Dragon Age: Dark Times

There is threat of a new Blight, the Gray Wardens are all but gone, and the people of Fereldin are still divided. It is up to a new group of heroes to gather the allies and stop this threat.

((Will be worked on, I promise T_T))

((The real first post))

Mariel awoke in an unfamiliar camp with bandages on her injuries. The last thing she remembered was fighting her way out of the tower and trying to make it to the battlefield through the chaos of Ostagar. She couldn't remember how it ended; and she had no idea why she wasn't with the Grey Wardens. She slowly sat up and asked the only person around "What happened? Who are you?"

"Oh, you are awake. My name is Idam" the stranger said with a welcoming smile. He brought over some water and explained "you were found at Ostagar. Do you remember anything?"

Mariel accepted the water gratefully. "I remember the battle. I was in the tower, signaling our allies. It was full of darkspawn. I fought past them and got outside... But that's all I remember. I must have fallen. Where is the army? And the other Wardens? Even if they thought I was dead, they would have found me when they were burning the bodies. How is it we are here all alone?"

Idam sighed heavily and replied "you... were the only one my brother could get to that was still alive"

Mariel gaped in shock and horror. "The only one... We lost? The entire army, slain?" Grief sapped her strength and she lay down again, staring up at the sky. "The darkspawn won. The army and Wardens are lost. We are defenseless."

Idam placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and said "All is not lost. You still have the treaties" He got up and went to leave. Before he left he said "I will leave you to your thoughts. You should be well enough to walk so let us know what you decide when you are ready"

"Treaties?" Mariel reached for her bag, lying next to her. She'd forgotten she was still carrying those. Duncan had given them to her for safekeeping until after the battle. Resigning herself, she stood and approached Idam and his brother. "Did no one else who was at Ostagar survive?"

Idam replied "If they did they escaped before Hasur got there"

"Then it seems it's up to me." Mariel looked over the treaties she held. "With these I can amass an army to rival the one we lost. There's no time to lose, however. Thank you for your help. Which way is it to the main road?"

Hasur slung his satchel over his shoulder and replied "I will take you to the road. It would be best not to travel alone"

Mariel lifted her bag and strapped on her sword. "I have a lot of travel ahead of me. If I can't make it to the road alone I'm a pretty poor warrior. Thank you, but I don't wish to be any more trouble. You ought to move on, however. It won't be long before the darkspawn overwhelm this place."

"You are making an army, yes?" Hasur replied "Then I give you my magic and sword" Idam looked at Hasur and said "But Hasur, you--" Hasur cut him off "Enough Idam. I cannot stand by as the darkspawn destroy everything. You must be there for the soldiers when they come back injured, understand?" Idam bowed his head and replied "yes brother..."

Mariel smiled gratefully. "Then you shall be my first companions. The first of many, I hope. Are you ready?"

Hasur nodded and Idam replied "ready when you are"

They made good time, and soon came to a small town called Lothering. It was full of frightened refugees, but at least the darkspawn hadn't gotten that far yet. Mariel questioned some of the townsfolk on whether any other Grey Wardens had made it there, but got mostly glares in response. In the inn, they suddenly found themselves surrounded.
"Grey Wardens betrayed the king!" one of the men around them shouted. It looked like there would be a fight; then a woman no one had noticed in the corner stood up and drew back her hood.
Most of the people stepped back immediately; those from out of town were pulled back by their fellows. Everyone seemed nervous around this woman. When she glared at them and said "Enough" they fled out into the street.

Hasur looked around them. Not one person stayed, and that put him on edge. He didn't say anything. Instead he opted to wait and see how the Grey Warden would respond.

Mariel and the stranger stared at each other. Slowly, she said "You... have the taint on you." The stranger nodded brusquely. "So do you." Mariel shook her head. "I am a Grey Warden. The corruption is suppressed in me. I will not become a ghoul." "Well I've been this way for four years, if I was going to change it would have happened by now." Mariel seemed satisfied by that. "I am Mariel Telis. Thank you for your help." "Lyanna Stark. These fools will believe anything they're told by those in power. Loghain calls you traitors to the king." She looked at the boys. "You and anyone with you have a death sentence on your heads."

"Then we should hurry and clear the Grey Wardens' name, yes?" Hasur replied

Lyanna scoffed. "Once people have made up their minds about you, there's no changing them. The common people need an enemy they can face. Those in power need a scapegoat to hide behind. Fight til you die, nothing changes."

"I refuse to accept that" said Hasur "I will not stand back as innocent people are being killed for something they had no hand in" Idam placed a hand on Hasur's shoulder and said "Hasur... stop,that is enough" Idam addressed Lyanna "we stand by our choice. We serve Mariel, and are more than pleased to do so"

Lyanna eyed the brothers sharply, then looked at Mariel. "And you?"
"I am a Grey Warden, sworn to defend. Whatever the people think of me, I will continue to stand against the Blight."
"So you are willing to stand alone against the darkspawn, and face the wrath and hate of those you've never harmed." She nodded, more to herself than them. "You need companions. Nothing binds me here. I will join you."

Idam chcukled and said "you are very good at gathering companions"

"So it seems." Mariel looked Lyanna over. "How can you help us, and why should we trust you? These people clearly think you're to be feared."
Lyanna wasn't offended; in fact she seemed to approve of the suspicion. "They fear me because they know the taint is on me. They made up stories to explain it, and came to believe their own rumors. I am no monster. I can't prove my trustworthiness, but I hate the darkspawn with all my being; I will fight them until my last breath. And I can fight. I can wield a sword as well as any, and better than most. Accept me, or don't. It makes little difference. Just make your choice."
"Ok. You're in."

Hasur was a little uneasy, but Idam smiled and said "welcome to our group"