Sorry for being a little late, I had family in town, and it's hard to get anything done when that happens. I'm planning on the usual Sunday update for the next two weeks, even though there is a holiday, but that's subject to change. Just know, I'm still writing, and will still update as soon as I can.

That being said, here's the new chapter. Again, a beast to write. I had a clear idea in my head, but couldn't seem to get it out in a way that made me happy, but I think this is as much as I want to agonize over it. Enjoy!

"How did I get out here again?" Cat asked, as she held onto Olivia, shivering. The cold was sobering her up slightly, and she started to regret the choices that brought her to the streets of Lowtown.

"You can go if you want," Olivia said, trying to sound brave.

"No, I'll see you there," she replied. "I'd worry about you all night otherwise." She looked around their surroundings. "We're almost there, right?"

"Yeah, just around this corner," Olivia muttered, leading the way. Cat started to worry as they moved towards a foundry that looked deserted.

"Uh, Olivia? What would he be doing here?" she asked in concern.

"Okay, hear me out, all right?" she asked as she continued moving forward, wanting to get out of the cold. "Remember what I told you about him? He's a mage that has high connections, right? Well, he's using those connections to help the mage underground."

Olivia opened the door, and walked into the foundry. Cat couldn't help but be glad to be out of the cold, though this was hardly better. "So if he's got all these great connections… what is he doing here?" she asked. "Anyone could hide out in a deserted foundry."

"Hiding is for the best. The templars would destroy this entire street to cover up his research."

"Research?" Cat asked.

"It may sound crazy, but if he succeeds? It would be a huge step forward for mages, and take us out from under the templars' control." Olivia turned then, beaming. "He's looking for a cure! For tranquility!" she exclaimed to Cat. "Wouldn't that be amazing? Can you imagine?!"

"Uh…" Cat stared. She knew that as an idea it was appealing, but in reality? The tranquil didn't usually survive having their repressed memories and feelings returned in one fell swoop. "Well, yeah, it would… but Olivia, it's also extremely dangerous," Cat said in worry, as she looked around.

"Hence the secretive workspace," Olivia answered. "He's kind of obsessed with all this, and won't let anyone know about it. In fact, I'm the only one he told," she said with pride. "Which of course means, I never told you."

"Of course," Cat replied. "How would one even go about reversing tranquility?" she asked, following Olivia through the building, wondering the identity of this crusading mage.

"Well, we know it has something to do with the lyruim's effects on the brain, basically closing off how the brain processes emotion, similar to the way it represses the bad memories of the templars. So, he's working on a way to counteract the lyrium… I think."

"You think?!" Cat asked, only slightly sarcastic.

"Well, I'm not exactly privy to his research you know."

"No, I didn't know," Cat said apologetically.

"Yeah, it's a sore spot," she muttered.

Cat watched in apprehension as Olivia pushed a switch on a wall, then walked over to the corner of the room to pull up a trap door.

"Olivia…" Cat gasped.

"Look I know what this looks like, but he needed a place to work, and after the guards came and took everything away, it seemed the perfect place! No one would bother him here!"

"This is where…" Cat trailed off, looking around the room, her anger and apprehension growing.

"That necromancer was, yes." Olivia sighed. "I'd better explain a couple things."

"Yeah, you should," Cat replied, focusing on her friend.

"Follow me," Olivia said, leading the way through the tunnel, but leaving the door ajar. "If this becomes too much, I'll understand, and you can turn around and go home. But just listen before deciding anything." They stood underneath the trap door, Cat debating, and Olivia waiting patiently. Finally, Cat nodded, and Olivia started walking, though at a more casual pace now.

"You know as well as I do, that sometimes in order to make a big change… uh, unpleasant things have to happen."

"What do you mean?" Cat asked, not expecting that to be what Olivia said.

"Curing tranquility isn't like healing someone. Frankly, there are a lot of unknowns. Mages aren't exactly allowed at the ritual, unless they are the victims."

"Yes, I get that."

"So, this research has basically been trial and error."

"Olivia?" she asked. "What exactly are you trying to tell me?"

"A reward this huge doesn't come without sacrifice, Cat." Olivia stared forward, unwilling to meet Cat's eyes. "Though it gives some comfort to know that they were willing."

Cat reached over, grabbing Olivia's arm and turning to face her. "Spill it," she said, her eyes narrowed.

"It's not right yet, and yes, a few tranquil have died, but Cat!" Olivia said, as she looked away. "This will help thousands of mages all over Thedas! Once we've perfected it, no mage will have to worry about being made tranquil ever again!"

"How many?" Cat asked, feeling numb. "How many have died?"

"Not many!" Olivia said in earnest. "And Gas said he's so close, it will be any day now."

"Gas?"

"Oh, right," Olivia said. "I'll introduce you when we get there. He probably won't be happy I brought you, but I couldn't let you go home alone, not with some crazy person on the loose."

"Maybe I should go," Cat said quietly. "I'm getting a really bad feeling about all this."

"What?" Olivia asked in dismay. "Gas can explain it better, I'm just so excited, I'm not able to even think straight! He'll answer your questions, help you see how important this is!"

"I sincerely doubt that."

"Cat…" Olivia looked at her in sorrow and disappointment. "I thought if anyone would understand what we're trying to do here, it would be you."

"Why me of anyone?!" Cat demanded. "I just want to figure out how to get everyone to get along! Not more death, and crazy experiments!"

"Crazy?!" Olivia gaped, insulted. "This will make life better for all mages!"

"Not those tranquil who died at your hands!" Cat roared back.

Olivia stopped, just outside a door, and turned to look at Cat. "You aren't even trying to understand. But how could you? You were never in danger of having everything taken away. Of having who you are, your thoughts, your dreams, stripped away from you. Any mage would rather die than be made tranquil. And any true mage would gladly give everything, even their life to bring about a cure."

"You're right, I don't understand," Cat said, her anger fading as her apprehension grew.

Olivia turned again, to open the door. "I'll prove it to you," she said, gesturing for Cat to go in.

It took only a moment to decide, but it felt like an eternity. Eventually, her curiosity got the better of her. No matter how badly her "run away screaming!" radar was warning her, she couldn't just leave Olivia here either. So she stepped forward and through the door.

Anders chuckled, seeing Hawke look quickly around, then hiding behind the large brazier pillar that he was leaning on. "Problem?" he asked with a grin as he lifted his cup for another drink.

"I passed by, I'm not here," Hawke muttered.

"Excuse me ser," a pair of what looked like noble ladies that were moving in a hurry stopped in front of Anders and he gave an appreciative smile as he glanced at them. Their dresses showed a fair amount of their assets, and to his mind were perfect to snag their idea of the perfect husband. Thinking of saving them from Hawke as much as saving him from them, he nodded.

"How may I be of service?" he asked politely, and upon hearing their request, directed them on a false trail that would lead them back to the dancing area, where hopefully they would find someone else who would strike their fancy.

Once they left, Anders enjoyed another drink and waited. After another long minute he said, "They are gone, you can come out."

A large sigh of relief sounded just before Hawke emerged from behind him. "Thank you," Hawke muttered.

"And here I thought Hawke always kept a cool head in the face of danger," Anders drawled, his amusement climbing to new heights.

"Shut it," Hawke replied. "You have no idea how persistent they were."

"Must be difficult," Anders said with a laugh. "Being such a desired commodity."

"Exactly," Hawke grumbled, swiping Anders cup and downing the rest of it. "Like a damned accessory for their outfit." He glanced around, rolling his eyes at Anders laughter, and handing back his cup. "Where are the girls?" he asked, expecting to see them with Anders.

"I'm not their keeper," he replied. "I was too busy getting a few kisses from a pretty initiate."

Hawke's eyebrow rose in question. "A member of the chantry? You do enjoy playing with hell fire, don't you?"

Anders smirked in response. "I wasn't in the mood for anything serious. You can always count on initiates for a quick cuddle with no strings attached."

Hawke shook his head. "Well come on then, we'd better see how everyone else is faring."

"Very well," Anders sighed, standing up from his leaning. "Maker willing, Olivia is ready to go home now that the bride and groom have left."

"If she's still drinking as much as she was earlier, she should be ready to pass out," Hawke replied as they started to walk.

"We can hope," Anders added. "When she gets only a little drunk, she tends to do whatever pops into that head of hers. She and Cat are similar in that regard."

Cat was startled at suddenly not being able to move. It was as if her limbs just didn't respond any longer.

"You'll live just long enough to regret coming here," a voice said from the shadows.

"Gas, it's me!" Olivia called out.

Silence followed her announcement, and Cat wished she could turn her head to look at her friend.

"Gas? Darling?" she spoke again, trepidation coloring her voice, and Cat's breathing became erratic.

She looked on in surprise as Olivia stepped forward, coming into her line of vision. Her shock was even greater as she recognized the man that stepped forward to meet her.

"I thought we discussed this," he said in a clipped tone, the anger apparent. "I knew you were not ready."

"I'm sorry," Olivia answered immediately, her head hanging. "I just wanted to see you."

Cat noted he seemed unaffected by Olivia's words, and began to wonder what their relationship truly was. It seemed it wasn't quite as picturesque as Olivia had implied. In fact, she could see Olivia was trembling a little.

"Your explanation does not include this other woman," he said in monotone, as if he didn't care.

"Oh, right, I'm sorry." He glanced over at Cat before glaring back at Olivia. "This is my friend, Cat. She escorted me here, and I thought if you could explain to her, as you did for me, that…" she paused, seeing the intense anger on his face. "She could be a great… help," she finished meekly.

He glanced over to Cat again, scrutinizing her. "This is the one you have told me about?" he asked.

"Oh, yes!" Olivia said exuberantly and Cat had the thought of a puppy, excited to be handed a treat. "This is her!"

With a wave of a hand, Cat felt herself released from whatever was holding her, and wondered if it was the petrify spell. See Hawke, she thought. We need to know what we're dealing with! It took a moment to get her bearings, and she looked up as the man, "Gas" reached out and ran his hand over Olivia's hair.

"I suppose I can forgive you this time," he said giving her a small smile.

"Thank you," Olivia said in relief.

"Please come in," he offered, turning back to where he came from as if expecting them to follow without question. "Livvy has told me so much about you."

"Livvy?" Cat mouthed to Olivia, only to get a dreamy smile in response. Her stomach sank, and she started wondering why she still had such a bad feeling.

"That's everyone accounted for," Anders said as he met back up with Hawke. "Though I really wish you had been the one looking for Isabela."

"Not everyone," Hawke replied, looking concerned. "Olivia and Cat haven't been seen in over an hour."

"What?" Anders asked, looking around at the table where he had left them. "I left them only an hour ago." At Hawke's expression he added, "or so…"

"Well then they left soon after you did," Hawke replied. "I thought they agreed not to leave without an escort."

"Knowing those two, they probably thought they were each others' escort," Anders replied. "They are both experts in twisting the rules to suit their needs."

"Ugh," Hawke groaned. "I'm going to worry all night now."

"We'd better make sure they made it home then," Anders replied. "Should I get the others?" he asked.

Hawke glanced back where he saw Fenris and Sebastian in a conversation they both seemed invested in, Varric at a table surrounded by a crowd, Merrill out in the garden enjoying the fauna… and he shook his head.

"I'm sure we can handle checking Cat's and the clinic. No need to worry anyone unless they aren't there."

Anders nodded. "I'll check the clinic then, and meet you back here?" he asked. "We'll go faster if we split up."

"Very well," Hawke agreed. "You don't return in an hour and I'll send Fenris after you."

Anders answered Hawke's smirk with his own. "Now I'm scared," he stated, and turned to leave. "One hour," he replied over his shoulder.

Hawke glanced back at the party, looking for his mother, and seeing she was surrounded by other nobles. One hour, I doubt she'll even notice, he thought, and took his leave, heading straight for Cat and Fenris' mansion.

"So… Olivia tells me you are trying to reverse tranquility?" Cat asked, wanting to fill the awkward silence. They had been shown to a small sitting area, and were sitting in silence as they drank the tea he served.

"Oh?" he said, glaring over at Olivia. "It seems I am not the only one that she prattles on to then?" he said with a laugh. "I only tease you of course," he said sweetly to Olivia who smiled at him.

Cat glanced at her friend again, wondering who this stranger was that took her place. She wasn't acting like Olivia at all.

"Uh, right," Cat replied, uncertain of how to even speak to him. "She seems quite confident in your ability to do so, though I must admit I have my reservations."

He smirked at her. "I don't doubt it, but that is to be expected," he said smugly. "Thinking outside the social reality is difficult for most, but especially the uncultured."

Cat's eyebrow raised at the insult, but she decided to let it go. She worried about getting him upset, feeling as if she was sitting on an explosive just waiting to go off.

"Livvy was much the same, but her vision soon broadened," he continued, and Cat's nerves grated at his nickname for her friend. "Her assistance made things easier."

Cat glanced over as Olivia beamed at him. "Undoubtedly," Cat agreed. "Olivia is great at everything she does."

He rolled his eyes, and Cat decided she despised him, Olivia was way too good for him. "I wouldn't go quite that far, but she has her uses."

"Gas!" Olivia said in reproof, and for a moment Cat had hope. But it was quickly dashed.

"Should I bring up the setbacks?" he asked, and Olivia dropped the issue with a shake of her head.

"Like I said…" he said with a smirk, and Cat stood up, getting frustrated. "Sit," he ordered.

Cat looked over at him with a frown. "My friend may obey your commands, but that doesn't mean I will," she stated arrogantly. She had had her fill of his attitude, and was ready to leave. "I've heard enough."

"Cat!" Olivia said, aghast at her friend's behavior, looking over to her man in apology.

"You are a guest, and it is still undetermined if you are welcomed or not," he sneered back at her. "I will not allow you to leave to tell the templars of my location."

"I couldn't care less about what you're doing here," Cat retorted. "I want no part of it."

"Sit down," he said quietly. "I won't ask again."

"Gas, Cat's my friend!" Olivia said, standing up. "Don't threaten her!"

Cat smiled in triumph, but it faded as he gave her a wide smile back. Turning to Olivia, he looked upset.

"How could you say that?" he asked her softly, his eyes pleading. "I only want to protect us, you know that," he said. "I don't know what I would do, if the templars were to get their hands on you."

Cat looked on, as he turned everything around, as if he was the victim in this bizarre act. Olivia softened, and faced Cat with anger.

"Cat, I can't believe you're acting like this!" she said hotly. "You know what kind of fear we mages live with. Of course he's going to think you're going to the templars when you act this way."

"He's playing with you!" Cat retorted. "Can't you see?"

"That was totally uncalled for," Olivia replied, crossing her arms in front of her. "Now sit back down, we can work this out. We're friends, aren't we?" she asked.

Cat was torn. Her friend wasn't seeing clearly, but she couldn't force the issue. "Fine," she said, moving forward and sitting back down. "Please Gascard, explain this to me. I'd like to know how killing people is going to reverse tranquility."

Hawke raced in the door, uncertain what his hurry was. They're at the clinic of course. Cat would insist on walking Olivia home… but no matter what he told himself, he couldn't get rid of the need to move faster.

"You're home early messere," Bodahn spoke up as he walked into the room.

"Not quite, just needed to get my staff," Hawke replied, as he rushed up the stairs, and coming back quickly, his staff in hand.

"Before you go," Bodahn spoke quickly seeing the rush Hawke was in. "A messenger dropped something off for you, from the Knight Captain."

Hawke paused, hesitating, wondering if it was worth it. He moved over to the desk, picking up the paper and reading the terse message.

"Emeric murdered. Don't leave the city."

Hawke nearly sobered instantly as he read those words. Murdered? he thought. By whom?!

He wasn't sure what was happening, but his mind immediately went to the worst possible scenario. He turned and whistled for Hafter, waiting as the barking hound ran down the steps. He placed his staff on his back, and grabbed his belt that was sitting by the door. He just might need one of the potions he kept stored there.

Hawke flung open the door and stopped, looking over to Bodahn. "I don't know when I'll be back," he called. "I need you to go to the chantry and find Fenris. Tell him I need him to escort Mother home and stay here to protect her."

He didn't wait for a response, just headed back into the street, his mabari at his side. He reached down to scratch his head. "I need you to help me find them, Hafter," he said softly.

Gascard DuPuis smiled at Cat, looking intrigued, while Olivia looked shocked. "But… do you know him?" she asked.

"No," Cat answered. "Heard his name of course," she said, turning to Gascard. "Emeric was certain you were the killer plaguing the streets."

"Of course he did," he smirked. "That templar simply crossed my path, and made assumptions."

"I don't hear you denying it," Cat glared at him.

"But of course I am," he said gently, his composure enviable. "I have simply tested my solutions on willing volunteers." He reached out for Olivia's hand, and Cat sneered. "That is not a killer."

"Those volunteers are dead, are they not?" Cat argued. "That screams killer to me."

"If you think that, then I must be a killer too," Olivia added. "I told them about it, I got the volunteers, I brought them here."

"You didn't know what you were doing," Cat said.

Olivia shook her head, a sad smile on her face. "You underestimate how important this work is," she replied.

Cat glared at Gascard, her anger getting ahead of her sense. "Are you even working on tranquility? Or was it all a ploy to get test subjects in order to test out Quentin's research?" she accused. She could see his eyes widen, but then the wide, creepy smile was back.

Gascard looked to Olivia, rubbing her hand with his thumb. "I warned you, did I not?" He asked her sadly. "They never understand."

"Quentin?" she asked. "Who's that?" She looked from Cat to Gascard.

"The dead necromancer," Cat spit out, the feel of getting Olivia away from him pushing her on. "Gascard was his apprentice."

Olivia looked at Gascard with wide eyes. "What?" she asked.

"It seems you were right about her, Livvy," Gascard said to Olivia. His face didn't turn, but his eyes moved over to Cat, and she backed up a little. "She seems to know things she shouldn't."

His eyes returned to Olivia as his hand moved to her face. "I apologize for not believing you."

"Olivia?" Cat asked, feeling betrayed. "What-?"

"I mean, it was just something I wondered about," Olivia said, rubbing her forehead. She stood up and walked over to a chest. "It just seemed strange that you knew things about people here, when you came from Ferelden. And Anders said some pretty weird things too, though they never made sense."

Cat realized too late what Olivia was doing. It had looked as if she was walking around to gather her thoughts, or to get out restlessness. But as she glanced over at Gascard, she could see the blood dripping from his hand to the table. Before she could stand, ropes were around her, tying her to the chair.

"Olivia?!" Cat asked in shock.

"I mean, I have no idea if you actually have some ability or what, but it always struck me as strange. Every time you have a bad feeling, something horrible happens."

Cat was speechless as Olivia continued to tie her up, seemingly unaware of what she was doing.

"Now…" Gascard spoke as Olivia returned to her seat, rubbing her head in confusion. "Tell me about Quentin."

"What do you mean?!" Anders asked, getting more and more upset with the elf. He does this deliberately just to infuriate me! he thought.

"Exactly what I said," Fenris replied, giving Anders a look of disdain. "Hawke asked me to escort his mother home and protect her. She insisted on staying longer, so I am keeping watch on her until I can escort her home."

"That's-!" Anders growled in frustration and lowered his voice. "That's not what I was asking and you know it."

"I thought it was clear," Fenris said, not looking away from Hawke's mother. "It was a message sent through the dwarf in Hawke's employ. Hawke wasn't here, and I have no idea where he went."

Anders ran his hand down his face, getting nowhere. "So he just went off on his own?!" he growled. "Obviously something is wrong, so why didn't he take us with him?! What if something happened to Cat or Olivia?!"

"Calm down."

"How can I be calm?" Anders hissed, though he did keep his voice low.

"Hawke isn't stupid, if he went without us, he can handle it."

"He may not be stupid, but even you can't deny he can be reckless," Anders said defiantly.

"True," Fenris said, thinking it over.

"Bodahn said he took the mabari with him," he offered, wondering now if he was wrong to be so confidant in Hawke.

"Well, that's something at least," Anders groused, turning around to go find Varric. Hopefully together they could come up with some sort of plan.

"Are you sure we're going the right way?" Hawke asked again, and Hafter merely glanced back before giving a huff and continuing forward. "Right, sorry boy," he apologized.

"I just find it hard to believe they came here," he said as he looked at the foundry in front of them.

He had been certain he would find some sign of a scuffle, since there was no reason for either of them to go to Lowtown that night. He had then decided they must have gone to the Hanged Man, and he went in, though Hafter protested, and the place was practically deserted when he went in, with no sign of either of them.

He had practically heard Hafter scolding him for even going in, and they once again were on their way. Then he had questioned his hound at every turn, and now found himself wanting to do so again, but caught himself in time.

True, Hafter wasn't a tracking dog, but he was incredibly smart, and knew Cat's scent like his own. The fact that they were heading to the door of the deserted foundry just had him doubting. There was no way Cat would come here, let alone Olivia. Besides that… what were the odds that this new killer would use the same place as the necromancer?

After making their way inside, and seeing the trap door open… Hawke no longer had any doubt. Hafter's hackles were raised, and Hawke grabbed his staff before they moved ahead.

Cat remained quiet, as she had ever since Gascard had started to question her. Eventually his hold on Olivia would be broken, unless he was willing to let her die, which she doubted. He'd have trouble finding another person willing to cater to him as she had. Once that hold was gone however, Cat had no doubt Olivia would see the truth, and they could get away.

He didn't seem to want to hurt her, which was strange in her mind. She wouldn't withstand torture very well, but perhaps he simply wasn't willing to take the chance, or he just had plenty of time. He knew no one knew where they were, thanks to Olivia, but Cat still found his behavior odd.

They all turned toward the door, hearing the noise. Cat wasn't sure, but would have said it was a bark, if she hadn't known better. It did what she had been waiting for however, as Olivia looked around as if coming out of a daze.

"Gas?" she asked. "Cat?!" her eyes wide in shock. "What's going on?" she demanded, just as the door burst open.

Gascard grabbed Olivia, using her as a shield, and facing the man and mabari in the doorway.

"You're already dead," Hawke said menacingly. "It can be quick and painless if you let them go, or I'll let my hound do it." Hafter growled as if hoping he picked the latter.

"You must be Hawke," Gascard said arrogantly. "I've heard-"

"Don't care," Hawke interrupted him, causing him to grit his teeth in anger. "Don't care who you are either. Let them go. I won't ask again."

"That's my line," Gascard said with a smirk. "You've caused me a lot of trouble killing my mentor. It's only fair I return the favor."

"Hafter," Hawke said, and Hafter barked, crouching back to lunge forward.

"NO!" Cat screamed, as Gascard pulled back Olivia's head with the arm he had holding her, and bringing the knife he had hidden behind him up to slice across her throat, and dropping her at his feet.

Hafter reared forward, jumping with a snarl. Gascard stepped aside as his spell struck, and with a yelp, Hafter fell, sliding across the floor.

Hawke started flinging his own spells, careful to not fling anything that could hurt Olivia at the man's feet, but as each spell was countered, he grew increasing furious. Neither the woman nor his dog were moving, and he needed to end this mage so he could heal them before it was too late.

Cat, still tied to the chair was moving frantically, jumping in her seat, trying to move closer to where her friends had fallen. They were surprisingly close together, and as Hawke pushed Gascard away in defense, she used everything she had to get closer. She could feel the ropes cutting into her skin, but she didn't care.

Getting nowhere, she moved even more, and toppled her chair over, hitting the ground on her shoulder with a pain so bad, she had to bite her lip to keep from crying out. Pushing against the hard packed dirt floor, she finally starting inching forward.

She looked up occasionally, hearing the shouts of pain from Hawke, as Gascard employed his blood magic against him. She tried flipping to her back, hoping to break the chair, but did little except hurt her back. So she continued her earlier struggle to get to Hafter and Olivia.

It seemed like an eternity, but she made it close enough to Hafter to realize he was still breathing, though she could tell he was in great pain. She rubbed her face on the top of his head. "Hang in there boy," she said softly, "I'll be back." Facing her next goal, she pushed again, moving forward.

Her arm was numb, both from the fall and having it beneath her as she scooted across the ground, but she didn't even think of it as she moved forward.

"Olivia," she said, trying to find movement from her friend. "Olivia…" she groaned loader, but found nothing… not even the rising or falling of her chest in breathing, and her own breath hitched.

"You think you stand a chance?" she heard Gascard gloat. "Look at you! You're no match for me!"

She looked up in worry, unable to see Hawke from where she was laying. "You're arrogance will be your undoing!" Hawke called back, and Cat breathed a sigh of relief, and returned to her task.

Finally reaching Olivia, she nudged her repeatedly, getting no response. Planting her feet, she used her head to nudge her over, rolling her. It took a lot of energy, and she had to pant for a moment before resuming. Finally, finally, Olivia rolled, and Cat was able to look in her face.

And saw her open, dead eyes staring out.

"NO! NOOOO!" Cat screamed. "OLIVIA!" She whirled her head, having to use her feet to adjust her position before she could see Gascard. "YOU BASTARD! YOU KILLED HER!"

Gascard stopped, and Hawke was sorry that he was grateful for the distraction, especially because of what it was. He could hear the pain and anguish in Cat's voice as he panted. He didn't know how he was going to survive this, let alone kill the other man. He hadn't been able to get in a single hit, but not for lack of trying.

"Don't be sad," Gascard cooed at Cat. "I'll bring her back, it is my specialty after all. Now that I have you, the secrets to Quentin's work are mine." He grinned at her in anticipation. "We'll be so happy, the three of us."

"YOU SICK, TWISTED, SON OF A -" Cat couldn't finish as her voice gave out, and she began sobbing, and coughing into the dirt.

"No need to be vulgar," Gascard said with a grin. He turned back, surprised that Hawke was on his feet. "And here I thought you had had enough," he mocked.

"You're not dead, so I'm not done," Hawke replied, looking over at where Cat continued to sob, as she tried to move closer to Olivia's body. He could scarcely believe she was dead, knowing he had been too late. He would do his best, but he felt Cat would soon be crying for him as well.

The other mage was simply toying with him, he was smart enough to see that. Any point that Hawke began to get an advantage, he would cast a blood spell, causing Hawke's own blood to boil, and he would lose any chance he had. The mage could kill him easily, but would release the spell and give him time to recover, before they would start the dance again.

He was under no illusions. He had to do something drastic, or he was going to die. The problem was, he had no idea what that something was.

He used any spell that would come to mind, trying misdirection, trying to make his spells look like something other than what they were, but the blood mage was able to counter them completely, or take minimal damage.

The only thing Hawke could see what that he was using just as much energy as Hawke himself was. Giving Hawke time to recuperate also gave him time to replenish enough blood to cast his devastating spell again. The only way to win was to attack right after, but Hawke simply didn't have the energy once the blood spell was released.

They circled again and again, and Hawke struggled to simply stay alive. He looked over as the sobbing ceased, seeing Cat laying on the ground, her face turned to him, though she looked as if she were defeated. He couldn't stand that look on her face.

He tried to get closer, but the blood mage prevented him from going to her. He could feel his strength waning even before he cast another spell. The blood mage wasn't ready for it, and it struck, though it was hardly fatal. Hawke fell to one knee, panting.

"Is that… the best you've got?" Gascard sneered, cutting another slice in his arm, and casting his spell, setting Hawke's blood aflame.

Hawke fell on his back, writhing in pain. He was finished, he could feel it. He tried not to scream, but the pain was unbearable.

Cat lifted her head at the sound of Hawke screaming in pain, something within her burning, calling to her to move, to help. She moved towards him, knowing she could do little but comfort him. She made it nearly to him when his body went lax. She turned her head, seeing Gascard down on one knee, panting, blood staining his arms completely, and she paled a little at the thought of what Hawke had been going through.

"Hawke…" she uttered, grateful when she heard him groan. "Hawke… what can I do? How can I help?"

He was panting as well, though shallowly, and Cat worried what that meant.

"I… I can't…" he muttered on a groan. "I'm… spent. I…'ve got… no…thing … left…" he said between pants.

"I'm sorry," she said softly, unable to speak louder after crying for so long. "I can't get free. I'm useless."

"No," he said, continuing to just focus on breathing. "My fault."

"Just because you're the leader doesn't mean you're responsible for everything that happens, you moron."

"Not. Not… strong enough."

"I am, I just can't move!" she moaned as her movements caused the ropes to break her skin open further. "Maker's Balls!" she cursed.

Hawke chuckled, which turned into a cough. "Mana coming back, but I'm spent, sorry," he told her.

Cat looked at the ground, wishing she could take out her frustration, her anger, her sorrow- besides bashing her head on the ground. A thought raced through her mind, and she automatically rejected it, before she turned back to Hawke.

She couldn't see his face, she was basically facing his side, and could only see his arm, but they were close enough to hear each others' whispered conversation. "Take mine," she whispered hesitantly.

"What?" he asked.

"Take mine," she said, only slightly louder.

"Your what?" he asked, confused.

"My… energy."

"Cat, shut up."

"It's the only way," she argued.

"No."

"Do you want to die?" she asked.

"Of course not, but everybody has to die sometime."

"Take it."

"Do I look like a blood mage?! I don't even know how!"

"Just do it!"

Cat had no idea what to expect when having this conversation, or if it was even possible, but she realized she would rather die than be alive with Gascard.

"Please…" she added. "Please don't leave me with him."