The room flickered with purple light, clear as day from the open doorway.

Aedan shared a backward glance with Morrigan and the others; a silent gesture to be prepared for anything.

The past events had left Morrigan rather exhausted and she didn't know how well she would do in a fierce battle. But she would try; nothing comes from running scared.

Morrigan had always thought of magic as a large power source. It was something to be drawn toward you; it was not something that simply existed in you. Magic was always present; the reason why not all could use the arcane knowledge is because they were unable to access - or even feel - the source of power.

When one pulled too much magic toward them, it caused fatigue, and if the limit was pushed too far it could even result in death as they were consumed by flame. She would never let it get to that stage for herself; not for the sake of anyone or anything.

Keeping this in mind now, she summoned magic to her, but her exhaustion only allowed for a small portion of mana to be accessed without the fear of endangering herself.

They stepped into the room, a small ice spell dancing on Morrigan's fingertips. But Instead of being attacked by some horrid beast they were greeted by a cowering Templar, Who was mumbling a prayer to Andraste when he noticed their presence. His eyes widened with terror and he let out a choked sob. "Not again!" he hollered. "Haven't you demons toyed with my mind enough?"

"Hush Cullen, we aren't demons of any sort." Wynne cooed to him gently, but the crazed look remained in his eyes.

"I will not give in like the others. I will stay strong!" Cullen spat, closing his eyes shut tight. "Begone, foul demons!" When he opened his eyes and found all of them still standing there his face flitted with confusion. "Every other time when I did that they disappeared. You - you are real?"

"Lovely situation you have found yourself in, Templar." Aedan mocked. Wynne gave him a stern look and the cocky grin left Aedan's face like a scolded child.

"Cullen, it's me Alistair. There must be a way for us to free you, old friend." Alistair knelt down in front of Cullen's prison, his hazel eyes filled with worry.

'Tis strange how attached people can become, Morrigan noted, watching the way Alistair fretted over his fellow Templar. It was dangerous for one to consider another's safety; it meant you weren't as aware of your own. Feelings could be used for exploitation; they clouded judgement and endangered lives. 'Tis a weakness, and it does not matter whether friendship or romance is at play; they are both of equal danger and uselessness.

"Alistair? Yes, I remember… I - I don't know how…" Cullen screwed his eyes shut and raked his fingers through his tangle of blonde curls, attempting to shake the horrors from his mind in order for him to compile a reasonable answer. Morrigan believed he was wasting his time; the whole exercise was a pointless endeavour. The thoughts the demons had planted in his mind would be something he would always carry with him.

"I am trapped here until Uldred dies; he built this prison around me. You kill him and all the other mages. Do what I cannot." Cullen's eyes begged them to do as he asked.

Morrigan pursed her lips. 'Twas a rather strange sight, seeing a Templar talking sense. Though she knew quite well that Aedan would not even consider Cullen's request; not with his history with mages and Templars.

"You can't be serious!" Aedan snapped. "Do you believe for one minute that I'd be willing to kill innocent mages, just because some insane Templar asks me to? I will kill Uldred but I will save the others. Nothing is stopping me now." Aedan stormed towards the stairs on the far side of the room, square jaw clenched in anger.

Cullen called from behind him. "You are lucky I am behind this prison or I would end you and the rest of them!" Aedan spun on his heel as Cullen yelled his threat, a humourless smile stretched on Aedan's face.

"You will be lucky if I don't kill you once I'm done with Uldred." Aedan's voice was emotionless, his eyes scanning the others, daring them to question his decision. Morrigan smirked; she truly did enjoy Aedan's dark side. She sauntered up beside him, followed by Alistair and Wynne.

"Let us finish this, Aedan. I grow sick of this place." Morrigan stated plainly, and Aedan nodded at her before leading the way up the stairs to the highest level of the Circle Tower, and what Wynne called the Harrowing Chamber.

Weapons in hand, they climbed the staircase; determination keeping them going.
Morrigan frowned; if the First-Enchanter was dead, then they would share the same fate, joining the rest of the circle mages in their punishment. Aedan had better know what he was doing, their very lives were dependent on it.

The thick oaken door at the top of the stairs cowered against Aedan's fierce kick, a loud crack sounding as it splintered on its hinges.

Abominations lined the circular wall of the Harrowing Chamber, their humanity long since gone.
Injured mages were scattered around the room, the occasional moans that escaped their lips the only sign that life was still within them.

A bald man stood directly in the center of the chamber, his dark, silken voice chilling Morrigan. A horrific shiver ran down her spine. She held her stomach as she felt the use of blood magic roll from him in waves.

"You are all just in time to see the transformation of one of my fellow mages." The man's smile was grotesque... he was no doubt Uldred.

Uldred began chanting; another mage held firmly on either side by two abominations wailed in agony as light flew from Uldred's fingertips, spearing into his skin. His scream amplified as his flesh began to ripple and tear, muscles turning themselves outward. The transformation from human to abomination was not a pretty sight.

"Do you think you can get away with this Uldred?" Wynne snapped, a pained look in her eyes.

Uldred rumbled a laugh, a terrible, sickening sound coming from his thin, cracked lips. "I can feel the power from within you and your companions, Wynne, why not join me? We could rise up against the chantry. Together, we would be unstoppable!"

"I'd rather just kill you now." Aedan interrupted, anger burning within his blue eyes.

"Oh, come now, things don't have to end like that do they?" Despite his cool words, Morrigan felt him summon magic, though it felt... different. Heavier, darker, thick and suffocating, the magic pressed down on her, and she tasted the same sensations on her tongue that had plagued her before she'd drunk of Solona's potion.

Something had to be done, now. Morrigan pushed a bolt of lightning from her staff, landing it square in the middle of Uldred's chest, knocking him back a pace.

"Ahh, not quite as strong as you seem... Did my pets tire you out?" One hand clasped to his breastbone, he looked up at Morrigan, a cruel laugh spilling from his lips. "Such a lovely mage... come, dear. Shall we dance?" He whipped his staff into action, and Morrigan barely had time to pull enough mana for defence before his spell was cast.

"Don't you touch her!" Aedan roared, charging forward, his shield held high in defence; Uldred's spell colliding with Aedan instead.

A grunt of pain escaped Aedan's lips as he fell to his back. Morrigan felt anger flare within her. Stupid man! He could have been killed!

"How sweet, he risked his life for you, my dear... Too bad it was in vain." Uldred's face contorted in an ugly snarl, and Morrigan's eyes narrowed.

"Do you mean to do nothing?" she demanded of the others. "There he is! Attack him! Or must Aedan and I do every bit of work?"

As if Morrigan had woken them from a trance, they leapt into action, their weapons no longer hanging limp by their sides.

"For the Grey Wardens!" Alistair yelled his war cry as he rushed the abominations, that now moved sluggishly towards them.

Wynne sped to heal Aedan with her magic before she too, focused her attack spells on the approaching demons.

As if he hadn't even been injured, Aedan was on his feet bolting toward Uldred at a dangerous speed. Uldred snarled, barely missing Aedan's onslaught. Morrigan pulled more mana, focusing a cone of fire in Uldred's direction, cautious of Aedan's proximity.

As the flame collided with Uldred he fell backward. "This won't be as easy as you all think," he grated, a repulsive smirk marring his features. A silent spell fell from his lips, and the mages writhed on the ground, transformation taking them.

"Wynne! The Litany, use it now." Aedan cried in desperation. The old mage produced the rolled-up Litany from her sleeve, Aedan and Alistair moving to protect their senior mage.

Morrigan focused the bulk of her attack on Uldred, keeping his attention away from the others who were working hard at killing the few Abominations left standing, whilst protecting Wynne as she chanted the words of Adralla.

The mages that had been writhing in pain now calmed; the power of Wynne's healing magic and the Litany combined counteracting with Uldred's blood magic.

'Twas perfect timing too, Morrigan noted as she felt her energy draining considerably. She didn't have much left in her, and Uldred knew it.

Uldred shot forward with a powerful force attack. Morrigan attempted to block the attack with a defensive spell but, she was too weak, and she was too late. The spell knocked her back, her head hitting the ground with a crack, the wind knocked out of her.

Through the ringing in her ears, she could hear the fighting between her companions and the abominations - they wouldn't be able to get to her with Wynne still chanting. She opened her honey eyes to see Uldred leering at her from above. "Not good enough, my pet."

Bringing his hands together, he formed a ball of lightning, his fingers flicking gracefully as it grew in power.

Morrigan closed her eyes, the irony of her situation bitter in her mouth. She'd said she would rather die than be in this place, and now her wish was about to be granted. She wanted to do something, but she was pinned down by his use of force magic. Morrigan could feel her own warm blood trickle around her, coming from a wound in her head she'd gotten when she hit the ground.

Just as she expected death to take her, Morrigan heard a gargle from where Uldred stood, and a soft thud sounded as the blood mage hit the ground.

Cracking her eyes open, Morrigan was greeted by the sight of Solona, ice falling from her fingertips like snowflakes. Turning her head, she saw the grotesque curl of Uldred's lips - and the large ice-shard protruding from his neck.

"Thank you, Solona." Morrigan said with difficulty, her words slurring as if she was some foolish drunk. She saw Solona's lips form words, but their sound was lost to her, the ringing in Morrigan's ears drowning out all the noise in the room.

Solona's glowing hands were upon her in an instant, and Morrigan felt the pressure in the back of her skull release; sound returned to her and her vision was no longer blurry. The few injuries she had sustained on the tower's lower levels healing, and leaving behind the puckered light pink of scar tissue.

Morrigan attempted to sit up, but Solona pushed her back with gentle hands, "Not yet, just let me heal you." Morrigan narrowed her eyes - she had no wish to be coddled. But Solona's gaze pleaded silently with her, and Morrigan gave in with a disdainful sigh. "Just close your eyes and rest."

Morrigan did as she was told, letting sleep claim into the fade was too easy - Solona must have cast a spell on her. Or perhaps 'twas simply deep exhaustion.

Morrigan dreamt of a time when she was in her teen years, when Flemeth had made her use her magic all day, casting spells of all varieties. She'd become so exhausted that she couldn't even lift her light wooden staff above her ankles, and when that happened her mother had made her use her hands.

As the sun set Flemeth turned on her heels. "Come, girl, you did well today."

Morrigan turned her head, the effects of an ice-spell chilling her fingers and a shocked expression on her face. 'Twas one of the few times Flemeth had actually complimented Morrigan, and it filled her to the brim with pride.

When they returned home to their shack, Flemeth had told her to go straight to sleep, and Morrigan had effortlessly found herself in the fade. Things had looked different, and she felt stronger, as though the day of spell casting had subconsciously improved her, as well as physically. Similar days, came and went, ever improving Morrigan's skill, physically and mentally.

The memories danced in her mind as she opened her eyes. Leliana and Solona sat on either side of her, whilst Aedan, Alistair and Wynne spoke to Irving and Gregoir.

"Ah, hello Morrigan," Leliana chirped when she noticed the witch's eyes were open. "It is lovely to see you awake and well." She beamed, enthusiastic as always.

Morrigan made no reply, curling her lips in disgust at the feeling of dried blood in her hair and on her clothing. "This is revolting," Morrigan hissed. She felt horrible, and she dreaded to imagine what she looked like. She was about to thank Solona when Aedan walked over to them.

"Morrigan, I am so sorry I left you to your own defences up there. I should have stayed with you. If it wasn't for me-" Morrigan cut him off.

"Do not be a fool," Morrigan snapped, "What's done is done." She folded her arms over her chest, secretly pleased that Aedan was regretful about what had transpired.

Aedan nodded his head once, acknowledging Morrigan's words. Though she could see in his eyes that he did not want to stop his apology; at least he kept it silent. He turned his head to Solona and gave her a smile, "Do you still wish to journey with us? It will be nowhere near smooth sailing."

Morrigan's eyes widened. What? He wanted the mage girl to go with them? Did he truly think the Templars would simply let her leave? Such things were forbidden, were they not? Morrigan's brow furrowed. Perhaps all that her mother said was not so true after all...

"Of course I still want to go with you; though honestly I'm surprised the First Enchanter is allowing it. Adventure has always been foreign to me, until recently anyway. Remind me to tell you about my friend Jowan sometime." Solona's smile seemed almost sad, and Morrigan looked upon her with curious eyes.

"Being a Grey Warden seems to have its perks. We certainly aren't lacking in beautiful female companions." He winked, causing Solona's and Leliana's cheeks to redden. Morrigan rolled her eyes - he couldn't be serious.

Alistair approached their gathered group, his face sunken with emotional pain. "Irving just received news that Redcliffe is under attack. No one has heard anything from the castle in days." His voice was weak and empty, much like the tranquil they had met in the tower.

Morrigan scoffed, "What a surprise, more tears from the big brave Templar." Her voice was thick with sarcasm, and everyone in the group gave her pointed looks.

"We must go to Redcliffe first, then!" Solona stood abruptly from her seat, her arms encircling the ex-Templar in a hug. She noticed Alistair stiffen a moment before he relaxed into Solona's arms. 'Twas probably the first time he'd ever even been touched by a female. The whole thought of a mage being so hands-on with a Templar repulsed Morrigan more than she could express. She scowled at the pair, containing the urge to light them on fire.

"Of course, Solona. Alistair, you can take the boat across Lake Calenhad with Solona and Leliana. I'll take the land route with Morrigan, Sten and Hohaku. You three will most certainly arrive before us, so you'll need to handle things until we get there. Is that okay with everyone?" Aedan was certainly not lacking in authority, and they all nodded their heads in acceptance.

Morrigan allowed for a small smile to creep onto her face, if there were no interruptions then perhaps she would get the time to properly thank Aedan for assisting her in finding her mother's grimoire.

"Forgive me, but I must deny your request for me to accompany you, I am needed here above all else," Wynne said quietly as she approached. "Solona is an excellent mage, though, and you will benefit greatly with her on your side, I assure you."

"I'm sorry to hear that you won't be joining us, Wynne." Leliana shared a warm smile with the elder mage.

"Thank you, Leliana dear. I will, however, make certain that you are given enough supplies as we are able to spare before you continue on. We owe you all a great debt." Wynne smiled kindly at them all,Morrigan was most surprised to be included in the mage's sincere look.

A small amount of provisions were provided by the Templars and mages to each separate group and a few different herbs to assist in the concoction of potions and poisons. As they set off, the Templars all glared at Morrigan. They were all quite obviously aware that she was a mage, however, the fact that she was travelling in the company of Aedan and Alistair made her practically untouchable.

From the docks of Lake Calenhad, they could see the backs of Alistair, Leliana and Solona as they made their way across their lake, and to the rescue of Redcliffe.

Aedan turned to Morrigan, "You did well in there, I know it wasn't a cause you wanted to be fighting for, but you still did; and you very nearly died. It was very noble of you, Morrigan." The corners of his lips tugged upwards, and he lightly gripped Morrigan's forearm, watching her intently with his blue eyes.

"I do not need to be thanked. 'Twas that or die by the hands of the Templars." She pulled away from him, and began walking back toward the bank of Lake Calenhad. "The sun is setting, shall we stay a night in the tavern and set off in the morning?"

"I think I rather like that idea." His answer was plain and simple, just the way she liked them. No idiotic word games that most city dwellers tended to use.

That was why she liked Aedan, he wasn't like other men she met, he was almost as abrupt as herself.