It seems...

A private courtyard, deserted except for Duncan, Xandra, and the other recruits. Duncan has a silver chalice set on a stone table to his side. "The Grey Wardens were founded during the First Blight," he says, "when humanity stood on the verge of annihilation. So it was that the first Grey Wardens drank of darkspawn blood and mastered their taint."

Xandra pours the vials of darkspawn blood the group had collected into the chalice. "As the first Grey Wardens did before us, as we did before you. Those who survive the Joining become immune to the taint. We can sense it in the darkspawn and use it to slay the archdemon."

Duncan continues. "Not all who drink the blood will survive, and those who do are forever changed. This is why the Joining is a secret. It is the price we pay. We speak only a few words prior to the Joining, but they have been said since the first. Xandra, if you would."

"Join us, brothers and sisters. Join us in the darkness 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." She takes up the chalice and hands it to Duncan.

     "Shiremi, come forward," he says, proffering the blood-filled cup.

...Eh, fine, whatever, might as well risk her life drinking darkspawn blood. 

She steps forward smoothly, taking the cup and drinking without hesitation. 

The blood is sweet, bitter, thick, choking, burning. It tastes like death, like power, like vengeance.

Xandra catches Shiremi as she starts to collapse, her eyes rolling back in her head, and moves her off to the side.

Duncan had pulled the chalice back after Shiremi's first sip and next offers it to Halna.

No hesitation from her, either. 

(Her entire life's been 'do or die.' It's rare that that's come with an explicit warning, which she does appreciate. But, still - she doesn't turn back.)

The blood is sweet, bitter, thick, choking, burning. It tastes like death, like power, like reaching for a dream that dissipates in the scrutiny of the new day.

It's Briony's turn after that.

She steals one last look at Lys before taking her drink.

The blood is sweet, bitter, thick, choking, burning. It tastes like death, like power, like coming home.

"Lys, step forward," Duncan says, offering her the last of the blood.

(She would've preferred to go before Briony. At least Briony seems to have survived, but - )

It's the Harrowing all over again, except this time there's no Briony standing over her, keeping her safe (keeping her in line).

She takes the cup, of course. Where Briony goes - she'll always follow. 

The blood is sweet, bitter, thick, choking, burning. It tastes like death, like power, like a song echoing into the abyss.

By the time the new Grey Wardens begin to wake, it's the next morning. They're all together in a tent, Xandra watching over them.

Lys immediately looks for Briony.

Right next to her.

She curls into her girlfriend, putting her head on her chest. (She's shaken, she thinks, even if she isn't sure why.)

Snuggles.

Nuzzle. 

"Do you feel - any different?" she asks, quietly. (She does, though she can't entirely put her finger on how - which she really doesn't like.)

"I'm... not sure? Head hurts a bit."

Yeah, Lys has a headache too, she realizes. Is there anything to drink available - ? Might help the headache. 

There's some water, sure.

"You guys are pretty lucky, you know. Everyone survived. The other two in my cohort both didn't make it."

" - I'm sorry." She can't really imagine living past Briony.

Shrug. "Well, I didn't really know them from before. And they were both kinda assholes." Small laugh.

"Do you know what causes some to survive, and others to die?"

"It's pretty much a mystery."

"The things I saw were - strange."

"You saw things?"