A group of Starkhaven guards started to block their way, then recognition seemed to dawn on various faces. "My lords."

Alistair narrowed his eyes. "Your country is under attack. Shouldn't you be rallying to your prince?"

"Our orders were to reinforce the cells to..." The guardsman swallowed.

Cullen rubbed his forehead. "It would appear before we can save the children..."

"... we have to save Starkhaven." Hawke nodded.

"Ferelden, Kirkwall, Kal'Hirol, and the Inquisition." Lenore waved a hand, casually blasting one of the mercenaries. "To the rescue."

The guards just sort of looked at each other as Alistair and Cullen led the group past. Then they shrugged, and fell in behind them.

#

"I think we've cleared them out of this section of the palace." Kels looked around.

"Your parents will undoubtedly have been drawn here." Melavan winced as he turned towards them, but was able to walk on his own. "We should take you to them."

"He's got a..." Kels frowned. "Gavren?"

The mage shook his head. "Something is off."

Immediately all of them went on alert. "What's wrong?" Duncan asked.

"I'm not sure. The feel of..." He turned towards the sentinels. "Can't you feel it?"

Melavan and Alai both shook their heads, but Noamin nodded. "The Veil stirs."

"We need to get to the rendezvous point." Leandra drummed her fingers into the hilt of her blade.

"We may also need to warn our parents." Gavren turned towards her. "They need to know what is going on."

Slowly, Melavan nodded. "I will take care of that. I am only slowing you down at the moment anyway." He turned towards Noamin and Alai. "You will contact me as soon as they are safely out of the city."

Both nodded. "Thank you, Melavan." Gavren nodded to him.

"Hunt well."

#

Trian knew King Alistair was fairly angry at the situation, as was Commander Cullen. He really couldn't blame either of them. It was just that until this moment, he hadn't realized both men were sadists.

Magister Adralicus gestured wildly as he filled Delaon in on the history of the war between Orlais and Ferelden. It was reasonably accurate, except for the parts where he kept getting Maric and Alistair confused and claimed the Fereldans had won the Battle of West Hill. When he switched over to telling the story of the Fifth Blight, the rest of the guards in the room just stared at him with opened mouthed amusement. Lord Hendry had given up trying to correct the magister and sat with his head on folded arms. Ionai appeared to have gone into a meditative trance of some kind.

He stood, and walked back towards the bedroom. The sound of Magister Adralicus's voice was mercifully silenced by the closed door. He was considering getting a drink when he heard a scratching sound.

There was a squirrel at the window. It gave him an expectant and annoyed look. Trian winced as he opened the window. "You've got to be kidding me." It chittered at him, and pointed with one paw. "The king, commander, champion, and court mage are on the way to help." The squirrel chittered again and tapped one of its feet. "Stone and Ashes."

He swept two coinpurses into his pocket, grabbed a sword that had been left leaning against the wall, and followed the squirrel out the window. "If you tell anyone I held a conversation with you, I'm turning you into a hat."

It squeaked and led him down the alley.

#

"I'm noticing some holes in Starkhaven's security." Loghain slammed his shield into a mercenary's face, and then opened the man's throat.

"Like the part where a Fereldan knight managed to overcome his guards and break out of jail?" Caleb snickered, and reloaded the crossbow he'd taken off a mercenary.

Sebastian put an arrow into the last of the oncoming mercenaries. He quickly retrieved what arrows he could. "This way."

"It kind of figures, doesn't it?" Loghain glanced at Caleb.

"What does?"

"I finally get to rescue a prince, and it's that one."

"He's probably got a white charger in the stables. You and Alai could ride off into the sunset."

"I don't suppose there is any chance I could get you two to take the fact that a cult is trying to perform a coup in my city seriously?" Sebastian glanced over his shoulder at them.

"Should we tell him about the fact the cult is led by one of the Forbidden Ones?"

"Let's not ruin his day."

"Blessed Andraste." Sebastian growled.

"I think we are annoying him."

"He did technically kidnap us."

"We kidnapped Kels."

"Rescued!"

Loghain started to retort, then grabbed Sebastian, pulling the man to the ground a split second before a fireball exploded at his location. He rolled to his feet and flung his sword, catching the mage in the stomach. Then he charged, shield forward, sending the mage's companion flying. Caleb caught the man with a crossbow bolt while he was still in the air. Loghain put his foot on the mage's chest and retrieved his sword. "Are these people trying to kill us or him?" He gestured haphazardly at Sebastian.

"They seemed like they wanted to take me in alive." Caleb reloaded the crossbow. "But they told Sebastian he could keep you."

"Which does bring to mind a question." Loghain peeked around the next corner, then gestured for the two of them to follow him.

"What's that?" Caleb asked.

"Are we his prisoners, or is he our prisoner?" Loghain grinned.

#

For several heartbeats, the sentinels just stared. And then as one they turned around and started running. "A sleep spell," the deep voice said.

"Not one of his better plans." Tisallan shook his head.

Brehan shifted his grip on his axe. "Um..."

The glowing eyes turned towards him, and narrowed. "I remember you." He showed a hint of fang in his smile. "Fort Drakon. The elf with the ballista." He tilted his head, and then growled. "You shot me."

"I..." Brehan stumbled backwards as the glowing being started towards him. The sentinels had run like hell at the mere sight of this creature. Maybe they were the smart ones.

"Urthemiel." Salla's voice rang out. The glowing being turned towards her, and she gave him a stern look. "Stop playing with your food." She gestured. "The others need our help."

He felt his jaw hit the floor. The old god gave a slight shake of his head, and glanced back at Tisallan and smiled with what appeared to be genuine amusement. "Fereldans." He stepped closer to Salla, putting a hand on her shoulder. "You know, the last time a ruler of a city treated me with this much discourtesy..." He held a hand out to Tisallan. "I leveled the place." Tisallan took his hand and there was a flash of green light.

They vanished.

Leaving him alone in Starkhaven's palace.

And possibly in need of a change of pants.

#

They found the Starkhaven guard captain trying to take a report from one of his guards. Alistair took some mild satisfaction from the man nearly choking when he realized who they were. Then he stepped back and let Cullen handle the matter. As a member of the Inquisition, he could at least pretend a legitimate reason to be storming the palace.

"Most of our people are dealing with a riot near the docks." The guard captain swallowed. "If not for the tower exploding, we never would have realized the palace was under attack."

"And where is Prince Vael now?"

"He was in the residence." The guard captain glanced at Hawke, and paled just slightly.

Cullen clearly didn't miss the meaning. "Who was with him?"

"Prince Vael had us release Lord Caleb from the cells. Said he was to be treated as a guest, but not allowed to leave the palace." The guard captain took a deep breath. "We've not accounted for the whereabouts of any of the pris..." He swallowed. "Prince's other guests."

"Order needs to be restored. Quickly." Cullen began giving orders to the guards. The guard captain started to protest, and cut off when fire appeared around Hawke's hands. The rest of the guards leaped immediately at the commander's orders.

#

"It's not locked, it's jammed." Duncan looked up from the door handle. "Something on the other side is blocking it."

Gavren shook his head. "Without knowing what, I'm not sure it is wise to just knock it down." He glanced around. "And I think I've done enough structural damage to the palace."

"He did kidnap us." Leandra frowned.

"Ahem." Kels raised an eyebrow at her.

"Someone give me a boost." Agatha gestured at the upper window. "I can get in, go around and get the obstruction clear."

"Not by yourself." Jerath shook his head. "I'm still hearing fighting."

Noamin handed Gavren his shield. "I'll go first, cover her while she takes care of the locks."

Alai stepped up as well. "Elves to the rescue."

Kels knelt, and boosted Noamin through the small window. As soon as the sentinel's voice came back through, he lifted Agatha up, and then Alai.

#

He followed the squirrel into the stables where it squeaked expectantly again. Trian frowned. "They couldn't have sent a note with you or something?"

The squirrel chittered, and then ran up one of the stall doors. It touched the latch, and then squeaked at him again.

"You do understand these are horses, not acorns, right?" He groaned, and started grabbing tack. "And I'm a dwarf. You're lucky I even know the difference between a saddle and a bridle."

Squirrel wasn't one of his languages, but he was fairly certain he'd just been called something rude.

#

"How many more of these guys are there?" Caleb reloaded his crossbow.

"I fear I am running low on arrows." Sebastian fitted another arrow to his bow.

Loghain let out a small laugh when he saw another figure come through the door. "You owe me ten gold." He called out.

Brehan brought his axe down into the skull of a mercenary. "You owe me an explanation."

With a second blade in the melee, the remaining four mercenaries went down quickly. Loghain cleaned the blood off his sword, but didn't sheath it. "Spymaster Brehan, Prince Sebastian Vael. We were just..." He frowned, and glanced at Caleb. "Did we decide if we were rescuing him or taking him prisoner?"

Sebastian shook his head, and began retrieving arrows. "Where are my guards?"

"Dealing with a riot near the docks, as near as I can tell." Brehan handed Caleb a crossbow bolt. "I caught a glimpse of your parents earlier." He gestured. "That way."

"Um, before we..." Loghain shook his head. "Sigrun did tell you..."

"She let you go." Brehan nodded. "And you kept your word about checking in and letting us know everyone was okay."

"Oh good."

"Let's find your folks." Brehan sighed. "I need a drink."

"That's..." Loghain shifted his weight. "Going to be an issue."

"Why?" Brehan raised an eyebrow.

"Our folks are that way." Loghain pointed. "We are going that way." He pointed in what was nearly the opposite direction.

Sebastian frowned. "When you asked me about the best way to the servant's garden..."

"Loghain." Brehan narrowed his eyes.

"Look, Brehan, you can take Sebastian with you. We don't particularly like him anyway." Loghain took a deep breath, and then shook his head. "I am called."

Slowly, Brehan nodded. "Caleb, I don't suppose you are going to come to your senses?"

"I'm going with Loghain." Caleb glanced at Sebastian. "Let Papa know that the palace might not have come under attack at all except Sebastian wouldn't let the cultists take me."

"You can't be about to let them run off." Sebastian shook his head at Brehan. "I could point out they are still technically my prisoners."

"You could." Brehan acknowledged the words with a nod. "But how do you suppose that is going to work out for you?"

"Are you threatening me?" Sebastian took a step forward.

"Yes." Brehan showed his teeth. "I am. A tragic day. The palace of Starkhaven came under attack, and alas." He spread his hands. "The Inquisition sadly arrived too late to save the prince from his own stupidity. Don't make me more annoyed at this situation than I already am." He gestured. "Loghain, Caleb, get moving. Check in as soon as you are safe."

Loghain saluted.

#

Noamin looked around the corner, then padded ahead lightly. Agatha followed, with Alai a pace behind. A man in dark armor stepped from a door a pace from Noamin, a naked blade in his hand. Noamin parried the first and second blow, and then strange markings on his opponent blazed with white light.

Agatha gasped as the man's hand went through Noamin's chest. The sentinel made a choking noise, and then fell as the man pulled his hand free. A slow smile spread across the man's face as he stepped over Noamin's body and started towards her and Alai. Other figures began emerging from the same room.

"Run." Alai pulled her arm.

She followed the other woman back the way they'd come.

#

Gavren heard Agatha's shout for them to run. "Agatha!"

"It's a trap. They are coming. Go." Her voice came back through the opening. "We'll meet you at the first inn."

He started to aim his staff at the door and Jerath caught his arm. "Trust her."

"Right." Gavren nodded. "Let's move."

#

Agatha went around the corner to see a man in Starkhaven guard armor. She was about to gesture a warning to Alai when she saw who was with him. "Caleb."

Loghain's voice came from under the guard helmet. "Agatha, Alai." He took a step towards them. "What's wrong?"

"Noamin is dead." Alai shook her head, and her voice was raw. "The lyrium warrior and some of his people are behind us."

"The door to the servant's garden is just this way." Loghain gestured. "We should be able to get out of the palace through there."

#

"What the hell were you even thinking?" Hawke stood only a few inches from Sebastian.

Cullen considered calling the mage off, but had to admit to himself that the only reason he wasn't currently punching Sebastian was Hawke was in the way. And Fenris had beaten him to it. Blood still dripped from Sebastian's nose. He turned towards Brehan. "You let Loghain and Caleb go?"

"They weren't exactly giving me an option." Brehan shook his head. "What did you want me to do, knock them both unconscious with enemy forces all over the place?"

"Caleb was alright?" Fenris turned towards Brehan.

"I would never have harmed Caleb." Sebastian shook his head.

"He was fine. And Sebastian is telling the truth. Caleb swore the only reason Sebastian was attacked at all is he was protecting Caleb from the cultists." Brehan nodded. "Salla is fine too. Absolutely insane, but fine." Brehan rubbed the back of his neck. "Maker, she may be the safest person in all Thedas."

Alistair frowned. "What does that mean?"

"It means..." Brehan took a deep breath. "Urthemiel recently informed me that he has a very clear memory of the events that took place atop Fort Drakon."

"Oh." Alistair swallowed.

"Shit." Lenore stared.

"The moment he showed up, Abelas and a dozen sentinels..." Brehan gestured. "Folks that work for none other than the Dread Wolf himself, turned around and ran like rabbits."

"And you left Salla with him?" Hawke turned towards Brehan.

"Maker, Hawke." Brehan spread his hands. "Salla was the one giving the orders. She told Urthemiel to take her to the others, and they promptly vanished. I didn't think magic could even do that."

"What about the others?" Alistair folded his arms. "Duncan and Jerath?"

"They are well."

They all turned at the sound of the new voice. Cullen stared at the sentinel. The man started to give a bow, but winced. "Who are you?"

"I am Melavan. The others are on their way out of the city. Two of my people remain with them, and will send word back as soon as they are safe." He met Cullen's eyes. "Three of my people were not captured."

"Delaon and Ionai are back at the inn." Cullen nodded to him. "They are fine."

"Tisallan is with Salla and Kieran." Brehan added.

"They've asked me to provide you with the information at our disposal." Melavan squared his shoulders.

"Order has been restored to most of the palace, and the guard is returning from the city." Alistair nodded.

Sebastian sighed. "Thank you. If..." He swallowed, and then straightened. "King Alistair, Commander Cullen. Given the circumstances of today's events, I would like to offer Starkhaven's forces to assist you in dealing with this cult."

Lenore's hands glowed white as she touched Sebastian's face. Then she went to Melavan. Alistair nodded to Sebastian. "Ferelden accepts your offer of an alliance, and hopes this is the beginning of a continued friendship." His voice held just a hint of threat.

"The Inquisition accepts as well." Cullen nodded, and turned towards Carver. "You said the Chargers were on their way. The Iron Bull can root out any remaining pockets of cultists in the city."

#

Gavren looked back at the palace. "I'll give her ten minutes, and then we are going in after her."

"I was only planning to give her five." Jerath nodded.

"Looks like the fighting is mostly done." Duncan gestured towards the smoke rising from part of the city.

"Any sign of Salla or Kieran?" Leandra

"Not yet, but they were with Brehan. Possible he managed to get them to our folks." Duncan sighed. "I'm more worried about Caleb and Loghain."

"Your folks appear to have taken control of the palace." Kels frowned as he looked out the window. "Odds are Caleb, Loghain, Salla, and Kieran are with them." He glanced back. "Possible by now Agatha is as well."

"Kieran was sure Trian was with our folks?" Gavren turned towards Duncan.

"Yes." Duncan shrugged. "Brehan confirmed it." His lips twitched slightly. "Kieran sent Fluffy to him."

"Oh. Good." Gavren rolled his eyes. "Everything is fine then."

"Well, at least with you guys kidnapping Brehan..." Kels twitched a shoulder. "The Commander isn't going to be quite so mad at me."

Leandra slung her arm around his shoulders and put him into a headlock. "We rescued you." She ruffled his hair before releasing him.

#

Loghain and Alai hefted their blades. The group of mercenaries started towards them, and then stopped, dazed looks on their faces.

A deep voice drifted through the garden. "You are terrible mercenaries." Kieran walked towards them, glowing with green light. Tisallan and Salla walked with him. "Find something better to do with your lives."

Blades were dropped from hands as the mercenaries started wandering off. Caleb started to snicker. Salla smiled as well. "Let's go get the others."

"Noamin has fallen." Kieran's deep voice said.

"Yes." Alai nodded. "The lyrium warrior."

Trails of magic came from Kieran's clenched fists. Salla made a pained sound, and shook her head. "Let's find the others, and get out of Starkhaven."

Kieran gestured casually, and a barrier appeared on the doorways behind them. "This way."