Note: And now we return to our scheduled programming via Team Elissa!

Incidentally, if you want to know how Elissa's first meeting with Leliana went, check out Chapter 2 of Curse.

Elissa inched closer to the campfire, the warmth relieving the aches in her back and shoulders. Alistair sat beside her, cleaning his sword, while Bethany dozed quietly on her bedroll. The sun was low, sinking behind the Brecilian Forest, and Elissa let out a breath. The fresher clime was a welcome relief, but had done little to soothe her thoughts. Especially considering where they were headed. It had been hard going tracking the Children of Andraste, and now they were a day or two's ride from their base; a village called Stonewar, which lay a few miles shy of Gwaren.

However, it was also not far from Ostagar, and that had brought back unpleasant memories. In fact, as Elissa glanced to the distant horizon, she could just pick out the fortress ruins. She bit back a shiver, recalling the bone-chilling terror of that night. The darkspawn had swarmed them, their futile beacon burning as they waited for help that never arrived. And then, the moment Elissa resigned herself, giant talons had smashed through, tearing her and Alistair into freedom.

Well, only freedom of a sort, as upon her recovery Elissa found herself shackled to an even greater burden…

"Everything alright, Elissa?" Alistair looked up from his handiwork, brow raised.

Elissa drew her hands to her lap.

"I'm fine," she said. "It's just, this place…"

Alistair chuckled.

"Yeah, it's like stepping back in time, isn't it?" He put his sword aside, and gave a stretch. "Hard to believe it's been almost twelve years since we were Ferelden's last hope against the darkspawn."

"It almost doesn't feel real anymore," Elissa murmured. Yet little had actually changed since their hasty departure. The countryside was still desolate, and where had once been vast farmland was nothing but tainted soil. Even Lothering remained ransacked and rotted, and it had broken Bethany's heart when they had passed through. It had been her home, after all; the last place her family had been together, and where her late father continued to rest.

Elissa, too, had found herself pausing at the crumbled tavern. It was there she had first crossed paths with Leliana, and the recollection brought a flush to her cheeks. She'd had the gall to turn down the bard's help, but Leliana had eventually won her around, and she was more than glad to have changed her mind.

She played with the chain around her neck, a smile gracing her lips. Back then, she'd had no idea how their stuttered friendship would blossom into so much more. Nor how hard their bond would come to be tested. Yet despite every near miss and careless word, they had found each other again, and Elissa promised herself she would never let go of something that had endured so much.

"Hey, isn't that your family ring?" Alistair's eyes fell to her necklace. "I didn't realise you still had it."

Elissa let the ring drop to her chest.

"Leliana held onto it for me," she said. "I gave it to her just before we faced the Archdemon."

Alistair whistled. "Wow." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Did you know it was going to end so badly then?"

"In all honesty, no," Elissa answered. "I just remember feeling weird about it, so I handed it over."

"Or maybe you weren't entirely convinced about Morrigan's ritual?"

Elissa shrugged. "Say what you will, Alistair, but I did trust her on that. And it seems to have paid off. Otherwise I wouldn't be here right now, in more ways than one."

"I guess," Alistair mumbled. "It still wasn't right, though, for her to wipe your memories and not tell any of us." He sighed. "She always played her cards close, just like her mother."

"Too true," Elissa said, rubbing her shoulder. She had kept an eye out for nightingales, but had yet to come across her feathered friend again. She hoped it would remain that way.

"I mean, I don't even know if I have a son or daughter running around," Alistair went on. "Whether they took after me, what kind of things they might like…" He let out a nervous laugh. "Pretty dumb I'm still wondering such nonsense, huh?"

"Not at all," Elissa said. "You're a good man, Alistair, and you'd make an even better father." She bit her lip. "I'm sorry. I wish I hadn't had to put you through that."

"It was still my choice in the end, Elissa," Alistair countered. "And as you said, it paid off, although not quite in the way I expected." He reached up and squeezed her shoulder. "Anyway, didn't you tell me once that it's good to remember the past, but we shouldn't let it rule us?"

Elissa smiled sadly. "That sounds vaguely familiar."

"Then you'd do well to take your own advice," Alistair said. "We might be back where we started, but we're not facing a Blight, nor trying to unite a fractured kingdom. Once was more than enough. So let's keep moving forward."

Elissa nodded. Before she could reply, however, Bethany let out an irked groan.

"Ugh, it's not like you two to be so loud!" She rolled onto her back, drawing her blanket over her head. "And what's this about you having a child, Alistair?"

"Ah, long story," Alistair said. "I'm surprised Elissa hasn't told you already."

"It might have slipped my mind," Elissa said dryly, "you know, what with helping the Inquisition, the Breach going out of control, escaping Haven and all that."

"It wasn't a criticism," Alistair said, his eyes gleaming.

"Well, I'm happy for you, Warden-Commander," Bethany muttered, "but can you gush about it in the morning? I'm trying to sleep!"

Elissa couldn't hold back her laugh. The poor mage had been on watch one night too many, it seemed.

"Sorry, we'll be quiet, Beth," she said. As if on cue, a yawn of her own caught her, and she rubbed her eyes. Perhaps it would be a good idea to turn in herself.

She made for her bedroll, laying it beside the fire. Alistair tossed her a blanket, before resting back on his hands.

"Sweet dreams, Elissa," he said. "Let's hope tomorrow we can finally put this nonsense to rest."

Stonewar was silent. Most of the houses had corroded to dust, and abandoned wagons littered the ways. The choking scent of mould hung thick, and almost every brick was snared with creepers. Something scuttled into the undergrowth, and Elissa shook her head. Nothing had escaped the devastation, and no attempt had been made to reclaim it, either.

"This is so sad," Alistair said, picking up a broken spade.

"Just like Lothering." Bethany's fist clenched. "It's not enough that the darkspawn destroy everything. They leave the Taint behind as well, so the land never heals."

Alistair's lip curled.

"If that bastard Loghain hadn't abandoned us, we could've prevented such a spread." He tossed the spade aside. "Ferelden went through two years of famine because of this, and Maker knows how many lost their lives trying to flee." He let out a breath, regaining himself. "Anyway, it seems the ideal choice for a hideout. Nobody would want to venture here if they didn't have to."

Elissa nodded, scanning the ruins.

"We should split up," she said. "Shout if you find anything."

Alistair and Bethany turned away, heading east and west respectively, while Elissa continued north. The buildings seemed to have fared better this side, and she approached what must have been the tavern. The door was jammed, but a swift kick sent it splintering. At once the stench assaulted her, and Elissa gagged, forced to step away. She would have to come back later.

Before she could make for the adjacent houses, Bethany called out.

"Wait, over here!"

Elissa glanced back. The mage was standing before the remains of the Chantry. Abandoning her own search, Elissa jogged over. Alistair soon joined them, and they gazed at the scarred stone.

"Look." Bethany pointed to the ground, which was plastered with fresh boot prints. "Someone's been here recently."

"We should take a look inside," Elissa said.

With Alistair's help, she forced open the oak doors. The hinges squealed, and Elissa coughed, showered in dust and twigs. Brushing the debris aside, she entered the hall. It hadn't fared much better than the rest of the village. The air was stale, the pews covered in leaves, and puddles lined the floor. Thankfully more prints stood out against the tiles, leading to a room on the right.

Elissa strode over, trying the handle. It was locked.

"Wouldn't want it to be too easy, would we?" Alistair said.

"I'll handle this," Bethany declared. "Stand back."

Elissa and Alistair obliged, as Bethany drew her staff. A lance of fire appeared, and she flung it at the door. The flames tore through the wood, and in moments only a pile of ash remained.

"Eh, works for me," Alistair shrugged.

Bethany smirked, and they stepped into the room. It was lined with tables and bookshelves, although few tomes had survived. A mahogany desk stood in the corner, hosting a burnt-out candelabra and a slightly sodden parchment.

Bethany snatched the paper, her brows knitted.

"This is a map to the temple in the Western Approach," she said. "We're definitely on the right track."

"It's been awfully quiet, though," Elissa said. "I'm surprised they've not posted a guard."

"For all we know they have, and they could be watching us right now," Alistair pointed out.

"Maybe, but I doubt they'd let us get this far," Elissa countered. "Besides, you saw the prints. They were leading into the Chantry, not out of it. Perhaps there's a hidden entrance or something."

She began to check the bookcases, testing anything that looked suspicious.

"Good thinking." Alistair ran his hands over the walls, his tongue pressed against his cheek.

Bethany sighed, leaning against the desk. Her hip brushed the candelabra, but it didn't fall over. Instead a soft clicked echoed. Then the desk shifted backwards, and Bethany yelped. She lost her balance and fell, landing on her rump.

"Ow!"

Elissa spun round.

"Beth!" She hurried to the mage's side. "You okay?"

"I hate it when you're right," Bethany grumbled, rubbing her leg. She glared at the desk, which had moved into the wall, exposing a trapdoor. The mage tugged at the pull-ring, but it was sealed shut. She made to draw her staff again, but Elissa caught her wrist.

"Leave this to me." She removed her dagger, wedging it between the hinges. A few twists later, the metal snapped, and she was able to pry the door free. She was met with a staircase that descended into blackness. The musty scent grew stronger, and she grimaced.

"Dark, dank and damp, just what I always wanted," Alistair chimed. He gave a mock bow. "Ah, ladies first?"

Bethany rolled her eyes.

"So chivalrous." She stumbled to her feet, then held out her palm, summoning a spark of Veilfire. She took the lead, and Elissa followed, dagger in hand. Her Shard began to tingle, and she swallowed. She hoped they would not find anything as horrifying as last time.

The stairs ended at a narrow passage. They had to edge sideways to fit, and Elissa clenched her teeth. The rocks brushed her chest, and her hands began to shake. She locked onto the glow of Veilfire, her heart like thunder in her ears. Not much longer, surely…

Finally, the passage opened into a chamber. Elissa all but flung herself free, steadying her breathing. Maker, she hated such tight spaces. She brushed the grit from her shoulders, as Bethany raised her staff. The Veilfire brightened, falling onto limestone bricks and pillars. Supply crates also lay scattered around, along with the carcasses of deer and rabbits.

"Looks like they've been making themselves comfortable," Alistair said. "And is it me, or does this architecture look familiar?"

Elissa chewed her lip, her memory also stirred. Eventually she snapped her fingers.

"The Brecilian Forest ruins." she said. "They were like this, too. This must be another elven shrine."

"Convenient," Bethany murmured.

Only a single exit led further inside, so they made straight for it. This corridor was much wider, littered with doorways extending in all directions. Even so, their path remained limited, as the branches either led to empty rooms or were blocked with rubble. Elissa sighed, rubbing her temple. Just how far did the ruins go?

The passage eventually ended at a crumbling archway. Another door stood beside it, sealed with iron bars, but Bethany ignored it. As she made for the arch, however, her Veilfire flickered. At the same moment, a sharp pain burst from Elissa's Shard. Gasping, Elissa staggered into the wall, clutching her chest.

"Elissa!" Alistair grabbed her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Throat dry, Elissa could only shake her head. The rune flickered wildly, and sweat started to trickle down her neck. Bethany glanced to the barricaded door, and the Veilfire fizzled out. Her eyes widened.

"There's something very powerful in there," she said.

She made to examine further, when the bars suddenly retracted. Swearing, Alistair grabbed the pair, dragging them into the opposite room. They ducked behind the barrels and chests, and not a second later the door swung open. A blast of cool air escaped, and a woman in maroon robes stepped out. Her blonde hair was streaked with silver, and she carried a staff of elm and steel.

As she moved aside, two men came through behind her. But it was their prisoner that made Elissa stare. The boy could not have been more than ten or eleven years, and he quivered silently. His hazel eyes were piercing, and Elissa couldn't help but feel a little unsettled. Strange shackles surrounded his wrists, and they burned with lyrium markings.

"The enchantment is done," the woman said. "Take him to the holding room, then join me in the sanctum. We do not have much time to complete the rest of our preparations."

"At once, Lady Megara."

The guards hauled the boy away, and Megara sighed. She spun on her heel, returning to the sealed room. Elissa managed to peek between the chests, spying what looked like a giant mirror inside. Its surface shimmered, almost hypnotising, and Megara placed her hand upon it.

Immediately the light stream stilled, returned to glass. Megara's reflection stared back, revealing her amber eyes. Then she began muttering in ancient Elven. Elissa bit back a hiss, the swirl of mana bringing bile to her throat. Her Shard screamed, and she snatched at her chest as ward after ward formed around the mirror. It quickly became too much, and Elissa buried her head in her forearms, her breaths coming in choked rasps.

Maker…please, no more…just…

At last the door groaned shut, and Megara's footfalls echoed through the archway. The burning lessened, and Elissa sank to her knees, trembling. Bethany wrapped an arm around her shoulders, her jaw tense.

"Maker, you don't look well," she said. "We have to get away from that door."

Nodding, Elissa struggled to stand. Her muscles had turned to jelly, and it was all she could do to remain on her feet. Alistair went ahead, waiting for Megara to gain some distance, before beckoning them to follow. Elissa winced through her teeth, fighting the pain that coursed through every limb.

But why?

Gradually, as the room fell behind, her strength started to return. Still, Bethany kept an arm around her as Alistair broke into a barren room. He closed the door, and Elissa withdrew from the mage, resting against the wall. The rune on her chest had turned numb, and she pressed her fingers against it.

"Well, wasn't that something," Alistair murmured. "Are you alright?"

"I am now," Elissa said, wiping her forehead. Maker, that had been rough.

"Any idea what happened?"

Elissa shook her head.

"Your Shard hasn't reacted like that since the Breach went out of control," Bethany mused, rubbing her chin. "But there was enough magic back there to power an Eluvian, so maybe that's not surprising."

"A what?" Alistair raised a brow.

"An Eluvian," Bethany repeated, more slowly. "Merrill spent a lot of time trying to fix hers back in Kirkwall. It was how the ancient elves used to travel all around Thedas, or so she told me."

Alistair's eyes widened.

"So these creeps have a mirror that can take them anywhere they please?" He slammed his fist into his palm. "And now they're using it to take children hostage as well!"

"The poor boy must be terrified," Bethany said.

"Assuming it is a boy," Elissa pointed out.

Bethany arched a brow. "What do you mean?"

"Well…" Elissa hesitated. "Didn't you feel there was something, I don't know, a little strange about him?"

"He's not an abomination," Bethany answered. "He's not even a mage, from what I sensed. I imagine he's just in shock."

"I'm pretty sure he's the real deal, too," Alistair added. "You know these idiots aren't shy to play with innocent lives." He clenched his fist. "We have to free him. We can't let him meet the same fate as those women, or worse."

Elissa sighed. The boy's piercing stare flashed across her mind, and she rubbed the back of her neck. Part of her chided that she was being foolish, yet as much as she trusted Alistair and Bethany, her misgivings would not fall away. Perhaps it was because the boy reminded her too much of her long-deceased nephew.

"Alright." She stood tall, pushing her reluctance aside. "Let's see if we can pick up the guards' trail."

The holding room proved trickier to find than Elissa thought. The two guards had long since vanished, and more apostates had emerged, giving them fewer places to hide. The latter however were all heading towards the sanctum, and Elissa bit her lip. It seemed whatever Megara was brewing was coming to fruition, and if they weren't careful, they would be caught in the middle of it.

She darted into a side chamber, Alistair and Bethany in tow. A stagnant pool was set into the floor, and behind it a curled a chipped staircase. Ivy and gnarled roots had broken through the ceiling, trapping the pillars in a twisted embrace, and a hint of a breeze also drifted down. They must have been close to the surface.

"This place is too big," Bethany whined, running her hands through her hair. "Would've been nice if they left a map of these ruins in the Chantry!"

"No wonder they don't post more guards," Alistair grumbled. "Far easier to just let intruders get lost, then pick them off."

"Right." Elissa let out a breath, folding her arms. They had been trawling the passages for ages; there had to be a better way to do this.

She turned to the stairs, intending to explore the upper floor, when voices echoed from above. She blinked, exchanging a glance with Alistair and Bethany, before they scattered to the shadows. Elissa tucked herself behind a pillar, crouching slightly. A brief silence descended, until heavy steps crunched down.

"Do you think it will be enough?"

Elissa froze, recognising the voice. It was one of the guards who had escorted the boy.

"You saw our Lady's enchantment," his companion answered. "We have nothing to fear. We will return for him when we need to."

"I still can't believe we managed to catch him," the other guard said. "We were lucky to restore the Eluvian, otherwise we would never have escaped." He hesitated. "But can he really be the True One?"

"Lady Megara is not one for mistakes," his ally replied. "I have faith, as I have always done, and as you should, too." He licked his lips. "Now we need only await the final piece, and we will witness the true Mother's awakening."

They disappeared into the main passage, and Elissa let out the breath she had been holding. That had been too close. She returned to the open, reuniting with her friends.

"Did you hear that?" Alistair's eyes flicked towards the stairs. "He must be up there."

Elissa nodded. She led the way up the steps, weaving through the debris towards another corridor. As she neared, however, her Shard stirred again. She hesitated, and Bethany raised a brow. Swiftly Elissa swallowed the impulse and resumed walking. So long as it didn't drain her like before, she could ignore it.

After a short trek down the rubble-strewn passage, they came to the holding room. Elissa crept behind some fallen rafters, studying the area. The room itself was little more than a barred alcove, and it was guarded by a lone apostate. She paced the floor, occasionally glancing to the boy inside. He was curled on a stool, his back against the wall, and tear trails glimmered on his cheeks. Elissa's gaze softened, instantly regretting her earlier judgement. He was just a frightened child, after all.

She silently drew her dagger, signalling to the others. Then, when the apostate turned her back, she sprang. The woman had no time to even cry out as Elissa sliced her throat. She fell limp, and Elissa dragged her to a dark corner. A quick search revealed a silver key, and she waved to Alistair and Bethany. The two emerged from their hiding place, and they regrouped by the bars.

"Hey," Bethany called gently, and the boy raised his head. At once his face paled, and he tried to make himself as small as possible.

"W-What do you want now?" His voice trembled.

"It's alright, we're not with these other mages." Alistair knelt down, offering a kind smile. "Did they hurt you?"

The boy seemed to relax a little, but kept his arms around himself.

"No, I'm…I'm not hurt." He glanced between them, curious. "But if you're not with them, who are you?"

"You can call me Alistair," Alistair answered. "These are my friends, Elissa and Bethany. We'll get you out of here." He rested his hands on his thighs. "Can you tell me your name?"

The boy averted his gaze.

"Mother…Mother told me not to speak my name to people I don't know."

"Your mother was wise to teach you that," Bethany said. "It's okay, you don't have to say anything. But you can trust us, I promise."

Elissa slotted the key into the lock, and the bars swung open. The boy hesitated, before he reluctantly slipped out. He wiped his cheeks, and the lyrium on his shackles glowed faintly.

"What kind of enchantment is that, Bethany?" Alistair asked.

Bethany pursed her lips, examining the markings.

"I'm not entirely sure," she admitted. "It looks like a translocation spell, but it's been modified."

"Think you can break it?" Elissa asked.

"I don't know," Bethany answered. "I'd need some time to…"

The mage was cut off by a shout, and the group spun around. Another apostate had appeared from the pool chamber. She gawked at them, before yelling for her comrades.

"Damn it, we have to move, now!" Alistair grabbed the boy's arm. "Run as fast as you can!"

"Wait!" the boy protested. "I can't…"

His warning came too late; Alistair took several steps forward, and the boy screamed. He dropped to his knees, the lyrium shackles ablaze.

"Alistair, let go of him!" Bethany pushed past, taking the boy back to the alcove. When they came to the bars again, the markings calmed. The boy whimpered, clutching his arms to his chest.

"Maker's breath, I'm so sorry!" Alistair's face burned.

The boy managed a nod, his brow soaked. "I can't…I can't leave. The other men had a keystone, it…"

"Stop!" shrieked a voice from the other end of the passage. "Get away from the True One!"

Elissa swore. "We have to get out of here!"

Alistair bristled. "But the boy…"

"We'll come back," Elissa insisted. "Just…"

A spear of ice cracked above her head, and Elissa flinched, showered in freezing fragments. Bethany growled, throwing up a barrier, before they pelted down the corridor. The apostates snarled, hurrying to dispel it, but it didn't stop them throwing more icicles and lightning. Elissa bit her lip, dodging the flurry of elements. She hated abandoning the boy, but they could do nothing until the spell on his chains was broken. It seemed Megara had planned for every eventuality.

Just who in the Maker's name was she, anyway?

They twisted into another passage, but their pursuers were gaining ground. Another fireball smacked the wall, and Elissa yelped, the grit burning her face. Bethany tried to aim strikes of her own, but it was almost impossible with all the tree roots encroaching their path.

An icicle found its mark, and Elissa cried out, tripping over. She hit the ground, and warmth trickled from her cheek. Alistair cursed, raising his shield as a barrage of flame soared straight for her. Elissa scrambled back to her feet, but Alistair stood his ground.

"We can't outrun them." He drew his sword. "You two keep going. I'll buy you some time!"

"No way!" Elissa snatched his arm. "They'll tear you apart!"

"Better that than let either of you become their next plaything!" Alistair shook off her hand. "I've got this, trust me!"

"Wait, I've got a better idea!" Bethany broke in. "Get behind me, both of you!"

Before Elissa could protest, the mage stepped forward. Fire and ice streamed towards her, but she summoned another barrier, and they bounced off like hailstones. Her eyes narrowed, and she raised her staff. The air shuddered, and Elissa's Shard prickled. Even the apostates hesitated, holding back their next wave of attack.

Bethany grunted, pouring all her focus into the spell. The charge continued to build, setting Elissa's hair on end. The ceiling began to tremble, and then the mage slammed her staff into the floor.

A ferocious tremor ripped through, as if an army of giants were marching above. The roof groaned, and the apostates cried out. They tried to fall back, but were too slow. A deafening roar flooded the passage, and a torrent of stone and silt spilled into the ruins.

Bethany held firm, her brow glistening as she recast her barrier. Elissa and Alistair sheltered close, protected from the raining debris. The quake however did not let up, and the ground started to buckle. The tiles beneath crumpled, and Elissa gasped, losing her footing. Alistair reached for her, but it was too late.

The floor collapsed, dragging them into ravaging emptiness. Yet Elissa didn't even have time to scream, as all too soon she smacked into solid stone. The wind was knocked from her lungs, and a coppery taste filled her mouth. She'd bitten her tongue. Spluttering, she spat out blood, but before she could take her next breath, white-hot agony pierced her Shard. It spread like wildfire, stealing what little air she had left, and she clamped her hands around her chest.

No!

"Elissa!" Bethany took her arm, and Elissa winced, fighting to open her eyes. Almost at once she snapped them shut again; it was suddenly much too bright. Her heart was shrieking, driven insane from the burning rune, and the shaking wouldn't stop.

Steps thumped in front of her, followed by a heavy thud.

"The door won't budge!" Alistair fought to keep the panic from his voice. "We have to get out! Elissa can't…"

Bethany growled.

"Then I'll just break the wards myself!"

The mage's hold left her, and Elissa gritted her teeth. Slowly, she managed to force herself to her hands and knees. Sweat plastered her hair, and she was finally able to look up. Her dishevelled reflection stared back, distorted by the shimmering wards. Her jaw hung slack.

They'd fallen here?!

Bethany thrust her hands forward, her fingertips glowing. Her gaze was fixed on the barriers, and a rumble escaped her as she fought to undo them. The addition of yet more magic deepened Elissa's nausea, and she sank to the ground again. Alistair held her shoulder, but she barely registered his touch. Her Shard was a serrated dagger in her flesh, raw and hot and bleeding, and she wanted to tear it out with her own hands.

Maker, make it stop!

She wretched out another mouthful of blood, her vision clouding. Yet before the chamber fell to darkness, Bethany groaned. Her hands fell, and she dropped like a stone. Alistair bolted, managing to catch her, just as the wards shattered.

The effect was like a gate slamming down. Raging heat turned to soothing coolness, and Elissa curled her head into her knees, shivering. Her skin was clammy, her clothes soaked, and every breath was like a blade in her throat. Still her thoughts flew to Bethany, and she clenched her jaw. The mage had done too much. She shouldn't have…

Suddenly another pulse ran through her Shard, and the Eluvian glistened. Without warning it burst into life, and Elissa screamed, the pain flooding back. Teal and pink and violet and crimson spilled across the glass, mirroring the tempest of knives inside her chest.

I…can't…breathe!

A shadow flashed against the vivid hues, and a slender hand broke free of the mirror. An arm and shoulder followed, and finally a cloaked woman stepped into the chamber. The Eluvian quieted, and Elissa crumpled. She couldn't move.

The newcomer stormed forward, her hood flopping open. Alistair caught his breath, but the woman ignored him. She brandished her staff, poising it directly at Elissa. Her amber eyes flared, her raven hair damp with rain.

"What are you doing here?" Morrigan hissed. "And what have you done with my son?!"