged the front of the Darkspawn hoard. Tearing down and ripping apart some of their numbers. Yet still, the beasts did not slow their advance.
A moment later the two armies crash into each other. Neither side giving way to the other. However, as the battle continues the Darkspawn horde push the Ferelden forces farther and farther back. At which point it is time for Loghain to make his charge.
"I may not be familiar with battle tactics for you surfacers, but shouldn't the beacon have been lit by now." Thorin states looking over the side of the bridge.
"Your rite. The signal should have been lit. We need to go make sure nothing unforeseen has occurred." Alistair said.
The group of Wardens then run across the bridge. However, as they run a volley of rocks hits, shaking the bridge, and destroying some of the catapults on it.
"How do these damn things have siege equipment!?" Yelled out Ana.
"Don't know, don't care. We just need to move before were hit." Michael yelled back.
As they made it to the other side, they all sigh in relief. That is until a soldier and mage from the tower, specifically those meant to light the signal, run up to them and say the tower has been over run.
"Over run, but how!?" Alistair exclaimed.
"It doesn't matter at the moment. What does matter is that we get to that signal and light it." Aiden said resolutely. "You two, you're coming with us. If you have a problem with this, take it up with my axe." Intimidating the already scared men.
With that said the Wardens, plus their two intimidated tagalongs, turn into the tower courtyard. The courtyard has Darkspawn spread throughout. Fighting the remaining soldiers that were stationed at the tower. The group then spread out and take them down.
The fight ends quickly due to Darkspawn's low numbers. Michael putting the last one down with a fireball to the head.
"That was easy. Way to easy. There are bound to be more inside." Theron said as he was wiping off his daggers.
"You are most likely rite, but it doesn't change our task." Aiden said.
They then move into the tower itself. As they move past the entrance hall and into the main room of the floor, they notice a hastily put together wall. With Darkspawn archers on the other side.
Thinking quickly Aiden shouts. "Michael, you and this guy," referring to the other mage, "give us cover fire." With this said the rest of the group charge around the barricade. Theron and Natia reach the Darkspawn first, taking out two each before the others got close. Leaving the last the Genlock archers to be quickly put down by the rest.
"Ok. Natia, you and I are going to look for the stares up. The rest of you should look around for any potions or something that can help us." Aiden said as he moved across the room to the door, Natia soon following.
As the rest scour the room Ana takes notice of something. "Hey, were are all the bodies?" She asked aloud.
"Huh, what do you mean?" Replied a confused Theron.
"I mean, look around us. There isn't a single human or elvish corpse down here. I mean I see plenty of non-black blood, but nothing else." Ana said.
"Your rite. You don't suppose they could have … eaten them." Replied Michael who got a bit queasy at the thought.
"If that was true then there would be even more blood around here. Not to mention their clothes and gear." Alistair shooting down the idea.
"This is actually common behavior for these creatures." Thorin states. "They don't typically eat their kills at the spot. They collect them in a central location where they can stuff their maws without interruption."
"Hmm … If that's true, then I suspect it would be on the top floor. Most isolated part of the tower." Alistair said after thinking for a second.
Meanwhile, Natia and Aiden walkout into the hall. As they make their way down it to the bottom of the stairs, while also searching the adjoining rooms, they come upon a surprising site. Just a short way away from the bottom pf the stairs was a massive hole in the ground.
"Phwwwwwhht," Natia whistles to show her surprise. "That is one fucking big hole."
"This must be how the Darkspawn got in." Aiden said.
"Oh, you think so huh." Natia replied to Aiden. Making it clear what she thought of his statement before turning back to the hole. "There must be some old tunnels or secret passages underneath here."
"But how did our men not find out about this." Aiden asked rhetorically. "There have been Ferelden troops based here for the better part of three months and there is no way something like this could have slipped by their notice for so long."
"I think I heard some of the soldiers say something about some Loghain bloke being in charge of securing the tower's stability." Natia replied.
"Loghain … Hmm, I have a bad feeling about this." Aiden said quietly to himself.
Before they could continue discussing about the hole the rest of their party showed up. None of them said anything about the hole, though Michael and Ana looked at it with wide eyes. When everyone gathered up Aiden turned to them and spoke aloud.
"We have no time to waist. We are going to make a full-on sprint up to the top of the tower. Only stop to kill a Darkspawn that is in our way." Aiden said before heading up the steps.
The group then moved up the stairs. Soon after going up to the next floor, they end up facing a concentration of Darkspawn in the hall that goes around the floor. The beasts are stationed in a way that halts the Wardens advance. Regular troops blocking the path with five archers and an emissary for support.
"Damn it! I can't break through their defenses without becoming a pin cushion." Aiden said as he takes cover from arrows.
"Well, don't think I can be of much help at the moment. Me and the other guy are doing all we can to stop that emissary." Michael said.
Ana looks around and sees a fully set up ballista aimed at the Darkspawn. She then gets an idea and shouts. "Thorin, cover me." Without questioning why at the moment, he does as she says.
As Thorin protects Ana she unleashes a volley at the Darkspawn line. After two shots their defense is broken. Then she aims at the emissary and kills it while it is distracted.
While Ana was aiming at the emissary the others, minus Thorin, charge the confused Darkspawn. Cutting them down with ease and taking care of the archers before they could get any good hits in. After words the humans and city elf of the group would wonder to themselves, 'Why was there a fully ready ballista in the middle of the tower?'
With this the Wardens and their tagalongs rush to the stairs and quickly push through the third floor. Only taking a small breather before heading to the top of the tower. Preparing themselves for whatever they may face.
However, what they saw no one expected. For all but Thorin, it was there first time seeing the largest of the Darkspawn breeds.
"Wha-what in the name of the Maker is that thing!?" Ana stuttered in shock.
"And how did it fucking get up here!?" Natia said in an even but equally scared voice.
"That is an Ogre, and I don't really think its important how it got up here." Thorin said with his eyes opened wide.
For before them was just that, an Ogre. A creature that was so large it made Aiden look small in comparison. On its head was a pair of large, jagged horns. For a mouth it had a lipless maw of fangs. It stood on two legs and the only thing that resembled clothes or armor was a blood-stained loin cloth like piece, armored shoulder plates, and wrist guards.
As they came up it was chowing down on the corpses of the dead. Tearing whole limbs off with its teeth and swallowing them whole. While around it were two alphas and four foot soldiers of the Darkspawn horde.
Coming out of his shock first Aiden decided to yell out orders while he still could. "Alistair, Theron, you're with me in taking out the big guy. Michael, support us from a distance. Everyone else keep the rest of these bastards off our backs." Aiden yelled out.
"No arguments here." Yelled Natia as she goes to the left, with Ana and Brutus at her side. Both of which were happy to not be the ones fighting the Ogre.
"We'll bye you all the time we can." Thorin gave his piece while he and the tagalongs went to face the Darkspawn on the right.
The Wardens and co charged at their respective foes. The two groups dealing with the smaller Darkspawn keep the creatures from assisting the largest of their number. While said creature faces off against his four foes alone.
Aiden charges the Ogre with his maul in a heavy swing, but the creature merely raises its arm. The weapon then bounces off, leaving only a dent on the arm guard, not moving the Ogre back an inch. Causing the large human's eyes to open wide in shock before he is back handed away. Alistair and Theron rush to their friends aid and tag team the beast. With Alistair calling its attention to him. Weathering the blows with his shield while being firmly planted or dodging the blows the Ogre sends his way as best, he can. While Theron attempts to get a clean shot at the Ogre's throat or heart. When he sees one such opportunity he lunges to slash the Ogres jugular. But the creature was quicker than they thought, and as Theron leaped to attempt the killing blow, he was cot in the air.
The Ogre then kicked Alistair away and onto his back. Then the beast rose the struggling Theron up to its open mouth, headfirst. But before it could take a bight out of Theron, Aiden, who had recovered from his earlier blow, rushed in and slammed his mauls axe blade into the Ogre's side. Causing the beast to release its prey. It then puts one of its clawed hands to its wound, pulls it back, and sees its own blood. The Ogre then turns to Aiden, its eyes filled with unbridled fury.
Meanwhile, Michael stays back, as he was ordered. Not using any offensive spells beyond basic magic blast for the fear of accidently hitting one of his allies. He does, however, use spells to debilitate the Ogre and places barriers around his friends. Keeping them from suffering anything worse than a bad bruise so far. Though as the Ogre began to advance on Aiden, he began to feel useless. That is, until he got an idea.
"Quick, hamstring the thing while it focuses on Aiden." Michael shouts to Theron and Alistair.
Luckily, the two of them were coherent enough to understand what Michael meant. So, as the Ogre marched towards the retreating Aiden the two Wardens each struck at one of its legs. Alistair, who was on his feet first, slashed at the beast's right leg. Forcing the Ogre down onto its knee. The thing then threw Alistair back with a retaliatory fist, which his shield took the blow, sending said man across the room. Theron then rushed to the remaining leg and jammed his daggers behind the Ogres remaining knee. He then quickly rolled out of the way before the now fully kneeling Ogre could retaliate.
Aiden, seeing the creature down, rushed towards it. With his maul pulled all the way back, he swings with all his might at his distracted adversary as it turns back towards him. The blow hits solidly against the Ogre's face. Forcing its entire head to twist 180 degrees from the sheer force of the blow. Killing the beast and causing it to topple over just as the others finished their own fights.
With no time to waist Aiden rushed to the nearest window to check on how the battle had progressed. What he saw brought him great relief.
"The line is still secure. Light the beacon." Aiden shouted to his companions.
Ana, who was nearest to the ignition point, grabbed a piece of flint that was lying nearby and lit the light. Signaling Loghain to make his charge. But the man did not give the command to charge. He sat on his horse at the top of the hill, overlooking the battle, and turned around. His forces following him away from the fighting. Shocking the Wardens and co, who had gathered at the same window as Aiden, for the blatant act of treachery.
"Uhh, I may not be an expert in battle tactics like the mini-giant over here, but weren't those idiots supposed to charge the field and not run away like a fucking terrified nug!" Natia said, progressively raising her voice into a yell.
"That two faced, Maker be damned, snake.!" Aiden shouted before turning to Michael. "Quick, give the signal to retreat."
Said mage did not waste any time. He quickly went over to the fire and used his magic to make it blue.
The group stays a moment to watch the retreat before turning to leave. That is until they heard the screech and yells of more Darkspawn coming up the stairs. The warriors decided to hold up on the top floor to try to beat back the encroaching monsters. However, there was just too many. The beast swarmed onto the floor, killing the two tagalongs within moments. Swarming around the Wardens and bringing them down one by one. Aiden was the last one standing, killing two Darkspawn at a time with each swing of his weapon, before he was felled by over half a dozen arrows in his torso. As he fell to the ground, he saw the roof begin to break before darkness took him.
-Scene Change-
Down on the battlefield, things quickly fell apart. When the signal was first lit the soldiers began to cheer. But that quickly changed when after a few moments no fresh troops were seen charging in and the signal changed to blue. The men's spirits were broken, and they all began to flee. The king stayed on the field with the Wardens to better coordinate the men, taking out as many Darkspawn as he could as he did so.
That is until an especially large Ogre charged through the fleeing soldiers making its way directly to the king. As Cailan tore his sword out of a recent kill, he turned towards the sound of the encroaching stomps. Before he could react, the Ogre had grabbed the king in its grip and began to crush him. But Cailan would not go down without a fight. He swung his sword, which he had held on to, at the Ogre's face. Only managing to make a shallow cut near the beast's eye. However, this was enouph of a reason for the Ogre to toss the king away from it, throwing Cailan thirty feet away from itself.
As it recovered and was fixing to make its way towards the downed Cailan something else caught its attention. Duncan, who had seen what had happened, was charging straight at the large Darkspawn with dagger and sword in hand. The Ogre prepared to crush the senior Grey Warden with a double fisted slam straight down. However, as Ogre raised its fist above its head Duncan had gotten close enough to jump and stab the beast in the heart with both his blades. Bringing the hulking brute down to the ground.
With this done Duncan ran to the still down Cailan. As he got to the king's side, he noticed that the wounded noble was still breathing.
Standing and catching the attention of a couple of fleeing soldiers. "HELP! The king is injured." Duncan Shouted.
The soldiers, though scared of the horde behind them, were loyal to their king and country. They ran to the king's side and began to make a makeshift stretcher out of spears, shields, and spare straps. But as they were loading the king onto it, they noticed the Darkspawn getting nearer.
Duncan took notice of this as well. "GO! I will hold them off long enough for you to escape."
With that said, Duncan strode forth not looking back. Weapons in hand the Warden quickly began to cut down every Darkspawn that got near him. Killing the creatures left and right with each blow. Making sure to draw all of the creature's attention towards him. This went on for some time, but eventually it became too much. Once Duncan was at his limit he fell to his knees and bowed his head. Only raising it to see a charging Hurlock alpha with an axe in hand and what appeared to be a dragon in the distance. Then he knew nothing else.
You may have noted some things about this chapter. I gave Ogre's a proper Darkspawn name. I am using the more updated designs (with a bit of the old mixed in) that were first introduced in DA2. I am building a more complex background for Aiden. Finally, Cailan didn't die on the battlefield.
For the first bit, I took the name from Kossith, the pre-Qunari, due to Ogre's actually predating the arrival of Qunari in Thedas. It says that they may originate from an over run colony in the south of Thedas on the wiki page. As for the third bit of information, I will go into more detail in chapter four. I will also go over Cailan's fate next chapter.
P.S. I am not the quickest writer and I will also be starting another story. So, my updates will not be regularly dispersed.
