Leigh was feeling almost back to normal since going after those mercenaries that stole the Qunari poison. She looked at herself in the mirror and saw that her wounds were gone. She did as she promised and rested for two weeks. Now she was starting to get stir crazy from all the sitting and sleeping she had done. She made her way down her to her desk to see a huge pile of letters and notes for help. She let out a heavy sigh and started to read them all, seeing which ones needed her immediate attention. A knock on her front door brought Bodahn from the study where he was dusting. A young elf girl stood there looking frightened, her eyes darted back and forth as he led her into the main room.
"Serah, another message for you. Go on she is quite kind you have nothing to fear." Leigh stood up and greeted the girl with a warm smile. The elf's stance eased a bit as she handed Leigh the letter. Upon opening the letter and reading it a look of worry began to show. She opened her desk drawer and gathered some coin for the young messenger.
"Please tell Arianni I will be there shortly and this is for you and your family. I thank you for bringing me this." The elf nodded and clutched the coin to her chest. Leigh knew that she probably had never seen that much coin in her entire life time. Once the messenger is gone she ran up the stairs and changed into her armor. The letter had her more than worried. Feynriel had gone to sleep and not awakened. The letter said Marethari was on her way to help, but Arianni thought she might be able to help too.
"Leigh where are you going?" Her mother stood in her doorway with a look of concern. "Are you sure you are ready to jump back into the fray?"
"I am fine Mama. I don't think this request requires me fighting anything. It is just a meeting in the Alienage with a person I helped a while ago she just wants to talk. I just don't want to be caught with my guard down so I am going ready for anything. Please don't worry so."
"I am your mother, it is my job to worry. You are all I have left Leigh, you will have to forgive me if I am protective."
"I know Mama. I will be careful. I have to go. See you later tonight." Leandra watched her daughter run down the stairs and out the front door of their estate. Every time Leigh left her mother wondered if it would be the last time she would see her eldest alive.
"Malcolm she is too much like you. Maker please watch over my little girl and bring her home safe to me."
With Fenris and Sebastian in tow she stopped at the Hanged Man to ask Varric to join them. The dwarf was happy to see Hawke up and about again. He joined them down in the main room of the bar once he made sure he had everything he need for this mission. Hawke had been very vague about what they would be doing so it was best to be prepared for anything.
"I am surprised Blondie isn't following you around like a lost Mabari. Where is he today?"
"This request is something I did not think he would be comfortable with so I did not ask him to come."
"What are you hunting mages and don't want to hurt his feelings?" Disdain dripped in Fenris' words making Leigh bristle a bit. She shot him a withering look and he shut his mouth. She liked Fenris, but his dislike for mages regardless of what he suffered under Danarius rubbed her the wrong way.
"No Fenris we are not hunting mages. Nor will I ever unless they are like Danarius."
"Then may I ask what we are doing? It looks like we are staying in Kirkwall and heading to the Alienage. Please tell me you are not dragging the three of us to see Merrill."
"No we are not going to visit Merrill, if that were to case I would have left your moody ass at home. There is something else I have to do and I wanted people I knew I could trust if it goes wrong."
"Hawke could you sound more ominous, what is going on?" Varric gave her a look of concern.
"I will fill you in once we are there. I need to find out everything before...it doesn't matter what ever it is I have to help." The three men all exchanged looks of question and concern. Their normally confident and sarcastic leader looked worried. Something they did not see very often and it in turn worried them. Arianni was pacing in front of her home, her face was drawn tight with worry. She looked up and saw Leigh heading toward her.
"Thank the Creators your here. The Keeper should be arriving shortly." The older woman hugged Leigh tightly and started sobbing on her shoulder.
"What happened to Feynriel?"
"He went into a dream and has no come out of it. It has been two days. The Keeper said he is battling in the Beyond, but the longer he stays in his dreams..."
"The less likely it will be that he will wake from it." The elf nodded and sobbed louder. "Did the Keeper tell you how we can save him?"
"She said someone must go in after him and stop the demons that have him trapped, but it has to be someone he trusts and he trusts you Hawke."
"Hawke you can't go into the Fade it's sacrilege." Sebastian crossed his arms across his chest. The look of fear on his face was clear.
"If that is the only way to save him then that is what I will do. I am not asking anyone else to go with me."
"You would go into the Fade alone? Are you mad?"
"Yes, Sebastian I am quite mad and surly, don't forget surly." He gave her a look of utter horror that made her sorry she said anything. Leigh liked Sebastian, it was just he was too wholesome for her. With his looks and his accent he could have any woman he wants, but his vows to the Chantry took that option away years ago. "I'm sorry, I am a little on edge I should not be joking about this. I understand your concern, but I can't just stand by and let this boy be taken by demons.
"This could end very badly Hawke for him and for you. I don't want to see you controlled by a demon either." His face softened as did his stance. Leigh took his hand trying to reassure him she knew what she was doing, even if she had no clue how she was going to save the boy.
"That is why I brought the three of you with me. Fenris if anything should happen I know you will do what must be done."
"Hawke I...I understand. I hope it does not come to that."
"I hope so too. Ah, it looks like the Keeper is here. I want you three to wait outside while I talk to her and Arianni. I will come out when I know what the plan is." She followed the two elven women into the small home and listened to what had to be done.
"He is what the Tevinter's call a Somniari. A dreamer."
"A dreamer?" Leigh had never known the real name of them, but she had heard of dreamers before. The cold pit that was starting in her stomach got worse.
"In the Beyond Fenyriel has great power, that is why the demons want him. A dreamer abomination would be nearly unstoppable." "So I have heard before. Maker's mercy, this is not going to be easy." "You have nothing to fear Leigh, I will be there with you." "You don't know how happy I am to hear that." "You should have asked the healer to join you." "He...would have tried to stop me and Feynriel needs help. If I hadn't had you all these years this could be me." "You will never have to fear that anymore. Your will is too strong for them to take over unless you let them."
"What do I have to do?"
"You must go into the Beyond and help him wake. He needs someone he can trust and he trusts you more than anyone else in his life right now. This will not be a easy task it carries a heavy price should you fail.
"I understand, let me talk to my friends and I will be right back to start the ritual. The sooner he is free the better." Leigh went out to talk to her friends after a heated argument with both Sebastian and Fenris she went back into Arianni's house to prepare.
"We need to get Blondie here now before she does something we all will regret." Even before Varric could finish his sentence Fenris took off toward Darktown. As much as he hated Anders, he knew the mage was to only one who could keep Hawke safe in the Fade. It did not take him long to reach his destination. The clinic door was closed, but it did not stop him, he threw the door open much to Anders surprise.
"Fenris? What in the name of the Maker are you doing here?" He leveled his staff prepared for a fight, but the look of pure fear on the elf's face made him ease if only a little.
"You have to come with me mage, Hawke has gotten herself into more trouble than any of us think she can handle. She plans to enter the Fade and help out that half breed mage she saved three years ago. I don't know much about the Fade, but what I do know is she does not belong there."
"She can't be that foolish?" The look on Fenris' face told him otherwise. "Who is going with her?"
"No one. She told us she could not in good continence ask any of us to go with her. She...she asked me if things went wrong to end her." Anders blood ran cold. "I do not want to hurt her mage. You have to help her."
"Where is she?" Fenris led the way back to Lowtown, it was all Anders could do to keep up with the lithe elf. His mind reeled and fear clutched at his heart. He avoided the Fade like the plague since fusing with Justice, but for her he would storm the Black City with out regret. He prayed they were not too late. "Leigh what have you gotten yourself into this time. I swear she is going to be the death of me." I told you she was a distraction." "Not now Justice, I need your help not your nagging. The Fade is your territory. I need to know I can trust you to protect her." "You have my word Anders. I will see no harm come to her." "Thank you my friend."
Leigh drank down the sleep potion Marethari had given her and felt her limbs go numb almost immediately. She was glad that they had made her lay down or she would have fallen flat on her face. A heavy feeling came over her eyes and she let herself drift off to sleep. She was gone from the waking world when the door flew open as Anders and Fenris stormed in.
"You are sending me as well Keeper. Hawke is no mage and does not fully grasp what could happen to her in the Fade."
"I have another bottle of the sleeping potion. You should lay down before you take it." Anders took one last look at Leigh before drinking down the potion. Her face was placid and her chest was rising and falling evenly. "We have not started the ritual yet, she merely sleeps." He nodded and tipped the vial back, the sudden lurch of the ritual starting made his stomach turn. Justice pushed forward as they entered the Fade. Anders conscientiousness slipped into a deep slumber.
"Well this was a wonderful idea I had. Maker, I hate the Fade." A soft chuckle came from behind Leigh making her turn around. The figure that stood before her was a sight to be seen. A silvery apparition stood a few feet away from her. Long hair went right down the spirit's back and her eyes had a warm red glow to them. She held a flaming long sword in her hand, but wore robes instead of armor. She gave Leigh a warm smile before placing her hand on the rogue's shoulder.
"You have nothing to fear in the Fade anymore. Demons can not stand against you here."
"I know Pash, but it still makes me uneasy."
"We need to hurry the boy will not last much longer."
"Wait I feel something else here, what is that?" Leigh spun around and let out a squeal. Pash hid behind one of the stone pillars ready to attack. "Anders? What are you doing here?"
"I am Justice and he asked me to protect you. Who were you talking to a moment ago?" Eerie glowing eyes moved around the room searching for owner of the other voice.
"Pash you can come out. It's Justice." The spirit stepped out and Leigh could have sworn she saw a look of pain cross over Justice's face.
"As you can see she has a guardian here brother. We must hurry before we lose the boy." Justice opened his mouth to speak, but Pash cut him off "I promise we can converse afterward, now is not the time." Justice nodded once, not take his eyes off of Pash. The three went deeper into Feynriel's dream The sloth demon was easily dispatched as was the desire demon. The last demon proved to be a challenge. Pride demons were the strongest of all the demons in the Fade.
"What have we here? Another dreamer come for me to make a meal of. I thought the boy was strong, but you are stronger." A feral growl hissed through Leigh's teeth. Both Pash and Justice stood in front of her blocking the demon from his prey. "These spirits are no match for me mortal. It would be easier if you just gave in. I can give you power beyond your greatest expectation."
"No thanks, I pass. I like the way I am, but if you would just die already that would be great." A dark laugh from the demon sent a chill right down her spine.
"I was not giving you a choice mortal. You will be mine." The demon reached for Leigh only to have Pash thrust her sword at him. He wheeled back then charged at the spirit. A large clawed hand raked across Pash's back making her scream in pain. Justice jumped into the fray using what ever spells he could to slow the demon down. Leigh ran to her fallen guardian's side.
"Pash? Holy Maker, I didn't think spirits could bleed." Long gashes dripped a golden liquid from the spirit's side. They did not look very deep, but Leigh knew they had to be painful none the less.
"Only when fighting our brethren. Demons use to be spirits before they were corrupted by their jealousy of mortals. Leigh you must end this. You have power here. Justice will not hold out much longer, you must believe in yourself. Use the gift the Maker has given you." Leigh stood up and ran toward the struggling Justice and the demon of pride. Justice was using every spell he had to defeat his foe. The demon just laughed and shrugged them off.
"Give up, you can not defeat me. I can see right through you brother and you are not better than I am. You are warped by the human you inhabit. You are a demon, why protect this mortal?"
"I am not a demon! I am Justice, nothing you say will make me believe otherwise." The demon wrapped it's large clawed hand around Justice picking him up off the ground. Leigh heard Justice scream in pain as the life was being squeezed out of him. She took a deep breath calling her powers to the surface. Flames wreathed her hands catching the demon's attention.
"Let him go or so help me I will make you pay!" The demon just growled before he threw Justice aside like a limp rag doll. Leigh watched in horror as his body landed and stayed still, too still. She let out a scream of rage. "Come and get me if you dare bastard."
"I will enjoy taking your powers mortal. I told you they could not protect you from me. When I am done with you I will feast on the boy as well." Leigh flung both her hands out in front of her. Balls of flame hit the demon full force and he staggered back. He tried to beat out the flames with is hands, but it began to spread across his flesh. Howl of pain and rage came from the demon as the flames licked greedily up his body. He charged at Leigh, but she was ready for him. She waved her hands again and the ground beneath his feet shook as vines caught his legs. She jumped out of the way as he landed face first in front of her. "How...how can you do this?"
"I will not let you hurt Feynriel or my other friends. You will die demon and it will not be pleasant." Leigh made a fist and the vines tightened their grip on the demon. He let out another howl, but she was not about to let up. "How do you like feeling your own medicine?" She drew her hands up over her head calling a storm of fire down from the sky. The demon's dying pleas were washed out by the roar of the flames. All that was left of the demon was embers and ash. "Pash are you alright?"
"I am fine. We need to check on Justice. Both of them ran to the fallen form who had still not moved. Pash ran her hands over his broken body sending red waves of magic through him.
"What would happen if he died here?"
"He would return to the waking world none the worse for wear, save a bad headache. I think that is what you call it. He was never in any real danger. The demon can not take over a body that has already taken a spirit into it."
"And you could he have killed you?"
"Perhaps, but I doubt it. You did well. Your powers have grown here even without practice." Leigh still looked worried as she stared at Anders' face. "The mortal who owns this body is sleeping he did not see what you did here. When Justice wakes we will have to convince him to keep your secret. Your world is not ready for the power you can wield yet. There are too many people who would want to use you or worse end your life. This is the reason why your father asked for my help. This is the reason why you are bound."
"I remember. I have no desire to be hunted anymore than I have been. Between the Templars dogging my friends and then all the other people I have pissed off I am tired of running." Pash gave her a solemn smile and went back to rousting Justice. It did not take long til he was sitting up on his own. He looked behind him to see the still smoldering embers that were once the pride demon. Justice jumped to his feet bring himself to his full height to tower over Leigh. His eyes stared balefully at Pash.
"Peace brother, the danger has passed for now."
"Were you the one who stopped the demon?"
"No, it was Hawke. She was born a mage, but because she is like the boy Feynriel her powers had to be bound to keep her from becoming a danger."
"Hawke is no mage. I have seen her fight in the mortal world and she has never shown use of magic."
"I said her powers where bound, so no she would not be able to use her magic in the waking world. None the less she is a mage. Since she could not use her powers she had to learn other skills."
"How is she bound? To keep a mage from their powers is to be made Tranquil. She is no Tranquil." Pash have a short peel of laughter. "This in no laughing matter sister. I need to understand this to see if she is a danger to us."
"You mean to you and your host. Hawke is no danger to anyone save those who try to hurt her friends. I agreed to help her father bind her powers as long as she keeps her amulet with her the powers she has will not manifest. If it is lost or broken then her powers will come back with a vengeance and I will be gone. My fate is tied to hers."
"Why would you do this?"
"Why would you join with the mortal you are merged with? I did it to save her from ones who would try to hurt her." Justice scoffed at Pash and she glared at him. "I am a spirit of Compassion. I care what happens to mortals."
"As do I. I believe mages should be free. They deserve justice." Leigh could only watch as the two spirits traded volleys back and forth. She sighed and went to look for Feynriel, she found him back near the main room pacing.
"Feynriel the demons are gone your safe."
"Maker, I need to get out of here. All I hear are people screaming trying to get away from the demons. I can't take this anymore, please Hawke you have to kill me. Please I can't live like this."
"You can master this. I know you can. If I kill you here you will become Tranquil out there. You will feel nothing if that happens."
"There is no one who can help me. The Dalish have tried, but even they do not understand. No one does."
"I understand." The boy stared at her disbelieving. Leigh stepped away from him and started waving her hands til the scene around them changed. Instead of the Gallows they stood in a field surrounded by woods. "I am just like you Feynriel. I was much younger when the demons started to whisper to me. I was not strong enough to stop them, but I had a guardian here in the Fade. I was lucky, but you are so much stronger than I will ever be. You have faced this alone and still they have not trapped you. You have to find a teacher that can help you and I fear you won't find it with the Dalish or in Kirkwall."
"You could teach me."
"I am still learning myself. I have avoided the Fade for a long time because of what I am."
"Maybe in Tevinter I can find a teacher."
"They would know more of how to help you. I had my father to help me when I was younger, but when he died I stopped coming here."
"Your father was a mage?"
"Yes and my sister also. It runs on both sides of my family. It was inevitable that at least one of us would be born with magic."
"You have been a greater friend than I thought I would ever find here is Kirkwall. I swear someday I will be able to hopefully return the favor. You give me hope that I can do this. I have to go and start my journey Hawke. Maker smile on you and please tell my mother I love her."
"I will, take care of yourself." He smiled at her and faded away as he woke from his dream. Leigh could hear the spirits still snipping at each other. "Maker they fight like a old married couple. I guess I should break up the lovers spat before they come to blows." Leigh had never seen Pash this outraged in a long time. Her normally angelic face was twisted in annoyance. "Aren't you two done yet? I would like to go back to the land of the living sometime soon if you please. I am sure I will be plenty chewed out when I wake so listening to you to fight like you have been married for years is not helping me."
"Did you speak with the boy?"
"Yes and he is going to learn from the Tevinter mages how to control his powers with any luck they can help him."
"I hope they can. I have convinced my brother to not tell anyone your secret for now. He has also agreed to not attack you anymore if he can help it. We will talk soon Hawke." The dream began to fade and the sounds of the real world broke through. When Leigh opened her eyes she saw five pairs of eyes staring at her warily. A groan from behind her told her Anders was waking up. She braced herself for the tirade she knew was coming from him. When she turned her head to look at him, his eyes confirmed it. She wished at that moment she had stayed in the Fade. She would have rather listened to Pash and Justice fight then hear disappointment or anger in his voice.