alistair could not remember much about what proceeded after he ingested every drop of what the dreaded chalice had to offer him. he remembered stumbling before his entire vision was enveloped in darkness, darkness that was mistaken as death in the midst of his confusion. the darkness lasted what seemed like a LIFETIME, the only indication that he was otherwise alive was the searing headache that managed to wake him from his stupor.
he had been awake for a few hours now, time he hadn’t noticed had past as he did nothing but blankly stare at the wall as he relived the events of the joining a million times over in his head. his rattled brain fought to make sense of it all that it did not initially hear duncan’s knock. he physically jumped as a million tiny alarms went off in his head when his voice finally registered.
‘ duncan… ’ alistair attempted to stifle his sigh of relief as he tried settling his nervous. ‘ i, uh, i was just… i couldn’t. ’ he ran his hands over his knees over and over to still his trembling hands. ‘ i must look like a madman to you, ’ he managed a breathy laugh. ‘ i’ve just… never experienced something like that… ever. ’
❝ I understand. ❞ He replies, his sympathies extending to the young man as he closes the door behind him. His steps carry him further into the room, lingering but a few paces away. Duncan studies him with a curious eye: he knew the look well. His dark eyes rove round the room, to a pitcher Alistair has on a sideboard. ❝ You should drink some water, get the taste out of your mouth. ❞ He allows the boy to sit there, attempting to clear his head as he pours him a glass, before he’s back at his side, handing it to him. Maybe it’s instinct that makes Duncan grip Alistair by the shoulder, giving him a squeeze. Subtly, he nods, contemplatively.
❝ Nor would you have. Nothing can compare to the Joining. ❞ What he says is fact, a plain truth, grim though it may be. The old warden sits beside Alistair, on the edge of his bed, folding his hands in his lap. ❝ It is a test of your resolve, your fortitude, even before you become a Grey Warden. However, as you saw... despite a person’s good intentions, that cannot spare them from the finality of what we all inevitably face. ❞ The mere thought makes his head shake, disappointingly. Another warden recruit, lost. ❝ Edith will be missed. ❞
Unfolding his hands, Duncan digs into is trouser pockets, yanking a pendant out. He holds it out to Alistair, ❝ Your oath. ❞ It’s silver, emblazoned with a griffon on its face. ❝ We wear these to remember those who we have lost, and to remind us of the duty that we have taken as Grey Wardens. ❞
annaxmalina
kaledo-art
pixelskylines
gummygunk
