November 11
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Narrator: "Under the grand floors of Orzammar, sits the Deep Roads. Mighty roads, built by their ancestors to connect between the other great dwarven cities."
"Alas, they are now flooded with Darkspawn, and they are no longer safe to travel. Akitos and Duncan however have agreed to preform their duties as Grey Wardens, clear out as much of the Darkspawn as they can, and in return the King of Orzammar will give one of their finest warriors to them for recruitment."
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After a couple hours of traveling deeper into the darkness of the deep roads, and the slaughtering of easily seven dozen Darkspawn in their wake, Akitos and Duncan stop for a short breather.
Akitos panted as he flopped to the ground, his blade now resting at his right side upon the ground as he wiped a blood smear from his face.
"Bloody ancestors... this place is massive! And how many Darkspawn can there be!?"
He exclaimed with much frustration.
Duncan: "The Darkspawn have always been infamous for their massing numbers, and their endless hordes. No matter, we must push further. The Dwarves suffer constantly against the Darkspawn, the least we can do in return for taking one of their finest from their numbers, is push the hordes from their doorstep."
Duncan said, brushing a mixture of sweat and blood from his forehead as he looked around.
Duncan: "We will head through there, toward the Aeducan Thaig. We will clear out the Darkspawn there, and then make our way back. Now, let us make haste, no doubt you would not like to spend more time down here than need be."
Duncan said, unsheathing his blades once again as he began to walk down the dark hall-entrance.
Akitos sighed in frustration as he forced himself to his feet again, taking his sword into his hand once again as he rushed to catch up to Duncan again.
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Akitos followed close behind Duncan, looking around, paranoid of the possibility of something lurking in the shadows.
"Uh.. Duncan..?"
Akitos mumbled worriedly.
Duncan: "Yes, what is it?"
Duncan asked, turning his gaze behind him while he continued walking forward slowly.
"So, just curious.. But, just how smart of Darkspawn?"
Duncan simply chuckled, as he then reverted his gaze back in front of him.
Duncan: "Worry not.. Darkspawn are not the brightest creatures in existence... But do not think they are incapable of ambushes. There are Darkspawn known as Shrieks, and they dwell within the shadows, waiting for the right time to strike. Many have fallen to them. If you can catch them however, before they can leave into the shadows again, then they are as good as dead."
Duncan explained, looking toward his sides and into the shadowy corners and paths that they were purposely avoiding.
"Ah.. I see.. That's... good? I guess..."
Akitos mumbled, now taking notice to Duncan's scanning gaze, now even more so paranoid as he started to swish his head back and forth, looking worriedly into the shadows.
Duncan: "Do not worry, Akitos. There are not that many Shrieks in this portion of the Deep Roads. You need to be in much deeper, before you start needing to fear the shadows."
Duncan said as he continued walking.
After several moments of advancing through the Thaig, Duncan would come to a halt, looking around with a slightly confused look upon his face. This worried Akitos, and he wasted no time to ask.
"What's wrong, Duncan?"
Akitos asked worriedly.
Duncan: "Mm.. nothing, it's just... We have been traveling for quite awhile now in this Thaig, and yet.. no Darkspawn yet. I cannot even sense Darkspawn at the moment."
Duncan explained, looking around slowly as he scanned the portion of the Thaig they stood in.
"Is that not a good thing?"
Duncan: "Of course, it is just... Odd. No matter, from the looks of it, the Thaig has been untouched by Darkspawn for quite some time now, we should-"
Duncan was then cut off by a blood curdling screech, and then seconds later, the shadows themselves would spew Darkspawn. But no ordinary Darkspawn, they were Shrieks.
"Aaaah!"
Akitos shouted, gripping his blade tight as he seemed as if he was ready to start swinging it like a mad man, in which he did as soon as one of them got close, he started swinging his blade left to right like a crazed mad man, cutting down three or four Shrieks before they started trying to maneuver around his crazed spree.
Duncan skewered easily half a dozen Shrieks with only his long-sword drawn, before finally having a moments break to draw his dagger as well, in which he now duel-wielded his two weapons to fight off the Shrieks that were waving in upon them.
Moments later after nearly all the Shrieks were slain, two broods of Darkspawn began to flow rapidly from the darkened paths of the Thaig, even a good handful of Darkspawn appeared from the direction they had come from. Akitos and Duncan were now surrounded by the beasts, back-to-back and weapons drawn as they waited for the beasts to make their move.
"Duncan! What do we do!?"
Akitos shouted with fear in both his voice and eyes.
Duncan stood silent for a moment, then clenched his blades tight.
Duncan: "We do what we Grey Wardens are meant to do. Slay Darkspawn, and die doing so if need be. Now, lets go!"
Duncan charged furiously into a side of the brood of Darkspawn that surrounded them, and Akitos followed with his blade held firmly and together, they both worked their way a gap through the horde, only to end up cornered.
"Dammit... We're gonna die down here!"
Akitos shouted, clenching his teeth. He then suddenly remembered before Duncan had saved him back at Denerim, he was going to die at that moment as well, and was ready to accept that fact. What had changed from then to now, he wondered.
Suddenly, several Darkspawn dropped to the ground, dead. Arrows in each one of their bodies. Suddenly, a few more would collapse as well. Then, a crazed battle cry would come from a pathway, and came charging into the fight were members of the Legion of the Dead.
Battle-born, blood thirsty warriors of the dwarven folk, the Legion of the Dead is built of those who live souly to kill Darkspawn, and die doing so in the deep roads.
At least a dozen dwarves charged from the path, and all of them barring weapons of mighty steel. They all rammed their heavy armored bodies into the horde, and used their weapons to cut down the Darkspawn with ease.
Moments later, the remaining Darkspawn would begin to fall back into the shadowy paths they had emerged from. Several of the Legionaries would give chase, to ensure they remained pushed back. Duncan and Akitos stood stunned, as one of the Legion Dwarves approached, removing his helmet as he smirked keenly up at Duncan.
Legion-Captain: "Duncan, long time no see my friend. Didn't expect to see you this far in."
The man said, chuckling as he held his helmet under his right arm.
Duncan: "Indeed it has been awhile, Vellek. It is good to see that you are still alive and well."
Vellek: "Baha! Alive? Sure. Well? Hardly. These blasted beasts have been more trouble then they are worth. What brings you down here?"
Vellek asked, ramming his two-handed sword into the ground at his side.
Duncan: "Doing the King a favor, and in return, he offers me a recruit. A blight has begun on the surface, and it demands Grey Wardens."
Duncan explained, sheathing his blades as he looked upon Vellek.
Vellek: "A blight aye? Sounds problematic, but is no trouble of mine. Well, good luck to you Duncan, and may the Ancestors guide you. I'll have two of my men guide you safely back to Orzammar."
Duncan: "That is very kind of you to offer. Thank you, Vellek."
Duncan said, smiling softly.
Vellek: "No problem Duncan. Alright you lot! Move out!"
Vellek shouted as he placed his helmet upon his head once again, ripping his blade from the ground as he joined his men as they all charged forward down the path the Darkspawn retreated into.
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Two legionaries stayed behind, as they lead onward toward the entrance of Orzammar again. After Duncan and Akitos was safely escorted, they retreated back into the depths to rejoin their brothers.
Ducan and Akitos were greeted by King Endrin himself, who stood laughing and clapping, several citizens doing the same as well, and the guards of the Deep Roads entrance.
Endrin: "There they are! Two Grey Wardens who pushed the hordes from our doorstep! Thank you, Duncan. Once again you have done me, and Orzammar a grand service."
Endrin exclaimed, approaching Duncan with a broody smile as he shook Duncan's hand.
Endrin: "As promised, my finest has been lined up for you to choose. Pick whoever you wish."
Duncan: "Thank you, Endrin. I shall do just that."
Moments later, a man would shove his way through the crowd from the Deep Road's entrance, a member of the Legion, and no less, it was Vellek.
Vellek: "To the depths with that lot, I'll be your recruit, Duncan."
Vellek said, chuckling as he stood firm and proud before them.
Endrin: "Vellek! But are you sure? You are a legionary, after all. The captain, no less!"
Endrin exclaimed, shocked by the arrival of Vellek, who has been a member of the Legion and gone within the deep roads for fourteen years now.
Vellek: "With all do respect, King Endrin, but this lot you've picked out for Duncan are nothin' but a bunch of nug-humping noble bastards who want their shot at glory. None of them know the first thing about fightin' a Darkspawn, I have fourteen years of experience on my hands, and not only that, Duncan is an old friend. And I wish to help him in this time of need."
Endrin: "Mmm... I see your point Vellek. Very well. As a Veteran of the Legion, and a trusted old friend, I grant you leave from the Legion, and into the Grey Wardens, if you so choose."
Vellek: "Well there'ya have it, Duncan. You've got your recruit."
Vellek said chuckling as he approached Duncan, smirking. He was clearly glad to be rid of the darkness of the Deep Roads after fourteen years of service.
Duncan: "You are most welcome among us, Vellek."
Duncan said smiling as he held his hand out toward Vellek.
Vellek: "Damn right! Now then, lets get goin'! I'm eager to see this endless ceilin' of yours on the surface!"
He said, chuckling as he took hold of Duncan's hand and shook it briefly before letting go, lifting his weapon to his back.
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Narrator: "Now, Duncan and Akitos, now as well as Vellek leave the city of Ozammar, and now make their long journey back toward the South, toward the Circle of Magi, where their next recruit, would hopefully be a mage."
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