Thank you so much to my angelic twin, researcher and Beta Reader Jen! And thanks to MoShu for the inspiration! :D

O~~~~~~~~O

Cullen and Anders' shared moment of grief had proved to be a cathartic experience for them both. Cullen, although still withdrawn and nervous, had begun to talk a little, if only to comfort Anders. The darkness that had pervaded Cullen's mind had started to lift, and, although he now felt a keen and raw sadness, he was glad in a way to feel anything at all.

Anders could see that the worst of Cullen's withdrawal symptoms had passed, and, having been forced to stay strong for both he and Cullen over the past week , he suddenly felt very weary and depressed. Cullen could see his friend's fatigue and resolved to help Anders through this, as Anders had done for him.

Anders had been reluctant to talk about Blythe for fear of upsetting Cullen, and so was surprised when Cullen broached the subject himself.

"Did I ever tell you about the first time I met Blythe?" he said to Anders, who shook his head.

"It was my first day at the Tower. Gregoir was giving me a tour," Cullen said wistfully as he looked out of the window. "We entered the library – her favourite haunt – and he introduced me to a few people. I looked around, and from a desk in the corner, I saw this huge pair of blue eyes staring at me." Cullen smiled at the memory. "All I noticed were her eyes. I kept hoping that Gregoir would walk over in her direction, but he didn't."

"I bet he didn't," Anders nodded with a wry grin. "They hated each other."

Cullen grinned a little. "Yes, and as we were leaving, we heard a voice pipe up. 'Aren't you going to introduce us, Gregoir?' she said. I heard Gregoir groan," Cullen was chuckling by now. "He reluctantly turned around and introduced us. He said that she was one of the best healers in the Tower, and I could tell it was killing him to say it.

She held her hand out to me. I removed a gauntlet and shook her hand. She said, 'well, a polite Templar, Gregoir. Who would have thought it? Perhaps there is hope, even for you.'"

"I bet Gregoir didn't like that!" said Anders, smiling.

"No," Cullen replied, shaking his head. "He blustered out of the library. I turned back as we were leaving and she winked at me." Cullen smiled sadly and fell silent.

"I remember Blythe coming to tell me there was a new Templar," said Anders. "A nice one, she said. There were so few friendly Templars it was quite a novelty for us apprentices."

Anders laughed to himself as he recalled a happy memory. "Do you remember that day when you were on duty in the dining hall, and Blythe had presented me with a big tablespoon to eat my food with? Because I was so greedy?"

"Yes!" Cullen remembered, his face turning red as he giggled. "You used it to launch a lump of mashed potatoes onto Ser Bran's back. He looked around and you, and everyone at your table, had resumed eating as though nothing had happened. He never did find out who did it."

"We looked over towards you," said Anders. "Your face turned red and you had to turn your back on us so nobody could see you were laughing. That's when we knew you were alright."

Cullen smiled and nodded his head, before sighing deeply as he continued to look out of the window. "I think I'd like to leave here, Anders, when you think we're ready," he said quietly as he looked at the Tower. "Looking at that place constantly reminds me of…her."

"Alright," agreed Anders as he stood up and walked over to the window. "But I'd like us to stay here for one more night, to get a decent sleep in a bed. The journey ahead will be tough. We won't get much sleep, as one of us will always have to keep watch at night, and I won't be able to use magic this close to the Tower. We'll be living a very basic existence, for a while."

"I can cope with that," Cullen replied, noticing how pale and tired Anders looked as he stepped near to the window.

Cullen stood up. "Anders?" he said quietly. "I want to thank you for everything you've done. I can see it's taken quite a toll on you."

"On both of us, friend," Anders replied, noticing Cullen's trembling hands and pallor. "No need to thank me. I'm glad we could get you off that crap. But you realise that you're going to feel terrible for a while, don't you?"

"I do," nodded Cullen. "I think I'll feel better, though, when we can walk and move around. I feel so cooped up in here. I miss going for a swim in the morning, and doing my exercises."

"Of course!" cried Anders. "You Templars do exercises each day, don't you?"

"Yes," Cullen replied. "A healthy body equals a sound mind, or so they say. I miss going for a run most of all. I used to do 10 laps of the Tower each evening before supper."

"What else do you do?" Anders asked, folding his arms. "You don't get a physique like that from running. You look like you're carved out of granite!"

Cullen shrugged and blushed a little. "Well, I used to do 100 sit-ups twice a day, followed by as many press-ups as I could manage. Then I'd go for a run. Good for working off frustration, you know?"

"Well," Anders laughed, "I know what I'd rather do to work off frustration!"

"Not that kind of frustration!" Cullen protested, shaking his head.

"Sure. Whatever you say," Anders replied dryly, before leaning out of the window to attract Dav's attention.

O~~~~~~~~~O

After speaking with Dav, Anders and Cullen decided to take advantage of the absence of Templars around Lake Calenhad and leave that night. They slept during the day while Dav prepared some armour and backpacks for them.

They left the Inn wearing old and battered armour. Dav could have acquired newer armour, but they would be less conspicuous this way. Cullen wore steel splintmail with a full helm. Anders was less than pleased with his vestments – ornate leather armour.

"Whichever way you look at it, Dav, it's a skirt. And a short one at that," he whined. "I look ridiculous!"

"Well, that was all I could get hold of," Dav replied, trying not to laugh. "And it was too small for Cullen. You can either wear that or a robe. It's up to you. Or," he added, "you can try your luck with the Templar uniform you came here with."

Anders shot a sour glance at Dav before pulling on his helm. "Have you heard any more about the goings on at the Tower?" he asked.

"It's gone very quiet," Dav replied. "Carroll is still at the jetty, and he still won't tell me what's going on. Nobody has entered or left that Tower for two days, now, except for a messenger I spoke to, who told me he was taking an urgent message to Denerim."

"Denerim?" Cullen mumbled.

"Yes, why, what's wrong?" asked Dav.

"Well…I could be wrong, but in times of great crisis at the Tower, the Templars can invoke the Right of Annulment," Cullen said quietly. "They would need permission from the Grand Cleric in Denerim for that."

Anders and Dav looked at one another. "You mean they can neutralise all the mages in the Tower?" Anders asked. Cullen nodded gravely.

"Lucky you got out when you did, then," muttered Dav. "You'd best get going. As heartless as it sounds, Anders, I don't think you've ever had a better chance of a successful escape."

Anders looked at the Tower sadly. "I know," he replied. "I do hope that Mr. Wiggums is alright, though."

The two men embraced Dav and thanked him for his help. "You know how you can repay me, Anders," he said, smiling, "by making sure I never see you again."

"I'll do my best, Dav!" Anders called as they left Lake Calenhad and set off for Lothering.

O~~~~~~~~~O

Redcliffe

Alistair spoke to the man on the bridge - who introduced himself as Tomas - as the others caught up to him. "Something's wrong," said Alistair to the others. "Tomas here says that each night, undead creatures appear from the Castle and attack the village!"

"We cannot enter the Castle," added Tomas. "We fear that everyone inside is dead."

"But what about Arl Eamon?" asked Alistair with a hitch in his voice.

Tomas shook his head. "He is in the castle, and gravely ill. That is all I know, I'm sorry. Perhaps Bann Teagan will know more. I can take you to him if you'd like."

"Teagan?" asked Alistair, brightening a little. "Eamon's brother? He's here?"

"Yes, Ser," replied Tomas. "I will take you to him. Please, follow me."

o~o

As they followed Tomas into the Chantry, they were reminded for a moment of Lothering. Injured and frightened people sat or lay on the floor; others paced back and forth, sick with worry over their fate.

Blythe excused herself from her companions and approached the Revered Mother to see if she could render assistance to the injured. The Revered Mother was very grateful and put her to work immediately. Blythe called Allis over to assist as Alistair and the others spoke to Teagan.

Alistair brought Teagan over to meet the two mages when they had finished talking.

"Teagan, these are two very good friends of mine, and fellow Wardens," said Alistair. "Allis Surana, Blythe Amell, may I introduce Teagan Guerrin, Bann of Rainesfere."

"A pleasure to meet you both," said Teagan graciously as he shook their hands. "I am most grateful for what you have done here. I fear, however, that it will not be enough." He shook his head sadly. "Tonight's assault may finish us all. Each night the creatures come in greater numbers, and we barely survived last night's onslaught."

"Take heart, Bann Teagan," Blythe said softly, placing her hand on his arm. "We will help, for what it's worth, won't we?" she said, looking at Allis and Alistair.

"Of course!" they replied in unison.

"Oh, thank you, my lady!" replied Teagan. "I cannot tell you how much this means to me."

"Tell us what needs to be done, My Lord," said Allis.

"Well," Teagan replied, "first, introduce yourselves to Murdock, the Mayor. He is in charge of the Redcliffe Militia. You'll find him outside. You'll probably hear him before you see him," he laughed. "Then speak to Ser Perth, who commands the Redcliffe Knights. He will be found by the Windmill. He's watching the Castle for any signs of movement."

"The windmill?" Blythe groaned. "You mean we have to walk all the way up that hill again?"

Teagan threw his head back and laughed. "I apologise unreservedly, my lady," he said, bowing low. "Be thankful you do not live here. Our legs are nearly worn down to the bone."

"Well," Blythe said brightly, "if ever your legs are sore, come to me. I had the best rejuvenate spell in the Circle Tower, you know."

"Of that I have no doubt, my lady," Teagan replied with a twinkle in his eye. "If only we had met under better circumstances, perhaps we would have had more time to talk."

Allis glanced at Alistair and grinned.

"Well," Blythe said, smiling sweetly, "perhaps we could talk while you escort me up the hill?"

"I would be honoured to, my lady," Teagan grinned, crooking his arm.

"Please, call me Blythe," she replied, taking his arm and exiting the Chantry with Teagan, leaving behind a grinning Alistair and Allis, and a heavily frowning Zevran.

O~~~~~~~~~O

Cullen and Anders cut across the Bannorn towards Lothering, avoiding the main roads. From previous experience, Anders estimated it would take them approximately two days to reach their destination. They had walked all night, and as the sun began to rise, they made a rough camp in a thicket of trees, from where they could watch the plains they had travelled across during the night.

Anders removed his boots and rubbed his aching feet. "You know, Cullen," he said, "we haven't come across a soul since we left the Inn. I think it might be alright to use a spell."

"I agree, it should be safe now," replied Cullen. "What did you have in mind?"

Anders touched his feet with his hands and groaned as a blue glow surrounded them. "Oh, that felt good!" he cried as he wiggled his toes. "Shall I do yours?"

"Yes please," Cullen replied, removing his boots. "My feet are killing me!"

Anders leaned over and rejuvenated Cullen's sore feet. "That's better," Cullen said. "Thank you."

"You're quite welcome, my dear fellow," Anders replied before falling silent for a while and looking into the distance. "You know, I was thinking…" he began, then sighed heavily. "…About Allis Surana. He was a Warden, too. Such a shame."

"I'm afraid I didn't really know him that well," Cullen replied.

"He was…a friend," Anders said cautiously. "Well, we had a bit of a thing."

"A thing?" Cullen asked, confused. "What do you mean?"

Anders looked at Cullen and grimaced. "Well, we were…close friends. Once."

"Did you fall out, then?" Cullen asked innocently.

Anders sighed dramatically. "Not exactly, Cullen. Alright, he and I had an, um…encounter. In one of the stockrooms. The very one you took me to, in fact."

Cullen inhaled some of tea he'd been drinking and started coughing violently. Anders slapped his back. "Sorry!" Anders laughed. "I thought you knew about me."

"I knew you had an eye for the ladies, Anders," Cullen replied, trying his best to look nonchalant but failing, "but…the men too?"

"Well, I appreciate men and women," Anders shrugged. "Mostly women, though. If it came down to a choice, it would be women every time. But…I do find certain men very attractive."

Cullen's eyes grew wide. "You've seen me naked!" he cried in horror. "And you complimented my physique!"

Anders laughed out loud. "Have no fear, O mighty Templar! If I were attracted to you, you'd have known about it long before now. Besides, you're a friend. A proper friend, I mean. And you're not really my type. I have a bit of a thing for elves, you see. You're quite safe!"

"I see…" said Cullen, squirming. "So, Allis was…?"

"Oh, Allis was only for the men," Anders replied. "Human men, in particular. Which is probably why you didn't know him that well. He was always in the storeroom. He was a bit of a lad, back in the day. He settled down after his Harrowing, though. Apparently that fellow from the Grey Wardens had approached him on a previous visit about joining them, when Allis was an apprentice, but Gregoir would never have let an apprentice out of the Tower. So, after his Harrowing, Allis knuckled down. He really wanted to be a Warden." Anders' face fell. "Well, he got his wish, I suppose."

"I'm sorry, Anders." Cullen said quietly.

"Oh well," Anders sighed. "Moping isn't going to change anything, is it? Try and get some sleep, Cullen. I'll keep an eye out."

Realising that Anders wanted some space, Cullen agreed and settled down on his bedroll. "Would you put me to sleep, please Anders?" he asked. "Whenever I close my eyes, I…"

"I know," Anders replied, touching Cullen's arm as he cast the spell. "Sleep well."