DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything, Dragon Age is not mine. The characters, game content and materials in the following story are copyrighted to BioWare. Neither I, nor this story, are endorsed by or affiliated with BioWare, or its licensors or subsidiaries. I do not receive any monetary compensation from the publication of this narrative. All Rights Reserved.
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Chapter 10: At the Hands of Justice
"Draw your last breath, my friends. Cross the Veil and the Fade
and all the stars in the sky. Rest at the Maker's right hand, and be Forgiven."
Trials 1:16
..~~~**~~~..
Slow and steady drips gradually seep into Agnes' consciousness. It's too thick to be water and her pain-addled brain can't identify the coppery smell. Her eyelids are heavy and her head throbs. With a pained groan she barely opens her eyes; the bright light intensifies the throbbing agony in her skull and makes her stomach move in revolting waves. With extreme effort she manages to open her eyes again determine to locate the persistent dripping noise. Her eyes widen when she sees a large pool of blood beneath the examination cot. Then her memories hit her like a sudden flood and she manages to claw her way to her knees to check on their patient.
Tadlocke is cool to the touch and his skin is a sickly pale color. She pulls a healing potion from her pouch and pours a half of it onto the injury. The other half she encourages the elf to drink. She quickly returns her attention to the stab wound and is partially relieved to see that it has not only stopped bleeding but has healed ever so slightly. Her relief is made complete upon the discovery that Tadlocke is still breathing. The cut is still severe and needs the skill of a healer, not a physicker. She turns to look for Anders and is horrified to find him lying in a pool of blood.
"Anders," she gasps, her eyes widening with fear. She tries to stand, only to find that the room spins at an alarming speed. Her legs buckle beneath her and she falls.
"Anders!" Hastily she scrabbles over to the blonde mage on her hands and knees and begins assessing his injuries. The cut on his right cheek is shallow, as is the small nick on his neck. She rips his shirt open enough to see that the stab wound beneath his right collar bone is not very deep, but winces at the damage done under Anders' left collarbone. She's worried by the fact that it is still bleeding. She finds a pulse but is unable to wake him. She pulls out the last healing potion from her pouch and dumps all of the liquid on his most serious injury. The bleeding refuses to stop; she rips off one of her sleeves and holds it over the hole. She needs Anders surgical kit, but knows she can't make in the state she's in. She continues to apply pressure and looks around for help. She sees Midge still unconscious and tries to rouse the young woman by calling her name, but she does not move.
Agnes curses and tries calling to Madia, only to be answered by silence. "Maker, please," Agnes begs, searching desperately for another solution. Again she calls for the dark haired child, and again there is no response. With no other options available, she screams for help. Her cry is answered by a glowing elf kicking in the door followed by Sebastian, his bow ready, but not drawn.
"Help us," she exclaims.
"Agnes! What happened," Sebastian asks as he makes his way to her. Fenris rushes over to checks on Midge and Tadlocke.
"I don't know," she confesses, maintaining her composure. "A human brought in the elf over there, telling us that they needed help. The next thing I knew I was out cold."
"His injuries are bad," Fenris studies the deep gash in the Tadlocke's gut. "I doubt he'll live through the night."
"Madia," Agnes exclaims. "Please, she's not answering. Someone check the back."
Fenris rushes to look for the child while Sebastian helps Midge, who is slowly waking up. The elven warrior returns a few moments later with news that the girl is gone. The blue eyed archer returns his attention to the silver haired woman, asking how he can be of assistance. But before she can answer Anders wakes suddenly and cries out in pain.
"Easy," Agnes soothes. "You're surrounded by friends."
"Madia," he groans as he rolls onto his right side, giving Sebastian access to free his hands.
"Gone," the white haired elf answers.
"He took her," Anders insists. "That sodding bastard took my little girl!"
"Who," Sebastian asks.
A slew of profanities, followed by the word 'Templar' is Anders' response. The apostate tries to stand only to be stopped by Agnes.
"You've lost a lot of blood, and you have a serious stab wound that needs tending," she calmly explains.
Anders tries to reach his mana, only to be blocked by the remnants of Aster's aura. He reaches for Justice, hoping to draw on some of the spirit's strength only to find Justice is silent. Since his merging with the spirit he's grown accustom to its presence, but now in the absence of that sensation he feels alone. Even his mana is still. Never before has Anders felt so empty or so isolated. Refusing to give up, he closes his brown eyes, focusing on his spell as he struggles to push past the barrier, only to fail.
"I can't cast," he gasps, exhausted by the effort.
"I need the surgical kit. Right there next to you," Agnes calls out to Fenris. Once she has the kit she riffles through its contents and manages to produce a very small vial of blue liquid which she offers to the mage. He consumes the bitter contents and tries once more to weave his spell.
Anders casts his spell again and this time a burst of healing energy envelopes the group. The damage to Tadlocke's abdomen is healed, but the elf is still far from stable. Agnes and Midge can feel their headaches ease and the nausea leave. Sebastian, for the first time in days, it able to take a deep breath without pain and the nagging ache in his back is gone. All of the wounds inflicted on Anders by Aster close and stop bleeding, but the caster screams and writhes in pain for his efforts.
His vision greys and he curls into a ball as wave after wave of searing agony courses through his body. The sound of his pain drowns out the concerns of his friends. When the agony recedes he finds his muscles ache and he is breathing hard.
"Anders, are you all right?" It takes Anders' brain several seconds to place Sebastian's voice. Too shocked to speak he nods his head.
"What happened," Agnes asks. Still unable to speak the mage just shakes his heads. Hesitantly he reaches inside, searching for Justice or his mana and again encounters the fragments of Aster's attack. He slowly retreats, and prays that whatever the Templar did is not permanent.
"I have to leave," Anders groans, slowly getting to his feet and staggering towards his staff. "I need to save her."
"You can't go alone," Agnes protests.
"There's no time. I have to leave now," Anders says, securing his staff to the sheath on his back, his left shoulder throbbing. The mass healing helped, but it's nowhere near as powerful or effective as focusing that spell on an individual.
"Anders," Sebastian says, grabbing the mage's arm. "Aveline is waiting at the docks for us. Let's get her then go save Madia, together."
"Fine, let me grab a few more healing and lyrium potions," Anders says after a moment of hesitation. "Agnes, Midge take care of him," He points to the unconscious elf. "I have some potent healing tonics and salves in the store room." He goes back into his sleeping quarters, grabs a few vials of lyirum and healing tonics. He then slips outs through the secret passage, Asters last words ringing in his ears.
Wounded Coast, come alone and find us by nightfall or she dies.
..~~*~~..
It is early dusk and the sky is awash in deep purples and royal blues. Aster makes his way up the path and into the cave carrying the squirming child under one arm. Devon sobs quietly in the small cage, her fear filled eyes snap up as the Templar walks in. He pulls a key from the smaller pouch and unlocks the door. Devon pushes herself in the farthest corner as Madia is shoved in. Aster has to move quickly to close and lock the door as Madia bolts forward to escape. The templar chuckles at the child's failed attempt before turning his attention to Edrin, who is cooking over a small fire.
"I'm surprised you're not playing with your new toy."
"I'm just … not in the mood right now." Edrin returns to his task of stirring a small pot of soup.
Aster takes off his cloak and lays it over the duffle bag that recently carried Devon and their provisions. He joins the brother near the fire and busies himself sharpening and maintaining his blades.
"It looks like you're preparing for war."
"I am, in a manner of speaking. The mage will come here looking for her, and I plan to have my fun."
"He's coming here!"
"Yes. Where else am I to play?"
"But…but what if he brings help?"
"Like who?" Aster laughs. "He has no one to turn to. The guards in Kirkwall are dutiful in turning apostates over to the Circle. Plus the Grand Cleric was kind enough to request more assistance in locating the missing child." He allows himself another pat on the back for that stroke of brilliance. "That well connected dwarf friend of his is still snowed in at the Hanged Man; workers won't even reach it until the day after tomorrow. He may have support in Darktown, when it comes to hiding from the Circle but no one there will risk their neck for him. And his friend Hawke is still buried in Hightown, that little guarantee cost me two sovereigns by the way."
"Isn't he friends with Sebastian?"
"A spoiled exiled prince has you scared? I don't think so," the Templar challenges as he examines the edge of his weapon. The Brother looks over at Madia who is doing her best to calm Devon's fears. Aster follows Edrin's gaze.
"That! That has you worried?" He shakes his head, chuckles. "You're frightened of an 8 year old girl?" He gets up and makes his way towards the children. Madia pushes Devon behind her, her eyes hard and defiant as she watches Aster.
"It's not the girl," Edrin confesses, still unable to take his eyes from Madia. "It's what she is," he adds in a softer voice.
"I'll wager she can die just like any other human." He crouches down to be at eye level with the girls. "But the other one, Devon, still has a chance of going home. Isn't that what you always say Edrin? If she's good and does what she's told she can go home?"
Aster reaches his through the bars in an attempt to touch Devon. Madia snaps her teeth and he jerks his fingers back, narrowly avoiding injury.
"She's feistier than I remember." He laughs, stands up and rejoins the Brother by the fire. Edrin removes the pot from the flame and rises to his feet. He grabs his cloak and wraps it about his shoulders.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I'm going to take a walk. Get some more firewood," Edrin explains.
"Of course you are," the Rivaini's eyes narrow in suspicion. "After all we are in this together; so we might as well be comfortable."
..~~*~~..
"He shouldn't have gone off by himself. Why would he do that," Sebastian asks as he and Fenris make their way to the docks.
"I don't know, but Aveline is just ahead. Let's get her and go after the blighted mage."
"There you are," the red-haired woman calls as the approach. "What kept you?"
"Madia is missing," Fenris answers.
"Madia? Anders' girl?" Guardsman Raoh asks.
"You…know Anders?" Aveline asks.
Guardsman Raoh nods. "Before you became Guard-Captain, none of us could afford to go to the Circle for healing. My daughter came down with a dangerous fever. Her mother and I were worried that we'd lose her and the baby she carried. I heard talk of a healer in Darktown and sought him out. He healed my daughter. Saved her and my grandson, never once did he ask for any kind of payment."
"Alright then," Aveline redirects her attention to Sebastian and Fenris asking them for the details of Madia's disappearance.
..~~*~~..
Aster paces restlessly and momentarily considers going after Edrin, who has been gone for over an hour. He picks up his swords and heads towards the mouth of the cave, towards the caged children. Devon whimpers and begins to cry. Madia glares at the Templar with utter disdain as she pushes the terrified girl behind her. He chuckles at the hate in those midnight blue eyes.
"You know something, sweetness; I don't think 'daddy' is going to show." He raises his sword, holding to point to Madia's throat. "Pity. I was looking forward to playing with him."
"Leave her alone," Anders warns, rushing into the cave. Madia looks at Anders and her face lights up with hope.
"That isn't how this game is played apostate. Surely you know this by now," Aster keeps his blade on the girl as he looks up at the blonde. "You don't get to give the orders."
"What do you want?"
"Your staff," he returns his dark eyes to his hostage. "Show it to me."
Anders pauses, his brain working furiously on a strategy. His hesitation is long enough that Aster looks up at him, the point of the weapon under Madia's chin.
"Shy? Or do you need some motivation?" He teases and with a flick of his wrist, cuts the girl's cheek. Madia yelps and blood seeps from the shallow injury.
"No!" Anders shouts and quickly grasps his staff holding it out as if to cast a spell. The Templar's blade once again hovers dangerously close to the girl's neck.
"Now throw it over the cliff." The Rivaini watches the blonde mage from the corner of his eye. "If you like, I could motivate you again." He says when the mage fails to discard his magical weapon. Unable to think of a way out Anders turns and throws his staff with all his might, watching as it bounces on the ground and finally slides over the cliff.
"Come here," Aster orders in a firmer voice, commanding Anders to stop when he's a few feet away. "Over the years I have learned to never trust what a mage is carrying. Take off the belt and carefully set it on the ground."
Anders set his jaw and obeys, carefully setting the pouch laden belt on the ground, near the girls' cage.
"Now the coat, after all one never knows what you have in the pockets."
Again, with no choice, Anders complies, his eyes narrowing with hate. When he stands Aster studies the dried blood on the apostate's face and then cautiously uses his second sword to open the mage's ripped shirt to examine the left shoulder.
"I see you cast a spell. Hurt like a mother, didn't it?"
Anders holds his tongue, and is rewarded with a superficial slash to his right cheek. He gasps as hot blood trickles from the new wound.
"A Templar asked you a question mage." Aster's tone is commanding and he continues to hold his blades out, one threatening Madia, the other at Anders' chest.
"Yes it hurt," Anders snarls through tightly clenched teeth, his hands tightly balled at his sides. Another flick of Aster's wrist results in a quick slice to the mage's left cheek. Devon cries softly, and Madia whimpers quietly.
"Respectfully, if you please," Aster mocks with a smile.
"Yes, ser, it hurt." The mage growls out. Aster chuckles at the blonde's helplessness.
"Once upon a time I was a Circle Templar," His dark Rivaini eyes move to the blonde and then back to the girls. "Nothing was more satisfying than breaking a mage. Seeing that fire die in their soul, watching them come to the realization that they've lost. That there is no hope for them, no escape. I genuinely miss the Circle." He sighs as he reminisces. "You know breaking a mage is an art form, now while I am no master I have discovered that the best mages to break are the apostates, the ones who have tasted the outside world. Especially those who think they have something worth losing." The Templar thrusts the blade into Madia's chest. She screams with pain and crumples. Aster returns his weapons to their sheaths and steps away from the cage.
"NO!" Anders hurries to the injured child, collapsing to his knees in order to examine the gash. She cries with pain and rolls onto her side. He tries to reach through the bars, but his hands don't fit. The Templar chuckles as he watches the healer struggle to help his daughter. "Oh my," he taunts. "That looks bad."
"Shut up!" Anders manages to reach enough of his fingers between the bars to examine the stab wound.
"Give her a potion."
"Shut up!"
"Maybe you should cast a spell."
The mage leaps to his feet and rushes the Templar. Aster stands his ground and allows the mage to grab him by his arms. The apostate loudly demands the key to the cage.
"I give you the chance to cast a spell and this is how you waste it," Aster asks with a malicious grin. Anders open his mouth to respond and can feel ice run down his throat as Aster uses Silence. The mage staggers back, clutching his neck.
He is laughing as Anders throws the first punch.
..~~*~~..
Edrin didn't walk too far from the cave. He followed a narrow goat path which twisted and curled around the cave and ended just above the opening. He sits against a rock and watches the waves far below. From his vantage point he also has the added benefit of seeing anyone approaching without exposing himself.
His mind racing, it was the first time he thought about the potential consequences of his actions. He tried to stay away from children, he knows it's wrong, but they are just so perfect, so pure. When he approached The Divine about traveling from Chantry to Chantry part of him hoped it would cure his hunger for young flesh. Instead it made it easier to hide his crimes.
He thought praying to the Maker for guidance, but couldn't bring himself to admit what he had done. He has a good life, better than most of the clergy, in his opinion and doesn't want to lose his freedom or the life he has.
His thoughts are broken by the sound of someone walking towards the cave. Edrin watches a blonde man walking to the cave and assumes he is the mage Aster has been waiting for. Edrin has witnessed Aster as a cold-blooded killer, but he has never seen such enthusiasm like when the Templar spoke of breaking a mage.
Edrin leans back against the rock, listening to the faint voices coming from the cave as he continues to ponder the situation he is now in.
..~~*~~..
Aster easily catches Anders' punch and uses the mage's momentum to push his chest into the cave wall, twisting the apostate's arm behind. The Templar uses his other hand to grab a fistful of blonde hair and pulls his head back. Pressing his body against Anders' he whispers, "I generally prefer women, but blondes," the Rivaini runs his tongue along the mage's ear. "Blondes have always held a special place in my heart."
Anders tries to push him off but finds he can't get the leverage. Aster grins and kidney punches the mage three times before releasing him. The apostate collapses to his hands and knees, his body wracked with pain. The Wardens taught him how to cast spells while in combat and how to use his staff as a weapon, but they taught him precious little about hand to hand combat. In the beginning he felt as if he were holding his own against the Templar until Aster made it clear he was only sparring.
"You're a spirited one, I'll give you that," he chuckles. Anders can feel the ice leave his throat but doesn't yet have the breath to speak.
Aster draws his twin blades. "What do you say we up the stakes," he sets one sword on the ground before the mage.
Anders looks at the blade, and then looks past the Templar at the cage holding the girls. Madia looks pale and Devon is reaching through the bars trying to grab Anders' belt. His brown eyes look back at the sword. He has to defeat Aster, and quickly, if he has any chance of helping Madia.
"Let me give you a hint. This is the end you hold," Aster taps the handle. "And this is the end you want to drive into my little black heart."
He glares at the Rivaini for a moment before returning his gaze to the weapon. He knows nothing about swordplay; he's a mage not a warrior. Then the epiphany strikes him, Justice was a warrior in the fade, long before he merged with a mage. He reaches into himself, struggling to make contact with the spirit as his hand reaches for the blade. Aster chuckles and praises Anders as though he were a dog. The instant the mage's finger wrap around the hilt a burst of energy from the fade fills the cave and causes Aster to stagger back. Devon shrieks and presses herself in the farthest corner of her cage. Madia gasps, her midnight blues eyes are wide and locked on the man she calls father.
He rises to his feet, his blue glowing eyes lock onto his opponent. The raw power of the fade crackles over the mage's body and for the first time since their merging Anders rejoices. This is not Vengeance who has taken control; this is his friend Justice as he was when they first met.
"Demon!" Aster gasps.
"You dare call me such! I am not of those who shadow your wake to trap the souls of your victims." His voice resonates like thunder; he stands up straight and tall, his sword pointing at the now terrified Templar. "I am Justice, and you will pay for your crimes."
Horror fills Aster's dark eyes as his grandmother's prediction echoes in his head. Without realizing it the Templar begins reciting an old Rivaini chant of protection. A weak smile spreads on Madia's lips as she watches Justice charge Aster. The Templar fumbles, barely blocking Justice's sword. Aster is stumbling back, fumbling as he blocks and dodges the spirit's attacks, his mind still in shock from his encounter with Justice and the fact that his grandmother might very well have been correct. Justice swings the blade at Aster's face, the Rivaini jerks his head away, but the blade slices his left cheek. The Templar stumbles back, trips over his feet and lands heavily on the ground. He gasps and looks at Justice who closes in for the kill. He kicks his feet and catches the mage in the chest and sends him staggering, Aster realizes that his game is no longer in his control.
"You may be my end," he says getting to his feet. "But I will not die quietly!"
"It matters not to me if you die screaming."
Aster yells and charges, Justice side steps and easily pushes the warrior off balance. He staggers away from the mage swinging blindly, but manages to slice Justice's left bicep. The Templar regains his footing and waits for the mage to attack. He charges and Aster easily parries the blow, and grabs Justice by the left arm and swings him into the cave wall. The Rivaini brings his sword up with the intention of striking down Justice, but he catches the Templar's forearm stopping the sword's tip inches from his ribs. Justice counters by swinging his sword towards Aster's neck. The warrior quickly grab's the mage's wrist, the blade uncomfortably close to its goal. The two struggle to break the stalemate they find themselves in. Suddenly Aster begins to chuckle and glowing blue eyes narrow in response.
"While you waste time with me, she's dying."
Justice gasps, his power over Anders' body falters as the mage tries to wrest control to help Madia. The split second of hesitation is all Aster needs to drive his blade into the mage's ribs. The weapon slips from Justice's hand and clatters to against the rocky floor. Madia screams and reaches towards him through the bars. Justice slides to the ground clutching his wound when Aster jerks the weapon free.
"You'll not be my death, demon!" he shouts victoriously as he backs away from his foe. A sudden burst of mana sends him reeling. Immediately afterwards a wave of healing magic fills the small cavern. Justice rises to his feet, his injuries healed his face etched with grim determination. His fist lashes out, punching the Templar in the neck. The warrior drops his blade and clutches his neck, desperate for his next breath. Justice takes advantage of the opening and punches the Rivaini again, this time in the jaw, keeping the dark skinned man off balance. Justice grabs Aster's head and forces the Templar's forehead into his raised knee. Dazed and half blind from pain he trips over his feet and lands flat on his back. Justice quickly picks up the warrior's dropped blade and places a knee to Aster's chest. When Aster comes to his senses he finds himself gazing into glowing blue eyes and a blade to his throat. Justice tilts his head slightly as if he is listening to someone speaking just behind him.
"I should kill you, it is my duty." Justice pulls a lyrium vial from the Templar's pouch and quickly downs the contents.
"But your fate is not mine to decide." There is a ripple of blue energy and a crack of thunder and then Templar and mage disappear.
..~~*~~..
Edrin listens to Aster having his 'fun' while his mind still unable to find a way out of his situation. A sliver of moon begins to rise, when Edrin decides to carefully make his way back to the cave. As he nears the cavern's opening he listens to the battle between Aster and Justice, fear grips him as he remembers the Rivaini's tale of his Grandmother's vision. He hoovers by the cave's mouth, carefully peering in. He watches as the glowing mage grabs the Templar and disappears into thin air. The clergyman waits a few fateful breaths before finally entering the cave. Devon begins to whimper and cry at the sight of him, while Madia glares silently. Edrin gasps at the sight of Madia's pale, weak form and the amount of blood covering the girl. Anders' magic stopped the bleeding and healed the wound, but the dark haired girl still lost a great deal of blood and is still weak.
"No," he whispers softly. "You can't die."
The clergyman rushes into the back of the cave and frantically digs through his pack and pulls out his copy of the cage key. He hurries back to the girls' pen. Devon continues to cry and Madia, even in her frail state is still trying to protect Devon.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," he says as he unlocks the door. Devon wails and presses herself further back into the cage. He continues to apologies as he pulls Madia out. The dark haired child grunts and feebly tries to fight back. In his alarm, Edrin doesn't check Madia for wounds, instead he immediately applies pressure.
"Devon, child, you must run and get help."
The girl hesitates, uncertain if the Brother is trying to trick her. He glances over and sees the child hovering in the cell.
"Hurry, girl! Run!"
She bolts out of the cage and runs out of the cave. Edrin turns his attention back to Madia, who is still trying to fight back.
"I'm so sorry. I know your father is a healer. Surly he's taught you some of the healing arts. Please let me help you. You can't die."
She stops struggling and eyes him distrustfully. He again apologies and pleads with her to allow him to help her. Finally and suspiciously, she points towards Anders' belt.
"There's something on his belt that can help?"
The child nods. He grabs the belt with one hand and pulls it close, while his other hand maintains pressure on Madia's chest. Her strength continues to fade, her eyes flutter and Edrin pulls out everything in one of the smaller pouches.
"Stay awake. I don't know what I'm looking for." He gently pats her face. Her eyes gradually open and looks at the pile of stuff Edrin pulled from the mage's belt. She shakes her head and indicates one of the larger pouches. Still only using one hand he pulls everything out, holding up vial after vial for her to see. Finally she points to a small clay vial. He removes the cork and helps her drink the contents. Color begins to return to her face, although she is still deathly pale. She sighs softly with relief, but her lids remain heavy and it's a challenge for her to keep them open. Finally she succumbs and passes out.
Edrin gazes down at the girl, he remembers her from before, but cannot recall her name. He and Aster called her their little Chanter, mocking her self-imposed vow of silence. But the feature that stands out the most for him are her eyes. Those incredible eyes, such a deep shade of blue they almost look black. His eyes follow the fat, sloppy dark curls that frame a beautiful heart shaped face with delicate features.
She must be a gift from the Maker, for only He could create something so…so…
"So pure," he whispers, moving a dark curl away from her face.
..~~*~~..
Devon runs blindly into the night. She sobs as she follows the trail she hopes will lead her back to Kirkwall. She stops running, wipes the tears from her eyes and looks around to get her bearings. She's never been outside of the city before and in the dark cannot find any landmarks to guide her home. She has no idea where she is, she's cold, hungry and lost. Tears begin welling up in her eyes again when she hears voices. Not sure what else to do she hides behind a large rock. She's heard all the tales about the Quanari who prowl this area to ambush the unsuspecting and unwary. She's remembers stories about the bandits and giant spiders who also call the Wounded Coast home. The voices grow louder and her heart is pounding so fast it threatens to leap from her chest. Cautiously she peeks around the rock and is relieved to see Brother Sebastian. She abandons her hiding place and runs towards the archer, calling out his name.
"Devon?" Sebastian crouches to catch the running child in his arms. "Devon are you hurt?" She sobs and shakes her head. He hugs her and soothes away her tears, reassuring her that she's safe.
"You know Birdie will be very happy to see you." Sebastian says, gently freeing himself from the child and looking into her eyes. Devon smiles, but then her eyes widen.
"The other girl! Brother Sebastian, she needs help."
"What other girl," Aveline asks.
Still clutching onto Sebastian she says, "The quiet one. I don't know her name but Ser Aster brought her and she's hurt real bad."
"Can you take us to her," Fenris asks. She stares at the lyrium branded elf with wide fearful eyes and slowly nods. Still staring she points in the direction from which she came.
"The cave," Fenris says with trepidation.
..~~*~~..
Once in the Fade Justice is off balance and staggers into the cave wall for support. Aster collapses to his hands and knees and throws up.
"Justice!" Compassion hurries to help steady her friend. With her help he recovers faster than the human. It was the combined effort of Compassion, Justice and the thin Veil that allowed him to cross into the fade, but it was not without cost. Justice could feel his strength begin to fade. It takes more effort than it should for him to change the size of the cage and force the Templar into it.
"Why are you here?"
"The children became very agitated and insisted on returning to this…this place." Her discomfort at the surroundings is very obvious. "I sensed you through the Veil and called to you."
"Compassion, what is wrong?"
"The evil committed here still lingers." She hugs herself in an effort to ward off the heavy oppressive atmosphere of the cavern. "It has taken shape and torments those caught in its path with the evils done to these children."
"The bad man," one of the children exclaims, pointing at Aster. "He and the other hurt us."
"What other?"
From Anders memory Justice can see Brother Edrin and assumes this is the other man the children are speaking of.
"You have my vow that both will be brought to justice. But I need you to tell me his fate." He points to the trapped Templar. The children cowered behind Compassion, their fear of Aster evident. It takes Justice and Compassion several minutes to convince the group that they are safe and can no longer be harmed by the Templar or his accomplice.
"Their power over you is no more. You're free to cross over."
"He won't follow us," a girl questions.
"We can make certain of that, if that is your wish."
"How," a young girl questions.
"Justice and I can seal this cave. We can also place a rune on him so if he manages to escape we will know. If you cross over he can never hurt you again."
The children talk among themselves and finally there is a murmur of agreement.
"Then it is decided."
Justice turns towards the caged Aster. "You will remain here and suffer the injustices you have inflicted upon these children."
Aster roars with rage and denial as he struggles against the cage. One by one the young souls disappear from the fade and to their eternal rest. Justice and Compassion leave the cave as a large shadowy figure with glowing eyes drifts towards the screaming Templar.
"Now, now," its voice is deep and distorted. "There's no need for that." It reaches a hand through the bars to cup Aster's face.
Justice and Compassion seal the cavern, leaving the Templar to his fate.
..~~*~~..
"Brother Edrin! What are you doing," Sebastian asks. The clergyman is sitting on the cave floor with Madia in his lap. Plump fingers gently trace her face in an intimate fashion. His head snaps up, and he looks surprised to see not only Sebastian and Fenris, but also the Guard-Captain and one of her guardsman.
"She's hurt. She needs help."
"Then let us take her," Sebastian suggests cautiously wanting only to have Madia safe before Aveline makes her arrest. He makes a move towards Edrin and the child. Devon suddenly pulls on his arm, trying to stop him from getting too close.
"No, Brother Sebastian, no. He tried to kill you!"
The archer stared at his fellow clergyman his expression a mix of shock and disbelief.
"What," Aveline asks, drawing her sword in order to protect her friend. Guardsman Roah also unsheathes his sword and quickly moves around to Sebastian's other side.
"He said your death would stop the investigation!"
Sebastian backs away from Edrin; his stomach moving is sickly waves at the knowledge that this man whom he called Brother was torturing and murdering children. He felt the bile rise at the memory of the details he read in the journal.
"That's absurd," the older man protests.
"Were you hoping to stop the investigation into this?" With her free hand Aveline produces the journal. Edrin pales and sick recognition fills his eyes.
"How could you," Roah demands. "How could do all those horrible things to children?"
"You're a Brother," Sebastian adds. "You took a vow to the maker."
"So did you," Edrin snaps. "But that didn't stop you from ordering the massacre of those who killed your family."
"You dare compare that to what you did," Roah demands, pointing to the book still in Aveline's hand. "His actions were done out of a sense of justice!"
As if on cue a bright blue light fills the cavern as a crack of thunder echoes off the walls. Edrin drops Madia and scrabbles away from the light. When the light fades, an exhausted Anders crumples to his knees. Dazed and fatigued the mage stares blankly at the crowd.
"Where's Ser Aster," Devon asks, still hiding behind Sebastian.
"He's trapped in the Fade."
"Maleficar," Edrin gasps.
Anders' eyes narrow at the Brother, and he is about to protest until he sees Madia. He calls out to his daughter and pulls himself the short distance to her.
"Dear-heart, open your eyes. Please."
Instead of opening her eyes she moans weakly. Anders sighs and places his hand on her chest. Justice used a great deal of mana to cross the veil and to confine Aster. Anders has to reach deeper than he ever thought he could to summon enough magic to heal Madia's fragile form. The healing spell spills from his hands and fills the girl with its regenerative powers. The seconds seem to drag on until finally she opens her midnight blue eyes. Anders all but laughs with relief and holds the child close. She smiles at him and wraps her tiny arms about his neck. After a moment Madia pulls back from Anders, her dainty hands asking if they can go home.
"Yes dear-heart," he kisses her forehead. "We can go home now."
"Come along you," Aveline says, grabbing Edrin's arm and hauling the portly man to his feet despite his feeble protests.
"Why don't we get you back to the Chantry," Sebastian asks of Devon. He turns and picks up the tired child. He can feel someone yank his bow and quiver off his back and spins to see Edrin with a readied bow.
"Nobody move," Edrin's words are thick with desperation. The bow trembles in his hands as he tries to aim the nocked arrow at Aveline, and Roah. Sebastian carefully sets Devon back on her feet and pushes the child behind him.
"Edrin, you don't want to do this," Aveline warns.
"Just…nobody move." He orders, slowly moving away from the group and backing out of the cave.
"It's pointless to run," Roah warns. "We will find you."
"It's not my fault. It was all Aster's idea. He made me do it," the clergyman protests as he continues to back out. "I had no choice. I'm sorry, but I had no choice," this statement seems directed to Madia, whose eyes are filled with a dark hate.
Edrin stumbles over a rock and accidentally releases the arrow which finds its way into Madia's chest. She stumbles back into and slumps into Anders' arms.
"No," Anders cries out. "Please, Maker no." He lowers her to the ground and begins assessing her wounds. She chokes once and goes limp as her midnight blue eyes close.
"It's not my fault," Edrin protests, still backing away. "It's not my fault," He repeats as Aveline and Roah move in to capture him. He jerks back suddenly and trips over the edge of the cliff. His screams are swallowed by the waves hundreds of feet below.
"Ok, I can heal this. I can heal this," Anders pulls the arrow from her body.
"Anders, she's gone," Sebastian says.
"No," Anders screams. "Don't be dead. Please!" he holds her limp form close as the sounds of his breaking heart echoes off of the cavern walls.