The Unicorn and the Blight

Chapter Three: The Calm before the Storm

The thing that stood out about Ostagar is the tower of Ishal, desbite the ages that had past since it's construction the  it still stood tall and towered above the landscape.

While Veneer was anything but ordinary he was definitely an interesting pony to travel with. I had a hard time getting a grasp on him, his personality just seemed so chaotic. His appearance leads you to believe that he would be a collected type of pony but he acts like a hyper active colt. Although his two faced grey mask for a cutie mark gave you a slight clue I suppose.

During the long trek south to Ostagar he pointed out things that I would normally overlook. A crooked signpost along the road, a scarecrow in an awkward position in a nearby field, little things like that. The only time he wasn't talking about something was when he slept, and even then he snored.

Despite his quirks I still enjoyed his company during the trip, even though I knew we were walking towards a battlefield. It was comforting to be traveling with somepony again, the loney unguided days of travel after Startshine had left were very difficult.

The trip also gave me time to ponder my fate, when Veneer wasn't asking me something that is. It gave me time to think, get my thoughts in order. There were worse things than being a Grey Warden I mused, most of the stories about them the bards told were usually ones of heroic endeavors afer all. Although they seemed to involve alot more sacrifice than I would have liked.When we finally arrived at Ostagar I felt that I would be able to face the coming storm with a brave face at least.

If only I had known how bad the storm would really be.

The Great fortress of Ostagar, built by the Tevinter Imperium to defend against the barbarians living in the Kokari wilds. It now stood crumbling, after having been sacked and abandoned in the wake of the First Blight it had been left to ruin. Now it was where King Sanguine was mustering the army of Ferelden to fight against the blight with the aid of the Grey Wardens.

As Veneer took the lead and began making his way to the guarded gate to gain us entry I took a moment to look around at the looming spires of Ostagar. Constructed by the Tevinter Imperium, a once mighty empire ruled by Unicorns called Magisters. They used their prowess with magic to carve out an Empire that once stretched across Thedas, but was toppled during the First Blight.

It was an unfamiliar concept to me, that Unicorns would be the ones to rule. I had spent my entire life living with my head down, hoping to evade notice, but in Tevinter the unicorns were in charge, weilding their magic with pride. I had even played with the thought of traveling there when Starshine first left, but Decided against it. I couldn't get over the fact that the Tevinter practiced slavery enough to go there.

"Greetings, I am the Grey Warden Veneer with the Warden Recruit Blue Streak and we ask for entry into the encampment." Veneer said, his personality shifting from it's bubbly state it had been in during the trip was now replaced with the stoic Grey Warden I had first met.

The Guardspony nods his helmeted head as he replies, "Yeah, you're not the first to arrive recently. Grey Wardens have been arriving in Ostagar from all over Ferelden. Most have camped down in the valley with the main army but I think that Commander Austere is currently with King Sanguine."

Veneer Returns his nod and gestures for me to follow him as he began to walk through the gate.

All around I could see Ponies running around, and I heard the hustle and bustle of an army preparing for war. It was the first time I fully realised the scope of what was going on. I understood that a Blight was a major event and that entire kingdoms could be swallowed by them, but to actually see the reaction it caused was another thing entirely.

I walked past the many soldiers and knights preparing for battle. Swords being sharpened, armor being polished. The sheer magnitude of the situation amazed me. I saw crests from nobility from all across Ferelden, I even recognised a few faces from my travels.

We walked through the heart of the command area, and I had never felt so exposed. My entire life I had avoided being out in the open, always trying to stay out of sight. Now here I was, parading very openly in the heart of a military encampment. Life certainly have unexpected turns for us.

Thankfully it didn't take us long before we reached what could only be King Sanguine's tent. The amount of guards and the size of it made that very obvious. Outside it I could see three ponies talking with one another. One was wearing finely crafted golden armor, another was wearing a similar suit of sttel armor, and the third was wearing a rather unique set of armor crafted from fine metal and obviously allowed for speed and mobility.

The three momentarily paused as they saw our aproach, and I felt myself shrink under their gaze. These were very obviously some of the most importanat people in all of Ferelden and I felt very weak and vulnerable.

"Commander Austere, I have arrived with a new recruit." I heard Veneer's measured voice call out next to me.

I saw the Pony wearing the unique set of armor turn to fully face us as he was adressed. "Ah, Veneer, I am glad to see you arrive safely." Turning to look at me more closely he added, "And I see that you certainly have brought a new recruit, and it couldn't be at a better time. our numbers always need bolstering in the wake of a Blight."

As he spoke I took in the details of not only him but the other two ponies there. Austere was a chestnut collored Black maned Stallion with a Grey longsword crossed diagonally by a Dagger of the same color. The Pony with the golden armor I assumed to be King Sanguine was a light blue Stallion with a Blonde mane. The final pony with the dark grey coat and black mane unnerved me the most, his gaze seeming to throw daggers at me.

"So what is your name then my friend?" Called out Austere's voice causing me to jump slightly.

"My name is Blue Streak." I replied quickly, hoping that he would lose interest in me quickly and was disapointed.

He turned his head toward Veneer and asked, "Where did you find him Veneer?"

"I found him while scouting out an enterance to the Deep Roads I located in the Hinterlands. He was about to be killed by several Genlocks after taking down a Hurlock Alpha while investigating a cry for help, unfortunately we both arrived too late to save the Mare.." Veneer replied in a measured voice.

I felt he was severely distorting what had happened. I didn't know exactly what a Hurlock "alhpa" was at the time but me taking it down was an overstatement, I had baely managed to survive it's attack.

Austere looked toward me with slight approval in his eyes as. I didn't know whether to feel proud or uncomfortable at the look so I decided on a mixture of both.

I heard a different voice speak up at this point as King Sanguine spoke up for the first time saying, "So he has already seen battle against them, that's good for you isn't it Austere to have a recruit who already has some experience dealing with the Darkspawn."

"Oh please," The Dark grey Stallion said disdainfully "From the look of him I doubt he'd be any more good in a fight than a beggar off the street." I was thankfull that somepony was finally saying my thoughts on the situation, even if it wasn't exactly I would have put it.

"It doesn't matter how he appears Absinthian, the Grey Wardnes don't pick just anyone to recruit. The fact that he has been selected means that he is exceptional." King Sanguine counted, elicited a snort from Abstinthian.

Exceptional wasn't exactly the word I would have used to describe dying in a pool of your own blood.

Austere turned to face the bickering pair and said, "I hope that we can continue our conversation later, I have some business to attend to before the day ends." Bringing to my attention to the sun begining it's final decent in the late afternoon sky.

Sanguine nodded with understanding before saying, "Yes of course, I can see that you will have to attend to your new recruit. I won't keep you from it then. I have a few things I would like to do to prepare myself for tommorow as well." As he began to walk into his tent.

Absinthian cast a spitfull glare towards us before going to his own tent without saying a word. It was quickly becoming apparent to me how he felt towards the Grey Wardens.

"Come with me" Austere said after the two had both entered their tents and began to walk toward one of the ruined buildings away from the hustle and bustle of the main camp.

I followed after him, hearing Veneer begin to follow behind me as well. I found it hard to explain but Austere had a certain air about him that even the King had lacked, it was the kind of feeling a person gives off that makes you want to trust them.

"Time is short, we expect the Darkspawn to attack by tommorow and will not be able to go about the normal procedure for recruitment." Austere explained, "Although luckily you have already faced the Darkspawn."

I wouldn't have thought of the experience as lucky myself.

Austere entered the building and I found myself inside of a mostly intact collumed room. I noticed a chalice sitting on a table in the center of it.

"Unfortunately you are the only recruit to have been brought to Ostagar and will have to go through the joining alone" Austere continued.

"the Joining?" I asked him

"Yes, it is something that all Wardens go through. We drink the blood of the Darkspawn and willingly take in the Taint, and that is what gives us our abilities." He explained.

It wasn't all that surprising at this point. I mean I had already found out that all Wardens have taint within them from Veneer and that was what allowed them to sense the Darkspawn so I had expected something along the lines of this. Although the thought of drinking Darkspawn blood still made me feel queasy.

"The Grey Wardnes were founded during the First Blight" Austre said when he reached the table with the Chalice. "So it was that the Grey Wardens drank of Darkspawn blood and mastered their taint. As the First Grey Wardens did before us, and as we did before you, this is the source of our power. Not all who drink the blood survive, and those who do are forever changed, this is why the joining is a secret."

Austere slowly picked up the chalice as he continued, "We speak only a few words prior to the Joining, but these words have been said since the first. Veneer, if you may?" He asked as he looked toward Veneer.

Veneer Nodded and stepped forward before reciting, "Join us Brothers and sisters, Join us in the shadows in the shadows where we stand vigilant, join us as we carry out the duty that cannot be foresworn, and if you perish know that your sacrifice shall not be foregotten, and that one day we shall join you."

Austere stood solemly as Veneer finished before looking toward me and saying, "Blue Streak, step forward. You are called upon to submit youself to the taint for the greater good."

I felt my throat tighten as I recalled is voice saying "Not all those who drink the blood survive." but I forced myself to step forward. I knew that if I didn't take this chance I would most certainly die anyway.I felt the cold chalice in my hooves as Austere handed it to me, and I looked into it and say the swirling darkspawn blood within it. For once in my life I did not hesitate and lifted the chalice to my mouth and felt the blood flow into my mouth.

"From this moment forth you are a Grey Warden."

I felt the blood burn it's way down my throat. The burning was followed by a sensation to this very day I cannot describe, I felt myself being torn apart and I saw a vision of a dragon. A great and powerfull tainted Dragon, it roared at me and I was filled me with a greater sense of dread than even when I felt certain I was to die.

Then there was nothing, and I felt myself colapse to the floor before losing conciousness completely.