Briar had spoken little since leaving Highever.

She had sobbed throughout the Hinterlands, keeping her bedroll away from Duncan and once attempting to lose him in a market. She'd returned eventually, her father's words ringing in her head: 'A Cousland does their duty'.

Duncan had purchased her a simple emerald dress at the market, promising that she would be fitted with armour at Ostagar. Her bloodied nightdress and robe still sat at the bottom of her pack, and she passed her father's shield to a castle servant they found by the road. She promised to find it in Denerim as soon as she could.

Ostagar was rather dull, with grey clouds hanging over the edge of everything in sight, Duncan, in an attempt at small talk, had mentioned that within the next month or so, it would start to snow around the ruins.

The first glimpse of colour Briar saw that wasn't a bannerman, was a tall blonde man dressed in gold armour.

"Ho there Duncan!" the man greets him with a strong handshake

"King Cailan? I didn't expect -"

"A Royal Welcome? I was beginning to worry you'd miss all the fun!" The King was tall, and his armour had been recently polished, reflecting the grey light and turning it a golden colour. Briar should say something, curtsy perhaps.

"Not if I could help it, Your Majesty,"

"Then I'll have the mighty Duncan by my side in battle after all! Glorious!" Cailan was just as excitable as her father had described. "The other wardens told me you've found a promising recruit. I take it this is she?" his attention was on Briar now, and if he wasn't so lively, she might have felt intimidated.

"Allow me to introduce you, Your Majesty,"

"No need Duncan. You are Bryce's youngest, are you not? I don't think we've ever actually met,"

"Yes," Briar nods, knees bending slightly into some form of messy curtsy; she doesn't quite meet his eyes, "He spoke fondly of you, Your Majesty,"

"He is a kind man; your brother has been concerned about him,"

"Is Fergus here?" Briar looks up with a speed that appears to alarm the king, and it would be impossible to mistake the hope in her voice.

"I'm afraid not. He and his men are scouting in the Wilds. Has something happened?"

Briar gulps and decides to focus on the designs of Cailen's shoulder armour. "My father's dead," she says simply, with no voice cracks, no wailing; after weeks of travelling, she had accepted her family's fate, but not agreed with it.

"Dead?! What do you mean?" he watches Briar blink slowly but give no response "Duncan, do you know anything about this?"

"Teryn Cousland and his wife are dead, Your Majesty,"

"Eleanor," Briar mutters

"Arl Howe has shown himself a traitor and overtaken Highever Castle. Had we not escaped, he would have killed us and told you any story he wished," Snuffles whines slightly at Briar's feet, gently nudging her legs with his nose.

"I...I can scarcely believe it! How could he think he would get away with such treachery?!" Cailan turns to Briar, his face softening slightly "As soon as we are done here, I will turn my men north and bring Howe to justice. You have my word,"

"What kind of justice?" her voice is harder now, eyes meeting the king's.

"He will hang," Cailan assures "I know that will not bring your family back, but Howe will not profit from this. No doubt you wish to tell your brother, but Fergus may not return until the battle is over. Until then, we cannot even send word. I am truly sorry that there is nothing more I can do. All I can suggest is that you vent your grief against the darkspawn for the time being,"

"What do you know about my grief?" Briar snaps, crossing her arms out in front of her

"Your Majesty...I apologise on my companion's behalf,"

"Don't worry Duncan. You both must be eager to reach your tents. Have you any news before I go?"

"Your uncle sends his greetings and reminds you that Redcliffe forces could be here in less than a week,"

"Ha! Eamon just wants in on the glory. We've won three battles against these monsters, and tomorrow should be no different

"You sound very confident, Your Majesty,"

"Overconfident, some would say," he laughs. "Right, Duncan?"

"I am not certain the blight can be ended quite as...quickly as you might wish,"

"I'm not even sure this is a true blight. There are plenty of darkspawn on the field, but alas, we've seen no sign of an Archdemon,"

"Disappointed, Your Majesty?"

"I had hoped for a war like in the tales; a king riding into battle with the fabled Grey Wardens against a tainted god! But I suppose this will have to do,"

Brar raises a brow turning slightly to Duncan "The only thing missing is the Griffons,"

"I must go before Loghain sends out a search party. Farewell Grey Wardens!" Briar waits for the 'Lady Cousland' that usually follows and finds nothing as the King leaves.

"What the king says is true. They've won several battles against the darkspawn here,"

"But?"

Duncan gestures for them to walk together. "Despite the victories so far, the darspawn horde grows larger with each passing day. By now, they look to outnumber us. I know that there is an Archdemon behind this, but I cannot ask the king to act solely on my feelings,"

"Why not? He seems to regard you and the other wardens highly,"

"Yet not enough to wait for reinforcements from the Grey Wardens in Orlais," Briar grimaces; she doesn't mean to. "He believes our legend alone makes him invulnerable. Our numbers in Ferelden are too few. We must do what we can and look to Teryn Loghain to make up the difference. To that end, we should proceed with the joining ritual without delay,"

"A hot meal and a nap might be better," Briar grumbles, and despite the young woman's clear dislike for him, Duncan laughs

"I agree. We have until nightfall to begin the ritual. Every recruit goes through it to become a Grey Warden, we call it 'The Joining'. It is brief, but some preparation is required. We must begin soon,"

"Well, I haven't got a choice, so let's just get it over with,"

Duncan sighs. "Feel free to explore the camp in the meantime. All I ask is that you do not leave it," he gives her a strong look, a reminder of her earlier escape attempts. "There is another Grey Warden in the camp by the name of Alistair. You two will get along,"

"Is that sarcasm?"

"If only it were," he sighs, knowing something she does not. "When you are ready, seek him out and tell him it's time to summon the other recruits. Your hound can stay with me while I tend to some business," Snuffles whines slightly at the thought of leaving his mistress.

"Keeping him hostage so I don't run away?"

"Something like that. The Grey Warden tent is on the other side of this bridge. You will find us there, should you need to,"

After asking for directions that Duncan failed to give, Briar explores the camp. She meets a mage named Wynne, and even manages to take pity on a prisoner, convincing the guard to feed him. The other two recruits, Jory and Daveth seemed nice enough, both praising Duncan. Jory had told her about his wife and unborn child in Highever, addressing her as Lady Cousland once he learned of her status.

On the edge of the army camp (which Brair was not allowed into), many men and women sat, eating or tending to their weapons. A woman in fur armour caught Briar's eye, she couldn't be more than a few years older than her, her hair tied into a messy ponytail as short spikes of light hair are blown out of her eyes. She appeared to be sharpening two daggers, and next to her sat a brunette male warrior. Briar watches as the two bicker before a commander calls out and both their heads snap up at once.

"Hawkes! Save the fighting for the darkspawn!"

Siblings.

Briar wanted to see Fergus.

Up one of the stairs of the ruins, Briar walked in on two men in mid-conversation. One was a thin mage with dark hair and a red fur robe, the other a young, tan man with short, sandy blonde hair, dressed in what Briar now recognised as Grey Warden armour.

"What is it now? Haven't Grey Wardens asked more than enough of the Circle?"

"I simply came to deliver a message from the revered mother, Ser Mage," the man seemed nervous, but kept his voice steady "She desires your presence,"

"What her Revereance 'desires' is of no concern to me! I am busy helping the Grey Wardens - by the king's orders, I might add!"

"Should I have asked her to write a note?" Briar lets the smallest smirk creep up onto her face, her first smile in many weeks

"Tell her I will not be harassed in this manner!"

"Yes, I was harassing you by delivering a message,"

"Your glibness does you no credit," It appeared this may be Alistair, Duncan's 'ethusiasm' at them meeting was explained now. He had left one 'glib' Grey Warden in Ostagar to go conscript another.

"Here I thought we were getting along so well. I was even going to name one of my children after you...the grumpy one."

Briar snorts, and two sets of eyes glance towards her "Don't mind me,"

"Enough! I will speak to the woman if I must. Get out of my way fool!" the mage storms off, and the warrior sighs, approaching Briar.

"You know, one good thing about the Blight is how it brings people together,"

"I know exactly what you mean," the smile from earlier has not left Briar's face

"It's like a party: we could all stand in a circle and hold hands. That would give the darkspawn something to talk about!"

"I think the mages might have a problem with the circle part,"

"Ha! You've got me there. We haven't met have we?" his eyes scan her face "I don't suppose you happen to be another mage,"

"Would that make your day worse?"

"Hardly, I just like to know my chances of being turned into a toad at any given moment, no matter how pretty the mage is," before Briar can comment, his eyes light up with recognition "Oh! Wait! I do know who you are! You're Duncan's new recruit, from Highever. I should have recognised you right away, I apologise,"

"And you must be Alistair,"

"Did Duncan mention me? Nothing bad I hope. As the most junior member of the order, I'll be accompanying you when you prepare for the joining,"

"Pleased to meet you," she points to herself "I'm Briar,"

"That was the name," Alistair nods "You know, it's just occurred to me that there haven't been many women in the Grey Wardens, I wonder why that is,"

"You want more women in the wardens do you?" Briar asks with a quirked brow

"Would that be so terrible? Not that I'm some drooling lecher or anything," he adds quickly "Please stop looking at me like that,"

"Hm, you were all probably afraid we'd show you up; we're far too smart for you"

"True, but if you're here, what does that make you?"

Briar shrugs "Incredibly unlucky,"

"Ouch!" Alistair laughs "Anyhow, when you're ready, let's get back to Duncan. I imagine he's eager to get this thing started,"

"You don't have to accompany me, I'm sure you have better things to do,"

"Don't worry, I won't embarrass you,"

Briar spins on her heel, throwing a smile over her shoulder. "Maybe I'll embarrass you,".

The Kocari wilds were...strange.

For one, they were filled with darkspawn, which were far more terrifying than Alistair described on the walk over, and draining their blood wasn't a fun experience. Secondly, Briar felt like she was being watched by someone other than the three men who followed her. It brought her some peace to know they would be leaving soon, the archives Duncan sent them for must be close, and Jory had four viles tucked away safely - one just in case.

It was an unusual joining ritual, but Briar had no chance to complain.

As they moved through the terrain, Briar couldn't help but twitch at any movement, hoping that maybe she'd see her family's banner, Fergus and his men safe and sound and with her. She'd also checked everybody for any identifying features; the Cousland crest was nowhere to be seen.

Thank the maker.

"There, up ahead, I see something," Briar looks up at Alistair's words, wiping a droplet of darkspawn blood off her cheek, thankful that the Quartermaster had set her up with a well-structured piece of armour. She wore a blue dress as under armour, and her chest plate was adorned with the warden symbol, her gloves and boots a light brown that complimented the belt she'd found which allowed her to hide viles and potions close to her hips.

Briar walks towards where Alistair pointed and finds a small golden chest, she sighs upon seeing it's empty and jumps up at a sound from behind her.

"Well well, what have we here?" a tall woman with dark hair stands in the ruins, Briar's hand is on her dagger before any of the men can react.

"Are you a vulture I wonder? A scavenger poking amidst a corpse whose bones were long since cleaned," as she walks down the large ramp, Briar moves to follow at the same pace, the two women in sync before they meet at the bottom. "Or merely an intruder, come into these darkspawn-filled woods of mine in search of easy prey?"

As she comes into view, Briar can see that she is adorned in gold jewellery, black feathers covering her left shoulder and skirt whilst a red cloth covers her front. The staff on her back is not missed.

"What say you hmmm? Scavenger or intruder,"

"Neither," Briar declares simply "The Grey Wardens once owned this tower,"

"'Tis a tower no longer. The Wilds have obviously claimed this desiccated corpse," she starts to move forward again "I have watched your progress for some time. 'Where do they go?' I wondered 'Why are they here?'" she walks to the edge of the ruins "and now you disturb ashes that none have touched for so long. Why is that?"

"Don't answer her," Alistair warns from Briar's left "She looks Chasind, and that means others may be nearby,"

"You fear barbarians will swoop down upon you?" the woman gestures in a mocking tone

"Yes. Swooping is bad,"

"She's a Witch of the Wilds she is! She'll turn us into toads!" Daveth exclaims

"Question for later," Briar mutters, eyes trained on the woman but clearly addressing the others "Why are men obsessed with being turned into toads?"

"Witch of the Wilds? Such idle fancies those legends. Have you no minds of your own?" she looks at Briar "You there. Women do not frighten like little boys. Tell me your name, and I shall tell you mine,"

This was a negotiation, Briar knew the steps to this dance.

"I am Briar. A pleasure to meet you," her hand drops from her dagger handle

"Now that is a proper civil greeting, even here in the Wilds. You may call me Morrigan," she seems impressed, albeit surprised "Shall I guess your purpose? You sought something in that chest, something that is here no longer?

"'Here no longer'," Alistair quotes "You stole them, didn't you?" You're some kind of..sneaky...witch... thief!"

"How very eloquent," Morrigan notes "How does one steal from dead men?" Briar thought it best not to mention the coins in her pack from the bodies scattered.

"Quiet easily it seems. Those documents are Grey Warden property, and I suggest you return them,"

"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 threatened,"

"Who did remove them?" Briar asks

"'Twas my mother in fact,"

"Is it possible for you to take her to us?" Morrigan did not need false pleasantries, just respect, and bluntness.

"There is a sensible request," she laughs "I like you," her eyes run up and down Briar's shape.

"I'd be careful. First, it's 'I like you' but then 'Zap!' Frog time,"

"She'll put us all in the pot she will! Just you watch,"

"If the pot's warmer than this forest it'd be a nice change,"

"You behave like children," Briar grumbles

"Follow me then, if it pleases you,".

They do follow her, and Morrigan leads them through the wilds with ease, missing holes in the ground and side-stepping branches like it was second nature. They approach a small hut, and Morrigan calls out

"Greetings Mother, I bring before you four Grey Wardens who-"

"I see them, girl," the woman referred to as 'mother' was much older, her hair grey, but her eyes the same sharp yellow as Morrigan's "Mmm, much as I expected," she mutters, looking over the group.

"Are we supposed to believe you were expecting us?" Alistair laughs.

"You are required to do nothing, lest of all believe. Shut one's eyes tight or open one's arms wide...either way, one's a fool,"

This place was so weird.

"She's a witch I tell you! We shouldn't be talking to her!"

"Quiet Daveth! If she really is a witch, do you want to make her mad?" Jory whispers

"There's a smart lad...Sadly irrelevant to the larger scheme of things, but it is not I who decides. Believe what you will," she steps forward "And what of you? Does your woman's mind give you a different viewpoint? Or do you believe as these little boys do?"

"I'm not sure what to believe," Briar admits. Of course, these people were...Odd. But civilised, and there was no denying Morrigan was a mage.

"A statement that possesses more wisdom than it implies," she nods "Be always aware..or is it oblivious? I can never remember," her eyes scan Briar once more "So much about you is uncertain...and yet I believe," She pauses "Do I?" it's as if she's speaking to another person in her head and is searching for something in Briar at the same time, her eyes flick to Alistair and then back "Why, it seems I do!"

"So this is a dreaded witch of the wilds?" Alistair questions, clearly deciding the woman to be quite mad.

"A 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!" she laughs, and Morrigan groans

"Mother, they did not come to listen to your old tales,"

"True. They came for their treaties, yes?" she walks back and picks up something "And before you begin barking, your precious seal wore off long ago. I have protected these,"

"You- oh, you protected them?" Alistair asks

Morrigan's mother laughs, "And why not?" she hands the seals to Alistair "Take them to your Grey Wardens and tell them this blight's threat is far greater than they realise,"

"Thank you for protecting them, and for handing them over so gracefully," Briar nods

"Such manners! Always in the last place you look...Like stockings!" she laughs and notices the confused looks she receives "Oh do not mind me, you got what you came for,"

"Time for you to go then," Morrigan speaks

"Do not be ridiculous girl. These are your guests!"

"Oh, very well. I will show you out of the woods. Follow me,".

Briar thanks the older woman one last time, and also Morrigan when she shows them the way back, holding a branch above Briar's head as she ducks, then letting it go to smack Alistair in the face.

She made quite the impression.

After their return from The Wilds, Duncan immediately had the recruits prepare for The Joining, warning them that they could not back away from the ritual.

Oh, and it might kill them.

Briar bit her tongue.

"The more I hear about this joining, the less I like it," Jory notes atop the ruins of an old temple, Brair hums in agreement. She watches Alistair in the corner, leaning against a pillar, his eyes are trained forward but she knew he was watching them, making sure no one ran for it.

"Are you blubbering again?"

"Why all these damned tests? Have I not earned my place?"

"Maybe it's tradition...Maybe they're just trying to annoy you,"

"None of us like this, but we can't change it now," Briar shrugs, adjusting her skirt slightly

"I only know that my wife is in Highever with a child on the way. If they had warned me...That 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?"

Briar scoffs.

"Including sacrificing us?" Jory exclaims

"I'd sacrifice a lot more if I knew it would end the Blight,"

"And that's your choice," Briar snaps, Daveth tuts and ignores her.

"You saw those darkspawn, ser knight. Wouldn't you die to protect your pretty wife from them," Briar really didn't like Daveth. "Maybe you die, maybe we all die. If nobody stops the darkspawn, we'll die for sure,"

"I've just never faced a foe I could not engage with my blade..." Jory is interupted by Duncan making his way up the steps.

"At last, we come to the Joining," he walks towards a table with a large chalice on it. "The Grey Wardens were founded during the first Blight, when humanity stood on the verge of annihilation. So it was that the first Grey Wardens drank darkspawn blood, and mastered their taint,"

"We're going to drink the blood of those...those creatures?" Jory asks, shocked

"As the first Grey Wardens before us, and as we did before you," he looks at Alistair "This is the source of our power and victory,"

Briar gulps "Can't you mix it with some wine?"

"I wish," Alistair mutters "Those who survive the Joining become immune to the taint. We can sense it in the darkspawn, and use it to slay the archdemon,"

"Let's get it over with, then," Briar sighs and rubs her eyes. Why was she just accepting all of this? 

"We speak only a few words prior to the joining, but these words have been said since the first. Alistair, if you would?"

He nods and looks down as he recites the words "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,"

Duncan collects the chalice and turns "Daveth, step forward," he does as he's told, and when passed the chalice, he doesn't miss a beat before taking a sip, and passing it back to Duncan.

It's still for a moment, and Briar isn't sure what to expect but then Daveth is stumbling, pushing Briar back and into Alistair, screaming in pain.

"Maker's breath!" Jory looks panicked, watching as Daveth's eyes turn white and his body freezes before his legs give out.

"I am sorry Daveth,"

Briar can't look any longer, she shuts her eyes and turns away, she swears she feels something brush her arm but it's gone before it was even there.

"Step forward Jory,"

"But! I have a wife. A child! Had I known -" Jory pulls out his sword, body shaking

"There is no turning back,"

"No! You ask too much! There is no glory in this!" he's backed into a corner, and when Duncan draws his dagger, he has no chance.

Briar's draw drops as Jory's body does.

"I am sorry...But the joining is not yet complete," Duncan looks to Briar, dagger still in hand, and she gulps, letting out a shaky breath. "You are called upon to submit yourself to the taint for the greater good. Step forward, Lady Cousland,"

With Jory's blood still pooling on the floor, Briar is forced to take the chalice.

The taste isn't as strong as she expected, it reminded her of biting her lip too hard as a child. Duncan is taking the cup before she can properly bring her arms down, and she blinks, slow and hard, before the pain comes up her spine and lingers in her head. She gasps and grasps at her temple, legs wobbling.

Something was inside her; something wrong, her body knew it.

She fights to stay standing; she wouldn't let it kill her. She wouldn't let Howe get her killed as well. Her dying in the castle and dying here were the same, only she got to be with her parents in the castle; she wasted that chance. She gasps, spits and splutters, and when she falls down, strong arms catch her, gently pulling her to the floor.

When she opens her eyes, it's Duncan she sees first, but it's Alistair's hand on her neck, checking for a pulse.

"It is finished," Duncan nods "Welcome,"

"Two more dead," Alistair sighs, watching as Briar rubs her head, sitting up slowly. There was a low ache in her muscles, but she was lucky she didn't bang her head "In my Joining, only one of us died, but it was..." he stops, clearly blinking back a memory "...Horrible. I'm glad at least one of you made it through,"

"How do you feel?" Duncan asks when Briar stands, she avoids looking at the bodies beside her and stops herself from questioning Duncan - he'd have some excuse.

"The pain," Briar groans "Nothing you said could have prepared me for that,"

"Such as it takes to become a Grey Warden,"

"Did you have dreams?" Alistair asks "I had terrible dreams after my Joining,"

"These dreams come when you begin to sense the dawrkspawn, as we all do. That and many other things can be explained in the months to come,"

"Oh? This time I get to learn about how you've completely altered my body and life?"

Duncan can't respond as Alistair has jumped in "Before I forget, there's another part of the joining. We take some of that blood," he gestures to the chalice "and we put it in a pendant. Something to remind us...of those who didn't make it this far," he hands over a silver chain with a misshaped piece of glass on the end, droplets of red swirling inside. Beside it, a small griffon pendant dangles.

"Take some time. When you are ready, I'd like you to accompany me to a meeting with the king,"

"The king?" Briar questions "I still feel in shock,"

"Death is never easy to accept, especially when it arrives in such a brutal fashion," Duncan nods "Honour your comrades if you wish, but know that we must press forward...Always we must press forward. The meeting is to the west. Please attend as soon as you are able," Duncan bids farewell, and leaves.

"If the king wants to see you and Duncan, you probably shouldn't keep him waiting," Alistair adds "He might get mad, start crying, you'll feel bad and...Well it won't be pretty," he smiles before leaving Briar alone, she holds the pendant close to her chest.

The meeting with the King was...strange. Briar watched as he argued with Teryn Loghain, and then declared that she and Alistair were his best men and should light the Tower of Ishal in the battle. When Briar had asked Duncan how Cailan knew Alistair by name, he had merely shrugged and said he spent a lot of time in the Grey Warden camp.

She'd been sent to search for the young man and found him sat by the campfire, nursing two cups of herbal tea Briar had seen Wynne handing out.

When she approaches, Alistair holds one up to her, and she takes it with gratitude. "Thanks," she sits next to him on the small log, deciding to take the time to breathe.

She shouldn't belong here. In theory, yes, her father had let her train to fight, to hold herself well around nobles and soldiers. And yet she felt sick to her stomach.

"He killed Jory," Alistair looks up from his cup "Why?"

"I don't know..."

"He had a wife in Highever," she gulps. "I felt responsible for him and his family...They live on my father's land,"

"Sometimes, Wardens have to make hard decisions. They don't always make sense,"

Briar looks over at him, he looked the same age as her, and she recognised the same sarcastic tone he often used. He looked tired though, watching the campfire as the light flicked across his face.

"I don't think you truly believe that,"

Alistair laughs "Hm, maybe not,".

When Duncan joins them minutes later, they both stand "Alistair, you and Briar will go to the Tower of Ishal and ensure the beacon is lit,"

"What? I won't be in battle?"

"This is by the king's personal request Alistair. If the beacon is not lit, Teryn Loghain's men won't know when to charge,"

"So he needs two Grey Wardens standing up there holding the torch. Just in case, right?"

"Snuffles will be there too," Briar quips, scratching her dog

"We must do what is asked of us, Alistair. If King Cailan wishes Grey Wardens to ensure the beacon is lit, then Grey Wardens will be there. We must do whatever it takes to destroy the darkspawn...exciting or not,

"I get it, I get it. Just so you know, if the king ever asks me to put on a dress and dance the Remigold. I'm drawing the line. Darkspawn or not,"

"Hm, I think I'd like to see that," Briar smirks

"For you, maybe. But it has to be a pretty dress,"

As Duncan sighs, Briar looks away, her small smile turning into a grin, Duncan begins to explain where the tower is, and when the Beacon needs to be lit.

"We will signal you when the time is right; Alistair will know what to look for,"

"We know what we need to do then?" Briar looks at her companion for conformation and he nods

"Then I must join the others. From here, you two are on your own. Remember, you are both Grey Wardens. I expect you to be worthy of that title,"

Duncan turns, but Alistair calls him back "May the maker watch over you,"

"May he watch over us all,".

With that, he's gone, and Briar watches as lightning strikes over the battlefield.