My thanks to WellspringCD, my wonderful beta, who has almost drowned under a tidal wave of chapters without a murmur of complaint. As always, thank you to everyone who reads, especially those who comment, it's so encouraging.
Fearghal and Alistair helped Wynne down the ladder, whilst Morrigan maintained a wisp of light. The passage was damp and chilled. Fearghal led the way with Morrigan at his side. They didn't dally, the tunnel was unpleasant and they all wished to be through it as soon as possible. Water dripped from the ceiling forming stagnant puddles underfoot. The air was stale and musty; green slime coated the walls, eerie- looking in the pale wisp light.
A flickering light appeared ahead of them. As they got closer they realised it was a door, the grille at the top admitting light from the corridor beyond.
Fearghal stopped. "Alistair, can you remember your way around?"
"I think so. There weren't many places I didn't get into. I knew all the best hiding places." Alistair chuckled softly. "I managed to lock myself in a cell down here once; I thought I was going to be stuck down here forever."
Fearghal huffed a soft laugh and moved cautiously towards the door, peering through the grille.
He moved back to the waiting group. "There're three of those undead things; they appear to trying to get at something... someone in one of the cells. The door's swollen with damp; it's not going to be that easy to open. Morrigan, can you paralyse them or something, through the grille?"
Morrigan nodded and moved towards the door. She looked through the grille, lips murmuring, then moved aside to allow Fearghal and Alistair access to the door.
Fearghal turned the handle and shoved. The door didn't budge. He looked at Alistair. "On three. One... two... three." Both warriors barged the door with their shoulders. It shifted slightly. "Again," muttered Fearghal. He counted and again, they hurled themselves at the door. It shifted again, then swung open so suddenly, that Fearghal and Alistair almost fell through it. They drew their swords and shield and rushed the paralysed creatures that were just starting to twitch back into life. They were destroyed before Morrigan's spell had fully worn off.
Fearghal turned to look in the cell the monsters had been crowding around. Through the barred door a man huddled against the back wall, eyes wide.
"Are you all right?" asked Fearghal.
The man nodded and stood, approaching the door cautiously. The flickering torchlight revealed a tall, slightly built man in mage robes. Dark hair hung in greasy strands around his face. His skin was pallid except for bruises which were fading to green.
"Y-you're not guards. Are you from outside?" croaked the man.
Fearghal removed the small water-skin from his waist and passed it through the bars.
The man grabbed it and drank gratefully. He drained it and then handed it back. "Thank you. No-one's been down here for days."
"You're the mage that Lady Isolde mentioned?" Fearghal tucked the empty skin in his belt.
"You've spoken to her? Then you know what I did." The mage hung his head, unable to look Fearghal in the eye.
"She said you poisoned the arl." Fearghal's voice was cold and hard.
The mage's eyes flicked up to Fearghal's face, then away again. "I'm not proud of what I've done. P-poisoning the arl was what I was hired to do. Of course, Lady Isolde had no Idea when she hired me to tutor her son."
"What about the walking corpses? Were they part of what you were hired to do?"
"No!" The mage's head jerked up. He met Fearghal's flinty eyes unflinchingly. "I know it looks suspicious, but I'm not responsible for those creatures. I was already imprisoned when all that began."
"What's to stop you using magic down here?" asked Fearghal suspiciously.
The mage held up his arms, showing Fearghal the dull metal bracelets around his wrists. Confused, Fearghal turned to Alistair.
"They suppress magic and drain mana," murmured Alistair.
"The arlessa came down here, demanding that I reverse what I'd done. I thought she meant poisoning the arl. That was the first I'd heard about the walking corpses, I swear! She thought I'd summoned a demon." The mage folded his arms across his chest, hugging himself. "She... had me tortured, then they left me here... to rot."
Fearghal grimaced at the mention of torture. He wasn't naïve enough to believe torture didn't happen, or that there weren't circumstances where it wasn't necessary, but he found the idea distasteful. He frowned as a thought struck him.
"Why did the arlessa hire you to tutor her son?" He gestured at the robes the mage wore. "She must have known you're a mage."
"Lady Isolde was looking for a mage to tutor Connor, secretly. Teyrn Loghain found out and he... sent me. I was to use the opportunity to poison the arl. Loghain said he was a threat to Ferelden. He said that if I did this for him that he would settle things with the Circle for me. You see, I'm a blood mage." The mage hung his head again.
"I thought I recognised you!" exclaimed Wynne. "I thought you were... dead, hunted down by the templars. Jowan."
Jowan shrugged. "I don't know what story they put about. I was in hiding when I was caught, but instead of killing me, Loghain made me an offer." He groaned and hid his face in his hands. "Everything's such a mess and it's all my fault. I'd do anything to put it right."
Fearghal rolled his eyes. "Why did the arlessa need a mage to tutor her son?"
Jowan dropped his hands and sighed. "Connor had started to show... signs. She was terrified that the templars would take him away, to the Circle."
"Connor's a mage?" burst out Alistair.
"Lady Isolde sought an apostate to teach her son in secret how to hide his talent. The arl has no idea."
"Could Connor be responsible for what's happening?" asked Fearghal.
"I wondered that, too," said Jowan. "Connor has little knowledge of magic, but he may have done something to tear open the veil, allowing spirits and demons through. Powerful ones could kill and create those walking corpses."
"And Arl Eamon has no idea of his son's... abilities?" asked Fearghal, sounding unconvinced.
"No, absolutely not," asserted Jowan. "She was adamant that he never find out. She said that'd he'd do the right thing, even if it meant losing their son. She was terrified of that happening."
"How much magic did you teach the boy?"
"Some, but he's still very young. He can barely cast a minor spell. Like I said, he may have torn the veil accidentally; if he's involved at all." Jowan clasped the bars of the cell door. "I never meant for it to end like this, I swear. Please, let me help you fix this."
"Jowan's intentions may be good, but... a blood mage? I find it difficult to trust his words." said Wynne.
"I don't know," piped up Alistair. "He's a blood mage, but this is an unusual situation."
Fearghal looked at them both, then turned back to Jowan. "I think you should stay in there for now. You'll be safe in there, at least. We need to find out exactly what's going on first."
Jowan looked disappointed but didn't argue. "Then I will wait. If you change your mind, I'll be here." He flushed, realising the absurdity of his words, as Fearghal burst out laughing.
"I like your sense of humour, mage! Very droll." Fearghal turned and started up the corridor, chuckling to himself.
Alistair led them up out of the small gaol and up through the servants' quarters. They encountered more walking corpses, but nowhere near the numbers they'd had to face during the previous night. Alistair had become used to Fearghal's insistence on checking every room, making a slow methodical progress.
Fearghal checked every cupboard and chest. He threw open the lid of a large chest and almost jumped out of his skin at the loud shriek that greeted him. He laughed shakily when he realised that a servant was hiding in the chest. Wynne calmed the girl down, coaxing her name out of her.
"You're the smith's daughter!" Alistair recognised the name.
The girl nodded her head nervously. "I didn't know what to do! Those things were everywhere and people were screaming. It's been quiet but I didn't know if it was safe to come out. I just want to go home."
Alistair and Fearghal both shuffled uncomfortably; the girl looked like she was about to cry. Fearghal bundled her out into the corridor and told her about the passage from the dungeons to the mill, assuring her that the way behind them was clear. Nervously, the girl headed in the direction they'd come from.
The door connecting the large kitchen to the rest of the keep proved to be locked. Fearghal found himself wishing he'd brought Leliana or Zevran along; both of them could pick locks. Instead, they had to descend into the cellars and emerged, blinking, in the courtyard. The courtyard appeared empty.
"I'll open the gate, go and see if the main doors are locked," instructed Fearghal.
As he strode across the courtyard, he heard a shout of alarm. Looking over his shoulder, he could see ranks of walking corpses emerging from behind the stone balustrade at the top of the steps. Fearghal ran to the gate and heaved on the lever, raising the gate, then drew his sword and shield and ran up the steps to join the others.
Ser Perth had only brought a few knights with him, but he was also accompanied by Sten, Zevran and Leliana. The undead creatures soon fell and Fearghal pushed at the great doors at the top of the steps, relieved when they opened easily.
They advanced cautiously into the great hall. Isolde stood at the front, accompanied by a boy of about eleven. Fearghal was relieved to see Teagan safe and sound, until the Bann started capering like a jester, and he realised that something was very wrong indeed. The boy, Connor, spoke. There was something odd in his voice.
Alistair leaned in close to Fearghal. "His voice. It was the same... in the Fade. The demons, like two voices in one."
Fearghal frowned and listened carefully. There it was, the high, piping boy's voice underlaid with something deeper and more malevolent. Little the boy said made sense, then he ordered Teagan to attack them. Teagan was on his feet, sword drawn, faster than Fearghal would have given the older man credit for. The few guards behind the arlessa also drew their swords and moved forwards.
"Try not to kill them!" shouted Fearghal as he engaged Teagan.
The boy fled the hall before the fighting was over. Fearghal held Teagan at bay, while Zevran slipped behind him and knocked him out with the pommel of his dagger. Perth and his men disabled the other guards.
Fearghal beckoned Wynne over. "If you wake him up, will he be in his right mind?"
"I think so, now that the boy has gone."
"Do it." Fearghal held his sword ready in case Teagan tried to attack Wynne.
Fearghal was relieved when Teagan groaned and sat up holding his head.
Fearghal helped Teagan unsteadily to his feet. "Are you all right?"
"I think so. My mind is my own again."
Isolde rushed forward, grasping Teagan's hand. "Blessed Andraste! I would have never forgiven myself had you died; not after I brought you here!"
"I think you have a lot of explaining to do, My Lady." Fearghal felt a rush of fury at this woman, at the danger she had put everyone in. He fought to keep his voice level, his fists clenching at his side. He had never hit a woman in his life and didn't want to start now.
"Please! Connor's not responsible for this. There must be some way we can save him!" Isolde's voice rose, almost hysterical.
"You knew about this all along!" accused Fearghal.
"He is not always the demon you saw. Connor is still there, I know he is; sometimes he breaks through. Please, don't hurt him. I-I just want to protect him."
"Isn't that what started all this?" asked Teagan. "You hired that mage to teach Connor in secret... to protect him."
Isolde had the grace to look ashamed.
"Where is Connor now? Why did he run?" Fearghal asked.
"Violence... scares him. He may have run up to his room or..."
"Or he might be waiting in ambush," finished Fearghal, grimly.
Isolde shrugged helplessly. "I really don't know. The fighting might have scared Connor into... coming out again."
"So you're saying he may be vulnerable?" clarified Teagan.
Isolde nodded miserably.
Fearghal turned to his companions. "What are our options?"
"I wouldn't normally suggest slaying a child, but... he's an abomination. I'm not sure there's any alternative." Alistair saw something flare in Fearghal's eyes. The boy in his Fade dream... his nephew; he's dead. He sees him in every boy we come across. The thought filled Alistair with dread. Could Fearghal do this, if it was necessary? What would it do to him if he did? Fearghal was already so... broken. Oh, Maker! I'll have to... Alistair felt a cold trickle of sweat run down the back of his neck.
"I don't like the idea of hurting the boy, but... " Wynne's voice was soft and hesitant.
A muscle twitched in Fearghal's jaw. "Hurting? I think we're talking about more than hurting, Wynne." Wynne flinched at the edge in Fearghal's voice.
Teagan cleared his throat awkwardly. "Connor is my nephew, but... he is also possessed." His voice was husky. "Death would be merciful."
"No!" Isolde rushed forward and grabbed Fearghal's arm. "Don't do this, I beg you!"
Fearghal stepped back, trying to shake the desperate woman off. "Bring the mage, Jowan. He might know something of this demon."
"He still lives? B-but can we trust him?"
The arlessa finally let go of Fearghal, who looked across at Teagan. "He's in the dungeon. Can you bring him here?" Teagan nodded. "If he gives you any trouble, kill him," added Fearghal.
~o~O~o~
Lady Isolde's face twisted with malice as Teagan reappeared with the mage, Jowan, in tow. "You're lucky to be alive, Jowan, after all you've been done."
"He's lucky to be alive after being tortured, left to rot without food or water, at the mercy of the creatures unleashed by your son because you wished to hide the fact that he's a mage," snarled Fearghal.
The arlessa blanched, then looked away, embarrassed.
"Did Bann Teagan explain to you what's happening?"
Jowan nodded at Fearghal. "The demon in Connor needs to be destroyed. Killing Connor is... the easiest way, but there is an alternative. A mage could confront the demon in the Fade, without hurting Connor."
Wynne snorted. "That would take several mages and a lot of lyrium. Neither of which we have, or have any way of getting."
"I-I can do it," offered Jowan. "I can send another mage into the Fade... with blood magic but... "
"But?" prompted Fearghal.
"The ritual will require life energy; a lot of it. All of it, in fact."
"So... someone must die?" asked Teagan, his voice full of a horror they all felt.
Jowan nodded. "Yes, he confirmed, his voice full of misery. "Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. It's not much of an option."
"I will do it." Lady Isolde's voice was firm and steady. "I offer my own life. I will be the sacrifice."
"What?" Teagan was appalled. "Isolde, are you mad? Eamon would never allow this!"
"Eamon would never allow Connor to be struck down; not if there was a way he could save him." Isolde's voice trembled as she continued, "Either someone kills my son to destroy the demon, or I give my life so that he may live. To me, the answer is clear."
"Darling," said Eleanor, "go with Duncan. You have a better chance to escape without me."
Fearghal was looking across at his mother, kneeling at his father's side. 'I won't let you sacrifice yourself!'
Eleanor reached across and stroked her son's face. "My place is with your father. At his side, to death and beyond," she told him gently.
"Blood magic," Alistair's disgusted voice broke through Fearghal's memories. "How can more evil be of any help here?"
"Can we even trust this Jowan to do as he promises?" asked Wynne doubtfully.
Fearghal ignored them and regarded Lady Isolde steadily. "It will be hard for Connor; to know that you have done this," he murmured, so softly she had to strain to hear the words.
"I am his mother. I do this gladly. Please, make sure he understands this. I do this out of love for him and love is never a burden." Isolde blinked back tears as Fearghal nodded.
A moment of understanding passed between them, then Fearghal turned to Morrigan. "Would you be willing to enter the Fade, if Jowan conducts the ritual?"
The witch nodded. "I don't expect this demon will be any more testing than those we encountered in the Circle Tower."
"What? You're going to let the blood mage... " Alistair stopped at the murderous look in Fearghal's eyes.
"It's decided," snarled Fearghal. "Clear the hall!"
Alistair whirled and stormed out of the hall, with the rest of their companions following more slowly. At a glance and a nod from Bann Teagan, Ser Perth and his men also left.
"Er... these need to be removed." Jowan held his arms out, indicating the dull bracelets encircling his bony wrists.
Lady Isolde produced a bunch of keys, singling out a small key, and passed the bunch to Fearghal, her hands trembling. Fearghal had the bracelets unlocked and removed in moments. He passed the keys back to Teagan.
Jowan rubbed his wrists, then dug into a deep pocket in the side of his robe and produced a piece of chalk. As he moved rugs out of the way and started to draw arcane symbols on the floor, Morrigan caught Fearghal's eye and beckoned to him.
"What is it? You're having second thoughts?" asked Fearghal.
"No. I think, for all he is a blood mage, Jowan is sincere in his desire to help. It occurred to me that you will not have seen a mage enter the fade like this before."
When Fearghal shook his head, Morrigan continued. "It will look like I've collapsed. You may even find it difficult to tell if I live. Do not be alarmed. Jowan will be able to tell if anything is wrong."
"Thanks for the warning." Fearghal hesitated. "Morrigan... thank you, for agreeing to do this."
Morrigan gave him a knowing look, then waved off his thanks.
Jowan had finished his preparations and gently led Lady Isolde to the centre of the symbols he'd chalked on the floor.
"I-I stand?" asked Isolde, unable to hide the tremor of fear in her voice.
"Or kneel, or sit. It matters not, My Lady. However you feel most comfortable," murmured Jowan.
Isolde nodded, her eyes huge, then dropped to one knee and lowered her head. Her lips moved, but it was impossible for any of them to make out the words she murmured softly to herself.
Teagan edged nervously towards Fearghal. He had no idea what to expect, except that it was going to be extremely unpleasant.
"Are you ready?" Jowan asked Morrigan. At her nod, the mage raised a hand over Isolde and started chanting, quietly at first, then increasingly loudly. Little crackles of energy sparked around Isolde; as the chanting got louder they multiplied, then coalesced, encasing Lady Isolde in light.
The hair on the back of Fearghal's neck stood on end as the chanting resonated around the large hall and the light flared ever brighter, then Jowan gave a shout and gestured. Isolde's body was jerked up into the air and, for a moment, she hung suspended. With mounting horror Fearghal and Teagan watched as her blood seemed drawn out through the very pores of her skin. A flash of light, as the blood was absorbed by the magical energy surrounding the arlessa, momentarily dazzled them, then both the arlessa and Morrigan sank to the floor.
"It is done," murmured Jowan, weakly. "It's up to your friend now."
Teagan rushed forwards to Isolde, checking for a pulse. Finding none, he sighed, and straightened her limbs. Fearghal hurried over to Morrigan and was relieved to see the gentle rise and fall of her chest.
The waiting was agonising. Teagan and Fearghal paced anxiously up and down the hall while Jowan crouched at Morrigan's side. Eventually, Morrigan stirred and Jowan helped her sit up.
"It is done. The demon is defeated. The boy should be restored to his normal self."