Captain Marcus glanced around the room. Night Elf Commander Kalris and his second in command Ulas were standing next to Master Govak, who was positively bouncing on his heels at the opportunity to showcase his most recent inventions. The golems Rumold and Tolband were also present making the room seem cramped, despite it being the largest room available to them. The Warden Commander was present as was Jayden. He was finding it more difficult than he had anticipated not to address him as Lord, having caught himself several times. "Well let's get started." He laid out a map on the table around which they all stood, marking the defences and giving a quick rundown of the shift system for the guards. "As I explained earlier, we have had Darkspawn attempt to reach the walls, but so far they have failed."

Rathnal glanced at the markers for the watchtowers, four soldiers manned them on a six-hour rotation. He wished they had a wall of watch towers to create a line of defence, but they would work with what they had.

Jayden pointed to the land between the watchtowers and the wall. "We need to get everyone within the protection of the wall as quickly as possible, you said all the animals have already been brought in which will save time. We need to make this land as difficult to cross as possible, while making sure our own soldiers can get through unscathed."

"You talking about pits and spikes lad?" Govak sniffed dismissively.

"In part, but I would prefer explosives." He almost smiled at Govak's delighted grin.

"Now we are talking. I've been working on an agent that is harmless by itself, but once ignited it will burn like nothing you have ever seen. Spreads quickly too." He coughed slightly. "Might not be much of the farmland untouched if you use it though."

"You think the Darkspawn will leave the farmland untouched." Rathnal stated coldly. "They are coming here to destroy Gwaren. Farmland can be repaired, but if they get beyond the wall …" He fell silent.

"It is something to consider." Jayden stated shifting his gaze back to the map. "Obviously the wall is manned, but what about larger scale weapons?" He glanced at Govak. "I'm assuming the wyvern heads at the gates aren't just decoration."

"They were made to allow boiling oil to be poured on anyone trying to enter the gate by force, but we have never used them."

"Well we need every advantage we can get." He pointed to several areas on the map. "Pits could be dug at these points; the natural rise of the land will help obscure them from the enemy."

"You seem pretty damn sure of yourself for someone who just arrived." Govak muttered.

Jayden stood straight. "Am I wrong Master Govak?"

Giving a huffing breath Govak shook his head. "No."

Smiling slightly Jayden placed his palms on the table and met his gaze. "You don't know me, have no reason to trust me, but the Warden Commander was born and lived here until he was recruited by the Order. He is here to make sure Gwaren has the best chance of surviving the force that is coming. If you trust nothing else, trust that he is here to help and by extension those of us with him."

Govak glanced up as Tolband placed a stone hand on his shoulder.

"Trust him."

"You telling me you do?"

"Indeed. Why do you not?"

"He's a Chantry sort and you know how difficult they have been about me and the lads and my experiments!" He grumbled.

Jayden raised an eyebrow. "I'm a Chantry sort?"

"Come on lad, you're plastered on posters throughout Ferelden. Some prophet with the gift of foresight, or some such nonsense. Seeing the spirit of Andraste, quite the tall tale!"

Rathnal shook his head. "You couldn't be more wrong Govak. The Chantry might have named him Champion, but he is Andraste's not theirs. They picked the one human least likely to fall in line with their wishes." He grinned broadly at Jayden's slight smile. "But he was healed by Andraste and he faced a dragon without armour or weapons for her. Long before that though he was given a vision of the blight, but from a magical source." He swallowed uneasily. "He was ignored and disbelieved for the longest time and he still found ways to prepare this country for the war he knew was coming. So, think what you like, but there is no-one I would want more, defending my home than this man."

Govak raised an eyebrow at the slight flush of the captain's cheeks realising he was genuinely uncomfortable by the praise. "Alright then lad, as long as you don't start spouting the Chant of Light at me, we will get on fine."

"Done. Now we have two mages with us and a Templar, their skills will be essential in the fight ahead. I think it would be useful if we set up some training sessions so the soldiers aren't alarmed by the magic. Some of the guards will have been to Ostagar for training, but none of the Night Elves will have had the experience."

"That would be appreciated." Kalris stated.

Marcus nodded. "That can certainly be arranged."

"We also have supplies to make the preventative. We will make as much as we can, but I suggest the guards and Night Elves receive the first doses and then if we have enough it can be distributed to the civilian population."

"It is truly a shame we were denied the preventative when it arrived." Kalris stated. "Two of my finest bowmen lie dying as we speak."

"Hopefully not." Marcus stated. "Captain William has already given them the cure."

"Cure?"

"We got lucky." Jayden stated.

"Or something." Rathnal murmured, whatever anyone said, those flowers infused with lyrium had been a divine gift.

"The cure is crude and can be a bit brutal, but it has worked on two others, I see no reason it will not work on the three men in the infirmary."

"That is …" Ulas shook his head. "Truly that is astounding."

"What about weapons?" Rathnal asked. "We need something with an edge. Govak I remember certain explosive arrows that were your creation."

Govak's chest puffed up. "They have been refined since then and they pack more of a punch."

"We will need as many as you can make. What else have you been working on?"

"I have just finished working on a new crossbow. Easier and faster to reload, it shoots further and the explosive bolts are particularly effective."

"How many can you provide?" Jayden asked.

"Well that depends on how many you can pay for. I am a businessman after all."

"Damn it Govak!" Marcus snarled. "You won't have a damn business if Darkspawn overrun us!"

"If I may." Jayden quickly intervened. "Master Govak, as a businessman you understand the need to prove the worth of your goods. Consider this a test. Provide us with as many as you can to defend Gwaren and assuming they work as effectively as you suggest, I will have an order placed for the wider army which will be very profitable for you."

Govak leaned back in his chair. "Forgive me, but I don't think a Captain, not even one named Champion has that kind of authority."

"That would likely be the case out with a blight, but I was one of the few of any rank to make it out of Ostagar. I report directly to the General and we need everything we can get to defeat these monsters. So, when I say I can place an order for the wider army, you can be damn sure I mean it."

Govak licked his lips making the calculations in his head. "Alright, I can provide thirty."

Marcus nodded. "How quick can you get the weapons to us?"

"Three days."

"Good enough."

Jayden studied the map of Gwaren again, though he could have drawn it blindfolded, having explored every part of it as a child. "Captain Marcus, I request that you put eyes day and night on the entrance to the Dwarven outpost."

Govak frowned slightly. "Lad, that entrance was blocked up years ago."

"That may be, but you know as well as anyone the Darkspawn are experts at digging their way to the surface and that outpost provides already created tunnels to reach Gwaren within the wall. The Archdemon is cunning, what better way to destroy us than keep us focused on defending the wall, while they infiltrate Gwaren itself and trap us between two forces, cutting us off from the sea."

Marcus paled slightly. "I will place guards there immediately. Do you really think they would do that?"

Jayden glanced at Rathnal and then back to the captain. "I think that is exactly what they will do, which is why we need to start evacuating Gwaren."

"You expect us to just give up our homes, our workplaces on a hunch?" Govak spluttered. "We can take this spawn down no problem."

"I hope you are right Master Govak." Jayden stated forcing himself to remain calm. "But you didn't see what they did at Ostagar. The first wave was hard fought, but we thought we had victory and then the real force showed itself and we were all but obliterated. I won't give up on Gwaren until we have no choice, but I will make damn sure the people here have a fighting chance of living through that and if that means evacuating that is what we will do."

Shifting slightly beneath the fierce gaze Govak nodded. "Alright, you've made your point."

"If I may." Kalris glanced around cautiously. "No-one has mentioned if the Archdemon shows itself." He looked at Rathnal. "There are only two Wardens here."

Rathnal met his gaze. "If it shows itself here, we do our job."

"Two of you don't stand a chance."

"We both have experience fighting and killing a dragon." Alistair stated an edge to his voice. "That thing shows itself we will kill it, or die trying."

Jayden glanced to Rathnal, both knowing given his experience in the Archdemon's mind and what Cailan had suffered, Alistair wanted to kill the thing himself.

"We will do what we have to." Rathnal stated, but he prayed the Archdemon wouldn't show itself until all of the Wardens were together and the ritual had been completed.

xXx

Nipping at his lower lip nervously Jayden stared at Gwaren's Calling Crystal. He had already contacted Fergus to update him, confirming that Cailan's memories had been returned to him and they were on their way back, he didn't go into further details, Cailan could explain it himself. He also requested that if they did need to evacuate Gwaren, that the citizens could take refuge in Highever. Fergus had agreed without hesitation thankfully. Contacting Denerim however felt a little unnerving. In the end Captain Marcus had joined him and activated it himself, believing it would be safer if the guardsman who answered just thought it was another report. They didn't know the situation in Denerim and Marcus had stated clearly, he was taking no risks with Jayden's life. He had then left the office leaving Gawain outside the door to ensure no-one approached. Waiting as patiently as he could, he realised he was pacing only when Airyl nudged against him. Forcing himself to sit he finally heard voices and a door closing, relieved as he heard his father's voice.

"Right Marcus, what was so urgent and confidential you needed to speak to both myself and the Queen?"

"It's Captain William, General." He heard sharp intakes of breath from both his father and sister.

"Maker, it is good to hear your voice." Loghain stated unable to help his relieved smile. "Are you alone?"

"Apart from Airyl."

"How are you son?"

"I don't even know how to begin to answer that."

"Then tell me what you can."

"There is so much, I … I'm not sure where to start."

"Then let me start brother, I must speak while we have this opportunity. I want to … I need to apologise to you, for those awful things I said, for the way I have behaved towards you. I was angry at myself and I took it out on you. I wanted to protect you and there you were growing up and forging your own way, getting into all sorts of trouble that you probably saw as adventure and I was helpless, just like I was the day those bastards took you from us. The more time you spent as someone else the greater I felt the distance was between us. You were no longer my little brother because how could you be. You had to grow up so fast, harden yourself because of all you had seen and experienced. I never meant to make it worse for you, but that is exactly what I did. I sent you away to Ostagar because I couldn't bear what was happening between us. I treated you terribly and I understand if you can't or maybe won't forgive me, but I want to make things better between us. I … I have been a fool in so many ways, making decisions for the wrong reasons; losing sight of the bigger picture without realising it. If I had acted differently perhaps Bryce and Eleanor would still be alive. I can't change the past and I must live with my terrible mistakes, but I want to at least have the opportunity to make things right between us. Can you give me that chance?"

Jayden felt as though a weight had been lifted from his heart, finding himself too choked to speak.

Anora gave a shuddering breath. "At least think about it brother."

"There is nothing to think about, all I want is to make things right between us. I never meant to make things difficult for you in Denerim. I just … that vision haunted me and I had to try everything I could to give us a fighting chance."

"I know and I am sorry I did not listen." Anora stated softly, grateful for her father's arm around her and his approving expression. "Perhaps I should tell you what we know. We are aware Fergus has retaken Highever." She could almost feel her brother's alarm. "Be at peace brother, when I say we, I mean father and myself. We know that the Ashes of Holy Andraste are now denied to us and we know you returned to Ostagar to help Cailan to retrieve his memories."

Staring at the Calling Crystal, his heart pounding, Jayden gently bit his tongue to try and moisten his now dry mouth. His thoughts were chaos, how could they know? He closed his eyes and let out a huff of breath. "Sister Leliana." He muttered.

Anora raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"That's how you know all of that. I know she is your agent; I have seen the necklace she wears. Erlina told me the significance of them long ago. I am an idiot for not considering she would be reporting to you."

"Yes, well I needed some way to find out what was happening, but of course we do not have all of the details." She listened carefully as he explained the retake of Highever, their return to Haven and the necessity to return to Ostagar.

"Was your mission successful?" Loghain demanded.

"Yes, the King has his memories back."

Frowning at the bitterness in his voice Anora wished she could see his face. "What happened?" Her voice was gentle but commanding, yet she caught his hesitation. "Jayden, tell us what happened."

Swallowing painfully Jayden told them everything. Every terrifying moment of battle, the injuries of his comrades, the ogres grip squeezing the life out of him, the deaths of Kinnard and Robert. Every dagger like word from Cailan and what they had faced at the whim of the Archdemon.

Anora listened in silence, tears burning her eyes, watching her father who looked horrified. When he finally fell silent, she wiped her wet cheeks lost for words.

"I am sorry I was not with you." Loghain stated his voice hoarse. "But you survived." He didn't bother to hide the awe he felt, wishing he could be with his son, knowing words fell short of all he wanted to convey. "It must have been an overwhelming experience facing the Archdemon in that way."

Jayden wanted to say that it was not Andraste who had protected him, but a fragment of Mythal that had awoken within him because of the bond she had laid down in their ancestor. That he had felt real magic and now it was gone and he felt empty without it and the only place he felt anything close to whole again was within the bond where he could feel the pulse of magic, but had no access to it. He wanted to tell them how terrified he had been as that child once more as he lived his worst nightmares and that it felt as real to him as though it had happened. "It was, but I am hoping most of it will fade as all my nightmares did."

Loghain realised his son was finding it difficult to speak about it, but there were still things that needed to be said. A chasm was clearly growing between his son and Cailan and he was desperate to do what he could to help repair it. "I imagine Cailan is struggling with what he felt he had to say and do to keep Alistair safe." He heard Jayden's huff of breath. "You are angry, understandably, but in his position would you have acted differently? He chose the lesser of two evils hoping that one day he could repair the hurt of his words to you."

"He would have killed Airyl!" Jayden growled.

"Do you truly believe that?"

"I was there!"

"You stopped him as Cailan would have known you would do despite your injuries."

"The soldiers …"

"Deliberately missed her, you said so yourself."

"Yes, but he couldn't have known they would do that!"

Anora sighed softly. "All over Ferelden there are tales of the white wolf. She is as respected as you are and if I know that Cailan would know that. Not to mention, who would truly try to kill a wolf companion of Andraste's Champion. A fool or Darkspawn and Cailan and those soldiers are neither."

"Anora …"

"Every word he spoke to you would have torn at his heart. Despite the difficulties between myself and Cailan, be assured that I know he has loved you since the moment he first saw you. What he did will weigh heavily on his soul." She sighed at his silence. "When you were taken from us, those weeks when we were left to wonder if you even lived, I wanted to race to Denerim, be on the ship with father to come and find you. I believe I would have killed every Orlesian that stood in my way of getting to you. I may not have shown it lately, but that is the strength of my love for you. That is the strength of Cailan's love for Alistair and I know how much you love Alistair yourself. The stable boy you could not stop talking about. The boy you wanted to bring home because you saw how cruelly he was treated. The friend you took a whip blow for, whose scar you will bear your whole life. If you were given the option to hurt Cailan emotionally, but that option would keep both him and Alistair alive, would you not take it?" She remained silent for several minutes letting him consider her words. "Do you think perhaps his words hurt so deeply because you believe them yourself?"

Closing his eyes Jayden lowered his head. "Not all of them, but enough."

"I regret many things in these recent years, but one of the things I regret most is saying that I blamed you for mom's death. I don't, I was angry and cruel and I wish I could take those words back."

Clearing his throat Loghain fought against the pain tearing into his heart. "I swear to you I have never blamed you for your mother's death. Sending you away broke my heart, but I wanted to keep you safe. From the moment you were gone I wanted to bring you home."

Jayden took a shuddering breath. "I can figure things out with Cailan later; the priority right now is Gwaren. A significant number of Darkspawn are on the march and they are heading here. I used the Gateways to get ahead of them."

"Tell me you are not by yourself." Anora gasped.

"No, there are eight of us including myself and Airyl. Cailan, Teagan and the soldiers are on their way back to Highever and the majority of the Wardens are searching for the Dalish."

"Gwaren has held its own against the Darkspawn." Loghain stated glancing at Anora. "What kind of force are you talking about?"

"Morrigan saw in excess of a thousand, there may be more. We are mounting a defence. We have supplies to make more of the preventative and now we have a crude cure; I have given it to those affected by the Blight sickness, they will be recovered in a few days, I hope. Govak has volunteered with some persuasion thirty new crossbows he has been working on. Assuming they work as he has detailed; I have told him I will order more for the wider army. There is enough gold to cover it from what I took from Haven. I have Enchanters Dylan and Reece and Ser Matthew with me so we have magical and Templar support, but we are also making preparations to evacuate by sea if necessary. I … I am not sure we will be able to hold Gwaren."

"I trust your judgement son; you will know when a defence can no longer be maintained."

"Do you intend to evacuate to Denerim should it become necessary?" Anora asked, calculating the additional resources required by refugees from Gwaren.

"No, I will get them to Highever. They have the space given what has happened there and Fergus is sorting out the logistics. The ships will also remain there to enable an evacuation to the Free Marches quickly should that become necessary."

Anora swallowed uneasily. "How are the Couslands?"

"Fergus being back in Highever has helped, but it is difficult for them to be there for obvious reasons. I think Aedan being a Warden is difficult for them all."

"Duncan had no right to conscript him in the way he did." Loghain growled.

"Desperate times and measures." Jayden stated. "We have all done things we would not normally do."

"Perhaps you can tell me why the Wardens have failed to come to Denerim. A decree was sent throughout Ferelden."

"They have more important things to do. We need help and their treaties can get it. They already have the support of Orzammar and the Circle and as I said are currently seeking the Dalish."

"I don't want to argue with you, but Orlesian wardens and an army of Chevaliers are at our border."

"I'm aware, but that is Empress Celene's doing not the Ferelden Wardens. Dad, you know Rath, Ali and Aedan. They are not in league with Orlais and we need them. Besides we have bigger things to worry about like a civil war. The country is splitting itself in two over what happened to the Cousland's. What are you doing about Arl Howe?"

"We are investigating the situation." Anora stated as calmly as she was able.

"He had Bryce and Eleanor killed. He tried to have Fergus assassinated. Oriana, Oren and Aedan were chased across half of Ferelden by Howe's soldiers' intent on killing them and you are aware Oren was poisoned."

"We need proof! Rendon has produced letters in Bryce's own hand clearly showing his betrayal."

"You must know they are fake!"

"Brother, what I believe and what I can prove are very different. We cannot go to a Landsmeet with what little we have; the Cousland's would not fare well from it."

"We have proof too." Jayden stated. "You need to start talking with Fergus and Cailan when he gets back to Highever. The Calling Crystals will enable you to communicate without it being intercepted. Remember Arl Howe believes that Thomas and Warin are in charge in Highever. He must not get any hint that that is not the case."

"We will be careful. I …" Anora worried at her lip. "There is something I must ask."

"Alright."

"What is Rosslyn like and the child?"

Jayden felt ice move down his spine. "Leliana!" He hissed, determined he was going to have strong words with her.

"I would have found out at some point. I admit I am a little disappointed that you did not tell me."

"Cailan wanted to explain the situation himself."

"I see. Nevertheless, brother I must know, does he love her?"

"Anora, please don't put me in the middle of this." He sighed at the silence. "Yes, but with the return of his memory's things are different. I have no idea what he is thinking or feeling now. They have a son and that changes things, but you are his wife, his Queen."

"I suppose I will end up with a political marriage after all, but knowing he will be with someone else. Maker, I have made such a mess of things."

"It wasn't just you." Jayden stated softly.

"No, but you once counselled me to talk to him, tell him of my fears of having a child and I dismissed your words. I wish I had listened to you. Perhaps if I had I would have a husband coming home to me and not just a King." She sighed deeply. "But of course, we have much larger things to concern ourselves with. I eagerly await your return to Denerim; I promise you things will be different between us. No more secrets and to that end there is one more thing I must tell you." She glanced at her father. "Something I must tell you both."

"This isn't good, is it?" Jayden muttered. "Is it the Chantry?"

"In a way. The Divine has privately proposed the marriage of Empress Celene and Andraste's Champion." She winced as she heard her brother's sharp breath and then choked coughing, her father having much the same response.

"You can't be serious!" Jayden spluttered gasping for breath.

"I will not allow it!" Loghain exploded.

"If it helps to ease your minds, Empress Celene is no more enamoured by the idea than we are, though of course she does not yet know who you are, which I believe will make her less inclined for the match."

"This is madness, I'm not going to marry the Empress!"

"Certainly not if Celene and I have anything to do with it."

"Why would the Divine even want this?"

"I suspect she wishes to increase the chances of a lasting peace between our countries."

"Not a chance Anora; there is no way I am marrying her! Besides, I am already betrothed!"

"As I said brother, Celene and I will dissuade the Divine, I simply did not wish there to be any secrets between us."

Jayden shook his head. "Maybe I am in some mad dream after all. Just when I think things are as bad as they can get, they get worse."

"Perhaps I should not have told you."

"No." Jayden stated quickly. "I am tired of lies and deception. I might not like the truth, but I prefer to know it. Listen, I wish I could talk for longer, but there is so much to do and while we think we might have a week to prepare it could be much less than that."

"Of course." Loghain stated, though the last thing he wanted was for the conversation to end. "Be safe and know I love you."

"I love you too dad."

Anora swallowed against the lump in her throat. "I love you brother, come to Denerim as soon as you are able and keep us updated as regularly as you can."

"I will and I love you too. Make sure you contact Fergus."

"We will."

Jayden stared at the Calling Crystal for several moments after its glow had dimmed horrified to realise his cheeks were wet with tears. Wiping his face furiously he stood and cleared his throat. "Come on Airyl, work to do."

xXx

Pacing angrily outside of the Healers building Lyra turned as the door opened seeing Mother Sara. "I have heard there is a cure. I want to see Gilon. I need to see my husband!"

"The cure is taking effect so I suppose it will be alright for you to see him. I must warn you he is in a lot of discomfort and I would advise you to make your visit short."

Hurrying past her, Lyra collapsed to her knees beside Gilon's pallet clutching his hand. "They wouldn't let me come and see you, I tried. I tried so many times!"

"I heard." Gilon whispered feeling exhausted, forcing a slight smile. "I thought I was never going to see you again."

Tears slipping down her cheeks she pressed her face to his hand.

"It's alright sweetheart, the cure is harsh, but it works. I will need to rest for a few days, but then I will be back on the wall with you, bow at the ready."

"I can't believe it."

"William gave it to me himself." He met Lyra's searching gaze. "He is a good man."

"One of the best, like my husband."

"They intend to make enough of the preventative for everyone in Gwaren if they can, but the priority will be the soldiers and Night Elves. That means you will get the preventative."

"Right now, all I care about is that you are alive and healing."

Eyes closing, Gilon grimaced in discomfort.

"Try to get some sleep; I will be right here when you wake."

Shaking his head, Gilon gently squeezed her hand. "I heard that they are here because they are expecting a large Darkspawn attack. You will be needed." He sighed as he saw her pale slightly. "You will have to see him sooner or later."

Nodding Lyra waited until he was asleep before slipping away, moving to the small building opposite where Mother Sara had told her the Champion was busy making more of the preventative. Worrying at her lip Lyra knocked on the open door feeling her heart quicken as Jayden looked up from the vial he had just stoppered. "Can we talk?" She entered the room at his gesture, closing the door behind her. "I just … I wanted to thank you. Did … did you realise who Gilon was before you gave him the cure?"

"Yes."

"I … thank you."

Jayden frowned, grateful Gawain had been persuaded to attend to other duties and moved towards her. "Do you really think I would have let him die because you married him?"

"No, I …" Swallowing nervously Lyra moved closer to him, hearing his hitch of breath and seeing the tension in his body. She knew she should back away, leave the building, but she hadn't expected the flood of feelings and she felt as drawn to him as she always had.

Heart pounding Jayden found himself mesmerised by her gaze, with a sudden jolt of just how close they were standing to each other, not even realising he had moved towards her. Her hand was on the bench next to his, barely an inch from touching. He wanted her in his arms, wanted to smell her hair, taste her lips, reverse time so they had never been parted.

Lyra saw it all play out in his eyes, the desire, love, pain and grief, everything that was tearing into her own heart. One more step and she would be in his arms, one more step and the ache that had blossomed since finding out he was alive could be soothed. She drew back sharply horrified at herself. "I … I'm sorry, I should go." Backing away she turned and hurried to the door, glancing back seeing him slumped in a chair, his head in his hands. It took all of her will power to flee.

Trembling Jayden focused on the acute feeling of guilt to calm the desire and longing. They hadn't done anything, but he had wanted to. A moment more and he wasn't sure he would have been able to hold back. Jayden forced himself to stand, the room felt too confining and he hurriedly left, taking the box of preventative he had just finished making to the barracks for Captain Marcus to distribute, before heading for the tavern and the security of a room Lyra wouldn't suddenly walk into.

xXx

Seeing Jayden return, Alistair hurried after him needing to talk. He hesitated at the door seeing the troubled look on Jayden's face, misreading the cause. "I'm worried about them too."

Nodding Jayden pushed Lyra from his thoughts. "Kirkwall. What would have made them go there of all places?"

"Apparently Flemeth helped them get to Gwaren, but warned Bethany if they stayed in Ferelden our baby wouldn't be born. That damn witch just can't stop interfering in my life!"

Jayden stared at him stunned. "But that doesn't explain Kirkwall, they could have chosen anywhere in the Free Marches."

"Maybe that was the only ship they could get."

"No, Captain Marcus said there was debate, they deliberately chose that destination."

"What does it matter, they aren't here!"

"Of course it bloody matters!" Jayden snapped. "Kirkwall is where they were taking Anders the last time he escaped. He was terrified of the place; he was sure he was being taken there just to be made Tranquil! There is no sense in them going there, not with three mages in their company!"

Alistair hesitated realising for the first time that Jayden wasn't just worried, he was genuinely terrified. He cautiously crossed the room and placed a hand gently on his shoulder. "The Hawkes know how to hide, how to stay safe."

"You don't understand Ali, Kirkwall has the worst reputation of any Circle in terms of punishment and lack of freedom for mages! If any Circle is a prison, it is that one, literally it was a prison! It makes no sense for them to have gone there, especially Malcolm considering he escaped from there!" Jayden sank onto a seat clutching his trembling hands.

Hunkering down beside him Alistair met his gaze. "Maybe Leandra still has family there, maybe they thought going somewhere where they had family who might help them, even a place like Kirkwall, was better than going somewhere they didn't know anyone, especially with Bethany being pregnant."

Swallowing hard Jayden nodded burying his fear deep inside, there was nothing they could do and they just had to trust they could keep themselves safe.

"Garrett and Carver will keep Anders safe; they will keep them all safe."

Hearing a soft meow Jayden turned to the window seeing a large ginger cat watching them before it leapt down presumably after prey. Anders ability to shape change into a cat would be something the Templars wouldn't be expecting and it helped to ease him a fraction. "I think I will go for a walk."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

Jayden shook his head. "I just need a little time alone." Heading outside he moved in the direction of the beach. They had no idea if they might need to evacuate so it only made sense to retrieve the truth potion while he had the chance.

xXx

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