The pounding of plate armor against wooden floorboards echoes in her ears. She tries desperately to sit up yet lacks the strength to do so. Any reserved strength and magic left her when the sun rose. "Shhh… you'll be alright." Leliana coos at Solona, brushing her hair from her eyes with care and concern.

Solona smiles weakly up at her dear friend as Leliana cradles her head in her lap. Soon Alistair is hovering over her as he kneels beside them. "You're alive!"

"You always say that as if it is such a surprise." Solona sees the strain around his eyes. Her voice is soft and weak. "Stop fretting. I'm fine, just a bit weak. I'll be up shortly. I simply needed to catch my breath."

"I'll get Wynne…" Alistair begins to rise when her hand on his stops him.

No! "No, she's busy with others. I'm fine, really." She tugs on his hand gently and he helps her sit up. She over extended herself. It's a dangerous thing for a mage to do but she felt she had no choice. "Thank you." Still too weak to stand, she leans against Leliana wearily. "How many survived?"

"The easier question is how many did we lose. Thanks to your efforts-"

What? "I wasn't alone. Wynne and Morrigan were healing as well and let us not forget skilled fighting from many." Solona quickly reminds him.

"True. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply…" Alistair stumbles over his words. "It isn't that they weren't helpful. I mean, they were… they are! It's just…"

Patience. "How many did we lose?" Solona tries to stop his rambling. As awkward as she is with men, it always surprises her how much more awkward Alistair is around anyone.

"Just one." Alistair grins proudly. Her heart aches. Please don't let it be Teagan. "He was a thug anyway, no big loss. Dwyn isn't too happy but all in all, it worked out for the best."

While she admonishes herself for the relief she feels, she can't help the joy that wash over her. Solona closes her eyes in relief. Teagan lives. Alistair misreads her reaction and reaches out for her, taking her hand in his. "Hey, don't feel bad. It was only one in a village of hundreds. This should be celebrated, not mourned."

Solona takes a shaky breath and nods. "Yes, of course." She looks up at Alistair. "Would you be so kind as to get me some water?"

"Right away." Alistair moves to get the water only to be held by Leliana this time. "Hmm?"

"She won't ask for it, but she could use a bite to eat and some lyrium if there is any to spare." Solona moves to object only to be stopped by Leliana. "Don't argue with me. Grey Warden or no, I will take care of you."

Solona chuckles and slowly sits upright. She feels like a mess. She combs her fingers through her hair grimacing lightly at the effort. Her hands slide down her thighs straightening her robe. She pauses with the familiar feeling of eyes upon her. She looks across the room wearily. Mayor Murdock gives her a nod and a half smile, bristles and turns to speak with anyone nearby. She smiles softly and shakes her head slowly. Well one less frightened villager, that is a start at least. Progress.

The chantry doors open. The sunshine peeks through and the stench of fire and death sweep in along with it. Solona cringes and turns her head. She covers her nose and mouth with her hand holding her breath until the door closes. "How unpleasant."

Leliana smirks. "Almost as bad as darkspawn, no?"

Solona chuckles. "Yes." A cold wet nose nudges her arm. "Cully!" She throws her arms around Cully holding him tight. He lays his head on her shoulder and waits patiently to be released from her grip. "I thought I'd lost you. You naughty boy, where have you been?"

Cully huffs and she chuckles. "No, of course I'm not angry with you. I'm just relieved you're back." She closes her eyes and sighs deeply. "Ugh, where have you been? Maker, boy, you need a bath!"

"He's been with me. I hope you don't mind. Everyone else was busy tending to wounded or burning corpses. I dared not pull anyone else away to do a perimeter check with me." He smiles down at her confidently.

"I don't mind at all, Bann Teagan." Her heart skips a beat at the sound of his voice. Solona smiles up at him and scratches Cully behind the ear. "Although you could have bathed him before returning him to me." She groans. "And now I smell like dog. I need a bath."

Cully snorts and nudges her playfully. "Blasted beast." Solona hugs Cully again chuckling. "You once spoke of family, Ser. This smelly beast is my family."

"Hey…" Leliana pouts with her full lips looking so pitiable it causes Solona to smile.

"You are my dearest of friends, Leliana. Of that there is no question." Cully barks happily in agreement and both girls laugh. Solona struggles to gain her feet. Teagan approaches and takes her by the elbow helping her stand. "Thank you." She tugs Cully's collar and nods towards the door. Cully huffs and saunters away. She smiles tiredly at Leliana before announcing her intent. "Our camp is too far. Besides I dread the thought of bathing in the frigid river. I'll be at the inn if anyone needs me."

"What about your food?" Leliana stands to walk with her.

She wrinkles her nose. "I doubt I could stomach anything Alistair brings." Solona waves her off. "I just need a hot bath… Maker knows a tepid bath would even do right now." She nods to both Teagan and Leliana and makes for the door and her escape.

Prying the door open she steels herself for the heat, humidity and stench. Cully slips out of the door and she soon follows. With a stiff breeze from the water, the stench is lessening by the hour. The sun is almost at its highest and the heat is already unbearable. "Come on, Cully." I need distance.

Solona doesn't get more than a dozen steps before the door opens behind her. She doesn't falter, she keeps moving towards the inn. Each step takes her farther away from temptation. Each step is more difficult than the last. "My lady?"

Her breath hitches. Her heart skips a beat. The sudden warmth in the pit of her stomach has nothing to do with the heat of the day. "Friends call me Sol." Solona turns and smiles up at him. "Would you be so inclined to do the same?" Maker, he's handsome.

"It would be an honor indeed." He walks to her and grins, bowing his head in agreement. "Would it be too much to ask you to call me Teagan?" He takes her by the elbow and escorts her towards the inn.

"Not at all." Solona slips her elbow from his grasp and wraps her hand in the crook of his arm. She slows her pace forcing him to slow his to match hers. "Is there something I can do for you, Se- erm… Teagan?"

"You'll allow me to see you to the inn." It was a statement, not a request. Naturally. Solona simply inclines her head in agreement and they walk for a while in comfortable silence followed by the ever panting Cully. "There will be a ceremony of sorts. Mother Hannah insists upon it. Afterwards I would have you and Alistair meet me back at the mill." Teagan glances at her as if he has more to say yet refrains.

Solona pauses at the inn door and takes a breath. End it. "I feel I must apologize." She looks up at him and looks away quickly. Don't look at him. "It is difficult what I must say yet it must be said."

"Sol…" Teagan places a finger under her chin lifting her face to his. Her breath catches at his nearness. He lowers his lips to hers kissing her gently. She leans in to him wishing she could simply lose herself in him but she dares not. His lips are firm yet gentle, passionate yet chaste, his tongue flicks at her lips as if asking for permission. Solona moans. Her lips part and he wraps his arms around her, pulling her close, their kiss deepens.

Teagan moans against her lips. Oh, Maker, yes! Solona shivers. Her hands slip up his arms to wrap in to his hair. Still their kiss deepens. Wait, no. She pulls away reluctantly. Her breasts heaving with each labored breath. He leans his forehead against the top of her head breathing as heavily as she is. His deep voice lowers. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have."

Maker forgive me, I want more. Solona closes her eyes tightly. "This only makes it more difficult for me." She steps away from him feeling her world crumbling around her. End it now. "I need to make this perfectly clear before I allow my emotions to go any further than they are already attempting to go." Her voice cracks with emotions. "I find that in such a short time, I have grown rather fond of you and I can't allow this."

"Sol-"

"Please." Love me. Solona interrupts him. "This is hard enough for me. I'd prefer to speak before I change my mind." Teagan nods and remains quiet. She finds she can't look at him and stares at her hands instead. "I am a Grey Warden. It is my duty to face the darkspawn and slay the archdemon. The chances of my survival is not very high seeing how there is currently only two wardens in all of Ferelden." Teagan shifts his weight biting back his words. I'm sorry. "Even so I find myself highly attracted to you." Don't say that. "Within the span of an afternoon I find myself wishing to spend more time with you. Of having the opportunity to be… courted… by you and I can't allow these distractions." No. Don't say it. "These thoughts, these hopes… they are not for someone like me. You are a good man, Teagan. There can never be a future for us." She cringes at her own words. Just take me. Her eyes fill with tears that threaten to fall. Her heart aches for him.

Teagan takes her hand in his. Solona lifts her eyes to gaze at his handsome face. He lifts her hand to his lips. She cups his face in her palm and once again he lowers his lips to hers. Make me forget. This time there is no rush in their kiss. His kiss is gentle and longing. His breath is warm as it brushes her face. "If only this had been…" His words drop unspoken.

"I am going inside now. I need to clear my head. If you… I wish…" Her words hitch and stall. Solona turns on her heel running in to the inn. Her tears flow freely burning a path down her cheeks.

I'm so pathetic. Even now, soaking in the tub she longs for him. She closes her eyes longing to be free from duty, to live the life of a normal woman by his side. Things that will never come to pass. That path was taken from her so long ago. Even if she were not a Grey Warden she is still a mage. Teagan deserves a woman that can love him freely and fully. He needs someone that is whole, not tainted and cursed. She closes her eyes tightly. Tears stinging her eyes still fall of their own accord.

A soft hesitant knock comes from the door. Solona sits up quickly, the water sloshes in the tub. "Y-yes?"

The door opens a crack. "Sol?" That familiar voice sends a shock of horror ripping through her. Why?

"Wait! I'm in the tub." Her voice raises an octave as panic settles in her belly.

"Oh! Uh, hmmm… I have food and erm… well, I suppose…" Alistair hesitates at the door.

This is Alistair. What is she afraid of? Solona chuckles and shakes her head. "There is a privacy-blind. Providing you can remember you're a gentleman, you can set my food on the small table if you like."

The candles that are lit are on the other side of the blind casting a shadow for her to watch. He hesitantly pokes his head in and steps quickly to the table. She rests her head on the side of the tub watching him. Alistair sets things down and turns to leave. Even her voice is tired. "Thanks, Alistair."

Alistair stiffens, refusing to turn around. "You're… erm, no problem." Upon reaching the door he hesitates. "There is some presentation or ceremony… I'm not sure the purpose or point of it, but they asked if we could be there in a couple of hours. Oh and Leliana sent a bag of… well, I don't know. She just asked if I'd bring that along, too."

Solona sighs heavily. "Okay."

Still with his back to her, he finds it difficult to leave even though every fiber of his being is screaming to leave. "Are you okay?"

Solona hesitates. No. She closes her eyes and lies. "Yes. I'm fine. I'll be out in a bit."

"Alright then." Alistair slips out and closes the door quickly behind him.

Solona smiles softly at her good fortune that it was him bringing her food and not Zevran. Leliana sent a bag? She sent Alistair. Hmm… not a coincidence it wasn't Zevran. She chuckles making a mental not to thank her. The idea of food strikes her. Her stomach grumbles loudly. She is truly exhausted and hungry. Yet she has no time for rest and food. One will have to wait in favor of the other. Stepping out of the bath she wraps a cloth around her just as another muted knock comes. This one is not hesitant simply quiet. "Yes?" Please.

The door opens and she stiffens. The shadowy form enters quietly and closes the door. The form is broad like a man. Her heart leaps. Is it? "I apologize for my arrival. I waited for Alistair to leave."

Solona bites her lip as a soft whimper escapes her. "Teagan…"

Teagan walks around the partition and pauses. "Maker's breath…" He cups her face in his hands, claiming her lips. She leans in to him pressing her wet frame to his, shivering at his touch. His hands travel down her sides to wrap around her, pulling her ever closer. He groans as their lips part. "Tell me to go, Sol… I cannot find it in me to leave. I have no right to be here yet there is no where else I want to be. How can the Maker bring us together only to show me what I want yet cannot have?"

Her body is shaking with fear and excitement. Her belly is in knots and she closes her eyes. "They say the Maker has a sense of humor yet I find none in this." Scandalous. "Teagan, you know I must leave to fight the blight yet I find I cannot fight what my heart tells me nor do I wish to."

"Sol-"

Solona cuts off his words with her lips, kissing him passionately and freely. She releases the cloth she has wrapped around her body allowing it drop to the floor leaving her fully exposed for his viewing. She shivers with pleasure at the hunger in his eyes. Her voice is husky. "When my time comes and the Maker calls me home. I want to have known you fully and intimately and I will go with no regrets."

Teagan's strong calloused hands caress her body, lifting her in his arms to carry her to the bed. He lays her down gently their gaze never breaking. "It has been many years for me…" His voice wavers slightly.

"I have… never…" She gasps as his lips touch her body. He stops and looks at her with earnest.

"Never?" He gently brushes her hair from her forehead. She shakes her head not trusting her voice. He nods in understanding. "I will endeavor to be gentle with you though I make no promises."

Solona smiles up at him nervously. "I ask for none."

Mother Hannah drones on. Her voice is an annoying buzz in the background of her thoughts. Solona keeps her eyes lowered and away from Teagan. She feels renewed and exhausted at the same time. More than anything, she feels alive. "Blessed are those..." Solona steals a glance at Teagan. He stands so strong and tall. He shifts his weight. She watches his muscles flex. The familiar twinge in her belly is sparked.

"You look quite happy." Leliana leans over and whispers to her. "If I didn't know better..." She grins at her while Solona remains quiet.

Teagan moves towards her and her companions. "If you would, I need to speak with you and Alistair up at the mill." He turns on his heel and walks away quickly. She tilts her head and watches him.

Alistair frowns. "What was that about?"

"I'm sure I don't know." Solona shrugs a shoulder. "I suppose we can go to the mill and find out." Before moving she turns to Leliana and takes her hand giving it a soft squeeze. Leliana smiles at her. "Okay, let's go."

The two walk silently, as silently as a plate wearing templar-warden can while walking up a hard packed dirt path. Her soft soled leather boots make no sound on the path. Her robe softly swishes around her ankles. He pauses at the middle of the bridge. Solona looks up at him quizzically. "Are you okay?"

"I feel like I'm being summoned to the Grand Cleric's office. I'm trying to figure out what I did wrong." He gives her a sheepish grin and she laughs. "Sol..." Uh-oh. "Have you ever-"

Solona lowers her voice. "You know we aren't alone." He frowns and looks around confused.

"Such a shame… he was going to profess his undying love." Zevran's disconnected voice speaks to them as he stealthily brushes past Alistair chuckling.

Solona hisses disapprovingly at Zevran. Leliana's voice follows. "Don't be so mean. Alistair is nice. I little misguided perhaps, but nice." Leliana pats Alistair's arm as she brushes past following Zevran to the mill.

"Great." Alistair sounds so dejected. He continues down the path behind the rogues brooding in silence dragging his feet causing his boots to sound heavier with each step.

Solona takes a moment to catch her breath. She follows at a safe distance behind the dust Alistair kicks up lost in her thoughts. She follows Alistair without looking where they are just allowing him to lead for once. The path gives to grass, some areas are charred and burned, the stench of oil and flesh still linger. She notes a second shadow and looks up at Teagan. He stands with his back to them staring up at the castle. "It looks so peaceful. It's hard to imagine anyone still lives…" His voice trails off refusing to give voice to his doubts and fears. She fights the urge to hold him, to reassure him, to comfort him.

Alistair clears his throat and Teagan turns. "Right then," he takes a deep breath and grins briefly at them both. "I have a plan to get in to the castle. There is a secret entrance from this mill that leads to the dungeon. The path is locked but it can be opened with-"

Alistair bristles. "Why didn't you tell us before? We could have been in there saving the Arl-"

"And leave the village to their fate?" Solona touches Alistair's arm and shakes her head. "You couldn't do that any more than Teagan could. Besides, you'd have gone without me and a few of the others if you'd been mule headed enough to try it." Alistair grumbles incoherently. Solona rolls her eyes before turning her attention back to Teagan. "Sorry, you were saying?"

"I… Maker! Isolde?" Teagan turns his attention to the newcomers. A woman and a guard come running up to them.

Solona's eyes widen briefly at the name he utters. So, this is Isolde. "Teagan!" Isolde pushes the guard aside impatiently. Solona's eyes narrow. "Teagan, I need you to come with me."

"Oh thank the Maker you're safe. We didn't think anyone survived with all those creatures-" Teagan visibly relaxes.

"Teagan, I don't know how much time I have, I need you to come with me." Isolde paws at his arm trying to coax him into joining her in the castle.

Solona's stomach is instantly in knots. Deception? "What of the Arl? Is he safe?"

Isolde stiffens and turns to her. "Yes, he is being kept alive." She hedges and turns back to Teagan. "Please, Teagan."

The knots in Solona's stomach tighten. She's hiding something. "Being kept alive… by whom, by what?" Solona shakes her head. "She knows something that she isn't saying…"

Isolde once more turns her anger on to Solona. "I beg your pardon!"

Solona opens her mouth to speak. The tightness in her jaw shows her annoyance. Teagan steps forward quickly. Their eyes meet. Teagan's eyes plead silently with her. Solona relents and gives a small nod. His look softens.

"You remember me, Lady Isolde." Alistair interjects.

"Alistair." The sheer venom she puts in that one word brings a shiver to Solona. Shut up! The more the woman speaks the less she likes her. This is the woman whose jealousy sent Alistair away to the chantry. Solona is having a difficult time separating the past that is not even hers with the present. "What are you doing here?"

"They are Grey Wardens, Isolde. They helped keep the villagers safe." Teagan steers the conversation back to him. "What is going on?"

"Teagan, I don't have much time. There is a great evil in the castle. For now it is happy enough to keep us alive, but for how long, I don't know. I worry for Connor, Teagan. Please, I need you to come with me." Her eyes plead with him as does her whole being. Still Solona can't shake the feeling that the woman knows more than she is saying.

"Fine. I will go with you." Solona's heart seizes. She wants to cry out, to object yet she chokes back a whimper. "Just let me talk to them in private and we can go."

"Thank you, Teagan!" Isolde steps away with the guard close beside her.

"I don't have much time." Teagan steps closer to Alistair and Solona. He hands her a ring, his hands lingering on hers. Their gaze holds for longer than it should yet he can't procrastinate. "Here's what I propose. Take my signet ring, it will open the passage. I will go with Isolde and distract whatever this evil is. Whatever you do, Eamon is the priority here. If you have to, just get him out of there. Isolde, me, and anyone else... we're expendable."

"No." The word is torn from her chest. Her heart is breaking with every word he speaks. "I don't believe that. I will rescue you all; I promise."

Teagan smiles at her, giving her hand a soft squeeze. "You are brave as well as beautiful, it seems. The Maker smiled on me indeed, when He sent you to Redcliffe."

Solona watches with a heavy heart as Teagan walks away with Isolde towards the castle. She lowers her eyes to hide the fear in them. She stares at his signet ring in her hand. I'm supposed to die, not Teagan. Leliana and Zevran come out from the shadows. Leliana clucks her tongue disapprovingly. "I can't believe you just let him walk in there like that."

"I didn't want to, he left us no choice." Solona takes a deep breath. "We have to save him."

"Them…" Alistair stares at her for a moment. "We need to save them."

"If we can, I would prefer to save them all." Solona turns on her heel without another word and slips in to the dark mill to search for the hidden entrance. The others soon follow and they all search for the trap door.

"Ah, here it is." Zevran moves aside some hay exposing the trap door. The center of the door has a small indention. Solona kneels and gently places the ring within the indention. A click and whirr comes from the lock as they all step back and watch in fascination. She slips the ring on her thumb, staring in the depths of the entrance and shudders. Zevran is the first to react. "Allow me." He disappears in to the darkness and reemerges moments later. "The door does indeed lead to a small dungeon. Unfortunately, there are those walking corpses in there… I do not know who is in that cage, but I believe he needs rescuing."

Quickly the small group enters the passageway, Alistair gently tugs the spring trap door and it comes to life slipping closed behind them. He steps up behind them as they watch four walking corpses hungrily bat at a cage door presumably trying to get to a prisoner within. Without a word, she takes a few steps forward through the door and begins her chant. She keeps her words softly spoken before releasing her mass paralysis sure the prisoner within the cage will forgive her the discomfort providing they can save his or her life.

Upon releasing her spell, the others spring in to action dispatching the four monsters quickly. Solona walks towards the others when she hears a soft groan from within the cage. "The prisoner is recovering." She grins at the others and joins them. Her smile quickly fades when she sees him. Rage, hurt, betrayal squirm in her belly making her feel physically ill. She steps back quickly away from the door as if he were contagious. "You…"

He frowns and staggers to the cage door. He peers out and sees her. He spits. "Doesn't it just figure? Can my life be any worse? Why are you here? Are you here to betray me again?" His anger bubbles over spilling out of him like poison, his voice rising and growing louder with each word until he is yelling at her. He grips the bars in his hands. "Have you come to kill me now? What more can you do to me?"

She tilts her head and finds his anger… refreshing. Instead of spurring her own anger it calms her. "Hello, Jowan." She folds her arms defensively. "Isolde mentioned something evil in the castle. Why does it not surprise me to find you here."

Her words are like a slap in the face. Jowan blanches. "I had nothing to do with that. I was hired to teach the boy enough magic to hide his abilities-"

"Connor? Connor's a mage?" Alistair blinks in surprise.

"Yes. The Arlessa didn't want him to be taken away so she hired an apostate-"

"Melificar." Solona corrects.

"Okay, I admit, I dabbled… but I am no blood mage." She snorts and he ignores her. "I was hounded from the moment I left the tower. There were weeks where I slept out in the cold, gone hungry and I've been hunted, hunted! You think my life has been easy?" He presses his forehead to the bars and sighs. "I know I have no right to ask… but what of Lily?"

"What of Lily? What about me? This betrayal of yours-"

"Mine?" Jowan looks at her incredulously.

"Yes… yours." Solona closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "Jowan, you are a selfish prat." She stares at him hard. "You cry about sleepless nights in the cold… about hunger and being hunted yet it was by your own hand that these things came to pass. Your choices brought you here. Your actions are what cast me out of the Circle. It was your actions that caused the Chantry to send Lily away to Aeonar."

Jowan sobs. "My poor Lily."

"Still? It is still about you, your poor Lily?" She steps up to the bars and hits them with all she has. Her anger is spiked now and she is ready to inflict pain. Her eyes flash dangerously. "Greagoir wanted me tranquil for helping the melificar escape." She hits the bars again sparks fly from her hands. "If it weren't for the First Enchanter sending me away with Duncan to become a Grey Warden…" She swallows hard and looks away, hitting the bars again. More sparks crackle from her hands. "To be rejected for doing what is right, what was expected of me… and still, I see you standing there and my heart breaks for you. You were my brother… my friend. I asked you, nay I begged you not to be foolish and you swore to me that the accusations were false. You lied to my face." She looks at him with tear filled eyes. She grips the bars. A low crackling sound fills the room. "I would have stayed happily in the Circle. It is where I belonged. Where I was safe! And now, I am here fighting darkspawn, and abominations, and demons and walking corpses… all because of you."

"Sol…" She backs away. "I… I've been a fool." Jowan winces when she sobs. "You had to… what about… he must have stayed."

"He hates me." She crumbles to the floor the fight leaving her. Leliana quickly kneels at her side embracing her. The memory of their meeting with the templar Cullen is fresh in their minds as if it happened only yesterday, instead of almost a year ago. "We went to the tower. I was so eager to see everyone. I had hoped…" A sob tears through her. "Blood mages, abominations and demons… they took the tower. They tortured mages and templars alike. So many of our friends are dead and my poor Cullen…" She leans in to Leliana allowing her to comfort her. All this time she hadn't allow herself to mourn the loss of her first love or any of her friends in the tower. "So much death, so many were hurt."

Jowan crouches in the cage and leans his head against the bars. "I'm… I'm sorry, Sol."

Alistair clears his throat as Solona pulls herself together in Leliana's arms. "What happened here?"

Jowan looks up startled having forgotten others were near. "Oh… I, uh…" He stands and nods. "It started when I was captured by templars. I was taken to Denerim on our way back to the Circle when I was intercepted by the Teyrn's men. He came and spoke to me. Teyrn Loghain said that if I helped him I could go back to the Circle and that he would speak on my behalf. He said the Arl was a danger to the country but…" Jowan shakes his head. "I'm not so sure that was true… and he's abandoned me here. I'm such a fool."

Alistair's jaw tightens. "What did you do?"

"I was told to poison the Arl." Jowan looks down at Solonar. His voice softens. "Connor, the boy, needed an instructor. I taught him a few things, he doesn't have a very good grip on magic yet, but then I ended up in here when the Arl became sick. These monsters, they came after I was put here. I had nothing to do with it." He looks at Alistair. "The first I heard about them is when the Arlessa came yelling at me to send them away. I had no idea what she was talking about at first. I thought she was yelling at me for poisoning the Arl."

"Sol, we need to go." Alistair kneels beside her. "Ready?"

She wipes her tears away and nods feebly. "I'm sorry." Alistair helps her stand and she turns her attention back to Jowan. "Maker be with you, Jowan." She turns on her heel and leaves her childhood friend behind.

Jowan's voice follows them out of the dungeon. "I'm truly sorry, Sol."

It takes some time to make their way through the lower levels of the castle. Walking corpses, shades and abominations slow their progress. Thankfully at one point they meet up with a frightened maiden who tells them of a short cut to the front gate. It is too dangerous for her to accompany them so they suggest she make her escape through the tunnel. Solona watches her scurry off. "Do you think she will make it to the village?"

Zevran shrugs as they move on. "You gave her a chance, no? It is more than she had sitting in that closet."

Solona sighs heavily. "Sometimes I ask myself why we bother."

Alistair slows his pace and gives her a lopsided grin. "Because if we didn't, the blight would go unchecked. The archdemon would bring the horde of the darkspawn to take over all of Ferelden. You couldn't live with that and neither could I."

She grins. "You're right."

"Oh I like being right." Alistair grins.

Solona chuckles. They make their way to the front gate and are surprised to see Ser Perth and his knights. She pulls at the lever and the gate rises. Ser Perth grins. "Thank the Maker!"

"Ser Perth, I didn't expect to-" She shudders hearing an unnatural growl. "We'll finish this conversation later…"

Alistair pulls his sword and readies his shield. "Leliana, the archers on the steps."

"I can take of that." Leliana skirts over to the side, pulling her bow as she moves.

Solona groans. "Revenant…" She begins her chant, her words low and quick. Alistair stops the others from engaging the oncoming monsters until he sees the flash of light signaling her mass paralysis is cast.

"Now!" Alistair charges the revenant as the knights spread out between the others. Zevran is already behind them backstabbing and slicing.

Solona casts what healing that is needed as well as a few well aimed bolts of lightening. The fight is taking too long. Everyone is now focused on the revenant. Solona casts her rejuvenation on Alistair. His swings are beginning to slow. She growls deeply pulling at what little reserves she has left and throws a stone fist directly at the revenant barely missing Ser Perth.

Solona winces. "Sorry!"

"No harm done." Ser Perth chuckles and shrugs. "Shall we enter the castle? My knights and I are anxious to see our Arl and Maker knows what else is in there."

Solona leans against the short fence and nods. Alistair shakes his head. "In a moment we can go. As much as we exert ourselves, Sol needs to catch her breath. Remember, it is thanks to her that we even survive…"

Ugh, again? Solona wrinkles her nose at him. "Yes and without all of you, I'd have no chance of survival either. So it all balances out." She stands and nods. "Let's go."

Ser Perth leads the way in to the castle, followed by his knights, the wardens and the rogues. They brace themselves for more creatures and monsters yet what they find leaves them all baffled.

Usually one to stay behind the safety of the fighters, Solona steps forward and watches mesmerized as Teagan does an acrobatic dance act for the benefit of a child. The boy claps his hands and laughs. The more the boy laughs, the more animated Teagan becomes. "That's enough." Her voice rings out in the hall catching others by surprise.

The boy stops clapping and Teagan stops dancing and flops comically on the step beside the others. Isolde has the decency to look embarrassed as the boy speaks. His voice is hollow tinged with a demonic echo. Solona's eyes narrow and her hands clench. "What is that mother? I can't see."

Isolde stammers. "It is a woman, Connor. Like me."

Connor sneers. "She is nothing like you! She is young and pretty. I'm surprised you don't order her execution in a fit of jealousy!"

"Please, Connor. Do not hurt anyone!" Isolde pleads with her son or rather with the demon within the boy.

The boy turns his attention back to Solona. She stands ready for anything refusing to look at the oddly relaxed look on Teagan's face. "What is it doing here, Mother? Why is it looking at me? What does it want?"

"I've come to stop you." Solona struggles to keep her tone as even as possible. How many are under his influence? It appears only Isolde has control of her mind. Her head tilts as she peers at Isolde.

"You're the one that killed my soldiers? You're the one that stopped me from reclaiming my village! It's my turn to rule. Mine!" Connor rages.

"Connor, please!" Isolde tries again to console her son.

"No! I won't stop. I won't!" Connor tears from the room.

Solona reaches out for him as he runs past and that's when they spring in to action. She lets out a cry of surprise, squeezes her eyes shut and releases a burst of energy mind blasting those closest to her. "Leliana, Zev, get them out… fast, I don't have much time!" She begins her chanting without looking behind her. She has no idea how many of the Knights she stunned nor does she have the luxury of time to look. Teagan shakes off the affects of her mind blast and draws his sword. She keeps her focus on the floor avoiding his eyes releasing her mass paralysis as he approaches.

Unfortunately for Solona, Teagan's will is stronger than hers. While others are immobile, he slams his shield into her throwing her half way across the room. She crumbles to the floor in a whimpering heap.

"Sol…" His voice sounds so far away and muffled. "Please, Sol, wake up."

"She'll be fine. Just give her a minute to come around." Her voice sounds a bit clearer than his was. Solona struggles to hear them.

"Thanks… Wynne, isn't it?" His voice sounds closer. She knows the voice but can't quite connect it with a face.

"That's right." Wynne… she's a caring older woman that lectures. She remembers Wynne and now fully awake, she remembers him, too.

Solona tries to move and winces. "Ow." Her voice is weak.

"Sol, I am so sorry." Her eyes slowly open and focus on his face. She smiles. "I couldn't stop myself, the voices…"

She lifts her hand towards him. He takes it in his and brings it to his lips. "Are you okay?"

Teagan grins at her. "Yes. Your friends beat me within an inch of my life when I finally fell I think some still took swings at me. Not that I blame them. I would have done the same to anyone who hurt you."

Solona chuckles. "Then you have your work cut out for you. Every darkspawn alive would like nothing more than to hurt me." She looks around and grins at Wynne. "Hello, Wynne. I'm sure I have you to thank yet again for saving my hide."

"Actually…" Wynne nods towards another.

"Yes, yes… let's not make a habit of this, shall we?" Morrigan smirks at her before walking away followed by Wynne.

"Where is Connor?" Solona moves to sit up and winces. Teagan helps her as he supports her.

"His room I believe." Teagan's eyes are filled with concern. She sighs softly and allows herself a moment of rest.

"Where are we…" Solona looks around the now vacant room.

"Servant's quarters." He buries his face in her neck and holds her close. "I'm so sorry…"

"Mmmm… I feel like an ogre beat me in to the ground." She closes her eyes and relaxes in his arms.

Teagan stiffens. "You… you don't remember?"

She nuzzles his neck grinning. "Shame we don't have time for you to make this up to me."

He chuckles placing a small kiss in her neck. "Ah, so you do remember."

"Vaguely. I remember getting a very nice close up view of your shield." He winces. "I need to speak to Isolde. Her son is possessed. I knew she was hiding something but held my tongue because of the look you gave me." He pulls back looking at her. "She knows. You can see it in her demeanor."

She opens her mouth to speak and then closes it and shakes her head. "Tell me." He brushes the hair from her eyes.

"It's nothing." She smiles bravely feeling anything but. "We have little time to waste. There is no telling when Connor will want attention again."

Teagan shudders and helps her up. He holds her in his arms for a moment longer and kisses her gently afraid to break her. "I really am sorry."

"Enough, Teagan. Don't fret over this. You weren't yourself when you tried to kill me…" He winces and she chuckles. She lifts her lips to his offering them to him. He takes them gratefully kissing her gently. "I'll stop teasing you if you stop apologizing."

"Agreed." Teagan sighs. "You did what you said you'd do. You saved us."

"Not yet I haven't, Connor is possessed. He is not yet saved." The two leave the room to join the others.

When Solona enters she is welcomed with knowing glances and happy faces. She rolls her eyes and marches to Isolde. "A desire demon…" Solona shakes her head and sighs. "So Connor is the evil you spoke of."