This chapter features the song "Speak to Me" by Amy Lee and the song "Drift" by Eva Under Fire

9:39 Dragon

"Cinder, I hear you've quite the singing voice."

Aylin looked at Krem and smirked. "Now who told you that?"

"Skinner said she heard you singing the other night." Krem said, looking at her. "Care to enlighten us all?"

Aylin sighed. "I suppose I could." She smiled when the Chargers cheered, then her cheeks flushed when the rest in the tavern pitched. Skinner grabbed her her hand and pulled her to the center of the tavern.

"Go on!"

Aylin took a deep breath and started singing.

"Be still, my love. I will return to you. However far you feel from me. You are not alone. I will always be waiting, and I'll always be watching you. Speak to me, speak to me, speak to me. I can't let go, you're every part of me. The space between is just a dream, you will never be alone. I will always be waiting, and I'll always be watching. We are one breath apart, my love. And I'll be holding it in 'til we're together. Hear me call your name. Just speak, speak to me, speak to me, speak."

Everyone was stunned at her voice, how melancholic and melodic it was. They were all at the edge of their seats as she continued.

"I feel you rushing all through me. In these walls I still hear your heartbeat, and nothing in this world can hold me back from breaking through to you. We are one breath apart, my love. And I'll be holding it in 'til we're together. Hear me call your name. Just believe and speak, speak to me, speak to me."

Krem and the Iron Bull looked at each other, awestruck, then back at Aylin as the fire from the hearth and the torches throughout the tavern seemed to dance to her words- the glow of the flames illuminating her.

Aylin took a breath and opened her eyes as she sang the last bit, her heart aching as she recalled someone she had left behind. "Be still, my love. I will return to you..." When she stopped singing, there was an air of silence then the tavern erupted in applause. She rejoined the Chargers, blushing as they complimented her. While they were trying to convince her to sing for them more often, she felt a strange sensation like she was being watched. She looked around and saw a hooded figure getting up and leaving. She didn't catch their face, but there was a familiarity about them. She excused herself, grabbing her sword as she left.

The Iron Bull had seen the hooded figure and had been keeping an eye them. When they had passed right by Aylin, he watched her face. She looked like had recognized them but wasn't sure.

"Should we send someone after her, to play it safe?" Krem asked, leaning in having seen what was going on as well.

The Iron Bull nodded. "Take Grim and go make sure she's alright, has the backup if she needs it."

Krem nodded, grabbing Grim and heading out of the tavern after Aylin.

Aylin followed after the hooded figure, careful not to give away her position away. They turned a corner and Aylin lost sight of them. She cautiously looked around, but when she saw nothing she turned back towards the tavern.

"Aylin."

She turned towards the sound of her name being called. "Who's there?" She looked around again, this time seeing the door into storehouse open. Keeping a grip on her sword, she stepped into the storehouse and looked around. "Who's there? I know you're there. Come out of the shadows."

The hooded figure stepped out of the shadows and Aylin could see them smile. "Ever the astute one aren't you, Skipper?"

Aylin's eyes widened. "That voice..."

The hooded figure lowered their hood and their smile grew. "It's been too long."

"Anders..."

Anders had on the run for quite some time, ever since Tyra had left him go. He had fled Kirkwall, fled the Free Marches after travelling with refugee mages, and wandered alone. He had stopped in Nevarra at one of the local taverns, hoping to rest and stock up on supplies before moving on, but he was surprised to see a familiar face that he hadn't in five years.

When she had stepped forward and began singing, it brought back fonder memories of their past together. Anders smiled, recalling the first time he had ever heard her sing.

Anders walked through the streets of Hightown, having paid Tyra a visit. As he turned towards the market, he heard a voice singing and followed it to the courtyard where they had begun their expedition into Deep Roads the year before. Standing in the center was Aylin, her hands clasped to chest.

"Slip away- behind the rain. I sing your praises. The light that made me change sings to my soul. Drift in sadness; heart with holes. Driftin' soulless, all alone. Burn black heart and lonely was her name. The pavement he found her writhing in her pain. Kept her breathing, breathing. She wasn't breathing, only bleeding broken and alone til he came to take away the pain in her bones. Oh she cried 'save me'. Oh she cried 'someone save me'. Burn black heart and lonely was her name. The pavement he found her writhing in her pain. Kept her breathing, breathing."

Anders stood there listening to her melancholic and melodic voice as it echoed through empty courtyard.

"Somebody save me. Someone save me. Please someone save me. Somebody save me. Slip away- behind the rain. I sing your praises. The light that made me change sings to my soul. Burn black heart and lonely was her name. The pavement he found her writhing in her pain. Kept her breathing, breathing. Oh, ohhh ohh, kept her breathing. Breathing. Breathing."

Aylin looked at the moon as it peeked through the clouds. Her chest was heavy as thoughts of Cullen and Derik surfaced.

"Skipper?"

Aylin and turned to find Anders coming towards her. "Oh, Anders, it's just you."

"Are you alright?"

Aylin nodded. "Just thinking."

"Why are you out here alone? You should get home before it gets too late."

Aylin nodded. "That goes for you as well, Blondie."

Anders smiled and walked with her to the gate led out of Lowtown and into the fields outside of the city walls. "Be careful going home?"

Aylin nodded. "I will. See you tomorrow?"

Anders nodded. "Bright and early."

Aylin started to walk away, but Anders called to her.

"You sounded sad when you sang earlier. Is everything alright?"

Aylin's smile faded and she looked down for a moment. "I miss my brother, and I left behind a good friend of mine when I left Fereldan. I miss him very much."

Anders hugged her. "I see."

"I'll be fine, Anders, really."

"If you ever need to talk, my door is always open."

"Thank you, Anders. I appreciate it."

"Anders..." Aylin stared at him. His hair was longer and he looked like he hadn't shaved in weeks. She smiled and ran to him, throwing her arms around his waist and burying her face into his chest. "I missed you..!"

Anders chuckled and hugged her back. "I missed you too, Skipper."

Aylin looked up at him. "What're you doing here?"

"Just passing through." Anders looked at her, glad for the moonlight coming in through the window. "Maker, you've grown..."

Aylin smiled. "I'm twenty-one, Anders, of course I have."

Anders smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're more beautiful than I remember." He stroked her cheek, sighing. "How have you been?" he asked, his brow furrowing and his smile fading a bit. "You had us all worried when you left so suddenly."

Aylin's face fell and she sighed. "I've been well enough, considering..."

"What happened that night?"

Aylin looked at him. "I don't know... I can't remember... when it starts to come back it's so painful and terrifying... my magik surges and I hurt people around me..."

Anders turned her chin back towards him when she looked away. "It wasn't your fault, Aylin, surely you know that?"

Aylin stepped back and shook her head. "No one knows that, Anders... it very well could have been my fault..."

"Aylin..."

Aylin felt tears in her eyes as she started to recall leaving Kirkwall and everyone- including Cullen- behind. "The fire was my fault... Conrrat was there, too..."

Anders looked at her. 'What happened?'

Aylin tried to forget about that night, but it was already too late. She was beginning to feel the pain and fear resurfacing. When Anders stepped closer to her, she backed away and shook her head. "Anders... stay away..."

"Aylin, I can help."

Aylin shook her head and turned, running out of the storehouse to try and find a secluded spot to let the surge free without hurting anyone. She ran right into Krem and Grim, though, as she turned around the corner.

"Cinder, you alright?" Krem asked, looking at her worried.

Aylin pushed him away and ran in another direction, ignoring the people calling to her. She ran and ran until she felt the pain and fear become overwhelming. She fell to her knees, panting, but when she looked up and still saw the torch lights of the village she knew she was too close still. Forcing herself up, she pressed onward.

"Who are you?" Krem asked, turning to Anders as he came up.

"An old friend. Who are you?" he answered.

"She's in our company."

"She's going to have an outburst. You need to keep everyone in the village, don't let them leave."

"Wait, what do you mean?"

Anders shook his head. "There's no time! Keep everyone in the village, I'll go after her."

Krem watched as he took off running and cursed under his breath. "Shit..." He ran back to the tavern. "Chief, we have a problem."

The Iron Bull looked at him and nodded, standing. "Stitches, come with us. The rest of you keep everyone busy, keep them in the village. Don't let anyone leave."

The Chargers nodded and they parted ways.

"What happened?"

"Not sure, Chief. We followed Cinder like you said, but when we found her she was talking to someone. Then she ran off and her friend said she was going to have an outburst, then took off after her." Krem tried to explain. "Whatever is going on, Chief, I've never seen Cinder that terrified."

"Then we need to hurry."

"Stay away!"

Aylin felt like she was backed into a corner with no escape.

"Aylin, let me help you!" Anders pleaded, trying to reach her before she hurt herself.

"I don't want to hurt you!" Aylin shouted back, then cried out in pain.

Anders ran to her as she collapsed onto the ground. He started to look her over and he knew what was wrong. "That bastard..!"

Aylin's memories started to resurface and her body felt like it was on fire. She screamed as the memories played again through her mind. "Blood everywhere... fire surrounding me... no!"

Anders heard a snap behind them and threw up a barrier. "Stay back!" He saw that it was the man from Aylin's company and two others, a Qunari and a dark skinned man. He ignored them and focused on easing her mind. "Hold on, Skipper."

Aylin writhed in pain, feeling the heat of the fire and the stench of blood flooding her nose as if she was back at that night. Her magik surged and slammed into Anders and the barrier, throwing him back and completely destroying the barrier.

Krem caught Anders as he flew back, looking from him to the Iron Bull. "Chief?"

The Iron Bull ignored him and started walking towards Aylin, who had passed out from the ordeal. He scooped her up into his arms and started back towards the village. "Krem, gather the Chargers. We're going to turn in for the night."

"At once. What about him?"

The Iron Bull looked at Anders. "You, come with me."

Anders nodded and followed after him as Krem hurried to gather the Chargers.

"Chief, I don't know if I can help her." Stitches said, looking at Aylin worried.

"That's why Blondie here is coming with us."

Stitches looked at Anders. "How do you know Aylin?"

"We're old friends, from Kirkwall."

"So you knew her before this started to happen?"

Anders nodded. "This is the first I've seen her have an outburst, but I recognized the signs. There's something else, too..."

"What?"

Anders shook his head. "Not here."

"So this happens to her because of blood magik?"

Anders nodded. He looked at the Iron Bull. "What has she told you of her past?"

"Not much. She doesn't like talking about it." He regarded him. "If you have information, share it."

Anders sighed. "The night she left Kirkwall, the Qunari had just invaded the city. She was attending the wounded and when she had returned home, there was an incident. From what we knew then, the farm and the house she and a friend of ours had lived in caught fire and Conrrat died. She fled Kirkwall and the Free Marches entirely that night, only leaving a note saying that she was sorry. She believed it was her fault."

"But it wasn't?" Krem asked, arms crossed as he listened.

Anders shook his head. "We were worried for her and began investigating it ourselves. We were able to track down a mage who had escaped from the Gallows, but what we found was worse than we thought." He looked at Aylin as she slept. "The mage had turned to blood magik and summoned demons to protect himself. When we were able to subdue him and get the information we needed, we learned that after he had escaped the Gallows and fled from the city, he had come across Conrrat and Aylin's home. He recognized Conrrat as a Templar from his short time in the Gallows, and used blood magik to subdue him and gain entry. He had sensed Aylin returning home, sensing her magik, and wanted to steal her power to add it to his own. When she came home, he had used blood magik to control Conrrat and forced him to restrain Aylin. When he tried to activate his spell to steal her power, she fought back. But in her fear, she set the house ablaze and the blood mage had barely escaped with his life." He looked back at the Iron Bull. "He never completed his spell to steal her power, but a remnant of the blood magik clings to her. That's what caused her outburst. Any time she begins to remember, it's as though that remnant reawakens and tries to fulfill its intended duty. The pain and fear of her memories fuels it. The outburst isn't her own doing, it's her body rejecting the blood magik lingering, like it's trying to rid itself of poison."

"Maker's balls..."

"Is there any way we can help her?"

Anders shook his head. "I don't have the knowledge to remove the blood magik. It's woven itself deep within her. It would take a Seeker of Truth to remove it." He took something from his pocket. "I can give her this." He handed a pouch to Stitches along with a note. "Aylin is incredibly gifted in healing, even without magik. She developed a capsule that you can contain within it any manner of potion. She liked to keep them tucked into her cheek when she was in a fight, biting down on them when she needed them. She gave them to all of us and it saved our hides a number of times. I've adapted these enough to where they should easy the strain these outbursts put on her body. When it happens again, and it will until you find a Seeker, give her one of these."

"Is there anything more that we can do?"

Anders shook his head. "Not without a Seeker. But I gave you a recipe for a potion she should take every day that should help lower the frequency of her outbursts."

Stitches nodded, then excused himself to go start making the potion for Aylin. Krem left the room to check in with the other Chargers and fill them in on what they needed to know.

"I should leave." Anders said, placing an envelop on the bedside table next to Aylin. "Please make sure she reads that."

He started to head for the door, but the Iron Bull stopped him.

"I know who you are. It would be wise if you go into hiding again, otherwise there are quite a few mercenaries who would just love to get their hands on you and hand you over."

Anders looked at him. "If you know who I am, then you know I would never hurt her." He looked back at Aylin. "I trained her when her magik first woke up, you know. With the tensions rising between mages and Templars, Conrrat couldn't bear the thought of her being sent to the Gallows. She's such a brilliant and talented girl."

"Does she know you were the one who caused the explosion in Kirkwall? The one who killed all those people?"

Anders looked away. "No, and I'd prefer she didn't. Even if she finds out later, I'd rather remain a friend in her mind than the monster I am." He pulled up his hood and stepped through the doorway. "Look after her."

The Iron Bull watched as he quickly disappeared and he sighed. He looked back to Aylin. "You're never dull, Cinder, I'll give you that."