We reached my little house, and I ushered them inside.

"We need to get to the Chantry."

I shushed her. "We'll get there, don't worry. Just, take a moment." Looking them over, my eyes stilled on Aveline. "How good are you with magic?"

"Garrett is a mage."

"That's not what I'm asking. If I do something wild, are you going to go with it, or are you going to freak out?"

"I... Will step outside."

I waited until the door closed behind her, to continue.

"Good. All right. Close your eyes, it makes it easier. Or so I've heard. We're going back. Don't do or say anything weird to anyone that isn't Anders, okay?" The three of them nodded, eyes closed.

Without any other words, without any warning, I took a deep breath and centered myself.

The sky outside was lighter. We'd gone back a couple hours, with just enough time to be at the Chantry before he went in by himself.

"All right. You can open your eyes." I was glad I'd planned far enough ahead that the place was empty for a little while. I didn't want to freak them out unnecessarily with two of me in the same space. "As you can see from the window, we've gone back a couple hours. We have just enough time to get to the Chantry before Anders goes in. Some things you should know: He's possessed by a spirit of Justice, that's probably why the Chantry went up in flames. Depending on what happens, I may need to put all my focus into keeping him together and, if there are templars around, like waiting to ambush, I'm going to rely on y'all to take care of them." I didn't want to have to spread my attention too thin.

"That's what you meant by "open-minded." Huh." The dwarf shook his head. "This is so weird. No one would believe it, anyway, if we did say anything."

"Wouldn't put it past the templars to do something."

"Oh. Yeah. That's true."

"So, c'mon. We've gotta go."

The twins hadn't said anything and continued to not speak the whole way there.

"There you are." Relief shone on the mage's face. "I saw Karl go inside a few minutes ago. No templars so far. Are you ready?" A glance over the three with me.

"Let's do this." I nodded, gesturing for him to lead the way.

Noises of agreement from the others.

"All right. I'll handle the talking."

We climbed the steps into the building, the twins and Varric sticking close to Anders. I, however, stealthed and moved quietly through the building, noting every slightly ajar door.

There were several, more than enough for ambushing jerks to hide behind.

Getting close enough to the dwarf for him to hear me, I whispered my thoughts to him. He nodded almost imperceptibly. Made a motion that caught the Hawkes' eyes, and their expressions shifted to being more alert.

A well-oiled machine.

I moved away, heading into the farthest rooms, quietly slitting the throats of the men hiding. Waiting.

They weren't waiting any longer, that's for sure.

I was still within hearing range, their voices echoing off the walls.

"Anders, I know you too well. I knew you would never give up." Well, fuck. This guy, Karl I assumed, was definitely a Tranquil.

"What's wrong? Why are you talking like-"

Sometimes, I wondered how Anders was still alive, with how dumb he could be.

"I was too rebellious. Like you. The templars knew I had to be... made an example of."

"No!" He sounded so broken.

It was only a matter of time, until Justice reared his angry head.

"How else will the mages ever master themselves? You'll understand, Anders. As soon as the templars teach you to control yourself."

By the time Karl got around to giving the verbal signal, I'd taken out a little over half the templars that had gathered tonight. If he hadn't been made Tranquil, I'm sure he would've been surprised.

As it was, he merely motioned toward Anders and said, "This is the apostate."

"No!" Blue energy poured from the Warden's eyes.

That was my cue.

Racing over to him, I heard Justice shout, "You will never take another mage as you took him!"

I launched myself at him, knocking us both to the ground, while the others dealt with the magic muters.

"I... Anders, what did you do?" Karl's voice had inflection.

We both looked at each other, confused, Anders regaining control momentarily.

"It's like... you brought a piece of the Fade into this world." I let the mage get to his feet, keeping a careful eye on him, ready to act if need be. "I had already forgotten what it feels like."

Yeah, now was not the time for this conversation, the death shouts of the men filling the spacious room. Echoing off the walls.

"It's like the Fade itself is inside you. Burning, like the sun."

I tuned out the rest of their conversation, glancing around at all the fallen bodies, the three of them standing victorious among them.

Karl's panicked voice brought the conversation back into full focus. "Please, kill me before I forget again! I don't know how you brought it back, but it's fading."

"Karl, no-"

We could always try what I did with Amell. Take him into the Fade. Though, that wasn't ideal, considering we'd have to find a willing spirit.

"We don't have to kill you." I spoke up.

"I can't go back to that. Please, kill me."

"You wouldn't have to. I helped a Tranquil mage in Ferelden. We went into the Fade, and she was helped by a friendly spirit." I held up my hands, making a calm down motion. "She isn't possessed. The spirit gave up its life to give her back, well, herself."

"But... I don't want my magic, either. I would rather just die. Please."

I... didn't know what to say to that, so I just shrugged. A "that's all I've got, sorry" kind of gesture.

"I'm sorry, Karl. I'm so sorry."

If only there was a way to take away magic, without destroying the person on a fundamental level...

"No! It's fading... Why do you look at me like that." We watched it happen before our eyes, the dullness returning to his eyes. The monotone in his voice.

Karl was gone again.

"I'm sorry." Anders held out a hand, and I gave him Vigil.

He mercifully ended the other mage's life quickly, making sure he didn't suffer.

Walking away, he tossed over his shoulder, "We should leave before more templars come."

We all followed him back to the clinic, where he took a deep breath, probably the first in a long time, and his shoulders drooped.

"I imagine, since none of you looked surprised, that the Commander has already told you about Justice."

"Yes." Marian answered for them.

"My maps are yours." He pulled them free of his large potion pouch, holding the rolled up papers out. "If you ever need my aid, you can find me here, for the most part. If you wish me to join your expedition, I will be there."

That part surprised me. I hadn't expected the offer. Felt kind of proud, like watching a child learn that it was okay to leave the nest.

It was weird, and I didn't know what to do with it. So, like with everything else, I just shoved it aside and shook it off.

"Having a Grey Warden join us wouldn't be a bad idea. Would have a heads up, so we don't blindly run into any darkspawn."

Garrett turned to me, pulled me aside, letting his sister talk to Anders. "If you want to come, too, you're more than welcome."

"I'll keep it in mind." As of that moment, I was only going to give Anders the amount of coin that they'd need to make up fifty gold pieces.

Not that I didn't believe in them, but I didn't think they could do it in time.

...

Some Days Later

"You're still short." Bartrand scowled, practically growling. "You're not business partners, if you can't come up with coin."

Today was the day, and they'd failed.

I, of course, had just happened to be passing by, my hood pulled up over my head. Hiding my hair. Not that me being stealthed in the shadows wasn't enough.

By now, the knowledge of the Hero of Ferelden was being whispered among the people. I didn't want to be recognized for that reason, but also because I wanted to surprise everyone by showing up.

"Brother, come on!" Varric opened his arms on either side of him, a wide gesture. "I told you, you'll have your coin in a little while."

Melting into view, I dropped the coin purse in the angry dwarf's hand. "I believe this should be more than enough."

Seventy-five pieces.

He was so happy to get them, to count them out, that he didn't notice I'd swiped the coins he'd been holding. The ones from Varric.

I held them out to him. "I believe these are yours."

"Thanks. Knew I could count on you." A wink, and he went over to the others, who were gathered nearby. Close enough two hear the whole thing go down.

"Ah, and you are...?" Bartrand's jaw dropped when he finally looked up from the gold. Struck dumb with recognition.

"I'd like to join your little expedition, if that won't be a problem. I come with my own food and bedding. As do my companions." I motioned over toward the Hawkes and co.

It was too much for him to turn down. Not having to pay for any of us? And getting so much more than he'd demanded?

It was an offer he wouldn't get again. And one he'd be stupid to turn down, considering who I was.

"Of course! Welcome aboard! We leave tomorrow morning."

"Alright. We'll be here."

With that, I walked over to Varric. "We leave tomorrow morning, it seems."

Fenris frowned at me, eyes tight. Anders looked like he'd be happy to be anywhere but out in the open like this. The elf, Merrill I believe? Tilted her head, watching me with childlike eyes. Isabela winked, a gesture of recognition. I remembered her vaguely... from Denerim? Aveline and Carver had much the same expression-wide eyes, both recognizing me, too. The Hawkes smiled. Bethany looked between Carver and me, confused.

"Glad to have you joining us."

"I'll supply everything. It'll be waiting for us tomorrow, by the time we get here."

"You're..." The younger brother was staring with something akin to-Nope that was definitely a look I'd seen many times. Hero worship.

"I'd rather not draw attention to that, just yet. I have some things I need to get done first."

"I don't understand." Bethany sounded as lost as she looked.

"I'll be back here tomorrow." A flash of something, and I pulled out a piece of parchment, scribbling something down and handing it to Garrett. "Bye."

...

The Next Day

Bethany saw me first, approaching with a hurt look on her face. "They won't let me go."

Why was she telling me this? Was she hoping-

"I'm physically weak, but I can protect myself and others." A sniffle. "I just want to help."

"You don't want to go, trust me."

"Is it true... Marian said you have visions."

She was well-informed. Anders's influence, no doubt.

"Yeah."

"Why can't I go? No one will tell me." A pleading look. "Please, at least tell me why."

"I doubt you want to die." I didn't sugarcoat it, deciding being blunt was the best option.

She reared back like I'd slapped her, her eyes unblinking. "Oh... Oh... I... Okay."

Slowly, she turned and walked over to an older woman, who was already with Aveline, Isabela, and Merrill. Mama Hawke. I went over to the group going.

"I've talked to the others. Everyone else is joining in the expedition, so long as you have-" Marian spoke up when I got close enough.

My intern, of sorts, came running up just then. "Everything is here, enough packs for nine."

"There you go."

"Nine?"

"Yeah. One for me. Two for Bodahn and Sandal, because I owe them a lot. And the other six, for you all."

Carver, Anders, Fenris, Marian, Garret, and Varric.