HAWKE
Marian stood silently behind his back. The blood of the freshly killed templars stained her clothes, but she paid no attention to it. Thoughts raced through her mind not wanting to stop. She felt someone's touch on her shoulder. Bethany was staring at her with her big deer eyes, trying to reassure her. A small bloodstain decorated her cheek.
- I will join the Enchanter and the rest of the mages. We'll be waiting for you, sister.
Hawke only nodded returning her gaze to the seated Anders. She was so mad at him. Why had he done this? Why didn't he let her know what he was up to?
- There's nothing you can say that I haven't already have said to myself. - he said suddenly looking straight ahead. - I took a spirit into my soul and changed myself forever to achieve this. This is the justice that all mages have awaited.
Maker, even his voice had changed. It was cold and distant. It was as if all the previous passion fled from him in one moment.
-Sela Petrae and Drakestone... you didn't intend to use them for a separation spell from the beginning. Does such a spell even exist?
His silence was answer enough.
- Anders I could understand if you would just tell me. - she said trying to stay calm.
- I wanted to tell you, but what if you wanted to stop me? - he started to explain. He continued to look ahead. - Or worse. What if you wanted to help? I couldn't let you do that. The world needs to see this. Then we can all stop pretending that the Circle is the solution. - he was silent for a moment. His next words made her stomach clench. - If I have to pay for this with my life, then I pay. Perhaps then Justice will be free.
Maker's breath. He came here to die. He planned all this with the idea that he wouldn't come back. Hawke clenched her fist. She wanted so badly to use it on him right now. She restrained herself, however. She turned to the companions gathered in the square. They all came here wanting to know what was going on. With her eyes, she asked them for advice.
- Hawke, don't tell me you're still thinking about what to do? - Sebastian said. - If I were in the Chantry today would you have such dilemmas too?
Marian stared into his cold blue eyes. Some time ago they had been a solace to her. However, that did not last long. She saw the surprise on his face when she remained silent.
- He should come with us. - Merril spoke up. - To help fix what he did.
- I think I've had enough templars and mages alike. - Varric sighed. He clutched his crossbow in his hands, signaling that he was ready to fight.
There was silence. If the others wanted to say something they kept it to themselves. In their eyes, however, she saw a readiness to face the situation.
- Help me defend the mages. - she answered at last. Anders twitched slightly and rose from his crate. He turned toward the Champion. His honeyed gaze betrayed surprise. Surprise dammit! Andraste's mercy did he really think she would be able to kill him?
- Do you mean joining you? - he asked cautiously. - I didn't think you would let me. But if that is your decision then I will fight the templars.
- No. - Sebastian objected. - You can't let this abomination go. He will die, or I will return to Starkhaven and bring such an army with me that there will be nothing left of Kirkwall for those Maleficarum to rule.
- Don't interfere Sebastian. - Marian growled sharply.
- I will not fight you, Hawke. - he said more calmly. - My death here won't help. But I swear to you that I will find your precious Anders and teach him what true justice is.
Hawke looked at him. Something told her that the prince might carry out this threat. She ignored it, however. She had more important things on her mind.
They boarded the ship and set sail for the Gallows. Throughout the journey, Anders had been absent-minded. Marian didn't think he fully believed what was happening. The heat of battle revived him. He could focus on keeping everyone alive. Nothing else mattered. The templars were leaving a bloody trail behind them, so it was easy to see in which direction the battle was moving. The mages who were pinned down summoned demons, which unfortunately tore everyone in sight to shreds. Some turned into foul creatures themselves, losing their minds in the process and falling into a murderous rage, so Hawke had to fight both sides of the conflict. Anders was still silent. It was as if the reality around him had rammed the door to his mind. Hawke surmised that this was not the revolution he had in mind. Only a handful of mages remained in the inner courtyard along with the Grand Enchanter. A stone dropped from Hawke's heart when she found her sister among them. She ran up to her and examined her from top to bottom and asked.
- Are you all right? Are you hurt?
- I'm okay, sis. - reassured Bethany.
Something hit the main gate once, then a second time.
- Templars. - the red-haired mage spoke up fearfully from a far corner. Hawke looked at him more closely. It was he who had delivered the news of the riot to her.
- We're going to die here sis aren't we? - asked Bethany nervously. Hawke stared at the door. The situation did not look optimistic. - Well, at least we'll get to see Mom and Dad again. Carver is probably waiting with them, too.
Marian clenched her teeth. Suddenly she heard a scream. One of the adepts fell to the ground moving away from the center of the square. Hawke followed her gaze. Orsino stood in the middle mumbling a bloody spell. The bodies of the fallen mages covered him on all sides transforming him into a hideous creature.
- Andraste's breaches. - Isabella spoke up. - What is this abomination?
- A frightened animal, when cornered, throws itself at the pitchfork of its tormentor. - Bethany commented. At that moment the door gave way and the templars entered the room. Orsino rushed at them with all his fury, taking them down one by one and forcing the others to retreat. As expected, however, once the templars were gone his attention turned to his allies. The fight was hard, but Hawke and the others finally managed to take the creature down. Meredith entered the room with a small squad. To her right stood Cullen, a templar whom Hawke had met before. He seemed like a reasonable man, so she could not understand why he supported Meredith in her madness.
- It doesn't have to end in a massacre. - announced the Knight-Commander. - Hand over the mage responsible for this mess or meet me in the courtyard. We will settle this in battle there.
Hawke glanced at Anders. He was kneeling beside Bethany using healing magic to patch up the tear on her shoulder. He was completely focused on what he was doing. Marian returned her gaze to Meredith. Her silence was answer enough.
- You disappoint me Champion. Well then. Heal your wounded. I will wait in the courtyard. - announced Meredith and turned her troops back.
They were left alone. Hawke could feel the eyes of the others on her. She sighed aloud.
- You don't think we're going to let you go alone. - Varric spoke up. - We came here together and we will leave together.
- There's a chance you'll come out of this alive.
- Do you believe the words of that crazy woman? - this time it was Isabella. Marian remained silent in thought.
- So get ready. - she said after a while seeing the determination in her companions' eyes.
At her words, everyone dispersed in search of useful things. Anders went from one person to another dressing their wounds. Marian followed him for a while with her eyes and then approached her sister.
- This situation will bring some good. - said Bethany. Hawke looked at the lying corpse of what had once been an Enchanter.
- I don't know, little sister. - she said in doubt. The mage squeezed her hand.
- Life here has been a living hell, Marian. Every day I wondered if I would be made tranquil. You could ask a dozen other adepts and they'd give you the same answer.
Bethany let go of the Champion's hand.
- "Tranquil solution" was Ulrik's idea. The plan died with him. - Hawke explained. - I informed you about it.
- You also said that Meredith and the Grand Cleric had rejected the project. That didn't stop that bastard from continuing it. The streets of Kirkwall have seen more and more tranquil, but the Chantry hasn't lifted a finger. If it weren't for you and Anders I might be one of those mindless shells.
Marian tensed her muscles. Just thinking about it made her nauseous.
- It's better this way, sis, definitely better. Time will certainly show that.
Marian thought about it. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a blue glow. Anders was kneeling beside the young girl trying to save her hand. Great concentration was painted on his forehead. He had succeeded. After a moment, the mage was already flexing her fingers trying to test a simple spell.
Hawke stood up and walked over to the mage. He turned to her slowly. In his honey-colored eyes, determination fought a battle with remorse.
- Hawke... - he wanted to say something, but the Champion put her finger on his lips. After a moment, she moved closer to him and, grasping his face in her hands, closed his mouth in a long hot kiss. He surrendered to her completely and under her fingers, she felt him relax his muscles. When the moment of pleasure was over, she slowly licked her lips. She pressed her forehead to his.
- No more lies. - she whispered.
- No more lies. - he repeated.
She sighed loudly and, lifting her head, smiled slightly.
- Then let's go fight for your freedom.
His eyes lit up. He just nodded and grabbed his staff.
- Come. - she turned to the others. - We will not sell our skin cheaply.
