According to Isabela's maps, they had been sailing in the Amaranthine Ocean, and had nearly made it to Llomerryn before encountering Castillon. Now they were on their way to Orlais. Isabela had the crew stop for a brief shore leave in Ostwick, for resupplying. It was there that Cat heard that the blight in Fereldan was over, that the Archdemon had been slain by the Grey Wardens. She spent the rest of that day alone, wondering about her friends, and how their travels had to have changed them.

She was almost tempted to have Isabela detour to Amaranthine so that she could try to find Duran again, but decided against it quickly. All of the problems that arose in 'Awakening' were not something she wanted to mess with. As much as she wanted to meet Nathaniel, and Anders, pre-Justice, there was no guarantee that she'd actually be able to help, or even find them before getting herself killed.

Besides all of that, she couldn't just leave Isabela now.

For several days, they brainstormed ways to get in and out of the meeting place with the tome and without being seen. Castillon had been surprisingly informed, knowing not only where the meeting between Empress Celine's ambassador and the Arishok would take place, but when, and those that may also be trying to interfere.

Isabela was most concerned about the Tevinters, insisting that mages would be much harder to deal with than the Qunari or Orlesian soldiers. Both agreed the tome would be easier to steal if they made it there before the Qunari arrived, so they pushed the crew, and sailed from sun up to late into the evening each day.

As they moved closer to Orlais, Cat spent even more time with her crossbow then she did before, to the point that the crew begged her to stop. Though her shots hardly missed the target, the few times she had caused more than one minor panic.

Isabela spent time each day grilling her first and second mates, ensuring that they knew what to do in every possible situation. Her distress was obvious, and the crew became more and more tense, the closer the ship came to its destination.

When they finally docked in Cumberland, Isabela and Cat disembarked, and Isabela turned to Big Tom.

"Aye Cap'n, everyone back by sunset, and ready to depart at a moment's notice after that," he said before she could ask again.

Isabela looked at her first mate, then at her ship and sighed in relief. "Good. You've got the ship Big Tom. I want to know of anyone who doesn't follow orders when I get back."

"Aye Cap'n," he said with a teasing salute and smile, as they both knew he would handle anyone who stepped out of line, if the rest of the crew didn't beat him to it. "Safe harbor," he added and went to give instructions to the crew.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes Captain" Cat replied.

Isabela scoffed at the title. "You haven't called me that since you first came aboard."

"That's true, I hadn't really thought about it" Cat said. "Would you prefer if I did?"

"It doesn't matter to me," was the reply.

"Issy it is then," Cat teased, but when she saw Isabela smile, she decided to stick with her impromptu nickname.

"Well then Kitty," Isabela smirked. "Let's go get us a book."

"Right behind you."

Duran was seriously regretting his decision to send Alistair to Soldier's Peak. The time they saved in travel did not seem worth it at this point.

"Commander?"

Duran looked at Seneschal Varel questioningly, with no small amount of resignation. Ever since arriving, it had been problem after problem. And once again, Cat's random comments had suddenly made sense, and as Duran found, were endlessly frustrating.

"Remember to recruit Anders, the mage. And please kill both the Architect and the Mother, though I imagine you'll feel the same once you meet them."

That was fine and all, but what about everything else?! He now had a Howe, an increasingly drunk Oghren, a hostile elven mage, a member of the Legion of the Dead, and a dead, possessed body following him around, along with Anders. What he wouldn't give for the good old days of Qunari and assassins.

Though, to be fair, it wasn't all bad. Anders was a pretty funny guy, for a human. And Nathaniel was probably a better archer than he was, though he would never admit it out loud. But, where his previous companions had followed his lead, this group insisted on arguing about every course of action.

"Ahem"

Duran looked at Varel again, realizing that he had missed everything the man had said. "I'm sorry Varel, what was that again?"

"Commander! Warden Commander!"

Duran and Varel turned to the soldier running towards them. "Yes?" the Seneschal asked.

"The darkspawn sir, they're marching on Amaranthine!"

"Commander, by the time we marshal our forces, we will be too late to intercept them," Varel said quietly.

"My companions and I can head them off," Duran said quickly as he began gathering his gear. "Get them in here, quickly!"

Duran paced and plotted, gathering anything he or his companions might need in the fight to come. He sent a runner to the stables to have horses saddled. He was about to leave without them when his companions came into the throne room pulling on the last of their armor and weapons.

"Velanna, Oghren, Sigrun, you will remain here, and guard the keep. We have more wardens on the way from Soldier's Peak, and if they arrive before we return, then you can meet up with us. Otherwise, keep watch, and ensure the soldiers do as well."

"But Commander!"

"Yes Commander"

"Thank you Sigrun, and no buts Velanna." He turned to Oghren, "You're suspiciously quiet."

"I'll do my duty, Warden." he said, though he looked somehow pleased and disappointed at the outcome.

"Very well. Anders, Nathaniel, Justice, with me. We're riding to Amaranthine in all haste, the darkspawn are marching on the city. Move out!"

The three of them followed Duran out to the stables, where they mounted their horses, with Duran sat behind Justice. They rode as quickly as they were able, each of them knowing what would await them if they were too late.

After a fierce battle, Duran simply sat on the ground, his head in his hands. It always came back to him, to his decisions. He thought of the Mother, and the army she sent to the keep. His people were probably dead now, because he couldn't turn away from the innocent people in the city. He had left his wardens, his soldiers to die.

"Don't blame yourself Commander, we all wanted to help defend the city," Nathaniel said as he sat beside him. "I'm sorry that we give you such grief. But I wanted you to know, I truly appreciate you bringing me along. I was able to save my sister, and her family. Had we not been here, they would have died today."

"The keep was full of wardens and soldiers, Commander," Anders added sitting on Duran's other side. "These people were defenseless. You made the right call."

"Thank you, but that doesn't make it easier to swallow."

"Perhaps meting justice to those who attacked us will help," Justice spoke up from his vigil by the gate.

"You mean revenge?" Anders asked. "That sounds like a good plan to me."

"Not revenge, justice. We do not kill them to make ourselves feel better, we punish them for their actions."

"Seems the same to me, but whatever works for you," Anders said under his breath.

"Either way, I'm about done with this Mother person, er, thing." Nathaniel said.

"Yes," Duran agreed as he stood. "Let's take care of this once and for all."

Zevran walked out of the armorer's with a wicked smile on his face, thinking of Eoman. The guildmaster would undoubtedly see the irony in his new armor, and he intended for Eoman Arainai to see him before dying. Killing Eoman was not enough, all of House Arainai would feel terror, pain and betrayal. For Taliesen, for Rinna, and for himself.

He knew that that wouldn't be enough. Others would rise where they had fell, and the Crows wouldn't bat an eye at the loss. No, he needed to do much more than that… but it was a good starting point.

He headed back to his room. There was still time before nightfall, when his work would begin. Time enough to pen a few letters, as he was missing his friends. He smirked, thinking of the odd group that he considered his new family. They were all fighting still, fighting to make their home a better place. How could he do anything less?

Cat stuck close to Isabela, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. Isabela had stolen some simple clothes, and they had styled Cat's hair to appear as an ordinary village woman so that no one would take notice of her, while she would be able to keep a lookout.

"I don't understand why I can't simply go inside the chantry," Cat said quietly. "I would be able to create a distraction if something were to happen."

"And you'd be stuck in there for hours," Isabela replied. "Have you never been to a chantry before?" she asked with a glance at Cat. "The initiates swarm you, preaching at you as if their afterlife depended on it. Trying to make a getaway would cause more attention than any distraction could."

Cat nodded. Isabela had explained it before, but she wanted to try once more. She hated that everything was on Isabela's shoulders, but it seemed the captain preferred it that way. "Can you give me the signal again?" she asked, and Isabela gave a bird-like whistle.

"And yours?" Isabela asked. Then laughed as Cat made a cooing sound, that sounded more like a growl.

Cat grimaced. Why did her dove impression sound like a wookie? "Well, at least you won't mistake it for anything else," she said.

"That's the truth," Isabela said with a smirk. They came to the Chantry grounds, and clasped arms briefly before splitting up. Isabela headed to the back of the building and Cat found a tree to climb on the side that gave her a view of the entrance. They were as ready as they would ever be.

Cat remained alert, trying to stretch without alerting others to her presence. Her limbs were starting to feel numb, but she ordered herself to ignore the feeling. Isabela had warned her that it may take hours before she emerged, depending on what she found inside.

She saw a group of people enter the chantry, taking note of their expensive looking dress. It was difficult to tell, as they could represent either party of the transfer, but she was sure they were not simply residents of the city. She debated with herself, then gave her "wookie" call.

She waited, worried. After a few minutes she heard the whistle, and ensuring that no one would notice, climbed out of the tree and began walking back towards the docks. Isabela said she would catch up to Cat in town, as she didn't want Cat to be incriminated in the theft.

Cat however, couldn't keep walking. She made it to the nearest building, then turned the corner of it, and looked back to watch for her friend.

It didn't take long, though she didn't see Isabela. The same group she had seen enter the Chantry, quickly exited, looking in every direction.

"Raider Queen! I know you are out there! Give me the tome!" The man who appeared to be in charge shouted, and they all continued to search the area. Cat ducked back behind the building. Isabela would kill her if she was seen. She'd have to go around the opposite side of the building and make her way back to the docks quickly.

"Tevinters!" The shout rang out from the direction of the town, and Cat froze as several Qunari soldiers marched towards the chantry. "Where is the tome? You will pay for this with your lives!" The demands came fast and harsh, each faction yelling at the other. Cat heard the ring of weapons being unsheathed, and knew it was time for her to move.

She walked quickly, looking back with a fearful expression on her face several times. Partly because she was nervous, but also to help her blend in with the other townspeople. She looked ahead for groups of people to join, then darting to the next. She had no idea where Isabela was, but her best bet was to make it to the Siren's Call as fast as she could without being noticed.

She reached the docks, but froze as she saw all the ships in the harbor. The huge dreadnought was daunting, and she couldn't guess at the number of Qunari she saw on the deck, let alone below.

"There you are, you tricky minx!"

Cat gasped, as she was pushed against the wall, and Isabela's hand covered her mouth before she could shout. The look in her eyes was grave, and she lowered her hand while she whispered hasty instructions.

"I'm the pirate, you're my wench. We're going aboard so you caninspect my ship, got it?"

With that she said loudly, "Of course you can get a tour of the ship sweetness." She put her face to Cat's neck, and reached up to pull her hair down. "You're going to have to look more the part, Kitty," she whispered. "Let's go!"

Cat quickly reached up and adjusted her clothing, rolling the top of her pants down and her shirt up to reveal her stomach, and pulled the buttons at the top to show her cleavage. With her hair somewhat pulled out of her braid, she was sure she looked a mess, but it undoubtedly helped to hide her face. If anyone took notice of her, they would simply remember the skin she showed, rather than who she was.

They walked to the ship as if they didn't have a care, Cat tucked under Isabela's arm and Isabela's hand on her back, with a few gropes here and there. Cat giggled and stayed glued to her, the tome hidden between them, hoping that it wouldn't fall and give them away.

As they boarded, Isabela called out to the crew. "Set sail boys, I got what I came for!" Then turned her face to Cat again, her hand rubbing her back.

"Keep it up Kitty," she whispered in her ear. "We've almost made it."

Cat tried to keep up the act, though Isabela was the only reason she was successful. She guided Cat to the captain's cabin, and gave her crew a wink then shut the door at their cheering and laughter.

Once inside, they separated, each trying to calm their racing hearts. Isabela looked up with a glare. "I'm not going to ask why you arrived at the docks after I did, but you're lucky. I was about to leave without you."

Cat swallowed as her throat went dry. "I'm sorry-"

Isabela interrupted her with a raised hand. "You don't follow the plan, you deserve it. Remember that."

Cat looked at the floor, reaching up to fix her clothes. She wasn't sure how to respond.

She looked back up to see Isabela grinning at a large book in her hands.

"We did it, I can't believe it."

"You did it, Captain."

"Captain, huh?" She smirked at Cat, and softened into a genuine smile. She gave her arm a pat as she took the tome to her desk and set it inside a large lock box. "No swimming tomorrow," she said. "We're going to put as much distance between this place as we can." Weary from their excursion, both women went to their beds and flopped down to rest.

"Cap 'n? We've got trouble," Big Tom's voice came through from outside the door a few hours later. Cat sat up as Isabela rose and strode over to open the door.

"What is it?" she asked.

He pointed back Westward. "We're being followed."

Cat followed them outside as Isabela swore. She looked out at the water, seeing dozens of specks that were ships behind them, including a large one that must be the dreadnought. True they had a lead, but she could see the dreadnought cutting through the water, and cutting that lead with each passing minute.

"They'll be within cannon range in about thirty minutes or so Cap'n" Tom stated, causing Isabela's eyes to widen.

"We can't fight against that thing," she muttered to herself.

"Cap'n?"

Isabela walked away, moving around the ship, taking in everything around her. She walked over to the navigator's table, and studied the maps, then began pacing in front of the table, occasionally glancing back at the ships.

"Continue on your current heading," she finally said. Big Tom looked concerned, and hesitantly looked forward, then back at the ships. "Speak your mind Big Tom," Isabela said.

"Cap'n, the clouds to the East… there's a large storm." Cat looked where he pointed, and saw a bolt of lightning crash down from black clouds far ahead of them.

Isabela stood with her arms crossed. She nodded as he spoke, then replied. "We cannot outrun them Tom, that storm is our only chance."

Big Tom stared for a moment, then answered. "Aye Cap'n." He turned and yelled instructions to the crew. Several men ran around to secure rigging and crates, both on deck and below.

Isabela turned and looked at Cat. "Get ready Cat," she said solemnly. "We'll reach that storm in about thirty minutes. Anything can happen, but we should prepare for the worst."

"Aye Captain," Cat replied.

Alistair glanced around as he and his recruits rode into Vigil's Keep… or what was left of it. They had heard about the battle that was fought here at the last homestead, and had hurriedly pushed on. It wasn't quite as bad as he had feared, and it seemed that rebuilding had already begun.

Duran came out to greet him, with a dark haired man at his side. Dismounting, Alistair came forward and clasped arms with him, and gave him a playful punch on the shoulder.

"I hear you had all the fun while I spent the last several weeks on a horse," he gave Duran his best grimace, gaining a laugh in return.

"Alistair, this is Nathaniel, one of our newest brothers in arms. Nathaniel, this is Alistair, Fereldan's Constable of the Grey."

"Ugh. Duran, you know I despise titles," Alistair complained as Nathaniel stood at attention and gave him a salute. "At ease Nathaniel, here we prefer more of a family, and less of rank and file." He turned back to Duran with a smirk. "Warden Commander, these are recruits I've managed to find in my travels," he said, gesturing to the dozen men behind him.

"I'm am sorry to also bring bad news," he continued. "On our way here, we came across a site of a massacre. There were several bodies clothed in Warden heraldry, so we brought them along."

Duran and Nathaniel moved quickly to the wagon that Alistair pointed at. Lifting the canvas, they studied the faces of the men that had been missing for the past week.

"Are they ours?" Alistair asked.

"Yes," Duran replied. "Was this all of them?"

"I saw no signs of any others," Alistair replied with confusion. "Why do you ask?"

"Nathaniel?" Duran questioned, hoping he was incorrect.

"They are not here. There is no sign of either Justice or Anders, Commander," Nathaniel reported.