The Blood that Binds

Ostagar

They were on the road eight days from the tower all of the way to Ostagar. Duncan didn't talk much unless Solona pried it out of him. She asked him questions about different places they passed and tried to build a relationship with the man by prodding him for information about his past and offering stories about her own. He seemed very disinclined to build a lasting bond with her aside from the occasional hearty laugh at one of her jokes or lengthy story about Warden history. She took this as him distancing himself from his recruit and tried not to take anything too personally. Overall, she liked the man in spite of his calm and quiet demeanor and refusal to share Warden secrets even though she was practically a Warden already.

They arrived at Ostagar in the afternoon of their eighth day together and Duncan led her past a large mostly intact tower toward a crumbling bridge over top a giant canyon. Just ahead of the bridge, Duncan sputtered in surprise as a blonde man flanked by several guards and dressed in plate similar to the Templars' greeted them. His golden armor shone as brightly as his smile as he held out a hand. Duncan rushed forward to accept the man's offered hand and Solona approached curiously to observe the exchange. "Ho there, Duncan!"

"King Cailan?" Duncan said in surprise. Solona gasped softly. "I didn't expect..."

"A royal welcome?" the king finished for him, dropping his hand and continuing to grin. "I was beginning to worry you'd miss all the fun."

"Not if I could help it, your majesty," Duncan said, his own grin matching the King's.

"Then I'll have the mighty Duncan at my side in battle after all... Glorious! The other Wardens told me you've found a promising recruit," his curious blue eyes turned to regard her and she flushed. "I take it this is she?"

Solona was at a loss for words as the King studied her closely. "Allow me to introduce you, Your majesty," Duncan said.

The King chuckled. "There's no need to be so formal, Duncan. We'll be shedding blood together, after all. Ho there, friend. Might I know your name?"

Solona stifled a chortle and the smart alec remark that came to mind. She was addressing a king after all. "I am Solona, your majesty."

"Pleased to meet you!" the King responded. "The Grey Wardens are desperate to bolster their numbers, and I, for one, am glad to help them. I understand you hail from the Circle of Magi. I trust you have some spells to help us in the coming battle?"

"I will do my best," she mumbled, suddenly very aware that she was newly Harrowed.

"Excellent! We have too few mages here. Another is always welcome," the King said, not seeming to pick up on her own sudden lack of confidence. "Allow me to be the first to welcome you to Ostagar. The Wardens will benefit greatly with you in their ranks."

"You're too kind, your majesty," she said with a smile.

"I'm sorry to cut this short, but I should return to my tent. Loghain waits eagerly to bore me with his strategies," the King sighed.

Duncan tipped his head and said, "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."

"I didn't realize things were going so well," Solona spoke up, glancing at Duncan who had been telling her horror stories all week about the upcoming Blight.

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

"Disappointed, your majesty?" Duncan asked a bit more snidely than she would have been comfortable with when addressing royalty.

The King brushed over Duncan's tone. "I'd hoped for a war like in the tales. A king riding with the fabled Grey Wardens against a tainted god. But I suppose this will have to do. I must go before Loghain sends out a search party. Farewell, Grey Wardens!"