Cat was exhausted, but in such a way that she couldn't help but smile as she fell into sleep.

It had never entered her mind that depression was what seemed to seep all her energy. Looking back, she could see now that it was cyclical- the more depressed she was, the more tired she felt, so she would want to sleep. Sleeping her days away would feed into the depression, and it would start again. It had felt like there wasn't a way out.

It wasn't completely gone, and at times, she wasn't successful at resisting being sucked back down in the spiral.

In a strange way, she thought herself lucky, that she had dalish elves that disregarded her sluggishness, and continued to prod her along, reminding her of those that counted on the firewood she chopped, or the water she brought to them.

Clever, she had thought afterwards, when she fell into her bedroll. I suppose I will do anything, even practically kill myself to help others.

But at least for today, it's my body that is begging for rest, she smiled to herself. To this point it was mostly physical- sparring during the morning hours with Feyn and Dahon as soon as the sun rose.

After that were her chores, which she was almost grateful for, since there was no one correcting her posture or movements during that time. She had a small amount of time to wash herself and eat the evening meal, before Variel would come and collect her.

She would get a few hours of sleep, then it would all start again.

And she felt… pretty great.

Variel was teaching her stealth, though in a differing style than what she had learned from Isabela or Nathaniel. Cat thought of this style more as camouflage- blending into her surroundings rather than hiding in the shadows or creating a distraction in order to disappear.

It was intriguing, seeing the way the elves would seem to disappear into the trees and rocks among them, and Cat was thrilled to be learning the skills necessary to accomplish the same, though it wasn't easy.

Like Nathaniel's style, it took tremendous will power, and most of the training was to help her to increase the strength of her own.

After the second night, Variel had suggested meditation, citing that Cat needed to be more in touch with the nature around her.

Trying to meditate was something new to her, and she struggled. Looking at her during that time, one would see a disheveled but lovely woman sitting silently with her eyes shut tight, a frown on her face and her brow furrowed.

Which was exactly how Merrill found her, as she led their friends through the camp.

"Um.. Cat?" Merrill asked, coming close to look at her face, wondering what was happening. "Are you feeling all right?"

"Fine," Cat ground out, trying to feel the trees and rocks around her… somehow. "I'm meditating."

"Looks more like you've got a stomachache," Isabela said with a laugh, and Cat's eyes flew open, and her frown changed to a grin.

"Hey!" she called happily as she got to her feet and ran over to give each of them a squeeze. "I'm so glad you came!"

"The dalish getting restless?" Aveline asked drolly.

"To say the least," Cat replied emphatically, and Merrill huffed.

"With good reason," Charade reminded them, feeling for Merrill. "I don't know of anyone that would enjoy having a demon reside so close by."

"Merrill has been keeping watch, so there was no cause for concern," Cat replied. "More, they simply want it done. None of our crew are very patient, so I'm sure you can relate."

Merrill spoke up about the keeper helping, but Cat could see the slight blush on her cheeks and the shy smile at the praise.

"So is there a plan?" Aveline asked, getting down to business. "Do we know what kind of demon we are dealing with?"

They looked at Merrill, and she gave Cat a glance. They had spoken about this very thing previously, and Cat had shared what she knew. Merrill was uncertain if it was something she should share with the others, since they were not aware of Cat's knowledge.

Seeing Cat give her a reassuring nod, had Merrill speaking up. "We believe it is a pride demon," she said, frowning. "It offered knowledge, but only in small amounts, forcing me to return to it to learn more. The keeper believes its goal was to manipulate me into agreeing to let it possess me in return for what I wanted to know." She looked up at the women, determined. "But I would never agree to that."

"Of course not, kitten," Isabela answered her, giving her a saucy wink. "Now, I'm no expert, but isn't the only way to kill a demon after they possess someone?" she asked.

"Usually," Merrill answered with a smile, and her friends felt unsettled at how at ease she seemed with that.

"So… how can we do this then?" Aveline asked. "I don't want anyone to get possessed."

"Do… do you remember what we did for Feynriel?" Merrill asked timidly, and both Aveline and Isabela took a step back in fear.

"No, absolutely not," Aveline declared firmly, even as Isabela looked at Cat uneasily.

"What am I missing?" Charade asked, looking between the two pairs of women.

"It's a bad idea," Isabela finally said, shaking her head. She looked over to Charade and said, "she's talking about going into the Fade to confront the demon."

Charade looked at them as if they were talking nonsense. "Why would you think that's possible?" she asked. "We're not mages."

"We should just bring some templars up here," Aveline suggested. "I am sure they could handle this."

"No!" Merrill said, her eyes wide. "They would try to take the Keeper to the circle!"

"Not to mention the dalish wouldn't let them through the camp," Cat added dryly. "We'd be starting a war."

"There is that…" Aveline murmured. She looked over to Merrill again. "How would the clan handle the demon if they simply came across it?" she asked.

"Stay away from it," she replied, her face showing her displeasure, even as she glanced at Cat again. She had always felt something for the demons and spirits she had come across, but after learning more of the Fade from Cat, she was even more sympathetic. "But we can't do that!"

"Why not?" Charade asked quizzically. "That seems like exactly what we should do, doesn't it?" she asked the others. "Then no one is possessed."

"There is a lot about the Fade that most people aren't aware of," Cat explained vaguely. "Demons are simply spirits that are corrupted- usually by the people that come in contact with it."

"What?" Aveline asked, surprised. "What do you mean, corrupted?"

"You mean like with Anders?" Isabela asked flippantly. "But this demon isn't possessing anyone, remember?" she looked over to Merrill. "So doesn't that mean it's already bad?"

"Well, yes," Merrill replied unhappily.

"Sort of," Cat said, surprised that Isabela had connected the dots so quickly. "Merging with Anders is what corrupted Justice, but that's not the only way it can happen. Anything that causes the spirit to act against its nature, can corrupt it."

"The real question here," Aveline interrupted, "is if the corruption can be undone."

"Can it? Yes," Cat replied emphatically. "Can WE do it? That is what is not so certain."

"I see," Charade said, deep in thought. "I suppose the next question, is if we have some sort of idea of how to do it?" she asked. "If we don't even know how, then we don't have many options."

"That doesn't mean we don't try!" Merrill cried, determined. "If we go into the Fade, we can find the demon and try to… uh, fix it!"

"It's not that simple," Isabela said, gravely serious, which had everyone else looking at her in surprise. "You weren't there the last time Merrill, but I was." She looked over to Cat and back to the smaller mage. "I betrayed everyone, without a second thought, just because a demon offered me something."

"Well, you're stronger now..." Merrill started, and Isabela interrupted.

"No," she cut in. "You don't get it. I never want to do it again."

"Cat!?"

The women turned, seeing a couple of elves racing towards them.

"Dahon?" Cat asked, seeing her trainer looking at her in surprise and dread. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"I thought you were here to help the Keeper!" he shouted as he reached her, and gave her a shake. "What are you doing?!"

"I told you, she is no friend to the dalish!" the other elf snarled, spitting at the ground at her feet.

"What are talking about?" Cat asked, rearing back, confused. "My friends just got here, and we are deciding on a strategy."

She could see his face pale, and she was the one to grip his shoulders now. "Dahon? What is it?" she asked in trepidation.

"Marethari," he replied, looking around in panic. "She said she was going to meet you, up the mountain." He paused for a moment, before turning and starting to run.

"She went up there already?" Merrill asked. "But why?!"

"Let's go!" Cat shouted, running after Dahon. She could hear the sounds of the others following after her as she chased the warrior, her anger spurring her forward. If she gets possessed, it will destroy everything I've tried to save! She thought furiously as she raced up the mountain.

"I've bought our freedom Leandra, us and the baby. I hope it takes after you, love. I would wish this magic on no one… may they never learn what I've done here…"

Hawke stumbled slightly, hearing that. Father never acted as though he hated his magic… he thought.

"He didn't want a child with magic?" Carver asked, surprised. "He got that wrong. Twice over."

"He didn't seem to live with regrets," Hawke voiced his own thoughts.

"Perhaps he did it for the two of you," Carver replied thoughtfully. "Bethany always talked of wanting to be "normal". But it wasn't like that could happen. Perhaps he was helping her make the best of it."

"That sounds more like Mother's influence," Hawke said with a smile.

"True," Carver replied, giving a reluctant smile back to his brother. "I miss that… Father, Mother, Bethany… they way we were together." He paused, and mumbled, "Even you, sometimes- but Gamlen can go suck an egg."

He looked up to his older brother, and gave a sigh. "I'm tired of losing things."

"Well, we agree on that, especially the Gamlen part," Hawke teased, and Carver rolled his eyes.

"Let's keep going," Carver said, standing straight again, and focusing on the task at hand. "I don't want any of this mess to follow us out of here."

"And we agree again," Hawke said with a smirk. "What is the world coming to?"

He could hear a few chuckles, but Hawke let it go, as he led the way through the next hallway.

The jovial mood didn't last long, as Alistair shouted out a warning soon afterward. Hawke stepped back, letting Fenris in front of him as they continued around a bend, finding several hurlocks at the other end of the room.

One of the creatures looked bigger and… well, not smarter.. Hawke thought as he gripped his staff. He glanced at the end of it uncertainly, wondering how this idea of Duran's would affect his magic.

The gem that was actually the key to undoing the seals, was now attached to the top of his staff, held in place by small pieces of metal that they had curled around it, like a setting in a piece of jewelry. There was no telling how it would impact his spells, but so far it had been fine.

Hawke aimed, sending a blast of lightning towards the big bad, and watching as it traveled to the other hurlocks that were around it. His eyebrow quirked up along with his lips at the power it unleashed.

It seemed he'd need to thank Duran, as the idea had been a good one, and had added to the strength of his spell.

Giving a grin, he whirled his staff into his other hand, letting the mana build in his dominant one, and threw the building fireball at the smaller hurlocks hiding behind the main one.

"That's another for me, Broody!" he heard Varric shout.

"I already sliced him in half, so your bolt did nothing!" came the reply.

"My bolt hit him first, he was already dead when you cut him!"

Hawke stopped for a moment, just enjoying the atmosphere. No one but his crew could put such a smile on his face. Usually Isabela and Cat were the ones shouting to each other, but he was glad that Varric was trying to fill the void there, and happier still that Fenris played along.

Maybe I'm not the only one that's missing them… he thought with a fond chuckle.

The darkspawn were a nuisance, and their fighting seemed to bring more and more creatures scuttling towards them, both charging at them, and trying to surprise them by jumping out from behind rocks or walls.

After several hours, and a few breaks, the group made it into another large central room in the prison tower. In the middle of the space was another platform where a practically transparent pride demon stood frozen inside of a spell.

"Is there really no other way to do this?" Carver asked, as he looked around.

"This is the only way out," Fenris replied, pointing to an archway that had a glowing barrier over it. Fenris brought his sword across his body with one hand, swinging it laterally into the barrier, where is made a clanging sound, and seemed to hit a solid wall. "There is no other way."

"Just thought I'd ask," Carver grumbled.

"What I am wondering," Sebastian spoke up. "Is how we are going to prevent the darkspawn from leaving this place, once we make an exit for ourselves. I know we cannot simply give up and die here, but it has been bothering me."

"You are not alone," Nathaniel said with a serious nod. "I have been contemplating that myself, but we have time. The darkspawn do not have a will of their own, they follow orders." Nathaniel looked over to the prince, and gestured towards the doorway that they had come in. The pair stepped over to it, and Nathaniel pointed from where they had come.

"Do you see them?" Nathaniel asked. Sebastian, as well as a curious Varric looked out to where he was pointing. It took a few moments of study, but then the prince gave a small gasp at seeing the darkspawn that were hurrying around side tunnels, climbing over rock and crevice to get in front of them.

"Why are they going ahead?" Varric asked, frowning. "Why not attack at our backs?"

"At a guess, I would say they are being given other orders," Nathaniel replied gravely. "Have you noticed that we only come across them when moving towards the center prison rooms? Almost as if they are leading us to the seals."

The men around the room, glanced warily at each other. "That is… an unsettling thought," Sebastian murmured.

"Darkspawn are unsettling creatures," Nathaniel replied stoically. "But in the same way, they will not simply run rampant on the surface. They will continue to follow until their master is gone, and then will return to burrowing through the Deep Roads in the search for another to command them."

"That's not really making me feel better," Varric said unhappily, and Duran clapped him on the back.

"Do not worry friend," he said, giving the other dwarf a smirk. "That is what Grey Wardens are for, after all."

"Commander," Anders spoke up, stepping near him. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," Duran answered, noting that Hawke was sitting, so they were still resting before tackling the seal.

"Cat said something from a letter of yours a while back, about looking for a cure for the taint," Anders said quietly, though with the stillness of the room, all could hear him.

"She did?" he asked, though he wasn't surprised.

"Yes," Anders answered, hoping that it wasn't something she wasn't supposed to tell him. "I was actually wondering if you had found anything, but also what made you decide to look?"

Duran gave him a smile, and gestured for him to sit. "It wasn't a spur of the moment decision, if that's what you mean," he said. "I think you know me well enough now, to know that I prefer efficiency."

Anders nodded. "No wasted time if you can help it," he replied, remembering his frequent talks with Duran as they traveled around Amaranthine.

"Exactly," Duran replied, and gave a sigh. "The way the Wardens operate now, I see so many things that could improve, though I understand the need for secrecy, and the traditions.

"However, I couldn't help but think how much more effective the Wardens would be if certain things were different. Even though most monarchies reluctantly give what is needed, Wardens are basically viewed with distrust and often scorn.

"If there were a cure, then the way in which Wardens are made could be made more public. We could have armies joining the ranks of Wardens during a Blight, knowing that they could return to their families afterward."

Anders gaped. "Make the Joining… public?!" he said in horror.

Duran gave him a soft smile. "Not public exactly, but more so than now. The lack of trust is what is most disturbing," he added. "And it is mostly from the Chantry."

"Well, the Wardens DO let their mages basically run free," Alistair spoke up with a wry smile, and Duran grinned, knowing he was pointing out Duran's choice to let Anders continue to stay apart from the Wardens. "They tend to panic about mages that actually use their magic, as you know."

"Yes," Duran replied with a chuckle. "They tend to panic about a lot of things."

Sebastian looked scandalized, but Hawke merely shook his head. "Aren't there criminals among the Wardens as well?" he asked, skeptically. "Would they be offered this cure as well, or would the Warden leaders decide who could have it and who couldn't?"

"I won't deny that it could be just as problematic as the taint itself," Duran said. "And I can admit that I started looking in the beginning for my comrades and myself. I do not regret the way I have lived, nor the choices I have made." He glanced around the room, looking from Alistair, to Anders, to Nathaniel, and finally to Carver.

"But I look at each of these men, knowing that for each of them, becoming a Warden could hardly be called a choice."

"The same could be said for you, Commander," Alistair interjected pointedly.

"True," Duran answered. He sighed again, and looked up at Hawke, meeting his eyes intensely. "I would give them back their lives, if I could. So I will do all in my power to try."

Hawke nodded, understanding the dwarven commander's drive. "I would be pleased to assist you in any way that I can," he replied, and the Wardens looked to him in surprise.

"Because of your brother," Duran said, nodding in understanding.

"That too," Hawke responded. "But also because there are lives that I would return as well, but cannot. If I had the chance that you did, I would do anything and everything to find it." He gave Duran a grin. "So how could I not help you?"

Duran was a little shell shocked, at the depth of the man's compassion. Yet even in that moment, he came to understand a little why Cat hadn't shared all with him. He had known, and had regretted each time he had had to push Cat for information.

He had known he had used her, and hurt her, and while he regretted it- he had justified it as well, knowing it was for the greater good. One person could never compare favorably to the entire continent. He knew it, and to an extent, so had she.

He couldn't fathom how things would have changed if they had been involved with each other. He had struggled ferociously as it was to find a balance, but if there was love involved? It would never have survived.

He looked over to Hawke again, saddened now. He didn't see how their relationship would last, whether she shared with him or not… and it was a blow. No wonder she is having such a hard time…

"Well, shall we continue?" Hawke asked as he stood. "Anyone have a guess as to how many more seals there are?"

"Why don't we make a wager on it?" Varric suggested slyly, and Hawke burst into laughter.

"All right," Hawke answered, looking cheerful. "I'll bet there's at least three more," he continued.

"And if you're wrong?" Varric asked, his eyes twinkling with humor.

"I'll uh… take your night watch on the way home!" Hawke declared, and frowned as Varric shook his head.

"No, I'm thinking of something much more fun…" Varric said, as he rubbed his hands together. "If you're wrong, I want answers to all my questions involving the Little Dove."

Hawke suddenly started sweating.

Fenris watched with a frown as Hawke held his staff out to the pillar, and he grew concerned as the magic connected to the small gem, rushing from the pillar into his staff. He could see the strain on Hawke's face, so he knew it was no simple matter.

He didn't like any of this, even with the forewarning they had received. It had almost made it worse for him, seeing things happen as Cat had told them, almost as if he had no control.

He positively hated that feeling. It always reminded him of his time as a slave.

At least here, he could make his own decisions, but there weren't many options now. They had to destroy the monster that was trapped here, not just for Hawke's sake, but for all of Thedas.

He understood, and would do his duty. But that didn't mean he had to happy about it.

Hawke let out a deep breath as the ritual was complete, and the seal's magic was now gone. The barrier that had covered the doorway was gone now, and he gave them all a smile as if to reassure them.

Fenris could see the worry on his face, even as he tried to hide it. He was a good man, a good leader… but seeing him like this, had all of them on edge. They needed to get this done, and quickly.

Fenris glanced over to the dwarven warden, sensing the movement. He was pressing a hand to his temple, as if pained, and Fenris' gaze narrowed. He was merely waiting for the inevitable moment when they would be taken over. It was obvious to them all that it would happen, it was only a matter of when.

He must have sensed the elf's gaze, because Duran turned to find the source of the feeling that he was being watched. He saw the warrior's glare, and his hand tightening on the hilt of his sword. He knew what the man was thinking, and shook his head slightly.

He knew what he could handle, and what he couldn't. They still had a little time.

Within minutes, they were traveling again- and the darkspawn attacks returned. There was no time for the easy banter that they shared at the beginning of this quest, but they all were seasoned fighters, and easily shifted their focus as the enemy increased in number.

Once the last had fallen, an eerie silence hung over the area. Hawke turned in a circle, looking for a trap, but saw nothing.

He moved forward slowly, his men behind him, when Alistair spoke, stopping them in their tracks.

"What was that?!"

It was said quietly, practically under his breath, but it had all of them looking around to find the cause for alarm. Seeing nothing, they turned to look at the warrior, who looked unsettled.

"I… I'm sorry, I think… I heard a voice," he told them.

"I didn't hear anything," Varric said with a frown.

"Yes, well, that means it was in my head then," Alistair looked pale and shaky at that thought, and the others looked at each other in concern.

"What was it?" Anders asked gently. "Can you hear it now?" He reached his hand up, his magic flaring to try to help.

"It's basically telling us the might and wonder of Corypheus," Duran spoke up. "It just started, but it's nothing we can't block out at this point."

Hawke gazed at him, then coming to a decision, nodded. "Be sure to tell us whenever that changes," Hawke said firmly. "Don't keep it from us."

Duran hesitated, but then nodded, as Alistair gave an emphatic nod. Neither or them wanted to leave the group, but they each knew that at some point they had to. But for now, they could continue.

Turning down the next hallway, Hawke saw a familiar creature, and gave a soft call. "Larius?" he asked, as the group moved closer.

The tainted warden commander looked up, as if he didn't recognize them, looking Hawke up and down before speaking.

"He is waking… the magic grows lax," he said solemnly. "This is your doing?" he asked. "You are the Hawke?"

"Yes," Hawke replied, not wanting to go through it all again.

"He feels you walk where no step goes… so he calls. Like an old god, he mimics their cry… calling the dark children, and the light… any with the taint in their blood."

Hawke looked over at the Wardens. He had always found it odd that they seemed to be grouped together whenever they were walking, but wondered if that had something to do with the taint as well.

Duran had said they were like a hive, he thought. Perhaps those with the taint instinctively want to be near each other.

"During the Blight, we could hear the archdemon," Alistair murmured, "in our dreams, but I never understood it. But they say that's how you know it is time for your Calling, because you start to understand it's voice…"

He looked down at Duran, who was looking back at him, both of them looking unhappy, until finally Duran shook his head. "This isn't an archdemon Alistair," he replied firmly. "It is not time for our Calling."

"I… I can feel it," Anders spoke up. "Like a whisper that I can't quite hear."

"Then we still have time to help you get to him," Duran said resolutely. "Let's help them get as close as we can before we have to turn back."

"But Larius said he was waking," Hawke interjected. "How can he be doing all of this if he is sleeping?"

"He can dream, he can call," Larius answered, and the group turned back to him. "But he can not know. When the seals are gone, he will wake… and he must die."

"Well we agree on that at least," Varric muttered.

"The voice… is too loud here… I cannot stay!" Larius turned and scuttled away, before any of them could stop him.

"Okay…" Hawke murmured. "I guess that was helpful?"

"Every bit of information will help us," Duran said, giving Hawke a smirk. "We should keep moving."

Hawke nodded, and followed where Larius had gone. He came to a large staircase, noting that at the bottom they were finally coming to the bottom of the prison.

"This is the lowest level," Hawke said as the finished descending the staircase. "I think this will be the best place to separate, since we will see Corypheus soon."

"I think you may be right," Duran answered, conflicted. He was relieved that it was almost over, yet still on edge about having to leave it in another's hands. "Be careful Hawke," he added.

"I think we should keep going," Carver spoke up. "Commander, I haven't even heard anything yet, I can't just leave them alone."

"We're hardly helpless, Junior," Varric said, giving the boy a smirk when he turned his ire to him. "Though the concern is nice."

"It's not that," Carver stressed, rolling his eyes. "You have no idea what is up ahead."

"We know that Corypheus's prison is close," Fenris argued. "You will do more harm by becoming part of the enemy's forces."

"We don't know for certain that that will happen!" Carver retorted.

"But, we don't know that it won't, either," Nathaniel spoke up.

"Then just Nathaniel and I," Carver pled his case. "We haven't heard anything yet, we can go just until we start to, like the others. Then there is no chance of harm."

The leaders looked at each other, both uncertain, but eventually Hawke nodded. "Very well," he told them. He stood in front of Nathaniel, looking him directly in the eye. "I'll depend on you to take yourself and Carver back here, the moment you start hearing the voice."

"Understood," Nathaniel agreed, giving a nod.

The men took a few minutes, leaving packs and bedrolls that were unnecessary behind with the other Wardens, and continuing on with their weapons, and a few other items.

"Maker go with you," Anders called out as they left.

"And with you," Hawke replied, without turning. "We'll be back."

Anders looked after them in concern. "I hope so," he muttered. "I wish Cat had known more of the specifics of this place."

"We all do," Duran said. "All we can do is our best."

"Are you serious right now?" Carver demanded. "You're actually going to perform some ancient ritual on an altar to an old god?!"

"It's not like I believe in it," Hawke replied as he started putting the items into the small offering dishes. "I'm just curious."

"Curious, bah!" Carver grumbled. "We're wasting time!"

"Hey, we stopped to open that chest that you found, Junior," Varric teased. "And you got the yummy looking biscuit out of it."

"That was not the same and you know it!" Carver lashed out, still incensed that the chest had only had a molding piece of bread.

"And there!" Hawke declared, "Whoa!" he stepped back suddenly as pillars of fire consumed the offerings that he had put down. "That's… uh, something!"

The fires were gone as suddenly as they appeared, and Hawke moved forward to look at the altar. "It's… a talisman?" he told the others. "Some sort of ward, I guess."

"Is your curiosity sated now?" Fenris asked, giving Hawke a look.

"Yep," he replied, turning to walk away. "Whoever wants that can have it."

Carver snatched the talisman and put it in his pocket. "Anything we can take back to the Wardens to prove this wasn't a waste of time, will be helpful," he said.

"This place has me very uneasy," Sebastian murmured.

"Don't worry, we're bound to have something attack us any time now," Hawke said cheerfully.

But he was wrong.

The group moved quickly through the passageways, but there was nothing to impede them. They all thought it odd, and were on edge more so than before, practically jumping at any sound.

"Do you see that?" Nathaniel asked, pointing to the right.

"Is that a campfire?" Hawke said, incredulously.

The men moved in that direction, still cautious. As they approached, they found the fire burning, yet the lone person nearby was dead and gone.

"This doesn't bode well," Varric muttered.

"How can this fire not have been snuffed out?" Sebastian asked, unbelieving. "This makes no sense!"

"What did you find?" Hawke asked Nathaniel, who picked up a small book.

"Looks like a journal," he replied. "uh… the records say that Corypheus has been trapped down here since the days of the Tevinter Imperium. Can it be coincidence that darkspawn besiege this area more fiercely than all the other surface of Thedas? Or that Kirkwall, the nearest city, suffers from endless plagues of violence, lunacy, human sacrifice, and blood magic?"

"Wait, you're saying it's all related to Corypheus here?" Varric asked incredulously. "That Kirkwall just happens to have all these problems because of its… proximity?!"

"I don't know," Nathaniel answered. "There is no name on this journal, but there is a Grey Warden insignia. It could all be speculation."

"It does make a strange sort of sense," Fenris said gravely. "Kirkwall has had many, many issues with blood magic. More so than I thought I would find outside of Tevinter."

"Still, that some monster darkspawn imprisoned out in the middle of nowhere is somehow affecting the city? That's just crazy," Varric replied.

"Let's keep going," Hawke said, walking forward. "We're getting close, I can feel it."