A two-chapter, one-shot sequel to Vengeance not Justice. Anders never merged with Justice, Velanna did! The Battle of Kirkwall is over and they have escaped the templars. Join Rhianna Hawke and Anders as they take Bethany to the Avvar who are the only ones that can help her with the Taint.

Once again I want to thank Apollo Wings for her help with the Avvar! Her story 'The Daughter of the Mountain' is absolutely brilliant. I encourage all those who have not read it yet to do so. The link for it is on my Favorite Stories list.

In the last chapter of 'Vengeance not Justice' Anders writes that they have already spoken to Bethany and are travelling to the Vimmark Mountains. However, when you start reading this fic, you'll see that Bethany doesn't know about the Avvar yet. You'll also realize that they are not travelling to the Vimmark Mountains at the beginning of this story. Just clearing this up in case someone realizes that these 'details' aren't exactly what Anders wrote in his journal. After all, the guy is allowed to make mistakes, right? LOL! :D

Anyway, I hope you like this short story. I'll probably write more about our heroes in one-shots concerning the events that occur before The Inquisition unfolds…hopefully!

As usual my disclaimer: Bioware owns everything! I just play with the characters! :D

Chapter One

They had been travelling for some time and the memory of Kirkwall now seemed to belong to a distant past – something that would most likely be summoned in a dream as they slept, only to have that dream turn into a nightmare.

When Isabela and Fenris returned with Isabela's ship, they all boarded it and Isabela informed them that they would be travelling to Orlais. Rhianna had not yet told Bethany about the Avvar, so there was no need to let Isabela know that they wanted to be left behind to trek through the mountains. After all, the Avvar settlement they had been to before was very close to the Orlesian border.

Also, there was the fact that the templars were quite possibly after them. Since the Templar Order did not travel by ship, Rhianna thought that the best way to remain undetected – and lay low – was to travel by sea for a while.

"I'm worried about Merrill," Rhianna said to Anders as they lay together in each other's arms. Isabela had given them the First Mate's room, which was bigger and far more comfortable than the rest of rooms in the sleeping quarters. The only other good bed on the ship was in the Captain's Quarters, which Isabela and Fenris would probably put to good use as soon as they could. Not that Anders and Rhianna were complaining. As soon as they had been shown where they would be sleeping, they had locked themselves in and made love passionately – stopping only to catch their breaths. "When we left the deck she was heaving uncontrollably, holding onto the rail."

"Hmmmm?" Anders replied absentmindedly, distracted by Rhianna's soft, warm skin which he was caressing gently as she lay in his arms.

Narrowing her eyes, Rhianna looked up quickly and punched his shoulder hard.

"Ow!" Anders cried out, a hurt look in his eyes. "Why'd you do that for?"

"Because you aren't listening to a word I'm saying, that's why!"

"I am too!" he pouted, rubbing his shoulder.

"Then what did I just tell you?"

"Merrill needs some healing!" Anders replied as he sat up, then moved towards his smalls, tunic, trousers and coat that lay on the floor next to the bed in a heap, and started getting dressed.

"You just seemed so distracted that I assumed –," Rhianna shook her head with a sigh. Anders's crestfallen look melted her heart. "Oh, don't look at me like that! I'm sorry I doubted you, my darling. Will that do?"

"Hmmm. I'll think about it," he smirked. "Don't go anywhere!"

"I wouldn't dream of it," Rhianna replied with a seductive smile.

Anders chuckled as he left the room, closing the door behind him. As he climbed the wooden stairs that took him up to the deck, he breathed in the night air and the smell of the sea. Looking up, he gazed at the stars shining brightly in the sky which painted such a lovely picture, it made him smile. When he reached Merrill, who was still leaning over the side of the ship grasping the rail, however, he was truly sorry he hadn't come to see her sooner. She was violently vomiting into the sea below, stopping only to cry out that she felt sick.

"Um, Merrill?" he approached her cautiously, his voice gentle and low. "I'm here to help you…"

Merrill let go of the rail and faced him, her lower lip wobbling as the tears streamed down her face. "I can't stop –"she cried, a deathly white pallor to her skin.

"Don't you dare let her vomit all over the deck!" Isabela called from the raised dais where the steering wheel was. "If she does, you're cleaning it up!"

And of course, before Anders could successfully maneuver Merrill back to the rail, she suddenly heaved and vomited all over Anders's boots and the deck floor.

Isabela turned to Fenris who was standing nearby watching it all with an amused expression on his face. "Take the wheel for a few minutes like I've taught you," she told the white-haired elf. Fenris grasped the wheel with a nod. Isabela disappeared down the stairs that led into the ship. She emerged a few minutes later, carrying a wooden bucket and a mop. She gave them to Anders, who looked at her miserably.

"There are a couple of barrels of water over there," she pointed. "Wash yourself and clean it all up. I want it sparkling clean." Then she turned and went back to the wheel without a backward glance.

"Aye, Captain," Anders muttered under his breath. He quickly cast a rejuvenating spell on Merrill, who stopped vomiting – though she still looked rather green – and walked towards one of the barrels a couple of feet away, realizing with a sigh that Rhianna would most certainly be asleep by the time he was done.

…

A couple of weeks later, they were all on deck when Isabela informed them they would be reaching Cumberland soon. Rhianna didn't want them to dock there at first, since they could be spotted, while Varric argued that they could easily be missed in a crowd of people.

"I have to return to the Free Marches," Bethany said interrupting the discussion. "The wardens will probably wonder where I've run off to."

"I don't think they'll actually care too much, to be honest," Anders commented. "I thought they would come looking for me when I left, and here I am."

"Umm, yes, about you leaving," Rhianna ventured. "We wanted to take you somewhere else first, Bethany."

Bethany turned to look straight at Rhianna with a questioning glance.

"Well, when we were at Chateau Haine, we discovered an old altar…" Rhianna began with a smile.

"This is about the Taint again, isn't it?" Varric piped in with a sigh. "Why come with us all this way, when you three could have simply headed to the Vimmark Mountains directly?"

"Taint? What do you mean, Varric?" Bethany asked curiously.

"There's an Avvar village in the mountains," Rhianna explained. "They carried out a ritual that helped Anders with the Taint."

"The Avvar can cure the Taint?" Bethany asked, something akin to hope in her eyes. "And who are the Avvar? I've never even heard of them!"

"Well, not cure exactly. I still carry the Taint," Anders said. "I think it depends on how long you've been infected. In my case, a lot longer than you, so I feel it's been reduced and even though there's hardly any left, it's still there."

"You'd probably still carry the Taint, Sister," Rhianna added thoughtfully. "But only because it's already spreading. One of the Avvar clan had just been infected, so they were able to cure the Taint completely in his case."

"But they only helped Anders because he was a Grey Warden and we had just saved them from a darkspawn attack," Varric added. "What makes you think they'd help Bethany now?"

"The Avvar keep to themselves, that's true," Rhianna supplied with a frown, then turned back to Bethany. "They prefer to live in seclusion, where they can be free. This is the only clan we know of in the Vimmark Mountains. The rest of them are in Ferelden, somewhere in the Frostback Mountains. They wander around a lot, which is why I think they are so hard to find."

"They're descendants of the Alamarri, who fought the Tevinter Imperium. The dwarves of Orzammar respect them," Varric added. "You know how Calenhad the Great united the tribes of Ferelden into well... Fereldans? He didn't invite the Avvars…They're almost how the Alamarri would have been if Calenhad didn't happen."

"So it isn't a complete cure, right? I mean, you still have it, Anders," Bethany said. "I can still feel it in you, though not as strongly as before. And yet…sometimes I can't feel it at all…"

"It's been reduced, yes," Anders nodded. "Though I've performed scans on myself, and it's not spreading either. I might not even have to go back into the Deep Roads at all later on, since it looks like it's contained and not spreading. Oh, and no nightmares since the Avvar, too!"

Bethany was so surprised, she could only stare at Anders with wide-open eyes for a few moments before she finally spoke.

"No more nightmares or whispers? No Calling? Oh, we must go see the Avvar, sister!"

"We wanted to take you there to see them right after all the mess at Kirkwall," Rhianna added. "But I thought it better if we disappeared, which is why we have been travelling around with all of you. I don't think the templars can track a ship."

"They still have my phylactery," Anders frowned. "And the way I left Amaranthine…well…I'm guessing that they could probably find me if they were looking!"

"We sided with the mages and defended them," Rhianna said. "That's probably why we're being hunted. I thought the best thing we could do was hide. That's why we're on a ship instead of travelling by land."

"We could have just as easily disappeared in the Vimmark Mountains, love," Anders smiled.

"That's also true," Rhianna agreed. "But I didn't want to risk it. We disappeared when we boarded this ship. I think they're searching for us all over, but we're nowhere on land. And there's been no sign of us for nearly three weeks, now."

"It's quite a disappearing act," Varric chuckled.

"I have to get a crew," Isabela announced. "I need a first mate."

"I thought I was your first mate," Fenris commented, looking directly at Isabela. "It seems I was wrong…"

"We need someone who can pilot this ship while we're…resting," Isabela smiled.

"Then it's better for us all if the three of us leave," Rhianna said. "You'll not be scrutinized if it's just Isabela and you. It's a group of people they're looking for…IF they're looking for us at all."

"We want to travel to Ferelden," Aveline said glancing at Donnic briefly. "King Alistair will probably offer us a place there, with the guard."

"I should return to Kirkwall, to keep an eye on things," Varric mused. "But I think Hawke is right. We should continue to lay low…at least for a time."

"They'd look for us in Ferelden, but the king seems reasonable enough," Rhianna said to Aveline with a chuckle. "Meredith didn't like him so I'm guessing you two would be fine there. I don't think we should go to Ferelden so soon, however. It's a bit risky for me to be there at the moment."

"I have an idea," Isabela said with a smile. "You two can stay aboard the ship. Fenris and I could test the waters in Cumberland, see if they're looking for you and…rent a room at an inn nearest to the Docks. We can get more supplies and stock up. Then I can take Aveline and Donnic to Ferelden."

"Since you need a crew, I'd say the best place to get it would be in Cumberland, Isabela," Rhianna said with a frown. "We'll wait for you to return with news, but then I think we should leave and travel back to the Vimmark Mountains on foot with Bethany."

"I agree," Anders said. "What do you say, Bethany?"

"Of course!" Bethany added cheerfully. "I'd love to see if the Avvar can help me with the Taint! In fact, I'd be willing to leave right away!"

"Can I travel with you?" Merrill asked in a small voice, still looking pale and wan. "I don't think travelling by boat suits me at all."

"With Anders gone, I don't think you should either," Isabela agreed. "You'd only spend the whole journey sick on the ship and there would be no one to heal you. That's no way to travel."

"Sure you can!" Rhianna nodded at Merrill with a smile. "Orana is coming with us, too. I don't think she could make it on her own in a city or in the wilderness. It would be too dangerous for her."

"She couldn't survive on her own," Fenris nodded. "And you'd take good care of her."

"Then it's settled," Rhianna added, then turned to look at her sister. "We're off to the Avvar in the Vimmark Mountains!"

…

"Word of the 'Battle of Kirkwall' is all over this place!" Isabela told Rhianna and the rest of the group as soon as she and Fenris boarded her ship the following morning. "Everyone is talking about the remaining mages escaping what was once the circle in Kirkwall. There are a lot of templars in the city!"

"I heard rumors that the Grand Enchanter was asking to meet with representatives from the rest of the circles in Thedas here in Cumberland while I was waiting for Isabela at the inn," Fenris said in a monotone. "If this is true, we should try not to draw attention to ourselves since the templars already want to arrest us for siding with the mages."

"You were right, Kitten. They are looking for us," Isabela told Hawke. "But for the whole group. I didn't take Fenris with me when I went around the city to eavesdrop because of his tattoos. Nobody even noticed me."

"With what you're wearing, I would have thought differently, but maybe that's just me," muttered Anders, who was standing behind Rhianna, his arms around her protectively.

Isabela aimed a dark look in his direction, but otherwise ignored the jab. "I think the four of you should leave as soon as possible, and then we should set course for Ferelden to drop Aveline and Donnic off."

"You'll be docking in the docks of Denerim not Amaranthine, right?" Aveline asked and Isabela nodded at her question.

"We'll set sail for Antiva afterwards, then head out to Rivain, stopping at all the town ports and docks along the way, Hawke."

"We should come up with some names to keep in touch," Rhianna added thoughtfully. "If we have different names, they won't catch on if the missives fall into the wrong hands."

"That's a great idea!" Varric said. "Also, how long would it take us to get to Ferelden, Isabela?"

"I have to first find a small crew to help me out here, so I don't expect we'll be sailing anytime soon," Isabela replied. "Why?"

"If it's been long enough, I'd like to return to Kirkwall," Varric said. "I really need to be close to Bartrand since he's in an asylum. I have business to take care of in the Merchants' Guild as well."

"We'll drop you off once we set sail for Antiva," Isabela promised. "I need to start smuggling again, or I won't be able to pay my crew. I had a few contacts here in Cumberland, so I think I should go meet them soon."

Rhianna nodded, her brow furrowed slightly as she thought about fake names they could use. They really didn't need them to travel, but she wanted to send letters to her friends every now and then.

"How about 'Nicolaus' for me and 'Raven' for you?" Anders said out loud glancing briefly at Rhianna, who looked up at him. "Merrill could be Darlah and Bethany could be…"

"Evelyn?" Bethany supplied hopefully.

"We fought a blood mage whose name was Evelina, sister," Rhianna frowned slightly. "I don't want to be reminded of that."

"She nearly tore a hole in my coat when she became a rage demon!" Anders pouted.

"Well, you need to throw away that coat anyway," Merrill said in a dry voice. "I mean, look at it! It looks like it's going to fall off any minute now!"

Anders narrowed his eyes as he glanced at her, but she was looking down at the wooden floor of the deck and didn't see this. She still looking pale and rather sick, however, so he decided to ignore the comment she'd made.

Varric chuckled and everyone turned to look at him.

"What? I just thought the coat comment was funny!" the dwarf said in a defensive tone.

"It's ok, Bethany," Rhianna sighed. "I think we can call you Evelyn if you really like the name! It won't be for very long, because we'll be dropping you off at the Wardens' Outpost in Ansburg once we're done with the Avvar."

"And after that, it'll be one long adventure, won't it?" Anders asked Rhianna with a lopsided grin.

"One long heck of an adventure," Rhianna agreed with a grin. "A rogue, two mages and an elf…looking for a place to hide."

"Running away has always been on the top of my list because it was such an adventure. Running away with you will make every step of the journey so worthwhile, love," Anders practically crooned, squeezing her hand gently.

…

The following day Merrill, Orana, Hawke and Anders said goodbye to the rest of the group and set out towards the Vimmark Mountains. To say that their goodbyes were emotional was an understatement. Even Isabela shed a few tears while embracing Rhianna, and she never got emotional about anything.

When they finally set out towards their destination, Rhianna was still crying. Ser Whiskers meowed from Anders's feathered pauldron as if saying goodbye to the friends they were leaving behind and the four of them were silent all day as they trekked along the coast. When they arrived at a secluded spot that overlooked the sea, they set up camp for the night. Orana cooked some soup over the fire that Anders had started and the meal was a very quiet one.

They arrived at the Planasene Forest in two weeks, only stopping in a very small village to replenish their supplies before entering the forest proper. There was a small inn in the village, and the village smithy had repaired Hawke's armor and sharpened her daggers while Merrill and Bethany stood nearby quietly.

"Thar's sumthin' different about ye. Are ye lookin' for trouble?" the smith said giving Rhianna a suspicious look, his eyes immediately falling on Anders, Bethany and Merrill.

"No, we're just travelers," Rhianna replied calmly. The man grunted then looked at Merrill again who fidgeted nervously.

"Yer nobles, then?" the man persisted with the interrogation. "Yer got two knife-ears wif ye. They servants?"

"I'm taking them to my sister's farm in Antiva," Rhianna lied easily with a nonchalant shrug. "They're just traveling with me."

"Hmmm," the man responded. "Yer 'ungry? Wifey cooks at the inn."

"Thanks," Rhianna replied giving the man a brilliant smile. She took out a gold coin and took her armor and daggers. The man's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

"Yer rich! Ne'er saw a gold 'un, 'afore!" he managed to say, still staring at the coin in his hand.

"We just want to get something to eat, and be on our way," Anders answered coolly.

"Aye. I'll talk to the wife," he slipped into the inn ahead of them and Rhianna frowned.

"Do NOT use your staffs, but have a spell ready," she whispered to Bethany, Anders and Merrill as she slipped into her leather armor. "I've a feeling we're about to be ambushed. Orana, stay behind us!"

"Yes, Mistress," Orana's voice quavered as she replied in a worried tone.

Hawke waited for the three mages to focus on their respective spells and turned the door latch to open the door, which she did very slowly.

As soon as they stepped into the inn, four burly men with knives stood up from one of the tables. One of them was the blacksmith.

"We donna care where you come from or why yer here. We need yer money to live!"

The mages stood frozen waiting for Rhianna's signal, but she shook her head at the smith. "I can pay you more for the food, but please don't fight us. You don't need to die here today, friend."

"Please, Maurevar, don't do this! If you die, how can I manage the farm and the inn?" A middle-aged woman wailed behind a counter.

"Listen to your wife," Rhianna said in a low voice. "We have better weapons. Don't throw away your lives, please."

Two of the four men had already lowered their knives. The blacksmith and another tall, fat man standing next to him were the only two still pointing their knives at the group.

"Thar's a war startin'! We's 'ungry! And ye rich 'uns don't care about us!" he yelled, as the hand that held his knife began to shake.

"War?" Anders spoke out and the smithy fixed his eyes on him while he nodded.

"Mages 'n templars killin' themselfs, the templars came 'ere. My daughter had magic, they killed 'er!"

Rhianna lowered her daggers, a sad look on her face. "That's terrible!" she murmured.

"The templars were angry because she escaped the circle in Kirkwall, where everything happened! She ran away to escape being killed in the battle! But them templars…they called her a blood mage and killed my baby!" the smith's wife sobbed, the tears running down her face. "My daughter was good, she wasn't a blood mage. She was going to help us with the farm and the inn! And now she's dead!"

"They killed my babe, they did!" the smith now lowered the knife and put it back on the table, encouraging his friend to do the same. "An' now, we have nuthin' but the farm and the inn. Nobody comes to our village."

Rhianna stepped forward and deposited a coin purse in the woman's hands. "This is something for you. Get some horses to help you plough the land. You can also use the coin to get more supplies at the nearest town."

The woman had curiously opened the coin purse and her jaw nearly hit the floor. "This is thirty sovereigns, My Lady! Are you sure you want to give this to us?"

Anders grinned at the smith's wife. "Oh, I'm sure! She never would have given the coin purse to you if she wasn't willing to part with it."

…