Sereda awoke, in time to see the sloth demon abomination falling to the ground in a crumpled heap. Around her, the others were stirring and coming to. They saw Niall's body, lying on the floor, unmoving as they felt sad for him. His fingers were still clutched around a scroll case.

"Well… let's never go through this nightmare again." Kallian rubbed her head, groaning in pain.

"We were lucky to escape." Daylen said as he took the scroll from Niall's hands.

"We're lucky that our leader was not fooled by such an allusion." Morrigan said.

"No time to rest, we still need to deal with Uldred." Sereda said.

Wynne nodded as they all got up. "Indeed, let us pray that we are not too late."


They carried on as they ran down the corridor, running into several dragonlings on the way. Daylen never understood why they kept them, it was a disaster waiting to happen. Faren then skinned them saying that their scales could come in handy.

They carried on until the came across a Templar inside the magical barrier. Daylen recognized the Templar once. Bruises stood out starkly on Cullen's pale face. His eyes went wide when he saw him. "This trick again? I know what you are. It won't work. I will stay strong..."

"Cullen! Don't you recognize me?" Daylen looked down at his friend with pure worry.

Cullen's eyes narrowed. "Only too well… how far they must have delved into my thoughts..."

"The boy is exhausted." Wynne looked at the young templar sadly. "And this cage… I've never seen anything like it. Rest easy… help is here."

"Enough visions. If anything in you is human… kill me now and stop this game." Cullen was unable to get up on his feet

Leliana began rummaging in her bag. "He's delirious. He's been tortured… and has probably been denied food and water. I can tell. Here, I have a skin of—"

"Don't touch me! Stay away!" Cullen glared at her, scrambling back. "Sifting through my thoughts… Filthy blood mages… getting in my head… I will not break… I'd rather die." He had never seen such hatred in Cullen's eyes before.

"Cullen, it's alright." Daylen assured.

"Silence… I'll not listen to anything you say. Now begone!" He looked back at him, and his eyes widened. "Still here? But that's always worked before. I close my eyes, but you are still here when I open them."

"I'm real, and I'm here to help you." Daylen assured.

"Don't blame me for being cautious. The voices… the images… so real..." His voice was little more than a whisper. "Did Greagoir send you? How… how did you get here?"

"We defeated everything in our way. Now it's Uldred's turn." Sereda assured.

"Good… kill Uldred. Kill them all for what they've done." Cullen pleaded. "They caged us like animals… looked for ways to break us. I'm the only one left..."

"Be proud. You mastered yourself." Sten said.

Cullen's eyes narrowed. "Be proud? What is there to be proud of? That I lived and they died? They turned some into… monsters. And… there was nothing I could do."

"You must stay strong." Daylen assured, as he studied the cage in the hopes to free Cullen.

"And to think I once thought we were too hard on you." Cullen said, eying Daylen and Wynne with so much hate and disgust that Daylen had never seen in him before.

"We're not all evil, Cullen." Daylen pleaded.

"Only mages have that much power at their fingertips. Only mages are so susceptible to the infernal whisperings of the demons."

"This is a discussion for another time!" Wynne intervened. "Irving and the other mages who fought Uldred. Where are they?"

"They are in the Harrowing Chamber. The sounds coming out from there… oh, Maker..." Cullen sounded like on verge of tears as his voice broke.

"We must hurry. They are in grave danger, I am sure of it." Wynne said.

Cullen managed to get to his feet. "You can't save them. You don't know what they've become."

"I am a mage too, Cullen." Daylen pointed out.

"They've been surrounded b-by blood mages whose wicked fingers snake into your mine and corrupt your thoughts." Cullen croaked.

Alistair looked at Cullen with a concerned look. "His hatred for mages is so intense… the memory of his friends' deaths is still fresh in his mind."

Wynne and Daylen exchanged looks. "What he's been through… I think that all that anger and need for revenge must have—"

"Do not presume to judge me, mage! I am thinking clearly—for perhaps the first time in my life."

Sereda began walking to the stairs. "I want to save everyone who can possibly be saved."

"Are you really saving anyone by taking this risk? To ensure this horror is ended… to guarantee no abominations or blood mages live, you must kill everyone up there."

Sereda looked at him, then looked to Daylen. He shook his head. "I cannot decide on that before seeing what's going on."

"That is your choice to make, but I beg you to consider what I have to say. You cannot tell maleficarum by sight. Just one could influence the mind of a king, of a grand cleric."

"I've made my decision." Sereda said as she started climbing the stairs.

Cullen sighed. "Maker turn his gaze on you. I hope your compassion hasn't doomed us all."


Daylen felt sick as they entered the Harrowing chamber. His teachers, his mentors, writhed in cages of cruel magic. And there, standing in the center, an almost fatherly smile on his face, stood Uldred. His smile widened when he saw him.

"Ah… look what we have here. I remember you. Irving's star pupil." His voice was strange, echoing inhumanly. "Uldred didn't think much of you then, and I certainly don't see your appeal now..."

Sereda stepped forward. "I take it you're Uldred."

"Oh. Very observant." Uldred said as he looked down at the dwarf. "I'm quite impressed you're still alive. Unfortunately, that must mean you killed my servants. Ah, well, they are probably better off dying the service of their betters than living with the trouble responsibility of independence."

Daylen raised his staff. "You'll soon follow your servants."

"Wait, wait, wait… let's not be hasty. I'm trying to have a civilized conversation here." said Uldred holding up his hands in defense.

Daylen glared as he saw all the mages lying on the floor. "What are you trying to accomplish by torturing these people?"

"A mage is but a larval of a form of something greater. Your Chantry vilifies us, calls us abominations, when we have truly reached our full potential!" He then gestured to the trapped mages. "Look at them. The Chantry has them convinced. They deny themselves the pleasure of becoming something glorious."

"You're mad!" Wynne shouted. "There's nothing glorious about what you've become, Uldred!"

Uldred laughed. "Uldred? He is gone. I am Uldred and yet not Uldred. I am more than he ever was. I could give you this gift, Wynne. You and all mages. It would be so much easier if you just accept it. But some people can be so stubborn."

Sereda looked at him with a small smile. "I'm glad so many of them stood up to you."

"And what good did that do? I still won." Uldred pointed out. He then gestured over to Irving, who seemed very exhausted. "I even have the first enchanter on my side, don't I… Irving?"

Wynne gasped in horror and glared angrily at Uldred. "What have you done to him?!"

Irving looked at them very able to make a single sentence. "Stop him… he… is building an army. He will… destroy the Templars and—"

Uldred turned with a sly smile. "You're a sly little fox, Irving, telling on me like that. And here I thought he was starting to turn."

Irving growled as he tried to stand, shivering. "N-never."

Uldred raised his hand and Irving was silent, unable to open his mouth. "That's enough out of you, Irving. He'll serve me, eventually." He narrowed his eyes at Daylen. "As you will..."

"I'm sorry, I can't let you do that." Daylen said, reaching for his staff.

He threw back his head and laughed. "I don't think your opinion matters. That is what I've decided, and that is what will be done. Fight, if you must. It will just make my victory all the sweeter."

"Don't forget the Litany. It will thwart Uldred's attempts to control the mages and win this fight for us." Wynne whispered.

Suddenly Uldred began to change into a pride demon and charged at them. Daylen threw a torrent of fire at Uldred's face, making him stagger back.

Wynne threw the litany to Leliana and began casting her own spells. Mages that had already fallen to Uldred, began moving towards them. Theron pulled out his bow and shot them down, while the rest struck down the mages before they could cast their spells.

Daylen focused his powers into his spells as he aimed them at Uldred, while he heard Leliana read from the Litany. Uldred tried to force the surviving mages into the fray but Kallian, Theron, Sereda and Faren flanked the demon and blocked its path.

Daylen threw a giant fireball and pride demon screamed as it fell, twisting and decaying. A foul odor of rot filled the air as the thing dissolved into a pile of rags until nothing was left from the thing that had once been one of the best of the Circle.

Mages were trying to stand, freed from Uldred's spells. Wynne and Daylen moved to help them, while the rest went on to clear out the remaining abominations and demons and blood mages.

Theron helped Irving on his feet, while handing him a potion that helped him at least get some strength back. "Maker. I'm too old for this." The First Enchanter sighed in relief.

"Irving! Are you all right?" Wynne asked.

"I've..." He groaned. "Been better. But I am thankful to be alive. I suppose that is your doing, isn't it, Wynne?"

"I wasn't alone. I had help." Wynne gestured to Daylen, as he finished treating the rest of the injured mages.

Irving looked at him. "I was surprised to see you standing there. But I am glad you have returned." He looked around, noticing the other Wardens and their companions. "The circle owes all of you a debt we will never be able to repay." He leaned heavily on his staff. "Come, the Templars await. We shall let them know the tower is once again ours."

"Very well, lead on." Sereda nodded.

"I'll need you to guide me down the stairs..." Irving said as Alistair moved to his side and the elderly mage leaned onto him. "Ah, curse whoever insisted the Circle be housed in a tower."

As they were going downstairs, Greagoir and the other templars had finished off the remaining corpses and abominations, while Morrigan and Sten accompanied the visibly shaken Cullen, who glared at the mages in distrust and anger and Morrigan returned the favor by eying the young blonde templar warily, while they walked down the tower to the ground floor.


Genuine relief showed on Greagoir's face when he saw them. "Irving? Maker's breath, I did not expect to see you alive." He took Irving from Alistair and helped the First Enchanter to a chair.

"It is over, Greagoir. Uldred… is dead." Irving accepted one of the restorative potions gratefully.

Cullen looked up from where Theron had seated him. "Uldred tortured these mages, hoping to break their wills and turn them into abominations. We don't know how many of them have turned."

Irving stared at Cullen incredulously. "What?" He shook his head. "Don't be ridiculous!"

Cullen scoffed and glared at Irving. "Of course he'll say that! He might be a blood mage!" He gave Greagoir a pleading look. "Don't you know what they did? I won't let this happen again!" He tried to stand up, and Theron pushed him back into the chair.

Greagoir gave Cullen a surprisingly sympathetic look, but his voice was firm. "I am the knight-commander here, not you." He looked back at the others.

Sereda stepped forward. "I believe order has been restored to the Circle."

Greagoir nodded to her. Irving stood, and looked at the surviving mages. "We will rebuild. The Circle will go on, and we will learn from this tragedy, and be strengthened by it."

"We have won back the tower." Greagoir nodded to Irving. "I will accept Irving's assurance that all is well."

"But they may have demons within them, lying dormant… lying in wait!" Cullen tried to stand up again, and nearly stumbled before Theron caught him and put him back in the chair.

"That's enough, Templar." Theron said firmly. "Hatred only leads to more hatred and revenge can lead you on a path that would hurt the people you're trying to protect."

"This isn't a matter for debate!" Cullen shouted.

"Enough! I have already made my decision." Greagoir gave them a small bow. "Thank you. You have proven yourselves friends of both the Circle, and the Templars."

"It had to be done." Sereda said.

Greagoir gestured around. "I promised you aid, but with the Circle restored, my duty is to watch the mages. They are free to help you, however. Speak to them."

"And what will the Templars do?" Sereda asked.

"For now, I will have to oversee a sweep of the tower. There may be some survivors and we should do our best to tend to them. Please, excuse me. And Irving..." Greagoir smiled at him as he placed a hand on the First Enchanter's shoulder. "It is good to have you back."

Irving chucked. "Ah, I'm sure we will be at each other's throats again in no time."

Daylen approached Irving who looked upon him with pride.

"Here we are, the tower in disarray, the Circle nearly annihilated… though it could have been much, much worse. I am glad you arrived when you did. It is almost as though the Maker himself sent you." Irving smiled warmly at his favorite apprentice.

"I'm glad I could help." Daylen nodded.

"From what Greagoir said, it seems you came here seeking allies. The least we can do is help you against the darkspawn. I would hate to survive this only to be overcome by the Blight."

"But there are so few mages left." Daylen looked around sadly. In what had happened, many of the templars and mages had lost their lives.

"You of all people should know that we are not to be underestimated. The mages you see here will be of great help to you. You have my word, as first enchanter. The Circle will join the Grey Wardens in the fight."

Wynne joined them. "Irving, I have a request. I seek leave to follow the Grey Wardens."

"Wynne… we need you here. The Circle needs you." Irving pleaded.

"I appreciate the sentiment, Irving, but the Circle will do fine without me. The Circle has you. These people are brave and good, and capable of great things. If they will accept my help, I will help them accomplish their goals."

Daylen smiled warmly. "We'd be honored to have you join us, Wynne."

Irving just shook his head fondly. "You were never one to stay in the tower when there was adventure to be had elsewhere."

"Why stay when I can be of service elsewhere?" Wynne asked, shrugging her shoulders.

"Then I give you leave to follow the Grey Wardens, but know that you always have a place here. There is much to be done here, and I must go. You must forgive me for not being a proper host."


Kallian glanced over at one corner of the camp. Morrigan sat, leaning against a log. Daylen lay on the ground, his head resting in her lap as the two talked. Morrigan was actually smiling, laughing warmly at something Daylen had said. Theron and Leliana were on the other side of the fire, positioned similarly. Kallian began walking in their direction.

"You are very beautiful, Morrigan." Leliana was saying.

"Tell me something I do not know." Morrigan's voice held a note of laughter.

Leliana sighed. "But you always dress in such rags. It suits you I suppose. A little tear here, a little rip there to show some skin. I understand."

"You understand I lived in a forest, I hope?"

"Maybe we could get you in a nice dress one day. Silk. No, maybe velvet. Velvet is heavier, better to guard against the cold in Ferelden. Dark red velvet, yes. With gold embroidery. It should be cut low in the front of course, we don't want to hide your features."

"Stop looking at my breasts like that." Morrigan put an arm over her chest. "'Tis most disturbing!" Both Theron and Daylen laughed.

"You don't think so? And if it's cut low in the front, we must put your hair up to show off that lovely neck."

Morrigan shook her head. "You are insane. I would sooner let Alistair dress me."

"It'll be fun, I promise! We'll get some shoes too! Ah, shoes! We could go shopping together!"

"She needs earrings too." Kallian said. "Drops of ruby, maybe?"

"Stop helping her." Morrigan said. The glare held no real malice. Kallian suspected that Morrigan might actually be enjoying herself.

As this conversation went on, Theron and Daylen looked at one another.

"Should we intervene?" Daylen asked.

"I would rather face the archdemon, than join this conversation." Theron said.

"Yes, I'd have to agree." Daylen nodded.

Leliana gave Kallian a considering look. "For you, I think blue, and sapphires. Your hair is so yellow it's almost gold. How long is it, when it's down?"

"Almost to my waist now."

"We'd put a net of silver over it, and let it hang loose, draping over your shoulders. And a simple silver chain, holding a sapphire teardrop in the center of your forehead. I'd give Morrigan a heavier necklace, her features are dramatic enough to pull it off."

Morrigan gave Kallian a considering look. "A small amount of her hair, braided to make a circlet, woven with gold and what am I saying..." Kallian and Leliana both laughed. "Can we discuss some other matter?"

Kallian shrugged.

"You know, sometimes I think women are more dangerous than the darkspawn." Daylen said.

"And that's if you're on their good side." Theron shrugged.