Fifteen years after the end of the mage revolution society was finally starting to change. The greatest changes were seen in Ferelden. The King was married to the first mage queen in over a thousand years. The people had unexpectedly rejoiced in this marriage. Alistair suspected that this was due to Alyssa's status as the Hero of Ferelden. Their son and heir to the throne, Duncan Therin, were loved by the people and was a skilled warrior. Despite his young age he had already received many recommendations of valour. Mages and magic was still met with some suspicion, but they could finally live a life in Ferelden without the constant fear of templars. They were now allowed to marry and live outside the confinement of the circle. Instead of the circle there were now three options open to them. Some were taught in a boarding school in Amaranthine, were a lot of the teachers were wardens. This also allowed the wardens to recruit the mages they needed without interference from the templars or chantry. The second option was to be assigned to a royal approved mentor, who the mage would be bound to until the day of their harrowing. The third option was that a mage blood child could be taught by its parent, this option was the most preferred among mages. The harrowing was still used as a method of testing a mage's strength, but now that they knew how to reverse spirit possession the consequences were less severe. The choice was no longer tranquility or possible death.
Bloodmagic was still illegal and to capture criminal mages a new order had been founded. The order of magical defence consisted of templars as well as mages and answered to the king and landsmeet rather than the chantry. They also dealt with abominations and made sure that the mage was purged of its demon. If the mage in question had willingly dealt with the demon they were imprisoned and in some cases executed. Unwillingly victims were kept under observations for a time and if necessary had to undergo another harrowing. The order was viewed with suspicion by many of the mages, but since mages were also allowed to join the order it helped.
Mages now had to find a new way of providing for themselves. Some had become merchants, others had joined the guard, army and some had more ordinary lives as farmers. Then there were of course the clinics. Since mages were freed clinics were placed in the larger cities in Ferelden. The first that was opened was in Denerim and was now run by the court physician and former grey warden Anders.
Outside a small estate in Denerim.
He looked around as he went through the square. To imagine that once not long ago he wouldn't have been able to walk like this without fear. The thought was almost absurd to him. He looked up at the sky and felt the warmth of the sun against his skin as he ran a hand through his longish blonde hair. He turned around when he heard a woman scream and a man ran through the crowd pushing people out of the way with a coin purse in his hand. Carver casted a paralyzing glyph and trapped the thief.
"Now there don't you know that it is unjust to steal from young women?"
"Y-yes ser mage. I will never do it again… please don't hurt me."
"I'm a mage not a thug like you. I don't hurt people unless I am provoked."
"S-so y-you will let m-me go?"
"Sorry, that would not be just."
He took the coin purse from the thief and signalled the guards by sending a spike of lightning into the air. Only moments later the guards appeared and Carver explained the situation to them. As the robber was taken away the young lady who was robbed approached him and smiled very sweetly at him.
"Thank you so much kind ser, that was very noble of you."
"Anything for such a lovely lady as yourself." Carver winked at her and gave a charming smiled. She giggled and turned away. As she walked away she turned her head several times to look at him and he enjoyed the view of her swaying hips.
"You are far too distracted by young women."
"Oh lighten up Justice. One of these days we really need to get you a girl."
"I am a spirit of justice, I have no need for a female companion."
"Not even my mother?" Carver teased.
"That was… different."
"Say what you want Justice, but deep down I know that you are a real softie."
Justice did not reply. Carver walked towards the estate and saw Duncan getting of his horse. They were both now in the Royal army together. Duncan was of course a commanding officer because of his lineage and Carver was one of the only arcane warriors in order. He went towards his best friend and gave him a pat on his shoulders.
"Aaaww did you miss me already? I have only been gone for an hour."
"Well… I… didn't expect you to be here actually." Duncan starred into the ground with a shy demeanour. Carver in turn laughed heartily at his friend.
"Finally the great warrior found out that there was more to life than swords. Who is she?"
"Your sister."
"I figured that much, but I have three you know. You have to be more specific."
"Oh come on. Lissa is not yet fifteen and you adopted sister is… well…"
"Not Lea?"
"Yes…. I don't know what to do… I tried talking to my father, but he just gets uncomfortable."
"Hey don't worry, Lea likes you. It's no big deal."
"Easy for you to say, I don't have any of your so called charms."
"Well at least you have a big sword." Carver smirked.
"You're horrible bastard, you know that right?"
"I am the only son in a house full of sisters. I have been called far worse believe me. Let's go inside."
-OOO-
Anders was treating the last patients for today. He had been running the clinic in Denerim for the past fourteen years. King Alistair had provided him and Marian with a small estate and had opened a clinic in one of the two wings. The clinic was free to the public, but many nobles found it demeaning to come to a clinic where commoners came and preferred to pay Anders for making house calls. This arrangement worked well enough. It allowed him to help people who needed it and still provided a living. Two other mages where employed at the clinic and was paid by the king. One of them was a healer and the other an herbalist. In addition to his employees Anders had the help of two of his daughters, Lea and Shina. Shina was an elf girl Marian had found a year after they moved to Denerim. Her parents had been terrified of her powers and had made a huge scene in the middle of the alieneage as they cast her out. Marian had taken pity on the girl and brought her home with her. When the discovered that she was good with healing spells and decursing enchantments Anders took her as an apprentice. Since that day Shina was regarded as their own child. Shina was in her mid twenties and passed her harrowing a few years back. Lea was still an apprentice and was nervous about her upcoming harrowing, but Anders was confident that she would pass with flying colours. Even so he had taken some extra time to train her these past few weeks. Right now he was healing a boy with a broken arm, who was the son of Phillip and Susanna.
"There... good as new. How did you break it in the first place?"
The boys face turned bright red.
"He decided it would be a good idea to get a good look in some girls' window by climbing up a tree." Phillip grumbled as he answered for his son. Anders gave a roar with laughter and then tried to compose himself.
"So how is the wife, Phillip?"
"She is doing well enough. Maker I had almost forgotten how grumpy she is when she is with child."
"I don't envy you my friend. When Marian was expecting Lissa she was a blighted ragedemon in disguise. One time she even... What are you doing in here you filthy beast?"
Anders looked down at a black mabari staring up at him as it whined. He said his goodbyes to Phillip and dragged the dog by the collar into the private quarters.
"Lissa!" He growled up the stairs. The bedrooms were on the first floor and downstairs was the kitchen, library, sitting room and of course his clinic. A few moments later his youngest daughter appeared. She looked so innocent that girl. So little and frail and with her blonde hair and green eyes she could bend anyone (especially her father) to her will. She was the only one of their children who wasn't born with magic, but she had inherited her mother's talents, but was receiving training as an archer rather than dualwielding daggers.
"Yes father?"
"Your dog was in the clinic again. How many times have I told you to either have him with you or tie him up?"
"He's a mabari. He is not meant to be locked up or leashed."
"I can't have him in my clinic."
She skipped down the stairs and kissed her father's cheek.
"I'm sorry father. It won't happen again. Are you very cross with me?" Anders let out a sigh.
"No sweetheart, just keep him away from my clinic or he will get a lightning spike straight on his tail."
The dog whined and Lissa giggled as she took the mabari up stairs. Anders didn't mind the dog as much as he let on. He had actually been happy when a mabari imprinted on Lissa. Being the only non-mage child her feared she would feel left out, but now she had something that her siblings didn't. Something that proved that she was just as special.
"You are such a push over you know that right?"
Anders turned around and saw Marian in the doorway to the library.
"I know. She takes after her mother."
"I don't know about that. It did take me three years for you to stop resisting me. It is more likely she got that charm from you."
"You have absolutely no idea how you tortured me all those years. Had circumstances been different I would have been lost the moment you walked into my clinic."
"Before or after you pointed your staff at me?" She answered teasingly. Anders went towards her and kissed her deeply.
"I so didn't need to see that!" Carver grumbled as he and Duncan walked in the door. Anders let go of Marian and then turned around smiling.
"Good to see you again Duncan. How are your parents?" Marian said smilingly.
"They are fine, thank you. My father asked me to bring this letter to you. The agenda for the council meeting has been changed again."
"I almost regret I ever took that job, but thank you Duncan. Lea is in the garden gathering some herbs."
Duncan gave a shy smile as his face turned bright red. He then nodded and went out towards the garden. After bragging about his heroic rescue in the square, Carver went towards the kitchen. Some of that grey warden appetite still hadn't worn off in his case.
"I thought having Justice around would have made him more humble." Anders grinned.
"Perhaps he has... Imagine how bad it would be if Justice weren't around."
"Maker! I don't want even to think about it. Did you hear him last night when he started talking about animal rights?"
"Yes, he is certainly carrying on the tradition righting what is unjust."
"He he... I guess so. I just hope he doesn't liberate animals by releasing all the mabari in the royal keep. One begging mabari is more than enough for this household."
"Rather that than he travels to Tevinter to join Fenris' slave-rebellion." Marian answered with a worried voice.
"I'm sure Fenris is fine, love. King Alistair has sent men to help free the slaves as have Stark Haven."
"I know... I hope the qunari doesn't take this opportunity to strike though. I have seen enough war for a lifetime." She said mournfully. Anders kiss the crown of her head as he gentle stroked her cheek. To change to a more pleasant topic he smirked as her as he asked.
"So... what was that about Lea and Duncan?"
"Ever since Duncan's birthday ball last month she has blushed every time his name was mentioned and he has delivered a lot of messages recently."
"Hmmm... I am not really sure I like this. He is too old for her."
"He is only four years older and don't you dare behave like an overprotective father. Duncan is a good boy and I am sure that whatever his intentions are they are honourable... unlike you were when you were younger I'm sure."
"My point exactly if anyone knows what goes through a young man's head it's me. Besides what if I am an overprotective father?"
Marian just smiled and pulled him down for another kiss. Anders then pulled away and walked away.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to see what happens with Lea and Duncan."
"You're going to spy on your own daughter?"
"A father's right." He smirked and then ran through the house towards the garden with his wife right behind him. He stopped at the door out to the garden and put a finger to his Marian's lips to silence her. Lea was gathering some of the herbs they grew for potions and Duncan was next to her.
"Andrastes flaming knickers! I hate that blighted elfroot, it always gets so damn entangled into everything." Lea grumbled and Duncan gave her a surprised look. She blushed when she realised what she just said.
"Sorry... I know it's not very ladylike. I have been spending too much time with uncle Varric and Isabela I guess."
"No need... I was just... surprised. Do you need any help with that?"
"Yes please. That this knife and get me some prickleweed will you? It is the red one with the thorns."
Duncan took the knife and started cutting. It was evident that he didn't have a clue about what he was doing. Only a moment later he cut himself with the knife in order to avoid the thorns.
"Ouch! Blasted plant!"
"What? The great warrior prince defeated by a piece of shrubbery, what will the people say?" Lea teased.
"Hey that was unfair. Assaults on ones pride is the worst you know." Duncan faked a pout.
"Here... let me heal that." She giggled as she took his hand and let a little blue energy emerge from her hand to his. Duncan looked into her green eyes and lost his breath. She gazed at him feeling her breathing becoming more rapidly. When Duncan heard a mabari bark he quickly let go of her hand and a flush became evident on his face.
Anders and Marian were still standing in the doorway unnoticed by both Lea and Duncan. Marian took Anders' arm and pulled him into the room and away from the garden. Anders chuckled.
"I don't know why I was worried. I wish Varric could have seen this."
"It would have been a glorious tale I'm sure. I received a letter from him this morning. Isabela and he will come to Denerim next month. I have yet to reply, but I assume he will be staying with us."
"Of course. We should perhaps contact Merill's clan? Maybe she wants to come and join us for a little while."
"That's a great idea. I will tell Bethany at the council meeting. It will be like old times. I also received a letter from Donnic and Aveline, they want to visit us for a month next summer if that is alright with you."
"Of course, love."
Anders pulled Marian close and kissed her. At least for now there was peace in their lives. War might still come and there would always be battles to be fought somewhere, but they would have to be fought be others. With all they had sacrificed and lost over the years, the needed peace and tranquillity.