Chapter Ninety

Night Terrors

We headed up the mount the next day. Axel and Alano – who joined us today because he was bored – were stopped at the 'gate' by the two hunters. "Hold here, Shems. These ones can pass, but your order is not welcome." The Hunter at the entrance said, allowing Merrill, Hawke, Varric, Fenris, Isabela, Drake and myself passage.

"We're aware. Queen Feather-Fall told me as much – I won't bother you." Axel bowed his head to the Hunter, causing them to look to me in shock. I smiled and headed toward Marethari.

"Thank you for coming so quickly, Dirth'len, as you said when you brought Feynriel to us 3 years ago; he is in need of your help now."

Merrill looked startled, "Child of Secrets or Secret one… Lethallan, you've been given a title! You are Vhenallin; friend of the people!" I gave her a small smile.

"Is the ritual ready, Marethari? It will be Hawke, Fenris, Isabela and I going into the Fade to assist Feynriel." She nodded and led us to her Aravel. She had us all lay down, holding hands. Bela, being Bela, snuggled up to my right with Hawke on her other side and Fenris on my left.

I was the first to wake in the Fade, followed closely by Hawke, then Fenris and Bela.

Without a word, I began forward, and the others followed. When we got to the first… obstacle, I was more amused than anything, by the fact that Fenris refused to let go of my hand.

"Well… it is rare to see two forgotten magics in a single day. It's usually a slow place – the Fade – not many surprises. I wasn't sure I'd like this one but it has… potential."

I looked to the shade before us. It was 7'6 even as it hunched forward like Quasimodo in the 'Hunchback of Notre Dame'. The shades voice oozed like a smooth drip and was reminiscent of molasses with how slow it spoke. Its skin was pulsing purple veins covered in torn brown cloth, and it had only one purple eye that glowed like light in fog. Torpor, I remembered it was called, had two arms, but no legs. It floated of the ground.

Fenris gripped my hand tightly, saying, "Do not trust it; it will lure you in if it can, Hawke."

"I never thought demons were the chit-chat types!" Isabela chuckled.

I giggled and the Demon turned to me. "Call me… Torpor. I might have a proposition that would interest you."

I rolled my eyes. "You want the boy, but he is under my protection. I have slain many of your kind, demon; I have no want for Power, Coin, Magic or Strength!"

"Have it your way," his voice dripped in an uncaring manner as he attacked. 3 other shades and a rage demon rose around us as we fought them.

"Well… I am mildly hurt it didn't try to deal with me; not that I would have accepted but damn." Hawke pouted.

"I'm sorry, dear, do you see these wings? They're bright enough that I couldn't help but eclipse you as a potential Vessel." Fenris snorted.

"… Fair enough, I suppose!"

As we entered the second area, I was pushed forward and the others vanished. I believe it was because I was female, like Arianni, but I wouldn't know for sure until the next trial.

I approached Feynriel, who was studying at a desk with Vincento.

"That's it, Feynriel. Hard on the down-stroke, then lift. Good! I will have you scribing all my letters soon. If I'd known you were such a bright lad, I'd have brought you into the business years ago." The demon praised in Vincentos Antivan accent.

"Does this mean I can come with you to Antiva, Father? Mother said maybe this summer… right Mother?" I admit, having the young version of Feynriel looking at me like that, calling me mother, hurt like hell and made me very angry at the Demon for it.

"Don't trust him, hun. Your father never wanted anything to do with you, much as I hate to say it."

Feynriel looked directly at the man, "Why are you lying to me?"

"Don't listen, son; she's always been ashamed of you. She wanted you gone so that she could go back to the Dalish. I'm the one who loves you," the Demon shot me a glare as Feynriel looked sad.

"If that were true… then why can't I remember you?"

"I'm sorry, Feynriel, but it's a trick. He only wants something from you." I sighed.

"Why…? That's right; I spent my whole childhood waiting for you!" Feynriel shouted, angry.

"Your mother never allowed…"

"My mother loves me. She showed me the letters she wrote to you; I was there when we mailed them… you never wrote back. And it was mother who taught me to write, not you! I've never met you before… who are you?"

Feynriel manipulated the fade, even as the demon was trying to keep it solid saying, "Don't… question…"

When the Desire demon was revealed, light purple skin, wearing nothing but her horns and gold chains, Feynriel shouted and ran off.

Everyone was instantly brought back to me.

"You! You turned him against me."

I snorted, "Not like you were powerful enough to keep him anyway."

She thought for a moment before turning a brilliant smile on Isabela. "Would your Pirate Queen stay if the open water beckoned? What do you say sweetheart? A two-mast brigantine, square-main topsail… a hundred well-built lads to answer your every whim; I know you've been looking for a stiff masthead."

I chuckled as Hawke and Fenris looked at me in disbelief – why would I bring someone who would succumb.

"Should I turn around now to let you stab me in the back, or would you rather it be a surprise?" I asked.

"Why? You can beat that offer more than 100-fold if you wanted to. All that she can do would be to give me the illusion of a ship." Isabela pointed out. I smiled at her and reached up to pat her head, "Good girl."

The Demon died much easier when we weren't fighting a companion as well.

Isabela then whirled on me, "You expected me to accept?"

"You were supposed to. Gives me a good amount of Hope that Fenris won't succumb to the Pride demon in the next room that you didn't."

Fenris growled, "Me?"

"Don't feel too bad – Varric would have been tempted by the offer of power that could have let him walk away with glory after goddess-damned Bartrand. And Merrill – well… Merrill. Caress here – the demon we just killed – also could have swayed Aveline. Torpor out there? Could have caused a massive conflict with Merrill or Anders… or Sebastian depending on your choices in conversation with him. Accepting – even as a ruse to not fight torpor until later – would have caused Justice to attack us and Sebastian to… disapprove. Rejecting the offer would cause Merrill to disapprove because she thinks power should be used as long as you can get it without strings attached. Basically – she would have loved the ruse option."

"So… only bringing Sebastian, Hawke and yourself would have netted no one accepting a deal?" Bela asked.

"Well… when you put it that way… er… I could have also brought any of the Fae. We aren't susceptible to possession…" I muttered as we began leaving the room. "Besides – I was sure Sebastian wouldn't consent to come along – 'the fade is not a place for men of the faith'…"

Fenris scoffed, "He would have come had you asked. You are his wife – and he is now a Prince, not a brother."

Hawke was amused as we moved closer to the next demon area and said, "I'm so glad that she's easy to surprise – well, easier than one would think for a prophet. Makers' balls – just Bela not turning on us surprised her."

Fenris said, "I will not be turning on you either. There is nothing that Pride can offer me that Ara has not already."

I opened my mouth to argue but snapped it shut and scratched my head, "It's supposed to offer you the power to kill Dear-Old-Danny-Dumbass."

Hawke snorted as he laughed and Bela said, "Oooh – I like that. Maybe we should write him a letter addressed just like that!"

"Yeah – if we didn't fool Torpor, then Anders – if with us – would remark on Fenris being a hypocrite for accepting that deal."

"He'd be right," Fenris growled out.

"Yeah – I know."

In the next room, it was Hawke who was pushed forward – so yes, it was a gender thing. But Fenris, Bela and I were still fully able to watch what happened.

Hawke now looked like Orsino. He wore the robes of the first enchanter with a three headed dragon staff.

I heard the demon speak, "My people, I present to you… our hope. His features my mark him as human, but in his heart beats the blood of the Dales! He came to us to learn his heritage; to release the power from a lineage as ancient as our race!"

"I… I don't know what to say…" Feynriel looked older now.

Hawke spoke up, "That is not the Keeper, Feynriel. Demons can take other forms."

"He lies! The First Enchanter is a pawn of the Templars!" the Marethari clone shouted.

Feynriel scoffed, "Enough, Demon! Keeper Marethari warned me of this; mother's people have no Circle but they refuse to consort with demons." And just like that, Feynriel was once again gone. The image around us blurred and I could move once more.

The clone looked to Hawke, "Why did you interfere?" before turning into a 16-foot, ugly purple pride demon.

"With my power, Feynriel would have changed the world!"

"Um, have you seen an Abomination? They are ug-ly," Hawke sneered.

"You put such stock in appearances? Perhaps that is why your friends' loyalty is only skin-deep! You think this slave would choose you over true freedom?"

Fenris growled and released my hand, "Cast your eyes elsewhere demon. I won my freedom from the Magisters long ago."

"But you fear them still; they have left their marks upon your body and your mind. With my aide, you could be free forever! You could have power enough to not only challenge any who would dare think to chain you, but to protect this one as well. The Magisters would love such a… fetching slave. A Princess – they could use her; they would make her bare them children. Tevinters' move to take over Danu." I did not see that coming. The demon was pointing at me as my jaw hit the floor.

"I need no protection, love. I've been free for…" The Demon was muting my words; Fenris couldn't hear me, only see the horror on my face.

"What… what would you want of me?" Fenris sounded slightly hesitant.

Bela sighed, "Damn – this one must have learned. Citing power to protect you? Even I might be tempted, Kitten."

"A moment of your time, nothing more."

"If you realize my attachment to her, you know I won't hurt her."

"I would not ask it."

And so Fenris attacked Hawke. I was crying as I plunged a dagger into Fenris neck. I knew he'd be okay, and said as much after Hawke finished off the Pride Demon.

Hawke snarled, "That was low fucking blow. Fenris is going to feel like absolute shit for this one. Fuck."

"Y-Yeah… can we hurry this along? I want to check on him," I asked in a small voice.

Hawke nodded and we moved along.

We trudged back to the main area to talk with Feynriel.

"I'm not sure if this is real; if it is, then I owe you my life… again. The fade seems different now; I can see the seams, the stitches holding it together. I feel as if I could wake at any moment."

"Dreamers control the Fade and the dreams of people in it." Hawke explained.

"I see why the Chantry fears us. I've heard tales of Magisters who stalked their enemies and used their dreams against them. I must master it; I have to find someone to study under. Perhaps in Tevinter; if these powers can be trained, it would be there. Can you give my mother my farewell?"

I hugged him and said, "Look for House Pavus. I'll let Dorian know that you're coming. They don't use Blood Magic, but they're part of the Magisterium. Dori will have someone meet you at the border if he doesn't go himself."

"… Thank you." He smiled – and then he was gone.

A while later, I heard Fenris and Isabela near Hawke and I. "I must apologize for my weakness. I would have thought myself above such influences."

I gave a small smile before launching myself into Fenris' arms. "Never put me in a position to have to kill you again? I can't handle it, love." He was startled when he caught me.

He kissed me – and as he wasn't much for public displays, I was a bit shocked but kissed back. Fenris sat and pulled me into his lap. "I… have been thinking about it since I woke up. I… even after your warning and my assurances that I wouldn't fall… That a demon could have played so easily on my fears… disturbs me. I failed you both, and I won't let that happen again."

"I'm sorry, my love, have you seen that I'm still friends with Anders? Everyone gets at least one free possession before I begin to hold it against them."

He chuckled, "That's… a fair point."

"I love you, Fenris. You don't need to protect me, you know. Slavers will likely pay you to take me back; my own parents joked that anyone who kidnapped me deserved it."

He let out a full belly laugh causing Hawke to wander over.

"What did you say to get a laugh from him?"

"Ransom of Red Chief. Boy gets kidnapped and not long after they try to pay the father to take him back. My mother used to joke that anyone who kidnapped me deserved it and that she wouldn't be paid to take me back."

"Ah; you told us about that before – at Chateau Haine." Hawke hummed.

I heard a curious small voice ask, "Would you tell us the whole story?" I turned to find a small boy looking at me wide eyed.

I smiled, "Sure! As soon as we get back from the Varterral Hunting Ground, I'll sit here and tell 'The Ransom of Red Chief' for anyone who wants to hear it."

The boy smiled and took off to tell other people.

The first enemies we had in the Cave were spiders. I really hated spiders, use to fear them, but haven't since coming to Thedas. I was making sure to collect amulets from the fallen hunters; Radha, Harshal, and Chandan really were the only 3 hunters, and their locations were exactly the same as in the game. It took us and hour and half to clear the way to where Pol was hiding.

"Pol, it's safe! Keeper Marethari sent us!" I shouted, causing Merrill to look at me wide eyed as the red-headed elf stepped from the shadows. I was surprised to find he wore no Vallaslin – I thought that had just been an oversight in the game.

"Praise Andrast… I mean the Creators! I thought I'd never get out of…" that's when Merrill stepped forward and Pol froze in his tracks.

"Aneth Ara, Pol; are you hurt? We have some potions…"

"Stay back! What do you want from me?!" he shouted in obvious fear.

Everyone looked between him and Merrill.

"Pol, what is it? I'm only trying to help…"

"Stay back, don't touch me!"

Hawke spoke up, this time. "You know Merrill couldn't hurt you if she tried; the worst she could do is make frowny faces…" Fenris snorted, "Ara said much the same when we first met her." I grinned.

"No; don't you know what she is? Creators, someone help me!" and he turned on his heel and took off.

"Pol! We have to catch him; hurry!" Merrill took off after the scared boy.

We all ran forward, but didn't make it more than 20 paces when we heard, thuck-thuck-thuck of the Varterral moving toward Pol. I grabbed Merrill and covered her eyes as we watched the beast lean down and snap the elf up.

The Varterral was… icky. It had 5 legs; two on either side and one coming from its butt area. It was all limbs no fat. Each leg was like a giant skewer and its head had two appendages coming out of it… they were hands. It was grey like rock except for its underbelly and 'webbing' on its knee joints – those were honey colored.

When the fight was over, Merrill rushed over to Pol, "Maybe… maybe it's not too late. Ara, Hawke, you can save him, can't you?"

Hawke took a small step forward, but I shook my head. "I'm sorry Merrill; this was his time. We couldn't have saved him…"

"But… surely you knew he would…"

"I did know, and I checked what would happen if we saved him… Merrill, it was him or that little boy that wanted me to tell a story to the Clan. And it wouldn't have been peaceful for the boy. He would have slipped into the main fire, Merrill. I will never sacrifice a child for someone else. Not if I can help it."

Merrill sobbed as Fenris wrapped his arm around me.

"There was nothing you could have done Merrill… the blame for his death rests on the Keepers shoulders."

"The… the keeper?" Merrill asked.

"Did you not see the way everyone looked at you in camp? How they whispered about you behind their hands? Marethari has been telling them about blood magic and what it could lead to as though you have already been possessed."

She looked so lost.

We left the cavern and Hawke and Merrill approached the Keeper. I wandered over to the fire where the whole clan was gathering, they'd even allowed my Templar guards in for the tale.

"This is the Tale of boy, who was kidnapped from the city he lived in by criminals, they took him to a nearby cave and waited for signs that people were looking for him. As they waited, they devised a way to keep the boy calm – he had been a pain, you see, always hitting and yelling. They allowed him to play at being a Tribal Chief named Red Chief. The boy was so horrible that by the third day, they didn't even care that there was no sign of people looking for the boy; they sent the ransom note anyway, asking 200 Sovereigns. They received no response until the next afternoon, and when they did, it was not what they were hoping for at all! The note said, Gentlemen: I received your letter about the ransom you ask for the return of my son. I think you are a little high in your demands. I hereby make you a counter-proposal, which I believe you will accept. You bring Johnny home and pay me 50 Sovereigns, and I agree to take him off your hands. You had better come at night because the neighbors believe he is lost. And, I could not be responsible for what they would do to anybody they saw bringing him back. Very respectfully, and was signed by the boys' father. Well by this point, the kidnappers were fed up with the boy who now called himself Red Chief, and gathered both the boy and the money and returned the boy to his father in the cover of night. No one knows what became of these two thieves save that they likely never took another child hostage again."

At least I could still tell stories…

"That was a wonderful tale, Dirth'len; thank you for telling it to us," Ilen smiled at me as Axel laughed.

"Knight-Captain Cullen might like that one, My Lady."

"I have no doubt he might like to hear more about it, Axel – I've told him the short of it. Now, we must be off, Keeper, before it grows too dark for travel."

"Dareth Shiral, Da'len."

That was when I got a 'call' – I had almost forgotten that I'd given Dorian a sending stone when I'd offered him monthly cheese allotments.

"Dorian?" I answered. Half the people in my party stiffened.

"My dearest friend!" he answered… he was drunk. Did I just get a drunk call?

"Dori, sweetie – what are you doing?"

"Oh – I was just thinking; you made… hints that I would have an Amatus of my own one day. I never asked you about it before." He hummed.

"Dori, are you drunk?" I asked in concern.

"No – though I am feeling rather relaxed. I've only had two drinks after I got into a fight with my father an hour ago." He said.

"Okay… so uh… your Amatus will also be one of my mates. How does… that make you feel?" I asked.

It was quiet for a moment, "I'd be sharing him with you?"

"I'd get like one day a week, if that – and the rest of his time would be yours. I mean… I don't want to interfere, but I have it on good authority… I know you two are wonderful together…" I felt like I was caught cheating and making excuses.

"I… I don't think I'd mind sharing with you; at the very least, you've become a very dear friend to me…" he said.

"And just think – when I have his kiddo, that's your kid too since he'd be the father and you're his mate. It's an unconventional way for you to have a kid, but it still works." I smiled.

"There is that. As long as you're the only person that I'm sharing him with, I can't be too upset. Did you get the gift that I sent with the messenger for your little one?"

"The book about dragons – illustrated and colored? Yes – and Duncan has refused to let it out of his sight. He likes it very much – especially the scales that are taped in there." I smiled.

"Good – I'm glad he likes it." Dorian sounded much better already.

"He giggles and coos and it's become his bedtime story. I think it reminds him of the scales on his daddies chest – he keeps touching them when I read it to him and looking at Alistair."

"… Who is our shared mate?" Dorian asked.

"… a future Tal-Vashoth; he's currently a member of the Ben-Hassrath." I was smirking as Dorian obviously choked on his wine. "A Qunari? You must be joking."

"Not a bit – you two are very cute together." I was teasing him.

Fenris said, "Amatus – we need to get a move on if we are going to get back to the city before dark."

I flushed, "Ah – right. Dori, we will continue this conversation later; okay? Think on this topic – if you really aren't… okay with sharing a mate, then I'll step back. We'll meet him close to the same time anyway. And I have enough mates… Oh – and I need you to send someone to the border. I am sending a half-elf named Feynriel to you; he's a dreamer, Dori. I think I told you that I would send him – well, now's the time." it hurt me to think of giving up a mate, but… Dorian and Bull belonged together.

I know Dorian was okay with it now – but that didn't mean he would be later. Dorian took down the description of Feynriel and where to meet him.

We disconnected. Fenris said, "I thought you wouldn't give up a mate?"

"I don't want to – it doesn't mean I won't if it's for the best. Remember what happened with both you and Cullen? I was so sure that I was toxic to you both – I was willing to give you both up. Similarly, if Dorian isn't okay sharing… those two belong together, Fenris."

"So do you and Bull – as he is your soul mate…" Hawke pointed out.

"Still." I shrugged.

"Things will work out – they have to," Hawke said flippantly, "Even if I have to barge in and make them work out."

"Brute," I quipped.

"Hey – I still haven't gotten into your bed." He winked.

"Take that up with Fenris, Hawke – I'm waiting for him to say he's ready for that. I only plan to use the permission for you and me with him, not a night alone together." I shrugged.

Merrill hummed while holding her dagger-thing, "I think you and Fenris are cute together."

"Fenris and Hawke? They do look good together, right?" I asked. She nodded.

Fenris snorted softly, "He is a handsome man – I'll give him that."

I opened my mouth to agree when someone shouted, "Stop right there."

I sighed pitifully, "Hunters."

"You are in possession of…"

I cut him off, "Do you really want to do this? I mean really want to do this? not only is Fenris no longer a Slave – as witnessed by the Black Divine and the Archon – but he's also a Prince of Danu. Who are you working for at the moment, anyway? We killed Hadriana so it can't be her…"

The man frowned, "All I know is that we're here for the elf with the markings. Hand him over and the rest of you will be spared."

I shook my head, "Drake – I have a dreadful headache. Deal with them."

Drake used his elemental control to form rock collars around the necks of all the men present… and decapitated them – all but one; whom was delivered directly to Fenris for questioning while I went about giving last rights.

I vaguely heard the man name 'Almadrius' as the one they were following here.

Fenris growled, "One of the Laetans' under Denarius' command. I'm not sure how I discounted him…"

"Well – let's go. I'll call Cullen and let him know that we're going to be delayed," I sighed, pulling out my ley-line mirror, "Good thing it's Sunday. No one is missing out on their day by this delay anyway."

Hawke chuckled, "Not at all – and we can invite Fenris for our day too!"

"We will take care of Almadrius and then we will camp for the night. I will join you," Fenris said. Hawke pumped his fist, "Score – sorry, Bel…"

"Just wish I could join too," she said with a coy smirk and a wink.

Fenris only said, "No," in response.

She pouted, "But Fenris…"

"Unless you are claiming Hawke as your mate and plan to marry him, my answer won't change, wench," Fenris hummed.

She sighed, "Now you're just being mean."

"Mates are one thing – friends with benefits are another," he smirked darkly at her.

"Kitty – Fenris…" she started.

"Nope – he made his offer; up to you if you want it or not." I shrugged.

She snapped her fingers with a pout, "Balls."

"Not for you – not tonight at least," I quipped.