The stretch of beach was silent, but for the painful breathing of the young elven man who was on his knees holding his chest, the chains heavy at his wrists. He had struck one of his captors in an attempt to engineer an escape, the blow that had stopped him had been painful, but not enough to do any permanent damage. He glanced at his fellow captives, eyes down and trying to stay out of the attention of the slavers. A solitary ship was at anchor off the shore and several row boats were on the strip of beach. He shuddered, lamenting the loss of their opportunity of freedom.

Hunkering down at the vantage point of the beach they had reached, Terrance gestured to the rest of his companions to remain low, the others wriggling across the ground to join him. They saw the robed man who appeared to be in charge, approach the shore and create a green light which emanated from the crystal on his staff, it flashed three times, went dim, then flashed twice. Moments later there were answering green flashes of light from the ship and the elves were hustled onto the rowboats.

"Those boats provide us the means to get to the ship." Tess muttered. "But they could pick us off one by one before we got on board."

"Not if they think we are their own men bringing more slaves." Reece stated softly.

"They would know their own." Sten stated.

Dylan nipped at his lip. "We wait until nightfall. I can create a fog that will reduce their visibility. We keep the hoods of our cloaks up; all we have to do is get to the ship. We can use the sleeping darts and even spells if necessary to debilitate them. Either way we are getting those people back."

Gabriel's smile was grim. "With luck those slavers will come back and we will be waiting for them. We take their armour and robes. He glanced at Reece and Dylan. "Can either of you make that light?" He grinned as they both nodded. "Then we have our way on board."

"And if they don't come back?" Matthew asked.

"They are unlikely to be the only group of slaves." Sten stated. "They would remove them in smaller groups to avoid being discovered."

"Well whether they are coming or going we will be waiting for them." Gabriel growled.

xXx

Using the rooftops to move through the city, keeping to the shadows, Jayden with Gawain at his side, headed for the nondescript house he had used for meeting his family, silently cursing himself that he was doing the very thing he had told the others they could not, meeting with his family. He wanted to see them of course, but the weight of what he knew and the knowledge that he could not yet tell them was a struggle he was not sure he could win once he was actually in their presence. Gawain had been the one to contact Anora via the Calling Crystal to set up the meeting, too afraid he would spill out the truth, his guts twisting at the thought of having to keep the information from them for the time being at least, but he needed answers about the Alienage and he needed his father to deny his involvement face to face. He watched the house from the shadows for some time until he was sure no-one was watching, gesturing to Gawain to be on his guard, before he slipped down to street level and unlocked the door heading swiftly inside. The moment he entered his sister stood, but neither of them moved.

Wincing, Anora swallowed her nerves, realising she should have told Gawain that Loghain would not be present. "Father is having to deal with sighted Darkspawn near Dragon Peak. The scouts did not return and father was rightly concerned. He should return in a day or two at the most and I will ensure he arranges to meet with you." Trembling Anora took a step forward. "I … I was afraid you would not come if you knew it was just me."

Swallowing hard, the truth constricting his throat making it impossible to speak, Jayden felt as though he was stone, unable to move.

"Brother, please, I … I do not wish there to be this chasm between us. I know it is of my own making, but I …" She cautiously moved over to him. "I am so sorry, for everything." Tears spilled, relief and shame as he finally moved and hugged her.

"Me too." Jayden mumbled, his voice choked, desperate to tell her the truth, biting his lip hard to stop himself.

Eyes closed; Anora allowed herself a moment to imagine the threat had never divided their family. Gently pulling back, keeping her hands on his arms, Anora looked him over. "You look too thin and tired."

"I have had trouble sleeping since I saw that glimpse of the future and I haven't had much of an appetite lately. I am healthy enough."

"Still, you need to look after yourself and you must eat. Here, have one of these, I brought them especially."

Jayden stared at the raisin pastries, taking a shuddering breath at the rush of memories, startled to realise he was shaking, then he was in Anora's embrace once more and he was a child again wanting the comfort of the sister he had idolised.

Anora held her brother as he attempted to regain command of himself. "You have been through so much, it's alright to let it out."

Jayden forced his emotions back, feeling the scream that was trying to claw its way out of his throat. If he let that go there would be no holding back and he would tell her the truth about Howe. Only his fear that the truth would put her and his father at risk kept him silent. Forcing himself to pull back Jayden sank onto a seat. "Do you know what is happening in the Alienage?"

Realising his deflection was his way of coping, Anora took a seat beside him. "There were disturbing rumours of the blight sickness. The Alienage was locked down for everyone's safety."

"There is no blight sickness, I've been in there. It was slavers and they have already taken people from the Alienage away."

"Brother, that is ridiculous. How could slavers operate in Ferelden?"

"Because Arl's Howe and Vaughan allow it."

"Do you have proof?"

Hands trembling, he removed the letter from a hidden pocket and handed it to her. "We also have documents with names and monetary value. They are being kept safe; I didn't want to risk bringing them as well."

Frowning, Anora began to read, a flush of anger causing her cheeks to redden. "Father would never be involved in slavery." She looked hard at Jayden. "Surely you do not believe …"

"I know he would never do this, but the letter is damning evidence. We must prove it to be a forgery."

Anora stared at the words, at the perfect reproduction of her father's penmanship. "There is a spell to make handwriting appear as another's. We believe that is what was used on the letters Bryce was supposed to have written."

The relief that surged through him left Jayden momentarily breathless. "If it is a spell, it can be removed."

"That is the tricky part brother." Anora quickly outlined the spell's requirements for a child's blood. "We cannot dispel the magic. The blood is mixed with wax and whatever else the spell demands. The wax is then split in two, one half on a parchment with the handwriting you wish the letter to appear as and the other half on the letter to be changed. Without both letters we cannot prove anything." She held up her hand to stop her brother from speaking. "We have someone attempting to retrieve the letters Rendon will have."

"That's why the Highever children were taken, because Howe needed them for this spell. Maker knows how many false letters he has prepared, or are already in circulation. I have people looking for the slave transport ships and the ship with the children, we will stop him."

"Why would Rendon betray father in such a way? Surely, he would realise he would be found out."

"Had Caladrius succeeded this letter would likely have been locked in a Tevinter vault. We might never have known of it until they wanted leverage over Ferelden's General."

"Yet still it is odd. Rendon would grab for power I have no doubt, but this, to directly betray father …"

"It is what he does." Jayden growled, shifting uncomfortably beneath her piercing gaze. "He swore allegiance to Teyrn Cousland and then murdered him! You must be careful Anora, don't trust him, not for one moment. That man is capable of anything."

"You need not worry for me brother, I am protected."

"You need more than Erlina, as skilled as she is."

"Indeed, I have a Crow contracted to protect me." She showed Jayden the amulet she wore. "And all three of us wear these at all times to protect against blood magic."

"Bear in mind, the mage in Arl Howe's service will have been trained in other forms of magic long before she turned to blood magic."

"You need not worry about me brother."

"Of course I do! Until Howe is revealed to be the traitor he is and dealt with and the blood mage stopped, then of course I will worry!"

"My safety is not something to concern yourself with brother, you have other duties and your own safety to concern yourself with."

Sighing, Jayden nodded. "I'm being careful and Gawain is with me across the street."

"I hope your companions are also being discreet."

"Of course." He watched her as silence fell between them, filled with all the things they needed to say, but couldn't.

Shifting slightly Anora met his gaze. "I have spoken to Cailan as you suggested, we are … considering our options regarding our personal situation." She sighed at his silence. "I think a political marriage is all I can hope for at this point. I have made so many foolish mistakes."

"Cailan isn't blameless in this." Jayden muttered.

"No, but I was the first to deceive, the brunt of the blame for this rests with me, I have come to accept that, as much as I wish it were otherwise. He loves her and they have a son and whatever happens between them, Gawain is his heir and a prince of Ferelden."

"Can you do it? Stay married to him if he intends to pursue an intimate relationship with her?"

Sighing, Anora stared at her hands. "I will ask for his discretion of course, but there will be gossip. If that is the price I must pay to remain Queen, I will pay it."

"Is being Queen really so important to you that you would endure that?"

Anora met his gaze. "Being Queen is everything."

"Why?"

"Mother had such faith in me, grandpa too. I won't let a thing like a troubled marriage get in the way of being the Queen, they wanted me to be." Clearing her throat, she smiled. "Enough about me, what about you?"

Jayden almost choked at her meaningful look. "Delilah is … difficult." He muttered, hoping his tone would cut off further enquiry.

"I would imagine she says the same about you. You are both strong and wilful."

"Anora I …" He sighed and looked away.

"I am sorry for my part in your betrothal." Anora stated softly. "I was wrong. I used you to save myself and, in the end, I ruined my marriage anyway." She swallowed painfully. "Before she … before she died, mother asked me as Queen to let you marry for love, I told you that once in a moment of anger. I used it to hurt you and I am sorry. Mother … she knew you were in love with Lyra and she believed I would find a way to let you both have that love. I am sorry I could not find a way to allow it."

"Did you even try?"

Lowering her head Anora blinked back tears. "No brother, if we are being honest with each other, I did not. I had no idea how to make such a thing happen and I still don't. You would have lost everything if your love had been allowed." She paled at his cold look.

"I lost everything anyway."

She reached out her hand to take his, almost afraid he would pull away. "You have not lost everything brother."

They sat in silence until Jayden finally squeezed her hand. "I need to go and I suspect you do too."

"Promise me you will be careful."

"As careful as these times allow. You must be careful too and please don't trust Howe, not for a second, not anything he tells you. In fact, please just stay away from him until dad returns."

Frowning, Anora shifted closer seeing a level of hate she had never witnessed in her brother before. "Is this hate just about the slavery of elves or is there something else."

"Is that not enough?" Jayden choked out.

"Of course, I just …" Forcing a smile she hugged him wishing they could turn back the years and be back in Gwaren as a family. "I love you brother, now and always."

It was only when Anora had taken her leave, that Jayden realised she had taken the letter with her. Groaning in frustration he stared at the door by which she had left. He had wanted to make sure it was kept secure, but mostly he had wanted to be with his father when he read it. "Keep it safe Anora, we will need it."

xXx

Sweat beading his forehead, Caladrius swallowed uneasily as the tattooed elf pulled over a chair and sat opposite him. Given the vulnerability of his situation he felt a right to be ill at ease, left only with his smalls on and his wrists and ankles secured to the chair.

"So, shall we begin?" Zevran smiled as Caladrius eyed him uneasily. "What is the name of the Magister you work for and where is he based?" At his silence Zevran tutted softly. "Come now, this need not be painful for you. A little information is all we ask."

"He is not someone to cross."

Zevran leaned closer. "Neither are we."

Caladrius eyed the dagger in Zevran's hand, the first cut and he would be free. He was well trained as a blood mage and his hands did not need to be free to use it. He would have the elf untying him and helping him escape within minutes. He shifted slightly as Zevran smiled; the dagger put back into the sheath at his thigh.

"It would be foolish of me would it not, to cut a blood mage, especially where there are infinitely more ways to hurt someone without spilling a drop of blood.

xXx

Theron eyed the door nervously. "How far is Zevran going to go?" He turned to Leliana who was leaning against the wall."

"As far as he must. William wishes the information and Zevran will get it for him."

"I'm not sure Will would want him to be tortured."

"I would not be so sure. They took his countrymen and women. I think he will do what is necessary to get them back." They looked up a short time later when Zevran left the room. "That was quick."

"Indeed, I believe he was waiting for me to wound him so he could use his blood magic. I pointed out to him that as a Crow I did not need to wound him to cause him pain, I gave a little demonstration. He was rather talkative after that."

"Can we trust the information?"

"It was a little too easily given so no my dear Leliana, but he is going nowhere. I am just giving him a little time to consider his situation."

xXx

Raising his hand for the group to stop, Corvin's frown deepened. On the road ahead of them barely minutes from the coast, sitting on a rock, drawing a whetstone down a large blade sat a Qunari, the weapon gleaming in the moonlight. He glanced at his fellows who looked as nervous as he felt. They had all had dealings with the Qunari as younger men, he had barely survived, sheer luck had enabled him to keep his life and he was in no hurry to risk his life with another of them. Where there was one Qunari there were always more, whether of the Qun or Tal-Vashoth made no difference. "We want no trouble." He stated firmly.

Tucking the whetstone into his pack, Sten slowly stood. "I need passage north."

"You are most likely to find a ship in the Denerim dock."

"I see a ship out there."

"That's not a passenger ship."

Sten gave a meaningful look at those in chains.

"This is cargo."

"I can pay."

"He's seen us." Havuth whispered. "And the slaves. We can't risk him talking."

"It seems odd that you would be here."

"There was an incident, it would be unwise for me to go into a city where there would be authorities."

Corvin frowned, Havuth was right, he couldn't let the Qunari go in case he talked and he wasn't sure they could kill him, but once on the ship he knew Magnus and Tavi could deal with him. "Let me see this coin." He caught the pouch tossed to him, feeling its weight and a quick glance inside had him satisfied. "I cannot say I am comfortable around your kind, but your coin is good enough. Looks like we have a paying passenger." He stated, turning sharply as he heard several thudding sounds, startled to see his companions on the ground appearing to be asleep, the elves looking as confused as he was. "What in the …" He felt a sharp sensation in his neck, collapsing to the ground.

The elves stared wide eyed as the Qunari moved towards them herding them backwards, they wouldn't have been seen from the shore, but he didn't want to take any chances.

Tess grinned broadly as she hurried down to them. "That worked a charm." She sighed at Sten's impassive expression, before searching in the pockets of the man who had been in charge, finding the key to the chains. She turned to the elves, grateful that some of them recognised her. "Alright, let's get these chains off then everyone stay together and follow me, we will get you to shelter before we deal with these slavers."

xXx

Matthew glared at a grinning Dylan and Reece as he pulled the robes over his armour with a struggle. They already had their robes on. Terrance, Lawrence and Tess were in the lead of the convoy along with four of the elves who had agreed to help. The chains were around their wrists, but were not locked and could be discarded easily once on board the ship.

Gabriel hurried to join them having checked on the rescued elves one final time, Airyl remaining with them. He was deeply grateful for her presence, they seemed to trust the wolf more than they did himself and his companions, but he supposed he couldn't really blame them given the circumstances. The unconscious Tevinters had been put in the largest boat and covered, the intention was to keep all of them on the ship in the cages they would be keeping the elves.

Drinking a lyrium potion, Dylan got to work, a slow fog moving along the coast and out across the water, not enough to obscure the shore from the ship, but slowly building.

Taking a deep breath, Reece channelled into his staff, the crystal glowing green three times, pausing and then giving off a burst of two. He glanced at Dylan anxiously, breathing a sigh of relief at the answering signal. Taking the largest rowboat, they pushed off from the shore.

Dylan kept the fog moving out towards the ship, making it gradually thicker, taking a lyrium potion as he felt himself pale, his hands becoming shaky.

Matthew watched him anxiously, he had faith in his ability, but he had seen Dylan hit with mana exhaustion at Gwaren and he was naturally concerned and while the fog spell was not inherently complex, keeping it going for an extended period of time required a large amount of mana.

As they drew alongside the ship they heard voices, glancing to Sten who was the only one who spoke the language.

"They are not speaking of anything of consequence." Sten whispered. "They want the slaves on board quickly so they can return to their cards and drink."

"I will be happy to disappoint them." Lawrence muttered.

"Everyone be silent." Sten hissed as one of the crew shouted out to them. Muffling his voice with his cloak pretending to be unwell to disguise the accent, he replied quickly. Finally, they heard another shout and a ladder was dropped down the side of the ship, the tone of the crew grumbling and impatient. Those in chains went first, Tess taking the lead. There were two of the crew by the ladder, both looking bored and dragged her over impatiently, mercifully her cloak hood remained in place. They were no less rough with the others in chains. Sten boarded, Gabriel just behind him, smirking at the startled glances of the crew, his height and the broadness of his shoulders marking him as someone they did not know, their faces paling as he pulled back his hood. They had no time to raise the alarm, slumping onto the deck, the sleeping darts fired by Tess having done their work.

Dylan, Reece and Matthew boarded as the two crew members were being chained.

"We take the ship cabin by cabin." Gabriel stated. "Dylan you're with me, Reece and Matthew you stay on deck. Sten and Tess, you're together and Lawrence and Terrance you team up. Let's try and get this done without bloodshed, we need the slavers and crew alive to answer questions." He glanced at the elves who had accompanied them. "Stay here, I'm not taking the chance of you getting hurt."

"We can fight." Triel insisted.

"I don't doubt it, but this mission was to rescue you. You have risked enough, remain on deck." At their reluctant nods he turned to the others. "Let's move."

They searched the ship cabin by cabin, luck holding with them as those on board were either sleeping or inebriated. Using the darts on those who were still conscious so they couldn't make any noise, they used rope and chain to bind them to ensure they would not leave their cabins. They finally met up again, descending once more to where the slaves would be kept. Gabriel paled at the cages and those elves within. He glanced at Tess who had all of the keys they had taken from those they had encountered. The pair worked quickly to identify the right keys for the cages.

Moonlight shone brightly on the deck as the last of the elves were freed and were breathing fresh air once more. All of the Tevinters, including those on the row boat had taken their place in the cages, though none were as yet aware of their change in circumstances.

"Does anyone else think that was too easy?" Lawrence muttered.

"They are fools." Sten stated. "They did not expect to be discovered, let alone boarded. They have after all been working Ferelden's shores for some months without discovery."

"Indeed." Gabriel muttered. "But Lawrence is right, let's not make their mistake. We need to report back to Will and get these people home. Dylan, Reece, Matthew and Sten, I need you to stay here until Kara sends people to take control of the ship. The prisoners need to be looked after and Sten you are the only one who speaks their language, just in case any more slavers return."

"Very well." Sten grumbled.

Gabriel glanced at Dylan and Reece. "You remember how many bursts the ship gave?" He smiled at their nods. "Excellent."

"What about the elves, they can't go back to the Alienage." Tess stated. "The Arl's will know they escaped if they do."

"Let's hope Kara will help with that too." Lawrence glanced over the shore, but it was empty. "We better get moving."

Despite their concern and growing anxiety, they reached Airyl and the elves with her, without incident, the two groups of elves greeting each other and staying close together.

"We will rest here until morning before we head back." Gabriel stated. "I don't want to walk into a group of slavers in the dark."

xXx

Rendon impatiently activated the calling crystal, his anger only just kept under control. Caladrius, the most punctual man he had ever known, had not arrived for their pre-arranged mid-day meeting. Sending men to check on him it had been discovered that the Tevinters had not only left the Alienage, unbeknown to the guards on duty, but apparently Ferelden too, their ship no longer at the dock. His temper had been ignited at Vaughan's smugness as he pointed out he had suggested the slavers would leave without paying fully for those they had taken.

"Rendon." Danarius stated warmly. "I hope all is well."

"Unfortunately, not. I wanted you to be aware that Caladrius left without taking the number of elves he was supposed to and without giving me full payment for those he did take. This leaves me in a difficult position and this is not the way I have become accustomed to doing business with you."

Danarius frowned. "Caladrius is my most trusted emissary in this regard, he would not simply have left without completing the quota, or giving you the appropriate coin. I have neither the need nor the desire to cheat you and he would never be so foolish as to incur my wrath in such a way. We have worked together for many years. He knows the price of failure could land so easily on his beloved wife if it came to it."

"Then where has he gone?"

"Rendon if you trust me in anything, trust that he would not simply have left. Are you certain no-one knows of the true reason for him being there?"

"The Alienage was locked down." He scowled. "However, if you are certain I will have some of my men look into it."

"Keep me informed Rendon, if something has happened to Caladrius I need to know and if in the unlikely event he has cheated you I will arrange both punishment and compensation."

xXx

Vaughan watched Rendon as he paced the room keeping his smugness for once to himself. He recognised this particular facet of the Arl's anger and he had no wish to be on the receiving end of it. "If I can suggest something." He stood firm beneath Rendon's withering gaze though inside he wanted to run.

"Speak."

"I have a man on the inside of the Flaming Swords. Kara, their leader, has a soft spot for the elves, if anyone has been involved in something to do with the Alienage it would be her."

"Very well, speak to your contact, but be swift."

Nodding Vaughan left the study and hurried along the corridor into the gardens seeing Harris chatting to several guards. The men moved back to their posts as he headed towards them. "I have a job for you Harris."

"I thought we were looking in on the Alienage today." He grinned. "Have ourselves a little fun."

"That can wait. Go fetch Eric and Harris, be discreet."

xXx

Impatience getting the better of him, Vaughan paced the garden until Harris returned, a hooded man with him. He led the way to a private room.

"It is dangerous for us to meet like this, my Lord." Eric muttered.

"I am aware; however, I need information. We had certain plans in play regarding the elves that seem to have gone awry. Has Kara been involved with anything to do with the Alienage?"

"They were doing something, but I'm not sure what. I was dealing with other matters." He added quickly at Vaughan's frown. "I know it had something to do with William, he's always bloody interfering, especially where the elves are concerned."

"William?" Vaughan frowned before his eyes widened. "As in Captain William? He's back in the city."

"He is."

"You didn't think this was information worth passing on?"

"They were being bloody secretive about it. I only found out myself this morning that he was here and that's because I saw him talking to Kara."

"I need to speak to him." He smirked at Eric's raised eyebrow. "I think he deserves a little private time in my dungeon." He returned Eric's grin. "We need to lure him somewhere, no need to alert people that we have him."

Harris grinned. "I know exactly what would draw that rat out."

"Well, don't leave us in suspense." Vaughan snapped.

"Eric, you tell him me and the boys are having fun at Moria's expense. He will know who you mean. He won't be able to help himself, thinks himself a knight in shining armour, that one, he will come to her rescue."

"And what if he brings others, too many for you to handle?" Vaughan muttered.

"I'll get him on his own." Eric stated confidently. "I will tell him I will get the others, but he better hurry."

"Fine, I don't care how you do it, just get him here, though better make it after dark, less likely to be as many prying eyes. Oh, and Eric, find out exactly what Kara was doing and quickly."

xXx

Frustration making her want to scream, Anora sighed deeply, handing the letter back to Erlina. The attempt to retrieve the documents from Arl Howe had failed and the agent was dead. "Maker, how can everything always fall in that man's favour?"

"Perhaps it is time to engage the Crows in an official contract."

Anora gazed at the flames. "Perhaps you are right." She glanced at the letter she had kept from Jayden. "There is another matter I would see to first. Have a message sent to Arl Howe, I wish to see him." She watched Erlina read the letter she handed to her.

"I urge caution, it would be unwise to confront him. At least wait until your father returns."

"I am the Queen, not a child. This is a matter that cannot wait."

Knowing how stubborn Anora could be, Erlina nodded. "As you wish, your Majesty."

As Erlina left the room Anora glared at her trembling hands clenching them, she was furious, but she could not allow the Arl to see that. Taking a deep breath, she centred herself. "Very well Rendon, let us see exactly what game you are playing."

xXx

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