Hi and thank you to my latest reviewers Kazzyb59 and cluaran! And no matter how many times I say it, I will always mean it: To my regular reviewers, I would have given this up long ago without your inspiration and kindness! Thank you!

And to my dear friend Jen, my biggest inspiration of all, words could never be enough to thank you! You're the greatest! :D And thank you for helping me decide what to do with Isolde!

O~~~~~~~~~O

Teagan and Leliana walked behind Reaper as he skilfully followed Isolde's trail through the castle and out into the courtyard. There, the Mabari paused and looked toward the main gate, trying to catch currents on the air as he sniffed.

"Do you think they went through the gate, Reaper?" Leliana asked. Reaper cocked his head and made a low whine, before putting his nose to the ground once more and unexpectedly heading toward the entrance to the dungeons. Leliana shrugged at Teagan as they followed him down.

"I don't understand," Teagan said as they followed the scent trail through the bowels of the castle, "the easiest and fastest way out of here would be through the main gate." Reaper stopped and looked at Teagan, before approaching him and sitting at his feet.

"You may address Reaper as you would any person," Leliana explained. "He is Mabari and understands our speech. He is also as intelligent as, if not more so, than some people."

Teagan crouched down in front of the Mabari. "Forgive me, Reaper," he said, "but I have no experience of your fine species. I did not mean to speak as though you were not there." Reaper barked happily at this, and span round in a circle, before sitting once more.

"Do you suspect that our quarry has exited the Castle?" he asked, "but took an indirect route to do so?" Reaper barked several times in response to this.

"Of course…" Teagan realised. "The windmill! She must have exited through there!" Then his face fell and he shook his head. "No. Ser Perth and his Knights would be there when she exited – she must know that…"

Reaper barked several times again, this time with a hint of annoyance. "Do you disagree?" Teagan asked, grasping his chin with his hand and thinking carefully. "There is another secret exit from the dungeons," he said, "which leads underground to the Chantry. Could she have taken that route?"

Reaper barked once more, and paced back and forth, eager to resume his search. Teagan nodded his head. "Well done indeed, my friend," he replied. "Please, lead on."

Reaper resumed his tracking, then stopped and sniffed the air. His tail started wagging furiously, and he bounded forward, turning a corner. Teagan and Leliana heard two surprised exclamations, then laughter.

Alistair and Cullen walked round the corner, chuckling, as Reaper danced at their feet. "We thought we could hear voices," Alistair said, laughing, "and barking! We've warded the prisoner's cell. He won't cause any trouble now."

"Oh, Alistair!" cried Leliana, taking his hands. "It is good to see you looking so well! And who is your friend?"

"Cullen, my lady," Cullen replied with a small bow. "Oh, forgive me," he said, removing his helm. "I sometimes forget I'm wearing this."

"Yes," said Leliana, nodding her head and beaming at him. "You are as handsome as she claims!"

"I-I…me?" he replied, turning red. "Do you mean…Blythe?"

"Of course!" Leliana replied with a wink. "Who else would I mean? And you are so adorable with it!" she trilled. Cullen cleared his throat and grinned.

"Gentlemen," said Teagan, "have you been appraised of the situation with Isolde?"

"Yes," Alistair said firmly, his expression sour. "I can't believe that even she…"

"Well," Teagan interrupted, "we believe we know her whereabouts, thanks to our Mabari friend here. I should like you both to accompany us, if you feel well enough, Alistair?"

"Just try and stop me," Alistair replied darkly. "Where is the bitch?"

"We believe she has taken refuge in the Chantry," Teagan replied.

"Put your helm back on, Sebastian," Alistair instructed Cullen. "Let's go, Reaper."

O~~~~~~~~O

Allis stared fixedly at the apprentice in front of him, who could not meet his gaze. "Well?" Allis spat, "I'm waiting!"

"Allis," a soft female voice spoke. "We released him from his cell. He would have starved to death, otherwise."

Allis turned to face Wynne, a senior mage of the Circle. "You do know he's a blood mage, don't you Wynne? And he can't be trusted! He tried to kill Blythe!"

"No, I didn't!" Jowan protested. "I would never have hurt anyone…seriously, especially not Blythe! I was just trying to defend myself! Blythe would have killed me!"

"And can you blame her?" Allis replied angrily, "after everything you did?"

"Please Allis, the children are frightened enough," Wynne said softly.

"Sorry," Allis replied, lowering his voice. "I'm sorry."

"What are you doing here?" she asked. "Why did Greagoir allow you in?"

"He's sent for reinforcements from Denerim," Allis explained. "We persuaded him to let us in to look for survivors."

"So it is true, then," Wynne said sadly. "He means to destroy us." She paced back and forth. "It is good to see that at least you still care about the Circle's fate. And you, Blythe. It is good to see you again."

"You too, Wynne," replied Blythe, who could not bring herself to look at Jowan. "Do you know what's happened here, Wynne?" she asked.

Wynne shook her head, a look of disgust on her face. "It is Uldred," she muttered. "He has seized control of the Tower and ensconced himself in the Harrowing chamber. I know not what manner of magic he is using, but he has taken innocent mages and Templars alike, and turned them into…" she fell silent and shook her head once more.

"Uldred?" Blythe whispered to Allis, "Anders suspected him of being a blood mage."

"Wonderful," Allis muttered.

"I have erected a force field to keep the abominations from entering here and harming the children," said Wynne, pointing to the doorway ahead of them, "but perhaps now we have the numbers to take the fight to Uldred. I will go with you."

"No, Wynne!" cried one of the adult female mages, stepping forward. "You are still injured from our last encounter with the abominations. You need to rest!"

"May I help?" asked Blythe, walking up to Wynne.

"No, my dear," Wynne replied. "It is not the kind of injury that can be cured with healing magic. But thank you, all the same."

Blythe was about to ask for an explanation when Allis spoke. "No, Wynne, you should stay here with the children," he said, before turning to Jowan. "You're coming with us," he said firmly.

"W-what?" Jowan cried, taking a step back. "But I can't fight abominations! Wynne said I could stay here where it's safe!"

Allis walked up to Jowan once more and whispered in his ear so the children would not hear. "Listen, you snivelling wretch! Either the abominations will kill you, or I will. It matters little to me. Now shut your stupid, whining mouth and get moving!"

"Allis?" Blythe called. He walked over to where she stood. "Is it really a good idea to take him with us?" she asked quietly.

"Probably not," he replied, "but I'm not leaving him here with the children. I don't trust him as far as I could throw him, and I want him where I can see him. Are you going to be alright with that?"

Blythe nodded. "I suppose so," she shrugged. "Yes, I can see your point. And maybe he can do some good for once."

"Maybe," Allis replied. "We'll see." He walked over to Wynne. "Will you remove the force field so we can enter, Wynne?" he asked the older woman.

"Very well," she replied, walking over to the door and closing her eyes. The field of crackling blue energy that had blocked the exit disappeared. "Move quickly," said Wynne. "I will re-establish the field once you are through."

Allis, Blythe, Sten and Zevran walked through the doorway. Allis, realising that Jowan had not followed them, walked back, grabbed Jowan's arm and roughly shoved him through. Wynne then re-established the force field.

"May Andraste guide and protect you," she said to the group.

As they rounded a corner, Blythe spoke. "You three go on ahead," she said to Allis, Sten and Jowan. "I need to speak to Zevran for a moment."

Allis looked back and nodded once, before walking ahead with the other two.

Zevran clasped his hands in front of him and watched Blythe as she looked at the floor. He had an idea of what was to come.

"Zevran," she said apologetically, looking into his eyes. "You and I have become…close recently, haven't we?. Well, that's how I see it, anyway." She sighed and looked at the ceiling. "I, um…need to tell you something. Before I left the Tower, I was…I was in love with someone who lived here. When I left, I thought I'd never see him again, and I've been trying to come to terms with that, and move on.

But I found out that he's left the Tower, and that he may be looking for me." She sighed again. "I'm sorry, Zev, but while there's a chance I might see him again, I can't…well, I just can't be with anyone else. I hope you understand. I'm truly sorry if I misled you."

Zevran grinned wryly and shrugged his shoulders. "No, you didn't, my dear," he sighed. "You did not mislead me. Perhaps it was I who had the wrong idea. It is better for this to be out in the open now, and I appreciate you telling me. Now, let us move on. I think perhaps the others need us to assist them, yes?"

"You're…really alright with this?" she asked hesitantly.

"Of course, my dear," he lied, with a smile that did not quite reach his eyes. "Come, let us join the others."

O~~~~~~~~~~O

Reaper, Leliana and the three men reached a large, wooden door that had no discernible lock. Teagan adjusted the signet ring on his finger and inserted it into a small hole in the centre of the door. As he turned it, a click was heard.

"This is the secret entrance to the Chantry," he told the others, then crouched down to address Reaper. "Is she here, Reaper?" he asked.

Reaper began scratching frenetically at the base of the door; his tail, stiff and upright, was wagging furiously.

"There is our answer," Teagan said. "We should not all enter at once. Reaper, you shall come with me, and you as well, Ser Cullen. The Arlessa has not yet met you. Alistair, Leliana – wait here and listen. We may need your assistance in a while, but, for now, I do not want to alarm Isolde and force her into rash action. Agreed?"

"Agreed," Alistair and Leliana replied.

Teagan, Reaper and Cullen emerged through a hidden door to the rear of the Altar. The Chanters on either side were taken aback at their appearance, and for a moment almost lost their train of thought, before regaining their composure and continuing their recital of the Canticle of Silence.

Reaper immediately bounded over to a door set far back to the rear, and began clawing at it and whining.

"What is the meaning of this, Bann Teagan?" asked the Revered Mother, walking over to the two men.

"We are looking for Arlessa Isolde, Your Reverence," Teagan replied. "We believe her to be here in the Chantry."

"The Arlessa is indeed here," she replied angrily, "and I will not allow you, or any of your…friends to see her. She has told me of your mistreatment of her and her poor sick child."

"What?" cried Teagan.

"Now, leave!" the Revered Mother demanded. "I am arranging safe passage for the two of them away from here. When Arl Eamon revives he shall no doubt be furious at your role in this, Teagan!"

"Now, just a minute!" Cullen interrupted, stepping forward. "I do not know what lies she has told you, but she is the one responsible for Eamon's illness! And as for her 'sick child', she obviously neglected to mention that the boy is possessed by a Desire Demon!"

The Revered Mother took a step back, her hands covering her mouth.

"It is true," said Teagan. "Isolde poisoned Arl Eamon and escaped when she was discovered. She is harbouring Connor, who is possessed by the Demon responsible for the undead creatures' appearance, and for all the deaths in the village. I demand that you turn her over to us!"

"I-I did not realise!" the Revered Mother replied, distressed. "They are through there," she said, pointing toward the door where Reaper stood.

Teagan and Cullen strode over to the door, Cullen drawing his sword as they neared. "Wait," said Teagan, "I do not wish the boy to come to harm."

"Neither do I, my Lord," he replied, "but we have to anticipate every contingency. I swear to you I will not harm the child unless I am left with no other choice."

"Very well," Teagan replied heavily.

Without warning, the door flew open, and Reaper was propelled through the air, landing heavily on his leg with a yelp. "No!" cried Leliana, as she and Alistair broke from cover and dragged the injured hound to safety. A scream came from within the room.

"Connor! No! What have you done with my baby!"

Several gasps and cries sounded from around the Chantry as a semi-naked, horned woman walked through the door and stood in a seductive pose, leering at Cullen as she stroked her body and moaned to herself.

"Your Reverence! Evacuate the Chantry!" Cullen commanded. The Revered Mother immediately began ushering the villagers towards the exit.

"Oh, how touching," the demon purred. "You wish for us to be alone, Cullen? And I thought you only had eyes for mages!"

Cullen outstretched one arm toward the demon as he began to chant. "Maker, though the darkness comes upon me, I shall embrace the light…"

The demon threw her head back and laughed. "Blythe is her name, isn't it?"

"…I shall weather the storm," he continued. "I shall endure. What you have created, no one can tear asunder."

Teagan, Alistair and Leliana gasped as the Demon was bathed in shadow for a second, then emerged as a perfect representation of Blythe, wearing a flimsy robe. She walked toward Cullen and looked up at him innocently. "You want me, don't you, Cullen?" she whispered. "I know you think about me. And you touch yourself when you do, don't you…?"

"Maker," Cullen continued, "my enemies are abundant. Many are those who rise up against me. But my faith sustains me; I shall not fear the legion, should they set themselves against me."

"Touch me, Cullen," the demon said with Blythe's voice, dropping her robe to the floor, revealing her naked body. "Do what you have always desired. Just say yes, and I can make all of these people disappear. Then, my love, we can finally be together."

Alistair, averting his eyes, walked up to Cullen and nodded to him. Together, they faced the demon and spoke in unison: "Blessed are they who stand before the corrupt and the wicked and do not falter. Blessed are the peacekeepers, the champions of the just…"

"Enough!" cried the Demon, reverting back to its original form as its spell was broken.

"…blessed are the righteous, the lights in the shadow. In their blood the Maker's will is written."

"You think you two can defeat me?" the Demon hissed.

"By Andraste and all Divine after her, I banish you to the Fade!" Cullen commanded.

"No! I will not go back!" the Demon screeched.

"These truths the Maker has revealed to me," Cullen and Alistair continued, "As there is but one world, one life, one death; there is but one God, and He is our Maker. They are sinners, those who have given their love to false gods.

All men are the Work of our Maker's Hands, from the lowest slaves to the highest kings. Those who bring harm without provocation to the least of His children are hated and accursed by the Maker."

The demon screamed and clutched its head, before being bathed in light and replaced by a very confused and distressed Connor, who collapsed to the floor.

"Oh! My poor boy!" cried Isolde, running out of the room and kneeling on the floor next to Connor.

"Does he live?" Teagan asked.

"Yes my Lord," Cullen replied, "but the Demon is still within him. We have pacified it for now, but it will not last for long. The only sure way to be rid of it is to kill the boy or to confront the Demon in the Fade."

"Then let us pray that our friends are able to bring aid from the Circle of Magi," Teagan replied, before turning to some of his Knights who had remained behind. "One of you please bring Anders here to tend to Connor and Reaper."

"At once, my Lord!" one of the Knights replied, running toward the exit.

Teagan brought two of the Knights over to Isolde. "Take her to the dungeons and lock her up," he spat.

"Through the secret passage, my Lord?" one of them asked.

"No," Teagan replied firmly. "Take her through the village. Let everyone see her being taken away. And you may let the reason for it be known freely."

"Yes, my Lord," the Knights replied, and hauled Isolde up by her elbows.

"Please, Teagan!" Isolde implored as she struggled. "I was only trying to protect my boy!"

Teagan turned his back on her as she was led out through the doors of the Chantry to face the villagers' accusatory stares.

O~~~~~~~~~~O

Blythe yawned, stretched her arms lazily and opened her eyes. Although the sun was in the sky, and she knew she should rouse herself, her bed was far too warm and inviting, and she snuggled back down under the covers. She closed her eyes and exhaled contentedly. A warm hand touched her face and she sighed loudly as she felt the shifting of weight beside her. She opened her eyes and gazed up at her husband.

He lay beside her, leaning on his elbow, as his other hand stroked and played with her hair. "Good morning, beautiful," he whispered, planting a soft kiss on her lips.

"Good morning, handsome!" she replied happily; in fact she had never felt more happy and contented than at this moment.

The door to their bedroom burst open, and three small children ran in and jumped onto the bed; two girls and a boy. They all had their father's red hair and amber eyes.

"Now, now children," Cullen chided. "Let your mother have a rest. It's quite a handful looking after you three!"

Children? Blythe thought. I thought I couldn't have children. Who told me I couldn't? I'm sure there's a reason why, but I can't…think…

"What's wrong, dear?" Cullen asked as he smiled at her. Blythe looked into his eyes and bolted up in bed, hastily pulling on her robe and standing up. Cullen's eyes narrowed as Blythe stared at him in confusion. "Leave us, children," he said. "We shall be out shortly."

"Awww…" the children whined as they climbed off the bed and left the room.

"What is it?" Cullen said sharply, then took a deep breath and softened his voice. "What is troubling you, dear wife?"

"What's happened to your eyes?" Blythe asked quietly.

"My eyes?" Cullen scoffed, an irritated tone in his voice.

"Your eyes are green," she replied. "They were green a moment ago…but your eyes are not supposed to be green…"

"Green?" he laughed. "Look at me. What colour are my eyes?"

She hesitantly looked at him. His eyes were dark amber. She cast her eyes down to the floor, unsure of herself.

"You've been overdoing things, my dear," he purred, walking over to her and stroking her face. "I know the children can be tiring at times."

"How did we have children, Cullen?" she asked.

"Would you like me to remind you?" he asked, placing a hand over her breast and kissing her neck.

"No," she replied, pushing him away. He glared at her. "I'm not supposed to have children," she said, trying to think of who had told her that, but her mind seemed to be pervaded by a thick fog. "There is a reason I can't have children, I just can't…remember."

"And yet there they are, in front of you," Cullen said irritably, pointing out of the window, where they played in the garden. "Do you doubt what you see with your own eyes?"

"I'm just not sure…" Blythe replied, shaking her head. "Something seems wrong. If we are married, why do I not remember our wedding day? The birth of our children? The first time we made love?"

"I can remind you of that, right now," Cullen said throatily, pushing her against the wall and kissing her hard, his hands running up and down her body.

"No…" Blythe moaned, breaking the kiss. "This isn't right. I'm supposed to be doing something…"

Cullen grabbed her hands and held them behind her back. "What you're supposed to be doing is pleasing your husband," he said menacingly, before roughly kissing her neck and forcing his head underneath her robes, taking a nipple into his mouth.

"Stop it!" she cried.

Cullen brought his face up to hers and pushed her hard against the wall. "But this is what you want, isn't it, Blythe?" he growled, before smothering her mouth with his own.

"NO!" Blythe cried, freeing her hands and pushing him away. "Who are you? Cullen would never behave like that! Who are you ?" She looked down and realised she was wearing mages' robes, and her staff was on her back. Instantly, her mind seemed to clear.

Cullen advanced toward her. "Stay back!" she yelled, removing her staff and pointing it toward him.

"Foolish creature!" Cullen mocked, a deep, guttural voice accompanying his own. "I could have given you everything you've ever wanted, and this is how you repay me? Very well! If death is what you want, then death you shall have!"

The impostor moved over to the other side of the bed, retrieving his sword from beneath it, allowing Blythe to cast a Winter's Grasp spell at the Demon. It staggered a little, before advancing toward her. Blythe's heart raced as she realised her offensive magic was poor. She cast Paralyse at the impostor, which only served to slow its movements. She grabbed its arm as it swung its sword at her, but the Demon was too powerful for her and threw her roughly on to the bed.

It stood over her and gloated. "The good thing about assuming someone's form," the Demon said, "is that I gain their abilities, as well." It held its arms out toward her and smited her. She felt her mana ebb away, along with her strength. She could not even lift her head.

"And now," said the Demon, placing its sword to her throat, "let's end this charade, shall we?"