Fic part 3
“What say you hmm? Scavenger or intruder?” The woman demanded her idle speculation obviously done.
Elissa straightened up and with all the confidence she could muster said. “I am neither. Grey Wardens once owned this tower.”
This seemed to make the woman bemused. “'Tis a tower no longer. The Wilds have obviously claimed this desiccated corpse. I have watched your progress for some time. 'Where do they go?' I wondered, 'why are they here?' And now you disturb ashes none have touched for so long. Why is that?”
“Don't answer her. She looks Chasind, and that means others may be near by.” Alistair said.
“You fear barbarians will swoop down upon you?” Mocked the woman.
“Yes, swooping is bad.” said Alistair.
“She's a Witch of the Wilds, she is! She'll turn us into toads.” Daveth said breaking into Alistair's pondering.
“Witch of the Wilds? Such idle fancies, those legends. Have you no minds of your own?” said the strange young woman.
She turned her attention to Elissa. “You there. Women do not frighten like little boys. Tell me your name and I shall tell you mine.”
“I am Elissa. A pleasure to meet you.” Elissa said reciting the formalities that her parents had instilled in her almost since birth.
“Now that is a proper civil greeting, even here in the Wilds. You may call me Morrigan. Shall I guess your purpose? You sought something from that chest, something that is here no longer?” said Morrigan.
“Here no longer? You stole them didn't you? You're...some kind of...sneaky...witch-thief!” Alistair seemed to be growing more angry at this Morrigan.
“How every eloquent. How does one steal from dead men?” asked Morrigan.
“Quite easily, it seems. Those documents are Grey Warden property, and I suggest you return them.” said Alistair.
“I will not for 'twas not I who removed them. Invoke a name that means nothing here any longer if you wish; I am not afraid.” said Morrigan.
“Then who removed them?” Elissa asked hoping to diffuse the situation.
“'Twas my Mother, in fact.” said Morrigan.
“Can you take us to her?” said Elissa.
“There's a sensible request. I like you.” said Morrigan.
“I'd be careful first it's 'I like you..' then it's 'ZAP' frog time.” said Alistair.
“She'll put us all in the pot, she will. Just you watch.” said Daveth.
“If the pots warmer than this forest, it'd be a nice change.” Said Jory finally finding his voice.
“Follow me then, if it pleases you.” said Morrigan.
And without another word Morrigan turned and walked into the brush. Elissa had to admit she was a bit curious to know more about this woman, and she did say that her mother had the treaties that they so desperately needed. She made the split decision to follow Morrigan deeper into the Wilds hoping that her party members would join her. This would not go as well if they were not there to back her up.
“Greetings, Mother. I bring before you four Grey Wardens who--” said Morrigan.
“I see them girl. Mmm. Much as I expected.” Said the gray haired witch.
“Are we supposed to believe you were expecting us?” Asked Alistair.
“You are required to do nothing, least of all believe. Shut one's eyes tight or open one's arms wide...either way one's a fool!”
“She's a witch I tell you! We shouldn't be talking to her!”
“Quiet, Daveth! If she's really a witch, do you want to make her mad?”
“There is a smart lad. Sadly irrelevant in the larger scheme of things, but it is not I who decides. Believe what you will.”
“And what of you? What do you believe?” the old witch asked addressing Elissa once more.
“I am not sure what to believe.”
“A statement that possess more wisdom than it implies. Be always aware...or is it oblivious? I can never remember. So much about you is uncertain...and yet I believe. Do I? Why it seems I do!”
“So this is the dreaded Witch of the Wilds?”
“Witch of the Wilds, eh? Morrigan must have told you that. She fancies such tales, though she would never admit it! Oh, how she dances under the moon!” The old witch broke off into somewhat derisive laughter.
“They did not come to listen to your wild tales, Mother.”
“True they came for the treaties, yes? And before you begin barking, your precious seal wore off long ago. I have protected these.”
“You...oh. You protected them?”
“And why not? Take them to your Grey Wardens and tell them this Blight's threat is greater than they realize!”
“What do you mean the threat is greater than they realize?” Elissa did not like the sound of that at all. Her only family was out there fighting after all.
“Either the threat is more or they realize less. Or perhaps the threat is nothing! Or perhaps they realize nothing!” The old woman started laughing again. There was something very unsettling about the way she laughed.
“Oh do not mind me. You have what you came for.”
“Time for you to go then.” Morrigan spoke obviously wishing for the strangers to be out of her territory.
“Do not be ridiculous, girl. These are yours guests.”
“Oh, very well. I'll show you out of the woods. Follow me.”
In spite of the fact that they were far deeper in the Wilds than probably even Alistair had intended it seemed to take far less time to get back to camp. Morrigan really did know her way around the Wilds as much as she claimed to. Still meeting her and her unnamed mother had been rather...unsettling to say the least. Elissa was not sure what to make of them. The mother seemed to change moods on the drop of a hair. It had been difficult trying to gauge what kind of response any given answer would have.
Once back at the camp the task was clear. They had to find Duncan as soon as possible and perform the Joining. There was really no time to waste. Especially if what the old witch said was true and they really did have a bigger threat on their hands. This battle would need all the Grey Wardens I could get and Elissa was past the point where she had second thoughts.
“So you return from the Wilds. Have you been successful?”
Elissa somehow had become the unofficial leader of the recruits somewhere between gathering the darkspawn blood and meeting Morrigan at the ruins so she took it upon herself to speak up. “We have been successful.”
“Good. I've had the Circle Mage's preparing. With the blood you've retrieved we can begin the Joining immediately.”
“Will you tell us what the Joining ritual is about?” Elissa asked wanting to mentally prepare as much as possible.
“I will not lie; we Grey Wardens pay a heavy price to become what we are. Fate may decree that you pay your price now rather than later.”
“I have no problem facing what is to come.”
“I agree let's have it done.” Jory said.
“Then let us begin. Alistair take them to the old temple.”
As it turned out the old temple was in rather good repair. It was a place that just felt sacred. Even long after it had stopped being used there was sort of a reverent hush over everything. It was a very stark contrast to the low hum of battle preparation and panic back at camp. Elissa had to admit that although she have never been all that religious growing up the architecture and the quietness of the churches had always soothed her.
“The more I hear about this Joining, the less I like it.” Said Jory breaking into her quite contemplative thoughts.
“Are you blubbering again?” Asked Daveth in exasperation.
“Why all the tests? Have I not earned my place?”
“Maybe it's tradition. Maybe they're just trying to annoy you.”
“I swear I'm the bravest one here, and I'm a woman.” Elissa said pointedly hoping it would get the two to stop bickering.
“I only know that my wife is in Highever with a child on the way. If they had warned me...it just doesn't seem fair.”
“Would you have come if they had warned you? Maybe that's why they don't. The Wardens do what they must, right?”
“Including sacrificing us?”
“I'd sacrifice a lot more if I knew it would end the Blight.”
“But we don't know that Daveth.” said Elissa.
“Don't we? The Grey Wardens have saved the world from darkspawn before. I'd say the know better than anyone what it takes. You saw those darkspawn ser knight. Wouldn't you die to protect your pretty wife from them?” said Daveth.
“I...” Jory said obviously conflicted.
“Maybe you'll die. Maybe we'll all die. If nobody stops the darkspawn, we'll die for sure.” said Daveth.
Elissa appreciated Daveth's sentiment, but she really wished that he had stopped talking about a sentence earlier. Jory had been just about ready to accept things and get on with the ritual and now he was surely not going to like what was going on. There was very little she could do though, they were all waiting on Duncan anyway.
“I've just never faced a foe that I could not engage with my blade.” Jory said, surprising Elissa with his resolve.
***
Alistair stood and watched the new recruits bicker amongst themselves. He felt that it was good for them to get their fears out in the open now. They were already past the point of no return he knew, but there was never any harm in expressing their fears. He was just relived that they had made it through the Wilds repetitively unscathed. Alistair realized that this was due in large part to Elissa being able to keep a level head about things. He could see why Duncan had picked her to be part of the Grey Wardens. Alistair remained cautious though, they had not completed the Joining yet. Any one of them might die during the process.
“At last we come to the Joining.” said Duncan's voice snapping Alistair back to the present.
“The Grey Wardens were founded during the first Blight, when humanity stood on the brink of annihilation. So it was that the first Grey Wardens drank of darkspawn blood and mastered their taint.” said Duncan.
“We're...going to drink the blood of those...those creatures?” Asked Jory.
“As the first Grey Wardens did before us, as we did before you. This is the source of our power and victory.” said Duncan.
“Those who survive the Joining become immune to the taint. We can sense it in the darkspawn and use it to slay the archdemon.” Alistair said, reciting lines he had heard years ago.
“Let's get on with it then.” said Elissa.
“We speak only a few words prior to the Joining, but these words have been said since the first. Alistair if you would?” said Duncan.
“Join us brothers and sisters. Join us in the shadows where we stand, vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that cannot be forsworn. And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten and that one day we shall join you.”
“Daveth step forward.” said Duncan.
Daveth strode confidently towards Duncan and took a large gulp from the goblet. Almost immediately Daveth fell to his knees and began to choke. Even after all of his time with the Wardens, including his own Joining, watching someone succumb to the taint was never and easy thing to do. There was always a moment when the new recruits seemed to struggle a little bit and it always made him a little nervous.
“I am sorry Daveth. Step forward Jory.” Duncan said pressing on.
“But...I have a wife. Had I known...” Jory said reaching for the sword on his back.
“There is no turning back.” Duncan growled.
“No you ask too much! There is no glory in this!” said the panicked Jory.
Duncan killed him quickly. “I am sorry.”
***
Elissa looked down at Jory's dead body in total shock. Being killed by the Joining process she had been prepared for. It was to be expected after all. As Duncan had said the Grey wardens sacrificed much to be what the are. However she had not expected for one of the fabled Grey Wardens to just kill someone for not wanting to go through the Joining.
All she could do was stare down at the lifeless body of her companions. Granted she had only really known him for a few hours, but they had gone through much in that short period of time. Elissa felt like maybe she should mourn his death or something. However Duncan and Alistair had other things in mind. She could hear distantly
“You are called upon to submit yourself to the taint for the greater good.” said Duncan's smooth and yet implacable voice calling her back to her present duties. As she looked up at the Grey Warden she noticed a few drops of Jory's blood still present on his clothes.
“From this moment forth, you are a Grey Warden.” said Duncan.
Elissa took a long drink from the goblet and almost as soon as the first drop touched her tongue she felt pain like she had never imagined before. It felt as if the pain was alive and somehow out to destroy her. Elissa's head felt like it was about to split open and she quickly found that her legs would not support her. Agony stretched on for eternity as her body fought with all of it's might against the overwhelming pain and corruption.
Visions of the archdemon flashed through her mind and she felt her will start to slip away. It just seemed so powerful and worse off it knew she was there and seemed to be staring down into her soul. Mocking her with it's might, taunting that she would never be strong enough to fight it. Much less master the pain that was twisting and corrupting her body.
Elissa began to think of other things that had happened over the last few days. Losing her parents, losing her new companions. She had stared down the face of death many many times over the course of those events. With the last bit of courage and strength that she had left she roared back at the archdemon. I will not succumb to you! You hear me archdemon. YOUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED!
That shocked her system out of the unending pain. She had stared down the face of ultimate death and had come back to herself. Whatever happened in life, whatever sacrifices she would have to make in the future she would not be afraid. Her eyes opened and she found herself lying face up on the ground. Duncan and Alistair were standing over her. She smiled up weakly at them, Duncan seemed reserved as always, but very proud. Alistair just looked very pale and possibly relieved.
“It is finished.” Duncan said a small imperceptible smile on his face as he reached down to help her up. “Welcome.”
“Two more deaths. In my Joining only one of us died but it was...horrible. I'm glad that one of you made it through.” Said Alistair, the relief in his voice more evident.
“How do you feel?” Asked Duncan.
Like my entire body got twisted inside out and then abruptly turned back again. Elissa thought.