Chapter 1: The Harrowing

Daylen Amell laid awake in his bunk reading one night as was typical for the young mage. His fellow apprentices had dozed off long ago and so he alone remained awake in their dormitory, his left hand containing a small ball of flames that gave him just enough light to read his book without disturbing his fellows. He often stayed up late to review spells, history or the occasional work of fiction.

He was known as one of the most gifted among the apprentices and one of First Enchanter Irving's star pupils. The other being one of his best friends, Neria Surana. Neria was asleep a few bunks away. She'd sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and scold him for still being up reading, but only out of concern. They had both arrived at the tower as children less than a month apart and had become fast friends. He glanced over at her sleeping form and chuckled quietly to himself. It always amazed him how the young elven girl could be so neat and tidy when she was awake, but while sleeping she was worse than a rampaging mabari. Her bunk was a complete tangle of limbs, blankets and sheets strewn in every direction.

He grinned while turning a page when he suddenly heard footsteps. He quickly extinguished his ball of flame, shut his book and pretended to sleep. The footsteps got closer and very soon the authoritative whisper of a senior enchanter was addressing him. "Daylen, wake up it's time," the voice said. This could mean only one thing, the time for his test, the Harrowing had finally come. Passing it was the only way to become a mage of the circle, failure would mean death and the alternative to taking the Harrowing, The Right of Tranquility, was the equivalent in his mind.

As he stood he took one final glance over at Neria before announcing "It's about time, let's get this over with."

The old man that had come for him merely grinned and said "As confident as ever, but I know you have the skills to back it up at least. Let's get going then." The older mage led him through the tower and up the stairs all the way to the top of the tower into the Harrowing chamber where Knight Commander Gregoir, First Enchanter Irving, and a small group of templars awaited.

Daylen cautiously made his way towards the center of the chamber where Irving stood. "The day has finally come child," Irving said.

"Your magic is a gift as well as a curse," Gregoir stated in his usual gruff voice. "The demons of the fade are drawn to you and for that reason you must always be on your guard," he finished.

"The Harrowing is a secret out of necessity child, a challenge we must all face. But I know you will succeed just as we all have." Irving gave him a determined look as he stared at him.

"I understand First Enchanter and I have no intention of failing," Daylen said as he shot a glare at Gregoir.

"If you DO fail apprentice, know that my templars and I will do our duty. You will die." Gregoir almost seemed solemn as he finished his statement.

"Remember the fade is the realm of dreams, the spirits may control it but your own will is real." Irving advised.

"The apprentice must take this test alone First Enchanter. You are ready." As Gregoir finished speaking, Irving pointed at the glowing substance in the center of the chamber. Daylen understood and made his way to the lyrium. He took one final breath before touching the arcane substance and entering the fade to hopefully conquer his final challenge in becoming a full-fledged mage of the circle.

Neria awoke to the whispers of an old man who'd been calling her for several minutes now. As she stirred from her sleep and looked up she recognized the elderly mage as one of the senior enchanters although his name eluded her at the moment. "Honestly, it's about time you woke up. We have to get going, it's time." After a few moments she realized what he meant. It was time for the Harrowing.

"It's finally time," she whispered to herself. "Alright I can do this, I'm ready," she said as she got up and started to follow the elder mage.

"That's the spirit young lady, just remember what you've been taught and stay focused." Before leaving the dormitory Neria noticed Daylen's empty bunk and realized he must have been summoned before her. She was a little worried, Daylen was more powerful and knowledgeable than most but the possibility of failure always hung in the air. Apprentices who failed never returned. She gave a quiet shudder and tried focusing on her own task.

They made their way to the top of the tower and into the Harrowing chamber where she noticed Daylen being carried off by a few templars. "Daylen, NO!" she cried. The First Enchanter intervened almost immediately. He knew how close his apprentices were, they were practically siblings. It had been that way ever since they were children.

"Calm yourself child. Daylen is fine, the templars are simply returning him to his bed." Neria sighed her relief almost immediately. Irving would never lie to her and Daylen was his most talented protégé. He'd be just as upset as her if anything had gone wrong.

"So he passed then?" She met Irving's eyes as she posed the question.

"In record time actually," Irving chuckled. Neria grinned and muttered to herself "Show off."

Gregoir loudly cleared his throat as if he were announcing his presence to the room at large. "Shall we continue," he said in a rather annoyed tone.

"Of course Gregoir," Irving said in an exhausted sort way. "Alright child this is the final hurdle every mage must face before joining the circle. You are more than ready, just remember your will is your own. The spirits can't control that."

Irving cleared his throat once more and said "Should you fail apprentice, we will do our duty." Neria of course knew what that meant, she would die. As Gregoir finished she noticed a young templar in the rear of the chamber looking at her anxiously.

"So Cullen's here," she thought to herself.

Cullen was a young templar she'd met on a few occasions who always seemed to get a little flustered around her. Daylen often teased her about it, claiming he had a crush on her. Whether or not he was right she'd never given him much thought. He seemed nice enough and was always polite but Neria considered him an amiable acquaintance at best and intended to keep it that way.

Irving directed her towards the lyrium crystals in the center of the chamber. She understood and made her way over. She imagined how confident Daylen must have been before he entered the fade and grinned a little before touching the crystals and facing the challenge herself.