Author's Note: This is my first ever fanfiction. It's been on my mind for some time now. =)

Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age: Origins.


"There has to be another option," Cassandra muttered.

Jowan had been released by the warden, much to the arlessa's disapproval. There had to be another way than to kill Connor directly. Cassandra had never slain a child, and she didn't want to now. Even if it was the quickest and fastest choice. Morrigan cleared her throat loudly and stepped forward.

"There is another way," she stated. "In the fade is where the demon lies, and there the demon is connected with the child. If were to go to the fade and were to successfully slay the threat there, the child will remain unharmed. However, to perform this ritual, we need a group of several mages and a lot of lyrium."

"What about the Circle?" Alistair suggested. "We have a contract with them anyway. We're bound to end up going there sooner or later."

Bann Teagan frowned. "But the tower is at least a day away, if you go across by lake at least."

"It's a risk we'll have to take," Cassandra replied. "I am not about to slay a child. Connor won't remain passive for long however, so we must go as quickly as possible. In the mean time, I suggest you don't go up to the second floor. Bann Teagan, can you arrange for a boat to take us across the lake by nightfall? Around the lake would take weeks to even get there, and more to travel back."

He hurried off with a nod of assurance. The group immediately broke off, knowing there was nothing much to do at this point. Cassandra slipped away from the hall unnoticed and into the next room. She didn't want any one of her companions to follow her. She headed into the arl's study to poke around before going anywhere else. In the desk drawer, she found an amulet.

It was old and looked as if it had been pieced back together by careful mending. It's color was bronze, and on the back there was a symbol. A small flame of Andraste. A memory flooded into her mind of what Alistair had told her. He'd thrown his mother's amulet- the only thing he had left of her- against the wall and it had shattered. It had to be it. Something told her to hold on to it for a while, and give it back to him. Carefully, she slipped the trinket into a pouch hanging on her belt, and stepped out of the room.

She was heading to the second floor.


"Dear Maker," she cursed, "these damn things are everywhere."

On the second floor, dead corpses were scattered about on the ground. All were equipped with weak armor and rusty weapons, which was the silver lining. As soon as she had managed to step pass them, they rose up and began hacking at her with swords and axes. The demon's work. Quite easily, she fought them and brought them back down. Slowly, she made her way through to the bedrooms at the top floor, sending a silent prayer to thank the Maker that they didn't yet rise again for the time being.

She found Connor in the center of the room, standing still. Many features were etched onto his face. Sorrow, regret, despair, and fear. She glided over to him, sheathing her weapons to show that she was no danger to him. He flinched as she drew closer.

"Go away," he demanded in a whimpered. "She won't like you being here. She'll just try to hurt you."

"Who are you talking about?" she inquired softly.

"The scary lady... who speaks to me in my dreams," he answered. "She's quiet now, but she's never very far. I tried to stop her, but I can't. She said she'd help Father. I didn't think she'd hurt everyone. Honestly, I didn't!"

She asked him many questions then, now knowing that the demon was away for the time being. If she were to possess him again, Cassandra planned to simply vanish in the shadows and make a quick escape. No, the demon wouldn't dare to hurt Connor.

"I want to help," Cassandra stated after finished. "But... I don't want to hurt you."

"Then what will happen?"

"There's another way. I'll go to the Circle Tower, and I will persuade them to help in the matter. Do you know about the fade? Well, that's where the demon is. If we kill here there, you'll remain unharmed."

"Why do you want to help me?"

Cassandra crouched down to his eye level, and managed to let a small smile come onto her own face. "I used you have a nephew, you know. You remind me so much of him... He'd always want to help both his mother, and my brother with whatever he could, just because they were his parents and he loved them. That's what you're doing here."

Connor seemed to catch her word quickly. "Used to?"

"First, but first you have to promise me you won't tell this information to anyone else. I'll tell them when I choose to, in time. Can you promise me that?" He nodded, and she went on, "Months ago, my nephew was killed along with the rest of my family. My mother, father, sister-in-law... they're all dead. My brother hadn't been there that night, because he was heading into the war at Ostagar. I've no family left... but I deeply hope my brother is... somewhere in Fereldan. I want to help you. Please, let me."

A single tear trickled down her cheek. Most of her emotions were still bottled inside her, but she was relived that she was able to tell a small part of it to somebody. Connor stretched out his hand to rest on her shoulder in a form of comfort. She smiled at the gesture.

"Okay, I'd appreciate it... if you can help," Connor said.

"I swear, I'll help you. On my life."

"Promise?"

She held out her little finger to him, and he joined it with his own after removing his hand from her shoulder. It was something that children did often. A promise you could not break.

"I promise."

Little did she know that somebody else had found out that day at the exact same time. Standing quietly behind the front door was Alistair. He had been there the whole time.


So... how was it? Not too sure if I made spelling errors or not. I'd like to hear feedback. Flames and reviews are welcomed. I need to know how to improve. =)