"I appreciate you coming with me Sebastian," Hawke said to him as the small craft pulled into the landing at the Gallows.

Sebastian nodded, exiting the boat first and then extending his hand to aid her. "Are you sure you still wish to do this Hawke? We can go back if you'd like."

She gave him a bright yet uneasy smile. "We both know I've put this off for far too long. Besides, you said you wanted to check on the mages from Starkhaven didn't you?"

"Indeed. I think some of these templars escaped the fire as well," Sebastian informed her as they walked up the staircase. "I wanted to speak to them if they would allow it, find out what really happened."

They reached the top of the stairs and Hawke spotted Cullen in the distance. Sebastian rested his hand on the small of her back. "Shall I go with you? I can talk to the mages later."

Hawke shook her head, eyes locking with Cullen's when he looked in their direction. His expression did not give away what he was thinking, so Hawke kept hers neutral as well. "I'll be fine," she said looking up at Sebastian. "How bad can it be?"

Sebastian walked with her halfway across the courtyard of the Gallows before breaking away from her when he saw Grace. Cullen kept his eye on her as she moved toward him, correcting his posture yet softening his demeanor. "Hawke," he greeted her. "I hear congratulations are in order with the Amell name being restored."

"I'll be sure to pass them along to my mother," Hawke responded with a grin. "She's the Amell of the family. I'll stick with Hawke."

Cullen nodded in understanding but then looked upon her with remorse. "Hawke, if you're here to see your brother, I'm afraid he's out in the field today training."

She had in fact hoped to see Carver while she was there, but didn't want Cullen to see her disappointment. "Actually I was coming to see you. There was an incident at Sundermount I wanted to speak with you about involving some of the templars."

"Oh? What about?"

Hawke shifted her weight on her heels, suddenly feeling uneasy about confronting him on the matter. She briefly scanned the area to make sure no one was within earshot before she continued. "A few years ago I was approached by a templar to help a woman named Arianni and her son Feynriel," she began, now glancing up at him to see his reaction.

"I was made aware of the boys special talents," Cullen filled her in. "I also know which templar you speak of. The boy was sent to live with the Dalish wasn't he?"

"He was. A few days ago a group of templars I didn't recognize were antagonizing the elves, even tortured and killed one in their demands that Feynriel be handed over to them." When she saw how shocked Cullen was over the news, she continued. "I managed to talk the templars out of further bloodshed, but I fear it won't be the last time they go looking for Feynriel."

"I assure you Hawke those templars were not acting under any orders of mine," Cullen stated. "We have no authority to go starting a war with the Dalish."

Hawke scoffed. "Tell that to woman templar we ran into. I don't know who she is; never saw her before. But she seemed insistent that she was doing the work of the Knight-Commander."

"I thank you for bringing this to my attention Hawke," Cullen said. "I will look into the matter immediately."

Hawke crossed her arms over her chest. "What are the chances of me meeting Meredith? I keep hearing about her, and I admit my curiosity is getting the best of me."

For the first time since they began talking it was Cullen who looked away from Hawke. "I'm afraid she's become more reclusive since you came to Kirkwall Hawke, these last three years especially. She's become very suspicious of outside influence, and I can't say I blame her after what happened with Tarohne and Keran." He redirected his attention to her. "But if you say she is involved in this incident with the Dalish, perhaps I should keep a closer eye on the goings on around here."

Hawke agreed silently with a nod, wanting to say more but deciding that this was a good time to end the conversation. Although Cullen seemed genuinely concerned about what was happening she still had a hard time trusting him after what happened with Carver. It was hard to forget she had trusted this man to watch over her brother while she was gone only to discover he had assisted Carver in joining the Order.

"I appreciate your help with this Cullen," she said with sincerity. "I should probably go."

"Yes," he agreed more quickly than he had meant to. He knew she was still upset with him but vowed to himself to do whatever he could to assist her. He figured she'd probably never forgive him for recruiting Carver, but he was elated that Hawke was at the very least speaking with him again. He wasn't sure why it mattered to him, but for some reason it just did. As she walked away from him and stood beside Sebastian, Cullen tried to ignore the jealous feelings that crept up on him.

Dearest Father,

I wasn't sure what to expect when I went to the Gallows. To see my brother there and have him run to me, arms wide open, and embrace me like he missed me? Nothing that extreme but I had hoped to have at least see him, be able to talk to him. Cullen said he was out training and that it wasn't possible today. Maybe it's for the best...I still don't know what I'd say to him.

I talked to Cullen a bit. It was awkward at first, knowing the last time we saw each other I wasn't the nicest person in Thedas. But he made me feel at ease by keeping things neutral and I guess I should thank the Maker for that. I asked him if he knew anything about the templars going after the Dalish and he said he didn't. Seems the knight-commander around here may be doing things he isn't aware of. Not that I really care one way or the other, but I hope Cullen doesn't go too far in looking into it. Okay so maybe I do care...but I'll only ever admit that to you.

After talking to Cullen I lingered in the Gallows a bit while waiting for Sebastian to finish talking to Grace and the other mages from Starkhaven. It seems there are a lot more tranquil mages than I remember from a few years ago. There was a man Jacob who was speaking to a woman named Helena. It appeared they had been in some secret relationship but Helena was made tranquil. He professed his love to her and her response was, "I am Sir Alriks now."

Father the more I listened to the goings on in the Gallows the more Alrik's name came up. Another tranquil was wandering around saying that Alrik had rescued her from her sins. More than one said they belonged to Alrik. Others say that Alrik can bring peace to an otherwise troubled mind. These mages are more than tranquil...they've been brainwashed to believe this Alrik is a savior!

Grace told Sebastian that all mages have been stripped of their staffs and grimoires. Mages are being executed for trying to escape instead of punished. Alain has heard rumors that Meredith is crazy and hears voices. Thrask says there's so much fighting and disagreements within the templars that no one really knows who's doing what anymore. It's frightening to think that all this is happening in the city. At any moment I could be one of those mages...

I think I've put off talking to Anders about this long enough. I know he has some strong opinions on the matter and I've brushed it off as paranoia. But after seeing what I've seen today...Father for the first time I am afraid to be a mage in Kirkwall. I don't want to be made tranquil, I don't want to subject myself to whatever it is Alrik is doing to these mages. And if Meredith is supporting him...Merrill, Anders and I are in danger. Even with Cullen and Thrask and even Carver protecting us for now, how long until we're next on the list?

Anders will know what to do. Hopefully he isn't mad I didn't take him with me to the Gallows. I know he offered, but now I'm glad I took Sebastian instead. It gave Sebastian a chance to see what's really going on and hear it from his own people. After seeing and hearing all the tranquil, I doubt Anders' friend Justice would've kept quiet. Maybe I should bring some backup when I go talk to Anders...he's going to be quite upset. Of course I don't blame him; I'm upset as well. Wish you were here Father, as always.