11.
Bethany was being shaken roughly she sat up her hand in front of her ready to strike down whatever it was that was attacking her. A fellow mages voice stayed her hand "quickly Bethany, the First Enchanter and the Knight Commander are arguing again. I fear it will soon come to violence. You may be able to calm him. He listens to you." Bethany jumped out of bed, pulling on her robes quickly she chased after the concerned mage. Unfortunately the mage's predictions were all too true. Orsino and Meredith were opposite each other, arguing heatedly, fire spat from both their eyes and contempt from their lips. "You cannot do this Meredith. I will not allow you to invade our privacy in such a way." Meredith stared at Orsino, madness tinging her eyes. "You cannot stop me Orsino, there is corruption everywhere and I will not stop until I see it gone. I know you are harbouring blood mages." Orsino let out a noise of pure exasperation "blood magic. Where do you not see blood magic? Our people cannot sneeze without you accusing them of corruption." He shook his head sadly. "Do not trifle with me mage" Meredith snapped. Bethany was relieved to see Garrett come running up. "Honestly the way you two carry on, people will begin to talk" her brother said, trying to ease some of the tension. "This has nothing to do with you Champion" Meredith said. "I asked him to come, he needs to see this madness for himself" Orsino stepped to Garrett's side. Her brother looked from the one to the other, "I am sorry Meredith but I agree with Orsino." She shook her head. Orsino stepped away "it does not matter the Grand Cleric will put an end to this" he moved in the direction of the Chantry. "You will not bring Her Grace into this" Meredith was grabbing at his arm.
Suddenly Anders stepped forward "the Grand Cleric cannot help you" he announced dramatically. "Explain yourself mage" Meredith demanded angrily. "I cannot stand by and watch the abuses of the Templars, while those who are supposed to lead us bow to our Templar jailers." Orsino frowned "how dare you speak to…" Anders cut him off "the circle has failed us Orsino, surely you can see that. I removed the chance of compromise as there can be no compromise. There can be no peace" he turned away his face troubled, "Anders what you done?" Garrett asked his usual sure voice hesitant. Anders slammed his staff to the ground setting off an ominous rumbling. Everyone stopped unsure of what was happening, but they all knew that it wasn't good. A bright pink light flared from the centre of the Chantry roof, spreading out. Bricks and mortar flew in every direction as they all stood rooted to the spot staring in horror around them. "Maker have mercy" Meredith breathed. Orsino moved forward "what have you done? You have doomed us all" he yelled at Anders. "The Grand Cleric has been slain by magic. I hereby invoke the rite of annulment" Meredith's voice rang out bringing everyone out of their shocked reverie. Bethany heard the frightened murmurs of the mages around her. Her mind screamed no. Orsino whirled to face her "no Meredith you cannot do this, the Circle had nothing to do with it." Meredith waved her hands angrily at him "it does not matter, the people will demand retribution and I will give it to them." Sebastian spoke up his cries of distress at Elthina's murder had gone unheard by most of them. "Why are we arguing the rite of annulment when the monster that did this is standing right here?" Anders was slumped forward he turned to Hawke "you must choose a side." They stared at him waiting to see what he would do. He looked at Orsino "it will be hard but I will defend you." Orsino looked as if he was about to cry "thank the Maker" he muttered. Meredith shook her head, "you are no mage but you will share their fate. Kill them all."
Cullen watched what had transpired horrified that things had come to a head in such massively violent way. He shuddered when he heard Meredith invoke the rite of annulment. No his mind and heart cried out for once in agreement. I will not slay anymore innocent mages. He pressed himself up against the wall unable to choose a side. He watched the battle to the death, breathing with relief when he saw Bethany unharmed. He wanted to run to her, grab her hand and drag her away from this madness. But he knew she would not leave her people.
Orsino was looking around him at the carnage in dismay. "For it to have come to this" he shook his head sadly. "I am going to the Gallows I will leave… your friend for you to deal with." With that he hurried away, Bethany and the other mages following. Bethany's mind was in disarray, she was still having a hard time registering everything that had happened. Out of everything though her mind was focussed on one thing, she was now directly pitted against the man she loved. Oh Maker why had she not gone to him, told him she had forgiven him? So much time wasted in self-pity, now she may never have the chance.
Cullen ran when he heard Orsino declare they were going to the Gallows, he didn't wait to see what happened to the terrorist mage. He ran to where he knew Bethany would be. Cullen found himself helping mages to flee, distracting patrols of Templars so some of them could get away. He only put his sword to the ones who became abominations or who actively attacked him. After what seemed like an eternity the Gallows was before him. He ran up in a last desperate bid to stop this madness once and for all. Cullen was aghast at the usual peaceful courtyard having been so obviously turned into a killing field. He raced to Meredith, coming to a stumbling stop when he saw the pure madness in her eyes. Before he could speak Hawke, Bethany and the rest came running into the courtyard. Meredith glared at them, "kill them" she shrilled. Cullen stepped forward his mind fumbling for something "I thought we only intended to arrest the Champion" he said. She had said no such thing her plan had always been to kill him he hoped desperately that she would not remember. Her eyes seemed to be going red. Surely it was only the light of the numerous fires reflected in her eyes. Meredith drew her sword causing Cullen to put his hands up in a placating gesture, it glowed the same eerie red as her eyes "pure lyrium, surely you recognise it?" she asked Hawke. "The dwarf charged much for his prize." Hawke stared in wonder "it looked less pointy the last time I saw it" he remarked, humour his only defence. "It sent him mad Meredith" he warned. "The dwarf was weak while I am not" she scoffed.
Bethany stood completely still her mind still reeling and her heart was broken from when she had seen Orsino turn to blood magic and becoming some strange abomination she had never seen before. She was exhausted it had been an arduous battle, just when she thought they had defeated him, he became another creature, as well as summoning the un-dead and demons from the fade. When she saw the sword get drawn on Cullen she had involuntarily stepped forward ready to protect him. She didn't know if he had followed the orders, somehow she didn't think he had. She didn't care, she would only know if they both lived and wanted to ask him before condemning him.
Cullen saw with sudden clarity what he must do "This is not what the order stands for I am relieving you of your command. Step down" he demanded. "My own Knight Captain falls to the lure of blood magic. Fine I will kill you all myself" her voice was strangely calm. Cullen drew his sword on her "you will have to go through me first." Meredith's eyes narrowed "idiot boy, just like all the others."
The fight was one of the strangest any of them had fought. The slave statues came to life under Meredith's command. She leaped around unnaturally as red lyrium flames trapped them in the courtyard. Cullen heard Bethany gasping for breath as she flung attack after attack. He was surprised to see Anders still alive, but grateful as his healing and revitalising magic kept them all going. Bethany was doing her best to help keep them alive as well. Meredith had been ranting but he had barely registered the madness of her words. Hawke threw him a healing potion as he ran past and Cullen deftly caught it on his shield, tucking it up the sleeve of his armour. Finally Meredith stumbled back and they surrounded her ready to strike her down once and for all. She drove her sword into the ground demanding help from the Maker. They came to a standstill as red cracks formed throughout her face and body, red light streaked from every part of her. She screamed in agony as more red light issued from her mouth in a fiery beam. Her cries ceased as she seemed to become a lyrium idol herself.
The group stood not knowing whether to believe their eyes, a Templar ran forward, dropping to her knees in front of Meredith she inspected her for signs of life. Templars moved in surrounding the Champion and his friends. They all stood there facing off, ready to do battle. Hawke issued Cullen a challenge with his eyes. Cullen stood back, motioning for everyone else to do the same. He watched as they walked away, his heart heavy as Bethany was with them. Cullen came to a decision, he would help restore some order and then he was leaving. The order was not for him anymore. He didn't know what he would do, but he could not stay and work for an ideal he no longer believed in.
