Susanna, Phillip and Oran where sitting eating their dinner with a girl, named Jenny, who took care of the safe house. Kristoff kept to himself. He was like a ghost, entering and leaving a room without anyone noticing him. Never taking of his mask and he ate in privacy. When he talked his coarse voice was without emotion. Tranquils were always unsettling, but he was even more so. He seemed to be more dead than alive. Jenny had acquired some more information for them. It was a good thing they knew she could be trusted because she was certainly chatty.
"I can't believe you are going to rescue Anders. I have always wanted to see him."
"He is tranquil. There isn't much to see." Susanna responded.
"I know, but still. The stories you hear are so... romantic." Jenny gave a little sigh.
"Starting a war by massacring a bunch of people, you think that is romantic?" Phillip stated.
"I am talking about the love stories of course. The stories about, how he made a rich noble woman fall in love with him. Then he got her to save the mages instead of killing them."
"I don't think she ever killed any mages and who said that she didn't like mages before that?"
"You have no sense of drama."
"I think both Anders and the champion got enough drama... especially at the end." Susanna said with a sad voice.
"Yes... that is the most romantic part." Jenny said with dreamy eyes.
"Romantic? They were captured and tortured. First she had to sit by while they preformed a ritual that almost killed him. After that they beat her to death in front of him and threw her in a dungeon for her corps to rot. And then finally after him begging for death for weeks they made him their tranquil puppet. Honestly, I am not sure we are doing him a kindness by giving him his emotions back." Phillip stated.
"It is a tragic romance."
"It is time for us to leave." Kristoff noted in the door. Where had he come from and how long had he been standing there? He really was terrifying in his own way. A good thing he was on their side. He walked in the shadows as if he were a part of them. His mask and black hood made him look scarier than any demon. He was unreadable, emotionless and distant. His presence sent a chill through every inch of once body. He might as well be a walking dead. They picked up their things and went towards the templar headquarters.
They were walking through the sewers and the stench was horrible. All of them holding cloth over their mouths. Kristoff didn't seem to mind the smell and Oran began to wonder if he had any sense of smell at all. They went in through a hatch that led to the basement of the headquarters. Kristoff lead the way. The way he vanished into the shadows was amazing... unsettling, but amazing. He redirected the patrols and brought them safely past them. Now they needed to find where Anders was. They found the room they were told was his. The light was still on. Kristoff took the handle and for the first time Susanna noticed that he seemed to hesitate. He was probably preparing for an assault and she grabbed her fist tightly around her staff. The little room was filled with books and in the middle there was a desk. A blonde man was sitting by the desk and turned around as they entered. He had the brand on his forehead and he gave them a curious look. Well, as curious as a tranquil could look. His eyes seemed empty and he had no body language at all. His gaze was completely vacant. Kristoff jumped slightly, but the others didn't notice. He then closed the door behind him.
"Maker... it is him... I can't bear to look."
"You must. You are strong. I am here for you, whatever you need."
"I know."
Kristoff turned around and he could see Anders studying him. It was hard for him to keep still and focus on Anders. Tranquillity was worse than death, but thankfully there was now a way to reverse it. Kristoff looked at the sun on Anders' forehead. That would forever be a reminder to the man of what he had been, always give away that he was a mage and worse... a constant reminder of all that he had lost. Perhaps Phillip had been right. Killing him might be the most merciful option, but this was about more than that. This was a blow to the templars showing them that all mages stand together, no matter what.
"Is your name Anders?" Susanna asked.
"That is what I am called, yes."
"We are here to free you and undo what has been done to you."
"I see... If you intend to reverse my condition I suggest that we go to the commander's office. There is a book with a detailed description." Anders replied calmly.
"I know how to reverse the rite. We don't need it."
"I believe you do. Performing the rite of tranquillity on me was difficult."
"Very well. Lead the way."
Anders nodded and went out the door with the others following. Susanna wondered why there weren't any guards posted. She got the answer when Kristoff hastily grabbed her and Anders by the arm. Kristoff then kneeled and disarmed a trap. There must have been at least fifty before they reached the office. They quickly entered and Anders went to find the book. Oran could of cause not keep his mouth shut and believing they were safe started asking questions.
"So Anders, I have to ask. Why are you coming with us? I mean you serve the templars so why come with us. You don't have any feelings telling you that you would want to be free."
"I serve Jack Leroux, because that is my function. You are right that I have no feelings, but I still have my memories. Though I do no longer posses the desire to be free, I do remember having a function when I was free. And you would not have come for me if you did not have a function for me to perform."
"Have you always been this shifting in your loyalty?"
"Loyalty has nothing to do with it. It is logical, you have more functions for me to perform than Jack Leroux does."
Susanna grabbed Oran's arm and hushed him. Hearing Anders speak was terrifying. She had read his manifesto several times. They were so heartfelt and passionate. Seeing a man who wanted to be a visionary and who risked everything to free his people like this, was horrible. Susanna then heard a loud noise and looked at Oran. His impatient nature had once again caused them trouble. He had activated a trap and now five shades appeared. Kristoff pulled is daggers and vanished into a cloud of smoke. Phillip charged forward while Oran casted chain lightning. They had quickly dealt with the shades, but unfortunately the templars were now aware of their presence. Anders had found the book and they ran. Kristoff lead the way. It was incredible how fast he was and they actually got out of the keep without having to kill more than a few templars. He led them out to the street and a few streets away there were two young boys with two horses each saddled and ready. Had Kristoff known how it would turn out or was he just prepared for anything? He paid the boys and jumped on a horse. Phillip lifted Susanna up on one of the horses and then jumped up behind her. Oran and Anders took a horse each. Kristoff then lead them through a lot of small streets and alleys and before they knew it they were out of Val Royaux. Susanna wasn't sure where they were heading, but it seemed like they were going south. When she asked Phillip he nodded. Why were they heading south?
It was the longest ride Susanna had ever done. She wondered how the horses faired. When they reached a small village she was hoping that they might stop, but Kristoff however had arranged for four knew horses. They had ridden for almost fourteen hours when Kristoff finally wanted them to make camp. Oran immediately started to put out his bedroll and sleep. Kristoff started a fire and gave them all something to eat. It was hard to tell, but even he seemed more tired than usual. Before lying down to sleep Anders handed Susanna the book. She started to read and even though she should sleep she couldn't put the book down. These rituals were unlike anything she had ever seen. The others were fast asleep, she thought so she was startled when Kristoff sat down next to her.
"What did they do to him?"
"Well, according to this Anders was possessed by a spirit of Justice. I had always thought that to be myth. You hear so many things about him and the champion, it seemed so unlikely."
"Go on."
"Well it seemed that they preformed the rite of tranquillity on him twice. First time was while the spirit was still inside him. It backfired and five men went into a coma and died shortly after. They then did a ritual on him to remove the spirit that resembled the ritual I have to perform. Three people were sent into the fade only one of them awoke. Apparently the spirit was very hostile and very strong. They then perform the rite again."
"Strange."
"Not as strange as the next part. Apparently after they had made him tranquil he kept on trying to escape and even without his magic he killed several templars."
"If he was tranquil why would he do that?"
"According to Jack Leroux, Anders' memories were causing this rebellious behaviour. Even though he felt nothing, there was something so important that he believed he had to run. In the end they preformed a ritual that removed his memories."
"I have heard of this ritual. How far back did they remove them?"
"It doesn't say... If I may ask, where are we going?"
"Too a safe house in Lydes. When we arrive we can perform the ritual and our business is concluded. We should get some rest."
And as suddenly as he had sat down Kristoff got up and went over to his bedroll.
The next day Susanna was deep in thought. Phillip was sitting behind her on the horse and was getting a little worried. He started to kiss and nibble her neck. She blushed and tried to suppress a giggle.
"Stop it. It tickles."
"I love it when I make you blush."
"That's because you are the only one who can make me."
"Indeed. What is on your mind?"
"Remember what I told you this morning about all the rituals preformed on Anders?"
"Yes... what about them?"
"Well, I just can't fathom why a tranquil would escape. The woman he loved was dead and he had no emotions or desire for freedom. What could be so important that even though he felt nothing he would try to run?"
"Habit? Perhaps he thought it logical to free mages?"
"Maybe..."
"Why don't you ask him? He is right over there you know. He might not remember, but perhaps he has a hunch."
"You're right."
Susanna jumped down from the horse and went over to Anders. Anders eyes widened a little when she asked to come up on to his horse, but he gave her his hand and lifted her up. She sat behind and then began.
"Do you mind if I ask you some questions?"
"No."
"I wanted to know about this memory ritual. How much did it erase?"
"From what I could calculate about seven years."
"How long have you been tranquil?"
"About four years."
"So you remember nothing of what happened in Kirkwall?"
"I remember the first month I was there, but my memories after that are of being tranquil."
"Do you know what you did?"
"Yes, the templars reminded me quite often."
"I'm sorry."
"I feel nothing why would you feel sorry?"
"I just am."