A/N: Please review!

)O(

Normally First Enchanter Irving didn't have time for things like lectures and such, but today was different. He'd been asked to speak to the apprentices regarding the proper use of lyrium, as several viles had mysteriously disappeared recently. The Chantry wasn't about to suspect its own, fearing what a public investigation could do to its reputation and that of the templars.

He knew none of his mages were stealing lyrium. What would be the motive? The templars after all were addicted to the stuff. It didn't make sense, but he had to do this, if only to placate Greagoir for the time being.

"Lyrium is the essence of magic, the most powerful substance known to all of Thedas." he said. Out of habit, several apprentice quickly scrawled his words in their notebooks. Others closer to the back of the room were busy napping or passing notes to one another. Ah, children...

"What about blood?"

The class became so quiet you could hear a pen drop. Everyone froze where they were, stopping whatever they had been doing, and looked in the direction of the voice. A redheaded girl had spoken. Next to her sat a boy who seemed almost more horrified than the rest.

"Blood magic is forbidden, child." Irving stated. It was something he was used to saying by now. It was also something she already knew.

"I know that, but even so, surely you cannot deny its effectiveness." the apprentice countered.

Irving frowned. These were dangerous questions she posed. Should Greagoir hear of this...things could become very complicated for her. Open-mindedness was not a welcomed viewpoint within the Circle. It made survival difficult, and it made it that much harder for the Chantry to keep its hold on the mages.

"What is your name?" he asked her.

"Cecilia Amell, First Enchanter..."

"Well then, Cecilia, I would ask that you come to my office after class, please."

The lecture went on, though he wasn't fully invested in his own words anymore. Irving found himself distracted, his eyes occasionally straying towards the red haired apprentice. She probably thought she was in trouble now. But he had heard of her talents, specifically that she excelled in the Spirit School. This was not easy to do, as most apprentices tended to stick to simply elemental spells.

Cecilia would be great at whatever she chose to do with her gift, he was told, and it was true. But first she had to pass the Harrowing. He intended to do everything in his power to make that happen. Someday, the future of the Circle could very well rest in her hands, after all.

Though it was hard to believe this young girl was the same apprentice whom her instructors had described.

Irving waited in his office for her to arrive. Then he heard footsteps coming down the hall.

"Now you've done it," a voice grumbled. "He probably thinks you're a blood mage now."

"Shut up, Jowan." Cecilia retorted. "He just wants to meet with me. Besides, who would be stupid enough to practice blood magic right under the templars' noses?" There was a short pause. "Jowan, are you even listening?"

"What? Yes; I...I'm just, uh, you're right."

"Of course I'm right. Now get out of here, I'll find you after I've finished speaking with the First Enchanter."

"Right...I have to go meet up with someone anyway."

"Oh yes, this alleged 'girl' of yours."

"Not so loud! You know the templars don't approve that sort of thing. And besides, you of all people should understand. The way you and Petra..."

"All right, you got me there."

Irving realized he was hearing something he shouldn't be. Relationships between mages weren't entirely uncommon. Though this was discouraged by the Chantry, it still happened. One of the only times the templars really had to step in was if a mage become with child. The infant would be taken away for fear it was also a mage and, at best, would be sent to live in another country's Tower. Probably Orlais, since it was easiest for the Chantry there to keep a close eye on things. In the worst circumstances, the babe was killed, sometimes the mother as well. Though this didn't happen in Ferelden. Not if he had anything to say about it.

"First Enchanter?"

He snapped out of his thoughts and focused once again on the situation at hand. Cecilia was standing before him, looking confused and worried, rightfully so.

"Ah, I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come in..." he smiled.

"You wanted to see me?" She wasn't here to make small talk. That much was clear. But she was respectful about it, at least.

"Yes. Your instructors tell me you are quite talented."

She blushed. "No more so than anyone else, I'm sure."

"And modest as well, I see." he remarked. "Cecilia, you have shown an exceptional understanding of Spirit magic. There are few mages who are able or willing to do this. It is for this reason that I would like to offer you my guidance. You would become my apprentice until the time comes for you to take the Harrowing."

The girl stood there in shock for several minutes. What she was thinking, he didn't know.

"As you wish, First Enchanter." she finally said.

"Good." he smiled kindly. "Then I will see you bright an early tomorrow for your first lesson."

"But..."

"And don't worry, you will be excused from all of your regular classes."

Now she smiled as well. "Thank you, ser."

)O(

Cecilia didn't know what to think. It didn't make sense. She asks a potentially dangerous question about blood magic and suddenly the First Enchanter wants to be her personal mentor. Maybe he just wanted to keep a closer watch on her, there was always that possibility.

"Jowan says you spoke with the First Enchanter."

Ah, Petra and her inability to start a conversation like a normal person. It was never simply 'Hi there! How was your day?' No, there was always something important she had to say or a piece of gossip that just couldn't wait. No time for pleasantries.

It was one of the things Cecilia loved about her.

The affair was brief and intense. They were friends with benefits who obliged to an unspoken promise of monogamy, to put it simply. But nothing was simple when it came to the Tower.

"I did."

"And?"

"You already know, don't you?" Cecilia glanced sideways at the other woman.

"Yes, but I want to hear it from you."

She looked away. "He asked me to...become his apprentice."

"That's a good thing, isn't it?"

Isn't it?

"Yeah, I guess. I'm honored, certainly..." She trailed off and then asked, "How is Jowan taking the news?"

"He's envious, of course." Petra replied, fighting back a grin. "But he's also happy for you."

"And...what about you?"

"I'm happy for you, too. Irving's all right, but I like Senior Enchanter Wynne. You'll go through the Harrowing soon and make your way in the world, and I'll still be happy for you."

Cecilia took a deep breath. What was she supposed to say to that? Petra was the one who would make something of herself. Those who specialized in Creation magic were always in high demand. While she'd be stuck in a library somewhere researching the deep depths and outer reaches of the Fade and testing the Veil that supposedly shrouded it from view, let alone exploration. Yes, maybe she would go on an expedition to the Fade, perhaps even the Black City, and Petra might stay behind and cure diseases or...

It was dangerous for a mage to think about the future.

She needed sleep.

The Fade awaited.

)O(

"You're going to send me into the Fade?"

Irving shook his head. "No, not yet. Only halfway. Nothing can hurt you. This is just a test of your willpower. However, there must be templars present just in case."

Cecilia was shocked. "I thought apprentices weren't allowed to know anything about the Harrowing, much less practice for it."

"True; but it is both mine and the Circle's belief that you are a vital asset. You should have no trouble, but I will not lie, there is always a risk." he said. "Do you understand?"

She nodded. "I understand, ser."

The lyrium was the key. She could feel the Veil falling down around her, or maybe it was she who was slipping. Either way, reality had shifted to a world of dreams and visions but mostly sound. She could hear a million voices and felt a million eyes watching her all at once. Cecilia wasn't sure her body was really hers anymore.

"Can you tell me what's happening, child?" Irving's voice broke through somehow.

"I'm not alone..." she heard herself say. "...I can feel them...their eyes..."

"The spirits can't hurt you." he assured her.

"No, but the demons can."

"This isn't a Harrowing, Greagoir." the First Enchanter sighed.

"Well it certainly looks like one."

Something was wrong here. Everything went black and she thought she was falling. Maybe she was, in a sense. She reached out with her mind for something to hold on to. There was nothing. Cecilia was going to be trapped in the Fade forever. She would never see Petra or Jowan or First Enchanter Irving again.

She didn't remember exactly when the world became dark and still, only waking up. Cecilia hoped it had all been a nightmare. There was talk of Tranquility, as she had failed, but Irving insisted the fault was his own. There was no reason she should not go through the Harrowing, except...

"Oh, CeCe, I'm so glad you're all right!" Petra's voice sounded clearly relieved and she welcomed the other mage's warm embrace.

"I'm not all right, Petra..." she replied slowly. "...I can't see."