Tallis narrowed her eyes warily at the newcomer. She didn't trust humans who prowled around while hooded and cloaked. And she didn't like Grey Wardens on principle; too self-righteous for her taste. But something in Stroud's voice told her that she should stop and listen.

So, against her better judgement, she crossed her arms and said, "Say your piece. I'm listening."

He nodded in thanks. "I had hoped you would listen to reason. If you are as talented as I believe you to be, you will be a great asset in the battle to come."

"And what battle is that, exactly?"

"You are aware that Marian Hawke recently led a small expedition into the north? To the ancient prison in the Vimmark Wastelands?"

"Merrill mentioned something about it, yeah."

"Hawke and her companions were investigating a dwarven cartel based there. They sought Hawke's blood to complete a mysterious ritual that involved Hawke's father."

"And what did this mysterious ritual entail? What were the dwarves after?"

"They sought to release a terrible evil that lived within the prison. An ancient darkspawn known only as Corypheus, who was bound eons ago by ancient Grey Wardens. Malcolm Hawke's blood was the last used on the seal that kept Corypheus imprisoned. Therefore, only Malcolm's blood – or the blood of his kin – could undo the magical bonds."

"Corypheus…" Tallis tapped her chin. "That name is familiar. It means The Conductor, right?"

Stroud nodded. "According to legend, Corypheus was one of the original Magisters to breach the Fade and spoil the Golden City, bringing the Blight upon the world. The darkspawn followed him and heeded his every whim."

Tallis raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I never put much stock in those old legends, Warden. They're part of your religion, not mine."

"Then all you must believe is this," Stroud said. "Corypheus was a powerful mage and an even more powerful darkspawn. He has the ability to alter the thoughts of those around him, to twist their will to suit his own dark aims. This was why the dwarves sought Marian Hawke. And it was why many Grey Wardens helped them."

Tallis' curiosity was sufficiently piqued. "Rebellion among the Grey Wardens? I didn't think that was possible."

"Their minds were not their own. They were influenced by Corypheus' evil. Made to believe that freeing him was the only way to stop the Blight for good. They were deceived, and he killed many of them."

"This is all very fascinating," Bes piped up from behind Stroud's shoulder. "But what does this have to do with Merrill and her shem?"

"More importantly," Tallis added, "what's your interest?"

"This woman that seeks Hawke's affections," Stroud said. "She is not what she claims to be. Her name is indeed Kylee Valette, but she is no farmer. She is a Grey Warden, and one of my best students."

A dark look came into the Warden's eyes and a scowl curled his lips. "Until she was reassigned to the prison in the Vimmark Wastelands, that is. Where Corypheus corrupted her."

He linked his arms behind his back and began pacing back and forth. "When I learned of the corruption that was being sown among the Warden ranks, I immediately traveled north. I arrived too late; Hawke and her companions were gone, many Wardens were dead, and Corypheus was slain."

"Then what's the problem? If he's dead…"

Stroud sighed. "Corypheus is so corrupted by the taint of the darkspawn that his human origins are almost nonexistent. He is a being of pure darkness, whose power is rivaled only by those of the Archdemons we are sworn to slay. He is not mortal as we are."

That doesn't sound good, Tallis thought.

"Archdemons," he continued, "have the ability to regenerate themselves if they are killed by normal warriors. They feed off of a person's mind in parasitic symbiosis until they have the power to be born anew. Only a Grey Warden can strike them down for good."

He shook his head. "I fear Corypheus possesses this same power."

"That's a bold claim," Tallis said. "How do you know this?"

"The corruption within the Grey Warden ranks did not die with Corypheus' body. There are still those who seek to free the so-called Elder One from his imprisonment. If he was truly dead, he would no longer hold sway over their minds."

His shoulders slumped. "When I learned that Kylee was one of the Wardens corrupted by his evil, I immediately set out to stop her. I tracked her south through the Vimmark Mountains and watched as she joined with Hawke on her return to Kirkwall."

He looked up and met Tallis' gaze. "I do not know what Kylee seeks. But I know that whatever she is doing here, it is at the behest of her new master. I must stop her from bringing any more of his evil into this world."

Tallis bit her lip, debating whether to help him. His story seemed pretty far-fetched, but there was no denying the sincerity in his voice or the tight, drawn desperation in his face.

"I…," she grimaced and forged ahead. "I might be able to help you. I was tailing Kylee with Merrill only minutes ago. She was communicating with someone, someone who told her that he needed the blood of the hawk before he could be fully free."

She could almost see the pieces slide into place in Stroud's mind. His eyebrows raised and his eyes flashed dangerously.

"So that is his secret?" he muttered. "The magic bonds that strip him of power are not yet dissolved! The ritual must not have been complete when Hawke struck him down the first time. He still requires her blood to free himself!"

"And I'm guessing Kylee's going to be the one to give it to him," Tallis finished. "And something tells me she's not going to ask Hawke to just prick her finger."

"We must go to Hawke now," Stroud insisted. "There is no time to waste."

Tallis held her hands up. "Not just yet. I have allies who will want to help us. Also…"

She reached into her belt and pulled out the communication crystal she had snagged from Kylee earlier. She held it out to Stroud. "I think you'll want this. It may do you more good than me."

He took it gently, as if afraid it would explode. "And… just what is this?"

"The device Kylee used to talk to this Corypheus character. It might come in handy if you're trying to track him."

Stroud nodded in thanks and gingerly tucked it into his own belt. "You have done me a great service, my friend. I will see that this opportunity is not wasted."

Behind him, Nereen rubbed at her chin. "This is all very fascinating. But what about us? How can we help?"

"You cannot," Stroud said. "Kylee is an accomplished warrior. She is even more dangerous now that she serves a new master. You must leave this to me."

Nereen laughed, long and loud. "That's adorable, Mr. Moustache, but it's not going to happen. Merrill is our friend. We're going to help her."

"That is not a wise choice—"

"I've made worse mistakes," Nereen pushed. "Besides, if this woman is as dangerous as you say then you'll need every blade you can get."

Stroud looked as if he was going to argue more. But when Bes and Venuris stepped up to Nereen's side in agreement, he finally relented. He drew his hood back over his head with a scowl.

"Very well. But on your heads be the consequences."

Nereen shrugged. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

Stroud turned back to Tallis. "Gather your allies quickly, my friend. It won't be long before Kylee realizes that we are on to her."

"I won't waste time," she assured him as he and the others hurried away down the street. "You have my word."

As she turned away, she added under her breath, "Let's just hope Merrill doesn't burn me to a crisp when I tell her…"

Lowtown Alienage

Tallis knew it was bad when Isabela opened the door to Merrill's apartment. She knew it was even worse than she thought when the beautiful piratess didn't even smile in greeting. As soon as the woman laid eyes on her, her expression instead darkened into a surprisingly fearsome scowl.

"Tallis," she greeted the elf.

"Hello, Isabela."

"I wish I could say it was good to see you again, but—"

"But I've been a right royal bitch," Tallis finished for her. "I know. I've come to apologize. And give Merrill some news."

"I don't think she wants to see you right now."

Tallis ignored her and pushed through the door. "How bad is it? I'm assuming she told you everything."

"Hawke caught her spying after you disappeared on her. It was… a less-than-friendly exchange. Merrill's been crying ever since."

Tallis sighed with actual regret. "Ditching her wasn't my first choice, but I had to go. I couldn't risk Hawke or Kylee seeing me."

"Just tell me one thing," Isabela said. "Was it worth it? Was Merrill right about Kylee all along?"

"You have no idea. Just let me upstairs and I'll try to explain this whole thing to Merrill. We don't have much time."

The piratess sighed, but allowed Tallis to head upstairs to Merrill's rooms. Tallis knew it was indeed worse than she feared when she heard weeping leaking through the closed door. She grimaced and thought, You really screwed it all up this time, didn't you Tallis?

The door swung open to reveal Merrill sitting at her cluttered table, head buried in her arms. Her shoulders were shaking with deep, mournful sobs. And sitting on the table next to her – Isabela's gift, no doubt – was an open bottle of Rivaini brandy.

Tallis fixed the white-clad piratess with a skeptical glare. "You gave her booze? When she's already in this state?"

'Bela shrugged and took a seat next to the weeping elf. "I thought it would calm her down, but she hasn't touched a drop yet. I, on the other hand, have been thoroughly enjoying it."

Merrill wiped her eyes and looked up at Tallis. The Qunari spy couldn't miss the hurt and anger in the younger elf's gaze.

"Y-you!" Merril choked out. "You left! Ran away when Hawke caught me!"

"I… yeah, I guess I did," Tallis sighed. She eased herself into the chair opposite Merrill. "I couldn't let Hawke or Kylee see me."

"So you just vanish? Abandon me to face Hawke on my own?" Merrill shook her head miserably. "Marian thinks I was trying to hurt Kylee. She thinks I can't be trusted!"

She buried her head in her hands. "Oh, now she'll never listen to me again! I should never have tried spying on her!"

Isabela put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'll talk to her, Kitten. Hawke's still your friend. When she finds out what's really going on—"

"But we don't even know what's really going on!" Merrill cried. "And she already thinks I hate her girlfriend. Why would she listen to me?"

"Maybe," Tallis said slowly, "because now you have the evidence to prove Kylee can't be trusted."

Merrill's crying slowed, and the elven woman looked up at her with her huge green eyes. Her voice was little more than a whimper. "W-what?"

Tallis rested her forearms on the table. "What if I told you that your friends and I ran across someone else who knows Kylee? Who has known her since before Hawke met her, and has proof that she's actually going to hurt Hawke?"

"I'd say you were full of it," Isabela said matter-of-factly. Still, she didn't accuse Tallis of lying. In fact, she leaned closer and lowered her voice to a conspiratorial murmur. "So what dirt do you have on her?"

"Does the name Corypheus mean anything to either of you?"

Isabela shook her head, but Merrill blinked slowly and pursed her lips into a thin line– a sure sign she was thinking hard. "That was that magister…" she slowly said. "The one who corrupted the Golden City and started the Blight. Sebastian told me the story, and Varric claimed Hawke accidentally woke him up on their last trip."

"Well, my contact claims that Corypheus somehow corrupted Kylee's mind and is using her to get at Hawke."

Isabela narrowed her eyes. "Just who is this contact?"

"A Grey Warden. He claims he's after Kylee to stop her before she completes whatever it is Corypheus is planning."

'Bela stroked the golden stud in her chin, then glanced in Merrill's direction. "What do you think, Kitten? Should we give old cloak-and-daggers here a second chance?"

Merrill's gaze was fixed on Tallis. She sniffed and murmured, "You're telling the truth?"

"I swear on the qun."

"Not the best choice of oaths," Isabela muttered.

"And you'll actually help this time?" Merrill continued.

Tallis nodded. "I promise. I… I'm sorry for abandoning you earlier. It won't happen again."

"And Hawke is really in danger?"

Tallis nodded, which seemed to be all the confirmation Merrill needed. The skinny elf rose from her seat and grabbed her staff, slinging it over her shoulder. "All right then," she said, taking a deep, shaky breath. "Then let's warn her before Kylee tries to pull something."

"The others are already waiting for us in Hightown."

Isabela rose from her seat as well, looking like she wanted to come with. But Merrill had other ideas. She waved the older woman away, motioning for her to stay put.

"No, Isabela," she said. "I want you to get Aveline and the guard. Just in case we need more help."

The piratess looked almost insulted. "You don't want me to come with you?"

"Nothing would make me feel better. But I'll have Tallis and the others backing me up. This is just something I have to do myself."

She bit her lip, as if readying an apology. But Isabela nodded, a knowing look in her eyes. "I understand, Kitten. Go kick some ass, then. I'll get the others and be waiting in case things go south."

"Thank you."

Merrill turned to the door and met Tallis' gaze one last time. She took a final deep breath and said, "All right then. Let's go save Hawke."

Hawke Estate, Hightown

Marian was still blushing as she ushered Kylee through the door.

"I am so sorry about that," she said. "Merrill's always been a bit eccentric, but I never thought she would stoop to spying on me."

"She fancies you?"

Hawke sighed. "Once upon a time…"

Kylee shook her head with a frown. "It looks to me like she still does."

"It doesn't matter. I'll talk to her tomorrow. She'll leave you alone from now on. I promise."

"She'd better. I don't mind your friends, Marian, but I like to have at least a little privacy now and again."

Hawke grinned. "Oh really? Even from me?"

The seductive tone in the Ferelden woman's voice brought a smile to Kylee's face. She reached out and rested her hands on Marian's sides, pulling her close. "Not right now, no. I had a lot of fun at the markets with you today."

"The fun doesn't have to stop now, you know."

Kylee smiled. "I was hoping you'd say that."

She gestured over her shoulder. "Why don't you head up to the bedroom? I'll join you in a few moments."

Hawke's grin grew wider. "I like the sound of that. Don't keep me waiting."

With that, Marian turned and disappeared into the other room. Kylee watched her go, allowing the mage to head upstairs and vanish from sight before her happy, seductive smile fell. A scowl pulled at her lips instead and she clenched her hands into fists.

That damned elf… Maker only knew how long she'd been spying. How much had she heard? How much had she seen?

There was no doubt about it now; there was no longer any time to waste. She couldn't afford to play with her prey any longer. As fun as it had been wrapping Marian Hawke around her little finger, the time had come to finish the job.

Technically the ritual only called for a little blood. But Kylee knew she would need to spill it all to ensure none of this caught up to her later. Regrettable as it was, Hawke would have to die so that her master could truly live.

She stepped into the main chamber of the house, striding intently for the stairs. She didn't make it far, however, before the oafish dwarven servant hopped in front of her.

"Messere," he cried, "how good to see you again! Can I get you anything after your trip to the markets? Some refreshments perhaps? It's much warmer here in the south than your home, I'm sure."

"No thank you, Bodhan," she said, putting on a grateful air. "You're very kind, but I'm fine."

"Some fresh clothes, perhaps? I can see your current attire caught much of the Lowtown dust."

"No thank you-"

"Can my boy fetch you anything from your rooms?"

"No, thank you," she pressed, a definite note of steel in her voice. "I'm fine, Bodhan."

The hairy dwarf knew when he'd overstepped his bounds. He straightened and said, "Ah. Right. I apologize if I disturbed you, Madame."

"It's fine," Kylee said, forcefully calming her tone. "But… do you have any errands to run in town? After the bustle of the markets, I was hoping Marian and I could have some peace and quiet."

"Ah. Of course, messere," Bodhan said. "My boy and I will depart for the Hightown markets immediately. Always good to get ahead on these things. Enjoy your evening, Madame."

"Thank you, Bodhan. Oh, and make sure to take Dog with you too."

"Of course. He could use the fresh air."

She waited until Bodhan and his idiot boy had disappeared through the entryway with Hawke's Mabari hound hot on their heels. She didn't move until the door had slammed shut behind them. Then she took a deep breath and ran a hand through her hair.

No one else was here. Hawke's mother was off at some social event and the brother had run off to join the Templars long ago. Hawke was alone.

Satisfied she would have no further interruptions, Kylee continued toward the stairs. As she moved up to the second floor, she reached behind her back and unsheathed the dagger tucked inconspicuously into her belt.

Marian won't escape this time, she thought. The blood of the hawk will free my master. And I will be the instrument of his deliverance.

"Come, come!" Stroud ushered them closer. "Kylee and Hawke went inside only minutes ago. We are running out of time!"

Tallis nodded and drew her daggers while Nereen tried the door. Unsurprisingly, it was locked. The blond elf cursed and stepped back, spreading her feet. "Hold on," she said. "I'll kick it in."

"No," Merrill said. "Allow me."

She stepped forward, glanced around to make sure no one on the street was watching, then raised her staff and thrust it forward like a spear. A telekinetic shockwave erupted from the end of her staff, splintering the door inward and creating an opening more than large enough to walk through.

"That'll do it," Nereen said, sounding impressed. She quickly hopped through the door, followed by Bes, Venuris, and Stroud. Tallis was next, and she gave a short nod of encouragement to Merrill before ducking inside herself.

Tallis was forced to hesitate as she stepped through the short hallway and into the main chamber of Hawke's mansion. She had always known Hawke was swimming in gold, but the elegance and extravagance of her home was staggering. There were tapestries on the walls and plush rugs on the floor. Every surface gleamed like freshly-polished ivory, and shields bearing the Amell family crest adorned the walls. If not for the crooked chandelier and the crude picture carved into the stair's railing – Isabela's handiwork, no doubt – it could easily have housed royalty.

Stroud was not so easily distracted. He drew his sword with a flourish and stepped forward. When he spoke, his voice was a booming call that echoed through the massive house.

"Kylee Valette! I call you forth for judgement!"

For a moment, Tallis didn't think there would be an answer. Then a door slammed open from somewhere on the second floor. There were sounds of a struggle and a cry of pain. Kylee staggered into sight on the second-floor balcony and held in front of her was Hawke. The blond woman had a dagger to the mage's throat, the sharp point dug dangerously far into her flesh.

Kylee bared her teeth at them like some rabid animal. "I should have known you would be the one hunting me, Jean-Marc!"

Stroud hefted his sword in a secure, two-handed grip. "Let the woman go, Kylee."

"Maker," Hawke grunted, struggling in vain against the woman holding her captive. "I head upstairs expecting a nice roll in the hay and end up with a knife to my throat. My life officially sucks."

She shot Merrill a jaunty salute. "Hello, Merrill. Guess you were right to question my taste in women after all. I think this is probably the worst break-up fight I've ever been in."

Kylee tightened her grip around Hawke's throat. "Shut up. You're lucky I don't kill you now."

"And…" Hawke grimaced as the dagger pressed tighter against her throat. "And just what did I do to piss you off so royally? You're not secretly a Templar are you?"

"Of course not."

"You're right. Templars don't usually sleep with mages before trying to kill them—"

"Be quiet!"

"Are you Orlesian? I heard they're more susceptible to that kind of thing—"

Kylee pulled the dagger back and drove the hilt hard into the side of Hawke's forehead. The mage cried out and fell silent. Tallis saw Merrill take a concerned step forward, raising her staff to come to her friend's aid.

But Kylee saw the motion and quickly brought the dagger back to Hawke's throat. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"And why not?" Merrill said, her voice surprisingly firm. "You plan to kill her anyway, don't you?"

"Not unless you make me," Kylee said. "All I want is her blood. Allow me to take it, and everyone walks out of here in one piece."

Stroud's brow furrowed dangerously. "You know I cannot allow you to do that, Kylee."

"And what would you know?" Kylee shouted back. "Where have you been all these years, Jean-Marc? Wandering Thedas in search of recruits? Being treated like royalty everywhere you went?"

She pointed to her own chest, arm still tight around Hawke's throat. "You want to know where I've been? In the Deep Roads, fighting Darkspawn, ogres, and other hellish creatures day-in and day-out. For years!"

Tallis backed away, drawing her daggers close to her chest. Her eyes darted around the room, searching for any opening she could find. In a situation this volatile, she wouldn't have long. She'd be given a split-second at most. Any longer and Hawke could die.

Thankfully, Stroud was doing a marvelous job holding her attention. "That is no excuse to turn to Corypheus for aid!"

"Corypheus is master of the Blight!" Kylee cried. "By joining with him, the Wardens could also master its evil!"

"Corypheus is evil!" Stroud roared. "He is no better than the Archdemons!"

"You are a fool if you think that, Warden Stroud. You have allowed your wanderings to dull your mind and weaken your commitment. In peace, vigilance, Warden! Or have you forgotten?"

Fire erupted in Stroud's dark eyes. "How dare you!"

Hawke let out a groggy moan. "Hey Merrill… remember that time we went to the docks after dark? And we were cornered by those thugs who wanted to throw us on the slave barge?"

Kylee's hand wrapped around the mage's throat in warning, but Hawke kept on talking. Her voice was strangled as she continued, "Remember what I did to that one Coterie guy who grabbed me?"

Merrill's eyes suddenly went wide. She spun to the others and cried, "Get down!" before throwing herself to the floor and covering her head.

Tallis barely had time to question the younger elf's words before there was a silent detonation of white light from Hawke's position on the balcony and a concussive shockwave knocked her flat on her back.

Grimacing against the blast of light, she saw that Hawke had turned herself into a conduit of magical electricity. It raced out from her body, lighting up her skeleton in bright flashes as it arced out and danced across the floor. Lightning wrapped around Kylee like the tendrils of a sea monster, making her writhe and scream in agony.

Within moments, the magical storm died away and Hawke threw herself off the balcony and out of Kylee's reach. She crashed hard against the polished floor while Kylee staggered against the railing above, her clothes smoking.

Merrill instantly scrambled to her feet and made straight for Hawke. Throwing out her arm, she projected a shield of protective magic around the weakened mage. Tallis threw herself into action as well, sprinting for the stairs and hurling one of her daggers. Kylee rolled out of the way with almost supernatural speed and the blade clattered harmlessly against the wall.

Tallis cursed and ripped the cloak from around her shoulders, freeing her arms so she could draw two more throwing daggers and let them fly. Kylee dodged these as well, at least until Nereen – who had unceremoniously clambered up the side of a large statue to reach the second floor – tackled her from behind.

Kylee may have looked frail, but she was still a human and that gave her both a size and strength advantage over the elves attacking her. She easily threw Nereen from her shoulders and made to leap over the railing after Hawke.

Tallis managed to throw one last dagger before she dropped. She felt a surge of satisfaction at the sight of it plunging into the blond woman's shoulder. Then Kylee dropped down to the main floor, her own dagger still in hand.

Merrill was still covering Hawke and unable to defend herself. Thankfully, Stroud and Bes were there to help her. Kylee ripped the dagger from her shoulder and used it to slash at Bes, who fell back with a livid cut across his shoulder. Stroud stepped in to take the next blow, catching the blades of the much smaller daggers along the edge of his polished sword.

Kylee snarled at him. "You're blind, Stroud! You think I'm doing this for power or fame?"

Stroud grunted as he shoved his former pupil away. "I think you are not yourself. I think Corypheus has corrupted you and turned you against your own ideals!"

Kylee dropped into a crouch and charged, thrusting her daggers forward and trying to stab into the weak points in Stroud's silverite armor. "I want to stop the Blights once and for all! Or would you rather we simply keep waiting to kill ourselves in pursuit of Archdemons!"

"In victory, sacrifice!" Stroud shot back. He yanked Kylee's daggers off to the side and punched her square in the nose. The woman staggered back with a cry while Stroud advanced on her. "You have forgotten your purpose, Kylee! You are meant to defend Thedas, not re-shape it as you see fit!"

Kylee glared at him, blood streaming from her broken nose. "Corypheus promises us more than the ability to re-shape the word, Jean-Marc. He promises us peace. Do you understand? Lasting peace."

"Grey Wardens are no use in times of peace," Stroud snapped. "And Thedas needs us more than it needs Corypheus."

Kylee was about to say more, but the ever-stealthy Venuris had crept behind her. Once sure the woman was distracted, she threw out her hand to Tallis. Tallis, waiting for such a signal, tossed one of her many daggers.

The redheaded elf easily caught the blade out of the air, reversed her grip, and sank the weapon hilt-deep into the back of Kylee's knee.

Kylee arched her head back and let out a blood-curdling scream. She whirled on her attacker and batted her aside as if she were as light as a doll. Venuris crashed into a desk strewn with parchment and slumped to the floor.

The distraction was enough; Tallis leaped down from the floor above, a dagger in each hand. With two well-placed motions she carved a bloody X across Kylee's back. Grimacing against the sudden spray of blood, she hopped back to duck the inevitable counterstrike.

The blow gave Nereen and Bes the opening they needed as well. They charged forward, each grabbing one of Kylee's arms tight. The three crashed through the floor and the elves quickly maneuvered to pin Kylee beneath them. Within moments, the woman was left weaponless, defeated, and confined.

"Agh!" Kylee cried. "You knife-eared scum! Let me go! Let me go or I'll—"

Stroud's blade descended, the edge resting dangerously against her throat. She instantly fell silent, staring up at the senior Grey Warden with a livid gaze.

"You might as well kill me now," she hissed. "We both know the Elder One doesn't tolerate failure."

"You may be right," Stroud said. "Maker knows you deserve punishment for your crimes. You have abandoned everything you swore to uphold, Kylee. You turned your back on your teachings and your fellow Grey Wardens. You are an embarrassment to our Order."

A look of hurt passed through Kylee's expression. But after only a moment, it transformed again into indignant rage. "You think you're better than me, Stroud? You think you're somehow better?"

"I know that I am the one holding a blade to your throat," he replied evenly.

Surprisingly, he suddenly stepped back and sheathed his sword. Folding his arms across his chest, he continued, "But I was not the intended target of your villainy. Therefore I cannot decide your fate."

He turned to Hawke, just now rising back to her feet. Merrill was helping her up, one of the human's arms around her scrawny shoulders. Marian's clothing was blackened and smoking from the electrical discharge, and her hair was standing out in all directions. Otherwise, she looked fine. A little dazed, perhaps, but fine.

Stroud inclined his head to her. "You are the aggrieved party, Serah Hawke. What fate would you place on the aggressor?"

Hawke coughed, then rubbed her eyes with her free hand. When she opened them again, her steel-grey eyes were clear and focused. She stared at Kylee with a dark frown on her face.

"You really came all this way just to kill me?" she said, her voice dangerously low. "Everything you said, everything you did… it was all a lie?"

"My master told me to use any methods necessary," Kylee growled. "I figured gaining your confidence would have been easier than attacking you outright."

"And you're not sorry? About any of it?"

Kylee narrowed her eyes. "Why would I be? You didn't actually think I was attracted to you, did you?"

Something changed in Hawke's eyes, then. There was a flash of pain that lasted only the briefest of moments. Then her gaze emptied of all sympathy or pity. Her brows furrowed and her lip curled, twisting the scar that ran down the side of her face.

"Let her go," she said, her voice low and calm.

Nereen glanced up at her. "What? After all the bloody trouble we just went through to stop her?"

Hawke's voice left no room for argument. "Let her go."

The blond elf looked to Merrill for guidance. She nodded in agreement, so Nereen and Bes stepped back to let Kylee stagger to her feet. She took a few steps away before she suddenly froze in place. The air shimmered around her, like a heat wave in the desert. It took Tallis only a moment to realize Hawke was the culprit.

The burned and bruised mage extricated herself from Merrill and limped forward, until she was almost nose-to-nose with the other woman. Her face was still pulled down in a furious scowl.

"Understand this," she hissed. "This is not a mercy. I'm doing you no favors by letting you go. If what you say is true – if you do serve Corypheus – then I know what's waiting for you as soon as you step out of these doors."

For the first time since Tallis had first seen her, a look of real fear came into Kylee's eyes. Whether it was the result of Hawke's words or the fearsome expression on her scarred face, she couldn't tell.

"I'm letting you walk away now," Marian continued, "because I know that there will be no place for you to hide. No place for you to squirrel away where he won't find you. And know that if my friends and I catch you in this city come nightfall, we'll make you wish Corypheus had caught you instead. Am I clear?"

Kylee grunted, which made Hawke clench her fist. The shimmering aura surrounding the blond woman began to glow red, and the temperature in the room grew noticeably hotter. Kylee whimpered as sweat almost instantly broke out along her forehead.

"Am I clear?"

She nodded and choked out, "Y-yes. Very clear."

"Good," Hawke said. She let her hand drop to her side, and the aura imprisoning her former lover flickered out. "Then leave. I never want to see you again."

Kylee stared at her for a moment, then silently limped toward the door. She paused at the entryway and half-turned back to them.

"Just for the record," she said, "I didn't plan to kill you at first. I just wanted your blood to—"

Hawke lit a fireball in her hand with a flick of her fingers. Kylee jumped at the sight. She quickly turned away and limped through the shattered door and out of sight without another word. After a few moments, she was gone.

Hawke extinguished the fireball with a weary sigh and ran her hands through her singed and still-smoking hair. After she took a moment to collect herself, she let out a quiet curse and muttered, "Well, I think that went rather well."

"That was not a wise choice," Stroud said with a frown. "She will no doubt return to—"

"I'll get to you and your glorious moustache in just a minute," Hawke interrupted. She turned to the others and said, "In the meantime, mind explaining what all this was really about? And just why I have four armed strangers standing in my home?"

Tallis stepped forward. "Hawke—"

Marian cut her off. "Not yet, Tallis. Merrill goes first."

The Qunari spy promptly closed her mouth while the human turned to her elven friend. With a grimace, she eased herself into a sitting position on the floor and sighed, "Put this story into simple words my tired brain can understand, please."

Merrill wrung her hands. "I… may have found out that your girlfriend was actually plotting to steal your blood all along."

"For Corypheus?"

"Yes."

"Who's not dead?"

"No."

"And still trying to kill me?"

"Yes."

Hawke sighed and rubbed her forehead. Eventually, she looked up at Stroud and said, "And who are you?"

Stroud inclined his head slightly. "I am Jean-Marc Stroud, senior Grey Warden of the Free Marches—"

Hawke waved her hand wearily. "Too long. Simple words please. Let's remember that I pumped an entire thunderstorm's worth of lightning through my own body not five minutes ago."

Stroud frowned deeper, his lips twitching in irritation. But he simply nodded and said, "I am a Grey Warden. An ally."

Hawke nodded and pointed at Nereen. "And you?"

"Nereen. A mercenary."

Venuris' turn. "And you?"

"I'm a friend of Merrill's."

Finally, Bes. "What about you?"

Bes shrugged. "I honestly don't know why I'm here."

Hawke laughed. "Welcome to my world, friend."

She clambered back to her feet with a groan. "So… my girlfriend was actually a lying, murderous bitch working for some apparently invincible ancient magister who's out for my blood. And you guys have been sneaking around town the past few days trying to prove that she was evil all along?"

Her words were met with a round of nods. She sighed and turned to Merrill once more.

"I guess… I guess I owe you an apology, Merrill. I should have known you were only trying to help. I'm sorry for ever doubting you."

Merrill blushed. "You don't have to apologize, Hawke."

"This time I do. I should have trusted my friends over some floozy I met in the north less than a week ago."

"You certainly know how to pick the exciting ones," the elf giggled.

Hawke patted her shoulder reassuringly and limped past, heading for the stairs that led to the second floor. As she passed Tallis, she leaned close and whispered, "Knew you'd come back sooner or later."

Tallis grinned. "That's it? That's all you have to say?"

Hawke chuckled. "All I can say right now. Like I said, my brain was a little fried by all that lightning."

The mage was halfway up the stairs when the sound of clanking armor suddenly echoed from the entryway. Everyone spun with weapons at the ready, expecting another attack. Instead, Aveline and Isabela came bursting into the room. Their weapons were drawn as well, and they were followed by at least ten guardsman.

"We came as soon as we could," Aveline said breathlessly. "Where's the fight?"

"By now, probably on the other side of Hightown," Hawke said with a frown. "Where were you guys five minutes ago?"

Isabela sighed at the disarray the room was in and shook her head in disappointment. She lowered her daggers and kicked at the floor. "I told you we should have hurried!" she snapped. "Now we've missed all the fun!"

"I care how much gold you throw at my guards," Aveline shot back, "we can't just go breaking into people's homes without probable cause!"

"And giant bloody forks of lightning bursting through the windows isn't cause enough?"

Aveline ignored Isabela's barbs and nodded to Hawke. "Are you all right?"

"Never better."

"Then what in the Maker's name happened here?"

Hawke sighed and gestured to the others spread out on the floor below. "Have one of them tell you."

Merrill glanced over her shoulder. "Where are you going?"

"Bath," Hawke called, limping up the stairs once more. "Then bed. Talk later."

No one noticed that in all the commotion, Tallis had once again vanished.