A/N: Though this is a sequel to my other DA2 story (Anathema's Anchor) it should read well enough on its own too. Takes place immediately Post-DA2. I appreciate any feedback, and am happy to share my work hehe hope you enjoy it!

Dead templars, mages, and abominations littered the streets as Marian Hawke hurried to Hightown with Bethany and Anders at her side. The night was waning and the city guard rushed to find order around them. Kirkwall had become proficient at barricading itself. People knew well enough to cringe inside their homes - the qunari invasion had taught them that. Smouldering debris littered the market streets and a fuchsia haze hung in the sky where the chantry once stood.

Finally opening the front door of her estate, Hawke was nearly bowled over by her mabari, whose defensive growl faded into a series of plaintive barks.

"Good boy, your grace," Hawke said, laying a hand on his head.

"I missed you too," Bethany said as she collapsed into a chair, the licks and nuzzles from the massive hound lightening her expression momentarily. She laid the dragon-headed staff against the mantle.

"M'lady, where have you been?" Bodahn roused with a lamp in hand from where he had sat on watch by the fire. "Sandal and Orana have retired, but I couldn't rest knowing you were out there. With what happened to the chantry..."

Hawke exchanged a glance with Anders. "We're alive. Thank you, Bodahn."

"I - I'll gather things we need," Anders replied, averting his gaze. He disappeared upstairs.

Bethany threw her arms around the mabari as he put his paws up on the chair, squeezing tight as she shuddered and bit her lip.

"Miss Bethany... you're here, not in - there were templars in the street." Bodahn 's brow furrowed as he ran a hand down his beard. "Your mabari protected us again."

"That's his job," Hawke chuckled, and moved past them to open one of the chests by the fire and pull out a map, bow and a satchel with her flasks and other nefarious tools. The mabari whimpered behind her, laying his head on Bethany's shoulder as she choked on a sob. Hesitating, Hawke snagged a bottle from the table, pulled the cork out and took a glug. "But I'm afraid he won't be able to protect you anymore. He's coming with us."

"Will you be gone long, messere?"

"You could say that," Hawke said under her breath, taking another sip. She corked the bottle and tossed it onto the table. On second thought, she took it up and drank again. "We need to flee the city. You won't see us again after tonight."

Bodahn shook his head and took a step towards her. " Surely things cannot be so grim. Stop and think this through, messere!"

Hawke chuckled and hit open a concealed panel on her desk to retrieve the pouch of gold within. "Something tells me that's probably not the best idea. I find that limiting how much I actually think is the best practise."

"What has happened?" Bodahn asked, frowning.

Anders entered the foyer, dropping the packs he'd collected and disappearing into the library. Leaning on her hands, Hawke hung her head. "It's best if you don't know. They will come looking for us, and I'd rather you not suffer because of my actions."

"Milady..."

"Perhaps you and Sandal will end up in the court of Empress Celine sooner than later. You were planning on leaving within the year, yes?"

"We were," he said, dropping his hands as he watched her continue to gather things.

"Sooner than later," Hawke repeated and put a hand on his shoulder. She produced a number of coins from her purse. "Your debt to me is paid, Bodahn. It was paid long ago. Please tell Orana she is free to stay here, and that she has served me well."

"Messere, you must tell her. She will go to pieces - she is most faithful to you as a servant," Bodahn protested.

"I know," Hawke said, closing her eyes as she strode across the room to follow Anders into the library. "But there is no time. We all need to walk on our own two feet eventually. Or like myself, run."

The Hanged Man was quiet in the wee hours of the morning as Hawke sat beside Varric,. She nursed a glass of whiskey as they looked over the map laid before them.

"I don't know," was all Hawke said, staring emptily at it. Anders laid his hands on her shoulders and she leaned forward, staring blankly over the leather map. They had fought templars over there - and that was where Hadriana had died. Where Aveline and Donnic had first patrolled before they fell in love. Where could they possibly go that they had not been - that the templars would not search for them?

Fenris sighed and leant over the table, stabbing a finger down into the northern hills. "There is an abandoned manor I stayed at when I first fled to Kirkwall - here. It's rather isolated."

"Yes, nearly a decade ago, of course it will still be abandoned," Anders said, shaking his head.

"We wouldn't be in this mess if not for you, mage, so bite your tongue," Fenris replied, crossing his arms to pace. "There were unnatural creatures there. I did not stay long as a result."

"Other suggestions?" Hawke asked, taking a deep drink. She'd been in her armour too long now. She felt like a soldier in the army again. A directionless, inexperienced, frightened young woman. If only she didn't have the scars to prove otherwise. Varric pried the glass from her fingers, and she smacked her lips. "We have the coin, we needn't avoid the towns just yet. Buy out an inn. There are allies here and here - people who helped us, yes?"

Anders shrugged and looked down. "There may be. Things have gotten worse the last year. I wouldn't want to bring attention upon them."

"No, of course not," Hawke replied, rubbing her face.

"We'll do alright, no matter where we go," Merrill said, shifting from one foot to the other. She looked down. "We did the right thing."

"Of course we did," Anders replied. "It is always better to stand on your feet and say no to those who would demand you slaughter innocents." All eyes turned to him, and he hunched and sank into a chair alongside Hawke.

"No matter if it was right or whatever, we don't have much choice now, Blondie," Varric said, running a hand through his hair. He looked haggard. "Just have to get out of the damned city and out of the templars' way."

"That sounds like the story of my life," Hawke chuckled, looking into her glass. She took Bethany's hand. The young woman was sitting by the fire and staring emptily at it. "We'll head – Aveline, almost thought you weren't going to join us."

The captain of the guard stood in the doorway, and she tread into the room carefully. "I – I'm not."

Hawke choked on her reply, "What?"

"This is my home – this is Donnic's home," Aveline said, her expression strained.

"It was my home too," Hawke replied, furrowing her brow. "It was all of our homes."

"I know," Aveline said, pacing as everyone stared. "But someone has to stay behind and try to clean up the mess you've made."

"I don't want you to come under fire for this," Hawke said, putting her drink down.

"Now you say that?" Aveline crossed her arms. "They wanted you and Anders more than any of us. So long as you're gone… I think we'll make it. The people of this city need me more than you now." She tucked her chin down and looked away. "I still can't believe what you did, Anders."

"Things will change," he replied. "You'll see."

"For ill or will," Aveline said, looking down at him.

Hawke shook her head as Bethany shifted, before saying, "What will you do then, Aveline? Are you going to send the templars after us?"

"Flames, after all these years you think I'd do that?"

"No," Hawke said, smirking, "But it's nice to hear it."

"Then your secret's bloody well safe with me," Aveline said, turning to go.

Hawke was on her feet. "Wait! You can't just leave."

The guard captain dropped her hands, which were balled into loose fists. "Isn't it better if I don't know anything about what you're going to do? I know they'll question me – it wasn't a secret we're friends."

"Come on, I know you can take anything they'd do to try and get you to talk," Hawke said, smiling despite her fatigue. "You'll even protect Donnic."

"Like always," Varric chimed in.

"Maybe the Champion of Kirkwall died in the uprising." Aveline's smirk faded as she looked between them. "I've just never been one for goodbyes. Seems easier to think the people we care for are always there – just out of sight, you know?"

Hawke put out her hand, tilting her head. "You know me, I'd rather not be seen anyway."

Shaking her head and closing her eyes, Aveline took Hawke's hand and drew her into a hug. "Even if my life might be easier without you, you will be missed. Still can't believe what you've gotten yourself into."

"Just a legend in the end," Hawke murmured, clapping her back before stepping aside to let Bethany embrace Aveline.

"Would have been nice to see more of you," Aveline said, squeezing Bethany's hands and dropping her voice. "Time may not heal the pain, but you get used to carrying it."

"Thank you," Bethany whispered, turning her reddened eyes away.

Aveline inhaled sharply, stepping back by the door to look at them all. "We'll meet again in better days."

"Of that I've no doubt, Red." Varric smirked as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Agh," she muttered and almost smiled. Shaking her head, she pulled the coin purse from her hip. Smacking it on the table, she turned and marched out.

Hawke sighed and stood there a moment, before snagging the coin purse from Varric's reach.

"I was just going to hold onto it for safekeeping!" the dwarf said defensively.

"I wouldn't want you to strain yourself," Hawke murmured, slipping it into a hidden pocket in her trousers.

Thanks to my beta reader for this story, Rovinierre - she's helped me ID some weak points! Much appreciated!