Six months had passed since she'd last seen Fenris. Reports were scant from the senate that Danarius and two unknown persons were last seen fleeing Minrathous. Whereabouts after that were unknown. She promised herself that she would find her love. The hours she sat studying the dark arts to perfect the craft came at a hefty price. She had broken her promise to the elf as she spilled her blood across books and papers. It was a matter of control, according to Merrill and Iudicius who watched her in the dining hall one afternoon.

She kept trying, kept waiting. Wanting a response from any number of the missives she'd sent across the Free Marches. Carver had returned to the Keep not long after the storming of Danarius' mansion. His investigation had been halted and he was being reassigned to something else. She failed to sleep; unable to live without knowing what had befallen the elf.

"I won't forget him," she told herself in the park one day. She looked out over the lake with its mirrored reflection of trees and clouds. Her cloaked head drooped as she read her latest letter from Iudicius who had been locked in contention with some of Danarius' cohorts. They weren't telling him anything after they found out how he had aided in the attempted release of Fenris. This was to be their meeting place until further notice.

"I see you got my letter," the magister said. He sat beside the stoic woman who in turn crumpled up the note and tossed it to the ground.

"Have you found anything out?" she asked, staring out into the waters.

"Not here, Lorelai," he said in a harsh whisper. "Meet me at the Chantry tomorrow morning."

"The Chantry?" she questioned looking at Iudicius curiously. She didn't like the idea. She hadn't been in one since Anders' "separation" plan and she wasn't about to do it again for the sake of more bad news.

"You'll understand when you get there." The magister rose nodding at Anders who approached immediately after.

"How are you doing, Lorelai?" he asked. Lorelai stood and faced the mage.

"Six months," she uttered. Her shoulders slumped at the thought.

"I know," Anders said with a sigh. He lifted her chin to meet her eyes. They locked and that was the moment she noticed it. They were beautiful eyes, the eyes of a man who was willing to die for her. "That night was a disaster. We didn't want you to get involved and had we known that you planned to break in, we would have done something about it sooner."

"It's not your fault, Anders," she stated.

"It is my fault," he insisted. He fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around her waist. "How many nights have you laid awake at night, wondering when you'll see him again?"

"Many," she responded, running her fingers through his hair.

"You are strong Lorelai, you'll get him back," Anders remarked burying his head into her skirt. She felt his lips kiss her navel delicately and a cluster of butterflies flitted in her stomach. "I promised you I'd get him back, even if the price is my own blood."

"Don't talk like that, Anders," she hissed. "We'll find him. Together."

"You followed me through the Void, not knowing where it would take us. It's the least I can do to return the favor."

The night closed in at her small mansion; she laid in bed watching shadows move across the walls each one painting a scene of the night she had with Fenris. The heat of his body only severed by the icy coldness of the lyrium; tingling her body with each caress that he had placed against her bare skin. The way he looked down at her, exploring the contours of her waist, the natural curve of her breasts that heaved faster the lower his hand sunk between her thighs.

She was going crazy waiting for the moment to be with him and the power that he exuded from him with delicate fingers. She tried to protest, tried to squirm away not knowing what to do or what to think.

Another shadow replaced the previous one. The way he kissed her, looking into her eyes as he slid into her. The feeling was a rush of confusing chemicals and pain. She bit her lip and staved off the urge to cry out, not wanting her mother to hear the noises of the death of her eldest daughter's innocence. It was passion and carnal pleasure that made the realm of reality disappear. There was no one else, just him in her, in this tiny little bubble where time froze and all the problems that had been dealt with had subsided into what they both had wanted for such a long time.

She was struck by lightning with each movement he made; he was the first and she had vowed to herself that he would be the last. She muttered to him as he worked out that it was her first time and he came to a halt. He looked down between them and saw the small streaks of blood that had formed. He froze, terrified that he had done something wrong. She lifted a hand to him, caressing his cheek and pulling him towards her. She kissed him, letting her fingers stroke down his arms and feeling the muscles ripple and twitch the more he moved.

He grew fervent in his work, aiming for a goal that both were eager to experience. His motions were consuming, jagged, violent. They stared at each other, his green eyes focused intently as she arched her back, watching the various responses that her body gave freely.

That was ages ago- another life ago. Lorelai held the pillow tightly in front of her, staring into the fire as if to decipher reasoning for all the bad and evil things that had taken place in her life. The loss of her sister, her mother, all the things that had maintained her as a provider were now gone. She closed her eyes trying to replay the final moments she saw Fenris, the shutting of the door and the way his eyes apologized for not being able to continue on with her. They held that same sadness that he had when he walked out on her that night. She hadn't walked away from him, she was forced away. He made her leave. Andraste's ass he said her name- without hesitation! Made her not witness whatever befell him. He made the choice for her without a second thought. A true sacrifice in the confrontation with Danarius.

The Chantry was dim, only small rays of light fell upon the floor. The Revered Father stood on the pulpit musing over the Chant of Light. It was different than she had remembered from Kirkwall and Lothering. The man approached her, sweeping his robes around.

"Is there something the matter dear?" the older man asked.

"I've never heard that Chant of Light sung that way," Lorelai said.

"It's different than what you are used to, isn't it?" the man asked.

Lorelai nodded. She looked around and bowed her head. "Would you give me your benediction, your Grace?"

"Of course, my child," The priest muttered in Arcanum a prayer before placing his hand on her shoulder. She looked at him with a faint smile. "I hope you find the power you seek in these tough times."

"Thank you, your Grace."

The old man smiled and walked away to speak with one of the followers that had entered. She stayed for hours watching the candle wicks burn to stumps. The Revered Father had passed several times asking if everything was alright. She had been polite and cryptic in her answers. She sat on the steps listening to the Chant recited over and over again that she started to speak it verbatim as the chanter did.

"Where is he?" she asked, catching sight of the sun's full rays beaming through the window. She kicked her feet out, sighing about the lateness of the magister. She heard voices by the entrance; the Revered Father was talking to someone who pointed her out. The armored man approached and bowed in front of her.

Still she remained sitting, staring up at the man. He wore the armor of a Templar, but felt nothing intrinsically special about him.

"Mistress Hawke?" he asked.

"Aye," she remarked. She stood, dusting herself off. "And you are?"

"Captain Anwell, Mistress," he answered. He took his helm off and tucked it under his arm.

"What's this about, Captain?" she questioned.

"An urgent matter has arisen and you've been summoned," he said. "There's been an incident at Magister Iudicius' estate." She bolted for the door and met a small compliment of Templars on the steps. She skidded to a halt letting the captain catch up. "My men will escort you to his mansion. He's asked for you specifically by name."

"Are you sure? You can tell me," she asked. The group of knights led her to Iudicius' mansion at the far end of the district. A small crowd had formed at the gates. It reminded her of when they had assaulted Danarius' estate. Some of the same people were standing around, whispering and questioning as to what had happened. The templars and city guard had been hush about the event and parted when Lorelai stepped up to them with the Captain at her side.

"This is Mistress Hawke," he told them. They looked at each other and moved aside.

The scene was a disaster. Bloody hand prints smeared across the walls. Writing and archaic symbols covered the windows like graffiti the and oozed down to the fine Wainscoting underneath. It reeked of entrails and stomach contents. Foot prints went in multiple directions and three sets met at the door and exited.

"Where is he?" she asked. She placed her hand on her mouth in horror as he led her down the small corridor to the dining hall. The obvious drag mark led from the front entrance to the dining hall. She heard Iudicius talking, mumbling incoherently to someone. Captain Anwell swung open the double doors and Lorelai was taken back. Iudicius was cradling something.

"Oh, Maker." She ran up to the magister and knelt down beside him. "Iudicius, it's me. I'm here."

The magister looked at her, tears spilling down his cheeks. "L-Lorelai?"

"What happened here? Who is that?" She pointed to the bloody matted hair.

"It's, it's, Orana," he muttered. "I found her on the table. He's back Lorelai! He's back!"

"Iudicius, calm yourself," she ordered. "Where is your son?" He looked down at the dead woman in his arms and shook his head.

"My son?" he uttered.

"Yes, where is he?"

"I can't leave her like this," the magister insisted. "She can't stay like this. They bled her like a dog, tore her apart."

"I understand that, Magister, but we can't do anything for her now."

Iudicius wiped his eyes and stood, sullen and broken. "He should be in his room."

"Good," she stated, her heart breaking at his predicament. He was right, there wasn't much left of her. They were back truly back. The large hole in her chest proved to her that it was Fenris' handiwork. The torn flesh and splintering bones protruded through the perforation. The crystal and gold embossed bowl lay on the floor, filled to the brim with coagulating blood. It had reduced leaving a sticky gelatinous ring around the base. "Captain, come with me," she told the man speaking with one of his subordinates. Iudicius took them to the child's room. It was frightfully clean, untouched by stained hands.

"Litatus," he called. He stooped down to look under the bed. "No." He pulled pillows and bedding on to the floor, becoming frantic with each layer he peeled off. His eyes shot to Lorelai has he passed. "He's got to be in here." He stood in front of a large closet swinging both doors open. A picture fell off the wall tearing as it landed on a nearby chair. "Litatus, come out. It's Papa," he shuddered. He stepped in further calling for the child. He emerged from the racks his eyes as large as saucers. "He's not here."

"Is there any other place you can think of where he would go?" the captain asked. "He couldn't have gone far."

"No, the other doors were always to remain locked," he answered. His head hung low. "Lorelai, you have to find him."

"I will." Anwell started to leave the room. "Captain." He turned back to Lorelai. "I need a group of your soldiers to follow me to my estate."

"What for?"

"If Danarius is indeed back, then it's not just the magister that's in danger, it's my friends as well."

The Templar nodded and rounded up a couple of his guards. "They are at your disposal for as long as you need them." He looked at the magister, still in shock. "We'll find him, Magister."

"It may already be too late," Iudicius uttered.

"No, you can't think like that," Lorelai growled, clinging to the magister's shoulders. "You have to think positive about this. This is your son we're talking about."

"I don't know, Lorelai." He cocked his head at the mage. "Think about it. There is way more blood out there than Orana could have produced."

"I'm not giving up till I know what happened," Lorelai insisted. "Now come on, you can't stay here."

Lorelai opened the door to the estate, swinging the door wide. The guard followed by a rattled Iudicius mumbling to himself as if talking to his lost child. It was quiet, dark and cool. Her eyes fell to the floor and saw boot prints leading into the hallway. Her heart jumped into her throat. "They've already been here," she told them. She started to run, but a guard gripped her wrist and pulled her back.

"Are you sure you want to go in?" he asked. She glared at him, only seeing the slight glow of his eyes through his visor.

"I have to," she argued pulling away from him. The guard followed ordering the extra two to stay with the magister. Lorelai unlatched each door, looking inside. Desks were overturned, mattresses torn off their frames. "Where are they?" She walked down to the last door, her head falling on to the wood. "Please be okay," she muttered, pushing the door open. Anders' room was in shambles. Whatever they had been looking for, it was uncertain, but the small drops of blood led out of the room and stopped just outside the study.

She held her breath, easing away the dreaded thoughts that had erased any hope of finding a survivor. She turned the handle and took a step in. The sound of suction on the floor made her jump back out. The guard caught her and placed the shaken woman at his side. He examined the stain, running his fingers in it and smearing it with his thumb.

"It's blood," he told her.

"I figured that," she spat. "Whose?" She stepped around the fresh puddle and saw that the room was relatively untouched. She ran her fingers along the edge of her desk, spying an unusual note placed squarely in the middle of it. She picked up the sealed envelope, blood stained finger prints dotted the paper.

"Did you find something?"

"I did," she responded. She opened the letter, biting her lip as she read. "It says the obvious. They have the kid, if I want him back; I need to meet them alone."

"Where are you supposed to meet them?"

"I'm sorry, messere, but I think I can handle that part for myself," she stated. She folded the paper and shoved it into her pouch.

"You can't take that, its evidence."

"I can and I will," she retorted. "I have a lot at stake in this. If he wants me alone for this then that's how it's going to be." She tore past the guard, a fire burning in her eyes. She ignored the single thin line cut into the wood, skimming a stream of blood in its wake.

"Iudicius what are you doing here? Why are there guards? What's happened?" Anders yelped. Lorelai ran up to the mage and threw her arms around him.

"You're alright," she eked, finally letting the emotions get her. She held the tears back, lips trembling as she looked at her friend. "Where's everyone?"

"They are in the market," he answered. His eyes narrowed on the thin blood streak across her forehead. "What's going on?" He looked at the magister, who at this point couldn't maintain his gaze but for a few fleeting seconds.

"Litatus is missing. Orana is dead," Lorelai explained.

"Dead!" How?" His eyes scanned the room noting the trails of blood and obliterated furniture.

"Danarius," the magister muttered, his hands turning to fists. He shook violently his eyes black as night.

"He's back?" Anders took a step back. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she stated.

"We can't stay here," Anders insisted. "It's not safe."

"Don't you think I know that?" she blurted, heated by the revelation. Anders frowned at the aggressiveness of her response. "I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it," Anders said. He exhaled heavily and placed his hand on Lorelai's shoulder. "I'm going to get the others to tell them what's happened."

"I'll come with you," the guard finally chimed in.

"Maker's breath, Hawke, what the hell have you gotten us in to?" Varric snorted. His playful tone muted as he stared at the woman with her head in her hands. Her eyes focused on the note upon the table in front of her, rereading it and feeling her insides knot with each word her eyes glanced over.

"I don't know," she responded. Lorelai straightened. She folded her arms behind her head and examined the small room the pair was sitting in.

The ramshackle inn they had been placed in for protection had none of the esthetic appeal that one would have desired for the amount of money they had paid for it. Iudicius grumbled in his nightmarish sleep. He turned and fidgeted on the flat mattress, huddled in a ball and weeping. Lorelai crept over to him, hushing him. She patted his arm reassuringly and whispering short words of apologies and regrets.

"Do you plan on doing what he says?" Varric asked. He placed Bianca on the table and rubbed the fine wood with oil and a soft cloth.

"I don't have much choice, do I?" she stated with a sigh. She resumed her spot in the rickety chair, kicking her boots on to the table with a thud. "I'll think of something."

"What about Fenris? If he's involved-," Varric queried, stopping his maintenance to study her expression.

"Then I have to do what I have to do," Lorelai murmured. A knock came to the door, spinning her head around at the raucous.

"Mistress Hawke," Captain Anwell's muffled voice crept through the door.

"Enter," she acknowledged. Lorelai twisted her hair up and ran a needle sharp stiletto through her locks. The captain stood over her a frown across his face.

"I'm here to deliver a message," he said. He pulled a long scroll from his satchel and unwound it. "You are to see the Archon along with Magister Iudicius, now. My guard and I are to escort you immediately."

"The Archon, huh?" Varric chuckled. "You have something about you Hawke. Always catching the attention of those who are best not to be bothered with."

"I hear you on that," Lorelai chortled. "Alright, Captain." She rose from her seat and stirred the magister's slumber. He swore at her and flipped the other direction. "No, Iudicius we have a meeting to get to."

"A meeting? Are we finally going to kill that bastard?" he grumbled into the wall.

"Not exactly. The Archon wants to see us," she told him, folding her arms across her chest. "Now get up."

"The Archon? That is strange news." He jumped from the bed with an animated step in his walk. "Let's see what he has to do with any of this."

They were led by torchlight to the Archon's palace. The waning sunlight exposed the degrading stone work with its chips and cracks that wired their way up the columns. Lorelai had never been this far up into the city, only going as high as the senate for reasons that seemed justified at the time. There was no point to be here and she wasn't invited. The palace was always under heavy guard by large men wielding weaponry sharper than she had seen in her life. The many statues that held large spears, eyes lifeless, appeared to watch her as she passed.

She faced the city seeing the many eaves and peaks of houses and buildings. Each intricately placed structure wound around roads and alleys as they had in Kirkwall. Smoke plumes reached to the darkening sky from chimney stacks and if one was not to know a thing about this place, they wouldn't realize the evil things that percolated just under the crust of the façade laden capital. A cold hand closed around hers. She turned her head to see Iudicius looking down at her. His stress worn face smiled at the awe inspiring view.

"You wouldn't think that this place could hold so many diabolic undertones just looking at it," he said. He placed his hand on the small of her back and rubbed it gently as if he had picked this spot for them to feast on the serenity of the preternatural city.

"Magister, Mistress, we shouldn't doddle here," Anwell stated.

They continued on making it to the landing blockaded by gates. Lorelai's eyes drifted up towards the heavy doors, guarded by militiamen. They stood at attention, pulling the doors open. She felt them looking at her, watching her step past them. Her cloaked head barely showed her soft features to them. The captain handed the torch to one of the knights and proceeded to walk them along a silk spun runner that broke and reemerged further down. Tapestries lined the walls, depicting scenes of the history of Tevinter. Oil paintings, faded and dusty, hung with the faces of former Archons that led rebellions and watched the Imperium crumble away from its former glory.

Captain Anwell paused at a door, halting them with his hand. Two guards approached them. They frisked the pair, disarming Lorelai of the small dagger she carried on her hip. She didn't protest the action and was assured that it would be returned upon the completion of their meeting. The doors slid open to a large room. An ebony table stretched across the middle of the room, lined with intricately scrawled chairs. Fine glass chandeliers hung from the ceiling sending dazzling stars of illumination below.

"It's about time I finally met you, Mistress Hawke," the man at the far end stated on his thrown. Captain Anwell led them around stopping at the dais where the Archon sat. His head was heavy with the crowning jewelry that adorned his skull. Lorelai went to her knee and bowed.

"It is a great honor, messere," she said. Her eyes averted to the floor. Iudicius bent down at her and shook his head.

"We don't have time for such trivialities, Mistress Hawke," he remarked with a sigh. "You can stand."

She raised quickly, her arms at her back. "What is it that you wished to speak with us about?"

The Archon sized her up and stood. He treaded back and forth, his staff in his hand. "We seem to have fallen into a situation." He ambled down the stairs to Lorelai and looked her in the eye. "Your name has come up many times within the senate. Talk of your apprenticeship made it to my ears. The question is why." Lorelai went to answer, but he shooed her mouth shut. "That's not even what we are here to discuss. The two of you seem to have caught the attention of Magister Danarius, is that true?" Lorelai eyed the magister with the same look of unknowing as he was giving her. "You can answer that."

"It is your, Excellence," Iudicius stammered. "We have crossed paths with him quite a few times in the past year or so."

The Archon glared at Lorelai for a moment, rubbing his chin in thought. "He is a powerful enemy to be had." He tapped his fingers together unable to determine what thoughts were going through the female mage's mind. "We have had a total of six murders and one kidnapping all in relation to the return of Danarius and his cohorts. The guard is wearing thin of this situation, as am I." The Archon stood again, his eyes gleaming, handing his staff to a nearby steward. "You two seem to be in the center of this debacle." He rubbed his eyes in frustration. "He is tying up loose ends it appears, destroying the lives of many of my citizens and you two seem next of his list."

"Six?" Lorelai questioned when he paused. "We've only heard of Orana's death."

He scowled at the question and eyed Lorelai's contemptuousness. "Fellow magisters that seemed to have run in his circle. Captain Anwell tells me you received a letter from him. What did it say?"

"To meet him at a designated location for the exchange of the magister's son," Lorelai answered.

"When were you going to tell me about this?" Iudicius yelled. He seethed at the omission.

"I wasn't," Lorelai uttered.

"Do you think you can get Magister Iudicius' son back?" the archon questioned. "Do you trust what he says?"

"I don't, ser. But I don't have a choice in this," Lorelai murmured. Her voice waned. "Danarius is going to try and kill us regardless. I think the least I can do is get the magister's son back for him even- even if it costs me my life."

"I want you to put him in the ground," the Archon growled. "I will not have him running around and terrorizing this fine city with his pestilence."

"It is a message to me, your Grace. Nothing more." Lorelai insisted. "I will do this alone."

The Archon's eyebrow perked at her words. He waved his steward over and whispered something to him. The pair nodded. "You are excused. If I have any further news to give you I will see that it is properly delivered."

"Thank you, Excellency," Iudicius obliged. The pair bowed, taking their leave from the Archon's presence.

"Mistress Hawke!" the Archon called. Lorelai stopped, glancing over her shoulder. "Can you kill them? Are you willing to do this to save the life of this child and the lives of countless others?"

"I'd bet my life on it," Lorelai responded. She placed her hand on the door with a sigh. "I never wanted to be a magister; I just wanted to get one thing back. And if I fail to do either than I have no problem falling on your sword willingly."

"If you didn't want to be a magister, then what do you want?" The Archon pressed. His head cocked at her curiously.

"What I lost," she muttered. "If I have to track down Danarius through the Fade and the Void I will. My journey won't end until I bring his head back in a sack for you."

"Fair enough," the man leaned on his heels. He pointed to her and the steward hurried around the table with a parchment in his hand. "This writ gives you the ability to enact this court's authority in terms of execution upon him. Your jurisdiction: the empire. If he does flee for other territories you will be on your own and if caught will have to face the laws of those countries. Understand?"

"Completely," Lorelai acknowledged.

"You are working on behalf of me so that gives you certain entitlements. We can discuss those when you return."

"That's fine," Lorelai shrugged. "Thank you, your Grace."

Captain Anwell opened the doors for them, where she received her weapon back. She slid it onto her hip and began walking for the door. Iudicius followed behind her several paces back. Their footsteps echoed down the large hallway only muffling when they hit the long patches of carpet. She stood in the egress of the palace peering into the night sky.

"Lorelai, do you really think you can do it?" Iudicius enquired. "Do you really think you can stop him?"

Lorelai nodded and kept walking. She walked several feet, stopping only to let the magister catch up. "I will, Iudicius. I thought you trusted me."

"I do, Mistress Hawke," he stated. "I just wanted to wish you well with whatever you have planned next." His tone was different. She knew he was lying to her, but for what reason caused more concern for her than the actual lie.

"Mistress Hawke?" Captain Anwell interjected. "The guard and I have gone through your home and attempted any cleanup we can. We will be posting a small group of guards outside if that is at all a problem."

"No, no. Not a problem." Lorelai dipped her hand into her pouch, searching for the letter from Danarius. "Magister, if you'll excuse me, I have something I must attend to."

"You sure you really want to do this alone? This is my son we're talking about- I should be there," Iudicius argued.

"No, if you go, you run the risk of dying and he needs a father and hopefully a mother in the future," she stated without looking at him. "You have your whole life to live still and I- don't." Iudicius hugged her tightly resting his head at her back. "I'm just a knight-errant, I'm not a hero, or Champion, I'm just a person who under the circumstances shouldn't have gotten as far as they have."

"I've never heard you doubt yourself," the magister remarked. "You would have made an excellent mother, if you'd given yourself the chance."

He moved away from her, his slender frame becoming smaller and smaller as descended the stairs. Lorelai was touched by his words, but something was odd about the way he'd presented them to her.