Leigh wanted to kill the woman in front of her. Mother Petrice stood next to the Grand Cleric with a smug look on her face. Petrice thought she would blame Saemus Dumar's death on Leigh. The rogue would have none of it. She was glad Sebastian was with her to witness it all. He had not believed her til they found the lost Qunari delegates being held by chantry fanatics, led by none other than Ser Varnell. Petrice's little lap dog. The Grand Cleric stared at the carnage in front of her and shook her head sadly.
"Serah Hawke has even turned Brother Sebastian against us with her lies."
"What do you say of this Sebastian?"
"Mother Petrice is lying Your Grace. She killed Saemus and planned to blame it on Hawke. She had been behind this all from the start. If I had not seen it with my own eyes I would not believe it either. She let innocent people be murdered just to start a war to wipe out the Qunari."
"People are leaving us and going to the Qunari. It is a sin that can not be allowed to continue."
"We must pray for the lost. If the Maker sees fit they will return to us. Send for the Captain of the Guard. This young mother has erred and will pay for her crimes against the city." The Grand Cleric began to walk back up the stairs. From the shadows a arrow screeched and hit Petrice in the stomach. Leigh recognized the arrow as being Qunari. The creak of a bow told Leigh that the young Mother's time was up. The second arrow struck Petrice in the head. The archer nodded at Leigh and she nodded back. She had learned enough from Fenris that this was justice to the Qunari people. She did respect them, even if she did not completely understand their culture. Her only complaint was how they treated their mages. It was barbaric and in her eyes wholly unnecessary. This city was on the verge of ripping itself apart and it was only a matter of which side would strike first. The people or Kirkwall or the Qunari.
OoO
"You pace any more and we will have to buy a new rug, love." Anders had watched her pace for over an hour from his desk in their study. The threat of Kirkwall imploding weighed on her mind.
"I swear this entire city is going to the Void. I am this close to heading back to Ferelden."
"Without me?" He put his hand over his heart and gave a mock look of hurt.
"Never without you. Your stuck with me."
"Stuck with you, huh?" Anders closed the distance and kissed her deeply. They haven't had many chances to just be alone together since Leandra died. His clinic had taken a up swing of patients and Leigh was busy with the entire Qunari mess. When they finally turned in for the night neither of them had the energy for anything other than sleep. "Well since we are stuck together how bout we take this to our room?"
"I thought you would never ask." Leigh jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist. He had a feeling they were not going to make it to their bedroom. With one hand he held her to him, with the other he cleared off his desk in their study. He felt her smile against his lips, her hands twisted in his hair in attempt to bring him closer to her. "Maybe we should shut and lock the door. Our luck someone will barge in on us and get an eye full." Anders plopped her down on the desk and locked the door.
"If anyone knocks I swear I will set them on fire."
"Not before I tack them to the wall. Now get over here." He did not have to think twice, stepping between her legs his lips searched hers out again. Leigh let her hands slip under his coat and run up his chest. In the short time he had been staying with her he had put on some much needed weight. Instead of feeling his ribs all she could feel now was the taunt muscles over them. She felt him shiver under her touch. Their clothes came off with blinding speed both needing to feel the others skin pressed against theirs. Anders lifted her off the desk and spun them around pressing her back against the wall. Leigh let out a whimper with every thrust. It did not take either of them long to reach their ends. Her voice was breathless and her limbs felt like rubber. He eased her down til her feet hit the floor. Leigh felt him plant a kiss on her forehead before handing her discarded clothes back to her.
"I am never going to think of this desk the same way again or this wall." She gently smacked his arm before kissing him sweetly.
"You know we do have a lot more rooms in this house that we could...well you know." He threw his head back and laughed.
"Are you trying to be the death of me? I need a chance to recoup before we go at it again. You seem to forget I am older than you."
"Couldn't tell that by me. If I remember correctly weren't you the one who pushed for us to do it five times in one..." His finger silenced her
"And I am still trying to recover from that. If I had known you in my prime woman you would have been in trouble."
"Maker's breath you make it sound like your in your nineties. You can't be that much older than me."
"I am in my thirties and you my dear are still in your twenties." She rolled her eyes at him, but let it go. She did not want to ruin the blissful feeling she had. Leigh knew all to well that with all the tensions building in Kirkwall it was only a matter of time they would be out fighting again. She leaned her head against his chest and hugged him to her.
"I love you and that is all that matters."
"I love you too." Anders looked around the study and sighed. "Could I ask you to help me pick up this mess I made?"
"Of course. I can't have you throwing out a hip on me can I?" She giggled as she dodged crumpled balls of paper.
"Hold still dammit."
"What's the matter love can't hit a moving target?" He gave her a wicked smile and hit her with a glyph of paralysis. He heard her growl and her eyes glared at him.
"Now what did you say about a moving target?" Since her lips could not move all he could hear was grumbles. With a wave of his hand he released her.
"I have said this before you are an evil little apostate."
"And you my dear are an evil little rogue. We make a great pair don't we?"
"Yes we do. I am glad to have you here with me."
"I am glad to be here." Justice stirred a bit, but it was not to chide him on her being a distraction, which was surprising. "She makes you happy." "Yes she does." "You should ask her to join in our fight. She would make a useful ally." "I can't do that to her. She has enough on her mind with the Qunari." "That threat will come and go, but our fight is far from over. She has already proven that she shares our views. Her position protects us from the Templars for now. Why not ask her?" "I am quite prepared to give my life for this cause, but I will not let her be pulled down with me. She is not a mage, this fight is not hers to fight. The fact she does makes me love her all the more, but she can walk away from this without having to worry about being hunted." "Are you so sure?" "What the hell does that mean?" "I am just saying there is more to her than what is seen by the outside world. Even if you tried to send her away do you think she would run? Do you think she would abandon you or anyone else she holds dear?" "No, and that is what scares me the most. To lose her at all would kill me."
"Tell Justice I said hello." Leigh's voice broke him out of his conversation with his other half. She had a thoughtful look on her face as she looked up at him, pages of his manifesto clutched in her fingers. "While you two were talking I read some of this. It is very well written love, but a bit preachy. If you would like I could help you tone it down, at least for the common folk. I'm not so sure they will be able to get around those big words."
"You think it is preachy?"
"Not in a bad way. You raise very good points, but if I have learned anything from these last few years is that if you preach at a politician they tend to get a blank look and stop listening after a few moments. If you can get the commoners on your side it forces change that can not be ignored. There are more of them than there are Templars or clerics. Those are the people you have to reach first is the little guys like you and me."
"You should have gone into politics Leigh." He looked over his writings and saw what she meant. It was written for a highly educated person not the common people. "I told you she can be a asset." "Fine I will let her help me with this then and nothing else. She says hello by the way." "I heard." "Alright my lady let's get started." Leigh pulled up an extra chair and leaned into him while they went over his manifesto. It felt good to have her help him. He pushed all thoughts of what he and Justice had discussed aside. He never wanted to think about losing her and strangely he could feel Justice felt the same way. Here in the peace before the storm their lives felt normal. He was just a man sitting next to the woman he loves discussing something they both felt passionately about. It gave him hope for the future.
OoO
For the third time in her life Leigh found herself surrounded by the sounds of people screaming and dying. The smell of burning flesh and garbage filled the air. For a moment she could have sworn she was back at Ostagar with Carver, but she wasn't. She was running beside Aveline also a survivor of Ostagar and their opponent this time was not mindless darkspawn, it was very ruthless Qunari.
"We need to get to the Keep and assemble the guard."
"That is if we survive getting there Aveline. I didn't know there was this many of them here." The two women stopped to catch their breath. Leigh looked around the corner and saw Varric, Fenris and Anders fighting a small group of Qunari. "Well at least we have a little help now. Come on I think they might need our help." Aveline let out a shrill whistle making the large men turn their attention to her. She charged slamming her shield into one and rolled around to stab another. Leigh struck from the shadows, slicing the back of one's knee making him fall before she slit his throat. The air around them crackled and the hair stood up on the back of Leigh's neck right before a spell slammed into them. Through the haze she saw a Saarebas readying another spell only to have it sputter out. A greatsword pierced through his chest before slicing off his head. A hand appeared in front of Leigh's face and she took it. She was not ready for who she saw on the other end of that hand.
"I am Knight Commander Meredith." Leigh could only stare. There were many things she wanted to say to this woman in front of her, most of them were not very nice. "I know you. The name Hawke has been seen on many reports that pass along my desk."
"I'm like a bad copper I keep turning up." Meredith appraised the younger woman who stood before her. Even under her piercing gaze Leigh did not flinch. She kept eye contact even smiled at the Templar.
"So it seems. They have taken most of the nobles to the Keep."
"Then that is where they plan on making their stand. Though I did not take them as being the type to hide behind human shields."
"It does not matter they will not take Kirkwall. Not on my watch." It took all of Leigh's self control not to roll her eyes at the woman.
"We need to move the longer we stand here the more danger everyone is in. I thank you for the save Knight Commander. See you up at the Keep." She had noticed Meredith's eyes pass over Anders. Inside she cursed for not getting him out of there sooner. Leigh took his hand and led him away while the rest of her friends followed. She gave one last look back at the Templar before breaking into a run. "Self righteous, stuck up, no good, rotten bitch!"
"Tell us how you really feel." Leigh could only glare at Varric. Her sense of humor had just flown right out of Kirkwall and she was not sure when it would be back. "What? At least the Queen of Ice saved our hides. Now we just have to make sure to save everyone elses."
"I hate it when you bring logic into everything. I much rather just hate the woman and wish to one day see her head on a pike. Your right though we do have to try and help those people the Qunari have at the Keep."
"Do we have a plan? Or are we just trying not to get ourselves killed." Leigh gave a dark chuckle and slapped her hand on Fenris' back.
"Think the latter Fenris and we should do fine." He rolled his eyes, but smiled. "It looks like they have blocked off some of the routes to Keep we will have to go around. Varric, Anders cover us."
"Aveline and I will clear the way. Hawke clean up if we miss any." Leigh felt Anders hand squeeze hers. She looked up into his eyes and look she saw there mirrored her own. She stood up on her toes and let her lips brush against his before she whispered in his ear.
"We will make it through this. So no bad thoughts okay?"
"I wish I could share your optimism Leigh. I have to say it just in case...I love you."
"Love you too, now cover us." The fighting intensified the closer they got to the Viscount's Keep. The last group they came upon was already in the thick of a fight with some of the mages from the Gallows. "Maker they're getting slaughtered." Out of the corner of her eye Leigh caught sight of her sister battling for her life. Without thinking Leigh charged in that direction. She could hear Varric yell something, but she could not make it out. It did not take her long to realize what he was yelling. She felt the same charge in the air that had happened earlier telling her that one of the Qunari mages was very close. She whipped around and saw him hiding in the corner. "Shit, alright you son of a bitch come and get me." "Their magic is raw and primal. When I say move, move." "Got it." Leigh could hear the sounds of battle all around her, but she kept her focus on the Saarebas. "Move!" Leigh rolled to her left and dodged the huge ball of lightning. She planted herself in the shadows hoping to use them to her advantage. The light from a fire ball gave away her hiding place. She cursed knowing she did not have a prayer to dodge this attack. Closing her eyes, waiting for the pain to come she heard a sick wet sound. Opening her one eye she saw Cullen standing behind the now falling form of the mage.
"Are you alright?" Cullen was covered in blood and favoring his left arm. Leigh looked over his shoulder, another Qunari warrior was heading their way. She sidestepped Cullen and threw her dagger, hitting her target right between his eyes.
"I'm fine, but you look like shit. Where are the others?"
"Of the group I brought with me, I'm the only one left."
"Then fight with us." He nodded heading back to what was left of the mages. Bethany ran up to them and wrapped Cullen in a tight embrace. It seemed she had not seen her sister standing there at all.
"You're alright. I thought they had got you." A flash of crimson ran up Cullen's face, trying to break the awkward moment Leigh cleared her throat. "Leigh! Maker, I should have known you would be in the thick of this."
"They did not give me much choice, or should I say Isabela didn't give me a choice."
"Isabela? What does she have to do with this?"
"Long story, let's just say she took something from the Qunari and they are pretty pissed that they can't get it back."
"What a mess. So what is the plan? How do we stop this?" Leigh smiled at her sister. Bethany's time in the Circle had matured her. She was no longer the shrinking violet she use to be.
"We need to get to the Keep and rally Aveline's guards. After that I hope we can try yo talk the Arishok down before more people die on both sides." Bethany left to take to First Enchanter Orsino and Leigh grabbed Cullen's arm. "Can't stay away from Hawke women can you?"
"I..." Leigh held up her hand to silence him.
"As long as she is happy I am happy, but so help me if you hurt her, I will make this look like a skip through the daisies." He gave her a nervous laugh and held up his hands.
"Understood, ah here comes the Knight Commander."
"Just bloody lovely. She is just going to make this worse. We can't go barging in there like a drunken bronto. This is going to take tact, something she lacks."
"I agree. You always had a silver tongue, I say this show should be yours."
"Lucky me."
"Hey Hawke, they're falling back to the Keep." Varric's voice came from where the surviving mages were standing.
"Aveline do you see any of your guards?"
"No, and this is the only way in. We need a plan." Meredith and Orsino began snipping at each other. Leigh listened for a few seconds before stepping between them and raising her hands. Orsino silenced, looking at Bethany who nodded and smiled at her sister. Meredith stared with a slow rage in her eyes.
"You two at each others throats is not helping. I have had dealings with the Qunari so I am leading this. If you are not going to help then get the hell out of my way. We need to be careful, I don't want to lose anyone else."
"Why should we follow you? You were not born here, what do you care if the city falls?"
"Well Meredith, I live here now and my mother hailed form here. I just got my home the way I like it, so I do care if the city falls. Now help or shut up."
"What do you need of us Serah Hawke?" Orsino was enjoying seeing someone stand up to the bane of his existence.
"We need a distraction to get past those guards."
"Then I shall give you one." With a smile Orsino walked out to face the small group of Qunari. He called forth fire and unleashed it against them. The distraction worked as all the guard ran to take out the lone mage. Leigh and her friends slipped past them and into the Keep. Bodies lay everywhere and blood splattered the walls and the floors. They met resistance in the main foyer. The battle was over quickly, though Leigh could tell her friends were tiring. Her muscles felt like lead and she knew they were out of any potions that would be useful. Her eyes fell to Anders who looked exhausted having used his magic just to keep them up on their feet. She hoped Cullen was right and her silver tongue could get them out of this without further bloodshed. Taking a deep breath she pushed open the doors and was not prepared for the greeting she received.
"Here is your Viscount!" The Arishok threw the head of the now late Viscount at the crowd and it landed at Leigh's feet.
"What have you done?"
"Serah Hawke I knew you would come."
"You have destroyed any chance of us ending this peacefully. Why?"
"Without the the Tome we can not return home. For years I have sat back watching as these bas waste their lives. We have been threatened, killed and yet I do nothing. I will not stand by and watch any longer."
"Then I will have to stop you." The Arishok smiled then nodded to his honor guard.
"Then prove yourself or kneel with your people." The five companions made short work of the honor guard. "You truly are basalit an, worthy of following. You know I can not return home without the Tome and I cannot stand by anymore while this city spirals down further. What would you have me do?" The sound of a scuffle caught everyone's attention. Leigh turned to see Isabela saunter in with the Tome in hand.
"I can give you and answer for that." She handed the book back to the Arishok. "You will find it is mostly undamaged."
"We will return home then, with the thief." Isabela baulked, as Leigh pushed the pirate behind her.
"She stays here. You have your Tome back be happy with that."
"We do not suffer thieves either she returns with us or you battle me for her alone, to the death."
"No if you duel anyone you duel me. I'm the one who took your stupid book, I'm the one you should fight not Hawke."
"You are unworthy. What is your decision? Will you fight or will you give her to us?"
"I will fight, but I would like a moment to prepare." He nodded and Leigh went to talk to her friends. "Whatever happens I want you all to get Isabela out of here. If they take her with them she will die and there is no way I am letting that happen." Aveline opened her mouth to speak, but Leigh held up her hand. "I know what she did was wrong Aveline, but it was before we knew her. She is my friend and I do not leave friends behind. Now if you all can give me a minute with Anders please." They left the two lovers alone.
"You can't do this. He will kill you love."
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes, but..." Her finger touched his lips to quiet his protest.
"Then trust me to do this. I have tricks up my sleeves, I know I can beat him." Anders leaned his head against hers, his fear began to build. He felt her fingers thread through his hair right before her lips met his. The kiss was sweet, but had a hint of desperation in it. When it broke Leigh let out a sigh before letting him go. "I will be fine, so don't worry so. I will be back before you know it." He nodded swallowing hard. His mouth was so dry he could not speak. She left his side and went to stand in front of the Arishok. "I am ready."
"Then let us end this once and for all." The fight started in the throne room, both combatants matching each other blow for blow. Leigh had the speed, but the Arishok had the power behind his swings. With a high snap kick she sent him through the doors that led back to the main room. His men closed the doors to ensure no one would interfere in this duel. Having battled most of the day Leigh's body was stiffening up. Her energy was failing her. The Arishok on the other hand was not as battle worn. He pressed this advantage, many times coming close to impaling her on his massive greatsword. He lost sight of her for a few moments when she hit him with a miasma grenade.
"This is not going well." "Really, I thought it was going great." "Sarcasm is not helping Leigh. You have to end this and soon or you will not survive this." "I know, I know, but he is much faster than I thought he'd be." "He is a powerful adversary, but he does have weaknesses. You must exploit them." "I am trying...shit he found me got to move."
"You hide like a coward."
"No I was just planning my next move. I never back down from a fight you should know that by now." Leigh ran and vaulted over the railing landing seamlessly on the lower set of stairs. She needed to gain the advantage by having more things around to stop his powerful swings. The cramped courtiers gave her the better maneuverability. "Come and get me." She readied herself for his charge holding her daggers at the parry angle. He swung his ax down with such force she needed both arms to stop it. With both of her daggers busy holding the ax from splitting her in two she had no chance to stop the greatsword that lunged forward into her stomach. Leigh let out a gurgling scream, blood welled up in her throat and she sagged against the Arishoks big frame.
"You were a worthy adversary Serah Hawke. May you find peace in death." He withdrew his blade and Leigh tumbled against the wall. Her hand pressed against her abdomen trying to stop the gush of blood that was coming with every breath she took. With fading vision she could only watch the Arishok head back to the throne room.
"Get up!" "I...I can't. Lost to much blood. Sorry Pa...Pash you're going to die along with me be...because I wasn't fast enough." "Use your magic and heal yourself." "I am not a healer . It was something my...my dad...he did not have time to teach me. I...I don't know how." "Break the stone on your amulet." "But that would mean..." "I know what it means and I am willing to take the risk. I will not let you die this way. You were protecting a friend." "What if I corrupt you like Anders did Justice?" "I am willing to take that chance. I know more about mortal emotion than he does. Break the stone!" Leigh's blood slick fingers fumbled trying to pull the amulet over her head. A horrified gasp made her turn her head to find her sister staring at her wide eyed.
"Leigh, oh Maker, no, no, no." Bethany ran and fell to her knees by her sister. "Just hold on I will heal you. Please Maker give me strength to do this." Bethany did not look at the wound for fear she would lose her concentration. Her hands glowed bright green, but the wound was so severe that it was not closing fast enough. "Leigh where is Anders? I can't stop this by myself I am not skilled enough."
"He...he is in there. You can't go in...they will ki...kill you. Get my...amulet, break the stone."
"Your not making any sense."
"It...it's the only way to help m...me. Please, Beth..." Leigh's breathing became more labored and shallow. "I...ca...can't let her die."
"Let who die? Leigh? Leigh!" Leigh slumped over and her breathing stopped. Bethany cut the leather tong that held the amulet and smashed the red gem stone against the mortar wall. She pressed the stone into her sister's hand and waited. She did not see Cullen come in behind her. She jumped when his hands touched her shoulders. "She's gone." Bethany's body shook as she stood up clutching her staff firmly in her hands. "I will make those horned bastards pay. Stay with her Cullen."
"Bethany you'll need my help. You saw what they can do. Your a strong mage, but not that strong."
"Your right. I wasn't strong enough to save my sister, but I know I can burn them to ash before they lay a finger on me. Stay here, please. I owe Leigh this much. She gave up most of her life to keep me safe and I could not return the favor. I will not fail in this." The look on her face told Cullen not to argue. He could only watch as she stormed toward the throne room. His eyes moved to the still form of his first love and tears started to slip down his cheeks.
"Maker take you into his arms Leigh. You deserved better than this." A bright red light over took the room, blinding Cullen and sending him reeling to the far wall. The last thing he saw was a shadow standing in front of the light before he fell unconscious.