It's taken me a while to put this up, it is also quite short and I apologise. I'm going to make a concerted effort and thrash through the next few. Please review as well! Thanks to all of those following the story.

Inside red painted walls

It was quiet and still. The only sound was the low thudding tone in their ears of their own rushing blood.

"Apprentice quarters."

Alistair said in hushed voice. Dain supposed that young and relatively unskilled mage apprentices would have had no chance against the abominations and chaos that had taken place. He entered the first dormitory halls. There were many shattered bodies, not just those garbed in blue robes, but those clad in blood dulled templar armour. The men and women had not simply been killed, some had been ripped apart, blood fancifully daubed on walls, terror stricken faces frozen in the midst of such terrible horror.

"I'm starting to feel unsure whether anything could have withstood that which did this."

There was tenderness as Leiliana knelt, reaching out a hand to close the staring eyes of a young mage, ripped in two the lower torso and legs no where to be seen.

"There is no option here Leiliana, we have to."

Dain said, flicking a sheet from one of the dormitory beds over the body of a templar.

"But right now, I want to do it for those that have fallen."

The dormitories were all still, no one living hidden anywhere; behind them the three left the ruined bodies of the dead. But as Dain pushed on the doors, a bolt of magic ricocheted off the frame. Dain bent his knees and drew his sword. Alistair took a deep breath, about to use his own templar attack when Dain shouted,

"Hold!"

He sheathed his own sword quickly, his motions causing the group of mages who had attacked to move back but also to hold off their own attacks. Alistair wasn't so willing to trust and kept this hand near his own weapon. Dain knew he had seen this woman before, an older woman, white hair but there was no trace of senility or vacancy about her.

"Wynne?"

The staff wasn't lifted from its levelled position, but there was recognition in her eyes.

"I do know you, but do not think that I will allow you to kill all of us so easily."

"I am not here to kill Wynne; don't worry the annulment rite has not arrived yet. I convinced Gregoir to allow me and my mine to enter and find survivors."

The staff was lifted; the two other mages behind her did the same. A few children appeared from their hiding places, earning a gasp from Leiliana.

"I'm surprised you could convince Gregoir of such a thing."

"The door barricading the tower remains closed; he will only believe the tower restored once Irving stands before him."

Wynne sighed,

"Then the path ahead is clear. I will come with you and find Irving. And I suppose tell you about what has afflicted the tower."

One of the younger mages, a slim red haired female rushed to Wynne's side, whispering quickly. Wynne's mannerisms showed that she was calming the girl. Dain looked to Alistair and Leiliana,

"Leiliana, I can see you worry for the children. Stay here with the other mages. I think someone with a calmer level head will help here. Alistair and I will continue with Wynne."

"I can help you."

Dain smiled,

"I know you can, but I think right now it isn't just the children here that would benefit from your presence, but the other mages. A bit of guidance would do them good."

She nodded, looking carefully into Dain's eyes before doing the same to Alistair. Wynne turned to the two Wardens,

"Are you ready?"

"Leiliana will stay here with the others."

There was relief on Wynne's face and thanks in her gaze.

"Once this barrier is down there will be things that you have only seen in your dreams. Are you truly ready?"

Dain nodded,

"Believe me Wynne, after Ostagar and what we have seen so far, I think Alistair and I would be hard pressed to be surprised."

Wynne studied the two quickly. Dain looked more rigid than he had those weeks ago, she had only a faint idea what had happened to the two during the battle. But whatever they had been through had forced them to face it head on and survive. Hope kindled in her heart and with a bemused grin she banished the spell covering the door. Immediately a howl from something not quite human shimmered down the stone halls. The emotion on her face turned to frightened determination.

"We will be back soon."

Alistair said, casting a carefully easy grin at Leiliana, flexing his arms as he pulled his sword free and settled his shield; the children laughing admiringly. Dain thought didn't, he looked at Leiliana and nodded before taking point, holding his shield before him, the sword still at his side ready for any attack.