Hawke strode through the square towards her house, ignoring her mabari as he loped and cajoled around her legs. Despite his age, the hound still had the temperament of a pup most days - especially if she were in a dour mood. He snagged the stray tail of her belt and gave it a tug, almost pulling her off balance.

"Your grace, no," Hawke said, her hair pulling free of the simple net that held it. The breezes from the sea were cool today, even if the sun was hot. A summer storm was easily brewing. "Not now."

The mabari whimpered and plunked his backside down, before trotting ahead of her to open the door to the house and let them in. Hawke was in the alcove when a young boy sprinted from the markets.

"Messere Hawke!" he cried out, and she stopped in the doorway.

"Argyle," she replied, putting a hand on his shoulder. He was one of the covert messengers who ran for her and the First Enchanter, and was obviously out of breath. "Come inside, are you alright?"

"It's Meredith, messere," he said, following her as he panted for breath, moving on jelly legs. He pulled the sealed scroll from his coat. "Orsino bade me run here as quick as I could."

Hawke cocked her head, snapping open the wax seal to read the missive, and her expression paled as she said, "What is going on?"

"He's gathered the enchanters, they're marching to the chantry in protest," Argyle breathlessly said. He accepted the drink she offered as they walked into the main hall. Downing it, he closed his eyes, "The Knight-Commander ordered a lockdown, but they weren't able to keep the mages from assembling. She wanted every inch of the Gallows searched, serah."

"You risked a great deal bringing this to me," she quietly said, producing a sovereign for the boy.

Argye palmed it, flushed as he said, "They killed my mum, the templars are no friend of mine."

Hawke ruffled his hair and sighed, looking at the letter again as she thought. "They are going to the chantry?"

"Yes, messere," the boy replied. "To petition the grand cleric en masse."

"What's going on?" They both turned as Anders appeared at the railing upstairs.

"Meredith is trying a few new tricks," Hawke replied, holding the letter out for him as he came down. "In very poor taste."

"I just barely made it ahead of them, serah," Argyle said, straightening his posture. "They are marching up - though it seemed as though the Knight-Commander thought to head them off."

Gathering another gold coin from her pouch, Hawke pressed it into his hand, "Wait a moment, I'll have other runs for you."

"We have to go to them," Anders said, a tremor in his voice. "We cannot let Meredith take control anymore than she already has."

"That is the plan," Hawke replied as she bent over the desk, quill flecking. She inked the stamp of her family crest and pressed it on the successive notes.

"The grand cleric won't do anything," Anders said, his voice gaining strength. "She doesn't care about what happens to the mages. She'd rather turn a blind eye than deal with any real problems."

Fanning the parchment to dry the ink, Hawke walked back and thrust them into Argyle's grasp, "The guard, the next district in Hightown, and the Hanged Man. Guard-captain Aveline, Fenris, and Varric Tethras in that order. You know them?"

Slipping the missives in his coat, Argyle nodded and said, "Aye, serah. I will make haste." He was out the door without a word more.

"We should prepare for anything," Anders said, turning to the chest by the fire to gather up their satchels as she watched. "They've taken a great risk, but there is no way Meredith or the grand cleric will be able to stop this."

"As soon as we're ready," she said, still scratching her mabari's head. "I wrote for them to meet us at the stairs to Hightown. It's central."

"A good choice," Anders replied, and she slung the satchel around her back, clipping it to her belt. Hesitating, he cupped her cheek and kissed her. "I love you. Never forget that."

Hawke nodded and frowned.

Fenris was waiting outside when Hawke and Anders made it into the streets, and he hesitated as the pair caught up. "What is going on?"

"A hurricane," Anders said.

"Meredith and Orsino are butting heads in a public display. I thought you might enjoy the show," Hawke murmured in reply.

Fenris frowned, "This will not bode well."

"We'll see," she said with a tight smile. Hawke waved to the troupe of guards nearby. "Aveline."

"I expect details, Hawke," Aveline said, before issuing orders to her men.

"Then by all means, let us go find them," Hawke replied.

They hurried down through the markets, rounding towards the steps to Lowtown. At the base, a segregated crowd was visible, and they picked up their pace. Sebastian stood at the Knight-Commander's side, calm voice unintelligible as he situated himself between the two leaders. As they came closer, Orsino raised his hands in frustration, the mages behind him bristling.

"There is no just cause for any of this, Meredith," the First Enchanter said. "No matter what happens, no matter what we do to appease you, all you see is blood magic. When will you stop seeing evil in every corner?"

"When it is no longer there to find," she snapped, maintaining her posture. "It is my Maker-sworn duty to protect this city and her people from the corruption of magic. Neither you nor anyone may keep me from that task. I will protect you and every mage from themselves, and the public from you in turn."

"Hawke," Varric said under his breath, approaching with Merrill. "Can't say I'm glad to get a note like that from you. Good call on meeting here, though."

"Champion," Orsino turned, and at his shoulder Bethany's expression lightened. "Finally, a voice of reason amidst the madness."

"I had rather thought this more of a spectator sport," Hawke said, pace slowing as she approached.

Orsino shook his head, "Meredith is demanding every mage open their quarters and selves to her search. We are Harrowed mages - we have proved our resilience and strength, and we will brook no further tyranny."

"The mage threat in Kirkwall has only grown these years, thus I must rout out where the true causes lie," Knigth-Commander Meredith replied, her templars jostling behind her. "Stand down and return to the Gallows to submit to our search. Return now, and so long as you are found free of corruption, no harm shall come to you."

"Please," Hawke said, raising a hand.

"Harm? Harm," Orsino replied, bristling. "We deserve the right to some semblance of life, not be treated like caged animals! Our lives have become nothing but harm!"

"Do not trifle with me, mage," Meredith narrowed her eyes. "My patience is at an end. You have no place in these affairs, Champion."

"I called her here," Orsino said, crossing his arms. "The people have to see what you are doing - what is happening to Kirkwall because of you."

"What I have done is protect her and your kind from their own stupidity!"

"You cannot keep treating mages this way, Meredith," Hawke said, shaking her head. "When does it end? It must stop."

"I cannot look the other way - I will not. Not when innocents still suffer at the hands of blood magic," Meredith replied, her expression softening. "Tell me, Champion, that you have not seen it with your own eyes - that your mother did not suffer at their hands."

Hawke twitched and tightened her hand into a fist, "You cannot condemn them all for the actions of the few."

"You would cast us all as villains, but it is not so," Orsino said, taking Hawke's side.

Knight-Commander Meredith closed her eyes, sighing as she said, "I know. And it breaks my heart to do it - but what other choice do we have? If you cannot tell me a better way, do not brand me a tyrant."

"This is getting us nowhere!" Orsino waved his hands in frustration, rallying the mages to the stairs. "Grand Cleric Elthina will sort this out."

Meredith caught his arm, "You will not bring her Grace into this."

"The grand cleric cannot help you," Anders said, and all eyes turned as he approached. He rapped his staff on the ground. "I will not stand by and watch you treat all mages like criminals, while those who would lead us bow to their templar jailers."

"How dare you speak to me -"

"The Circle has failed us, Orsino!" Anders said, his staff hitting the ground once more as an unnatural light took his eyes. Hairline fractures of blue enveloped him, his voice breaking deeply between octaves. "Even you should be able to see that! The time has come to act." He looked away, the dark mists seeping from his skin as his voice weakened, "There can be no half-measures."

"Anders," Hawke turned after him. "What have you done?"

Faint tremors shook the ground underfoot as he replied, "There can be no turning back."

Hawke looked around as they were thrown off balance, the rumble within the city beginning to grow. The banners overhead cracked off the stone, the market stalls crumbling as the mages and templars struggled to maintain their footing. It was then the sky burst with brilliant fire, and Varric smacked her hip, their heads turning to the upper city.

A whirling pillar of blinding ruby light shot to the heavens, and the ground heaved as the air filled with the grind and rent of metal and stone. The visible upper towers of the chantry were filled with the light, and the explosion deafened them as rock fractured, tearing the fabric of the Veil. A vortex in the sky pulled at the magical light, the rock and clouds too, and wind pulsed through the streets towards the apex as windows burst. The keening scream shattered, sending a shockwave through Hightown as fire and stone rained across the city. The chantry was obliterated.

"Maker have mercy," Meredith whispered, hunched with her eyes skyward. Around them, many struggled to their feet, the sounds of panic already rising in the distance. Rubble burnt along the steps, and the eaves of adjacent houses were aflame, the skyline silhouetted by the unnatural red glow in the sky.

"No!" Sebastian was partway up the steps, scanning the familiar spires of his home. He crumpled to the ground, "Maker, no! She was your most beloved!"

"Anders," Bethany said, the word trembling.

"There can be no peace," Anders whispered, crestfallen as he met Hawke's eyes.

"Why?" Orsino demanded, advancing closer. "Why would you do this!"

"I removed the chance of compromise, because there is no compromise," Anders replied, his voice wavering.

"The grand cleric slain by magic. The chantry destroyed," Meredith said, her voice growing more resolute. "There can be only one end."

"No," Orsino turned to her, clenching fists. "Not for the actions of one man!"

"The good people of Kirkwall will demand it," Meredith snapped, glancing to her templars as she raised her voice. "We must remain vigilant. As Knight-Commander of Kirkwall, I hereby invoke the Right of Annulment - may the blessed Andraste guide us all. Every mage within the Circle is to be executed - immediately."

"The Circle played no part in this!" Bethany said, taking Orsino's side. "You can't do this. Marian - please, you can't let her do this!"

"I am bound to this resolution," Meredith replied, directing her gaze to Hawke. "And I demand you stand by my orders through this, Champion. Even you must see the injustice done."

For once Hawke didn't laugh. There were no snide words or puns to be found. She stood with her heartbeat in her ears, eyes upon the man she loved. "This... this was what you needed my help with."

Rising from his place on the steps, Sebastian strode towards them, flanked by the pillaring smoke pouring into the sky from the city's most recent scar. "You - you had a part in this?"

"You couldn't know what I was doing." The weight that had plagued Anders eyes for so long finally captured the rest of his features as he said, "I couldn't take the chance you would be honour bound to stop me. The world needs to see the injustices of the Circle, not just here in Kirkwall."

"Elthina had nothing to do with the Circle," Sebastian spat, edging closer as he shook his head. "And you murdered her."

"You've doomed us all," Orsino said.

"We must die on our feet - a quick death now, or a slow one later," Anders stood resolute, looking amongst them. "And I would rather die fighting."

"I cannot be party to such slaughter," Hawke finally said to Meredith, struggling to find strength in her words. "I will not abandon those who need me most."

"Thank the Maker," Orsino clasped his hands.

"I cannot follow you down this path, Hawke," Fenris shook his head, hefting his sword free as he fell back amongst the templars. "To defend all these mages have done."

"I believe in you," Merrill said. "You're doing the right thing."

"Surprising me yet," Hawke half-chuckled, expression sagged as Fenris turned his back.

"You have chosen poorly this day," Meredith said, stepping closer to Hawke. "You shall suffer the mages' fate." She turned back to her men, weapon drawn, "Kill them all! I will rouse the rest of the Order!"

As the templars drew steel, Orsino turned to the mages, "Get to the Gallows! Tell them what comes, before it is too late!"

The templars launched at them, and a sudden burst of light brought down the heavens. The air whorled with lightening and fire, and Hawke staggered to get her blades, diving into a cart to avoid the magical maelstrom. The energy leapt up the templars' heavy armour, their screams joining together as Varric cocked Bianca and let fly a torrent of bolts. She could scarce keep track of the mash of bodies, when she saw Anders raise his hands, a defensive aura shimmering to life around him to stop one of Sebastian's arrows.

The templars left were no match for the clutch of experienced magi, and soon they were dead and scattered. Hawke wiped her blades on her thighs as she panted, the city a cacophony of turmoil around them. Sebastian struggled free of Aveline's grasp, stalking by the stairs with catlike predation.

"What are you waiting for," Sebastian spat, gripping his grandfather's bow. "Why is he still alive?"

"We must go," Orsino said to Bethany, waiting as she ran to her sister. "If you stand with us, Champion, make it to the Gallows."

"I knew you wouldn't abandon us."

"I would never abandon you, Bethany," Hawke replied, and they briefly touched hands, before the pair hurried after the other mages. Her friends lingered nearby, bloodied and stunned. Her gaze invariably drew to where Anders had collapsed upon a merchant's crate.

The moment seemed to slow into a silence of disbelief, despite how the fires raged - despite the scathing demands Sebastian issued - and Hawke walked up behind Anders. His shoulders were hunched, and he swayed a little like a child. He was in as much shock as the rest of them, a fear of inevitability that cowed him forward. The sky was darkening with smoke, but it didn't keep Hawke's shadow from falling across him.

"I know there is nothing I can say to make up for what I've done," Anders said, rocking again slightly. "I took a spirit into my soul and forever changed who I was. This is the justice all mages have awaited - I don't expect you to understand."

Hawke put her hands on her hips, closing her eyes as she looked down through Lowtown. It was a moment before she whispered, "I might have understood if you'd trusted me."

"You condone this? And what if I had been in the chantry," Sebastian said, shouldering his bow as he came towards her. "If I had been one of the people he murdered? Would you stay your hand this way?"

"The world isn't black and white like that," Hawke replied, and before she could say more he continued.

"Either I am granted justice through his death for what he has done, or I will go to Starkhaven to reclaim what is mine, and return with an army so great, that no one in Kirkwall will save you."

"I won't let you kill him," Hawke said, stepping between them.

"Nor will I fight you," Sebastian said, staring Hawke down. "But I will find you and your precious Anders, this I swear." He turned to leave, hesitating as his voice tempered quiet, "What would your mother think? Maker rest her soul."

Hawke watched him stalk off as Aveline, Varric and Merrill stared at her. Her chin dropped down, and she heard Anders shudder as she whispered, "She would tell me there is nothing more important than love."

"You're almost as insane as he is," Varric muttered. "A perfect match."

"I wanted to tell you," Anders whispered, and Hawke looked back. "I couldn't risk it. The world needs this to see - it needs this to change. We can all stop pretending the Circle is a solution," he quietly said, leant onto his knees.

Anders shook his head, "I couldn't let you pay for this in any way. It was my choice. If I have to die because of it, so be it. They will see that we can be free."

Hawke tightened her jaw, closing her eyes as she laid a hand on his back, and he trembled beneath it. "All this while I thought I was protecting you... and you were trying to protect me."

"I think I failed that too," he whispered.

"No," Hawke replied, and her voice cracked as she dragged her fingers through the feathers on his shoulder. "A no uttered with the greatest conviction is better than a yes for appeasement. Suffering to avoid trouble... but this isn't the time." She drew a deep breath, closing her eyes. "Help me defend the mages."