Fenris did not take his eyes away from the man who stood before him. Not while he spoke, or crossed his arms as if winning some kind of victory. Not even when Arielle fell to her knees, begging her former master for forgiveness. There had been several times Fenris assumed he would do the same, as he had done when Danarius found him among the Fog Warriors.

But not this time. Now the hate for him overwhelmed any false loyalty. The desire to crush his heart a burning intensity within his own. Fenris could feel his markings surge to life under his skin. He could not hear Hawke speaking, or Danarius' conversation with her, not over the rapid flow of blood pounding through his veins.

"So this is your new mistress," Danarius addressed Fenris briefly, before turning his attention back to Hawke. "It would be wise to calm him then Champion," Danarius said smiling as if he had already won some battle. "As you can see, you are clearly outnumbered."

Hawke looked over Danarius' shoulder at the men behind him. A dozen, maybe two, hardly the army she thought someone of his stature would travel with. Her eyes were drawn above her; maybe another six were hidden in the cliffs? Even so, not nearly as outnumbered as Danarius made it seem.

"Hawke," Sebastian called her name, the warning in his voice as clear as the weather turning above them; clouds rolled in above and thunder roared in the distance. Hawke dared a moment to look in his direction behind her, and saw the Wardens closing in from the rear. Oh this does not look good at all, she worried.

Fenris wasn't the only one with eyes sharply on Danarius. Anders had watched Arielle fall into instant submission and his own anger boiled to the surface as well. She had immediately cut off all connection with him, and Anders wasn't sure if it was to protect him or to rejoin with Danarius. The very thought sickened him. He was ready to strike at any moment, until a hand on his shoulder gave him pause.

Nathaniel moved to the front of Hawke's companions, placing a gentle hand on Anders before turning to face him. He said nothing, but looked to his left as more Wardens approached with him. The intensity of the situation was unsettling; even Sandal seemed frightened as Bodahn kept his arm around the boy.

The Warden Commander, dressed only for combat it seemed in his silver plate mail, blue griffon design on its front, made his way towards Danarius. The magister didn't change his posture as he stood, but Varric could've sworn he saw a touch of fear in those dark evil eyes. Once he removed his helm, the Warden Commander turned to address Hawke and her companions.

Once Hawke saw who the Warden Commander was, her stomach clenched tightly. Her anger nearly as great as Anders and Fenris, her only thought was to attack the man in front of her. "Stroud."

"We meet again, Champion," Stroud said the last word acknowledging her newest title since seeing her during the Qunari attack. "It appears we have both moved up within our ranks." Stroud purposely placed himself in front of Danarius, his back towards the magister. "I suggest you and your friends return to your city Champion. The battle you seek will not happen today."

Fenris hadn't moved, but did nothing to stop the glow of his markings as they grew in intensity. Anders looked to Nathaniel for any explanation in the mans eyes, but he had turned away from his old friend. Arielle remained on her knees, head buried in typical slave fashion, and was motionless as well.

"I do not take orders from the Wardens," Hawke defied Stroud. "You have no authority here."

"That is where you are wrong," Stroud replied, motioning for more of his men to form behind him, intertwining themselves with the Tevinter hunters and surrounding the Champion and her companions. "This man has been conscripted to join the Wardens; any attack on him is an attack on us, and we will not allow it."

Anders nearly choked on the statement. Fenris, for the first time, looked away from Danarius and set his eyes on Stroud. Varric and Sebastian had their own choice words under their breaths behind the group. Hawke's rage continued to increase. "You would deny my sister, claiming pity, but would take this evil man into your service?" She gritted her teeth, her jaw clenched, fingers twitched for her blades. "I should cut you down where you stand."

"And in doing so would sign a death sentence for your friends," Stroud returned the threat. "Stop thinking with your heart Champion," he offered, "it is your weakness."

Arielle lifted her head towards Danarius, and now the two looked at each other intently. Though no words passed between them, Anders knew Danarius was doing something to her. He took a step forward to intercede, but Stroud placed himself in the way. "Anders," Stroud said his name in disgust, "the same goes for you as well. You have turned your back on the Wardens, so your fate is the same as theirs," he said waving his hand over Hawke's companions.

Anders opened his mouth to say something, the anger clear in his expression, but Stroud released one more statement. "You are lucky to have someone in higher authority protecting you," he whispered the words as if they burned to say them, "or I would take you in myself for your insubordination." Stroud surprised them though when he turned to Danarius. "Release your hold on the girl. We need to get moving, and you have cost us enough time as it is."

It seemed to happen instantly, Danarius obeyed without discussion. Arielle's head dropped back down and choked heavy sobs, Anders kneeling beside her immediately. He looked up at Danarius as he wrapped his arms around Arielle. "What have you done to her?"

Danarius ignored Anders and spoke to Stroud. "I require a private word with the Champion before we leave."

"I have nothing to say to you," Hawke spat.

Fenris could barely contain his anger much longer. "You will not go near her," he growled, threatening his former master.

But Stroud nodded, allowing his request. He called for two of his men to step in front of Fenris, and two more to approach Hawke from behind. "Give them five minutes. If she moves to touch him, kill her."

Fenris turned to Hawke. "Hawke..."

She looked at him and took a deep breath. This was not the outcome they had always dreamed of when it came to finding Danarius. It would seem there would be no closure today for him, for Arielle, for any of them. They didn't stand a chance against the massive Wardens that surrounded them. What other choice did they have but to stand down? She had no desire to hear anything Danarius had to say, but her curiosity was weighing on her. "Five minutes Fenris," she assured him, and then grinned. "I will be fine."

The group watched as Hawke was escorted towards a clearing a short distance away from them. The hunters and the Wardens gave Danarius the privacy he requested, but all eyes were upon them. Sebastian chanted quietly, "Maker protect her," as the thunder continued to roll around them.