Allora's contact paid what was promised in full, the exchange quick and efficient. Before long, all three were walking through the door to the Hanged Man. Seating themselves at one of the tables towards the back corner, she pulled from her belt the coin purses collected and the commission paid for the removal of the bandits. Counting it out with care, she split it evenly into four shares and placed each into its own pouch. All the while, Sebastian regaled her with more stories about his grandfather and Starkhaven.

Looking up, she smiled politely as he finished his current recollection, then offered him his payment. He took it gently.

"Thank you, I shall be sure to put this to good use. If you will excuse me, I should return to the Chantry. I hope to enjoy your company again soon, my friend."

"Good evening to you, Sebastian." She replied.

He turned and left them then, Fenris bringing his attention to Hawke as she placed what was owed him into his hand. He stowed it away, slightly grateful to be free of all other companionship but her's.

"Would you like to share a drink with me before we head home?" she invited.

His expression became lighter, his mouth taking on a slight smile as he met her eyes, "That would be nice."

Meanwhile, Sebastian made his way away from the Lowtown pub, but did not make it very far before he came across Varric who was returning to his suite. He stretched out his arms exclaiming, "Choir Boy! Just the man I wanted to see."

"Is there something I can do for you Varric?"

"Well, I just thought you may want to know, there's a rumor sweeping around that some rebellious mages are planning an attempt on the Grand Cleric's life."

Sebastian blinked with surprise, "What?!"

"What I've heard isn't perfectly solid, but it is supposedly going to happen sometime tonight. I went to the Chantry to warn you, but, you weren't there."

Stepping forward with haste, Sebastian gave his gratitude for the information, "I pray it's not too late."

"Good luck to you."

Varric listened as the young Brother broke into a run after passing him, then continued towards home. Entering the Hanged man, his eyes caught sight of Hawke, who he had also been searching for. He had figured she would also take interest in the information he gave Sebastian, as she always got herself caught up in everything happening in Kirkwall. But, he then took notice of Fenris at her side, and the fact they were sharing a drink together.

Thinking on it a moment, he came to the decision not to bother her with it. Elthina was the Grand Cleric, an important religious figure and thus always under guard. She was in little danger. Alerting Sebastian to this plot had not been necessary, it was more of a personal matter. A show of kindness and respect. Something he now believed he was extending to his best friend by not interrupting her date.

She and Fenris had been in a complicated situation with one another for a long time. It had been unclear for a few years now if they were actually in a relationship at all. It was about time they reconciled and found happiness with each other. Varric was not about to ruin that. For a brief second he felt the urge to try and sneak closer, in an attempt to listen in. He wanted to get all the details so he could relay them properly in his stories. But, he did not try it. There was too much risk of getting caught and messing it all up.

Instead, he snuck past them and up the stairs to his room, fortunate that he wasn't seen. No sooner than he had disappeared into his quarters, both finished their drinks and stood up to depart. Hawke tipped the waitress, and they left together heading for their homes in Hightown.

The moon was brightly beaming in the sky, lighting their path in a silvery tone as they stepped up to the bridge. Unlike before, Fenris walked at her side searching for the right words to say. He resolved to just come out with it. Before they drew too close to her estate and they were forced to part.

"I was wondering..." He began.

"Yes?"

"Is it possible you could swing by the mansion to visit me a moment tomorrow?"

Her pale eyes turned to him in curiosity. They were surprisingly soft.

"There may be something with which I would appreciate your aid..."

"I will be sure to see you, then."

Taking on an expression of comfort he replied, "Thank you, Hawke."

He had barely finished speaking when they came across a large group of people at the end of the bridge. Neither of them had to guess their intentions, it was clear they were malicious with all their weapons on display. Both reached for their swords, bracing for the oncoming conflict. Sure enough, the thugs were upon them in seconds.

Fenris moved away from her, trying to give her appropriate room for her to let loose. Without others to back them up, it was the safest course of action. He let his branded patterns flare, managing to tear the heart out of a foe who came too close. In the moment his fist phased into the man, their eyes met. Those empty orbs informed him of who they were dealing with.

"Bloodrager thralls," He called out as the first foe fell "There's a blood mage nearby!"

Not far from him, Hawke's eyes had again reached that frightening sharpness. Her weapon wielded by wrath, hacking down foes as it dictated. Several thralls threw themselves at her simultaneously in an effort to overwhelm her before she could react. As they all came upon her, the rage seethed through her heart, quickening her body. She lashed out with incredible speed, not striking with as much heft as before, but stopping the thralls from touching her none the less.

When all the thralls had fallen, both she and Fenris looked onward to see two mages in the distance. A curtain of blood swelled around them as they prepared, shades and rage demons appearing at their behest. Allora took these on as she ran forward, trying to keep them occupied while Fenris moved ahead to deal with the source. The Bloodragers did not know what they were in for.

All alight, his markings thrummed with energy. They threw spells at him, but most of them kept missing. The magic had a difficult time tracking the target, and what spells did make contact had little to no effect. He was within striking distance, before they realized just how much of a threat he really was. He resisted the blood magic that swirled around him, ignoring it and shattering one of their staves. Cutting the defenseless Maleficarum down with his blade, he turned to the next.

The blood mage drew more power from his fallen ally, encasing himself in a barrier and enhancing the power of the vortex racing around Fenris. Despite his desperate attempt, the elf did not fall. Before long, he tired and the barrier dropped. In that instant, his being was wrought with panic as he watched that glowing hand reach into him. With a jerk and excruciating pain, he drew his last breath.

Looking back, Fenris watched Hawke cut through the last rage demon, its firey form breaking apart and raining the shreds down over her. With a grunt of satisfaction, she put away her sword and came to join him. Bending down to search the bodies of the two he slaughtered, she quickly found a piece of parchment stashed in one's belt near his coin. She wasted no time in reading it while he waited patiently for her to inform him of what it said.

"This goes beyond madness!" She exclaimed in surprise.

Standing, she turned to him, "They are planning an attack on the Chantry, on Elthina herself!"

"What fools," he sneered, "they have no hope of reaching her. When is this attack going to take place?"

"Tonight..."

Raising a brow, he replied "Let me guess, you intend to do something about this."

"At the very least, Sebastian should be warned. I doubt he will refrain from putting himself in danger when it happens."

"Much like you..."

Disregarding his last statement, she hurriedly proceeded to collect the rest of the coin from the deceased Bloodragers. He, saying nothing more, set to work helping her. Within moments they were both jogging off towards the Chantry, slowing only as they approached its steep ascending steps.

Climbing them in silence, they listened for commotion up ahead. Anything that suggested battle was either upon them, or had just taken place. All that could be heard was the ever constant song of the cicadas; the occasional hound baying in the distance of the city streets. This gave Allora hope that the attack had yet to happen and would thus allow her to warn her friend. She kept her focus forward.

Opening the Chantry's door with caution, everything before them was still. Only flickering candle light moved in the Preaching Court. They made way for the pulpit, crossing through the shadows of the Entrance Hall with care. Despite it being a place of holy worship, it was dark and what might be lurking in that black was unknown. Danger could come from anywhere in Kirkwall. Though, with every step, Hawke grew more confident they were relatively safe.

Coming to the end of the hall, where the shadows met the moonlight beaming through the windows, she suddenly halted. Pain burst through her core, sharp and burning. The world appeared vastly different, utterly strange, as that very pain ebbed away. It took with it her awareness, and she fell to the floor on her side. The darkness seemed to intrude into her being, and she was lost. She never heard Fenris call out to her.