Once they broke the first seal and defeated the Guardian (pride demon) everyone seemed to relax. Hawke absorbed the fire damage and smirked. Larius seemed pleased as he approached Hawke.

"The blood works," he said with a smile. Hawke grinned back.

"Thank you for your help, Larius," he said sincerely, nodding his head and strapping his staff to his back. Carver stepped up, looking confused.

"What does he mean, 'the blood works'?" he asked, looking from Kora to Hawke. Kora looked at Hawke and shook her head, knowing there was no talking his way out of it this time. Hawke sighed and walked toward his brother.

"I was… hoping to avoid this conversation," he mumbled. "So basically our father was the last mage to reinforce these seals and because I have his blood in my veins I can break them to get to this thing we're going to kill. Sound good?" He gave Carver a big smile then tried to move past him. Carver was having none of that and grabbed his arm, forcing him to look back at his younger brother.

"BLOOD?" Carver exploded. "What the hell does blood have to do with it, are we talking blood magic? Was father a blood mage?" Kora cringed, knowing she may have to get involved in the conversation but really not looking forward to facing that dick of a little brother Hawke had. As she opened her mouth to speak Cullen stepped forward.

"Carver, that's enough," he said firmly. Carver released his brother and put his full attention on the Knight Captain. "Everyone take a breather. Carver, Hawke, Kora, with me." With that he walked out onto one of the platforms outside the room with the broken seal. Carver, Hawke and Kora followed without a word. Cullen turned on them as soon as they were out of ear shot and glared at Hawke. "No more secrets, he deserves to know so tell him."

"I'll tell him," Kora said, trying to think of a way to soften the blow. Hawke took her hand, placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles.

"No, love," he said softly, "I'll do it. He is my brother and it is our father." He released Kora's hand and turned to Carver. "If we could have a moment."

Kora and Cullen looked at each other and nodded, walking back into the seal room with the others. She was worried, knowing Carver's temper and the fact that, yet again, the mages in his family had taken over his life, things were not going to go well in that conversation. She took a seat with Merrill on the seal platform and waited.

"Your Grace," Lyle said as he walked over to the women. "I thought you'd like to know, the Warden, uh, Commander, he took off. Something about Corypheus calling." Kora nodded.

"It's alright, he'll resurface." Lyle nodded and went about his business. As Lyle disappeared from her sight Carver approaching her caught her attention. Great.

"Is it true?" he demanded, practically shouting as he crossed the room. Oh no, she thought, you will not speak to me like that, not on your life you little shit. She stood, steeling her nerves and glaring at the much younger man as she stood face to face with him.

"Templar Hawke!" Cullen shouted from across the room, making Carver jump and snap out of his angry mind set. Kora suppressed a grin as she turned to look at her friend. He approached rather fast for a man in full armor she noted, also noting his face was a mask of pure rage. Kora fought the urge to sing 'you're in trouuuuubllllllle!' to the young Hawke as she looked back up at him. His expression said he already knew it.

"Knnnn-ight Cappp-tain," Carver studdered, "I'm sorry, I should not have raised my voice." He looked back at Kora, bowing his head. "Your Grace, I am sorry for the way I spoke to you. It will not happen again." The boy kept his head bowed so Kora looked to Cullen for guidance. Cullen nodded to her and she cleared her throat, prompting Carver to raise his eyes to meet hers.

His eyes are so brown, she thought to herself, like the color of melted chocolate. Realizing this was the first time she would actually interact with the younger Hawke she took the time to look into him, to see what he was really thinking.

She felt his anger, his fear, frustration, heart ache, everything that was going through his mind was bringing it all up at once. Kora had to look away and take a deep breath, unable to keep her composure and break her connection with the obviously troubled young man. She swallowed the feelings down and looked back up at him, realizing the storm that raged inside and suddenly feeling guilty for having misjudged him.

"Carver," she whispered, "I'm sorry." It was all she could think to say but it was enough, convincing him that what his brother told him was true, but the woman in front of him who knew it was true remained a mystery. Holding back the tears fighting for release, he continued to stare at this woman looking for the answer to a question he had not yet formed in his mind. Cullen stepped between them and clamped a hand on Carver's shoulder.

"Let it sink in," he said firmly but quietly, "there is plenty of time for questions later." Cullen looked to Kora. "We should get moving." She nodded and looked at Carver again.

"He's right," she whispered, "but don't tell him I said that." She gave him a conspiratorial grin and wink. When the edges of his lips turned up slightly she took it as a victory.

Maybe he's not so bad.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"So just so we're clear," Varric shouted ahead, having dropped to the back of the group to provide cover. "Gracie, please tell me this doesn't lead to the Deep Roads!" Kora looked for Hawke, seeing him crouch down behind one of the tower shields the Genlock Alphas they'd just killed had been holding. She shot him a glare then looked back to the dwarf.

"In his infinite wisdom, Varric, it seems your friend neglected to tell you the whole story." Kora smirked and pointed directly at Hawke's hidey-hole and Varric nodded, disappearing as rogues do. A loud shriek that was questionably male followed along with a lot of curses in a far deeper voice.

"Ouch! Alright! I'm sorry Varric!" Hawke shouted, running toward Kora to try and hide behind her. She stepped aside and backed up to the edge of the walkway, leaving Hawke with no hiding place. Hawke sighed, knowing he was caught, yet again, in the middle of a situation that his lack of sharing had created. "Look, would you have come if I'd told you?"

"No and I'd be completely happy with that decision," Varric retorted, shaking his head and looking at the ground. "Shit." Kora had grown fond of the dwarf so she made her way over to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"I've got your back, Varric," she said softly with a flirty smile. He smirked up at her, then softened it into a genuine smile and nodded.

"Alright Gracie, let's get the hell in there so we can get the hell outta there." Varric went ahead, feinting at Hawke as he passed him, making Hawke jump back and everyone laugh. Kora stopped next to Hawke, a thought coming to her. Since Carver knows now…

"Maybe you should tell Carver everything," she said, keeping her voice low. "I know things are strained between you two but Hawke, the kid is in a lot of pain and has no idea where to put it. Understanding his father's reasons for doing this may help, even in a small way." She put her hand on the mage's shoulder and squeezed. "Understanding those you came from can go a long way to letting go of the past." Hawke paused then nodded slowly, turning to follow the others.

As she watched everyone walking away, Kora took a moment to think about her husband and son. She wondered what they were doing right then, how Duncan's lessons were going, his training with the sword Cailan had brought him back from Orlais. She thought about Alistair, remembering the smell of his skin, the feel of his lips, his smile. That smile, she thought, smirking to herself as she moved to follow the rest of the group.

That smile alone is worth every moment in Corypheus' prison.