Summary-On the night of his birth Aedan Cousland was bound to a terrible fate. The Fade had been torn away for a moment but something slipped through, a spirit named Invernus that latched itself onto the newborn and binding them together. Unable to kill his child but unwilling to keep him because of the creature possessing him Bryce takes the baby to the Circle of Magi in the hopes that they will be able to exorcise the demon.

But any spell they attempt will only result in the infant's death and it is decided that Aedan will be kept within the Tower. Twenty five years later Aedan, now an accomplished mage, lives a sheltered life that is violently shattered when his friend Jowan tries to kill him using Blood Magic and the entity sharing his body finally reveals its plans. Aedan runs from the Circle to find his own answers but instead he encounters a young Chantry priest named Alistair who offers to help him. Is there more to Alistair's offer and what exactly does Invernus want?

Notes-Before we begin this story will be slash so if that irks you then please leave without posting nasty comments. And because this is an AU I'll be putting my two characters into the tale, the human noble and elf Dalish rogue. Later in the story you'll understand why. Aside from that enjoy and please review.

Pairings-Cousland/Alistair, Invernus/Teagan, Mahariel/Zevran


No Rest For The Wicked

Chapter One

The Times They Are A Changing

Highever

Cousland Castle

There was weariness in Bryce Cousland's posture, weariness and a sense of defeat. He faced the fire, the warm light dancing across his haggard face as he thought over Duncan's request. For months Bryce had known of the Darkspawn threat from the south and the Grey Wardens were already mustering an army to combat the threat. Duncan, the leader of the Grey Wardens within Ferelden, had come to Highever to ask Bryce his assistance.

The Wardens needed all the help they could get from the most powerful warriors in the land and Duncan wanted to go to the Tower and recruit Aedan into the army. But he had come to the castle to ask Bryce his permission. Fergus was also heading to Ostagar to fight for the king leaving Bryce to defend his lands while his children fought in a war that may or may not be a Blight. Even now his heart still constricted when he thought about his little pup.

Aedan, his little boy, had been the victim of a cruel twist of fate when the Fade had been ripped open but even now the mages couldn't find an explanation for it. Eleanor had been depressed for months after Aedan was taken to the Tower and she couldn't even look at her husband or eldest child without crying. Bryce loved his little pup even now but the boy would never have been accepted by his people once the truth came out.

Irving had taken good care of Aedan if the letters Bryce had received where truthful but Irving was a good man and he was pleased about Aedan's progress with his magical skills. Duncan was standing nearby talking to a pale faced Eleanor. When she had been told of the Warden's need to have Aedan and Fergus join their ranks she had withdrawn and stopped talking to her husband.

Bryce couldn't blame her for not wishing to converse with him any longer; he had made a lot of choices that had torn the family apart. Sighing heavily he turned away from the fireplace to face the Grey Warden. Bryce didn't want to send his children to war against the Darkspawn but he was out of options and they both knew it.

From the last letter he got from the Tower Bryce was aware of Aedan's upcoming rite of passage, a ritual called the Harrowing. Bryce wasn't privy to what the Harrowing was but he prayed to the Maker that his youngest would make it through the trial. And if he did Duncan wanted to take him to Ostagar. The Grey Warden had been friends with the Couslands for years and he knew what happened to Aedan on the night of his birth. It was because of this Duncan wanted him to help with Ostagar.

"The Circle has yet to exorcise the demon. Taking him out of the Tower will be unwise and the Templars will not allow this to happen." Bryce walked towards the Warden. "You have to understand my misgivings about this Duncan."

"I understand Bryce." Duncan replied sagely. "But the situation in the Kocari Wilds has gotten worse as of late. If the Darkspawn continue to advance at the rate they are the army will reach Ostagar in a week."

"But why take Aedan?" Eleanor spoke up. "He has never been out of the Tower."

"Irving has told me of Aedan's ability to communicate peacefully with the entity sharing his body. We do not use Fade demons even during a Blight but your son has proven to be a valuable asset." Duncan explained.

"Is that all he is to you?" Eleanor hissed angrily. "A tool to be used in this war?"

"Eleanor..." Bryce stepped forward but she would not hear him out.

"We gave him away Bryce. We did it so he would be safe. You cannot expect me to agree to this." The lady spat out as angry tears fell from her eyes. "For twenty five years we have kept him safe and now you want him to enter a war? When he has never seen the outside of the Tower?"

"Duncan, this is not an easy decision to make." Bryce cut in quickly. "As long as he carries that spirit Aedan will never have a normal life. Not that he has much of one now as a mage."

"We gave him up once." Eleanor swallowed thickly. "DO not ask us to send him into a battle. You're already taking Fergus."

"I understand." The Warden nodded. "And what of your army? Will it be ready to march?"

"Fergus will take them to Ostagar at first light. Will you be departing before that?" Bryce asked the Warden.

"Yes, I am needed elsewhere but I will be at Ostagar by the end of the week." Duncan replied. He bowed before the lady then smiled sadly at her. "I am sorry Lady Cousland. But take comfort that your youngest son is safe."

"Thank you..." she muttered.

"May the Maker watch over you Duncan." Bryce murmured to his old friend.

"May He watch over us all." The Grey Warden bowed again then left the main hall of the castle. He had a lot of things to do before heading back to Ostagar.

"Did we do the right thing Bryce?" Eleanor whispered when the Warden had left. "Is it right to just keep Aedan locked away like this?"

"The world outside the Tower is alien to him." Bryce reassured his distraught wife. "And as long as Invernus resides within him Aedan cannot come back here."

"He was only a baby!" Eleanor gasped out. "How could the Maker condemn a baby to this fate?"

"The Maker weaves a tangled web my love." Bryce embraced her. "I can only hope He has a plan for our child. Aedan will come home one day, I know that."

"I wonder what he's like, how he will react to us." Eleanor wiped her eyes. "Will he forgive us for leaving him there?"

"There was no other choice. We can only hope that Aedan understands that." Bryce murmured and in his heart he prayed that his little pup had indeed forgiven them.


The Tower of the Circle

To Aedan Cousland his life at the Tower was one of repetitive spell casting and boring lectures but it was still his life and he could do little to change it. He had grown up within these walls, he knew everyone here and despite his little 'problem' he was well liked and respected. He had yet to go through with his Harrowing but he had a feeling that it wouldn't happen anytime soon as long as Irving had his way. Aedan wasn't like the other mages for a number of reasons. His ability to hold an infinite amount of mana was the subject of much study and speculation.

He had proven this skill when he was told to practice a battle with some of the elder mages and no matter how many he faced his mana never depleted. He had won by exhausting his opponents. The other reason, the one that made him somewhat of an outcast for many years, was the entity he shared his body with.

All his life Aedan had been aware of this creature and in a lot of ways he thought of the entity as his own family. Its name was Invernus and from what Aedan learned or had been told the spirit had invaded his body on the night of his birth.

Aedan was the youngest child born to Bryce and Eleanor Cousland of Highever, one of the most respected and loved families in Ferelden. Aedan didn't know a lot about his blood family but he had been told by Irving that he had been brought to the Tower in a last effort to get rid of the spirit that had slipped through from the Fade. The only spells they could try would have resulted in Aedan's death and that was the one wish Bryce Cousland asked of the Circle, that his child never be harmed.

For that Aedan was grateful but despite that plea his family never once came to see him. He had grown up within the Tower and had never once laid eyes on his mother, father and elder brother. Because of this his heart held resentment for his so called family and over the years he bonded with Invernus. The spirit was able to communicate with its host when Aedan was old enough and sometimes when Aedan was stressed or upset Invernus would take control of his body.

The Templars detested his very existence and made his life a living hell whenever they got the opportunity. The worst of the lot was that arrogant son of a whore Cullen, a man who held nothing but contempt and hatred for magic users. He saw Aedan as an abomination that needed to be exterminated. Irving, with his powers as First Enchanter, had ordered the boy be kept within the Tower and to be trained as a mage should he exhibit any potential. Over time Aedan worked to prove that he could fit in and he found a friend with Jowan, a man his own age and more than a little ambitious.

Aside from Jowan the youngest Cousland didn't have any friends within the Tower despite the fact that he was well respected. Invernus was his only real friend, the one who was always there, a presence Aedan couldn't imagine being without.

But today the Maker had decided to smile upon him. Irving had finally talked the other members of the Circle into letting Aedan take the Harrowing. He couldn't advance his skills as a mage at his level and if he passed the Harrowing he would be able to practice better magic. Right how he was being escorted up to the Harrowing Chamber by Cullen and Irving on either side of him. Irving had offered words of encouragement while Cullen merely scoffed at the amber haired mage.

Aedan had long ago mastered the art of ignoring the moron and he followed after Irving when they reached the top floor of the Tower. He had never been in this chamber during his time here and his heart was beating in anticipation. He wasn't afraid to enter the Fade after the various episodes he endured growing up. Invernus would call him into that dark realm and Aedan would sometimes spend hours navigating the strange islands within the Fade.

Irving had used this as an excuse to allow Aedan to take this final test. At twenty five years of age the man should be allowed to take the Harrowing. When they entered the chamber the head of the Templar, a stout man named Gregior, was waiting for them by the altar. Gregior didn't like mages but he allowed them to practice their rites and spells and he did listen to Irving when called for. Cullen was his second in command and Gregior often had to rein the younger man in when he got too out of line with his hatred of magic users.

The Harrowing Chamber was a circular room with only a single item in the centre. It was a thin altar with a golden basin atop a stone pillar. Irving approached the basin alongside Gregior while Aedan stood back and waited to be called upon. His wine coloured eyes were alight with glee and he nervously ran a hand through amber locks. Not even Cullen's dark glares could foul his mood today.

"Aedan, it is time for you to enter the Fade." Irving spoke from the centre of the room. "Are you ready?"

"I'm ready First Enchanter." Aedan said formally.

"Remember if anything else comes back from the Fade we will not hesitate to end your life." Gregior said and Cullen looked almost happy at that. "Irving is familiar with Invernus. If the entity takes possession of you Irving will put it back in place."

"I understand." Aedan nodded. Irving used a Body Bind spell to keep Invernus in place whenever the spirit took possession.

"Once you in within the Fade we cannot help you. You must win this battle with your own skills and talents." Irving motioned for Aedan to approach the basin. "Within this floor the veil between this world and the Fade is at is weakest, you could say it is a hole in the fabric of reality. This is how we can perform the Harrowing."

"I wish you luck mage." Gregior murmured. "For all our sakes win this battle."

Aedan was surprised at the sincerity in the man's tone but he nodded and looked into the basin, his wine eyes peering deep into the swirling liquid. He didn't know what to expect entering the Fade this way, no student was allowed to talk about their Harrowing. He began to feel dizzy and then he was falling into the basin, his eyes heavy and his head as light as air.

He could feel his body falling through the darkness he was greeted to and then he heard a familiar voice speak his name and Aedan smiled. He wasn't surprised to hear Invernus here and when he opened his eyes he was standing within the Fade. Aedan looked around; he had never been on this island before. He could see a statue of a winged demon standing at the edge of the island.

The very air within the Fade was a dense green colour but it was easy to breathe within this realm. Everything seemed to be caught in a haze and the sound of voices crying out carried across the wind as easily as leaves in a breeze. Aedan took a deep breath and looked around for any clue as to what he was supposed to do here.

The best place he could start with would be by exploring the island and he followed along a pathway that twisted through some pillars of stone until he came to a large clearing. In was here he felt that familiar presence and soon enough a gentle warm fire came out of nowhere, travelling along Aedan's legs and wrapping around his body. He smiled as the presence caressed his arms and then pulled back to stand before him.

"Ok, enough with the dramatics Invernus. Are you here to help or poke fun?" Aedan crossed his arms.

"You wound me Aedan and here I thought we'd have a little fun in here together." Aedan could practically see the pout.

"Can you sense anything here?" Aedan walked along the path just as Invernus took on his own form.

He looked like a man wreathed in flame, his hair alive with fire and eyes that resembled shining emeralds. Fire barely covered his most private area and his lithe body was shamelessly on display. He was grinning at Aedan as he glided alongside him, his feet not touching the ground. Streams of fire trailed behind him acting as robes. He was formidable yet beautiful to behold.

"There is a demonic presence nearby, something low key. I can handle this if you like." Invernus suggested.

"And have them claim that I cheated?" Aedan scoffed lightly.

"The other students are jealous of what you have." Invernus said as he glided alongside his host. "They want this power for their own but they would die before admitting it."

"This place..." Aedan murmured when he reached the central part of the island. "I feel cold here. The demon must be nearby." He could feel Invernus thrumming with anticipation beside him. "You want to have some fun don't you?"

"You read my mind." Invernus grinned as he glided behind his host and wrapped his warm arms around the man's waist. "Come on! It's boring in here you know."

"Maker above..." Aedan groaned. When Invernus got like this the human wouldn't have a good night's sleep unless the entity got his 'fun'. "Fine, the first demon we find it's yours."

"Promises..." Invernus licked Aedan's cheek. He ended up being swatted for his efforts. "Still won't let me have that kind of fun yet?"

"You wish." Aedan scoffed. Invernus had always been like this and over time Aedan had to live with the creature's flirtatious nature. "We share the same body or has your mind dissolved over the years?"

"So cold." Invernus glided away.

It was true though. Aedan was also known for his frigid nature around others. He wasn't good at making friends, not that he ever attempted to. Aside from Invernus and Irving the only other person he thought of as a friend was Jowan, a fellow apprentice who had yet to take the Harrowing. It wasn't that Aedan went out of his way to be cold to others; he just didn't know how to talk to people.

Aedan had often been on the receiving end of flirts from the males and females but he constantly rebuffed them. No one had caught his attention for more than half an hour at most and he felt no urge to connect with anybody on that level of intimacy. That didn't stop Invernus from trying constantly to be affectionate though.

As Aedan walked along the pathway to the other side of the island he suddenly felt like something had been driven into his chest and he gasped out in surprised pain. Invernus sensed this danger too and he immediately grabbed hold of Aedan and pulled him close.

"Something has attacked you." The creature snarled in rage. "I can sense it, away from the Fade. We have to return now!"

"W-What...is happening?" Aedan clutched his chest. "I-I didn't...have e-enough time...yet!"

"Bastards...they hurt you now...I'll make them pay for this treacherous." Invernus snarled in rage.

Aedan shivered when he heard that demonic taint to the voice that was usually so carefree. Whenever he was threatened or in danger Invernus would surge forth and lash out at anyone hurting Aedan. When Invernus became like this the person on the receiving end of his rage would be lucky to escape with all his limbs intact.

Aedan cried out when another spike of pain crushed through his chest which caused Invernus to act. The fire wreathed creature held Aedan close to his body while the mage closed his eyes and allowed Invernus to take possession of his body.

Aedan's last thought was that he hoped Invernus wouldn't skin this person alive. Aedan still had nightmares after the last incident.