MOON SAYS: So, I wrote this over a two day period, the first in awhile, I know. But I didn't post it till a day later so I could do some edits on both Chap 3&4. Also, I have a mini-outline! Chapter 8 ends Act 1 in the Deep Roads. I had to cut off the Isabella and Anders bit in this chapter, as I don't want to be going over 20 pages. Enjoy! –P.S. I added some to the last chapter, hoping some areas were explained more. It isn't much, just a few clarity issues. THIS IS FOR THE REVIEWERS who gave me the will to continue with this fic!

CHALLENGE: The same…

WORDS: 10, 796

PAGES: 22

POSTED: 24 Feb 2015 (written 22/23)

EDITED: 24 Feb 2015

The Wolf and The Raven

~Chapter 4: DAII Part 2 (Act 1)~

When we woke, I quickly drew four Runes on my brother's weapons. Later, I'd add others for strength and such. After that, we were out of the hovel before…mother woke, and I asked them if we could stop by the Chantry sometime today. Hawke shrugged, he knew he'd have business there later and I could come with him, but Carver was suspicious. I really wasn't going to tell him I wanted to meet a man.

It took no time to get the Hangman to meet with Varric. I was not impressed with this tavern, but I had seen worse. Of course my luck was shittest; as soon as we entered and past the bar, some idiots went to attack a woman…who had no clothes on. Maybe she deserved to be harassed? Hawke launched in the fight but didn't do much. He tripped a few idiots onto my tiny knives, the ones I keep to throw at people for a quick kill. I didn't kill them, though, but it nicked something and they ran out of here screaming that we killed them.

I watched as she flirted and outright tried to seduce my brother and I. I narrowed my eyes at her…she looked familiar. Isabella…ship…

"Where you in Denerim recently?" I asked with no emotion in my voice. If this was the whore from there, then that would explain why I detest her.

The pirate nodded. "I was there during the Blight for a short time, but I got out before it got bad. You look familiar, have I bed you already?"

"You wish, whore," I spat out before leaving and heading up the stairs. I saw Varric waving at me. I wonder if he could tell I was about to kill her.

Carver didn't even spare a glance at the woman…a name too good for her. "What did she do to piss you off?"

"She fucked my Master," was my quiet response. "I detest whores. Did you know when her husband was murdered, by my Master and I, she decided to spend two days thanking him?"

As I entered room, Carver asked me full of confusion. "So are you jealous?"

I snorted. "Not in the way you are thinking of. That woman has no morals to speak of, and on top of that, she fucks anything with a pulse. She has no standards, something that even my Master does. I despise women like that and I and nothing to do with her." I tilted my head at him as I noticed we were the focus of Varric's attention now. "Beware, she will try and bed you. Do not become another mark for her."

Varric's eyes light up as he realized what I was saying. "You are one of those people who think that sex should be special with someone who cares about you. Not some meaningless pleasure."

I actually smiled at him. "I think I'm going to like you dwarf; now where is this elusive Warden hiding. I didn't sense any taint in Hightown or Lowtown. Is there another part of the city?"

Before he could answer Hawke walked in. "So what is this mysterious connection that you have with Wardens besides fighting alongside two of them for a year?"

I thought about his question for a moment, glad he didn't mention the whore. "That's why I went to Amarantine. It now, after Howe's betrayal, belongs to the Wardens. You will not believe what we found there."

Varric looked between the two of us. "I have no doubt that with the stories you two tell, I will never run out of tales," the dwarf got up and went to get his crossbow. "I think it's time to show little Hawke Darktown."

I shook my head. "If you are going to call me a bird, I'd prefer Raven."

"What, you don't like Hawks?" Varric countered as we left the tavern.

"Hawks are okay, but Ravens are better." I told him simply as he began to show me how to get to Darktown from the tavern. It was no wonder I didn't see Darktown because it was under the city.

Once we got close to the clinic of the Warden Healer, I tensed up. "This Warden…you didn't tell me he was a mage."

Hawke gave me one of his smirks. "You didn't ask, dear."

Carver wouldn't let me go in first, and I think that was a good thing because if I had, I would have killed the bastard Healer. As I didn't, it gave me a few seconds to get control of myself and not lash out. At least this way, the boy got healed.

"I HAVE MADE THIS PLACE A—"

"Oh shut the fuck up," for some reason the vibes I was getting off of the Warden mage was making my head hurt. I pushed my brothers aside and my eyes narrowed. Anders was here and the fuckward was glowing not just with magic…but the Fade.

The glowing stopped and he took a few steps back. "Mora, I…"

I looked at him unimpressed, my hands went to my hips. "Yes, Anders, you were just about to explain what you are doing here and not in Amarantine where I left you."

Varric in the back was laughing, "Oh shit. This woman is amazing. We should use her to scare anyone who crosses you, Hawke. They'd never do so again."

Hawke just chuckled darkly as he took in my scolding of Anders. I knew I'd have to answer how I knew him, but that was later.

Anders started stumbling over his words before he got a good excuse. "I couldn't stand with that Stroud bastard. He made me get rid of my cat."

"A cat is what made you leave the order?" I snorted before I stopped half way through the snort. "Cat? Was it Sir Pounce-a-lot?"

I could hear the laughs from behind me but I ignored them. This was serious.

Anders nodded frantically, as if he thought this excuse as enough. "I didn't want to be with such heartless people. They weren't like you and Elissa. After the two of you left, it was hell on all of us. Nate," he spat, "went with me to the Free Marches. The others got to stay in Ferelden."

I looked around. "And you came here to Kirkwall. I hear you are helping the refugees, healing them, things like that."

"Amongst other things," he confessed. "What are you doing here? I thought you were with the scary manwhore elf? Did he finally leave you alone?" when I nodded, he smirked like the old Anders I knew. "So now that he is gone, what do you say to my…offer of helping you stay healthy?" he winked at me causing me to blink.

Carver was about to take his sword and shove it up Anders' ass before I said, "What offer? I don't remember you saying anything, especially when it had to do with my Master present."

Honestly, I didn't remember until Anders spoke up. "You don't remember me telling you that sex is healthy?"

My eyes lit up. "Oh, I remember now!" I laughed for a second before I did exactly what I did last time. "Do you see this two dark haired men behind me?" Anders eyed them warily, I think he could tell where this was going. "These are my brothers, Hawke and Carver; note also the pointy swords on their backs."

Anders raised his arms as if he gave up. "Seeing as you have family here, I know you didn't follow me. Did you even know I was here?"

I shook my head. "I just got in last night. The dwarf and my brother have some business with you. They want your maps of the Deep Roads…you do have maps to the Deep Roads, right?" it never occurred to me that he wouldn't have them. In fact, I didn't have any. Maybe it was a full Warden kind of thing.

Anders grimaced. "Why on earth would you want to go in there? Tell them, Mora, the Deep Roads aren't fun. I'd be happy to never see any of them again for the rest of my life."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "When did you go in the Deep Roads? It wasn't with me because when I went, you were with Elissa."

Maybe it was the tone I used, but he replied back with, "Captain, Stroud made us go. That's where Sir Pounce-a-lot mysteriously disappeared."

"Captain," Hawke said as he appraised me. "kind of high on the Warden food chain weren't you?"

Anders snorted. "No, she was really the Warden Commander. Elissa made sure everyone, especially your precious Nate, know that Mora here was Commander when she wasn't around."

I rolled my eyes at him. "I don't have any maps of my own, so do you have any?" I asked bringing us back on track.

He looked at me, took in the blades still on my back, and then back at me. "An exchange since we'll such good friends. I came to Kirkwall to aid a friend, a mage."

A smirk tainted my lips. "And what do you need my help with? You the one who escaped from the Circle like seven times."

Anders let a smile come over his face. "The Circle here is in the Gallows, and the Templars there are among the worst. I am meeting Karl tonight in the Chantry, help me get him out of there and I'll hand over the map."

"Or she could just order you too; didn't you say she was your Commander?" Carver countered; I knew he didn't want me near Templars or mages at all. Even if they couldn't catch me as a mage, he didn't want to take any chances.

Anders ignored my brother, which just made Carver dislike the blonde more. "I heard the dwarf call him Hawke," he titled his head at my other brother. "I've heard about you. If you need a mage in your company, I will offer my services for a little while. I have plans to leave before the year is out, but until then, I offer you my staff. I am a Spirit Healer, so your group would benefit."

"It's up to you, Hawke. I may not be here tonight. I have that job that needs me out of Kirkwall, remember? But if I get back in time, I will join you in the Chantry. The three of you can discuss the details, Carver and I are leaving." Then, as an afterthought, I told Anders, "Remember, you are a Warden."

As we were walking out, Anders called to me, "Pet, are you going to turn me over to the Wardens now that you found me? Or will you keep me for yourself?"

I flicked him off because, really, he said that on purpose to get a rise out of me. As he laughed, he said, "Anytime! My offer will stand despite pointy weapons of brothers."

~Wolf and Raven~

As we make our way through Lowtown, Carver remembered that he had to do some shopping for his mother. "I'll drop you off with the elf, since you think he's okay enough to keep you in check, while I do the errands mother wants."

I nodded as it was fine to me. I though Fenris and I would prefer not to have an audience (this time); besides, I had no doubt I would find myself sharing things with him. I could tell the elf was as haunted as I was.

The door wasn't even locked, but I did knock. I just didn't wait for him to answer. Fenris had been on the run for who knows how long; I had no doubt that if I caught him off guard, he would try and kill me.

As I started to go up the stairs to the main bedroom, where I heard and felt the hum of his Lyrium, I called to him softly. "Fenris, I'm coming up," I had no doubt with his ears he'd hear me.

When I walked into his bedroom, he had a bottle of wine in his hand and told me about it. I didn't pay attention to the name as I never drank, so knowing wines and such did not matter. There were some wines I knew by sight and smell as we had used them in clever assassinations before.

But what was important that Fenris told me came after the wine's name. "Denarius had me pour it for his guests. My appearance intimidated them, he said, which he enjoyed."

I looked at him with confusion on my face. "How could someone not like looking at you? Whoever his guests were must have been asexual." I stated the truth without even thinking, and after the words left my mouth, I realized that Fenris might think I was flirting with him. Huh, I don't remember ever flirting with someone for real. Zev was always fun to tease and scold, but it never meant anything. But this with Fenris? I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach that this was real—very fucking real. And I knew unless I was certain that I wanted him, wanting to love him, that I needed to stop it right now. It wouldn't be fair to the former slave.

"You say what's on your mind, I'll give you that." Fenris said without inflection to this voice. He drunk one more time, and then he threw the bottle against the wall to my left.

"I don't know if you noticed, but you do have no shoes on." Fenris just raised an eyebrow as if asking me my point. "You just shattered that bottle, ergo, there are bits of glass all over there. Do you plan on walking in that area of the room anytime soon?"

Fenris didn't know what to make of me or what I said, so he just shrugged it off as if it didn't matter. He'd probably been through worse than stepping on glass, and it was only with that train of thought that I realized the broken bottle didn't matter at all. Here I was making note of things that didn't really matter again.

Fenris continued on as if hearing me comment on the dangers to his feet didn't happen. He looked where he had thrown the bottle. "It's good I can take pleasure in the small things."

I'd give him that one. "Breaking things is always fun, but I always thought more pleasure could be had in battle or breaking the bottle over someone's head. Breaking or stabbing heads is always fun, now that I think about it."

Fenris fought a smile that wished to tug at his lips. "You are a bloodthirsty little minx aren't you?"

I looked at him unapologetically, and he moved on with something that weighed on his mind. "It seems the past will not stay behind me. Have you ever wanted to return to Ferelden?"

Fenris didn't know of my situation, so I informed him. "I've traveled around most of my life with Zevran, my mentor. The other parts were spent wherever my family was. Each year from age six on, I spent half with my blood and half with Zevran. But after…the incident," Fenris didn't need me to tell him which one, "I stayed away for a while. Father already had Bethany to worry about, he didn't need an older girl who didn't know her ass from her face when it came to magic or controlling whatever happened to me. It didn't matter where I was, as long as I was with those who accepted me, liked me for me. Here I have those things. My…mother was born here or so I'm told."

I had never told anyone that before; most already knew my situation, but to stay that I cared not where I went as long as someone was there who wanted me, to reveal something so deep, so personal…what did that mean? Why was I telling him this? Why was I beginning to trust him? Fenris just stepped into my life last night—maybe he was there in Starkhaven, but I wasn't sure—and I was sharing with him my deepest soul?

"Do you wish to go back to Tevinter, if you were not hunted? If you were truly free?" I asked, countering his question.

Fenris considered my question seriously before he said, "I have no deep ties as you do that allows you to be content anywhere. But to have the option to be able to put down roots anywhere, even if it is just with one person, must be gratifying. As for your question, I am not sure that I could stand to go back surrounded by what I had been lost in. Even if I am free, I could still see the chains of those around me, ones they would wear happily because they do not know anything else."

"Then will you stay here?" I quickly asked after he spoke.

Fenris looked me in the eyes then before he answered, "I could see myself staying for the right reasons."

A few moments past as I tried to understand what he meant as it could be taken more than a few ways. Fenris then asked me something else that had been weighing on his mind before I could truly contemplate what he words meant. "I saw you in Starkhaven. Those hunters were coming for me as I am sure you figured out by now. Will you go to Tevinter to claim that seat? That power?"

I was tired of standing so I leaned up against the wall to the right of the doorway. "I've thought about what claiming that seat could mean. I've come to the conclusion that it needs to be done. Maybe I can do something good with that evil twat's property. Maybe I can turn the slaves into servants, into people who can cast off their chains. But I know nothing of the Imperium, and a part of me never wants to, especially after seeing what it has done to us both."

Silence took us over as we both tired to contemplate our words. I wasn't stupid enough to not believe our conversations weren't heavy with meaning that I didn't understand. I knew we were becoming closer, and that buried part of me loved it. I was wary as I could tell Fenris was. We were too used to being alone to accept someone so quickly in our lives.

"How long have you been running, if you don't mind me asking." I spoke softly, hoping he would tell me.

"Three years," he replied, "and yet Danarius always seems to find me. Maybe it is the markings. Whatever it is, I'll use it to my advantage when he comes looking for me here. You do not have to help me, but I would not turn down the help. I do believe this is the first time I've given him reason to pause. I guess there is an advantage to numbers."

I raised both my eyebrows showing him with my face that his statement wasn't taken very well. "I do not have to help you? Have you forgot already that we are friends? I will be the first to admit that there are things that I am not sure about when it comes to friendship, but everyone says being friends means being there when the other needs you. Maybe together we can find out what being friends means."

Fenris shook his head in disbelief amusement as if he couldn't believe he was taking friendship lessons from me of all people.

I didn't need to ask if he had sought help before. Fenris didn't seem the type to trust others, so if he did seek help, he'd use coin, but a former slave on the run having that much coin? Not likely, but if he did, it was once or twice. If it was me, I'd save the coin for inns or food.

"Danarius will not give up. I await his return."

My eyes darkened as a grinned. "As do I, my dear elf, as do I."

"I should thank you for your help with the hunters again. If I knew Anso would find me a woman so capable, I would have asked him to look sooner."

I kept my face straight as I replied. "Maybe I should be thanking the dwarf."

Fenris replied back with a straight face as I had as soon as I finished speaking. "Maybe you should." The elf stood up and walked a step or so toward me, "Perhaps I'll practice my flattery for your next visit. With any luck, I'll become better at it."

He was flirting with me, and for the first time ever, I was actually doing it back serious. Well, I couldn't let the conversation end there, so I added, "Until then, we will find bad guys and slaughter them! Or find bad people and torture them by sticking our hands in their chest and ripping out their hearts. You must teach me how to do that."

Before Fenris could react to my bloodthirsty ways again, Carver came through the door. "If the two of you are doing anything I don't approval of, the elf is getting something cut off."

I burst out laughing. "Yes, brother," I called to him. "Fenris and I are naked and having passionate, yet brutal, sex. He's already almost broken my pelvis."

Fenris turned around so I couldn't see his face, but I wondered if he was embarrassed or laughing along with the teasing. He could be angry, but I somehow doubt it.

Carver didn't like my teasing of him, but it seemed that he didn't believe me. "Just get him and hurry up. The sun is up, and we have much to do."

Fenris seemed to get control of himself and raised an eyebrow at me. "Sorry, I forgot why I came here when you distracted me with wine."

Carver heard and growled. "Are you trying to seduce my sister, elf?"

"Is she like this with everyone?" Fenris countered my brother. I loved that he was becoming more comfortable with us to banter and tease us.

Carver didn't say anything, but I did. "Actually, the only one I flirt with is my Master, but it's never serious. So, do you want to go torture some elves today?"

~Wolf and Raven~

"Sebastian, stop this madness. The Chantry cannot condone this." I heard an older woman speak as we walked into the Chantry square after leaving Fenris mansion on our way to leave the city. My eyes locked onto the man in armor, white shiny armor…in that one instant, I knew I wanted that man…

I was about to move to go to him and his shiny self and ask if he would be mine, but Fenris grabbed me and pulled me back toward the section of Hightown where he was holding up. Carver hadn't even noticed me going into obsessive mode (instead he kept on walking), and I knew Fenris noticed it too because he started to mutter in the language of Tevinter how useless my brother was being.

"No, no," I whispered cried, as the elf drug me away into the shadows—which there wasn't much considering the sun was starting to rise over this section of Hightown. "I must have the shiny rogue."

I didn't understand at first why I was whispering, but when the rogue spoke, I knew exactly way. It was then I remembered that I had met him before; he was the one who pinned me to the floor not too many hours ago. Master was right, he did have such a sexy voice, and I wanted to hear it, so I whispered as not to distract him—which meant no more sexy voice.

"It is my right, my duty, to show these assassins…" I stopped listening right there and just focused on him and his sexy voice. I may not have heard the words but damn—

Fenris squeezed me, trying to bring me back to a right state of mind. "No, you don't have to have the man." The elf paused for a second, as I said, "But he's so shinnnnyyy." I tried to get my elf friend to understand, but Fenris only responded with, "am I not enough?"

That brought me out of hoarding state of mind. "Of course you are! We're friends! But can't I have more than one friend?" I asked as I titled my head to look at him. I think I may have just looked too innocent, used my puppy dog eyes without my knowing, or maybe it was just me asking him of all people, a former slave, if I could have something. Fenris blushed, but I think it as after he controlled himself a second later that he realized something important and at that moment I did too. I had asked for his permission to have a friend, just like I did my brother the night before. I was putting myself as submissive to these men in my life. I had, by asking for their help to control me and for this permission to have friends, put them above me in quite a lot of ways. From the awed look mixed with utter confusion, Fenris was just coming to understand that I was like no one else.

"What did my sister do to get you to touch her?" Carver asked with something in his tone I wasn't sure I liked. There was some humor in it, but something else that made me huff.

"She asked to have the shiny archer over there and then tried to take him." Fenris answered as he titled his head toward Sebastian who just drew his bow like it was nothing and shot an arrow at the flyer he placed on the board.

"I don't think I should find that sexy, but I think I do," I commented so softly that only Fenris heard me, and he stiffened behind me in response. I sighed, relaxing in his hold no longer fighting him. "I have spent too much time around my Master. Maybe I need to get laid…"

Carver's eyes got huge, so that meant I said that last part out loud and within his hearing. Fenris let go of me, and I separated myself from him. "Sister!"

I blinked. "Don't worry, I'll fall in love with someone first. But it may take awhile. After all, who would want to love me?"

I sighed and went to walk toward the board to see what my Starkhaven ex-rogue put on it when a man creepily started psssting me. I stopped about halfway there and looked over at him. This was not a sign from the Maker was it? Please, Maker no! I'd pray to the Creator for help if it was. When he started to wave me over, I turned back to the two with me. "Is it just me, or is a guy propositioning me over there." I pointed.

Carver bit his lip, and Fenris just shook his head. "He probably thinks you tried to kill the shiny rogue and now thinks you can do something for him." Before Carver could ask how he knew that, I answered his unasked question. "You're never going to let me forget that are you? Although, I should have known that. People used to do it to me and my Master all the time when we traveled. Of course, people also randomly asked us for sex too."

Carver and Fenris twitched; I knew the former did it because of the sex comment, and the latter was for both. I forget he doesn't like me saying Master even if he knows I say it in terms of a mentor.

I went over to the creepy man to see what he wanted. What he wanted me to do was go to some ruins, find a prisoner, and then come back here with said criminal. Considering the bastard wasn't asking for the Guard, I knew this was supposed to be some sneaky shit.

"We are on our way to Sundermount; we'll hit the ruins on the way back."

"No, I want it done now!" the man even stomped like a child. "I will pay you double," he bribed.

Carver pulled me to him, "We need the money sister. The Dalish can wait another day if need be; they've waited a year already."

I nodded, "But if the bastard dies in the attempt, I will continue my other quest and see you when I get back."

On the way out of the city, I grabbed the flyer, and it was only thanks to my training that I kept all my emotions in check. My sexy, shiny ex-rogue was a Prince from Starkhaven. Good Maker, what had I gotten myself into?

It wasn't till we were out of the city that I stopped and turned toward Fenris. "I'm sorry, Fenris! I didn't even ask if you wanted to do this. You agreed to go pester the Dalish and maybe cause psychological damage to them, not go play in ruins." I toed the dirt with my boot. I felt awful; he was an escaped slave, and I was acting like his Master, dragging him off to do whatever I wanted to do.

Fenris tried not to sigh. "Is she always this insane?"

Carver stayed quiet, trying not to snort or laugh.

"I agreed to come with you, to be your Arvaarad. That means if you accept to go somewhere I go."

Carver raised an eyebrow at the elf. "That isn't what she meant. I think what my sister is trying to say is that she is trying not to act like she is your Master. That is why she feels guilty for not asking if you wanted to do this side-trip."

I nodded to show that was what I was thinking, but I didn't say anything or look at him.

Fenris picked up my chin and made me look at him. "You truly are something strange. If I do not want to do something, I will speak up. If I do not agree with you, I will voice my objection. You will led and not feel guilty as long as I do this. Is this agreeable?"

I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding. "Good," he said, "now let us get going. The sun has been up for an hour or so. I am concerned over this job as why would he not go through the Guard for a prisoner or have the transport occur when the sun has not let risen. That Magistrate had been waiting there since last night. I noticed him as we went into Hightown."

I agreed as I had been thinking along the same lines. The ruin was not that far from Kirkwall, and we were there in under an hour.

There were Guards already at the ruin when we got there. Of course, they weren't alone. There was a male elf there raising a fuss. It seemed that the monster inside had killed many elf children and no one gave a shit about it.

It was always something with this world: slaves, mages, elves. Fuck! For a second, I seriously considered that the world needed to be made anew. Fuck, it wasn't this bad in the past. Yeah, there were slaves and the like, but in the end, most of the shit was them or the people.

When the elf saw us approach, he immediately knew, as did the Guards, that we had been sent for that monster. They both tried to convince me to handle the situation as they saw fit, but I didn't let either the Guard in charge or the elf change my opinion.

"I will do what needs to be done. If the world doesn't need the monster…crap, the world doesn't need a lot of people. Look, I'll do what needs to be done, okay? Death or imprisonment will depend on what I find."

And boy what did I find. There were spiders, which I didn't care about. But I had a bad feeling when the Arcane Horror, the dead skeletons, and the Revenant—I bloody hate those things!—started popping up that we were dealing with a mage. After we cleared out the room, we journeyed deeper and found more undead—why the fuck am I always surrounded with undead?

"Maker help this fucking world if I see another undead creature after this. I might just let the world burn," I muttered darkly as we came into a room with a girl elf.

I stared at her for a few seconds as my two male companions filed in after me. Fenris didn't see her as he started teasing me. "Really, Mora, out of everything out there in the world, you hate the undead more?"

I turned to him, "I like to kill things. I don't like it when they come back." After saying this I turned to the girl curled up in the corner of the room. "Does anyone know how to talk to scared children?"

Fenris and Carver snorted, the latter actually said something. "You're a woman, go comfort her. Ask her with the evil mage is."

I said a few choice things in the Qunari language at my brother, causing Fenris' eyes to go wide as he realized not only that I spoke the language but what I actually said. It wasn't nice.

I kneeled down, "Da'len," I said softly. "It's okay. You're papa sent me here to see if you were still alive." Well, he was hoping the girl was alive, so I didn't exactly lie.

"My father's safe? Kelder said he would hurt my family if I didn't come with him."

So we had a name to the evil children killing mage. "Kelder? Is he the one who kidnapped you? Did he hurt you?" my brother asked.

The girl nodded. "He is the one who took me." She was quiet for a second as she looked down at the tiled floor of the ruin. "He hit me," the elf girl said slowly. "He told me I was nothing. I begged him to stop hurting me. I didn't think he would, but out of nowhere, he pushed me away and started crying!" she told us in disbelief.

The girl had a look on her face that told me exactly where this conversation was going to go. "Don't you see? He didn't mean to hurt me. He told me that there are these demons that make him do these horrible things."

I held back my snort. "I'll have to remember that excuse," I turned to Fenris. "Do you think it'll work if I said a demon made me do it?"

Fenris' look told me he was unimpressed with my sarcasm. Carver just rolled his eyes and ignored me. Did he think if he did so, I would stop?

"But it's true!" she tried to plead with us. "How else could he do something like this?"

"She is a child and does not understand. Her pity is admirable but misplaced." Fenris commented.

"Child or no, that way of thinking will get her killed," I agreed as I rubbed my face as the situation hit me. Really…I had to be stuck with a fucking job that involved murdering mages. Anders was going to hate me even more.

"It's not his fought! It's not his fought," the girl cried. "Please don't kill him. He just needs help. Can you get rid of the demons?"

"Da'len," I started. "You must understand that if there are demons inside of someone that means that person is no longer there. But I will take care of the demon. Go, find your father." I ordered, and as soon as she was out of earshot, Fenris snorted and said, "You're going to kill him, aren't you?"

I smirked. "Did you doubt me? Besides, he is the demon now, or is the term abomination? Either way, demons and abominations die. So I didn't really lie, I said I was going to kill the demon."

We continued on, killed some more undead, and I think someone got scratched…wait, that was me. I hope I wasn't infected with something.

I kicked open the door, and the evil mage didn't even move from his spot on the floor. "I just wasted a perfectly good entrance. We're going to kill him."

I ignored the sounds coming from my two males before I approached the asshole who ruined my entrance. He wasn't even fighting me.

"I knew my father would send someone after me. I was hoping the beasts would get to me first."

I blinked. "So you're suicidal? Suddenly, this isn't fun anymore."

"Magic is never fun, even more so when you have an out of control mage." Fenris growled.

"Well, either you are half an abomination or you aren't one at all. You don't look like one either. At least, not like the ones I saw back in Ferelden's Tower. Are you so guilty for killing those children that you want to die?"

"Of course I feel guilty! I listened to the voices of the demons in my head. The children were so pretty—they shouldn't be that beautiful! I should have been put down a long time ago if it wasn't for my father hiding me away." Wow, this mage was bitter..

"Your father?" Carver questioned.

"The Magistrate. He didn't tell you, of course he didn't. He's ashamed that he has a mage for a son, so he keeps me hidden—" and the rest I didn't listen to. So the boy as trying to get attention from his father and, at the same time, try and relieve his father's burden. Huh.

"Fenris," I interrupted the boy on his petty lament. "Since I'm a nice person, and you haven't let our your mage-magic hate today…do you want to do the honors?"

"Thank you!" the evil deranged mage cried. "Just give my father the letter in my pocket, please."

I turned to Fenris. "If you don't feel like it, I'll do—"

I saw him move, felt the buildup of his Lyrium, and braced myself as he shoved his hand in the chest of guy. I robbed the dead guy and then snapped my fingers so his body caught on fire.

As we started to leave, I looked at Fenris critically, only to have him raise an eyebrow at me—he liked to do that a lot I've started to notice. "Next time vary it up a bit. Ripping out hearts gets boring. Try something else, like the lungs or brain, or even his dick!" I kept walking but paused my brain for a second, "Forget the last…his dick isn't inside of his body. You'd have to do that to a woman…but it might be hard, we'd have to do some studying first."

Fenris muttered something in Tevene before he actually gave me a response, though it was dry. "I will endeavor to keep you from getting bored at my method of killing someone."

I clapped, "I will help of course. I will start carrying a book around so I can jot things down so we can remember or if we want to try something new."

"Sister, Fenris was being sarcastic. So you can't tell when people are flirting nor do you get sarcasm. What was that blasted elf teaching you?"

I ignored him and continued in silence till we left the ruin. The elf was happy but the Guard was not. He even threatened me! Idiot.

I looked to the sky, it wasn't midday yet, still a few hours to go. "You think we can make it back from Sundermount before a few hours passed midday?"

Carver shrugged, as he didn't know, but Fenris nodded. "We can make it if we don't waste time."

We got to the area before the Dalish camp and was ambushed by mercenaries. It took no time between the three of us to take them down, minor scratches or cuts were all the damage we took. As I picked the pockets of the dead, I came across a few notes and a locket.

"Huh, so one down three to go."

"What are you talking about sister?"

"This was one of three Flint Company groups. The shiny archer put out a call for someone to kill them. We just took out one of them."

Fenris' back was turned to me when I called the archer shiny, so I didn't know what he was thinking. And I couldn't even begin to guess what his emotions were. Was he jealous that I no longer called him shiny?

I cut those thoughts out as I looked warily at where I could see some Dalish Scouts. I really didn't want to go anywhere near the Dalish, but I put on my big girl small clothes and continued on.

As we approached, two Hunters jumped out at us. I had both on the ground with my blades close to their throats before they could blink.

"You are fools to jump out at those around you. Just because we are Shem," I spat, "doesn't mean we aren't strong. Now get the fuck up and show me to your Keeper. We were requested to bring something to your leader."

I could feel the tension from Fenris who stood behind me, but he stayed quiet. No doubt he was wondering why I wasn't particularly polite with these fools. At the ruins, I had listened until I got a sense of situation. Or maybe I was totally wrong. Maybe he didn't like the Dalish either.

As we walked into camp, I ignored the looks on a few of the elves faces; instead I was alert for danger. Carver tried to give me the amulet, but I shook my head. "I wasn't the one who was paid to take it here."

When we got to Keeper, I knew this wasn't going to be easy. "We were told to bring you this amulet, and now our debt is repaid." I said stiffly as Carver handed it to the old woman.

As she looked the amulet over, she turned to me. Keepers always had a way with the Fade, and because of it, they were good at reading people. But I wasn't in the mode for it.

"You are troubled of the past," she said. "You must embrace the old for it is only through the merging of the new and the old that one may survive the trials ahead. How did you come by this amulet, human?"

"A witch saved my family, and the debt was to bring the amulet to you." I quickly told her, wanting to leave as soon as we could. There was a dog I wanted to cuddle with…or maybe a wolf if I was honest. Why were wolves my one weakness?

"I honor you for coming to me, but I'm afraid that your part in this is not done yet."

"Always something fucking hidden with the Dalish," I muttered in a language only Fenris could understand though he wasn't the only one who could hear me.

"The amulet must be taken to an alter at the top of the mountain and given a Dalish rite for the departed. Then return the amulet to me. Do this and your debt will be repaid."

I nodded and started up the mountain. "Sister, wait! How are we supposed to do this without this funeral rite?"

I wanted to tell him that I already knew it, or at least one better and truer than what the Dalish could ever hope to have, but I remained silent and continued walking.

Carver grabbed the amulet from the elf before he and Fenris followed after me. When they caught up with me, and it was out of the eye and earshot of the elves, I stopped.

"Why are you so hostile toward the Dalish?" Fenris asked curiously.

I closed my eyes and took a breath to calm myself down. "They think they are better than everyone else just because they suffered. They believe everyone else, humans and dwarves, are lower than them just because they once ruled this world. Fools. It was that arrogance that destroyed their empires. They know nothing, and when one tries to teach them the old ways, they deny the ancient knowledge believing only they could be right."

Fenris saw deeper than this, though, and I knew by the look in his eyes, the flash of black and green, that he had not only understood where I was coming from but also what the Keeper meant. "People do not want to change, nor do they want to know they are wrong. Let them drown in their ignorance."

I sighed again. Fenris was right, but I had a feeling that the people wouldn't be drowning much longer. I just hope that when it's time to save them, the past doesn't repeat itself.

We continued up the mountain a bit more until we came across a female elf playing with something that glowed and felt like…my mind couldn't grasp it, so I left it alone.

She noticed and came over to greet us, declaring that she was the First and was sent by the Keeper to guide us up the mountain and to do the Rite.

"Thanks but no thanks," I told her as I left her behind and continued on. Carver groaned. "Sister, we need someone to do the rite, so unless you know it—" he stopped and muttered, "Of course she does." But he took pity on the girl and gestured her to follow after Fenris and I.

As we walked up the rest of the mountain toward the cave, Carver introduced himself and found himself enchanted with her ramblings and naïve nature.

In no time we were attacked by the fucking undead, and it wasn't just once, it was the entire fucking time we were on the mountaintop; instead the cave, we were attacked by them and spiders.

After the first battle, though, Fenris spoke up. "A mage, is it?" he tried to keep the disgust out of his voice.

I hadn't even noticed because I was too busy being fucking pissed off. I focused on the girl.

"All Keepers know a bit of the old magic. History says that once, everyone had the gift. It is the Keeper's job to remember, to restore what we can.

"Oh, everyone had magic alright. Just in different ways," I snorted, but then heard her last words. "Are you serious about grasping at the knowledge of the past? Arlethan fell for a reason," I hinted and warned her at the same time.

Just like before, Carver tried to combat my off-putting ways by thanking her for her help. She began to babble again, and I had to admit, if I wasn't in a horrid mood, it might bring a smile to my face.

As we went through more undead, I stopped as I saw the body of an undead archer disappear. "How on earth did that thing even move its arm with an arrow sticking out of it…at that angle? It shouldn't have been able to hold an arrow let alone shot it."

"Is there a reason you are actually trying to figure out how an undead enemy is able to move?" Fenris questioned, a bit curious but mostly exasperated.

I shrugged, "I was curious and didn't expect an answer."

Around the next corner is a camp with a Hunter at it. He was very rude and mean to Merrill.

"Wait, what did you mean someone to take her off the Keeper's hands?" I asked with my eyes narrowed at the bad elf.

The Hunter looked confused. "Didn't the Keeper tell you that in exchange for helping you with the debt, you would take the bitch?"

Carver sighed. "Next time you shouldn't run off."

"Just hurry up human and finish your task, we cannot be rid of this one fast enough."

Poor Merrill, she tried to ignore what the mean elf said and make it seem as if nothing was wrong except she was leaving despite them wanting her to stay. That and she said something about saving her clan…maybe it had to do with her hunting down history. Like Fenris and I said, they fear change. Maybe she had discovered something that told them a different tale than their myths.

I wonder what they would do if they knew the truth about their gods…and there my memory went again; fuck!

I didn't say anything to her, this was her business after all. If she wanted to leave these ignorant people, I'd take her to Kirkwall. We were going back anyway.

Once we were able to get in the hole, she stopped us and apologized saying something about how this wasn't really the Dalish—the fuck it wasn't. The Dalish had once been a people so open with the world, but now? They were isolated and closed off. A part of me couldn't wait until they all found out just what had happened in their past.

Like I said, the caves only had more undead and spiders. Although, out of curiosity, I pick pocketed one of the undead and found some coin.

"How the fuck do dead people have coin?" I asked Fenris almost in hysterics. What was going on? Was my world about to come undone as some unknown truth shattered me? I had always thought the dead didn't have anything to do with the Fade, or at least the undead, but what if I was wrong? I probably was, but still…

Fenris looked at me seriously as he put his sword back on his back. "They were once people."

As his words sunk in, I calmed down nodding my head. "That makes sense. That probably means that the Fade animates them…" I trailed off in a distracted look that had Carver coming to my side and snapping his fingers in my face.

"And there, elf, we find the other part of the madness: trying to figure out stupid shit. I've seen her contemplate how elfroot grows in the winter during a battle once when she saw it coming out of the snow." Carver informed the elf that was now his sister's other watcher.

Fenris snorted. "I doubt I shall be surprised at her getting any stranger. Next she'll tell me she knows a dragon and actually converses with it."

Carver looked elsewhere but I saw his face. I couldn't tell if he was horrified or amused at the thought I would know a dragon. Hmm…I wonder just who saved him during the Blight. My eyes went to the amulet. The magic and song of the Fade that was there was familiar, and there was a part of me that made me want to kill.

A flash of memory caught me, and I saw what I had done in my hate of that particular song long ago.

I shook off these thoughts, the madness and the memories, and exited the cave. As we came out, there was a barrier blocking the way. I could dismantle it, tear it down, but this was a different kind of barrier than one created of the elements. As the little elf walked forward and said that she could open it, I knew exactly what the fuck kind of barrier it was.

"You're a blood mage." I narrowed my eyes at her as she cut her palm and opened the barrier.

Fenris was not happy about it, and my brother winced. Apparently, his dream girl is an abomination and demon summoner just wanting to happen.

"Blood magic, foolish, very foolish," Fenris informed the girl.

"But the Spirit helped, and I can control it." Merrill tried to argue.

"Ignore the tiger. Not its fault it's going to eat you. Sound advice." Sarcastic Fenris was back! Well, I wanted to make sure that the point got across. She as naïve and innocent, so I wondered if she got what Fenris was saying. I had no doubt she didn't understand sarcasm.

"You say you control it now, but girl, sooner or later, a demon or a spirit will tempt you, and you will succumb. That is the way this works. The longer you use it, the more susceptible you become."

After we let her know how we felt about blood magic and ignored her cries that it wasn't dangerous because she knew what she was doing, we went to the space where the barrier once was, and she pointed at the graves explaining a bit of the past of the Elevhan. After what happened, I don't think anyone could sleep peacefully.

It wasn't far to the damn alter, one that looked bloody familiar, and, when I got to the top I half turned and held out my hand for Carver to throw me the amulet when a shit ton of the dead were summoned.

"I fucking hate the undead," I cursed, and whatever language I used, it had the female elf looking startled. I mean really, considering who I once was, was it really hard to hope that the dead stayed dead?

I took on the Arcane Horror first. This time I would not be bested when the damn thing popped out of nowhere. I activated the Ice Runes on my blades and backstabbed the dead mage. I ducked when it turned around and shot Lightning right where my middle used to be. Fucker, I learn. As I was done, I sliced at its legs…but seeing as it floated, I don't think that helped. I rolled when the damn thing tried to kick me. The undead were constantly surprising me.

Fenris helped finish it off, and we went to help Carver take care of the others trying to get to the elf mage. Enemies always went after the mages and the rogues.

Once they were dead, I held up a hand for the amulet. Carver tossed it to me, and I put it on the altar. With a heavy heart, I reached into my soul for the magic that was there. As I gathered the magic and turned it into a blade, I spoke with words I hadn't said in so long...ones that I had only thought to say for the two of them that I left in the temple.

["Falon'Din guided you into the deep sleep with assurances of rest, now she guides you back into waking with her voice."] I spoke with words so old that my tongue had trouble saying them. The blade was charged with the magic of the words, and I stabbed the amulet with the magic. I hoped whatever I was releasing wasn't bad.

This was the original way to wake those from the ancient sleep. For in the beginning, Falon'Din created it because sometimes the loneliness was too much, and she couldn't bare it. First it was because she had no one; the two who said they would stay, left. Later on, her lover sometimes left her for decades at a time, searching for knowledge and ways to help in his own twisted, unique way. Soon the sleep was used for others to heal, to wait out time, for whatever they wished.

The others were tired of depending on her for these things, so they created their own. No doubt that is the one the female elf knew. She had given them so much—ways to change bodies if one had become too damaged, boring, or useless in some way; how to awaken from a "reincarnation" they called it; and even how to fleshly exist—and yet they tossed her away when she was no longer of use only to pick her back up when they needed her.

I knew the ritual worked because flashes of light, magic, and a song of the Fade came out of the amulet. I stepped back to stand with Carver and Fenris flanking me. Merrill ignored me, though I could tell she was damn well curious, and rushed to stand in front of me so she could greet the one who came out.

I saw half the upper half of the body before the woman in the amulet fully emerged. The elf threw herself to her knees, worshipping the woman rising from the amulet.

Flemeth rose from the amulet and I tried to control myself. She addressed the elf first, but I snorted when she said the last part. "The People tend to fall to their knees too quickly."

"Isn't that why were in this mess in the first place?" I questioned with a bit of bitterness to my tone. Looking at the old woman, I felt another confliction. I wasn't stupid; I could feel the Fade on her. Her song was different than the six of us who had once been, but her song was similar to the others that had been. That was when I knew from the confliction that I didn't hate Flemeth, just what resided in her.

"My, my, my, I expected you with your family when they ran. Did not your Master let you go?" the old woman called to me.

I narrowed my eyes. "We were stuck with your daughter, actually. The only reason as to why you would be in that amulet is because she had the Warden kill you. Now what did you do to cause Morrigan to turn on you? What was written in your Grimore?" I countered with my own questions.

Flemeth cackled. "Apparently the girl thought she knew everything from reading a few pages. She did not understand what she read. It is only the willing that carry the burden, after all."

I groaned as I understood what she was saying. "All this because she thought you were going to take over her body? Why didn't she ask me? You don't steal bodies old woman; she implants shit. A parasite," I snarled, my hate rising up threatening to overtake me—again.

"Did you know?" Flemeth simply asked, and I truly wondered if Morrigan had asked me, would I have responded to the question with a yes.

"Is there a purpose you keep on existing?" I tried to keep my voice neutral, but she wasn't fooled.

"Things are never simple. I have a purpose, and I still live because it needs to be done." The Witch of the Wilds paused as she looked over my companions, starting with Fenris.

"The chains are gone, but are you really free?" Flemeth then turned to me, "It seems even when alone you aren't. How many have you found so far?"

I didn't want to answer, but I found myself doing so. "The Wolf's Second is dead," was the only thing I said as I refused to look at her. This as all her fault. All that bitch's fault.

"Regrets are something I know all too well; do not let it consume you, child. It seems, though, that you are still as blind as ever. Did you know that when connected with the sleep, death, or the in-between, we sometimes find our spirits…wandering with only a piece looking for a home?"

I didn't know what she meant by that, nor why she looked at Carver, but when the memories decided to return, I'd get a flash of her meaning, but it would be gone. That is by the time the memories came back I remembered.

"Besides, destiny awaits us both, dear girl. Before I go, a word of advice. We stand on a precipice of change. The world fears the inevitable plummet into the abyss. A constant event it seems. Watch for that moment and do not hesitate to leap. It is only when you fall that you learn whether you can fly."

"Cheap advice from a dragon," I looked at her darkly. "What do I do?" I asked the old woman that had once tried to help me prepare for something that tore me apart. It was Flemeth who had given me Morrigan and knowledge to help balance out the Magister's mistake.

"A cross I must bear. I'd advise become a dragon as I did, but that isn't your path; remember that when the time comes." Flemeth shrugged. "We will meet again, but remember, there is a reason why you are here now, and you must gather everything at your disposal because the time will come when you must step out of the shadows and spread those wings, little Death Raven."

When we returned to the Dalish camp, the Keeper was given the amulet, announced our debt was paid, and tried to convince the blood mage to stay. But the oppression and lack of support was too much for her. A part of me saw myself in the girl, and I felt for her, but the blood magic was something that I was wary of—especially with how she seemed so blind to the danger. Maybe if she operated with cautions and awareness, then I would be more supportive. But that day hadn't come yet.

It didn't take long to get back to Kirkwall. It had taken a few hours longer than I had wanted to, but that was okay. We still had time to get Merrill settled in and pay a visit to the Chantry like I wanted too.

When we got into the Chantry square, I saw my brother's group. I handed Hawke the letter from the Magistrate's evil mage son and quickly told him what occurred. He agreed to handle what came next; after all, we did have proof of what happened with the handwritten confession letter.

After we exchange a quick what-did-you-do (a quick hello to the female elf), he asked me if he could borrow Fenris for tonight. "You already have Carver, Aveline is on duty, and I would like another warrior. I'll trade you Varric. I have something to do with Isabella tonight in the Hightown square. She arranged for a duel, and the guy will probably double cross her."

I also knew what he was saying. I'd be left with helping Anders, and he didn't want them near each other. I sighed, stomped my foot, and turned my back on him. I ignored him. Hawke didn't know what to do, and it wasn't until Carver explained to him why I was acting this way did he understand it wasn't because I didn't want to give Fenris up (though I really didn't).

"Brother, Fenris doesn't belong to sister," yet, I thought, "so she can't say that he can go with you. Ask him yourself. By ignoring you, it means she is upset with you and probably won't talk with you for awhile."

Hawke blinked and apologized to Fenris. "I didn't mean it like that. Will you go with me tonight?"

Fenris looked at me for a second (I had no idea what went through his mind) before he nodded. "Good. I'll meet you here before midnight." My brother paused for a second before adding as a second thought, "You've had a pretty taxing day; if you want to rest, I can always stop by and pick you up."

Fenris nodded before he went off to his vandalized mansion, and I turned to the other elf and my other brother. "I want to go in the chantry for a bit. Merrill, brother can show you around if you wish. It'd be interesting to look at."

Before we went inside though, I handed my brother the flyer from the shiny archer. "When you were out, did you kill any of these bastards?" I asked, hoping he didn't. When he replied negatively, I told him I'd see him later. When we went into the Chantry, Brother may have taken the elf to look around, but I knew he kept an eye on me. I spent a good hour or more talking with the Grand Cleric about the shiny archer, who was a Prince, and named Sebastian. It was very enlightening to say the least. He was just sworn in only to break his vows. Maybe I had some hope after all. To put family first, before all others, was a man I respected.

We left and settled Merrill in the Alienage near our hovel—it took a while, but we still had enough time to meet with Anders. I wondered if I'd find out what that Fade scent clinging to Anders was, but I also hoped that something wouldn't go horribly wrong. Who was I kidding?

~Wolf and Raven~