Isabella's spacious cabin felt congested with so many bodies crowding it. The pirate captain reclined behind her desk as Merrill, Anders, and Varric poured over the map of Thedas sprawled across its surface. Fenris paced the length of the room, shooting broody glances at anyone who spoke while Marian commented from a distance, her daughter nestled against her breast. It seemed that no one could agree on the best course of action now that the roving group of delinquents had an infant to contend with.

The news from Kirkwall was dire. Aveline wrote that while order had been reestablished within the city the Chantry was still reeling. Cullen had been promoted to Knight Commander but was having difficulty reigning in the slew of recruits who wanted to join the order "to avenge the fallen." The Divine herself had issued an order to apprehend the malificar Anders and sent an army of Templars from Val Royeaux to ensure order throughout Thedas. Varric's contacts confirmed this as rumors of Circle mages rebelling against their pious jailers spread rapidly.

Anders was elated that his fellow mages had taken up arms to secure their freedom and Justice was almost aglow with pride within him. But the news was bittersweet. There were now twice as many Templars roaming Thedas rooting out apostates and searching for him, for his family. The time had come to leave Highever behind.

"I know Orzammar was no picnic," Varric said with a grimace, "but there are no blighted Templars."

"But we don't know how long it will stay that way. At this rate the Chantry will find some excuse to muscle into Dwarven affairs." Marian looked at the dwarf with a wry grin. "And if we are discovered we would be cornered, there would be nowhere to escape to. Well, except for the Deep Roads..."

"Point taken."

Merrill pointed to a wooded area of Ferelden they had passed through during their journey to Highever. "What about the Dalish? They constantly move about and they teach their own magic. I doubt Templars would give them much trouble, if they could even find them. I mean us. I mean if we were with them."

Marian adjusted the fussing infant in her arms as her brow furrowed. "I do not want to put anyone in that sort of danger. There's little enough love for the Dalish and if they're caught harboring us…" The elf paled at the thought of an army of Templars sweeping through a Dalish camp and said no more.

Isabella scoffed and rolled her eyes. "I don't understand why you don't stay with me? Out on the open water, moving from port to port, they'd never catch us!"

"Isn't that what you said about the Quinari?"

"Shut up."

Marian sighed heavily. "Look, the truth is that no matter where we go we will likely be recognized. Well, me at least. Our best bet is going to be sticking to the wilds. If we stay out of sight and move around a lot we won't be caught." Her gaze caught Anders' and she grinned. "Trust me, I have a lot of experience."