Chapter Six

Final Straw

Over the next week and half, we took care of several things. We reconciled Charade and Gamlen, the Awiergan scrolls, Castillion was killed with a promise of a really nice ship for Bela from me, took care of former Captain Jevan, and took care of the 'Haunted' house for Varric.

Now it was time for 'Faith'. We would be meeting up with Leli at the Chantry. This morning, I had 'distracted' the Grand Cleric while Anders set his explosives and she had told me about an 'agent of the Divine' coming tonight. Sebastian and I already knew, but we still gathered Hawke, Bela, Varric and Aveline to go to the Keep… Fenris and one of the 'Queens Guard' was a given, of course.

There was a mage there when we arrived. "So, even the Divine fears us now… she should. Kill the spies!"

In less than a heart-beat, everyone closed ranks around me. The archers and Hawke and I targeted the Mages in their group while the Warriors killed anyone who got close.

I kept everyone from killing the two who came running in at the end, though they gave me funny looks for it.

We all heard the clunk clunk of Leliannas' boots as she walked up behind them, but the two numb-skulls seemed to think it was their back up. She smirked as she approached them from behind.

Before either of them could speak, she had a dagger embedded in each ones throat.

She began to walk forward with a sigh. "The resolutionists, I might have known."

"Lelianna!" Bela chuckled out.

"Isabela?" Leli asked, looking slightly startled. I forgot that they hadn't met up in the times that I've been with either one. Not Chateau Haine or the Champion Banquet… huh.

"Sister Nightingale, indeed. I remember it didn't take much to make you sing." Isabela purred. Hawke looked between the two women as Aveline snorted in disgust, "Is there anyone you haven't slept with?"

I giggled, "You, Fenris, Varric, Sebastian… I can list a few more but the ones who can't be listed among our group are Me, Anders, and Hawke…"

"You slept with Anders?" Hawke asked. "Back when he was just an Apostate fleeing the Circle in Ferelden."

"Perhaps we should get back to one of the reasons I'm here? I'm investigating the possibility of a rebellion here in Kirkwall."

"Oh, that's going to happen. Elthina will not leave. I already told her she will die if she stays, but she insists. Hence, if you want those bones saved, you will just have to sequester them now…"

Sebastian sucked in a breath, "She'll die? We can't prevent that?"

"Not with her wanting to stay. I even found someone to replace her so that she could live; a criminal who would live in addiction for the rest of her life anyway. Elthina… when I told her what her death would lead to, she refused to budge. It's supposed to be your sign to return to your throne as well as the start of something bigger. I shouldn't have told her that first part. I knew she wouldn't budge but, Sebastian… hearing that it was meant to nudge you, she became even more adamant to stay."

"I… I'll talk to her. I'll reclaim my throne without… she doesn't need to die for that!"

"It isn't just that, though, Bastian… she knows that she's meant to die and doesn't want anyone taking her place. Not even someone who will never get better."

Sebastian cried out, "How… how does she die? Will it… at least be painless?"

"She won't see it coming and she won't feel it; I swear it. It will be swift and the main perpetrator will die by your own hand."

He nodded, "I… if I can't save her, at least I can avenge her."

"I will be staying in the meantime. As the Most Holies Ward, you are more important than most would assume. Your child is to be protected at all costs." Lelianna embraced me.

"What's this about me being her Ward, huh?" I asked with narrowed eyes.

"Funny enough, it was only just finalized the day before you 'called' us. That is why Aedan was in Val Royeaux. You are still family to the Couslands, but you've taken on an important mantle. You can see the future, and you are not one of the four known races. She wishes to establish a report, so to speak."

"That's good, because I've recently had a vision about that… I'm apparently more important than even I thought, Leli. I will be receiving visitors next week – more of my race. They've been looking for me since my power 'awakened' 6 years ago. Just before the Deep Roads expedition."

"Do you know why?" She asked, losing all familiarity, turning serious.

"Yes… but it's complicated. I'll let them explain."

"What day?" Hawke asked.

"Thursday…"

"I'll have the whole group at yours on Wednesday night… okay?" I nodded at his words. They may as well know; I trusted each of them with my life.


All that was left was the final mission; The Last Straw. But it was now Thursday and I was pacing the living room, waiting for the four visitors to arrive.

"Kitten, will you please sit down? You're making me dizzy," Bela commented lazily. Lelianna chuckled and pecked me on the cheek as I plopped into the seat next to her.

Fenris was the one to stand when the knock came. Revas looked at me with a whimper and I pet him.

The three people came into view; two women and two men. Surrounded as I was by such a group, the queens' guards were resting.

The first woman was 5'5 with flowing clear hair that reached her mid-back; and I do mean clear. It was practically made of air, though it was faintly colored white. Her eyes were golden and glowed like gold in sunlight and her skin was fair and flawless.

The second woman was 5'6 with blue hair that moved and flowed like a small lake and hung to her waist. Her eyes were seaweed green and her skin was so light blue it was almost a normal pale color.

The first man was colored like the earth; his short 'spiky' hair was grassy green, his skin tree-bark brown, and his eyes were clear as a diamond. He stood at 5'9.

And finally, the fourth man; he was 5'10 with crimson hair, molten gold and red eyes with sun-kissed skin. His hair hung to his shoulders and moved like fire in the wind. Each of them wore a single silver ring on the middle finger of their right hand. On the silver band was a design of four elements. Fire melded to water, water faded to air, air turned to earth and earth roared to fire.

One-by-one, they filed in to stand before me, before each taking a knee.

The clear-haired woman spoke. "My Queen, thank the stars you are alright."

I looked around to my companions, each of them staring in shock.

"Er… you want to… explain?" I asked.

The man with fire-hair lifted his head to look at me, "Do you not remember us, then?"

I shook my head. "She must have died violently, then," the water woman sighed.

I flinched, "Does burning alive count as violent?"

The fire man looked horrified, "You died in the elements? This is… unprecedented…"

"Er… well, at least you know I'm not the original owner of this body…"

"Of course. Sylvain was chosen to be the Vessel of the Crown more than 60 years ago. We knew that when next she left the temple, she would no longer be Sylvain, but the Crown Princess. But when her body vanished 7 almost 8 years ago, we worried. Never before has the Princess been taken like that." The Earthen man stated.

"I woke in the Korcari Wilds of Ferelden." I shrugged.

"Then that is where you were destined to be. Our kind has never had… connection to these lands or peoples before, though prophecy did indicate it would happen." The woman with clear hair.

"You called me both Queen and Crown Princess…"

"When you awoke, you were our Princess; but 6 years ago, the Queen died. As her successor, you were crowned in absence. We've been looking for you since." Fire-guy.

"I see. That makes me Queen twice over, then… I hate to be rude, but can I get your names? I've been associating each of you with elements that you resemble…"

"Appropriate, as we are sylphs. I am Magma, a fire Sylph. This is Celeste, an Air Sylph; Galaxia, a Water Sylph, and Cedar, an Earth Sylph."

"Huh… I've been calling myself a Fairy."

"That isn't actually wrong. Fairies are what we call the Royals; the ones who can control all the elements. We are here to be your honor guard… you said you were already a Queen?" Cedar asked.

"Of Ferelden. One of my mates is the King there. This is Fenris, my second mate, and Cullen over there is my third."

"Is your fourth not here?" Galaxia asked.

Bela snorted and Cullen groaned. I blushed, "Fourth…? I only have three…"

"Then you simply haven't met the fourth. You royals have a mate for each element. As a Matriarchal and Matrilineal society, women are dominant; though men out number us 4 to 1. Women are the life-givers so it's only natural…" Celeste smiled.

I chuckled, "Tell that to the Patriarchy from back on Earth! And, for that matter, the people here…"

"Do you know which elements each of your mates represents?" Magma asked.

"Hmm… Alistair is fairly easy going and calm, so I'd say he's water. Fenris is earth, no doubt with his stoic demeanor and strong heart… Cullen would be air with his nature turning from playful breeze to twister when angry…"

"Makes since that Fire would be your last mate, as it killed you." Magma nodded.

"You can all… take a seat… no need to kneel, you know."

Celeste smiled at me, "I will send word to our people. You've created an Alliance with another land, so we need to send an ambassador and see if he needs aid. I hear Fereldens lands were ravaged by a… illness?"

"Blight. It's something horrible and creates darkspawn. My blood seems to be immune and can even cure it though…"

Cedar looked thoughtful, "We could send Earth and Water Sylphs to heal the lands and restore crops to life. Air to keep the clouds away for sun and fire to burn away all 'corruption' the lands and bodies of the dead may carry."

I nodded, pulling out the Sending stone and asking Alistair if he wanted to do that.

"I really want to say yes, love. But people are distrustful of any Magic."

"So tell them it isn't Magic. It's nature, expedited. Sylphs are Elementals, Alistair. Elementals are connected to nature. Tell them their Queen is one, and that she's a Ward of the Divine! The people need this."

"That's true… I'll approach it at the Landsmeet. It would help to have one of each type of Sylph here to show them. And you as well."

"Then hold off until after our Wedding in the Grand Cathedral in 4 months. It gives the Sylphs time to arrive, and people will more readily believe that I'm the Queen after."

"I can do that. How will I know them?"

"Oh you'll know… they embody the Elements, so they look like the elements. I'm looking at a woman with clear hair, and one with blue hair… a man with green hair and one that looks like it's constantly on fire!" I giggled as Alistair let out an oath. "I can't wait to see that!"

"Anyway, I'll be sending your men back to you. The four Sylphs who found me are my Honor Guard."

"I can agree with that… I suppose."

After severing the connection, I looked at the sylphs. "How did you find me?"

"Last week, for the first time since we were chosen as your Honor Guard, we felt your fear. You… despaired and almost kicked into Fight or Flight response." Galaxia said softly.

"My baby… the Knight-Commander wanted to take my unborn child…" four heads whipped up to stare in horror.

"We will not allow that! Children are sacred and so rare… they are the future." Celeste hissed, anger coloring her voice.

"Yes, I quite agree. I lost my first child here through a fight and sacrifice. A life for a life, so to speak. I can see the future so when I saved a friends life, I lost… I didn't know about that clause back then."

They looked somber. "How long ago? You've only been in this world for almost 8 years… conception is quite difficult for us," Cedar asked.

"7 years ago. I got pregnant 7 years and 2 months ago, lost the child at 3 ish months along when I was thrown through the air and slammed against a golem."

"Apologies for digging up old memories, my Queen…" Magma whispered.

"Call me Ara; all my friends do. Arvaala Cousland is the name I have now. Adopted sister to a noble family in Ferelden." I smiled at them. They smiled back.


A month; that's how long it took things to come to a head in Kirkwall. I had placed disguises on my Honor Guard so that they could move freely though the City with me. When Hawke got the message from Orsino, we gathered our whole party and rushed to the Gallows… and as expected, we were too late.

"Champions! Thank the maker you've come! Fist Enchanter Orsino got into a terrible argument with the Knight-Commander. He stormed off to bring the matter before the Grand Cleric, but the Knight-Commander gave chase. I fear there will be blood." A mage said as we approached. "Wonderful… take us to them." Hawke sighed.

We got to Lowtown, near the steps leading up to the nobles Hightown. That's where the fight was.

"I will have the tower searched… top to bottom!" Meredith shouted. "You can't do that; you have no right!" Orsino growled.

"I have every right; you are harboring blood mages, and I intend to root them out before they infect this city."

"Blood mages! Where do you not see blood magic? My people cannot sneeze without you accusing them of corruption."

"Do not trifle with me, mage; my patience is at an end."

"A wonder I never saw it begin!"

Hawke finally stepped in, "The way you two carry on, people will talk."

"This does not involve you, Champions," Meredith sneered.

"I called them here. I think people deserve to know just what you've done." Orsino sounded smug.

"What I've done is protect the people of this city, time and again. What I've done is protect you mages from your curse and your own stupidity; and I will not stop doing it. I dare not lower our guard."

"There are blood mages in the Circle, Orsino. I can see the Auras, but every time someone reports them, you sweep it under the rug so that she doesn't have more ammo against you. But the truth is that the corruption that has been caused here is so deeply imbedded… it's too late."

"You can't be saying…" he actually looked scared. "Meredith is… unfortunately correct in this matter."

She actually relaxed at my words. "I know… and it breaks my heart to do it, but we must remain vigilant. Orsino, if you cannot tell me another way, do not brand me a tyrant."

The mage looked between us and sighed, "This is getting us nowhere. The Grand Cleric will put a stop to this."

"You will not bring her grace into this!" Meredith snarled, grabbing Orsino by the arm to keep him where he stood.

It was then that Anders stepped forward, glowing blue and his voice deepened and ethereal. "The Grand Cleric cannot help you."

"Explain yourself, mage," Meredith roared. Everyone glanced between the two… except those who knew about my power; they looked at me. I was crying and horror etched onto Sebastians face as Anders spoke.

"I will not stand by and let you treat mages like criminals, while those who would lead us bow to their Templar jailors. The circle has failed us, Orsino; even you should see that much. The time has come to act; there can be no half measures."

"Anders… what have you done?" Hawke asked, before looking to me, "What has he done?"

I shook my head, and I saw Meredith took that to mean I didn't know as Anders spoke once more, "There can be no turning back…"

He looked up to the Chantry and everyone followed his gaze as the ground began to rumble and shake. The chantry exploded in a flash or red light and I cried out.

"Maker have mercy…" Meredith stared in horror. "There… can be no peace…" Anders muttered.

"Elthina! She was… maker, she was your most faithful; most beloved… why couldn't she listen…?" Sebastian fell to his knees, tears streaming from his face.

He wiped his tears and stood, holding his hand out to the chantry and chanted, "Blessed are the souls of the faithful, that they ascend to your right hand…"

Orsino whirled to glare at Anders, "Why; why would you do such a thing?"

"I removed the chance of compromise, because there is no compromise!"

"The Grand Cleric, slain by magic, the Chantry destroyed… As Knight-Commander of Kirkwall, I hereby invoke the Rite of Annulment. Every mage in the Circle is to be executed – immediately!"

"But the Circle didn't even do this! Champions, you can't let her do this! Help us stop this madness!" Orsino pleaded.

Everyone turned to me, shocking the watchers, as I had made a point these last 6 years to allow Hawke to lead. I took a deep breath and spoke. "Anders, you have committed grave sins here today. You knew this would end in your death… Sebastian, take your Justice." No sooner were the words out than Sebastian knocked an Arrow and planted it in Anders forehead as I cried.

"From this point, the Rite of Annulment is in Effect. We stand with the Templars."

There were calls of outrage among the mages present but I spoke firmly, "If we sided with the Mages, there would be more deaths! Most of the Mages turned to blood magic the minute the Chantry exploded if they weren't already users. It's too late…"

Merrill sobbed, "Why did we have to kill Anders?"

"I warned him, Merrill. I told him that if he took this path, he would die. He knew the moment the plan was formed in his head what this would cause."

"But you know Meredith will turn against you as well!" Orsino begged.

"I know your crimes, Orsino. You conspired with that Blood Mage that was obsessed with Hawke's mother! We will not defend you," I snarled. Hawke froze… "I'm suddenly all for supporting the Templars… let's do that…" he said.

Orsino blanched as Meredith nodded her approval, "Very wise."

Merrill gave one final fight, "Are you sure about this… she will murder people whose only crime was being born with magic."

"Merrill sweetie, Anders tied our hands. Elthina wasn't just a mother to Sebastian, but to most of the City. We have the Left Hand here, and she will also side with Templars." Lelianna nodded, "Seeing what Anders did, I am duty bound to allow the Rite to go forward."

Orsino glanced at the mages with him, "Stop them, I will warn the others!"

The three mages were dead within minutes.

Meredith glanced at us, "I must gather my forces at the Gallows – meet me there as soon as you can, Champions." She rushed off, leaving Cullen with us.

"When the time comes, my love, she will say she wants to arrest Hawke and I… play along until she exposes her true thoughts. Okay?" I told him. He looked pained but nodded. "I won't let her harm you or the baby; I swear it. When you asked me three years ago if I would enact this on you… you knew, didn't you?"

I nodded. "This had to happen. I have to save the damn world in a few years and if this didn't happen… it's a mess…" we were talking as we rushed through town, killing any blood mages we came across. I stayed near the back of the group with Lelianna, the Sylphs and Cullen.

"I'm glad that you're with me… I should never have thought you were…" he looked upset at himself. "I know, my love… I know."


"I can't believe that every mage we came across was an abomination or using blood magic…" Hawke sounded broken as we reached the end of the Gallows. I gave him a pat on the back, "I know it sucks, but that would have happened even if we sided with the Mages… this way means less casualties and I have to take it."

Even Merrill seemed subdued at that.

"Stay back! I don't want to fight you!" Orsino shouted.

Meredith came up behind us, "And here you are!"

"Let us speak Meredith, before this battle destroys the very city you claim to protect!"

"I will entertain your surrender, nothing more."

"Revoke the Rite of Annulment; before it goes too far. Imprison us if you must; search the tower, I will even help you, but do not kill us for an act we did not commit."

"Not only is the Grand Cleric dead, killed by a mage, but the Champion Queen has accused you of conspiring with a blood mage!" I handed her a note… "I'm sure you recognize his hand writing? This was found in the Den of that necromantic blood mage."

"Ah, she even provides proof! Perhaps I was wrong about you, Ara." She nodded to me.

He snarled at me, "This is how you treat you people?!"

"You are not my people, Orsino… you are a traitor."

"Go; prepare your people… the rest of the order is already crossing the harbor." Meredith snarled. He turned and took his people inside.

An hour passed before the others arrived.

"Let me tell you what is about to happen; we have the unenviable task of entering the Gallows and eliminating every mage we find within. You must harden your hearts; the magic within is a disease that, if left unchecked, will spread and fester. We will do what we must… Maker have mercy on their souls." The Templars all saluted her, including Cullen. I knew it was taking him a great deal of effort not to glance at me as she watched him.

He wanted to protect me; she wanted to see if he was truly loyal. The fact that he didn't watch me seemed to satisfy her, thus far as she approached us. "Prepare for the attack… Let me know when you are ready."

We decided to bring Hawke, myself, Lelianna, Sebastian, Varric, Fenris, and Aveline to battle with Orsino. Hawke gave the main orders, Aveline to charge when she could, Fenris to take opening, Isabela to use stealth on enemies attempting to sneak in… then he gave his speech.

"We didn't want this. The Mages are our brothers and sisters; and though it's a sad burden, it is necessary. Kirkwall needs us to set this right, we need order or we lose ourselves."

We fought our way in, and I stayed at the ass of the group, throwing daggers and magic. The Sylphs found vantage points to lock off the Gallows using the Elements… no one would escape.

Every time we killed a mage, I felt my heart tear a little… but they had turned to forbidden magics. I could over-look Merrills' use of it, because she couldn't harm a fly let alone anyone else… but these people…

And when a small group of mages came up begging mercy… I looked away and let Hawke deal with them.

Meredith and Cullen came up behind them, "The circle is beyond redemption!"

Cullen looked stunned at her behavior, "Knight-Commander, surly the Rite requires something more…"

"It requires my word, Cullen. Do as I've commanded!"

Hawke asked for Cullens opinion. "I… Well, the Rite has always been a last resort; when every mage involved was beyond salvation. The situation in Ferelden was far worse, as Ara can attest to, and yet many mages were saved. We can still do as much here." Heads swiveled to look at me.

"Oh… you mean the Demons running rampant, torturing even the mages? The blood mages turning on each other, even? Let's not forget me having to stitch people up without magic. I would never force the unwilling to endure magic for any reason."

There were gasps as Cullen flinched, "I do recall you stitching me up with that dissolving thread you make. King Alistair was in the room with us." I nodded.

"Well, objection noted, Captain." Meredith dead-panned.

Hawke sighed, "Is there any way to prove their innocence?"

"There is not!" Meredith glared. "In theory, I could say yes, as they don't exude the aura of blood mages, but as for proof? There is none to be had."

"But they haven't resorted to it; even to save their own lives. Perhaps if we watch them carefully…" Cullen began.

"And if they hope to escape by playing innocent? Will you accept that responsibility, Cullen?" Meredith snarled.

"Yes! I believe that's what being a Templar is about."

"And I say we are here to protect the people; we bust be judges, jailors and even executioners."

"We are here to prevent a crisis; not raze anything in out path. Cullen says he will take responsibility for them, then I give these mages to him." Hawke nodded.

Cullen looked at a small group of Templars behind him, "Listen to the Champion." They nodded and moved forward to take the mages to safety.

I saw Merediths eyes narrow at us, before she moved on with us.

We entered the main 'room' from the game. Meredith snarled as she saw all the bodies around us, "Just as I suspected all along!"

Orsino laughed, "Willing sacrifices! Men and women who would have died at your hands anyhow. The irony is that until this very moment, I have never used blood magic."

"Do you take us for fools? One does not summon such a ritual from thin air!"

"The rite belonged to Quentin. Ara was right about my contact with him, at least. I put aside his research as too dangerous, but things change."

"The maker has guided us here to end your evil, Orsino!" Meredith snarled. "The Maker has guided you all to your deaths!"

"Harvester…" I whimpered when his transformation was complete. "What?" Hawke asked. "This… this form is called the Harvester. It's pure evil, Hawke. Aedan had to fight one in the Deep Roads… their hard to kill and… the smell… The first Harvester was created by the smiths of Amgarrak Thaig, who were attempting to replicate and improve upon on Caridins work on creating golems. The smiths used the corpses of casteless dwarves instead of metal and stone, claiming that 'It would be an honor for a casteless dwarf to die in such way'. The head can remove from the body, Hawke. You have to kill the head! If it lives, it will go after dead bodies to add to itself… if there aren't any dead, it will make dead."

Meredith, hearing my words shouted, "Kill the head! The head is the main source!" Templars rushed forward. I stayed away from the fight, encasing myself in an ice barrier. I wouldn't normally shy away, but… for my baby, I would do anything.

I saw Cullen glance approvingly at the barrier before rushing in to the fight.

I felt queasy when, as I said, the head detached and played keep-away. It was disgusting watching that thing squirm around.

I felt completely sick when Hawke jumped on the dead body pile to repeatedly stab a sword into the head of the beast. Not for the first time, I cursed my inability to get ill.

I let down the barrier as Meredith spoke, "It is over. I will make sure the Keep is secure; meet me in the courtyard when you are… done here. And Ara… good call on that tip…"

I nodded. I knew my face was pale as Fenris placed his arm around me. "Are you alright?"

I nodded again, "I'll be… I think I'll be okay."

When we walked out to the Courtyard, Meredith glanced at us, before looking back to all her injured men, "Look at all this. Magic is a cancer in the heart of our land; just as it was in the times of Andraste. And like her, we are left with no choice but to purify it with fire and blood."

"Strange way to treat a sick patient." Hawke remarked.

"Sometimes a limb must be amputated to save a life; unpleasant, but necessary… and my surgery is not yet done. I am beginning to wonder just how large your part in all this actually was. Two apostates come into our city, gathering power and influence? A sudden hero of the people? How can I trust that the two mighty Champions of Kirkwall are not a worse threat to this city than the Circle?"

"I'm sorry, but… is helping you destroy the Circle not proof enough for you?" Hawke asked in disbelief.

"Proof of what; your lies? Proof that you are more clever than Orsino? The people of Kirkwall will mourn your loss, but I will tell them you died battling the Mages; a righteous cause."

Cullen stepped up then, looking horrified. "Knight-Commander, I thought we intended to arrest the Champions…"

"You will do as I command, Cullen!"

"No! I defended you when Thrask started whispering you were mad; but this is too far. I will not allow you to harm my wife and our child, Meredith."

"I will not allow this insubordination; we must stay true to our path!" She shouted. She pulled her sword and Varric hissed a breath, "Andraste's dimpled butt cheeks…"

"You recognize it, do you not? Pure Lyrium, taken from the Deep Roads; the dwarf charged a great deal for his prize." She smirked at us.

"The idol poisoned Bartrands mind in the end!" Hawke cried out.

"He was weak… I am not. All of you, I want them dead!"

No one moved at her command… no-one but Cullen who stepped between me and her. "Enough! This is not what the order stands for. Knight-Commander, step down; I relieve you of your command."

She glared at me, "My own knight-captain falls prey to your blood magic… you all have! You are weak; allowing the mages to control your minds – to turn you against me. But I don't need any of you! I will protect this city myself! She pointed the sword at me. Cullen pulled his own sword, Vigilance and held it out, "You'll have to go through me. I will protect my family!"

"Idiot boy… just like the others."

Varric sighed, "She's lost it… just like Bartrand."

She began chanting and glowing. I let my wings burst forth, causing Templars to gasp and point. "Meredith Stannard; in the name of your maker, you have fallen to corruption. In the name of your Maker, you have committed great evils. And so it is, in the name of your Maker, that you must die!" I cried out as I rose above the crowd.

"What sorcery is this?!" she shouted. But I heard the whispers of her men as they fell to their knees, one-by-one. "Chosen…", "Makers' Will…", "Praise be…"

I wasn't about to dissuade that right now… especially since it was true. In an instant, every Templar in the courtyard rose and faced the Knight-Commander, drawing swords. The fight took… a lot less time.

When I landed, the Sylphs approached. "My… my Queen… we didn't realize… there hasn't been a winged Fae in thousands of years. You're blessed by the stars!" Galaxia exclaimed.

"Well… you're not wrong. I did have a bit of contact with the Maker these people worship. He has chosen me for something, but I can't say what." I knew people were listening. "Their… he exists?" Magma asked.

"Many things do, Mag… every legend and tale gets its start somewhere, you know."

I leaned into Cullen. "I want you, tonight. I really have to say that the way you defended me was… quite sexy." I was smirking as he turned red. Fenris chuckled. Bela was making out with Hawke.

I knew I would be heading to Val Royeaux soon… I'd be spending the rest of the pregnancy and the babes first years in Denerim… then it would time for the conclave, and saving the damn world. I still hadn't told anyone that I was carrying rare twins. Each had a different father; Alistair and Fenris. A boy and a girl… I'd tell them at the wedding.