Dragon Age: Revengeance

ACT I

Chapter 5

The Main Hall of the White Spire was packed with mages, Templars, and clerics. Seated behind a simple table in the centre of the hall was Anders. Clad in tattered robes, his face gaunt and unshaven, his expression hollow. Strutting behind a second table opposite him was Sebastian Vael, Prince of Starkhaven. The contrast between him and Anders was striking. Sebastian was dressed in the finest white lacquered armour, trimmed with gold. He was clean shaven, his hair was immaculate, his features strong and arrogant. Finally, Grand Enchanter Vivienne occupied the throne that had once belonged to Emperor Drakon, resplendent in her finest robes.

"Then you do not deny it?!" Sebastian snarled. "You admit that you murdered Elthina, that you destroyed the Kirkwall Chantry?"

Anders sighed wearily. "Of course I admit it. I've never once denied it."

Sebastian threw out his arms. "I stand by my initial address; this trial is completely unnecessary. This abomination should be executed at once! His victims cry out for justice!" He whirled to face Vivienne. "Your Honour, in the name of blessed Andraste, grant me the right to carry out the deed, and end this vile creature's existence!"

Vivienne was preoccupied by a messenger whispering something into her ear. The message in question left her visibly stunned. When she had recovered her wits, she nodded and waved the messenger away, before returning her attention to the impatient prince.

"Not so hasty, Your Highness," she said, "It seems we have an unexpected guest..."

A hush fell upon the hall as Templar guards ushered in a new arrival; Hawke. Unarmed and alone, dressed in red and black formal attire. She was escorted to the table that Anders occupied, and proceeded to sit with her feet resting upon said table, her hands clasped casually behind her head.

"What?" she said when she realised everyone was staring at her in disbelief. "You all look as if you've seen a ghost."

Vivienne chuckled. "Forgive us, Champion. It appears that rumours of your demise were greatly exaggerated. I seem to recall you bravely throwing yourself at a Nightmare demon to save our beloved Inquisitor. However did you manage survive?"

Hawke beamed. "I heard you were putting my old friend Anders here on trial for destroying the Kirkwall Chantry, and I thought to myself 'No! There is just no way I will let him take all of the credit, that glory hog!'."

Anders was speechless, for more reasons than one.

Vivienne frowned. "I beg your pardon?"

"Well I mean, I can't have everyone thinking that Anders blew up a Chantry all on his own," said Hawke, jabbing a thumb in his direction. "I played a pivotal role, I'll have you know. Gathered the ingredients for the bomb. Provided a diversion while he planted it. Then of course I stopped everyone from murdering him after it all went up. Hello, Sebastian." She waved to him. "I heard you invaded Kirkwall and tried to kill everyone there. Is that why you're here today? To answer for the slaughter of innocent men, women, and children that had nothing to do with the Chantry bombing?"

"N-No!" he blustered. "How dare you?!"

Hawke gave a mock expression of reproach. "In my defence, the Divine was preparing an Exalted March against Kirkwall, so starting a widespread revolt seemed like a good idea at the time. And it did work, we did stop the Exalted March, and saved thousands of innocent lives as a result."

"At the cost of a hundred, including Grand Cleric Elthina!" Sebastian countered.

"Oh, was her life worth more than anyone else's?"

Sebastian snarled like a bull ready to charge. "Her life was easily worth a thousand like you!"

Hawke laughed at that. "Well, what do I know? I only saved Kirkwall from a Qunari invasion. Elthina now, she … she umm …"

"Died a martyr!"

Hawke winked and gave him a thumbs up. "Good for her."

Vivienne pointedly cleared her throat. "Champion, is it my understanding that you are here to answer equally for the crimes which Anders stands accused?"

Hawke got up and made a feeble attempt to stand to attention. "Yes, your Honour."

"You realise that the sentence shall be death?"

She smiled shrewdly. "Of course. The problem all along is that Anders is a mage, and that mages were punished for what he did. But the bomb he used could have been employed by anyone, including my non-magical self." She gazed around the hall. "You all call him a terrorist and a monster because he killed a hundred people. So? I've slaughtered hundreds myself. So many I've lost count. You say mages are dangerous, and need to be contained. Well I'm dangerous. I could kill everyone here, and without a drop of magic in my veins no less." She looked back to Vivienne. "Anders started a bloody war? Read a history book; they're full of bloody wars started by kings, queens, emperors and empresses. Lords and ladies. Generals and soldiers. You sit in Emperor Drakon's throne, forgetting the countless millions that died by his command, and yet he is revered whilst Anders is cursed. Why? Because Anders is a mage. Well it's time I reminded everyone in Thedas that you don't have to be a mage to be dangerous. That you don't need magic to kill."

Hawke whistled, and chaos ensued. At once, the Valo-Kas mercenaries she had hired emerged from hiding, and proceeded to slaughter every Templar present using their Sha-Brytol Bolters. The advanced weaponry punched through the Templar armour as if it were made of cloth. Sebastian, realising that Anders was about to slip through his fingers once again, retrieved the longbow he had stashed beneath his table. Taking aim, he loosed an arrow directly at Anders' head. Hawke caught the arrow mere inches from her friend's face. She strutted towards Sebastian, who gaped in disbelief as she closed the gap and proceeded to ram the arrow up through his nostril and into his brain. The arrowhead protruded from the top of his skull.

"You smell that, Sebastian?" she said as his body slumped onto the floor. "That's my crowning achievement."

As the chaos finally subsided with all of the Templars dead, Vivienne rose and slow clapped.

"Bravo, Champion. I must congratulate you on your grand sense of theatrics. There is just one small flaw in your plan that I fear you failed to account for."

"And what would that be?"

Vivienne descended from the throne and brandished her Spirit Blade, her robes crackling with the energy of magical barriers.

"Me," she said.

It was at this point Merrill appeared out of thin air behind Vivienne, the magic of the Ring of Doubt which concealed her dissipating as she cast Dispel upon the Grand Enchanter. Vivienne's mighty Spirit Blade and nigh-impenetrable protective barriers evaporated like morning dew, rendering her completely defenceless. Vivienne turned to gape at Merrill, who struck her unconscious with her staff.

"No, Viv," said Hawke, gazing down at the pompous mage, "I didn't forget about you at all."

Merrill giggled. "That was fun. I was right beside her the entire time, and she didn't have a clue!"

The armoured form of Shokrakar approached, hefting her Crossbow Bolter as she neared Hawke.

"The building is secure. We destroyed the Phylacteries with explosives, and our escape route is clear. What do you want us to do with Grand Ego, here?"

Hawke sighed. "Well, Vivienne believes that mages are a danger to themselves and everyone around them. It just so happens the Qunari agree with her. We'll take her back to the Siren's Song with us, Isabela can make the arrangements. I'm sure she'll just love being a Saarebas."

As the mercenaries dragged the Grand Enchanter away, Anders stumbled as he approached Hawke.

"Hawke … why?"

She clapped him on the shoulder and smiled enthusiastically.

"You know what they say, Anders; if at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again..."