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.
A SONG IN THE STILLNESS
Chapter 12: Long Road Home
9:32 Dragon, Justinian === In the Deep Roads
Varric watched Fenris and Alun pull the sledge along the pavers lining the floor of the ancient dwarven road. Back in the Rock Wraith's vault, Anders had augmented the heat from the fire's coals to soften three blades enough that he, Fenris, and Alun could curve the hilt upwards around the edge of the boards forming the front of the sledge. They used rope around the cross-guard and tang, having removed the pommel and grip, to lash the blades securely in place. The weight of the load kept the sledge firmly grounded
"Have to give you credit, Grey, I never thought your plan would work. Expected to see treasure scattered all over the road by now."
"Without the swords' protection, the boards would have splintered against the Roads and you would have seen scattered treasure," Alun said. "The metal makes it easier to pull, but the main purpose of the blades is to protect the wood."
"We've managed to pull that thing for three days with no upsets. Credit goes to you for the idea." Varric put a hand to his forehead and saluted the warrior.
Alun nodded, but said nothing more and kept pulling the load. Most of the way had been along paved roads, but steps interrupted the gradual uphill grade periodically, forcing them to carry the treasure and sledge to the next smooth passage. It slowed their progress, but, with no more Profane or shades appearing to delay them with attacks, they made better time than they had on the approach to the vault.
"Must still be too deep for darkspawn," Anders said, stopping to pay full attention to his sensations. "I get nothing."
As he stepped forward, a glob of green spittle flew past his shoulder. In the shadows, what had looked like rocks uncurled into creatures loping towards them on two legs.
"Deepstalkers," Alun snarled, dropping the rope and pulling his blades from their sheaths. "Watch out for the poison spitting ones and the jumpers. They have a nasty bite and worse claws on their forelegs."
Alun and Fenris stepped into the mass of eight or ten 'stalkers, leaving Rory to protect the mage and the dwarf. Anders cast and Varric shot while dodging the globs of poison spit at them. Several more deepstalkers joined the first batch before the companions managed to kill them all.
"Do they always travel in packs?" Varric asked.
"Yeah," Anders said.
"What you don't want to stumble into is a nest with a queen. They defend it viciously and there's always dozens," Alun said. He held several of the bodies. "Good news is we have dinner."
Anders chuckled at the expressions on Rory, Varric, and Fenris' faces. "Take out the poison sacs and they're pretty tasty," Anders said.
"Like chicken, right?" Varric said, rolling his eyes.
"Well, no, more like pork," Anders replied.
Rory laughed. "We still have the wood we kept from the broken casks, so we can have a fire." Her smile faded as she looked at the puzzlement on Anders and Alun's faces. "You do roast the 'stalkers, right?"
Alun and Anders looked at each other and shrugged. "I guess we could roast them, but usually-"
"-they're playing you Hawke," Varric muttered.
The two men let the laughs they had been holding in burst forth. Fenris joined them, as Rory gave all three a glare.
"These five should feed us all," Alun said.
A few hours later, settled into an alcove cut into the walls of the passage, they passed around a not quite empty skin of Antivan Brandy Varric had brought.
"They weren't bad," Varric said. "Not as good as nug, but edible. What happens if you eat the poison gland?"
"You die," Anders said. "Or, get really sick. That poison is strong, which is why you don't want it hitting your skin. Put on your helmets, pull down your visors, wear your gloves, and all your armor when the deepstalkers attack. Those globs of spit stick to your skin and the poison sinks in."
The light and warmth, from the flow of lava that paralleled the ancient road, combined with full stomachs made the five companions relax. They passed the brandy again while Varric told one of his tales and then encouraged each of the others to speak. Anders had a story of about a spirit in the Blackmarsh from his time with the Fereldan wardens, but the other three stayed quiet when he finished. Varric poked Hawke saying she must have a story, knowing Fenris disliked speaking of his past and guessing Alun would not respond well to prodding. Rory frowned at him, but leaned forward, arms around her knees and looked at Alun.
"You know, I grew up in Lothering," she said. "I was at Ostagar with my brother, but we returned to Lothering just after General Loghain left with his half of the army." Still staring at Alun, her eyes narrowed. "Two Grey Wardens and a woman arrived not long after we did."
"How could you tell they were Grey Wardens?" Anders asked, giving Alun a sidelong glance. "Were they wearing the armor?"
"No, but Carver and I had seen them with the wardens in camp; and the guards Loghain left behind in Lothering knew them and tried to arrest them. They failed."
Varric watched Alun as Rory spoke.
"The wardens killed all the General's men, save one, and settled into camp on the edge of town for several days. I saw them with Sister Leliana and heard they had freed the Qunari the Chantry had caged for murder. A woman, with a mabari, who had taken up residence in the old windmill joined too. Before they left the town, two other Grey Wardens, a human and a dwarf, whom I met on the road one day, also joined them." She stared at Alun. "I always wondered why those wardens and their companions abandoned Lothering to the darkspawn."
Fenris poked at the remains of the fire, while Anders shifted uncomfortably, wondering how Alistair would respond.
"Is that a question?" Alun finally asked.
"Yes. You were there. Or, if not you, then your twin." She waited but Alun said nothing. "Oh, you didn't have the scar or the beard, and you look older now, but you're the same man. It's why you can lead us down here."
"We figure you don't want the world to know you're alive, Grey, and we won't tell anyone, but your disguise doesn't hide you that well," Varric added. "Thought maybe you should know that too."
Alun looked at Fenris, who shrugged. "I don't care who you used to be, Alun. I've heard who these two think you are, but if you want to be the Queen of Antiva, it's no matter to me."
Alun's lips quirked at that and Anders snorted.
"Seems like Blondie knows who you are," Varric said, "so I'm guessing most of the stories you've told us about your travels are true. The best lies have a foundation in truth."
"And Jowan must know you too, since you avoid him so carefully," Rory said. "Can't blame you for not trusting him, I guess."
"Don't leave Cullen out," Alun added. "Went to school with him, trained as a templar with him, and last saw him in the Ferelden Tower after the mage uprising."
Rory's eyes widened. "You know Knight-Captain Cullen? So we're right, you are him? The Warden-Commander who killed the Archdemon?"
"And a bastard prince," Varric added.
"All true, but…" he took a deep breath and looked at Anders, "every warden who killed an archdemon in the past, died. I did not. The First Warden and his staff will want to know why, if they knew I lived. I'd likely spend the rest of my life as a prisoner in Weisshaupt, their fortress up north. And the prince thing…the Orlesians want me in Orlais to breed Theirins who could claim the Fereldan throne. Never very keen on that option either. Staying at Soldier's Peak didn't solve the problem. Someone there would have let my existence slip sometime. Disappearing seemed the best choice." He looked at Varric. "And thanks for not calling me Prince. Grey doesn't give away as much."
Varric nodded and then rubbed his chin. "Rivaini knows?"
"Yes. I met her in Denerim. I'm forever grateful to her for keeping quiet. She…," he smiled, and his eyes stared into the faint stream of smoke rising to the ceiling far above, "…she liked a friend…well, one of my good friends was an old friend of hers and she liked my…lover, who died. Lys died." He looked back at the group around the fire and shrugged. "She keeps it quiet for Lys' sake, I think." His lip quirked. "And maybe because our mutual friend would get angry if she didn't."
"That's some friend, if Rivaini's intimidated," Varric chuckled.
"And you, mage," Fenris rumbled, staring at Anders, "Where do you fit?"
"Pretty much as Varric assumed. What we've told you is true," Alun answered. "We recruited Anders from the Fereldan Circle Tower and we traveled together some of the time. Then he saved my life. I didn't die from killing the Archdemon, as I should have, but I was badly injured." He ran a finger along the scar. "This was the least of it. Anders healed me…physically anyway."
"Why didn't you die?" Varric asked.
"Something about an ancient ritual, the Witch of the Wilds, and-"
"-all right, all right, you don't know or won't say," Varric chuckled, hands held up palm outwards.
Hawke said nothing, but looked thoughtful at the mention of the Witch of the Wilds.
"But you are a warden," Fenris said.
"No, I'm not. Not anymore. Weisshaupt would find that fascinating too, and another reason to keep me a prisoner to find out why and how."
"Then we keep it quiet," Fenris announced, looking at Rory and Varric in turn. "He's been a friend to us. No reason to invite Orlesians or wardens to hunt him as Danarius hunts me."
Hawke and Varric nodded agreement.
"Good thing," Anders said, a ball of fire forming on his palm. "I won't have to kill you all." Fenris' eyes narrowed and Varric snorted, but Hawke's eyes widened. "You'd kill us to protect him?"
Anders stared back at her, letting the flames burn on.
"Glad I didn't oppose you taking charge then," she said to Alistair and smiled. "You not only do it well, you win the loyalty of your followers."
Anders let the flames dissipate.
"How about killing this skin instead," Varric asked. "I think we could all us another round." He passed the brandy to Rory who held up the skin and said, "To…Alun." The others followed suit, leaving Alistair with the final swig. He finished the brandy.
"Thank you. I…we should have discussed me taking over. I could have done that better."
"I couldn't have led us better down here," she replied, "but knowing who you are does make it easier to take."
"You're in the lead when we see the sky again," he said.
"Which can't come too soon," Varric snapped. "Have I mentioned-"
"-that you hate the Deep Roads," the others chorused, and Rory added, "only dozens of times."
x==========x
Several days later, having followed passages that climbed ever upward, they emerged from a short, but badly dugout side tunnel which bypassed a collapsed section of Road and required them to make several trips, carrying the sledge and treasure. As Fenris and Alun repacked the sledge with the caskets and pouches, they heard a scream.
"It's a nest of them," they heard Varric bellow.
Rushing forward, they found Varric sending bolt after bolt into a pack of deepstalkers, while Anders cast both lightening and healing spells. In the midst of the deepstalkers, Rory's blades whirled, as she tried to keep her footing against the vicious creatures spitting, leaping, and slamming themselves against her.
"Carve a path to Hawke," Fenris shouted, rushing into mass of 'stalkers.
"We need to get back against a wall," Alun shouted as he waded into the fray, his own blades whirling, slashing, and decapitating as he went. "Fenris, get Hawke and pull back to me. I'll keep this path open. Form an arc around Varric and Anders and fight from there."
Fenris managed to reach Hawke, just as she collapsed beneath the onslaught. Sheathing his great blade, he grabbed one of Rory's, and, slashing with one hand, pulled her to her feet with the other. "Can you-"
"-I can walk," she shouted, "and fight." She stabbed a 'stalker as they backed toward Alun.
Varric focused on dropping one 'stalker at a time on either side of the path Alun frantically worked to keep clear. Anders sent lightening beyond his companions to slow the advance of the mass of deepstalkers trying to get to Fenris, who again faced the horde with his greatsword, and Rory, who had turned toward Alun, her back to Fenris, swinging both her own blades. As soon as the they reached the former grey warden, the three companions continued to close the gap between themselves and Varric and Anders, until they did form an arc against the passage wall, killing each wave of deepstalkers.
"Where's your helmet, Hawke?" Varric roared.
"Dropped it when I fell," she shouted, ducking as another blob just missed her head.
Alun glanced over at the woman and realized several huge globs of spittle had landed in her hair, and on her forehead and cheek. She still fought, but he saw her blows weakening or missing their target. He realized he could do nothing beyond hoping that Ander's healing spells would keep her upright and alive until they could clean it off.
As he fought off another wave, he yelled to get the elf's attention. He nodded towards Hawke and saw Fenris' eyes widen. The elf nodded. He moved closer to Hawke, but could not stop fighting to wipe the poisonous glop from her head. He saw her moves slowing as the poison took its toll.
"Hawke, wipe that glop off your head," he yelled to her. "I'll cover you."
Rory dropped one blade and ran her gloved right hand over her face and hair, which removed the largest blobs, but rubbed in what remained. She shed the glove, now covered in green goo and retrieved her sword, swaying slightly as she tried to slash at a creature that broke past Fenris guard. "Fenris, I…." She swayed again and moved back to lean against the wall, but continued to slash at the creatures that got past Fenris.
Lightening jumped from one creature to another in the mass attacking the companions, as ice enveloped them. Now that they had retreated to fight together, Anders could release more devastating spells. The deepstalker queen and her guards succumbed to this storm of lightening and ice, augmented by bolt, and blade, leaving smaller, less powerful 'stalkers to continue the attack.
"They just don't give up, do they?" Varric yelled.
"No. They fight to death to defend their nest," Alun said. "It's in the alcove across the way, but I think all the 'stalkers have joined the fight here, so once we kill these…." He slashed at one who jumped towards his face.
The friends fell silent as they continued to slash, stab, cast, and loose. Alun moved closer to Hawke, finally standing, with Fenris, in front of her when she collapsed. Alun heard Varric yell Hawke! and Anders swear, as he took time to cast another healing spell before returning to the attack. Finally, the last deepstalker fell with a squawk.
"Keep watch," Anders snapped and knelt beside Hawke. He fumbled in the pack he had dropped when the attack began and pulled out his water skin and a cloth. Filled earlier in the day, when they passed a natural cistern feed by a trickle from somewhere above, he needed all the water his companions could provide. He dampened the cloth and began to clean the poisonous glop from Hawke's face, careful not to push it into her eyes, nose or mouth. She moaned as he worked, but her eyes did not open.
"Maker's Toenails," Anders muttered, "she has a nasty bite as well, and a deep slash across her cheek. That let the poison absorb more quickly."
"Can you heal it."
"Not until it's clean," Anders snapped.
"Fine, Blondie," Varric said, hands up palms out, "tell us what you need."
"Water, preferably hot."
"I'll get some wood and we'll start a fire," Varric promised.
Varric caught up to Fenris and Alun who had slowly moved across the passage looking for more deepstalkers. Finding none, they approached the nests and began destroying eggs and any young they found.
"These will make a nice fire," Fenris noted, kicking a nest of twigs, shredded cloth and dried vegetation.
"And lots of smoke," Alun said. "Maybe too much. Still, we can take some with us for a fire tonight somewhere away from here."
"I need those twigs and grass right now," Varric said. "You collect more for tonight." He carried a bundle back to Anders, stacked it and let the mage ignite a blaze, while he pulled a small pot from his pack and filled it with water.
"Thanks, Varric. I'll get this cut cleaned out. I've given her a health potion and the one antivenin I had. I'm hop…it will have to be enough." He looked up as Fenris and Alun returned.
"You think there's more creatures?"
"They hunt," Alun said. "Could be hunters who will return later."
""Is there an antivenin?" Fenris asked, as they stopped beside Anders.
"Yeah," Alun said, getting a surprised glance from Anders. "I have some. A friend came up with it after we ran into one too many packs of the damn things."
"You have some?" Anders asked, surprised to find Alistair had some of the potion Morrigan and Mel had devised after Haven.
Alun smirked and nodded. "In my pack. I left Ferelden well prepared for just about anything, including deepstalkers and spiders. I'll get it."
"I gave Rory the one I had, but I'll need another later. Save it for then," Anders said. "Right now, I'd like to put some distance between us and the deepstalker nest." Settling Hawke on the sledge as comfortably as they could, Alun and Fenris pulled the sledge, while Anders walked alongside, and Varric followed, Bianca at the ready.
After some time, they found an undamaged side chamber, probably once a guard post, where they could be safer from attack. Stone hewn benches lined two walls, wooden debris lay in one corner, and a hole in the ceiling opened above a wall blackened with soot. Anders and Fenris soon had a small fire, sufficient for heating water and roasting deepstalker, lit beneath the vent hole, which channeled the smoke into the high ceiling of the Roadway.
"I guess my brethren in the thaigs must have been cleverer than I thought. That hole draws the smoke up better than most smoke holes on the surface," Varric said. "I thought we'd be choking in this small space, but it's not bad."
On one wall of the guard post, deeper chambers had been carved into the stone. Each was large enough for a dwarf or short human or elf to use as a bed. After Alun and Varric removed her armor, Alun laid Rory on her cloak in one of the chambers closest to the fire. At more than a head taller than Varric, she did not fit into the dwarvish bed lying flat, so he used her pack to prop her shoulders and head up against one end of the chamber. Fenris covered her with his cloak. Her breathing seemed normal and even, which Anders pronounced a good sign.
Once they had unpacked and settled in, Alun pulled out the tiny hourglass he carried. Filled with extremely fine sand, it took half a candle mark to drain from one side to the other. The group used it to measure their watches. Otherwise, in the Deep Roads, they simply followed their body's signs eating when hungry and sleeping when tired. Now, Anders would use the glass to mark when he could give Hawke a second antivenin potion.
"Is she asleep or unconscious," Fenris asked.
"Sort of both. She was unconscious, but I used a sleep spell while we moved her," Anders replied. "She should wake naturally when it wears off. That should happen before I give her the second potion. She can take some water and, maybe, some food and the potion. She'll need more sleep, or at least rest, before she can keep up with us."
"We'll stay until she can travel," Alun said. "There should be water nearby, if the dwarves once kept a guard post here. Varric and I will go find it, while you two stay here with Hawke." He looked at Varric. "So much for a week to get to the surface, but we still might trip over Bartrand."
Varric snorted and glanced at Hawke. "I'll settle for all of us getting out of here safely."
x==========x
A week after their fight with the deepstalkers, they finally came around a bend in the passage and saw daylight far ahead. Alun held up a hand to signal them to stop.
"Something wrong?" Varric asked, Alun.
"I don't know. I want to see if anything is moving against the daylight. Then Hawke and I can scout ahead and wait for the rest of you near the mouth." He looked at Hawke. "If you feel up to it, that is."
It had taken Rory several days to recover enough to shoulder her pack and start walking again. She had protested, but her companions refused to resume the trek until Anders declared her ready to walk. They had moved more slowly despite Hawke's protests, taking more breaks and longer nighttime stops. On the rest of the journey in the Deep Roads, they had met no darkspawn and only a few more spiders and deepstalkers. During those encounters, a helmeted Hawke had stayed with Varric and Anders, protecting them, while Fenris and Alun attacked their foes.
"Once we get outside, we'll need to scout the path out to the main road," she added. "I recall a farm not too far along. Maybe we can hire the farmer's cart and mule to carry our goods to Kirkwall." She smiled at Alun. "You agree?" she asked him.
"Yeah. Good plan to get these…goods…back safely. Maybe add some goods from the farmer to put on top of the load?"
Fenris snorted as Hawke nodded her assent. "Perhaps you two could continue your planning while you walk. I, for one, would like to spend the night under the sky."
Alun smiled and began to walk, but Hawke gave the elf one of her famous glares before following the warrior.
"He's just reassuring her, Broody," Varric said. "She had to be worried he would keep giving orders."
"He won't," Anders said. "He's used to strong women." Anders chuckled. "Mel could have given Hawke a run for her money, but she wouldn't have. She'd have charmed her."
"That's his lover?" Varric asked.
"Partner. They had Dalish promise rings made of iron bark. They could sense each other when they were separated. They were more than lovers."
"Magic rings?" Varric chortled. "This gets better and better."
"She was a warden too?" Fenris asked.
"No. A noble, a teyrn's daughter, who could wield her blades or her words equally well." Anders shook his head. "He's not the only one who mourns her."
"Sooo, the tales about him and a teyrn's daughter are true?" Varric asked.
"I wouldn't try to pry it out of him, Varric," Anders warned. "He won't even reminisce with me."
"Must be quite a story."
"Yeah, but not a happy ending," Anders said and peered towards the daylight, his back to the dwarf.
x==========x
Finding nothing menacing at the tunnels mouth, Rory and Alun had left the elf, dwarf and mage behind with the treasure, and gone down the road to the farm they remembered. There, the farmer agreed to let them take the cart and mule if his son could accompany them, and bring the cart and animal back. Rory suggested he add some of his crop to the load, which his son could sell, and promised to make sure the boy returned safely with coin, cart, and mule. The farmer agreed, happy to have some of his newly harvested apples and grain sold in the city, where it would bring a better price.
In addition to the hired cart and mule, Alun had acquired several simple crates, a few sacks made of heavy woven cloth, and some simple tunics. Adding straw to the crates to cover their treasure, packing sacks of grain and apples on top, and putting the tunics over their armor gave the companions the look of farmers taking a load to sell in Kirkwall, which, Fenris agreed, made them less likely targets for bandits. Varric sat in the back of the cart with the farmer's son, telling stories to make the young man more comfortable with the unusual company, Bianca near at hand. Fenris' sword rested along the side of the cart where he could reach it from his position walking behind the others. Rory and Alun had their shorter blades sheathed at their hips, as farmhands might, but their second blades rested under the seat of the cart, which Alun or Rory drove. Anders walked beside the cart, swinging his staff with each step.
9:32 Dragon, Solas === Kirkwall
The mule cart rumbled to a stop at the Hanged Man a week later, after a blessedly uneventful trip from the farmstead. Upon arriving in Kirkwall, they left the farmer's son with Lirene, in the Lowtown market, to distribute the apples and grain which she purchased from him with money from Alun. Rory promised to return in two days, with the cart, to escort him back to his home. From there, they made their way to the Hanged Man and unloaded their own baggage, storing the treasure in Varric's rooms.
"You know, none of us will have to work again," Varric said.
"Or we can work at what we choose," Rory replied.
"And ignore the damn Merchant Guild," Varric added.
"Or help the refugees," Alun said. "This should keep your clinic in business for a long time, Anders."
"The clinic and other things," the mage said.
"What, your plans to free mages from the Circle?" Fenris growled.
"To send them to safer places than this Circle," Anders snapped. "Not all Circles are as bad as this one."
Alun raised an eyebrow. "That's an interesting viewpoint, coming from you. I thought all Circles were bad."
"They are…just," he rubbed his forehead, "some are much worse than others. I ran away from the Fereldan Circle, what, five times? Several times before my Harrowing. They never made me Tranquil." He chuckled. "I'd love to see old Greagoir's face if he heard me say the Fereldan Tower wasn't so bad, but compared to the Gallows? They make Harrowed mages Tranquil for looking at templars the wrong way." He looked at Alun. "I learned a lot, when I visited Highever, about how mages can make a life. We do need training and education, just like any mundane, but we also need to move about freely, have families, work, live our lives."
"He's right," Hawke said. "We would have stayed in Highever, but Father was a runaway and it was too close to Kirkwall. Even if the local templars didn't look for us there, the Kirkwall templars would have, so we left. In Ferelden, templars did not spend all their time seeking out apostates. I always wondered if Ser Bryant knew about my father. If he did, he never acted on it." She looked at Alun. "Do you know-"
"-he's in Redcliffe, at the Chantry there."
"Good. And Sister Leliana? Bethany loved her stories."
"She went back to Haven, with Brother Genitivi, to explore the Temple of Andraste's Ashes," Anders said.
"Bethany will be happy to hear of them both," Rory said and gathered up her pack. "Speaking of which, I should get home and give them the good news."
"Want company?" Anders and Fenris asked at the same time.
"Only if you don't argue the whole way," Hawke replied. "And you promise to go with me to take that farm boy back to his father."
Fenris glanced from Anders to Hawke. "He did save your life," the elf muttered.
"With magic," Anders said, wiggling his eyebrows. Rory rolled her eyes.
"Yes," Fenris agreed, "with potions and healing magic. I can tolerate you for now."
"How generous-" Anders stopped, when he saw Hawke's eyes narrowing. "Right, no arguing or smart remarks."
"And we'll go back to the farm with you."
Hawke turned on her heel and walked out of Varric's room, followed by the mage and elf.
"That truce might last until they reach Gamlen's," Varric said.
"If not, Hawke will throttle them both," Alun replied. Turning he looked at the stack of caskets and sacks. "Maker, how will you sell all this?"
"That is my forte, Grey. Don't worry. I'll get the best prices. First, we need to sort it. Gems. Coin. Jewelry. Chalices. Fancy weapons. Then I'll need to decide if the pieces should be sold as is or broken into gold, silver and gems." He looked at Alun. "I could use some help."
Alistair nodded. "Let me clean up and unpack first, and then I'll help." He slung his pack over one shoulder and headed to his room.
Opening the door, Alistair frowned at the smell of charcoal burning in his fireplace. A figure rose from a chair by the hearth. Alistair reached for his blade, but, ducked when he saw a flicker of light appear on the figure's hand. The man laughed.
"I should freeze you where you stand to pay you back for taking off without a word."
"Liam!" Alistair dropped his pack. "I did leave word."
"Right. Cryptic and short."
"What you don't know you can't tell."
"You think I'd give you up to Weisshaupt? Or Orlais?"
Alistair sighed. "Not knowingly or willingly. Of course not. I…it's not what I would do today, but then…."
"Morrigan said you were…well she didn't use the word, but despondent."
Alistair snorted. "Yeah, that's a good word. I've found a place of sorts here. It's better, but too many people seem to figure out who I am. Varric, Hawke, Fenris…Anders knew right away, of course, but I've managed to avoid Jowan and his passenger." He looked at Liam. "How in the Makers name did you let that happen!"
"Let it happen!"
"Sorry, it's just such a…bad thing."
The two stood looking at each other.
"So, are we angry at each other?" Alistair asked.
Liam took a few steps forward and Alistair did the same. They extended hands, but Liam grabbed his wrist and pulled Alistair forward, wrapping his other arm around his friend's shoulder saying, we've missed you.
x==========x
Hawke, Fenris and Anders climbed the stairway to Gamlen's door. They could hear yelling but could not make out the words. Pushing the door open Hawke entered and saw Bethany facing Leandra and Gamlen. Knight-Commander Cullen stood to one side with two templars.
"What's going on," Rory shouted, ensuring she would be heard above the yelling.
Bethany whirled around, eyes wide. "Rory."
"Your sister has turned herself into the Templars," Gamlen snapped.
"They've come to take her to the Gallows," Leandra wailed.
Rory looked at the Knight-Captain. "May I speak with my sister? Privately." Rory nodded towards the door at the back of the dwelling.
The two templars moved towards Hawke, but Cullen held up his hand to stop them and walked over to the door, opened it, and surveyed the room.
"Go ahead," he said, "but we must take her, Serah Hawke. It's not negotiable."
Jaw clenched Hawke strode past the templars, took Bethany by the wrist and pulled her along to the small bedroom. Pushing her inside, she turned and blocked a tearful Leandra. "I'll speak with her, Mother." She shut the door.
Bethany faced Hawke, arms crossed. "This is my decision, Sister."
"Why?"
"I can help the mage underground from inside," she murmured and then raised her voice. "I can train other mages once I'm Harrowed. Teach them to be safe. Work from within."
"This is Jowan's idea." Rory hissed.
"No, it is mine. My idea and my choice." She unfolded her arms and held them open, palms up. "Rory, I'm useless out here, hiding and skulking around. Following you and using Primal spells against bandits can only get me in trouble eventually and I'm not a healer. Others can make potions as well as I can." Lowering her voice to a whisper, she added, "Inside, I can help the Collective and the Underground. Help mages get out." She crossed her arms again. "Besides, it's too late. The Knight-Captain is outside. Do you plan on fighting him?"
Hawke's shoulders sagged, and she suddenly felt completely exhausted. "No, I can't fight Knight-Captain Cullen, much less his templars," she said softly. "I just wish you had waited."
"For what?"
"For me and the protection I could buy."
"Buy?"
"We came back with a lot of treasure, Beth. I can buy Mother's patrimony, the estate, and, I hoped, your safety, either here or back home in Ferelden."
"You…there was treasure?"
"Yeah. We're rich," Hawke said, a bitter edge to her words.
"Mother will be happy."
Rory shook her head. "She'll worry about you every day, even while she enjoys returning to her childhood home. I just wish-"
"-but I didn't Rory. I didn't wait."
"Then promise me, if it gets too dangerous, you will escape and let me get you to safety," Rory whispered, grabbing Bethany's forearm.
"I promise," Bethany whispered and jumped at a knock on the door.
"Serah Hawke!"
Rory opened the door. "Knight-Captain. Thank you. My sister is ready to accompany you. I hold you responsible for her safety."
Cullen pressed his lips together. Rory noticed a scar on his upper lip. "I'll see she is treated fairly, Serah Hawke." He handed Bethany a vial. "As we discussed, Mage Hawke, drink this and we won't bind your wrists."
Bethany took the vial and tilted it to her lips, downing it in one swallow. "Ugh," she wrinkled her nose in distaste. "Magebane," she explained to Rory.
"It's better than shackles, Serah Hawke. Your sister and I discussed the options and she agreed," Cullen said. "Bethany, say your goodbyes." While Bethany hugged Leandra under the templars' watchful eyes, Cullen leaned toward Rory. "I'll get word when I can," he whispered, "through Varric." He turned and took Bethany's elbow to lead her out of the tenement. His templars followed.
A/N: Thank you for reading and to those of you who reviewed, favorited or gave kudos. Thanks to my wonderful betas Kira Tamarion and Elyssa Cousland whose efforts make this a better story. Any errors are mine. I hope you continue to read and enjoy.