3/2/15

Aveline stayed in Kirkwall. As guard captain, it made sense, and she had rarely been seen working with Carver anyway. Fenris was able to find a ship into Nevarra, and planned from there to start plans to head into Tevinter. His dedication to ending slavery was admirable, and none would keep him from that. The others were aboard Isabella's ship, and saw the stronghold as the Hawke siblings took view. It was not as expected.

"Is that...a prison in the middle of those mountains?" Nathaniel asked, a hand on Marian's shoulders.

"It appears to be," she admitted. "Taller than we though as well, so no rush returning back for us."

"Mari..."

Meanwhile, Carver was grabbing his own gear and grinning.

"Sure you three want to go it alone?" Merrill asked. "I'm no help on the ship anyway..."

"You are to Bella. Remember?" He kissed his elven lover soundly, smiling. "Follow them, make sure all is well, and return with her. Promise?"

"Promise, vhenan." She nuzzled in until they made anchor and the trio went off on their journey.

0 - Days later... - 0

Carver was impressed by the size of the prison. "The Orlesian Wardens have control of this?" he asked his sister.

"I presume so. It's never been mentioned."

As she spoke, she also whipped around and grabbed her blades. "Carver, Bethany."

These darkspawn, to Carver's sword, were tougher than others. He slashed through them expertly, his blade controlled and spectacularly heavy. Their skins were tough.

"Carver!" He heard the warning from Bethany, his blade locked with one even as he felt another just behind him. Marian was completing dispatch on another group, no time to dash over. He mentally prepared for the blow sure to come...

Only to hear the whistle of an arrow from Mari's side. He slew the creature before him and turned to see the green fletched arrow buried in his other attacker's head and Marian dropping a bow to her side. It had to have been there before now, so how had he missed it?

Bethany was staring at her sister as though the Warden had grown two heads.

"What?"

"When," Carver managed calmly, "did you learn that?"

"It's been ten years. You didn't suppose in all that time of have learned?"

Bethany subconsciously rubbed her shoulder. "Forgive me if I remember your aim, sister."

Marian sighed loudly. "Let's go."

- *** &&& After... *** - &&&

Bethany didn't think she would ever forget the name Corypheus. It haunted her dreams now, and her waking. She'd hoped for a way to forget Orsino and his betrayal, but this was decidedly not what she had intended. She could barely imagine what her siblings must be feeling- one a Warden, the other having seen blood magic destroy their mother with his own eyes. She herself felt sick learning what their father had been forced into. By Wardens no less.

Carver and Larius had spent a while in deliberation, the two actually understanding each other. Marian had deflated, unwilling or unable to do more than follow her brother's orders for the moment- and Bethany herself felt so disconcerted she didn't trust her own mind for now. She was no leader. Hopefully command and reknown passed her by completely, as it wasn't in her nature. Courage had eluded her, apparently in favor of her brother.

"We have to get up there and destroy him." Carver's voice was steady, yet harsh. He looked at his two sisters. Bethany leapt to her feet, ready...

"Marian?" The mage's words were soft. The red-head was still curled in a ball against the wall, looking out, eyes concentrated on nothing. "Marian, are you ready?" This time, Bethany stepped in front and offered a hand. The motion jarred her sister, who finally nodded and accepted the lift up. For a fleeting moment Beth almost considered asking if something was wrong, but pushed it off as foolish.

What the mage didn't miss was the haunted look that passed between Marian and Larius as the rogue grabbed her bow- well, Nathaniel's really, but it was in her hands for now. The two Wardens both shivered slightly before the group headed up to finally battle what had been imprisoned.

Corypheus.

In the end, it was Carver who dealt the blow that killed Corypheus- whatever he truly was. Marian seemed to breathe in relief, a smile overtaking her face even as Larius departed swiftly. Too swiftly Bethany thought, but if he'd been stuck here she wasn't one to judge a hasty retreat.

Isabella's ship returned for the trio within weeks. In the meantime there was ample time to reacquaint. Family time.

After Bethany had fallen asleep one night, Carver took his other sister's arm and sat beside her by their fire. "What happened Mari? You froze. I haven't seen that before now."

"I...it's hard to explain," she whispered, shivering. Carver put an arm around her, pulling her in to lean on his shoulder. She giggled lightly. "I remember seeing you do this for Bethy when we were kids. I was always jealous."

"I always knew when she needed comfort," Carver explained. "I never was quite sure with you."

Marian closed her eyes. "I heard him in my head, Carver. Loudly."

"Larius?"

"No." Her words were shaking, hesitant. "Corypheus."

"Mari!" He squeezed her nearer, not caring when he felt some tears falling. It didn't matter. She was his sister, and he could take care of her right now.

"It wasn't just words, Carver. He made me hear things... How much to you know about Wardens?"

"In peace vigilance, in war victory," he started, lightly snarky.

"The last bit is the doozy. In death, sacrifice. Every Warden hears a call at the end that leads us to the Deep Roads to end life slaughtering darkspawn. It's not a pretty picture. And that...thing is able to manipulate it. He forced me to hear it, Carver! The fact he can...that anyone can...manipulate the Calling..." She straightened, shivering again. "Something has to be done."

Carver hugged his sister closer, imagining what had happened to her, and determined he didn't want to fathom it. "What can be done?" he asked, quietly.

Suddenly, the Warden's demeanor changed. "To explain that I have to tell you about something I found in my travels. Someone, actually. The Architect."