Solace, 9:34 Dragon

Kirkwall


"The Gallows? Are you insane?" Anders was yelling, flailing his arms as if that somehow accentuated his point.

I couldn't help but agree with him. Garrett intended to take four apostates into the Gallows to speak to a Templar?

"Wouldn't it be a better idea to, say, not drag every free mage you know into that prison?" I manage to ask in between wondering if I should be laughing or not.

Garrett ran fingers through his hair while Merrill shifted in place behind him. I had been surprised when he and the little blood mage had showed up in the clinic, all sheepish smiles and awkward waving. Now it all made sense. Sort of.

"Look, I'm not asking you to actually go into the Gallows with me. Just wait at the docks until I get back. The last time I spoke to Emeric he suspected blood magic, and I'd rather have a bunch of mages than trigger-happy lyrium elves or squabbling women. No offense."

"If I don't have to go into the Gallows, I'll help you," I smile, still uneasy but relieved he wasn't completely stupid. I turn to look at Anders, who's clearly not liking this turn of events, and take his hand. "Anders?"

He sighs, defeated. I have discovered that if I can touch him when I ask him something, he's powerless to resist. Especially if I add in my patented puppy eyes for good measure. "Fine. But when Hawke gets himself arrested I'm allowed to say 'I told you so!'"

Garrett beams, as if he'd known all along we would agree. "Great! You two meet us at the Docks tonight and we'll see what Emeric has to say. Come along, Merrill."

I watch as they bounce out of the clinic and can't help but shake my head.

"Sometimes I wonder if that man has his head on straight," Anders grumbles as he turns back to the line of patients.

"I think we all wonder that."


A/N: Things are getting hectic on the homefront, so chapters may be a bit slower in coming, but I'll try and keep up to the best of my ability!