The next day saw Anders slip into unconsciousness, and Amber did not leave his side. Varric and Aveline were both working on trying to figure out who turned him in, and Isabella was currently looking after Merrill to keep her safe. Fenris was staying with Adia, to offer both protection and moral support for the archer. The "family" was nervous about the whole ordeal, but none more so than the eldest Hawke…
Amber awoke to something moving next to her, and she quickly sat up, fear chasing the last remnants of sleep from her mind. Anders was thrashing around, trembling slightly as he seemed to be fighting off invisible attackers. "No, don't let them take me!" he called out, wincing for a moment. "I didn't do anything wrong! I don't want to go!"
"Anders, wake up!" she said, shaking him lightly. It did nothing.
"Help me, please! Mama, help me!" Her blood ran cold as she realized that he must've been reliving when the Templars took him. Trying once more to shake him awake without hurting him further, Amber placed a hand on his shoulder. But when his eyes snapped open, they were glazed over, and he leapt out of the bed. He managed to take three steps before collapsing, holding his stomach in pain. Amber nearly tripped over the sheets to reach him, but he skittered back into a corner, eyes wide. They still weren't focused though.
"Who are you? You're not my mother! Where am I?"
"Anders, please calm down," she begged, trying to hold back her tears. "You're hurt, and this is making it worse." He wrapped his arms around the bandages, and she saw the blood spreading across them, even in the dim light.
"It hurts, and I want to go home!" He sounded so much like a child that it was unnerving. Beside her, she saw Shadowfade watching him as well, tail swishing madly behind her. The cat seemed as bothered by this as she was.
"You are home," she tried to tell him.
"I want my mother! I want to go home! Make it stop. Please make it stop," he begged, sobs pulling themselves from his chest. Amber dropped to her knees, feeling powerless, when she saw the blue veins erupt from his skin. He fell forward, screaming, and then Justice was there. The Spirit seemed confused for a moment, but she crawled forward and pulled him into her lap. His arms latched onto her.
"Are you all right?" she asked him.
"Anders is in pain. I felt his fear, but he isn't being attacked. What's happening?"
"I don't-" At that moment, the door burst open, and Fenris and Adia ran in. However, both of them stopped and stared at the scene before them. Amber looked up at them, tears in her eyes.
"Adia? I'm so sorry... Did we wake you?" Her sister was staring dumbstruck with her mouth open, lowering her bow slowly and tilting her head, trying to make sense of what it was she was seeing.
"...What's going on, Amber?"
"I don't know..." the mage answered, voice soft.
"I thought Anders was being attacked," Justice explained. "I saw things that I thought were real, but were not. It was the Fade."
"He was having a nightmare?" Fenris wondered, sounding curious.
"...That's what it sounds like, doesn't it? Is he okay?" Adia asked. The Spirit shook his head and shivered.
"No, he is not. I am unable to pull him from his dreams, and he is reliving some of the most terrible memories he has."
"He woke me up crying for his mother," Amber continued. "And when I tried to wake him, he was only half-awake, and got out of the bed. Maker, it was awful, Adia! He was so upset, and I couldn't help him! Justice tried, but it just hurt him more because he tried to fight it..." Justice looked up at her and sighed.
"I am sorry for that, Amber. I was too rash."
"So... What's wrong with him?" the redhead pressed, not quite understanding. "Why can't he wake up? Is it something the Templars did to him?"
"No," Justice answered. "The Fade can pull on mages more so than regular mortals. If they have been weakened for any reason, it can be more difficult for them to leave the Fade."
"It usually happens when we're sick, but it can occur when we're injured." The red-eyed mage looked up at her sister. "Do you remember the nights after Father died? When I would just start screaming in my sleep and you had to slap me to wake me up?" Adia nodded, frowning a little.
"Yes... And I'm not being a smart ass by asking if slapping him will do any good..." Fenris walked over to Justice, and the Spirit actually hugged Amber tighter, pulling back from the Elf.
"Are you... Afraid of me?" Fenris seemed a bit pleased at that thought. The Spirit had never before viewed him as a threat, and he wondered what had caused this change. Justice frowned and narrowed his eyes for a moment.
"I am wary of you, Elf. But I do feel... Apprehension and nervousness when near you from Anders. It is the song around you that intrigues me though. However, I cannot explain my current… Feelings about this." Adia blinked for a moment.
"Song? I don't hear any song. Is someone singing? And you've no need to be nervous around him... He's like a stuffed teddy bear or something."
"For you, perhaps," the Spirit conceded. "I am still an enemy to him." He sighed heavily, trying to find the words to explain how he saw the world. "The song is something only I can hear. It is the call of lyrium. Usually worked stone does not hold a song, but perhaps because it is infused with a living body, I can still hear it." Fenris knelt down and quickly took stock of the damage to Anders' body.
"I wonder..." he mused, reaching out a hand and touching one of the blue veins on the Spirit. There was a spark, and Justice gasped. Fenris pulled back his hand and stared wide-eyed. Amber's grip around him tightened reflexively.
"What was that?!" she demanded. "I felt a... Jolt." Adia had jumped back, intrigued and confused by what had just occurred.
"What in the Maker's name just happened?!" Both men answered at once.
"I felt a pull on the power contained in the markings," Fenris told her.
"I felt mana flow for a moment," Justice added. Amber suddenly smacker her head with the heel of her hand.
"That's why your master had those markings put on you!"
"Do share, please," Fenris pressed, one eyebrow raised.
"Lyrium is an instant recharge for mana. If we're completely drained, we need to directly touch it, which can be dangerous or fatal. But with you Fenris, there is no danger." Adia grinned and bit her lip, praying the comment that was on her mind would leave before she was questioned about it. After a few long minutes she composed herself.
"So... Um... What do we have to do?" She quickly bit back a snicker as the thought refused to leave, and Fenris immediately picked up on it.
"Adia, what is so funny?"
"Oh no!" she shot back. "I know when to be good, and this is one of those times. Besides... I'm fairly certain that this comment will end in one of three ways." She ticked off the possibilities on her fingers. "Amber fireballs me, Justice throws me out of the room, or you leave me."
"Adia... Just say it," Amber sighed, already dreading the comment.
"Even if I wanted to, I am in no condition to throw anything, much less you, Adia," Justice revealed.
"This ought to be good..." The Elf said, one eyebrow raised. The redhead wrinkled her nose at the Spirit's comment.
"I'm not that heavy, jeeze..." She sighed and shook her head. "So... Does this mean Justice and Fenris get to have cuddle time?" While the warrior blinked a few times and leveled a mock-glare at her, Justice frowned up at Amber.
"Amber, what is "cuddle time"?"
"It's my sister being a smart ass..." she replied with a huff. Adia held up her hands and waved them in defense.
"Need I remind the judging parties I wasn't going to say a thing! So. Back to what Amber was saying." But the red-eyed mage shook her head
"Just... Forget it. I'm not about to ask Fenris to-"
"You're not asking me," he interrupted. "I'm doing." He put both hands on Justice's side, and the light was nearly blinding. The twins heard both men gasp, and Amber just held the Spirit tighter. After a minute, Fenris pulled away and sat back, panting slightly. The bandages had shredded off, but Adia could see that there were no more marks on Anders' chest, and even the stab wound looked better.
"That was... Most generous, Fenris," Justice said with a gasp as the effects of the lyrium wore off. The archer knelt next to Fenris, steadying him.
"What...What did you just do? Are you okay?" He took her hand and nodded.
"I merely gave him some power... And it seems that my initial idea was correct: The body healed itself as much as it could, even with no actual mage to direct the magick." Adia squeezed his hand and looked at Justice.
"So... Is Anders okay now?"
"Our body is in better condition, but his mind is still... Stuck in the Fade," the Spirit informed her. "I will have to try and release him from these... Nightmares."
"Is there anything we can do to help?"
"Can you walk the Fade while conscious?" Amber snapped. Adia gave her sister an odd look, but didn't push.
"Sadly, Amber is correct," Justice agreed. "There is nothing any of you can do at the present moment."
"Hey, you never know," the redhead shot back, sticking her tongue out at her twin. "There's a first time for everything." Amber looked away, biting her lip. Fenris got to his feet and looked at the girls.
"We need to get Anders' body back into bed." Adia however, wasn't going to let Amber's mood go any further.
"Amber... What's wrong? And don't tell me nothing, cause I do the same thing you're doing." The mage tried to get to her feet, but Justice will not let go, and she looked up at her sister and the Elf.
"This... This is what's wrong..."
"I am sorry for being like this, Amber..." Justice told her, guilt lacing into his voice. He wasn't completely certain as to why he did not want to let go, only that it was hard to focus Anders' body to do so.
"It's not that, Justice…" Amber assured him, tears beginning to slide down her cheeks. "I just..." Adia sighed and went to her sister, hugging her.
"Tell me what's wrong," the rogue pressed.
"For all my magick, I can't help either of them... Both of them are afraid, I can't do anything-" the red-eyed girl started, before Fenris interrupted.
"Amber, perhaps this has nothing to do with magick, and more to do with just being there?" Spirit and mage both stared at him, confusion on their faces.
"The broody Elf has a point," Adia pointed out, grinning. "As awesome as your magick is, it's not always the be all end all answer. It's obvious they both love you and your presence brings them comfort."
"You are our light, Amber," Justice said, looking up at her. "You have been there for both of us, and we treasure those times."
"Fair enough. But Justice, you have to let go of me until we get you back to bed, all right?" Very slowly, he peeled his hands away from her waist.
"Better?"
"Adia, can you and Amber get him standing?" Fenris asked. "I don't want to risk touching him with the markings again." The sisters carefully hoisted Justice up, Adia noting how light the body was despite his height. Once they got him standing, Fenris draped a blanket over the Spirit's shoulders and then quickly grabbed him around the waist, turned, and put him on the bed. Amber sat next him, and Justice's arms were immediately around her again, his head in her lap. Adia hugged her sister.
"We're just downstairs if you need anything, okay?"
"Thank you..." she said, looking at Fenris as well. "Both of you."
"Yes, your assistance is greatly appreciated," Justice added.
"That's what family is for," Adia retorted as she ruffled her twin's hair and grinned. Fenris tugged the archer out the door, leaning on the wall in the hall.
"That was... An experience..."
"Are you okay? Really?" Adia wanted to know, concern once more in her eyes.
"I'm a little tired, but that's to be expected, I suppose," he answered with a shrug. "To be honest, I wasn't sure what would happen when I touched that Spirit..."
"What did happen exactly? Did you heal him?"
"In a way. I merely supplied the power, and Anders' body directed it. I had guessed that because he's so used to working with healing magick, that that would be what the power brought out. Had I done the same for your sister, I imagine it would only have made a larger-than-normal fireball." The redhead grimaced at the sudden thought of the house exploding because of that.
"Yeah... You're not allowed to touch my sister." Then she hugged him, resting her head on his chest and smiling up at him. "Thank you... I'm proud of you."
"For what?"
"Helping Justice and Anders like that without even thinking about it."
"Oh, I thought about it," Fenris revealed with a smirk. "But perhaps I just want them to be beholden to me for this?" Adia raised an eyebrow at him.
"Then I'll "beholden" something from you if that was your motive." The serious look on her face made the warrior chuckle.
"The thought crossed my mind, I admit. However... It seemed like the right thing to do. And besides, I found it incredibly unnerving to see the Spirit like that... I almost wish it was the same one from the Gallows tunnels three years ago... I can't despise something that... Pathetic."
"He's not pathetic," Adia countered, shaking her head at the image of Justice clinging to Amber like a frightened child. "Just scared, I think. That's what it looked like anyway. He's used to being able to fight off what's hurting Anders. He can't in this case."
"True enough. Still, I was not expecting that when we first ran in there." The archer grinned at him and sighed.
"You're not the only one. I was fully prepared to kick Templar butt in my striking nightgown. " That brought another chuckle from the Elf.
"I doubt they would come in the dead of night, especially to the Hawke estate."
"If I've learned anything in the last six years, it's that anything is possible. But Maker help them if they try."
"Indeed. Now then, I think you and I have some unfinished "business" to get back to, my dear rogue." There was a dark, teasing light in Fenris' eyes, and Adia smirked as she took a step back from him.
"Only if you can catch me before I reach the bedroom." She grinned and made for the stairs, sliding down the banister with a laugh. The warrior gave chase, also laughing.
Meanwhile, back in the room Amber sat still, Justice holding her waist so tight she was seriously wondering if she would have bruises tomorrow. "It's all right," she assured him, kissing the top of his head. "You're safe now. Both of you."
"He is frightened," the Spirit said softly, closing his eyes for a moment. "And I do not know how to help him. For all my power to kill the Templars, I cannot save him from his own nightmares."
"He'll come back." Amber wasn't sure which one of them she was trying to convince more. She had seen the absolute terror in Anders' eyes before Justice had surged forward to protect him from what he thought was an attack. But the mage's own mind had created whatever was now plaguing him in the Fade. Truth be told, she felt powerless as well, knowing there was no way to help her lover.
"I never realized everything that had happened to him. His apathy when we first met aggravated me, but now I can see why he was like that… He was hiding from his past as well as running from it."
"What did you see?" Anders did not usually talk about his past, and she was always curious as to what had happened. Surely there must have been some reason or reasons why he so resented the Circle and the Templar Order. Well, more reasons than a normal mage had, anyway.
"When he was crying for his mother, I saw an image of her. And a man standing next to her, which I assumed was his father. But then I watched as the Templars grabbed him, and his mother tried to reach for him, but his father… He pulled her away and turned his back. He abandoned his son." Amber's eyes widened as she looked at the Spirit, feeling her heart drop into her stomach. She remembered that Anders had told her that his father had been the one to tell the Templars about him being a mage. But to just turn away and let them take him? Hadn't he wanted to keep his son? Wasn't that a parent's job: To keep their children safe? Her arms tightened slightly around Justice's back and shoulder, making sure to avoid the areas where the bandages had been.
"Is he afraid that I'll leave him?"
"No, he knows you would not do that. But he had never thought his family would let him be taken. The Commander protected him, and they were not close at the time. But she knew he did not deserve whatever fate awaited him back at the Circle. And the night we merged… There was a Templar who was with him, as a sort-of… Partner. But when he saw what Anders had done, he called him an abomination, and tried to kill him."
"Roland. Anders told me what happened."
"I killed him before he could hurt us further. That was the first time I felt the pull of anger and hatred, and I lost myself to it." The Spirit's voice again had the hard edge she was used to, and he started to sit up. Amber waited until he had let go of her waist before carefully pushing him down onto the bed. He stiffened for a moment, but she only pressed harder, and he finally relented and laid down. She smiled slightly, kissing him softly once he relaxed.
"No more moving, all right? You need to let the body heal, or you'll be stuck in this bed for quite a while."
"Haven't you wished to keep us here?" Amber turned scarlet, and she was just glad that the fire was low enough that it wouldn't be noticeable.
"That's besides the point, Justice. I won't let anything else happen to you. I can't. You and Anders and Adia are all I have left." She wiped at her eyes, trying to stop the tears. His hand came up to cup her cheek, wiping the trail of tears away with his thumb.
"We will not leave you," he promised. "No matter what happens, we will always be by your side." Amber nodded and lay down beside him, resting her hand lightly over his heart. He turned his head to look at her, concern flashing across his face.
"I'm all right, just tired," she told him. "You should let the body rest as well."
"I will try and stop Anders' nightmares so he can have control again."
"That's a good idea." A few minutes later, she was asleep, and the Spirit watched her for a minute more, a smile quirking his mouth.
"Rest well, Amber. And thank you," Justice told the sleeping girl. Then he sighed and resigned himself to try and save his friend from his own mind.
The next day, the others all gathered at the Hawke Estate to discuss how things were going with the investigation into Anders' attack. With the exception of Sebastian (who had not been told what happened), Varric (who was late for some reason), and Amber and Anders (for obvious reasons) they were gathered in the main sitting room, all of them sitting quietly. Fenris sat with Adia on one of the sofas, holding her in his arms as he watched the fire. Merrill was the first to speak, as expected. "So Adia, I was just wondering: Where's Varric? Wasn't it him who wanted us all here?" The archer shrugged, snuggling herself closer to the Elf.
"I'm not sure. He just said to have everyone meet here because he had something to tell us. Knowing him he's got his ear to the ground trying to find out who turned on Anders." Aveline shook her head.
"Whoever it was, I can't help but wonder why?"
"Are you sure it wasn't one of yours, oh great captain?" Isabella inquired. The warrior redhead stood up, a scowl on her face.
"Look whore, my people do their job, but everyone who goes into Darktown knows that most of those people owe him their lives. Even I owe Anders for saving me a few times, and I would never do that to Amber."
"But we've all made enemies over the years," Merrill reminded them. "Maybe one of them popped back up?"
"As many people as we've made angry, I can't think of anyone who would do that," Adia gently argued. "Like Aveline said, a lot of people owe Anders their lives. If they really were trying to get back at Amber for something there's other ways to do it..." She sat up and leaned forward, resting her arms on her legs and staring into the fireplace, eyes narrowed. "Maker help the bastard that's responsible for this. Diego will have fresh meat for dinner when I get my hands on them..."
"We'll find whoever did this Adia, if I have to search the city myself," Fenris promised. Suddenly, there was a commotion at the front door, and Varric ran in, panting heavily. He leaned on his knees for a moment, catching his breath. Clutched tightly in his hands was a sheet of parchment.
"That bastard!" the Dwarf wheezed as he straightened up. "Birdie- Adia... You need to see this..." The fact that he called the archer by her actual name made most everyone in the room tense. However, Adia was a bit more concerned about the storyteller's well-being at the moment. She jumped off the couch and went to his side.
"Maker! You look like you just ran the length of Kirkwall. Are you all right?"
"I needed to run here from the Gallows," he replied, managing to look sheepish and angry at the same time. "It's where I got a copy of this... It's the raid order for Blondie's clinic. Signed by Knight Commander Meredith herself. But you might want to take a look at the "credible witnesses" line." He handed her the parchment, and she blinked in confusion as she took it. As she read it, she went pale, and her hands started to shake, followed by her arms. Almost at once her entire body was seething with anger. She crumpled the paper, almost tearing it in half. Eyes dark with anger, she swung around and put her fist into the closest wall.
"That son of a bitch! I'll kill him!" Adia threw the paper to the ground, grabbing her bow and quiver from the corner and yelling for Diego as she took off for the door. Fenris and Aveline managed to tackle her, and then Diego grabbed her bow gently in his mouth and started heading for another room.
"Adia, calm down!" Fenris yelled.
"You're not killing anybody!" Aveline insisted.
"Aveline, you might want to hear this first before you tell her that..." Varric said softly. Isabella was watching the scene with a devilish grin.
"Oh-ho, this is turning out to be interesting." The redhead archer struggled with all her might, kicking and flailing about like a madwoman.
"Get off of me! I'm going to tear his treacherous head from his body! Now let go of me! How could he?! I warned him! I bloody warned him not to turn on us!" Her voice cracked, and tears began streaming down her face. Fenris managed to haul her up and wrapped his arms around the woman.
"Adia... Who are you so angry at? I've never seen you like this."
"It's frightening..." Merrill said, eyes wide as she clutched at a cushion.
"It's unnerving..." Aveline added as she regained her feet.
"It's sexy..." the pirate countered, still grinning. Adia attempted to struggle against the Elf a bit more, before giving up and collapsing against him.
"Carver! Carver turned in Anders! He turned on us... How... How could he?" Everyone's eyes widened, except for Varric, who just closed his and clenched his fists.
"No, that' can't be right..." the Guard Captain said with a shake of her read. She picked up the crumpled paper and quickly read: "I, Carver Hawke of the Templar Order of Kirkwall, do swear before the Maker that I saw the accused illegally practicing magick outside the confines of the Circle. Furthermore, I have reason to believe that said apostate has knowingly and willingly trafficked with Demons... Oh Maker... How could he?"
"Charging into the Gallows won't change what happened, Adia. It will only get us imprisoned or killed. And then there will be no one left to help your sister..." Fenris whispered, mouth pressed to her ear.
"I told him... When he joined them... I warned him not to turn on us. How could he? How could he do this to Amber? We're all the family we have left!" she sobbed, shaking her head against his chest.
"I don't know, Birdie, but he's not going to get away with this..." Varric swore. "He knew those Templars were out for blood, and he gave it to them. Guess he and Bartrand aren't all that different after all..." There was silence again before Merrill asked the question none of them wanted to answer.
"So... Who's going to tell Amber?" Everyone's eyes drifted towards the second level, but it remained quiet. Adia gently pushed away from Fenris after giving him a quick hug, grabbing the paper from Aveline and slowly trudging up the steps.
"I will... She'll set the rest of you on fire."
"Adia... Do you want any support?" She shook her head at the Elf.
"I... I don't know." She sighed and reached the next floor, lightly knocking on Amber's door. "Amber?"
"Come in." Her voice sounded hollow and soft, and Adia pushed open the door, dreading the news she was bringing the already-stressed mage. A fire was burning brightly in the hearth, keeping the room warm. Amber was sitting next to the bed, running her hands through Anders' hair. He was asleep, though every so often he shifted slightly and winced. The bandages around his torso were spotted with red, but after last night's events, it was to be expected. Amber looked up and smiled tiredly. Adia closed the door behind her and approached the bed.
"How is he?"
"Justice is trying to calm him down and bring him out of the nightmare he's in, but it's taking awhile. Sorry about last night, by the way. I'm sure that's the last thing you expected to see when you came running in." Adia smiled, albeit a little sadly.
"It's fine. I'm just glad it was that and not a raid or anything." She sighed and leaned on one of the bedposts, clutching the paper. "Amber...Varric found out who was responsible for this. But before I tell you, I want you to promise me you're not going to blow the room up and hear me out before you make any rash decisions like I almost did." The red-eyed girl sat up straighter, one hand moving to hold Anders' hand.
"I... I won't blow up the room, and I'll listen to what you have to say. But Andraste's tits, Adia... Who turned him in? Who almost got the man I love killed?" The archer looked down, chewing on her lip for a moment before raising her head and locking eyes with her sister.
"Carver." Amber's eyes darkened as she stood, walking over to the fireplace. The fire flared impossibly high for a moment, and she gripped the mantle so tight that Adia could hear the wood creak.
"You're positive?" The younger twin came up next to her and held out the paper.
"Read it for yourself. Fenris and Aveline stopped me from leaving the house in a murderous rage." She looked at Anders. "He's not going to get away with this."
"I believe you..." Amber said as her voice cracked. She turned threw her arms around Adia and started crying. "He hates me, Adia... What if this is some sort of payback for Father?" The redhead hugged her tightly, rubbing her back.
"I don't think he's capable of thinking up something like that. I think he was just being a jerk and showing off to his friends. That boy is no longer our brother..."
"What, did he think that Meredith would promote him if he gave her an apostate?" Amber wondered, trying to regain her composure. "I just... How could he?.. If Mother were still alive... Oh, this would just break her heart all over again."
"Maybe..." Adia agreed. "He did worse stuff in the army to get the commander's attention. And if Mother were alive..." She shook her head, not wanting to think about Leandra. "Diego stole my bow and the others are gathered downstairs. We can either try and talk them into helping, or take care of this by ourselves..." Amber pulled back and locked eyes with her twin.
"We can't expect them to help with this... Can we? I mean, I know Fenris would walk into the Void itself to protect you..." The mage gave the rogue a small smile.
"So would we." Justice's voice startled them both, and Adia jumped.
"Flaming Andraste on a stick!" The sisters turned and faced the bed, where they saw the Spirit sitting up a bit, arms shaking with the effort. The blue veins across him still lit up his from, but seemed more subdued. "You're awake!" Amber was by his side in a moment, gently pushing him back down.
"No moving, remember?" the red-eyed woman reminded him. "I don't want those wounds reopening like last night."
"Forgive me, Amber. I did not mean to cause you any more stress. I was able to free Anders from his nightmare, and he is recovering in a more peaceful dream at the moment. But what were you and Adia discussing?" Adia walked to the edge of the bed and shook her head at him.
"No offence, Justice, but I don't think that body is up to any kind of fighting."
"Of course it isn't," he agreed, blinking in confusion and raising his head to look at her. "When did I mention fighting?"
"I was talking more along the lines of beating the hell out of Carver tonight," the archer explained. "You don't look in any shape to walk let alone anything else."
"Carver?" He blinked again, trying to dredge up that name from Anders' memories. "That is your... Brother? Why are you going to beat him?"
"Justice, you need to promise to stay in that bed after we tell you," Amber said, fearing the reaction the Spirit might have to this latest news. He took her hand.
"I promise that I will not move, Amber." Amber nodded at her twin, who took a deep breath before saying:
"Justice... Carver was the one who turned in Anders and led the Templars to him. Varric found the documents." The Spirit lay there, and Adia saw his grip on Amber's hand tighten as his other dug into the sheet at his waist.
"He... Betrayed you then? What did he receive in return for this? Do mortals have deals like those a Demon makes?"
"I don't know, but I will find out. The only question is when. We can wait until you two are healed, but I'm sure Carver has an idea we know who told them about Anders." Amber shook her head, still trying to get used to the idea they were discussing.
"Adia, he's not going to run. He's still in the Order, and they won't just let him leave because he thinks his Champion sisters will come and kick the stuffing out of him."
"If we will only hold you back, do not wait for us," Justice added. "Anders will understand." The redhead began pacing, debating whether to tell them another bit of information. One that she'd thought would prevent this exact scenario.
"I know he's not going to run. I just... When we came back from the Deep Roads and saw him in Gamlen's house in the uniform and you ran out... He left right after you did, but I followed him. I warned him if he ever betrayed us I would end his life. He'd have to answer to Father why he turned on his family. Carver is a lot of things, but I never in a thousand years would have thought him capable of this. Of turning on the only family he has left..." Amber's eyes widened at this.
"Adia, you actually told him you'd kill him? I just... I never thought this would happen either. Why not turn me in instead? I'm the public figure."
"Anders' manifesto has been spreading across Darktown and Lowtown," the Spirit reminded her. "The Knight Commander would have wanted him silenced."
"I know. There has to be at least five copies in the house," Adia said with a grin at the two of them. "But yes... I don't want to lose you, Amber and that's the first thought that went through my mind when I saw him in that armor. All I could think of was those bastards taking you away. I wanted to make sure he understood I'd sooner kill him than let the Circle have you."
"You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that," the elder twin said with a smile. "About not letting the Circle have me, anyway..."
"You are a good person, Adia," Justice affirmed. "We both owe you much as well for everything you have done for the mages of Kirkwall."
"You owe me nothing for doing what is right," the archer countered with a smile of her own. "I'll talk to the others... See if they want any part of this. Anders has every right to go, so we'll wait 'till you're both better." Justice settled back down again, closing his eyes. It felt odd to feel fatigue, but his exertions in the Fade had drained him.
"Thank you both. We are lucky to have such a wonderful friend and lover." A moment later, the body was asleep again. Amber stroked his hair and kissed his forehead before standing next to Adia, who tilted her head at her sister.
"You okay? I mean really?" Amber shook her head and looked at the floor.
"I saw the one person I care about as much as you nearly die two night ago, Adia. Last night, I had a panicked and terrified Spirit clinging to me because he didn't know how to help Anders deal with all the nightmares that attack brought back for him. And now I find that my little brother was the one who did that to them... He hurt the two men in my life who understand and accept me for what I am. No, I'm not all right. But Maker help that boy when I get my hands on him..."
"You're not the only one," Adia revealed, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I think it'll be a race to see who gets the final blow. I'm torn between ending his life or putting an arrow so deep into his arm that he can never pick up a sword again. We'll see how much the Templars want him then..." Her eyes darkened a little on that last thought. Amber took a deep breath and raised her head.
"Let's get back to the others before we convince ourselves to become vigilantes for the night." The sisters linked arms and headed for the stairs, where everyone turned to look up at them. Fenris met that at the bottom, extending his hand to Adia.
"How is the mage- Anders doing?" The redhead blushed a bit and took his hand.
"He's resting. Seems a little bit better, but my guess is another day or so before he's up and about."
"He is lucky it will be that soon. That Spirit must be helping him heal further, because I would have thought him a dead man when we first got to him..."
"Blondie's too stubborn to die, Elf," Varric argued with a smirk. "Besides, our lovely little Fire Eyes would have scoured the Fade looking for him if he had." *Amber blushed at the comment and sat down next to Merrill. The Dalish girl gave her a hug, which she returned.
"So, what now?" Aveline wanted to know.
"Now, everyone has a choice," Adia answered, leaning into the Elf. "When Anders is recovered we're going after Carver. He's not getting away with this. It's up to you all if you want to come or stay out of it."
"You're really going after the boy?" Isabella wondered, a little taken aback. "To what, kill him? Or just give him a good smiting of his own?"
"Adia, you're talking about attacking a Templar," Aveline reminded her.
"A Templar who betrayed his family," Fenris shot back. The he sighed heavily at the thought he was about to vocalize. "For all our arguments, I cannot brush aside the good that Anders does. Carver knew Amber's feeling, and that his fellows would try to kill the mage. I cannot condone that."
"He tried to take something Amber cared about," Adia echoed. "Murderous rage aside, there's more than one way to skin a cat... Sorry, Amber." She grinned at her twin, who made a face as Shadowfade twined about her legs. "But if it comes down to putting one between his eyes, I won't hesitate to do that. We're not going to blame anyone if they don't want to help."
"You have my support, as always," Fenris said with a nod
"Bianca is itching for some payback on Junior," Varric added.
"Well, it's certainly going to be an exciting fight!" the pirate predicted.
"I... I'm not sure if I can help you hurt him, but I can make sure he doesn't hurt any of you," Merrill stated softly. Aveline closed her eyes, resting her chin on her hands.
"I can't fight with you. But I'll make damn sure my guards keep any potential spectators and interlopers far away."
"Thank you, all of you," Amber told them, tears in her eyes. Adia smiled and wandered over to a cabinet and retrieved a few bottles of wine.
"I think now's a good a time as any to just get drunk." She held up the bottles with a grin, and most everyone grabbed a glass to be part of the impromptu part. However, Amber slipped out of the room and into the library as the drinking started. Adia followed her, already drinking straight out of the bottle in her hand. "Not feeing sociable?" Amber jumped a bit, turning from the desk where a working copy of the manifesto lay.
"Sorry, I just... You go back to the others. I was just going to write for a bit."
"You know you can talk to me if there's something bothering you. I might be a smart ass, but I am capable of listening," Adia teased with a smile, which Amber returned after a moment.
"I guess I'm just still in a bit of shock about the whole thing. And with Justice so frightened... It made me so mad, that the attack had done so much harm to both of them." She wrinkled her nose as she realized the implications of what she was saying. "You don't think I'm odd, do you?" The redhead giggled, deciding against answering the question in her normal fashion.
"No, I don't think you're odd. I think you're a wonderfully talented mage with a big heart." Her twin seemed a bit surprised at the answer.
"Oh, good... Last thing I needed was another Isabella-like interrogation about any sort of Fade threesomes..." At those words, Adia choked on a mouthful of wine, managing to only spray it on the carpet and not the mage.
"You had a threesome?!" she all but yelled. Amber, realizing she should have kept her mouth shut, immediately went into damage control.
"What, no! No... Not..." She sighed heavily, deciding that the truth would come out soon enough anyway. "It's not exactly a threesome when only one of them can be in control at a time."
"Oh... Well... That makes sense I guess," Adia agreed as she wiped off her mouth, laughing a little. "Anders is lucky to have you. What you do or don't do with the two of them is entirely up to you so long as you're happy." She gave the red-eyed girl a hug.
"I am happy," Amber affirmed with a playful grin. "Just like you're happy with your broody Elf." She shook her head and sighed. "We have odd taste in men, don't we?"
"He's not just broody. You forgot sexy . Odd as they may be, they make life interesting." Adia patted her twin's shoulder and turned to leave, eyes locked on her broody Elf. He raised an eyebrow at her from the other room and smirked. Amber laughed at the two of them as she sat down and began writing.
"Is everything all right?" Fenris wondered.
"Amber called you my broody Elf and I corrected her," the rogue replied with a shrug. "I told her she left out the sexy part." She blushed for a moment before sobering up again. "I'm sorry about before... Reacting the way I did." The warrior chuckled softly before lightly kissing her.
"It's all right, Adia. I remember my own rage when my sister betrayed me... I do not fault you for feeling the way you do. I'd be a hypocrite otherwise."
"Will you stay here tonight? I really don't want to be alone..."
"As long as there aren't any... Interruptions tonight," he said with a smirk. "But yes, I will remain here. From now on, I don't ever want to leave your side."
"I think Diego just effectively lost his spot on the bed. Sorry, boy." She patted the Mabari on the head as he came over. "But I can't imagine anything else happening... I think the worst-case scenario just happened. Short of Meredith bursting in spewing fire from her mouth I think we're in the clear." It was Fenris' turn to choke on his drink, but he managed to keep it in his mouth.
"That would be something to see, wouldn't it? I'm sure Anders and Amber would add it to their manifesto as soon as we stopped the house from burning down." He shook his head at the odd thought. "I truly never thought I would be helping a mage... And especially not one like him."
"Anders is one in a million. A little misguided, but he means well. And he makes Amber happy, so that's good enough for me." She squeezed his hand. "I am glad you're able to see past the whole mage thing and help. It means a lot to me."
"Despite what he is, and that your sister wanted to kill me, both of them are good people. They are nothing like Danarius or Hadrianna. I'm just glad you accepted my fear and loathing of mages all those years ago. I may not ever be able to truly get past all the hate I still harbor, but you make everything worth it." Fenris leaned in and kissed her again, wrapping his arms around her waist. From a few feet away, they heard the unmistakable sound of a quill scratching over parchment.
"And the Elf swept Birdie off her feet, carrying her-" Varric read until Fenris shot him a glare and growled, and the Dwarf hastily stopped writing and left the room.
"Now, where was I?" Adia giggled at the storyteller before focusing once more on the warrior in front of her.
"Ohhh... Right about here, I think," Adia said as she set the bottle down and returned his kiss.