They waited until most of the mages retired for the night, slipping through the halls mostly unseen. The eyes that did see them were half asleep from the days study. They were very cautious not to be seen by the Templars, which was not an easy feat whatsoever. They were forced to use basic magic to distract the Templars around the location that they were headed. Magic that made noise and creating little shadows for the Templars to follow as they slipped past. They counted their luck in that the Templars hadn't done their nightly switch yet, so the Templars they were tricking were worn out by the days constant watch. Luckily, the basement door was not guarded, and there was no one left around to see them entering.

It was completely dark in the basement, so Veira had to relight the torches. As the stone walls illuminated, she checked for any guards quickly. She breathed in relief when she found none.

"It's clear," she said, grinning. So far, things were proceeding smoothly.

They found a large door that was the entrance to the next part of the basement. Lily gasped a little, staring up at the massive door.

"The Chantry calls this the Victim's Door," she breathed, "It's built from two hundred and seventy seven planks, one for each original Templar. It is a reminder to all the dangers those cursed with magic pose."

Veira frowned up at the door. "Do you know how to get past it?"

Lily nodded. "Only a Templar and a mage opening the door together can unlock it. The Chantry provides the password, and all you'll need to do is touch it and release mana, and it should open."

"Sounds easy enough," Jowan grinned, "and not at all destructive."

"The less destruction, the better," Veira laughed. "Anyway, let's go."

"Alright," Lily said. "First the password. Sword of the Maker, tears of the Fade."

There was a noise inside the door that sounded like a spell had unlocked. Lily grinned, then turned to Veira. "Any spell will do."

Veira walked forward and rest her hand on the door. Relaxing, arcane magic flowed through her fingers, the light blue aura of it trailing up the door. The aura pulsed once, then disappeared, followed by a loud 'click' noise. The door slowly opened by itself.

Veira quickly checked for guards again, signalling for them to follow when there were none. She lit torches as they went, always checking for others before doing so.

"There it is," Lily exclaimed excitedly, "the repository door!"

Veira briefly scanned the rest of the room; it was empty, only one unmoving armour stood against the wall. A decoration. She readied the rod of fire.

"I assume this door has no password?" she asked Lily.

"No," she replied, "but I do know it's locked."

"Right," Veira said, activating the rod, "well, here goes..."

The rod grew warmer and she aimed it at the locks, then willed it to fire.

Nothing happened.

"Er," she blinked. She tried again. Still, nothing happened.

"W-what's going on?" Lily almost yelled, "why isn't it working!?"

Veira stared at the rod. The rod wasn't broken, that she knew. What could prevent it from working?

Then it hit her. "Jowan, can you cast anything?"

He blinked, but then he gaped as he realized it too. His fingers glowed with magic, but nothing happened. "No, I can't. Our magic isn't working!"

"Of course," Lily said through her teeth, "what better protection for the phylacteries than by taking away a mage's magic? Look at these wards," she pointed at several writings on the door, "these must have been placed by the Templars that block magic! We-we're finished!""

Veira gritted her teeth. Was it over? If they gave up now, Jowan's fate was sealed.

"There must be another way in..." she said, biting her thumb."I refuse to give up now."

"There's another door at the end of this hall," Jowan said, pointing in that direction, "it probably leads to another part of the repository! What are the odds of finding another entrance?"

"We have to try," Veira said firmly. "If we don't, then all of this was for nothing."

Lily drew a shaky breath. "Alright, I agree. I'm sorry, for losing my head..."

"It's okay, love," Jowan said soothingly, taking her hand. "Let's go."

There was no writing on the second door, so it seemed that it was not enchanted like the repository door. She readied the rod once more, and this time fire shot through it like an arrow would with a bow. The locks turned bright red, and it didn't take long for them to melt right off the door.

"Thank the Maker, it worked!" Lily hugged Jowan tightly, a few tears forming in her eyes. He laughed with her, his own tears threatening to fall as he hugged her back. Veira smiled, giving the couple a few much needed moments of comfort. Of course, it was far from over, but Veira couldn't imagine the stress the two were under every second they spent down here. It was the only kindness she could offer for now. But her smile faded and her eyes widened in horror when she saw the empty armour behind them begin to move.

The next few minutes happened as if in a dream. Time slowed down to a crawl, and Veira watched the armour draw it's sword and lunge right at Lily. The only thing Jowan could think of in that moment was to shield her. He broke from their embrace, using his body to hide her completely behind him. The armour closed its fingers around the hilt, positioning itself to run them both through.

"Noooo!" Veira cried out, acting on instinct. She grabbed her staff, thrusting it from the ground up in the direction of the armour, like she would have if the staff were a sword. With that motion, the ground erupted with dozens of large icicles, and like swords of ice, they impaled the armour maliciously, stopping its charge completely. The icicles grew and spread, freezing the armour solid.

Veira was shocked. She'd never cast a spell like that before, it was somewhat like her cold spells...but the amount of power and destruction it caused...

"W-when did you learn that spell?!" Jowan asked, gaping at the ice.

"J-just now." She stared shakily at her hands grasping her staff.

"Maker's breath, you really are a genius."

"I..." She was not sure how to respond to that. "Thanks?"

"You saved us!" Lily rejoiced. "Thank you! I-I thought it was over..."

Veira smiled and nodded, breaking her stare. "We can't celebrate yet..." she said, grimly. "That armour was a trap designed to attack intruders. I'm positive there will be more."

They both grimaced, but they understood.

"I-I'll fight if I have to," Lily said, fear behind her voice. "I won't let them stop us that easily."

"Lily-" Jowan began, but she shushed him.

"Only if it comes to that," Veira said, looking at the armour. She cast a reversal spell on the ice, and it evaporated into the air. The spell that moved the armour had been broken, so she walked over to it without fear. She pried the sword out of the armours stiff fingers, then handed it to Lily. "Just in case, alright?"

Lily clutched the sword fearfully, but she nodded, determined to defend her love to the end.

The door opened with no trouble at all. It was unnecessary for Veira to light the torches in the next halls, for this area...glowed a dim blue. Both she and Jowan could detect the feint concentration of magic in these halls, although they could not guess why. All they could do is be even more cautious, as the magic was strong.

For a while, the halls seemed empty. There were no signs of the armour traps, and no guards. They checked every room they could. They looked for any entrance or door that could lead to where the phylacteries were held, but they had no luck. The only thing they were sure about is the magic was getting stronger the further they continued.

"This is very weird," Jowan whispered. "Why haven't we run into any trouble?"

"Perhaps the Maker is guiding us," Lily said hopefully.

"I doubt that," Veira said, but not unkindly. "They could all be concentrated around the-"

That's when an arrow flew past her face.

Her heart racing, she twisted to face the direction the arrow came from. There was one guard standing at the end of the hall, reloading his crossbow.

"Jowan!" she yelled, and he drew his staff. Veira concentrated a cold spell around the crossbow, and succeeded in freezing it. Jowan shot an arcane spell, hitting the guard in the stomach. He yelped, falling backwards at the force of the spell. Careful not to make it too powerful, Veira shot lightning at the disgruntled guard, and then he moved no more. Inevitable really, for one guard against two mages. Cautiously, Veira made her way over to the unconscious man, poking him with her staff to make sure he really was asleep. He was not. He made to grab her staff, but Veira reacted too quickly for him, hitting him on the head. He passed out that time.

"Is...is he alright?" Lily asked, worried.

"He's unconscious, but he should be fine. He'll be out for a while."

Lily sighed in relief, but Jowan looked scared.

"We have to kill him."

Veira heard the words, but refused to accept Jowan had said them.

Lily didn't handle that very well. "Jowan," she trembled, "what are you talking about? We can't-"

"He saw your face, Veira!" Jowan yelled, also trembling. "When he wakes up, they'll know you helped us!"

"I..." He was right. This man would not hesitate to report back to Irving and the Knight-Commander of her deeds. Then she would either be killed or made Tranquil. Both were death sentences.

"No," Lily pleaded. "We cannot kill this man because of us! He was just doing his job, he's innocent!"

Veira felt ill. Lily was also right.

"Lily, they will kill her for this. I-I can't live my life in peace knowing that I caused my best friend's murder!"

"I-I know that!" she screamed desperately. "But we-"

"Jowan," Veira said blankly, "it's okay."

He turned to her, confused. "No, it's not! Please, don't-"

"I knew the risks when I agreed to help you," she said swiftly, "and...I can sacrifice my life for my best friend's freedom. I have the right to choose that."

Jowan opened his mouth to respond, but she held up her hand. "Let's go." She turned her back on them, not letting them see the fear on her face.

"Come with us!"

She paused, then turned back to him. "W-what?"

"When we escape," he said desperately, "come with us, Veira."

She fought back the urge to just break into tears right there. "You know what that would mean right?" she asked, struggling to keep her voice straight. "My...my phylactery is in Denerim. They'd...hunt us down. You'd never have the life you want."

"I-I know," he admitted, "but please don't say you are okay with dying for us, when you're not. I...I don't care if we run for the rest of our lives, we'll be alive! Together, the three of us! And if we have to...we'll break into Denerim and destroy your phylactery too!" He went over to her, holding her shoulders and shaking her slightly. "Please, Veira, don't throw your life away. I'll never forgive myself if you do."

"Jowan..." Veira looked at Lily. She was crying lightly, but she smiled at her and nodded. Looking down, Veira wiped away a tear of her own and nodded. "Thank you."

And with that, they continued on their way, their resolve stronger than before.


There were more armour traps as they continued, and a few more guards as well. Together, they managed to destroy the armours quickly enough, and Veira's lightning put the guards out of commission with no excessive damage. Eventually, they came across a room where they were positive the strong magic was coming from. Veira hesitated.

"Well," she shrugged, "it's either a trap, or it's not."

"There's no where else to go," Jowan said. "So let's pray it's not a trap."

She opened the door carefully. There were no traps set off in the doorway, thank the Maker. They eased their way inside, looking around. There were statues everywhere, and countless items and research just sitting around. When they were satisfied that the room was trap free, they explored for a bit. The magic was definitely coming from this room, and it seemed it wasn't limited to just one object.

"There's something odd about that statue..." Jowan said, standing in front of a woman shaped statue. It seemed to be a warrior, as it held a spear and stood strong and proud. And there was something...odd about it, Jowan was right. It felt...unsettling, though she could not say why.

"It's sort of creepy," Veira said.

"I'll have to agree with you on that one," Jowan nodded.

Greetings.

They both jumped.

"M-maker's breath!" Jowan squeaked, "did that statue just talk?!"

I am the essence and spirit of Eleni Zinova, the statue said in a clear, feminine voice, once consort and adviser to Archon Velarius. Prophecy my crime, cursed to stone for foretelling the fall of my lord's house.

"Archon...Velarius?" Veira breathed. That was very familiar.

'Forever shall you stand on the threshold of my proud fortress,' he said, 'and tell your lies to all that pass.' But my lord found death at the hands of his enemies, and his once proud fortress crumbled to dust, as I foretold.

Lily gasped. "A Tevinter statue!"

Tevinter? Now that wasn't good at all.

"How did they do this?" Veira asked, eyes wide and morbidly curious. "Is she still alive?"

Weep not for me child. Stone they made me and stone I am, eternal and unfeeling. And I shall endure, until the Maker returns and lights their fires again.

Veira shuddered. That sounded like she was Tranquil.

"We shouldn't be talking to it!" Lily protested. "Tevinter is a wicked place!"

"Y-yes," Veira said, though she was still curious about the statue and what it meant. "We have a lot to do."

"Come on, Jowan." Lily said, tugging Jowan's sleeve.

"It doesn't look like there's another door out of here," Veira frowned, looking around the room. "I think...we'll have to make one."

"I don't know if the rod has that much power..." Jowan said slowly, "but maybe there's something here that could amplify it..."

"W-we shouldn't use anything from Tevinter!" Lily reminded them.

"I don't think we have much of a choice..." Jowan added, with a bit of reluctance.

"Come on," Veira interrupted, "let's keep looking around."

Had this been a completely different situation, Veira would have loved to stay here for hours studying. For goodness sake, there were books lying around, just waiting to be read. Oh, she was certain there were terrible things in these books, but that didn't make them any less fascinating. Lily's fear was completely justified however. These artifacts were hidden away for a reason, especially if they were all from Tevinter. The Tevinter Imperium had been a country ruled by mages that almost entirely conquered all of Thedas. The magisters of Tevinter did not believe in outlawing bloodmagic, and thus, used the terrible magic to their advantage. They also built their empire on slavery, using them as power sources for their bloodmagic. Then Andraste rose and defeated the Imperium by leading an exalted march, converting most of Thedas to the Chantry. But that did not stop the magisters from executing Andraste publicly. Because of the magister's example the Circles came about, sealing the fates of mages forever, as the wicked Tevinter Imperium is used as the proof to lock mages away. And for that, Veira would forever despise the Imperium.

But right now, they may have to resort in using a Tevinter artifact, as spell amplifying charms and objects were common there.

"Hey," Jowan called, "what do you think this is?"

He stood near a statue of a dog, a mabari. Ferelden was famous for putting mabari statues basically everywhere in the country, considering their history. Dogs were highly valued here, though Veira hadn't seen an actual dog since she was a child of the Alienage. There was something...strange about the statue though, like the previous one. Hopefully it wouldn't start barking at them.

"Wait, I recognize this!" Jowan blurted out, obviously excited. "These...these can be used to increase spellpower! See the inscriptions on it? I'm sure of it!"

Veira looked over the writings, and recognized it as well. Her heart began to pound. This was the way through the wall. The statue was facing the wall that lead to the next part of the repository, and hopefully, where the phylacteries were kept. There was a bookshelf covering the way.

"Come on, let's move that bookshelf. Help me."

There was an obvious joke about this situation. Two mages pushing and pulling a large bookshelf, and doing rather poorly. It was not a secret that mages tended to be...physically weaker than most. There really never is a need for them to be any stronger. Usually the heaviest things they carried were books and...well. Books. By the time the bookshelf slowly slid over, both Veira and Jowan were red in the face and sweating.

"We will never speak of this again," Jowan said.

"Agreed."

Lily could no longer keep her laughter inside. The two mages pouted at her.

"Anyway," Veira interrupted, "let's go destroy this wall."

She positioned the rod above the head of the statue. "We'll need to prepare to run. Someone...will hear this."

"We can't turn back now," Jowan said, readying himself.

Veira nodded, and activated the rod. The statue increased the power exponentially, the stream of fire now turning into a giant fireball. When the fireball hit the wall, the resulting force almost knocked them over. Dust and debris covered the room, making the three cover their eyes. When the dust settled, Veira peeked through her fingers. There was a giant hole in the wall, just as they hoped.

"Come on, let's go!" she shouted. They broke into a run, frantically searching every room as quick as they could, and leaving just as quick. But they were in the right part of the repository, that much they knew. They had to fight a few more battles, but their drive at being so close to their goal finished them faster.

Her breath caught in her throat when they entered a room with shelves full of bottles with red liquid in them.

"We did it," Jowan gaped, his voice full of disbelief.

"Hurry," Lily said, desperate, "we need to find it."

Phylacteries were a strange way to keep mages in the Circle. They glowed with magic, and the Templars used that magic to track mages who escape the tower with precision. She wondered if any of them found that hypocritical, using something that was pretty much bloodmagic. They probably thought the ends justified the means. Jowan's phylactery was on the desk in the middle of the room. It had been placed there to be taken later, when they were planning to do the Rite, probably. It was labeled with his name, the date in which the blood was taken, and that he was human. His hand shook as he grabbed it.

He stared at it for a few moments. It looked as if he wanted to say something, but the words never came out. Then, he raised the vial above his head, and flung it to the floor with all his strength. The phylactery shattered into a thousand shards, the blood splattering and the magic dissipating.

"It's so weird," he said, breathlessly and distant, "that that tiny little thing held so much power over me. But now...I'm free."

Jowan...?

"Come...come on," Veira said nervously, "we still have time before the Templars react to the explosion. We have to go, now."

Jowan blinked at her, then nodded. They ran towards the door that was locked from the other side. Lily told them as they ran that it would open from this side because the enchantment should only apply to the way in. Veira's heart pounded in her head, to the point in which the thumps was all she could hear. They were going to leave the Circle. All of them. They were going to live in the outside, probably on the run for the rest of their lives. But it didn't matter. She couldn't think of anyone else she'd want to live with as an apostate. People may brand her apostate, maelificar, or whatever, but it was worth it if it meant she could live with family again.

Stay away from us! a familiar voice called, Don't come anywhere near us, you...you monster!

Veira shook her head, willing that voice out of her head. She never had to think about it ever again.

They reached the door. They all smiled at each other, their future ahead of them.

Idiot, her own voice scolded her. There was no way this would work.

The Templars were waiting for them when they opened the door.


"So what you said was true Irving," the Knight-Commander said coldly.

"G-gregoir..." Lily quaked.

Veira froze, her mind blank. Irving stood beside the Knight-Commander, silently gazing at her with hidden fury behind his eyes.

"I am...disappointed in you, child," he said calmly, but Veira knew better. "You could have told me of this plot, but you didn't."

It sounded like just a scolding, but it was the most painful thing Irving could have said to her.

"Hrph," the Knight-Commander scoffed, "an initiate assisting a bloodmage." He studied Lily closely. "It doesn't look like she's being mind controlled. You were right, she did this willingly." He glared at her. "The Chantry will not let this go, girl."

Lily trembled, incoherent sobs escaping her. The Knight-Commander shifted his glare to Veira. "And this one," he said, disgusted. "Newly a full mage and already betraying everything she was taught. Disgraceful."

"Indeed," Irving agreed, sadly. Veira held back a sob.

"You don't care about mages!" Jowan yelled, directing his anger at Irving mostly. "You never have. All you care about is pleasing the damned Chantry, bowing to their every whim!"

"J-jowan," Lily begged, "please don't make this worse..."

"Enough!" the Knight-Commander yelled, his eyes blazing. "As the Knight-Commander of this Circle, I hereby sentence this bloodmage to death. And this initiate has scorned the Chantry and her vows. Take her to Aeonar."

"B-but," Lily pleaded, "Aeonar...the prison for mages...please, please no..." The Templars ignored her cries, moving closer.

"No!" Jowan screamed, furious, "I won't let you take her!"

What happened next was something Veira will never forget. Jowan drew a knife, slicing the flesh of his hand, drawing a stream of blood. The blood spread unnaturally, pulsating like magic. It grew and grew in seconds, and the power from it was...horrifying. The pressure it released made her grasp the sides of her head, but she could not tear her eyes away from the image. He released it upon the Templars and Irving, slicing through them like a dozen knives. The force of the magic threw them to the ground, and they stopped moving entirely.

Veira, in the first time in all her life, was absolutely terrified of her best friend.

"N-no," Lily shuddered, her face completely white, "Jowan...you..you said you'd never! Blood magic is evil, corrupts people!"

Jowan looked as if she had slapped him in the face.

"I-I dabbled in the forbidden arts, I know," Jowan sobbed, moving towards her, "but I swear I'll never use it again. I don't care about magic or anything about it anymore! I'll give it all up! I just want to be with you, Lily, please!"

Lily stepped backwards, shaking her head and sobbing as well. "I was ready to spend the rest of my life with you...sacrifice everything..." she cried, "but I-I don't know who you are, bloodmage. Stay away from me!"

"N-no, Lily-"

"Stay. Back." She raised the sword she held, shaking as she stared him down with a glare.

Jowan turned to Veira desperately, his face streaked with tears. But he didn't find the usual kind smile she held, the constant warmth and support she had given him for as long as they'd known each other. All he saw was her terror, her terror of him. Shutting his eyes in pain, he turned and ran as fast as he could. She watched his back disappear into the dark corridors.

Groans awoke her from her frozen stare. "Irving!" she cried, running to his side. He was bleeding heavily, and she immediately began to heal him. The Knight-Commander awoke, still groggy and out of it. His injuries were not as severe as Irving's, as the Templar armour took most of the damage. When his eyes focused, all he could see was a suspect mage casting something on Irving.

Getting to his feet and grabbing his sword, he yelled "You! Get away from-"

"Don't," Veira screamed, "don't interrupt me, I have to heal him!" The was no way she would lose both members of her family, not like this! She had already lost one, and she absolutely refused to lose Irving too.

Gregoir stopped, realizing what the warm light really was. Irving's cuts began to mend, enough that the bleeding stopped. Irving groaned and shifted, opening a tired eye. "Nnng, c-child?"

Veira's watery smile was all she could give. "Irving, are you alright?"

"Y-yes, somehow. Are you hurt?"

"Oh, thank the Maker..." she breathed. She started to shake, thinking of Jowan. "H-he lied to me...but I'm unhurt."

In a manner of speaking, anyway.

"Maker's breath, the damage he caused..." the Knight-Commander said, "I never though he'd be able to..."

Irving groaned, trying to get up. Veira offered an arm, and she helped him stand. "None of us suspected this. Are you alright, Gregoir?" Irving asked.

"As good as I can be, considering," the Knight-Commanders face twisted into anger, "and now we have a bloodmage on the loose and no way to track him! If you had let me act as I should have-" He shook his head. "Where is the girl?"

"I-I'm here, Knight-Commander," Lily shook, terrified.

"You helped a bloodmage! Look at all he's hurt!"

"Lily didn't know he was a bloodmage!" Veira yelled, her anger spiking.

"I-it's okay," Lily said weakly, "you've been a friend, but you don't need to protect me. I...assisted a bloodmage, and I'll accept any punishment you see fit."

"Take her away!" the Knight-Commander ordered cruelly. Then, he turned to Veira. "And you," he snarled, "your antics have made a mockery of everything the Circle stands for, and don't you dare think you'll get away with it!"

"None of us knew that Jowan was a bloodmage," Veira said, hollow. It didn't matter what she said. Gregoir would never let this go, and there was only so much Irving could protect. She had let herself be ...tricked by a bloodmage, assisted his escape. There was only one punishment that Gregoir would accept.

"And you think that excuses you?" he yelled. "No, you will not-"

"If I may, Knight-Commander," a cool voice said calmly, "I have a solution." It was the Grey Warden, Duncan.

"This does not concern you," the Knight-Commander snapped.

"Oh, it does," Duncan said. "Not only am I looking for mages to join our army, I am also looking for Grey Warden recruits. This mage is very strong, as Irving has told me, and it takes a special courage to stand up for a friend like she did, knowing she could lose everything."

"No." Gregoir's face turned purple. "No, you are not taking this one."

Veira looked at Duncan blankly. "I-I'm sorry, ser," she muttered, seeing her life flash before her eyes. Would she sport a starburst on her forehead too, her emotions locked away? "But I...assisted a bloodmage. I...need to accept my punishment." Like a good little mage, right?

"Hmm," the Knight-Commander hummed, surprised. "It seems you do remember at least some of your teachings. She knows her place."

"Don't be a fool!" Duncan scolded. "What do you think awaits you here, now that you helped a bloodmage?"

Veira grimaced. "Tranquility?"

"A waste of your gift!" Duncan scoffed. "I offer you something more."

"Duncan," Irving said slowly, "this mage has assisted a maelificar, and shown an utter lack of respect for the rules of the Circle."

The blood drained for her face. Not only was Jowan lost to her, Irving was too.

"You cannot let this one slip from us," the Knight-Commander warned, "I will not allow this!"

"Then I invoke the Right of Conscription," Duncan stated cooly.

"No y-you cannot-!" the Knight-Commander screamed, but he was cut off by the look Duncan gave him.

"The...?" Veira began. She had never heard of such a thing.

Irving sighed. "Duncan has the right to forcefully conscript anyone into the Grey Wardens. We must comply."

She couldn't believe it. She was being forced to join the Grey Wardens, leave the tower. To fight darkspawn. She didn't know if she should laugh or cry.

"Gregoir, you know this world is plagued with things worse than bloodmages, and mages are needed," Duncan said, "I will take this young woman under my wing and bear all responsibility for her actions."

"A bloodmage escaped, and his accomplice is not only not punished, but is rewarded by becoming a Grey Warden!" the Knight-Commander spat through gritted teeth. "Are our roles nothing? Are all the rules that keep this world safer all for nothing? This does not bode well, Irving!"

"Enough," Irving sighed, and to Veira, it almost sounded like he was...relieved. "We have nothing more we can do now."

"Am I to leave the Circle forever, then?" Veira asked Irving. Would he be happy or sad about it?

"Yes," he nodded. "Be happy, child, for you are luckier than you know."

"I-" she hesitated, not sure what to say. It was likely she would never see him again, and it was only now that she realized she had never thanked Irving for all he'd ever done for her. All the lessons, the support he'd given her all these years. And she had so easily cast it back in his face by what she did. She'd regret that for the rest of her life. "Thank you for everything, First Enchanter," she smiled, then looked down. "And...I am sorry."

She didn't get a chance to see Irving's face. "Come," Duncan said. "Your new life awaits." She turned to walk away, only raising her head when her back was facing the ruins of her old life.