The Intricacies of the Blight

by whodoesitbe

Most people don't expect to wake up in the fantasy game they've been playing. Unfortunately, that was not the case for me. I went to sleep just to find myself being carted away by Templars and only being told "You'll see." Hopefully this is all just a bad dream and I can wake up to find myself back at home. A version of MGIT where she ends up in Fereldan during the Blight.

3. Chapter 3: Off to Ostagar

Anxiety riddled, I meet Jowan and Lily at the top of the stairs on the first floor of the Circle. Wringing my hands, I can barely smile at the excitement Jowan and Lily share. They separate from their hug and look towards me.

Jowan comes towards me and hugs me tightly, "We did it! I can't believe it! Thank you… we could never have-"

Greagoir's voice cuts through Jowan's sentence silencing him and shattering the fragile happiness ringing in the air, "So what you said was true, Irving."

"Shit," is the only thing I can say, as I stare fearfully at Irving and Greagoir dreading what is about to happen. Irving and Greagoir walk towards us with a handful of templars, fully expecting a fight to go down.

Lily backs away from Jowan and I, voice filled with terror at Greagoir staring her down, "G-Greagoir."

Greagoir's glare deepens and he stalks towards Lily slowly, "An initiate, conspiring with a blood mage. I'm disappointed." His face then examines her and he says shocked, walking back to stand next to Irving, "She seems shocked, but fully in control of her own mind. Not a thrall of the blood mage, then. You were right, Irving. The initiate betrayed us. The Chantry will not let this go unpunished"

Greagoir's glare returns and then targets me, making ice run through my body, "And this one, newly a mage, and already flouting the rules of the Circle."

Irving looks at me and shakes his head, "I'm disappointed in you. You could have told me what you knew of this plan, and you didn't."

Jowan looks at Irving and shouts, "You don't care for mages! You just bow to the Chantry's every whim!"

Not looking at Jowan, I quietly said, "Shut the hell up, dude."

"Enough! As knight-commander of the templars here assembled, I sentence this blood mage to death," Greagoir points at Jowan first, and then turns his attention to Lily. "And this initiate has scorned the Chantry and her vows. Take her to Aeonar."

The templars behind Greagoir begin to walk towards Lily, while Jowan begins to get in a defensive position.

"The… the mage's prison. No… please, no. Not there!" Lily shouts, frightened at the fact of going to Aeonar. My focus, however, is now on Jowan. Jowan who looks less like a man now and more of a wild beast cornered. I begin to back away, my attention solely on him, when I see him reach behind and grab a knife from his back pocket.

"No! I won't let you touch her!" Jowan shouts, raising the knife and stabbing his hand. Blood begins to seep out of his hand and drip on the floor. Horrified, but completely unsurprised, I watch as the knife drops from his hand and the blood raises, as his arms do. The blood completely surrounds him in some kind of orbit, and when he pushes his arms forwards, the blood moves with him. The power from his blood knocks down everyone, but us. Coating those he used it against entirely with his blood.

Lily watches from the sidelines with her hands covering her mouth. When Jowan looks at her, he begins to slowly walk towards her. Lily backs away until she hits the wall and puts her hands in front of her body to protect herself.

"By the Maker… blood magic! H-how could you? You said you never…" Lily trails off, barely even able to look at Jowan.

Jowan, still walking closer, tries to defend himself, "I admit, I… I dabbled! I thought it would make me a better mage!"

Lily shakes her head furiously, "Blood magic is evil, Jowan. It corrupts people… changes them…"

"I'm going to give it up. All magic. I just want to be with you, Lily. Please, come with me…" Jowan pleads with Lily, but even I can tell it falls on deaf ears.

"I trusted you. I was ready to sacrifice everything for you… I… I don't even know who you are, blood mage." Lily spits out, which makes Jowan stop and physically drop. "Stay away from me…"

After Lily says those words, I see Jowan bolt out the door. I feel a sense of guilt, I just wished there was another way to have this end. But he knew the consequences of doing blood magic. I hear Irving groan and run over to him. I help him sit up while Greagoir gets up on his own, along with the other templars.

When Irving sits up, he asks me, "Are you alright? Where's Greagoir?"

Before I can answer, Greagoir jumps in, "I knew it… blood magic. But to overcome so many… I never thought him capable of such power."

Shocked myself, truly, even though I knew this was going to happen, "Uhm… oops?"

While stewing in my own thoughts about how else this could have ended, I help Irving stand and stay by him. Irving then says, to calm me, I think.

"None of us expected this. Are you all right, Greagoir?"

Greagoir, obviously frustrated, shouts at Irving, "As good as can be expected given the circumstances! If you had let me act sooner, this would not have happened! Now we have a blood mage on the loose and no way to track him down!"

Deciding it was better not to say anything, since it was pretty obvious Jowan destroyed his phylactery. Greagoir then turns his anger to a problem he can solve now.

"Where is the girl?" I'm surprised Greagoir doesn't have steam rolling out of his ears by the minute.

Lily steps out of the shadows with her whole body exuding shame. Head down, shoulders slumped, and staggering slowly, "I… I am here, ser."

"You helped a blood mage! Look at all he's hurt!" Greagoir gestures to everyone behind him while shouting, again.

"Lily didn't know Jowan was a blood mage," I interject trying to help, which makes me receive a glare from Greagoir and a shaking head from Lily.

"You've been a friend, but you needn't defend me any longer," Lily tells me, turning to Greagoir, her head drops again. "Knight-Commander… I… I was wrong. I was an accomplice to a… a blood mage."

Greagoir sighs loudly and rubs his temples. He waves his hand at Lily, "Get her out of my sight."

After Lily is taken away, Greagoir turns towards me and starts towards me, shouting, "And you. You know why the repository exists, Some artifacts- some magics- are locked away for a reason."

"Did you take anything?" Irving asks me, crossing his arms.

"No," I shake my head and cross my arms, as well.

Greagoir starts shouting again, "But your antics have made a mockery of this Circle! Ah… what are we to do with you"

"Whatever you want. I don't care, I helped my friend," I glare at Greagoir because you know fuck him.

"You helped a blood mage escape. All our prevention measures for naught- because of you!" Greagoir shouts, while Irving just stays quiet.

Hearing the clanking of new metal, we all turn and see Duncan. Or at least they see Duncan and I see a blurred figure, I am guessing is Duncan.

As he walks towards us, he puts in his two-cents, "Knight-Commander, if I may… I am not only looking for mages to join the king's army. I am also recruiting for the Grey Wardens."

I freeze to my spot and try to guess the alternatives of either staying here or becoming a Warden. Greagoir must have the same feelings because Duncan continues his speech. When I look at Irving though, I see a sly look on his face.

"Irving spoke highly of this mage, and I would like her to join the Warden ranks."

Spoke highly of me? I can barely fight, let alone be highly spoken of. I am so screwed. I whine in my head and Irving speaks up, obviously changing his mind. "Duncan, this mage has assisted a maleficar, and shown a lack of regard for the Circle's rules."

"She is a danger. To all of us," Greagoir pipes up, as well.

Duncan, however, simply nods, "It is a rare person who risks all for a friend in need. I stand by my decision. I will recruit this mage."

I would not make an excellent Grey Warden because of that. I am going to die. This is the end, the end of Caerlion. Say farewell everyone, it has been a nice (not really) ride.

Greagoir shakes his head and crosses his arms, "No! I refuse to let this go unpunished! A blood mage escapes, and his accomplice is not only unpunished, but is rewarded by becoming a Grey Warden."

Greagoir then looks at Irving, "Are our rules nothing? Have we lost all authority over our mages? This does not bode well, Irving."

Irving shakes his head, "Enough, We have no more say in this matter."

So, I am going to either die a free woman with the Grey Wardens or die an imprisoned woman with the Templars… and I choose, "If the Grey Wardens want me, I'm going to go with them." I quickly interject, a sheepish smile pulling my face.

Irving then looks at me, "Be proud, child. You are luckier than you know."

I certainly didn't dream of it. I snort to myself and look at Duncan, "Off to Ostagar, then?"

"Yes, it is where the king's army is camped. You will be initiated there. I will explain more when the time comes."

I nod and turn towards Irving with a small smile, "Hey, First Enchanter… thanks for everything." For the pas 24 hours I've known you.

Irving nods at me and Duncan gestures to me to begin walking towards the entrance of the Circle, "Come, your new life awaits."

Finally, stepping outside of the Tower's walls was an exhilarating experience. Breathing in the fresh air, feeling the playful bites of the frozen air, rowing across the river to leave the ominous tower's gaze, seeing the outside- albeit blurry- world, and finally being able to feel the grass beneath my fingers. Speaking of which, I crouch down with my backpack firmly attached to and run my fingers through the ground. It was a strange sight, I'm sure. Sitting there for a solid minute caressing the grass like a forgotten lover, until I am pulled out of it. I look up and have to squint even more than usual. The sun reflects off of Duncan's armor and glares right into my eyes. Trying my best to look at Duncan, I see him hold a hand out to help me up. Grabbing the tanned hand I stand up right and we begin to make our way on a long trek to Ostagar.

Oh, crap. I think to myself as I uncomfortably begin to shift on the patterned horse. After 4 long hours of traveling and the last thirty minutes of those 4 hours have been spent trying to hold back. I finally realize I can no longer resist the urge to pee. Shifting one more time, I try to find a way to ask Duncan where to go to the restroom. I begin to wonder if I could possibly hold it until we reach the next town, but the urge is too strong.

Urging my horse to trot next to Duncan's (not helping by the way), I cleared my throat, "Uh… Duncan?"

"Yes?" Duncan looks towards me with a questioning look; slowing his chestnut horse down to a slow walking pace next to my horse.

"I need to go to the restroom," I whisper urgently towards him and look around the deeply forested area.

Duncan chuckles and stops his horse, "Well, go."

I look at him shocked and sputter out, "Where?! There is nothing, but woods here and I am not going in front of you. And what if I go farther into the forest and some bandit comes and stabs me in the back, that is a horrible way to die."

Duncan laughs, "Don't worry, you will be fine and if anything happens just shout and I'll come find you. Just go behind those large bushes right there, I won't be able to see or hear you."

"How will I wipe? What if I go number 2?" I ask him as I hop off of the horse. I start the trek to the bushes and hear him call out.

"Do you always ask these many questions when you go to the bathroom? However, did you survive in the Circle?"

I yell back at him as I get behind the bushes, "Do not ask about the Circle! I am still not over having to use chamber pots!"

God, what I would give for a toilet, preferably one that is indoors and has some form of plumbing. I shift back towards Duncan and the horses. Not looking at Duncan, I hop back onto my horse and we once again start the trek to Ostagar making small talk on the way there.

The closer to Ostagar, the more nervous I am about the upcoming events hurtling towards us. Sitting in front of the crackling fire on the grassy floors of the Hinterlands, I stare into it swimming in an ocean of thoughts. I know Duncan is staring at me. He's been commenting that I have gone from a complete chatterbox to almost completely mute. Every time he brings it up, I only nervously laugh and try to change the subject. This time I know I won't be able to escape the uncomfortable conversation, I am so dreading. The anxiety has been hitting me every night, making it almost impossible for me to eat, much less sleep. Gathering what small courage I have, I finally make eye-contact with Duncan sitting across from me.

Obviously not expecting it, Duncan is stunned silent. I sigh, and begin to think of how to word this best I can. Looking at the surrounding trees, I finally make an attempt and hope I don't sound absolutely nuts.

"You asked me how I knew the situation with Jowan was going to end," my words flow into the open air, an invitation to a conversation that has one nervous and the other curious. I know it's been on his mind because he keeps asking. My amazing excuses haven't been working that well.

Duncan nods, "Yes, it has been on my mind recently."

"I'm not crazy or a demon, okay?" I look him dead in the eye. I may be uncomfortable with eye contact, but I can do it. Duncan, still confused, nods slowly and urges me to continue.

Sighing again, I talk quietly, "I am an 18-year-old girl from a world where this world is a game. I have played this game multiple times, hence how I knew what was going to happen… I know… everything that is going to happen. From this moment until the next ten years. Because, this is a… game. Yeah, a game."

"This world is a… game?" Duncan asks.

"I know what you're thinking, okay? You think that I am absolutely nuts and strange and probably possessed. Well, I'm not, trust me… no demon would want to possess me." I start to word vomit. "I know about the Joining ritual, I know that there is an Archdemon just not at Ostagar, and yada yada. I know everything, ok? You feel me?"

Duncan just stares at me, stunned not knowing what to say or do. I snort and start picking at the grass lying peacefully near me. He suddenly snaps out of his… whatever that was and walks towards me.

Great, this is where I die. I say to myself. I stare as Duncan crouches in front of me with furrowed eyebrows and a sour look on his face.

"What happens at the battle of Ostagar?"

Welp, wasn't expecting that. I begin to explain everything that happens that I remember of the game. Even though it soothes my anxiety, it does nothing for the sadness embedded in the very bottoms of my soul. As I continue, I notice that each time I tell another event, Duncan's face gets paler and paler. After I finish, Duncan, albeit paler than his normal tanned skin, nods and gets up.

Before he heads to his tent and gruffly says, "Thank you for telling me."

Watching stunned I only let out a strange noise and stared at the closed flaps of his tents.

We finally made it to Ostagar and since the conversation, he has not mentioned another word, except that I don't mention it to anyone. Not like I was going to. Walking up to the broken stone gates intimidates me a bit knowing what is waiting on the other side. Speed walking we make it, we see a man in bright golden armor walking towards with a troop of soldiers behind them.

Sweet baby James. Duncan stops abruptly and the man stops causing the troop to stop as well.

"Ho there, Duncan!" The golden man shouts excitedly.

Duncan is surprised and grabs the forearm of the man, "King Cailan? I didn't expect-"

King Cailan smiles, releasing Duncan's arm and laughs, "A royal welcome? I was beginning to worry you'd miss all the fun!"

"Not if I could help it, your Majesty," Duncan chuckles.

"Then I'll have the mighty Duncan at my side in battle after all!" At that moment, Duncan stands next to King Cailan, who continues his speech, "Glorious! The other Wardens told me you've found another promising recruit. I take it this is she?"

"Allow me to introduce you, your Majesty."

King Cailan scoffs and interrupts Duncan, "No need to be so formal, Duncan. We'll be shedding blood together, after all. Ho there, friend! Might I know your name?"

I smile shyly and slightly curtsey, "My name is Caerlion, your Majesty."

King Cailan smiles brightly, "Pleased to meet you, Caerlion! The Grey Wardens are desperate to bolster their numbers, and I, for one, am glad to help them. I understand you hail from the Circle of Magi. I trust you have some spells to help us in the coming battle?"

"I just became a mage," I smile sheepishly and flush slightly.

"Your abilities are still above those of other men. That the Grey Wardens have recruited you says much," King Cailan shakes his head, blond hair moving as well. "Allow me to be the first to welcome you to Ostagar. The Wardens will benefit greatly with you in their ranks."

My face must be the same color as a tomato by now, "Thank you, your Majesty."

King Cailan's face falls slightly, "I'm sorry to cut this short, but I should return to my tent. Loghain waits eagerly to bore me with his strategies."

"Your uncle sends his greetings and reminds you that Redcliffe forces could be here in less than a week," Duncan cuts in before King Cailan leaves.

"Ha! Eamon just wants in on the glory. We've won three battles against these monsters and tomorrow should be no difference," King Cailan laughs heartily.

Tilting my head, "You seem very confident, sire."

King Cailan laughs again and looks at Duncan, "Overconfident, some would say. Right, Duncan?"

Duncan tries to put a smile on his face, but fails, "Your Majesty, I'm not certain the Blight can be ended quite as… quickly as you might wish."

"I'm not even sure this is a true Blight. There are plenty of darkspawn on the field, but alas, we've seen no sign of an archdemon," King Cailan says, almost disappointed.

Duncan looks at me quickly as if reminding me, before turning back to King Cailan, "Disappointed, your Majesty?"

King Cailan sighs sadly, looking like a kicked puppy, "I'd hoped for a war like in the tales! A king riding with the fabled Grey Wardens against a tainted god! But I suppose this will have to do. I must go before Loghain sends out a search party. Farewell, Grey Wardens!"

Watching King Cailan leave, Duncan waits before following slowly behind the guards.

"What the king said is true. They've won several battles against the darkspawn here… but you already know that," Duncan looks at me while whispering quietly at the last part.

I nod and whisper back, "It would be nice if you acted like I didn't know anything."

Duncan quietly laughs and says, "Well as you said the other night, the archdemon is behind this… it is just not here. I cannot ask the king to act solely on my feelings."

"I mean you could, but you can't wait for the Orlesian Wardens and you don't have enough Wardens here, so you have to rely on… yeah. You really can't," I trail off before I can complete the sentence.

"Yes… to that end, we should proceed with the Joining ritual without delay. You know what the Joining entails, correct?" Duncan says.

I smile uncomfortably thinking about the Joining, "Yes, I do and if I wasn't becoming a Warden, you would probably kill me due to what I know. However, a hot meal first would be nice before you do."

Duncan chuckles loudly, stopping at the top of the broken, stone bridge, "I won't kill you. You will not tell the other recruits, correct?"

"Of course not! It's scary knowing what happens," I shudder at the thought of telling the others, knowing they might just leave.

Duncan nods in agreement and begins to get back on track, "We have until nightfall to begin the ritual. As you know, every recruit must go through this secret ritual. It is brief, but some preparation is required. We must begin soon."

"Super. Let's get it over with," I sigh and watch as Duncan smiles again.
"Feel free to explore the camp here as you wish. All I ask is that you do not leave it for the time being. There is another Grey Warden in the camp by the name of Alistair. When you are ready, seek him out and tell him it is time to summon the other recruits," Duncan says and then gestures to the bridge. "Until then, I have business I must attend to. You may find me at the Grey Warden tent on the other side of this bridge, should you need to."
Watching Duncan walk over the bridge gracefully and without a worry makes me hope I can do that. I quickly realize I can't. Everytime I step onto the platform, my foot refuses to touch the ground. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and force my foot onto the ground. Realizing it is touching the crumbling stone bridge, I hastily speed walk across the platform.

When I make it across, I heave and practically throw myself onto the grassy sidewalk. Glancing up, I see a soldier there stationed at the bridge's exit staring down at me. With amusement on his face most likely. Ignoring the deep, rose flush on my face, I stand up and dust my dress off. Nodding at the soldier, I make my way around the camp to find Alistair.

Finally reaching the area I know Alistair is at, I begin to make the trek upwards.