Chapter 10: The Dramatic Day Ten

The dramatic day – it was the teetering point in Kirkwall's history, I'm sure. It was also one of those days that you will never forget because by the end of it, if you can come out unscathed, you suddenly have the whole world's worth of confidence about your abilities. And as a woman in a man's world, that really is something.

The day began a little after my conversation with Leliana. I went to Nicholas and with a demanding tone, I said, "I know you warned me about the nine days you were going to give however, The Divine is not yet here and until we are done with her, you will not be notifying Sebastian of my presence in Kirkwall."

Nicholas had given me a blank-eyed look and told me with an innocent face, "But I sent the letter yesterday!" He feigned remorse and said, "I am old and forgetful at times. I just remembered that I was to notify him on the ninth day."

I saw through his act straight away but I could never be angry with Nicholas. A little flustered, I replied, "I see through your 'old man' act. I'm onto you. You thought you'd give him a head start in the midst of my delay!"

He tsked me but when I glared a little, he relented, "Oh, alright. I sent him the letter. I wanted him to come as soon as possible." When I glared a little harder, he grumbled, "You've still got time. It takes two days to ride to Starkhaven and two days to ride back. That's four days. So, stop looking at me like that."

Watching him fidget like a schoolboy, I relented and hugged him. Even still, I mumbled into his shoulder, "You're not forgiven. And since you wrote to him yesterday, I only have about three days."

"I will be forgiven the second the two of you are reunited."

I didn't argue with that. I still didn't know what I was planning on doing. I loved Sebastian but what if, he didn't love me? What if… I tried to shake my thoughts away. Focus on The Divine, I said to myself.

The Maker was listening to my thoughts that day. I had very little time to be panicked about Sebastian. Half-way through breakfast with Nicholas, Leliana had rushed into the Chantry and announced The Divine's arrival onto Kirkwall's shores. Yes, that sobered me up instantly. Everyone was swift, racing from one room to another, gathering our multiple parchments worth of policies, other documents and the partially signed treaties between Kirkwall and Ferelden. Then we paced. Even Elthina paced.

Divine Justinia V was not what I expected. I had expected a stereotype, a wizened and old lady who believed in the Maker without doubt and would preach constantly or speak only in verse. Instead, she seemed calm, jovial and not so old. She couldn't be any older than in her mid-fifties. What surprised me most though was the amount of men she had brought with her. It was as though she had already contemplated holy war and if she did not like what she heard, she would declare war immediately. My breath caught in my throat. I had whispered to Elthina as the Divine's Templars strolled in, "Is this war?"

She shook her head, "She is The Divine. She needs protection." My breath released as I watched on incredulously.

As expected, she was Orlesian. Yet her accent was not so terrible. There was something gentle about her. Something that would see reason. I felt better when she stepped to the podium where we stood.

Elthina had bowed and so, the rest of us followed suit. It seemed that Divine Justinia was unused to such respects and she had asked, her voice gentle but a little croaky, "Please. That is… unnecessary," she then spoke to Elthina, "There was refuge for you in the Grand Cathedral, yet you would not leave your flock. I praise your efforts, Grand Cleric."

Leliana stepped forward in haste, "Your Grace, this –"

Justinia put her hands up, "Peace, Leliana. We have time," she turned her eyes upon me and her face softened into a smile, "So, you are the lady Leliana wrote to me about. The Champion of Kirkwall, yes?"

I inclined my head, "Yes, I am she." Behind me, Anders fidgeted. There was a tension in the air that could not be dissipated. Justinia regarded me with a warm look, there was respect in her eyes, something I had not expected. She clucked, "Confident and direct. I hear tell that you were involved in Starkhaven's progress."

"I was one of many," I replied.

Silence reigned. It was awkward and uncomfortable. I refused to fidget but still, I had been very tempted to do so. I tried to breathe deeply, keeping an inner calm that I did not feel. If only Sebastian had been here, I thought to myself, he would know exactly what to do or say.

"I sense discomfort," said Justinia and she motioned towards the rooms, "perhaps we should begin discussing the problems?" It was posed as a question but of course, it was an order.

I suggested, "We are going to need a larger room, there will be many people involved. Beyond that, Meredith should be present for this."

Justinia eyed me with speculation, "I am surprised at your requests. Surely you would prefer the Knight-Commander to not be present."

"My arguments and evidence remain the same with or without her. No matter what I think of her, I do her a disservice to speak without her present. I suggest the Throne Room in Viscount's Keep. I'll also need Leliana, Grand Cleric Elthina, a mage named Ella, the Tranquil assistant Elsa, Walter from Darktown and a few Templars," I said without hesitation.

Fenris growled from behind me, "I know the Templars. Cullen and Alek."

Anders offered, "Bethany and I can go into Darktown and get Walter. You can go to Viscount's Keep and start without us. Everyone you want is already there or with us now."

Justinia had chuckled, "Always in such a rush, young people these days. Why don't we head into Viscount's Keep, Elthina and Leliana? We shall give these young ones time to prepare. We will be in the Throne Room awaiting you."

Leliana offered, "I will have Ella, Elsa as well as the Templars waiting for you. Don't forget your documents!"

I sent Fenris and Isabela to grab all the documents and carry them to the Throne Room. Along with Anders and Bethany, we wandered down into Darktown. Walter was only too pleased to see me, telling me that he and the children had a little food each day to prevent from being hungry. I asked him, "Will you help me? I need you to speak to someone about your experiences in Kirkwall. Will you come to Viscount's Keep with me?" He nodded.

During the trek to Viscount's Keep, Walter endured through humiliating stares and points but with a comforting pat upon his shoulder, he had straightened up and did not falter. Well, not until we were in the Throne Room anyway. I closed the door behind him and his jaw dropped to the floor. He stuttered, "I thought you said you needed my help! You didn-"

I calmed him with soothing words, "I do need your help. You will not be harmed. I promise." Leliana took him and stood with the other witnesses to the left.

Meredith had been arguing with Elthina, asking her, "I should have been notified of this! I demand an explanation!"

Justinia answered for Elthina, "You will calm yourself, Knight-Commander. I am here because there are problems in Kirkwall. If it were not for Lady Hawke, this city would already be in holy war. I suggest you not make matters worse for yourself." She turned to me, "Lady Hawke. You may begin."

I took a deep breath and introduced my ideas, "As we are all aware, Kirkwall has problems. I would be the first to admit that. However, what is in dispute is what these problems are. Yes, we have some mage-related problems. Yes, we even have some blood mages. I will not shy from the truth. However, why is it that the mages in Kirkwall rebel so much? Why is it that the mages use blood magic? And why is it that all the problems in Kirkwall are somehow related to mages and blood magic when we actually have problems of starvation and murder? Why are the streets lined with blood? The answer to these questions is the Templars that are in charge of this nation and some of their abuses in authority."

Meredith was not pleased. She said, "You are an apostate! You have no right!"

Leliana stood with me, "She has every right! I have requested The Divine's presence so this woman can do all she can to protect Kirkwall!"

When Justinia gestured for me to continue, I turned to Elthina, "Grand Cleric. You were present when Meredith and I spoke about the Gallows being burned. Meredith gave a list of people who were involved. Could you please tell us what she said?"

Elthina nodded, "Knight-Commander mentioned that aside from blood mages and mercenaries, some of the Templars played a part in the arson."

With an inclination of my head as thanks, I continued, "But what was the public told? There was no mention of Templar involvement. All that was mentioned were the mages. So, Kirkwall is harbouring under the illusion that mages are dangerous. They are treated with disdain. A living being treated as sub-standard. Does anyone deserve that? Is it so surprising that they turn to their powers for help?"

Meredith was watching me and her eyes were once again, turning a little red at the irises. I took a deep breath to shake my nerves. I continued, "There are solutions to this problem but first, I would like another to step forward. Ella?"

Ella, the young mage that Anders had nearly killed stepped forward. She looked different, her hair was a lot longer and there was a new facial tattoo upon her left cheek. Looking around with hesitation, she stammered, "Yes?"

I told her, "Please be calm. No one will hurt you. What can you tell me about Ser Alrik?"

Meredith interrupted, her voice tinging with hatred, "This is pointless. Ser Alrik is dead and The Champion simply wishes to use The Tranquil Solution against us. This was denied by me and the Divine."

"And yet, he was allowed to Tranquilise more mages," I turned to Ella, "Will you tell us what you know of Ser Alrik?"

The tension was too much and she broke down into tears, sobbing as though she was reliving the experience of Alrik's threats, "Ser Alrik wanted to Tranquilise all mages. When The Tranquil Solution was rejected, he still Tranquilised mages in secret. He made up reasons, saying that some of the mages were found doing something incriminating but… it never happened… Siarah, she was my friend. He Tranquilised her for falling asleep during class and then when she was a Tranquil, he raped her. I heard it. I saw it. He had it for me after that. He kept trying to find situations to make me Tranquil. I was trying to visit my mother… he found me escaping… I didn't do anything." Her voice broke and as she collapsed into a crying heap upon the floor, I motioned for Bethany. My sister, seeing my nod, went to Ella and comforted her, hushing her gently.

I turned to Justinia, "The Templars are abusing their authority. Rape? Tranquilising mages without proper reasoning? Is it any wonder mages rebel?"

Meredith shouted, "These could all be fabricated lies! You could have asked the girl to say these things for you."

I shrugged, "I could have. Or I could tell you that I have Ser Alrik's documents in hand right now because I was the one that killed him." I produced the letters and passed it to Leliana, who gave it to Her Grace. I said, "I plucked it off his cold, dead body after he was done threatening Ella."

Meredith brandished her sword, "You killed a Templar! I should have you executed!"

It was the first time Justinia sounded angry, she ordered, "You will put your sword away and remember your place, Knight-Commander. Rape is not tolerated under any circumstance and the fact that this has not been investigated goes against you. I would have had my men do no else to Alrik. He is not befitting of a Templar," she turned to me, "Continue."

I bowed and turned to Walter, "Will you tell us about Evelina and how she lived her life whilst in Kirkwall?"

"Evelina was a blood mage!" said Meredith.

I nodded, "Yes, she was but you will allow Walter to speak."

I was proud of the boy. He stood tall and tried his best to speak firmly. He told Justinia, "Evelina helped the children of Ferelden. When the blight happened, she saved a lot of us. When we came to Kirkwall, she turned herself into the Circle but they still locked her up and called her an apostate for leaving Ferelden. She tried to petition Meredith for funds to help us blight survivors but that was swept under the rug because Evelina was an apostate. In the end, Evelina turned to blood magic for help. It was the only alternative she hadn't exhausted!"

I suggested, "How is it that a mage, who freely came forward to the Circle, can be labelled an apostate? And how is it that her family was not cared for at all in the process?" I turned to Leliana, "Perhaps you should enlighten Her Grace as to what you've seen these past days?"

"What in particular, Lady Hawke?" she had inquired.

I pondered for a moment and then decided upon, "Anything you feel is helpful to this discussion."

She had nodded, "I believe it is important to point out that Kirkwall has no Viscount. Meredith took it upon herself to be Viscountess, passing and enforcing laws when she had no right to do so. She has all the mages in Viscount's Keep and they are guarded heavily. There is no real decency afforded to the mages. Lady Hawke was also sent to capture three blood mages, however, only two of them were blood mages. The third, Emile de Launcet took the opportunity of the Gallows fire to escape and live life for he has never really lived properly. However, when Lady Hawke persuaded him to turn back to the Templars, Meredith would have executed him. It was due to the Comte's plea and Lady Hawke's words that caused Meredith to rethink that course of action. Even still, she treats Emile as though he is a blood mage, he is watched more severely than the rest of the mages despite the fact that there is no evidence that Emile has even used blood magic. Knight-Commander Meredith believes she is the Viscountess of this city and is taking on every possible role in the system – law maker, judge, jury and executioner. This cannot be allowed to continue."

I was surprised at Leliana. She had evidently spent some time thinking over her words and arguments. It was a relief to know that she supported my cause.

"And finally," I said, "Elsa, you are Meredith's Tranquil assistant. You will be the most objective out of everyone here, yes?"

Elsa had nodded, "I have no feelings and therefore, all of my answers are facts and unclouded by emotion."

"Very well, I would first like you to repeat what you told me when I asked whether Huon, Emile and Evelina were blood mages."

As I watched Justinia carefully, each of Elsa's words struck her blow by blow. "I told you that Knight-Commander Meredith likes to err on the side of caution by assuming that all apostates use blood magic."

I asked, "Does Meredith use any means of ensuring whether mages are guilty or not?"

Elsa did not hesitate, "There is no way of ensuring innocence or guilt. Knight-Commander Meredith prefers to execute as long as the apostate can be labelled such."

I turned to Justinia. I felt sorry for the woman. She had turned white in shock, horror and fury. I said, "As Grand Cleric Elthina once said to someone I knew, 'death is never justice'. There is no justice in risking the lives of innocent mages. We are human, too."

It then struck me. Did Elsa know about the lyrium?

I asked her, "One more thing. Do you know anything about Meredith's lyrium?"

Meredith's thunderous and dark expression was shot at me. Her eyes promised retribution as Elsa told me, "Knight-Commander Meredith uses lyrium as is issued. I know nothing aside from that."

I was disappointed. It would have been perfect had Meredith's downfall be at the hands of her Tranquil assistant. Yet, that would not be so.

Elthina then questioned me, "Lyrium? What is this about?"

I motioned for Fenris to speak. His tone was respectful but blunt, "Meredith was issued crates of lyrium. As Cullen and the other Templars will tell you, that lyrium was never shared and has long since disappeared."

Meredith argued, "You have no proof that the lyrium was not shared. It could have been given to other Templars serving under me!"

Justinia agreed, "Lady Hawke, though I confess that the information exposed does the Knight-Commander much discredit, you have no solid evidence to substantiate such an outrageous accusation. The Templar Order has long been known to use lyrium but what you suggest is –"

I interrupted, "Yes, lyrium addiction. When I was in Meredith's office, there were spills of the blue potions upon her floor. And beyond that, I can prove her addiction!"

Meredith had cackled, "No! You cannot! This claim of yours is broken!"

I motioned, "Fenris, if you please."

He launched himself at her, tackling and physically removing the gauntlets which Meredith wore. She struggled with him but after a few moments, Fenris stood up and held the gauntlet in his own armoured hand. Divine Justinia was beyond words. Her jaw was dropped at the display of violence and honestly, I felt like laughing. If the situation hadn't been so serious, it would have been comical.

Taking the gauntlet from Fenris, I swiped the metal against my hand. The dustings of lyrium ore burned my skin, turning my hand into an unhealthy purple and grey. Throwing the gauntlet aside, I moved closer to Justinia, gesturing to my hand, "Do you know what mineral will cause such damage?"

She looked at me in awe and shock before shaking her hand. Anders answered as he stepped forward, "That's lyrium ore in its pure and original form. It begs a question why Meredith has lyrium ore upon her armour."

I turned to him and he gestured for my hand. We looked at each other and he shared with me in one look, his warmth and support as he healed my hands from the damage I had intentionally caused.

Justinia had not recovered from the shock even after Anders was done healing my hand. So I continued, "There are no guards in the city. They are all at Viscount's Keep helping the Templars. There is no food, no security. What I offer is simple." I gestured for the heavy package of documents and passed it to Leliana, "Enclosed are all the policies that are currently used in Starkhaven. They are successful. I propose that Kirkwall be allowed the same policies before holy war is declared. A partially signed trade treaty with Ferelden is also within that package."

Even then, Her Grace was still… well, dumbfounded. Leliana had suggested, "Perhaps we should reconvene in a few hours when Her Grace is recovered? I will fetch you when she is ready." My companions, the witnesses and I bowed before exiting. At the door, I looked at Leliana. She had smiled and very subtly, nodded at me in approval. Smiling, we left for the Chantry.

At the Chantry, no one spoke. We paced. We all knew that whilst things had gone well, until Her Grace decided in our favour and removed Meredith, it wasn't over yet.

And of course, things went very poorly prior to Her Grace making a decision. A messenger had arrived, summoning us to the Keep for Justinia's decision and final verdict. We were never allowed to go that far.

In the courtyard of the Keep, Meredith stood awaiting us. Her eyes were blazing with fire and as she lifted her sword in the air, it burned lightening bolts of blood red.

Her voice was changed, harsher and edgier, "And here you are, Champion, at long last. You have done me a great dishonour today and I cannot allow that to continue. Everything I have done has been for Kirkwall and you would try to erase that!" Her sword was lifted to point at me and her face screwed up in an expression of hatred, "You were never a part of the Circle and I tolerated that but in defending them, you have chosen to become Kirkwall's enemy, my enemy."

I stared at the sword, watched as the lightening bolts swivelled around the sword ever hastier than before as Meredith's mood swung towards the dangerous. There was a trinket looped around the hilt of the sword and I watched, the trinket becoming more and more familiar with every passing moment. Meredith smirked as recognition dawned upon my face, "You recognize it, do you not? Pure lyrium, taken from the Deep Roads. The dwarf charged a great deal for his prize," her tone became deep, mired with sneers and contempt.

No wonder! It was the idol that I had found in the Deep Roads! How could I have forgotten? I shook my head, "The idol poisoned Bartrand's mind, in the end."

"He was weak," Meredith had snarled, "whereas I am not!"

Cullen found us; he stepped in front of our companions and had ordered, "Enough! This is not what the Order stands for. Knight-Commander, step down. I relieve you of your command!"

That seemed to be the breaking point for Meredith. She began to mutter, crazy, deluded and completely convinced, "My own Knight-Captain falls prey to the influence of blood magic," she turned around her and shrieked out in shrill tones, "You all have! You're all weak, allowing the mages to control your minds, to turn you against me!"

We looked around. There were a few Templars around but none who had been a part of the confrontation. For the most part, she had been talking to herself, perhaps even hallucinating as Bartrand had at one point. She brandished her sword this way and that, eventually pointing towards me again, "But I don't need any of you! I will protect this city myself!"

Cullen had lifted his own sword, "You'll have to go through me," he promised her.

"Idiot boy," she snarled, "Just like all the others." Lifting the sword high in the air, she crushed it into the stone ground. Red flames made of pure lyrium swirled around her as she chanted, "Blessed are those who stand before the corrupt and wicked and do not falter!" The lyrium swirled faster and faster, as though it was being absorbed into Meredith's own body. The light became so bright, I could barely see.

Meredith was a fierce enemy to battle. She had constant regenerating strength and energy. Three mages, a rogue and a warrior did very little to even dent her armour. It was as though, every spell I cast that did her damage, the pure lyrium idol was a healing unit, capable of healing her wounds with relative ease. Her blows were also very direct. It took one blow and before the fight had even begun, Bethany had been knocked out cold. I had little time to look after her.

We were lucky, though. Cullen and some of the Templars loyal to him had assisted in our fight. With more people on our side, we slowly over-powered her. Even still, the lyrium idol gave her powers I hadn't dreamed ever existed. She had swooped away on a trail of lyrium, like a bat flying back to its cave and had somehow animated statues and other crude objects in the courtyard. Stone guardians protecting the Keep became alive and we were overwhelmed by the amount of enemies we had to fight. Statues, stone guardians, I thought for certain even the pot-plant on the side walk had a go at us. And whilst away from the fight, Meredith regenerated and healed. A translucent, red shield pulsed around her and I saw her hold her hands up to the sky, as though supplicating for the Maker's strength.

The statutes were not easy prey. There movements were, unlike anything I had ever seen. It would swoop down and swing its sword, moving about as though its joints could be swivelled like a sphere. Each time we managed to wound Meredith a little, she would fly away on her carpet of lyrium, sending statues and other inanimate objects to attack us so she could heal. Templars fell. Even I struggled. It was lucky that I had managed to survive some of her attacks. It was as though she were part mage, able to cast chain lightening at me. I had been stung quite a number of times. Each spell also had a mind of its own. When I ran, the spell did not miss but followed me until it caught me within its grasp. I had never experienced magic such as this.

Leliana had come out at one point and commanded some of Justinia's own guardsmen to fight Meredith for she was too strong. I heard the Knight-Commander mutter as she hacked through the guards, "Why is this taking so long? Can one so evil truly be so powerful?" she begged for the Maker's help, "Maker, guide your humble servant! Please tell me what I must do!" Even still, she began to doubt herself half way through. As I caught her in a glyph of paralysis, I heard her say, "What if… I'm not doing the right thing? What if this is all madness?" When she said that, her eyes had changed back to its normal blue but then, just as quickly, her eyes glinted into red and I knew; the idol was controlling her. She had yelled, "No! I must remain vigilant!"

Men fell. Too many men. Good men, I'm sure, with families of their own. As Meredith stumbled backwards, panting and beginning to become out of breath, she had said with scorn and fear, "I will not be defeated!"

Sebastian's dagger glinted in the sunset, on my belt. Dropping my staff to the ground with a clatter, I went on a run, holding the dagger in hand. I murmured a prayer, "Maker, if you must, take my life. Spare my friends and protect them this night." I sprinted as she cried, "Maker! Aid your humble servant!"

We had both pled to the Maker. Who succeeded was up to Him. I lifted the dagger in the air, ready to sink its blade into her chest… I was thrown backwards. I crashed upon my side, watching as her sword exploded into a million splinters in the air.

I saw the red swirls of lyrium overwhelm her.

I heard her screams of pain.

My vision clouded.

Then black.

A/N: That's the end of Meredith. Thank goodness. What about Hawke? Please R&R!

Love, Ann