Chapter 23: Lowborn Recruits (Kallian)
When the newly arrived recruits were choosing who to look for, Kallian got two: a casteless dwarf and a Chasind woman. It didn't take long to find the former: the elf noticed a red-haired dwarf sitting on the edge of the bridge. She immediately sat down next to him.
- Hope I won't bother you, will I? - she asked.
- Who are you anyway? - the dwarf asked in surprise. - I haven't seen you here before.
Duncan recruited me. You, as I understand, are also a recruit.
- And you're smart. Name's Faren.
- Kallian. Nice to meet you.
- Who else did Duncan bring with you?
- Two shems… I mean, humans… from the nobility, and also a thief. Not sure about the first two yet, but the thief is a good guy. How is it here in general?
- Badly. But still better than Orzammar.
- Orza-where?
- Orzammar. They don't show you maps here on the surface, right?
- Humans may be taught, but who will teach the elves?
- What, are the elves ome kind of local unworthy caste? I saw a few elves here, but they were all either mages or servants. No offence.
- None taken, you've described everything correctly. In cities, we live in separate zones called alienages, and most humans do not consider us worthy of their attention.
- It's funny. Do you see this? - Faren pointed to the blue brand on his cheek. - In Orzammar, this is a sign that a dwarf is some kind of elf and should live some kind of alienage.
- Guess we have a lot in common then. How did you get here?
- I pretended to be a dwarf from the warrior caste and defeated several of their famous fighters in the arena. I thought that after that I would be respected and join their caste, but it didn't work out. I was sent to the Deep Roads to die fighting the darkspawn, but Duncan saved me. And you? Why are you here?
- A rich human bastard ruined my wedding by killing my fiancé and several girls. I got my revenge on him, and Duncan saved me from jail or worse. Duncan's not bad for a human.
- Okay, who else do you need to find?
- Some woman from the Chasind tribe.
- Are you talking about Rahta? Come on, I'll show you where she is.
The elf and the dwarf crossed the bridge and entered the main camp.
- I don't advise you to ask Rahta too many questions, - Faren said, following Kallian. - She is clearly in some kind of mourning, doesn't share the details, but her life was definitely harder than bronto skin.
- As if the people join Grey Wardens when everything is good, - the elf noticed.
- You won't believe me, but there are such ones. Two knights even fought in the tournament for this. And the templar volunteered himself, such a creepy dude.
Near one of the fires they found a woman in a barbaric robe. Her skin was as dark as Kallian's.
- Hi, - the elf said.
The Chasind looked at her.
- Hello. Who are you?
- My name is Kallian, I am also one of the recruits.
- Rahta. If you're here, so is Duncan.
- Right. Are you so cold to everyone?
- Yes.
- Well, thanks for being honest.
Having decided that there was not much to hear from Rahta, Kallian immediately got down to business.
- Duncan is gathering all the recruits. Come with us, Rahta.
The Chasind and the elf followed the dwarf to Duncan's tent. Although Kallian had only managed to see five of her future companions, she already understood that their company would be very diverse. She couldn't wait to find out what would happen next.