We left Denerim the next morning. The trip home was far less chaotic thanks to six of us remaining in the capital. I spent the first night on the road pacing, trying to decide what to do about Eamon's revelation. Everyone could tell something was bothering me but only Anders approached.

"Is this about the wedding?" he asked in our tent that evening.

"No," I said. "Well, maybe a bit, but not like that." He looked at me, obviously waiting for more details. "I think Alistair and Eamon want to split the Ferelden Chantry from Val Royeaux," I said in a low voice. I told him about my discussion with Eamon and my suspicions.

He was quiet for a moment, considering that. "Would we, as Wardens, support that?" he finally asked.

"I think so," I said. "It would be better for us if mages had more freedom." I sighed. "I don't know. I'm going to write to the First Warden when we get home and see what he says. I have some information on the old Warden encryption; that should make it secure enough to send in a letter." From what I knew few Wardens used, or even knew, the coded language. We had documentation on it I'd retrieved from the Peak since it dated back hundreds of years, to before it had died out. If anyone in the order knew it, though, I would have to hope it was the First Warden.

"If he says to stay out of it?"

"Then we will," I said. "I won't like it, but I'll do it. We may be mages and Fereldans, but before all that we're Wardens." He nodded in agreement. "So… what do you think?"

Anders shrugged. "You can't believe everything Eamon says," he said finally. "The man's a politician, and a very good one at that. He knows what to say to get people on his side, particularly you since he knows you so well." I started to protest but cut myself off, realizing Anders was right. "I have trouble believing the Chancellor is willing to risk an Exalted March just to free the mages, even if his son is one of us." I nodded with growing agreement. "He puts Ferelden first, even at the expense of his son. And he should, after all. I think I think the Grand Cleric… made a mistake. If she had allowed them to recruit mages for the Ferelden army I doubt we'd even be having this conversation. It wouldn't surprise me if he was making plans in case of massive public demand, since he's a politician and that's what they do, but her refusing the king made the issue personal."

"It was her way of claiming Chantry authority superseded the Crown," I said, realizing his point. Anders nodded. "I think she phrased it poorly, though, too. Saying she wouldn't 'give' them any more mages… it makes it seem like she's talking about lending a cup of sugar, not people. Alistair wanted to entice people to join the army, not force them. I can see him getting very upset by her attitude."

"Well, it is slavery," Anders said. "The Tranquil are the worst of all. They don't even have the ability to want more for themselves."

"I agree," I said. "But Alistair always told me I was exaggerating things. I think her wording may have struck a chord. Maybe between that and remembering what I've said he understands it now." I shrugged.

"Maybe," he admitted. "But I wouldn't kid yourself," Anders said finally. "It all comes down to Eamon and Alistair wanting mages for the army, and the Chantry not wanting the mages to get out and use their powers. If what he said about Tevinter is accurate… well, maybe it's because they know even their own forces couldn't defeat an army with so many of us among them." He shrugged. "It will free us, but only so mages can now spend every day hearing about how glorious it is to fight for their nation, instead of how cursed they are. Still better than what goes on now, but it isn't exactly altruistic. I think he sees the Chantry as acting against the best interests of Ferelden security. He wants his army of battlemages and healers, it doesn't really have much, or anything, to do with us poor oppressed bastards," Anders finally said with an indifferent shrug.

I thought much the same after replaying the conversation several time in my mind. I'd believed in Eamon's horror and indignation about mages being treated as chattel, but I think that was as much for my benefit as anything. Certainly it would have a side effect of improving life for mages, but the comment about training people from childhood on to want to join the military wasn't lost on me. At least I knew, even if they engrained the idea into everyone from childhood neither he nor Alistair would ever force anyone to join. I suspect a Ferelden-based Chantry would most likely have a very different view on the use of templars as well, thanks to Alistair. Perhaps they actually would exist to protect mages from the world, not the world from mages. I highly doubted he would encourage or support lyrium addiction, either. In all, I couldn't see a downside beyond the repercussions from Val Royeaux, even if the way Eamon presented it to me was less than forthright.

"You know," Anders said eventually, "I'm half-tempted to see if Revered Mother Moira will perform the ceremony, and invite all of Ferelden to rub it in the Grand Cleric's face."

"That'll cause some problems for her," I said.

He shrugged. "Or leave her in a very powerful position once Eamon's plan goes through." He did have a point with that. Not that either of us knew her well enough to know if she would even have interest in such a thing, though. I think that might be the one way I could be enticed into dealing with an enormous formal ceremony.

I told the others the next night. All the senior Wardens were with us, and I trusted Rose and Roland as much as any of them. The only other person left was Felsi, and I knew she had no love for the Chantry. "I wonder what they will call our Divine," Nathaniel mused. "Black is taken for the Tevinter Chantry. Grey, perhaps? That seems… oddly fitting."

"Doesn't it?" I said. "I suppose we'll wait and see what Weisshaupt tells us to do. If they don't reply and something happens I think we should side with the Crown. It's in the best interests of the Wardens not to have to worry about the Chantry anymore. This Grand Cleric may realize she won't win against us, but the next might not be so smart. And in once we're all gone and the blight is a memory of stories told by parents and grandparents who knows what they'll do."

Everyone thought about that. "Aye," Oghren finally said. "We need mages. How many times over would all of us be dead without Anders?" I saw Anders look over in surprise. Oghren rarely complimented him so openly, and using his real name was even more unusual. Clearly he was taking this very seriously. "We might survive without battlemages," Oghren went on, "no offense Maggie." I shrugged, understanding what he meant. "But without healers? Heh, fat chance of that."

There was a round of agreeing voices. "It's nice to know I'm appreciated," Anders quipped with a smile. "Let me tell you, keeping all of your insides on the inside hasn't been easy."

"Keep your robes on," Oghren said with a grin. "Don't need you going crazy over here. Just being honest."

We made it home the next evening. Jowan, looking exhausted, stepped outside to greet us, holding his own daughter with Oghren's girl dancing around his feet and tugging at his belt and robes. "How is it two little girls are more tiring than fighting darkspawn?" he asked, gladly relinquishing the older girl to Felsi, who thanked him for watching her. "I have big news," I whispered to him. "Come find Anders and I in a bit."

He nodded. "Nora's taking a nap, she's even more worn out than me. When she's up I'll come by your rooms." He caught a glimpse of my hand and grinned. "So he finally asked you?" I nodded. "About damn time," Jowan laughed. "Oh, and go find Aidan or Ronan, they have word from the city. It's… hm… it's strange, I'll say that much." Nathaniel and I exchanged a glance. Anders took my bag, laughing and telling me to go get to work. The two of us headed into the office directly, seeing Tobias, Mal, Ronan and Aidan all gathered around the desk talking nervously, Varel pacing the room nearby.

"Thank the Maker you're back," Aidan said as soon as he saw us.

"What's wrong?" I asked quickly.

"There have been riots in the city for the last three days straight," he said.

Nathaniel and I exchanged a glance as we sunk into our chairs. "This isn't good," he said.

"Tell me," I ordered.

"You've heard about the mage riots, right?" Aidan said. We both nodded. "Well, all those families that got away with their children? Guess where they are?"

"Oh Maker," I muttered. Whatever the answer, I knew it wouldn't be good. "Where?"

"Sodding Chantry of our Lady sodding Redeemer," Aidan said, sounding shocked. "That's where. The Revered Mother is taking in people left and right offering them sanctuary! She's gone off her rocker!" He shook his head. "Not that I don't adore her for it, but… well, half the templars in the north of Ferelden seem to have converged on the city and they're ripping it apart brick by brick."

"Wait…" I said, confused. "They're attacking the city, not the Chantry? Templars are the rioters?"

"Yes and yes," he said. "Tobias and Mal went in to get a better idea of what's going on."

"Good call," I said, proud they'd thought of it. "What did you figure out?"

"The Chantry… it has templars of their own," Mal said. "I counted twenty on the outside alone, who knows how many inside. They seem to be loyal to this priest and her cause. I believe the others, the troublemakers… they don't wish to fight their brothers, or perhaps they are no match. But, they want to fight something, so they take out their anger on the city." He looked away from me slightly. "I heard several who were smashing windows talking about how they should 'destroy the maleficar whore's city.' Sorry."

I shrugged. "Don't apologize, you're just repeating what they said. Not the first time I've been called that, either."

"They seem to think everyone's involved with the Revered Mother," Tobias added. "I got close enough to listen in a bit. Some of the Chantry-templars were talking about lyrium, something about not needing it anymore because of the Revered Mother. It seemed important at the time. From what Ronan said I'd guess it is pretty big." I gasped. If the Revered Mother had found a way to help them break their addiction that would certainly earn loyalty. Anders had spent months helping wean Ronan off the stuff, and it wasn't easy for him. He was only now starting to look healthy again instead of ashen-faced and sweaty all the time. "The others, well they're nuts. They all seem to think the entire city is wicked. Because of this, because of you, because of the Wardens in general. Pick any reason you want. They go against the templars at the Chantry and get cut down or pushed back, so they turn on anything else within sight."

"Have you done anything so far?" I asked. They shook their heads.

"We tried on the first day," Ronan said. "Not Wardens since we didn't know if the order should be involved. Guards, here and from the city. The templars ripped through them like they were children playing war."

"We don't have enough men to stomp this out," Varel said.

"How many are there?"

"One hundred perhaps?" Mal estimated. I shuddered.

"I think they're all starting to go through withdrawal," Ronan added. "They might listen to you, you're the Arlessa and all, but they might as soon attack. I don't know."

"Bann," I said. They looked confused so I told them what happened in Denerim. "So now I'm the Bann of Griffin Coast, not the Arlessa of Amaranthine," I finally summarized.

They congratulated Nathaniel and he smiled. "Don't worry," he said. "I'm not going anywhere. I didn't realize how much I loathed being a part of the nobility until I wasn't any longer. My nephew will be the Arl, and my sister his regent for now. I'm happy my family are no longer pariahs, but I have no interest in jumping back into politics." He sighed. "Beyond the politics that keep falling on us, at least."

I put my head in my hands, elbows on my knees, and sighed, trying to think of a plan. "Well, we have two options," I said to the floor, thinking aloud. "Take care of this ourselves, or send for help. I don't like the idea of going in with a group of Wardens to crush the templars, but I like waiting for a rider to get to Denerim, inform the king, and wait for his troops to arrive even less. Who knows how much damage they'll cause in the meantime." I looked up. "They're not targeting civilians, are they?"

Mal nodded. "I saw a woman attacked… I think those vows of chastity are not as sincere as they may want us to believe. I managed to get him with an arrow without revealing my position, though, so she got away."

"Good," I said. "Is everyone aware of what's going on?" I asked. Varel nodded. "Get everyone in the main hall, then." They walked out quickly, splitting in different directions as soon as they left the office. Varel, Nathaniel and I were left alone.

"What is your plan?" Nathaniel asked.

"We have to stop them," I said. "They're attacking civilians. If it was just damage I'd wait for reinforcements from Denerim, but not when these lyrium-addled madmen are all but raping women in the streets. I'll take volunteers and lead a group in."

"I'm with you," he said quickly. "It'll put us in the middle of the whole controversy, but we can't let them hurt people like this. They count on us to keep them safe." He stood up. "I'm going to talk to my sister, I'll meet you in the main hall."

Varel and I were alone in the office. "I can't help but wonder," he said. "This was timed to occur just as you left Denerim. If it was sooner word would have reached you."

"You think it was intentional?" I asked. "So we wouldn't be here and no one could warn us?"

"Perhaps," he said. I told him about the conversation with the Grand Cleric.

"About time the mage gave you a ring," he said. "Of course, for all the good it will do now…"

I shrugged. "I get the impression Revered Mother Moira wouldn't have a problem performing the ceremony."

He chuckled at that. "Perhaps not."

I groaned, not wanting to deal with the templars. "Who is our fastest rider?" I asked him.

"Arthur," he said, "definitely him."

"And among the mages?"

Varel snorted. "Jowan, perhaps, although I wouldn't call him fast. Dermott's getting better, he's been working with Arthur." Oh, no surprise there.

"All right," I sighed. "Can you find Arthur and Dermott and bring them here?" He left, returning after a moment with both men. I could see a small crowd gathering in the main hall when the door opened.

"You can do a haste spell, right?" I said to Dermott.

"When I was nine," he replied.

"Good," I said. The only other Wardens with that skill were Anders and Jowan. I needed Anders with us in the city for healing, and Jowan was a bad fit for this assignment for so many reasons.

I quickly told them what was going on, most of which they knew. "I need both of you to ride to Denerim and inform the King. You're going to be casting haste and rejuvenate the whole way. Stop as little as you can. Hopefully with the spells you can make it by nightfall tomorrow with a break to sleep and shorter ones to eat."

I quickly scratched out a note for Alistair or Eamon.

Revered Mother in Amaranthine City has been granting sanctuary to families of mage children. She has a small force of templars protecting her. I believe she helped them break their addiction, earning their loyalty. The Chantry has launched a full attack on the city, started three nights ago. Opposing templars have fallen on the city. They are attacking civilians and bystanders. One scout stopped a templar from forcing himself on a woman right in the street. They ripped through the guard force that was sent. No one else can do it, have to take the Wardens in now, will try to capture many alive. Send help and reinforcements NOW. Wardens Arthur and Dermott have my complete trust, you can count on them.

Warden Commander Margaret

Varel read over my shoulder. "Is this an attack by the Chantry, though?" he said.

I shrugged. "Might as well be, it's their men. Eamon and Alistair would almost be happier if it was." He raised an eyebrow at that and I only muttered "later." I let both men read the letter in case something happened to it and they needed to relay the message verbally before grabbing a stick of blue wax from the desk. Folding the letter I melted the wax with a flame from my fingertip and slammed my commander signet ring into the puddle. The dual griffin imprint looked back at me. I cooled it with a mild frost spell and handed it over. "This is for King Alistair, Queen Elissa, or Chancellor Eamon only, no one else. If someone tries to take it from you… you're authorized to use force." They both nodded. "Right, go get your gear and head out. Wear something official so no one at the palace questions you. That's my seal, so if they ask you can show them and that should be enough to prove it's from me. Alistair knows my writing, too. Maker watch over you."

"Maker watch over all of us," Dermott replied, glancing back at the nervous crowd. Arthur repeated the sentiment and they headed out quickly.

"One more thing," I said, grabbing a sheath of papers from the desk when Varel and I were alone again. "Do you know the old Warden cipher?"

"I do," he confirmed. "Kristoff taught it to me. When he was, um, still Kristoff." I nodded in understanding. I'd never known the temporary commander, only the spirit Justice that had inhabited his body later on.

"Good," I said. "Close the door." He did and sat back down. I slid the paper and pen over to him. "Let me know if I go too fast," I said before I began to dictate what Eamon had told me of their plans and what I suspected of his true plan and motivation. Varel froze several times, jaw hanging open, as I spoke. I paused and waited for him to recover before going on. I also explained the division of the Arling, my new title, and the current crisis. Finally, I had him add "Should something occur before I receive a response from you I will be siding with the Crown, against the Chantry of Val Royeaux. They have caused me no end of grief and frustration, even with my personal popularity and the high status of Wardens in Ferelden at the moment. I fear what they may do to the mages within our ranks in the future, when the blight is a memory and I am long gone. I also feel our standing in the nation will be served by siding with the King, leaving us in a position to ensure future cooperation between the monarchy and the Wardens. Should you wish us to remain neutral please respond with haste as things are quickly coming to a head."

Varel's hand was shaking when he set down the pen and passed the letter to me. I glanced at it, although I don't even know why I bothered since it looked like nothing more than swirls and gibberish. Signed and folded, I once again repeated the process of sealing the letter with my signet before slipping it into my pocket.

"I'll have this mailed when I'm in the city," I said. "Hopefully a ship will be ready to leave once the chaos is over."

"So… this is how it begins," Varel mused. "They'll call an Exalted March on Ferelden, you know." I told him what Eamon had said about the failures against the Tevinter armies. "Hm… That may work." He sighed and looked distant. "I must say, having a Chantry based in the city of Andraste's birth strikes me as a good idea. Why we answer to Val Royeaux at all when the Maker spoke to a woman from Ferelden has never made sense to me."

I nodded in agreement. "The Grand Cleric basically told me she would love to eliminate every mage in the Wardens, only my popularity with the people of Ferelden keeps her from trying."

"So years in the future, when you're gone…"

"Exactly. I see this as securing the future for the order. We can't work without mages. Without healers we would all be dead a hundred times over." I sighed and stood up. "Best get this over with so we can head out."

I went into the main hall where everyone had gathered. "I'm sure you all know what's happened by now," I said. There was a murmur of agreement and nods. "The Chantry has attacked Amaranthine. Although it isn't a Warden concern, since we control the land we are responsible for their safety. Two fast riders, using magic to go faster, have already been sent to Denerim for reinforcements, but in the meantime I need volunteers help to retake the city." I didn't wait for comments. "From what we know, there are at least a hundred templars currently assaulting civilians. We will be outnumbered. This won't be easy, and I want to take as many alive as I can. If you want to help gear up and meet me by the stables."

I looked over at Varel. "Anyone who doesn't come needs to get in gear and patrol near the gates. I don't want the Keep attacked while we're gone." He nodded and I bolted up the stairs.

Anders was already getting into his armored robes. I quickly shed my robes and began buckling my own armor. "Lyrium?" I asked him. He nodded towards the bed, a pile of what looked like two dozen bottles sat out. Both Isolde and Ser Barks ran around our legs, excited to realize they would be going with us.

"You know what's going to happen with this, right?" Anders said, eyebrow raised. I raised an arm and he helped me buckle my armor. "Eamon will play it like the Chantry attacked a Ferelden city."

"They aren't?" I said.

He shrugged. "I think its some templars acting on their own. Their orders were probably to take care of the situation with the mages, not attack the city proper. They're taking out frustration on the innocent bystanders." Anders began loading his pockets with lyrium, poultices, and potions. "This won't be easy. If we get hit by a smite…"

"I know," I said. "You know, I was so excited that I could get out of politics when they knocked me down to Bann."

"How does that work exactly?" he said.

I shrugged. "They never named someone to replace Esmerelle when she died, so I guess that I'm Bann of the city and surrounding area now." I sat on the edge of the bed and fell back. "I can't believe this mess. We may go to war, you know? We may go, not just Ferelden."

"So it seems," he said. Anders sighed and sat next to me. "What do you think the First Warden will say?"

I shrugged. "Who knows. I told him if he doesn't respond we stand with the crown. I think that will give us more long-term security. You know, once people forget the blight, forget us, and the Wardens are just seen as another outdated order that harbors apostates."

Anders sighed. "You're probably right. I can't even guess what Weisshaupt will say. If they reply at all, that is."

I laughed at that. "Let's go," I said finally. Anders nodded and we headed downstairs.

Every Warden who was at home seemed to be milling around outside the stable. The sound of dogs barking was almost deafening. Rose walked over to us, Ronan and Roland behind her. "Should some of us stay behind?" she asked me. "What if they have someone watching to attack once every Warden is gone?"

"You read my mind," I told her. "Want to lead the defense here?" She nodded, smiling. I noticed Roland looking at her with pride. I also couldn't help but notice they were both wearing plain gold rings. I suppose the idea of annulment had been discarded. "Keep ten people to back you up. I'll let you pick."

"Anders," she said quickly before bursting out laughing. "Sorry, I was kidding. I just… wow, the look on your face." She shook her head. "Nah, I'll see if Moira will stay behind. She's a good healer, but Aidan and Anders are better, you'll need them more." She paused for a moment and her face darkened. "Well, I hope you will, at least." Once she picked her team and managed to convince all of them it was actually a special assignment so they'd stop complaining about being kept from the fight I got everyone else onto horses and we set off. We had more than thirty Wardens with us. I had to admit, with the templars outnumbering us three to one I still put the odds in our favor.

We were ambushed an hour outside the city by a small band of darkspawn. Considering we outnumbered them four to one and had the seven beasts cut down by the dogs, archers and mages without anyone even having to dismount I couldn't help but laugh. "Are they working with the templars now, too?"

"Hm, could be," Anders said, hopping down. "Besides Ronan and our dear King I can't say I've ever been impressed with the intelligence of many templars." I joined him on the road and we pulled the bodies to the shoulder before casting a fire spell.

"That should do it," I said once I was sure the fire wouldn't go out before the bodies were destroyed. I hopped back into the saddle and glanced back at everyone. "Try and take them alive," I warned. I had the keys to the jail in the city from Varel, we could lock them up and leave them for the king to handle.

Seeing the city in the distance I was reminded of the last time we rode here to fight. That time there were only four of us, and I think we all expected not to see home again. The smoke had hung in the air, and the darkspawn nearby had been enough to make me want to rip my own hair out to quiet the screaming in my mind. This time I was backed by almost three dozen of Ferelden's best warriors. The contrast seemed even stranger when I noticed how very quiet the city seemed. Darkspawn would be preferable to this, at least then we'd know what to expect.

A pale face glanced out from behind a window on one of the small homes at the outskirts of town. It disappeared as quickly but the door was flung open before long. "Thank the Maker," a middle aged woman shouted, running towards us. Three small faces watched her from the window. "They've gone mad. You have to stop them!"

"Don't worry," I said, trying to sound reassuring. "That's why we're here, and I've already sent word to Denerim so the king can provide reinforcements."

She all but collapsed with relief. "They burst in, took all our food, trampled our fields. I thought templars were supposed to help people!"

"Not these ones, apparently," Anders replied drily. He glanced over at her house. The field was barren and destroyed. "Would you allow us to leave our horses in your field, my lady?" he asked her, voice dripping with courtly flattery.

"Oh, of course, Ser," she responded quickly, blushing slightly. "Anything we can do to help the Wardens."

"Thank you," I said, guiding Griffin over to the fence. I dismounted once he managed the jump and patted his flank reassuringly.

"We're loyal people here," the woman went on. "We all know the Grey Wardens are heroes. I watched you stop the darkspawn attacking the city." She wasn't done speaking, apparently thrilled to have someone to listen to her. I smiled and nodded while everyone else maneuvered their horses into the field. "My husband and me, we were hiding inside, them beasts was everywhere spreading their filth in the streets. I thought that would be the end of us. Just gave up and then I saw you, my lady, running in and cutting them down with your lightning. I won't never forget that, it was like you had the Maker himself on your side. We won't let any templars change our minds about the Wardens, no ser. Every night I have the little ones pray 'Maker bless King Alistair and Maker bless the Grey Wardens.' We're loyal." I thanked her again and extracted myself from the conversation after making sure she would go back inside until it was safe.

"Ready?" I asked them. Everyone unsheathed their blades and nodded. I turned and led us into the city proper, wondering if this was only the beginning of a much larger problem.


A/N A quick update since tomorrow's my birthday and I suspect I'll be too busy to get to this before the weekend as a result. :D Thanks so much for the reviews. I'm glad people were still able to read even with the horrid site glitching.