This Chapter is kind of short and follows the game pretty closely. I hate writing chapters like that, especially in fan fiction. I just don't like feeling like I'm reading something I've already played through. Anyway, I kept the chapter short for that reason, but it was needed for the story.

I have most of the next chapter done already, so there should be too long of a wait for that. Thank you all for your continued support throughout this process. I've really felt like I've grown as a writer and I've really enjoyed seeing where this story has taken me! I'm nowhere near done, I think. I'll keep writing until I finish or people lose interest.

Also, I posted this story up on Archive of our Own under the pen name MuseMeow. I've done some minor edits and changes (nothing major) on there.

Thanks,

RussianBear27

Chapter 19

Kali's anger and hurt had not subsided in the following days and weeks. As hard as she tried to distract herself, it was always at the back of her mind. This time she wasn't sure she could forgive what he had said. The worry that they were just too different was eating away at her. For now she didn't want to face that issue. Instead, there was plenty to be done in the city. Garrett had, after all, bitten off more than he could chew as the Viscount's personal errand boy.

Today it seemed the Vicount's son had gotten too close to the Quanri and converted to the Qun. The Viscount could not accept it, as it would surely cause him no end of trouble in the complex political system of the city. The mission was to be kept quiet, so he called upon Garrett to round up his son.

Which had brought them to the Qunari compound at the docks. Kali gripped her staff tightly, ready for any sign of trouble. There was an overwhelming sense that they had entered a powder keg and the smallest spark would set it off.

Qunari guards paced and watched them closely as they approached the Arishock. Kali looked to Varric who held his crossbow at the ready, also aware of the situation they had put themselves in. Aveline rested her hand on the hilt of sword, but had not unsheathed the weapon. Surprisingly, Garrett looked as clam and collected as ever.

"Serah Hawke," the Arishock greeted in hostile tones. Though, Kali thought everything the Qunari leader said was hostile. His voice was deep and gravely, only adding to his imposing presence. His black eyes stared out at them as if their very existence were insignificant.

"Arishock," Garrett nodded curtly. "I am seeking the son of the Viscount, Seamus."

The great Qunari let out a low growl. "The boy has bound himself to the Qun of his own will," he stated as if that settled the matter.

"Surely, you can understand the complications of such a commitment. His father is a powerful man," Garrett pressed.

"His father is irrelevant," the Arishock spat, "he is under the Qun now." The Arishock stood from his makeshift throne. Kali was sure the immense Qunari stood at least twice as tall as she did. His head was crowned with massive horns, typical of the Qunari, which added to his height.

"Regardless," the Arishock continued, "the boy is not here. A letter arrived and he has gone to your Chantry to severe all ties to his former life."

Garrett had the information he needed, "thank you. We'll be on our way, then."

"I don't like the looks of this, Hawke," Varric grumbled when they left the Qunari compound.

"Nor do I," Garrett admitted. "I'm sure Mother Petrice has her hand in this."

Everyone knew he was right. The Chantry Mother had been playing the city off the Qunari for years. All in the name of some twisted test of faith for the masses.

"Do you really think she'd hurt Seamus?" Kali asked as they headed through the Uptown market. Dusk was setting in and the streets were eerily deserted.

"The woman's crazy," Varric answered, "I suspect she's capable of just about anything."

"Whatever this is, it doesn't feel right," Aveline warned as they approached the Chantry.

Garrett pushed open a massive door and stepped into the Sanctuary. Varric and Aveline filed in after him while Kali took one last look at the dimly lit streets. Having seen nothing concerning, she quickly turned and followed her friends inside.

The Sanctuary was empty, save for a kneeing figure at the alter. Garrett was already approaching the figure, each step echoing through the hall.

"Seamus?" he asked placing a hand on his shoulder. The body slumped over, he was dead. Garrett knelt over his lifeless form as the other approached. A Qunari blade was embedded in the boy's chest, clearly signifying the perpetrator.

"What a tragedy," Mother Petrice stepped out from the shadows, her voice betraying no emotion for the loss of life. "Those Qunari truly are ruthless beasts if they are willing to murder a repentant soul. Have you really sunk so low as to carry out their treacherous orders?" A Templar and a few other armed citizens backed up the Chantry Mother, as if materializing from the eves.

Garrett glowered at her, "I think we both know the only true beast here is you."

"It doesn't matter, soon the city will be up in arms over Seamus' death and they will have the chance to defend their faith from the filth that pollutes this city." Petrice's eyes were cold. "You and your Qunari masters will pay the price for this crime. It will call up an uprising to purge this city from evil."

"You're mad. There won't be an uprising, it'll be a slaughter on both sides," Garrett continued.

"To die untested would be the real crime. One must prove themselves faithful to be by the Maker's side." Petrice raved.

"She's mad," Kali muttered to Garrett. She watched the small, but heavily armed mob behind Petrice. Her hand found her staff and she prepared herself for a fight.

"We'll start with you," Petrice exclaimed. She turned to her followers, "prove yourselves! Destroy these heretics!" The Mother retreated back into the Chantry, but the mob lunged forward in hail of blades and arrows.

The mob consisted mostly of untrained civilians who attacked blindly, but ferociously. Kali froze a few in place, making them easy targets for her companions. However, this caught the attention of the Templar in their mist. Before she could react she could him Silence her powers. She crumpled to the ground, it felt as if she had been kicked in the stomach.

Gasping for breath, the Templar was nearly upon her sword held aloft for a killing blow. Quickly she swept her feet under his, sending him tumbling to the ground with a load crash of armor against stone. Before he had the chance to recover she brought down the bladed tip of her staff down on the vulnerable spot between his helm and chest plate. It was a quick death, much more than what he would have given her.

Leaning heavily on her staff, she looked around at her companions. Their attackers didn't stand a chance against these seasoned warriors. Pretice surely knew she was sending her followers to an early death. Looking up at the far staircase Petrice was returning the carnage, this time with the Grand Cleric in tow.

"Your Grace, they have defiled the very sanctum of the Chantry. Look, every step they take brings death and corruption upon us," Petrice was already spewing her lies.

"It is as you say, Petrice, death in every corner," the Grand Cleric's voice was steady and clam even among the carnage.

Garrett approached the Revered mother, "it is death brought upon by her hand. She brought the Viscount's son here and murdered him in your name."

"Don't you spread your Qunari lies here, they will fall upon deaf ears," Petrice spat.

"I think it wise that I listen," she eyed Petrice suspiciously.

"Your lies have caught up to you Petrice," Garrett said, "there's no hiding behind the Chantry now."

Petrice wouldn't be so easily swayed even under the scrutiny of the Revered Mother. "Seamus came here to repent and was murdered for leaving the Qunari." The Grand Cleric was clearly not convinced.

"Look around, this was a set up. Petrice has orchestrated this from the beginning," Garrett pointed out.

"It seems that is so. I have been aware of your meddling for some time now Petrice," the Grand Cleric turned to Petrice.

"They deny the Maker," Petrice cried in desperation.

"And you diminish Him, even as you claim His side," her eyes bore into her and Petrice adverted her gaze. Turning to Garrett, the Grand Cleric continued, "the young Mother has erred in her ways. A court will decide her fate. The Chantry is not above the law."

With that the Grand Cleric turned and headed up the stairs, leaving Petrice to wallow in defeat. Before the Grand Cleric had even reached the top of the stairs, an arrow shot out from the shadows striking Petrice in the chest. She gasped in surprise looking down at the arrow that had struck her. Slowly, she looked up at her attacker, a Qunari archer. Before she could take another breath, the Qunari sent a second arrow. This time it struck between her eyes, killing her instantly.

"The Qunari do not abandon their own," was all he in explanation before exiting the Chantry.

The Grand Cleric halted her progress on the stairwell, but did not look back. "Please," she called out to Garrett, "send for Viscount Dumar." With that, she continued up the stairs and disappeared.