Chapter 5- Sibling rivalry turns deadly

The entire Hawke family didn't sleep well during the night. There was too much sadness, guilt, shame and pain over what had happened to young Anders. A mage from the circle tower that they let be captured on their farm to escape punishment for harbouring an escaped mage for the previous two days.

Leandra was down in the kitchen, diligently tending to her morning routine of preparing breakfast for the family. Still, she was thinking of young Anders and the 'happy' meal that they shared together. There was much laughter, smiles and chatter yesterday. Worse… Leandra had never seen her eldest daughter so happy in her life. Hawke didn't have many friends, none of the family did. Their 'gifts' of magic prevented the Hawke sisters from having any friends other than each other and Carver. It was not an easy secret to keep. That young boy truly was Marian Hawke's only real friend. Even better, he was a mage just like her.

Leandra suddenly stepped back from the kitchen counter and covered her mouth with her hand. She was so sad and thinking so much about her daughter, Hawke, that she didn't notice that she had made a breakfast large enough to feed six. One more than was necessary. The entire Hawke family… and young Anders. A quick check over her shoulder showed that the table was set with enough plates and cutlery for six as well. Even the porch chair was pulled out for Anders to sit at… right next to Hawke.

Leandra's heart hurt so much. She was doing her best to hold back the sobs that were trying to escape from her throat. But she couldn't hold back the tears that were now flowing down her eyes. All the rational thinking in the world couldn't keep Leandra from feeling the sheer magnitude of guilt that she felt for what she did not only to Anders, but her own daughter. She had tricked them both.

Nearby, and in the unlit stairwell hallway, Malcolm was silently watching his wife cry. Just like she did the day before and all throughout the previous night. He stepped back and pressed the back of his head against the nearby wall and sighed deeply. It wasn't just Hawke who was suffering, but the entire family as well.

It wasn't the fact that this had happened. What made it so bad was that it had happened while his mage daughters were so young and not able to fully understand it. Worse yet… it was Malcolm's fault. True, he had taught them many aspects, rules and other things about Magic. But, there was so much that he had kept from Bethany and Hawke. They knew that the circle tower was a bad place, but he kept more than he should have out of their lessons. Such as the true powers that the templar's had at their disposal to deal with mages. What a phylactery was and the fact that it gave the templar's the ability to track escaped mages across great and vast distances. More over, it could tell where a mage stopped and how long they stayed there. If his daughters only knew that much, perhaps they wouldn't have helped that young boy at all.

Just then, he felt something grasp his hand softly. He looked down and spotted Bethany holding onto his hand and swinging it back and forth with her own two hands. "Morning, Bethany."

Bethany managed a small smile. But the dark bags under her eyes showed that she was just as tired as everyone else in the house. "Morning, Father." Her smile then faded and she looked slightly worried. "Is everything all right, Father?"

Malcolm looked into the kitchen and saw his wife quickly drying her tears on her apron and trying to compose herself. Clearly she had heard them. But it still made Malcolm smile. She was trying her best to look brave in front of the children and her husband. Malcolm then turned back to Bethany and smiled at her while rubbing the top of her head. He had to be brave and strong as well during this difficult time.

"I'm fine, Bethany. Thanks for your concern."

Bethany's head dropped slightly forward. "I'm sorry, Father…"

Malcolm dropped to one knee and grasped Bethany's small shoulders and tried to look into her eyes, "For what?"

Bethany shook her head and rubbed her teary eyes with one of her hands. "I'm a mage, I should have known better! But I didn't! I was stupid! I was careless! I was-"

Malcolm hugged Bethany against his chest and softly stroked the back of her head in a soothing manner. "Shhh… It's not your fault, Bethany." Bethany broke down and sobbed against her Fathers warm chest. "Just know that I'm not mad at you, or at Carver. I'm not even angry at Marian. You got to meet another young mage, like yourself, and that's not something that happens often. So I understand you and your sisters excitement over that."

He then moved Bethany away and looked into her puffy red eyes and smiled. "But don't worry, Bethany. Soon things will return to normal. We'll learn from this and never make the same mistake twice."

Bethany rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, smiled and released a chuckle. "Thanks, Father…"

A sudden shriek from outside made Malcolm look towards one of the nearby windows, move towards it and open the shutters. He looked up into the sky and saw Horus, the family Hawk, circling above the house. Malcolm put two fingers into his mouth and released a shrill whistle. Horus then rapidly descended from the sky, flew towards the open window and perched up upon the window sill. He chirped loudly and Malcolm petted the top of his head.

"If you're here… then that means…" Malcolm then looked down at Horus' ankle and saw the small silver cylinder. It was sealed. Malcolm nodded and opened the cylinder and retrieved a small scroll from within.

"Bethany, feed Horus for me. He must be hungry from his journey back to us."

"Yes, Father." Bethany then quickly retrieved her Fathers large padded glove and put it on. She ran outside and stood just outside the window where Horus was waiting. She held her gloved forearm near Horus and he hopped on. He chirped loudly as Bethany took him to the barn to feed him mice from the traps.

Malcolm sighed in apprehension as he unrolled the scroll. It read:

"Greetings old friend.

I'm happy to report that we arrived back at the tower without incident. Anders slept the entire way. I can only guess that it was because of the spell the First Enchanter cast upon him as soon as we left your farm. He awoke early this morning and I'm happy to say that the spell worked just as it was meant to. He doesn't seem to remember anything from the last few days.

We had to invent a story that was both believable, but simple enough that those involved would be able to go along with it. Sadly, we had to get rid of his beloved pet cat. The story was that his cat ran away and Anders simply ran off to find him, but succumbed to the cold weather and collapsed. Luckily, we found him before he perished and brought him back.

He seems to believe us, but he's taking the loss of his pet cat quite hard. It'll be quite some time before he gets over this. But the good news is that your family is safe. He doesn't remember meeting any family during his time away from the tower or even the fact that he was anywhere other than the tower.

If you haven't already, I suggest that you perform the same spell on your daughter. We both saw how taken she was by that boy. I cringe to think how painful it'll be for her if she learns that the same boy that kissed her, won't remember her or the time they spent together at all. Not even if he somehow manages sees her again.

I assure you that it is safe and that it works perfectly. And I know you Malcolm. You'll be able to come up with a simple and believable 'story' that the other members of your family will be able to follow if you do perform the spell.

I'll see you in Lothering at the end of the week, as we agreed, to seek an update on the situation at your home. Until then, take care and I hope everything works out on your end.

Yours Sincerely, Knight-Lieutenant Marcus "

Malcolm rolled the scroll back up and nodded his head. "And so it is done…" He then proceeded down the hall and up the stairs towards Hawke's bedroom. As soon as he arrived he saw that the barrier was still in place, untouched by any physical or magical means. A simple raise and wave of his right hand and the barrier was instantly dispelled.

He hesitated as soon as he grabbed the doorknob. He took a deep nervous breath and then turned the knob and opened the door. He spotted Hawke sitting on her bed, she was leaning forward and grasping her knuckles with her other hand. The bandages were still in place, still stained red from dried blood. She obviously hadn't healed her wounds, though he knew she was capable enough in healing magic.

"Horus has just arrived back at the household, Marian. I instructed Knight-lieutenant Marcus only to return him when he and the young mage Anders arrived back at the circle tower, understand?

It is now impossible to reach that boy. He's back where he belongs. You're here where you belong. And that's all there is to it."

Hawke didn't cry, she simply lowered her head and remained silent. There was a moment or two of silence. Neither daughter or father said another word to each other. It was not quite the reaction that Malcolm was expecting from Marian. Still it was better than her getting violent about it.

"Breakfast is almost ready, Marian. If you're up for it, I'd like you to come down and join the family. We should get back to our own lives now." Hawke laid back down in her bed and turned her back to Malcolm and remained silent. "I understand, Marian. I don't expect you to get over this quickly, but I do hope that you will try. Just know that there will be food prepared for you all throughout the day, should you decide to come down."

Malcolm didn't say another word. He just closed Hawke's door and proceeded back down the hallway towards the stairs. The whole way to the kitchen, many thoughts were running through his head.

What should I do? I've never been good at knowing what my own daughter is really feeling inside. She hides it so well. She didn't react at all when I told her all hope for reaching that boy was gone. Is it because she understands? Or that she was so hurt that she didn't know how to react?

Malcolm shook away all these fears and doubts the moment that he entered the kitchen. He put on a bright smile, walked up to Leandra and embraced her in a hug. He kissed her on the cheek, just like he did any other morning. "Good morning, sweet heart!" He released her and took a seat at the table and began to pile food onto his plate.

Leandra touched her cheek, then looked at her husband in surprise. Bethany was also taking his lead and attempted to carry on as she did each morning, bright and cheerfully. The two began to chat, laugh and smile. And for the first time since yesterday, Leandra smiled. She too did her best to continue on as though those events didn't happen.

Soon, the Hawke family finished their breakfast and were in the process of clearing the plates. Marian's plate was still at the table, completely untouched. She hadn't come down and joined the family all morning.

This worried Leandra, "What should we do, Malcolm? She's barely eaten anything since breakfast yesterday morning when…"

Malcolm finished the rest of his freshly squeezed orange juice. "Leave something out for her. She'll eat when she's hungry enough."

The stairs began to creak as someone slowly descended them. Everyone looked towards the stairwell hall. Hawke appeared moments later and walked towards the table. She still had her bandages on, the wounds still there as well.

Leandra raised a hand to her mouth as she walked Hawke walked right past her, Malcolm and her siblings without so much as a hello or even looking at them as her eyes were pointed towards the floorboards. Her usual smile and bright, cheery attitude were gone.

Hawke then grabbed her plate, but released a slight groan of pain and withdrew her hand and rubbed it. Leandra wanted to comfort Hawke, but she wasn't sure if that's what she wanted. "Are you alright, Marian? Your hands… do they still hurt?"

Hawke sighed and lowered her head. Leandra started towards Hawke, holding her hands out to her. "Don't hurt yourself, Marian! Do you need help? I'd be glad to-"

She stopped as soon as she saw Hawke raised a hand, refusing any assistance. Hawke then looked down at her own palms, then closed them into fists. She closed her eyes and concentrated. Just then, her entire body was engulfed in a bright blue aura. Magical blue energy swirled around her entire body from head to toe. The bandages around her head, hands and elbows began to come undone on their own and they fell to the ground in spirals of fabric and ended up in piles on the floor.

Leandra and the rest of the families eyes had watched the bandages fall, then slowly raised their eyes back up at Hawke. Hawke held up a hand, spread her fingers and showed her mother the back of her hand. It was completely healed, and there wasn't so much as a scar or a single scab anywhere from her previous injuries.

Hawke then turned to face her mother and looked directly at her. Every part of her face was healed as well in the same spotless manner. "I'm fine, Mother. I don't need your help."

Hawke then turned back to the table and began to silently pile food onto her plate. Leandra looked at Malcolm in concern. But he waved his hand down and nodded. She had come down from her room far sooner than he ever expected. And though she was being different than her normally cheerful self, but that was to be expected.

Bethany gulped nervously, "Are you really alright, sister?"

Hawke's plate was now full and she turned on her heels, her back now to Bethany. "My wounds are healed. I've got food on my plate and intend to eat all of it. And… I won't try to rescue Anders anymore. He's… gone… for good. I understand and accept that now." Hawke then looked back and gave Bethany a small smile. "I'm fine, really. I just… want to be alone right now."

Hawke then walked out the front door and headed towards the barn to eat alone. Malcolm simply smiled and exhaled in relief. Perhaps he didn't need to use the memory clearance spell. His daughter seemed to be recovering very quickly.

Malcolm then grabbed his coat, hat and gloves. "I'm off to tend to the wheat fields now. Looks like we'll have a very plentiful harvest this year!"

Leandra then started to get her outdoor work clothing on as well. "I'll come with you, Malcolm. Marian seems to be doing better and she's always been able to look after herself."

Malcolm nodded, then turned back and looked for Carver. But he had silently disappeared not long after breakfast. Malcolm just shrugged and looked at Bethany instead. "Since your sister wants to be left alone, and I can't find Carver anywhere, I'm leaving you in charge, Bethany. We'll be tending to the fields for most of the day, Bethany. But should any problems arise, you know how to contact us in a hurry, correct?"

Bethany smiled and nodded her head, "Of course, Father!"

"Good! We'll see you in a few hours. Take care!" Malcolm and Leandra then exited the house and went to retrieve their horse from the stables. They always rode together on just one horse, sort of a romantic couple type of thing.

Bethany then started towards the large wash tub and was just about to start washing the dishes when, "Psst!" came a voice. Bethany looked towards the stairwell hallway and noticed Carver standing in the shadows.

Bethany raised an eyebrow, "Carver? What are you doing?"

Carver stepped out of the shadows and walked towards Bethany. His hands were behind his back and he didn't look up at Bethany. "I… didn't want to ask you in front of Mother and Father."

"Ask me what?"

Carver gulped nervously, "If I did… Father would have stopped me."

Bethany rubbed her hands together nervously, "Stopped you from what?"

"Father is a good man, and he just wants to protect us… But he doesn't deserve all of this hatred from Marian…"

Bethany pounded the nearby kitchen counter with her fist, "Carver! What ARE you talking about?"

Carver sighed deeply, "Bethany… have I ever asked you for anything? Have I ever BEGGED for your help once in my life?"

"N-no…"

"Then I'm going to ask you, no, BEG you to help me with something that I need to do."

"What is it?"

"First promise me that you won't run off and tell Father about it after I tell you?"

"…A-alright…"

A short time later, in the barn, Hawke was sitting up in the hay loft. Her breakfast was gone from her plate and in her lap. And she was swinging one leg over the edge of the entrance to the loft where the ladder was. She was looking down at the same pile of hay that Anders had used for his 'bed' the last two nights in a row. The blanket was still next to it and Hawke didn't want to touch it, she wanted to leave it just as it was. A reminder of the place where she, Bethany and Anders shared so much laughter, stories and fun times together. She closed her eyes and sighed sadly. She still missed Anders so much. She touched her lips and remembered her first kiss. The fact that it was from another mage around her own age made it that much more memorable, but at the same time, that much sadder.

"Ahem" came a noise from the ground level of the barn. Hawke opened her eyes and slowly turned her head and looked with plain, emotionless eyes.

She sighed as soon as she saw who it was. "What do you want, Carver?"

Carver swallowed hard, "Are you alright? And I mean REALLY alright, Sis?"

Hawke managed to curve her lips up just a little bit. "I'm smiling… does that answer your question?"

Carver shook his head, "Come on, Sis. That doesn't work on me. I know you better than that!"

Hawke's smile faded, "You're right. I'm lying."

"Is it because you're mad at Father?"

Hawke shrugged, "I don't know… maybe…"

"I thought so."

"So what… Is my anger that hard to understand?"

Carver bit his bottom lips nervously. "Are you going to be mad at him… forever?"

Hawke bumped the back of her head against the nearby wall and closed her eyes. "Perhaps…"

Carver balled his fists up, "W-well y-you shouldn't be!"

Hawke looked at Carver in surprise and raised an eyebrow, "Why not? Do you defend what he did?"

Carver shook his head briskly, "No! That's not it at all, Marian! I'm saying that you shouldn't be so angry at Father because… B-because…" His small eyes were shifting back and forth. He was starting to sweat and have second thoughts about what he was about to do.

Hawke swung her other leg over the side of the loft entrance and dangled her other foot over the edge and leaned slightly forward, placing her hands on the floorboards as well. She squinted as she leaned forward even more, not quite getting what Carver was going on about. Why was he stuttering? Why did he look so nervous? It wasn't like him at all.

Carver decided to say it before the last of his courage slipped away and he wouldn't be able to say it. Tears welled up in his eyes and he looked up at his sister with wide eyes. "Because I told him about Anders! Father never would have found out if I didn't tell him! S-so don't be mad at father! He doesn't deserve it! Hate me instead!"

Hawke's eyes shot wide open and her breath got caught up in a gasp that didn't quite escape her throat. Her small trembling eyes then looked down at the ground as she began to rethink upon the events of the last few days. Her eyes shifted to the left and she remembered Carver sitting up on the hill the day they discovered young Anders. It was impossible to forget that angry, jealous glare that he flashed at Anders as he sat with her and Bethany while eating from the picnic basket. Her eyes shifted to the right and she remembered the same, unmistakable jealous look that he had on in the barn the next morning as Anders ate breakfast with her and Bethany in the barn. As Hawke thought more and more on it, rarely did she see Carver with a jealous, angry look in his eyes.

Now it all made sense! Hawke concluded in her head. It wasn't father's fault at all… It was Carvers! I was just beginning to understand why her father might have done such a thing. But Carver… Carvers reason was unjustified and selfish… He did it because he was jealous!

Hawke's entire body began to shake as Carvers confession began to sink in. She then raised her head up, her eyes burned with unbridled rage as she shrieked, "IT WAS YOU!"

Despite how high up she was in the loft, Hawke jumped down and landed in a crouched position on the ground floor. She reached into a nearby pile of hay and began to retrieve something from within as she breathed angrily through clenched teeth.

Carver gasped and quickly backed towards the door as soon as he saw that it was her staff that Hawke had retrieved from the hay. A perfect replica of her fathers, including the sharp blade at the end, though this was covered by a leather sheath.

Quick as a flash, Hawke began to charge towards Carver with her staff in hand, the rear of the staff held against her back, the leather covered blade dragging against the earthly floor of the barn. A small trickle of tears were escaping both of her eyes as she continued to run towards Carver, and shrieking like a banshee as she closed in on him.

Carver backed out of the barn, and came to a stop. Terrified, he crossed his arms across his face and braced for the oncoming blow. At the same time, Hawke jumped into the air as soon as she was out of the barn, raised her staff over her head and screamed at the top of her lungs as she brought it down full force upon Carver.

At the last second, there was a flash of pink and white light that temporarily blinded Hawke as her staff made contact with something at the end of her swing. Hawke blinked and shook her head as her vision began to return and she gasped in surprise. Bethany was standing in front of Carver, her own staff held over her head with shaky arms. Both she and Carver were protected by an 'Arcane Shield'. One of Bethany's specialties.

"Bethany… what are you doing?"

"Stopping you from hurting our brother."

Carver couldn't believe what Hawke had just done. "Marian! Are you insane?"

Marian was still pressing hard against Bethany's arcane shield. Her small arms continued to shake as she held Marian back. A few beads of sweat rolled down her cheeks from both the pressure being exerted down upon her and concentrating so hard to keep the shield in place. "Stop this, sister. This is going too far!"

This caused Hawke to looked down at Bethany instead with her burning red eyes. She growled in anger, and it sent a chill of fear down Bethany's spine.

"Didn't you hear him! He's the reason Anders was taken!"

"I know that, sister! But he did it to protect the family!"

Suddenly, an golden aura was beginning to form around Hawke as her magical powers continued to increase right along with her ever rising rage. It danced around her entire body like burning golden fire. Bethany's arcane shield began to 'crack' like a large glass vase. Long, thin cracks began to form and quickly spread out from the spot where Hawke's staff had impacted. Bethany then turned to Carver as she struggled to keep the protective shield in place just a little longer.

"Run, Carver! I can't… hold her… much… longer…!"

The rear half of the shield then disappeared. Carver turned and ran towards the nearby storage shed and disappeared inside. Hawke looked up and watched him run, then pressed harder against Bethany's shield and 'cracked' it even further. The shield began to flicker, growing ever weaker against Hawke's unrelenting pushing.

Bethany then dropped to one knee, while still trying to hold her older sister back. But she was just too powerful. She then made one last desperate plea, "Sister… Please, stop… He's our brother…"

Meanwhile, Carver was searching for something inside the shed. He hurriedly moved boxes aside, searched the rafters overhead, and even flipped an entire table over that had tools laying on top. He then found a long object, wrapped in a potato sack that was hidden underneath the table. He quickly began to untie the top. He then pulled out his fathers sword; It had a black scabbard, a black handle and brightly polished silver crossbar and pommel.

Outside, Marian released a loud, angry shout and a tremendous amount of magical energy was released in all directions. Similar to a 'mind blast' spell. It completely shattered Bethany's remaining shield into a dozen small fragments that flew in all directions, then disintegrated completely. The force of the released energy threw Bethany a few feet away from Hawke and she remained on her back, dazed and disoriented. Marian then stepped over Bethany and walked slowly towards the shed where Carver was hiding.

Marian held her arms out to the side, "CARVER!" She shouted in a challenging manner. He didn't come out. "CARVER!" Marian shouted even louder. She breathed heavily as she looked at the ground, then from side to side, getting angrier by the minute. "CARVER~!"

Bethany rolled over onto her stomach and looked at her shouting sister. This was way beyond anything that she could control alone. Her sister was lost in her own rage and impossible to communicate with. But, she still didn't feel that she would kill Carver. Even so, she could still hurt him quite severely if she wasn't stopped.

Bethany then got back onto her feet and turned ninety degrees towards the nearby family wheat fields where her mother and father were working. She brought her hands close together and began to move then around in a circular motion, like she was forming a snowball. A bright red glowing ball of energy began to form in between her palms. First it was the size of Bethany's fist, then grew larger than her own head in a matter of seconds. Bethany then brought it close to her chest and looked up towards the sky. She yelled with effort as she threw both her hands swiftly forward. The ball of energy left her hands and flew in a high arc and continued on towards the fields, trailing a fiery red tail.

Bethany then turned her attention back to her sister and saw the rear of her staff begin to crackle and spark with electricity as she charge up a devastating and destructive elemental spell.

Bethany charged towards Hawke, "No! Marian!" she cried as she neared her. Though Hawke didn't seem to hear her. Hawke then screamed in rage and began to swing her staff 180 degrees to cast the lightning spell towards the shed. But at the last possible second, Bethany grabbed the staff and tipped it up just a few life saving inches. A few Shingles and flaming pieces of wood were torn off as the lightning bolt impacted and punched right through the roof instead.

A ways off in the wheat field, Malcolm was walking along and cutting wheat with a long scythe. Leandra was trailing behind him, bunching the wheat up into large bundles and tying a rope around it. Then, like all the other neat bundles behind her, she stood it up and placed it on one end and then started to repeat the process.

A shrieking sound overhead attracted both of their attention and the large red ball of energy Bethany had formed came into view. It exploded and rained down bits of magical energy, like a firework of equal size would rain down sparks. It made Malcolm immediately drop his scythe and gasp in horror. It was the signal that he instructed Bethany to conjure should any problems arise while he and Leandra were away. Worse yet, it was red. That color was only to be used for emergencies.

Leandra stood next to Malcolm and looked up at the signal as it continued to rain down upon them. "No! The children are in danger! We have to get back to them!"

Malcolm placed two fingers in his mouth and produced a whistle so loud and shrill that it made Leandra wince and cover her ears. Malcolm's loyal steed then appeared as he began to gallop through the fields towards his master. Malcolm grabbed a hold of the saddle as soon as he was within reached and quickly climbed onto the animals back. He then reached down and helped Leandra up as well and she sat behind him. Malcolm turned his horse back towards the household, flicked the reigns hard and released a loud, "Hyaa!"

Back at the farm hold, Bethany and Hawke continued to struggle for possession of the magic staff. "I don't want to hurt you, Bethany! Don't make me!"

"Stop! This isn't like you! You promised that you'd always protect us!"

Inside the shed, Carver was on the floor, hands covering his head and had a few pieces of wood and bits of shingles lying on top of him. He gave his head a shake and pushed back up to a standing position. He quickly moved to the door and peered out. He saw both of his sisters fighting for control of Marian's staff. Marian had her back to him and that gave Carver an idea, a way to end the fight quickly. But he had to be quick, before he lost his opportunity. He charged out of the shed at full speed, and just prayed that Marian kept her back to him.

I'm no match against her magic… There's only one thing I can do! I've got to knock her out!

Just then, directly behind Marian, Bethany saw Carver jump into the air and raise his sword high into the air with one hand. "Carver!" He then wrapped his legs around Marian's waist, took hold of her shoulder for support with his free hand, then brought the pommel or rear of his sword down hard onto Marian's skull. There was a sickening crack and Marian's head dropped forward… but she remained standing.

Bethany couldn't believe what had just happened, or that Marian was still standing after such a fierce blow. Hawke then slowly raised her head and Bethany saw a stream of blood running down her cheek and forehead. Bethany didn't think it possible, but Marian looked even more angry than ever before.

"Is that all you got?"

Carver began to tremble as he remained on his sisters back with his legs wrapped around her waist. "I-impossible…"

Hawke then raised two fingers to her forehead and performed a powerful 'Mind Blast' spell. It blew Carver off her back hard and he flew through the air and hit the ground hard. Bethany was thrown onto her back and skidded and rolled across the grassy ground. Everyone was now cut up, bloodied or covered in dirt from the fight.

Carver got back up and wobbled on shaky feet. He looked over at Bethany and she was still on the ground, on her side and not moving. He panted and sweated as he turned and looked at Marian with angry eyes. She touched the side of her head with her hand and looked down at her bloody palm, fresh blood was still flowing down her face from the gash she had received from Carvers strike. She panted and sweated as well. No words were said as the two siblings glared at each other. Carver looked around at all the damage Marian had caused, and feared for how badly she might have hurt Bethany as she was still not moving. This angered Carver even more and he swung his fathers sword with two hands and the scabbard or sheath slide off, exposing the razor sharp blade.

Hawke's eyebrows furrowed even further, "So be it…" and she swung her staff down hard and her protective leather sheath slid off as well, the blade glinted as it caught the sunlight overhead.

At the same time, Bethany coughed and sat up, holding a hand to her head as she did. She then saw both of her siblings with both of their weapons blades exposed. Then, they charged at each other from either side of the yard, yelling or shrieking in anger. "No! Please stop fighting!" Bethany begged as she ran towards them.

Just then, Malcolm and Leandra appeared from the nearby hilltop and came to a halt. Malcolm gasped as he witnessed Marian and Carver charging at each other with weapons in their hands and Bethany trying to get in between them to stop them. He was simply too far away to ride towards them and stop them in time. Having no other choice, he clapped his hands together and disappeared in a cloud of black smoke and a sharp 'chirping' sound. The horse became spooked and rose onto his hinds legs and whinnied loudly, throwing Leandra off its back. She landed on the back of her neck and rolled backwards one and a half times and now lay face down on the ground, knocked unconscious.

Meanwhile, Carver, Bethany and Marian continued to charge towards each other, yelling, screaming or shrieking the whole time. But, in the blink of an eye, they became silent, then gasped in surprise. Malcolm suddenly re-appeared in between all three of them in a cloud of black smoke. He then raised his fingers to his forehead and performed his own powerful 'Mind Blast' spell, knocking all three of his children away just as they were about to crash into each other.

They all flew back and then rolled across the ground, grunting or groaning in the process. Carver lost grip of his sword and Marian lost her staff as they continued to roll or skid across the ground. When they came to a stop, everyone sat up and looked towards their father. Their eyes widened and all of their breath was stolen from them as they gasped loudly.

An enormous wall of fire surrounded Malcolm's body and danced in front of his body as he waved his flaming hands around. His eyes burned like fireballs as he glared at everyone. He then threw one of his hands towards Marian's staff and a small fireball destroyed it and burned what remained. A steady stream of white hot fire flew from his other hand towards Carvers sword and engulfed and destroyed it as well. The enormous wall of flames then spun round and round Malcolm in a vortex of burning hot flames. And though Hawke and her siblings were a ways away, the heat scorched their faces and sent fear into their hearts.

Hawke trembled and an ice cold sweat ran down her face, her heart beat hard and fast in her chest as her breath escaped in terrified gasps. She had forgotten just how powerful her truly father was, or how much it frightened her whenever she saw his awesome display of magical power. All of the will to fight was sucked out her now as she remained frozen in place. Her two younger siblings were the same as well, terrified and utterly unable to move as they trembled violently and looked on in awe.

How long has it been since I've seen this sight… Father at his full and terrifying strength? Bethany asked herself

With a wave of his arms across his body the burning flames instantly died down, though the red glow in his eyes remained. He then shouted in a frightening otherworld voice, "ENOUGH!" His glowing eyes then returned to normal as he lowered his arms. He then started to walk towards Marian.

Carver sat up and shouted, "Father! Marian, she-"

Malcolm raised his hand and halted Carver mid-sentence, "I know what this is about… It's why I told you not to tell Marian how I knew about that boy…"

He then knelt down on one knee, grabbed Marian hard by the chin and looked deep into her eyes, "Let it go! You've got to forget about that boy, Marian."

Hawke glared back at her father, "What!"

"I don't blame you for being angry over losing a friend to the circle tower. But do not take your anger out on your own family because of it. We did what we had to do because there was no other way out of it."

Hawkes eyes began to well up with tears, "But you didn't see the hurt… and the pain in his eyes and his face the way I did when we betrayed him! I see it every time I close my eyes! And it's tearing me apart inside, Father…"

Malcolm lowered his head and shook it back and forth slowly, "Marian… There are just some thing that you do not understand. We had no choice, we-"

"Why not! Why couldn't we have just let him go the moment you found out! Why couldn't we have helped him! Why did we have to give him back to the circle! How could you force him back into that life!"

Guilt began to build up in Malcolm's heart as he kept his head lowered. These were all questions that he could have answered, or prepared Marian for if only he hadn't tried so hard to protect her and his other children from the harsh realities that he thought they were too young to hear about.

Malcolm released his grip from Marians chin and stood up without saying a word. He then looked back at Carver and Bethany. "Everyone into the barn, now!"

Carver and Bethany looked at each other, then stood up slowly and followed Malcolm as he lead all three of them into the barn. Once they were in, he gestured for all of them to sit onto of the hay pile. They sat and Malcolm walked to one of the nearby posts, placed his hand against it and lowered his head.

"Forgive me, children… I had hoped none of you would have to feel so much pain and heartbreak at so young an age. But that's my own fault…"

Hawke tilted her head, "What do you mean?"

Malcolm shook his head, "It doesn't matter… If I told you now it won't make the hurt go away. There's only one thing I can do now to try and fix this."

Carver nodded his head, "I understand, Father… Do it…"

Hawke looked at Carver, "Do what?"

Bethany began to cry, then rubbed her eyes and nodded her head as well, "Yes… please do it, Father. I give you permission…"

Hawke turned to Bethany, "What are you talking about?"

Malcolm then turned and held up one of his palms and a small swirling strings of magical energy began to spin round and round, forming into a ball. "I'm sorry that it's come to this, children. But in a few moments… all of this will have seemed like nothing more than a bad dream."

They didn't respond, as all three of them were hypnotized by the swirling ball of white energy forming in Malcolm's hand, completely unable to look away. It then began to rise out of Malcolm's hand ever so slowly as it grew larger and spun faster, producing a steady ringing noise. It grew louder as the ball got bigger. The children continued to watch with unblinking hypnotized eyes. Then… Malcolm fingers sprung forth and the ball of energy exploded and streams of equally portioned energy flew from Malcolms palm, towards the children and entered directly into their open eyes. Their heads rolled back and they each screamed in pain as the light continued to light continued to flow into their eyes.

Everything faded to black for Hawke and in her mind, she saw images of Anders and the time they spent together flash before her. The memories were being stacked one on top of another like a deck of cards. The colourful memories then faded to black and white, then 'exploded' into tiny sand like fragments, then the memories faded away completely. A dark never ending abyss was all that was left in its place as Hawke fell completely unconscious next.

At the same time, Leandra began to regain consciousness and push herself from off the ground. She moaned and touched the back of her head and felt a giant goose egg of a bump back there. Her vision was slightly blurry, but she looked towards the barn and saw a bright light escaping through the cracks in the barns walls.

She knew right away what it must have been, "Malcolm!" she cried as she stood up and began to run towards the barn at full speed, her dress flapping in the wind as she ran. As she got closer she saw the barn door slid open and Malcolm step out. He then grabbed hold of her and tried to stop her as soon as she reached him.

"Wait, Leandra-"

"Get out of my way! Get out of my way, Malcolm!" Leandra cried and fought back with the strength only a mother worried about her children could.

"Alright, alright." Malcolm said and he released her and stepped aside.

Leanrda then rushed into the barn and saw all three of her children passed out in the hay pile, "Oh, no! No! No! NO!" Leandra screamed as she ran and knelt down next to them. She wept and sob uncontrollable as she picked up Hawke and cradled her in her arms. She ran her hand across Carvers cheek, then Bethany's hair as she continued to cry hard. "By the Maker, Malcolm! What have you done?"

Outside the barn, Malcolm was leaning against the barn with one hand and had his head lowered. He then looked back up and sighed heavily through his nose as he continued to listen to Leandra cry her heart out. He then re-entered the barn and approached Leandra as she lay next to her children, holding onto all three of them. Her cheek was against Hawke's head as she continued to weep.

She then looked up at Malcolm just as he knelt down in front of her. Enraged, she rushed towards Malcolm and beat her hands against his chest, "You. Rotten. Bastard! How could you do this to our children! To my babies!"

Malcolm grabbed Leandras hands, pulled her forward and hugged her tightly against his body, "There was no other choice…"

"But why Carver! Why Bethany!" Leandra shrieked as she struggled to pull away. But Malcolm held onto her firmly. Eventually Leandra gave up and fell against his chest as she cried even more.

"When they wake… nothing from the last few days will be remembered, I promise."

"But you promised that you would never use magic against the children, Malcolm."

Malcolm closed his eyes, and kissed the top of Leandras head, "I know… I promised you so many things in the past… broken nearly all of them. There's only one promise left that I can make and keep now, my beloved…"

Before Leandra could ask, Malcolm brought his hand out from behind his back and the same ball of white energy was swirling around the palm of his hand, "These events… all of them… will be my burden to bear and remember… not yours, my love." Malcolm then performed the same memory erasing spell on his wife.

Hey Readers, sorry for the long delay. Had SO much stuff come up recently. Health problems, sick family members, work, ugh the list is unending.