19-A Herald of the Blight is Joined
The next morning, Mari was up with the dawn. She dressed in her armor which she had cleaned the night before when she couldn't go to sleep right away. She left her weapons in their sheathes, hanging on an armor stand Margia had gotten her. Her hair had grown out quite a bit so she braided it and let it drape over her left shoulder.
Too bad the Wardens didn't think they needed to put a mirror in their guest rooms. She hoped she didn't have hair sticking out in odd directions. Her reflection in the window glass had to do.
There was a light tap on the door. She paused before she opened the door. She had a feeling who was on the other side … and she was right. Her new siblings awaited her. Margia and Analeese walked down to the ground floor with her and showed her to the stairway to the basement chamber where the Joining would be held. Very … serious. But, then, this was to be a serious, potentially deadly morning, after all.
The girls closed the door at the top of the stairs behind Mari as she made her way down … and down. It was a deep basement with a very tall ceiling. She felt like she just stepped into Dracula's chamber. Tapestries of different battles hung on all the walls with statues around the edge of the fairly square room. It was lit by a large chandelier in the center with sconces on the walls. Nothing seemed that old. Must have been used for storage once upon a time before the Grey Wardens were allowed back into Ferelden?
Mari glanced at Andwn, who was the first Warden she passed on her right, and then glanced up at the chandelier. He smiled. He must have carefully lit the candles with magic.
Next down the line was Ardoc, Dugan and Makis on the other side. Behind them were many of the Wardens that Mari recognized, but had never really gotten close to. That's about to change, Mari thought to herself. There was even a mabari there, sitting at attention. The Wardens who had come with the First Warden stood to the right of Del, who stood to the right of Duncan. Other than Andwn's brief smile, everyone had very serious looks on their faces.
Straight ahead was Duncan, his armor also cleaned and shiny. He was holding a silver chalice. "First Warden Delrisi has already told you the origin of the Grey Wardens, so I shall dispense with the full introduction. The Grey Wardens were formed out of necessity. Without the Grey Wardens, Thedas would have ended in a different way from Earth, but it would have ended, nonetheless. In many ways, we were formed along the lines of your first tale. A desperate group who had to ahlnac sonde mak." He turned to Del. "Old Alamarri for 'find a way'." Then, Duncan nodded to Anton. "Anton will recite words we say during every Joining."
Anton stood to the left of Duncan. He stepped forward. "Join us, sister. 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."
Duncan stepped forward and handed her the chalice. "From this moment forward, you are a Grey Warden."
She took it. "May I say something?"
Duncan looked to Del who only nodded.
"You found me, protected me, taught me … invited me to belong," she said quietly; however, the acoustics in the hall were so good everyone heard. She looked directly at Duncan. "I shall survive." She looked at Del. "I will follow orders." She turned and faced everyone else. "I shall never forget any of you." She took a deep breath and swallowed the contents of the chalice.
She didn't remember anyone taking it away from her. The pain took up all her capacity for thinking … at first. She thought she may have screamed, but didn't know for certain. Finally, it was as if all the light was extinguished and she found herself falling down into a bottomless pit.
!¡!¡
"I hate waiting up here," the Warden's cook Andi said.
"You're not the only one," the dwarf Gorim agreed.
"Welcome to the friends and family group, Gorim," Andi's daughter Analeese said. She shook her hands out in front of her. "I can't stop wringing my hands." Then, she eerped and went down on one knee. "Your Majesty!" she said as King Maric walked in the door.
He walked over to her and helped her to stand. "No ceremony here … with friends and family," Maric said.
Anora and Cailan also entered with Alistair and the mage Wynne who added, "Andwn sent over a page when Mari went to the Joining chamber. He asked me to be near … in case."
No one noticed Solas … as a cat … curled up in a comfy basket near the fireplace. It wasn't the only cat or dog in the place. A couple of the Wardens in Ostagar had mabari as well as a few in Denerim. The cats here really belonged to the Order overall … so, the light brown and tan cat with amber eyes caused no notice. It was too dangerous for Darenis to attend with all these lofty civilians around. Solas felt he should serve as an adequate substitute if the human Circle mage ran into trouble.
The humans all nervously engaged in small talk and nibbled on snacks put out by the Warden's cook until … "Wynne!" the Warden mage Andwn said as he ran in. "We need you." He looked around. "She survived, but it wasn't easy to keep her alive. I fear it may take a while longer for her to awaken. We need Wynne's help to watch her recovery."
The elf and the human went out and Solas followed. He'd rather take a chance on getting caught than listen to the 'friends and family' worry. He had no idea where they were going so he had to keep relatively close … and avoid …
"And, where are you going?" Seneschal Matis asked as he scooped up the cat. He held it up and added, "Ah, it's you. I understand. I'll see you get into the room."
How the man knew the cat was a shapeshifter, Solas had no idea. Then, he recalled that he'd shifted into that cat form once before while they were testing Mari's ability to withstand the noxious Joining formula the Wardens used. Matis happened to walk in just as Solas was changing. In any case, Solas was appreciative that the human remembered and understood.
Matis slipped the cat down … after descending a long, long staircase. Solas went to hide behind one of the statues on the side. Matis departed. Solas surmised he probably went back upstairs and was guarding the entrance from intruders.
There was a comfortable-looking bed on the side of the room and Mari was lying on top of it, covered in warm blankets. The cat jumped up to the top of a short cabinet and could see that she was thrashing a bit. She was alive. That was good. But, her face was ashen and sweating.
Wynne was using her magic to diagnose Mari's vitals, but said nothing. Solas was about to shift and go himself when Wynne said, "She's breathing normally, her heart is beating a bit fast but not to indicate a danger. I've sat beside a couple of you gentlemen after your Joinings. Let's give her a few hours. I'll remain. I suggest you go upstairs and leave her to us healers for now. The Royal Family arrived with me, Duncan."
"Maker," Duncan said. He turned to the anxious and silent Wardens who were awaiting word. "Let's take the Senior Enchanter's advice and greet our anxious guests above." He looked back to Wynne. "I'll leave Andwn down here and he can send word if you need anything, Wynne."
"I believe she just needs time to work through the ordeal," Wynne replied. "As you all know, it's different with every new Warden."
Several of the Wardens who Solas didn't know and a couple he did, stopped to whisper words of encouragement to Mari before they left. Once the door was closed, Andwn put his hands on his knees and took several deep breaths. "Wynne, I almost lost her a couple of times." She just hugged his shoulder. Then, Andwn walked over to the cat and said, "You really need to learn a mabari form, Solas. They can go absolutely anywhere in Ferelden."
Solas shifted into himself with a smile. "I've been working on it in Ostagar from time to time. The powerful gait is particularly difficult to copy well." He looked at Wynne who was giving him a disapproving look. "Yes, Senior Enchanter, I practice the old magic of shapeshifting. It can be very useful. I would be happy to train you or anyone at the Circle who would be interested."
"Wynne," Andwn explained, "Solas is an ancient elf who has been very helpful to the Wardens, specifically with testing the formula. We all just want Mari to survive."
"Solas. Mari has mentioned you briefly a few days ago." The old woman sighed. "I know it's useful, Solas. Anyway, with the system we have now, it wouldn't be useful in the Circle. Since you're here, please look her over with your magic and see if she is having any reactions that run contrary to what you were expecting."
Solas was more than a little surprised by Wynne's quick acceptance. He would need to be careful later, he knew, but happy for the respite in drama at the current moment. He walked over and scanned Mari. "As you said, her breathing is normal … although, I expected it to be faster with the amount of thrashing around."
"That may change over the hours. Grey Wardens often have nightmares right after their Joinings," she explained. "Warden Bryant was only out for a few hours, but Duncan has told me of Wardens who were out for days."
"Let's hope she isn't tortured for that long," Andwn said as Solas pulled out the necklace hidden behind her armor and wrapped her hand around it. Andwn smiled at him. "Not a bad idea."
They carried over a table from behind a far statue and put chairs around it that had been moved from around the room.
"I'll go get some food for us. And, I think I need to introduce you to the others, Solas, if you're willing," Andwn said.
Wynne sighed as she sat in one of the chairs. "They've all heard about Solas, Andwn. They'll likely want to use him as a messenger bird."
That made Solas laugh. "I've been wanting to see more of Ferelden. Perhaps that wouldn't be such an imposition. As long as the request is made politely for important reasons."
After they left, Wynne looked at Mari. "I hope your dreams aren't too awful, my dear, and you awaken soon."
Unfortunately, it wasn't until the end of the next day when Mari sat up, muscles tensed, eyes wide, with a scream, hearing Wynne shout, "Get Duncan!"
!¡!¡
Mari never hit the bottom of the pit, but her fall did slow down … eventually.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The rhythmic beeping sounded familiar. It was a constant when her parents were in the hospital … not that Mari was allowed by their bedsides because of the contagious nature of the virus that ended up taking their lives. A kind nurse put a plugged in phone between their beds in the ICU and left it on FaceTime. Mari watched day after day … until the beeping stopped one day. The frantic tries to resuscitate first her father and then her mother finally ended and they were pronounced dead … within minutes of each other. Mari had always hoped she'd find someone like that. Someone she could love so much that she just could not live without him.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
"This is surprising," Mari heard her friend Phil say. "I never once thought I'd ever eat fresh snake."
Beep. Be …
The beeping stopped.
Scene breaks repeated over and over. Different words. Different moments from her past. The last time was odd, though.
"Why are you playing that game now?" Angie asked.
"I got bored waiting for Donovan. I have fond memories about Mari and this game," Phil said quietly.
"I thought she gave us shit for playing that game," Angie said.
Phil laughed. "She did. That's the fond memory. I downloaded it onto her laptop just in case. I doubt she ever even found it to play it."
A door opened. Phil's companion, Donovan, said. "The ship's ready. We need to go now before it's too late. Panama Canal's jammed up. Around South America and then west. Radioactive cloud heading here from the north east." A pause. "I'm … I'm sorry we couldn't find her in time."
Beep. Be
Things went black and silent again. Mari fell for a long time, but she had no concept of time. Hours. Days. Forever?
Then, she felt her back slam against something hard. She opened her eyes. She was standing upright, but couldn't move anything but her eyes. She was in a gigantic ornate round room … with a freaking huge golden dragon in the center. It was breathing, but it's eyes were closed. It was asleep. Mari had never seen any room like this. The dragon easily filled it.
She heard scratching … or digging … noises from above. They were faint, but continuous. She noticed that there was a circle of statues embedded all around the wall, like stone soldiers guarding the room and its inhabitant. Two griffon statues guarded what Mari guessed was an entry to her right, but she only saw them peripherally. There was a blue glow around the soldiers. Mari guessed that somehow she was inside one of those statues? Maybe why she couldn't move?
Next, she heard the sound of a door opening to her right. Two visitors walked toward the dragon. One was a dwarf. The other was the tallest darkspawn emissary that Mari had ever seen. She hadn't seen many, that was true. But, this guy was huge.
The emissary waved a hand and said an incantation in a language Mari didn't know and the blue aura around the statues went away. Cracks appeared in the statues Mari could see and bits started to fall away.
She felt like the statue she was in stayed whole, but she couldn't tell if the aura was on or off.
"We must hurry, Utha," the emissary said. "Now that the wards are defeated, we need to administer the resistance potion before the others break through from above. It is the only way to stop the Archdemon from rising and interfering with our plans." He reached into a leather satchel and pulled out a tube with a widened end … like a very long funnel. The dwarf … who must be named Utha … handed the emissary a large vial of a dark red liquid that looked a lot like the Joining formula Mari just drank. Utha steadied the funnel while the emissary inserted the tube into the dragon's mouth and throat before he poured the liquid in.
They finished and put away the funnel and now empty vial. They waited as the scratching from above got louder. Finally, the emissary said, "How unfortunate, Utha. She did not awaken. It is not working on Urthemiel. We need to return to our laboratory and refine the formula to try again on Razikale." Utha picked up the satchel and they both turned toward the door … and seemed to notice something strange about the statue Mari was looking through.
Somehow, the emissary noticed Mari in the statue. "They must have monitors for the chambers! Go now, Utha!" he yelled. "I will silence this Warden monitor and follow!" As he started the gestures and an incantation, hundreds … maybe thousands of darkspawn fell from the ceiling. Not all of them were killed. The survivors started to awaken the dragon by scratching, biting, kicking, punching. It awoke and also looked Mari's way.
A gigantic ball of flame was growing on the emissary's hands. Mari was helpless. She could not move. The flame launched toward her. She screamed inside her head.
She sat up in a bed. There was no beeping, but there was a circle of worried faces surrounding her. She was completely exhausted. She dropped back on the bed and smiled up at Duncan standing next to her. "I told you I would survive."
He smiled. "Welcome. Get some rest. We can talk later. Wynne and Solas will stay here with Andwn if you need anything."
Mari took a deep breath and turned her head on her pillow to look around. "I need to tell you all what I experienced now, Duncan. It may be important." The First Warden and others came back and moved a bit closer. "At first, I think I was having bits of dream memories of my world. Then, I seemed to meld into a statue, one of many surrounding a round room … with a golden dragon in the center. There were griffons by the door. Maybe a Warden chamber?" She continued with the rest of her story, careful to tell every bit she could recall. After the description of Utha and the emissary, she finished with, "The emissary's liquid in the vial didn't work for some reason. He called that dragon Urthemiel and said they would need to refine the formula and try it on Razikale. He noticed me somehow, called me a Warden monitor and started to cast a giant fireball. I woke up before he fried me. I guess I got away in time." She took a deep breath. "I didn't know Archdemons needed a Joining." That's when she noticed that the worried faces from before had become alarmed.
"They do not," Del said. He looked around. "Report dreams any of you may have that include an Archdemon. Also, report any encounters with darkspawn. Are they seemingly random? Do they seem to have a purpose? Following orders?"
"Like taking over Vigil's Keep?" Anton said.
Del looked at Duncan. "Let us meet with King Maric again."
Duncan sat on the side of Mari's cot. "You said a tall emissary and a dwarf named Utha. I have met both of them on the occasion of my journey into the Deep Roads with King Maric twenty years ago." He turned toward Del. "It would seem the Architect is moving forward with his perverted plans, whatever they are."
"Shit," Mari said. "I'd read the report about the expedition that's in the library here but it didn't have many specifics. I recall the mention of the Architect, but not Utha. I read about the remaining Old Gods. It sorta proves it wasn't all my over-active imagination."
"Nor do any of us know of these chambers guarded by magical stone soldiers and griffons … only just the mention of chambers in general locations," Del said. "It is looking more like your connection with the darkspawn communication actually saw all this, Mari, actually saw the beginning of the Fifth Blight."
Andwn sighed. "Everyone has just returned and are upstairs awaiting news about Mari." Then, he got serious. "I doubt they're going to like hearing that we're getting closer to declaring a Blight."
"Is there anything to eat down here?" Mari asked as her stomach rumbled.
That broke the tension. Everyone laughed. "Well, we know the Joining worked then," Anton said as he moved some cookies and fruit punch on a table next to the bed. "I'll go get something warm and substantial.
Mari sat up and Wynne piled some pillows behind her. She knew that was as far as she would be going for a while. She grabbed a cookie, ate it with shaky hands, picked up the punch with both hands and drank. She went back and forth with the snack as Duncan and Del and the rest of the Wardens except Andwn went upstairs to tell them all the good news … and the bad news.
Solas and Wynne walked over. Wynne sat next to her and asked, "How are you feeling, dear?"
"I'm pretty shaky right now," Mari replied. "I don't think I can walk yet." She grinned at Wynne. "I'm just so hungry!"
"I have been told that is a typical after-effect of the Joining," Solas said as he cast a spell that helped Mari feel a little better. "You seem well physically, just need to eat a bit and then rest until tomorrow."
"Let's see how you feel after you eat and we can get you up to your own bed," Wynne said. "You'll rest better up there."
"I'd like that," Mari said after polishing off the plate of cookies just as Anton brought down a tray. It had a large bowl of Andi's wonderful vegetable soup, fresh bread, lightly buttered, and a small hunk of cheese with more fruit punch. "Perfect timing, Anton! I just finished that pile of cookies."
He laughed. As Andwn took away the tray with the empty cookie plate and punch mug, Anton put his tray down. "Take it easy with that. Everyone is upstairs. Even the Grand Cleric. Del has been noticing how many influential people care about you."
"I'm glad he saw how fortunate I've been," Mari said after dunking a piece of bread and eating the soup.
"Actually, he was angry about it … mostly at himself for being talked into allowing your Joining," Anton said. "If things hadn't turned out well, it could have seriously damaged our relationship with Ferelden."
"Someone needs to tell him to quit worrying about things that didn't happen," Mari said with a mmmmmm at the buttered, soup-soaked bread.
"Consider me told," Del said as he came down the stairs. He had a smile on his face. Hopefully, that was a good sign. "All right, Warden. You have tomorrow off to rest. More if you need it, but the way you are stuffing away that food, I would doubt you'll need much more."
Wynne turned to Del. "Someone will need to carry her to her room in a few minutes. It would be more restful than down here."
"Carry me!?" Mari asked. She took a minute to inventory her body. "Yeah, that might be faster," she admitted.
"And, that would be me," Alistair came down the stairs to a glare from Del. He just grinned at the First Warden. "I'll be down here soon enough, so no reason to hide your secret Joining sanctum from me." Wynne stood up and Alistair took her place. "How are you feeling?"
That caused Mari to laugh. "Apparently, I am feeling the way most Wardens feel after their Joining. Starving!"
"Ooo, you got the good cheese, too," Alistair said to everyone's laughter.
Mari popped the last of the cheese in her mouth. "Mmmm, you're right!"
At Alistair's sad face, Anton said, "We have more … just think of what awaits you when you finish your Joining."
"I told Duncan that I'd like to speak with my parents first and let Captain Langstar know of my decision. At least send a letter to them," Alistair said. "Duncan said that he and Mari will likely be going along back to Highever. Although, news about a Blight might keep Duncan here. Then, I'll need to get my own darkspawn blood." He scrunched up his face and gagged.
"Wynne and Andwn make it not taste nearly as bad as it sounds, Alistair. Nearly." Mari finished off the bowl of soup with a wipe down with the last of the buttered bread. "But, remember, you can't tell anyone about all that." She winked at Del. Then, she put the bowl back on the tray. "Okay, you get to be Rosy tonight," Mari said with a nik-nik sound she always gave to Rosy to alert her to move forward.
He easily lifted her off the cot and carried her upstairs. Grand Cleric Arasis, Revered Mother Dorothea, Sister Leliana, Tavish, Irminric, Loghain, Anora, Cailan, Maric, Solas … even Nathaniel, a girl with Nathaniel introduced as Delilah, and Varric were there along with the Wardens who had stood witness and Anton's family and many others who broke into applause. Her Grace said a blessing over Mari. All that, of course, brought out the tears. "Thank you so much," Mari sniffed as Anora handed her a kerchief.
"Keep it as a remembrance of breaking down yet one more time," Anora said with a slight grin.
That helped Mari … a lot. She laughed. "Okay, I'm going to sleep for a day and I'll be a grateful Warden who will have a lot of work to do, I'm sure."
Alistair carried her down a line of her friends and new family who all wished her pleasant dreams and a quick recuperation. Dugan handed her a polished stone. It was tan with dark veins in it. "It's a memento in Orzammar. Empty lyrium ore. We say, 'Atrast nal tunsha … May you always find your way in the dark.'"
"You didn't give me a rock," Makis said.
After a few jokes, the others headed to the drawing room for some card games while the non-Wardens went back to their lives. Alistair with Mari, Wynne, and Anora went upstairs. Alistair put Mari down on her bed and kissed her cheek. "I'm glad you're well. I'm glad you're following your wish. While I'm not glad there is a potential Blight on the horizon, I'm glad I'll be facing it with you." He kissed Mari's hand.
"Yes, yes, all very romantic, Alistair," Anora said with a smile. "The poor girl needs her rest. Now, go downstairs and over to the Palace to continue our discussions on plans for preparation."
He bowed to Anora. "At once, Your Highness!"
Once Alistair left, Mari — with help — took off her armor and slipped into her soft woolen nightgown. After doing all those things one does before bed, Wynne looked her over one more time and then they both slipped out after banking the stove and blowing out the chimney light, leaving a single candle burning on the desk.
Mari pinched herself to make sure this wasn't just a continuation of the dream and mused that she actually had survived. It would be a shorter life than she would have lived on Earth … probably … but it would be a worthwhile life.
She might even be able to do something along with all the other Grey Wardens to save this world.
!¡!¡
Fergus watched the guards out the window. They were making plans and issuing orders. Thomas was doing his temporary duty of hiring and getting new guards trained. He hired an older soldier who lived in the city of Amaranthine and made him Guard Captain at Vigil's Keep. Fergus thought that hire was inspired. "We need to find a place of responsibility for Thomas, Father," Fergus quietly said to Bryce.
"I agree. Captain Bartoc is Maker-sent. The Vigil lost so many … from Rendon's ineptitude as well as darkspawn." Bryce put the ledger down he had been reading. "I hope Nathaniel is all right." He looked up at Fergus. "I'll need to leave shortly to join them in Denerim."
Fergus stretched his back. "I think the money situation mess left by Rendon is fairly well cleared up. Thomas is doing exemplary work in the day-to-day responsibilities."
"When I see Nathaniel, I'll be sure to give him some ideas on how to keep Thomas busy," Bryce said. "Do you think I could head down to Denerim tomorrow? I'd like you to stay here for a bit. Of course, Elle is staying here to finish all the changes she, Delilah and Adria came up with to scour Rendon out of the place. I believe your mother is fine in Highever. We'll swing by to get you on the way back to Highever when the Landsmeet is done. Do you see a problem with that?"
Fergus shook his head. "Not at all." A knock on the door prevented Fergus from saying anything more.
"Enter," Bryce said.
An elf walked in. "Please pardon my interruption, Your Lordship, Lord Fergus, but King Maric wished me to get this to you as quickly as possible." He smiled. "Lady Elle has already read it. I offer sincere apologies if that was incorrect."
Both Bryce and Fergus laughed. "My darling daughter is anxious for any word about Nathaniel. Please have a seat … forgive me if we've met," Bryce said with a smile as he took a letter from him.
"My name is Solas, Your Lordship," was the reply.
Bryce nodded after sharing a knowing look with Fergus who motioned for Solas to sit nearby. "Care for any refreshment while we wait for Father to read the note?"
"Do you have any local wines?" the elf asked. He smiled. "This is my first time in the Arling."
While Solas and Fergus engaged in small talk about Elle and the renovations, Bryce opened the letter.
Bryce,
This letter is being delivered by Solas. He was the elf that Mari saw when she arrived in our world. I was told that you were informed by Andwn about him. It turns out that he is an ancient elf, very adept in magic including shapeshifting. He likely flew this letter to you as a bird of some kind.
He has been very helpful to the Wardens to ready the Warden Joining for Mari and, like most of us, is fond of the girl. First order of business, Mari survived her Joining and is recuperating right now. Senior Enchanter Wynne from the Circle and Warden Andwn believe she suffered no adverse affects.
However, I write to you to see if there is any way you can expedite your arrival in Denerim. We should have enough for a Landsmeet in two weeks. I would like to get Nathaniel approved as quickly as possible so you will have time to get him up to speed.
There is a reason. After a Joining, many Wardens experience dreams of darkspawn … being chased, being in a major battle or the like. Mari's dream was of the awakening of the Archdemon. The Architect … the darkspawn emissary I briefed you and Loghain about … and the dwarf Utha were also in her dream. Mari had never been told details about the Architect's willing dwarf assistant from the time I angered Loghain and went with the Wardens into the Deep Roads twenty years ago. If you recall, I insisted we keep that part as secret as we could. So, we all fear that Mari saw an actual event. Not a dream. Her uniqueness continues.
The new First Warden has arrived in Denerim, a Hossberg fellow named Delrisi Kankut. Yes, Loghain is pleased that he left Weisshaupt to help … and that he is not Orlesian. Neither Del nor Duncan are ready to declare a Blight just yet, but I fear that declaration grows closer by the day. As you are painfully aware, we just had that major incursion in Vigil's Keep. We've also had an alarming increase of darkspawn activity in the Korcari Wilds. Del also told us that the Wardens believed Urthemiel to be buried below the Korcari. Things just keep corroborating a possible Blight. So, it might be best to start making plans for defense.
Maker keep you all safe up there and keep you in His Sight for your journey here.
Maric
"Maker," Bryce whispered and then added, "Some excellent news followed by some potentially lethal news for Ferelden," Bryce handed the letter to Fergus and he looked at Solas and smiled. "So, why did you think Mari was not what you expected?"
Solas smiled. "King Maric and Loghain told me that I am to trust you as if I were speaking with them. And, since Mari undoubtedly trusts you to share even the smallest detail, I shall not dodge your question, humorous as it is. I am not a modern day elf, Your Lordship. I lived during the time of Arlathan. We traveled between our cities via the Crossroads through magical portals called Eluvians." He took a sip of his wine and smiled his apparent approval. "Mari arrived in the Crossroads through an Eluvian connected to her world. I had gone to her world a few centuries ago and met her ancestors." He pulled out the necklace. "You may have noticed that she also wears a necklace like this."
"I did," Fergus said. "I was told later that she wears it inside her shirt most of the time, but when we met the first time, she wore it on the outside. It actually looks exactly like that one, if memory serves." He cocked his head. "And, you say the necklaces are centuries old?"
"Yes, I got mine as a gift, she as an inheritance," Solas replied. "Since I had met her ancestors who were a simple people … and I had momentarily forgotten it was centuries ago … I was taken aback by her clothing and the materials of her clothes and backpack." He smiled. "So, not what I expected to fall through that particular Eluvian. Sadly, I believe that the Eluvian was destroyed when her world was destroyed or, at least, that part of her world was."
"I see," Bryce said quietly. "Well, I, for one, am glad we were able to give her a home here."
"Me, too," Fergus said. He held up the letter. "And, very glad to hear she survived her Joining … even though it seemed to herald a Blight at our doorstep."
"So, my boy, it looks like not leaving tomorrow would be a very bad idea," Bryce said. "Will you be returning with me, Solas, or taking your own unique way?"
"Actually, I have letters for Soldier's Peak for the Wardens and some to Highever for Alistair's parents to distribute," Solas replied. "If possible, I'd like to rest here tonight and leave with the dawn."
"Of course," Bryce said.
"Follow me, Solas, let's get some dinner and I can show you to your room for the evening," Fergus said.
After they left, Bryce sent for Thomas and told him about the letter he'd just received.
"Who's Mari?" Thomas asked.
"That's right," Bryce said. "You haven't met our visitor from another world." Then, he told Thomas about the unique woman who came through an Eluvian from her world as it was being destroyed, stepping out of it right in front of the Grey Wardens. "And, now, she is a Grey Warden herself."
Thomas looked on in amazement during the telling. "Bad timing to become a Grey Warden I would think," he said quietly.
Bryce chuckled. "From what I've heard, it was her idea. In gratitude for our acceptance of her, and her sadness at not helping her own world, she took the Grey gladly."
"Brave woman," Thomas said.
"Indeed," Bryce said. "Now, Thomas, I would like you to consider how you will continue to serve Ferelden. It is completely up to you, your sister and Nathaniel, if he gets approved as Arl, but I think he'll be more than willing to consider your preferences."
"Do you think he'll be approved?" Thomas asked with more than a little trepidation.
"Well, this is Ferelden's Landsmeet we're talking about, so nothing is ever definite. However, both Anora and Delilah are working with him to shape him up for the ordeal," Bryce replied with a smile.
"Ah, then it is as close to definite as we might hope." Thomas grinned.
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The sun rose … and Mari slept. Noon came and went. At sunset, Mari opened her eyes. She hurt everywhere!
"Ah, she's finally opens her eyes," Alistair said from her bedside. He put a glass to her lips and helped her to drink a sweet juice concoction of Andi's that Mari loved. It was very good … and very appreciated … but did nothing to stop her spasming muscles and pounding headache.
"Uunnnnh," she moaned. "I ache all over. I must have used every muscle in my body yesterday."
"You did thrash around quite a bit, I'm told," he replied.
Mari heard someone coming in from the hallway.
"She just woke up, Wynne," Alistair said.
"Thank the Maker," she said as she cast a spell on Mari that helped make those muscles ache a bit less, but just a bit. At least Mari felt like she actually wanted to continue living.
"Thank you so much, Wynne," Mari said as Alistair helped her to a second sip of juice. "Some people really do not know what they're missing by not making use of magic. Especially, healing magic."
"Everyone's been worried about you, young lady," Wynne said in her grandmotherly way. "I told them they were being silly. You would be fine. You had a dream that ended with a fireball headed your direction. The body's typical reaction is to run away or at least dodge it in some manner; however, you couldn't. So, you tensed up and expected the worst. Fortunately, you snapped back to us before the Architect's fireball cremated you."
Mari took a deep breath and tried to sit up. It was an achy thing, but doable. "Unngh, I take it I slept the day away."
"You did," Alistair said. "Would you like me to get you some dinner?"
Mari thought about it a moment. "No, I think I'd like to see everyone." She slowly stood and grinned at Alistair. "If you wouldn't mind alerting them that I'll be down soon, I'd appreciate that."
It took a moment for him to understand that he was being dismissed, but then he said, "Oh! I'll let you get dressed and be downstairs with everyone else." He paused a moment and then hugged Mari gently. "Thank the Maker you're all right."
She hugged him back, comfortable in his arms for a few moments. "Hopefully, it won't take too long." With a giggle, she added, "I'm starving."
That made them all laugh. As he walked out the door, Alistair said, "I'll alert the kitchens in both the Warden Compound and the Palace."
"Very funny, Alistair," Mari said as she stuck her tongue at him.
"Mari," Wynne said. "Please lay back down one more time, I'd like to look at one more thing and then I think I can help the residual pain." Wynne went through a number of casts and then smiled. "You'll be fine, Warden Marisia Park."
The last spell absolutely made Mari feel almost back to normal. Almost. After doing all those necessary things and freshening up a bit, she pulled on her dark blue linen pants and new rose-colored shirt, Mari told Wynne. "I don't know if I would have survived that without you, Wynne."
"I knew you were going to be in pain, dear, but I had no idea how much until just now." Wynne made up Mari's bed while Mari brushed her hair and braided it.
"I should stop you from doing that, but you'd just argue and do it anyway, so I'll let it go … this once," Mari said with a wink. "Do I look presentable?"
"You're a bit pale, but your rosy cheeks will return soon enough," Wynne said. She motioned to the door. "Shall we go downstairs?"
The trip downstairs was very slow … step down one stair, bring the second foot to the same stair and so on. Finally, she was on the ground floor. There were quite a few in the common room, so they must have already had dinner. They all came up to welcome her to the Wardens. A number of those faces she recognized — but didn't know — did introduce themselves and Mari tried her best to file as many of the names away as possible.
A mabari walked up to her and moofed.
"Well, hello there!" she said as she held out the back of her hand.
"That's Marbry," a tall young man named Marris said.
"I always thought about getting a dog," Mari said. "But, I never got around to it."
Before she could get too sad about that, Marris said, "Well, I hear we're going to Highever and Orzammar with you in a few days. There's a terrific breeder near there where Marbry here was whelped. Maybe there's a pup there who'll imprint on you."
"That sounds like a nice side trip," Mari began and then added conspiratorially, "Of course, Anton may need some coercing."
Those nearby laughed. "Marbry'll convince him." Then, he swept his hand toward the dining room. "Go get some dinner. I think I ate the place out when I woke up."
"Thanks," Mari said. "I'm sure I'll eat more than I should."
In the dining room, Anton, Margia, Analeese, Andi, Dugan, Gorim, Makis, Andwn, Alistair and Riordan sat at the dining table. They had left the head of the table open for her … the food already set out! Marris and Marbry had followed her and stood in the doorway.
Anton pulled out the chair and Mari sat. He whispered, "The Wardens here are the ones leaving for Orzammar soon with Gorim, Alistair and his guard squad."
Mari smiled at Riordan. "Shouldn't you be sitting up here, Riordan?" Mari asked as she bit into a scrumptious buttered roll.
He only laughed. "No, your chair is closer to the kitchen. Easier for Andi to run back and forth." He smiled back at her. "Welcome to the Grey Wardens, Mari."
She savored the roll, smiled and said, "Thank you all for your fellowship." She took a bite of the roast. "How do you handle feeding a bunch of Wardens on the road?"
Margia laughed. "I've been waiting for you to ask that," she said as she plopped down a sack of ration bars. "Mother makes the best ones."
Andi shook her finger at Margia. "Now, Margia, you know that Callie got hired up at Soldier's Peak. Her ration bars are just as good."
"We'll stop by the Peak and replenish, Mari," Anton said. "You haven't seen it yet, have you?"
"Nope, it was deemed 'too dangerous' for me back then." Mari took a swig of ale. "I think I can handle it now. Of course, there shouldn't be any ghosts or crazy ancient blood mages there anymore."
"Wardens do eat more than most," Riordan explained as he cut his roast. "But, the hunger does temper down to tolerable levels." He looked at Makis' empty plate. "It takes a while for some, though," he chuckled.
"Hah, I came from Dust Town," Makis explained as he started on his cake. "I was starvin' most of the time so I eat now like it's me last meal." He winked at Riordan. "I'll hold it back on the road."
Mari swallowed. "Only because you'll be sampling the stuff you're cooking." She looked around. "Which is very good, by the way. He made deepstalker taste good … my introduction to food in Thedas!"
The rest of the meal conversation went along those lines. Until just as they were finishing up dessert. Duncan, Del, Maric and Loghain walked in with Nathaniel and Varric. "No kneeling!" Maric commanded and then sighed. "Damn, we missed Analeese's cake."
"No, you didn't, Your Majesty!" Analeese said as she turned for the kitchen. "Please join us and I'll get everyone another slice!"
"How are you feeling, Mari?" Loghain asked.
"Actually, thanks to Andwn, I'm alive, and thanks to Wynne, I'm able to move again," Mari said as she got up and helped pour the wine for everyone.
"What? No cheese sprinkles?" Varric said with a grin. Then, he explained his first evening in the Palace and the reason for the cheese in a small bowl of wine from the bottles present.
"Oh, dear," Andi said. "Have I missed a protocol?"
Maric smiled at her. "Please, do not waste a drop of this wine tonight. We have a new Grey Warden." He tipped his glass toward Mari, as did everyone else. "We have a likely candidate for the Arlship of Amaranthine." A tip of the glass went to Nathaniel. "We have a good beginning of a plan for mitigating a Blight, should it appear here. We have good friends, good food … and good wine with excellent cheese cubes on the side for eating, not for testing." He got serious for a moment. "I'm afraid I insisted that Del, Duncan and Loghain remain in Denerim for the Landsmeet to confirm Nathaniel as Arl and discuss the potential Blight. Bryce is on his way. Maker save Del and Duncan. Loghain and Nathaniel already know what they're in for." He looked at Alistair. "And, my son has chosen to take the Grey in service to Thedas. I could not be more proud of him." He raised his glass. "To Warden Recruit Alistair, Maker guide him to be the best he can be."
Duncan stood and raised his glass to Maric. "To King Maric, who long ago personally aided the Grey Wardens and allowed us back into Ferelden in time to set up and recruit and be prepared for trials to come." Everyone stood and lifted their glasses to Maric who just nodded in thanks and sat down … like he knew what was coming next. Maybe he did.
Once everyone sat down again, Duncan continued, "In two days, Riordan will be leading a group of Wardens to Orzammar with stops at Vigil's Keep, Soldier's Peak and Highever. Anton and Mari have been working on the Deep Roads maps we have. There are some notable parts missing, especially the Deep Roads under cities of eastern Ferelden." He turned to Alistair. "I shall leave it up to you, Alistair, if one night is enough time for you in Highever before continuing with the Wardens to Orzammar. If not, then they will come by after Orzammar to pick you up." He turned to Mari. "Please speak with the Hawke family on the way back and …" Duncan chuckled. "And, stop by the Circle to remind Anders of his promise."
"And, twist Greagoir's arm for one or two more mages?" Mari asked with a grin.
"I recommend you speak with Irving first, but, yes, more mages would be wonderful," Duncan said.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Soldier's Peak, also," Mari said.
Del stood and got more wine. "The five Wardens who came with me from Weisshaupt are going there. They'll travel with you in two days as far as the Peak. Arctavi is more of a researcher, as is Haska. Marienna, Tarron and Warlon are all Senior Wardens who are tasked with looking the place over and seeing how Weisshaupt may help restore it. They excel at logistics and planning. Loghain and I have come to an agreement that he will also station some of Maric's Shield there to assist." He took a deep breath. "To be bluntly honest, if there is a Blight here, Soldier's Peak will become the southern Weisshaupt until the Archdemon is killed. I have already alerted all the Warden Commanders in Thedas to make plans to send twenty of every one-hundred of their wardens to Ferelden once we confirm a sighting of the Archdemon."
"We will include Wardens from all over Thedas … but no other soldiers or chevaliers," Loghain clarified. "If we find we need other militaries, Ferelden will be lost."
Maric sat back. "But, we will need to remain flexible, Loghain."
Before Loghain could put voice to his objection, Mari said, "How about soldiers from other countries that operate only under the command of Ferelden officers, Loghain?" She shrugged. "I realize that will narrow the field quite a bit, but some additional fighters might make a difference. As long as they know up front that any spies will be summarily executed on the spot. Maybe someone … a Ferelden officer or noble … should go north and recruit?" She rolled her eyes. "I know I'm probably bringing up things already discussed."
Loghain frowned. "Yes, we discussed fighters from other lands."
"But, he actually listened to Mari," Maric said.
"Very well," Loghain said and turned to Varric. "Is that Captain you know still here, Varric?"
Varric put his fork down. "Yeah. I could go along, Loghain. Won't be much help in Kirkwall since I did kill Reinhardt. Dumar wants me to stay away for a while, but I have other contacts. So does Isabela."
"We can just leave you on the ship in Kirkwall, Varric. As soon as the Landsmeet is over in a few weeks, we may go north and see who's available to recruit," Loghain said. "I'll leave Cauthrien in command here. I stress that we may go … or may not go. Happy, First Warden?"
Del laughed. "Even though I laugh, I am not happy with this situation at all. I find myself hoping that the previous First Warden Franc finds the Archdemon in the Deep Roads and is eaten whole for leaving me with this. Find heroes. Find fair-minded fighters who do this because it is the right thing to do. Their pay will be paltry compared to what they could earn in a mercenary group."
"This idea is crazy," Mari said. "But, what about the Qunari … or … Tal-Vashoth? I mean the Blight will eventually spread north." She looked around at all the arched eyebrows looking back at her. "Darkspawn talk now. Couldn't they commandeer a ship and get to an island? Do the Deep Roads go under the seas?" She sighed. "Just a thought."
"If they contact us," Alistair said, "then we could open a dialog, but the Qunari aren't really known for being open and cordial to visitors opposed to their Qun. The Tal-Vashoth are mostly mercenary, I believe."
"Not certain I would be the right person to approach them, anyway," Loghain said.
Mari smiled at him. "Actually, from what little I've read about them, you'd be the perfect person to speak with them."
"Well," Duncan said quickly. "We'll keep that idea in reserve for now."
Mari just laughed. "Ah, Mom-speak for 'don't get your feelings hurt if it never comes up'." Everyone else chuckled and smiled, too, and the conversation continued about plans and schedules and fears and hopes.
Until Mari yawned. "Excuse me, but I think my body is telling me to go to bed."
"Good idea for all of us, Mari," Anton said. "We'll start off in the morning reviewing the maps. Dugan and Makis are going to look over our notes and see if they can add any questions. By the way, they have decided to go along to Orzammar. Dugan would like to see his father, King Endrin, before we get too mired in the Blight. He's already sent a messenger to tell Endrin that he survived and became a Warden."
Del turned a surprised look to Duncan. "You have a Warden who is a son of King Endrin?" Then, he shook his head. "You are perhaps the best connected cadre in Thedas. I'm glad Dugan is going also, Anton." Then, he stood. "Mari is right. Let us retire for the evening and rise with the dawn to make preparations for the Wardens leaving and the Wardens staying to politic with Ferelden nobles. As you say, Maker save me and Duncan."
The Warden Compound that evening was fairly subdued, everyone alone with their own thoughts about why they were born during a Blight.
Mari stood at her window for a while. Thoughts of her mother and father, how they died, how they lived. She remembered the broken glimpses of her past life. Angie giving Phil grief about Mari not playing the game. Too bad her laptop was useless here … and destroyed. She could have played the damn game to learn more about where she was! She frowned wondering if the glimpse of her friends really happened. Donovan said they were escaping a radioactive cloud.
Mari already knew why they couldn't find her.
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AN: Thanks for the continuing encouragement, Judy! Also, thanks to all the kind PMs. I really appreciate that you seem to like my self-insert tale. Next time … on the road, again! Everyone have a terrific week!