Location: an ancient warden Laboratory in Hunterhorn Mountains

Jacqueline spoke up at this point looking at Uther with a stern expression on her face, it was one he knew quite well considering her a wife and Queen of ferelden and former grey warden. Jacqueline had earned her respect as both a person and a leader by defeating the Arch demon during the 5th blight, though her survival was due Uther Performing a dark ritual the night before the battle with his lover Morrigan. After defeating the arch demon, Uther became the commander of the Grey wardens in Ferelden and the title Arl of Amaranthine, while Jacqueline retired to become the queen.

Fergus Cousland her elder brother was the Arl of Highever, her husband Alistair was king of ferelden and was ruling while she was away dealing with an important matter of finding a cure for the calling. Uther had told only Fergus and Alistair, And the four wardens within his inner circle of his research into a cure for the calling and the plan to obtain Great Dragon blood, the seven of them had sworn secrecy and agreed not to tell the wardens, they were the only ones who knew that Jacqueline and Uther had gone off on this secret mission to a old warden base hidden deep in the mountain range known as the hunterhorn mountains.

"You're certain great dragon blood could be the key to curing the calling?" Uther nodded yes as he answered Jacqueline Cousland question "I'm positive, after all Alister's mother grand enchanter Fiona was once a warden, I suspect the Great Dragon Blood that flows in the Theirin blood line is what purged the taint from her. If my calculations are correct I should be able to create a reverse joining with Great Dragon blood as the catalyst, potentially it could cure us of this blasted taint."

That's when his friend and second command of ferelden grey wardens Nathaniel Howe decided join the conversation "Can I just say it's weird that you know the true identity of Alistair's mother, how did you even find out about that."

"I'll tell you after tell us if the Scouting I asked you to do was successful." Uther answered bluntly Nathaniel muttered something before answering "My search was indeed successful there's a great dragon dew west of our current location."

After Jacqueline's went on to speak again "I still don't see how killing a Great dragon is going to help us find a cure for the calling."

Uther gave Jacqueline a quick response "According to the notes, Morrigan had discovered in Flemeth's journal Great Dragon blood is far more potent than any other kind Of Dragon blood utilized in becoming a Reaver As a result it is passed down through the Theirin bloodline of the individual which is why when King Maric and Fiona did the deed the Great Dragon Blood That was carried in Maric Genetic code merge with Fiona's as a result when Alistair was born Fiona Have been cured of The dark spawn taint and when the order attempted to restore her abilities it didn't work."

Uther took a deep breath before continuing "which is why I believe if we can obtain the blood of a Great Dragon will be able to create a reverse joining that will free us from the danger of the calling. If not for Alistair father having a dalliance with Fiona the idea of a Cure for the calling would never have occurred to me."

Jacqueline shook her head at that statement, she couldn't believe that she was actually going along with Uther insane plan to cure the calling But it would have its benefits considering she and Alistair would finally be able to have an heir. It wasn't that Alistair and she weren't trying to conceive a child, but it was proving to be a challenge for them to get her pregnant, Since it was virtually impossible for wardens to conceive children due to the taint from dark spawn blood used to allow them to become gray wardens in the first place.

"If your so sure this reverse joining can work then why did you not use your own blood?" Jacqueline asked Uther as a result, he was quick to respond to her question

"Averus already attempted that remember but all he could do was extend his life far longer than It should have eventually been." Jacqueline couldn't argue against that point since Averus and managed to live from the age of storm to the age of Dragons roughly 200 years.

Uther continued with his explanation "I've also come across some ancient elven lore that hints that blood magic is the only thing they can really stop the taint which apparently originates from a location known as the void or the abyss as the chantry calls it."

Jacqueline frowned at that statement, she knew all too well about the power of blood magic. She remembered that the chantry had painted blood magic as one of the most evil forms of magic, due to its uses in demon summoning.

Yet at the same time, it was also a very useful tool and Technically she had dabbled in it when she became a reaver having used dragon blood to enhance her abilities. "What exactly does blood magic have to do with curing the calling." She asked Uther, and he was quick to give a response

"Well the basis for the joining is a form of blood magic Since we have to use the blood of dark spawn, which is the reason why Duncan kept us in the other two recruits in the dark at the start of the 5th blight."

Jacqueline frowned remembering the night at Ostagar where Duncan had performed the Joining with her, Uther and the two other recruits. Uther had been first to drink the concoction of dark spawn blood passing out with Duncan concluding that he would live, next was Daveth upon drinking the caution he died immediately, This caused Ser Jory to panic refusing to drink that concussion forcing Duncan to have to kill him, The third attempt had been her turn and like Uther she had survived the ordeal and awoke later that night, and barely had time for a breather because the battle was on .

Uther spoke again getting back to the subject "As you are all aware, the taint is a slow death sentence, With a phenomenon simply known as the calling that compels wardens to do the same thing as the dark spawn which is find an old God and wake it up which is why most wardens when they feel a calling coming Choose to travel into the deep roads to meet their end in combat."

That's when Nathaniel chimed in saying "I've heard the stories about the calling, and how it drives Wardens insane and makes them want to join the dark spawn."

Uther nodded yes in agreement "And As the scene goes seek them out or they seek you out essentially it's a fight to the death at that point. But what if I told you, there was a way to avoid the calling altogether, Because of my plan works we'll be able to cure ourselves and our allies. And thus avoid the calling that comes to all Wardens in the end."

Nathaniel responded to that comment with a question "So let me get this straight, you believe you've discovered a cure for the calling that could possibly free us all from this dark curse that is the taint and allow us to live a normal life?"

Uther nodded his head in agreement with his fellow warden "Precisely, all I'd have to do is replace the dark spawn blood used in the joining with great dragon blood and It should counter the effects. If all goes according to plan, we will no longer be at the mercy of the calling, and instead have a normal life. This is a chance for Jacqueline, Alistair, and I to have the life, we all deserve."

Jacqueline could see the determination in Uther's eyes and knew he meant every word, that's when the former warden said "I understand Uther, and I'm willing to risk my life to try your crazy scheme and get the blood of a Great Dragon, however, we still need a volunteer to drink the potion and become the first recipient of this new reverse joining.

"I'll do." Nathaniel stated with confidence and determination. Uther looked at him and smiled and said

"Nathaniel, I'd never ask this of anyone, but you know I must."

"I know Uther, you're the one who gave me the second chance after my family's fall from grace it's time I return the favor."

"Very well, it's agreed, we will head out at dawn tomorrow, to hunt a great dragon."

Jacqueline felt a chill go up her spine, she didn't like this plan at all. But if it could save Uther and the rest of the order from the calling, and give her and Alistair the opportunity to have an heir. She'd have to do whatever it took.

Part 2: Hunting a Dragon

It was the middle of the night in the hidden base of the Ferelden Grey Wardens, and everyone was asleep except for the elven mage Uther Surana who had been studying some notes he had made a few days ago. He had taken a break to read letter from his beloved Morrigan, had sent that had arrived earlier that day.

Uther my love, .

I hope this letter finds you well and I pray that our endeavor will be successful for all of our sake, There has been an incident at the peace talks at the temple of Sacred Ashes There was a massive explosion and the temple was destroyed the only survivor was a Dalish elf who had walked out of the fade through a rift her name is Arya Lavellan and she is a mage.

She has been accused of the explosion at the conclave and but because she is the ability to seal the rifts, The newly formed Inquisition has been sending her on missions across Ferelden To seal rifts and recruit allies I suspect something horrible is going on at Redcliffe the rifts there from what I've gathered seemed to warp time which cannot be good, I would go into investigate it but I cannot leave emporess Celine's sighed as our occult advisor and I don't want to put our son in danger.

So, please take care of yourself my love, and don't die before we get a chance to see each other again,

Love always

Morrigan

Uther frowned at the letter, We're going to need this cure and fast. He thought to himself as he set the letter aside, He looked at his map and noticed the closest place the great dragon was a couple hours away.

That's when he heard footsteps, and he quickly turned around and saw his best friend and fellow grey warden Jacqueline Cousland walk into his makeshift office, she looked annoyed, Uther didn't blame her considering she had been married to King Alistair for the past eight years and they were trying to have an heir.

"Is something the matter?" Uther asked his Queen of Ferelden, she frowned as she responded "Nothing that concerns you, just a letter from Alistair."

Uther knew better than to ask her about the contents of the letter, before he could change the subject

Jacqueline spoke up asking "Uther, there's a situation in Redcliffe, a Tevinter magister Gereon Alexius Has seized control of the rebel mage's that were given refuge there."

Uther didn't like the sound of that "Why is there a magister in Redcliffe, Is the inquisition gonna do something about it?"

Jacqueline responded "The problem is the Inquisition is technically an Orlesian organization, They won't be able to deploy troops because it'll look like Orlais is Moving to attack Ferelden."

Uther shook his head in disgust at that statement.

He spoke up saying "So you're telling me a Tevinter Magister has taken control of the Village, We saved during the 5th blight, And The Inquisition can't do anything about it because it'll upset the Ferelden nobles."

"Alistair's letter also mentioned that Liliana has concocted a plan for the Inquisition to remove Alexius from redcliffe castle, Though Alastair also mentioned he's going to have to kick Fiona and the rebel mages out for foolishly siding with a Tevinter Magister" Jacqueline Calmly responded

"Well, Let's hope the Inquisition offers them a chance to redeem themselves after that debacle, But that's a problem for everyone back home right now we need to focus on acquiring great dragon blood." Uther said to his queen

"I understand, and It'll be interesting to see if Starfang can pierce Great Dragon hide" Jacqueline replied remembering her unique two handed great sword that was forged from metal that came from a meteor.

"I have faith, that the Sword you are famed for wielding during the blight." Uther reassured Jacqueline, He knew all too well, How much she was relying on this plan of his succeeding.

"I sure hope you're right, If not the whole point of this little mission would be moot." Jacqueline bluntly stated, before continuing with her train of thought

"We should head to the location where the great dragon is Residing, and All you and Nathaniel will have to do is inflict enough damage to make it bleed then I'll collect the blood in vials." Uther said

"You make it sound so easy." Jacqueline quipped.

Uther couldn't help but chuckle at his Queen's attempt at humor.

"It'll be anything but it is our best chance at a cure."

Part 3: The hunt for the Dragon.

It was a cold morning as Uther, Jacqueline and their allies were heading to the location of the great dragon. Nathaniel Howe, the archer was leading the way.

Nathaniel was the one who spoke up first as he addressed Uther and the queen "There it is, the great dragon's lair is located in a cave about an hour ahead, If my memory serves me correctly."

"Well then let's not waste any time" Jacqueline replied as the group headed towards the cave.

When they entered the cave, they immediately encountered the dragon's first line of defense, which were four dragonspawns, they were a lot harder to kill than Uther remembered.

After a lengthy battle, the dragonspawn were dead. Uther and his allies pressed onward into the cave, the path lead them down a slope into a massive cavern.

As they were making their way down the slope, the group came upon a small group of Dark spawn. The group dispatched them quickly, the path lead them through a series of tunnels, before they reached the dragon's lair. "Be careful, the dragon's not going to take kindly to intruders." Nathaniel stated, as they continued their journey deeper into the cavern.

They found the Great Dragon in a large chamber. The dragon was a huge Maroon one, with wings like a bat, and a long tail.

It was a very dangerous opponent, and Uther and his friends had to be extremely careful, and watch out for its tail, claws and fire breath.

After a while of fighting, the great dragon Inflicting enough damage for it to start bleeding which uther casting a few spells was able to collect in the vials they had brought along.

When the great dragon was defeated, the group quickly exited the cave.

"We did it, we got the dragon blood!" Nathaniel shouted happily, he was ecstatic, and Jacqueline was equally happy.

"We did, and now all we need to do is return to the base and get the potion prepared. Once it's ready, I will perform the reverse joining with the Dragon Blood." Uther declared.

"It's going to work, right?" Nathaniel asked, Uther nodded. "Yes, it's going to work, and soon we'll be free from the calling." Nathaniel nodded, as the group started heading back to the base.

As the group was heading back to the base, Nathaniel couldn't help but ask a question "So how exactly did you and the queen manage to defeat the Arch Demon?"

"That's a long story" Uther responded, "I do believe you have earned the right to know, the reason Jacqueline survived slaying the arch demon was because Morrigan and I performed a dark ritual the night before the battle, Instead of the arch demon Spirit transferring into Jacqueline which would have killed her, It was instead drawn to the child in Morrigan womb causing the spirit to be reverted back into the old God spirit it was before it was corrupted."

Nathaniel was shocked, "I had no idea, you went to such lengths to ensure Jacqueline survival."

"I was willing to do anything to keep the woman who had become like a younger sister over the course of several months fighting alongside each other." Uther explained

"And what became of the Old God?" Nathaniel inquired, he was curious.

"The spirit resides within my son Kieran." Uther stated, a little nervous about revealing his secret son.

Nathaniel was shocked, but quickly composed himself, "Does Alistair know?"

"Yes, I told Alistair and Jacqueline after their coordination and that I was going to search for Morrigan." Uther calmly responded "So you're not gonna tell the other Wardens about this?" Nathaniel asked, wondering why Uther was keeping secret that his son was carrying the spirit of an old God within him.

"It's a secret only we will keep" Uther stated, "We can't let the other Wardens find out, it would be dangerous."

Nathaniel could understand that, "So when will the cure be ready?" "The first dose will be ready in a few hours." Uther stated, as the group continued their journey back to the base.

When they got back to the base, Nathaniel and the others got to work preparing the potion, while Uther went to his private quarters and locked himself inside. He took a deep breath and pulled out a letter that was sealed with Morrigan's signature wax seal. He broke the seal and opened the letter.

Dear Uther,

I hope this letter finds you well, the Orlesian war has gotten worse and it has been suggested that Empress Celene Should hold peace talks with her cousin grand Duke Gaspard, Under the guise of a masquerade ball is being planned that will be held at the Winter Palace in about three months, I Suspect there will be an attempt on the Empress's life so I have attached an invitation with this letter to be my guest.

I'm sure you have a lot of questions, but I'm not comfortable discussing them in a letter, but know this I am eager to see you again, and I will be waiting for you in Orlais,

Love Always

Morrigan

Uther couldn't help but smile, Morrigan's invitation had arrived at the perfect time, and it gave him a reason to travel to Orlais, after he distributes the cure to the rest of his inner circle.

He carefully folded the letter and put it away, and took a deep breath, it was time to get the cure ready.

The door to his quarters opened, and his fellow warden Nathaniel was standing in the doorway, "Uther, the potion is ready."

"Good" Uther said, "Let's begin." Nathaniel nodded and stepped aside, and Uther walked past him.

They both walked to the center of the base, where the others were waiting.

"Alright" Uther began, "This is it, the moment of truth, I will begin the Reverse Joining and the process should Take a similar amount of time as the Regular joining." As he hands the chalice to Nathaniel to drink out of since he volunteered to be the guinea pig.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Jacqueline asked her friend, concerned about his mental state.

"Yes" Uther replied, "Now, drink"

Nathaniel nodded and took a deep breath and drank from the Chalice, and he began to convulse.

"by the maker" Jacqueline said, worried for her friend, Uther placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring look.

Nathaniel dropped to the ground, and began shaking, "It's alright" Uther said, "He's going to be fine."

Nathaniel stopped shaking, and his breathing became normal. He sat up and took a deep breath.

"Wow" Nathaniel said, "That was intense, I feel different, stronger."

"Can you still sense any of the nearby dark spawn?" Uther asked.

"No" Nathaniel replied, "I can't sense anything, the taint is gone."

Uther smiled, "It worked" "What are we waiting for?" Nathaniel said, "Let's give the others the cure, and let them be cured as well." "Right" Uther said, as he handed the chalice to Jacqueline.

"To a new beginning" She said, before drinking from the chalice. And like Nathaniel before her she collapsed and passed out for a few minutes before immediately recovering. "It worked" Uther said, "Congratulations you're officially cured."

"So, what do we do now?" Jacqueline asked,

"I have to cure myself now" Uther said, before he took a drink from the chalice. He immediately felt a wave of nausea wash over him, and he collapsed. "Uther" Jacqueline cried, she was worried about her friend. "He's going to be fine" Nathaniel reassured her, "Give him some time." Uther was laying on the ground, convulsing, but he eventually calmed down.

"I can't feel the taint" Uther said, "It's gone, it's finally gone."

Jacqueline hugged Uther, and he returned the hug.

"We did it" She said, "We actually did it."

"Indeed, we did" Uther said, as he got up, " Nathaniel and I need to return to Vigil's keep to distribute the cure to the other wardens, afterwards I will travel to Orlais."

"I'll head to Straight to Denerim I could deliver the cure personallyto Alistair." Jacqueline said, "I have a lot to tell him."

Uther nodded, and looked at his friend and queen, "This is it" he said, "We are free from the curse of the taint, we can finally live a normal life."

The very next morning the three former wardens Once their mounts had been supplied they began the long trek south-eastward. Traveling nonstop only stopping to rest they ended up stopping a tavern Monfort Where they encountered a raven with a message from their old friend Liliana the left hand of the divine.

"Leliana's invited us to come meet with her and the inquisitor Arya Lavellan at Place called Skyhold." Uther told his comrades. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get moving." Nathaniel stated as he mounted his horse. "Agreed" Jacqueline replied as she mounted her own horse.

Uther nodded and the group left Monfort and resumed their journey south-eastward, and within a few weeks they arrived at The edge of the Dales where they stopped off for the night to rest however their sleep would be interrupted, by the thing they feared the most.

"Uther wake up!" Jacqueline shouted as she was waking her fellow grey warden up, He shot up out of his bed roll "What's going on, anyone else feel that music" Uther asked as he heard a familiar noise something they shouldn't have been hearing. "How is this possible I thought we were cured." Nathaniel stated.

"We are, I think what we're feeling is a false calling that's being generated by a powerful fear demon" Uther told the two. "So, what are we gonna do" Nathaniel asked " we need to get to skyhold" Uther replied. "Agreed, The sooner we find out more the better" Jacqueline responded.

The group left their camp, and began traveling eastward, towards the mountain range where the fortress of Skyhold was located, the journey would take a couple of days, but it would be worth it,