It took a week to get to Ostagar. It was a week that saw mostly silence from William. It was obvious he was both in mourning and angry. Angry at Duncan for forcing him to join the Grey Wardens, and Angry Olorin for being the one who cast the rune that killed his parents.

Things came to a head on the fourth day. Olorin and Duncan were going through forms with a sword and his staff when William got up from where he'd been sat by the campfire and approached them.

"I'd like to spar with Duncan." He stated firmly.

Duncan just cocked his eyebrow and motioned for Olorin to take a seat. He did so with some interest at being able to watch two capable swordsman spar with each other, hoping to pick up some tips.

It started well enough, William on the defensive, though it was clear it was through a style preference rather than a lack of skill. His shield was used often to block Duncans attacks as his sword looked for openings. Eventually his sword found one and nicked Duncan on the arm. Duncan just nodded and indicated his willingness to continue.

Emboldened by his success William moved forward, now on the offensive. This was a mistake as Duncan easily parried his attacks with his two swords before he himself found an opening, slicing under Williams shield on his thigh. As if the cut had opened the dam keeping his emotions in check, William screamed and launched himself at Duncan. There was no semblance of skill with his attacks now, as he fought with pure rage. Duncan was easily able to parry his attacks for a while, able to see William needed to get this out of his system. Eventually however he decided enough was enough. He moved to the side and dropped his center of gravity as he extended a leg, tripping William up. Standing back up, he looked down on William, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Do you feel better for that?"

William just nodded sheepishly.

"There are times we must bottle up our emotions. When it would give an enemy or potential enemy an advantage. You are not amongst enemies here. We will be your comrades, along with the other Grey Wardens. You must learn to trust us."

Having said his piece, Duncan held his hand out to help William up. William thought for a second before grasping it and pulling himself up with it.

o-0-o

After that things had progressed well. William had helped Olorin with learning wield a sword. It gave Olorin a different perspective to learn from someone who primarily only fought with one sword instead of the two Duncan normally fought with. He definitely found it easier to fight against than one, though the addition of the shield meant he got fewer attacks through. All in all Duncan declared Olorin was making good progress considering his short time learning to use a sword, and declared the use of the staff as a blunt weapon a 'menace'. Duncan and William would often forget about the staff, only to be clobbered on the head or joints with it.

As they walked into Ostagar Duncan was giving a brief history of the old fortress, telling them how the Tevinter Imperium used it to stave off attackers from the chasined in the Korcari Wilds. He was just saying about how he hoped they could use the crumbling fortress in a similar way when they spotted a figure in golden armour heading towards them, flanked by two guards. The figure yelled out a greeting to Duncan, whose reply shocked Olorin.

"King Cailain, I didn't expect a…"

"A royal welcome? I was beginning to think you'd miss all the fun."

Duncan and Cailan talked for a little while longer, before moving onto introductions. He didn't need introducing to William, who as the son of one of Ferelden's most powerful nobles was already familiar to Cailan. He was very surprised and very angry to hear about the attack at Highever however and gave his word that Arl Howe would be brought to justice as soon as possible. Olorin perked up a little as he was introduced to Cailan.

"I hear you are a mage? I was hoping for more mages but I hear Greagoir feels enough have been sent."

"He does Your Majesty. He fears if anymore go the Templars will struggle to keep track of them."

"Do you share the same fear?"

Surprised at the question, Olorin had to think for a second before coming up with a response.

"There are some who would seek to take advantage of the freedom to flee the Templars. However if selected carefully I think the Templars could release a few more mages."

Cailan just hummed at his response with a thoughtful look on his face before moving back for a few quick words with Duncan before bidding them all farewell.

As they walked into Ostagar Duncan asked them both what they thought of the King. William thought he sounded like he didn't take the Darkspawn seriously. Olorin gave his own observation that although he sounded like a nice person, he came across a bit naive.

Pulling them aside Duncan gave them each two soverigns, telling them it was a stipend that would be paid from their first but of pay in order to get some new equipment. They did not have enough Grey Warden uniforms as the stock was actually in Denerim so they would need their own equipment for now. He also told them to find a man named Alistair and gave them a description of what he looked like. Then he left them, telling them that he had to go and draw up plans with the other Grey Wardens.

Moving through the campsite they spotted a stall with a merchant run by a member of the Fromari where Olorin spent his money on some new robes which were enchanted to boost his magic, leaving himself with some money left over. William found a blacksmith who had some mail armour that could replace his worn leather set. By selling the smith the leather set he had just enough to buy the mail set along with a helmet. Now he was starting to look more like a knight and less like a bandit. Olorin drew a look from the smith when he spent the rest of the money on a steel longsword. It wasn't often a mage carried a sword, and the strange looks were repeated often as Olorin moved through the camp.

Wondering around the camp they eventually bumped into Alistar. A tall man with blonde hair cut neatly and shortly he seemed to bear a striking resemblance to King Cailan, though rather than wearing golden armour he wore the armour typical of a Grey Warden warrior. He was arguing with a mage who seemed perturbed at Alistair passing a message on from the Revered Mother. After the argument he turned towards them and eyeing Olorin's staff groaned.

"Not another mage."

"Do you have a problem with mages?" Olorin bristled.

"No, no, no" Alistair quickly said, "its more that mages have a problem with me."

"With that attitude I wonder why" Olorin muttered, but before Alistair could reply, William cut in to confirm if it was indeed Alistair they were speaking to.

"Yes I am, you must be Duncan's new recruits?"

"Yes, I'm William from Highever. This is Olorin from the circle tower."

"Nice to meet you both. As the Junior Warden I will be accompanying you as you prepare for your joining."

Now they had found Alistair the group moved, William asking questions of Alistair about what it was like to be a Warden, and Alistair answering very criptically. Olorin couldn't make his mind up on Alistair. He seemed nice enough but didn't seem to like mages. From listening to the conversation between Alistair and William though it seemed like it was conditioning from Templar training to distrust mages rather than any true hatred.

Arriving at the place where Duncan had been waiting for them they saw two other people, who Olorin found out were the other two recruits. Daveth was a pickpocket from Denerim. Olorin knew of the Wardens history of taking in criminals and just vowed to keep a closer watch on his things. Ser Jory was a knight from Redcliffe. He moved and spoke very timidly and though Olorin had no doubts about his skill with a blade, he did have doubts about his stomach for a fight.

Olorin did not like the sound of Duncan's briefing. The only reason he could think of to collect Darkspawn blood would be to use it in some sort of alchemical concoction. And he did not fancy drinking anything with Darkspawn blood in it. Though he supposed as it was poisonous they wouldn't be able to drink it anyway. The second task of finding some old treaties seemed much less daunting than the prospect of collecting blood from Darkspawn.

After their briefing the party moved to get their things together. Olorin tested the balance of his sword just as Duncan and William showed him. It was a well made sword with a nice balance. It would take some getting used to wielding a sword as well as his staff but get used to it Olorin would.

William and Alistair just stretched, their equipment already ready. Daveth went to retrieve a bow and quiver of arrows and Jory hauled a greatsword onto his back. Olorin had no idea how anyone could fight with such a huge weapon but if Jory couldn't fight with it, Olorin was sure that Duncan wouldn't have invited him to join the Grey Wardens. After ten minutes of getting ready they moved out into the wids.

o-0-o

The first group of enemies they encountered were not Darkspawn as they were expecting but were instead a pack of wolves. The wolves didn't put up much a fight, with Olorin summoning up a huge piece of stone from the fade and sending it flying into the pack, killing two of the five instantly. An arrow from Daveth finished another one and the final two were killed by the swords of Alistair and Jory.

Moving through the wilds it did not take long to find the Darkspawn. Four of them were in front of them. Two shorter ones on the lower ground, and two taller ones with bows on higher ground. Olorin summoned a barrier to place round himself and Daveth, who was only in light armour to protect them from the arrows. He then launched a lightning bolt at one of the archers as one of Daveth's arrows buried itself into the chest of the other on, killing both instantly.

Alistair was taking on one of the smaller ones, as William rushed to help Jory who was only just able to defend himself against the other one. It was clear that although he had skill with a blade his courage was failing him. Olorin launched a spell known as 'Winters Grasp' at the Darkspawn attacking Jory, freezing him solid just as William arrived literally smashing the Darkspawn to pieces with his shield. He gave Jory a withering look, which Jory just looked down sheepishly at.

As they collected the blood of the Darkspawn Alistair informed them that the tall ones were known as Hurlocks and the short ones known as Genlocks. It didn't take long to drain some blood from each of the Darkspawn, though it was a grim and smelly job. Alistair managed to avoid it by pointing out that it was part of their joining and he had had to do his part when he was just a recruit. He kept watch to avoid them being ambushed, whether it be from more Darkspawn or more wolves.

Moving through the wilds they came across many more Darkspawn, along with a flower Olorin had heard the kennel master at Ostagar was looking for. Jory found his feet and started contributing to the fight and the group of five started finding a pattern in their fights. Alistair and William would charge into their ranks, shields rasied and break them up. Jory would then follow them in to engage the Darkspawn as Daveth and Olorin would take on any ranged enemies.

However the plan did not always work. The last group of enemies were much large. They followed the normal plan but a Hurlock slipped past the warriors. Olorin saw it coming and for a split second panicked. He took a calming breath and cast an ice spell on it. The spell didn't stop the Hurlock but it give time for Olorin to draw his sword and adjust his grip on his staff, just as he'd learnt with Duncan. When the Hurlock reached him it swung his sword down in order to cleave Olorin's head in half. Olorin spun to the side and hit the Hurlock in the join of the knee, causing its left leg to buckle. At the point Olorin simply thrust his sword through the creatures neck, killing it instantly.

It was the first time he'd killed something with something other than magic. He hadn't been expecting so much blood. The blood spurted everywhere, including all over his robes. He looked around and the fight was over. He started shaking, dropped its sword and ran to a bush to vomit. He felt a hand on his back and jumped a mile into the air to find it was only William.

"Its never easy the first time. It gets easier though. More blood than you were expecting."

All Olorin could do was nod.

"Yeah I was same. A little worse actually as it was my first kill full stop. Don't let it get to you and lets just move on."

Olorin nodded again, picked up his sword and moved to the rest of the group who tactfully pretended not have seen Olorin's reaction.

The group moved up as one into the ruins of what had clearly once been a watch tower. There was an old and crumbling chest nearby. Olorin went to the chest and opened it up, only to find it empty. He also immediately stood up and grasped his staff as felt a magical presence approaching. Seeing his reaction the others also grasped their weapons and readies for battle.

"Well, what have we here? Are you a vulture, I wonder? A scavenger poking amidst a corpse whose bones were long since cleaned? Or merely an intruder, come into these Darkspawn-filled wilds of mine in search of prey. Speak then, what are you, scavenger or intruder?"

Olorin was the first to recover from the shock as he analysed her. She was beautiful, of that there was no doubt. But also dangerous. She carried a staff on her back, and walked the assurance of a mage who knew their own power. And a look through his mage sight confirmed to Olorin she had power to spare.

"Neither, we are Grey Warden recruits, and this was once a Warden tower. We are looking for the old treaties. May I ask your name? Mine is Olorin."

"Be careful," whispered Alistair, "she looks chasined meaning more could be hiding."

"What, you fear barbarians will swoop down upon you?" Morrigan replied haughtily.

"Yes, swooping is bad." Alistair muttered.

It didn't take long for the others to join in wondering how dangerous she could be. Olorin caught Morrigans eye and just rolled his own at the superstitious nonsense Jory and Daveth were spouting. He could have sword Morrigan smirked in reply

"I am Morrigan, to go back to your previous question."

"And what about the treaties?" Olorin asked.

"They are no longer here."

"No longer here? You stole them didn't you? You're some kind of sneaky witch thief." Alistair interrupted, as William and Olorin both rolled their eyes at his lack of skill with words.

"How very eloquent" Morrigan stated in her haughty tone. "How does one steal from dead men."

Olorin was quite shocked at the change in Alistair next. He changed from quite a glib young man, who acted more a boy and seemed to gain a commanding presence. It was clear he was becoming Alistair the warden, not Alistair the young man.

"Quite easily it seems. Those treaties are Grey Warden property and I suggest you return them."

"I will for 'twas not I who took them."

"Do you know who did? If you do can you tell us?"

"'twas my mother in fact."

"Can you take us to her?"

"That is a sensible question. Follow me then, if it pleases you."

It was not a long walk from the place they were to Morrgians mothers. They did see more wolves but these ones did not seem to want to bother them. Olorin didn't know if it was from an animals inate ability to sense magic, and sensing two mages warned them away, or if it was because they were with Morrigan this time. Either way they made quick time to Morrigans mothers.

As soon as Olorin saw Morrigan he nearly lost his breath. Looking at her through his mage sight was enough to give him a migraine. He couldn't believe the power she had. He could also feel it, almost crushing him with its weight.

"Greetings mother. I bring you five Grey Wardens who…"

"I see them girl. Mmm much as I expected"

It was now Olorin got a proper look at her. Her voice was harsh and carried a great deal of power behind it. Her hair was dirty grey and came down to her shoulders and her face was withered with age and sunken in. She did not look well at all. But Olorin knew from her power it would be wise not cross her.

"Are we supposed to believe you were expecting us?" Alistair asked.

"You'd be surprised Alistair. Some, though very few mages, are skilled with art of scrying, which can give a rough indication of the future. If she happened to see this exact moment she would be expecting us."

"Wisely spoken." Morrigans mother replied. "But you are expected to do nothing, least of all believe. Shut ones eyes tight, or open ones arms wide, either way, ones a fool."

"We shouldn't be talking to her. She's a witch I tell her."

"Be quiet Daveth," Jory interrupted. "If she is a witch we don't want to make her mad."

"There is a smart lad. Sadly irrelevant in the larger scheme of things, but it is not I who decideds."

She turned to look directly at Olorin now.

"And what of you? Do your magical abilities give you a different view point? Or do you believe as the others?"

"I believe that you have enough power to be dangerous. Whether you are dangerous, I don't know."

"Wise words. I hope your actions are equally as wise. So much is uncertain. Yet I believe. Do I believe? Yes it seems I do."

"So this is the dreaded Witch of the Wilds?" Alistair chuckled.

"Witch of the Wilds? Morrigan must have told you that. She fancies such tales, though she'll never admit it! Oh how she dances under the moon!"

Morrgian sighed, "They did not come to listen to your wild tales mother."

"True, they came for their treaties yes? And before you begin barking your precious seals wore off a long time ago. I have been protecting these." The old woman spoke as she gathered the treaties from her decrepit hut.

Alistair exclaimed his shock at her protecting them, and Olorin did wonder why she did it. She did not seem like she was a person who ever did something for no reason.

"Take them to your Grey Wardens and tell them the threat of this Blight is greater than they realise."

"Thank you. We must get back to our commander."

"Such manners, even where you least expect them. Come Morrigan, show them out of the wilds."

Morrigan huffed but did indeed start leading them out of the wilds. Again they were left un-accosted as they left the wilds, making Olorin think this was Morrigan's influence. It took at least half an hour for Morrigan to get them back to Ostagar. Olorin bade her farewell, and without reply she turned away, back into the wilds.

o-0-o

It did not take long to find Duncan again, who it turned out had been attending a strategy meeting with King Cailan about the battle he had planned tonight. Duncan said he had hoped to dissuade him from attacking tonight to give them more time to prepare but he had been unsuccessful.

Alistair informed about Morrigan and her mother, but Duncan seemed to have little interest in that. He took the blood from them and asked them to gather at the temple while he went to see a mage. Before heading to the temple, Olorin gave the flower he'd found to the kennel master and helped him administer the medicine to a mabari.

Daveth and Jory sat around nervously chatting with Alistair while watching what Olorin and William were doing. For they were training. William was working with Olorin on his form with his sword. It was a little tricky for him to only use the sword with one hand but he was slowly learning. William stated if they could find a silverite sword it would be easier as they were lighter but even stronger than steel.

Duncan chose that moment to walk in, carrying a cup full of an awful smelling black liquid. From what William could smell, it contained Darkspawn blood, Lyrium and something else he couldn't quite place. Duncan then spoke to the group.

"At last we come to the joining. The Grey Wardens were founded during the First Blight, when humanity stood on the verge of annihilation. So it was that first Grey Wardens drank Darkspawn blood, and mastered their taint."

"We have to drink the blood of those… things." Jory whispered horrified. Olorin felt quite sick himself and William had turned a distinctive shade of green.

Duncan and Alistair spoke of how the taint gave them their power which they then used to slay the Archdemon, But all Olorin could think about was the horror of having to drink that concoction. But he supposed he had no choice. He knew Duncan would not let him leave and if he wanted to run he would have to fight his way past. This was his only choice. He just caught the tale end of Alistairs speech where he seemed to be speaking an oath.

"Join us, brothers and sisters. Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that cannot be forsworn. And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten. And that one day we shall join you"

It was Duncan who spoke next.

"Daveth step forward." Daveth did so, and took the chalice Duncan had offered him. As soon as it became clear Daveth was going to drink from the chalice Duncan spoke again.

"From this moment forth Daveth, you are a Grey Warden."

The sight was horrifying. Daveth doubled up in pain, and clutched at his head as he screamed. He then started choking on what appeared to be blood before his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he took his last breath.

"I am sorry Daveth. Jory, step forward please."

Jory immediately started protesting, his cowardice showing again. Speaking about how he had a wife and if he known he wouldn't have volunteered. His fate was sealed as soon he drew his sword. Duncan put the chalice down and drew his own sword. As soon as Jory attacked, Duncan parried it and plunged his sword up past Jory's ribs and through his vital organs, killing him.

"I am sorry Jory. William, step forward please."

Now Olorin was nervous. He had grown quite close to William and would hate to lose him. As William took the Chalice Olorin's heart was in his throat. William drunk from the chalice and like Daveth, doubled up in pain. But unlike Daveth, he didn't start choking. Checking for a pulse, Alistair spoke.

"He lives and will awaken shortly."

"Step forward Olorin."

If his heart was in his throat before it was in his mouth now. He was terrified. But his courage did not fail him. He took hold of the cold chalice and brought it to his lips. As he did so he heard Duncan speak.

"From this moment, you are a Grey Warden."

The first thing that hit Olorin was the taste. It tasted like rotten meat and he nearly actually gagged it back up. But as soon as he swallowed it the pain hit. The worst pain he had ever imagined hit the front of his head and fell to his knees. The last thing he saw before blacking out was a great big dragon that looked straight at him and roared.