Taking the hot mug, Zarina settled into the chair by the fire, Ignatio sitting opposite. "I apologise I could not come sooner. Enchanter Tyris gave me something to calm me and Ser Cauthrien questioned me repeatedly and at length."

"I will need to do the same. I need you to tell me exactly what you witnessed Zarina. Every detail."

Putting down the cup not trusting herself to keep the hot liquid within it, she clasped her trembling hands. "I have never failed an assignment." She whispered. "I have always been able to see subtle changes in people that give away their intentions, but with Erlina there was nothing." She looked at Ignatio desperately. "She was devoted to the Queen. I would have bet my life on it." She shuddered. "I do not understand …"

"I suspect all is not as it appears. To that end I have requested the help of the Mages Collective. One of their representatives should be here shortly. Now tell me exactly what you saw and heard." He took notes as she spilled it out, frowning deeply. They had sat in silence for only a few minutes when there was a knock. Ignatio stood and welcomed in Enchanter Alamadah.

"How may I assist you today Master Ignatio? You have not requested our services for some time."

"You are skilled in assessing if blood magic has been used on an individual are you not?"

"I am." He glanced at the young woman at the fireplace who was staring at them in alarm.

"Good. I need to know if she has been compromised."

Zarina's heart was beating wildly as the mage approached, but she didn't protest or resist, the feeling of unease that had remained with her, that somehow, she was more involved than she believed, haunted her.

Ignatio watched as pulsing green energy flickered in the Enchanter's hands, after a moment, red wisps of energy rose up from her body, flaring slightly as they were engulfed in the green before being destroyed. "Blood magic." He whispered.

"There can be no doubt. It is buried deeply. This will take longer than I anticipated and we need more safeguards. I need to take her to a more secure location and I will need the skills of others in the Collective."

Ignatio nodded, grabbing their cloaks seeing the fear in Zarina's eyes. "I will remain with you and then we will find a way to end this blood mage."

xXx

Tired of pacing and feeling confined, Leliana checked Jayden's room again though she knew he and Gawain would not have been able to enter the house without Theron knowing. He had patrolled the house given they could not patrol the city, as agitated and frustrated as she felt. Where are you? She cursed herself for not having kept a closer eye on them and for not accompanying them.

"Perhaps Kara will have an update." Sketch stated softly, her restlessness causing his own anxiety to gnaw at him.

"Indeed." She heard Zevran's voice in another room, quiet and agitated. She thought it might be Ellowyn he was speaking to, but she could not make out what they were saying.

"He's been in there for a while." Sketch stated softly. "I'm pretty sure he was cursing when whoever it is, first contacted him."

"More bad news." Leliana muttered. "Let Zev know where I have gone."

"Shouldn't I go with you?" He sighed; she had already slipped out of the door. "Apparently not."

It took only minutes to reach Kara's office, Krul standing outside a frown on his face as she approached.

"You were told to remain in your base."

"I am aware, I would speak to Kara."

Sighing he slipped into the room, seeing the mercenary leader looking over a map of the city again.

Glancing up Kara met his gaze. "Where are they?" She muttered in frustration.

"I wish I knew. Sister Leliana is here requesting to speak to you."

"What does she not understand about not walking the streets alone? Maker, I am supposed to protect them!" She shivered as Krul's hand gently rested on her shoulder. For such a large man he could move silently and without notice.

"This is not your doing."

"Isn't it? I arranged that meeting with the Mages Collective. I should have escorted them there and back. I should have …" She sighed at his look. "Fine, I can't do anything about that now, but I can ensure the safety of the rest of them. Show her in, please Krul." She remained standing as Leliana entered. "I am assuming you have a damn good reason to leave the safe house."

"William and Gawain have still not returned. There can be no doubt now that they are in trouble."

"I am aware. I have more people out searching, but the more people I throw at this the less discrete it will be." They turned as the door burst open, Zevran rushing in, slipping past a startled Krul, Sketch looking apologetic and Theron looking furious.

"For Makers sake why can none of you follow a simple instruction to ensure your own safety?"

"Arl Vaughan has Will and Gawain." Zevran snarled, ignoring her shocked look and leaning over the desk, his face menacing. "William trusted you." He glared at Krul's growl.

"You think I had something to do with him being taken!"

"For your sake I hope not, but one of your men certainly did." He quickly explained what he had been told. "Once Vaughan has broken William, they intend to let the blood mage loose on him."

Leliana paled, startled to realise Sketch was next to her, his arm around her waist holding her steady.

Kara stared at them stunned. "Krul." She inwardly cursed the tremble of her voice. "Find Erik, take whoever you need in case he is with any of Vaughan's men and get a message to Ilias and Brom, I need to speak to them urgently." She looked at Zevran. "You are sure of this information?"

"I have been informed it came from the lips of Rendon Howe himself."

xXx

The garden at Highever Castle was lit by several torches to ward off the dark of the evening, braziers lit and placed next to a bench at Ellowyn's request. Shivering despite the warmth of her cloak and the brazier, she sank onto the stone bench, staring at the rose bush. It had shed its remaining leaves, leaving only the thorns as protection, a stark contrast to its soft beauty only weeks ago. It had been stripped bare and that was how she felt, her mind a chaos of thoughts of how quickly things had taken an even darker turn than she had ever imagined. She had hated Anora for her part in what had happened to her parents, her actions or lack of action had ended up with terrible consequences and she couldn't forgive her, but her death was not justice. Shuddering, she could only imagine the fear Anora and Erlina must have experienced in those last moments and her heart went out to Erlina, forced to murder and then kill herself. Her heart ached so fiercely for Jayden she had had to sit down to catch her breath. She was terrified of what might be happening to him and wondered if he even knew his sister was dead. She clung to Zevran's assurances that they would free him, needing to believe it. She stared at her trembling hands, startled when warm hands engulfed them and she glanced up as Edward settled next to her.

"You are freezing."

"I needed the air." She glanced down again gazing at his hands around hers, strong and protective.

"I have held my tongue hoping you would come to me and tell me what has been disturbing you, but I cannot remain silent any longer. Talk to me Ellowyn. I will do all I can to help you if you tell me what is hurting you so much."

Hesitating a moment Ellowyn met his gaze, choosing to trust him, needing to. She told him of the Queen's lack of inaction regarding the mage, her murder and the conflict she was feeling.

Edward stared at her stunned, wanting nothing more than to take Ellowyn far away from what was fast appearing to be a cursed country. "I cannot speak for the Queen's actions, but I know you would not have wanted her to be murdered."

"No, I did not, I wanted justice, I wanted her to pay publicly for what she did, to be forced to step down as Queen, but now all I can think about is how afraid they must have been. They had no means to combat the blood magic." She shuddered realising the fate to be controlled by that mage could well have been hers.

"Talk to me Ellowyn."

Trembling, tears spilling down her cheeks, Ellowyn told him of her own experience of the blood mage, how she had worked to twist her thoughts and memories and how terrified she had been that the amulet, the only thing stopping the mage from claiming her would be discovered. She felt Edward's hands tightening gently around her own, his gaze filled with concern and something else she didn't dare let herself acknowledge.

"I will never let her near you again." Edward growled.

She leaned against him, trembling as his arms wrapped around her holding her close. She looked up meeting his gaze. "William was tricked and now he and Gawain are in Howe's clutches and I am so afraid she will hurt him more than Vaughan ever could. Edward, if we get the chance, we have to kill her, none of us are safe while she lives."

"We have no protection from blood magic." Edward stated trying to think through their limited options.

"Perhaps the Wardens can help. They have had blood mages in their ranks, they must have some precautions available."

"Then let us contact the Warden Commander and quickly before they leave to rendezvous with us."

xXx

Fergus lay on the bed, Oriana next to him and Oren tucked in between them. "You know I need to leave for Denerim tomorrow."

"I want to come with you." Oren stated softly, trying to hide his anxiety from his parents.

"I know you do, but I need you to stay here. Denerim is going to be a dangerous place for a little while for us."

"Then you should stay here!"

"I have to go; I am going to make sure the bad people cannot hurt us ever again. Do you understand?"

Nodding miserably, Oren sighed deeply. "I still want you to stay here."

"I do too." Fergus held his son closer, gently kissing the top of his head. "I will not be gone for longer than I need to be and you will be safe here." He felt his son's tension and hugged him a little tighter. "No-one will take us by surprise like that again. The soldiers are alert and will defend you and your mom with their lives if they need to."

xXx

Rathnal sat in stunned silence, Aedan and Alistair sitting silently opposite him and Morrigan standing by the window, all three having been with him when Ellowyn made contact. "What is going on with this damn country?" He suddenly roared, getting to his feet and throwing his mug against the wall, glaring at the shattered pieces. Clenching his fists, he wanted to scream; moving to the fireplace, leaning against the wall squeezing his eyes shut and willing himself not to cry in sheer despair.

Aedan eased apart his clenched fists seeing blood where his nails had dug into the palm of his hands. He wanted to lash out, roar out his fury but that wouldn't help his friend and it wouldn't bring Anora back. His anger towards her was still there, but this wasn't what he or Ellowyn had wanted. He needed to be constructive with what time they had. "I will speak to Serris. She may know more about protection against blood magic and I will ask Ayanna to speak to Avernus, surely the old man knows something."

"I will check on our preparations to leave." Alistair stated softly. "The sooner we leave the better. That bloody man needs to be stopped." At Rathnal's nod the two men moved to the door. Alistair hesitated. "He won't kill Andraste's Champion, he would lose everything if he did." At the silence of the others his shoulders slumped, he wanted to believe it, but he knew all too well that with having the Queen killed, they had no idea how far Rendon would go in the chaos he was creating.

Rathnal turned as they left; his eyes dark with worry. Anora was dead, he couldn't comprehend it. She had always just been there in the background and then of course as Queen. He suspected her death would do more to break his friend than anything Vaughan was doing. He glanced up realising Morrigan was still in the room turning to her accusingly. "You don't seem the least bit surprised by this." His gaze drifted to the white of her hair as she remained silent. "You knew this was going to happen, didn't you! Did you even warn him?" At her continuing silence he growled. "How can you call yourself his friend?"

"Was it not you Commander, who when the Archdemon was torturing him, demanded he not be brought out, so that you could get the outcome you needed?"

Rathnal stared at her. "What possible outcome could you want, that means he has to go through this? That meant Anora had to die and not just die but be murdered?"

"That is my business, Commander."

"He thinks of you as family, but he is nothing but a tool to you, is he!"

Feeling the tremble of her hands Morrigan cast him an icy glare before leaving the room.

Rathnal sank onto his chair putting his head in his hands, hating that she had been right about him.

xXx

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Morrigan took a steadying breath. It was all happening as she had seen and with Rathnal's accusations her guilt had crashed in on her, hating the weakness. All of this suffering for a child to carry the soul of an Old God. "What do you intend to do with him, Mother? What will this child become and will it be worth it?" She shuddered, it had to be worth it, or this guilt would destroy her. She glared at the knock, surprised when Alistair peered around the door.

"Can I come in?"

"I neither want nor need your company."

"I knew you would say that, but I don't believe you." Alistair slipped into the room, watching her compassionately. "You can't tell me you aren't affected by what is happening to him, he is your first and truest friend." He sighed as she turned away. "I haven't felt this helpless since I was a child."

"He will survive and be stronger for it."

"Or they might destroy him."

Turning sharply, Morrigan glared. "Do you have so little faith in him?"

"No of course not, but we know what Howe and Vaughan are capable of."

"True, he will be changed, but not destroyed."

"How can you sound so certain?"

"I know."

Alistair frowned slightly as her hand unconsciously moved to the white in her hair. "Your mother once told us a fragment of our futures." He moved closer, the tension building in his body. "Have you seen the future?"

"Glimpses only."

"Glimpses that change when people make different choices!" Alistair snapped. "I had the perfect life, a wonderful wife, a baby on the way, because of the choice he made to defend me and your mother interfered because she had seen my future a certain way and somehow thought it was her right to ensure it happened the way she had seen it. The white in your hair was there when we met him. Did you warn him?" He paled at her silence and the guilt that crossed her face. "Maker, you knew. You knew what would happen to him and you said nothing!" He lurched forward grabbing her arms. "What are they doing to him, Morrigan?"

"T'is what must happen."

"Why?" Alistair gasped, staring at her in horror. "Why Morrigan?" He snarled when she didn't answer.

Swallowing painfully, Morrigan met his gaze with an ice-cold stare. "You would not understand."

Letting go of her arms Alistair stepped back. "You are just like your mother, and you clearly don't understand the first thing about friendship."

"I do what must be done."

Alistair stared at her in disgust. "Did you know Anora would be murdered?"

"He could not have helped her."

"Maker, how can you possibly be this arrogant? He will never forgive you Morrigan and I will never forgive you for not warning him."

"He knew going there held risks. T'was his choice to go."

"He wasn't exactly thinking straight was he!" Alistair growled.

"Even if I had told him what I had seen he would still have gone."

"At least he would have gone forewarned!"

"And it could have changed what is and what will be as a consequence!" Morrigan snapped in exasperation.

"And what exactly is that?" Alistair demanded, glaring at her.

"Saving something precious and …" She turned away from him, her hands resting lightly against her stomach. "And gaining something even more precious." She stood straight taking a steadying breath and turned. "Leave Alistair, what is done cannot be undone and even if it could I would not change my course of action, but if you tell him, you will be the one to break his heart, not I."

Staring at her stunned Alistair turned and left the room slamming the door behind him.

Morrigan sank back onto the edge of the bed. "I do what I must."

xXx

Brom rubbed his forehead, the throbbing headache making him nauseous. "So, Harris caught Will and Gawain off guard and took them to Vaughan, because they were tricked into thinking someone was in trouble. Who would he risk …" He sighed softly. "Moria. I better get her moved in case the bastards try to use her as leverage to get him to talk, if they haven't taken her already. Damn it, that woman is as stubborn as they come and I don't fancy having to drag her out of her own home."

"Be honest with her, tell her Will is in danger and she might be used as leverage."

"Alright. What are we going to do about getting them out, Vaughan is the bloody Arl, he's not just going to hand him over, or let me search the place."

"I have someone on the inside. I have sent word to him to meet with me urgently, hopefully he will be able to give us more information. I don't lightly risk him being discovered, but I don't think we have another viable choice and if Will and Gawain are in Vaughan's dungeon, we obviously can't leave them there."

"Let me know when you have something. I will storm the damn place if I have to, but discretion would be better."

Kara nodded. "One way or another we are getting them out."

"And Erik?"

"Hopefully he is being brought back shortly. Can you wait?"

Brom cracked his knuckles in barely suppressed fury. "Absolutely."

xXx

Turning the corner, Erik froze as he saw Krul, Damon and Samual clearly waiting for him.

Moving forward Krul glared at the traitor, he had never suspected him, none of them had and he took that hard as a personal failing. "Kara wants a word."

Erik turned startled to see Rhys and Lynis barring his way. Reluctantly he followed. He couldn't outrun them and he didn't fancy the beating that would come if he tried, he would just have to bide his time. He was escorted back to the base, and to Kara's study, the woman herself sitting like a bloody queen behind her desk. Noting the soldier beside her he felt his heart sink, this had to be about William. Erik found himself pushed into a chair, Krul's large hand resting lightly on his shoulder.

Leaning forward Kara searched his eyes, wondering that she hadn't seen the lies before this moment. "Tell me Erik, how long have you been working for Vaughan?"

"I don't know anything about Vaughan and I certainly don't work for him." He groaned in pain as Krul tightened his grip on his shoulder.

"Please don't lie to me Erik. The truth apparently came from the lips of our new Regent himself."

Erik paled and tried to move, but Krul's hand kept him pinned where he was.

"You might want to start talking lad." Brom growled. "Or things are going to get ugly for you."

Swallowing uneasily, Erik remained silent.

"As you wish." Kara stated softly. "Perhaps you will answer to someone else."

He turned around seeing the tattooed elf that had arrived in the city with the Champion along with the others who had arrived with him.

"Zevran is a Crow and very used to getting information out of people."

Erik paled at the menacing look on his face. "What is it that you want?"

"Tell me your part in William and Gawain ending up in Vaughan's dungeon."

Erik sucked in a sharp breath as a dagger was suddenly pressed to his throat, Zevran so close to him their noses were almost touching.

"You will tell me. I suggest you do it now before I am forced to persuade you. You will not enjoy that process."

Glaring Erik hissed as the dagger bit into his skin. "You can't help him elf."

"And why is that, exactly?"

"He deserves what he gets. He put weapons in elven hands and trained them to use them. He's a damn menace, but Arl Vaughan will make sure he can't interfere again. I've been waiting for someone to report the body. Vaughan must be dragging it out."

"Were you working for Vaughan when you joined my Company?" Kara asked coldly.

"You have always had a soft spot for the elves and you were gaining in power and influence, he wanted you watched."

Kara felt disappointment and anger at herself for not seeing through him. She had promised her sister she would protect William when he was in the city and it was one of her own trusted men who had betrayed him, betrayed them all. "You don't know what you have done."

Erik hesitated seeing something in her eyes that made his anxiety spike. "You don't actually believe this nonsense about him being Andraste's Champion, do you?"

"I've spoken to Brother Genitivi who witnessed the spirit of Holy Andraste speaking to William and healing him."

Erik paled, he was a devout man and the Brother was no liar. "It can't be true."

"I was also there." Leliana stated coldly. "I saw most Holy Andraste myself and William healed at her touch. When it is your turn to return to the Makers side, I doubt they will look kindly on you." She felt only a dim satisfaction as he turned ashen, wanting to tear out his lying tongue.

"Krul, please take him to his new accommodation and make sure he can speak to no-one." Kara turned to Erik. "When we get William back and we will, he will decide your fate. I think that is only fair and after whatever Vaughan is putting him through, I wouldn't count on him being forgiving."

xXx

Glancing up as the door opened, Rendon raised an eyebrow, Vaughan was cleaning blood from his hands. "You made some progress I hope."

Pouring a brandy Vaughan drained the glass and turned. "No."

"How can it be that an individual of your talent in causing pain and extracting information is making no progress?"

"It does not help that you have restricted what I can do to him and threats not followed through only have so much power. I cannot get him to say a damn word. He responds to neither threats or pain." He poured another drink, "If you would just let me …"

"I said no permanent damage." Rendon growled. "And I need him to be able to father children."

"Why? He is nothing, no-one. Why would that matter?"

"That is of no concern to you, not yet at least."

Frowning, Vaughan finished his drink. "Well, I am out of ideas."

Rendon tutted sharply. "You disappoint me, Vaughan. If William is not responding to his own pain, find out how he responds to the pain of others."

"You have someone in mind?"

"Start with the guardsman who was with him, he gave up his opportunity to escape to stop you from harming him. I would imagine he will give up his secrets too."

Vaughan allowed a slight smile; this was going to be fun.

Rendon raised an eyebrow as the young noble turned to leave. "I hope you are not forgetting a rather important appointment we must attend."

Rolling his eyes Vaughan turned back. "I thought you wanted him broken!"

"You are the Arl of Denerim." Rendon snapped. "You are expected to be there."

"Fine." Vaughan muttered, leaving the room and yelling at a servant to prepare him a bath.

Sighing, Rendon slumped down onto the chair, eager for the day Warin was once more at his side and he wouldn't have to deal with fool boys, who simply had no understanding of the larger scheme of things. He glanced at his hand realising it was trembling and clenched his fist. Moments later he rose and headed to his own rooms selecting an appropriate outfit, appearances were everything.

xXx

Oren watched as his father and aunt left the castle. They had the other nobility and soldiers with them, but it gave him little comfort. The events that had transpired the last time his father had left the castle without them was simply too fresh and raw in his mind. The fear this time was not so much for himself, but for his father. He knew as Regent, their enemy had even more power and as a consequence was far more dangerous. He was deeply afraid he would never see his father again. Reaching out he clasped his mother's hand, she was being strong for him he knew that, so he would be strong for her.

Gently squeezing her son's hand, Oriana felt fear gripping her heart. Tears burned, but she blinked them back, refusing to let them fall until alone in her room. For now, she needed to project a strong air of confidence, not only for herself and her son, but for Highever as a whole.

Ellowyn glanced back seeing Oren and his mother on the battlements watching them. She raised her hand to wave, Fergus doing the same. She smiled slightly as they waved in return, but her heart was too heavy and the smile felt false. Oren had been afraid of them leaving, it had been clear in his eyes despite how accepting he had been. He had grown up in such a short space of time and she intended to make Rendon pay for that as well as every other ill he had forced upon not just her family and Highever, but Jayden and his family too. "I miss them already." She whispered to Edward who had joined her, the men he was leading in formation behind them.

"You will see them again soon."

Ellowyn nodded and turned back to the road, allowing a moment to fantasise about bringing Rendon down at the Landsmeet.

xXx

Bells rang out once more through Denerim as with great care and ceremony, Anora's body was escorted from the Palace to the Chantry, flanked by Maric's shield, Cauthrien leading them. The streets were full, yet uncommonly quiet, the only sounds were boots on cobblestones, gentle sobbing and whispers of grief and sorrow of those watching the procession for their fallen Queen. Loghain followed directly behind his daughter, his senses dulled from the potion given to him by Enchanter Tyris, but alert enough to keep putting one foot in front of the other. He was aware that Rendon and Vaughan were walking directly behind him, other nobility behind them. Rendon had squeezed his shoulder before they left, but had not offered any words, he had known there were none that could be given. He knew he had been sedated so they could prepare her, the Enchanter having cast a spell to prevent her body from decaying. Rendon had suggested that she remain in the Chantry until after the Landsmeet to allow those from the furthest reaches of the country to be present. Loghain had agreed, not out of any need for other nobles to be there, but for the simple reason he dreaded placing her on the pyre. He was barely holding on as it was, once the flames took her, he imagined he would shatter completely. He gazed at her face, almost peaceful with her eyes closed, but he had seen her those moments after death and that was the image that remained with him. Citizens of Denerim quietly entered the Chantry to pay their respects; there were few flowers in late autumn, but they brought wreaths made with leaves and berries, Mother Perpetua directing the Sisters to take the offerings and place them around the altar on which the queen had been laid.

It was late evening when Loghain had his daughter to himself once more; alone apart from those who guarded her. Cauthrien of course remained, refusing to leave him and several of the Mothers and Sisters moved silently ensuring the candles were lit at all times. He clenched his fists, the question still remained that had haunted him for years, who was giving the orders in this plot to murder the members of his family. He felt the steady throb of rage that after all this time they still had no answers and that the violent deaths of his wife and daughter at the hands of Orlais would likely go unpunished. For a moment he closed his eyes, his fight was fast ebbing. His family had been torn from him, his country was being overrun with monsters and Orlais was poised to pick their bones once the Darkspawn were done with them. He wished for death to finally take him as it had taken those he loved.

xXx

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