3/2/15

Marian and Nathaniel's hands on her shoulders were the only thing that kept Bethany from screaming out when Orsino devolved into using blood magic. Even Carver looked upset by the turn of events, though he was nearly impossible to read. Bethany really just wanted it to be a bad dream, and this nightmare to end. Instead, she joined her siblings in fighting the only man she would love in her lifetime.

After that, fighting Meredith was almost easy. She focused her healing magic on Carver, finding her sister almost too fast to target even if she'd needed to do so. Not that Marian seemed to need it, with her style solely focused on staying out of her enemy's way. Meredith didn't stand a chance even with the red lyrium idol- not with the force in Carver's blows paired with the confusion.

So the four left for Hightown and Carver's mansion, to gather what supplies they could and create a plan. Bethany leaned heavily on her brother-in-law, his strength supporting her as Mari worked on keeping Carver fully upright after the added stress and tightness that must be affecting his muscles from prolonged battling.

"Gather what we can," Carver insisted as he slid into a chair. "I'll be fine in a few minutes."

"Let me," Bethany offered, kneeling in front of him and sending her magic out to check. He was exhausted yes, but little else. While she did that, Marian and Nathaniel were checking the house.

Thirty minutes passed before Carver sat up, having dozed off briefly. Marian was in front of him with several filled sacks and glaring at something.

"Carver."

"Mari."

"What's with the griffon there looking at me as though I am indebted to him?"

Carver stood and inspected. "Something mom wanted kept. Said it had something to do with father."

Marian reached for the object, looking at the bottom. "This crest..." She sighed, pressing against it. The bottom slid out, revealing a piece of paper. "Why did our family have a Warden heirloom?"

Carver shrugged as Mari handed him the pages. "Looks like some sort of map maybe?"

Bethany, who had been silently staring out the window and listening, came over. "Where to?"

"Outpost maybe?" Carver suggested.

"Might be worth checking into sometime."

"Now." Bethany's voice was clear and urging. "I need to get my head straight. We three need to disappear almost as much as Anders- you especially Carver. An adventure might be exactly what we need."

Marian looked into Bethany's eyes, and the younger girl let the last of her childishness dissipate. It was replaced with certainty. The fire there could not be ignored.

"Alright. Just the three of us then."

"Just us," Carver agreed.

- *** /

Marian was leaning over the side of the ship in the late evening, watching starlight dancing on the large waves. In the distance she could hear Isabella "teaching" Carver about "sailing." The actual lesson had ended an hour ago at her count, but the woman was nothing if not thorough. Mari just chuckled, glad her brother hadn't become completely unhinged in his time in Kirkwall. Instead he had grown beyond the boy upset by a big sister's shadow into his own very unique person- with a very unique partnership from what the Warden had seen of him and the elf as well.

Even lost in thought she could hear his steps. His feet always had a very specific tap, regardless of his footwear. Quiet. Careful. When Nathaniel's arms wrapped around her, Marian leaned back into them acceptingly.

"You got faster."

"Leliana was in Denerim," the red-head offered by way of explanation. "She was a bit more cruel a taskmaster than ever before, since it was likely our last lesson."

"I see." He wrinkled his nose, not surprised when his love laughed, sensing the motion.

"She reads me better than most and refuses to coddle. It was an apt test of my skills, love. Sister Nightingale would need hurt me."

Nathaniel relented. On that at least. He'd met his wife's mentor a few times, and while she seemed a little cold, he knew she and Marian had a very important history neither would betray.

Instead, he turned to his true concern. "Are you sure I can't go with you and your siblings Marian?"

Mari sighed. "Bethy needs old times, Nate. This should be fairly low impact anyway. I'll be fine. Carver will take care of me."

"I'd still rather..."

"Nathaniel Howe." She stressed the full name and pulled out of his embrace to meet his eyes. He saw the flicker, the light candle of danger. "Warden Anders is under YOUR protection. He WILL be escorted to Vigil's Keep quickly and securely. I am leaving you an able crew to do so. Do you understand?"

"I..." Her expression left no argument. He'd forgotten a bit, not having her directed at him in such a very long considering she preferred to treat him as equal when thy were alone, and with respect when they were not. She hadn't had to order him in years. "Yes, Commander."

"Now that's over, might a wife make a very large request? And if it's no, then no it is, alright Nate?"

He peered, curious. "What is it?"

When she told him, Nathaniel first balked. Then he considered the severity and implications of her request and acquiesced happily. She smiled in relief as her kissed her forehead, and both turned to watch the stars once more.