CHAPTER 19

..x..

They reached Redcliffe Castle after two days of travel, arriving a little after midday. Bann Teagan greeted them by the gates across the bridge with an anxious smile. "Welcome back, friends. The mages are already here and have been awaiting your arrival."

"Good. Has Connor caused any more trouble in our absence?" Everil asked as she and the rest of the group followed him inside.

"Jowan helped keep him sedated since you left. So no… nothing has changed, for better or worse."

Jowan, Irvin, and Wynne were gathered in the great hall along with other men in robes, seemingly discussing their course of action. They all turned to them as they entered and headed their way. "Ah, Grey Wardens. It is good to see you made it here safely," Irvin said as they came to stand near them. "Now that we are all present we can begin the exorcism. Jowan has already explained everything to us. Which brings me to say that I am glad you sought us out—" He sent him a meaningful look. "—as this is all partly our fault."

The younger mage shrunk under his condemning stare, saying nothing.

"Thank you for coming all the way here to help," Everil replied.

Irvin clasped his hands behind his back, regarding her with a solemn expression. "Perhaps you should save those thanks for after we have saved the boy, lass. Where is he? We will need to be near him for us to enter his dreams."

Bann Teagan gestured for the archway to the family quarters. "Please follow me. I will take you to him."

They left the qunari to guard the hall with a few other surviving soldiers as they headed out through the passage leading to the east wing. The place was as haunted and cold as they left it, the demon's presence penetrating the stone itself. All the mages were visibly uncomfortable, shifting and gazing about as if they could sense the evil growing stronger the closer they got to the child's chambers.

A heavy atmosphere shrouded Connor's room, where he still lay unconscious, tied to his bed. Isolde was kneeling next to him with an afflicted look, her hands holding one of his. She gazed up to watch them enter, eyes filling with hope. "Thank the Maker." She stood, walking around the bed to meet them. "Have you finally come to save my son?"

"We will do our best, Your Ladyship," Irvin replied and signaled for his men to prepare the lyrium. A pedestal with a wide bowl was set at the center of the bedroom before a bright blue liquid was liberally poured into it. He then shifted his attention to the Grey Wardens standing near the door. "We only brought enough lyrium for one mage to go into the Fade. The mage will have to fight and vanquish the demon from within to save the child."

Everil folded her arms. "Can any mage go in?"

"Yes, but I suggest it be someone with a strong will. Demons have a way of manipulating one's mind, especially those powerful enough to bring about what has happened here."

"In that case…" She regarded one of their party members. "Morrigan, you will go into the Fade. I'm certain you won't be swayed by a demon."

The witch lifted her pointed nose with pride. "A wise choice."

"We will begin when you are ready." Irvin joined the others around the pedestal, all of them preparing their staves and closing their eyes in concentration.

"Be careful in there, Morrigan," Everil said, her tone making the words come out as more of an order than a request. "While I know you won't be manipulated by that thing, you'll have to fight it on your own. Don't take it lightly."

"I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. All she has to do is look at it and it'll shrivel up like a prune," Alistair mocked, crossing his arms with a teasing grin.

"Perhaps I shall try it with you first. Then I would no longer be forced to listen to your moronic comments," Morrigan countered, shooting him a glare.

"Now, now…" Leliana stepped between them with a chastising click of her tongue, as if they were two misbehaving children. "This isn't the time."

The witch waved them off with a huff, spinning about to go do her bidding. Meanwhile, Everil hopelessly rolled her eyes and watched her step into the circle of mages. "I mean it, Morrigan. Don't underestimate it."

"Yes, yes. I heard you, Warden," she sent her a smirk over the shoulder. It was strange to see someone so concerned over her safety. She still didn't agree with many of her decisions, or her constant need to help the weak when there were obviously bigger things at stake. But at least she could trust her. And she even dared admit that her caring, yet strong personality was beginning to grow on her.

The mages cast their spell and the blue light of lyrium filled their surroundings soon after. Morrigan closed her eyes, welcoming its warmth as she was slowly sent into a deep sleep.

.x.x.x.x.

The Fade. Feared by most as the world of demons and the dead. It was a place she was used to visiting and one her mother taught her not to fear, but to respect. Morrigan was actually rather fond of it, as she found it interesting to explore, knowing it likely held secrets most wouldn't dare discover.

Her feet took her down a rocky slope, hearing the faint cries of a child. Staff in hand, she followed the sound, trekking past pillars of rock and bone as she gazed towards the distance. She noted the floating masses of land, glowing green and yellow as clouds of the same color churned around them like a brewing storm. Stopping for a moment, she looked over the edge of the island she was standing on, seeing nothing but a deep void below.

Shrugging, Morrigan continued to walk, following the child's voice until someone's spirit passed her by, making her pause. It held the shape of an old, bearded man who was pacing restlessly. "Connor! Where are you, son?" he yelled, voice etched with concern.

"Ah... You must be this Arl Eamon the others mentioned," she pointed, mostly to herself. The man was in limbo, unable to see her as he desperately continued to call out the boy's name. "The demon must have them both trapped here." She gazed up at the trail ahead, which became an uphill climb, random objects from the castle floating about—a poor attempt from the creature to recreate Connor's world.

Morrigan kept moving, intent on getting this over with and returning to the land of the living. A small bedroom soon came into view and she stepped closer, prompting a child's form to materialize beside the bed. Connor was humming to himself, staring off into space until she approached him and drew his attention.

"Are you here to play with me?" he asked innocently.

"I have no time for games, brat," Morrigan replied coldly. "Where's the demon?"

As if by a flip of a switch, his face twisted in anger, surprising even her. "Then you came to take my father away from me! I won't let you!" He glared heatedly at her before turning on his heel and running down the hill.

The witch sighed irritably and sauntered after him, knowing he had nowhere else to go but inside his own dream. Soon she ran into another, identical bedroom. And Connor again stood by his bed, humming to himself.

"You little fool..." Morrigan went to him. "You have no idea what you've done to yourself and those around you."

He shot her a rebellious look. "I'm warning you. Leave here now or things will go badly for you."

"I will do no such thing. Tell me where the demon is this instant!"

"No! I won't let you take my father!" Frightened, he backed away from her and fled again, nearly tripping over his own feet.

Morrigan clicked her tongue and walked with purpose this time, already sick of the games. He lured her further into his dream and to a wide-open area with arcane symbols engraved over the ground. He kept running, desperately reaching for a demon in female form awaiting him at the center of the platform.

The woman's body was nearly naked, with only golden thread to cover the peaks of her voluptuous breasts and a golden plate over her sex. She had fire for hair, the purple flames swirling in mystifying plumes like a hellish halo.

"She wants to take Father away!" Connor cried as he clung to the creature's small waist, crying on her bare stomach. Her purple arms slowly snaked around him, holding him tightly against her.

"You dare disturb my child's slumber?" she asked in a seductive voice as Morrigan stood before her.

The mage scowled at it with distaste, completely unfazed it. "Release the boy, wretch."

"I would watch my tongue if I were you, mortal. I rule over the very ground upon which you stand." It narrowed its cat-like eyes at her. "The boy and I have an agreement. I give him what he wants by keeping his ailing father alive, and in return, I have my fun. I shall not leave here without obtaining what is owed to me in exchange for my efforts. So if you wish for me to release him, you must bargain with me."

Morrigan scoffed. "Do you take me for a fool? I know better than to make deals with your kind."

"Come now… Humans always want something." The demon smirked, fangs poking out of the corners of her enticing lips. "Allow me to remain with the boy and I will pretend you killed me. I shall lie dormant and wait for the right time to take him and his town while you play the hero. In exchange for this simple request, I shall give you anything you wish. What say you?"

The witch chuckled at that, her amber eyes filled with laughter.

This earned her a growl from it, the smile fading into anger. "You find my words amusing?"

"No. Your pathetic existence amuses me. You are nothing but a low-level demon that simply happened to come across easy prey. Do not pretend you can grant me my wishes, for what I want can only be obtained by my hand alone." A wicked smile spread over Morrigan's purple lips as she slammed her staff on the ground before her. A bolt of electricity sparked to life around her, snaking about her body as it crackled and popped. It shot forth, the powerful current soaring towards the creature. It jumped back, dodging and distancing itself from the child.

"You…" the demon bit out, claws extending into sharp points. "You shall regret this!" She slashed at Connor, but Morrigan rushed forward, grabbing the petrified boy by the back of his shirt and shoving him behind her and away from its reach. She blocked the hit with her staff and then willed a quick spell, shrouding her in flames.

It jumped back with a cry and then began to split, replicating its image into copies of itself while surrounding both her and the child. Morrigan glowered at it. This was its world and it could use it to fool her. She would need to find the real one and kill it quickly.

But before she could pinpoint its location, the demon cast a spell and fired a wave of electricity towards them. "Watch out!" Morrigan threw herself over Connor as he screamed in fear.

.x.x.x.x.

Everil leaned against the wall, arms crossed while observing Morrigan's still form from afar. Different scenarios floated within her head as anxiety gripped her. If she saw any indication that her friend would lose the fight, she would be forced to kill Connor to save both Morrigan and Redcliffe. It was not something that sat well with her, in spite of her earlier attempts to end his life.

She turned her attention to Isolde, who was nervously wringing part of her skirt between her hands, eyes red from all the crying. While she wasn't all that fond of the woman, the image made her chest tighten with sympathy. Were she in her shoes, she probably would have gone as far as she did to keep her son safe. At least for the most part.

Leliana approached the arlessa upon seeing the nervous state she was in, placing a gentle hand over her shoulder. "Come my lady, let's pray to the Maker. Perhaps he will hear our pleas."

Isolde nodded numbly and they walked over to the boy's bed, kneeling beside it before clasping their hands together. Everil watched her relax as she closed her eyes and began to repeat the Chant of Light. And she found herself grateful Leliana offered to come with her and help keep them calm.

"Don't worry."

Her gaze shifted to Alistair, who was standing next to her, also observing the mages. "I may not like Morrigan, but I have to admit that her little display of power at the Circle of Magi was impressive. She'll manage."

"I hope you're right," Everil sighed, once again staring at the back of their companion. If there was anything they both knew about her, it was that Morrigan was never one to flaunt skills she did not possess. She sent her in. Now she had to trust in her and in her abilities to pull through on her own.

.x.x.x.x.

Gritting her teeth, Morrigan pushed herself up from the ground, muscles burning from the shock she received. She rose to her feet with effort, scowling at the demon before casting another spell. Her hand lit up into flames and she swung, flinging a ball of fire towards the creature. It cried out, desperately trying to put it out with its clawed hands, then it roared and began to multiply once more.

"Blasted damnation…" Morrigan muttered irritably, searching for the real demon as it spread into a circle around them in a twisted game of three shells and a pea.

Connor looked at her with fearful eyes, moving closer to her.

"What?" She glanced at him in annoyance. "Are you finally coming to your senses, foolish boy?"

He shuddered. "She's scaring me…"

"Good. That should teach you a lesson."

"Give him back to me!" The demon's copies moved in, charging at them with arms ready to strike.

Morrigan swung her staff in a wide arc, releasing a wave of ice and mist that froze the clones. A storm of thunderbolts followed, hitting the icy statues and shattering them to pieces. Angered at being revealed, the real one lashed out at her, making her block with her staff. Mages were not good in armed combat, but defense was key to staying alive and she was trained on it better than any Circle mage.

It slashed at her again, this time with more force, causing her to stumble backward. It kept swinging while Morrigan blocked each hit, eyes focused on its movements as she was slowly driven away from Connor. She dodged a hit, throwing the demon off balance and producing an opening. She cast another spell, lighting her hand on fire and pressing it to its face.

"Ah! You whore!" it cried out as it covered its burning features, retreating away from her. The mage then summoned more fire, enveloping it in a blaze as it wailed in agony. It growled, setting its sights on the now defenseless child.

Morrigan turned to the boy, too far away to protect him. "Run!"

At her command, Connor nodded shakily, whirling about and scrambling to get away.

Its flesh blistered with the heat, blood oozing from its wounds as it dashed forth with a savage snarl. "I shall devour you now, mortal!"

With a smirk, Morrigan brought her hand up, summoning a veil of ice that quickly enveloped the demon. It halted it before it could reach the fleeing child, the sudden burst of ice immobilizing it. "What…?" It struggled to break free, hissing at her. "You... You used him as bait!"

"A trick I learned long ago..." the witch grinned proudly, and then lifted the same hand higher, willing the ice to spread past its neck and over its head.

Shock was etched upon it as it found itself unable to move and completely at her mercy. This mortal is no ordinary mage…

Morrigan closed her fist and the ice shattered, destroying the demon into a hundred pieces. She watched the fragments bounce over the ground, a wicked smile forming over her lips. To think this thing thought it could defeat her.

A pair of arms then hugged her middle, startling her as Connor pressed his face to her stomach.

She arched her eyebrow at him, keeping her hands off him as if he were some contagious thing. "W-What are you doing?"

"You saved me, lady…!" he whimpered brokenly and pulled back to look tearfully at her. "You saved me… Th-Thank you..."

A strange warm feeling filled her when she stared at his big brown eyes, releasing a long, tired sigh. "You are welcome..."

.x.x.x.x.

A slight whimper drew everyone's attention to the child. He was stirring, his face scrunched up as the bindings kept him from moving his arms and legs. His mother placed her hands on the bed, worriedly looking him over.

"Connor?" she called softly, almost too scared to find out if it was really him.

Following the same thought process, Everil took a step towards them, tentatively reaching for her dagger. If this was the demon instead, then Morrigan failed and the task of ending it would fall to her. She bit her lip, watching him carefully.

"Mother?" Connor muttered groggily, his eyes fluttering open. He licked his dry lips and swallowed, blinking as the candlelight in the room disrupted his vision. "What's… happening? Why can't I move?"

"Oh, son… Is it truly you?" his mother probed further.

He seemed confused by the question. "W-Where's father?"

"He's asleep…" Isolde answered, tears welling up in her eyes as she glanced towards the Grey Wardens.

"I think he's fine now…" Alistair said, placing a hand on Everil's shoulder and looking towards the witch. "Morrigan's still alive."

Everil let go of her weapon, her gaze going to the mages and to her friend before she promptly made her way to them. All were gradually awakening from their trance as the blue glow of the lyrium slowly dissipated. No longer held on her feet by magic, their companion collapsed, falling into her arms.

"Morrigan!" she called out worriedly, carefully lowering her limp form to a kneeling position on the floor. She had sent her in, asking her to risk her life, and she'd gone without question. If anything happened to her…

"No need to worry, child," Wynne assured her with a gentle smile. "She is only exhausted. A few hours of sleep and she will be just fine."

The Warden released the breath she hadn't realized she was holding, then returned her eyes to the arlessa. "You may release him now."

"Oh, thank the Maker!" Isolde reached for the bindings, tearing them off of her son before hugging him tightly to her chest. Tears of happiness streamed down her face as she nuzzled his head. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry son…!"

Connor shakily wrapped his arms around her, looking over her shoulder to stare at the Grey Warden and the woman in her arms. His memory was foggy and he was exhausted, but for some reason, the sleeping girl looked familiar. And so did the one holding her.

"I need a room for her," Everil told Bann Teagan.

He smiled a little at her. "There are several empty rooms down the hall. You can use whichever one you please."

"Thank you." The Warden adjusted herself and leaned the motionless mage against her. She wrapped her arms behind Morrigan's knees, hoisting her up to carry her on her back. It didn't surprise her how light she was, though the way her arms hung limply over her shoulders bothered her. Whatever happened in the Fade must have left her drained. Possibly due to casting too many spells to defeat the demon on her own.

"Do you need me to help you?" Alistair offered as both he and Leliana followed her to the door.

"No. I've got her," she replied firmly, pausing to turn to Irvin and the other mages. "Can you please see to Arl Eamon while I care for my friend? Perhaps what we did here helped awaken him."

The First Enchanter nodded, clasping both hands behind his back. "Of course, Warden."

"You can meet us in his chambers. I believe Alistair might still remember the way," Teagan added, crossing his arms.

"I do. We'll see you there," he answered before he and the women stepped out of the room and into the hall.

Connor watched them leave, still clinging to Isolde while blinking his eyes sleepily. "Mother… Who were they?"

"They're Grey Wardens…" she answered with a gentle smile, unsteady fingers tenderly brushing his hair. "They saved us all from something terrible. But do not worry about that, my dear. Just rest for now."

He nodded numbly, letting her slowly lay him back down.

.x.x.x.x.

The chilling aura that once hung in the air was lifted, as if by magic. There was no longer the biting cold of evil or the threatening presence of the demon. Now, there was only silence. But that would hopefully change once the news of the castle's restoration reached the village and what was left of the castle staff.

Everil and the others entered the nearest room, heading straight to the bed. She carefully laid Morrigan over it, adjusting her to ensure the pillow was beneath her head. She took her staff and leaned it against the wall before grabbing the fur sheets and covering her legs. She sighed, eyeing her one last time before turning to Leliana. "Stay with her until she wakes up, please."

"I will."

"Thank you," she said, patting her shoulder. "And thanks for keeping Isolde from breaking down back there. It made the situation much easier to handle."

She smiled. "Of course. I can do much more than just shoot arrows and stab things, you know."

"Oh, I'm sure of it." Everil winked at her, causing her to blush a little.

Her eyes followed her as she walked past her to the doorway, where Alistair and her hound waited for her. They exited back into the hall, shutting the door behind them. With a sigh, Leliana craned her head down to Morrigan's sleeping features. At least they'd made it through this and no one had to die in the process.