Hi Everyone, sorry for the long time between chapters. University and Covid conspired to delay me. Thank you for the follows and favourites, please feel free to free to leave a review.
How about that The Veilguard Demo? If they keep it up I'm going to be genuinely excited for a Dragon Age game.
Claudia fell into his arms and thrashed around like a wolf in a snare but then suddenly all was quiet and Claudia looked almost peacefully asleep.
"She Lives" Athos reported
There was a sudden nervous glance between Brosca and Jowan as they began to fully comprehend what was happening. Alistair looked relieved as he picked up the goblet and refilled it with a fresh dose.
"Gerris Brosca you are called to submit yourself to the taint for the greater good"
"Don't call me Gerris, I hate that sodding name" Brosca declared tartly as he took the offered goblet
"From this moment forth you are a Grey Warden" Athos declared mentally kicking himself for forgetting to say the same thing to Claudia.
Brosca nodded and gritted their teeth before lighting the goblet. They gagged and coughed violently before collapsing to the ground and laying still. Athos checked his pulse and breathing.
"He Lives"
He had been confident Brosca would survive. They were tough and utterly fearless and proven their abilities in the deep roads. Jowan on the other hand was a concern. He was a gifted mage in his way but even after traveling together for a while the mage still had the countenance of a starved dog.
"Jowan, you are called to submit yourself to the taint for the greater" Athos intoned for the final time. Feeling momentarily sad for Jowan that, for all the circle had taken from him, they had not bothered to remember his surname.
"Are you sure this is the only way?" Jowan asked nervously. Athos tensed visions of Ser Jory flashing through his mind.
"It Is" Athos said softly holding out the goblet to Jowan. With an audible gulp, Jowan took the goblet and drank it down.
"From this moment forth you are a Grey Warden" Athos declared as Jowan began to contort in pain. The mage collapsed to the ground writhing in pain. Athos had always feared that Jowan would not make it and now it seemed certain. Poor Claudia, she had insisted they conscript Jowan after the debacle at Redcliffe. Now it seemed her friend would die. Athos thought back to his Joining. The way Duncan had stood aloof and removed while Daveth had choked to death. Athos knelt and took Jowan's hand as he twisted in pain
"Come on Jowan you can do this" Jowan looked up him, eyes pleading and then collapsed to the floor
Athos reached to Jowan's neck desperate to feel a pulse… It was there strong and steady like the beat of a drum. He was alive. They were all alive.
"He Lives" Athos declared, voice thick with emotion.
"Yes," Alistair shouted in triumph. "They all survived, we are the greatest Warden recruiters ever!"
"My Congratulations Commander, it is rare that all recruits survive a joining. You have chosen your recruits well" Avernus declared with some sincerity.
"Thank you, Avernus, no doubt your improved potion was a significant factor," Athos replied. He took a moment to steady himself. It was one thing to lead people in battle where they were fighting and were able to influence their survival. It was quite another to hand them a cup of poison and order them to gamble with their lives. Still, the Maker had smiled upon them and they had three new wardens.
"We should make them comfortable," Athos said then he and Alistair carried the three new Wardens one by one onto only somewhat still dusty cots that Alistiar had set up earlier.
"It would be wise to let them sleep Commander, even with the new potion it is never wise to force recruits out of the fade before they are ready" Avernus
Athos nodded as he and Alistair arranged blankets and pillows for the comfort of the new wardens.
"It will be hours before they wake Commander I would appreciate it if you could brief me on what the status of the blight is. Why are you two the only Wardens in Ferelden?"
Athos and Alistair shared a look and sighed collectively.
"It's a complicated story. Much has happened since the fall of Soldier's Peak. The political situation in Thedas has changed. In regards to the Blight, we have succeeded in using the ancient to treaties to gather allies from the Circle of Magi, The Dalish Elves and the Dwarves of Orzammar."
"Yes that is standard procedure in times of Blight, but what of the Crown?"
"That answer requires a brief history lesson, forgive me. At the beginning of the last age, Orlais invaded Ferelden and conquered us. They occupied Ferelden brutally for almost a hundred. Many of the oldest Noble were killed and many Thereins as well. This occupation only ended around thirty years ago when the Orlesians were driven out by King Maric, Queen Rowan, and Loghain Mac Tir."
"King Maric died five years ago and was succeeded by his only son Calian. King Calian was killed in battle against the Darkspawn along with rest of the Ferelden Wardens. Loghain, now Teyrn of Gwaren blamed the defeat on the Wardens and has seized control of the realm through his daughter Queen Anora. Many of the Nobles are resisting so whilst there is a blight there is also a Civil War" Athos explained.
"That is certainly a complication" Avernus replied drily
"There is also another complication. You are currently looking at the two best claimants to the Throne"
"How is that possible? You are a Cousland. Surely you have brothers and sisters?"
"Not anymore" Athos replied bitterly "I am the last Cousland here and to add further complications. The only noble supporting us, the Arl of Redcliffe is claiming that Alistair is King Maric's bastard and therefore heir to the throne"
Avernus looked surprised at this information. Then he laughed loudly and for quite a while.
"Forgive me Commander but this is quite possibly the worst set of circumstances the order has encountered since its founding," Avernus said in between chuckles
Athos and Alistair shared a look and smiled ruefully at each other. It was refreshing to see someone have a different reaction to their problems.
"I suppose for an uninvolved party it could be fairly amusing" Athos mused.
"Indeed Commander. I must ask, what is your plan?" Avernus asked all traces of mirth gone from his voice.
"Unfortunately, I see no other alternative than to put myself forward as King. We need the armies of a united ferelden if we are too defeat this blight. Alistair's claim is impossible to prove and more imoporantly he has no desire to be King. So that leaves me."
Alistair nodded in agreement.
Avernus rubbed his face thoughtfully and considered; "A warden King would be an interesting decision. Wardens are meant to be politically neutral"
Athos scowled in frustration; "To be frank Avernus, the rest of the order can go hang. Alistair and I have traipsed the length and breadth of Ferelden. Assassins, spies, couriers and anyone else have been able to find us with little to no problem. If the order wanted to help us they would have. I have no idea why they have abandoned their duty in the face of the first blight in four hundred years, but no help is coming for us. We are on our own." Athos concluded grimly.
"I sympathise with your point Commander but still I would argue for caution before committing to anything. Though of course, the blight is our only priority. If you need to King to face it, then so be it." Avernus replied.
"If you will excuse me Commander I would like to observe the new Wardens. It will be interesting to see if the improved potion allows them to waken earlier" Avernus asked.
"Of course Avernus. Let us know if you need anything. Alistair will start to prepare some food. If my joining is anything to go by they will be ravenous when they awaken."
With that Avernus went over to the sleeping Wardens whilst Athos and Alistair lit a small fire and mounted a stew pot over the flames. As they worked Alistair and Athos could not help but steal glances at the sleeping forms of their companions as they slept. It was a fitful sleep full of groans and muffled screams. Still despite the distraction, Alistair and Athos were able to finish a simple vegetable and salt beef stew. Not the tastiest dish in the world but warm and filling. They put the stew on a lower heat and sat down to wait. Jowan and Claudia were the first to wake. No doubt as mages they mad the most experience dealing with fade and its hazards.
"Maker's Breath, it seemed even bigger in the fade" Claudia muttered when she awoke.
"There were so many of them" Jowan whispered almost to himself.
The two new mage wardens were given big bowls of stew and some bread that still fresh enough.
"I know you have questions. When Brosca wakes we will give a full briefing. I am sure Avernus will have plenty for you as well" Athos explained. They both looked unsettled, Warden's dreams took some getting used to.
Whilst they were eating Athos took some time to gather his thought and plot their next steps. They had drastically increased their number of Wardens, from two to six. Avernus' knowledge had given them the answers they were seeking. They knew how to end the blight. It was a terrible sacrifice but frankly, Athos could not see a world where they fought the Archdemon and all survived anyway the idea of a final total sacrifice was nothing compared to the evil and horror of the blight. In regards to the political situation, it changed nothing. Athos still knew he would have to be King. If they tried to tell Loghain what was necessary to end the blight, he would call it a self-serving lie. Loghain had committed too much political capital against the wardens to reverse course now. It made Athos wonder why Duncan had never made more of an effort to cultivate Loghain. Perhaps the Teyrn was simply too distrustful. Hopefully, Arl Eamon would believe him, although the news that the last scion of the Theirrin line was potentially required to sacrifice himself for the blight to end would no doubt be upsetting to the Arl. Perhaps that was the solution, Eamon would accept. Athos as King and Alistair as heir. It was perhaps unconventional and set a potentially dangerous precedent but in these unusual circumstances, it was best to be flexible. The ultimate Irony would be of course if Athos secured the crown with Alistair as his heir then for both of them to die. Ferelden would be cast back into civil war. It was difficult even if they managed to defeat the blight, Ferelden would be in a terribly weak position. Orlais might even consider an Invasion. Ferelden would need Strong leadership to survive. If Athos died and Alistair survived Eamon would rule in all but name, Alistiar would defer to his former guardian in all matters and Eamon was far too close to Orlais for Athos's comfort.
On a more personal note, there was also the question of the Howes. If Alistiar and Athos fell, the Howes had the next best claim to the throne. Athos would be damned to the void before he allowed Rendorn Howe to rule over Ferelden. Athos could not see a possible resolution to the Landsmeet that did not end with either him or Howe dead. If that happened, one of Rendorn's children would succeed him. Nathaniel was still in exile in the Free Marches, no one had seen Delilah for years and Thomas, Maker love him was a complete sot. None of them would be able to unite Ferelden in the wake of the Blight. There was also the question of Anora. She was the last strand of legitimacy that separated Loghain's regime from naked tyranny. If she could be convinced to abandon her father it would weaken Loghain's position. It was difficult to guess. He simply did not know Anora well enough.
Athos sighed to himself. It was pointless to speculate about the landsmeet now. Maker knows how many of the nobles still alive, with blight and civil war tearing the country apart. Things would be clearer in Dernerim. They woud have to tell Eamon about the sacrifice and the Archdemon. Hopefully then he would agree to the plan. Athos as King and Alistair as heir. He was distracted from his musings by a sudden loud groan. Glancing over it looked as though Brosca was waking up.
"By the Stone was that the Fade? You topsiders can keep that any day." Brosca exclaimed before coughing.
"The dreams do require some getting used to Brosca." Athos replied. Secretly glad the tough little dwarf had survived.
"Here eat something, then we will have a meeting to discuss your new status as Wardens" Athos instructed handing the Dwarf a bowl of stew and some bread.
The other new Wardens made their way over to the dwarf to commiserate about the horrors of their new dreams. Whilst the new Wardens celebrated together Athos went over to Alistair.
"How are you feeling?" Athos asked
"Honestly relieved. Joinings are never fun to watch. I was really worried about Claudia. Do you really think Avernus's potion helped them?" Alistair asked. Athos knew he would be unhappy about letting the Old Man live. Alistair was fundamentally a decent person.
"I have no idea. We simply do not know enough about the joining potion. Perhaps if we ever meet other Wardens we can compare notes. I know Avernus has done terrible things, especially to other wardens but its a blight and he is the only experienced Warden we have." Athos explained gently. At this point Alistair trusted him but it never hurt to reassure him.
"What do you think about this sacrifice to kill the Archdemon thing?" Alistair asked
"It makes a horrible sort of sense in retrospect I suppose," Athos replied with a sigh
"One never hears of the Grey Wardens that slew the Archdemon having a career afterwards"
"It's horrible" Alistair muttered
"With any luck Avernus, will take the final blow and atone for his many crimes"
"Is that your plan? Is that why you're bringing him along?" Alistair asked somewhat shocked by such a calculated comment
"Plan? No. It's impossible to plan something like that. We can only hope." Athos said smiling grimly
Alistair smiled back. It was gratifying to see that Alistair trusted him enough to know he was joking. They shared an all too brief moment of companionable silence of then Athos spoke.
"Alistair with what we know now we have to talk about the Throne"
Alistair groaned quietly, "Do we?"
"Yes. Now that we know there is a decent chance one of us may die in the slaying of the Archdemon it's foolish for us not to plan for it"
"I suppose your right" Alistair agreed reluctantly
"Here is what I propose. We go to the Landsmeet putting me forward as King and you, as Maric's son as my heir. It is perhaps unusual but having an heir from a different family is not entirely without precedent. Old King Brandel's heir was a cousin married to the Teyrn of Gwaren before he finally managed to have a child" Athos explained. He mentally thanked his old tutor Alduos for his exhaustive lessons in Ferelden successions.
"So if you die, I become King?" Alistair asked nervously
"Essentially yes."
"What happens if we both survive?"
"Well then, I would be King and you would be my heir until such time as I marry and have children."
"Okay. That sounds good. I've seen you fight. If it's odd on you versus the Archdemon. I'm betting on you"
"Thank you Alistiar," Athos replied between chuckles.
"Do you think Eamon would accept that arrangement?" Athos asked
Alistair paused for a moment, hand reaching towards the amulet they had founds in the Arl's study in Redcliffe. Despite the shoddy way Eamon had treated him, Alistair still respected the Old man. It baffled Athos. Perhaps Alistair was just a more forgiving person.
"I don't know, maybe? I think he could accept it as a compromise"
"Well, we'll have to make him see the wisdom of it when we return to Redcliffe. Come we had better brief our new Wardens on their new abilities"
"How much are we going to tell them?"
"Everything"
The three new wardens were gathered around the stew pot ladling themselves second or even third portions. Athos smiled in remembrance of his own joining. He had been summoned to the War council almost immediately and had scoffed down the jerky Duncan had given him as soon as he could afterwards.
"Alright everyone gather around. It is time to inform you of the changes as a warden. Now you have all traveled with us enough to perhaps intuit something of our abilities but to ensure there are no misunderstandings I will tell you everything now. If you have questions please leave them to the end."
Athos took a deep breath. He noticed Avernus looming in the shadows. No doubt waiting to answer questions about his improved potion.
"Alright, first things first. Your dreams are a permanent part of being a warden. In time you develop some degree of control over them but they will never leave you. Secondly, we have the ability to sense the Darkspawn and consequently smarter Darkspawn can sense us."
There was a sweep of nervous glances exchanged between the new Wardens. It was an unpleasant thought.
"No doubt you have noticed your appetite as you awoke. That is another part of being a warden. You will find yourself much hungrier."
"I just always thought you and Alistair were pigs" Claudia joked. A few nervous smiles emerged in response but no laughter.
"Well now you get to join us at the trough" Athos retorted. Feeling some of the tension leave the room as Claudia laughed Athos decided to move on.
"Its not all negative thankfully. Wardens do not get sick ever. We are of course immune to the blight and all other common maladies. Additionally you will notice an increased Stamina both physically and magically."
"That'll come in handy with Zev" Brosca guffawed
"Indeed. However there are several things that used to be true about wardens that thanks to Avernus' potion may not be. Originally, the Joining made us infertile, the new potion may have fixed that, so I advise all of you to take precautions."
There were a few knowing looks between the wardens. Athos ignored them.
"Originally the Joining potion would effectively give a lifespan of thirty years after which point you would here the Calling and you would be sent to the deep roads to die against the Darkspawn. Warden Avernus seems to believe his potion has removed that affliction."
"Thank you, Commander. Although I cannot be entirely certain I was the only sample for some time. It seemed to work on me well enough. I am looking forward to this new field test" Avernus replied happily.
"One final thing. The most important. To end the blight a Grey Warden and only a Grey Warden must slay the Archdemon. Otherwise, the Archdemon will return. The Grey Warden who slays the Archdemon is killed as well. That is why we need to end the blight. We cannot allow another Ostagar to happen. That is why I am telling you this now normally this information is a secret until you are a year or so into the Wardens. We do not have that Luxury. We will all be learning how to make the Joining potion so should that happen, Ferelden will not be defenseless."
"A sensible precaution given the Blight, Commander" Avervus concurred
After there was a brief highly technical discussion between the mages. Jowan especially seemed to have a keen understanding of the principles Avernus discussed. In short Order, a copy of the formula was produced and distributed to everyone.
"Learn that by heart. I will be testing you" Avernus declared ominously.
"Very well. You are all dismissed. Go and rejoin our companions. We're leaving here at first light. Avernus do you have everything you need for travel?"
"Yes Commander, it's quite exciting I haven't left this tower for decades now"
"I'll see you tomorrow morning Avernus, You are of course more than welcome to join us"
Avernus laughed; "Thank you for the kind offer Commander but I imagine my appearance would put people off. Besides I need to go through my laboratory and see if I have anything worth bringing along. This has been my home for a long time"
With that Athos left the old warden mage with in the darkness with his memories and regrets.
In the Morning they all gathered in the Courtyard and held a small funeral for the scattered remains of the Wardens and Arland's soldiers. In life they were mortal enemies now they were ash dust. Athos was sure he spied Avernus watching the funeral from above the courtyard. No doubt the old man wanted his privacy. With that they mounted and began the long dark, quiet trek down the tunnels and from the ride back to Redcliffe. Finally ready to face the Landsmeet… and Loghain.