Chapter 6: The Mage (Neria)
In the tower of the Fereldan Circle of Magi, life went on as usual. In the block of mages, the elf Neria Surana, who had recently completed her course, passed the Harrowing and received the title of mage, was preening at the mirror. She donned the mage's yellow robe, braided her long brown hair and ran down to the first floor, where the mages and templars were saying goodbye to their colleagues, who were going to the war with the darkspawn.
Passing by the library, Neria saw how the elf apprentice Eadric was drawing another poster calling for an end to discrimination against elves in the Circle. Neria, during her ten years in the Circle, never once faced discrimination because of her race. Unlike other places, humans and elves are equal in rights in the magical community. Neria even heard that recently in the city of Kirkwall, which is in the Free Marches, an elf became the First Enchanter - the main mage of his Circle, and he wasn't even 40 yet. Although, of course, among the templars, Chantry warriors who have dedicated their lives to protecting the mages from everyone else and themselves, there are only humans. Is Eadric not satisfied with the discrimination of the elves among the templars?
Neria did not start thinking over this question and went further. A young blond-haired templar greeted her in a peculiar way as he passed.
- Neria.
- Cullen.
Neria secretly dated Cullen for six months. The relationships between an apprentice and a templar sound romantic only in cheap and almost forbidden books from the high shelves of the library, in life they are very problematic. Neria understood that they could not be together. Her Harrowing was Cullen's first. And if Neria had not coped with it, Cullen would have had to kill her. Knight-Commander Greagoir seemed to know about their relationship, since he gave Cullen this task precisely on Neria's Harrowing. The young elf passed the Harrowing, but wondered if Cullen could kill her if she was possessed by a demon. A templar should be focused on protecting Thedas, so Neria had to break up with Cullen right after First Enchanter Irving gave her the title of mage. The young templar understood the reasons for the breakup, but still seems to hold a grudge against her.
Two young humans in blue apprentice robes came out of the apprentices' quarters. One of them was pale and unshaven, fixing his shaggy shoulder-length black hair. Another apprentice, clean-shaven and with short black hair, pointed the first finger at Neria, and they approached her. They were her best friends, Jowan and Daylen.
- Good morning, Neria! - Daylen exclaimed. - Well, how are the "adult" mages doing out there?
- Still the same. How are you here?
- Personally, I want to go to war. Tired of sitting in a tower and learning what I already know. Too bad they don't take students there.
- Oh, who are you kidding, Daylen? - Jowan added. - You just want to be free.
- As if you don't want to, Jowan. Wish I could already have my Harrowing.
- Speaking of which. Neria, didn't they tell you, is my Harrowing coming soon? I really need to know.
- Jowan, they don't tell me such details. When I receive the title of senior enchanter, I will know everything. And by the way, have you seen Wynne?
- Of course, - Daylen replied. - She has already packed her things and is ready to move. If you want to say goodbye to her, run quickly!
- Thank you!
Neria rushed to the main door and, among the many templars and mages, she noticed a grey-haired senior enchanter in a red robe.
- Wynne! I'm so glad you haven't left yet!
- Hello to you too, Neria, - Wynne said.
- It's a pity that they didn't let me go with you. I would help you and the others, I know it!
- There is time for everything, my apprentice. I am sure that in your lifetime there will be many more fights against evil.
- Do you think everything will be fine with you?
- It's the Blight. It is impossible to say for sure that we will survive. But we will do our duty to Ferelden and fight the darkspawn. And there's something else I need to tell you. Let's go.
Neria and Wynne moved to the far corner of the hall so that no one could hear them.
- The next candidate for the Harrowing is Daylen Amell, - Wynne whispered.
- Daylen? Good choice. He will make an excellent Circle mage. But what about Jowan? He's been in the Circle longer than Daylen and I have.
- Irving thinks Jowan is still not ready. Greagoir suspects him of something.
- Jowan? Is he talking about our Jowan? Our Jowan wouldn't hurt a fly. Recently he said that he had a girlfriend, but it seems to me that she is imaginary.
- That's what Irving told me. Either way, stay alert, Neria. And don't tell Daylen and Jowan about the Harrowing.
- Good luck, Wynne. Take care of yourself.
Neriya stayed behind to watch the main door open, which is a rare event in the Circle. The massive door opened, and twenty mages, led by the senior enchanters Wynne and Uldred and accompanied by six templars, emerged from the tower. Neria will pray to Maker that they all return safe and sound.