Alden displayed a puzzled look.
"You don't have to fight, if you don't wish to… but as my Successor, I hope you can attend the Tournament in my stead."
The Keeper's Apprentice straightened, his expression growing solemn.
"My reasons are twofold. First, it will be a confirmation that I have indeed taken you on as an apprentice, enabling me to show you off to the rest of the Sanctuary. Secondly, it will give you a chance to make your formal debut into high society. I want you to mingle and try to make connections with the people you'll be watching the Tournament with."
Alden racked his brain, finding no fault with Morrigan's logic.
'Do I really want to play the role of an aristocrat and wear a fake mask all day?'
That said, it would be a good opportunity for him to scout out and make his own assessments of the truly important people of the Sanctuary, his generation included. It would also allow him to investigate who the potential traitor might be, though he would have to be very discreet, which would only be another headache for Alden.
Displaying a slightly bitter smile, he nodded.
Her time-worn face shone with a brief vitality, and Alden couldn't help but remember the extensive burden she shouldered. If he could relieve some of that crushing weight, Alden would try his best to suffer through the arduous political prancing that would doubtless be on display.
As if understanding his thoughts, Morrigan's expression warmed.
They stayed like that for a while, Alden squirming, a little uncomfortable in the presence of such a powerful oracle. He should have become used to it, but the old Transcendent still made him shiver.
Struggling to hide the twitching of his lips, Alden asked:
"Is there anything else?"
Morrigan coughed, leaning on her cane slightly. She dabbed at her bloody lips, and took a laboured breath.
"Would you like to become a Paladin?"
"Is this to help me on the day of the Tournament, or because you think I would be interested in becoming one?"
Alden could almost guess her answer.
"Both. Achieving the title of Paladin will give you the necessary political cover, preventing anyone from suggesting that you're unfit to be my successor. You also strike me as the type who dreamt about becoming one when they were younger."
Morrigan smiled faintly.
Alden was a little irked at how accurately she could read him.
'I suppose it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise.'
She did have the advantage of wisdom and time, both of which Alden currently lacked. It would be a little worrying if Morrigan could not discern his true nature as someone who had experienced so much, and someone who sat at the very highest echelon amongst High Command, and the Sanctuary.
A brief lull in conversation appeared while the old oracle rested, gathering what little remained of her strength to continue.
"There are two components to the Paladin Exam. First, is a practical combat assessment, which will assess your individual combat power. Paladins need to possess sufficient strength as figures who uphold order, and guard the Sanctuary from any external threats. It is also important for them to be capable, because they can choose to undergo missions outside the Sanctuary, venturing into regions rife with Defiled.
"The second section, meanwhile, involves assessing your ability to work with people you don't know, mostly other examinees, and collaborating to complete an assigned mission. Since you are a special case, I will request a slight tweak - giving you the role of leader. I want to see if you can deal with difficult personalities, and if you can get the best out of others. Consider this a little training for the real thing… leading the Sanctuary in the future."
Morrigan's milky-white eyes shone with amusement, a subtle curl of her lips accentuating her mirth.
Alden internally cursed.
He tossed the idea of the Exam in his mind, and eventually found it to be appealing, even if it promised to be extremely tiresome.
"Is there any way to pair the mission with the requirements Elder Grimnar needs to forge my sword?"
The Keeper displayed a thoughtful look, deliberating over the idea.
Eventually, she nodded.
"We can make it so that you can escort a small team of Stonewardens to one of our crystal mines near the Pyre Peaks. Due to some of the logistical challenges involved, though, this will have to wait until after the Tournament."
Alden was not bothered about when he would have to carry out the mission, so long as he had a chance to slowly whittle away at the astronomical sum of Mana Crystals the old, crotchety dwarf had "requested" of him.
He leaned back, satisfied.
Just then, the seeds of an idea bloomed in his mind.
A slow, almost devious grin formed on his face as he adjusted his posture. He shifted his gaze towards his master, sparks of an intense desire swirling in his good, crimson eye.
Morrigan raised an amused eyebrow at his honeyed tone.
"Could you please teach me something that will help me pass the Paladin Exam, preferably something combat-related… maybe even your Art…"
Alden did his best impression of a doe eye, recalling how Celeste always used that to get her way when she was younger.
The Keeper of the End just laughed.
Embarrassed, Alden sensed his cheeks redden.
"I was already thinking of teaching you something. You didn't have to show such a face…"
Her shoulders trembled, before a violent cough escaped her throat.
Alden winced, suddenly feeling very guilty for making her laugh.
Morrigan waved away his concern.
She took a few moments to gather herself, before she returned her attention to him, a kind smile plastered on her wrinkled and age-old countenance. Contrary to her expression, and the frailness ailing her body, though, her voice brimmed with unquestionable power.
"Very well. You, my apprentice, shall receive an Art which has been passed down among the generations of Keepers. It will be my first, and perhaps most precious gift to you."
Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered a question he had been wanting to ask in the back of his mind, ever since he had learned some precious knowledge from his future self.
But eventually steeled himself, his thirst for knowledge overriding his sense of caution.
"Granny Mor… what do you know about the Hero?"
Suddenly, the world shuddered.