Turning sharply as Jayden screamed, Ayanna cursed and moved to his side. Alistair and Dylan had stopped whimpering and shaking, but both were still ashen and looked afraid. Cailan too was clearly being affected by whatever was happening, a look of deep distress on his face. She glanced at Morrigan seeing the strain, knowing she wanted to help her friend. "Concentrate on what you are doing Morrigan, I will see to Will." Turning she scanned him frowning deeply, feeling echoes of injuries that couldn't be.

"If this goes on for much longer it will kill him." Daniel muttered as Jayden's body convulsed.

"If we stop now all this was for nothing." Rathnal snapped. "You think if we bring them out now, anyone will be able to convince them, or anyone to go back in there?"

"And if Will dies?"

Rathnal swallowed painfully. "He knew the risks."

Seeing the agony in her Commander's eyes despite his words, Ayanna moved closer to Jayden pressing her hands to his chest. "What you are experiencing is not real." Blue energy flared at her hands as she channelled it into him. "You threw that bastard out of your mind once. Now take control and show him what it means to be Andraste's Champion!"

xXx

Snarling furiously Dylan fought to try and release himself from the chains, spells had failed as had force, his wrists bloody from the attempts despite knowing this body was not real. Alistair was struggling just as fiercely next to him, blood running down his own hands. He glared at Cailan who had turned away unable to watch. "Damn you, you have to fight to take back control! They are cutting him apart a piece at a time, you can't just ignore that!"

Shuddering, Cailan forced himself to look towards Jayden seeing the blood dripping from the altar to the floor and turned away in horror and helplessness, wishing he could shut out the screams that had never ceased. "What do you expect me to do? Do you think I want him to suffer? Do you think if I could stop it I would not already have done so!" Cailan turned desperately to Alistair. "If I had power here I would never have let you be lashed."

"I know." Alistair whispered. "But you still need to try, we can't just give up."

"You are not even trying to free yourself! What kind of man are you that would let a child be tortured? Is that the kind of King you are?" Flushing at his outburst, Dylan slowly glanced back to the awful scene as the screaming suddenly stopped. His eyes widened as he felt a ripple of magic unlike anything he had ever experienced.

xXx

What existed within the bond that Mythal had created so long ago in Jayden's ancestor was just a fraction of her magic, but even so it was as powerful as it was ancient, embodying Mother, Warrior, General and Goddess. It had flowed through the generations little more than a whisper, a nudge when needed. Within Jayden however the fragment of Mythal's magic had become something different. Each exposure to the magics he had experienced had caused it to shift and adapt, especially when a blood magic spell of protection had been laid within him and when the flames of Holy Andraste had healed him. Now it surged forth in righteous fury as the darkness threatened to kill one it had been charged with protecting. The fragment absorbed the healing energy being poured into his body, rising to claim what was Mythal's.

Through the terror and pain Jayden suddenly felt something else, waves of energy flowing through his body. He stared at his tormentors with the wild joy of a seven-year-old who believed that what had awakened in him was magic. He didn't fight it, didn't try to stop it, clung to it with the hope that it could save him; gazing in awe as his hands were recreated. He stretched out his fingers, something he thought never to be able to do again, seeing flames rippling beneath the surface of the skin, believing if magic could do this it could do anything. The chains fell away from him and he slipped from the altar, clutching it as his wobbling legs threatened to give way.

Knowing from Jayden's prior experience what could affect the Archdemon, the manifestation of Mythal's magic reached for the Archdemon in the guise of Holy fire and the prophet of the Maker.

Urthemiel drew back snarling and hissing as the presence grew, gaining power before he felt the heat of her fury and vengeance.

Dylan and Alistair stared in awe, their eyes widening as the Old God screamed, Cailan screaming with it.

Watching through the eyes of a child, Jayden stared in wonder as a woman who could only be Holy Andraste wreathed in flames, rose against the emperor who had become a dragon. He felt a shiver of cold run through him as the two forces clashed. Staring at his hands again, he realised this magic was not a part of him, but instead a gift and deep inside he understood she would need all her power against the dark force of the dragon. Trembling, he called out to her to take the magic back. He felt her shock and then a warmth and swell of love that wrapped around him. Jayden staggered a few steps as the magic withdrew, taking with it his reformed hands, before he collapsed.

Urthemiel screamed in fury as the force broke against him, the fire tearing into him despite all of his magical defences. Thrashing wildly, he tried to avoid the flames he seemed unable to defend against, using all of his magical reserves, but he knew this battle at least was lost. Roaring in fury he lost his grip and was cast out of Cailan's mind.

Dylan stared wide eyed as the flames suddenly rushed towards them, throwing himself to the ground dragging Alistair with him, both staring as they engulfed the King and the room, surging out into the corridor beyond.

Clutching his head as the corruption the Archdemon had laid within him was destroyed, Cailan shuddered as his freed memories surged into his consciousness. His love of his parents, his lonely childhood after the death of his mother. He experienced his childhood adoration of Anora, remembering when it became love. Remembering her support of him when his father went missing, the strength and guidance she had given him as they navigated ruling Ferelden. She had taken the lead because he had never wanted to and he realised that there were so many times he had shirked his duty because she had seemed so much more adept than he. He remembered their betrayal of each other and wept, seeing their mistakes and foolish actions and felt a swell of grief at the pain they had caused each other; guilt stricken at the pain he would cause her when he told her about his son. He groaned as memories rushed on interlinked, revealed almost faster than he could cope with. Shuddering as he remembered so clearly his fascination with Jayden the first time he had met him; holding him in his arms and knowing he would do anything to protect him. Jayden had felt safe with him, had risked his life for him and he had destroyed that trust and loyalty.

As the memories eased the flames vanished and Cailan was able to open his eyes, shocked to realise Jayden had collapsed. The chains prevented him from reaching him and he roared in fury, straining violently, almost falling forward as they shattered. Those restraining Alistair and Dylan vanished at the same moment. He moved to Jayden gently scooping the boy into his arms, horrified by what had been done to him, knowing this could have easily been his fate if their fathers had not succeeded in rescuing him. "You are strong, you will survive this and I swear brother, I swear I will make things right between us again. I am so sorry for all the vile things I said to you, one day I hope you will understand I had no choice and forgive me. Please, you have to survive this, please." He turned to Dylan not looking at Alistair, afraid to see his judgement. "The Archdemon is gone, why is he not his adult self again?"

Meeting the King's gaze Dylan worried at his lip. "Perhaps it is the trauma."

"Can you help him?"

"The only way to help him now is to get him out of here."

Jayden slowly opened his eyes and gazed up at Cailan, he didn't know who he was, but he looked so much like King Maric it awoke a sliver of hope within him. His throat ached and his voice was so weak his words were barely a whisper. "Can you take me home?"

Tears slipping down his cheeks, Cailan nodded. "Yes, yes I can take you home." He paled as the woman who could only be Holy Andraste approached them, her gaze on the boy in his arms. He realised he was trembling as she knelt and gently pressed a soft kiss to Jayden's forehead, the boy relaxing in his arms. "Thank you." He whispered, feeling unworthy of her gentle smile, sucking in a sharp breath as he felt her energy move through him, realising Alistair and Dylan felt it too.

Jayden sighed softly and closed his eyes, all he wanted was to see his family again. The pain faded and he felt as though his body was drifting. He wondered if this was death and wished he could have lived a little longer and kept the magic, with that he doubted he would ever have felt afraid again.

xXx

Sitting up sharply Alistair took huge gulps of air clutching his hands to steady their shaking. His back ached as though the lashing had been real, though it was merely an echo of the pain he had felt at the whim of the Archdemon. He leaned against Teagan, closing his eyes and trying to steady his breathing. Tears of relief slipped down his cheeks, but he forced himself to look to Cailan who was awake, Serris, Daniel, Stephan and Ser Matthew at his side, presumably ensuring all trace of the Archdemon's influence was gone. Reece was kneeling beside Dylan who looked as shaken as he felt and Morrigan was beside Jayden. He felt his throat constrict glancing anxiously as Ayanna approached.

"Relax Ali, now let me make sure you are alright."

Alistair sighed softly as the magic rippled through his body, easing tense muscles and soothing his back.

"What happened?" Teagan asked softly.

Ayanna moved away at Alistair's look, startled by the momentary shame that crossed his face.

Keeping his voice low Alistair met Teagan's worried gaze. "The Archdemon made me experience a memory, but he twisted it. You remember that Jay took that lash in my stead." He shivered as Teagan tensed. "That thing made me live out what would have happened if Jay had never been there. I had nightmares for months after it, of what could have been and that bastard played out the worst." Lowering his head, he sighed. "I thought I had finally freed myself of her, but I was just a child again and I … I just wanted her to stop." He wiped angrily at his tears. "Why couldn't she just accept me?"

Lost for words Teagan gently hugged him feeling Alistair slump against him. "She is a fool Alistair, but it was my gain, for without her cruelty you would never have come to live with me and that was one of the greatest blessings of my life." He felt his heart ache at Alistair's cautious gaze. "Do not let the Archdemon destroy all you have built Alistair, you are loved by myself, Loretta and so many more. He cannot take that from you, unless you let him."

Forcing a smile Alistair gripped his arm, not trusting himself to speak just yet.

Slowing down his breathing Dylan hugged his knees to his chest meeting Reece's searching gaze. "Think Harrowing, but worse." He smiled slightly at Reece's shudder. "At least it's over."

"Given what seemed to be happening, I'm assuming you confronted the Archdemon?"

"Confronting isn't what I would call it. More like it reminded us we are nothing compared to it."

"But the memory obviously worked."

"The memory was never activated." Dylan glanced at Jayden and sighed softly.

"Then how did you defeat it?"

Lowering his voice Dylan nipped sharply at his lip. "Holy Andraste."

"I thought you said the memory wasn't triggered."

"It wasn't. A memory of Her didn't save us, She saved us!"

"Dylan …"

"It's the truth. I think that thing would have killed us if not for Her. Though don't say anything, I'm not sure how much of what happened in there we are supposed to talk about."

"Well, whatever happened let me scan you; you clearly went through something painful."

Dylan nodded, his gaze drifting to the others, a stab of fear in his chest about what the King might decide to do with what he had seen.

Jayden didn't move at first, adjusting to the tidal wave of memories that crashed into him now that he was disengaged from Cailan's mind. He took a deep shuddering breath when the onslaught stopped, slowly wiggling his fingers as he had as a child after a particularly brutal nightmare and adjusting to being back in his adult body. His throat felt sore and every muscle was aching, but he was alive and with a quick glance to his hands he assured himself he was whole. He felt a profound gratitude for Mythal, but couldn't help wondering how her magic had taken form within Cailan's mind. His head ached and he knew he would likely never understand, pushing down the fear that he was possessed after all. He gave Morrigan a weak smile, doubting he had ever seen such a worried expression on her face. "I'm alright." He reassured, startled by the croak in his voice, easing up and taking the tonic she handed him. Glancing around him he offered a reassuring smile to Dylan and Alistair, that he was sure neither believed. Inwardly he sighed, there would be many consequences from what had happened, but he would deal with them later. "I could do with some fresh air, is it alright to leave?"

"Indeed."

"Would you come with me?" At her nod, Jayden accepted her help to stand and headed outside breathing deeply, leading her to where they could talk alone.

"What happened?" Morrigan demanded.

"The Archdemon projected out certain memories, those most painful, or those we didn't want others to know."

"And for you?"

"He showed the others when the Templars attacked Anders and what we did."

"T'is true that may have been uncomfortable for you, but hardly torture."

"That was a different memory that he messed with, but that doesn't matter right now. The memory about the Templars is the one that can affect us here. Alistair won't say anything, but I have no idea what Cailan will do, or indeed Dylan."

"I suspect Dylan will remain silent on the matter."

"Perhaps, but Cailan is a King and has a duty to report such an incident."

"And you believe he will?"

"I have no idea what he will do, but he saw us both."

"And you fear for me?"

"Of course I do! Should the Templars come for us, change your shape and leave as fast as you can."

"You expect me to leave you behind?"

"I expect you to get as far away from them as possible. I won't have you end up in Aeonar because of me."

"I am responsible for my own actions and I do not regret killing that monster."

"Morrigan …"

"I fear no Templar." She sighed at his look. "I make this promise to you, they shall not take me." They shall not take you either. Glancing to his wrist she frowned. "How did you defeat the Archdemon if you did not use the memory?"

"Mythal, or whatever magic from her is within me. The others think it was Holy Andraste." He quickly explained what had happened skipping over the true horror of the torture.

"T'is quite astonishing."

"You think?" Jayden hissed. "What I want to know is how it was even possible. You told me once I was not possessed by whatever magic Mythal weaved into my ancestor, but that magic had form and drive. The Archdemon wasn't using blood magic to twist my mind so how was it even activated?"

"Magic evolves, you cannot expect it to remain the same through the generations and within you it has been exposed to much, including blood magic as well as direct healing from Andraste's flames. Mythal's magic will have absorbed some of that and adapted to others. T'is well it did take Andraste's form, t'will prevent questions being asked."

"I doubt that. I am going to end up in Aeonar at this rate, even if not for my part with the Templars." He sighed at her sharp tut, lifting up his branded wrist. "Can you at least remove this?" He raised an eyebrow at the flush on her cheeks and her look of discomfort.

"I … do not know how."

"Great. Just great."

xXx

Cailan had watched Jayden leave the building feeling a cold knot of anxiety in his stomach, but he had forced himself to focus on those speaking to him. Stephan had scanned him, an odd sensation but not unpleasant, when he had finished Daniel did his own form of scan. Both had concluded that all traces of influence from the Archdemon were gone. He turned to Teagan feeling guilt tighten his chest. "I am so sorry I hurt you Uncle, but I had to warn you and I had so little control or time."

"It is alright Cailan, I understand."

"Can you forgive me?"

"Of course, none of this was your doing. Now I need you to wear this and do not remove it until the Archdemon is dead. The mages had Sandal make it. It will prevent the Archdemon from regaining its grip on you."

Cailan glanced at the ring Teagan handed him. It was heavy and made of a metal he couldn't identify, intricate symbols engraved on both the inner and outer sides of the piece. Even just holding it, he felt a pulse of energy emanating from it. The moment he pushed it onto his finger he felt a wave of energy move through him then it was still, apart from the weight it felt like a normal ring. "How?"

Teagan shifted slightly. "Well Sandal does not say much apart from 'enchantment', but Bodahn said the runes within the metal will form some kind of protective field." He gently put his hand on Cailan's shoulder. "Do you wish to talk about what happened?"

"I do, perhaps we can talk in private."

"Give me a moment I shall ask the others to leave."

Stephan lit the fire before joining the others as they headed outside.

Cailan glanced at Alistair as he too left, Rathnal staying close to him. His heart ached when Alistair gave him a weak smile, feeling humbled that despite all, Alistair had not given up on him.

"Now then." Teagan stated pulling chairs up to the fire. "Tell me what happened." He sat silently concealing his horror as Cailan told him everything.

"What I did to you, to Alistair, to Jayden, I … I had no choice, the damn thing would have made me kill Alistair and I …" Shuddering, Cailan ran his fingers through his hair. "I would give my own life to save Alistair, but I never imagined having to choose between them." He trembled slightly as Teagan's hand rested gently on his own. Closing his eyes, he shook his head. "That thing doesn't just infiltrate memories, it can twist them, subvert them to its own purpose, its own sick, twisted amusement." Taking a shuddering breath, he met Teagan's worried gaze. "I have been so very foolish, so unworthy of being King."

"Cailan …"

"No uncle, I used my lack of memories to avoid doing my duty. I have acted unforgivably."

"You should not be so hard on yourself."

"I should be harder! I am King, no matter the circumstances I had a duty to return to Denerim. To stand with Anora and Loghain." Sighing he shook his head. "I will never regret Gawain, he is everything to me and I love Rosslyn, but I need to return to Anora. We can sort out our personal issues once this blight is dealt with. I have felt the power of the Archdemon and it will take all of us working together to defeat it." He ran his hand down his face. "I do not know how much time we have; it saw the vision we were granted at Haven. I felt it's triumph, but I also felt something else. I think it will take a little time for it to amass its forces at Denerim, but I fear it will bring them all. We need to get in touch with Anora as soon as possible and have her start evacuating the city."

"Then we need to leave for Highever as soon as possible." Teagan met his troubled gaze. "What was Holy Andraste like?"

"The Archdemon was so powerful I could not withstand it, yet Her power was so much greater. I thought Her flames would end me and while there was pain, She freed me, She gave me my memories. I … Teagan, She smiled at me and I have never felt so unworthy. I … I find myself wondering if the Guardian knew what would happen."

"I suspect we will never know."

"Why would they put us through all of that?"

"Cailan we are tested in many ways."

"Why would She want Her own Champion to experience that? Yes, She freed him, but why make him go through that at all."

"He is Her Champion." Teagan stated softly. "As an adult he may be expected to experience certain trials, but as you said he was trapped as a child and brutally tortured. Is it any wonder our Holy Lady intervened?"

"Uncle I … it was as though she used magic!"

"Holy Andraste was many things, slave, warrior, prophet and bride to the Maker. She met her death on the pyre. Do you not think if she had magic, she would have manifested it in the many battles she fought and to try and escape such a brutal fate?"

Cailan glanced at him and sighed. "Jayden thought he had magic in those moments and he … he looked thrilled."

"Can you truly blame him? With what was happening to him no doubt he saw it as a way to escape." Teagan sighed at Cailan's obvious discomfort. "He is not a mage Cailan, Templars and a Seeker have ensured that previously."

"I know." Cailan muttered. "I just … I do not know what to think." His mind drifted to the memory of Jayden killing the Templars. "I think he has faced far more than we realise and I have destroyed his trust in me. Maker, how do I make this right?"

"I suspect apologising will be the first step and then time. Lost trust can be regained, but it will likely be a long road."

Cailan nodded slightly, staring at his hands, jumping slightly as Teagan's hand rested on his shoulder.

"Our priority must be the Blight."

"I wonder if Alistair will speak to me."

Teagan smiled slightly. "I am sure he will, I will go and get him."

Cailan felt a rush of relief as a short time later Alistair entered the room. "I am glad you came."

"How are you feeling?"

"To be honest I am not sure. Physically I am fine, but …" He met Alistair's gaze and stood. "I am so sorry I attacked you, hurt you I …" He gasped as he found himself in a fierce hug. Feeling tears slip down his cheeks, Cailan hugged him just as tightly. "Please forgive me."

"Of course I do. It wasn't you." Alistair whispered his voice thick with tears.

"What that thing did to you …"

"It plucked a nightmare out of my memory, that's all. I … it wasn't real. It felt real, but it wasn't. I'm alright."

"Are you?"

Alistair finally pulled back and gave a rueful smile. "I will probably have a few nasty dreams for a while, but Isolde doesn't have the power over me she once did. I'm not that scared boy anymore. You don't need to worry about me, I promise."

xXx

Steeling himself Cailan glanced over the young soldier standing before him, they were in the building the spell had been carried out in which was at least warm and private. He had apologised for his behaviour to them all and assured them he was no longer under the Archdemon's influence, but he owed Terrance a personal apology. "What was done to you under my orders was unpardonable."

Terrance shifted nervously. "I disobeyed your orders. To be honest I thought my punishment would be worse."

Hesitating, Cailan nodded slightly. "Under normal circumstances that might well have been the case, but these … these were not normal circumstances."

Nipping at his lip Terrance risked a quick look at the King. "We all knew there was something wrong your Majesty, you would never have done what you did if there hadn't been."

"That is very generous of you Terrance. Nevertheless, you did not deserve what was done to you. My apology may not mean much, but I hope you can accept it. I truly am sorry."

"Your Majesty it doesn't even hurt anymore, Warden Ayanna fixed me up, I won't even have any scars." He gave a slightly cheeky grin. "And there are worse things than being healed by a beautiful woman."

"Indeed, there are."

"Your Majesty I … it's not my place, but … well please don't be hard on the captain. People don't really understand with Airyl being a wolf, but the captain, well he would pretty much jump in front of the Archdemon itself if it meant saving one of us. He would never have pushed you otherwise. People forget with him being Andraste's Champion that he's a man too and he gets scared and angry just like the rest of us." He shifted nervously. "I think maybe some of that anger towards you is just because he was scared for you too. He … well he cares about everyone and everything." He flushed at the King's look. "I know people think he is tough and maybe a bit harsh, but he is just trying to give us the best chance to survive this. Maker sometimes it's like he feels personally responsible for the whole Blight. That's a lot for one man to carry, even if that man is Andraste's Champion. I guess what I am trying to say is that maybe he has been punished enough for what he did." He paled slightly. "If … if it pleases your Majesty."

"I have no wish to punish or cause your Captain further pain or distress believe me." He smiled as Terrance seemed to relax. After dismissing the soldier Cailan sat and gazed at the flames, barely registering the warmth. He needed to resolve things with Jayden, but he had no idea where to start.

xXx

Barely aware of where he was walking, Alistair was startled to find himself at the beacon room, seeing Aedan was also there. "You alright?"

Nodding Aedan turned back to looking out over the Wilds. "Just remembering."

Shivering at the memory of their escape from this very room Alistair joined him. "It all seems like a long time ago."

"What happened, in Cailan's mind I mean? Ayanna told me all three of you were tortured during that spell."

Sighing Alistair leaned against the wall. "I don't know how that thing did it, but I was a boy again. Not just in body, but I had none of my adult memories. I … I was being lashed." He gave a weak smile as Aedan's hand gripped his shoulder.

"Isolde?" Aedan sighed at Alistair's slight nod.

"It felt so real. I … I was nothing and she was going to kill me. Her hate … I …" He was startled when Aedan hugged him tightly, more surprised by the tears he couldn't hold back. "That day in the stables, she was so angry, so full of hate, I think she might have killed me if Jay hadn't been there, if he hadn't done what he did to protect me."

"She can never hurt you again and you are not nothing."

"I know." Alistair forced a smile. "At least now I could fight back if she tried." A shudder ran through his body. "I wanted things to be different for my child. I was going to be there Aedan; my child would never doubt how much they were loved and protected. How could Flemeth do this to me? How could she take me from my family for this … this darkness?"

Swallowing against the lump in his throat Aedan gripped his shoulders making him look at him. "I have no idea how, but I am with Will, we will get you back to your family, just as we will get him back to his."

Giving a weak smile Alistair nodded.

"But until then, we make sure there is a world for your child to grow up in."

"That's sometimes the only thing that keeps me going, that and having some amazing friends."

Grinning Aedan squeezed his shoulder before letting go. "Besides, at least the memory worked again." He hesitated as Alistair shook his head.

"He never got the chance to activate it."

"Then how?"

"Holy Andraste. I know it sounds unbelievable, but she was there. She fought the Archdemon and cast it out of Cailan's mind and freed his memories. I … I've never seen or felt anything like it."

Aedan stared at his friend stunned.

"Maybe you should speak to Will about what happened for him."

"I intended to."

"Don't let him put you off, he's too good at keeping things in and this … this is one thing he shouldn't." He swallowed at Aedan's searching look. "Don't ask me to tell you what happened to him Aedan because damn it I'm desperate to, just ask him, please."

xXx

Smiling slightly as Morrigan approached, Dylan felt his breath hitch at her gesture to follow. He hesitated barely a second before catching up to her; following her to what had once been the captain's office, his heart pounding when she closed the door behind them and those predatory eyes focused on him. Swallowing with nervous excitement, he pulled her close as her lips sought his. Thoughts of the Archdemon's torture slipped into the background as he focused on this moment. He was not foolish enough to think he was anything more than a passing distraction for her, but that wasn't going to stop him from enjoying whatever time together she allowed.

xXx

Moving into the tavern Aedan's stomach was churning, Alistair had refused to tell him what had happened to Jayden, but he was left with a certainty that it had been bad. He spied Jayden next to the fire gazing at his hands. It was unsettling and the knot in his stomach tightened. Pulling up a seat he met Jayden's gaze relieved no-one else was around, hoping that would make him more inclined to talk. "I know you are used to keeping everything to yourself and I am not here to try and force you to tell me what happened, but I'm here, if you want to talk." Jayden was silent for so long Aedan gave up hope that he would speak, but he couldn't make himself leave.

"We had no control in there, it was laughable that we thought we ever stood a chance. We were so arrogant to presume we could do anything against a force that has walked men's minds for centuries. He entered our memories so easily, making us see and feel them. He could twist them." Jayden clutched his hands realising they were trembling. "He made me a child, my seven-year-old self. I had no memory of anything beyond that age. I wouldn't have known you if you had stood in front of me. I … he … I was back on that ship, only this time my father didn't come for me. I was taken to the emperor. He … he took my fingers one by one and then my hands at the wrists." He glanced up, Aedan's face ashen, his expression one of horror. "I was a child, terrified, I had no tolerance for pain, I had no way of coping with it. I just … I screamed and kept screaming. He would have killed me, killed us all, but not before he was finished with us." He shuddered, turning away. "I just … how many times could he have given me my hands back just to take them again."

No matter what he had imagined it had not been that and Aedan was lost as to how to respond. "I … Maker I …" He swallowed against the lump forming in his throat. "Ali told me what happened to him, he said … he said Holy Andraste appeared and cast the Archdemon from Cailan's mind." He nipped his lip at Jayden's exhausted look, feeling his anger suddenly begin to boil. "Why did she wait so bloody long?" He growled. "If she could do what she did, why didn't she stop it from happening?"

"Aedan I … I don't know, but I don't think we should be making this public."

"Why?" He was startled at Jayden's shudder and moved to him gripping his shoulder. "Why?" He kept his voice soft.

"Do you think the Chantry would hesitate to use this if I put a foot wrong with them? I've already had a spirit attached to me before. All they would have to do is say this was a spirit or demon even and it's over for me." He bowed his head struggling to master himself. "I never wanted to be tied to the Chantry, I will never be free of them if they find out!" He felt Aedan's arms around him and leaned into him.

"It's going to be alright; I promise."

"It won't." Jayden whispered in despair. "They will hold it over me for the rest of my life."

Aedan knew words would be useless so he hugged him tighter wishing they were children again and things were simpler.

xXx

As Morrigan adjusted her clothing watching Dylan do the same, she gazed at him thoughtfully, having no idea what to say to him. Confused by her desire to offer him comfort after his ordeal, she had given him what she could in the only way she felt capable of offering it. Returning his smile she forced her expression back to neutral, reminding herself he was simply a pleasant diversion from the stress of their current situation. She allowed his tentative kiss before pulling back, opening the door and walking out.

Dylan leaned on the door frame and watched her leave in bemusement, she had not uttered a single word.

xXx

In a dark chamber beneath the Wilds, Urthemiel lay on stone warmed by the lava that moved beneath it, his ruined eye throbbing and his body ravaged by the blight almost a torment. Surrounding him were the bodies of Darkspawn who had been the recipients of his rage when he had been forced from the King's mind. He had thought his power absolute and yet there would be no getting back into it, those wretched flames had seen to that. Not flames of course, but a magic that whispered of power perhaps more ancient than his own. In his hubris he had awoken something that could mean his destruction. Whatever that magic had been, it was tied to the mortal, if he was to triumph, he could not risk being exposed to it again. Yet he could not appear to have been weakened by the encounter. Slowly he rose, focusing his thoughts directing those Darkspawn nearest to him. They would move to Denerim soon enough, but first there was somewhere else that needed to experience the destructive force of his focus.

xXx

Author Note: Thank you for reading, it is always appreciated.