29-Recruitment Tour of Ferelden
The weeks of waiting before departure were busy. The Glavonaks closed up the tunnel beyond the barrier door in short order. The group with the First Warden headed out a few days after that meeting about recruitment plans and the talk with Denerim's elf recruits. Only after Voldrik was certain the tunnel was secure. Cullen went back to Soldier's Peak with them. Riordan had convinced Duncan that the Wardens needed to spread around their Templar-trained Wardens, as well as their mage Wardens.
As for the Chantry, Grand Cleric Arasis announced the retirement of Divine Beatrix. The Grand Consensus was convening to elect a new Divine. Then, she went to serve in the Consensus along with Mother Dorothea. No one had any idea how long that would take. Greagoir came to Denerim to help Tavish and the Denerim Revered Mothers prepare the Ferelden Chantry for a changeover in Divine.
Alistair and Mari took some time away from the compound one afternoon and, of course, Mari wanted to take a turn through the Market. She needed to pick up the new sturdy boots that she'd ordered several weeks earlier … and both of them wanted to visit with Greagoir to see if he knew how Cassandra fared.
After they were escorted to a private audience chamber upstairs, Greagoir entered with little delay. "So, how are you planning to make my day worse than it already is, Wardens?"
Mari turned to Alistair who said, "We were wondering if you had heard anything about Seeker Cassandra's return to Val Royeaux."
"I have," was all Greagoir replied as he walked over to the window overlooking the Market. It was a terrific view!
"Is this one of the Chantry's secrets?" Mari asked with a smile.
Greagoir took a deep breath and faced them. "What do you know about the Order of Fiery Promise?"
Mari just shrugged, but Alistair said, "They're a cult that believes the world should die in flames so it can be reborn or some such nonsense. Hopefully, it's a small cult. Actually, I hoped it was just a made-up rumor. "
"It's not." He narrowed his eyes and looked at Alistair. "What do you know about the Venatori?"
This time, both Alistair and Mari shrugged. "Never heard of them," Alistair replied.
Greagoir motioned to a table and chairs. Once everyone sat down, Greagoir said, "Seeker Pendergast uncovered that the Seekers and Templars had been infiltrated by the Order of Fiery Promise. Lord Seeker Lambert had been enthralled by a blood mage to buy into their foul manifesto. She uncovered that, too." He raised an eyebrow. "Guess who had enthralled him?"
Alistair honestly gave the question a few minutes of consideration. Mari could almost hear his mind going through a list of possibilities. However, he only replied, "Another Seeker?"
"It was a Templar," Greagoir said. "Someone you had been introduced to, Alistair. Ser Sarnak."
Mari narrowed her eyes. "Sarnak was that one who tried to kidnap you, Alistair?" When Alistair frowned and nodded, she continued, "He was a blood mage? How is that possible?" She sat back in her chair and mumbled, "Now, we have to be on the lookout for Templars, too?"
"Well, at least, you seem to have a proper degree of caution," Greagoir said. "However, we discovered that he was actually a mage. A blood mage. He used a blood magic ritual to mask being a mage." His jaw tightened. "A blood magic ritual that required a great deal of mage blood."
"The mages we found behind the barrier door in the Chantry basement," Alistair said quietly.
"I'm inclined to think that, as well," Greagoir said.
Mari stood and went to the window. She didn't even try to wipe away the tears. Fortunately, Greagoir and Alistair gave her some time to calm down. "The things we do to each other. It seems to be a trait of people everywhere in the universe." She turned to face Greagoir. "What's being done?"
He took a deep breath. "Once Cassandra destroyed the pentagram and focus that had kept Lambert enthralled, the Lord Seeker snapped out of it. Sarnak rushed into Lambert's office. Pentaghast subdued him. They stripped him and put him in shackles that prevented the use of magic. Unbeknownst to Cassandra or Lambert, he was under a magic spell that ended his life when he gave up the Venatori as his masters. The Venatori is an ancient magic order in Tevinter. It seems they have resurfaced."
"Was Sarnak working for this Order of Fiery Promise or the Venatori?" Alistair asked as he stepped up and handed Mari a handkerchief.
"Both. It seems that the Venatori is using the Order of Fiery Promise as an avenue to destroy the Chantry," Greagoir said. "Damn near worked. They were doing rituals in the basement of the Grand Cathedral. The situation is the main reason Divine Beatrix decided to retire. As for what is being done, Lambert has charged Cassandra with coordinating a Chantry-wide search for others, starting with picking up the Seekers at Weisshaupt."
"The First Warden was in Denerim, but he's on his way to meet up with whomever is picking up those Seekers," Alistair said.
Mari used the handkerchief to wipe her face. "Darkspawn instead of fire. Stills works to end Thedas."
"That's what we were thinking," Greagoir said. "I would like this to stay between us until we know more, but I won't demand it. Mother Dorothea was particularly incensed when she was told. Grand Cleric Arasis wrote us about the service for the mages found in the basement and sharing the truth about it." He arched an eyebrow toward Mari. "Your influence, no doubt. However, I have been surprised that there were only a few people who were irate."
"Have you told Maric?" Alistair asked.
"I just came from there when you arrived," Greagoir said. "He threw a wine bottle into the fireplace."
Alistair smiled. "He does that a lot lately. However, I intend to tell the Wardens whenever I come across them, if for no other reason than the Venatori had tried to use the Blight to destroy Thedas," Alistair said. "We need to be on the lookout for suspicious mages and, now, also Seekers and Templars. Not just Ferelden's. We have people coming to fight the Darkspawn from all over. Even Tevinter, I believe."
"That's reasonable, Alistair," Greagoir said as he stood. "We're sending some Circle Mages and Templars down to Ostagar also. I'll be sure to alert them to be cautious and report any abnormalities. I may head down there after I finish here. Now, I need to help out in the Denerim Center of Healing. Wynne wants me to review all the procedures they've implemented."
"We'll be heading south on a recruitment run, Knight-Commander, if you'd like to travel with us," Mari offered. "It will be a less direct route to Ostagar, but I certainly wouldn't mind having you with us."
That surprised both Greagoir and Alistair.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Mari asked. She smiled. "I demanded we wait until we had a second mage to go along for the Joinings. Caution about this Venatori who might want to interfere with the Wardens expanding their ranks is also warranted." She put her hands on her hips and took a deep breath. "Maker, maybe we should wait until Cassandra could also join us if she can subdue a very powerful blood mage like that."
"Most Seekers are blessed with varying abilities to do that very thing. With the Grand Consensus going on, it's doubtful we could get a Seeker down here in time. When will you be leaving?" Greagoir asked.
"Shortly after Anders arrives here," Mari replied. "Which hopefully will be within the next two or three weeks."
"Let me think about it a few days, then," Greagoir said. "Like I said, there's no way Cassandra could go unless she returns with the First Warden for some reason."
"That's more than fair, Greagoir," Mari said. "Thank you for considering it."
Alistair and Mari parted with Greagoir and went back to the Warden Compound. They promised they would help with some of the martial training for the elves, who were coming along quite well. All six of the elves who had initially arrived with Ariannas came back the next day and formally pledged to join the Wardens … along with Carver Hawke. All eight survived their Joinings, but a couple needed an extra day or two to recover. Carver had a strange dream about a big emissary encased in a prison in the Vimmark Mountains. It called to Carver to help him. It said that Carver's blood would free him. Anton sent a bird message to Del in Soldier's Peak to report about the Joinings and Carver's dream.
Trevor Hawke was a new soldier in Ferelden's army. Trevor joked that Perine was welcomed more heartily into the army than he was. They were assigned to Denerim, at the moment.
The recruitment group was to be Loghain, Maric, Anton, Mari, Andwn, Anders, Makis, Gorim, Dugan and Bryant along with several other Wardens and a squad of Maric's Shield. Greagoir got a message he was needed at the Circle, so he declined going with them. Anton easily left Alistair in charge of Denerim while he went on recruitment. He left Carver a very long list of work.
Everyone was pleased that Alistair was officially announced to be Anton's second. Loghain had lost his argument with Maric to stay in Denerim. The city hardly noticed that Maric the Savior had left the city … not because he was disguised, but because everyone was abuzz about the new royal to be born in a few months!
First stop was Dragon's Peak. The switchback road to get to the manor was slow, but … talk about a beautiful view once they got to the estate! The manor was on the side of the Peak overlooking the expanse of farm-holds below. The Bann and his family were welcoming and had already gathered a few from the holdings who wished to listen to Mari's talk, which occurred after a dinner feast. It took less time since Mari did all the talking with a brief introduction from Anton and encouragement from Maric.
Bann Sighard's son, Oswyn, asked a lot of good questions, but ultimately declined a spot in the Grey Wardens. He said to come visit him again if things got bad. Anton put his name on a list for emergency recruitment, if needed. He was the only son and heir. Early in the process, against usual Warden tradition of keeping what was involved a secret, Mari insisted to be very honest up front. Fortunately, it didn't cause others to decline. So far, honesty was working.
The Wardens and the group from Dragon's Peak went on a patrol to collect darkspawn blood, following up on a report of a sighting south of Dragon's Peak. Bryant was a savior in a battle against two emissaries and four hurlock alphas. Andwn had all the components so they held the Joining in the basement of the Keep. Mari was gratified to have so many recruits from the smaller holding. She thought that this recruitment thing was getting off to a great start!
Sadly, it didn't turn out as great as she thought.
Two of the six recruits didn't make it. One just fell and quit breathing before Andwn and Anders could do anything about it. The other was a horrible, painful death. The two mages used all their abilities to try to help, but it didn't work. Andwn had worked with Anders to help with accepting the inevitable. Andwn and Mari were careful to log all the details that they could to add to Anders' research.
Fortunately, Angus, Drugar, Garmand and Surdra survived. The Wardens expanded their cadre with Angus' non-trivial melee sword and shield, Drugar's crossbow skills, as well as Garmand's and Surdra's sneakiness and dagger skills. Bann Sighard was not happy losing Angus and his guard leadership skills, but glad they were able to help the Wardens. Anton told the Bann that he'd speak to Duncan about stationing Drugar back at Dragon's Peak once he completed his initial Warden training in Ostagar.
Loghain commented that one more female in the cadre would make Leciah happy. Garmand and Surdra were also married. They all stayed for the Chantry service for the honored Wardens and pyres. The families declined the offer to place the urns in Mikhael's lattice work at Soldier's Peak, but were grateful that the names would be etched in Denerim.
All that added several days, but Mari insisted.
On the road later, Mari asked Andwn and Anders to help her through her own feelings of doubt. She knew it could happen. She'd had months to hear the horror stories about when it didn't work … she witnessed Cullen's ordeal … but none of that prepared her for when an ultimate sacrifice actually happened at the Joining. Much less two sacrifices.
They gathered two more recruits on the way to Gwaren. One was a Dalish mage who came with Arisiel. Just as with Arisiel, Marisal couldn't stay with the clan he was in because they already had their limit. The second one was Elian, a Dalish archer whose father had served with the Night Elves. He and Loghain spent some time telling stories of the Rebellion.
It took over a month to reach the walls of Gwaren. The gate guard was honestly glad to see Loghain return. Once inside, Mari saw a sight she'd only seen in pictures before. Many of the buildings of the city had roofs akin to the design of the Sydney Opera House on Earth.
Loghain smiled when he noticed Mari standing there with her mouth hanging open. "I see you've noticed the unique architecture of our city on the southern coast of Ferelden." He motioned to the largest of them. "That is the estate of the Teyrn, currently under the very competent watch of Seneschal Crellar. Rendon Howe had dismissed him from the estate of the Arl of Amaranthine in Denerim. Gwaren's seneschal had gone to the Maker's Side, so I offered Crellar a job here. So far, he has been Maker-sent. Anyway, the Teyrn's estate used to be like all the other buildings in the city … the roofs being a sweeping cover from the center peak to the ground on the sides. And, they all face away from the typically strong winds off The Frozen Seas. During the Rebellion, the Orlesians tore down the weather-resistant design and put up a typical blocky structure."
"So, they were … um … stupid as well as pushy?" Mari asked.
Loghain laughed. "Pushy is a bit generous for what they were, but I do agree wholeheartedly that they were stupid."
Maric smiled. "We came back and the citizens aided us in retaking Gwaren, but not before the Orlesians had burned half the city."
Mari looked around. "Anora told me that the Gwaren people were the most resilient people in Thedas. I'd have to agree because I see no evidence of decline."
"Well, that was due to nothing I did," Loghain said. "Celia restored the estate as you see it now and aided in rebuilding the rest of the city." Quietly, he added, "When Maric granted the Teyrnir to me, I wondered what I had done to anger him. But, it turned out to be my redemption."
A tall, well-dressed man walked down the street toward the group. He had dark red hair and striking green eyes, as well as a smile that just made someone feel welcome. "That must be Seneschal Crellar," Mari said.
Loghain turned and said, "It is indeed." He motioned to Crellar. "Well met, Crellar!"
"Welcome home, Your Lordship!" Crellar said. "We received your messenger a few days ago and everything is arranged at the estate." One of those aforementioned gusts of wind hit the party. "Just in time, it seems." He motioned down the lane toward the estate. "Please follow me to the estate so we can secure your wagon and horses and get you all settled. Dinner shall be ready by the time you've all been able to rest a bit and refresh yourselves. Follow me, please."
After getting Rosy settled in a nice, warm stable … which was also covered by one of the Opera House roofs … Mari made it inside. There were two bunkrooms, one for the men and one for the women. And, each one had a bathing room with two good-sized tubs! Since there were only five females … Mari, Sardra, Marisal and two female warriors in Maric's Shield … they each had more than enough time to bathe that evening! Outside the winds were gusty and constant. Since the buildings all faced away from the sea and the roof … instead of walls … offered no flat surface for the winds to hit, only minor vibrations and sounds were felt and heard. After a scrumptious dinner and bath, Mari fell asleep almost immediately.
They stayed in Gwaren for a few days so Loghain could catch up on what was going on. The Wardens and the Warden Recruits went to the barrier door and found it closed and secured. Andwn collapsed the interior tunnel anyway and they relocked the door.
Later, Loghain and Maric rightfully said that the Wardens should reopen the tunnel after the Blight had been over a few years. It wasn't inside Gwaren's walls and it had been an important escape route for them during the Rebellion.
When the Wardens got back to Gwaren, Loghain had gathered a huge group of potential recruits for Mari to speak to.
As they were walking to the room to speak to the recruits, Loghain handed her a drawing of a small cottage along the beach. It also had the … what Mari now called to herself the sloping opera house roof … along with fishing poles leaning against the edge of the entry. Loghain explained, "Anora asked me to find that and give it to you. She explained that you were the one who encouraged her and Cailan to get away for a few days." He chuckled. "She also told me that when you mentioned fishing as an example, she thought of that fishing hut just down the beach from the city. Needless to say, my girl and I didn't get too much time to fish, but we did go there a couple of times."
Mari looked at the beautiful sketch and noticed it was signed Celia Mac Tir. "Loghain, this was done by Celia," Mari said. "You're giving this to me?"
"Celia would sketch scenes out before she painted them," Loghain explained. "The finished painting of this hangs in the hut. And, yes, Anora and I would like you to have it in thanks for giving them the idea of how to relax and … make the new babe to come."
Mari surreptitiously got her handkerchief and dabbed her eyes. She looked around. "I owe you a very big hug later."
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "I look forward to it … now, go convince these hard-headed Gwarans to join the Grey Wardens."
Thirty brave and eager men and women sat through Mari's talk. She put the part about the Joining being dangerous into the talk but no one declined. However, when the possibility of being stationed elsewhere came up, one-third of the group declined citing family or Chantry responsibilities or dislike of travel, etc. Loghain encouraged them to think about it. If necessary, they could always go to Denerim or Ostagar at a later time. The Gwaren folk were hardy and loyal to the Teyrnir.
Nevertheless, an atypically large group of recruits left the day after and headed to Ostagar. It was disturbingly easy to run across darkspawn to procure the gag-inducing component for the Joining, but then, they were skirting the Korcari Wilds. Fortunately, with the large group of fighters and Wardens, those battles were short with only minor injuries.
"Hail, Teyrn Loghain!" the guard at the gate shouted as they rode up to the large battlements of Ostagar … an outpost, no longer. Many of the outer walls surrounding the original areas were complete, but some areas were still under construction. The place was even more gigantic than Soldier's Peak. The difference being that much of Soldier's Peak meandered around and the bulk of it was mostly hidden on a cursory look. Ostagar was obviously large. She was amazed to see the reality of the small discussion of American Civil War Forts she'd had with the Glavonaks long ago. No square or round walls here! Five sides with pointed sections extending out from each corner, like a large five-pointed star with an open middle … sort of.
"Well met, Guardsman," Loghain said. "The walls are coming along nicely."
"Aye, Your Lordship. We're pretty proud of all this. The Glavonaks and all the workers they found should get a statue around here somewhere," the guard said. "But, I've taken enough of your time. The Warden-Commander is anxious to visit with you and the Wardens."
Mari turned to the recruits and new Wardens. "Follow me and we'll take care of the horses first and then find bunks for you all." She walked Rosy to the new stables and gave her one of the "Rosy Cookies" that Andi had made for the long trip. The "cookie" was really the size of a small pizza. All of them that Andi made fit into a good-sized crate.
The staff there assigned bunks for everyone and took over as guide around the camp. Mari declined the tour and decided to lie down for a while, telling the staff to come get her if anyone started looking for her.
She was still heartsick. Andwn had picked up on her mood and tried to explain to her that the Joining deaths were going to happen. They'd been lucky, but even with the improved formula, the odds had to come due sometime. She knew … but knowing didn't help. No one bothered her and eventually, she slipped into a good nap.
!¡!¡
Loghain, Maric, Andwn, Anders, Makis, Gorim, Bryant and Dugan made their way to Duncan's office in the Tower of Ishal. While they were getting settled around Duncan's meeting table, Duncan walked in and looked around. "Where's Mari?"
Andwn answered. "She's having a few emotional issues with losing two of the six recruits from Dragon's Peak. Unfortunately, they died in horrible ways and it affected all of us, but Mari took it harder. She knows she's taking it harder. I think she just needs time to work through it all. She said she was going to take a nap. If you feel it's important that she be here, I'll go get her."
Duncan sighed. "Yes, please go get her, Andwn. I do feel it's important for her to attend." While Andwn went to get Mari, Duncan opened his spirits cabinet and set out some glasses. "Please help yourselves. This may take a while. Bryant, what's happening at the Chantry in Denerim?"
Everyone pitched in and helped Bryant tell the horrible tale of what was found. Bryant ended with, "Seeker Pentaghast was visibly upset." He shook his head. "Standing in that tunnel while we waited for someone to open the door was extremely uncomfortable and nerve-wracking."
"How did Mari handle that?" Duncan asked.
Bryant smiled while Makis chuckled. "I think the lass made friends with the Seeker, tae the relief of those of us waiting upstairs."
That made Duncan smile. "Thank you for the report. I know it sounds like I'm questioning Mari's abilities, but, as with any new Warden, I really don't want to load her down with too many harsh duties at first."
"She'll be able to handle it," Dugan said. "But, I agree with slowly throwing more stuff at her."
"Actually, I was thinking to throw one more thing … coordination with the Chantry and the Seekers. However, her emotions over the Joining sacrifices worries me a bit," Duncan said.
"I noticed right away that her friendly mood changed with those deaths," Loghain said. "I wasn't at the Joining, of course, but I saw the result. She was decidedly nervous that I'd recruited thirty from Gwaren."
"There are only twenty names on the list for the Joinings … which is certainly not trivial," Duncan said.
"Yeah, the bits in her talk about being possibly stationed away from Gwaren or Ferelden had a third of 'em decide to stay home fer now," Makis said. "And, no, I didna think she was more negative than before. The lass knows what's what and we need 'em."
"I agree," Gorim said. "She was still able to keep her composure with the group in Gwaren."
Approaching footsteps kept Duncan from replying. He suspected what Makis and Gorim were saying was correct; however, it was good to have his feelings confirmed. When Andwn and Mari walked in, Duncan repeated his offer of drinks. Once everyone had their drinks, he opened with, "I understand there are fewer recruits and new Wardens here than originally recruited."
Mari sighed and took a healthy draught of her drink. "That is true, Duncan. Two gave their sacrifices in Dragon's Peak at the Joining and, as in Vigil's Keep, some potentials from Gwaren decided to stay behind. Although, the ones in Gwaren were unwilling to commit to Joining in the future." She sighed again. "I hope that wasn't my fault … or, maybe I do, to be honest." She smiled at Dugan and Bryant. "Dugan and Bryant have been helping during the talk. Maybe they should do them for a short time until I can get my head on straight." She pounded her fist on the table. "I just keep thinking that I'm missing something. Some suggestion to make the Joining better."
Duncan didn't smile. He stood and leaned his hands on the table. "Recruitment is the second most difficult thing we do, Mari. The most difficult is accepting what happens and moving on. Honor the sacrifices made. Keep doing the best we can do as Grey Wardens so those sacrifices were not in vain."
"Well said, Duncan," Dugan said.
However, Andwn took a different tack. "Why do you think you're missing something to make the formula better? You called the formula a vaccine. Did anyone die from your vaccines on Earth?"
Mari stood and paced. "They did. Usually because of an allergy to something in the vaccine. What are all the components to the Joining?"
Andwn looked toward Duncan, who nodded. "It contains darkspawn blood that is obtained by the recruit, a drop of Archdemon blood — until it runs out — and then we use a drop of the preserved blood of any powerful darkspawn. For example, what was left of the Architect's blood has filled our necessary supply for quite some time. Along with a magical ritual, lyrium is infused along with several herbs. Royal elfroot, spindleweed, embrium."
"Does anyone ever have a reaction to any of those herbs … or lyrium?" Mari asked. "Anton and I were prohibited from staying in the Memories Chamber for more than four hours due to the use of lyrium to record the Memories." She looked at Bryant. "Do some Templars-in-training have reactions to the lyrium, Bryant?"
Bryant nodded. "Some do. Adjustments are made to the philters they use and it works out usually. If not, they are asked to perform some other duty in the Chantry."
However, Andwn shook his head. "We use only a very small amount of lyrium, Mari. I don't know for certain, but I suspect that one use of lyrium wouldn't come close to the amount used by Templars."
Duncan sat and took a long drink of his wine. "Mages do seem to survive to the highest degree."
"Darenis and I have had many, many conversations about the lyrium," Andwn said. "It really is a necessary component in the resistance to the Blight. It won't work without it." He shrugged. "As we're so fond of saying, it's worked since the beginning. We tell … at least we do in Ferelden for the moment … we tell recruits about the danger of the Joining."
"What about the herbs?" Mari asked.
"All three of those herbs are used in a variety of healer's potions." Andwn stood and held Mari's upper arms. "As with Earth's vaccines, some people will not survive. All the parts of the Joining are necessary. We've tweaked it as much as we dare. Grey Wardens must have a resistance to the Blight. It is our sacrifice for Thedas. You need to accept that. As Duncan said, honor the sacrifices and continue to do whatever it takes to end this Blight."
No one noticed Leciah and Arisiel step inside the room until they heard Leciah's chuckle. "Sounds like a good Second's candidacy, there, Duncan."
"No, I fear you're saddled with that job, Leciah," Duncan said. "Get something to drink and join us."
"I'd like Morrigan to attend, Duncan," Arisiel said. "If that's all right. She has just gotten back from her latest scouting mission."
"By all means," Duncan said.
Arisiel opened the door and Morrigan stepped in as Mari and Andwn sat back down. "What have you found out, Morrigan?" Duncan asked right away.
"'Tis a pity that none of the Warden mages can shapeshift into a dragon," Morrigan began. "The creature is still floundering, but it is getting stronger. It would be a simple matter for a Grey Warden shapeshifter to dispatch the Archdemon now in dragon form. However, it has been making slow improvement." She turned to Mari. "I do wonder if Urthemiel is interfering somehow even though she said she would not." She raised an eyebrow when no one said anything … and looked her expectantly. "No, I do not know the dragon form. Nor, would I ever wish to become a Grey Warden to kill the beast."
"I guess someone told you about my Joining dream?" Mari asked.
"I told Arisiel and she told Morrigan," Andwn admitted.
"No matter. Urthemiel said that she couldn't enter my dreams any more as she had to bury her consciousness as to not go mad." Mari explained and then shrugged. "If she is interfering, I hope she may visit me again so I can thank her."
Morrigan sighed. "That was the good news."
"And, the bad news?" Loghain asked.
"I'd estimate that the Horde has doubled in size over the past couple of months," she replied. "If there is any way to find and dispatch those broodmothers that the First Warden talked about, it would delay future increases … or, we should probably start getting ready for a massive attack shortly." She looked at Arisiel. "You should take a look to the west soon and verify my estimates."
Arisiel nodded. "I'll go tomorrow."
"Wait until after the Joining," Duncan said. "I was thinking about breaking up the recruits into four groups of five, but I think we should handle it all at one time … tomorrow morning." He looked at Andwn. "Can you prepare enough of the Joining formula to fill the chalice four times?"
"We had large Joinings in Markham a few times. It takes a little organization and coordination, but it worked out well," Andwn said. "We just need to keep the names straight for the collected darkspawn blood to go in the correct batch."
"The real pity is that it seems much of the archdemon battle may happen before the griffon hatchlings will be old enough to serve as Warden mounts," Gorim said.
"Yes, I just read the report," Duncan said. He turned toward Morrigan. "Even though the visit to Orzammar was disturbing … it seems that trip across Northern Ferelden was very successful. As was the trip to Weisshaupt. Solas was able to find out about a griffon master with the Avvar and he said that the eggs were well preserved. The alternate mother for the clutch has accepted them and they should hatch soon, if they haven't already."
Morrigan smiled. "No doubt, Solas has been studying the clutch mother to be able to shapeshift into a griffon. If it weren't so important that I remain here, I'd go up there to learn the form as well."
Mari grinned. "Too bad there aren't any dragons nearby you can study, Morrigan." The only response Mari received from Morrigan was a rather obvious eye-roll.
Duncan was pleased to see Mari smile and regain her humor. He feared she would need it in the morning.
!¡!¡
It took some months for Lambert to get over his ordeal … to realize that he was a mere human. Seeker Lucius was his second and it seemed that he also changed when Sarnak's plot had beed uncovered. Lucius was once a proponent for Ser Alrik's plan to make all mages Tranquil, starting with Alrik's then home base of Kirkwall. Now, Lucius was leading the investigation of the Kirkwall Gallows. One of their newest — Seeker Leliana — went along with him, tasked with keeping an eye on Lucius to make certain he wasn't just putting on a front. Yes, I see monsters everywhere, Lambert admitted to himself.
Leliana was a protégé of the new Divine Justinia — once Ferelden's Revered Mother Dorothea. Leliana was recruited by Cassandra. Lambert wondered how all that was going to work out. Justinia seemed to be a reasonable woman, as far as Chantry leadership went. And, she must have been a keen politician to not be a Grand Cleric and getting approved so quickly anyway. There was some grumbling among the other Grand Clerics, but there was no real, outright hostility as he heard greeted Beatrix when she became Divine.
Lambert decided to give Justinia a chance … while keeping an eye on her and those around her. Cassandra told him that he was being paranoid.
As far as Ser Alrik, he didn't have the excuse of blood magic control. He was just a power-hungry man who feared mages. The only route he believed was viable … to increase his control … was to neuter all mages. That proposal was resoundingly denied a while ago by Divine Beatrix. So, Alrik murdered them instead. Lambert didn't want to begin to think about ending a Blight without mages. Maker forbid the Chantry ever needed to launch an Exalted March without mage support.
Lambert signed Alrik's execution papers without any extra time to think about it. Alrik had abused mages in the most heinous ways, hunted and killed mages in Denerim and Kirkwall. Others in his sphere of influence were put in prison. Many of them remained adamant against mages. Some changed. Lambert extended the prison time for those who refused to swear to the rules of the Order. Plus, he removed their access to lyrium. Over half of them committed suicide. The ones left were broken and it hadn't taken long for them to break.
Divine Justinia interceded on behalf of the broken and released them to work in the fields in Orlais with orders to report to the local Chantries.
Cassandra remained the right hand of the Divine, as well as Lambert's unwitting informant on what was going on at the Grand Cathedral.
Leliana returned from Kirkwall and reported that Lucius had been under a blood mage's control, but wasn't any longer. The execution of an elf blood mage in Kirkwall and the death by geas of Sarnak coincided to the day. Leliana unofficially became the new Divine's Left Hand … more like spymaster.
Still, Lambert found himself in the Grand Cathedral more than before. Much more than before. On his knees. His prayers to the Maker helped his battered soul and tempered his depression over his failure. He promised the Maker that he would better heed the warnings in the future.
But, he could never get rid of the fear of what would have come of Thedas if Cassandra hadn't knocked over that statue and discovered that blood mage Sarnak's plans. Mages would have revolted sooner or later. A mage war would have threatened the stability of the world, no doubt. Add to that the Fifth Blight and Thedas would have ended in a mage war and darkspawn instead of fire.
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AN: Thanks to everyone reading how to Find A Way! Next time, the huge Joining in Ostagar takes place. Instead of staying at Ostagar, Maric does a round of meetings with the soldiers and Wardens there before they head to Redcliffe … with Maric along. Solas and Del get to Weisshaupt in time to meet with Cassandra. After she leaves, Del tells Solas about Corypheus and Carver's Dream. Solas offers to rid Thedas of Corypheus. May be some surprises in store for those of you who know my personal feelings toward the Guerrin couple there. ;) And! We meet a new character … I'm sure you'll recognize the name. :)