"Come on everyone move!" Nathaniel Howe watched as the last of the people ran passed him. He could see his fellow Warden Velanna heading his way like a Archdemon was on her tail.
"Fall back this whole place is coming down!"
"Where's Raven?" Velanna looked back and frowned. "You left her?"
"She was right behind me with the Grand Cleric." Nathaniel went to take off down the tunnel again, but the elf stopped him. "There is no time Nate. The Chantry is coming down now."
"I can't just..." The sight of two women running toward them made him stop talking. He ran forward and picked up the older woman, throwing her over his shoulder, Raven right behind him as the tunnel collapsed behind them. Once the dust settled they looked back, the tunnel was nothing but rubble now. "Maker that was close."
"Too close, I swear I am going to skin that shem alive when I see him." Elthina just stared at the Wardens having no idea what had happened or why. Raven looked her over to make sure she had not injuries to speak of before hauling her to her feet.
"We need to move before the rest of this tunnel gives way. Velanna take Her Grace to the ship and make sure the others are alright as well. Nate and I need to find Hawke and get her out of the city."
"Wait on moment Warden Commander. I need to know what just happened. Why did you take us all out of the Chantry and why did this tunnel collapse?"
"A war is starting Your Grace. The mages have had enough and are fighting back. The Chantry here is Kirkwall is no more. It was blown up. That is why the tunnel collapsed and that is why we got you and your people out of there. We need to keep you safe."
"Why would...is this blood magic at work?"
"No, just a mage who has had enough of seeing their kind treated like monsters."
"I don not understand."
"I know and I want to help you understand. Please trust me Your Grace, you must go to the ship and stay there. This city is going to rip itself apart and you do not need to be in the crossfire."
"I...understand. Find the Champion, she can help stop this war."
'That is the plan Your Grace. Vel get her to the ship and set sail. Nate, Zev and I will have to find another way out of Kirkwall."
"Got it. Take care of yourselves. Creators guide you."
"And you as well Vel." Raven turned to the other two rogues and motioned for them to follow. "Nate, Zev, I want you two to head to the Gallows and help whoever you can. I need to find Anders."
"That is if he is still alive, Raven they will be out for his blood."
"I know more reason for us to hurry."
"Come Warden we have a job to do. It is not nice to question our lovely leader."
"Lead the way Crow." Zevran bowed and took the led while Raven headed the other way. She prayed that Anders was safe, but she knew it was a very big possibility that he was not. She had to find Hawke and make sure she at least got out of this alive as she promised Anders she would. She had yet to break a promise and she was not about to start now.
OoO
The sight of the Chantry turning into a red ball of death was now burned into Leigh's mind. Her eyes began to tear thinking about all the people that were most likely in it when it went up. She could heard the gasps and screams of both the Templars and her companions. None was louder than Sebastian's. Leigh could see Meredith's lips moving, but her brain could not understand the words. She felt her brother shake her to snap her out of her stupor.
"Leigh!" She could see the Templars stepping closer to Anders and she shook of her shock.
"What have you done?"
"The Circle has failed us Orsino. It is either a quick death now or a slow death later. I for one would rather go down fighting. It has to stop, the world has to see."
"You did this mage?" Meredith's voice was like ice and her hand went to her sword. "Do you see now Champion that mages have not right to be among the rest of the world. They have no control."
"Do not blame mages for this Templar. It has been a long time coming." Leigh's companions stared at her. She voice was flat and dead, but her eyes were alive with fury. "You did this, not them. Your arrogance and cruelty forced his hand."
"Has this blood mage enthralled you?" A evil chuckle echoed off the buildings around them. Leigh just shook her head and stepped closer to the Knight Commander.
"No one enthralls me. I have my own opinions on the matter and I believe that mages should be free."
"I should expect no less from a Ferelden. Even your King has a bleeding heart for mages. The Divine will wipe your country of the face of Thedas."
"Only if she lives to try."
"You dare..."
"I dare anyone to threaten my family or my home. Right now the only threat I see is you Meredith. Now call off your men or you will be sorry."
"Kill them all and meet us at the Gallows." For a woman in full armor Meredith was fast. Her Templars formed ranks to cover her retreat.
"Coward, Orsino ready your mages. You will not fight alone."
"Thank you Champion, fall back to the Gallows, warn the others. We must prepare." Leigh made sure not to engage the Templars til she was sure the mages had escaped. Her siblings stood on her side and Anders the other. She was furious at him for what he did, but now was not the time to fight about it. Leigh could see Sebastian trying to get close enough to Anders to use the work knife in his hand.
"He has murder on his mind Leigh." "I know, and I understand why. Elthina was like a mother to him. Maker this is horrible." "It is the price of freedom, innocents die. He will try to force you to kill Anders." "I know." "What will you do?" Leigh spun and put herself between Anders and Sebastian. The battle did not last long as the Templars were outnumbered. Anders stood behind her staring at Sebastian, waiting for him to make a move.
"I demand justice for the deaths of the faithful Hawke."
"I understand, but I will not let you hurt him."
"You would protect this creature, he killed the Grand Cleric. A woman who was kind to you, helped you...please Hawke you can't let him live." Blue eyes pleaded with her and it broke her heart to see how lost he looked. Deep down she did love the man, but her love for Anders eclipsed everything. Her hand went to her stomach and she took a deep breath.
"To kill him would be to kill myself Sebastian."
"He is a murderer!"
"So am I and so are you."
"I...it is not the same thing."
"Isn't it? You a man of faith are going to stand here and tell me this is not the same bloody thing Andraste did to free herself and her kin. Change comes with the blood of the innocent Sebastian. It is the way of things."
"Andraste did not..."
"Yes she did, it was war Sebastian, just like this. You don't think she killed innocent people to get what she wanted. She was mortal, human and flawed just like the rest of us."
"He must pay for what he has done!"
"One day he will, but that is for the Maker to decided not you. I will not kill the man I love for doing something I wholeheartedly support."
"What? You support what he has done?"
"Yes I do. My family has many mages in it and all save one has been ripped away from their family, forced into the Circle and has had to contend with abuses far greater than anyone should ever have to face. You have no idea what they go through and the Grand Cleric stood by and did not try to stop it."
"Your blaming her? She tried to make the mages see reason, they did not listen."
"Oh the mages had to see reason, why not the Templars? Meredith did this, stop hiding behind Chantry bullshit and open your eyes. It is wrong to cage a person whose only crime was being born with magic. None of the mages asked for their powers, most would tell you they don't want them. The Chantry has turned it into a curse not a gift, it is sickening." Sebastian glared at Anders and tightened his grip on his dagger.
"If you won't kill him Hawke I will." Leigh drew her blades and dropped into a defensive position.
"You will have to kill me to get to him."
"Get out of the way I don't...I can't hurt you."
"I don't want to hurt you either Sebastian, but I will not let you kill him."
"Then I return to Starkhaven. I will take back my land and bring an army to wipe Kirkwall off the map. I will hunt your precious Anders and you if you get in my way."
"If that is the way it has to be then go. Just don't let your thirst for revenge hurt your people or the desire demon will be right. You will become what you hate."
"And what of you Hawke? What will you become?"
"I will be what I always have been Sebastian, a protector, a vanguard of mages. It is who I am and who I will always be." The prince searched her eyes and knew he could not fight her. She was far more skilled then he and his heart would not let him raise his hands to her. "For what it is worth I am sorry Sebastian."
"I am too. Good...Goodbye Hawke, I hope to never have to..."
"I know." He gave one last glare to the blonde mage and took his leave. Leigh's friends all turned to her as she faced Anders. Her blades still drawn a poised to end it if she had to. "Why?"
"There is nothing you can say that I haven't already said to myself Leigh. I took a spirit into my soul and changed us both forever. I...this had to be done, we have to be free."
"You could have told me, I might have understood."
"You would have been honor bound to stop me, I wanted your hands clean of this. I...I was afraid you would have..."
"Stopped loving you? Maker Anders are you that thick?" He looked up from the ground and saw her eyes held no judgment. "This is your war love and I will not fight it without you."
"I...Leigh you can't fight, not while your..."
"So I am to leave people defenseless against Meredith and her cronies? How long have you known me? This is as much my fight as it is yours." She walked over and picked up his staff that had been knocked away while fighting the Templars. She thrust it into his hands but not before sending a bolt of lightning at a Templar Hunter who had tried to sneak up on them. Fenris was the only one of her companions that did not know she was a mage. His expression was a mixture of shock and anger.
"Fenris I will not ask you to follow us. I know how you feel about mages and what has been done to you by them. Not all of us are like your former master, but there are too many that are. The choice is yours, I will not think lesser of you if you want to walk away or even help the Templars."
"You have hidden your magic for this long?"
"It is a very long story and one we do not have time to tell. I was born a mage, but learned other skills. Just because I have magic doesn't mean I have to use it." Fenris smiled.
"You are the first mage I have ever heard say those words. You have helped me, protected me, how can I abandon you now? I will fight with you Hawke not against you."
"Thank you my friend. We need to move. Carver I want you, Ori and Isabela to go get the ship ready."
"I guess it was a good thing we killed Castillon then."
"He should never have come after you Isabela. He was warned."
"Guess the Knight Commander did not get the jest of your warning either."
"No, she didn't. I hope I can still try to talk her down, but my hopes aren't high about it."
"We will get through this Hawke, we always do."
"I hope so. Just be careful out there all of you. I don't want to lose any more than we already have." Leigh's hand entwined with Anders' as she watched her brother and friends disappear into the smoke. "We need to get to the Gallows. The mages are counting on us to protect them."
OoO
"Shit, what were they thinking?" Anders stood in the middle of a group of what once was mages. They had turned into abominations and attacked the group as they made their way to the docks.
"Stay alive at all costs. Most of them were young mages love they never stood a chance against the Templars." Leigh saw the pain in his eyes, this is not what he wanted. He wanted freedom, but was not prepared for the price of it. "We could not save them Anders, but there are those that we can. We must keep moving." He nodded and moved on silently.
"Hawke over here!" Leigh spun daggers drawn, but nearly dropped them when she saw the woman in front of her.
"Asha? Maker what are you doing here?"
"I was passing through, and got caught in the middle of all this. I see you are still quick."
"I had a good teacher." Asha was holding her side and winced a bit when she laughed at Leigh. "Your hurt."
"I will live, the one I fought wasn't so lucky. He got a nice hole were his neck should be."
"Anders can you heal her?"
"It should only take a moment the cut isn't deep." Asha stood still while Anders sent a healing spell into her side. "There good as new."
"Must be nice having your own healer, comes in handy."
"He is much more than that Asha." The older woman looked back and forth between the two and smiled.
"You are your mother's daughter."
"Are you going to introduce us love?"
"Sorry, yes. Asha this is Anders my...soulmate for lack of a better term and Anders this is Asha, she is the one who taught me to use my rogue skills."
"It is nice to meet you Anders."
"You as well."
"Hawke, I hate to even ask this, but are you involved in this?" Asha waves her hands around to the carnage they were standing in.
"Yes, why?"
"Just wondering, it seems like something you would have a hand in that's all. Your father would be proud."
"He would have been right in the middle of all this."
"Malcolm would have been in his glory." Asha looked ahead of them and saw more Templars and mages clashing. "I think we should move, those mages are being over taken. I will tag along, safety in numbers."
"Your help would be most welcome." Anders was impressed at the agility of the older woman. She was deadly with her daggers, it came as no surprise to Anders this woman was Leigh's teacher. Something about her moves was familiar other than what he had seen Leigh do, he just could not place it. He did not no how long it took them to wade through the waves of Templars that kept coming at them. The last batch was dispatched faster with the help of a group of Circle mages. The group was tired and bloody, but they kept pressing on. Anders hoped Isabela and Carver had made it to the ship. He had a feeling they would need to make a quick getaway.
OoO
"It's just a bit farther." Carver, Isabela and Ori had made it to the docks and where now running full bore to the ship.
"I really fucking hate this Maker forsaken city, the sooner we can get out of here the better."
"You Fereldans are all alike, such homeland bodies."
"Give me mud and dog shit any day over Templars and demons."
"Are you sure your related to your sister? She doesn't complain as much as you do."
"Oh yes she does, your just not around to hear it. Ask Anders, he'll tell you."
"Little pup has teeth I see."
"I'm not a pup anymore."
"But your not the big dog yet." Carver just growled and looked back to where he thought his wife would be. When he did not see her he stopped running. Isabela stopped too and started looking around for the elven mage. "Where is she?"
"Ori! This is no time to play hide and seek." A low evil laugh sounded off the walls and Carver's blood ran cold.
"There is only one person I want to seek boy and you know where he is." Addler had Ori by the throat and had a dagger to her side. Carver snarled, but did not move. The fear in his wife's eyes held him to the spot.
"You hurt her I swear I will rip you apart."
"Where is Anders?"
"Who?"
"Don't play dumb with me boy, I know you were staying at the Champion's home. He is rumored to be her lover, so I will ask again where is he?" The dagger tip poked into Ori's side and she whimpered. "Tell me or your pretty little elf will be the new sheath for my daggers."
"I don't know who the hell your talking about or I would tell you were he is. Now let her go!" The dagger dug in deeper and now Ori yelped in pain. "Stop it."
"Tell me."
"How can I tell you when I don't know?"
"Your pirate friend there knows, blame her for your slut getting hurt."
"Why don't you pick on someone your own size coward. Duel me and if you win I will tell you what you want."
"I am not foolish, I know of your reputation. Do you think I would not find out who the Champion's friends are and what they are capable of?"
"So you are a well informed coward then, good to know. Let the little elf go and leave Kirkwall. You go up against Hawke and she will tear you apart. You don't stand a chance."
"Neither do you." A small group of Templars surrounded Carver and Isabela. "Tie them up, they will be the bait. I have a feeling the Champion is trying to leave by ship. If so she and Anders will be heading right our way. When they get here we will be ready." Carver wanted to fight them off, but Addler still had a death grip on Ori, Isabela even dropped her weapons with a defeated look.
"When the Champion gets through with you there won't be enough of you to send back to the Divine." Addler just sneered at Carver as he threw Ori to the ground.
"Your lucky I have already had her or I would make you watch."
"Touch her and I swear..."
"Gag him, I don't need him tipping off our prey. I have been waiting a long time for this."
OoO
"We are getting closer Hawke. Once we get to the docks we can take a ferry to the Gallows."
"Aveline you don't have to..."
"You and I have been through hell and back since Lothering. I am not going to leave you to fight this alone. Your doing the right thing."
"You have been a true friend Aveline. What ever happens I am honored to have been able to call you friend."
"The honor is all mine Leigh."
"Now I know you think this is an impossible fight to win, you are calling me by my name."
"Just trying it on for size, so years from now I can say I knew her well."
"Depending on how this turns out you might not want to say you knew me. It might get you in a lot of trouble."
"With you Hawke there is always trouble. Ah, finally, we should take this slow. Too many places for Templars to hide."
"Slow it is." Leigh reached her hand back and felt Anders put his hand in hers. "Stay close."
"Love you should get on the ship and go."
"Not on your life Anders. You might have started this, but I will finish it. It has to stop. She can't get away with this. Those mages had nothing to do with what you did."
"That is not entirely true, some of them did help me."
"How?"
"They helped me gather the ingredients I needed to make the blast."
"And I helped you by distracting the Grand Cleric so you could plant it."
"Leigh...I am so sorry. I never wanted you involved in this."
"How could you think I would let you do this alone?"
"Your important, a figure head. I am expendable." Leigh frowned and shook her head.
"I swear what is it with the men I fall for? You are not expendable. I need you, our children need you. I don't want to do this alone. So whether you want me to or not, I am fighting. For you, for me, for our children's future, I will not give up on that."
"I know better than to argue with you. Just don't try to be heroic. The last time did not turn out so well."
"I'm still here aren't I?"
"Only by the grace of the Maker."
"A little grace goes a long way."
"What did you mean by the men you fell for?"
"Do we have to go there now?"
"Yes."
"The first man I loved was an apostate. He did the noble thing and turned himself in to the Templars so they did not get their hands on me. I was trying to get him out of Ferelden after he ran away from the Circle."
"How did end up helping him?" Anders knew full well how she ended up helping him all those years ago, but he wanted to hear her say it.
"He happened to be running by my family's farm. I saw Templars running after him and I went to help. In hindsight it was foolish, but I could not stand by and let them hurt him. After I got him away I took him home. My father gave him supplies to leave the next morning, but the Templars weren't alone and we had to run. We spent weeks together trying to shake them, but they finally caught up with us in Denerim. He did not want them to take me away too so he turned himself in. It broke my heart."
"I am sorry love, what was his name? Maybe I knew him."
"Leo."
"I knew him."
"Did...did he survive the..."
"He did, lucky bastard was in solitary when it happened." "Just tell her Anders." "Not like this. If we survive this I will tell her."
"So they never hurt him."
"No."
"Good, I...it's silly, but I am happy he is alright or was back then. I loved him and he will always have a place in my heart."
"No one can fault you for that. We all have people in our pasts that stay with us. I am in no way jealous if a part of you still loves him. I have no right to be."
"I love you, you know that right?"
"I do, and I love you." They headed deeper into the docks. It was eerily quiet, too quiet. Leigh scanned the open areas and saw nothing, but she knew this would be a perfect place for an ambush.
"I don't like this." Varric stepped up beside Anders and looked around as well.
"Ambush?"
"Ambush, Aveline you and Asha take Bethany, Merrill and go that way. The rest of us will go the other way. Beth stay close to Asha."
"Do you think it is wise to split up?"
"No, but if they corner all of us we will have a harder time getting out. Being split up the other team can come to the Ambushed teams rescue."
"What if both teams are ambushed?"
"Let's just hope that doesn't happen Fenris. We will meet at ferry point." Leigh watched her sister walk away and her heart clenched a bit. Anders squeezed her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile.
"She will be alright. Aveline won't let anyone touch her."
"I'm worried about all of them. This is not Asha's fight. She is risking her life to help us."
"She knows the risks as well as the rest of us do Leigh. She is doing what is right." She nodded and took the lead of her team. Varric took up the rear position and Fenris stayed close to Leigh weapon drawn. Anders stayed back with Varric. "I have a very bad feeling about this."
"Good, I thought it was just me. I hope Hawke knows what she is doing Blondie."
"I hope so too." Leigh stuck to the shadows. Pash whispered in her head telling her there were Templars ahead as if she did not know. She had always been able to tell if some were close by. She held up her hand for the group to stop. When she peeked around the corner she wanted to scream. There right in front of the ferry was Carver tied and gagged. Isabela was also tied up , but not gagged and Ori who was not tied up at all. She could see the dark mark on Ori's side and it did not look good. The elf's color was getting paler by the moment. Leigh could also feel the effects of a silence and mana drain spell surrounding the pier.
Carver struggled against his bindings. He could see the red plume of blood getting larger and his wife's robes. Her skin was covered with a sheen of sweat and her teeth were clenched in pain. Fear made him fight harder to break free. He felt something sharp bite into his skin and he turned to see Isabela was cutting into his bindings with a small sharp piece of metal.
"Hold still and try not to give it away." He stilled his movements and waited. The Templars stood too close for him to make a move. He prayed help was coming soon, Ori was not going to make it if it didn't. Leigh growled from her hiding spot when she saw the leader of the Templars. It was the same man she had met in the Deep Roads, the man who was hunting Anders. With a swift motion to Varric she vanished into the shadows.
"What is she doing?" Anders voice came out in a hiss to the dwarf.
"She is going to...shit she is going to get herself killed. There are at least eight Templars there and who knows how many in hiding." The ground began to shake under the Templars feet. They looked around wildly trying to figure out what was going on.
"Hold your ground! Their spells can't harm us. Mages are weak."
"Only someone who does not understand mages would call us weak Templar!" Addler drew his blade and held his ground.
"Show yourself coward!" A low rolling laugh echoed around the pier. A flash of lightning barely missed the man.
"That was a warning. I am no coward, but I know you are. You use your position to abuse my kind. You hide behind your oath and shield. Your friend Rolan was no different."
"Your kind is a curse mage. Give us Anders and I will give you a quick death."
"It is you who will have a quick death." Leigh caught most of the Templars in the red tendrils of magic she called forth, but Addler was a slippery one. He was strong too, Leigh surmised it was from the taint in his blood. She had learned from Anders that it made the Wardens harder to kill and quicker than most.
"Let them go or I will slit her throat!" Addler had hauled Isabela to her feet and had his dagger to her throat.
"Don't give into him!" Leigh heard Isabela gasp when Addler pulled hard on her hair to shut her up.
"Shut up you slut, show yourself or I will kill her." Leigh was about to step out of her hiding place when she saw Anders in the clearing. He had dropped his staff and was walking toward Addler.
"It's me you want, let her go."
"Well, well it is true, you are alive."
"Rolan wasn't much of a challenge. He begged for his life when I killed him. Soiled himself too." Addler threw Isabela aside and ran at Anders. With one motion of his hand Anders had Addler bowled over with a force spell. "You should have never come after me."
"It is my job to take down creatures like you. You should have been made Tranquil when they brought you back from Denerim, but Gregior was soft and listened to Irving and Wynne. I would have gutted you in the city square as a message to the witch that helped you."
"If you had tried she would have flattened the city. Rolan and the others had no idea what they were dealing with. You still don't." Leigh stopped dead.
"What is he talking about?"
"The girl that helped me spared Rolan and the others and do you know what he promised her? He said he would never hurt a mage again, guess his words meant nothing since he went on to hurt more mages than I can count. She tried to teach him that even your worse enemy can show compassion and he did not learn the lesson. He got what he deserved." Leigh's hand flew to her mouth to stifle a cry.
"How did I not see? Maker he has been with me all this time...why didn't he tell me?" "He was afraid to let you see what he had become." 'You knew?" "I had my suspicions. I wasn't involved in your adventure remember. I did not get a feel for the man in the short time he was around you." "That fucking bastard will not take him from me. I think it is time to end this." "My thoughts exactly. Show him what a true mage can do." "With pleasure."
"I am going to gut you Anders!" Anders crouched into a fighting position and waved Addler on. His hands flared with a fire spell and he gave Addler a wicked smile.
"Hey Addler!" Both men turned and saw Leigh standing near her now free brother. Her eyes were glowing red and her hands were pulsing with fire and electricity. "Back off or I will do to you what I didn't do to Rolan all those years ago. I was merciful then, but not so much now." Her magic struck him hard in the chest when he lunged at Anders. His body spun in the air and landed hard ten feet away. When he did not get up Leigh turned to Anders and ran to him. She slammed into him hard enough to knock him off his feet.
"I seem to remember you liked knocking me to the ground back then Dove." Leigh sob and laughed at the same time. Anders sat up and pulled her against his chest.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I figured it out when we saved you from the Carta. I...was afraid..." Leigh let out a nervous giggle remembering something he had said down in the Deep Roads.
"You were right."
"About what?"
"You were thicker back then Mo Anam Cara." Anders smiled and kissed her forehead before a movement caught his eye. Addler stood over them badly burned but alive. His sword raised to slash through both mages.
"Should have made sure I was dead." He lifted the sword and Anders twisted Leigh out of it's reach. A sudden wet sound made Anders open his eyes. He saw Addler's body pitch forward with twin daggers stuck in his sides.
"I told you Addler you don't mess with my Wardens."
"Raven?"
"Well I did warn him, to not hunt you. It's his fault for not listening and for not sensing me sneak up on him. Are you two alright?" Raven held out both hands and lifted the lovers off the ground.
"Fine now, wait Ori." Anders turned back to where he had last seen his friend bleeding to death and breathed a sigh of relief seeing her on her feet and healed. Carver had his arms wrapped around her possessively as tears tracked down his face. Bethany just winked and smiled at her sister and Anders. Ori was staring at the still bleeding and burnt form of Addler. She pulled away from Carver and stepped closer. Her eyes were filled with sadness and a bit of joy. The man who had tormented her for years had finally paid for his crimes, but it did not heal what he had done to her. Anders came up behind her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "He can't hurt you anymore Ori."
"I know, but...it is just sad that he was so cruel."
"Some people know no other way."
"Promise me you will never be like that. I know you hate Templars, but don't become like them."
"I can't make that promise Ori, but I can tell you that Leigh will never let me get to that point."
'He's right I won't." Ori hugged Leigh and cried. "I told you the Hawke family sticks together. Your one of us Ori."
"You could have ripped him apart with you magic. Why didn't you?"
"He wasn't worth it. It would prove him right and I wasn't about to let that happen." Varric looked at the other Templars still strung up by Leigh's magic and shook his head.
'What about them Hawke?"
"They are going to hang around a while. Merrill if you would please." Merrill rubbed her hands together and called forth entangling roots to cinch up the Templars. Once they were secure Leigh turned back to her friends. "Carver I want you and Bethany to go with Isabela. You too Ori. Help her with the ship."
"Leigh you are going to need us."
"Carver your wife almost got killed because of Anders and myself. I want you safe, please I can't lose you again."
"And what if I don't want to lose you either. I am going whether you like it or not." Asha cleared her throat making Leigh turn to her.
"I will help get the ship up and running for your escape."
"Thank you Asha."
"Raven, you staying or going?"
"Staying, I have a few choice words for Meredith myself."
"Say something about the King did she?"
"Yes."
"Maker help her." Leigh looked across to the Gallows and swallowed hard. Her hand went right to her stomach and she closed her eyes. "We will make it through this little ones. I swear you both will be born with your father by my side."
"Love?"
"Just thinking. We need to move. Defend the mages and get Cullen. After that we head away from here."
"I can hide you in Ferelden."
"You would help us after what..."
"Yes, I never abandon my own even when they do something so utterly...I can't even find a word to describe what you did Anders. Just know your friends will help you."
"Commander, I...thank you. I know you are taking a grave risk..."
"Let me worry about that. Shall we?" Isabela, Ori and Asha watched the others board the ferry and head to the Gallows.
"I hope you know how to set a sail Ori?"
"I'll set the sail Isabela, Ori should rest. I know my way around a ship."
Good, because there is no way I am letting Hawke down by not being ready. We'd better hurry."
OoO
The time on the ferry seemed like forever as the group sat in silence. As they pasted out of the fog and smoke the Gallows came into view. Leigh could see bodies lining the stairs up the to main courtyard. Some armored and some robed. Her stomach lurched and she tipped herself over the side of the ferry. She felt Anders' hand on her back rubbing it in slow circles, the other held her hair out of the the way. When she was sure she was done Leigh wiped her mouth on her cloak and leaned back into her lover.
"After this morning I didn't think I would have anything left in there to spew out." Aveline gave her a worried glance and opened her mouth to speak.
"Hawke are you sick?"
"No."
"Then why have you been throwing up these past few days?"
"Nerves?" The older woman stared at her and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Try again Hawke." Leigh sighed and looked back at Anders. He just shrugged and looked away.
"Your a lot of help you know." A bark of laughter was her only answer. "I am pregnant and my getting sick is morning sickness."
"And your fighting? Hawke your insane."
"You've known me how long and haven't figured that out. I have to Aveline, the mages don't stand a chance without help." Aveline looked at the others and met each ones gaze.
"If you insist on fighting then you will, but at a distance. It is time to use your magic not your blades."
"But..." Aveline held up her hand to silence her friend.
"No buts, I will not let you risk your life and that of your baby to fight a tyrannical Templar. I owe you more than I can ever repay. Anders I am counting on you to keep her out of the fight."
"I'll try, but you know how stubborn she is."
"Just do your best." The ferry finally made it to the Gallows. The sounds of screams and fires roaring filled the air. Leigh ran up the stairs ahead of the others and watched a Templar fly through the air landing at her feet. Orsino stood at the top[ of the stairs in front of his fellow mages. The remaining Templars moved forward slowly weapons drawn. Leigh shouted and they spun to meet her. Her hands began to glow with a spell and she felt the Templars try to drain her mana. She could feel it weaken a bit, but not enough to stop the spell.
"Sleep!" Her hand waved and the Templars fell to their knees before falling over. Orsino stared at her mouth agape and eyes wide. Leigh heard Varric curse and she turned around.
"Meredith is coming Hawke!" Leigh let her magic seep back into her skin and drew her blades. Once the Templar was at the top of the stairs Leigh went to meet her followed closely by Orsino.
"There is still time to stop this Meredith, before the city is torn apart." The Knight Commander's eye fell on Anders and she snarled.
"You let the monster that killed the Grand Cleric live?"
"I've let you live too and your more a monster then he will ever be. Now stop this before more innocent lives are lost."
"I will entertain a surrender nothing more."
"But we did not do this! You can't kill us for something we did not do." Orsino's anger was now building.
"The people will want retribution and I will give it to them. Go ready your people Orsino, I am waiting on the rest of my order to cross the bay." Meredith turned and went back down to the pier to wait for her reinforcements. Orsino yelled to his people to run inside and prepare. As the group ran through the building Orsino could not help himself and asked Leigh the question that was burning in his mind.
"Your a mage?"
"Yes, but I hide it well."
"This is why you have helped the mages since you got to Kirkwall."
"I would have help even if I had not been a mage. It is the right thing to do. Orsino I will not let her slaughter you all. She had no idea what I can do."
"I fear this is a hopeless battle, but we have a chance with you and your friends here to help. Go talk to your people and I will prepare mine. When you are done come and talk to me." Leigh nodded and turned to her friends. They were tired, but determined.
"Well Varric, this is it."
"It has been an honor Hawke, but no goodbyes. I'm not so sure we should be doing this, but I know why you are. This will make for on hell of a story down the road."
"You are a good friend Varric. See you on the other side of this."
"Aveline?"
"You do have a habit of getting us all into trouble."
"I'm sorry, this is not how I wanted it."
"I know, it is worth it. I see now that if you had wanted to back then you could have killed Wesley for his threat on your sister, but you didn't. Why?"
"He was just doing his job. I understood that. I saw no malice in his eyes when he made that threat. Not all Templar are cruel, Wesley was one of the good ones."
Yes he was. We will win this Hawke, I know it." Leigh talked to Fenris, Merrill and Raven before going to her siblings.
"Beth are you alright?"
"I so worried about Cullen. I..."
"I know he is alright Beth. Cullen is a strong fighter and smart. I am sure he is trying to keep the peace out there."
"I hope so."
"Carver are you ready for this?"
"No, but it beats fighting darkspawn right. At least Templars can't taint your blood. Leigh, Papa would be proud. Let's show that bitch what happens when you mess with a Hawke."
"Oh she will get hers alright, just be careful out there."
"Your the one who needs to be careful sis. I want to see those kids of yours born safe and healthy" Leigh hugged her brother quickly and went to talk to her last companion. Anders stood staring out at the mages huddled together. Most were barely out of adolescence. His stomach turned at the thought they would not see the dawn because of him.
"Leo?" His really name took him by surprise, but he smiled at his lover and drew her close against him. "We can do this."
"I should have trusted you...I …..I was trying to make sure you were never tied to this. I loved you too much."
"I understand, but your not alone in this now." His arms tightened around her and he kissed her forehead. "I still can't believe I didn't see it was you."
'I have changed quite a bit Dove."
"You have no idea how much I missed that nickname. Though I will say you aren't as handsy as you once were." A feral smile graced Anders' lips and he leaned down to growl in her ear.
"Wait til we get out of this." Leigh shook her head smiling at him while she stood up on her toes so their lips could meet. The kiss was slow and sweet. Both could feel their mana mingling with the others. "I'm not letting them tear us apart again Leigh. I have eight years to make up for. I plan on spending the rest of my time left making it up to you."
"First we need to end this. Then I will be happy to let you make it up to me for the next twenty or more years. I am hoping more."
"Maker willing. We will always be on the run love. Are you ready for that type of life?"
"If I am with you I am ready for anything." She took his hand and led him to Orsino to go over their plan. Outside she hear a battering ram hitting the entry doors and knew they were running out of time. One way or another this was going to end and soon.