First Enchanter Irving carefully shut the door of his study steadying his breathing, everything was in place. His former student and now colleague; brother in the fight against Templar rule and lover, Uldred, had assured him all was ready. He sat at his desk and gazed at the books that had found their way to him over the years. Books of knowledge and power that had helped him shape a generation of mages in the Circle. For over twenty years Irving has held his current position. He had nurtured the mages, guided them in the way of power and concealment of that power. He had subtly encouraged the hatred of Templars and now, finally there were enough dedicated mages with the necessary skills and power to finally bring to fruition their vengeance. He picked up the athame and placed it reverently into the book prepared for its carriage. Today the balance between mages and Templars would shift and no longer would mages be second class citizens, no longer would they be imprisoned and be at the beck and call of Templar whims. Irving smiled, today he and his fellow mages would finally take into themselves their true power and nothing would stop them.

xXx

Rolling back his shoulders to ease the growing tension Knight Commander Greagoir presided over a thankfully successful Harrowing. Jowan lay unconscious on the floor and Greagoir instructed two of the Templars to return him to his bunk. He hadn't been sure the mage was ready, but at twenty they couldn't put off the test any longer.

Jowan had caught the Knight Commander's attention at a young age. He was a mischievous child and had found in Anders a kindred spirit. Greagoir prided himself on his unyielding attention to duty, but where those two mages were concerned he realised they had managed to do what no other mage had done; they had reminded him they were boys as well as mages. Greagoir had watched their progress with concealed pride, Anders had a gift for Creation Magic becoming an accomplished healer and Jowan excelled in elemental magic. However both young men hated being confined in the tower and had attempted to escape on numerous occasions, they had even made it to Denerim once.

Greagoir rubbed his forehead; this time Jowan had been brought back alone and Greagoir knew when Anders was found, this time imprisonment would not be enough. He found himself hoping that the mage would stay out of trouble and go undetected, but his phylactery would give him away wherever he hid and he would be brought back to face the rite of Tranquility.

xXx

Irving gazed at the mages joining him for this most special of meetings and gave a benevolent smile. "My fellow mages; friends, brothers and sisters. Long have we bowed beneath Templar rule. I say no more. It is time to throw off these shackles and grasp the future and shape it with our will. No more will we suffer Templar brutality. No more will we be forced to bow to their rule. They say that blood magic is evil, but we know the truth. It is power, a power they fear and all we have to do is harness that power my friends and freedom is ours." He placed the athame on the table. "Are we ready?" He smiled as each head bowed in deference to him. His eyes locked with Uldred their hands clasping for a moment beneath the table. Finally true freedom would be theirs. Irving picked up the athame. "Then let my blood be the doorway to our freedom." He winced slightly as he drew the blade along his arm taking strength from Uldred's passionate gaze. He drew on the power within his blood and that was when things went very wrong.

xXx

Bethany stared at the Tower and shivered, jumping slightly as Carvers arm draped over her shoulders. "Carver!" She growled.

Carver grinned and gave her a quick hug. "Don't worry sis, you will never end up in there."

"I hope not." She mumbled. "I don't like even being this close."

Carver pulled her closer, turned her around and walked with her back up the hill towards their small campsite.

Duncan and Alistair had already taken the ferry along with Aeronwen who was curious about the Circle and Sten who was apparently refusing to leave her side.

Zevran moved across the campsite and settled himself beside Bethany, surprising the young mage as she glanced at him curiously. "You are friends with the delightful Aeronwen, yes?"

"Yes."

"I have a wonder if you will indulge me?"

"That depends."

Zevran gave her a delighted smile. "That Aeronwen would likely have guards is perhaps not so surprising she is clearly of nobility, but the Sten's words intrigued me. Sataareth is a defender, what is it do you think she is defending and why is she in exile?"

Bethany gave him a cool glance. "The truth Zevran is I haven't the slightest idea." She leaned forward conspiratorially. "Though I will ask her if you will answer something for me."

Zevran inched closer his curiosity flaring. "Ask away my sweet bird of prey."

Bethany chuckled. "I know you have some kind of history with Leliana, but there is something about her I do not trust. My question is, are her intentions towards Alistair good or bad?"

"You have a particular interest in the young Warden?"

"The interest is not for me."

Zevran furrowed his brows. "I have not noticed anyone else expressing an interest in him."

Bethany grinned wickedly. "She just doesn't realise she is interested, yet."

Zevran chuckled. "You speak of course of our defender. You know her well enough to create a match for her?"

Bethany shrugged. "I just planted the seeds; I think they are well matched, but you have not answered my question."

"In truth I do not know; but as you will endeavour to sate my curiosity, I will do what I can to alleviate yours."

xXx

Ulred felt the ripple of power; felt his heart soar and then come crashing down as Irving clutched at his chest his body distorting, extending and twisting into something grotesque. Uldred let a low whimper escape his lips before Irving's hands were wrapped around his throat. He struggled, managed a few gasping pleads to his lover before he felt a darkness fill him as a demon slipped into his body, flexing itself into him as though trying on a robe. Uldred felt himself drowning in hatred and the thirst for blood and found himself swept along in the desire to kill, to tear apart and destroy. He died moments later with Greagoir's sword buried in his chest, cursing Templars with his final breath.

xXx

Aeronwen stepped into the ferry and settled next to Alistair gazing up at the tower. She gently squeezed his hand. "Are you well?"

Alistair realised she was concerned given what she had seen in the Fade and gently squeezed her hand in return. "I'm fine. How do you know Sten?" He whispered. His query was one of genuine curiosity, but he also wanted his mind taken off where they were going.

Aeronwen grinned. "I was barely five when I encountered my first Qunari. I was playing by the river and lost my footing. I was pulled from the water by what I thought was a giant and dangled in front of his face. I had never seen anyone like him and probably to his horror I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek."

"Repeatedly." Sten growled; but there was no hint of anger or disgust, only affection.

Aeronwen grinned. "Sten took me back to the pal … to my father and suggested I required discipline."

Alistair shuddered. "You were only five."

Aeronwen grinned. "The Qunari are a wonderful people Alistair. Perhaps a little harsh and unyielding at times; but their society works to improve the lives of all within it, not just the few at the top. From that year until I was eighteen, I spent two months of the year with the Qunari." She smiled happily. "It was thrilling; enlightening, hard work but taught me many things."

"You were an attentive student."

Aeronwen cast Sten a delighted smile. "And you Sten were a most generous teacher."

xXx

Jowan woke up to the sounds of screaming, wondering if he was still in his Harrowing. He blinked sleepily and froze as the door was literally torn open and Marie was thrown against the wall, her body limp leaving a bloody trail as she slumped to the floor. Jowan stared wide eyed at the monstrosity that stepped into the room. He had never witnessed an abomination before, but he knew that was what he was looking at. He carefully moved off the bed and inched his way along the wall until he could slip behind one of the chests. The abomination seemed to be gathering Marie's blood. Jowan swallowed hard before summoning his magic and hitting it with Rockfist. That just antagonised it and Jowan sent lightning straight at its chest; unable to hold in his stomach contents as the thing exploded, covering the walls and floor in gore.

Jowan stumbled towards the door, darting back and flattened himself under the bed as a blood curdling scream vibrated around the walls and a Templar was torn in half before his eyes. Jowan shivered, he hated the Templars but no one deserved to die like that. When the corridor fell silent he inched out of his hiding place and made his way towards the library. He stared horrified as a small group of younger mages pleaded with a group of Templars for their lives. Jowan heard the words that almost paralysed him with fear. The Circle was being annulled; the Templars would kill them all. He gave a strangled gasp as they were cut down and did the only thing he could think to do, he fled towards the main doors.

xXx

Duncan felt the oppressive atmosphere swamp them the moment they entered the Circle. Knight Commander Greagoir greeted them a little stiffly, he looked exhausted. Blood splattered his uniform and sword and his eyes held deep grief. "Trouble?"

Greagoir raked his gauntleted fingers through his grey hair, thinking idly it needed to be cut. "You have come to the Circle at a dark time Warden Commander. First Enchanter Irving revealed himself to be a blood mage. Maker I never suspected corruption would run so deep." He took a deep shuddering breath. "We had no choice I have invoked the Rite of Annulment. It is brutal work, but had to be done."

Duncan glanced around him in concern. "You have regained control?"

"There are few mages left and they are being sought out and dealt with. Those Templars who were enthralled have also been sent to the Makers side may they forgive me. Long have I known Irving, I even respected him. These are dark days indeed."

They looked up startled as a young man in a robe raced out of the double doors; his eyes wide with terror, tears blinding his vision and making him stumble. Aeronwen reached out to steady him; Bethany's words screamed in her mind, if even one mage could be saved.

"Please!" He gasped. "They are killing us all. I didn't do anything wrong."

Fury surged through Aeronwen and she moved to shield the mage as two Templars ran into the entrance hall.

"Aeronwen it is not our place to interfere." Duncan hissed angrily.

Aeronwen glared at the Commander. "Stand there and allow this atrocity to take place if you wish, but do not expect me to follow your lead."

"The Circle has been annulled, the mage must die." Ser Cullen who was closest to them stated fiercely.

Aeronwen drew her blade moving the trembling mage towards the door. "You cannot have him!"

"Kadan." Sten stated urgently. "Your mission cannot be jeopardised for one mage."

Aeronwen let a low growl escape her lips. "I will not let them kill him because of the actions of others."

"Hold!" Knight Commander Greagoir had watched the scene with some astonishment, perhaps there was a way out for Jowan afterall. "Jowan was unconscious from his Harrowing when this started; he is not part of this. I will allow him to leave with you, but I must demand a Templar accompany you to supervise him."

Jowan shrank against Aeronwen, his whole body trembling. Aeronwen re-sheathed her sword. "I will accept responsibility for the mage, there is no need for Templar supervision."

The Knight Commander glanced to Alistair recognising him and gave him an almost pleading look.

Alistair swallowed hard and glanced to Duncan before moving next to Aeronwen. "Knight Commander I will support Aeronwen in supervising this mage."

"You will not!" Duncan thundered. "Has it escaped your memory you are a Warden not a Templar."

Alistair turned to Duncan. "Weren't we here to recruit mages? He is a mage! I don't see the problem."

Duncan clenched his jaw, he was never one to turn away mage help and he knew he was being deliberately stubborn because of Aeronwen. He finally nodded. "Very well. I will allow it."

Greagoir nodded in satisfaction. "Warden Commander I assume you have come for aid with the Blight, but as you can see we cannot aid you at this time. Jowan is all I can give you."

"You have enforced the Rite of Annulment, this Circle will not have need of all of its Templars for some time."

Greagoir sighed. "Many have been slain in the fight, but if any can be spared we will join you. We should talk in private."

Aeronwen glanced to Jowan. "Are you harmed?"

Jowan shook his head furiously. "Please, just take me away from here."

Aeronwen gently guided the distraught mage from building.

xXx

Jowan took several large gasps of fresh air and sank to the ground shivering. Aeronwen had intended to wait for the others, but instead she gently pulled Jowan to his feet and led him to the ferry. By the time they reached the bank a little colour had returned to his cheeks and though still shivering, it was not as violent. He stumbled out of the ferry and watched it glide back over the water to pick up the others. He turned to the woman who had risked her own life to save him and gazed awkwardly. "Thank you."

"Do you want to talk about what happened?"

"They imprison us all of our lives and then wonder why some people rebel. It was awful; there were demons and abominations everywhere. Everyone I ever knew ... all gone." Tears slipped down his face as he sank once more to the ground and accepted her embrace as he wept.

"You were the only one in there to survive?"

Jowan sniffed and glanced up. "Anders escaped a little while ago. I just keep hoping he's out there somewhere alive."

Aeronwen noticed how Jowan's eyes lit up at the mention of his friend. "Tell me about him."

Jowan allowed a smile to sweep across his face. "Anders is … he's funny and fearless and the best friend I've ever had."

"Why didn't you escape with him?"

"I tried but was caught."

"And he just left you?"

"No, it … it wasn't like that. He was going to give himself up, but seeing him escape gave me hope so I yelled at him to keep running. He didn't want to leave me. Maker I hope he's okay."

Aeronwen helped Jowan back to the camp and briefly explained to Bethany what had happened. She immediately took Jowan under her wing and settled him next to the fire getting him something to eat. Aeronwen smiled and helped herself to a bowl of stew, glancing in the direction of the ferry.

"The others remain in the tower?" Zevran murmured moving to her side.

"Jowan needed to get out of there." Aeronwen shuddered. "They killed them all Zevran, he was the only one to escape. They didn't care about the innocent mages, they slaughtered them all."

"The Rite of Annulment?"

Aeronwen nodded. "The First Enchanter himself succumbed to blood magic. From what little Jowan told me it was a mess."

"How might I ask was one mage allowed to go free?"

Aeronwen winced slightly. "I drew my sword on the Templars trying to kill him."

Zevran raised an eyebrow. "Defender indeed."

"Ah, you heard Sten."

"It was difficult not to be intrigued by your fascinating conversation."

Aeronwen smiled, despite knowing Zevran was an assassin she was drawn to him and was somewhat startled to realise she trusted him. "Well my actions have alienated me further from the Warden Commander, particularly when Alistair agreed to supervise Jowan."

"The Commander is a man with a great weight on his heart."

"He is and I certainly do not wish to add to it." She gave another sigh then turned to her companion. "Tell me of Antiva Zevran, it is a place I have always wished to visit."

Zevran grinned. "Ah Antiva, I believe you would find it fascinating." He linked her arm and drew her towards the fire. "I can tell you best of my homeland with my initiation into the Crows. I was very young and stunningly gorgeous even then."

Aeronwen grinned and settled back to listen. Yes, she liked Zevran very much.

xXx

Author Note:Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed.