Chapter 54: Friends and Foes
Sebastian marches up the stairs from the docks, and spots us with Cecily. "Sebastian," I yell out, catching his attention. "Where's Hawke?"
"Do not speak to me of that woman. I-" he cuts off, seeing me with a staff, standing next to the mage, Cecily. "More maleficarum," he growls. "Enjoy your empty victory while you can; when I return, my armies will see to it that there is nothing left of Kirkwall." He storms off.
I'm left there, mouth agape. "Holy...I wonder what that was about?" Sebastian had always been at least polite to the mages in our group. Then it dawns on me. The Chantry...Grand Cleric Elthina must have been inside when it went up. But he's angry at Hawke. Does that mean Anders is still alive?
"We need to get to Hawke," Fenris concludes.
I nod. "You're right; we need to know what's happening."
We head down the stairs and onto the docks. Merrill is there, and runs to Isabela, who folds her into her arms. Seeing them together makes me smile.
"There's no use going that way," Merrill says. "The Gallows are locked up tight. Luckily, I was able to get out of there in time."
"Then you've seen Hawke?" I ask Merrill.
"Yes, but she's done something terrible," Merrill says. "Meredith called for the Rite of Annulment. Hawke stood by her, although the Circle had nothing to do with the explosion."
"The Rite of Annulment? You mean the slaughter of everyone inside the Circle! Bethany's in there, how could she?" I yell, my anger getting the best of me. I bet Justice can sense me now. "We have to get in there, Fenris. You know there's only one way. Will you help me?"
"Yes," he says. I send him a look of gratitude.
"Is that spot on your ship still available?" I ask Isabela.
"Absolutely, but I can't wait long. My ship is anchored a bit up the coast in a small cove. I know the docks themselves at the Gallows are closed, but I can send one of my crewmen out to look for you if you need a ride."
"That sounds perfect! Thank you Isabela."
"Don't thank me yet; if he doesn't see you, he's totally coming back to the ship and leaving your ass there."
"Still more than I had. Wait." I stop and turn to Merrill. "Was Anders with Hawke when you saw her?" The expression on her face makes my hope drop.
"I don't know what happened to him," she acknowledges. "When Hawke sided with the templars, I had to get out of there, but last I saw them, he was telling her he was ready for death."
"If he's alive when I find him, I am so kicking his ass for this."
"Not if I reach him first," Fenris states.
Cecily goes with Merrill and Isabela to the ship to wait for us, and Fenris, Cat and I head for the only other way I know to get into the Gallows.
It's better this time, going through the narrow passageways. I think my anger is keeping any fear in check. Fenris keeps checking on me, but I reassure him that I'm alright. We know the terrain now, like knowing that the bridge is sturdy enough to carry our weight, and where the drop-offs are. We make good time up until the final tight cave. I've got this, I tell myself, and plunge right in. I take it as quickly as I can. I make it through without stopping, and emerge on the other side. I'm breathing a little heavy, but otherwise fine.
"Are you ready for this?" asks Fenris, coming out behind me. I pull my staff up and adjust my grip, then nod.
We climb out of the fireplace into the room that was previously empty. Now the floor is covered in blood, and the bodies of mages. There are a few templar bodies as well, but this was clearly a massacre. I look over the faces, and I'm glad to not find Bethany. Have they captured her?
We go through Orsino's study and out to the main stone plaza of the Gallows proper. I see Bethany and Hawke standing together next to a giant...something. What the hell is that? Well, it's dead, obviously. Varric and Aveline are with them. A blonde woman in dramatic silver armor stands at the exit.
"Back away from her, Meredith," commands Hawke. Meredith, of course. I signal to Fenris to hold up. We hide in the shadows.
"I see. Have it your way, then, Champion. I will meet you in the courtyard." Meredith turns on a heel and leaves with her templar guards.
I step out of the shadows and run down the stairs. "Bethany!" I call, and she looks up. "Don't you touch her, Hawke," I yell.
"I'm not about to hurt my own sister," she says in that sarcastic tone that makes me want to hit her.
"What is wrong with you? You sided with that lunatic Meredith?" I ask.
"Norah," Fenris says from behind me.
"No, Fenris, she allowed the Rite of Annulment to take place, murdered innocents."
"Not all innocents," he says, looking back at the mangled mess of the...whatever that thing was.
I frown at him.
"It's clear where your loyalties would lie," says Hawke, pointing to my staff. "I'm just doing what I can to minimize casualties."
"By putting your own family at risk? And where is Anders?" I ask, my tone hot.
"He fought well enough against the mages, so I left him to his fate after that," she answers.
"You bitch! WHERE IS ANDERS!?" I growl, going toward her, with every intent that this time I will smack that look off her face.
Aveline steps up beside Hawke, shaking her head at me. Varric just sighs.
"Norah, this is not helping," Fenris says.
Breathe. Inhale. "Fine. Where is he, Hawke? Where did you leave him?"
"He was in the courtyard last I saw him. I'm headed that way anyway," she says, and walks out. Aveline and Varric follow. Varric glances back once before leaving, confusion written on his features. I didn't mean to make him pick a side, but Hawke was wrong.
"Bethany, are you alright?" I ask, a hand on her shoulder.
"Yes, but it was awful, Norah. Orsino..." she trails off and looks at the hideous dead thing behind her.
"No," I say, realization dawning on me. That thing had been Orsino, the kind mage who'd been my mother's friend. "Stubborn fool. He always said he would protect the mages, whatever it took."
"Let's get out of here," says Fenris, looking around. I nod, and take position in front of Bethany. Fenris falls in behind her.
We follow where Hawke had gone. Cat is hiding again since there are others around, but I see her glow over by Orsino, and I know she's thinking about him too. We'll have time to grieve later. She joins us as we exit the Gallows through the now open portcullis and enter the courtyard.
Meredith and her templars have stopped Hawke, Varric and Aveline. Meredith is saying something. I get a little closer.
"How can I trust that the mighty Champion of Kirkwall is not a worse threat to this city than the Circle?"
"Is helping you destroy the Circle not enough?" asks Hawke, confused.
I have no further time to stay for their conversation, but I'm not surprised Meredith turned on Hawke. That woman is a menace. I need to find Anders, and get Bethany out of here. We stay to the right of the plaza and are nearly out of the gates when I see Knight-Captain Cullen looking over at me, and eyeing my staff. I shrug, and grin awkwardly. I expect him to raise the alarm, but he doesn't. He just shakes his head and turns back to Meredith. We file out of the gates quietly.
That's when we see Anders. He's sitting on a crate near the docks, his head in his hands. I slow my pace.
"You two can go on ahead," I tell Fenris and Bethany. "See if you can spot Isabela's boat. I don't like the idea of having to go back through the city. Cat, you keep watch and tell me if anyone is coming. I need to talk to Anders." It feels strange to be the one giving orders. Normally Varric, or Aveline, or even Isabela would be the one making decisions. It's a good plan, Norah. It will work. It has to.
Fenris looks at me, and doesn't budge. Fine, he can stay. Bethany nods, and heads down the pier.
Anders hasn't moved. There's a knife sitting next to him.
"Anders?" I ask hesitantly.
"Norah...I felt you coming this way. I didn't want you to see me like this. I've been sitting here trying to build up the courage to end it."
"Oh no you don't," I say, grabbing the knife away from him. "You don't get to go out the same way my mother did." I toss it away. It slides across the dock, and falls over into the sea. He flinches.
There is a commotion from up at the plaza, and I hear the sounds of a fight. Sounds like Hawke and her friends are fighting the templars. Cat gives us a gesture saying we're still okay. I turn back to Anders.
You need to keep your promise, Norah. I can't do it myself."
"Not yet. I don't believe you're gone."
"Justice's purpose is fulfilled; all I have left is despair."
"I have something stronger than despair," I say.
"Please don't say hope. I don't think I have the strength."
"Well, if I was going to say it, I can't very well now, can I?" I tease. "How about curiosity, then? I always liked her better anyway."
I walk closer to him. I bend over, putting my hands on my knees, and lean in to talk to him. "Do you have any idea what you've done?" I ask.
"Yes. I removed any chance of a peaceful resolution. What I did...I did for all mages. I asked Hawke to kill me, but she wouldn't. I helped her against the very people I wanted to protect. I don't expect to be forgiven. No, I have to die."
The fighting escalates from the plaza, and there is the flash of red light from time to time. Is that magic? Who left up there has magic? Cat looks worried, and gives me a motion to hurry.
"He wants to die, Norah. I say kill him and be done with it," Fenris says.
"No, Fenris...not yet." I say, shaking my head. His jaw ticks. I know he's not pleased, but I have to do this.
"Anders, listen to me. You know what you did? You created a world where no one can tell us what to do anymore."
He looks up at me, tears streaking paths down his face.
I reach out and lay a hand on his shoulder, continuing, "Word of this will spread, and the other Circles will rise up. You made it so we can go where we please, and fight anyone who tries to stop us. So one day mage children can be raised in a loving home and not in prisons or cages. You started this, Anders. You need to live to see it. Aren't you curious?"
"We need to go; things are getting bad with Hawke and Meredith," Cat comments.
"Where can I possibly go? No one will offer me mercy now," Anders says.
"A certain captain has offered us all space on her ship. We can go to Ferelden, and see the Avvar. But you have to choose to get up, Anders." I straighten up. "Will you come with me?" I ask, extending my hand out to him.
He hesitates a moment, but takes it.
Cat joins us a minute later. "Hawke defeated Meredith, and the other templars are acknowledging Meredith's madness. She used red lyrium."
"Meredith did?"
Cat nods.
"Definitely time to go then," I say.
Fenris looks at Anders holding my hand and shakes his head. "This requires touching?" he asks.
"Just for now, Fenris."
Fenris walks up to Anders and before I realize what's happening, punches him in the jaw with a right hook. "That is for dragging Norah into your mess."
Anders rubs his jaw, but does nothing else but nod.
We walk to the end of the docks. A small boat is waiting, and someone extends a gangplank to the dock. As we're getting into the boat, Hawke walks out onto the pier with Varric and Aveline just behind her.
"Leaving already?" Hawke asks.