Part 3

10

Due to Cullen choosing to have the Templars stand down, we actually had a few hours before we needed to leave Kirkwall. Everyone had time to go home and pack, as well as pick up more supplies for the ship, which was a good thing considering that most of the mages were planning on sailing with us for a little while before going their separate ways and that was more people than Isabella had been expecting for a hypothetical spur of the moment flight from the city.

While everyone was preparing, I went home to make last minute arrangements. I picked up a few keepsakes that I didn't want to leave behind and some things that I figured I would need later- mainly weapons and healing potions- and put them in a bag to take down to Isabella's ship. Standing in the manor's foyer, I gave a few instructions to Charade. "…You're in charge of the manor and the Amell investments in Kirkwall. That mostly involves making sure the blasted Bone Pit mine turns some kind of profit, keeping the manor in shape- Orana can take care of that part, just remember to pay her," I said.

"Why aren't you leaving me in charge?" asked Gamlen rather sulkily.

I rolled my eyes. "Because last time that happened you spent everything gambling and searching for the Gem of Keroshek, leading to us needing money, which led to us meeting Anders and helping him when he probably would have gotten killed by Templars or something without us and to us going on the Deep Roads expedition, which led to finding that old thaig and the evil lyrium idol when Bartrand and Varric would have just turned around after the cave-in if they had been on their own, which led to Meredith getting the idol, which led to her going crazy, all of which led to this disaster," I said, gesturing around us.

"This is not my fault!" said Gamlen.

"No," I admitted, "Something was bound to happen no matter what. But things might not have gone quite as horribly wrong if you had just done your job and taken care of the estate."

"This is not my fault!" repeated Gamlen.

"I know, it's everyone's fault, really," I said. "But I'm still not giving you any responsibilities because you haven't done very well with them in the past."

"Are you really leaving?" asked Orana worriedly. "Can't you take me with you?"

"We're going to be on the run. It isn't safe," I told her. "Besides, I really do need someone to work on the manor's upkeep and help Charade. I know that you can do it," I added with confidence.

Orana nodded determinedly. "I will."

"All right," I said, picking up my bag and slinging it over my shoulder. "Time for me to get going before Cullen changes his mind." I nodded to the three of them and walked out the door, heading directly for the docks.

Without any real destination, we headed vaguely back in the direction of Ferelden, our group splintering off as we stopped at various points along the coast. Aveline took off back to Kirkwall after only a few days of traveling with us, citing the need to return to her responsibilities as Guard Captain and Varric went with her, pointing out that someone besides Cullen was needed to help her put the city back together.

Carver stuck around for a little longer and, true to his word continually attempted to assassinate Anders. After about a month, though, someone pointed out to him that he really did need to get back to the Grey Wardens as they would start missing him eventually and he departed as well, taking Merrill with him.

Most of the mages, of course, left to go tell other Circles what had happened in Kirkwall. The other Circles did not take the news well.

Isabella decided to take up piracy again, along with Fenris, who pointed out that he really didn't have anything better to do now that Danarius was dead.

When we reached Ferelden, Anders and I finally took our leave as well. He, of course, wanted to start helping out with the rebellions that were now sweeping the Circles of Thedas, but I pointed out that, firstly, I wasn't going to be combat-ready for a few months pretty soon and secondly, the presence of the man responsible for plunging the continent into chaos was, at this point, probably not going to help the mages' cause.

And besides, we've been hearing some rather disturbing things involving more of that red lyrium…