9:16 Dragon - Highever, Ferelden

"Rhett Silas you get back here this instant!" Brina shrieked at her brother stamping her foot.

Rhett grinned playfully and darted through the field swinging himself into the long since dead apple tree. "Come get me." He giggled.

Brina narrowed her eyes and picked up a stick. Three years her brother's senior at seven she was a fury when in a temper, but that never lasted long with him. Brina had long ago realised that her brothers smile had a magic of its own, curbing the temper of even their fierce father, whose temper she had inherited. She let the stick fall and held out her hand. "Come on Rhett, it will be dark soon and you know the Darkspawn come out in the dark."

Rhett glanced anxiously from his higher vantage point and once satisfied there were no Darkspawn to bar their way he slid down the rough bark and moved to his sister's side clasping her hand.

Brina hid her smile and hurried them back to their house, sending Rhett to wash up as she moved to help their mother set the table. She glanced up as her father entered the room, a laughing Rhett draped over a shoulder.

Mariel chuckled softly as Hamel set their son on the ground. With his blond hair tied back with a strip of leather and that charming grin that mirrored his father perfectly they were the double of each other. Rhett watched his father remove his armour, his fingers flitting lightly against the hilt of his sword.

Hamel gently gripped his wrist and knelt down beside his son. "Not yet Rhett."

"But I want to help defend us!"

Gently ruffling his hair Hamel smiled adoringly at his son. "And one day you will Rhett, but when you are older."

Brina woke with a start shaking her head to bring her back to reality; it had been a long time since she had dreamt of their life in the Anderfels. She sighed and glanced across the room to Rhett who whimpered softly in his sleep. He had never spoken of those days and she believed he had little if any memory of their flight across Thedas; of their journey to Ferelden, the furthest land away from that they had called home. They had been in Ferelden for seven years now, Rhett having recently had his twelfth name-day. She shivered as she remembered her grandfather, the reason they had fled. One day he had been the man she adored; the next he was a monster, the blood of innocents on his hands. The Templars had killed him and she had been glad. She glanced to Rhett as he shifted in his sleep and hoped his dreams were kind. With a sigh she slipped out of bed, being in the service of Teyrn Cousland was not a position she wanted to jeopardize and it was a long walk from their home to the Castle.

xXx

Rhett glanced around him anxiously; his fists clenched. He had no idea why Makan had taken such a dislike of him; but since the age of ten, the boy had plagued him. Now he was surrounded by the older boy and four of his meanest friends. He swallowed painfully as Makan moved forward, his fist thrusting out sending Rhett to the ground.

Clutching his jaw Rhett glanced up his eyes wide. He scrambled back struggling as the older boys gripped his arms and dragged him to his feet.

Makan hit Rhett in the gut making the boy gasp in pain. He kicked out; struggling in their arms, but several more blows and they left Rhett gasping on the ground clutching his stomach, blood on his lip and his eye bruising.

"Tell Brina to reconsider." Makan hissed, before he and the others ran off.

Slowly managing to get to his feet; Rhett retrieved the bread he had purchased at the market and made his way into the woods, his father would be furious that he had been fighting again. Makan had somehow managed to convince the adults that it was Rhett himself who had started the trouble. Arguing with his father that it would be stupid to fight older boys by himself had fallen on deaf ears and his father had lashed him with his belt the last time. Rhett still bore the marks and wanted no repeat. He slipped down to the stream to wash the blood from his skin and clothes; he would just tell them he had fallen in the water. He glanced at his reflection and winced, his right eye was bruising and the cheek was painfully swollen. What he needed was elfroot; but it was proving astonishingly elusive and he doubted he could take what he would need from their small garden without notice. He touched the tender skin; his eyes widening in fascination as he continued to watch his reflection a soft glow emanating from his hand. He felt the swelling go down and watched as the bruise faded. Slowly he lowered his hand and gazed at the faint blue glow. Fear and uncertainty swelled within him. He glanced around to make sure he was alone before he ran for home.

xXx

Hamel glanced at his son who was watching him intently as he killed the rabbit. At eight years old he was an adorable child, whose curiosity was only surpassed by his love of his family. "You make a quick; clean kill, you never let the animal suffer, do you understand?"

Rhett nodded fiercely, never taking his eyes from his father. "Did grandpa teach you these things?"

Hamel scowled. "No." He muttered.

Rhett inched closer. "You never talk about grandpa, does it make you sad?"

The scowl deepened, before fading as he saw the worried look in his son's eyes. "It makes me angry."

"Why?"

"You know the Chant of Light Rhett. You understand the dangers mages pose."

Nodding Rhett moved to his father gently taking his hand. "Was grandpa killed by a mage?"

Choking back the hate Hamel tried to remain calm. "That man took a demon into himself; he was the one that killed others."

Rhett's eyes widened in horror. "That … that's why you never speak of him."

"And I will never speak of him again. Mages are to be feared Rhett. They are dangerous to others, all will eventually succumb to the whims of demons. We must always be vigilant." He glanced to his son who had paled and was staring at his own hands. Hamel gently cupped his cheek giving a comforting smile. "Don't worry Rhett you're a good boy. Our families curse will not touch you."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Rhett's eyes flared open but he lay still fearful of waking his sister. His hands clenched as he stared at them tears slipping silently down his cheeks. His father had promised he would not be cursed, but he was. He sniffed softly pulling his hands tight to his chest. If his father found out he would lose everything and the one thing Rhett feared above all else was losing his family. He glanced up as Mr Snuggles stretched out beside him, a deep purr leaving the tabby. Rhett sank his fingers into the thick fur, smiling as the purr deepened. "You're not afraid of me are you Mr Snuggles?" He whispered, smiling as Snuggles rubbed against his face. He petted the cat a little longer before getting up being unable to get back to sleep. He ate a sparse breakfast feeling nauseous and finished his chores before midday.

Moving quietly through the woods; Rhett headed to his secret place, a small cave hidden by foliage next to a stream. He sat in the cave and stared at his hands having no idea what to do. He shivered in the sudden cold, almost falling backwards as flame flickered in the palm of his hand. In a panic he watched the fire intensify; plunging his hands in the icy water to put out the flame, watching in fascination as it flared beneath the water's surface before it finally flickered to nothing. He glanced around and stumbled back into cave burying his hands in his cloak. "Maker please make me normal again! Please!"

It was dark before Rhett returned home; heading straight to his bed after receiving his father's lecture about returning home after dark. He curled into bed thinking anything, even being killed by a Darkspawn would be better than being a mage.

xXx

Sunlight filtered through the threadbare curtains bringing Rhett from a deep sleep. He glanced uneasily at his hands making sure there was no glow before he went for breakfast having to force down the food. When his father left for the farthest field and Brina had left for her own duties at Highever Castle, Rhett approached his mother and tearfully told her what had happened.

Mariel held her son as he sobbed. "It will be alright my darling boy; we will keep it a secret."

Rhett glanced to her wiping the tears. "But if father finds out ..."

"I will deal with your father; but Rhett you must be very careful, you must not use your magic or you will be taken to a Circle and those that enter a Circle do not leave it."

Rhett shuddered. "Why would the Maker curse me?"

Mariel gently kissed his forehead. "Rhett; mage or not, I will always love you."

Rhett managed to keep his magic a secret for a month before things went horribly wrong.

xXx

The flames rose higher engulfing the barn, Hamel looking at Rhett with horror and fear in his eyes.

Rhett gripped his arm. "I never meant it!" He sobbed. "It just happened!"

"That is what makes mages so dangerous." Hamel hissed. He grabbed Rhett's arm and dragged him to the house tying his hands behind his back and locked him in the cellar, sinking onto a chair putting his head in his hands. "I have brought this curse upon us." He whispered.

Mariel gently wrapped her arms around his shoulders hoping to soothe him. "Rhett has the gift of healing husband. He is not as your father was, the fire was an accident."

Hamel raised his eyes realising she had known what their son truly was. "My father was a so called healer before he succumbed to demons."

"Rhett is a good boy."

"He is a mage." He shook his head and rose wearily to his feet. "I will fetch the Templars."

Mariel grabbed his arm. "Hamel no! Mage or not he is our son."

"We cannot help him. He is a danger to us all." He turned on Mariel; you will not open that cellar door until I return, do you hear me?"

Mariel nodded and wept as her husband strode out of the house.

xXx

Rhett trembled as the cellar door opened and he heard the clank of armour. He shrank back as a Templar came into view, pulling him from his hiding place. He glanced to his father who turned away and to his mother who was sobbing; Brina simply stared at him wide eyed. He managed to free himself from the Templars grasp and ran to his mother; desperate to hold her, but his hands were still tied, he sobbed as he was dragged away.

Over the long days of his journey to Kinloch Hold Rhett watched his captors carefully, desperate to escape them. The older seemed confused a great deal of the time, which was a constant irritation to his fellow Templar.

"Why did I have to get stuck with you?" Ser Thomas grumbled loudly.

"Respect, that's what's missing in this generation!" Ser Pevin muttered back.

"Why don't they just cart you off to Orlais already, bloody lyrium addled fool!"

Ser Pevin gave him a toothy grin. "Look well boy, you will be me one day."

Ser Thomas shivered and glared at Rhett moving over and kicking him hard in the stomach, grinning cruelly as the boy curled over gasping in pain. He knelt down and grabbed a fist full of hair yanking Rhett's head back. "You're cursed mage and now you're the property of Kinloch Hold. That means you're my property!" He spat.

"Leave the boy alone!" Ser Pevin grumbled.

"Shut up old man." He hissed standing and giving Rhett another kick.

"Our responsibilities are to protect the populace from magic Thomas that includes the mages."

Thomas sneered. "That's pathetic." He glanced back to Rhett. "If I had my way I'd make you all tranquil and be done with it."

Rhett remained silent as he thought about his situation; trying not to think of the fear and anger of his father, the shock of his sister and his mother's tears. He focused on the Templars. Ser Thomas was clearly an unthinking brute; the muscle of the Chantry, no doubt placed with the older Templar to curb his more aggressive traits, not that it appeared to be working. He sighed deeply, hissing in pain as he was dragged to his feet and pushed to start walking.

xXx

The Circle's doors loomed ahead as the ferry reached the island upon which it stood. Rhett trembled as he was pushed out of the boat and marched to the doors. The rope had been replaced with manacles on both his hands and feet. Rhett thought this was a little excessive, but in their travel to the Circle he had realised that Ser Thomas's efforts had been to break him and anger had flared within him. Anger at his father for giving him up, anger at the Maker for cursing him and anger at Ser Thomas for his brutality which he apparently felt was his right. Rhett continued to tremble as he was led inside, wanting to ensure they thought him afraid. He was afraid of course, but his anger ensured he was not paralysed by it. He was careful to take in all of his surroundings; keeping the key to the manacles hidden, Ser Thomas had proven to be as foolish as he was brutal. Rhett was sat on a bench while his captors were called to the Knight Commander's office, blissfully unaware for the moment the key was no longer in their possession. They left Rhett where he was seated under the watchful eye of the two Templars at the doors. Rhett worked carefully unlocking the manacles when the two Templars began speaking to each other. It had to be timed carefully; he had noticed a group of Templars dragging two men with them and assumed it was more mages. The two men were struggling so he hoped they would create enough of a diversion when they arrived. He was not disappointed. The two guards at the door became engaged in the violent fight and Rhett slipped out of the door, throwing the manacles into the water before he leapt in and swam for the shore.

xXx

Hamel's thoughts had become dark and violent since giving Rhett to the Templars. Most nights he returned home reeking of ale. One such night he sat heavily on a chair at the table, raking his fingers through his hair. He ached for the boy his son had been; remembering only too well the promise he had made, that he would not be cursed. He shuddered. "We cannot let this continue Mariel. It may skip some children but it will always be there, the potential of magic moving like a sickness through the generations."

Mariel glanced to him uneasily; though she understood why he had betrayed their son, she could not forgive him for it. "Hamel?"

He raised his head, his eyes bloodshot. Forgive me Mariel. He slowly stood and moved up the stairs; each step leaden, his body numb as his fingers grasped the hilt of the dagger at his belt.

Mariel's eyes widened as she heard their daughter scream racing up the stairs after him. She sank to the floor clutching Brina to her, her blood spilling out across the floor. "Hamel what have you done?" She screamed.

"The curse of magic ends here in my family." Hamel stated coldly.

xXx

Rhett had no idea how long it took him to return to the farm. He was terrified; exhausted, hungry and freezing. He had managed to forage just enough to keep him alive and somehow managed to avoid the Templars, but he would never understand how as they passed so close to him on two occasions. He was terrified to return home, but he knew his mother would find a way to help him. He hesitated as he came to the edge of the farm hiding in the trees. His breath caught as he saw this mother leave the house, fear and relief rushing through him as their eyes met and she hurried towards him.

Mariel gently cupped Rhett's cheeks, pressing her lips to his forehead as tears fell. "My darling how are you here?"

"Templars are kind of stupid."

Mariel gave a choked laugh and held him close tears spilling down her cheeks. "You must run my darling; it is your only chance. If your father finds you …" She swallowed painfully. She looked at his fearful gaze and steeled her heart. "Stay here my darling, I will return soon." Mariel quickly ran to the house putting clothing, food and all the money she had managed to save in a small pouch. She pulled on a cloak and hurried back to her son grasping his hand. "We must be swift."

"What about Brina?"

Mariel sniffed painfully. "She has returned to the Maker Rhett."

Rhett stiffened staring up at her. "How? I … I …"

"Your father … a madness fell upon him. My darling we cannot linger it is too dangerous."

Rhett stared at her in shock. "He killed her because of me didn't he?"

"My darling it is complicated. There will be time to grieve, but for now we must flee. Please my son."

They headed to dock, Mariel buying them passage to Kirkwall. She sat in the hold as Rhett slept; having cried himself to sleep, his head on the embroidered pillow she had stuffed into the pack, her fingers combing through his hair. Hamel would have discovered she was gone by now and she knew she could never return. She gazed at her son. "I will protect you Rhett; you will be free, I swear it."

xXx

The Silver Serpent docked in Kirkwall after two weeks of storms at sea, depositing a weary and sea sick load of passengers. Mariel purchased provisions and managed to talk her way into joining a dwarven merchant caravan heading to Cumberland. Merchant Sebat was making the journey with his son Worthy. They were both kind through practical businessmen. In exchange for travelling with the wagons and being fed and protected Mariel would cook and wash clothes while Rhett tended to the mules.

Mariel and Rhett kept to themselves; rarely socialising with the others of the caravan, locked in their grief and fear. Rhett concentrated on hiding his magic, terrified that at any moment he would reveal the truth of himself. He cried himself to sleep each night desperate to hear Brina scold or tease him. He couldn't reconcile the father he had adored, with the man who had killed his sister. His father's fear and hatred haunted him.

Mariel watched over Rhett, keeping him away from the others as much as possible. One slip and it would be over. She buried her grief and anger; focusing only on keeping them safe, but at night, when Rhett finally exhausted himself with tears and slept, she would give into her desperation and weep until her own exhaustion claimed her.

Upon reaching Cumberland Sebat spoke to his contacts and discovered a merchant who was travelling to Solas not far from the Tevinter border who was looking for more hands. He warned Mariel the human was a little unsavoury, but he was the only one currently travelling north.

Mariel spoke to Velan and found him surprisingly agreeable. They would travel with him to Solas and then once they had provisions they would head west towards Anderfels. She agreed to the same terms with the human merchant for herself and her son relieved when they returned to the Imperial Highway and continued their journey north.

xXx

Author Note: Thank you for reading.