"Thank you so much for keeping me company today Catarina."

Cat looked up in surprise. "Leandra, you don't need to use my full name, you know," she replied.

Leandra's laugh tinkled out airily. "Oh I know dear," she said with a smile. "I suppose I was hoping to speak more as girl friends than mother and daughter today."

Cat smiled back, absolutely touched. "I didn't know that was how you felt," she said with emotion.

"Well yes, of course," Leandra said. "I hope that's not too… upsetting? For you."

"No, not at all," Cat answered quickly. "I'm... so happy you feel that way, because I do too."

"That's settled then," Leandra said firmly, giving Cat's hand a pat. "Now we wait for Garrett to get his act together," she said as she gave Cat a wink.

They laughed, and after Orana served tea, Cat convinced her to join them. After the other two begged for details, she told of her meeting Hawke again after their year apart, and finally feeling brave enough to tell him of her feelings.

Leandra and Orana were a perfect audience, gasping and cooing at all the right times, and assuring her that Garrett would come to his senses soon, and profess his undying love.

Feeling re-energized, she asked what had been happening while she was gone, and after they spoke a little of the city, and Hawke's exploits, Orana finally spilled the beans of Leandra's paramour.

"Lord Henley?" Cat asked, pursing her mouth in thought. "It sounds so familiar…"

"His late wife Sarah was from Ferelden," Leandra added, and Cat nodded.

"One of those that was helping the refugees, right?" Cat asked, getting a nod in return. "I donated some funds to that cause. I was so happy to see some of the nobles taking care of those in their city, trying to make it a better place for everyone."

"Thomas is all of those things, and more," Leandra said with a sigh, and Orana and Cat exchanged glances.

"Someone is smitten,"Cat said in a singing voice, causing Leandra to flush.

"I'll love Malcolm forever, and I know that I can never replace Sarah," Leandra said, though her smile remained. "But… is it nice to think that I am not doomed to be alone."

"No, I don't think that is your fate," Cat said with a grin.

They talked for quite awhile, stopping only to have a small midday meal. Cat truly enjoyed the day, it had been so long since she had simply spoken with other women. Although she treasured her friendships with the wardens, it had been awhile since she had other women who could so easily understand her point of view.

Cat took the time to speak of Carver, though perhaps she embellished a little, she let Leandra know the man he was becoming in his new environment, watching as his mother beamed with pride and joy.

"I'm so very glad," Leandra said once Cat was finished. "I've been so worried about him, I know he felt trapped and ostracized because Bethany and Garrett were mages. It was something that the two us were able to bond over," she explained. "You cannot truly understand unless you have been in the same situation."

"That is very true, and it can seem bewildering or even annoying when others that do not understand try to," Cat added.

"That is something that I truly admire about you Cat," Leandra said, causing Cat to flush.

"I'm sorry?" she asked, surprised.

"You sincerely have a way of understanding everyone and including them, no matter their circumstances," Leandra said. "It is an admirable and enviable trait. I believe Thomas will want to speak with you about ideas for improving the lot of the elves in the alienage before too long."

"I… I would be happy to," she answered. "Thank you so much for the compliment."

The three of them turned, hearing the barking that entered the house, and Cat immediately moved off her chair to kneel on the ground. Orana and Leandra looked at each other in confusion as the kitchen door burst open, Hafter aiming directly for Cat with happy barks.

"Hafter!" she said happily, even as he knocked her over.

Garrett stepped after his mabari, wondering what had gotten into him. He was never this excited to come home. Moving into the kitchen, he saw Orana and his mother looking down in amusement. His gaze followed theirs, and he saw Hafter practically mauling someone, bathing their face, giving his love and affection without stopping.

He wondered who, but as the laughter began… it went directly to his gut, and he knew it was Cat. No wonder he was excited, Hawke thought. He's hardly seen Cat since she got back, but he'd never forgotten her, or how he loves her.

Leandra looked up, seeing the amusement on her son's face fall to an intense look. She smiled to herself, knowing that while his brain may be confusing him, his heart would soon give him the answers he was looking for.

His eyebrow raised as Cat started wrestling with Hafter, though the larger mabari didn't give it much effort- he didn't have to with his bulk. She was trying to flip them, and Hafter merely huffed and then flopped down on top of her, though he took care to not put his full weight on her.

Garrett's lip twitched upwards as Cat let out a groan, and then a roar, pushing hard to roll the dog over. Hafter rolled his eyes, and then let her roll him, knowing what was coming. She gave him a fierce rub down, and he gave in to his own weakness, finally rolling to his side when he had had enough.

"Ha ha!" Cat cheered as she moved to her knees. "The foul beast has fallen once again!" she declared, then flopped down on top of Hafter, giving him a huge hug, and a kiss on the head. "Love you, you crazy monster," she said loud enough for the others to hear.

Hawke didn't move, even as she got to her feet, Hafter following in her wake. His chest hurt… like his heart had flipped over, and he wasn't exactly sure what to do about it. Cat walked over to him with a grin, stretching up to kiss his cheek in greeting.

"Love you too," she whispered as she did, then backed off. "So, where have you two been?" she asked him.

Cat stood there, the silence almost uncomfortable, but she wasn't sure what was going on. Hawke was staring at her as if she had grown another head. Maybe I still have slobber all over me? she wondered. She glanced back at Leandra, getting a secretive smile in reply, and turned back, just as Hafter came up and barked loudly, nudging Hawke.

He shook his head, as if coming out of some trance. "Uh… what?" he asked her.

"I was wondering what you've been up to this morning?" she repeated.

"Oh," he said, seeming to ignore whatever that had been, so she did the same. "Enchanter Orsino sent a message asking to speak with me," he answered. "We just got back."

"Oh, I wish I knew you were going, I would have written Cullen a letter," she said, not noticing the roll of his eyes.

"He looked well enough when I walked past him," Hawke replied testily.

"Yes, well, he tends to try to hide it well," she answered, not understanding why he sounded angry all of a sudden. Anders must be rubbing off on him, for him to be talking about Cullen that way, she thought.

"Anyway," Hawke changed the subject. He may have had more of an understanding of their strange relationship, but that didn't mean he liked it. "Orsino knows of some mages and templars that are acting suspiciously, and asked me to look into it. He's worried that they may do something to aggravate the Knight Commander."

"Understandable," Cat agreed. "So we're going to check that out?" she asked.

"Tonight," he said with a nod. "I'll go spread the word." He looked over at her. "You'll have to get Anders' approval first," he told her.

"Say what?" she asked.

"You're not back to full strength," he commented, not seeing her eyes narrow since he turned to leave the kitchen. "Don't think we all haven't noticed how easily you tire still."

"I haven't heard any complaints," Cat said tightly.

"And we haven't been up against any real adversaries," he replied. "This could prove different, and you could endanger yourself or someone else if you aren't ready."

"I say I am ready," she argued.

"And that's fine, but I'll need Anders to tell me that," he replied calmly, turning before he went up the stairs. "You tend to ignore your own frailties to the point of exasperation for the rest of us, but Anders will be honest with me. He cares more for your well being than your feelings."

"And my word isn't good enough?" Cat asked, insulted.

Hawke smiled at her, giving her a shake of his head. He leaned closer, and she didn't back away, frustrated at his stubbornness. "If the situation were reversed…" he asked, "would you be satisfied with mine?"

He turned and walked up the stairs, leaving Cat in silence. She kept opening her mouth to argue, but she knew she had to agree… not that she'd let him hear her say that.

"I'm sorry Cat, but I just don't think it's a good idea."

"C'mon Anders, everyone will be there, and besides, we have no proof that there will actually be a fight."

Anders looked at her in question, and when Cat didn't argue further, he knew she understood what he was thinking, and it seemed by her silence that he was correct. They would be fighting tonight.

"You're healing very well honey," he placated her.

"Don't call me that," she grumbled to him.

"Well, regardless, it's true," he continued. "But can you tell me that you honestly feel back to one hundred percent?" he asked.

He waited a few moments before continuing, "your silence speaks volumes."

"I don't want to get left behind anymore," she whined, disgusted at herself when she heard her voice whining.

"This isn't leaving you behind to protect you," he said. "It isn't," he stressed when she snorted. "This is about giving you the chance to heal. If this was someone else…" he started and she cut him off.

"I know, I know!" she said, trying to keep the whine out of her voice. "I know it is the right thing in my head, but honestly, I can't help but feel like I'm getting left behind."

He reached over, giving her a hug. "How about I make it up to you?" he asked.

"How?" she grudgingly asked.

"I'll fill up a bath for you, and even reheat the water before I go home?" he offered, knowing her weakness for extremely hot baths. The water usually cooled too much for her tastes by the time she got the bath filled with water heated from the fire.

There was once she even had him come in and reheat the water after it had gone cold on her while she was still in the tub, which was interesting since she insisted he come in with his eyes closed.

She considered for a moment, just so he wouldn't know how badly she wanted it, and finally agreed. Her attitude was suddenly cheerful, as she herded him to the kitchen for the water barrels. Since he was there, she didn't have to heat the water before taking it upstairs, since he would simply heat it after the tub was filled.

"I swear, all you mages have to do is tell everyone that you won't make heating runes or heat their baths anymore, and you'll win your freedom," Cat said, giving Anders a wink as they hauled the water up the stairs.

"If only it were that simple," Anders replied.

"I know it isn't simple," she said, "but it will happen, as long as there are those that try."

"It would be much easier if you would just tell me what you know," Anders said, suddenly tense.

"I've told you what I can-"

"No, you haven't told me anything, Cat!" he interrupted her. He was instantly contrite. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell at you," he said.

"What's going on Anders?" she asked, worried. "What brought that on?"

Try as she might, he refused to talk about what had set him off, and Cat was finally forced to let it go, as he heated the water for her and left.

I wonder what all that was about, she thought.

At first both he and Fenris had been curious about the bad things in their lives that Cat could change, and she had spent quite some time convincing them that not only could that cause even worse things to happen, but also how important those things could be, how they helped to shape the people that they were.

They hadn't been convinced, but had understood that Cat would step in if things were really horrible.

Are we going to have to go through all this again? she thought worriedly, before letting herself enjoy the luxury of her bath.

"So, we're all here Hawke. What's this all about?"

"Cat's not here, Varric."

"I know that Daisy, but Blondie said she is still recuperating."

"Oh, I see. Go on then."

"Thanks Merrill," Hawke said with a smile. "I brought you all here for a job. Enchanter Orsino asked me to come to him, and when I arrived I was shuffled in to see the Knight Commander."

"Oh?" Anders asked haughtily. "What did the dragon lady want this time?"

"Apparently, there was some kind of incident at the Gallows a few days ago, and some phylacteries were destroyed. Some of the mages seized the opportunity and escaped."

"Really…" Anders replied with a grin.

"You have something to do with this Blondie?" Varric asked.

"No, but I'd like to congratulate whoever did," came the reply.

"This is bad," Aveline spoke up. "Meredith is sure to crack down even more on the circle. And anyone found helping those escaped mages."

"She said that they have recovered most of them," Hawke said. "But asked for my help with the last three that are evading her men."

Anders shot to his feet, "We will not hunt mages down!" he said in protest. "I absolutely refuse to do the templars' dirty work!"

"And, that is exactly what I told her," Hawke replied.

"...oh."

"Sit down Anders, let's hear the story," Sebastian spoke up. "I can't imagine the Knight Commander was happy to hear that."

"No. She was not."

"So what happened?" Aveline asked.

"She laid it all out very clearly," Hawke said, his jaw tightening in anger. "I'm an apostate, who is only free because I am the city's protector. If I give her any reason to suspect that I do not protect the city…"

"She'll lock you up," Aveline finished quietly.

"She can try," Anders said with emotion. "The people love Hawke, they will not just turn a blind eye."

"If even one of those mages causes harm to the people, Meredith will have all the evidence she needs," Aveline argued.

"You are both right," Hawke said, interrupting them. "Basically the Knight Commander asked that I investigate for myself whether they need to be recaptured."

"Sounds like she's trying to have you hang yourself on this one, Hawke," Varric said, the concern showing on his face.

"Yes, but I don't have a lot of choice here. When I was finally able to speak with Orsino, he told me that there were mages that were sneaking out for secret rendezvous. He didn't know what they were up to, but he worried that if they were caught, the repercussions would affect all mages. He asked that we look into it."

"So that's what we're doing tonight?" Sebastian guessed.

"Yes. He was able to get the time and location, so we'll find out what they are up to. Then, starting tomorrow, we will start the search for the escaped mages."

"And what happens when we find them?" Anders asked.

"That is up to them. Knowing Meredith however… makes me think that we'll be up against malificar."

Laying in the heated water, Cat sighed as she indulged herself.

"How do baths just make everything all right in the world?" she asked herself aloud, reveling in the privacy. "I should get annoyed with Anders more often, then I'll get more baths like this."

She thought of needing to find herself a mage that would forever heat her baths, and snickered when it dawned on her that Hawke was, in fact, such a mage.

"Okay then, next time I see him, I need to ask if he knows how to heat water. Otherwise, I'll make it Anders' new mission in life to teach him."

She made several fake laughs out loud, rolling her own eyes at herself for being so strange when she was finally alone.

Though… it's such a nice feeling. And guaranteed privacy when everyone else is out chasing down the secret mage/templar rebellion.

Laying back with her eyes closed, Cat was able to enjoy the silence. After a time, and realizing that she couldn't afford to fall asleep in the tub, she finally stood, giving mental thanks to Anders for the luxury, before grabbing her towel and heading for her bedroom.

Changing into a large tunic she had once borrowed from Hawke and now used as a sleep shirt, she wrapped her hair in the towel and laid down on her bed to cool off.

She was almost asleep again, when she heard a noise that had her head popping up.

Are they back already? she thought, preparing to call out for Anders when another thought that had been hovering in her mind finally made itself known.

The secret rebellion group… that kidnaps someone close to Hawke in order to make him listen. And those blood mages kill Ser Thrask…

"Crap!" she muttered, standing quickly and throwing off her towel. "Crap, crap, double crap!"

If they are coming for me, they are in for a big surprise, she thought. But what if they aren't coming for me?!

The sudden rush of adrenaline had her mind clear, and she grabbed a pair of her daggers, and moved to the window to hide. She stuck her daggers in her teeth and grabbed the edge of the roof, swinging herself out and up, just before the door opened, and several men moved into the room.

"Well?" one of them asked quietly, and Cat strained to hear.

"Nothing," came the reply.

"We don't have time to search the city," another said in an exasperated tone. "We'll have to go for another."

"Let's get a move on, before we're caught."

Cat watched as they left, and looked back at the sky. It was barely dusk, and Hawke's group would just barely be leaving, if not still at home. Not only that, but there was no one else that would be on their own- everyone was with Hawke that night… except her of course. So who else could they go for? she wondered.

An awful thought had her moving quickly over the roof top. She wasn't prepared to move through the city, wearing only an extra large tunic, and carrying a pair of daggers- but there was no time to waste.

If they went after Carver, there was no problem, and she'd be teased about this mercilessly by the others. But, if she was correct, and they were heading to kidnap Leandra? She might be able to stop them if she hurried.

The roof tops were hardly smooth, and while she might have thought her bare feet would be okay, she was stepping on all sorts of rocks and bits of metal or glass as she ran, though she didn't stop to check.

Ever since Olivia had died, Cat had worried about Leandra. It was probably just foolish thoughts, but she had wondered if Leandra was fated to die early, and thus something would happen that would take Garrett's mother from him.

She had changed things, and she worried about the world of Thedas trying to set it right. Though she didn't regret doing it… still she worried.

Knowing a window that was most likely open, Cat moved to Hawke's house, and swung into Garrett's room. She heard the growl and low bark, and turned to see Hafter relax as he recognized her. Whether it was the sight or the smell of her, she didn't know, but she was glad, because she hadn't thought about surprising him. That could have gone very bad.

"Hey boy, is Leandra here? Some men came into my house earlier, and I'm worried that they'll try for her next."

She knew she was talking to a dog, and it was still a marvel to know that he most likely understood what she was saying, if not just the general idea by her tone.

"Let's check on her, okay?"

The pair moved through the house, though Cat wasn't being purposefully quiet now. She doubted that Leandra was asleep, though she was most likely retired to her room for the evening.

Though, what did she know? She had only spent the night here once or twice, and she had been in bed, either recuperating, or… that one time she stayed with Hawke. She had no idea how early Leandra retired.

Perhaps it was best that she simply knock?

As she moved out to the hall, and looked at Leandra's room, Bodahn came walking up, ready to knock on the door.

"Miss Cat?" he asked, perplexed. "I wasn't aware you were…here."

She flushed slightly at her attire, but stayed on point. "I'm sorry Bodahn, I snuck in through the window. There were men that came to my house with the intent on kidnapping me, in order to force Hawke into something. I was able to hide, but I am concerned that they would come for Leandra."

Bodahn was shocked, and he moved forward to touch her arm. "Are you all right, miss?" he asked anxiously.

"I'll be fine," she answered, thinking of her stinging feet. "I'm sorry that I look so strange, I just had to leave my room in a hurry."

"Well, I wouldn't worry, there are several templars at the door to speak to Lady Amell, and we can ask them to stay until Master Hawke returns."

"Templars?" she asked, her face becoming hard.

The door near them opened, and Leandra looked out. She was wearing her lounging clothes, and Cat took note that she had been right about her retiring to her room.

"What's going on?" Leandra asked. "Cat? Is something the matter?" she took in Cat's state of dress, and smiled, but then saw the daggers in her hands, and became serious again.

"Men came into my house just a little bit ago," Cat told her quietly. "I was able to hide, but I heard them talking about taking someone, in order to force Garrett's hand. They left, when they couldn't find me, and I rushed over here, thinking they would try for you as well."

She paused, looking down to Bodahn. "They were templars," she said, seeing his eyes widen.

"Mistress, there are several templars at the door, asking to speak with you," he informed Leandra.

"Are we certain they are the same ones?" Leandra asked Cat.

"I have not seen them, but I would say that is likely, unless you were expecting templars at this time of night," she answered.

"What should we do?" Leandra asked, and they both looked to Cat. "I trust your judgement on this."

Cat thought for a moment. They wouldn't stop, not until they got someone… and that someone wouldn't actually be hurt. And while Hawke would be upset that she was taken, he would be an absolute wreck if his mother had been.

"I'll go speak with them, try to get them to leave. It may come to a fight, and they may take me, but I am hoping they will say something about where. In any case, if I am taken, I need you to tell Hawke everything they say when he returns."

"What kind of plan is that Cat?!" Leandra hissed.

"The kind that keeps you safe," Cat shot back. She adjusted the grip on her daggers, and moved toward the landing. "Keep out of sight, Leandra. Come on Bodahn, follow my lead."

"Of course Miss," he replied, moving to follow her.

"Cat, wait!" Leandra said in a loud whisper. "Let me get you some pants at least!"

Cat looked down, just realizing exactly what she was wearing. If it had been more formfitting, she would have compared it to Isabela's usual outfits. She gave Leandra a nod, and waited while she ran over to Hawke's room and grabbed a pair of pants, tossing them to her.

Cat shoved her feet into them one by one, noting how cut up and sore the bottoms of her feet were. Once she was able to get the pants on- they were very loose in the waist, but snug in the hips, so they stayed up just fine- she moved once again to the stairs, followed by Bodahn.

She walked down the stairs at an unhurried pace, seeing the few men looking up at her from the foyer. When she reached them, but kept a safe distance, she spoke.

"I am sorry, but Lady Hawke is unavailable at this time. Is there something I can help you with?"

The men were familiar, though she couldn't have named them. They looked at each other before one stepped forward.

"I'll be honest, serah, we need to keep the Champion busy, nothing more. We do not have any ill will towards him or his crew."

"I can appreciate your honesty, but you won't be taking his mother," Cat said as she held up her daggers in attack position.

"We don't want violence," he said, holding up his hands. "Not that we won't fight if we have to. And we don't care who it is, as long as it will subdue the Champion."

"I'll make you a deal," Cat said with a cunning smile. "You beat me, you can take me. Though I feel I should warn you that the Champion will come for any of his friends or family."

The templar's eyebrow rose, but he nodded, and gestured another man forward. "Quick and quiet," he directed the fighter. "Do not harm her."

Cat sized up her new opponent, and began to step back as he advanced on her. Either way, Leandra's safe, she thought. Mission accomplished.

Their spar didn't last long, the man purposefully coming close to get Cat to attack, then dodging. Within no time, she realized just how right Hawke had been, as the man tired her out with out a single attack. He dodged her swing again, coming up and knocking her on the side of her temple with his gauntlet.

She crumpled to the floor, and the man picked her up without a word. He turned back to the first man, who said, "Let's go." He nodded to Bodahn with a small smile, and the men headed out the way they came, their prize with them, the sound of a dog howling behind them.

"It's the Champion!"

"We know you're working for Orsino!"

"Run! We'll keep him busy!"

Hawke stood still through all of this, wondering what in the world they were talking about. There were several circle mages and a few templars that were pointing their weapons at him and his crew.

"I'm doing Orsino a favor, yes," he commented. "He's trying to keep you all from doing something stupid, though I'd say that ship has already sailed."

"We won't let you ruin this Champion," a mage sneered at him, causing Hawke to wonder what they thought he was doing here.

"I'm here to investigate, not kill you," Hawke replied crossly.

"And I'm the Divine!" the mage shot back.

"Enough talk!" another spoke up, and shot a spell at the group, where a barrier appeared suddenly, taking the brunt of the spell.

"Thanks Blondie," Varric said with a smirk. "Guess we know what that means," he said to Hawke, who sighed and pulled out his staff.

"Surrender, and we will spare you," Hawke said loudly, though the mages and templars just gave battle roars and attacked.

"Can't say you didn't try!" Varric shouted at him as he started shooting Bianca.

The fight was short lived, but it made Hawke's stomach turn. He truly hadn't been going to kill them, he just needed answers to take to Orsino. Now, with the kill first attitude he had ran into, he was suspicious of the group's directive.

Searching the bodies, he found a note about a warehouse near the docks where new recruits were taken to ensure they were trustworthy. It was a good place to start.

"Another secret society meeting in a warehouse?" Varric asked Sebastian who shrugged. "So you think they charge them rent for this?"

"They are obviously up to something," Sebastian replied, not playing along with Varric's joke.

"Let's find out what," Hawke said, and stormed away, the others following him.

"Cat?"

Cat looked up, hearing her name, and looked around the dimly lit room. She knew they were somewhere on the docks, since she could smell the water, but she wasn't sure exactly where.

Keran moved into her line of sight, looking concerned, and she gave a noise of surprise, though her gag prevented her from speaking.

"Why is she here?" Keran asked the men that were escorting her.

"Isn't it obvious?" the man replied testily. "I told you we were being spied on!"

"The woman is leverage," another answered.

"But… but… this is Cat, I know her!" Keran said hastily. "She's one of the Champion's!"

He was taken aback, seeing the look on Cat's face… as if she understood completely.

"We know that boy," another man said, pushing Cat forward and gesturing for her to sit at the base of a pillar. "Who do you think is spying? Well, this will keep the Champion from pushing his nose where it doesn't belong."

"It's only until we can complete our meeting," one of the templars placated Keran. "We are not going to harm her in any way."

"This is wrong…" Keran mumbled. "They saved my life, both of them."

"What was that?!" the angry man snapped.

"I was kidnapped by blood mages!" Keran said passionately. "So I know! This is wrong, and the Champion will come for her!"

"We'll send someone with a letter, let him know we have her, and she'll be returned, as long as he doesn't interfere," the kindly templar explained, feeling sorry for the younger boy.

Keran didn't get to speak, as one of the mage recruiters came hustling into the room.

"The Champion!" he called, the others around gathering close to hear him.

"What happened?"

"Where are the recruits?"

"Why are you alone?"

Questions flew at him, but he simply panted, getting his breath back. "Shut up, and I'll tell you!" he snapped. "The Champion showed at the recruitment meeting! We need to get everything out of here!"

"He's coming here?!" a man gasped.

"Feren stayed behind to give me time to get away, but he had the letter on him. The Champion will surely follow!" he replied.

Keran listened will a dispassionate ear, noting that Cat wasn't worried, or even excited to know that the Champion was coming. It was almost as if she was deep in thought. He moved to her, removing the gag.

"Cat, I have to get you out of here," he said quietly, moving cut the ropes on her hands.

"No Keran," she replied, and he looked at her in shock.

She leaned forward, looking at him gravely. "I'll be fine, no one is trying to hurt me," she added. "I need you to stay here, and direct Hawke where to find me after this. He needs to stop this."

"I thought we were doing the right thing," Keran said miserably. "I watched one of the tranquil ceremonies, and I thought I would be sick," he confessed. "There are good people that just happen to be mages."

"I know that," she replied, smiling at him. "But there are also many that are not good people. You had good intentions, but this isn't the way to bring about a positive change."

"I'm not sure there is a way," he admitted. "I hope there is," he nodded, standing back up. "I'll let him know," he said, moving away from her before the others could see them talking.

"Quick, you three!" the mage in charge was shouting to some templars, as Cat tuned back in. "Take this, and her, and get going! We'll stop them here, but in case we don't, we can't let the plan die!"

The three templars nodded, moving quickly, grabbing a few satchels of paper, one coming for Cat, helping her to stand. They moved away, Cat following the leader, and the other two behind her- out of the docks and quickly through the night.

She could only be glad that they didn't make a point of gagging her again, but she stayed quiet, so they either didn't notice, or didn't make a big deal out of it, since she was cooperating. She hoped she would escape notice enough to not get put to sleep with a blood magic spell. That would really make this experience turn out all right.

"I'm sorry Champion, I swear, I tried to stop them," Keran said as he moved toward Hawke.

Hawke noted that he looked familiar, but the sight of the man coming up to speak with him without a weapon had him putting his own away.

"I'm sorry, but I've misplaced your name," Hawke said, feeling bad.

"It was a long time ago," Keran smiled. "I'm Keran, and you and your crew saved me from being possessed by a demon, thanks to some blood mages."

"Ah, of course Keran, thank you for jogging my memory," Hawke said with a grin. "Though, I am now wondering what you've gotten yourself into."

"More than I originally knew, since they've kidnapped one of yours," Keran said dejectedly.

Keran took a deep breath. "They… they said someone was spying, so we needed leverage. Someone they cared about, as a hostage. Not long ago, they came through… with Cat."

Keran stepped back, as Hawke's face went from kindly to wrath in a moment, with gasps from a few of the others.

"You bastards…" Hawke grit out, holding himself back from taking his anger out on the lad.

"Like I said, I tried to stop them, but Cat asked me to stay here, and tell you where they were headed. If it is any consolation, they aren't going to hurt her, they just wanted to make sure you would leave them alone. Do you understand?"

"It's fairly straightforward," Anders spoke up. "You're doing something wrong, and knowing the Champion would stop you, you kidnapped Cat in order to keep him in line."

"Bad idea," Varric muttered.

"Where. Is. She."

Keran turned back to the Champion at his words, gulping at the intensity of his words, though they were soft.

"They took her to the main group. Thrask says that Meredith will destroy our way of life if she isn't put down."

"This whole stunt is to oust the Knight Commander?!" Varric asked in disbelief.

"She needs to go, don't you see?" Keran pleaded his case, knowing this was his only chance. "We need a real viscount, and templars that protect and watch over the mages, not massacre them. Just look what we've accomplished, mages and templars working together!"

"Is Thrask the one in charge?" Hawke demanded.

"He's the one that brought us together," Keran replied. "He's been working for six years, one at a time, teaching us that we don't have to hate each other, that Meredith's way is not the only answer."

"I can't believe you of all people would join a group of apostate mages," Hawke said grimly, getting tired of talking.

"They aren't apostates, they want the circle!" Keran said, even as Anders snorted in disgust. "They just want it to work the way it should, to protect them, so the Knight Commander has to go!"

"He does have some good points," Anders muttered.

"It is almost convincing, that without the Knight Commander, there could be peace," Sebastian said. "But without someone to hold the line, there would be more chaos, not less."

Anders looked ready to argue, but Hawke stopped them with a gesture and a word.

"Enough."

"What are you going to do to Thrask?" Keran asked. "To me?"

"This will not end well," Hawke said dispassionately. "I'd stay out of range if I were you."

Keran nodded, seeming to know that would be the outcome. "I'm sorry again, Champion. They went to the Wounded Coast. We have a base there, at the ruins. You have plenty of time, they will not meet all together until late morning, if you are wanting to get them all at once."

Hawke nodded, gesturing for Keran to leave. The young templar gave a nod. "I'll go to my sister's," he said. "I don't think I can continue to serve the templars with her in charge."

Hawke said nothing, just watched as the young man left. He then closed his eyes, and took several deep breaths.

"Hawke?" Varric asked, after he reopened his eyes. "What are you thinking?" he asked.

"I'm thinking we should stop at home first," Hawke answered. "I believe I'll need some more potions, and my dog for this one."