As they emerged from the twisting maze of mining tunnels they were greeted with their first sight of Soldier's Peak. The Castle stood proudly atop a rise. Its dull grey granite curtain wall was punctuated by several large towers. The Castle was in surprisingly good condition given the centuries of neglect. Snow dusted the tower of the castle, giving an almost fairy tale quality, Athos mused whilst taking in the sight.
"Well Master Dryden, you are as good as your word." Athos declared as the merchant made his way uphill slightly out of breath.
"Yes, thank you, Warden. Maker's Breath it's huge!" Levi Dryden declared as he struggled up the slope. Indeed he was correct. Athos had been expecting a small mountain outpost, not something that rivaled Highever Castle. It was hard to believe that the Grey Wardens once commanded such respect in Ferelden.
"Wow. This used to be ours? What happened? Alistair asked in amazement. Lifting his winged great helm off to better appreciate the view
"Politics. The Warden became involved in a plot to rebel against King Arland some two hundred years ago and he crushed them and the order was banished from Ferelden until King Maric brought them back"
"You seem well informed of the Order's history for such a reluctant warden" Wynne observed in that mildly critical tone she had mastered. He regretted confessing his frustration at being made a warden to her. Perhaps he had been seeking sympathy from a maternal figure. A mistake. Wynne seemed to see being a Warden as a noble calling and nothing else.
"I am a Cousland first and foremost. King Arland slew many of my ancestors during his reign. He is not kindly remembered in the North"
"I always knew he was a Tyrant!" Levi declared. "If we can just find proof that Sophia was innocent my family will be redeemed.
"We will see Master Dryden" With that they walked up the path to the gatehouse. Hands resting cautiously on their weapons. As they were walking through the gatehouse a sudden apparition appeared. A figure in full plate armour appeared and ordered his men to lay in a siege to starve the wardens out.
"Maker's Breath. What was that?" Alistair asked
"The Veil is this here. That was an echo of what must have happened" Claudia replied thoughtfully. Any further discussion was interrupted by the tell-tale rattle of demon-possessed skeletons rising from the snowy ground. King's men and Wardens united now in death charged at the living intruders.
Perhaps to a less experienced group of adventurers, this would have been disconcerting but by now they were all old hat at dealing with undead. The mages froze the skeletons in place and everyone else bashed them to pieces. Something Sten and Shale had a particular aptitude for. After three waves of the undead were easily dispatched the courtyard was returned to its silence.
"Well, this changes things. We are no longer poking about in some forgotten ruins. We are now dealing with a demonic infestation. Sten, would you and Shale mind scaling down the mountain and taking care of the horses? We may be up here for a while"
"As you wish Kadan," Sten replied. Turning about he began marching down the hill. Remarkably Shale left without any snarky comments. Athos had not failed to notice the Golem's appreciation of Sten. Besides he doubted Soldier's Keep's floor and stairs would be equal to the weight of a Golem.
"Master Dryden, I think it would be wise if you stayed at the back. There are likely Demon's haunting the castle"
"Demons" Levi squeaked.
"Everyone Else, on me. We've got a castle to clear."
Inside the castle, they were greeted by more spectral visions and undead. It turned out that instead of getting caught up in the rebellion the Wardens and Sophia Dryden had been some of its main instigators. Despite leading them to their doom the Warden in the vision seemed fanatically devoted to Sophia, proud even to follow her to their death. Eventually, they came into a room with some strange circles carved into the floor, and Jowan identified them as summoning circles. The vision made it clear what happened. In their desperation, the wardens had tried to summon demons to stem the tide of Arlands men. It had worked to a degree, but the demons escaped the Mages control and began attacking anyone on sight. The mage who had done the summing escaped up the stairs. Any further revelations were interrupted by a Rage demon climbing through one of the circles and attacking them as the dust settled they were given some time to reflect on this revelation.
"Summoning Demons? Blood Magic? I can't believe it. My family is better than that" Levi cried out despondently.
"They were in a desperate situation. People will do all sorts of things if they are desperate enough" Claudia said sadly. Jowan hunched his shoulders and looked ashamed.
"It was a foolish gambit, demons are not so easily controlled" Morrigan observed haughtily.
They moved on from the botched summoning chamber and found what must have been the castle's chapel. Then they turned left and found the commander's study, with no small amount of trepidation Athos opened the door.
Inside the room was a ghastly figure. Dressed in beautiful dragon bone armour emblazoned with the heraldry of the wardens the corpse of Sophia Dryden stood before them with what would have been a haughty sneer if most of her face had not been rotted off.
The creature turned to face them. Yellowed teeth bared in a twisted parody of a smile.
"Step no further Warden. This one would speak to you" the creature stated.
"There is nothing you could say to me that would allow this desecration to continue '' With that Athos charged at the creature, his wardens and companions close behind. By all accounts in her day, Sohpia Dryden had been quite the warrior but the sad puppet was not. It was a short and brutal battle but the outcome was never in doubt.
As they stood in the remains of the Commander's office Levi Dryden moaned in anguish.
"I can't believe it! My ancestor was that thing"
"It wasn't Sohpia anymore, just her corpse that the demon possessed." Claudia pointed out gently. Dryden looked like he was going to be sick.
"Regardless, we have almost cleared out the castle, all that remains is the tower we saw. We'll take a moment to rest and then move on."
There was the usual chorus of groans and sighs of relief as weapons were sheathed and packed. Dropped. Athos took a sip of water from his canteen and quickly devoured his meal of salted beef and hard tack. He noticed Alistair Admiring the plate the Sophia creature had been wearing.
"There's no reason we can't take that with us" Athos mused
"Really?" Alistair asked excitedly.
"As long as you mind cleaning the previous tenant. It's quite a handsome set of plates"
"Of course, it's really neat to see such spiffy armour made for a warden" Alistair replied, already beginning to unbuckle the breastplate from the harness.
"Hopefully the Redcliffe blacksmith can make some adjustments for it to fit you"
Alistair paused with a bashful look on his face.
"Well it's the warden-commander's armour, it should go to the warden-commander…." Alistair trailed off
Athos smiled in amusement; "Alistair there are only two of us in Ferelden I don't think we need to worry much about ranks and titles. If you want the armour take it, I am happy to still take the lead when it comes to decision making"
"Thanks, Athos. I appreciate it…" Alistair replied
"I'm sorry about Arl Eamon and the whole King thing, I know you want to be King" Alistair said quietly after a pause.
"It's not a question of wanting. It is my duty."
Alistair looked perplexed. Athos silently cursed Eamon for his terrible job fostering Alistair.
"My father explained it to me once. He said as Couslands, we are given a great deal of comfort in our lives. We never go hungry or cold, we are protected from random violence and we have a great deal of wealth. In exchange for this bounty, we have a duty to the people, to protect them, and to be just and fair. Now I'll be the first to admit many nobles do not live up to this ideal and see their people as nothing more than sources of revenue, but as long as I call myself a Cousland I must hold myself to that standard or my family will be gone forever." Athos explained
Alistair had listened intently.
"Well, I think you'll make a great King Athos. Better than me definitely" Alistair said with a self-deprecating grin.
Athos smiled in return. "Thank you, Alistair, you are a good friend." Then he knelt to help Alistair remove the armour. It was unpleasant, two hundred years of habitation by a half-rotted corpse had not left the armour in good condition. Still, Drabonebone did not corrode easily and with some work from a smith, it would be a fine set of armour again. Rested and refreshed they set out again to finish clearing out Soldiers' Keep.
As they crossed the Bridge they fought a few skeletons, these were universally wardens, it looked as though the King's Men had never made it past the demons. The tower loomed above them looking over the rest of the Castle in solitary vigil
"Must be quite a view from up there" Zevran remarked wryly.
"I'm not going up," Brosca said with a shudder, elbowing Zevran gently.
With the bridge cleared of Skeletons, they entered the tower. The first room seemed to be some sort of study. There were bits of dirty parchment with scrawled notes in Arcanum everywhere. The faint scent of old blood lingered in the room. There was a door at the far end of the room. Athos felt a strange, almost scratching behind his eyes. It was like when Darkspawn were close but different, it felt like Alistair.
"Do you feel that?" Athos whispered
"Yeah, it feels like another warden, but that's impossible right?" Alistair replied
"We're about to find out" They drew their weapons and signalled for the others to follow. Slowly they crept through the doorway into a large, almost cavernous space. It seemed to be some sort of workroom. There were tables filled with beakers, vials and all sorts of strange apparatuses everywhere. The smell of old blood was even stronger here. Standing at a workbench on a raised dais was a man dressed in mage robes.
"I hear you. Don't disrupt my concentration." the man spoke. His voice echoed through the workroom. He turned to face them, he was an old man. Quite possibly the oldest man Athos had ever seen. He was as bald as an egg with two ears that stuck out like mug handles on either side of his head. There was something familiar as if Athos had seen him before.
"Even now the Demons seek to replenish their numbers. Are you to thank for this temporary imbalance?" the man asked
At that moment Athos recognised him. He was the mage in the vision, the one who summoned the demons.
"The Old Warden Mage, you're still alive?" Athos asked incredulously
"Only just. I have only a short time left. Why are you here?"
"There is a blight in Ferelden. We are the only Grey Wardens left. We came here seeking information." Athos stated warily
"A blight in Ferelden? Perhaps that explains it?" the man muttered to himself. "You seek the secrets of the Joining. The Knowledge of how to end the blight? The answers to your questions can be found here, but the demons need to be defeated and cut off forever."
"The Demons you summoned!" Alistair pointed out sharply
"It was necessary for our survival." Avernus retorted stiffly
"Perhaps against darkspawn such actions may be permitted but not against other people. Worst of all it failed, because of your actions there were no wardens in Ferelden for almost two centuries."
Avernus sighed and for a moment the powerful maleficar and warden was gone instead there was a tired old man with nothing but ghosts and shadows.
"From a warden that means something. I have done… terrible things in the name of Wardens. My research, the rebellion, it all seemed so pressing and so important… Please let me undo my greatest mistakes. Once the demons are cleansed I will then accept whatever justice you see fit."
"Be careful Wardens, this old man is a powerful Maleficar," Wynne observed.
"Can we trust him Athos?" Alistair wondered nervously, hand inching towards his weapon. Athos glanced at the rest of his companions to gauge their feelings on the matter. Claudia looked wary but intrigued. Zevran was smiling blandly but no doubt preparing to throw a dagger in an instant if the old mage proved false. Jowan for once seemed excited and intrigued by the old man's power and knowledge. Lelliana looked disgusted by the blasphemy of his existence. The dwarves looked bored mainly, Brosca was a little more interested but not by much.
"I am sure Warden Avernus would never betray Brother Wardens Alistair" Athos said calmly, emphasising the word warden.
Avernus looked grateful. "Come we must hurry. Even now the demons are stirring behind the veil" With that Averus strode out of the room towards the bridge. Alistair and the rest of the companions followed him. Athos stopped Jowan.
"Jowan, I have a task for you" Athos whispered.
"YYYess?"
"I want you to stay here and have a poke around. See what the old man has been up to all these years. I want you to report it to me alone. Understand?" Athos instructed
"Yes. Of course, but won't there be Warden secrets here?"
Athos smiled grimly. "You were conscripted Jowan. There is no escape, joining or not you are a warden"
Jowan nodded nervously turned around and headed for Avernus' workbench. Athos quickly caught up with the others. Claudia looked at him questioningly but didn't say anything. Soon they were back in the summoning chamber, Avernus stood before them, the tear in the veil shimmering and pulsating like a storm cloud in a crystal ball.
"We must act quickly, the demons are clawing at the gates!" Avernus declared as he began to unravel the summoning circle, the first demons appeared. They drew their weapons and attacked.
As Avernus worked to erase the summoning circle wave after demon crashed against the rock of the Wardens and their companions. Athos and Alistair the swords and shield forming an impassable bulwark. Lellianna drew and lost, the rhythm of her bow punctuating her battle song. Oghren tearing threw the demons like a boulder down a hill, his heavy axe cleaving through them two at a time. Zevran and Brosca stalked throw the shadows, striking at the perfect moment in exposed backs and sides. Wynne was a veritable font of healing power, their wounds healed as soon as they were made. Claudia a raging tempest of magical power, bolts of lightning and fire blasting demons to pieces—Morrigan, cunning and precise, syphoning energy from one demon to weaken another. The Demons were many and powerful but against such an experienced and powerful band of adventurers how could they hope to win?
Soon they stood in the eerie Silence of the summoning chamber. The runes were all erased, and the veil closed once again. Soldier's Peak had been reclaimed for the Wardens.
"After all these years… It's done." Avernus muttered to himself sadly
"I am sure Sophia would be proud," Claudia said kindly.
"Ha! She'd call me a useless old fool," Avernus replied drily. "I'll be waiting in my workshop Wardens when you are ready"
"Thank you Avernus," Athos replied. Grateful that Jowan had managed to slip in during the fight.
"Well done everyone. We have good work today. Let's rest for a moment and then Alistair and I need to go have a chat with our host. Whilst we are doing that If you could gather the bones and bodies and take them outside. The wardens should be given a proper burial. Also, I want you all to have a look around for anything useful. Coin, weapons, armour anything like that. Gather it all up."
Whilst everyone was eating and drinking Athos made his way over to Jowan who was gazing curiously at the remains of the summoning chamber.
"Well?" Athos asked quietly
Jowan turned to him, looking a little queasy.
"It was bad Athos, Blood Magic"
"How bad?"
"I found his experiment notes. He was not the only Warden that survived. He used the others. Experimented on them. In his notes, he keeps talking about a formula that needs to be improved. He needed their blood"
"I see," Athos replied carefully. His mind was racing. Was the old man experimenting on the Joining Potion? Making it better? In what Way?
"Thank you, Jowan. Forewarned is forearmed as my old tutor used to say"
Jowan nodded and went back to contemplating the summoning circles. He found Alistair admiring an ancient-looking sword Brosca had found hidden in the fireplace nearby. As they were walking across to the tower Athos informed Alistair of what Jowan had told him.
"Maker's Breath. He killed Wardens. We can't forgive that!" Alistair exclaimed
"There is a great deal of blood on his hands. But this research into the joining potion is interesting. If he's improved it we'd be fools not to use it."
"It's blood Magic" Alistair protested
"Indeed it is. But if it saves Claudia's life? Can we afford to be so high-minded in the middle of a blight?" Athos argued calmly.
"I don't trust him" Alistair muttered half-heartedly.
"Neither do I but we must learn what we can from him"
Alistair nodded in agreement. United again on purpose the two wardens entered the tower ready to face the Old Mage.
—-
"Tell me about this improved Joining potion of yours' ' Athos asked, looking Avernus deliberately in the eye.
The warden mage looked perplexed for a moment then laughed drily.
"Very Clever of you Warden. Our joining ritual is crude, there is a great power in the taint but we only scratch the surface of its potential"
"What sort of power?" Athos asked
"Greater strength and endurance. More power to mages. More reliable Joinings It also delays and possibly eradicates the calling"
"These are bold claims, Avernus. Do you have a sample?" Athos asked
An excited gleam emerged in Avernus' eyes as he rummaged around in his workshop drawer. He pulled out a small glass vial and offered it to Athos.
"Be careful Warden, that represents my life's work"
"Will it work on an already joined Warden?" Athos asked curiously.
"Yes, Sophia was most encouraging of my research. She hoped that I would be able to get rid of the Warden's Infertility" Avernus replied.
Athos took the vial. The liquid inside was black and viscous, like pitch. He removed the cork and was about to drink it.
"Wait. Let me do it" Alistair interrupted. Hands reaching out nervously.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. If something goes wrong, promise you won't let me die unavenged" Alistair replied with a nervous smile and then downed the potion. His face snapped into a rictus of disgust and pain as he fell to the ground. After a moment Alistair stood up shakily to his feet with Athos' help.
"How do you feel?" Athos asked as Alistair stood up fully.
"Maker's Breath that didn't taste any better the second time around."
He glanced at Athos and saw his expectant expression.
"Oh sorry, um I feel energised like I could fight through this whole castle again"
"Interesting. Well, Avernus can you make more of this potion? we have three recruits that need to be joined." Athos asked. He knew it was a risk trusting this man but it was a blight, they needed more wardens. He'd also be lying if he said he didn't want the potion for selfish reasons. He was the Cousland, he wanted to have children one day, after the blight and if that potion could make that possible he had to take that chance.
"All I need is fresh Darkspawn blood" Avernus replied excitedly.
"We have plenty, we knew it was needed for the Joining so we've been gathering some for our recruits."
"Most Wise Warden"
"Before we go any further I have one more question. How do Wardens end the blight?" Athos asked, heart racing in his chest.
"Oh, you poor boys, you don't know, do you? The only two wardens in a nation beset by the blight and you don't know. I will be brief. Most darkspawn are soulless, empty vessels for the taint. The Archdemon is different; it is a powerful being with a powerful soul, when the Archdemon is killed that soul survives, possessing some lesser darkspawn and eventually returning to its full power. Why do you think the first blight raged for more than an age? The Teveninters were perfectly capable of killing a dragon. Now when a Warden Kills the Archdemon, the creature's soul is drawn to the taint in the Warden and their souls destroy each other" Avernus explained
There it was, the terrible cost of the Wardens. The terrible secret they kept to themselves all these ages. Someone had to die so that the world may live.
"Maker's Breath. That's horrible" AListair exclaimed
"It is the Bllight young man, no sacrifice is too great in the face of such evil" Avernus retorted.
"Enough. Avernus you will prepare four new doses of this Joining potion and then teach the formula to us and the New Wardens"
"Of course, does that mean you have decided my fate?" Avernus asked cautiously
"Yes. You have committed terrible crimes. Sme under the orders of your Commander more under initiative. I am sure you believed it was necessary at the time. Nevertheless, you killed, tortured and experimented on your fellow wardens. If this was not a blight I would string you up on the battlements myself."
Avernus gulped and even AListair looked concerned.
"However it is a blight and we need every warden we can get. You will not be allowed to hide in your tower anymore. You will do your duty and defend Ferelden from this blight. If we all survive then we can worry about more permanent solutions''
Avernus looked surprised and relieved. Perhaps he was expecting something harsher or crueller.
"Thank you Warden for your mercy and for giving a foolish old man a second chance"
Athos inclined his head "We will leave you now to prepare for the joining Warden"
With that Athos and Alistair turned and left the old mage in his tower, busy preparing the Joining potions.
As they walked over the bridge back to the main castle. They discussed their plans. Alistair was to go back down to Sten and Shale and help them bring the horses up, then retrieve the Darkspawn blood they were keeping and give it to Avernus. While he was doing Athos would talk to their companions and prepare those undertaking it for the joining. Soon in no time at all Athos stood before the recruits, Claudia, Jowan and Brosa.
"It is time for you as wardens to undertake the Joining. You all already proved your courage and ability. Now is the final test. I will not lie to you, Joining is dangerous. I would recommend you take this time to prepare. Alistair and I will expect you at Avernus's tower at sundown. I am sure you all have questions but they will be answered at the Joining."
A gallery of apprehensive faces was his only reply. Athos knew they were scared but he couldn't be their friend now. Athos had to be their Commander. If Maker forbid one of them to flinch he would have to kill them. He prayed it wouldn't come to that.
—-
Sundown came all too early for Athos as his recruits stood before him in a row. He could almost feel Alistair fidgeting behind him. No doubt he was terrified for Claudia. Athos would be too in his position. Athos had already decided that it was better to get this done quickly. Not give them a chance to worry and wait.
"We say only a few words before but those words have been said since the first. Join us, brothers and sisters. Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that can not be forsworn. And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten. And that one day we shall join you." Athos intoned thinking back to Duncan and his own Joining.
"Claudia Amell, you are called to submit yourself to the taint for the greater good" Athos said holding out the chalice.
She smiled nervously and glanced at Alistair. "Well here goes nothing," she said before tilting the goblet towards her mouth. Her face grimaced in disgust as she tasted the foul concoction. She collapsed to the floor, the goblet clanging like a bell. Athos jumped forward to catch her….