DISCLAIMER: I base my stories on Intellectual Property (IP) owned by BioWare™ and EA™. I pretend to live in their world.

SPOILERS: I refer to information from the games, the novels and the comics. If you have not played or read, please beware.

CHAPTER 53: A Homecoming


9:30 Dragon Haring === Highever

Mel stopped just inside the entry to Castle Cousland's Great Hall and looked around. A fire burned in the large hearth at the far end. Two double lines of cots ran down the center of the room; more cots lined each wall. She guessed more than sixty wounded lay in the hall.

"These are the worst casualties, the ones requiring constant care. Any others stay in the barracks and come in for treatment as needed. We put the Amaranthine wounded in the chapel," Nate said. "It had already been set up as a hospital."

"Did you…was Mother Mallol there?"

Nate shook his head.

Mel pressed her lips together, knowing the priest would have returned to minister to the injured if she lived. She stepped into the room and closed her eyes, trying not to picture it as she last saw it, Howe's mage casting towards her mother, Howe's Shield fighting the remaining Highever troops, her mother loosing arrow after arrow and Denis' face, the last time she saw it, when she looked back over her shoulder as she and her mum fled. When she opened them, she saw Fergus watching her. "This is where Denis stayed, to lead the remaining troops while Mum and I fled." She saw no sympathy in her brother's eyes.

"Perhaps we should start at the beginning," Fergus said, walking briskly to the far end of the hall.

Catching up, Mel said, "Fergus, are you sure-"

"-what, you don't think I can handle it?"

"That's not it. But why should you have to?"

"I want to see where it happened." I want you to relive it. Tell me what happened. Explain why you lived and my wife and son died.

Alistair stayed close, but didn't touch her. She was grateful for that. Fergus didn't need to be reminded that her lover lived. She noticed Nate didn't touch PIppa either. Let him blame me if it helps. I don't remember what I wrote in that journal. What he read. I suspect I didn't go into detail…too difficult to write it down.

Fergus led the way, moving through the passages to the ruined atrium, past the burned out shell that had been the family dining hall and on to the guest quarters. Mel, Kai and the others followed.

"At least they cleared the bodies," Pippa whispered to Nate.

He sighed. "They did. They built a pyre just outside the walls. We found it after the battle. It…we think they just dumped the bodies over the battlements and made the pyre where they fell. There must have been so many… it didn't burn everything. A lot of bones remain. Nothing recognizable but…. I'll have them all removed to a common grave when the ground thaws.

"Howe…," he winced, eyes closed, "my father burned his own soldiers outside the walls too, but those pyres…well you can see where they were, but they were properly done. Nothing left but ash." He walked more slowly, allowing the others to get ahead of them. "The teyrn's head was still on the wall when we took the castle," he whispered, pressing his lips together. "Your mum was there too."

Pippa paled and stopped for just a moment. Nate took her hand and, as they walked on following Fergus, he continued. "Zevran took them down as soon as he could. I'm not sure if Fergus saw them up there. We wrapped them and asked Fergus if we should have a pyre. We did." He looked at Mel, who had overhead and slowed to join them, and then back at Pippa. "Maybe we should have waited?"

"No, you did the right thing," Mel said.

Pippa nodded.

"Did it help Fergus?" Mel asked.

"Hard to tell."

"Where?"

"In your mother's garden. It's what Fergus wanted."

Mel almost smiled. "It's perfect." She took Pippa's other hand. "We'll have a memorial and plant something beautiful there."

They caught up with the others as Fergus opened the door to the family wing. No bodies remained in the hall. A fine coating of soot covered every surface, although no fires had penetrated this far. Closed doors marked the entries to the family apartments. Fergus headed for his own and opened the door. Mel gave Alistair a worried glance and pushed ahead to follow her brother. Kai stopped, blocking the others. "Let them work this out. If they can't do it here…." She shrugged.

Mel stopped before entering Fergus' rooms. "Kai. Take them to my sitting room and wait there. Please." The elf nodded, and Mel followed Fergus.

"Where?" Fergus stood in the center of his bedroom. The blue carpet Oriana had brought from Antiva and the ruby red bed cover woven by Eleanor had dark splotches. "Were both of them here?"

"They were together. It was late. They must have been asleep, but, with you gone, Oren probably slept in here on the trundle."

"You said you heard screaming."

"I said I think that's what woke Shep. Her barking woke Denis and me. I may have heard the screaming too, but I only remember Shep barking."

"So there was nothing you could have done?" He looked around the room. "Even though you were just across the hall," he said, his words tinged with skepticism.

"Die with them, which I was ready to do. Denis grabbed me. Made me put on my armor. I'd have run out in nothing with just my blades."

Fergus' eyes narrowed. "So you'd been enjoying yourselves."

She sighed. "We had been, so we were wearing nothing, but we were asleep, Fergus. Mum was too. Papa and Howe had gone to his study…we had no idea what he intended."

"When you…woke, what did you think was happening?"

"I didn't know, just that something was wrong. Someone pounding on the doors, yelling, arrows thumping into wood…although I only realized that later. I suppose I thought someone - a single person or two - had gotten into our quarters."

"You came here as soon as you could, then."

"We dressed. We fought soldiers in the hallway first, but they must have come from here. This door was open; Mum's wasn't. We killed them and came in here. One of Howe's soldiers was dead on the floor over there." She pointed at one of the dark splotches. "Oriana's knife and poison maybe. Oren was on the floor. It looked like Oriana had tried to crawl to him."

"Was she…" his voice broke, "…naked?"

"No. She wore her tunic just as she always did when you were gone, in case Oren needed her." She knew what Fergus was asking. "I don't know, Fergus. There was a lot of blood." I don't remember what I wrote, but I'll not describe what I saw here. She's dead; that's all he needs to know.

He stood, his back to her, looking at each dark patch on the carpet and bed cover, fists balled by his side. When he turned and leaned his back against the ornately carved bedpost, tears streamed down his cheeks. He slid down the post to floor, wrapping his arms around his legs and dropping his head to his knees. His shoulders heaved. Mel knelt beside him, her arms around his shoulders and her forehead resting on his neck.

Kai poked her head around the door and as quickly withdrew. Mel stayed with Fergus until the sobs lessened.

"I had to see it. To hear you tell me. I needed you here for this."

"I know. I'm here."

He sniffed and rubbed his sleeve across his face.

"Good thing mum's not here to see that," Mel said, biting her lip.

Fergus looked up at her and snorted. "Yeah. I even have a cloth." He pulled it out and wiped his face again. "I can't even feel guilty for not being here. I did what duty demanded. I left at Da's order." He looked at Mel. "And so did you. You weren't in charge yet; Da was here. I needed to blame someone, blame you…."

"I know. I blame me too, but I did my best; it just wasn't enough," she whispered. "Oriana, Oren, Da and so many others."

"You've done your duty here and since. Pippa and Mum have tried to make that clear." He shrugged.

"With Ali?"

"Going south as Da asked. Staying with Ali to help. I remember Orzammar with Da; fascinating people, but difficult to deal with. Ali's a good war band leader, but…" his lip quirked, "you're a better diplomat. All that training with Mum and House Haris."

"Not to mention Anora."

He puffed his cheeks, letting out a breath. "Anora. Let's hope those skills are helping her now." His breath hitched as he stood up and looked around again. "I wonder." He went into Oren's room and pulled aside a table. He placed his hand against a mark on the stone behind it. A panel slid open. "Documents and small coffers stood on the shelves." He looked at Mel. "Should we just leave it?"

"Why not, unless you need the coin? I suppose we could gather it all up and take it to the Portal storage room, but it's safe here. Mum's and mine probably are too."

"Right." He opened a coffer and looked at the jewelry, shook his head and snapped it shut. He slid the panel closed.

"I…you did the right thing going to Orzammar, sis. I know if you could have been in both places, you would have. I had Nate and Pippa, and Kai and Zev. I wanted you here, but I didn't need you here to take back the castle. Duty…it's not always clear, is it?" He squeezed his eye shut and tears trickled down his cheeks. "I hope we can all work together from here on in. We'll need each other to finish this." Before she could speak he added, "To finish both. Howe, Loghain, the Civil War and the Blight." He stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. He had taken to wearing leathers and his surcoat and mantel, rather than his chain mail. 'I need to be approachable,' he had told Artur.

Mel buried her face in the soft fur collar and hugged back. "That's what we want too, although it may not mean we're all together all the time."

"I noticed Alistair's fond of splitting up his group."

"Efficient. We get more done. He's a good leader."

"I know. He's turned into a fine man, Lyssie."

She hugged him harder. "The warden who kills the Archdemon dies, Fergus." She stepped back to look in his eyes. "He'll do it, if he's closest or it means saving the others. We may not have much longer together. So it wasn't just duty, it was selfishness too."

"I'd give anything for more time…that's not selfish." He frowned. "What about the older wardens? The Nevarrans?"

"If they're there, they should do it, but," she shrugged, "Petyr's the only one who surely will. Besides, it's a battle. You take the opportunity when it comes – you know that. We don't talk about it. It's a secret…like everything about the damn wardens."

Fergus raised his eyebrows at her bitter tone. "I'll keep it quiet."

"Should we join the others?"

Fergus pressed his lips together as he looked around his son's room. "Yes. I've seen enough here, but I still want to walk through the castle, sis. I read your journal, but I-"

"-I understand. Let's go. It's actually good to…share?"

Fergus choked on a laugh. "You sound like an Arethian psychbot program." He spoke slowly, in a deep voice. "Good morning, Melysande. How can I help you today? Will you share your burden with me?"

She smiled. "How many times have you talked to a psychbot?"

"I haven't, but at school we used to make fun of them and the people who used them."

"Yeah, us too. Cruel thing to do, 'cause you never know who's actually used one or if it helped."

The others stared at the brother and sister when they joined them in Mel's rooms. Fergus's eyes were still red and puffy. The two were arm in arm and he kissed her forehead when he released her arm. "Thanks, sis."

Mel noticed the others wary stares. "No worries. We're good."

"Both of us," Fergus confirmed.

As they walked back into the Great Hall, Mel pulled Nate aside, letting the others go on ahead. "Nate, leave the bones where they are until I speak with Mum. I had a thought, but she may not agree."

"You sure?"

"I think she'll want to plant a memorial garden over their remains. The families could visit. There's a lovely spot on that low ridge overlooking the coast. Perfect for quiet reflection." She smiled.

"That's a lovely idea, Mel. Your mum will like it," Pippa said, joining them. She smiled. "Sorry, came back to find Nate and overheard."

"I want to ask Mum before we ask Fergus, just in case she prefers something else to honor them. Oren and Oriana are part of that pile."

"And your papa, at least…." Pippa closed her eyes, shaking her head slightly.

"And Papa and your Mum."

"I'll leave them for now," Nate promised, "but we'll finish fencing it off and set an honor guard."

After passing through the atrium, Fergus veered off to the left. "I just want to see where…we came in that way, but with all the troops…."

Mel closed her eyes. Opening them, she nodded.

"You come too, Alistair," Fergus said.

They walked through the kitchen where the Wrath's cooks worked on the evening meal. Fergus unlocked the door to the larder.

"The cooks could use the storage, but…well, once I've seen and it's cleaned up I'll let them in."

Mel walked to the far corner opposite the tunnel entrance. A dark stain spread across the grey stone floor. Fergus moved beside her and put his arm around her shoulders.

"He knew he was dying," she murmured. "He only stayed alive to see us safely out through the tunnel…and to say goodbye."

They stood quietly. Softly, with fist on heart and head bowed, Alistair began to recite. Fergus looked startled for a moment, but then bowed his head and tightened his arm around his sister. Mel reached for Alistair's hand as he spoke.

But the one who repents, who has faith

Unshaken by the darkness of the world,

And boasts not, nor gloats

Over the misfortunes of the weak, but takes delight

In the Maker's law and creations, he shall know

The peace of the Maker's benediction.

The Light shall lead him safely

Through the paths of this world, and into the next.

For he who trusts in the Maker, fire is his water.

As the moth sees light and goes toward flame,

He should see fire and go towards Light.

The Veil holds no uncertainty for him,

And he will know no fear of death, for the Maker

Shall be his beacon and his shield, his foundation and his sword.

O Maker, hear my cry:

Seat me by Your side in death

Make me one within Your glory

And let the world once more see Your favor

For You are the fire at the heart of the world

And comfort is only Yours to give.

They all remained silent for some time after Alistair finished, lost in their own thoughts. Then Fergus took a deep breath and looked up. "Thank you, Alistair," He squeezed the warden's shoulder. "That was perfect. Funny, how the words mean more when they come from a friend." He blew out a breath. "Now, I suppose we should get back."

Wynne, Liam, Leliana, and Jowan greeted them when they returned to the Great Hall. "We heard the wounded were here, but it seems the local templars don't agree we should help. That Knight-Lieutenant wanted to take us all to the Chantry as apostates." They looked toward the door where Nate and Pippa were in clear disagreement with several templars. A number of Wrath had gathered in the center of the Hall, standing between the templars and the mages. Mel noticed Kai and Zev standing quietly, hands on their daggers, not far from the door.

"Shayle, Sten, Oghren and the three mabari are outside in the courtyard," Liam murmured. "The templars may be feeling outnumbered, but I think it's the only thing that stopped them. They certainly weren't impressed by the warden insignia. Not sure whether they wanted us as mages, for the warden bounty or both."

As Liam spoke, the four templars moved aside and a small woman in Chantry garb entered. "Who's that?" Leliana whispered. "She wears Revered Mother's garb, no?"

Mel relaxed visibly. "It's Reverend Mother Agnes. She's well aware of the Highever Accord which allows mages to move freely."

"But she allowed Howe to rescind it, no?"

"I don't know that she allowed it. I suspect that decision came from the Grand Cleric. We'll see, I guess." She smiled at Pippa. "Want to join the Teyrn, Arlessa?" They followed Fergus towards the group in the doorway.

"I know you called on me a few days ago, Lord Cousland," the Revered Mother said. "I'm sorry I was unavailable. I believe we have a meeting tomorrow?"

"It's Teyrn Cousland, Your Reverence. My father's dead, as perhaps you noticed if you passed by the gates during the past months. And yes, we have a meeting after mid-day bells."

The Revered Mother's eyes narrowed at the sarcasm. "Rendon Howe may dispute that title, Lord Cousland."

"No, no dispute. The Landsmeet has never confirmed him in the title or declared a Bill of Attainder against my family. I am my father's heir."

"Ah, yes. You have a point…Your Grace. Please do accept my condolences for the deaths of your family. We miss your mother and wife. They were dedicated to helping the needy."

"But you didn't miss us, Your Reverence? Or perhaps we were too often away at Court."

The priest squinted and stepped back in surprise. "Lady Melysande? Lady…Arlessa Broughten? But…Ter…Arl Howe said you all died."

"Arl Howe is an habitual liar."

"I can attest to that." Nate smiled at Mother Agnes. "Captain Nathaniel Howe, of Hrothgar's Wrath, also dead if you ask my father."

"So you see, Mother Agnes, Arl Howe's murder of my wife, son, father, Arlessa Alyse and our retainers and his false claims to my both our familys' title and lands were a usurpation based on murders. Howe's title…all his new titles have not been affirmed by a Landsmeet. I have retaken my rightful inheritance and expect all treaties, agreements, accords and laws to return to what they were during the time of the last rightful Teyrn, my father."

"I see your point, Your Grace, but Grand Cleric Elemena came to alternate agreements with…Arl Howe. I am in a difficult position."

"Confirming a noble in his titles is not the Grand Cleric's responsibility," Fergus snapped. "Nor is making agreements with usurpers."

"Your Reverence," Leliana stepped forward and spoke quietly, "perhaps you could allow mages the freedoms they have historically held here, for now. Her Grace may change her mind once she understands the evil Arl Howe represents."

"And you are?"

"Sister Leliana, Your Grace. Currently traveling with the ward…Teyrn Cousland, but a protégé of Revered Mother Dorothea, whom I think you know. I have seen you at Valance, no? I am with Teyrn Cousland and the Gray Wardens with her approval."

"Yes, Dorothea is a friend. One who does not always agree with my Grand Cleric, but then I do not always agree with Elemena, although I cannot act on those beliefs and against my superior. You are one of Dorothea's sisters? That is interesting, Sister Leliana." She looked away towards the hearth, thinking. "Yes, perhaps returning to the status quo ante pending a complete understanding of the situation would be wise. Certainly, the wardens," she smiled. "Yes, I know who you are and I do question the bounty if this is a Blight…the wardens and their companions may move freely and assist the healers…" she looked at Alistair, "is it Warden-Commander?"

"Warden-Commander Alistair, Your Reverence."

"Then Duncan is dead? He was a good man. We saw him here often." She bowed her head, hands folded, for a silent moment, before speaking again. "Sister Leliana, I expect you will report any maleficars. Healing and battle skills we accept, but blood magic or its like…well."

Leliana bowed her head. "Of course we will, Your Reverence."

"Knight-Lieutenant Gethin," Mother Agnes said, turning towards the templar, "you heard the conversation. You and your templars, come with me to the Chantry and I will acquaint you with the terms of the Highever Accords. You will allow the Wardens and their companions freedom of movement."

"And what of local mages, Your Reverence?" Nate asked. "We think it odd that no mage healers came to help the wounded."

The Revered Mother exchanged a glance with her Knight-Lieutenant. "You will also free any local mages still held in your cells, Gethin." She looked back at Leliana. "Most mages have been captured and sent away to various circles, but a few remain. Gethin, your templars will escort them here so they may assist the healers and apothecaries. Your Grace, can you accommodate the mages here? It would be safer than letting them wander the city, for now. I can assign templars if you wish."

"I…yes. We'll find a place for them, but no need for templars. We'll let you know if we require such assistance."

"I will provide passes. I think it would be best. I realize passes are not required by the Accord for travel within the teyrnir, but…."

"I agree, Your Reverence. I'll speak with the mages when they arrive. In fact, I'll send Sister Leliana and," Fergus smiled, "Zevran, Wynne and my sister to escort the mages."

"I'll come too," Alistair said. "I was trained as a templar, Your Reverence-"

"-ah, you are that Alistair. I was present when you were conscripted; your helmet concealed your face." She folded her hands inside her sleeves and looked at the templars. "Come along, all of you. Gethin, you will release the mages to the Sister, Warden Alistair and Lady Melysande. Bring them to the Chantry porch, Sister, and I will have Sister Monica check their names against her list and write passes before they leave."

Gethin stepped forward. "Perhaps, Your Reverence, we should prepare the mages and bring them to the porch. The cells are not pleasant."

Mother Agnes stared at the templar before speaking. "Cells never are, Lieutenant. I'm sure the Sister, the Warden-Commander and Lady Melysande can manage. I suspect fighting darkspawn is not pleasant either." She ignored the templar's frown, as she led the way back to the city.

Fergus and Nate watched them go. "I haven't been to my father's study yet. Join me?" Fergus saw Nate's hesitation. "I want to talk. Now that we're all together again…and Mel and I have cleared the air, I'd like us to do the same. I thought there might be some of that Starkhaven whiskey left. Pippa, can you-"

She smiled. "-I'll stay here and help. You two go along."

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Mother Agnes left them at the Chantry porch. Gethin and his three templars led them to the templar barracks on the far side of the Chantry's cloister. Inside the barracks, Gethin dismissed his templars saying he wouldn't need them and motioned the others to follow. Entering a doorway, they immediately descended a stairway, crossed a large room lit by a single torch and descended again. Gethin unlocked a sturdy wooden door reinforced with three large iron bars. The odor hit them first. No torches illuminated the space, but the smell of mold, unwashed bodies and waste assailed them. The silence morphed to low moans and cries as Gethin lit a torch and entered, keys jangling. He began unlocking cell doors.

"Maker's Mercy," Leliana whispered. "This…I've seen prisons, but this….no wonder he didn't want us here."

Zev sidled through the door. "Here is another torch, Warden." He lit it and handed it to Alistair, frowning at the stench. "Is this how templars treat mages?"

"No," Wynne stated." It is not how templars treat us, at least not most. Even the worst dungeons at Kinloch Hold are not like this. I'm glad you brought me. Anyone in here will need healing."

Alistair, Mel, Zevran, Wynne and Leliana stepped farther into the room appalled by what they saw. Each cell held at least two mages, ankles shackled and connected by a short chain which also attached to a ring on the wall. Held in a space meant for one, two mages could barely move about or reach the too-small waste pail. Manacles encircled their wrists. A short chain joined the manacles, limiting arm motion. Gethin moved from cell to cell unlocking the doors and releasing the ankle shackles.

"Those manacles," Alistair whispered, "they drain mana. These mages have no magic, which explains how so many can be kept here." The two women saw his jaw clenched in the light of torch he held. "You wonder why I welcomed becoming a warden, Leliana?"

"I…no, I understand now, but not all-"

"-no, not all templars are like this, but too many are." He pulled a cell door open. Gethin had unlocked the shackles, but left the manacles. The mages could walk, but not cast. The two mages in the cell, tried to disappear into the wall, shrinking as far from him as they could. With their long tangled hair and grimy, torn robes, only beards differentiated the men from the women.

The next cell held three mages. Two sat on the floor, arms around their knees, rocking, one silently and one moaning softly. The third stood in front of them, protectively. She glared at Mel as she entered.

"You're being released," Mel said, softly. "Can you walk? Can you help us with the others?"

"You…you're not a templar?"

"No. I'm Mel. These are my friends. The Revered Mother has ordered the templars to release all of you."

"Release us? Why?"

"Teyrn Cousland has recaptured Highever. Howe and his allies are gone. The Teyrn has insisted the Highever Accords be reinstated."

"No more Tevinters?"

"No," Mel frowned. Tevinters? Howe's mages? The templars let them in here? She looked at Templar Gethin. He dismissed the other templars. Is he the only one who comes here? "No Tevinters, only Fereldans."

Wynne followed Mel and cast healing spells over the two mages cowering on the floor. They looked up, shocked to realize what she had done. "I will heal the most damaged first," she said to Mel. "I didn't bring any potions. I should have realized, after seeing Anders at Kinloch Hold, that I would need them."

"You're a mage?" The girl standing in front of the others asked.

"I am. My name is Wynne. We are here to help. I'll heal as many as I can."

"I'm Gelisa. I will help."

"Thank you," Mel said. "Please convince your friends to go up the stairs and wait for us in the large room. Gelisa, our companion, an elf, will guard you from the templars. His name is Zevran. He carries weapons, but he will not harm you."

"An elf? A mage healing us? Surely this is a dream, but I will do as you say."

Mel smiled. Wait 'til you meet the others. A golem, a qunari, three mages, two dwarves and various elves and humans. "Why would Wynne healing you be a surprise?"

Gelisa just shook her head. "Most certainly a dream," she murmured. She knelt to coax her cellmates to stand. "Come; even if this is the Fade, it can be no worse than where we are now."

Zev watched the mages' fearful reaction to Alistair when he reached out to lead them from their cell. He reminds them of a templar. "Alistair, perhaps you should go acquire a cart? I don't think they can walk all the way to the castle. Mel, Leliana, Wynne and I will get them to the Chantry gate."

"Good idea, Zev. I'm doing more harm than good here. I look too much like their templar guards, even without the armor."

Mel left Gelisa to help her cellmates and stepped in front of Gethin as he finished unlocking the cells. "A key for the manacles?"

"Only the shackles. The manacles remain until you get them to your castle. I'll not have them regaining their mana before they leave the cloister. I'll send someone with the key."

"No, you will give the key to Sister Leliana when we return to the surface…the cloister. We will release them as we leave the Chantry grounds and she will return it to Mother Agnes."

Gethin glared at her, but nodded acquiescence. "You'll regret this soon enough."

"Probably wise not to let them regain their magic here, cara," Zevran whispered. "I would burn the whole thing if I were these mages. They may no longer care whether they harm us or themselves." He guided the two mages up the stairs.

Wynne, Mel and Leliana proceeded to speak to the mages in each cell, heal them and coax them to walk to the next room. Zev had lit the torches he found on the walls. The mages squinted and held the manacled hands before their eyes as they entered the, to them, bright space. Speaking soft words of encouragement, Zev led them to boxes where they could sit and get used to the light.

Mel entered the last cell, an even smaller one holding only one mage. The torch's light barely lit the space. The mage sat, back against the wall, knees bent and head buried in her arms. "What now," asked the mage. "Hasn't Nicephorus understood? I won't do as he asks."

Mel recognized the voice. "Nyla?"

"Now I'm hearing the dead. Is that another trick of your blood magic?"

"Nyla, it's me, Lys. I'm not dead and neither are you. We've taken back the castle and the city. You're free to come home."

The mage looked up through dark, tangled hair.

"Lyssie?"

Mel squatted to allow Nyla to see her face. "Hair's different, there's a few scars, but the rest of my face's the same." She held out her hand and took Nyla's. "Come. Pippa will see you have a room in the keep. An old friend of yours is with us. Wynne."

"Wynne? Here?" She stared past Mel as a healing spell flowed through her.

"It is good to see you, my friend." Wynne smiled.

Zev poked his head around the door. "We're ready to start taking them upstairs." He stopped. "Is that…?"

Nyla looked at him. "The Crow? Zevran?"

"Nyla." He took her other hand. "Come. We'll take you home."

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"So much for the Revered Mother's dozen or so mages. They had over thirty mages in those cells. Even with two carts, we had to make two trips," Alistair explained to Pippa. "Mel took them all to the Chantry porch to wait. I thought Leliana would decapitate the Sister who came out telling us to leave. Leliana had to insist she write the passes for all for them and obey the Revered Mother's order. This Sister Monica knew exactly how many mages Gethin had, she didn't even have to ask their names, but Mother Agnes did not. And Nyla said something about Nicephorus and blood magic. Nicephorus works for Howe and he's a 'Vint, possibly a blood mage, Nate said. Why would the templars allow him in to see the mages?"

Wynne frowned. "It makes no sense, Alistair, unless this templar is corrupt. And the Sister too. I saw her 'list'. It had only fourteen names. I suspect that is all the Revered Mother saw."

"I intend to find out," Leliana said, coming to a stop with arms folded next to Wynne. "I will visit the Revered Mother myself."

"It all reminded me yet again why I never wanted to become a templar."

"Yet you cared about Cullen." Wynne said.

"He believed his mission was to protect mages, as well as mundanes. Despite what he saw to the contrary, he believed. You saw how well that worked out."

"He withstood the demons."

"And now he thinks all mages are a menace. He'll be just like Gethin one day."

"I think you're wrong, Alistair. Men like Cullen…like you…have core beliefs which will guide them. He will be less naive, but he will not stop being a good man."

Alistair shrugged.

"Now, let me go check on the mages again." Wynne gathered up her supplies. "Most just need food, water, a bath and rest, but some are badly hurt. Liam and I will take turns watching over the seriously injured for a few days. Jowan can care for the others with help from the mundane healers. His basic healing and restoration skills improve daily." She stopped at the door. "I disagreed with making him a warden. I was wrong. It's Liam's gift, you know. He sees the best in people. He knows which are redeemable."

"I know," Alistair agreed. "My gift is being smart enough to listen to him. And to Mel."

Wynne chuckled. "You have many gifts, Alistair, but that is one. Perhaps you and Liam should find Cullen and see how he fares when this is over."

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Nate watched as Fergus pressed his hand against a panel. It slid open. He looked from the secret compartment to the broken safe on the other wall. "Did Teyrn Bryce keep anything of value in that safe? Obviously my father broke into that one."

"Documents relating to the Teyrnir. Probably a lesser whiskey. Things he might need to get when others were watching." He pulled out a bottle of Starkhaven whiskey. "Ah, an 18-year-old Balmedie." He took out two objects made of glass. Nate had only seen glass drinking vessels a few times. He had never used one, but he assumed these were gifts from Oriana's family. Antiva closely guarded its glass makers' secrets. "Tastes better in these, Nate, and since you're one of us, we can use them." Seeing Nate's raised eyebrows, he added, "From Areth, not Antiva. Antivan glass is nice, but not this clear and fine." He poured a small amount into what he called the glasses.

Settling into his father's chair, Fergus held up his glass. "To old friends."

"Old friends." Nate clinked his glass against Fergus' and they both sipped.

"Did Franz tell you about our conversation?" Fergus smiled. "No, he didn't. I can see from your expression. He told me your story. Not only did Rendon try to kill you, but you lost family, too."

"I did. All my Markham relatives except Franz. And father took his patrimony."

"I need friends Nate, particularly old friends. Ones who knew me in better times. You're not his son. You're a far better man than he ever was."

"There are gaps, Fergus. I never knew your wife and son."

"Another crime to lay at Rendon's feet. You should have. You should have stood with me when I married. And with Cailan when King Maric died. We missed you. All of us."

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"Did we just arrive today?" Mel asked, flopping into a chair.

Mel, Fergus, Alistair, Pippa and Nate sat in front of the hearth in the Broughten Keep solar. Jadyn and Shep snored at their feet. The two couples sat in separate chairs, not wanting to disturb Fergus' new found equilibrium with inadvertent signs of affection.

"Nah, three days must have passed since this morning," Fergus said.

"And our mages are exhausted," Nate added. "So much for adding healing powers; your mages, Fergus, the Wrath's two and Liam, Wynne, Anders and Jowan did more today than any three days after the battle. It's a good thing Anders came with you Pippa. I'll have to thank Colum for releasing him. He did the work of two healers. I want to say I can't believe anyone would do what the templars did to those mages, but nothing seems to surprise me anymore."

"It exceeded my worst expectations," Alistair muttered. "So many damaged and some said it wasn't just the templars. Howe's Tevinter mages were here and the templars let them take some of the mages away. Why would they do that? For coin?"

"Nyla said the Tevinters picked the most powerful." Mel shook her head in disgust. "They wanted Nyla for her healing and potion making, but she refused. She said the 'Vints tested the mages before they took them and one of the tests required blood magic. If you refused, you failed. They kept trying though, testing and retesting, until some finally gave in. Others, like Nyla, didn't. She said the 'Vints worked alone when they were here…no templars in sight. The templars acted like they weren't mages, just mundanes who happened to be Tevinter. She saw pouches exchanged, which she assumed were coin. She thinks only Gethin and one or two other templars worked with the 'Vints. They kept the other templars away. I assume Sister Monica knew as well. She falsified the reports she gave to Mother Agnes.

"The mages who 'passed' the 'Vints' tests disappeared from the dungeon. The mages the 'Vints rejected, the templars tortured as apostates and maleficars. Some they killed; others they made Tranquil. Most had lived their entire lives in Highever, were Chantry trained and had been well treated by the former templars. They were just mages."

"And you believe Mother Agnes didn't know?" Pippa asked.

"She left it all to Sister Monica. She disagreed with ending the Accord, so she tried to ignore the consequences. I don't think she knew, but she's guilty of willful ignorance. Now she must deal with rogue templars and Sister Monica." Mel looked at PIppa and Fergus. "You should see if she needs help when you meet. And take guards with you. Clearly there are Howe sympathizers in the Chantry."

"I've already asked Zev and Leliana to help," Fergus said. "We'll assist Mother Agnes and watch the roads and docks to stop…or try to stop Templars from running off to Amaranthine or Denerim."

"You can only do so much, Fergus," Alistair warned. "You have no authority over them, even as Teyrn. Attacking them may not be…helpful?"

"I know, but Mother Agnes does and Gethin listened to her," Fergus said. "My troops won't attack them, just intimidate…but I'm hoping that won't be necessary."

"Gethin obeyed this time," Mel said, "but maybe he was just cutting his losses. He had to realize no more Tevinters would arrive with coin pouches."

"Where are the templars we knew? Did she say?" Pippa asked.

"Kirkwall, Ostwick, anywhere but here after Howe took over," Alistair replied.

"And Nyla, how did she survive? She couldn't have been down there since Cloudreach," Nate said. He looked at Mel. "Did she explain?"

"She managed to hide for months." Mel said. "She got Papa to the larder that night, healing him as much as she could, but his knowing his wound was fatal. He knew it too and wouldn't let her stay. She'd had a call from a midwife in the city, so she took the tunnel from the larder. Howe's troops hadn't discovered it yet, so she made it into town. She stayed with the midwife, as her assistant, hiding her magic as best she could and avoiding the templars. A wimple can cover a multitude of sins, yes? Especially one baring only eyes, nose and mouth. Add an over-sized gown and it's a disguise. She stayed inside the midwife's house unless there was a birth. It worked for quite a while. Finally, in Kingsway, someone turned her in. She doesn't know who, or what happened to the midwife."

"Why didn't she go west with refugees?"

"Everyone who left the city was questioned and searched to prevent run aways. She didn't want to risk it or put any refugees traveling with her in danger, and she could help here. The templars and Howe's men had no interest in women's concerns." Mel smiled wryly. "Even templars and 'Vints shy away from moon blood and afterbirth, apparently. She wasn't down there as long as most, so she survived."

"I'm worried," Pippa said. "Grand Cleric Elemena does not give in easily. She's wanted an end to the Accord for years. Those mages will need protection for a long time, I think." She looked at Mel and Alistair. "You both know how cruel she can be and how ambitious. I just don't understand her cooperating with Tevinters and Howe. She's always favored Orlais."

"That is curious," Mel agreed. "But she likes coin. Perhaps Howe or the Tevinters offered a generous contribution to the Chantry."

"One more thing to investigate," Leliana said. "The question now is how will we keep our mages safe?"

"We'll keep them in the castle." Fergus said. "They're my people too. I'll protect them. Let them have their own circle, if you will. The Ferelden Circle can't take them right now, can it?"

Wynne shrugged. "We should write to Irving and ask. They'll need to re-populate with older, experienced mages. They lost so many teachers. If the Accord isn't reinstated…or if any prefer the security of a circle…."

"Would you…?"

"Of course, Your Grace, I'll write and I'll also see that they're taken care of here. I'll talk with Nyla and Gelisa and see what they suggest."

"Good. Come spring, we'll see they're supplied with all the herbs they need for potion making. Others can join the Wrath or my army. Unless the Chantry sends a templar army to Highever or declares an Exalted March the mages will be safe for now."

"One other thing bothers me…there were no Tranquil. We didn't have that many, but a few ran the Formari shop in the city and made potions."

"If the Formari shop in Higheverport closed, the templars probably sent them off," Alistair said. "Tranquil who serve the Formari are valuable. They're likely in another city or part of another Circle. They wouldn't harm them. The less valuable ones, cooks, cleaners, even quartermaster types like Owain, they would fare worse."

"So we have a lot to do, against strong opposition, in a short time, but we're back together…and we're home." Fergus looked at his sister and their friends. "With the help of our companions and troops we can do this. Make Highever whole, defeat Howe and end the Blight."

Alistair looked at Mel. "I think I liked taciturn, grumpy Fergus better. Less work for us."

Mel bit her lip trying not to laugh, but everyone else gave in.

"I'd forgotten what a smart-ass you can be," Nate chuckled.

"Well, only among friends. Warden-Commander requires a certain gravitas, right Captain? Even if you have to pretend."

"Yes, yes it does."

"Well, taciturn or not, at least my gravitas is real," Fergus announced. "From now on I am Your Grace, Fergus Cousland, Teyrn of Highever.

Mel looked at Pippa and Nate and started to giggle. "Oh no," she managed to say between giggle outbursts, "Fergus the Faultless has returned."

Alistair looked at the three childhood friends chortling, while Fergus glowered.

"I'd forgotten that Lys, he was obnoxiously pompous at times wasn't he," Pippa wiped her eyes.

"I am not-" Fergus began, grasping for dignity, and then he began to laugh to laugh too. "I'd forgotten that particular…sobriquet, sister."

"So had I, until just now. It flashed into my head." She took a deep breath and managed to control her laughter. "Sorry, Ferg. It just came out."

"It's nice to see you acting impulsively - you don't do that very often anymore." He blew out a deep breath. "Maybe we all needed that laugh."

Mel stood. "Well, my exhaustion is real and my impulse is to go to sleep, Your Grace and all that." She kissed Fergus and then Nate on the cheek. "It's lovely to be all together again like this." She hugged Pippa and left with Alistair's arm around her shoulders.


A/N: Thank you for reading. If you have time, please review. I appreciate all followers, favorites, kudos and comments.

Thanks to my wonderful betas Kira Tamarion and Elyssa Cousland whose efforts make this a better story. Any errors are mine.

Thanks for the reviews and comments: Judy, SnowHelm, MIke3207. Thanks to all who favorited, followed and gave kudos. I hope you continue to read and enjoy.