Avernus called them all back to his lab over three hours later. When they got there he was pacing and mumbling to himself. Ashlyn and Anders both could tell the man was aggravated, but were unsure why. Ashlyn and Velanna entered the room first trying to calm the elderly mage so he could give them an answer one way or another.
"Avernus?" The man jumped and spun around clutching his chest.
"Commander you should not sneak up on me like that."
"I am sorry old friend. You look perplexed."
"More than you could ever know. I tested your blood and what I found I can't explain."
"Sit down and try." The old mage sat down in his worn old chair and tried to think of what to say.
"Your blood showed signs of the taint as did Velanna's, but it was slowly being erased. Almost like something was eating away at it. I even tried to re-taint the blood and it did not work. The blood was resistant to it." The old mage pointed a boney finger at Anders. "His blood on the other hand was clean, completely and utterly clean. If I had not known him to be a Warden I would suspect that he was never tainted."
"So what does it mean Avernus?"
"It means that what ever did this could cure all the Wardens and none would have to go to their Callings. It means that you are no longer true Wardens."
"But I can still feel the Darkspawn when they are near. I still have the Warden's stamina and appetite."
"Without the taint in your veins I can't see how."
"I'm not sure why myself, but that is how it is Avernus."
"What did this?"
"Magic."
"I know that fool, but whose magic? Was it an old spell or potion? How were you completely cured?"
"I..." Leigh stepped forward and placed her hand on her husband's shoulder.
"We don't know what happened. All we saw was a blinding flash of light and magic went through us. Anders was the closest to it."
"Where were you?"
"Down in the cellar of this place."
"This place was built a long time ago. Maybe the Wardens were working on something or woke something that was there. I will need to study it further, but it looks like all of you are clear of the taint and can't be tainted again."
"Thank you Avernus. If you learn anything new please let me know."
"I will Commander. This will be my top priority." The four left the mage's tower and waited to talk til they were out of ear shot of everyone else.
"Ashlyn can it be...we are not..."
"It looks that way Vel. I...Maker's breath I have to tell the others. If we can get them all here Meghan will only have to do her trick once. That is if it alright with both of you."
"As long as Meghan is willing to do it then we give our blessing Ash. Leigh and I talked about it at length while waiting for Avernus. We want the others to be rid of the Blight as well."
"I will send word to everyone and have them meet us in Denerim. We will be leaving here in a few days. Now that the mages are no longer a problem. We can send them to Kinloch with Levi's brother."
"It will be good to see Beth again and Carver. I like it up here, but it is rather lonely."
"Yes it is. I will see you two later. Vel and I have to get things ready for the trip. You have enough to pack with your little brood."
OoO
Sebastian shifted his weight nervously waiting in the Viscount's Keep for Aveline to see him. He was not sure what to expect in this meeting. Would she greet him with open arms or would she tell him to go to hell? He wasn't sure which one would bother him more. Kali stood next to him her hand entwined with his while her father looked around at the ceiling. The clang of armor announced Aveline's presence before she could be seen. She stopped dead in the stairs and stared at Sebastian, her expression unreadable. She slowly started to walk their way and Sebastian made a audible gulp.
"Prince Vael, I was not expecting to see you again, at least not without and army at your back."
"You look well Aveline."
"Thank you, not to be rude, but why are you here?"
"I came to ask for help."
"If it is to hunt Hawke or Anders then the answer is no. I have enough to deal with here."
"It is nothing like that, I...I want your help in protecting my lands and people from the Divine." Aveline's eyes went wide and she motioned for them to follow her. She led them into her office and shut the door.
"Why would you need my help against the Divine?"
"She sent me this once I won the right to rule my lands again. She wants us to join her army to fight Ferelden. I refused. My people have been through enough, I will not enter another war." Aveline sat on the corner of her desk and read the letter. She shook her head sadly and handed the parchment back to the prince.
"She sent me a similar letter. I refused to answer it. I have enough on my hands here as it is. I will not attack my homeland no matter who asks. The woman is insane."
"Aveline...she is after Hawke isn't she?" Aveline's eyes narrowed for a split second before she answered. The guilt on Sebastian's face was clear enough for her to read.
"Hawke is the leader of the mage rebellion, so yes I would have to say the Divine is after her. Does that change your answer?"
"No, not in the slightest. I...I know that no one died in the Chantry when it was destroyed. My hatred of Anders was unfounded."
"How did you find out?"
"Asha told me."
"And did you believe her?"
"Aye, I did. Hawke has nothing to fear from me."
"She wasn't afraid of what you would do to her Sebastian, it was what you threatened to do to Anders that concerned her."
"I know. Aveline I do not want to fight in another war, my people can not endure it. I can't endure it. I came here to ask your help and pray you will listen."
"What do you need of me?"
"I need safe passage for a mage to Ferelden." Kali let out a gasp as did her father.
"Sebastian?"
"If the Divine's army marches on us Kali I will not have them rip your father away and do Maker knows what. I saw what it did to my friend when they took her sister. I want to spare you that pain."
"Will he be safe in Ferelden?" Aveline put her hand on Kali's shoulder and smiled.
"Ferelden is the only place he will be safe for right now. Mages from all over are flocking there for shelter from the Templars, as well as the Chantry. I can have him on a ship in two days."
"That soon?"
"Yes the ship is here already and is waiting for some cargo."
In cargo you mean..."
"Normal cargo, but they will take any mage with them as well. The captain is very flexible."
"Maker, I have a feeling I know who it is." As if on cue a very scantily clad woman and a white haired elf walked into Aveline's office.
"Avel...what the fuck is he doing here?" Isabela drew her daggers and leered at Sebastian. Kali in turn pulled her sword from it's sheath and put herself between them.
"He is not here to fight Isabela, put those away. Now!"
"Yeah right, he is here trying to find out where they are and you know it. I should have gutted you that day. There is no way I am letting you get anywhere near her or Anders." Fenris gripped his lover's wrists and shook his head.
"This is not the way Isabela." Her eyes burned with hatred, but she nodded. Her daggers finding their resting place on her back. "It is good to see you again my friend."
"He is no friend of ours Fenris." The elf shot her a look and she quieted down again glaring at the floor.
"It has been a long time, I see life is treating you well Fenris."
"It has. I will warn you my friend that if you are here to try to find Hawke I will be forced to fight you and I don't want that."
"I am not here for Hawke. I am here to show Aveline this and to ask for safe passage for Colm." He passed the letter to Fenris and the elf read it intently. "I fear if she comes to Starkhaven and finds Colm there she will have him taken away or worse." Isabela huffed and rolled her eyes.
"Like you care about a mage, come off it Choir Boy." Kali had enough at this point and stepped forward. She pushed Isabela hard and glared at her.
"Sebastian cares very much for my father pirate, never question his compassion in my presence again." Fenris moved quickly and wrapped his arms around Isabela's waist as she lunged at the former Templar. Sebastian did the same to Kali as both women growled at each other. "Let go of me. I want to teach her a lesson."
"I bet you couldn't fight a child with a wooden sword bitch!"
"I'd split you before you got those pig stickers of your off your bloody back!" Kali with all her years of Templar training was much stronger than Sebastian could have imagined. She was easily breaking his grip. If it had not been for Colm stepping in between the two women, Kali would have pummeled the pirate before Fenris was able to let her go.
"Kali enough. This is not the way." She gave her father a harsh look and continued to try to break the prince's hold on her. "Sebastian is a grown man and does not need you to defend him."
"She has no idea Da."
"I know, but beating it into her will not make her see anything different."
"Al...alright, your right Da." Kali sagged in Sebastian's arms and kept her gaze to the floor.
"You will have to forgive my daughter. She has been taught to fight first, sort things out later."
"She sounds like a bloody Templar." Colm chuckled darkly.
"She was one. Never took her vows though, for that I am grateful. Her mother and I were both mages in the Starkhaven Circle. Kali was ripped from our arms right after birth."
"Then how is it you two are together now?" Isabela's voice softened a bit.
"Right before the tower burned down she was sent to finish her training. I saw her in the halls the one day and knew she was mine. She looked just like her mother, but she had my eyes. It took planning, but I was able to talk to her away from the other recruits and convince her I was her father. She didn't believe me at first, but then she met her mother and there was no denying it after that. She was furious that the Chantry lied to her about us. They told her we were dead, killed by mages."
"They told her that?"
"They wanted her to distrust mages, it would make her a better Templar. We were planning on escaping when the fire happened. I was able to find Kali in the confusion, but her mother...she never made it out of the Tower. The Templars had barred the doors, trapping the remaining mages inside."
"I...Maker..."
"You two have been on the run since?"
"Yes, Ser elf we have. I do not want to leave my daughter, but the thought of her having to watch another parent die in front of her is more than I can bare. We are no friends to the Divine and the Chantry's laws where mages are concerned."
"Please don't take this the wrong way, but how do we know you are a mage?" Colm smiled and lite a fireball in his hand. "Good enough for me. We are leaving in two days so meet us here tomorrow night so we can take you to the ship. When you meet us only you can go with us."
"Why?"
"It is for safety. We have other cargo that we must protect. We have to keep our ship's location secret just in case."
"I understand." Kali did not look happy, but she nodded her head to answer also.
"We have a safe house for the three of you to stay the night and say your goodbyes."
"Can you take them there Aveline? We have to go and see Varric."
"Yes, I will see the two of you a little later. Tell Varric what he asked me to do is done and sent."
"Will do." Isabela turned to Sebastian and held out her hand. He timidly took it and was pulled forward a step or two. "I hope that you have given up hunting Anders because I would have to pity you if you make Hawke mad."
"I hold no ill will toward him anymore."
"Good, I would hate to have to kill you Choir Boy."
"You don't know how much I have missed that damned nickname."
"Not as much as we have missed calling you it. It hasn't been the same since...we are all spread out. Only Anders is with her now."
"If you see her...tell her she was right. Someone holds my heart as I hold theirs." Isabela raised her eyebrow and just smiled.
"I'll tell her if I see her. See you tomorrow night Sebastian."
"Till then." Kali laced her hand in his and watched the pirate and elf walk away.
"Can we trust them?"
"Yes, they will make sure Colm is safe."
"I trust your judgment then."
"He will be safe in Ferelden Kali, Hawke will see to that."
"You hold her in high regard."
"The highest." Kali watched a shadow pass over his eyes. Even though she was new to loving someone her woman's intuition told her what she needed to know from his expression.
"You loved her, didn't you?" He had never spoken to Kali about Leigh or his feelings for her. He promised himself that he would tell her at least some of it. He wanted no secrets between them. With a shaky breath he answered her.
"I did, but it was never meant to be. She loved another."
"The mage who blew up the Chantry?"
"Aye, that would be him. Hawke was a dear friend to me and I wasted time being jealous and petty. She use to tell me she wanted me to be happy. I thought I could only be happy with her...I was so terribly wrong."
"How were you wrong?" Sebastian cupped Kali's chin and kissed her softly.
"I am happier now with you in my life."
"I can safely say it is her loss and my gain having you Sebastian."
"No Kali it is my gain. You saved my life in more ways than one. My heart is yours."
"I know, as mine is yours." Sebastian wondered what he had done right in his life to have this woman by his side. He had wanted to send Kali away with her father, but she out right refused. She had told him that if the Divine was hell bent on forcing him to turn on Queen Ashlyn, she would have to get through her first. He loved her ferociousness when it came to defending those she cared for. He was a lucky man indeed. The loss of her father's presence would weigh heavy on her. The prince could see it in her beautiful eyes, but she knew he would be safe. Once they arrived at the safe house Sebastian told her to spend as much time with Colm as she could. Maker only knew if and when they would see each other again. He went to his room and penned a letter to Ashlyn with a smaller note to Leigh in hopes that some strings could be pulled. When he was done he said a prayer hoping he had not killed his friendship with Hawke or her trust. He tucked the letter into a hidden pocket in his vest and went to sleep hoping for peace in the coming days and months.
OoO
The Fade had become a respite for Leigh since the beginning of the war. Here she could shape things and not have to worry about risking lives. The spirits who had been her childhood playmates made her feel at ease. Anders had even joined her when he could here making this place even more a safe haven. Tonight however she was alone save for Pash who was always by her side.
"How do I do this?"
"Do what Leigh?"
"Meghan, how can I make sure she is safe, how can I raise her and fight a war all at the same time?" Pash smiled and put her hand on her friend's shoulder.
"You are not alone in this. Anders will teach her how to use her magic in the waking world and we will instruct her here. The same spirits who guarded you are not guarding her as she slumbers. No demon will ever touch her and no mortal will hurt her. She is purity made flesh."
"Purity can be sullied Pash. What if I fail? What if this war is lost and mages are hunted down and slaughtered? She will be a victim of it. I have lived experienced almost all I have ever wanted to. Meghan, Karl and Drea are just babies. They have so much to look forward to, so much to live for. It...it breaks my heart to know that if we lose they will..."
"Hush, that will not happen. You are a fine leader Leigh, always have been. You lead with compassion and valor. Your friends and loved ones will make sure that the children are safe if the worst should come to pass. Just as mine did for me when I was killed. I left this world knowing that my children would live on, that my blood, my mother's blood would one day bring about a change in the world again."
"You never told me you had children."
"I...leaving them was the worst pain I had ever experienced. I did not live to see them grow into the fine young man and woman I knew they would become. I would burn a thousand times over just to have stayed and enjoy my family. I always wondered how Justice would have fared against suitors for our daughter."
"Just wait about fifteen years and you will see. Anders and he have already agreed our girls will not date if they have anything to say about it."
"Forever the protector. He loves all of them like they are his own, just as he loves you."
"I am glad they are both free from Vengeance. I don't know what I would have done if..."
"You never have to think about that again. We are very lucky women Leigh. Now there is a reason why you are here and I think you should go find him. It has been a while since you both have spoken."
"I'm afraid, do I tell him about Meghan...will he hate me for keeping her from him?"
"I can't give you an answer to those questions. You will have to figure that out on your own. He is not as blind as he use to be." Leigh sighed and walked away from her spirit friend. She closed her eyes and willed herself to where Sebastian was in the Fade. He appeared to be praying when she found him. She watched him for a while trying to build up the nerve to say something. She had almost given up and walked away when he saw her.
"Hawke?"
"Hello Sebastian."
"Is it really you or am I just dreaming?"
"It's really me. I hear congratulations are in order. Starkhaven has a good man on the throne."
"I am doing my best to help my people. The war took much from them."
"War normally does. I know you will do right by your people."
"What of your war...is it going...well seems like a horrible word for war?"
"It goes. We dealt them a hard blow taking their mages right out from under their noses."
"It must have been quite a feat to do so. The Divine is not one to anger lightly."
"No she isn't, but I excel at pissing off high and mighty people." A heavy silence filled the air between them. Sebastian finally broke the quiet and stepped closer to her.
"I have missed you, missed our talks we use to have."
"I miss you too. Everyone has left my side save Anders. I see them now and then, but it is not the same. I never thought this would ever leave my mouth, but Maker I miss Kirkwall. I miss the trouble we all use to get into. The nights drinking at the Hanged Man, I even miss my uncle."
"We did make it interesting didn't we?"
"I wanted to say thank you."
"For what?"
"Asha told me you have forgiven Anders for what he did."
"I can't say forgive, since he did not murder anyone. If you had listened to me...I know you would have never forgiven me when you found out Elthina and the others were still alive. You did the right thing Leigh. I am sorry I asked it of you."
"You were in pain Sebastian. She was like a mother to you, I understood."
"I need to ask you a few favors if I may?" Leigh crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him with a guarded expression. "I know I have no right to ask anything of you, but I have to try."
"I am listening." Her voice was soft and he knew she would listen to him with an open mind. He took a deep breath and began to make his requests.
"Isabela and Fenris are bringing a mage with them to Ferelden. His name is Colm. He and his daughter were instrumental in helping me take back my throne. I need to know that you will take care of him, keep him safe."
"Of course. I will personally escort him to Kinloch Hold."
"Kinloch...isn't that the Circle's tower?"
"It was, now it is the center of mage learning in Ferelden. Many of the senior enchanters stayed on to help train the next generation of mages. The difference is they don't have Templars leashing them and they can come and go as they please."
"I think he would do well there. The second thing I would like to ask is...I am to be married soon and..."
"You want Elthina to be the one to marry you."
"You always did have a way of reading my mind Leigh. Yes, I would like her to be the one to marry us."
"Please tell me this person you are marrying is someone you love."
"She is, Kali is...Maker I can't describe the way she makes me feel. I feel like I can do anything when she is by my side." Leigh smiled at the look of admiration on his face. "You were right."
"I don't hear that often."
"You told me I would find someone who would hold my heart and I have. She is everything I have ever wanted and more."
"I hope one day I can meet her. I will see what I can do about getting Elthina to Starkhaven." Leigh was not prepared for him to hug her like he did. His arms wrapped around her and lifted her off the ground. He spun her around then put her down. "I can't promise anything with the Divine breathing down all our necks, but I will think of something. Sebastian there is something I have to tell you and I don't know how to do it..."
"We are friends Leigh, you know you can tell me anything."
"I'm not so sure, but you deserve to know..." A small bell like laughter filled the air around them. "What in the name of Andraste?" The source of the laughter ran past Leigh and she gasped. The small girl's auburn hair was unkempt and blocking most of her face as she ran from her spirit guardian. Poor Hope could not keep up with the child as she ran circles around her mother and her true father.
"Are they demons?"
"No...the glowing one is a spirit of hope and the other is just a very energetic toddler."
"Meghan, please come back here. I can not protect you if you run from me." Leigh ran and scooped her child into her arms. Meghan squirmed a bit till she realized it was her mother.
"Mummy, we were playing."
"I see that. You know not to run from Hope little one."
"I wanted to find you." Sebastian stepped closer more curious than frightened at this point. Meghan caught his movement out of the corner of her eye and she turned her head to get a better look at him. "Hello."
"Leigh, this is your daughter?'
"Yes, she is a mage hence why she is in the Fade." Sebastian was still in a small state of shock and did not notice the girl's hair color was the same as his own. Her disheveled hair hid most of her face from his view still.
"Meghan I would like you meet one of Mummy's friends. This is Prince Sebastian Vael."
"Like Dun?"
"Yes just like Duncan." The little girl wiped her hair out of her face and gave the prince a sweet smile. Sebastian's eyes went wide seeing her light bronzed skin, her large blue eyes, and he shook his head for a second. When her continence did not change he let out a small cry.
"She's mine..."