Thank you all for the reviews! I love them! Zev is still a few chapters away, so keep those panties on. (I know, it's hard.)Enjoy!

Chapter 11

Desire

"I'll do it." Isolde said standing tall. "If it will save my son, I will give my life."

Alim barely refrained from making a rude noise. It was difficult, but he managed. He had orchestrated everything perfectly and didn't want to ruin his scheme because he laughed at the fools surrounding him. Everything was going according to plan. He had dashed any hope of the Circle's help while reinforcing that only he could enter the Fade. He had also successfully driven a wedge between Mallory and her entourage, leaving her vulnerable. Now the rest of the pieces just had to fall in place. Of course his mother is willing to be a sacrifice. Queue outraged Alistair any second now.

"No. Absolutely not. Mallory, you cannot allow this!" Alistair made a slashing motion with his hands and stormed over to Mallory. Alim watched the exchange with amusement.

"Allow? Alistair, she's a grown woman capable of making her own decisions." Mallory countered. Alim though he detected a hint of pride in her voice. "I don't like this any more than you do, but it is HER choice, not yours or mine. She's his mother and willing to die for him."

"This is wrong!" He ran his hand through his hair, distress evident in every feature.

"Is it? I disagree. There is no greater honor than laying down your life for someone you love." Mallory retorted. Her face softened a bit as she nodded respectfully towards Isolde as she spoke in voice tinged with sadness. "Any mother- any good mother- would be willing to do the same."

Jowan, who was being restrained by Ser Perth, was staring daggers at Alim the entire time. Taking pleasure in his seething rage, Alim wiggled his fingers at him in a mock wave. His smile widened as Jowan lurched towards him earning himself a swift cuff upside the head from Ser Perth. Alim hid his snicker with a well placed cough as Mallory glanced their way.

Still fuming, Jowan decided to ignore Alim and signaled his readiness to begin the ritual. Ser Perth removed the manacles binding his wrists and stepped back from the blood mage keeping his hand on his weapon.

"I need a knife." He stated as he knelt and tossed aside the decorate rug that was covering the thick wooden floorboards. Mallory nodded to Leliana, who reached into her boot and produced a small concealed throwing knife no bigger than his index finger. She tossed the knife with expert precision and it landed with a thunk just shy of his left knee. Jowan jumped in shock then retrieved the knife.

"In case you are curious," Leliana cautioned. "There are plenty more where that came… and I missed on purpose that time."

"Noted." Jowan replied as he cut his wrist. His blood welled up and spilt on the castle flooring, staining the wood grain. Alim watched intently as he dipped his finger in his blood and began drawing intricate designs on the floor. When he was finished he bound his wrist with a piece of his tattered robe and double checked his runes. Two circles had been drawn each with a triangle in the center with its points touching the edge of the circle. In the spaces between the shapes, Jowan had drawn Tevinter runes as wells as some symbols Alim didn't recognize. Jowan held out his hand for Isolde and she took it, gingerly lifting her skirt hem as she stepped over the bloody markings so not to smug them.

"You're very brave. I-I just wanted to say I'm so sorry. For every thing. I-I know it's not enough, but-" Jowan stumbled through an apology while still holding Isolde's hand. Alim rolled his eyes, irritated by the sentimentality.

"No," Isolde snapped, taking her hand back from him forcefully. "It's not enough. Save my son, mage and maybe the Maker will forgive you, but I never will." With that said, she stood regal and proud awaiting death, though fear shone in her eyes.

Jowan sighed forlornly and motioned for Alim to stand in the other circle. Smiling sadistically, Alim gathered his staff and stepped over the runes into the circle. Jowan's fingers twitched on the knife as Alim closed the distance. He pressed his lips into a thin line as if fighting for control. Alim looked Jowan in the eye and mentally dared him to try anything. They silently locked gazes for what felt like an eternity until Mallory cleared her throat. Jowan broke eye contact and cast his gaze to the floor, leaving Alim full of smug satisfaction. Fool. You should have struck when you had the chance, Jowan, for you will never get another opportunity. This is why I have always been greater than you. I do not hesitate to destroy anything in my way. Now, here you are with the boundless power of a blood mage and you lack the will to act. You could kill everyone in this room and use their blood to fuel your escape. You know nothing awaits your future save a painful death. Instead, you squander your gift trying to save your precious conscious. You do not deserve power. You are weak.

With a glint in his eyes, Alim announced, "I am ready."

With a word Jowan gestured in the air, making arcane signs and calling on life and death to rend the Veil. The runes on the floor glowed a fiery red, illuminating the walls and faces of the onlookers. Isolde rose from the floor, her back arching from the pull of the magic. To the woman's credit, she did not scream once, even as blood began to seep from every pore in her body. Even Alim found himself impressed with her courage as she took one final breath and died before them. Her life energy flowed into Alim, tearing the Veil around him as he was overwhelmed with snippets of her memories. He shuddered, his eyes rolling back in his head as his spirit joined hers and was whisked into the Fade, leaving the others and his body behind.

Mallory had worried her thumb nail down to a numb watching Jowan. The mage was erratically jerking like a dancer in a Lady Gaga music video as he chanted nonsensical words in a continuous drone. As if that was disturbing enough, his eyes were bleeding. Bleeding! She wasn't sure what to expect from blood magic, but she hadn't anticipated it on being so messy. Duh, Mal. Guess they call it blood magic for a reason. She mentally chided herself as she looked away from Jowan to the body of the Arlessa. Isolde appeared oddly serene in death, despite the fact she was drenched in blood. Mallory's heart lurched as she looked at the woman, wishing she could at least cover her body. Once her life's blood had been drained, her body had simply fallen to the ground. Wiping away an errant tear, she reminded herself Jowan had adamantly told her the body was not to be disturbed at all during the ritual. I was wrong about you. I'm sorry for all the negative things I thought. You were very brave and deserved better. I know you just didn't want your son to be taken from you. In the end, you gave up everything to protect him. I'll let him know his mother died valiantly. I'll let him know you loved him. It was a bittersweet moment for Mallory. It dredged up feeling of resentment towards her own mother for her lack of compassion while giving Mallory hope that despite people's short comings, there were still good people in the world. People worth fighting for. Maybe even people worth dying for.

She leaned back in the chair she had pilfered from the dining hall and cast a fleeting look at Alistair. The templar was standing with his arms crossed looking very much like a child about to throw a tantrum. Though she was still a bit miffed about his attitude, her heart went out to him. I know he had no love for Isolde, but it could not have been easy to see her die like that. He's going to be cross with me for a long time. She was saddened by that sudden realization. She had come to think of Alistair as a friend in the short time they had travel together. She delighted in the fact they shared the same flippant sense of humor. It was depressing to think they wouldn't be on the best of terms for a while. Even Leliana was disappointed in her and had distanced herself from Mallory. The bard was kneeling in front of the fireplace, reciting what could only be the Chant of Light.

Feeling very alone and dejected, Mallory tried unsuccessfully to keep her self-defeating thoughts at bay. Who am I kidding? Sten and Alim were right. I'm no leader. Look at how badly I've messed everything up. An innocent woman is dead because of me. I let the most selfish and irresponsible person I know enter the Fade to try and save a child he cares nothing for. I'm employing the use of blood magic, a forbidden art learned by DEMONS to break the natural laws of this world. And now, my two of my friends… my only friends other than Rocko… are ticked off at me. This is too much. When Alim comes back, I'll just surrender my position and let him be in charge. He can make all the bloody bad choices he wants then. Let everyone hate him- well more than they already do. This was only something temporary anyways, just to save the villagers. I'm done!

"Mallory?"

Startled, Mallory stopped chewing her nail and looked up to see Alistair looming over her. She gave him a relieved smile, thinking he was coming over to check on her. Her reprieve was short lived, for Alistair scowled down at her and appeared less than pleased.

"I hope you know what you are doing." He admonished. "When we get back to camp we are going to have a long talk."

"Uh oh. Planning on breaking up with me?" she jested, hoping to break the tension between them and at least get him to crack a smile.

"Don't. Just don't." he responded curtly, dashing any hope she had. "I hope you realize just how dangerous this is. We are sending a mage to deal with a demon. And that mage is Alim."

"I understand the risks." Mallory said defensively.

"Do you? Cause I don't think you do."

"Enough!" Mallory tersely replied, standing to her full height. She was the same height as Alistair and leveled her gaze on him purposefully. Her cheeks burned red from humiliation and anger. "You have stated your opinion and I have heard it, but what's done is done. Give him a chance. He may surprise you."

"How can you say that?! This is Alim we are talking about! He doesn't care about anyone or anything but himself."

"Because I have to believe that given a chance he will do the right thing! Maybe I'm naïve .. or just stupid... but I need to have faith in the best of people, rather than the worst. If I don't then, I'm just going to go crazy and become this resentful, cynical, ugly person that expects everyone to be evil or self-serving and grows to hate them. Don't you see! I'll become Alim!"

She was out of breath, her heart racing in her chest. She knew everyone in the room was staring and she didn't care. This choice had not been easy and it was not something she took lightly. She didn't want Isolde to die. She didn't want anyone to die! She wanted everyone to survive and live happily ever after though she knew that in real life that almost never happened. It was like Alim had said, sometimes you have to make a hard decision and live with the consequences afterwards. Which reminded her.

"And another thing! Get off your high horse, Alistair! You go around and criticize everyone's decisions, but I don't see you stepping up and taking charge! How can you judge me when you are too scared to lead even though you are the senior Warden of the group? You let that fall responsibility on Alim's shoulders because you didn't want to deal with it. Until the day you take ownership of the party and do your duty as senior member, while you may certainly express your thoughts, they have no merit!"

Without waiting for him to respond, she turned on her heel and left the room before she could say anything else damning. She entered the first room she came upon and slammed the door shut behind her. She found herself in some kind of study, with a stately oak desk in the center of the room surrounded by shelves of books. She pulled the heavy wooden chair out from behind the desk and sat down heavily. Running in hands through her wavy hair, she tried to untangle some of the knots that had amassed thru her travels, but mainly just got her fingers caught in her wild locks. I'm starting to get dreadlocks. I need a brush. Or to just cut it off all together. Maybe I'll shave my head, that way no one can sneak up behind me, grab my hair and slit my throat. She had a mental image of her running through a battle field, bald with her hammer aloft screaming like a maniac. Or not. I think I would embody barbarian all little too much then.

Looking for a distraction, she started flipping through some of the books that were left open on the desk. Many of them were logs, shipping manifests, or full of trade receipts. Not the most riveting reading there is. She thought as she moved some of the books around and began stacking them neatly on the corner of the desk. Why do I always feel the need to organize things or clean when I get stressed? I swear, I'm developing an OCD from all this or- Hello. What's this? As she moved aside a worn manual, she revealed a delicate silver amulet. Ooh. How pretty. She held up the piece of jewelry and inspected in the dim light. It was simple, with a hand etched symbol of Andraste's Flame on the front. Tiny cracks littered the surface, spiraling out like a spider's web. The seams were lined with a clear substance like someone had painstakingly glued it together.

Suddenly the door to the study banged open and in barraged Alistair. Startled, Mallory almost dropped the necklace, catching it at the last second.

"I was going to wait till we got back to camp to discuss this, but since you had to.. had to… What's that?" Alistair pointed to the amulet she held in her hand.

"Just a necklace I found here on the desk. Why?"

"Can I see it.?"

Mallory shrugged and gathered up the chain in her palm and handed it to Alistair. The templar stared transfixed at the necklace for a moment, turning it over in his hands.

"I-I thought I smashed it. I can't believe it. It really is hers. He… he must have found it and put it together."

Mallory raised an eyebrow, not understanding what he was talking about. "I didn't know you had a sweetheart. A memento of hers?"

"Huh? Oh. No. It's ummm .. it was my mother's. When Eamon first told me he was sending me to the Chantry, I was furious. I thought he didn't want me. Can't have the bastard son of the king hanging around the castle all the time, right? Makes the royalty look bad. This necklace… it's all I had to remember my mother by…. and I destroyed it in a fit. I threw it against the wall and it shattered into a thousand pieces. I was such a fool."

"You were a child, Alistair. It's only natural to be upset that they were sending you away. Rejection hurts no matter how old you are."

"He must have gathered up all the pieces after I left and put it back together. He tried to see me a few times afterwards, but I denied him. I was just so angry. I should have tried. I should have-" He broke off and looked away in shame, struggling not to cry.

Mallory stood and clapped him on the back. "We are going to do everything we can to save him Alistair. Him and Conner both. I promise."

He gave her an uncertain smile. "Thank you, for finding this. I thought I'd never see it again. It's important, you know, to have something to remind you of family. What about your family? You never speak of them."

"You guys are the closest thing I have to family now." Mallory stated, surprised to find it was true.

"Really? Wow. Thanks. I'm flattered."

"Yeah. You're kind of like the annoying little brother I never had.. nor wanted." She teased. Amazed that just like that, they had fallen back into camaraderie so easily.

"Ouch. Low blow, Mal. Low blow. You hurt my manly feelings. All one of them."

"Naw. You're ten feet tall and bullet proof." She regretted the words the second they slipped from her lips.

"Err… ok. What's a bullet?"

"Hmm.. I don't know. I said bolt. Bolt proof. Like cross bow bolts. They just bounce right off of you." She replied thinking quickly. She made her point by flicking his breast plate with her finger, the steel ringing pleasantly from the blow. "See? Now, let go make sure everything is going ok in the audience room." Hastily, she headed towards the door, eager to change the subject.

"I wouldn't call what's going on in there ok by any definition." Alistair mumbled sullenly.

Mallory sighed as she stepped through the threshold and contemplated banging her head against the doorframe. Annnnd we are back to square one.

Alim was growing more annoyed with each step. He wasn't overly found of the Fade in the first place. It was too full of dreamers and people with overly fanciful imaginations. He had just passed someone dreaming of a chamber pot with running water of all the most preposterous ideas. While he was ambitious, he tended to think little of those that dwelt in fantasy instead of dealing with reality and actually accomplishing what they dreamed of. This demon child was playing games and he was growing weary. Twice now he had tracked the demon to different locations in a morbid game of hide and seek, and twice it had fled. This is ridiculous. Be wary of the demons, the templars always cautioned. They will seek you out in the Fade and tempt you, they said. I can't even get this one to speak to me OR stand still.

Passing a growth of Fade lyrium, Alim stepped through yet another portal and into an open expanse. Drifting gently as if swayed by a soft breeze, the Desire Demon beckoned to him with one long finger. Alim immediately flushed as he approached, trying hard to control his body's reaction to her perfect body. Noticing his reaction, she gracefully ran her hands over her form, drawing his eyes to her assets.

"No more fighting." Her voice seemed to whisper melodically in his ear though she was still several feet away from him. He grabbed onto his staff as his knees buckled from pleasure, a strangled sound escaping his lips. "Why fight when there are so many more things we can do."

She drifted closer, her scaled tail trailing behind her like a banner. She stopped two feet away from him and tittered as she looked him over approvingly. "I am Aphrodisia. I sense you are not here to take away my prize. You have so much desire is in you. You want much, mortal. Ask, and we shall trade."

Alim took a deep breath and bolstered himself. He hadn't anticipated being so unnerved. Even the demons in is Harrowing had caused no concern, but this one.. this one was powerful. More powerful than he had every experienced.

"Arielle…" he stammered. "Bring her back to me."

"Alas," She replied drawing nearer. She languidly circled him, brushing him with her tail. "What is dead and gone cannot return. Your love has joined us in the Fade and has no vessel to return to. I cannot create life where it has been extinguished. Only prolong what still exists."

"Bah," Alim spat. "What good are you then? You're worthless and this is a waste of time. Let's get this over with. Surrender the child or die."

Before Alim could begin to cast, Aphrodisia interrupted him. "Wait. Still your hand. You care nothing for this child. Let me keep him. I will stay dormant and no one will be the wiser. I will trade.. the boy for a gift of your choice."

"We've been through this," Alim replied curtly. "If you can't bring her back to me, than you have nothing to bargain with."

"That is not what you truly yearn for, is it?" She purred circling him. She trailed her fingertips lightly across his neck, her tapered claws leaving red marks on his flesh. "No, what you want runs so much deeper than that."

"What you desire," She whispered in his left ear as she came around him. He shuddered as her lips brushed his lobe. "is revenge."

She came full circle around him and suddenly.. suddenly he was staring into Arielle's sky blue eyes. It was her down to the last detail: her ash blonde hair that she wore up in a messy bun, her green stained fingertips from grinding elfroot all day, even the faint medicinal smell that mingled with her own clean scent.

"Arielle?" His voice came out a whimper and he fell to his knees before her.

"Yes, my love." Her voice was melodic and filled his head with its clamor, drowning out everything else. "I am trapped here in the Fade along with the many restless souls."

"No. It can't be." Alim struggled with what his eyes saw and what his heart felt, versus what his brain knew. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew it was the demon masquerading as his dead lover, but it seemed so real. He had missed everything about her: her touch, her voice, her scent. It won't hurt to pretend, just for a little while right? He convinced himself. I can stop her anytime. I .. I just want to remember. Even if it's for a little while.

She caressed his face lovingly with her fingers. Their touch was exactly as he recalled. Callused from many years of working with a mortar and pestle yet still gentle and feminine. "I'm so sorry, my love. I wanted us to be together, forever, but they tricked me. I.. I didn't know."

She hid her face from him, silent tears trickling down her cheeks. Alim faltered. He couldn't bear to see her cry. Standing, he wrapped his arms around her, trying to soothe her. "Hush. It wasn't your fault. You did nothing wrong. You were too young. You never should have taken the Harrowing that early."

"I didn't want to Alim!" She sobbed into his shoulder. "They said they'd make me Tranquil if I refused! It was a trap! I didn't know.. I didn't know they were working with the demons."

He gently cupped her face and wiped away her tears. "Working with the demons? What do you mean?"

"I met a fellow mage in the Fade. He said he was trapped there when he was murdered by the templars because he failed to complete his Harrowing. He had been there so long that he couldn't even remember his own name. He acted as a guide and even helped me defeat the Rage demon. He was in so much pain, Alim, that when he asked if I would help him, I said yes. He wanted to travel with me, in my body. How could I refuse? I felt so bad for him. I was a healer, Alim! I didn't know. I didn't know he was a demon! If I did.. I never.. I never..."

She broke down into hysterical crying, burying herself in his embrace. Alim smoothed her hair, his face hardening as he realized what she meant. Just like in my Harrowing. There's no way two demons would share a potential host. They are too completive. There were three demons in my Harrowing alone. Something must draw them all there and force them to work together. The templars either actually have a deal with the demons or they force the mages to hold them captive and do their bidding. By the Void, they GIVE us to them like a sacrifice. Resist and we are deemed worthy of existence, fail and the demon gets a few minutes of the life they so covet before the templars butcher us. "They arranged it for there to be two demons. One obvious and one to trick you. Knowing you were healer, the played on your greatest strength and weakness: compassion. I'm sorry too, Arielle. I failed you. I should never have let them take you. I should have fought harder. I should have protected you."

She shook her head against his chest. "How could you? You would have had to fight a whole contingent of templars, Alim. No one could withstand that. You had no choice but to let me die. And now you have forgotten about your promise to me."

"No! I swear to you, I'll find a way to avenge you. I just need more power! I'll find a way, and then, no one will oppose me! I'll defeat them and bring them to their knees by my own hand. Your name will be the last word they utter as I bring their destruction!"

"I know a way." Arielle murmured. She kissed him sensually, melting into his arms. It is Arielle. How did I ever doubt it? She's dead. She's dead because of them! I'll kill them! Alim moaned with loss when she finally pulled away and broke contact any doubt that it was Arielle completely gone. "A way to grant you power beyond your comprehension. Our enemies will tremble at your approach and you will avenge my murder. The my soul will finally be at peace. No one will stand in your way. But it will not be easy. That kind of power requires sacrifice. What say you?"

"Anything, my love. Tell me what you require of me."

Arielle clung tightly to Alim, resting her head on his shoulder. Unbeknownst to him, her eyes began glowing purple and a wicked smile gracing her lips.

"As you desire."

Mallory knelt over Alim, checking his pulse. Jowan had stopped bleeding from the eye sockets about thirty minutes ago, claiming the ritual was complete, but Alim had yet to wake. After receiving the ok from Jowan, she had decided to check on him, though he still advised against moving him.

"Are you sure he's ok?" She asked Jowan. "Isn't he supposed to be up by now?"

Jowan had been rebound and was currently guarded by Ser Perth. He nodded and replied, "He will live.. unfortunately. He is returning from the Fade. It may take him a while to recover."

"Warden, if I may have a word with you?" Bann Teagan asked. Mallory glanced behind her, thinking Alistair had returned from checking up on Conner. The boy had snapped out his possession almost immediately after Jowan concluded the ritual. Other than some memory loss, he seemed no worse for wear and Alistair was keeping an eye on him. When she saw no one behind her, it took Mallory a bit to realize Teagan was addressing her as a Warden. He thinks I'm a Warden? Oh boy. I'll have to clear that up.

Ser Perth pushed Jowan forward as Mallory approached the Bann. Two knights were wrapping Lady Isolde's body in linens, preparing to move her to the funeral pyre that would burn later that afternoon. Mallory swallowed another pang of guilt and sorrow as she passed the dried blood that an elven servant was hastily scrubbing off the flooring. That's never going to come out. Hopefully they will just tear out that section of the flooring and replace it; otherwise they can leave it as a memento. I can see it now, a tour guide puttering around with a group and pointing to the floor saying "And here, ladies and gentlemen, is where Arlessa Isolde bled out and died in a blood ritual to save her son from the clutches of a demon. Feel free to sit in the very same magical circle she perished in and have one of our artists immortalize you in a caricature." Yee gads.. Being surrounded by all this death is making me morbid. Ok. Time to put the brakes on this train of thought.

"Errr… Bann, about the whole Warden bit.." She began.

"That's exactly why I wanted to talk to you." Bann Teagan stated. "As a acting Warden, you get to decide his fate."

The Bann nodded towards Jowan as Mallory's eyes widened in shock. "Me? B-but should that be left to the Arl?'

"Yes, well, the Arl is still ill. If it was my choice, I would put him to death immediately. However, as Warden your authority supersedes my own. So, I will defer his punishment to you."

Mallory gazed at Jowan torn. True, she had killed men before, but only in self defense. While his crime was reprehensible, he had been honest with her and aided in saving Conner. Killing a man in battle was one thing... but executing him? Mallory wasn't sure if she had the heart for that. Deciding against telling Teagan she wasn't actually a Warden, she instead replied. "Lock him up for now. No torture and see to it he is fed. We owe him that much for his help. He will get a fair trial and be judged just as any criminal."

"Very well. Ser Perth, take him back to his cell. In the mean time, Warden, I will have the servants prepare baths and rooms for you and your party. Sup and rest here my friend, for I am certain you are exhausted. I can't thank you enough for what you have done. Eamon will be heartbroken about the lost of Isolde, but at least his lineage lives on through his son."

Ehh.. Twist the knife a little deeper why don't you. "Thank you for your kindness." She said through a false smile. "We also require supplies since we are heading to the Frostback Mountains. I know your resources are limited but-"

"Say no more. I understand the importance of you mission. I will have Murdock and his men clear the road and send a messenger to your man at the merchant's camp. I'll make sure you are well stocked enough for the trip there and back."

Mallory sighed in relief, glad that the supply issues will finally be resolved. A grunt to her left startled her as Alim awoke and groggily attempted to stand.

"Here," Mallory said catching the mage under the arm. "Let me help."

Alim weakly protested, but fell silent after it was obvious he couldn't stand without aid.

"How are you feeling?" Mallory asked as she helped him to a chair.

"Better than ever." He replied sarcastically. "I take it things went well here?"

"Yes. Conner is fine. He doesn't seem to remember much, which is probably a blessing. Did you defeat the demon?"

"The demon is no more." Alim said looking at the floor.

He must be exhausted, poor guy. I know he can be an ass, but he did it. He really came through. I actually feel proud FOR him as well as of him. "Alim?"

Alim turned his gaze upon her looking marginally annoyed as always.

"I just wanted to thank you. For suggesting this and going through with it. I know we haven't always seen I to eye, but I hope we can get along better in the future. And I'm really sorry about hitting you. I.. I just knew I could count on you to do the right thing." Before she could stop herself, she gave him a quick hug and then excused herself, too embarrassed to remain.

Mallory was led with Leliana to their chambers while Alistair and Alim were taken the opposite side of the castle to get cleaned up for the funeral. Though the castle was huge, few rooms had been cleared of the undead, so the women were sharing a room for the evening. In a way, Mallory was pleased since it would give her the opportunity to talk to the bard about the day's events. She was also overjoyed that a great raised basin sat in the corner of the chamber, just perfect for a bath. They would be sharing that to since hot water was a commodity and communal baths were common place. She stripped of her armor as the servants emptied buckets of steaming water into the tub. With an audible sigh of pleasure, she sank into the hot water, enjoying the warmth as it turned her skin red. Leliana slipped in next to her and she began scrubbing herself in earnest to get the grime off.

"Hey, I just wanted to talk to you about what happened today. I know you don't approve of my choice, but-"

"It was necessary, just like you stepping in to save the village. I know if there was another way you would have chosen differently."

"Soooo.. we're cool?"

"Actually, I'm kind of hot, but if you're cold we can get another bucket-"

"That's not what- I mean, what I'm trying to say- are we still friends?"

"Of course. It took courage for you to stand up to Alim and to make that decision though many disapproved. Andraste herself chose to ally with elven slaves. It wasn't a popular choice and won her many enemies, but with their help they accomplished many things and almost brought down the Imperium." Leliana said as she washed Mallory's neck.

"Yeah, but wasn't she tortured, burned at the stake, and then ran through?" Mallory asked cynically.

Leliana smirked. "Don't worry. I save the torture for grave offenses."

"Good to know. Besides, I couldn't live with myself if I just let him leave everyone." Mallory said softly as she wrung out the dirty wash rag and handed it to Leliana. The water was filthy and a ring of debris was forming around the basin, but it was the cleanest she had been in days and she found she no longer cared. Her perspective was changing on a daily basis. She was naked in a tub with another woman, where in the past she may have been too embarrassed to join her. Modesty meant little in a world were everyone went to the bathroom in the woods. One of the servants dumped another bucket of hot water into the basin, bringing the water level to her chest. Mallory turned and faced the bard, gesturing for her foot. Leliana splayed her toes out and playfully splashed her. Smirking, Mallory grabbed the bard's foot and began to sour them as she finished her thought. "I know what it's like. … to be helpless. To cry for help and have no one answer.. or worse, have them acknowledge your peril and look away. It's not something I would wish on anyone."

"Not even Alim?" Leliana asked as she draped her arms over the rim of the basin. She lounged back, utterly relaxed and only moved when Mallory hit a ticklish spot on her foot.

"I'll have to think about that one for a while and get back to you. Though, he really pulled it off today. There may be hope for him yet."

Leliana chuckled as Mallory rose and accepted the sheet of muslin the servant offered to dry herself off. Draping it around her body she gazed down at her latest scar. The stitches had all but dissolved, leaving nothing left but fresh new skin, with the exception of that black bruise. That's odd. I thought it was smaller than that. I wonder why the injury kit didn't heal that. Oh well. I've got bigger problems than a bruise. Dismissing the thought, she wrapped the cloth around her frame and took another cloth to dry her hair.

"How's your side?"

"Much better." Mallory replied, toweling her hair off. "Almost all healed though it will scar. That injury kit is amazing."

"I wish had one of those the first time I met you. I could have saved-"

"Don't worry about it. You saved my life. Twice now. You're a good friend, Leliana. Probably the best friend I've had in a long time."

The bard gave her a warm smile, her eye's sparkling in the candlelight. "Me too. It has been a long time since I've been able to trust anyone. I'm glad you came."

"Even though you've had to save my butt two times?"

"Don't worry, I'm keeping tabs." Leliana observed. "You still owe me for the first time. I have yet to determine what you'll owe me for the latest rescue."

"Oh boy. I'll never be out of debt with you will I?"

"Doubtful. Though you could start with telling me all the juicy gossip about you and Alistair."

Mallory looked up from drying her hair casting a confused glance Leliana's way.

"Oh, come now. You can't tell me there's nothing going on between you two. I've heard the way you two talk."

"Me and Alistair? No. No way. I mean he's cute and all, but he's like more of a kid brother to me. I just joke around with him all the time. He's so hard on himself, so I just make little... Oh my god. You don't think he's taking that stuff seriously, do you?" Oh good lord, I forgot he's a virgin. Please oh please, tell me he doesn't think of me that way. I mean I haven't even thought about sex since...Images flashed in her memory. The men at the bridge defiling her. She gripped the edge of the basin in an effort to control her violently heaving stomach. I don't want to think about it. No, defiantly not ready.

"Mal?"

"Yeah. I'm ok. Just... bad memories. I think I'm going to go for a walk. Get some fresh air. I'll see you at the funeral in a bit."

Why are all the clothes made of wool! So ITCHY! Mallory stopped wandering the hall for a moment and after a quick look around to make sure she was alone, scratched her back on the castle wall. Oh yeah! That's the spot! The dress she servants clad her in was pretty enough, but she felt odd without her armor on and very vulnerable. Much to their dismay, she had refused to leave her maul behind and had it awkwardly strapped on her back. List of things to do: Invent toilets, cotton clothing, and find a freaking horse...oh yeah. And stop the Blight.

"You don't belong here."

Mallory stopped scratching and spun around at the voice- only to find Conner staring up at her.

"Oh. Conner." She said relaxing her grip on her maul. "You startled me. How are you feeling?"

Conner frowned. "Why does everyone keep asking me that? I'm fine. What about you? You don't belong here."

"Why do you keep saying that?" Mallory asked, feeling uneasy for reasons she couldn't explain.

"Are you lost? My mother's funeral is that way." He said pointing.

"Oh. No. I was just going to.. see someone."

"You're going to the dungeon. Are you going to see my teacher? They say my teacher is a bad man and I'm not allowed to see him."

"That's probably a good idea-"

"They also say you let him kill my mother." A small cruel smile appeared for a fleeting moment and then was gone leaving the curiously innocent face of a child.

"I-I... I don't ... know what you mean.."

"I should get going, before anyone misses me." he said abruptly, turning and skipping down the hall.

"Oh, before I forget. I have a message for you." He turned and stopped at hallway entrance, the glow from the torch light making it appear as if his eyes shined. "He asked me to tell you that he's searching for you."

He let the sentence hang tensely between them until Mallory could bare it no more. "Who?"

"Oh, that man in the armor. Alistair, I think his name was. He was looking for you. Who'd you think I meant, silly?" With that, he disappeared through the doorway. Mallory watched him go, very unsettled feeling like she was being toyed with; doubts creeping into her mind.

The fires of the funeral pyre licked at the sky as the Arlessa's body was consumed by the raging inferno. Everyone had gathered to pay their respects. Well, everyone alive that was. Mallory looked over at the survivors and realized just how many had died. Only a handful of knights and guards remained, a few dozen servants and maybe a hundred citizens. If the darkspawn attack them, there's no way they will be able to hold down the city. Even behind the fortified walls of the castle, they would not live long. She closed her eyes under the weight of her assessment and fingered the bottle of Tevinter poison in her pocket.

"In my room, behind the loose stone under my bed post lies the remains of the poison I gave the Arl. I beg of you Mallory, take it and end Alim now! Before he has a chance to betray you like he did me!"

"But, he saved the child Jowan! He's the last of the Wardens. We can't do this without him."

"Why not? Everyone is always going on about how only the Wardens can stop a Blight but no one knows how or why. Maybe they just make these stories up so they will be perceived as useful."

"I don't know. I never thought of that possibility."

She had felt like pulling her hair out. She wasn't sure. The things that Conner had said seemed to have double meaning, but maybe she was just being paranoid. After all, it had been over twenty four hours since she had slept and even longer since she had a decent meal. She was tired, stressed and freaking out just a little, that's all.

"What kind of deal could he have made?"

Jowan had shrugged. "It's hard to say."

"He wouldn't though? I mean, he even stated that to deal with a demon is foolish. They always get the better end of the deal."

Jowan shook his head in dismay. "Want my advice? Kill him. I know you may take that with a grain of salt since I have a vendetta against him, but it will be for the best. If he didn't betray you now, it's only a matter of time before he does. At the very least, take the poison. If he is an abomination, you can kill his body before the demon comes forth, then the demon will be trapped in the Fade leaving just his corpse behind. If you attack him openly, he will transform and you will be in for the fight of your life."

"How.. how will I know? If Conner is still possessed? How will I know if he made a deal?"

"You won't. Not until it's too late.

Sighing, Mallory reopened her eyes. The flames of the pyre continued steadily as she found Conner's face among the crowd. His head was bowed, sending strands of his coppery hair into his eyes. He clutched Bann Teagan's hand, sniffling occasionally and wiping his snotty nose on the back of his hand. He seemed like a perfectly normal eleven year old boy.. who had just lost his mother in a horrific blood mage ritual after succumbing to demonic possession. I'm losing it. He's fine. Alim made the right choice. Everything's ok. But try as she might, she couldn't let go of the bottle.