There and Back Again Ch. 057-058

"But if you had darkspawn dreams, it would seem the Joining must have worked."

"And I've had more since then, just generic dreams about watching the horde, things like that."

"Perhaps something about how it sent you to Earth explains your reaction to the Joining?" I shrugged helplessly. "And maybe your repetitive transitions, as well. So despite us not being able to sense you, you are indeed a Grey Warden."

"I...think so?" My stomach growled, as if to agree, and we all laughed.

The three men exchanged looks. Finally Aedan spoke.

"Sierra, we talked about it, and..."

"You don't think we should tell anyone. I heard you."

"You don't look pleased, but you're not shouting at me. I don't know what to make of that."

I stuck my tongue out at my brother. "Look, I'm not stupid. I have no desire to be a lab rat in Weisshaupt."

"Lab rat?" Tomas looked confused.

"Uh, yeah on Earth, if people are doing research on stuff, they try it on animals first to see how safe it is. Rats, frequently." He looked revolted, and I laughed. "Yet you eat rabbit."

"So you don't want to be a lab rat..." he prompted.

"That said, after everything, I'd like to just be a normal Grey Warden. I feel like the dirty little secret. It's not how I saw this being, if I survived."

"Sierra..."

"Yeah, yeah. I know. I'll keep my mouth shut."

Tomas stood, reaching over to pat my shoulder. "We know what you are, and that's what's important, isn't it?"

I sighed. "Only if you take advantage of the improved formula." And let me fight. I'll keep that argument for another day.

Tomas appeared lost in thought. Aedan looked angry. To my surprise, Alistair just caved.

"I'll try it first." He must have seen the shock on my face. "We would have to be stupid not to, wouldn't we? I can't say I was looking forward to going into the Deep Roads on my Calling. And if it can also make me more effective...why wouldn't I? That said, we should try one at a time, in case something goes wrong."

Aedan glared at him, but Tomas nodded slowly. "Very well, but Alistair will go second. I will go first. I'm closer to my Calling, and living on borrowed time anyway. Assuming it works, you two will do it too."

Alistair and Aedan both tried to object, for completely different reasons I was sure. Tomas just gave them a stern look, which silenced them both. He left, then, and came back a few minutes later carrying the chalice. The smell made my throat start to burn again.

With one last look at each of us, Tomas took a swig, then handed the chalice to Alistair. In mere seconds, he screamed, falling to his knees and holding his stomach as his eyes rolled back in his head. The screaming went on for an eternity, before finally ending. Tomas slumped down, his eyes returning to normal, and then slowly, painfully worked his way to his feet.

"Well, that was unpleasant. I'd almost forgotten that sensation."

I tittered, slightly hysterical. He smiled at me. "I'm alright. I don't know if I'm any stronger, but it doesn't seem to have done any lasting damage."

Alistair sighed. "My turn then."

The entire thing was repeated twice more, for Alistair and then for Aedan. While they both did the screaming and the creepy eye thing, they both recovered well.

Once we were done, we tried to decide what to do with me. I was still too weak to walk, and I couldn't be seen by anyone until I was more normal. When I asked what they'd told everyone the night before, Alistair's cheeks coloured.

"Aedan told them you were avoiding me, and that I was avoiding everyone else."

"Can we go with that again? Hopefully tomorrow I'll be better?"

Alistair sighed. "Fine, whatever. Everyone is mad at me anyway."

Tomas put his hand on Alistair's shoulder apologetically. He just shrugged and turned to go.

"Alistair?"

He paused, not looking back.

"Thank you. For staying with me."

He nodded uncomfortably and then took off. I let him go, and Tomas followed him out.