Tired and aching Ayanna and her fellow Wardens set up camp for the evening. Their scout trip into the nearby village had been a disaster. The Darkspawn had got there before them. Half of the village had been in flames; the bodies of those villagers who had fought back lay in the streets in blood splattered dirt. They found men, women and children dead in their homes, most at the hands of the Darkspawn, others by their own hand believing that to be a better fate. They had found the Darkspawn responsible at the edge of the village dragging two screaming women with them. They had laid waste to the Darkspawn, but the women had not survived their injuries and shock. They had checked the village twice over in the hopes of finding survivors but there were none, only more bodies. They had built a pyre, the entire village's population given to the flames. Aedan recited the appropriate parts of the Chant of Light, his voice gruff with sorrow. They burnt the bodies of the Darkspawn at the edge of the village hoping to prevent the spread of the taint.

Aedan raised his head weary with grief and a sense of hopelessness that had gripped him and forced himself to begin making a meal, not that any of them were actually hungry.

Settling next to the campfire Rory slowly ran his fingers through his hair, still damp from washing at the water flowing down a rock face. At least it was now clean of Darkspawn gore. "That was a mess."

Perrin sat with his knees hugged against his chest, Peter sitting quietly beside him. They had been the first to enter that last house, hearing the scream yet still too late to prevent the Hurlock killing the woman and babe in her arms, seeing a man and young child already dead. Perrin still wasn't sure what had happened, consumed with rage all he could think of was destroying the Hurlock, obliterating it out of existence. Only Peter grabbing and dragging him out had saved him from the inferno that had consumed the Hurlock, the poor slaughtered family within along with their home. He shuddered, unable to get the sight out of his mind. It was bad enough the killing of adults, but the slaughter of infants was too much for him. He glanced up his eyes still red from smoke and furious tears, accepting a cup of herbal tea Ayanna offered. "Thanks."

Hunkering down Ayanna worried at her lip. "Perrin I know this is awful, but I need you to stay in control of your magic. If you had gone into that house alone the inferno you created would have engulfed you too."

"I don't know what happened, I just saw … I saw …" He shuddered. "I'll be more careful."

Nodding Ayanna gently patted his shoulder before moving across the camp to help Aedan with the evening meal.

"How is he?"

"Shaken."

"Not surprised. The damn spawn seem to be taking a village at a time and slaughtering everyone; so much for not engaging them."

"Necessity, we couldn't just let them live to hurt more people. We still need to track down the others; they must have split into two groups."

"Arl Wulff's lands are near here. I bet the bastards will go there; largest settlement near here that they haven't destroyed."

"Do you know Arl Wulff?"

"My parents respected him. I know a couple of his sons, not well but we met up at social occasions and if we were in Denerim at the same time."

"A couple of his sons, how many does the man have?"

"Not sure, five, maybe six and a daughter near my age."

Ayanna gave him a teasing smile. "Prospective wife?"

"Maker no not my type at all; not that I would have had a say if my parents …" He swallowed painfully. "Well if they had desired the marriage." He forced a smile as Ayanna gently squeezed his hand. "That life seems so long ago. I was so worried about having the responsibility of the castle, I just wanted Ell to come home and take over." He sighed softly smiling as Hunter nosed his hand, rubbing under his chin. He glanced to Rory who was talking softly to Perrin. He knew something was happening between him and Ellowyn again and it terrified him that his sister would inevitably have her heart broken for the second time, but he understood the desire to not feel alone, to grab at anything that made you feel alive, that held back the grief for a few moments at least. Glancing back to Ayanna he realised she was watching him. "I'm glad Rathnal kept us together."

"Me too." She nestled against him as the stew cooked, glad it was a dry if not warm night. "I wish we could find a way to just destroy all the Darkspawn once and for all."

Tasting the stew Aedan began ladling it into bowls. "Well let's defeat the Archdemon first and then we can worry about what else is beneath us."

"Will you promise me something?"

"If I can."

"When you go after Howe, make sure I'm with you."

Aedan hesitated before gently cupping her cheek. "I will not lose you to that traitorous bastard, so I hope you can understand that, that is one promise I cannot give you."

Meeting his gaze Ayanna bit her lip in frustration, but let the matter drop, no matter what he said when he was going after Howe she would be right by his side. Leaning against him she glanced up at the stars. "I wonder what Daniel and Stephan are doing; it will be driving them crazy being stuck on the other side of the border."

"Maybe Rathnal can make a quick detour and get them."

"And go against the orders of the Queen." She was surprised as his face darkened. "Aedan?"

"It's nothing." He murmured, but he knew he couldn't disguise the hatred he felt towards Anora considering her at least partially responsible for all the ill that had befallen his family.

"You don't trust her?"

"That obvious?"

"Frankly yes."

"I have reason." He sighed softly at her searching look. "Ayanna …"

"Relax Aedan, I'm sure you will tell me if and when you can, but I'm not going to give up on more Warden support we are going to need it."

xXx

Riordan groaned in pain as the stretcher was lifted and he was carried down the hill to what was being termed their defensible base. Defensible from wild creatures perhaps, but if the Tevinter's returned and had seasoned soldiers and mages they wouldn't stand a chance; though Daniel thought this unlikely as he had heard something about them moving on to Amaranthine. There was no point in speaking his disheartening thoughts however; the work had brought the people together, giving them a purpose while they tried to figure out how to retake Highever from Arl Howe's soldiers. He had spoken to a few of the people in his more lucid moments, the fever often taking him unawares and several had expressed an interest in joining the Order, but not before their family and friends were safe. He gritted his teeth so he wouldn't cry out as the slightest movement created sensations like shards of glass being driven into his leg. He forced himself to focus on where he was being taken.

Trees had been cut down, the trunks used to create a perimeter around a huge area that now had a storage building, a barracks of sorts, training area and to his surprise stables. He noticed two horses and wondered where they had come from. Along with the smell of horses he caught the scent of fish, stew and saw several young elven men enter the camp with baskets full of herbs, the scent of elfroot and blood lotus leaving a stronger scent than he remembered. He glanced to the young elven woman who knelt beside him when he was eased onto a pallet in an additional building he had not noticed at first realising it was a healers hut. "What's wrong with me? It's a bad break to be sure, but …"

Alea gently placed a hand on his brow frowning slightly. "I suspect the Tevinter who tended to your leg was less skilled than believed, or simply sloppy, an infection took root deep within."

Riordan sighed. "When will I be on my feet again?"

"Not for some time Warden. This infection is in your blood. You need rest and we must draw out the remaining toxicity, then the bones will need time to heal."

"Surely Stephan can heal me."

"Without Warden Stephan you would already be dead and he will be able to help, but not until the remaining toxicity had been drawn from your body and it is unfortunately proving beyond his skill. However there are herbs that will do what is necessary, but it takes time."

Riordan sighed impatiently, but sipped the potion she held to his lips, in moments drifting to sleep.

xXx

Nodding to the Night Elves on duty Stephan moved into the cave greeting the smith, smiling as he saw Daniel bare-chested in the heat of the forge helping sort through the armour and weapons.

Philip stepped back from his forge and took a long drink of the freshwater Stephan had brought them. "You have my thanks Warden."

"Least I can do. You've done wonders in here."

"If this helps us strike a blow at that bastard Howe and maybe helps us take Highever back, well I will do all I can."

"And your supplies?"

"The lads found copious deposits of iron and serpentstone, even a bit of summerstone. Not what I would like to make armour with, but no sense in being choosy, they will do the job."

"At this rate you will have everyone in armour."

"That's the aim." He glanced to Daniel. "Maybe you should take a break Warden, I've got plenty to be working on and Bren is a good help."

"Right you are Philip." Pulling on his tunic Daniel took a drink of the water before following Stephan outside, bracing himself against the fierce wind. "They have the start of a small army, or at least will be able to equip one."

Stephan met his gaze. "You aren't really thinking of going to spy on Highever are you?"

"Maybe. No need to look so worried those intending to go know Highever and the Arl's men."

"Yes they do, but no-one knows if there are still slavers in Highever and we just avoided that fate."

Daniel smiled warmly. "It was just a thought; if you are really against it I won't go."

Sighing Stephan gazed out across the thunderous waves. "I just don't want to end up chasing slavers to Tevinter to get you back. Those bastards are persistent and once they have you …" He glanced behind him as Daniel moved closer forcing himself to relax. "Alright, but if you're going so am I."

"You are still healing; some of those burns went deep."

"Yes and they are almost healed now with magic and healing herbs; besides a few burns aren't going to stop me sneaking around Highever." Raising an eyebrow at Daniel's look that told him he was going to protest Stephan shook his head, his fear of a life of slavery too fresh in his mind. "Together or not at all."

xXx

The hood of his cloak concealing his face, Fenris slipped through the busy market place making his way back to the rundown tavern where he was staying. He kept a tight grip on his purchases; pickpockets were rife in the streets. Reaching his room unmolested Fenris sank onto the bed and rubbed his face feeling exhaustion pull at him. The last fool slavers who had found him were dead and he had taken everything of value from their corpses, selling the weapons to a dwarven merchant heading north and the horses to a farmer on the outskirts of the city. Neither asked how he had come about them, but both had paid a fair price and Fenris suspected the slavers he had killed had harassed both men. He still had some coin left, but it was time to move on, getting too comfortable anywhere was asking to be caught. He was not sure why he had lingered so long apart from nights spent tormented by nightmares and the exhaustion that had weighed him down as a consequence. Shaking himself he made a last check of his supplies, exhaustion or not today was his last day in Hunter Fell.

xXx

As the last gold shimmers of the sun faded, Lenya watched the slavers approach Fenris's camp. Thanks to Solan's infiltration of Fenris's dreams the elven warrior was exhausted and not being as careful as he should have been, nor was he as alert. She watched the slavers burst into the camp and quickly hurried down the bank hearing Fenris's roar of fury. She reached the edge of the camp as they got him on the ground, throwing them back with a blast of energy before obliterating two of the men with a blast of fire. She turned to the other slavers tearing them apart with her magic turning to Fenris who was staring at her blade raised.

"Who are you?" Fenris demanded.

"No-one." Lenya stated ensuring all of the slavers were dead before she turned and headed back the way she had come, smiling to herself as she caught a slight rustle as he followed her.

Fearing this was another trap and needing to know if he had yet another enemy Fenris followed, sword drawn, quickening his pace as she moved swiftly between the trees so as not to lose her.

"Why are you following me?" Lenya snarled spinning on her heel and pointing her staff at him.

"Why did you help me?"

"Helping you was simply a consequence. It was the slavers deaths I sought. I have no interest in you, now leave me be."

Fenris stared startled as vines grew from the ground entwining gently around her forming a lattice and then she was gone. Heart pounding he glanced around, but he was alone once more. Making his way back to his camp Fenris checked the corpses that hadn't been incinerated, stripping them of coin and several fine daggers that would fetch a good price he hoped, before he packed up and moved on taking shelter in a cave as the weather turned and rain drove him to seek shelter. When he finally slept he dreamt of the elven mage and the cold fury in her eyes as she destroyed the slavers. When he woke he wondered if she too had been a slave. Shaking himself, he gathered his belongings, as far as he was concerned all mages were a threat that should be ended and there was no reason in the world for him to care about the motivations of a mage, certainly one he would never see again.

xXx

Kinloch Hold was still standing, Seeker Greyfor supposed that was something and to see it in the distance there was no sign of trouble. He moved over to the jetty and the nervous Templar on duty there. They were taken across on the ferry without a word, the Templar remained nervous until they reached the Circle clearly having no intention of entering the building. Greyfor took the lead expecting chaos; instead they were greeted by the Templars posted in the entrance hallway, one of them hurrying off to get the Knight Commander. Moments later the Templar returned and they were led along the corridor to the Knight Commander's office.

Gregior rose as the Seeker and Knight Commander Silas entered swallowing to push back his nerves.

"You know why we are here Knight Commander and yet there does not seem to be anything out of place." Silas stated. "It is most curious."

"I did send a second message to say that the incident was over and the Rite of Annulment was no longer required, we had help from the Wardens."

"I have my orders Gregior."

"The Rite of Annulment is no longer necessary. We have carried out testing on all surviving mages, none are abominations and no Templar is enthralled." He quickly explained the situation they had faced and how it had been resolved.

"Gregior can we really take such a chance? If you were all fooled by Uldred a Senior Enchanter for so long, how can we truly be certain?" Silas protested.

"I will take responsibility."

Sighing Silas slowly rubbed his forehead. "You have put me in a most difficult situation."

"I understand, but surely if the Circle can be saved it should."

"The Circle can be rebuilt, but how can you ever truly be certain about those who survived?"

Gregior sighed. "Many of them are children."

"I understand that, Maker I have spent the entire journey here preparing myself and my men for this. We have a duty Gregior. We cannot be swayed by sentimentality."

"The danger is passed. The instigators are dead. I have carried out every test to ensure those who survived are not abominations or enthralled."

Seeker Greyfor stepped forward. "You and your Templars are too close to this Knight Commander and your judgement in this matter at least cannot be trusted, however there is a simple solution to this situation. You will supply me with a complete account of what happened, those mages and Templars fallen and those mages who were corrupted. Everyone including yourself will be interrogated and tested by myself and Knight Commander Silas and his Templars and only if I am satisfied will the Rite of Annulment be revoked. However if I find even a hint of corruption every mage in this building will be executed immediately and the Templars including yourself will be taken into custody."

Gregior met his gaze and nodded. "Then we had better get started."

xXx

Almost stumbling back to his room, exhausted and traumatised, Cullen shut the door and slumped onto the bed. The interrogation and there was no other word for the last three hours had been brutal. He understood why of course and he knew it would have been over sooner if he had spoken more openly of what had happened to him, but he hadn't been able to summon the words or the courage to speak of it. Knight Commander Silas had realised he was getting nowhere and so he had faced the Seeker. They knew he had been tortured, had seen his comrades die, but he was forced to tell it over and over and Greyfor wanted every detail. He had broken down eventually, becoming the sobbing wreck of a man he had felt on the inside since the whole nightmare had happened. Still he had not told the worst of it, he would never tell anyone that, but he gave enough for the Seeker to be happy enough that he was not enthralled, nor had he ever been enthralled. He trembled painfully at the final question, had he concerns about any of his comrades. He had told what he had seen of Ser Henry and his mage lover, repeating over and over that Henry was a good man, a good Templar, but this was something that could not be allowed, how could they ever trust him to do his duty if the mage turned? Then he was allowed to leave and had sought refuge in his room wishing more than ever that he had died in Dominic's stead.

xXx

Leaning against the desk in the room he had been given for interrogations, Greyfor still was not sure what to make of Karl. He had been carrying out interrogations for three days and this was the most perplexing. Tranquil were by their very nature unable to commit violent acts and yet this one had beaten a demon to death in defence of a young apprentice. He knew the former Enchanters background of course and wondered if somehow his prior use of blood magic played a part in such unusual behaviour. There was no sign of emotion now or throughout the interrogation, Karl behaved as every other Tranquil, but other Tranquil in the Circle had been slaughtered, in fact only Karl and Owain had survived. "If it had been up to me I would have had you executed for your use of blood magic. I am aware of your reason for using it, but there is never an excuse for this magic and your use of it was horrifying and reprehensible. Yet you have proven yourself skilled in your time as a Tranquil and Knight Commander Gregior I know is loath to lose you. Yet your actions with the demon while perfectly acceptable in a person are of concern coming from a Tranquil. Therefore I think it best that you be transferred to Aeonar for further testing."

"It will be as you say Seeker."

"No feelings on the matter?"

"None Seeker."

"We shall see."

xXx

Trying not to tremble, Sam met the gaze of Seeker Greyfor who was looking at him with a distance that terrified him. "I had to use my magic!" He blurted out unnerved by the silence. "That abomination and those demons would have killed me and Karl, they killed Enchanter Harin and he was a nice old man! And you leave Karl alone!" He snapped working himself into a fury his fear forgotten in his anger. "If he hadn't killed that demon I would be dead too!"

Leaning back into his chair Greyfor regarded the irate boy. "Calm yourself apprentice."

"My name's Sam!"

"Very well, Sam. I actually think you acted quickly and appropriately and I have no problem with the elemental spells you chose. Though I believe a little more discipline in their application is required."

"I was scared." Sam muttered flushing slightly.

"Indeed."

Lip trembling Sam forced himself to meet the Seekers gaze again. "So are you going to kill us?"

"I do not think killing you will be necessary."

"What about Karl?"

"The Tranquil is another matter." He raised an eyebrow as Sam grabbed his hand.

"Please don't kill him, he saved me and even though he doesn't feel anything anymore I don't think he wants to die. He wouldn't have fought if he did." He let his hands fall to his sides as the Seeker stood.

"You will be escorted to your room now Sam. I advise you not to give any trouble."

Nodding Sam left the room following the Templar escort along the corridor his heart pounding almost in tears at the thought of what they might do to Karl.

Grefor watched the young apprentice until he was out of sight, an interesting young man, few mages would have argued in favour of a Tranquil, let alone so passionately, he would bear watching. Returning to the room he closed the door and sat down allowing himself a moment to feel his exhaustion, such interrogations were always intense for necessities sake. However he was lighter in heart that he agreed with Gregior's assessment that all mages and Templars were free of enthrallment, the only real question mark lay on Karl and he had his course of action for the Tranquil. There was also the matter of Ser Henry of course. Taking a sip of a restorative potion he left the room, heading to the Knight Commander's office.

xXx

Glancing to Seeker Greyfor who was standing next to the bookcase, Gregior turned his focus to Ser Henry who was nervously standing to attention. "Sit down." As he sat Gregior took his own seat behind his desk, interlocking his fingers. "Your closeness to a certain mage has been brought to my attention. You understand why such relationships are not acceptable, getting so close to our charges can have disastrous consequences; recent events should illustrate that."

"Knight Commander …" He fell silent as Gregior held up his hand, paling and lowering his eyes as he met the Seekers piercing gaze. "What happens now Knight Commander?" There was no point in denial, and he thought back to the flash of burgundy material knowing they had been seen after all.

"You are a good Templar, but this is a serious lack of judgement on your part and given recent events here I have no choice but to take action. I am loath to lose you, but I cannot transfer any of the mages here, they will not be tolerated in another Circle. I have discussed it with the Seeker and there are two options. The first is you are stripped of being a Templar, however you have always been devoted to your duties and you have never erred in your judgement before now. I know the Knight Commander at the Ostwick Circle and there are several positions for Templars available at the moment. I received a letter from him last month asking for candidates. It is a relatively quiet Circle and I will explain the reason for your immediate transfer as the trauma of recent events."

Henry looked up in surprise. "You … you wouldn't mention my indiscretion?"

"Do I need to?"

"No Knight Commander, I swear nothing like this will ever happen again."

"See to it that it doesn't. If my reputation is tarnished by your actions there will be consequences."

"Thank you Knight Commander."

"Karl is to be transferred to Aeonar, you will accompany Seeker Greyfor in escorting him there and then travel on to Ostwick. I suggest you do not give the Seeker any reason to question my decision."

"Yes Knight Commander."

xXx

Knight Commander Silas glanced back to Kinloch Hold as the last ferry reached the shore, secretly relieved to have been saved from carrying out the Rite. He had been happy to give control of the situation to the Seeker, knowing his own actions would not be brought into question as he was obeying the Seeker. There had been no hint of any further corruption to his relief. The initiates had followed the Seekers instructions and while observing the process only, they had been ready to carry out the most harrowing of their duties and he was proud of them. He wondered how they would fair in the Circle and part of him had not wanted to leave them. He glanced up as Ser Donald moved to his side, a veteran of ten years he was a man who could be relied upon.

"I don't mind telling you Knight Commander I'm awful glad we didn't have to carry out the Rite. I mean I would have, duty comes first, but executing children …" He let the thought remain unspoken.

"Indeed."

"Initiates did bloody well."

"I agree. Let's hope they continue to carry out their duty to the same standard and dedication. Let the lads blow off some steam tonight, but not too much."

Donald grinned. "Right you are Knight Commander."

Silas glanced back to the Circle. "I don't envy you Gregior." He murmured. The Templars and mages who had survived were deeply traumatised and the recovery from such events would take time and he feared the mistrust he had seen in the Templars eyes would cause regrettable actions.

xXx

Sinking into the chair behind his desk, Gregior finally gave in to his exhaustion. The tests had been extensive, invasive and at times brutal, especially for the mages, but it was over and those who remained were all safe, for the moment at least. Tomorrow was a new start for the Circle and with five new initiates it would be a busy time. Integrating them with the Templars who had survived Uldred's madness was likely to be tricky at first, but given time things would settle down. He imagined Ser Henry would do well at Ostwick, though he regretted losing him and as to Karl's fate, he knew deep down the Tranquil would never return.

xXx

Author Note: Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed.