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Anders roughly grabbed Hawke's arm before she could enter the Keep. The others wisely kept their mouths shut. Even if they did voice their opinion, he wasn't going to pay them any attention. "Hawke, you can't do this," he said desperately. It was bad enough that they fought Qunari warriors and mages while making their way to the Keep, but now Hawke intended on facing the Arishok and the last of his Qunari to save the nobles inside the Keep that were being held hostage.

He could hear the cries of battle from the courtyard. Meredith and her Templars were working with Orsino and his mages for once to distract the Qunari long enough for them to enter the Keep, but Anders was against the whole idea from the start. "Stop endangering yourself," he pleaded. He knew it was futile to try and stop her, but he would never forgive himself if he didn't try. "Please, Hawke… each decision you make…"

She touched his hand, giving his fingers a gentle squeeze. "If I don't try to stop this, our future is destroyed. You know as well as I that they must be stopped. I'm fighting for a future free of turmoil and fear. Whether that involves mages, templars or Qunari, I have to protect her. I'm fighting for our future. There is no other way."

"But she-" Anders choked out.

Aveline pushed against the heavy doors of the Keep. "Bethany will be safe so long as we can stop the Arishok. Hawke, we need to move forward. I can hear the nobles screaming for their lives in there."

Varric lightly punched Anders' arm. "You make it sound like we're just going to let her go in there by herself. Come on, think positive. We've survived worse than this."

Anders forced himself to smile. The dwarf was right, but this time the stakes were different. He glanced to Varric then to Aveline and then finally to Hawke. She looked at him with hopeful eyes, silently asking for his support. He squeezed her hand back. "I know how much she means to you. I'll help protect her with all of my ability…" His heart was so heavy, but he couldn't stop her. And if she wouldn't listen to him to flee, he would do his best to keep her safe. He never knew that such a brave woman had walked into his clinic all nearly a year ago.

He, Hawke, Aveline, and Varric entered the Keep. All kept their weapons ready, but none of them were prepared to see the Viscount's head rolling toward their feet.

"Serah Hawke…" said the Arishok. He was standing at the highest level of the Keep, looking down at them. His warriors were scattered all across the Keep, and the nobles were crowded into two groups. Several lay dead on the floor, blood either pouring from their mouths or torsos. "Shena'dan, I was expecting you; however you are no different that these… bas," the Arishok continued.

Hawke stood her ground with confidence. "I won't pretend to understand why you have desecrated the city as you have. This madness must end."

"Perhaps… prove yourself Basara, or kneel with your brethren," the Arishok said, turning his back them. His dismissal was a sign for his warriors to attack.

They came in a wave, and the nobles screamed in fright. They pushed themselves against the walls of the Keep trying to avoid the bloodshed that took place before them. Anders kept as many Qunari as he could away from the nobles and his companions, but he was set on protecting Hawke. He decided much earlier that he would drown himself in blood to protect her, to shield her from all harm. Any time a warrior came near her, Anders tapped into the Qunari's mind, making the giant beast forget where he was for a moment. And Hawke took the opportunity to strike. He didn't care how much energy was drained from his body; he kept a protective barrier around Hawke when he could.

Each blow she dealt was on target, and she didn't hold back. She was magnificent, fueled with a fighting spirit to defend her home and family. Anders never understood that sentiment until now. They could very well die in this battle, but if they did, it wouldn't be because they gave in to the Qunari.

Aveline blocked many powerful attacks that the Qunari unleashed on her, but she held her ground. She bravely kept herself in front of the nobles, shielding them whenever she could. The Keep was large and spacious, but it was full of people that were terrified beyond logic. At least three more nobles had fallen because they had run blindly into the middle of the fight.

Hawke shoved her shoulder into a Qunari warrior's chest, pushing him away from her. She swung her broadsword and slashed his torso open. Another had come up behind her, but Bianca had killed him before he could even touch Hawke.

"Hawke, watch it!" she heard Varric shout.

She followed his gaze and saw a long spear heading for her. There was no time for her to bring her sword up to protect herself. Before the spear could penetrate her chest, it was sliced into two pieces by a heavy broadsword. She saw a blur of red and silver and her heart stopped for a moment.

"Fenris…" Hawke gasped. Her elf was by her side, prepared to fight. His eyes were locked on the Qunari that almost took her life and a moment later, the Qunari fell dead, his head completely severed from his body.

"It's not over Hawke!" Fenris bellowed, and he was right. Another warrior came at her, and she did her best to completely avoid any impact with his blade. The Qunari were large and strong, but they were slow. She waited patiently for an opening to present itself. When it did, she drove her sword into the warrior's chest, granting him a swift and hopefully painless death.

"Parshera!" the Arishok commanded, and the onslaught ceased. The Arishok descended to the first level, keeping one large hand on the handle of his axe. "You are basalit an after all. Few command such respect."

"Please, stop this," Hawke said. She wiped blood off of her face that was not her own. Her eyes scanned over the many bodies that littered the blood stained ground. "This senseless killing must stop."

"And what is your suggestion, Hawke?" the Arishok asked. He now stood but two feet from her. She willed herself not to be intimidated by his presence. The Arishok was much larger than his warriors and his stature alone demanded respect. His once wise eyes were now wild with a desire to "cleanse" Kirkwall of its supposed disease. "You know I cannot withdraw. How would you resolve this conflict?"

"I believe I can answer that," said a sultry voice.

Hawke turned to the main entrance and saw Isabella standing over a Qunari body. She shamelessly stepped on the body and made her way to the Arishok. "You'll find the tome… mostly undamaged," Isabella said, handing the Arishok a large and heavy book.

The Arishok's eyes went wide in surprise, but he carefully inspected the book then nodded in approval. He ran his fingers over the cover almost in disbelief. "The tome of Koslun…"

"I didn't expect to see you again," Hawke admitted to Isabella. When Isabella had turned on her, Hawke swore that she would track the pirate down and return the relic to its rightful owners. The heartache she felt when Isabella stranded them hurt her a great deal.

The pirate looked at her with annoyance. "This is your damn influence, Hawke," she said. "You made me… soft. I couldn't turn my back on these people or you. You're the only friend I've ever truly had, Hawke."

Aveline destroyed the touching admission, stepping up and interjecting herself between Hawke and Isabella. "When this is over, you're going to have to pay for your crimes."

"Get over yourself, you prig," Isabella snapped. "I'm here, aren't I?"

The Arishok handed the tome to one of his warriors and he move to Isabella. "We are free to leave now that the tome has been returned. But we leave with the thief."

"What?" Isabella stepped back in surprise.

"No," Hawke said, possessively raising her hand to keep the Arishok from Isabella. "She stays. She is Kirkwall's responsibility and she will answer to our laws."

The Arishok opened his mouth to respond, but Fenris interrupted him. "Arishokost. Qun anaam ebrah to! You acknowledge that Hawke is basalit an. She has the right to challenge you."

The Arishok blinked and the slightest hint of a smile touched his lips. "I forget that you understand our ways, elf. What say you Hawke? Kill me, and my warriors shall leave, and your… companion may stay with you."

Hawke gulped but did her best to hide her growing fear. "I take it that if I lose, my life is forfeit."

"Correct," the Arishok nodded.

"No!" Anders exclaimed. He hurried to Hawke and stood between her and the Arishok. He grabbed her shoulders and shook his head. "I cannot allow you to do this, Hawke."

"Look around, Anders," Hawke said sadly. "They outnumber us, and we are weakening. How many more lives have to be lost? If I can stop the Arishok, then they'll leave Kirkwall altogether."

"We can stop them together," Anders pleaded.

"Have faith in Hawke," Fenris said, locking eyes with her. "I do, and I will never stray again."

Hawke felt her heart swell with pride. Such simple words held much power. Fenris always had the ability to give her hope and strength, and he didn't even know he had that power over her. Just the sound of his voice alone made her heart soar. Hawke saw the red sash wrapped around his wrist and she almost cried right then. He hadn't forgotten about her. She had so much to tell him, but there was no time.

She had to win this fight. Not once had she desired to kill the Arishok, but this is what it came down to. She lifted her sword, indicating that she agreed to the terms. This battle will determine the futures of many, and she was not going to lose.

"Meravas! So shall it be!" the Arishok proclaimed. "Know this, companions of Hawke. She shall receive no aid, by weapon," the Arishok's eyes looked straight to Anders, "or magic. Any attempt to help her will forfeit the terms of this duel and shall doom those within these halls."

Anders spat in digust, but he abided by the conditions of the duel. He took his place next to Aveline and Varric, but kept his distance from Fenris. Aveline and Varric looked just as troubled as Anders. "You better survive this, Hawke," Aveline said. "I won't forgive you if you don't."

"Your story doesn't end here, Hawke," Varric said. Hawke nodded her thanks to the both of them. She noted to herself that their hands were just inches away from their weapons and she had to smile. They had fought together so long that they didn't need to exchange words with each other when it came to combat. She knew that if she fell today, that her friends would fight to the death to save their city.

Isabella hugged Hawke unexpectedly. "Hawke, I-"

"No need," Hawke shushed the pirate. "I know it's not your way but… say a prayer for me?"

"Anything," Isabella said, pulling away and looking deep into Hawke's eyes. "Anything that will get you through this."

"Hawke," the Arishok called. The Qunari warriors had stepped back, giving the Arishok and Hawke room to duel. The Arishok wielded his mighty axe, and he stared straight at her. "We fight."