That night the group came in sight of the tower. They decided to camp for the night then head in in the morning.

"Sweet Andraste, it'll be good to get back." Caylus said, stretching, as they packed up camp the next morning.

"Who is this 'Andraste' you keep mentioning? Someone you know? Oh, perhaps your wife?" Arella asked.

"I don't have a wife." Caylus grunted, "And how do you not know who Andraste is? Andraste was the Maker's Chosen. The one who gave us the Chant of Light."

"Well, the name sounded familiar but your explanation only made me more confused." she chuckled.

"Andraste was a war leader that led people from slavery. I don't care about your Chant of Light but she and Shartan freed the elves in all lands aside from the Imperium." Rynar continued, lounging on a tree branch above them.

"Huh..."

"Of course that was until she was betrayed by her husband, Maferath. He sold her out to the Archons and watched her be murdered." Caylus finished. They finished packing up and set out. A few hours later they arrived at the tower. Against Caylus' request, Karasaad and Rynar followed them into the structure. Once inside they were met by a large man in the same armor as Caylus.

"Caylus," he greeted, "I see you've retrieved the boy. And... a few others as well."

"Knight-Commander! I didn't expect..." Caylus began.

"Me to be out of my office? Or me to be down here to greet my Knight-Captain when he returns from duty?"

Caylus couldn't think of how to respond. Fortunately for him, he didn't have to. Arella stepped forward to introduce herself, "It is an honor to meet you, Knight-Commander. I am Arella and these are my friends Karasaad and Rynar."

"Arella, do you even know what 'Knight-Commander' means?" Anders giggled.

"Hush, you." she muttered, then back to the Commander, "I admit, I understand that it means you are a 'Commander' of something but I do not know what."

"It's... the Order. The Knight Templars. What I am." Caylus explained, "Knight-Commander Greagoir, I have... a favor to ask." The man chuckled.

"You only get that formal when you want a vacation or something. Come, we'll talk in my office. After we escort the boy to Irving. I'm sure he'll have some words to defend him." Greagoir said, turning and grabbing Anders roughly.

"Hey-!" Arella began but Caylus cut her off, shaking his head slowly. They followed the Knight-Commander through the tower. Passing a few groups of mages and a group of Templars that saluted as they went by. Arella glanced around at the mages and couldn't help but think that they acted like caged animals. Scared, but ready to run at the chance of freedom. The group walked by a room that's door was wide open and voices could be heard inside.

"-Haha, teach him a lesson!" a young Templar jeered. Another Templar stood in front of a mage who was holding up his hands in a surrender. Two more young recruits stood around the first and cheered him on. The Templar taunted the man and knocked him to the ground. The mage begged them to stop, tried to explain that he hadn't done anything wrong but they wouldn't listen.

"Step away from that man."

The Templar recruits turned at the sound of Arella's voice, "And who is this? I don't remember seeing you around before, cutie. A new magey to play with?" Arella seethed, and took a few steps forward menacingly.

Caylus didn't notice she had strayed until it was too late to stop her, "Arella!" He came up behind her and the recruits snapped to attention. The girl ignored him, however and slapped the lead boy across the face.

"From what I've been told about Templars I was led to believe they exist to help the mages. To protect them from others as well as themselves. In what meaning of that purpose is it excusable to beat them!?" she spat. Caylus grabbed her arm before she could slap the others.

"Hey, what are you doing?" he whispered angrily, pulling her away.

"What am I doing?" She reeled back, "What are you doing? These boys were beating this man, just because he is a mage! And you kept walking!"

"Arella, not here, not in front of the Knight-Commander."

Arella just stared at him, "I can't believe you." She turned away and helped the mage up, smiling apologetically. She cast a glare at the recruits as she strode out. Greagoir and the others stood just outside.

"Finished with your detour?" the man asked, tempering his anger.

"I apologize, Knight-Commander. It won't happen again." Caylus muttered, bowing.

"See that it doesn't, Captain." Arella bit her lip, staring angrily at Greagoir. They followed him through the rest of the tower to the First Enchanters office. There, Arella, Karasaad and Rynar were left outside as the Templars and Anders went inside to discuss Anders' fate. They waited, and listened to the muffled voice inside for what seemed like an hour. Greagoir was the first to come out, stomping past and not even acknowledging Arella. Caylus came out next, with Anders in tow.

"What happened?" Arella asked, going right up to Caylus.

"Anders... is going to stay in this tower and not be shipped somewhere else." he sighed.

"That's... a good thing... right?"

"I'm not sure there was a good or bad ending to that. Although he doesn't have to uproot his life too much. Or travel to a country he's unfamiliar with." The Templar shrugged, "The Knight-Commander also gave me leave to escort you home. I did not mention, however, that you don't exactly know where your home is."

Arella shook her head, "You don't have to. I have Karasaad and Rynar and I'm sure they'll help me. You can return to your... duties here." she said sadly.

"I'm coming." he pressed, then he chuckled, "Do you remember? You said something similar when we met. Wow, it feels like it's been so long but it's only been a few days. I'm not going to abandon you, but I'm afraid Anders will have to stay here." The girl nodded slowly, half-smiling to herself at the memory. She knelt in front of Anders and pushed a lock of his blond hair out of his eyes.

"Hey, what's that face?" she asked gently. The boy was pouting fiercely.

"I'm going to escape again. They can't keep me here!"

Arella laughed, "I'm sure you will, Anders. But remember, whatever you do, don't let your magick control you. Control yourself and always look for the best in people. All people. Even the people you may not like. I'll miss you, my cheeky little mage." She leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead.

As the now four person group left through the towers massive doors, Anders watched them go and whispered under his breath, "Goodbye."

It was the last time he would see any of them.