Chapter 3: Hair of the Dog

Marethari stared at the woman in front of her, tears in her eyes. "Da'len, you've returned to us. After all this time."

"Forgive me, Keeper, but this isn't a social call," the younger Elf replied, trying not to stare at the faces of her Clan. It had been hard enough to leave them the first time, but she needed to keep her resolve firm. "I'm just looking for something."

"What is it you seek?"

"The Eluvian. The one from the ruins." Marethari's eyes darkened for a moment, and she shook her head.

"It is not here, da'len. Merrill has it. She has been trying to repair it all this time."

"By the Dread Wolf, doesn't she know what it did?"

"She doesn't care," Master Ilen said, arms folded. "That girl gave up everything for that mirror, against the Keeper's pleas."

"Gave up everything?"

"Commander, we're wasting time," the other woman with her called out, annoyance clear in her voice. Lyla Mahariel stared daggers at her companion.

"Velanna, be quiet!" she shouted. "Keeper, please tell me what happened to Merrill. I lost Tamlen. I don't want to lose her too."

"She is in the shemlen city," Marethari told her. "With a woman named Hawke. I begged her not to go, but she won't listen. She thinks the Eluvian might help us reclaim our history. She… Merrill turned to blood magick to cleanse it." Lyla sighed, hands on her hips as she glanced at the sky.

"I see."

"Blood magick? Why would a First do something stupid like that?"

"Velanna!"

"I'm serious, Commander. I know you don't see the dangers to using it, but most mages, Keeper or not, know that demons aren't to be trifled with. Even that idiot Anders knew better than to go down that path."

"Anders?" the Keeper asked, surprise in her voice. "A mage, you say? Is he another friend of yours?"

"He was our healer in Ferelden. The best I've ever seen," Lyla praised. She'd appreciated his humor at times as well, but she'd never confess that to the cat-loving shemlen. "Why do you ask?"

"There was a mage with Hawke when she took Merrill back to Kirkwall. His name was Anders."

"Oh blessed Mythal, do we have to deal with him again?" Velanna said to herself.

"Thank you, Keeper. I'll look for them both in the shemlen city, and maybe this Hawke as well. I doubt we will see each other again. Creators guide your steps." Marethari drew the Warden into a hug, nodding.

"May the Dread Wolf never find you, Mahariel. Please save Merrill. You're the only one she might listen to." Turning on her heel, and willing herself not to cry, Lyla headed for Kirkwall, Velanna close behind.


Anora was sitting by the bed, head in her hands. Anders was still unconscious, and had been for the entire night. He'd stopped thrashing in pain, at least, but every now and then a whimper would escape him. The symbol still gave off a dim glow, but instead of looking like a bruise, it seemed more branded into him. She brushed his hair from his face, kissing his forehead.

"Forgive me, Anders. I should've just confronted you about this. Maybe if I'd forced the issue, you wouldn't be suffering now."

"You need to sleep, sweet thing," Isabella told her, lightly touching her shoulder. Anora growled and batted the hand away, eyes narrowing.

"Leave me alone. If it wasn't for your stupid antics, this never would've happened!" Isabella pursed her lips and frowned. True, she did feel a bit guilty about her role in the matter, but the outcome would've probably been the same whether or not she had interfered. "I'm not leaving him."

"And when you pass out from exhaustion, what then?" Fenris asked, leaning against the door.

"Fenris, as much as I appreciate you letting us stay here until Anders wakes up, I am in no mood to debate this."

"You're being stubborn," he argued.

"And you did this to him!" she screamed, standing up. He recoiled slightly at her words, knowing that they were partially true. Had he known that his markings would make the spell complete, he might not have punched the mage.

"Hawke, to be fair, that dead Tevinter mage did this," Varric reminded her, walking past Fenris. "And if we want any answers, we're going to need to go back to that cave and see if she left notes."

"Do magisters even do that?"

"They do when they wish to present their research to prove their power. Danarius did it enough himself."

"Then we're wasting time." The hard look in her eyes told them all that she would entertain no further questions or comments on the matter. This was Anora Hawke, their leader, the one they had all come to depend on. "Merrill, you stay here in case Anders wakes up. The rest of you are coming with me."

"Hawke, I'm not sure what you think I can do," the Dalish girl told her. "I'm not a healer, and blood magick can't fix this."

"Just be here, Merrill. If he wakes up, tell him we'll be back as soon as we can. And don't let him move out of that bed, understand?"

"Yes Hawke." The rest of the group followed the rogue out of the mansion, while Merrill sat down by the bed, shaking her head.


"Just how do you intend to find this girl, anyway?" Velanna wondered as they walked into the city. "By the Creators, this place is bigger than Amaranthine."

"I have an idea, but I'd rather just ask around first."

"Like any of these shem are going to even care what we want?"

"Have some faith," Lyla replied. "Even if Elves can't get any answers, perhaps Grey Wardens can." After searching through what seemed like most of the city, they finally came across the Alienage. Velanna shivered, staring at the hovels where their city kin lived. "You all right?"

"How can they stand it here? Why don't they just leave?"

"Because not everyone can brave the unknown. Both of us had reasons for leaving our clans, but would you have stayed if your sister had been safe?"

"I…" Velanna was saved from having to answer by one of the elves coming up to them, a smile on her face. She was a young girl, with pigtails high on her head, and dark-brown eyes to match her hair.

"Greetings strangers, my name is Lia. Are you new to the city?"

"We're merely visitors," Lyla informed her. "Although I am looking for someone. Her name is Merrill, do you know her?" The girl thought for a moment, and then smiled.

"Ah yes, the quiet one from the Dalish. She lives at the far end of the square, but she isn't home right now. I think she's with Serrah Hawke."

"Oh? Are they friends?"

"I believe so, but I don't know much about that. Merrill's lived here for a few years, but she keeps to herself. The only ones she speaks to are those in Hawke's group."

"Where can we find this Hawke?"

"She lives in Hightown, near the Viscount's Keep. My father sometimes delivers things there, so I could show you the way if you wished?"

"Thank you, that would be a big help."

"My pleasure. Please follow me." The girl started walking, the two Wardens following her. After a bit, Velanna spoke:

"Tell me, child, are there any Grey Wardens in this place?"

"I've heard rumors that there is one in Darktown. A healer from Ferelden. But I've never seen him myself."

"Do you know the name Anders?" Lia turned her head and nodded, smiling again.

"Yes, he travels with Hawke as well. Are they the same person then?"

"That depends," Lyla joined in. "When we find him, I'll know." They arrived at the estate, and Lyla whistled to herself. This Hawke had done well; there was no doubt about that. "Thank you for your assistance, Lia." She dropped some coin into the girl's hand, and she bowed and ran back towards home. Knocking on the door, the Dalish rogue heard footsteps from the other side, and then it opened. However, she was not expecting to see the man who stood before her.

"Bodahn? What in the Creators' names are you doing here?"

"Warden? By the Stone, it is you!" He hugged her, which was slightly awkward, but Lyla allowed it, patting him on the head and smiling slightly. "And to answer your question, both Sandal and I live here, with a most generous woman."

"Actually, I had hoped to talk to this Hawke. Is she home?"

"Unfortunately not. She was headed for the Wounded Coast to help ser Anders."

"This Anders, is he a Grey Warden?"

"Yes, my Lady, he is. Says he served at Amaranthine for a time."

"Elgar'nan, you can't be serious!" Velanna whined, putting her head in her hands. "I left Vigil's Keep to be rid of that blasted idiot! Now I have to see him again?"

"There are worse people we could run into," Lyla shot back with a smirk. "Just think: Oghren could be here too." When the mage groaned, she laughed. "Do you happen to know where he is, by any chance?"

"Well, that's a bit complicated," the merchant told her, looking at his feet for a moment. "He's the reason Serrah Hawke is going to the Coast. He was apparently injured, and she's hoping to find some answers there."

"Bodahn, do you know where Anders is?" Lyla asked again, putting a hard edge in her voice. He sighed and nodded.

"I'll take you to him, Warden. Just… You don't intend him harm, do you?"

"She might not, but if he even so much as looks at me wrong-"

"Velanna!" The tone of the Commander's voice caused the ex-Keeper to pull back, and she hung her head. "I promise he won't come to harm from us."

"Then follow me, ladies." Bodahn locked the door, and the three of them set out.


Merrill was startled out of her reading by a knock on the front door. Well, not really reading so much as sleeping with her head in the book. It couldn't have been Hawke and the others; not this soon. But maybe Aveline was dropping by? She scurried down the stairs, quickly undoing the bolt and throwing open the door. "Oh, Ave-" She stopped, staring at Bodahn and a blonde Dalish woman, a Keeper by the look of her. There was someone else behind them, but they were in the shadow of the building. "Bodahn, is something wrong?"

"I don't think so, Miss Merrill," he told her with a smile. "But these two ladies were trying to find Serrah Hawke and Anders." Merrill turned a confused look on the woman she could see.

"What do the Dalish want with them? You're not of my clan."

"No, but I am," the figure in the shadows said, stepping forward. Merrill's eyes widened as she saw the familiar tattoos, blonde hair, and green eyes that sparked with such intensity, it was a wonder she didn't light things on fire.

"Mahariel!" Tears came to her eyes, and the younger woman collapsed into her friend's arms, sobbing.

"I'll just leave you to your business then," the Dwarf said softly.

"It was good to see you again," Lyla told him.

"You as well, my friend." He left the three women standing outside the mansion, and Merrill eventually choked back her tears, wiping her face with her sleeves.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. I'm just so happy to see you, and it's been so long! What have you been up to? What's it like being a Grey Warden? Did you go back to the clan? Did you see the Keeper?"

"Do you ever stop talking?"

"Velanna… There is only room here for one bitch, and that is me. Cease your comments, or I will show you how annoyed I am." When her statement was met with silence, Lyla sighed and turned back to Merrill. "And you, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, yes, the mansion. It's not mine, I swear! I'm just looking after- Oh by the Creators, I nearly forgot about him!" The dark-haired Elf turned back into the house, and the two Wardens followed her, slightly puzzled. However, when they saw who Merrill was looking after, their reactions were vastly different. Velanna started snickering softly, but Lyla looked mad. She approached the bed, eyes quickly taking in the situation as best she could figure it. Anders was unconscious, and injured. His shirt had a hole in it that appeared to have been made with claws or teeth, and there was a glowing brand on his flesh that appeared Tevinter in nature. His breathing was erratic, and he whimpered like a frightened child every so often.

"Who did this to him?" she asked softly, not trusting her voice completely.

"I… I don't know her name, but she was a Tevinter mage who came after another of our companions. Anders was hit with a spell meant for Hawke, and it did that to him." Lyla placed one hand over the mark, her other one curling into a fist.

"Damn stupid… Shemlen," she swore, closing her eyes to try and calm herself. "Merrill, how long ago did the group leave?"

"I'm not sure… I fell asleep reading, and Bodahn's knocking woke me up. It's not a quick trip though, so they won't be back for a day or so at the earliest."

"You were going to stay here by yourself?" Velanna wondered. "With him?"

"He's asleep," Merrill replied, wondering why this stranger seemed bothered.

"Velanna and Anders have a bit of history," Lyla told her friend. "He was rather… Intent on getting with her for awhile, but she wanted nothing to do with him."

"I still don't," the mage said, sitting down at the desk and looking over Merrill's books. "Are these all yours?"

"Yes. All history and culture," the other girl said proudly. "I'm trying to reclaim as much as possible from when Arlathan still stood."

"Speaking of that: Where's the Eluvian?" Lyla saw her friend pale for a moment. "Merrill, what's the matter?"

"Are you going to say I'm being a fool for trying to fix it too?"

"Blessed Creators, yes! It almost killed me, and it turned Tamlen into-" She stopped, shaking her head at the memory of what he had become. What she could not save him from.

"What happened to Tamlen?" Merrill gently pressed, putting a hand on the Warden's arm. "Please tell me. No one knows."

"He's dead, Merrill. The mirror's corruption turned him into a minion for the darkspawn. He was with a group that attacked our camp, and I killed him. He asked me to grant him a release, and I did." Merrill was silent for a few minutes as she took in everything. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she wrung her hands.

"Lyla, I am so, so sorry. That must have been awful."

"It was, but it needed to be done. But why are you trying to fix that cursed thing?"

"Oh, it's not cursed any more. I cleansed it with blood magick!" Velanna cringed at those words, and Lyla turned back around to look at her friend. Merrill had such a happy look on her face, despite the tears, that she couldn't help but smile back.

"Is that so? Then you've gotten it to work again?"

"Ah no, something's not quite right still. I think I might be missing a piece, but I was sure I grabbed them all. I had thought to use the arulin'holm to repair it, but Hawke wouldn't let me have it after the Keeper gave it to her."

"Smart woman."

"You have no right to judge me!" Merrill rounded on Velanna, glaring as best she could. "I'm trying to help my clan regain a piece of history that dates back to Arlathan."

"Merrill, it's all right. I understand what you're trying to do," Lyla told her, placing an arm around the girl. "When Hawke gets back, I'll talk to her after we help Anders, all right?"

"You'd do that for me? Oh, thank you, lethallan!" Merrill flung her arms around her friend, who hugged her back.

"You should rest now, all right? Velanna and I will watch over Anders while you sleep. Nothing will get past us." Nodding, the dark-haired mage walked out of the room to find a spare bed to sleep in. Velanna looked over at her Commander with a slight frown, quirking an eyebrow.

"You're not really going to let her finish that mirror, are you?" Lyla shook her head, hand resting on the hilt of a dagger at her waist. She could feel the thrum of power even through the sheath, and she shivered.

"First chance I have, I'm going to smash that thing into such tiny pieces that no one will be able to fix it ever again."


Finding the caverns again had been a bit tricky, but Anora trusted Fenris to guide their way. Isabella and Varric chatted amongst themselves, but she and the Elf remained largely silent. Her words to him that he'd been the cause of Anders' condition still weighed on her. She'd been unfair, and she knew it, just as she'd been unfair to blame Isabella's comments for igniting the issue. They were all to blame, in their own ways, and everything had just finally come to a head. Anora sighed heavily, and Varric tapped her arm. "You all right?" he whispered as she dropped back to walk next to him.

"Thinking heavy thoughts, that's all."

"Don't think too much, Hawke. Those thoughts will just weigh you down."

"Have you ever thought you might lost someone, Varric?" He seemed mildly surprised at her question, but then shrugged.

"Would it shock you if I said no? I've got my stories, Hawke, but nothing even comes close to this. Even the story about your brother dying, or when Leandra… Well, you get the idea. Heartache seems to follow you, my friend. I don't envy this life you lead." She nodded, clenching her fists for a moment as she thought of her family. Only Bethany remained, but she was trapped in the Circle, and to free her would bring all of Kirkwall's Templars down on them. No, she would need to bide her time before she got her sister back. Right now, she needed to focus on saving the man she loved. Coming to a series of rooms, she turned to the others.

"All right, we're going to split up and search. Varric, you can read Tevinter, yes?"

"Bits and pieces, but enough to understand something."

"Isabella, go with him. Anything that looks promising, take it."

"Anything, anything? Or just paper anything?" the pirate wondered.

"Anything." The other two rogues disappeared into a room, and she turned to Fenris. "You're with me, come on." They walked into what looked like a laboratory, with flasks, tools, and all manner of magical-looking plants and objects. Finding a stack of notes, Anora began leafing through them, hoping to see that symbol somewhere.

"Hawke," Fenris said hesitantly. "I'm not sure how much help I'll be to you."

"You have eyes, don't you? Start looking through everything."

"Hawke… I can't read Tevinter." She stopped searching and turned to face him. The Elf looked almost embarrassed, with his head slightly bowed. "I can't read at all, actually. Slaves are forbidden from learning to read, so that we cannot gain any power over our masters." He had mentioned that, hadn't he? She dropped her head in her hands for a moment, trying to calm her nerves.

"Then just help me find that "slave" symbol in these papers. And if you come across any others that you know, tell me what they mean, all right?"

"Very well. If you think it will help."

"It's better than nothing." They were quiet for a while, going through what seemed to be an endless amount of paper.

"Hawke," Fenris said, voice low as he sat surrounded by stacks of books. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry for this situation. That fool was hiding something from you, and I didn't want to see you get hurt… Again. But my actions-"

"It's fine," she told him, rubbing her tired eyes and looking up from where she was seated by a lantern. The look on his face was one of confusion.

"How can you be so calm about this now, when back in Kirkwall-"

"Because now I'm trying to focus." The Elf stood and walked around, trying to get the kinks out of his joints. He stopped after a minute, frowning as he met her eyes.

"You blamed me for hurting him." She sighed and stood, walking over to him.

"I'm sorry, Fenris, truly. All of us contributed to this, but I didn't want to admit that to myself. I was looking to place blame, and I reacted in anger to you and Isabella."

"Not to mention you were suffering from lack of sleep," he added with a smirk. She smiled and hit his arm lightly, which he accepted. Her fingers brushed against the red strip of cloth he kept tied around his wrist: It had been a hair-tie she'd had since Lothering, and he'd worn it to show his allegiance to her. "What's wrong?"

"Why do you still wear this? Do you like reminding yourself that I left you?" His fingers came up to cup her chin, forcing her eyes to meet his.

"Hawke, you didn't leave me," he argued. "I abandoned you. As much as it hurt to hear it, you were correct: I ran that night. You were more than willing to be there to help; to try and figure out my life before these accursed markings. But I was a fool, and turned you away. And when you started with that mage… I made myself believe that he had stolen you from me, but I had let you go long before that." He released his hold on her face, and Anora smiled, her hand still resting on his arm.

"You are both important to me," she told him. "But Anders needs someone to stand with him, and be his support. And I need someone who can catch me when I fall, to tell me that everyone will be all right in the end. I trust you at my back, and with my life. But I trust him with my heart." Fenris nodded, pulling gently from her grasp.

"I understand, even if I don't approve. I just wish I had told you this sooner." She nodded as well, turning back to the papers, a blush tinting her cheeks.

"Me too," she whispered, low enough that he didn't hear. Suddenly, her eyes came across the "slave" symbol on the top sheet of the stack, and she grabbed the entire thing and started looking more carefully through it. She did not understand anything on the page, but there were symbols, notes etched in the margins, and what appeared to be different test results all compiled together. "Varric!" she called out, looking for the Dwarf. He and Isabella appeared from another room, looking worried.

"What is it, Hawke? You found something?" She thrust the papers at him, and he began skimming the words.

"This looks like field notes she took while developing the spell. I'm no expert, but if we can get these to a mage, they might be able to tell us all the details. Maybe even how to reverse it."

"Then we're leaving this damp cavern? Good riddance," Isabella said, hefting a pack of things she had found that might fetch some profit.

"Fenris, we're heading back!" she shouted for him.

"Good. I want nothing more than to never see this place again. That, and getting my house back to myself." She rolled her eyes, but the Elf just smirked, quickly grabbing his sword and following the others out. They had a long walk back to Kirkwall, and a friend who needed them.


Lyla and Velanna were busy reading some of Merrill's books, when they heard the front door open. "Oh, that must be Hawke and the others!" the younger girl said, darting out of the room. Lyla quickly followed her, one hand on a dagger just in case it wasn't a friendly face. However, she was immediately met with four people who seemed both confused and annoyed at her presence. The warrior of the group, another Elf, even put a hand to the hilt of the greatsword he carried on his back. "No wait, this is my friend!" Merrill told them, putting her hands up as she stepped between them.

"Your friend?" Anora asked, easing her own hand away from her weapons. Varric and Isabella had yet to react, though the pirate was staring at Lyla, seemingly puzzled.

"Yes, this is Lyla Mahariel."

"Also known as the Hero of Ferelden," the Dalish rogue said dryly. Isabella suddenly grinned and laughed.

"Oh wait, I do know you. You and that feisty Orlesian redhead asked me to teach you how to duel." Lyla smiled and nodded, trying not to blush.

"Captain Isabella! You do get around, don't you?" The dark-skinned woman bowed, the smile still firmly in place.

"Where is little Lelianna, anyway?"

"Ah, she's back in Orlais, handling some personal business." Merrill turned to her friend, eyes wide.

"Wait, Isabella taught you how to do something that didn't involve sleeping with someone?" Both women laughed, and Lyla winked at her clanmate.

"I didn't say that." Merrill blushed fiercely, and then walked back towards her temporary room. Varric chuckled and shook his head.

"You meet the most interesting people, Rivaini." Velanna was looking at the group from the top of the stairs, frowning, and Lyla waved to her as she addressed them.

"My companion is a fellow Warden from Amaranthine. Say hello, Velanna."

"Hello shems," she said, rolling her eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Fenris demanded. "And who let you in?"

"Merrill let us in, and we were actually looking for her. But Marethari told me that Anders was here as well, and we were going to look him up, since he's one of our former companions. It just turns out that everyone was mostly in the same place."

"Then you've seen him?" Anora said hesitantly. Lyla's eyes darkened as she nodded. "Do you know anything about Tevinter magick?"

"I'm no mage, but we've done research into their rituals. Both Velanna and myself can read it as well, since we come across a lot of their ruins in our travels."

"Maybe you can help us translate this then." The young woman pulled a large stack of papers out of her bag, and handed them over. The Warden took a quick look through them, eyes widening for a moment. Some of this research seemed similar to what Avernus had been working on, and she shook her head. Even if she'd thought it would help, they'd never be able to bring Anders all the way to Soldier's Peak the way he was.

"We'll get on this immediately."

"Commander-"

"Velanna, you were just saying earlier that you were bored of history. This is well-documented magical research."

"Blood magick isn't something I enjoy leisurely reading."

"Finally, a mage who makes some sense," Fenris quipped, walking towards his room. The others watched him go, and Lyla sighed heavily.

"He doesn't like mages, I take it?"

"Fenris had some… Bad experiences," Anora told her.

"Oh, did he talk to Anders too?" Velanna wondered as she joined them.

"What is your problem with him?" Anora's eyes narrowed as she faced the Dalish woman, immediately disliking her stuck-up attitude.

"What, has he grown up since he left the Keep? Anders is the biggest baby the Wardens have ever seen. He was only ever concerned with himself and that stupid cat the Commander gave him. Always had some silly comment, always needed to play the fool-"

"Velanna." Lyla spoke only the one word, but the former Keeper immediately stopped talking. The tone had been a warning, and now she focused more on the shemlen woman she had been commenting to. Hawke looked like she was about to rip her head off, there was that much anger seething under the surface. Her fingers twitched, and she had moved them to her waist, nearer the hilts of her weapons. Velanna had been so busy talking, that she would not have had the chance to defend herself if the need arose. The stack of papers was suddenly thrust into her arms. "Go start working. I'll be up in a moment." With a nod, the other Warden retreated, and Lyla sighed. "Sorry about that."

"You gave Anders Ser Pounce-a-Lot?" She nodded, leaning back against the wall, arms folded across her chest.

"Yes. He always kept to himself when not on missions, but when we found this half-starved kitten in the Keep, he practically fell all over it. It was the most honest emotion I'd ever seen out of him, except when he was healing in the infirmary. So I told him he could keep it, and Ser Pounce came with us pretty much everywhere."

"He does have cats on the brain quite a bit," Varric brought up. "It's a wonder he doesn't bring strays home to the estate, Hawke."

"He would if he could find any," she replied with a wry grin. Lyla was watching her, and she felt a little uneasy. "What?"

"You love him," the Dalish said softly, like she'd had a revelation. "I can hear it in your voice, and how you looked ready to kill my companion when she insulted him." Anora blushed a bit and cleared her throat.

"Yes, well, he's changed. I've never seen Anders back down from anything since I met him, and his mission is to free the mages from the Circle." Lyla tilted her head, one eyebrow raised.

"Oh? He used to have that discussion with a Spirit we picked up in our travels. Justice was always trying to get Anders to agree that he needed to help other mages; that they were just as deserving of freedom as he was. I wonder if he finally saw it that way?"

"More than you know," Anora whispered. Lyla's ears twitched slightly, but she gave no other indication that she'd heard the comment.

"Let's go help Velanna translate, shall we? Or, I can. You can go back to caring for Anders. I'm sure he missed you, even if he's still asleep."

"The sooner we start, the sooner we can help him. Varric, Isabella, if you two want to head off and rest, I understand."

"I'll check back later, Hawke," the Dwarf said as he waved and left.

"I'm staying at the Hanged Man if you need to work out some… Tension later," Isabella said to Lyla with a wink.

"I'll hold you to that," she shot back with a grin. The pirate left them standing alone, and the Dalish woman put her arm around the human. "It'll all be fine, I promise."

"I can't lose him," Anora said, shoulders shaking slightly.

"You won't. Anders wouldn't dare die on you."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Because then he'd have to answer to two strong women. I know he fears me, and I can't imagine he has any less respect for someone who loves him."


It was late at night, and Anora had fallen asleep holding Anders' hand, when she was shaken awake. "Hawke!" Merrill's voice instantly brought her around, and she was standing before her mind even knew why.

"What, what is it?" The Dalish girl was standing in front of her, eyes wide and hands up like she expected to be attacked.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but Lyla thinks she's found something." The tone in her voice wasn't happy though, and Anora became nervous. A quick glance at the unconscious mage showed that he remained that way, but the glow from the mark had faded a little more. At this point, she wasn't sure if that was a good sign or not.

"I'll talk to her." Anora headed for the study, where the Warden and Velanna were perched on ladders, books and papers scattered everywhere. They both looked up when Anora and Merrill entered the room, and the former Keeper shook her head.

"It's not good," she said, going back to reading.

"What's not good? What's going on?"

"There's a way to reverse what's happening to Anders," Lyla told her, standing up and stretching. "But there's a few things that are required."

"I'll get whatever you need, I promise." Anora's chest felt tight as she allowed herself to hope that this ordeal was almost over. Lyla frowned and pointed to a section of Hadrianna's notes, where there were a few symbols scattered about.

"Blood is always the key," she began reading, again feeling like she was taking a page from Avernus' books instead. "Only blood that contains more power can overcome the spell. Mage blood can overcome non-mage, a true magister's blood can dominate a non-blood mage, and an abomination's blood seems to be the limit to this power structure. To this end, I will use only my blood, as I doubt any abomination will feel the inclination to save a slave. However, if the subject is to be freed, it must be done before the brand fully integrates itself to them. Once it has stopped glowing, there is nothing that can be done." Anora shook her head, fear stabbing straight into her mind: The mark! They probably didn't have much time left before it stopped glowing.

"What does that all mean, and can we save him?" she asked, keeping a hard edge to her voice. Lyla smiled, already liking this woman's determination.

"It means that we just need to give him blood that's more powerful than his own."

"But… Anders is a mage and a Grey Warden."

"So am I," Velanna shot back, looking up again.

"And I've been… Magically enhanced, I'll say," Lyla admitted hesitantly. Merrill tilted her head, but the Warden held up a hand. "The reversal process isn't so much reversing, as a transfer of sorts. Once there's something near enough to absorb the spell, the brand needs to be…" She hesitated, not sure how to explain the next part.

"It needs to be what? Just tell me, I don't care what it entails."

"The brand needs to be interrupted," Merrill offered, biting her lip. "That's where the spell is concentrated, and it needs to have an opening to find a new "host" as it were."

"Interrupted?"

"By the Creators!" Velanna shouted, throwing the book to the floor. "We have to stab him and draw the spell out so it can latch onto something else." Anora paled, and her hands clenched tightly for a moment.

"Stab… That might kill him! Anders is our only healer."

"I can heal," Velanna told her, calming down a bit. "I am versed in all the lore of a Dalish Keeper. I'll make sure he doesn't die." She nodded at Anora, who choked back her tears. If this was the only way to save him, she'd allow it.

"But, what is going to absorb the spell then? Not one of us?"

"No!" Merrill said with a short laugh. "Lyla told me that the Eluvian would be able to take in the power, since it held the darkspawn corruption. After that, I'll just cleanse it with my magick, and everything will be fine again." Anora locked eyes with Lyla, who merely put a finger to her lips.

"The blood needs to be mixed with lyrium, and he needs to drink it. That will charge his system to fight back against the spell while we draw it out."

"Blood and lyrium? Sounds pleasant," Anora said, gagging a bit.

"Trust me, he's had worse," Lyla replied, as she and Velanna shuddered at the memory of the Joining. Nothing would ever feel as awful as that ritual. "But we need to get him back to Merrill's house. It'll be far easier to carry an unconscious human through the streets than a huge mirror."

"And we could break the Eluvian if we weren't careful," Merrill said, shaking her head at the thought of all her hard work ending up as broken shards in the streets.

"What a shame that would be," Velanna quipped, reaching for another book. Anora sighed, knowing this was their only option.

"Let's get this over with." Lyla nodded grimly, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Creators guide us."

"Maker help us," Anora added.