"You are free because you helped the city. But rest assured, if you slip up, Champion, I will not hesitate to throw you into the gallows!"

Her words echoed in Anders' head as he paced back and forth in the study. The Knight-Commander's moment of anger had confirmed his fear: Hawke's title of Champion would not be enough to save her, should Meredith invoke the right of annulment. Then the Templars would claim the life of yet another person he loved.

See? They will once again take everything you/I love, he thought. He could feel Justice's anger rising... or was it his own?

How can you/I just wait here while that vile woman grows more unstable in her power?

The simple fact was, Hawke couldn't do anything. She would have to keep doing deeds for the Knight-Commander so that she could protect Anders and the people of Kirkwall. He knew she wanted this resolved, both sides appeased and at peace. There must be a way to stop this. Maybe the Grand Cleric could intervene? She wasn't unreasonable.

If we/I could talk to her? Convince her of Meredith's madness. She would surely step in and -

- And allow the Templars to continue their abuses?

He thought of Hawke as she would be then, standing in the Gallows courtyard, her face blank, a sunburst mark on her forehead. Her brilliant blue eyes no longer sparkling with that trademark humour... void, empty, just like Karl.

"No!" He shouted. He could feel the sudden change in the air. It was crackling. "I can not allow that! Not again"

There can be no compromise.

Anders ran up to one of the shelves and began picking out books at random. One after another, tossing them on the floor in a frenzy of desperation until he found the one he was looking for.

We/I need to end this... for her/all mages.

He opened the book, quickly found the page, and read though the list of ingredients he'd need.

"I said I will drown us in blood to keep you safe," Anders muttered into the book, "and by the Maker I meant it."