Dragon 9:30, 16th Justinian

LAKE CALENHAD DOCK'S

'You are certain that Lady Morrigan should come with us instead of with you, Maric?' King nodded to Loghain while he was looking at Kinloch Hold.

'I'm positive about that. She doesn't want to go to Orzammar. I'll take Anders with me so everything will be all right.' He grinned to Mac Tir but that didn't cause any relieve in his friend.

'When you say 'everything will be all right' I start to fear even more.' Loghain sighed and looked at his men then at Mahria, who was chatting with Anders, Nathaniel and Wardens Mahariel and Amell, Morrigan stood few feets from there but she was listening to their talk. 'Time to part, Maric. Take your men and go to Orzammar. We will meet in Redcliffe. After we will deal with Mages, I will take Mahria and Dalish Warden to Zetrall. I hope by that time you will return. If not than we will wait in Eamon's castle for you.'

'Fine. Farewell, my friend. And...' Maric came closer to Loghain. 'Take care of Mahria… try to put an end of this nonsense already.' Loghain gasped and opened his mouth to reply but Maric gestured with his hand to not interrupt. 'Shut up. I know that you've told me to not meddle in your marriage… that's just an advice. You will do what you want anyway. Goodbye, Loghain.'

'Goodbye, Maric.' After King's party departed Loghain and his one went to the docks. They went to the templar who stood on the platform.

'Teyrn Loghain, it's an honour.' Templar bowed to Mac Tir. He hesitated for a moment. 'Your Teyrnship, I beg for forgiveness, but I have strict orders not to let anyone pass.'

'I'm not just anyone… em, what's your name?'

'Carroll, Your Teyrnship.'

'I'm not anyone, ser Carroll. I'm here on King Maric's order. We have Warden treaties. Blight is upon Ferelden and we seek assistance of the Mages and Templars.' Loghain's gaze intimidated templar.

'But...' Loghain knitted his brows and growled. 'Umm.. yes. Maybe we should go now, Your Teyrnship. Right now. NOW.' Mahria couldn't restrain herself and she snorted from inner laughter at that scene. As always she was highly impressed by her husband fearful demeanor and how it affected everyone.

'That's what I wanted to hear. Let's go, everyone. Luckily now there are bigger boats that there used to be. Only two rounds and all of us will be in the tower.'

KINLOCH HOLD

When everyone were already on the tiny island Loghain gestured to enter the tower. Inside they saw templars running in different directions and some injured people. In the center of this chaos he noticed Knight-Commander Greagoir giving orders to his man. '... and I want two man stationed within sight of the doors at all times. Do not open the doors without my express consent. Is that clear?'

'Yes, ser.' Templar went to execute Knight-Commander orders. Then Greagoir turned and looked at Teyrn Loghain and his company.

'Your Teyrnship. What are you doing here? I… I explicitly told Carroll not to bring anyone across the lake. We are dealing with a very delicate situation, Your Teyrnship. You must leave, for your own safety.' Then he turned to barricaded doors.

'Listen, Greagoir. We're also dealing with delicate situation, you know? Blight is upon us. We need Mages and Templars to assist Grey Wardens and our army.' Loghain crossed his arms and looked angrily on Knight-Commander. 'We need allies.'

'I'm afraid, Teyrn Loghain, that you won't find allies here. The templars can spare no men, and the mages are… indisposed. I shall speak plainly: The tower is no longer under our control.' Templar commander started to pace around with nervousness. 'Abominations and demons stalk the tower's halls. The Circle is lost. The tower has fallen.'

'Demons again?' Mahria sighed. 'Demons in Redcliffe, demons in the Circle… marvelous. Let's just fight them. We don't have time to waste.'

'Fight? You want to fight them?' Greagoir shook his head in disbelieve. 'Your Teyrnship, I have sent a word to Denerim, calling for reinforcements and the Right of Annulment.' Solona, who was at the back to this time dashed to Knight-Commander with fury.

'Right of Annulment?! Are you mad, Greagoir?!'

'Well look who's back. A proper Gray Warde, are we?'

'Stop it, Greagoir! This tower was my home! Those people are my friends! You can't execute all of them!'

'Yes, yes… anyway… we were too complacent. First Jowan, now this. Don't think I forgotten your role in Jowan's escape.'

'Jowan is in Redcliffe castle, Greagoir.' Loghain interrupted their rather unpleasant chatter. 'He poisoned Arl Eamon.'

'Maker's breath…' Greagoir looked at Teyrn with shock. 'It can't be… We… We will take care of him after we will deal with Circle matters.'

'We can help, Greagoir!' Solona lost her nerves. She was trembling with anger. 'Right of Annulment won't bring anything good here!'

'Solona… are you listening to what I'm saying?! This situation is dire. There is no alternative - everything in this tower must be destroyed so it can be safe again.'

'Quit that shit! The mages aren't defenseless! I'm certain that some of them are still alive!' Amell poked Knight-Commander on his armor. 'Ouch, I forgot how hard are your armors.' Man regarded mage with gaze saying 'Are you an idiot?'

'Solona… if any are still alive, the Maker Himself has shielded them...' Greagoir's features saddened. 'No one have survived those monstrous creatures. It… It is too painful to hope for survivors and find… nothing.'

'So I'll look for survivors! If you don't want! Coward!'

'I'll go with you, Sol.' Mahria approached Amell and looked with hard gaze at Greagoir.

'I assure you, an abomination is a force to be reckoned with, and you will face more of them.' Mahria snorted at that and pointed at Loghain.

'This man, my husband, is a force to be reckoned with.' Loghain sighed and rolled his eyes. That was typical of his wife, she thought that he was some kind of god of war. 'And we all get to those abominations arses! Watch us! We will find survivors! Just you see!' Mahria narrowed her eyes at commander.

'Ah, that arrogance hangs about both of you like some fell cloud, doesn't it?' Greagoir turned to Teyrn again. 'Your Teyrnship, if you succeed, I would owe you much, enough that I would pledge my templars to your cause.'

'So we have a deal.' Loghain stated. He didn't really liked the idea of fighting demons and abominations again. But sod it, gaining allies was worth it. Loghain turned around and approached dalish Warden. 'Warden Mahariel, you will stay here. If anything happens to us, you will go to Redcliffe to inform the rest. Is that clear?' Elf nodded with passive expression. 'Now, everyone, let's go. No time to waste on idle chatters now.'

'Your Teyrnship, a word of caution… once you cross the threshold, there is no turning back. The great doors must remain barred. I will open them for no one until I have proof that it is safe. I will only believe it is over if the First Enchanter stands before me and tells me it is so. If Irving has fallen… then the Circle is lost, and must be destroyed.' Loghain only nodded and he waved his hand at his party. 'May Andraste lend you Her courage… whatever you decide.' After that, he, Mahria, Solona, Morrigan and few soldiers passed through the great doors. Templars barricaded them with loud creaks.

'So… we are in, huh?' Loghain regarded that place with curiosity. 'Let's get it done.' They rushed to search for survivors only to hit on few mages, mostly children, standing there with fear in their eyes.

'Solona! You've returned to the tower?' One of them, older one approached Warden Amell with sigh of relief. 'Why did the templars let you through? Are you here to warn us?'

'Wynne! I told Greagoir we will search the tower for survivors. We need to find First Enchanter Irving or they will execute the Right of Annulment!' Amell jumped to older mage and hugged her. 'I'm so happy you're alive!' After brief talk Wynne agreed to help them with looking for mages who survived.

'Wait. I erected a barrier over the door leading to the rest of the tower. I need to dispel it.' After barrier vanished, whole party went through to upper levels. They faced some demons and abominations, but nothing that cause major problem to deal with. To Solona and Wynne content they run to survivors and ordered them to run to rest of survived mages. The real problems appeared on the fourth floor. They scattered around to look for anyone when Mahria overheard talk.

'It's time for supper, pet. Everything is just as you wanted, my knight. Our love and our family is more than you hoped for.' Sweet voice rang in one of templar's rooms. Mahria leaned just a bit to see what was happening in the chamber. In the meanwhile Loghain and Solona approached her.

'What is going on there?' Solona whispered to Mahria.

'I think… it's a demon.' Warden Amell peeped into chamber and nodded.

'It's a desire demon. Kind of hot, don't you think?' Mahria nodded and smirked. 'Anyway, we need to stop her.' After that mage stepped into the room. 'Unhand him, foul demon!'

'Do you hear something, love?' Templar asked, unmindful of anything that was happening around to him. Demon looked at approaching warriors then turned to templar again.

'It is nothing, my darling. Just the doors, I will get it. The children have finished supper. Tuck them into bed while I see who it is.' Mahria narrowed her eyes. Fury gathered in her as she recalled saying similar thing to Loghain once. In a second she jumped to demon and slid her blade through it's back. After a moment Mac Tir also remembered this scene from their life.

'Pathetic lies!' She shouted at demon's body. Loghain regarded Mahria shivering back for a second then moved to her. He pulled her back and waved his hand toward Amell.

'Take her from here. I'll talk with ser knight.' Loghain explained to the templar what have happened after knight snapped out of demon's spell. With lot's of 'thank you's' he went to lower levels. After that they encountered some other demons and abominations but worse was still behind. They gathered in front of main hall of Templar's Quarters. When they entered the hall, demon greeted them. Beneath him a body of mage was lying, covered in blood.

'Oh, look. Visitors. I'd entertain you… but too much effort involved.' It gazed at them with strange, fish-like eyes. Loghain regarded whole scene with unamused gaze.

'Killing demons is enough entertainment for me. But thank you nevertheless.' He replied to demon with bored voice. 'Maker's breath… I hope that there will be some end of sick mages and abominations to kill.'

'But why? Aren't you all tired of all the violence in this world? I know I am… Wouldn't you like to just lay down and… forget about all this? Leave it behind?' Loghain looked at demon. A need to sleep overwhelmed him. He felt that Mahria tugged his armor, but he didn't care at all.

'Loghain… I… something is wrong… I can't keep my eyes open. I just want to sleep.' The tugging was lighter as Loghain felt that his falling. He tried to resist but it was futile.

'Why do you fight? You deserve more… You deserve a rest. The world will go on without you.'

And then everything became black.

FADE

Mahria woke up suddenly in strange unfamiliar place. She looked around only to notice Zetrall. But it wasn't Keeper. He had demon eyes. 'What?! Where am I, demon?' She quickly stood up and aimed an arrow at the creature.

'How can you say I am demon, da'len?'

'Because Zetrall have green eyes, idiot. Not red and nasty, like yours.'

'You should see whole vision...' Demon was approaching her slowly with angry growl. 'It can't be happening. You resisting.'

'Or maybe you are just an arse in your work. Pick whatever you want. Tell me now, where are we or I will kill you.'

'We are in the Fade, mo-.' Demon started but he didn't finished as few arrows pinned to it's body.

'Thanks. And sorry for that. I'm not bargaining with your kind.' Mahria detoured corpse, taking her arrow out, and went to look for a way out of this strange place. She looked around while walking. Then she looked above. 'So there you are, Black City. Such a pleasure.' Mahria could spot big floating island on the sky. It was far away though. Everything was blurred and unstable here. She felt awkward. After some time she overheard noises ahead. In a second she strang bow's string with an arrow.

'Mahria? Is it you?' Amell came out of her hiding place.

'Sol?'

'Mahria! We are in the Fade. I just killed some demons… they imposed as Duncan and rest of Wardens… but I knew that it was a lie.' Sol approached Mahria and looked around nervously. 'I'd never guessed that I will be in the Fade again so soon.'

'So demons have send you their visions? Why demon who caught me couldn't do that with me? He said I resisted him.' Mahria send a puzzled gaze at the mage.

'Your mind must be really resistant, Mahria. It's really hard to block demons spells.' Them Mahria realized that it happened earlier. With Morrigan spell.

'I… I must be really hold out to magic. Strange.' Both women looked around then turned to lock their gazes again. 'Let's go, Sol. We need to find the rest.'

'Listen, Mahria… this demon have made this part of the Fade into a maze… We are on one of the islands, I came here from one, where I was held. Now we have to got to other. Come with me.' Women went to small stand. 'This is Fade portal, it will take us to another part of demon's maze.' Mahria nodded, then Sol casted a spell and both women was sent to next part of Fade. They found there Wynne surrounded by fake bodies. She was self-loathing. Both Mahria and Amell explained to her that it was just demons trick. But demons didn't hesitate to claim older mage for them.

'Stay, Wynne. Sleep soundly in the comforting embrace of the earth. Do not fight it. You belong here, with us.'

'N-no. Not yet. My task is not yet done… it is not time yet.' Wynne was strong, she fought well not to fall into demons trap.

'That's right, Wynne! Fight! Let's kill those sods!' Amell shouted.

'Come… come away to your rest...' Demons begged but it was futile. Three women resisted them again and in few moments all those creatures were dead.

'Is it over?' Wynne looked around in disbelief. 'Thank the Maker for you, Solona, Teyrna… Wait… what's happening? Where are you going?' Wynne looked at women startled and then… she disappeared.

'What? Sol?! Where is Wynne?'

'I… I don't know… maybe that demon who brought us here summoned her to his side...' Sol looked at Mahria. She was uncertain what was happening, and Mahria didn't press to get any answer. 'Anyway… let's go to find others.' Solona and Mahria went to several islands to find their soldiers and then Morrigan.

'Away! Away with you! I shall have no more of your pestering!' Witch waved her hand to dismiss a demons who took form of an older women.

'I am your mother… do you not love me?' Mahria and Amell approached them. Mahria giggled.

'So that what your mother, Flemeth look like?' Morrigan smiled at sight of Teyrna.

'Mahria. I'm so pleased to see you. That fade spirit think that he can fool me.' She hissed at demon.

'Are you more clever than your own mother? Surely such pride must be punished!' Spirit started to feel nervous, surrounded by three women. Its tricks didn't work here either. It slapped Morrigan's cheek with hard blow but witch only smirked. 'There! That is for not showing respect!'

'That is far more like it, but it's too little too late, spirit.' She grinned at spirit mischievously. 'Mahria, my dear friend, please get rid of that vexatious spirit. Slay it, and quickly. Even the true Flemeth was never as annoying as this!' Mahria nodded and in an instant she slid her blade into fake Flemeth stomach.

'That is really fun, girls.' She backed few feets and started to laugh. 'You're welcome, my dear Morrigan.'

' 'Tis about time, Mahria. That was the mos-' Mahria looked at Morrigan who started to look around. 'Wait! What is this? No, not this again! I refuse!' Teyrna only sighed and shook her head.

'And here I really hoped that Morrigan will stay with us. She's pure fun.' Mahria said with disappointed voice and tilted her head. Sol only giggled at that.

'Come, Mahria… we need to get it to the end. I'm bored with the Fade so much.' There were only two pieces of the maze left for them on the Fade Portal. One in the middle where, as Solona guessed, demon resided, but it was locked for her. 'We need to get to that island I think. Then we will unlock the last one… with demon.' Mahria looked at portal with unamused gaze.

'Let's go, Sol. I want to get out of the Fade and kick that demon's arse round and square.' Solona nodded and moved them to unlocked part of the Fade. They started to seek for their companions when suddenly Mahria noticed her husband. Loghain was sitting on the chair. He looked like he was asleep. She approached man closer just to see woman next to him.

'Wake up, my beloved husband.' Sweet voice rang in Mahria ears… she stopped so suddenly that Solona bumped into her. Mage tilted to the side to see what was in front of them then moved next to Mahria to look at her face. Teyrna's expression was showing pain and disbelief.

'Mahria… who is that woman? She looks just like you.'

'It's Rowan...' Solona turned to the demon and Teyrn, she wanted to say something but Mahria stopped her. 'I want to see it. Wait a moment.' Spirit bended over Loghain and tugged his arm lightly.

'Loghain, wake up.' Man opened his eyes and moved them to look at Rowan.

'Where…?' Then his eyes widened. 'Rowan?! Why? You are dead.'

'What are you saying, darling?' Demon smiled at Mac Tir. 'I'm alive. I'm your beloved wife. Come, Gareth and Ailis are waiting for us to play.'

'No… you're not my wife… you are dead.' Loghain shook his head and wanted to stand up from the chair. 'What are you talking about, Rowan… Children are in Redcliffe. Where are we, exactly? I don't know this place.'

'Don't say I'm de-' Demon started to talk but suddenly blade emerged through it's chest.

'You bitch! Gareth and Ailis are my children!' Mahria shouted in fury, behind fake Rowan. 'Those are my babies!' When she took her blade out of dead corpse she looked upon Loghain with pure rage and hatred. 'You! How could you! Fenedhis!'

'Mahria! Where ar-'

'Shut your filthy mouth, Mac Tir!' Loghain looked in shock at Mahria's blade as it was pointed at him. 'How could you! You traitor! You betrayed me! You… You gave my children to her?! Is that what you have desired for a long time?!'

'Mahria… love… I…' Then he started to look around nonplussed. 'What's going on? Where are you, Mahria?!' And he vanished as others did.

'No! Come here, Mac Tir! You bastard!' Mahria fell onto her knees. Her eyes were filled with tears of anger. 'How could he… My babies… with her...' Solona approached Mahria and kneeled beside her. 'I… I had them in my belly… I gave birth to them in pain… that was I who gave them to you… because I loved you… how could you, Loghain?!' She bended on the ground with face in her hands.

'Mahria… it was… just a demon's trick.' Sol stroked her friend back in light manner. 'He resisted spirit images. He was fighting.'

'Don't give me that crap, Solona. Demon took those out of his head. He wanted it!' Mahria muffled voice was filled with despise toward her husband. 'He fucked me all this time and fought only about Rowan… he said he loved me… but thought only about her. He lied to me from the beginning! And he dares to call me a traitor?!'

'What are you talking about, Mahria? Maybe… maybe talk to me… explain it to me...' Warden Amell pulled Mahria up and hugged her firmly. 'Just talk to me. It will calm you down, I promise.' Mahria told Sol about what happened in Orlais… and about Loghain and Rowan's feeling. She related all the story to Warden, with at first angry then empty voice.

'Now you know. I… I waited for him… I hoped everything will be fine… but he kept me as Rowan's replacement.'

'Don't say such rubbish, Mahria. I saw that you were sad… and looked at Teyrn Mac Tir with longing gaze. But… I saw also his gaze toward you. He looked at you with sadness and… love.' Mage stroked Teyrna Mac Tir's hair in calming manner. 'You two just have to sort it all out. That's all. And remember, it's Fade. Everything in here is a lie. Demons and spirits twist reality to their preferences, and that demon wanted only to torment you husband. But I saw that he resisted. He didn't believe spirit's words. Trust me, my friend, that he was negating it's visions.'

'I don't know, Sol.' Mahria swallowed and wiped her tears away. 'Better let's go to last island. I bet it's unlocked now.' They went to now unlocked place, when they got there a Sloth Demon was already waiting for them.

'What do we have here? A rebellious minions? An escaped slaves?' He laughed at two women. 'My, my… but you two do have some gall. But playtime is over. You all have to go back now.' Suddenly all other companions appeared next to Solona and Mahria.

'Everyone are here? That's good. Time to pay you back, demon. Prepare to taste my wreath! I'll cut off your limbs and stick them up your arse!' Mahria shouted. And took her sword and dagger from their sheaths.

'That's quite an image.' Solona giggled and prepared her staff to attack.

'Teyrna Mahria, 'tis pure pleasure to be beside you again.' Morrigan smirked. 'And to witness yet again how can you change from a lady to Goddes of Fury.' Loghain regarded his wife as she looked at everyone except him. 'She's mad. She's really mad… and now she hates me, despise me as I once despised her… Maker, your jokes with me are really ones of higher grade… I was really thinking about forgiving her. Now's all lost.'

'Thank you, Morrigan. I'm much obliged. Now, demon, shall we?' Mahria smirked and looked at Sloth Demon.

'If you go back quietly, I'll do better this time. I'll make you much happier.'

'You can fuck yourself with your happiness, bloody imbecile!'

'Teyrna Mac Tir… Can't you think about someone other than yourself? I'm hurt, so very, very hurt.' Mahria gasped and moved back few feet like she was literally hit in the face by those words. Fury took over Loghain.

'We need to apologize to you, Demon' He spit those words with hatred. 'But we'd rather just be rid of your evil right now.'

'So you wish to battle me?' Demon turned to the man. 'So be it, Teyrn Mac Tir… You will learn to bow to your betters, mortal!' Demon bend and started to glow just to change it's form to giant ogre. Everyone jumped to it and fight started. It wasn't easy as it was very powerful. Mahria was dancing with her weapons around it, dealing as much damage as she could muster. Her face shown pure rage.

'Morrigan! Freeze him!' She shouted orders while bestowing blows onto spirit. 'Sol! Heal that soldier!' After a longer moment and few more form changes later, Morrigan freezed Demon yet again and it shattered into thousand little pieces. Seconds later everything became black.

CIRCLE TOWER

Everyone started to wake up. Mahria was one of the firsts to open her eyes. She stood up and stepped few feets from the rest. She turned back to them and put her hand on a pillar, breathing heavily. Memory of Loghain's visions in the Fade were circulating in her mind. Meanwhile Mac Tir opened his eyes and pulled himself to sit. He regarded his men and the rest as they awakened and tried to stood up. When everyone were already on their feet he looked at Mahria, still turned back to all. 'Listen, everyone. Go further and find staircase to upper level. I'll catch with you.' When party left he approached his wife. 'Mahria… I...' Loghain was speechless, he didn't know what to say.

'What?' She barked back at him.

'That thing… in the Fade… that was all a lie.' He moved even closer to her to put his hand on her back. Woman shook his hand off. Mahria turned around to face him. Her eyes showed pure despise. 'Please… don't look at me like that.'

'Like what, Mac Tir? Like you used to look at me for three fucking years, huh?' Her angry face became red. 'I was waiting for you whole this time! I was hoping that you will forgive me for what I've done! I knew that I betrayed you! But you! You betrayed me hundreds times more!' She detoured him and kicked some broken table. 'Those are my babies, Mac Tir! I had them in my own belly! I gave birth to them! In pain! In blood! I! Not Rowan.' She turned around and pushed him with might. 'You were dreaming this whole time to be with her, to have my twins with her! You filthy, lying bastard! And here I spent three agonizing years yearning for you!' Loghain narrowed his eyes. He regarded Mahria with anger.

'I've never lied to you! You know what is the lie here? Those things that demons showed in the Fade!' He paced to her and pulled Mahria up by her arms. She struggled to release herself from his grasp, kicking his legs and squirming but he didn't let go of her. He was taller and stronger.

'Put me down, you dick! Go fuck yourself as you will think about your beloved Rowan!'

'You are and idiot! I love only you! This whole time!' Mahria turned her head from him.

'I don't believe you, Mac Tir. I won't ever believe in your words. Love? An orleasian bitch? Give me a break!'

'I said it once… you are ferelden! You are ferelden so much it hurts!'

'Sodding imbecile. When we will return to Denerim I'll go to Elemena to annul this marriage. Anora was right, I should have done it long ago…' Mahria's eyes were oozing with despise as her words were pure poison. 'I was stupid… I was living only for twins… for those moments we spend together with them... for those nights you came to my chamber only to fuck me… I bet you had thought about Rowan the whole time then. That's why you had married me! Because I just look like her!' Loghain couldn't restrain himself any longer he shook woman in his grasp few times.

'Are you listening to yourself, Mahria?! Those are utter idiocies! Blathers!' Then he put her down on the ground. 'What I did to you… was wrong. I know that now. You have done what you had… and I should just forgive you long ago… because you are my wife… because I care for you… I shouldn't be such stubborn old fool, nevertheless I can't take it back. But! What happened in the Fade was a lie, I knew from the start that this demon wasn't Rowan… that Gareth and Ailis weren't her children. Because they are ours! I put them in you, for crying out loud! And I was in pain too, when you were giving birth to them! Ask Maric! He got me drunk because I was self-loathing over your pain!' Mahria snorted nervously at that but quickly regained her angry composure. Both of them avoided looking at each other. 'I live only for you, Mahria. Please… let's just start anew. We made a lot of mistakes. But… you are my treasure. I damaged you, I know. Maric told me that you looked just like Rowan before she died. And I thought to myself that I must be a monster. Then I thought that I will forgive you… but I needed a time.' Woman opened her eyes wide and backed few feets behind.

'You said that… to me...'

'Huh?' Loghain looked at Mahria. 'How do you know? You were asleep. Anders gave you potion...'

'But somehow I… I know what you said that time. Why?' Mahria's gaze slowly moved at her husband face. 'You said… same thing as now… about being stubborn idiot… that I need to wait for you… You called me love… and forbid me to die like Rowan.'

'Of course.' Mahria gasped. She regarded his gesture, as his hand pointed at upper-left side of his chest. 'Look here. Didn't I show you that? You think I could lie to my pregnant wife? Only woman, I think, I truly loved?' She regarded his icy blue eyes only to fall into them. Tears that dwelled in hers started to fall on her cheeks. All her defense crumbled as she fell on her knees.

'Why you couldn't forgive me for three years and I can forgive you for what you've done in just but a moment…?' Her gaze was helpless. 'Why man can do horrible things to us and we just keep on forgive them?' Loghain pulled her up into his arms like a bride and started to kiss her tears away.

'Because we don't have brains at all. Do not cry, silly. Just return my crazy wife to me again. I may be an emotionless brute, but I can't live without you.' Mahria embraced him. Her head nuzzled in his neck and hair, inhaling familiar scent she longed to smell again so badly.

'Please, Loghain… just don't lie to me… Tell me the truth… I can't stand another lies… I'll die here.' Muffled voice and hot sensation of her breath on his skin made a stir in his body.

'Sadly... I can't take my armor now, because I would show you my heartbeat.' He pushed her back only to make a deep, long kiss. 'Are you convinced now, that what I say is complete truth?' Mahria hesitated.

'I don't know… Rowan… and twins... '

'That was demon's ill plan. He took some parts of my life and combined them together. Maybe he knew that you are nearby? Maybe it was it's plan to torment us both? To split us apart?'

'Why you always have answer for everything… Damn you… You can convince me to almost anything.' Mahria sobs ringed in quiet hall. 'I can't live like that anymore, Loghain. I want you.'

'Good.' He claimed her lips again. After a moment he put her on her feet. 'Now, let's go, my beloved Goddess of Fury and Damnation. I think we have some more sodding demons and abominations to kill.' Mahria smirked then regarded surrounding.

'Again such unromantic place for our ravishment. Like that time when we fought those morons. That's rather… awkward.'

'Because you are my crazy wife… and if places that you take me to would turn normal, I would feel really strange.' He turned around to go but she stopped him by catching his hand.

'So...' She looked at the floor and blushed. 'Everything will be good now? We will be like wife and husband again?' Loghain noticed her flushed cheeks. 'Maker, I waited for that too long...'

'Why are you so damn irresistible?' Loghain kissed her one last time. 'Come, I want to get out of this place as soon as possible. We have a lot of catching up... three years, my dear.' Mahria laughed at his talk again. They took their weapons and soon met with rest near the staircase to upper level. Mahria and Loghain looked with shock at their companions who stood beside a templar behind magical barrier. Solona was shouting to him but he disregarded her.

'Cullen, you idiot! Stop it!'

'This trick again? I know what you are. It won't work. I will stay strong...' Templar was kneeling and using all his will to sustain the barrier.

'What's going, Sol? Who is this?' Mahria dashed to her mage friend.

'My idiot lover. Ser Cullen.' Solona turned again to templar and shouted at him. 'Quit with that barrier, Cullen! It's me! I'm not an abomination or demon! Look at me! Don't you recognize me, you arse?'

'Only too well… how far they must have delved into my thoughts…' He growled in pain. 'Enough visions. If anything in you is human… kill me now and stop this game.' Mahria gasped angrily.

'Fuck this shit! I heard enough of bullshit to the end of this century!' Then she hit barrier with her fist. Loghain look in disbelief as his wife punched through magical wall.

'Mahria! No!' He jumped to his wife but it was too late. Somehow she made it through.

'I'm all right…' She stated. Purple light vanished. Cullen looked at Teyrna with widened eyes.

'Wha-?' He blurted but mighty punch stopped his voice. Mahria grabbed templar by his armor and started to shake him like a rag doll.

'Listen to me, idiot. That woman!' She pointed at Warden. 'It is Solona Amell, who cares for you. She is right there. She needs you… we need you. We have issue here. So stop being such a ninny and pull yourself together.' Morrigan giggled at that scene.

' 'Tis why I tagged along…'

'Mahria put that sod down, or you will kill him for sure.' Loghain ordered her, Mahria tossed confused templar on the floor and let a disgusted noise from her lips.

'I'm allergic to bullshit. And and intensity of bullshit around here reached it's peak.' She looked one last time at the knight then she returned to Loghain's side.

'Solly… love… I...' Cullen started to stutter. 'I d-don't know… w-what to s-say...'

'It's fine. Just tell us where Irving is.' Amell growled.

'He's upstairs... Uldred… t-took them there.' Cullen pointed at the staircase leading to the highest floor.

'We know where First Enchanter is, let's go.' Loghain regarded templar and mage with serious eyes. 'We don't have time to waste. Warden Amell please heal this man quickly. Ser knight, can you fight or not?'

'Yes. I can.'

'Then we ought to go.' After Cullen was healed and rested for a moment they soon everyone gathered up and proceeded to upper level.