It takes Lys a very, very long time to awaken - long enough that the other templars are getting nervous, hands tightening on their weapons, shifting restlessly. 

When Lys does finally snap awake, her eyes are clear and normal. 

Oh, good. There are a couple formal call-and-responses here, but Lys seems alert so they can use the easiest one, with the least room to be purposely misinterpreted.

She gets through it smoothly. 

Good. Briony steps back and sheathes her sword.

"Congratulations, Enchanter Amell. You have the freedom of the tower." She gestures to dismiss the other templars.

"Thank you, Ser Briony." She stands up, trying to hide her stiffness. 

"I can show you to your new quarters, if you'd like."

"I would very much like." (Hopefully they're more private than her previous quarters?)

Indeed, as a full mage, she's entitled to a room to herself. Quite the step up from the shared apprentice bunkrooms.

Makes hosting visitors much easier. 

Very much so.

Which means celebratory kisses are in order. 

Indeed.

"Well done."

Kiss! "I told you that you didn't need to worry so much."

"You were out for a good while."

She manages to queer the sheepish/ smug binary when she says, "I might have gotten a bit distracted. In my defense, I learned some very interesting things."

"Lys..." Briony pinches the bridge of her nose.

She does not look nearly contrite enough. "Do you want the full story, or do you want plausible deniability?"

"Give me the full story, please." Because someone needs to know.

"So... I initially woke up in a pretty depressing section of the Fade - I think it's closed off somewhat from the rest of it? It was pretty dead, and most of its inhabitants were immediately aggressive. - Which is annoying, testing my combat prowess doesn't actually say much about my character or ability to resist temptation." She makes a face. "I hate combat, especially straightforward combat out in the open."

"The king might call for more mages, you know. I'm sure that was part of the consideration."

"A battlefield's different. Sending us alongside a templar - as part of a team - would've been a better test of that. Especially if they want soldiers who can play nice with others." Not to mention that Lys prefers to be behind Ser Briony's shield, especially more than under her sword. 

"More work, though."

She makes another face. "If they want to do it right, they should put in the effort," she grumbles under her breath. (Lys's opinions on the correct allocation of resources are a pretty well tread topic by now.)

"Another thing to change when you're in charge."

"Everyone will flourish under my benevolent rule." (She's probably only talking about becoming First Enchanter, definitely that's all she means if authority is asking. She's never quite confirmed, even to Briony, if her ambitions go beyond that.)

"Of course they will. What happened when you got out of there?"

"Wisps attacked me, pretty much right away - they were spirits of mischief, and I talked most of them down." Tiny smile. "I even convinced one that it'd be in its nature to retrieve a weapon for me. It brought me a rather nice dagger, and apparently dream weapons are exceptionally easy to hide. That came in handy, later."

"As long as you didn't promise anything..."

"Not a thing - the one who fetched the dagger did follow me for some entertainment, but I didn't actually offer that."

"All right."

"I was keeping my wits about me - and none of the spirits managed to trick me, either. There was actually a demon pretending to be a previous student, who was killed after taking too long in the Fade; I did decide to play along, see what would happen - he was actually helpful for a bit, until we ran into a Desire demon. They'd pretty clearly set up their skit ahead of time - he'd promised to bring me to her, reneged on his deal, etcetera etcetera - I'm not sure what the conclusion of that little story would've been, because I got tired of hearing it and stabbed him."

"And apparently a dagger wound to the top of the thoracic spine isn't enough to immediately drop a Pride demon, even one currently in a human shape. It weakened him, though, and he didn't reorient to what was happening fast enough, so I was able to finish him off - fortunately, the Desire demon didn't pitch in. She and Mischief just watched the show."

"Characteristic of you. In style, result, and risk."

She laughs. "I'm not that bad."

"No, you really are." Kiss.

Kiss! "If the gallant Ser Briony insists, I suppose it must be so."

"I would know better than anyone else."

"You know me better than I know myself, it seems."

"An outside perspective is helpful, sometimes."

"Essential."

"Good thing you have me, then."

Soft, loving smile. "I'd be lost without you." 

"I am your guard and guide."

Gentle kiss. "Through the blackest nights."

"With passion'd breath."

"My beacon and my shield."

Is it misquoting the Chant of Light time? Briony believes it is.

One of Lys's favorite times. (Right after kissing Briony time. Fortunately, 'misquoting the Chant of Light' and 'kissing' interweave very well.)

Complementary activities.

And it's important to mix things up a bit. 

Makes sure they're not bored.

Keeps their reflexes sharp. 

Sadly, Briony does have to go back to her duties eventually. And Lys might want to go pick up her things from her old space, maybe get her new staff.

Inconvenient of reality to intrude like that. 

Still, she does need her things, like Briony says. So: a goodbye kiss, a murmured, "Until next time, Ser Briony," and then she's off.

No one's been been messing with them.

Some of the apprentices look like they want to ask her about the Harrowing, but only Jowan is stupid brave enough to. "What was it like? You've been gone for hours, no one would tell us anything."

"Harrowing," she says with a mostly straight face, only the faintest smile on her lips. 

"That's not fair," he whines.

"It's tradition. You'll find out in due time, Jowan - and then it'll be your turn to tease the apprentices."

"You think so? I heard that for apprentices that don't show promise, the templars just kill you. Chop your head off right there."

She rolls her eyes. "You'll only die if you come back possessed - or don't come back at all. We've been told that multiple times, Jowan - and if you're too scared, there's always Tranquility." 

"Tranqu- That's not better!"

"Then stop fretting and start studying. And... Try not to do anything stupid - as an apprentice, or during your Harrowing."

He sighs dejectedly.

A younger apprentice approaches them. "Lys Amell? First Enchanter Irving would like to see you in his office at your convenience."

"Right away." To Jowan: "I'll see you around. And - your Harrowing won't be like mine, but if you need help studying... Let me know. I still owe you for a few projects."

Jowan is too busy feeling sorry for himself to really acknowledge her.

Typical. He's useful (and somehow mistakes blackmail for a fair deal), but she could do without his... Everything.

She goes straight to find the First Enchanter.

The First Enchanter's office is already occupied when she shows up, by Knight-Commander Greagoir and a bearded man she doesn't recognize, with griffons on his surcoat. Greagoir seems to be arguing with Irving about something involving the stranger.

She hangs back (and listens in) until acknowledged. 

Apparently, they are arguing about sending more mages away. The First Enchanter points out that it is their duty to assist the king's army against the darkspawn threat. The Knight-Commander complains that the mages will need a templar escort, and he's already facing manpower shortfalls.

The bearded man interrupts (with the air of one who is relieved to finally have an excuse to stop endlessly circling bickering) when he spots Lys lurking at the door. "Gentlemen, please! First Enchanter, you have a visitor."

"Ah, young Lys," Irving says. "Come in, child."

She does so. "You called for me, Ser?"

Greagoir seems unwilling to continue the argument in front of her. "We will continue this later, Irving," he says, stiffly, and heads out the door.

     "This is...?" the bearded man asks.

"Yes, this is she," Irving replies. "Our newest member of the Circle, Lys Amell. Lys, this is Duncan of the Grey Wardens."

"It is a pleasure to meet you," she says evenly. And, given there's not many reasons a Grey Warden would be hanging around here: "Do the Grey Wardens need mage assistance?"

"With the darkspawn invading from the south," Duncan says, "we need all the help we can get. Especially from the Circle. I fear if we don't drive them back, we may see another Blight."

"The situation is that dire?"

"So I believe," he says solemnly.

     "Come now, my friend," Irving says. "There is no need for this talk of darkspawn and Blight today. We welcome a mage to our ranks, this should be a joyous occasion."

Tiny smile. "I've celebrated already with friends." One very special 'friend,' that is. 

"Ah, good, good," the First Enchanter says with a genial smile. "Then allow me to present you with your new robes and ring of membership," he hands over a folded bundle with a small wrapped package on top. "As well as a writ for a new staff from the armory. You may choose any you like, or request the Tranquil create a new one if none are to your liking."

"Thank you, ser."

Irving gives her a grandfatherly smile. "You are most welcome, child. But now I think I've taken up enough of your time. If I could trouble you to escort Duncan to the guest quarters, the rest of the day is yours."

"Of course, ser." To Duncan: "Follow me."

"Thank you, Serah Amell."

She'll lead him through the corridors then - luckily the guest space is on the same floor, though it's clear on the opposite side of the tower and there isn't a good direct path. Still - that gives her time to ask him questions (and him to ask her in turn, if he has any).

"Ser Duncan, what are the duties of a mage working with the Grey Wardens?"

"That depends if you mean as an auxiliary or as a recruit. The Wardens of course welcome magical support the same as other military units, for the battlefield control and healing capabilities you offer. But we also accept mages into our ranks, and a Warden is a Warden, magical talent or no."

Surprised blink. "And the other Wardens are accepting of that?"

"The primary duty of a Warden is fighting darkspawn. Wardens who turn their noses up at ways to do that more effectively tend not to live very long."

...That sounds like an opportunity. But... Hm...

Her biggest problem has been figuring out how to escape - how to grow past the chains the Circle places on her - without leaving Briony behind. 

"Would a Templar of the Chantry be welcome alongside me?"

"Ah. The Wardens do not discriminate, but there may be a question of conflicting oaths."

"...Of what sort?"

"The Grey Wardens answer to no nation or power. A templar swears their service to the Chantry, which is a bond not lightly broken."

"I'll speak to her," she says. "But - from a philosophical perspective, oaths to the Maker should be above oaths to any earthly power, should they not? And to fight the darkspawn for the good of all peoples would be in accordance with that ultimate oath."

She's aware of other issues, too - but, honestly, this is a good chance to test out her arguments for Briony to be released honorably to the Wardens, or wherever else would allow her and Lys to live together. 

He raises a brow. "An interesting theory. I am not sure how well the clerics would take it."

"But there is another option. The Grey Wardens possess the right of conscription."

She needs better arguments then, damn. Maybe specific quotes - ? Or if she can find precedence in the historic records in the library, especially from prior Blights... Though she might not have much time to research...

Conscription, though... Hmmm... "It depends," she says, carefully, "On whether the Order would consider that an honorable discharge." She's not entirely sure why but she's good enough at collecting rumors to know that there's more dread of dishonorable discharge than reasonable, that Templars who are kicked out for some reason or another are often followed by a storm of rumors about madness and death - that even honorably discharged or retired Templars don't always seem to live as long as they perhaps should - 

If she was in charge of an organization as tightly controlled as the Templar Order, charged with a duty as difficult and important as controlling mages, she'd figure out a way to ensure Templars who don't fall in line don't remain a problem for long. And Lys is very, very certain that whoever designed this system is exactly the kind of bastard she is, and honestly thoroughly unworthy of Briony's presence in their ranks. 

"It would not," Duncan says carefully, "be the first time."

"Then... It's worth considering."

"I hope that you do. The First Enchanter has told me of your skills; we could use a mage like you."

"I'll just need to talk to my - friend - Briony." Pause, then a little cautiously: "I'm not going anywhere without her."

"But... I have been considering asking permission for us to join the army. The Grey Wardens sound like - a good opportunity."

"It is a chance to do something great," Duncan agrees.

(And to obtain social status and a permit to explore more powerful magic outside the misguided bonds of the Chantry. (She doesn't object to the hierarchy. She objects to the stupidity.))

"How many are you hoping to recruit?" she asks, mostly idly. 

"As many as I can," he says. "Though I don''t expect to get more than one or two. Being a Grey Warden is not... traditionally prestigious, and it means giving up the life you had before. For most in the Circle, this will not seem to be better than their current circumstances. And outside of a true, acknowledged Blight, we must be conservative with conscription."

Hum. "I might know a few who'd be interested," she says, thoughtfully. "At least - for similar reasons to why I am. I can speak to them, after I talk to Briony. And First Enchanter Irving... He looks out for us when he can. I think he'd approve of mages who are poor fits for Circle life joining the Wardens instead."

"And even if they can't join now - they might be good initial candidates for when a Blight is declared."

"That would be most helpful. Thank you."

And soon after that, they arrive at the guest quarters. Duncan thanks her again for showing the way.

She thanks him for the offer, and gives an idea of when she'll next be available. 

"Rest well, Ser Duncan."

And then - to find Briony (if she's free, or at least if her current duties support a somewhat clandestine conversation).

She's supposed to be standing guard in the library, but it's not unreasonable for a templar to follow a discreet distance behind if a mage wants to spend a while in the more obscure stacks.

And those stacks are, conveniently, the best place to find information on exactly how flexible Grey Warden morals can be - and detailed information in general on the darkspawn. Which, generally, isn't something mages are supposed to be too curious about. (Lys doesn't believe in facing challenges blind, not if she can help it.)

Once they're alone, and she doesn't think anyone else is in earshot - 

"Briony, I - might have found a chance for us. One better than what we have now." Than clandestine meetings, than the risk of a purge or execution or simple murder hanging like a sword over her neck, than fear of punishment for being caught, than the bounds placed on even reasonable inquiry.

"What kind of chance?"

"There's a Grey Warden here, Ser Duncan. He's recruiting, and - the Wardens think a Blight is imminent, so he's willing to use the Right of Conscription if his chosen recruits aren't released by their superiors."

"He said - implied - that Templars have been recruited by the Grey Wardens before, without the... Issues... Dishonorable discharges have. And given the possibility of a Blight... Ser Greagoir might release you willingly, especially so you can keep an eye on me and any other mages Ser Duncan recruits."

"That sounds like a better plan than any we've had before. Time-limited, though."

"...If there is a Blight, we might have a better chance with the Grey Wardens - purges get... More common, plus the likelihood of the darkspawn directly attacking the Circles is pretty high. And if they can they'd likely press us into service anyways when the Blight starts, as part of the army even if not the Wardens; it's better to get in ahead, get promoted past frontline fodder before the situation deteriorates that far - and the Wardens will be... More accepting than the army."

"And... Maybe we can buck the trend, survive longer than most Wardens. There's got to be a way, and if anyone can find it..."

"But even if not..." She goes quiet for a few moments, before: "I'd rather fight and die alongside you, than risk living without you - or, worse, being pushed towards opposing sides." (She's never dared ask what Briony would do if Lys turned to forbidden magic or became an abomination, even one who keeps some part of her human mind. She's never dared ask what Briony would do if a Right of Annulment was invoked on her Circle, regardless of what Lys herself may or may not have done.)

(Ever since falling in love with Briony, Lys has been very, very careful to identify any mages thinking of being stupid, and either talk them out of it or quietly report them to the First Enchanter so it can be handled discretely. There are a lot of frustrated, stupid mages in the Circle, though, and she probably hasn't identified all of them, even though she numbered among their ranks before Briony. A Blight would only make things worse.)

"If you want to go- I will too."

"...I do, but - only if you actually want it. I don't want... Things that will be harmful to you."

"Not going would hurt you. And that would hurt me."

She takes Briony's hand (this is somewhat too public for more, anything other than light touches and brief kisses). "Then I'll go tell Ser Duncan that we're both willing."

Squeeze. "This will be a big step."

"Hopefully in the right direction."

"We'll turn it around, if not."

"Together." She squeezes Briony's hand. 

Unfortunately... She should probably talk to Duncan - and the other mages she was thinking of sounding out - sooner rather than later. 

They'll have more time soon.

Yeah. 

She's looking forward to it. 

It will be good.

A check they're unobserved - 

And a brief, light kiss. 

She's so sweet.

Only matches Briony.

She tries to be a good influence.

She's the best influence. 

Smug smug.

Oh no, she's way too cute for a semi-public space. 

Perhaps she should focus on her studies?

She had wanted to read more about darkspawn... Perhaps after she speaks to Ser Duncan and the others, though. 

Briony won't keep her.

Then Lys will head off.

She very, very quickly runs into a problem - one named Jowan.

She listens with growing exasperation to his and his (forbidden) Chantry girlfriend's stupid plan to destroy his phylactery and make a run for it, using magic to get past the door like the builders wouldn't have thought of that risk. Listens to their story of signed orders for him to be made Tranquil, like that doesn't mean he'll have an especially close eye on him kept in the meantime. 

"Jowan..." she says once he's had a chance to finish. "I do owe you, especially for covering for me and Briony - which is why I'm not going to help you two be utter idiots. This plan won't work. And even if it does..."

"There's a Grey Warden here. They're recruiting because they think a Blight is coming - and you can't run from that. You'll be fucked as an apostate on your own. But - the Grey Wardens won't care about you two, and they can conscript recruits over their superiors' objections. Without a formal Blight declared, they might not want to rock the boat too much - but a Blight could be any day now."

"Just... Talk to Irving. He's not out to get us. Stall." And then over his objections about danger - "Jowan, you're a better combat mage than I am. It's everything else that's holding you back." To doubts about whether they'd take an un-Harrowed mage with apparent black marks on his record - "They frequently recruit apostates during Blights - even our library has records of that, for all that they're screeds against the practice. And honestly? They'd probably take a blood mage at that point." He twitches. 

...Fucking idiot. Didn't she give him that talk? 

Well. 

Can't say she didn't try. 

"Just... Think about it. And please don't be stupid - I want to see you two actually... Fulfilled. And that's not something you can get from a life on the run."

She leaves them with a weary exasperation in her chest, even more convinced that joining the Grey Wardens - bailing - is the correct call. 

She goes to find... First Enchanter Irving, actually. He could use a heads up about Jowan's stupidity - maybe he can sit on the idiot - ?

(Fortunately, she in very clear terms refused to help Jowan and his girlfriend, so she can't assist Irving with any plans to catch them in the act to embarrass the Chantry. Ugh. She hates this place.)

She does, at least, get his blessing to join the Grey Wardens, along with cautious optimism about Briony going with her (and admitting to that makes Lys want to squirm). But she'll need him in her corner to get Ser Greagoir to actually agree to releasing Briony, so. 

And then, with a heavy sigh of relief at all the hard conversations being (hopefully) over, she goes to find Ser Duncan.

Duncan is impressed by her swift decisionmaking and action. He will want time to talk to Briony himself before speaking again with Irving and Greagoir, but expects that they will be able to leave either late tomorrow or the day after.

Good.

He will find her if he needs anything more.

"Thank you, Ser Duncan." 

She returns to the library, after - she has research to do.

The next day, Briony and Lys are both called to Irving's office. Greagoir and Duncan are there as well, Greagoir looking less than pleased. Both girls are being released to join the Grey Wardens.

She tries to keep her grin under control. "It will be an honor to serve alongside you, Ser Duncan," she says, before thanking Greagoir and Irving.

"Yes, an honor."

Briony has to do a little ceremony with Greagoir that ends in her receiving a small wooden case with some lyrium vials. And then they're officially released.

How long do they have to pack and say their goodbyes?

An hour. They can still make some distance before nightfall.

They'll move fast.

(Unfortunately, this doesn't even really give them time for a quick kiss in private, given their rooms are so far apart. But... They'll have time soon, and more freedom than they did before.)

Leaving the Circle. It's been a while.

Lily feels like she barely remembers life outside. 

Maybe Briony can show her around.

"That sounds lovely."

"If we can make time for it."

"Perhaps we'll get to travel on Warden business."

"Mix business and pleasure?"

"It's efficient!"

"And you're all about efficiency."

"Among other things." They have time for a quick kiss before going to see Duncan, right? 

Maybe just one.

A small taste of their future. 

And then: head out? 

Best not to waste any more time.

A sentiment Duncan shares, when they meet up. They set out across the bridge to the mainland without further ceremony, and then turn south down the Lakeroad.

Lys has questions on the walk, about the state of the world, the war against the Blight, who they'll be meeting up with - but she does get distracted a few times looking around, and she drifts closer to Briony, shoulders nearly brushing, once they're out of sight of any Templars.

The horde seems to be massing in the Korcari Wilds, at Ferelden's southern extreme. It's only the very remotest of the Bannorn that's been affected by the darkspawn so far; they haven't even gotten so far as the crossroads at Lothering. The king's army is gathering at the old fortress of Ostagar. After answering the initial call at Denerim, Duncan and his apprentice split off to try to find a few more recruits at King Cailan's leave. The Grey Wardens have been few in number here since Ferelden's war for independence, as most of them were originally Orlesian.

So even just Lys and Briony will be notable additions to their ranks? 

For now, yes.

It's annoying (and unfortunate) that more people aren't willing to fight this, even when it's in their own - and everyone else's - best interest. Even when they're well suited to it - and it's incredibly annoying that those in power, who should know better, try to interfere with conscription. 

The sad truth is that Grey Wardens are almost unnecessary, until they are very necessary. And the times when they are necessary are some of the worst for the world. People would prefer to ignore the Wardens, and the troubles they herald, keeping themselves safe in a comfortable illusion until it is shattered by reality.

Then it will be part of their job to both shelter the foolish, and show them the truth. 

That would be beyond the call of duty.

But if it's required to truly stop the Blight...

The only thing that will stop a Blight is the death of the archdemon leading it.

She's guessing though that the archdemon won't be trivial to find and march up to? 

No, it will be in the heart of the swarm.

So allies - ones with armies - will be useful.

Such as the king of Ferelden, yes.

(Lys is not, it must be said, an optimist - but she'll drop this for now, instead keeping the 'but what if that's not enough' in the back of her head.)

It's pretty nice getting to just... Hang out with Briony on the road, too.

And sharing a bedroll?

Absolutely. (One on the other side of camp from their escort, too.)

How tantalizing.

Though they still can't get noisy...

Briony might have an idea or two on that front.

Oh, so Lys is interested in that sort of thing?

In one direction or another. 

They'll have to experiment, then.

Anticipatory shiver. 

Briony has a feeling this will be fun.

Very. 

Their trip to Ostagar is relatively uneventful. In person, it proves to be the remnants of either a sprawling castle or a small fortified city, surprisingly intact for its age and largely unstrategic location. The camp lounges around the feet of the structures, gaps in the walls filled in by fresh-hewn wooden palisades.

They're met at the gates by King Cailan himself, resplendent in his gilded plate armor and accompanied by a small retinue. He greets Duncan as an old friend, exclaiming that he thought the older man would miss all the glory.

She hangs back until addressed.

"-and I take it these are the two recruits you found?"

     "Yes, your majesty. Allow me to introduce-"

"No need to be so formal, Duncan. We'll be shedding blood together in battle, after all. Hello there, friends! Might I have your names?"

...The king is younger than she thought he'd be.

She'd known his age intellectually, but... Yeah. "I'm Lys Amell, and this is Ser Briony. At your service, your majesty."

"Pleased to meet you!" he says cheerfully. "I know the Grey Wardens are desperate to bolster their numbers, and I for one am pleased to help them. I understand you hail from the Circle of Magi." He grins. "I trust you have some spells to help with the coming battle?"

She might actually like him. "Yes, and I intend to learn more."

"Excellent. We can always use another mage. And templars, of course," he says to Briony. "I'm sure your abilities will be of great help if we find any emissaries."

"Yes, your majesty."

"Now, I'm sorry to cut this short, but I'm sure Loghain waits eagerly to bore me with strategies in the command tent. Three battles we've won already, and still he worries."

...Okay maybe he's actually kind of an idiot.

"Three battles doesn't make a war, your Majesty."

"Ha!" he laughs. "You sound just like him."

     "They have a point, your majesty. I fear this Blight may not be defeated so quickly as you might wish. Redcliffe's force should be here in less than a week-"

"My uncle just wants in on the glory," King Cailan dismisses with a shake of his head. "We don't need to wait. You know, I'm not even sure this is a real Blight. We've seen plenty of darkspawn on the field, but there's been no sign of an archdemon."

"Doesn't it usually take archdemons a while to emerge?"

"Records are unclear-" Duncan begins, but the King interrupts.

"Wouldn't it be grand? A war like in the the tales! A king riding with the fabled Grey Wardens against a tainted god!" One of his entourage coughs."-Though I suppose this will have to do. I really must be going before Loghain sends out a search party. Farewell, Grey Wardens." And he's gone.

"...Is he always - " Ugh she doesn't even know how to word it. 

"Quite often," Duncan says. "His primary advisor, Teryn Loghain, does quite a bit to, ah, moderate the king's exuberance."

"It's good if he has a reliable advisor."

"The teyrn is quite experienced. He fought for Cailan's father during the rebellion against Orlais."

Nod.

"But now that we are here, we should meet with my apprentice and proceed with the Joining ritual without delay. Come." He sets off for the Wardens' section of the camp, a small area near one of the internal walls.

She follows. 

"Duncan! You made it." They're greeted here by a young woman with the same griffon tabard Duncan wears, with twin swords on a belt at her hips. "And with recruits!"

Friendly smile. "My name is Lys Amell. This is Briony. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ser - ?"

"Xandra. It's nice to meet you, Lys."

"I'll admit, it's good to see someone a bit closer to my age in the Wardens... Will we be working together?"

"Yeah, there's not really enough of us that it makes sense to split up for now, even counting the two recruits I brought."

Nod. "Will we get a chance to meet them before the Joining?"

"Yeah, they're over by the tents." She points. "I need to debrief with Duncan if you two wanna go introduce yourselves."

"Alright."

They'll go meet their new comrades-in-arms. Stow their things while they're at it, too.

Not that they have much - though Briony's kit's definitely heavier than Lys's.

Armor is useful!

Which is (part of) why Lys casts from behind Briony!

Uh huh.

It's an effective strategy. 

As long as she promises to patch Briony up afterward.

Always. (Quick kiss?)

Kiss.

So, about those other recruits...

She'll lead the way to where Ser Xandra pointed them. 

There's two recruits as promised, though they couldn't be more different. One's a dwarf, carrying a single sword - no shield, and her armor is basic, though she holds herself with confidence. 

The other is an elf, her only apparent weapons a set of daggers. She doesn't have the face markings the Dalish wear, so probably a city elf. She's spindly, and hanging back, apparently not interested in talking to her fellow recruit. Her eyes immediately jump to Lys and Briony when they approach - Briony especially. There's something both wary and challenging in her expression. "Who are you?"

"Briony. This is Lys. Duncan recruited us."

"I'm Halna; our grumpy friend is Shiremi. Ser Xandra recruited us - we haven't had a chance to meet Ser Duncan yet."

(Shiremi makes a grumpy face at being called grumpy.)

"It's a pleasure to meet you both."

"Sure."

"Did he dig the two of you out of some hole, too?"

"If you can call the Circle of Magi a hole."

"What would you call it?"

"A tower in a lake."

Lys barely holds back a snort. "It does have its problems," she acknowledges. "Some similar to, some different from the alienages. I didn't mind it as much as some do - but I am glad for the opportunity to join the Wardens."

"A fancy cage is still a cage. Worse than a shithole where you at least get mostly ignored, even." 

"I suppose we're all happy you were never sent there, then."

"And that Ser Xandra was able to bring you into the Wardens."

"There were some arguments. But the Right of Conscription apparently outweighs even a death sentence - among humans, at least." Lightly: "I had to find the Wardens myself after being cast into the Deep Roads. But my steel plus Xandra's was enough to sway Denerim's enforcers."

"It's my story, not yours, Halna."

"We'll be working with them, Shiremi. You don't need your armor here."

Skeptical face. 

"It is good to know who we'll be fighting with. But forcing the issue seems counterproductive."

"And I'll trust Ser Xandra's judgment on your abilities and character."

"Why were you- cast into the Deep Roads?" Briony asks Halna, since she seems inclined to be friendlier.

"...I was falsely accused of plotting against the royal family of Orzammar in a bid for the throne. I made the mistake of trying to clear my name and actually bring my older sister Gina to justice for her role in the king's death. It didn't help that my supposed co-conspirator, my brother Gen, had fled as soon as we received the news, which was taken as evidence of his - our - guilt. So, I suppose the nobles of Orzammar now have the Queen they wanted - and the Queen they deserve."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"It's in the past, now. And my claim to the throne would be removed by my status as a Grey Warden, anyways."

"I'm afraid our story is much less exciting. Forbidden love between a mage and her guardian, fled to the Wardens to escape the shackles of the Chantry."

"I don't know; there's a lot of excitement in a good romance, especially one with star-crossed lovers..."

"Making out in a cupboard is only excitingly dangerous the first couple times."

"Then we can mark both of our stories as more exciting on paper - my trial was more frustrating than exciting."

"Deal."

"Works for me."

It's about then that Xandra and Duncan join the group.

"I hope everyone's getting along?" she says.

"So far, so good."

"Excellent."

"Now that everyone is here," Duncan says, "we can begin preparations for the Joining ritual. Each of you will need to collect a vial of darkspawn blood. There are enough scattered stragglers in the area that this should not be too difficult." He pulls out a map of the area and spreads it out on a nearby camp table. "There is also an old abandoned Warden outpost nearby." He taps the map. "While you are out, I would like you to find it, and bring back any documents you may find. Xandra knows what exactly we are looking for, so she will go with you."

She's got questions on the terrain, and on the varieties of darkspawn that have been spotted nearby. 

They've got that information. They're in a marshy type area, with drier hills poking up everywhere. Muddy waters might hide unexpected depths, so watch your step. It's been mostly hurlocks, with a handful of genlocks. There are emissaries confirmed, but no positive sightings of shrieks or ogres. The scout corps have lost a couple deeper patrols, so those might be sticking with the bulk of the horde.

She's studied those in depth, fortunately. 

And Halna's fought more than her fair share - she can run over her own experience with tactics while they walk. 

That would be very helpful for Briony.

On their way out to the wilds, they pass the Chasind dog warriors' encampment. One of the men tending to the mabari looks up and notices the party. "Excuse me! Grey Wardens! You are heading into the wilds, yes?"

"We are. Do you need something, Ser - ?"

"Aven. We've got too many dogs catching sick off these blasted darkspawn. There's a medicinal herb that sometimes helps them fight off the taint, but our stocks are running low. White flower, with a blood-red center. If you can find some and bring it back, we'd appreciate it."

"We'll keep an eye out."

"Our thanks. Maker go with you."

"And with you."

Off into the Wilds?

Xandra will let the recruits decide on the route they want to take.

...She barely remembers life outside the Circle. She's realizing that she has no idea how navigating rough terrain works. 

Yeah Shiremi's a city girl, she's eyeing the trees suspiciously. 

...Is Halna really the least bad at navigating overland here, because she hadn't seen the sky ever until Xandra recruited her. 

"...Briony, do you have an idea?"

"Yes." She does, in fact, have training for navigating the wilderness. Templars do sometimes have to hunt down rogue apostates.

They'll follow her, then. 

Briony does a passable job at leading the party.

Enough so that they can spot the first roaming band of darkspawn before they get spotted in turn. There's about a dozen, human-sized hurlocks in shabby, ill-fitting chainmail with rust-pitted swords and shields.

Any way they can set up an ambush? 

There's a bit of a hill they could sneak up on the darkspawn from behind.

Sounds like a good strategy - especially given both Lys and Shiremi (who grabbed a bow on their way out of camp) are going to be better at range, it'll be good to have high ground. 

Briony will take point, then Halna and Xandra can back her up, with Lys and Shiremi remaining at range.

Works. 

(She's actually looking forward to fighting together.)

"Remember, try not to get any of the blood in your mouth or eyes. Open wounds are a risk too. You're not Wardens yet."

"I know - I've been fighting darkspawn for years."

"I have not. Thank you for the reminder."

"I'll be careful if any get near me."

And needless to say, Briony will do her utmost to ensure none get near Lys.

If everyone's ready, then, they should spring their ambush.

They're all ready. 

Then here we go.

Briony leads the charge, shield-first and sword drawn. She knocks the first hurlock down and slashes out at another as the pack turns to confront the threat.

She pulls her fair share with magic, bolts and chains darting around her allies to wreck havoc on her enemies.

While Shiremi takes down the hurlock's own archers with carefully placed arrows.

And Halna fights at Briony's side, darting in and out of direct melee contact, taking out any going for Briony from the side, or who Briony manages to distract. 

Xandra cleans up the other flank.

All in all, their first engagement is a relatively smooth success.

Is this sufficient for the vials of darkspawn blood? 

Xandra will pass out the vials and everyone can try to fill one.

Lys is pretty efficient at this. 

Briony manages it as well. Darkspawn blood has an odd consistency to it, thick and viscous and black. A foul stench as well.

Luckily, she isn't bothered by working with disturbing ingredients. 

Halna's also used to the smell. 

If everyone's got their vial, then they won't need to worry about going out of their way to find more darkspawn for the rest of this trip.

Though they might still want to kill any they run across, if it seems feasible.

Of course. 

Then if no one needs rest, they can continue on to that old Warden outpost.

Seems like they're all okay to keep pushing. 

Then deeper into the wilds. After a time, they find what could be the remnants of an old Tevinter road. It's not so grand as the highway that still circles Ferelden, but it's going in about the right direction and could speed their travel.

Finally. 

Yeah, a road will be nice. 

The darkspawn might use it too, but... They can keep alert.

Right. Following the road it is.

Maybe this way their boots will get a chance to dry out!

Mud: quite possibly the worst thing about the surface. 

Just wait, she hasn't seen snow yet.

She saw some up on the slope on their way out the mountain. Snowy mud would still be mud, and snow proper can hardly be worse. 

Nnno, no, it can be worse. Mud doesn't often fall from the sky. Or stack up into three-foot drifts.

She'll believe it when she sees it.

No complaining they didn't warn her!

Fair enough. 

What do they have underground instead of mud and snow, then?

Dust and rock, at least outside of the fancier areas - the major parts of the Deep Roads are paved with heavy stones, and most of them aren't too damaged. The rest is more jagged, but still the tunnels are cut straight through rock. Tunnels in dirt don't last, especially wet dirt - in most tunnels, anything that isn't stone is something they or the darkspawn brought in with them. There's tunnels and natural cave systems nearer the surface that have more, and there's water - entire underground rivers - but what few growing things survive there anchor their roots straight into cracks in the rock, or coat it in a soft fuzz like moss - or slime - if there's enough water and nutrients nearby. 

Sounds about like what else she's heard about the Deep Roads. Don't get much weather underground.

It'd be alarming if they did. 

Guess so.

Definitely sounds better than mud... Though hopefully they'll be at the watchtower soon. Lys is looking forward to her bedroll tonight. 

Does stumbling across the desecrated remains of an army patrol boost her spirits any?

Doesn't really worsen it. 

Any survivors? Or signs of where the enemy went? 

No survivors. Nice clear bloody tracks though, the darkspawn obviously didn't care too much about cleaning up after themselves.

Are they likely nearby still? 

The arrow whistling past overhead as she leans down to check the body temperature says yes!

- Source? (She's going to immediately return fire.)

Hiding in the half-withered copse of trees over there, a little bit off the direction the tracks go. Well, the archer(s) remain(s) hidden, some sword-and-board hurlocks emerge to charge the party.

Briony, a little out of place, hurries to intercept.

Lys falls in behind her - 

And Halna turns easily into battle mode. 

Still - this is far less coordinated than their first battle. 

Won't always have the luxury of preparation.

Darkspawn are still not as individually skilled as this party, though.

So long as they get through it. 

They can manage it.

Briony does get nicked, though, in the confusion.

She hurries to Briony's side as soon as the darkspawn are down. 

It's just a scratch. Hardly even bleeding, really.

Still, it's worth healing. 

Thanks.

Happy to help. 

They shouldn't have too much farther to go, so they should keep going.

Yeah. (Lys can thoroughly check Briony for any hidden injuries once they have a little bit of privacy.)

They make it to the tower shortly thereafter. It is in disrepair, cracked walls with vegetation slowly climbing over it.

"Spread out and see what's left. Hopefully the documents will have been stored away, so check for any storage chests or the like."

Shiremi's good at searching, fortunately. 

Halna is not, so she'll focus on overall scanning the environment - and making sure they don't get ambushed. 

Then Halna is probably the first one to spot the woman descending from higher in the tower. She's lightly dressed for the climate, a dark green shawl over a simple halter top, and she carries a rough-hewn staff across her back.

"Well well well. What have we here? Deserters fleeing the army? Scavengers, come to pick at the bones of the dead?"

"Wardens," she says, because she's nothing if not bluntly honest, "Looking for something of ours. Who are you?"

"Wardens, hm. Back after so long. I suppose it only makes sense with the darkspawn about."

"You may call me Aoife."

"Careful," Xandra says quietly. "She looks like a Witch of the Wilds."

A what? 

- Probably an apostate - 

Lys is good at making nice, though. "And you may call me Lys. It's a pleasure to meet you."

She crosses her arms. 

"Not one all of your companions share, it seems."

"Can't blame us for being cautious in these times."

"Oh, you fear more of me will swoop down to turn you into toads?"

"Wouldn't be my favorite kind of swooping..."

"Is there a good kind?" she grumbles under her breath. 

" - Can you turn people into toads?" Lys asks, like a mage in horrible danger of being nerd sniped.

Not that she can talk about in polite company, Shiremi.

Aoife laughs. "That is what the stories say. Who am I to contradict such tales?"

"...That's not what we're here for."