Chapter 8: The Prodigy (Daylen)
It's midnight in the Circle Tower. All the mages were sleeping in their rooms, and the templars on duty tried not to disturb their peace. Having just completed his Harrowing, Daylen returned to the apprentices' quarters and lay down on his bed.
- Daylen!
He heard a whisper from the other bed nearby. It was Jowan.
- Why are you not sleeping? - Daylen whispered.
- I haven't slept since Cullen woke you up and took you with him. It was the Harrowing, right?
- Yes. And that's all I'll tell you.
- Neria answered me the same way. Well, at least give me a hint!
- Irving forbade me to tell the apprentices anything. Harrowing is associated with Fade. This discussion is over.
- With Fade? With the world of spirits and demons? And when will my Harrowing happen?
- When it is necessary, then they will call you.
- I've been here longer than all the other current apprentices. And it stresses me out. Do you know what the only alternative to the Harrowing is for an apprentice?
Daylen knew the answer.
- Tranquility?
- Exactly. Have you seen Owain, the stockroom manager? I will be just like him, with this stupid Chantry mark on my forehead, unable to conjure, to experience any feelings.
- You're too dramatic, Jowan. Your Harrowing will be next, you'll see. Now let's sleep.
The next morning, Daylen was talking enthusiastically with another student, Kinnon, about his love affairs.
- Well, let's play a game, ladies' man, - Kinnon said with a sneer. – Wynne?
- Definitely not. She is older than my mom.
- Leorah?
- Hot, especially for a senior sorceress, but they say that she is not interested in men. And I would respect that.
- Sylvia?
- Did it. Next.
- Keili?
- That zealot? I'd rather try to stay awake at senior enchanter Sweeney's lecture than sleep with her.
- Petra?
- Did it. Even twice.
- It's a pity. I was thinking about dating her. But I'm a bit shy.
- A journey of thousand miles begins with a single step. Do it.
- I don't know, I need to think.
- And that is your problem..
The conversation of two young mages was interrupted by Jowan, who approached them.
- Daylen, Irving is waiting for you.
- All right, Kinnon, we'll talk later.
Daylen went to the second floor, to the chambers of the First Enchanter. There were Irving himself, Knight-Commander Greagoir, and a dark-skinned man in blue-and-white armour, unknown to Daylen. Judging by the image of the griffon on his armor, Daylen assumed that he was one of the Grey Wardens.
- Wynne, Uldred and other mages and templars have already gone to Ostagar. How many more of us do you need? - Greagoir asked angrily.
- As many as will be needed to defeat the darkspawn, - said the Grey Warden.
- I beg your pardon, we have a visitor, - Irving intervened and interrupted the arguing. - Glad you're here, Daylen.
Irving went to his desk, picked up the yellow robe and mage's staff, and gave them to Daylen.
- Now you are one of us. I congratulate you with all my heart.
- Thank you, First Enchanter.
Daylen will now seek to get the purple enchanter robe, then he will try to earn the red robe of the senior enchanter, and after that Irving will give him his black robe before dying. At least that's what Irving thinks. Let him think so.
- Our dispute is not over yet, - said Greagoir and left the room.
- Daylen, this is Duncan, the Warden-Commander of Ferelden.
- Nice to meet you, Duncan, - Daylen said.
- The feeling is mutual, - said the Warden-Commander.
- Is your order looking for new recruits by any chance? I have in mind one mage who would fit. A tall guy with glasses, recently passed the Harrowing, his name begins with "D".
- I will watch all the remaining mages and make a decision later.
Neria appeared in the office, smiling at Daylen.
- Duncan, this is one of our best mages, her name is Neria. She will show you to the guest room. I need to talk to Daylen alone.
Duncan left after Neria.
- Daylen, you have coped with the Harrowing faster than anyone in the history of our Circle.
- I tried, Irving. Believe me, I tried to finish later. But this pride demon in the form of a cowardly student turned out to be way too obvious. Had to play along in order not to finish too soon. And the other two demons were simply insignificant.
- Your uncle has taught you well. But the templars might have suspected something. They'd better not know that Malcolm Hawke is alive and at large.
- And we will do our best to keep this secret for the sake of my uncle and his family.
- Please, Daylen, try not to show anything extraordinary again. I was delaying your Harrowing for as long as I could so that you could adapt to the skill level of other apprentices.
- I'll try. And thanks again.
Daylen went out into the corridor and immediately met Jowan, who looked very bothered by something.
- Daylen, we have to talk, I need help. Will you and Neria help me?