Thank you so much to my regular reviewers - Jen, Shakespira, voltagelisa, CCBug, Eva Galana, Nithu, Cousland1982 and hi to my latest reviewer, elvenlover!
The biggest thank you of all, as always to my dear friend and super Beta Reader Jen! Love you, girl!
O~~~~~~~~O
He lay on his back and gazed up in awe at the vision of perfection before him. She was a goddess to him; pure and flawless in every way. He adored her alabaster skin, her glorious mane of thick hair, her heavy-lidded cornflower blue eyes and her soft, inviting lips, tinged red; from which came forth gentle moans and sweet whispers of love.
"I love you," she murmured softly. "I've always loved you. When I close my eyes at night I think of you. I can't sleep otherwise. I imagine you're there with me. I hear your voice. I smell you. I feel your touch…I feel your beard against my skin…oh!"
She cried out and started rocking back and forth as she sat atop him. He felt a surge of heat slam into him and threw his head back, wanting to cry out and tell her everything, but no sound came from his mouth.
"I love you!" he thought. "I'm coming to find you! Please wait for me!"
"Please hurry!" she pleaded. "I ache for you day and night…I miss you so much, my love…"
"Blythe!" he cried, finally finding his voice. "Wait for me! Please, wait for me!"
"Blythe?"
She was gone. Cullen opened his eyes. He was lying next to a river. Anders' tent was pitched not far away. Oh, Maker, I'm supposed to be keeping watch, he thought. As he sat up, trying to steady his breathing, he felt his erection tug at his breeches. He sat there for a moment, wondering what he should do. His hand moved down and rested against his manhood. He closed his eyes and thought of Blythe, naked and sitting on top of him, grinding against him as he had just dreamed; as he had envisioned so often.
No! he thought, getting to his feet. I won't sully her memory like that, just to gratify myself!
He broke into a jog and travelled up and down the bank of the river, keeping Anders' tent in sight at all times. The image of her would not abate; he had to force himself to think of something else. Templar duty. Long, tedious hours stuck in one spot…he pictured himself on duty in the library. Then she walked in. Blast it! he thought. Alright, I know… He pictured a grey-haired, bearded man wearing heavy plate armour, its breastplate embossed with Andraste's Sword of Mercy. That did the trick. Cullen felt himself collapse inside his breeches, then groaned as his balls started to ache.
Anders crawled out of his tent and watched Cullen running up and down the riverbank. He'd heard Cullen cry out in his sleep, but didn't want to make it obvious by leaving his tent too soon. The sun was starting to rise, and as they were only a few hours away from Redcliffe, Anders thought that now was as good a time as any to press on.
"Cullen?" he called. Cullen turned around and jogged over to Anders. "Well, you seem wide awake," Anders grinned, "and I feel quite refreshed. I expect you're keen to get to Redcliffe, so we can set out as soon as we've washed and had a bite to eat, if you like?"
"Yes, thank you, Anders," Cullen replied. He suspected that Anders had heard him yell out, as he had been loud enough to wake the dead, but the mage's words confirmed it for him. Cullen felt a little embarrassed, but at the same time he was touched that Anders was prepared to forsake a few hours' sleep in order for them to reach Redcliffe more quickly.
We're on our way, Blythe, he thought, looking west toward Redcliffe. Wait for me.
O~~~~~~~~~O
Blythe, Allis and their companions had been unprepared for the number of undead that were waiting for them in the Castle; all unfortunate Castle staff, no doubt, who had been consumed and transformed by whatever evil lurked further within. They had found a few survivors, fortunately, and had freed them; one of whom was the blacksmith's daughter. After reaching the courtyard and opening the gates for Ser Perth and his Knights, the group stormed the Castle and gained entry as the sun began to rise, finally vanquishing the last of the undead.
They left Ser Perth and his men to secure the Castle gate and to begin burning the undead corpses, and entered. As the group reached the anteroom to the main hall, the three mages slowed their pace, finally stopping and looking at one another. They all felt the same unwholesome sensation of something trying to get under their skin and into their thoughts. Reaper emitted a low snarl, his hackles raised and his teeth bared.
"What's wrong?" whispered Leliana.
"What we have come to find awaits us in the next room," Allis replied in a low voice, stroking Reaper's head in an attempt to calm him. "A desire demon, I think." Blythe nodded in agreement.
Zevran prepared to make a suggestive remark, but thought better of it. "How shall we proceed?" he asked instead.
"It may try to trick us, make a bargain with us, offer us whatever we want," said Blythe, addressing the whole group. "Try not to engage it in conversation, if you can help it. Just remember what it is, what it's responsible for, and that we are here to kill it, nothing else."
Blythe's companions nodded and murmured in agreement, before readying their weapons. Allis inclined his head toward the entrance to the main hall. Blythe and Allis entered first, with Reaper at their side; Morrigan and the others followed close behind. The group entered the hall and stopped once more as they looked ahead. Standing on the dais at the other end of the hall stood Isolde and a young boy, who they assumed to be Connor; he laughed and clapped his hands in amusement as his uncle Teagan gamboled and frolicked in front of him, before returning to the dais and sitting at the boy's feet.
Allis, Blythe and Morrigan exchanged defeated glances. Their plan to kill the demon was no longer so clear-cut. It was obvious to them that the Desire Demon had inhabited Connor's body, and none of them wished to kill a little boy.
Allis' mouth twisted with disgust as he approached the dais, his eyes fixed on Isolde. She stood with sagging shoulders and a look of despair in her eyes. "Didn't you think it important enough to tell us your son was a mage, Isolde?" Allis barked.
"Who are these people, Mother?" demanded Connor, his own voice echoed by a second, deeper one. "Are these the ones who defeated my soldiers? The ones I sent to reclaim my village?" Isolde nodded wearily.
"I'm waiting for an answer, Isolde," interrupted Allis, ignoring the demon. "How old is he? Seven, eight? He should be at the Circle Tower!"
Morrigan looked at him incredulously. "You would condemn a child to a life of servitude and restriction in that prison on the Lake? I am shocked and dismayed that…"
"Look at him, Morrigan!" interrupted Blythe. "This is exactly why children of his age need to be at the Tower! They need guidance and discipline! This is exactly the sort of thing that can happen when parents try to hide their Magi child from the Circle."
"That's what's happened here, isn't it?" Allis said, addressing Isolde. "You knew he had magic, but decided to hide him. Without the proper instruction and guidance, he has developed powers he can't control, and was an easy target for a demon. You do realise, don't you, that everything that has happened in Redcliffe is a direct result of your decision?" he cried, growing angry. "Everyone that has died or been transformed into a walking corpse? All because of you, Isolde! And now, you may force us to kill a young boy to put an end to all of this! You may lose your son after all!"
"No!" screamed Isolde, running to Connor's side. "Please! Don't hurt my baby! There must be something I can do! I beg you!"
"Mother? What's happening?" Connor asked fearfully.
"Oh, thank the Maker!" cried Isolde, falling to her knees in prayer. "Please," she beseeched, facing Allis, "my son is not always as you just saw him. Sometimes the real Connor breaks through." Isolde reached over to stroke her son's hair.
"Get away from me, fool woman!" Connor bellowed, causing Isolde to stand back in fright. "Always trying to stop my fun, you and uncle Teagan! Well, you won't be able to stop me anymore! Now, uncle Teagan. You were so full of yourself today, weren't you? Trying to tell me what to do and order me around? Well, just try and tell me what to do now!"
"Nobody tells him what to do!" laughed Teagan, affecting a comical voice. "Nobody!"
"What have you done to him, foul creature?" demanded Blythe.
Connor laughed to himself. "I have made him a court jester for my amusement!" he mocked. "I rather like him this way!"
"I demand that you release your hold on him this instant!" Blythe shouted, taking out her staff, as her companions also readied their weapons. "Or I will take the boy's life, and yours with it," she bluffed.
"No! Please!" pleaded Isolde. Connor momentarily looked frightened before running out of the room. Teagan rose to his feet and drew his sword, advancing towards Blythe and Allis.
"Don't kill him!" Allis yelled. "He's not acting of his own accord!" Several undead creatures spilled into the room and attacked the group.
Sten immediately charged over to Teagan and easily parried the Bann's swing with his own; then, grabbing Teagan's sword arm and twisting it behind his back, disarmed him and dragged him away from the rest of the fighting.
Blythe stood in the centre of the hall, taunting the undead to approach her, as Allis told the others to stay back. He and Blythe had practised this tactic many times in camp. As they were almost upon her, she thrust her staff into the air and stunned them with a Mind Blast. Blythe then ran to a safe distance and Allis Fireballed the entire group of undead, setting them ablaze. The two Wardens then each cast a Glyph of Repulsion, and Morrigan, catching on, cast one of her own, so that the creatures were completely surrounded. As they revived they were repelled backwards by the Glyphs, and Leliana and Zevran easily picked them off with their bows, and the mages with Lightning and Arcane Bolts.
Teagan stopped struggling and his knees gave way. Sten lowered him to the floor, still keeping a hold of him. As Zevran looted the corpses, Allis and Blythe approached them. "I think it's safe to release him now, Sten," said Allis.
"Very well," muttered Sten, dropping Teagan to the floor, who winced and grabbed his arm. Blythe knelt down and examined him.
"You've broken his arm, Sten!" she cried in disbelief.
"I did as instructed," Sten replied flatly. "I did not kill him."
"Hold still," Blythe said softly to Teagan. "This will hurt for a moment." Teagan bore the pain with dignity as she healed the fracture. "No sword fighting for at least a few days," she instructed. "It'll be sore for a while."
"Thank you, dear lady," Teagan said gratefully, flexing his arm. "I am…sorry for what just occurred. I think I am myself again, now."
"Oh, thank the Maker!" cried Isolde, doing her best to ignore the filthy looks the mages were throwing her way. "I-if anything had happened to you, Teagan…I am such a fool…I only want to protect Connor."
"Isn't that what started all of this?" Teagan snapped, "trying to protect him by hiding his magical powers? The Wardens are correct. He must study at the Circle Tower, if and when he can be rid of this demon."
"No!" Isolde cried. "I won't let anyone take away my boy! Not you, and certainly not Eamon!"
"Eamon?" asked Teagan, giving Isolde a dangerous glare. "What does Eamon have to do with this? Does he know that Connor is a mage?"
"No," murmured Isolde, unable to meet his gaze. "I…I meant nothing. I am just upset, that's all."
"Look," interrupted Allis. "We need to decide what to do. Where is Connor?"
"He ran upstairs," said Leliana. "He was frightened."
Teagan nodded. "What are our options, Warden Surana?" he asked.
Allis sighed. "The quickest option would be to kill the boy…"
"No!" yelled Isolde.
"Will you stop screaming for one blasted minute and let me finish!" Allis yelled back. Isolde shakily nodded her head. Allis faced Teagan once more. "There is another option. The Circle of Magi is but a day's travel from here. We could go there and appeal for the mage's help. They could bring more mages and send someone into the fade to face the demon directly. However, it will mean that Connor, or rather the demon, will be free to continue its attacks while we are gone."
Teagan weighed up the options carefully in his mind. "I think we have to give Connor a chance," he said finally. "We have Connor contained within the castle, and Ser Perth and his Knights can guard him and contain any undead creatures he summons. However, I would feel better if one of you mages remained here, to keep an extra eye on him, and to advise us, if that would be agreeable?"
"Give us a moment, Teagan," said Blythe, as she took Allis and Morrigan to one side. "Listen…" she began. "I don't really want to go back to the Circle Tower."
"Do you not wish to see your Templar friend again?" replied Morrigan.
"What, and have to say goodbye all over again?" she said sadly. "No, Morrigan. I don't think I could bear it."
"You don't really think Greagoir would allow you to see him, do you?" said Allis. "And just imagine the look on the bastard's face when the two of us walk through the doors! I bet he thinks we died at Ostagar!"
"I bet they all think that," Blythe replied, her brow furrowing. "I hadn't even considered that."
"Well, I am glad 'tis settled then," said Morrigan. "I for one have no wish to enter that prison for mages, now or ever."
"Wait!" cried Blythe. "Nothing's been settled yet!"
"Yes it has," said Allis firmly, as he grabbed Blythe's arm and dragged her towards Teagan. "I'm not going with her!" he whispered. "I'll end up killing her!"
Allis addressed Teagan. "Morrigan will stay here with you until our return," he announced. "Alistair may be able to assist you as well, when he recovers. He is a Templar, after all."
"That is wonderful," Teagan replied. "I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am for everything you have all done."
"There really is no need, Teagan," said Blythe. "There is one more thing I may be able to help with before we leave."
"Oh? What is that?" asked Teagan, intrigued.
"Well," she replied. "I was wondering if I could speak to your healing mage? The one tending to Eamon? Perhaps I could be of some help."
"That's a wonderful…" Teagan began, before being interrupted by Isolde.
"There really is no need, Warden," Isolde said stiffly. "My mage has everything in hand."
"I think we should take Warden Amell up on her generous offer," Teagan replied, with a hint of irritation in his voice. "Unless there is a reason you do not wish another healer to look at him, Isolde?"
"Oh, no – no reason at all," she replied. "Forgive me, Warden Amell. It has been a long day. Please follow me."
"If you don't need me, Blythe, I'm going to see Alistair," said Allis.
"Of course!" Blythe smiled. "Give my favourite ex-Templar a kiss from me, alright?"
"I'll give him two!" Allis chirped as he headed for the door.
O~~~~~~~~~O
Blythe, Teagan and Isolde entered Eamon's bedchamber. A male mage sat in a chair next to the bed, snoozing. Teagan cleared his throat noisily.
"Oh!" cried the mage, leaping up. "Forgive me, My Lord. I…"
"This is Grey Warden Blythe Amell, Dailen," said Teagan. "She has very generously offered her aid. She is a Spirit Healer," he said proudly with a surreptitious wink at Blythe.
"As am I, My Lord," Dailen replied, a little defensively, Blythe thought.
"Good," she said impassively. "You can tell me how you've been treating him, then."
"Well," Dailen said as Blythe examined inside Eamon's mouth and lifted his eyelids to examine his eyes, "I don't really know what I'm treating him for…look, I've done all that, the examinations, you really don't need to…"
"Have you tried heat therapy?" she asked.
"Of course!" Dailen replied.
"And how did he respond?"
"He didn't," he replied irascibly.
Blythe nodded her head, biting back a feeling of dread and anger. "How about Rashvine and Deathroot? As a purgative?"
"Yes, I've tried that!" he replied, barely hiding his anger. "I'm sorry, My Lord," he addressed Teagan, "but I really don't see the point…"
"Forgive me, Dailen," Blythe said, smiling sweetly. "I have no wish to tread on your toes. I am sure you would ask the same questions in my position."
"Yes, no doubt you're right," Dailen replied, visibly exhaling.
"I will leave you to your work, then," said Blythe, making a subtle gesture with her eyes for Teagan to follow her as she exited, leaving Isolde with the mage and her husband. "Is there somewhere we can talk in private?" she asked Teagan as they walked through the main hall.
"Yes," he replied. "Eamon's study. This way."
They entered the study. "What's wrong?" Teagan asked as he closed the door.
"I'm sorry to tell you this, Teagan," she said with a heavy sigh, "but you have more problems than you realise."
"What do you mean?" Teagan replied sharply.
"Eamon is being poisoned," she said bluntly.
"Pois…!" he exclaimed loudly before lowering his voice. "Are you certain of this?"
"Yes," she said angrily. "I could tell as soon as I examined him, from the colour of his skin and eyes, his breath, the burn marks inside his mouth, and the bald patches atop his head. Any apprentice healer could tell as much from such a brief examination. What I would like to know is, how did your so-called Spirit Healer miss it?"
"Are you suggesting that he…" said Teagan warily.
"I'm not suggesting anything. I am merely questioning your mage's knowledge," she replied diplomatically, but her words were loaded with meaning.
"I see," said Teagan knowingly. "What should I do?"
"Do nothing for now," Blythe replied. "Eamon is strong for the moment. Allis and I will set off for the Tower immediately. I will try to bring back a Herbalist, perhaps they can devise an antidote. I have a friend at the Tower, Anders, who is a Master Herbalist, but it's very unlikely they'd let him out. I'll find somebody though, Teagan, don't worry. Then, upon our return, we can investigate the mage."
"Very well," Teagan replied, taking a deep breath. "Once more, I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"You're more than welcome, Teagan," she smiled grimly. "I should go. I will pay Alistair a quick visit at the Chantry, then we will set off. There is no time to lose."
O~~~~~~~~~O
Teagan accompanied Blythe to the Chantry to see Alistair, who was recovering well, but was still not fit to travel, let alone fight. Blythe and Allis took Sten and Zevran with them – Allis only taking the Antivan along so he could keep an eye on him – and Teagan walked them to the Lake and saw them off. Allis had decided that they would travel along Lake Calenhad's shore rather than take the main road.
Teagan headed back to the Chantry to speak to Alistair again and tell him of Blythe's concerns about the mage. Alistair had been moved to a small room with a proper bed. They had only been speaking for a few minutes when a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in!" Alistair called.
One of Ser Perth's Knights entered. "Forgive the intrusion, my Lord," he said, placing his fist over his heart and bowing.
"Not at all, Ser Rowan," Teagan replied. "What is it?"
"I thought you should be informed immediately, my Lord," Ser Rowan replied, "two men have been arrested and taken to the dungeons. They are strangers to the village and were asking questions about the whereabouts of the Grey Wardens. We suspect them to be Loghain's men. They will not give their names, nor do they bear any identifying papers or devices, but they claim to be friends of the Wardens."
"If that were the case, why did they not give their names?" asked Teagan.
"Precisely, my Lord," replied the Knight.
Teagan stood up. "Excuse me, Alistair," he said brusquely, "I shall get to the bottom of this and return to you with any news."
"Bash some heads for me, Teagan!" called Alistair.
"I intend to," replied Teagan.