The Qunari attacked. Hawke knew it was inevitable but hoped the Arishok would reconsider. After all Kirkwall had its templar army and the city guard while he was only accompanied by a crew of one ship. No doubt the ship was huge, and those on board were all soldiers, but it was not enough for a real war. However, sometimes Hawke thought that it was not true. There were way too many Tal-Vashoth at the outskirts of the city, and there was no way they all had arrived together. Were they even Tal-Vashoth, Hawke wondered. You can never say by just looking at them. And now it became absolutely clear that had planned the invasion for some time already.

Hawke and Aveline barely escaped from the Compound. Aveline's guards were not so lucky which obviously turned her into a berserk. She wanted to go right to the Viscount Keep to gather her remaining guards, but Marian persuaded her to go through the slums first. She said it was to be sure that people are safe, but her true reason was to check on Gamlen. Right in front of his door there was a a battle, and Marian's heart almost jumped out of her chest because the uniform of the fighting people was painfully familiar. Without giving it a second thought she rushed forward cutting her way with wide swings of her sword. She would have found out later that at that moment Anders was solely concentrated on her safety since she did not think about it. All she could think about was to get to Bethany if she was among the Wardens or at least to get any information about her if she was not there. There was no news from her since Leandra's death, and Marian could not stop worrying even being in such a grave situation herself.

'Thank you for your help,' it was Stroud. 'Fighting the qunari was the last thing we expected.'

'We did not expect it either,' Marian bowed to him lightly.

'And yet you are here, right in the middle.'

Hawke slowly turned her head. It was Bethany. She looked exhausted, but at least she was not injured.

'You know, it's just what I am,' Marian smiled weakly. 'I'm glad you kept a distance.'

'I didn't. I just had to step back when Derek was wounded to help him. I'm the only healer here. Was,' she nodded to Anders, and he smiled back.

'I thought you were in Ferelden by now.'

'I have some... unfinished business here. Can't say more.'

'We should move on,' Stroud touched Bethany's arm.

'Yes, that's right,' she nodded.

'Wait, Bethany, I should tell you about Mother...' Marian grabbed her sister's hand.

'Don't,' Bethany gently freed her hand. 'I know already.'

'But...'

'May the Maker watch over you, sister...'

The Wardens left. Hawke could not believe that her first meeting with her sister after all those years was that rushed and... emotionless. Bethany's voice was cold and almost irritated as if she was not happy to see Marian. She did not even look back. Was she still angry because she had to become a Warden? But she would die otherwise. What if she was blaming Marian for their mother's death?

'Let's go, Hawke!' Aveline called.

'What had I done to her?' Marian still was looking at the street corner where her sister had vanished.

'Nothing,' Anders put his hand on her shoulder. 'I bet it's Stroud's influence. We'll discuss it later, if you wish. Come on. We should go.'

'Yes,' she exhaled and drew her sword noticing qunari soldiers running towards them.

There were bodies everywhere, humans, elves, dwarves, mostly common citizens, sometimes guardsmen. But what enraged Hawke even more was the fact that quite a big number of elves turned against their own people and sided with the invaders. They were small and weak, but there was nothing by hatred in their eyes. At first Marian tried to just knock them down, but then the rage that was boiling inside of her took over...

'Blasted knife-ears,' Hawke spat blood angrily. 'Sorry, Fenris.'

'No need for an apology,' the elf sighed and passed her an injury kit. 'That's what they are.'

'And where are those bloody templars?' Marian gulped an entire bottle of potion. 'They are the biggest army in the city. Have you seen them? I haven't!'

'Guarding the Chantry, I suppose,' Anders suggested.

'Most likely,' Aveline agreed with him.

Their next fight happened at the Hightown market, and it was there where thy saw the templars for the first time on that day. And that was the Knight-Commander herself, a tall blond woman in heavy armour with a simple claymore in her hands. Her voice was soft, but under that softness there were metal undertones. No wonder both mages and templars were afraid of her. Seeing Hawke's group capability she offered to join forces, then left to gather her Order. Marian glanced at Anders. He clutched his staff that luckily happened to be the most spear-looking in his collection.

'I hope nobody will break into my home,' Hawke said partially because she really was concerned and partially to distract Anders.

'Sandal is there,' the mage smiled. 'And your dog. And I bet I've seen Isabela teaching Orana some self-defense movements.'

'That's exactly what I'm afraid of.'

'Move, move!' Aveline pushed them up the stairs. Fenris shook his head.

The next wave of qunari found them at the square in front of the Viscount Keep. Obviously they were not the first ones who fought there since the ground was covered with bodies. Mages! What were mages doing there, Hawke thought beheading another enemy. They were supposed to stay in the Gallows behind the closed doors. Nobody ever taught Kirkwall mages how to fight, so it was their only chance to survive. There were no templars with them, which was also strange. Hawke looked at mages' faces and every time sighed in relief because there was nobody she knew. She felt responsible for those who had got into the Circle because of her. Suddenly one of the mages moved. That made Hawke fight even more ferociously.

Marian knew she never met that mage, but for some reason he looked very familiar. It was a grey-haired elf in a simple dark robe. His richly decorated staff suggested that he had a high position in the Circle hierarchy, and the fact that he survived suggested a huge magical talent. Or just luck. Turned out he was the most important mage in the Circle, the First Enchanter Orsino. Anders always said that Orsino did not care much about the Circle, but looking at him running from one mage to another, hoping that at least someone would be alive, Marian realised that he was wrong. The First Enchanter cared about his people. But it seemed he had no power to help them. And it was absolutely clear why...

'First Enchanter, you survived...'

It was too bright, Hawke thought. Had Anders forgotten to draw the curtains again? She tried to move, but then a stroke of unbearable pain pierced her entire body.

'Stay still,' Anders whispered into her ear. 'I'll block the pain.'

'Thanks,' she articulated soundlessly.

'Do you remember what happened?'

Now she remembered though the memories were blurred. They got into the Keep and fought more qunari. Then they had spoken to the Arishok. Then Isabela returned with the relic. She dueled the Arishok for Isabela's life and killed him. Meredith named her the Champion of Kirkwall. She smiled proudly. Then she went toward the door... and fainted.

'Yes,' she whispered, then slowly opened her eyes.

'Then tell me, was it the blood magic?' the look of his face suggested he was not joking.

'No, of course not. I am no mage.'

'What was it then?'

'Have you heard of the Reavers? That is what I am.'

'You never told me...'

'There was no need. I never used this talent since I left the army. It's a huge gamble.'

'Why have you learned it in the first place?' Anders lied on the bed next to her.

'When my father died the twins were still children. I had to protect them and Mother. And there was that man, a knight, who agreed to teach me. Just in case.'

'That's noble.'

'It saved my and Carver's lives in Ostagar. And then he...'

'I'm sorry...'

'I'm fine... I... think there are some broken ribs left. Could you check the left side?'

Anders's hand slided along Marian's body. She loved when he touched her even if it was strictly for healing purposes. She closed her eyes and tried to think of her new title. The Champion of Kirkwall. But for some reason all she could think about was her stupid little brother.