Dragon Age

A Thedas Tale

Ch-22 – Demands the Qun (DA2)

As Annalynn rose from the table, she looked around at her friends and family. "This Avaline and I must do alone." She frowned at the chorus of 'nos'.

Alistair's hand slapped down on the table in a burst of uncommon anger. "You are my wife. I will not let you walk into danger without me!"

Her gaze bore into her husband's. "I do not think this will end well. You are Crown Prince of Ferelden…"

"Maker's arse!" Alistair growled, his cheek ticking. He did not even look around at the accompanying snickers. "I will not be left behind, wife. It was foolish of you to think I would accept that."

She shrugged. "Hopeful, more like." She did not take offence at her husband's words, though she was caught off guard. She'd never seen him this angry before. "Alistair..."

His eyes narrowed on her, daring for her to continue the discussion. She was his to protect. The end. "Do not Alistair me, wife. I will not budge. I will protect you."

"So will I," Rhynn pushed out. "The qunari are already angered by Isabela's deception. I did not know what she planned to do but she was with me and that makes me a part of this. I need to be there."

Ann rolled her eyes. "Rhynn, Alistair and Avaline will accompany me. Naught another," she stated firmly. She was done making concessions. She would do whatever it took to protect those she loved. Even from themselves. "The rest of you decide who patrols where – in pairs, but I want all of Kirkwall covered." She quickly rubbed the spelled coins on her belt to bring everyone else to the mansion. She then took the belt off and set it on the table. She did not want them following the pull to the docks. "Bodahn, Carid – I need you both to inform the others as they arrive. Mayhap, nothing will come of this…but I want everyone to be ready to protect the people of Kirkwall.

Bodahn nodded. "You have nothing to worry about. Carid and I will not fail you."

She nodded her approval. "Thank you." She looked at everyone; worry etched on her face. "No one goes anywhere without armor and weapons. No one goes anywhere alone. You are each precious to me. Have a care with your lives."

Laura rose. "There is something my mother will say at times – it is similar to 'Maker watch over you'. May the force be with you. She would also say, 'be one with life' or 'walk in life."

Ann nodded. "I have heard thus a time or two during her visits. Each as fitting as the other."

With a stead release of breath, she nodded once more. Time to get this done and see where the cards fall. "Armor up."

Far sooner than she would have liked, they were on the move, headed for the docks. There was an accompaniment of guards outside her mansion. Avaline had not mentioned bringing backup.

"Avaline – disband your guards. Turn them out to protect Kirkwall. We can't have the qunari thinking this is an attack." She watched the woman approach her guardsmen. She wasn't sure what was said but they turned as one and left a moment later.

As they continued towards the docks, Annalynn tuned out the everyday noise and played out different scenarios in her head and how she would deal with each, were it to occur.

Everyone else seemed deep in their own thoughts as no one sought conversation. They all knew what was at stake and what may well happen in the next short while. Avaline was a sister to her but right now, she wished the woman was a less stringent with the law. Of course… she wouldn't be Avaline, were that the case.

"This is it," Alistair said softly as they stood before the gates of the Qunari compound. As usual, the qunari opened the iron gates for his wife.

Avaline inhaled deeply and stormed over to one of the giant horned men. "I request an audience with the Arishok."

The giant looked over the humans. Only one the Arishok deemed worthy. "You may come forward."

Interesting… Ann never thought to ask if she could approach the Arishok, she just did.

The clank of iron had Annalynn spinning around. Kirkwall guardsmen filed through the gates a few moments later. "Avaline…" she growled. "Your men were not to be here. Send them away."

"I cannot, Ann. This is Kirkwall duty and I must…"

"Have a show of force?" she said, throwing down the gauntlet. "I do not control the Kirkwall guards – but this is a bad decision."

"Agree," the qunari growled, his hand tightening on his spear.

Avaline frowned at the giant and stomped over to the Arishok, who had just reached the bottom of the stone steps that had led up to his ridiculous throne.

The Arishok lifted his large ax and settled it on his shoulder. He was not worried about the humans' pitiful numbers but the Hawke was displeased and that got his attention. He ignored the Kirkwall guardsman who had stopped in front of him. He was of no consequence. Instead, his steady gaze bore into the Hawke. "Shanedan."

Avaline frowned again. She did not like being ignored. Still, she pressed onward, inclining her head to the Qunari leader. "Greetings, Arishok. We come regarding the eleven fugitives that took refuge here."

He turned his attention to the human squawking at him. "Irrelevant. I would speak to Hawk about the relic stolen from my grasp."

Ann had expected no less from the Arishok. His whole reason for being here was that tome. "A… former associate of mine ran after the man who had it. If she was successful getting the relic from him, I do not believe she would return with it."

"She will not return to Kirkwall," Rhynn stated boldly, though her heart was cracking inside.

The Arishok inclined his head to the Hawke, ignoring the bleater next to the worthy one. "Her part in this was clear. You have proven your honor once more. You are the only worthy being in all of this pustule of a city," he responded with a slow sweep of his arm.

Avaline's gaze darted between the two of them. "That is a matter for another time. We're here for the fugitives."

His gaze sidled to the insistent man standing next to the Hawke. "The elves are now viddathari. They have chosen to submit to the Qun. They will be protected," he growled. He returned his attention to the worthy one. "You have not hidden the abuses of your zealots, or the corruption of this city. You will understand why I must do this."

Ann could swear her heart turned into a block of ice in her chest. Surely, he did not mean that he intended to demand certainty.

"Let us look at your dangerous criminals," the Arishok continued. He watched as the two elves came forward. "Speak, viddathari. Who did you murder and why?"

Jin stepped forward. "A city guard forced himself on our sister. We reported him… or tried to. But they did nothing about it, no matter what we said. So, my brother and I paid him a visit."

It wasn't the first time such accusations were made. And honestly, Avaline did not disbelieve the elves. While rape did not sit well with her, there was little to be done about it. Unless, caught in the act, there was nothing by way of proof. So, such claims were often overlooked. Still, this was murder. "That doesn't excuse murder!"

"Avaline…" Ann pushed, her foot tapping against the stone beneath it. If someone had raped someone in her presence, they would not live to regret it.

"Ann… I will investigate this. What is not acceptable is them taking the law into their own hands." Avaline felt heat crawl up into her cheeks. How many times had Ann, herself and her friends and family done the same? And yet, she was willing to look the other way with them. Regardless, she knew they acted for the good of all. It wasn't fair. Nothing was.

"Sometimes that is necessary," the Arishok said regretfully. He clamped down on his memories. Now was not the time.

"Like you avenged the viscount's son? It wasn't right then and it's not right now," Avaline responded.

This was not going well. Avaline needed to back down. The Arishok had drawn the line in the sand. It was time to go. "Avaline – you know me. You know what I will tolerate and what I will not. Had someone raped Bethany - they would not have survived my encounter with them."

Avaline's eyes widened. But, honestly, what had she expected? It was true enough. Still… "Annalynn, that's not helping."

"This cannot be helped. The Arishok's point was clear. It is time to go, Avaline."

"We cannot let them get away with this, Ann!"

His gaze bore into the guardsman. "Their actions are mere symptoms. Your society is the disease. They have chosen. The viddathari will submit to the Qun and find a path your way has denied them."

No! "You can't decide that!" Avaline's voice raised in irritation. "You must hand them over!"

He stared down at the human who dared to tell him what he must do. His gaze slid to the Hawke. "Tell me, Hawke – what would you do, in my place?"

"I'm sorry, Avaline. The lack of proof would damn them. We both know that. They do not need to die for protecting their sister and removing the problem, who has more than likely raped before and would have continued to do so simply because he knew he could get away with it. Let them go, Avaline. They are the Qun's problem now. Let this go before it is too late." Could the guardswoman truly not see what was about to happen?

"Exactly so," the Arishok agreed.

Avaline rolled her eyes. "We will talk about this later, Ann. Arishok – that is unacceptable. They are citizens of Kirkwall who have killed a city guard. They must answer for their crime. But I will investigate the charges. If the guard has done what he was accused of, he would have been dealt with. As would any guardsman under my command."

Would the human not listen to the voice of reason? No. The voice of reason was being silenced. Enough was enough. "I cannot leave without the relic, and I cannot stay and remain blind to this dysfunction. There is only one solution."

Avaline's heart tightened in her chest. Damn it all! Had her pride brought them all to this? Maybe he could be swayed, even now… "Arishok, there is no need for -"

He held up his hand to silence the guard captain's words. "Panahedan, Hawke. I hope you do not die." He turned his back on the humans and nodded at his men. "Vinek kathas."

Weapons were drawn on both sides. But a sword had no advantage over a powerfully thrown spear. All they could do now was make a swift retreat and prepare to defend their city. Three of Avaline's guardsmen were lost before they made it past the gates.

It felt like time had come to a crawl before they even left the compound. Ann looked up and caught the Arishok's steady gaze. He inclined his massive head to her before Alistair pulled her away. What had he meant by that gesture? A show of respect? Of promise? Was he telling her he was coming for her? He'd squash her like a bug! There was no way she could survive such a battle without letting everyone in all of sundry know she was a mage.

Somehow, as if by magic, word spread like fire and the qunari began attacking no matter where they were at in the city. As they darted back to the docks, screaming could already be heard. The only bodies they found thus far were armed. It would seem those that fought back were killed. But what was happening to the people that didn't fight back?

There was a harsh clank, a rolling noise and heavy footsteps disappearing down a nearby alleyway. She turned to see a rusty fire-bin, the dockside workers used to keep warm, stilling rolling slowly, the fiery debris spilling out and catching on the oil slicks on the stoney ground.

"Maker help us all…" Avaline mumbled. "I did this."

"We were all a part of it – but the Arishok gave the order. Not you." Ann practiced the silent spell chanting that Elvie had been working diligently with her on. Rapidly thawing ice enveloped the fire, putting it out before it could consume the rush littered stone or the vines hanging from the stone walls.

"I don't think your magic can right all this," Rhynn responded, fear etched in every word. Maker, she missed her Izzy. Would she ever hear her Sugar-Bottom call her Sweetlips again? Would she ever hear Varric call her Wags again? She wasn't sure how she was going to survive this war. She wasn't a warrior; she was a smith. She could hold her own against most but what was she supposed to do against a giant?

"That's what we're here for," Alistair assured the woman. When he heard another scream, he darted down an alley on the right.

Ann pivoted and was after him a moment later, the stomping of feet letting her know the others followed. With his lighter, spelled armor, her husband was a force to be reckoned with. She saw him launch himself into the air at the qunari who had just killed a woman defending her child. When a second giant stepped out of the shadows, she chanted in her head a spell to hold him in place.

With a frown she saw the horned man raise up into the air, a silent scream on his contorted mouth. Blood began to leak from his nose, eyes and ears. Bones snapped.

Avaline watched in horror. "Oh, maker… what have you done, Ann?"

Alistair yanked his sword from the large chest and swung it around, taking the head off the suffering man.

Ann dropped to her knees and retched; nothing but bile came up.

Rhynn placed a hand on the woman's shoulder and knelt down beside her. "You were protecting your husband. The qunari would have killed him."

"I know," she said in a strained voice, her throat burning and her stomach aching. "I only meant to immobilize him." She accepted Rhynn's hand and rose to her feet as she went over the words she'd chanted in her head. "Instead, I crushed him. Slowly. I've only used that spell a couple of times on ogres. Darkspawn – never a living, sentient being. He was a soldier – simply doing what he was told to do. I can't believe I did that."

Avaline swallowed hard. It had been hard to see. "He was a brainwashed zealot who believed his way was the only way. He wasn't thinking for himself. Someone else told him how to think. Rhynn is right, he would have killed Alistair without thought." She could remember what she and Wesley had gone through. The things she'd done to protect him and he her. "In war, emotions run hot. More so when someone you love is threatened. You did nothing wrong."

"I wish I believed that." She cleared her throat. "Thank you," she told her husband as he approached her after handing the child off to a neighbor who he'd seen peaking out their door. "You stopped his suffering."

Alistair drew his wife up against him. He knew holding her was more important than worrying about getting blood on her. "Remind me not to get you mad," he teased.

She slapped his chest. "Arse."

His smile slipped. "I never saw him, Ann." He pulled back and looked down into her eyes. "I'm alive because you were quick enough to see to it. No one would have reached me in time. You did what you needed to do – as did I." He kissed the tip of her nose. "We've always made a good team. Now, let's save this city."

He was right. She would mull over her actions later. The city couldn't wait for her to do so now. "Of course."

They cut through the docks, saving who they could. There had been no time for her to heal anyone, for now – the injured were in the hands of the Maker. Two more guards fell to qunari might.

"I need to get to the Keep to rally the guardsmen!"

"You're not going alone, Avaline!"

Another group of qunari attacked when they reached the top of the stone steps that lead to Lowtown. "I'll handle the Saarebas – take out the others!" Ann ordered as she cast a spell to interfere with the qunari mage's magic. As long as she was not near him, the spell did not also weaken her. It was a handy spell she'd learned from her ex-templar husband.

As they moved deeper through Lowtown, sections of the city were already closed off. Large, spiked iron gates herded them, like rats in a maze.

"It would seem my guardsmen have already been hard at work," Avaline said, with pride in her voice.

They cut through the alleyway and Alistair came to a hard stop. "I feel taint ahead. It doesn't feel…Grey Wardens? But how?" Concern bottomed in his belly as he charged ahead to where he heard fighting.

Side by side, with the small band of Grey Wardens, they fought the horned aggressors until the last one fell.

A dark-haired, mustached Warden inclined his head to the people who had fought along with them and then went to help one of his injured Wardens to his feet.

Loghain snorted at a face he had not intended to see this day. Or any day. "If it isn't the bastard prince who would not be king."

"Loghain!" Alistair snarled, only just keeping himself from shaking off his wife's restraining hold.

"It's not worth it, Alistair! Let it go, my heart." Ann implored him.

"He should be dead for his crimes!"

"That is certain!" Avaline agreed.

Loghain's hand slipped behind his back. "Am I not?" he growled.

Stroud frowned and stepped between the two parties. He did not need a Warden attacking visiting royalty or the city's guard captain. "Past disagreements have no merit here. I am Stroud. You have our sincere thanks. This attack was… most unexpected. I can't believe the Qunari would dare such an attack. This will lead to war with the Free Marches for certain." His gaze settled on the prince. "And if anything happens to you, Ferelden as well."

"Then I had better stay in one piece." Alistair grinned. "I'd never hear the end of it from Lor if I came back in too many pieces."

"That would be a pity," Loghain snarked dryly.

Stroud just blinked. "As you say, your Highness." With a sigh, he nodded. "I fear pressing matters take us elsewhere, but we can spread word to the other free cities. Perhaps they will bring aid." He signaled his Wardens to move out. He looked back at the royal couple. "Maker watch over you, my friends." He frowned at Loghain's snort. "Enough!"

"And you, Stroud." Ann watched as they disappeared. She could have used their aid in this battle. But, Loghain she could have gone without seeing again. She leaned into her husband and wrapped her arms around him. "Glad to see Loghain's as miserable as he ever was. His life will serve a purpose, Alistair. Even if we cannot see what that is yet."

"If that king-killing arse is not going to help then he needs to get the hell out of my city," Avaline grumbled. The traitor was not welcome in Kirkwall.

They continued through Lowtown, fighting qunari, their viddathari converts and bandits who thought to take advantage of the chaos. As they made their way towards HighTown, her group continued to expand in size as they met up with friends, family and guardsmen who had spread throughout the city to protect it.

Soon, they were a small, avenging army tearing its way through the city. Unfortunately, she didn't have the luxury of subtlety. With threats coming from every corner, she let her magic do the fighting. Truthfully, many in DarkTown and LowTown knew she was a mage as she'd helped to heal a great many people down on their luck. But she'd always kept a low profile in HighTown, city guards and templars. Now, all of the guard and possibly all of Kirkwall would know. If she had to leave after they'd gained control of the city then so be it. But she would not fall to the templars and be locked away.

By the time they'd reached the top of the long, stone stairway to HighTown, they'd arrived just in time to see two large qunari dragging a struggling woman by her feet.

"Parshaara! Quit your struggling, woman!" the qunari warned. She would be a useful bas converted to the Qun.

Ann's grip on her sword tightened and shouted a challenge as she charged towards them.

"Teth a! Bas!" the Karashok shouted to gain his partner's attention.

The Sten dropped the woman's ankles and turned to face the threat. The Hawke. He paid no attention to the woman that scurried away like a rat. He would retrieve her later. "Then the Arishok failed to take you captive. Unfortunate." And it was. She was worthy and she had killed many warriors.

No sooner had those two gone down when herd of giants descended upon them, including two Saarebas. "Elvie! That Saarebas is yours! 'll take on the other!"

Laura rolled her eyes. "Their magic doesn't affect me – you focus on the others – I've got them!" She picked one up in her power and flung him into his tortured cohort. "Leave them to me!" She grinned. "Let's play, boys!"

"I really wish you wouldn't taunt them, wife," Sebastian groused, standing at his wife's back and shooting arrows at anything that thought to look sideways at her. he shot two arrows in rapid succession that caught and spun a thrown spear, deflecting it from the delectable target his wife was making of herself.

No one saw the third Saarebas. He sent a powerful blast of magic that sent everyone flying. It even burst the mages' protective bubbles. But the blast merely buffeted Laura and Sebastian, whipping around her shields. She turned and sent out her own burst of power, propelling the qunari mage backwards and onto a sword that pierced his body like butter.

Meredith yanked her sword out and took a step back, giving the body plenty of room to fall. When the giant dropped to his knees, she took his head. She used her gauntlet to wipe at the splatter of blood on her cheek.

She glanced over at the pair that were still standing and then at the large group that was getting to their feet. "I am Knight-Commander Meredith." Her eyes widened as she looked from one blonde to another. Elvie she'd seen before. The woman was married to her Knight-Captain. But the other woman and the man at her side. The vaunted Ferelden royals that she'd heard so much about. "I know you. Your name has popped up in many of my reports. Too many. You may be -"

Avaline jumped in and cut her off before the Knight Commander could say something they might all regret. "It's good that we found you, Knight-Commander. The Qunari are -"

Meredith's lips tightened. She did not like to be interrupted. "It's obvious what they are doing. The Qunari are taking people to the Keep and may already be in control of it. We will need to deal with them.

"Hostages?" Ann asked in surprise.

"Not so much, no," Fenris told her. "They are going to take everyone of import and put them in the same place. Those that agree to convert, live. Those that don't…"

"Charming," Meredith interrupted.

"That's what he meant by the Arishok failed to capture me. I was to be one of those people."

Fenris nodded and took Neria's hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. "You are a noble here, Ann. A royal in Ferelden and a worthy adversary for the Arishock. You would make a fine convert."

Until they found out she was a mage. Let the horrors begin. "No, thank you."

"You will help take back the Keep?" Meredith asked.

"Of course. I want to make sure Marlowe is alright as well."

Marlowe… Yes, the Viscount was quite good at placating the royals. "Good. I'll overlook your own use of magic… for the moment." And have a talk with her Knight-Captain. He was close to the family. He should have known. Her gaze drifted to the Grey Warden mage. There was little she could do about the Knight-Captain's wife. And as much as it galled her, she couldn't lock a Ferelden princess in the Circle – but she could see her on the first boat back to Ferelden…if the need should arise.

"Most generous of you," Alistair warned.

Meredith inclined her head. "Of course, your Highness. Head to the Keep, and I will see if I can find more of my men." She turned and headed away from the group. "These creatures will pay for this outrage."

"And so, we are dismissed," Rhynn sighed.

"That is fortunate," Fenris told her.

"He's right, Rhynn." Thana shuddered. "It is very fortunate the Knight-Commander is distracted from her mage hunt."

Up another set up steps and they all but landed in a fight between the Carta dwarves and the Qunari. Right in front of her own front door. While she was no friend of the Carta, they worked side by side to take down the horned giants before the dwarves disappeared back into the night.

By the time they reached the Keep, her entire band friends and family had reunited. And they were a mighty force to be reckoned with.

They swept through HighTown, picking up guardsmen along the way. On the steps of the Keep mages were battling it out with the giants as they tried to gain access to the building.

While the last two horned-men were being taken care of, Ann reached out and offered her hand to an elven mage.

"Many thanks, my friend," Orsino said with a grunt of pain as he accepted her assistance. He groaned and stretched. Some days he felt older than others. This was definitely one of those days.

"I wish we could have arrived in time to save the others."

"The others?" he asked in stunned disbelief. "Surely, they cannot all be…" He turned, his eyes scanning the ground, picking out the mage robes of his followers. Then it dawned on him and his eyes widened when he spotted familiar robes. The young human that had been like a son to him. He dropped down next to the body, pain gripping him. "Gone… I told them to run…"

He closed his eyes when he heard the heavy clank of armor. He would know those footsteps anywhere.

"First Enchanter Orsino," Meredith said, her voice laced with a light disappointment. "You survive."

He rose to his feet and turned to face the Knight-Commander. "Your relief overwhelms me, Knight-Commander."

She glanced over the small army at Orsino's back. "There is no time for talk. We must strike back, before it is too late."

"And who will lead us into this battle? You?" Orsino inquired skeptically.

"I will fight to defend this city, as I have always done!"

"To control it, you mean! I won't have our lives tossed to the flames to feed your vanity!" the First Enchanter shot back.

"Enough! This is no time to be bickering like children. I will lead us into battle."

"We will," Alistair corrected his wife.

"You?" Meredith asked in stunned disbelief. "You are not even of this city! You are Ferelden!"

"I may be a Ferelden princess but I am also a Kirkwall noble. My mother was raised in this very district! I am as much of the Free Marches as I am of Ferelden!"

"It doesn't matter, Knight-Commander," Orsino scoffed. "I am not from this city. And yet I don't hear you complaining about any of us fighting to defend our home. We must all work together. I don't trust you and you don't trust me. It would seem a third party is what we need."

"Very well, then," she growled briskly. "But whatever you plan, be quick about it. Highness," she added as a quick after thought.

"We will send scouts to get a closer look at what the Qunari are up to. No one with heavy armor. The more information we have the better we will be prepared. She turned to her companions. "Thana, Varric – find out what you can and return to us quicky."

"You are sending dwarves?" Meridith asked sharply.

She nodded to her friends who disappeared into the shadows. "They are surprising swift and know how to go unnoticed. While we are waiting, I need to grab something from my manor. Fenris, Neria, Merrill, – I need you to retrieve my belt. Please be quick about it."

They said not a word as the took off running in the direction of the mansion. She also needed to make sure those she'd left behind were safe. With their lithe bodies, the elves were faster on their feet than most humans and that is what she needed right now.

"And so, we are to just wait?" Meredith grumbled.

Annalynn cocked a brow.

Orsino glared at the Knight-Commander. "A good hunter knows when to wait for his best opportunity to strike."

It did not take long for the elves to return. "Thank you," she told them as she took the belt from Neria and situated it at her waist. "The mansion?"

"They are defending it well," Fenris assured her. "The human you rescued is…helping with the defense." Another mage, they'd discovered. But that was not something he intended to say in front of the templars. Ann had enough trouble on her shoulders without adding to it.

Annalynn was disconcerted by the two coins in her belt that remained cool. She hoped it merely meant that Anders and Ninia were protecting DarkTown. Surely, nothing had happened to them. No, she couldn't let herself dwell on what ifs right now.

Varric and Thana hurried over to the group. "There are a great many Qunari at the Keep's entrance. They are still forcing nobles through the doors."

Meredith frowned at the news. "Then the Keep has already fallen."

"My guardsmen?" Avaline asked the dwarves.

Thana shook her head. "We didn't see any. Perhaps they are bunkered inside, waiting for a chance to attack?"

Avaline feared the worst but hoped the dwarf was correct. Was her husband in those walls? She hadn't run into him with the other guardsmen in the city.

"No matter," Meredith interjected. "This is the only way in. We must assault them now, before their numbers grow."

Orsino's eyes widened at her audacity. "Are you mad? They have hostages! We need a distraction."

"Agreed," Ann replied with a nod. "Orsino is right in this. We need to distract the guards at the door. I suspect the main fight will be within the walls. No sense wasting lives charging the gate."

The older elf nodded. A woman of reason. "We need to get you inside the doors and catch up later."

"And just how will we do this?" Meredith scoffed dryly. Sometimes, she really hated that elf.

A small grin played on the elf's lips as he walked in the direction of the Keep. "Have confidence, Knight-Commander." He withdrew his staff and picked up his pace, jogging through the open iron gates to the bottom of the stone steps. "You will not conquer this city without a fight!"

Ann motioned her team to follow her, since Meredith and her templars were going to back the elven mage.

"Bas Saarebas! Vinek kathas!" the Sten shouted.

Orsino lobbed a fireball at the Qunari, taking down the closest of the giants. He gave a discreet nod to the princess who had sneaked through the shadows to a more advantageous location. He slowly backed away from the advancing giants, as he cast fireball after fireball at them. When they were close enough, he turned and ran, tossing back an occasional burst of magic to keep them focused on him.

Once the horde raced past where Ann and the others were hiding, they darted up the stone steps and into the Keep.

"Damn!" Avaline cried out softly when she saw bodies of her guardsmen and nobles littering the entryway of the Keep. They had tried to defend and lost their lives to the giants. "They will pay for this!" she hissed; her voice louder than she'd intended.

"We'll make sure they do, Red," Varric assured her.

She swung around to glare at the dwarf. "Don't call me -" she caught the small, lopsided grin on his face and knew he was trying to distract her. "Thank you," she said quietly, focusing once more on the task at hand.

Qunari rushed down the rug-covered steps and, this time, Ann let Laura handle the Saarebas. From the corner of her eye, she saw a sword fly through the air, when the giant mage appeared out of nowhere, and bury itself into his gut between the chains that bound him, with enough force to pin him to the wall behind him.

A mage, no matter how large, was no match for an alert jedi. That made her think about Lavista and Vrok. She wondered if either had known this was coming and if that was why they'd left. She knew the Kin weren't supposed to get involved but she suspected they would have had they still been here.

She grimaced as pain lanced her side. A spear had struck her shielding. Battle was no place for errant thoughts. Focused once more, she threw herself into fray.

They fought through the Quanri and finally reached the top of the stairs. All doors were chained but one. They plowed through, fighting another group of giants in the antechamber and then came to the door of the throne room. "This is it," she told them as she pushed into the final room.

Nobles were gathered at the foot of the steps leading up to the throne. The fear was plain in their voices as they questioned their captors or pleaded with them.

The Arishok turned to face the nobles. "Here is your viscount." He threw the offending head to the bottom of the steps. It rolled to a stop at their feet.

"You dare!" One of the noblemen challenged. "You are starting a war!"

The Arishok nodded at his man that had stepped up behind the noble. With a harsh wrench, the human's neck was broken. The humans' shrieks only fueled his anger. "Look at you. Like fat dathrasi you feed and feed and complain only when your meal is interrupted. You do not look up. You do not see the grass is bare. All you leave in your wake is misery. You are blind. I will make you see," he growled.

He caught sight of the large group that followed the Hawke into the room. "But we have guests." He pulled his ax from his shoulder and sauntered down the steps. "Shanedan, Hawke. I expected you."

She glanced down at the viscount's head. "Shanedan, Arishok. You've been busy, I see."

"It had to be done. Maraas toh ebra-shok. You alone are basalit-an." His gaze swept over the squawking humans. "This is what respect looks like, bas! Some of you will never earn it!" He locked eyes with the human male once more. "So, tell me, Hawke – You know I am denied Par Vollen until the tome of Koslun is found. How would you see this conflict resolved without it?"

A grunt, followed by a heavy thud brought all eyes to the fallen Qunari with a knife in his back.

Isabela strode into the room, the tome in hand and stepped on the downed giant as she came forward. "I believe I can answer that." She glanced briefly at Rhynn and then winked at Ann as she passed her to confront the Arishok. She held the tome out to him. "I'm sure you will find this mostly undamaged."

The Arishok grasped the book. His lifeline. His salvation to return. "The Tome of Kosklun."

"It took me a while to get back, what with all the fighting everywhere," she told Ann. "You know how it is." Isabela was careful to keep her gaze off of Rhynn. She wasn't ready to tackle that beast just yet.

"We pegged you as long gone by now," she admitted.

Isabela frowned. "This is your bloody influence, Ann! I blame you; you know. I was halfway to Ostwick before I knew I had to turn around." She harrumphed. "It's pathetic, really."

The Arishok turned the book over to one of his Sten. "The relic is reclaimed. I am now free to return to Par Vollen – with the thief."

"What?" Isabela asked in stunned surprise.

Fenris shook his head at her audacity. "You thought you could strand them here for four years without consequence?"

The Arishok hefted the massive ax onto his shoulder. "She stole the Tome of Koslun. She must return with us. She will submit to the Qun and the Ben-Hassrath. More than that I cannot say."

"If you recall, our roles were reversed not so long ago," Ann pointed out. "We sought to claim two criminals and you refused our claim because they belonged to you. It is now my turn to refuse your claim. Isabela will answer for what she's done but she is one of mine."

"I'm so glad you came back, Isabella!" Merrill exclaimed with a smile. "Don't worry, everything will be fine now."

"I'm not so sure of that, Kitten," Isabela answered, her gaze not leaving Ann and the Arishok.

"Then you leave me no choice. I challenge you, Hawke. You and I will battle to the death, with her as the prize."

"No!" Isabela responded sharply. "If you're going to duel anyone, duel me!"

"You are not basalit-an. You are unworthy."

Ann released a slow breath. If this was what it took to end this then she had no choice. If she fought the Arishok then no one else needed to die. "I accept your challenge."

"Meravas!" the Arishock bellowed. "So shall it be!"

"Ann, no!" Alistair roared. "I will fight as your champion!"

"No, my love… you won't." She touched his beard-roughed cheek with her fingers. "Ferelden needs you."

"And I need you," he told her, his heart little more than a frozen block in his chest.

Garrett stepped forward. "I'll fight as your champion – you cannot tell me no!"

She smiled at her twin. "But I can and I will. You must keep Alistair from interfering. You must understand, he will not accept a challenge from anyone but me. Protect my husband from himself, Garrett."

"Ann…" Alistair pleaded as several people pulled him back and out of the way.

She pulled her sword and grunted. The fight was ridiculous. A small woman with a small sword against a massive giant with two massive weapons. She did not think she would survive but her survival wasn't what mattered. The Qunari leaving was what mattered and if that took her death so be it. Her only hope to stay alive, even for a wee amount of time, meant she had to rely on her speed to keep her out of the reach of those weapons, while inflicting as many small cuts as she could. And if all else failed, she'd fall back on her magic. All is fair in love and war, right? She was sure someone had said that before.

They slowly began to circle, looking for weaknesses in each other to exploit. Almost before she knew it, the Arishok rushed her. She dropped low and slid between his tree-trunk legs, using her sword to slice through his leather leggings. She'd, somehow, managed to draw first blood. She doubted she'd be able to get away with that move again.

She spun low, after barely clearing him, her leg out, knocking his tree trunks out from under him. She rolled to the side as he went down hard in a clatter of armor and heavy weapons.

She eyed Laura suspiciously. That had gone a little too well. Laura, however, was not looking at her. The Arishok lashed out with his sword and she jumped backwards, barely avoiding being disemboweled. She couldn't worry about what Laura may or may not be doing. Distraction would get her killed.

He was back on his feet faster than she thought was possible, his weapons held out and ready to drink her blood. He charged again, swinging his weapons in a powerful sweep when he drew near. She dropped to the ground and kicked up with both feet, briefly wondering if he'd ever sire children after that. She rolled as his weapons came down at her.

He landed on one knee with a grunt of pain. She spun, drawing her sword across the exposed flesh of his back. He hissed and spun back up and around, but she was already backing out of range. With a growl, he charged once more.

He stumbled over nothing in particular, slowing his charge but not stopping it. But it had given her enough time to dart out of the way.

"Enough!" he roared. Though, he wasn't quite sure who he was yelling at.

"Surely, you do not expect me to stand there and pit my strength against yours?" she asked with a grin. "That would be a joke on both of us. No, Arishok, this is a battle of wits and preparedness. How many vials of energy and healing do you have? More than me?" she asked, pointing to the tiny vials she had on her shoulder belt. "We could just call this a draw and each go our own ways."

He had underestimated the Hawke. He'd gone into the battle knowing he would be the victor. Now, he was not as certain. "You know that we cannot," he answered grimily. He rotated his wrists, spinning his weapons in a show of strength. His jaw tightened. Every step shot bolts of pain through his body. That kick had been devastating.

Tired of waiting for the Hawke to advance, he charged, his weapons swinging down and then out when he'd missed the human.

Ann sucked in a breath when she felt the tip of his sword slice through her spelled leather to score her back. She heard her husband shout and a scuffle ensue, but she could not dwell on it. Her focus was only the giant bent on killing her. She felt a healing tingle and wondered if it was mage or jedi stacking the deck in her favor.

"Ann!"

She glanced briefly over at Isabela who threw a dagger at her. She caught it and turned back to face the Arishok, now with dual weapons, albeit much smaller than his own. Whoever said size didn't matter was very wrong,

She spun her dagger and sword, much as he had just done. But in her case, it wasn't a show of strength, it was to get the weight and measure of the new weapon alongside her own. With a nod, she did the unthinkable. She charged him.

She feinted to the left, and by the time his body was in motion, it was too late for him to change course. The weight of his own body and that of his weapons forced him to carry through with the swing. She slammed into his hard chest, burying the knife at an angle between his ribs.

His mouth fell open in stunned shock. "I didn't want it to end this way," she said softly. "I would have let you leave."

The heavy weapons slipped from his grasp as he dropped to his knees. "Basalit-an," he rasped. A wet cough sprayed blood across his lips. "It could end no other way. You are worthy."

"I am sorry," she told him as she yanked out the dagger and slit his throat to end his suffering. She jumped back as he fell forward, an overwhelming regret nearly crippling her. After all this time, it felt like she'd killed an old friend. She knew it was bizarre to feel that way and yet the feeling persisted.

In the next blink, she was in her husband's arms, while the rest of her people surrounded them ensuring their safety were the Qunari to attack.

But the horned men kept to their Arishok's word, taking their tome and leaving without further aggression.

The fighting must have stopped outside as well, because it wasn't long before Meredith, Orsino and the templars burst into the throne room.

"The Qunari stopped fighting. Is it over?" the Knight-Commander asked as she looked around the room, taking in the bodies and the viscount's head. "I can see that it is."

"The city has been saved!" One nobleman shouted. Applause started out light and built to a crescendo.

Meredith frowned. She wasn't pleased the princess was gaining such accolade but she would try to use it to her advantage. She sheathed her sword and inclined her head. "Well done. It appears Kirkwall has a new champion."

That night, everyone ended up at the mansion, feasting, drinking and telling their versions of what happened the day the Qun attacked. Much to her relief, Anders and Ninia showed up. As she suspected, they'd been defending DarkTown. Not from the Qunari, as the horned giants didn't think anyone in DarkTown was worthy, but the Carta and Coterie had taken advantage of the chaos to fight each other and anyone who got in their way.

Apparently, the Qunari stole a ship; but no one begrudged them that considering they were leaving. Finally, they could all just take a moment to live a little.