Taking the offered chair, Captain Larad propped his legs up on the desk, smirking slightly at Krul's growl. "Easy." He murmured, flashing Kara a wide grin as she shook her head and planted his feet on the floor, his expression becoming serious. "The dock is full of people talking about the murder of the Queen, is it true?" At her nod he shook his head in disgust. "A bad business."

"It is, what of your own business?"

"Those on the ship were not slavers themselves, but they were aware of what was happening and stood to gain a great deal of coin representing themselves as the honest merchant Tevinter's crew." He shook his head. "Their Captain did not require much pressure to tell us everything. They have a slave ship north of here and south a ship of children from Highever. I assumed you would agree the children would be the priority, so I went to them."

"And?"

"They were frightened, but healthy enough given the circumstances."

"Why would he want the children?" Kara muttered.

"Leverage most likely and perhaps more disturbingly, an elven woman has been taking their blood." He shuddered at the thought. "The children couldn't tell me why and the crew … the moment we got them off the ship it was as though they had no recollection of being there. No amount of persuasion with word or fist elicited a different response from any of them."

"Blood magic." Kara whispered, closing her eyes as the horror gripped her. "Where are the children now?"

"On my ship. I am happy to take them back to Highever, but I didn't want to presume."

"I do not wish to traumatise them any further, but we may need them to tell what happened to them for the Landsmeet."

Larad frowned. "Perhaps it would be simpler if a Blackhaller spoke to them and took their accounts assuming you know one in the city who can be trusted."

Kara nodded. "His name is Maddock Invay, arrived with some refugees from Lothering a while back." She glanced at Krul. "Would you fetch him, tell him it's urgent." She turned back to Larad. "What about those manning the ship?"

"They are on my ship as well. I suspected you might want to speak to them."

"Krul will handle bringing them off the ship."

"You rely on him a great deal."

"He has proven to be reliable." She sighed softly. "He is one of the few people I trust without reservation."

"As it has always been. What about the slave ship?"

"We sent others to find it. The elves have been rescued and the slavers are confined to their own cages."

Larad grinned. "There is no finer sight than a slaver in his own cage."

"There are people guarding them that I need back in Denerim."

"And you want me to take over the ship?"

"Do you have the crew size for that?"

"My cousin Remir has just bought his first ship and is eager to join me in what he terms my many adventures. This will be an interesting first assignment and unlikely to be dangerous."

"Maker help us if there are two of you on the seas."

Larad laughed. "He's a good lad and he hates slavery as much as any good Ferelden."

"There is also something else." Kara quickly explained about the Alienage and what they intended.

Letting out a low breath, Larad shook his head in disgust. "Sweet Maker, what madness has consumed these people? You want me to take the elves to Highever as well? Would they be welcome there?"

"Yes, an associate has a contact there, accommodation is being prepared."

"Alright then, you get them out of the Alienage and I will get them away from Denerim." He leaned on the desk slightly taking the opportunity while Krul was gone. "These are worrying times Kara and Maker knows what is still to come. Will you finally consider having a meal with me?"

"We can have a meal any time you like."

He met and held her gaze. "Not just as friends."

Kara smiled slightly, truth be told Larad was everything she wanted in a man except his heart was held by the sea and she could not compete with that. "Ah you are seeking a night of passion before you board your ship and head out once again." She raised an eyebrow at his scowl.

"I am not a fickle man, Kara."

"No, but you are a man devoted to the sea and I am devoted to Denerim. How do you see that working for us?"

Sighing, Larad leaned back in his chair, he could no more give up his ship than she would give up the city. "Poorly I suppose." He sat up plastering that charming smile on his face again as the door opened and Krul entered with the Blackhaller.

"Kara." Maddock stated bowing his head slightly. "What business do you have with me? Krul was insistent I attend immediately, yet gave me no information as to why."

"My apologies, but this is a delicate matter. Take a seat and let me explain."

Maddock was furious by the time he had been brought up to speed on the situation. "Very well. I will need a witness to the statements, someone above reproach and someone who can keep their mouth shut until the right time."

"You have someone in mind?"

"I reckon Sister Theohild will do nicely. Got to know her on the journey here from Lothering. Fine woman and not one to be messed with despite her age. She has a soothing way about her with children and people seem to do what she says whether they intended to or not."

"She certainly keeps Mother Perpetua on her toes." Kara stated smiling slightly.

Larad stood. "Let's get going, I would prefer this to be done as soon as possible so we can get these children home." He glanced at Kara. "When will the other travellers be ready?"

"Maker willing, tomorrow night." She passed him a folded piece of paper. "Time and place."

"Will that give you enough time Maddock?"

"If we get going now."

Kara stood. "Thank you, Maddock, I appreciate your help."

"Any time."

Following the Blackhaller out, Larad turned and gave a flourishing bow to Kara and a smirk to Krul.

Kara sighed softly, flushing slightly at Krul's knowing look.

"Did he ask to dine with you again?"

"He did."

"And?"

"And nothing. There is no change in circumstance, I won't give up this city and his first love is the sea. There is no competing with that." She raised an eyebrow at his huffing noise. "You disagree?"

"Not at all."

"Besides, we have work to do." She scowled at his smile. "Don't you have something better to do than irritate me?"

A slight smile on his face, Krul left the room.

xXx

Looking over Caladrius and then his own reflection, Alamadah winced. "It is most disturbing how alike we look now." He ran a hand over his shaved head. "Not a look I will keep, I think." Smoothing down the robes, he twisted and turned making sure they fit the way they should. "Tell me Caladrius, did you enjoy being a slaver?"

"The Imperium needs slaves and I acquire them; it has made me a rich man. What is not to like?"

"And do you ever spare a thought for those poor souls you snatch from their lives?"

"Have you seen the Alienage's in Ferelden? It is a mercy."

Alamadah nodded slightly and turned to Zevran mimicking Caladrius's accent. "I have all I need."

Caladrius stared at him unnerved. "You won't get away with whatever you are doing. No-one will believe you are me."

Smiling slightly Alamadah leaned close to him. "Then why are you sweating?" Standing straight he adjusted his robes one final time. "Let us get this done, I have other tasks to attend to."

Zevran nodded, eager to breach Vaughan's dungeon and relieve him of his prisoners.

xXx

Yawning loudly, Guardsman Markus glanced at his fellow soldier noting the approaching group; guarding the Alienage was boring and he was eager for distraction. "Well look who's back. Where have you been Tevinter?"

Alamadah glared at him. "I suggest you change your tone and open up; I have business to conclude."

"I doubt that; your disappearing act caused problems."

"I did not disappear and while it is none of your business, I had an urgent matter that came to my attention. This has been explained to the people who actually matter."

"Well, we haven't received any orders to let you in, so until I get some, these doors stay closed."

"Given Arl Howe is now Regent, he is occupied with more important matters than dealing with grunts like you. Now open up."

"No."

Swallowing nervously as Alamadah argued with the guard, Tess felt Lawrence's arm brush against her own and was grateful for the contact. They both wore Tevinter style robes of a deep purple and gold, hastily, but expertly made by some of Kara's people. Masks in the full-face Orlesian style of the same colours hid their faces. Her robes had been padded out to obscure her petite frame and Lawrence's robes had also been bulked out to make him appear more intimidating.

Fingers straying to the hilt of his sword, Lawrence was grateful for the mask that hid his angry expression; one way or another they were getting into the Alienage. He forced himself to take a breath and remove his hand, bloodshed would not help them, or the elves.

Alamadah sighed. "Very well then." He moved closer to Markus. "You look healthy, strong too."

Markus frowned. "What are you doing?"

"I think you would fetch a good price." He glanced behind him. "I think this one might hurt himself in the struggle, be prepared to sedate him."

Markus stepped back glancing in alarm as the two masked people moved out from behind the slaver. "Hey, you stay back!"

"I need to fill my quota." Alamadah stated coldly. "And I do not care how I do it. Elves, humans, it is all the same to me. Your choice."

Markus glared, but was inwardly relieved Gregory was already opening the gates. "I'll tell the Arl you have been threatening his men."

"From what I have seen he does a fair amount of threatening himself. I doubt he will care, but do tell him, I imagine once I explain how obstructive you have been he will understand."

"Just go about your business." Gregory stated, giving Markus a warning glare.

Alamadah and those with him swept through the gates, striding onto the next checkpoint as the doors shut behind them. This time they were waved through without anyone speaking, the guards looking bored and as Zevran had suggested, eager for their shift to end, not even bothering to ask those who were masked to reveal themselves. Once inside the Alienage proper, Alamadah turned to Guardsman Thomas whose fake facial hair and scars had altered his appearance enough to have passed unnoticed, smirking slightly as the guardsman tugged at his robes looking deeply uncomfortable. "The quicker we get this done, the sooner you can get that off."

Glancing around, Tess satisfied herself that there were no guards. "I can't believe they didn't check us."

"I doubt they want anything to do with slavers." Alamadah stated. "Most people not involved tend to simply pretend they know nothing, the less they see the less their conscience is prodded. That said, let's not take any chances, we should get moving."

Nodding, Tess and Lawrence took the lead knowing the Alienage in more detail than anyone else there. They stopped abruptly when the Vhenadahl came into sight, numerous bodies hanging from the branches. Despite having been warned, seeing it was a shock. "We need to cut them down." Tess whispered, turning startled as Alamadah gripped her arm.

"There is a reason no one has. We came here to do a job and we better get to it, we only have a few hours before Kara and the others deal with that other matter."

Feeling sick to her stomach Tess glanced at the others before nodding and forcing herself to move on, grateful for the brief squeeze of her hand from Lawrence. She led them on to the Night Elf base, still holding out the hope that they could reach the passageway. Her hopes were dashed at the mess that greeted her eyes. "Well, we aren't getting out here. We need to find Darrian."

"You've found him." Darrian snarled. "You are taking no more of us."

Tess removed her mask and held up her hands noting the small group with him, each armed with hastily made cudgels from whatever branches they had been able to acquire.

"Tess!" Darrian gasped. "You're working with slavers now!"

"Don't be so ridiculous!" Tess snapped. "This isn't Caladrius. Those bloody slavers are all still locked up tight with Kara, you think she would let any of them get out? She is also heading a team to get the Night Elves out of Vaughan's dungeon."

"You're lying." Garian hissed.

Removing his mask, Lawrence moved to Tess's side. "You know us, you know Thomas." He pointed to the guardsman who winced as he tried to quickly remove the facial hair. "We need to get you out of here, because once Vaughan finds out what is happening, he will come here and none of you will be safe."

"Have you seen the Vhenadahl?" Shianni hissed. "None of us are safe. They came into our homes, slaughtered families. They killed the children in the orphanage." Tears of rage and grief slipped down her cheeks. "There is no way out!"

"We go out the way the slavers did."

"We've tried that; the door is locked tight and we don't have anything to open it."

Thomas took the key from around his neck. "Please get your people together now, we need to get everyone out."

"To where?" Darrian demanded.

"Kara has made arrangements to get you all out of Denerim. Please, we have to do this now before it's too late."

xXx

Once freedom from the Alienage was offered to those who remained they moved swiftly, but it wasn't fast enough for the soldiers. There were no guards on patrol which made them uneasy and they were starting to become very afraid that Vaughan knew exactly what they were doing. Thomas frowned as Darrian and Shianni returned with several more families, terrified children clinging to their parents, staring at him in fear. He glanced around at those gathered frowning, turning back to Darrian. "We don't have much time, I told you to get everyone!"

"This is everyone." Darrian stated coldly. "The rest are dead or imprisoned."

"Andraste's mercy." Lawrence whispered.

Swallowing uneasily, Alamadah glanced around. "If this is everyone we need to move, we don't have much time before they enter the dungeon."

Nodding Thomas looked over those gathered, bags clutched in their hands with what provisions and treasured belongings they could grab. "Alright, let's get you out of here." He moved to the front, Lawrence and Tess bringing up the rear. "Be on alert. I don't want any surprises." He began to lead the way, having studied the map of the Alienage, but quickly turned to Darrian for help, relieved when he moved ahead and showed the way. As they reached the door Thomas signalled for them all to be quiet, Tess and Lawrence moving ahead to the door to enter first. It was deserted and when they reached the warehouse with the cages, they had still not seen anyone else.

Alamadah cast a spell to detect any magic, but any remnants were old and not traps as he had begun to suspect.

Thomas moved to the trapdoor inspecting it for any physical traps, holding his breath as he opened it. When nothing happened and there was no sound from below, he took a torch and headed down, the others only following when he signalled the all clear.

Darrian glanced at Shianni, watching the would-be rescuers take the lead through the tunnel. It was slow going given the constant checks for traps physical and magical, but apparently the slaver had been good to his word and there were none, yet they remained tense, those of his people who could fight moved in formation to protect the families, the frightened looks of children clutching each other keeping them on guard against even those they had once trusted. Darrian was startled when they opened the door revealing a small dock, little more than a few metres of planks lashed together. Three row boats were waiting for them, Brom pacing the dock, his worry turning to relief when he saw them, before frowning at their clearly reduced numbers.

"You were supposed to bring everyone." Brom hissed. "Time is not on our side and assuming Kara is successful, Vaughan will take it out on anyone left in the Alienage!"

"This is all of us." Darrian stated coldly. "All that's left." He saw the acting captain pale, before his face flushed with anger and frustration.

"Alright, please stay as quiet as possible, this will take a little time even without the numbers we anticipated. Kara has arranged a ship to take you to the relative safety of Highever."

"Why Highever?" Shianni demanded.

"It is the safest place; they have already opened their doors to the refugees from Gwaren and they have agreed to do it for you and with access to ships you can leave the country quickly should we fail and the Darkspawn overrun the country."

Shianni glared at them. "I'm not leaving the city and I'm not leaving Zef!"

"That is your choice, but I assume you want your people moved to a safer location."

Darrian took a shuddering breath. "How do we know that this isn't some elaborate lie and the ship is actually a slave ship? Vaughan has bought off guards before."

Eyebrow raising, Brom met his glare with a calmness that showed nothing of his inner fury that the trust that had built between them had been shattered. "A few of my guards are going with you as are a few of Kara's people to ensure you get there safely. I get it, I probably wouldn't trust us either in your position, but you know us and you know Kara. Have we ever given you reason to doubt our intentions?"

Darrian sighed softly. "I'm sorry Brom, but I don't think any of us will be putting our trust in any human for a while, if ever."

"You really think we would hand you over to slavers, after everything we have done together!" Tess hissed, glaring at Lawrence as he gripped her arm.

"You can't blame us." Shianni snarled. "It's not your people being tortured and enslaved!"

"That's where you're wrong!" Tess snarled back. "Vaughan has Will and Gawain."

Shianni paled. "Truly? I can understand how he thinks he can get away with torturing us, but Will is Andraste's champion!"

"I don't think Vaughan gives a damn who Will is." Lawrence stated. "He has information the Regent wants. They have already tortured him and smashed up Gawain's hands trying to get it and they intend to enthral Will with their blood mage."

The colour drained from Shianni's face as she turned to Darrian. "If they are doing that to Will, Maker our people don't stand a chance."

"Kara has someone on the inside." Brom stated firmly. "That's how we found out what was happening. All of your people were still alive, some hurt yes, but nothing they won't heal from. We have to have faith she will get them out, but we have to do our part and that means getting these families to safety. Right now, that is our priority."

"Would you even be trying to get them out if your beloved Champion wasn't in there as well." Soris snarled, for once not shrinking back as he became the centre of attention. "It's his fault we are even in this mess!"

Brom forced himself to take a slow steadying breath. "Now I know you have all been through something horrendous, but I hope you would know us better than that Soris. The moment Kara found out what was happening in the Alienage she was working on how to get you all out. Believe that or not, you can take it up with her and yes, they are going in there to get Will and Gawain, but don't think the Night Elves are any less of a priority." He took a step closer. "And if it really comes down to it, they will get the Night Elves out first because you know that is what Will would expect us to do. So, listen well Soris, you bad mouth him again and …" He forced himself to stop and turned away letting out a rush of breath. He turned back his face neutral once more. "Stay here or start getting on the boats, decide now."

Easing past Soris, Felissa held the hands of her two young children, her husband having been slaughtered by the Arl's soldiers. "I will take my chances on the ship, the Alienage has only death now." She turned back to Soris. "We stand more of a chance if we stay together don't you think?"

Sighing deeply Soris nodded and moved forward pushing past his cousins, stepping onto the boat and taking the children before helping Felissa on board. "Come on, let's get out of here."

xXx

Pacing restlessly, Kara tried to still the chaos of her mind. Their plan hinged on Ilias getting them into Vaughan's dungeons, but what if he had been discovered or simply given duties to perform. She forced herself to stop, to dig deep for the calm that made her the leader she was. They all drew their weapons at a slight grinding noise, before part of the wall slid back revealing the former Templar.

"There are more guards on duty than I had hoped and we have less than an hour before the guard changes."

"You said we would have more time."

"Vaughan has changed the times only today; the others believe it is because he has so many prisoners."

"Damn it, well we need to get moving." She glanced at Zevran and Leliana. "Clear the way, we will follow and deal with those sleeping.".

Taking a breath, Leliana stepped through the doorway following Zevran. She remembered only too well her time in this place and her heart began to pound at the memories. She glanced back to Sketch who was watching her, a worried look on his face. Gabriel and Terrance were next to Airyl trying to keep her calm so she wouldn't race ahead and break their cover. They had brought her hoping her acute sense of smell and connection to their Captain would help to find him quickly. Krul stood with three of Kara's men who were carrying stretchers and first aid supplies. She forced herself to move, locking away her own time in a cell and the pain that had followed.

Forcing himself to relax the tension of his body, Zevran moved silently through the corridors, each dart finding its target. The guards were bound, gagged and pulled into a large storage room by Kara and her men to keep them from being seen, unaware of their predicament in their drug induced sleep.

They finally reached the occupied cells, the guards incapacitated just as easily, none anticipating attack from below. Ilias moved swiftly and unlocked the cell doors, the others moving to get the elves on their feet or onto stretchers.

Zef stared at Terrance startled as he was helped to his feet. "You … you came for us."

"Of course we did."

"I … thank you, but the others in the Alienage …"

"It's being taken care of. Tess, Lawrence, Thomas and a few others are getting everyone out." He smiled at the stunned gazes of the Night Elves. "Come on, we need to get you out of here."

"Wait, in the next cell is Gawain, he's a guardsman from Gwaren. Please, we have to get him out too."

"Don't worry, we will." Moving to the cell Terrance paled, glancing at Leliana who joined him. "Damn, they have made a mess of him."

"We knew it would be bad." Leliana stated softly, opening the door and easing inside, kneeling down beside the prisoner. "Gawain, can you stand?"

"Yes." He groaned in pain. "If you help me." He hissed in pain as Leliana and Terrance helped him to his feet, his legs shaking so badly he could barely stay standing.

Kara glanced at Krul, the pair grabbing the unconscious guards to hide their horror, pulling them into the cells and locking the doors.

"Captain William." Gawain gasped. "Please, please help him."

"We will." Leliana soothed. "But we must get you out of here, we don't have much time."

"I'm not leaving without him. I am sworn to protect him. I …" He stared at his ruined hands shivering in pain.

"Come with me." Krul commanded moving to the cell concerned by the delay, gently supporting him. "They will retrieve William and join us."

Shuddering, Gawain hesitated and then nodded, leaning on the bigger man as he was guided out, barely conscious by the time they reached the lower level and their escape route.

Turning sharply at footsteps Zevran fired the dart as a single guard entered the room.

Collapsing to his knees Thane stared in shock, opening his mouth to yell for help, his words freezing at the great sword pressed to his throat and the wolf barely inches away from him, her lips pulled back in a snarl.

Leaning towards the guard who was blinking rapidly as the dart started to take effect, Gabriel glared. "Where is Will?"

Thane swallowed at Airyl's fierce growl. "You're too late, he was taken down to the lower level … to her."

"We came through the lower level?" Gabriel snarled. "There are only stock rooms and empty cells."

Thane gestured to the office and the door at the back. "It leads to a separate section. Usually where Vaughan keeps high profile prisoners so they won't be found. But she took over that level when she arrived." He shuddered. "No-one is ever the same after being down there."

"Do you have the key?"

"No, only the mage and Vaughan have one."

"Zev."

Nodding, Zevran quickly moved to the office to begin working on the lock.

"How many guards are down there?"

"None." He shook his head at Gabriel's disbelieving expression. "You have no idea what that woman is capable of. She has no need to have her prisoners guarded."

"Alright."

Thane groaned and clutched his neck pulling out the dart, dropping it from between his fingers as he lost consciousness, snoring loudly.

Gabriel and Ilias pulled him across the floor removing the ring of keys and dumping him into the remaining cell.

Airyl moved to the door in the office pawing at it.

"That is not helping." Zevran snapped, sweat beading his forehead at the difficulty of the lock. He glared at her growl. "Perhaps if you were quiet and not breathing down my neck I could work faster."

xXx

When the door finally clicked and Zevran had eased it open, Ilias took the lead down to the lower level, motioning for the others to keep their distance, Gabriel keeping tight hold of Airyl. The odds were the blood mage was here and if she was he would have to deal with her quickly if the others were to stand a chance. He remembered the days of facing blood mages with his fellow Templars and the outcome was never certain then, let alone when he was on his own, but his work with the Mages Collective had left him surprisingly prepared for a one on one confrontation. There were two doors on either side of the short passage. He eased to the first door on the left, drawing in his will and opened it carefully and quietly, but it was empty. The opposite door opened just as easily, there was apparently no need to lock them down here, seeing a man he recognised on his knees. He signalled to the others there was a prisoner.

The man inside shuddered and turned. "I … I know you."

"You do Ser Irminric."

He gasped. "Ser Ilias. I … forgive me, my mind is so clouded."

"When was the last time you had lyrium?"

"Before I was brought here, I feel I have not tasted it in forever."

"Come, we must get you to safety."

"I … no, I cannot leave here. Please, take my ring to my sister."

Ilias shook his head. "You must trust me." He carefully helped him out of the room and handed him over to Kara's men. "Be gentle with him." He felt the frustration of the others at the slow pace, but remained calm and in control. He moved on to the second door on the left, again it was unlocked and again there was a prisoner, unconscious this time and alone. He signalled to the others before cautiously facing the opposite door.

Terrance slipped down the hallway with Zevran easing into the cell. "Maker's mercy, that's Lord Oswyn."

Zevran shook his head. "The Regent and Arl are no fools. They will need support in the Landsmeet. If they have this Lord Oswyn, they can force Bann Sighard's vote and the Templar I believe is Irminric Eremon, Bann Alfstanna's brother."

"How do you know that?" Terrance muttered as they eased the unconscious noble up, carrying him between them.

"I know many things." Zevran whispered. "But sadly, I think, not enough. Come let us get this man out of here so the final door can be opened."

Eloen heard the steps outside of the door and the whispers, suspecting it was a rescue. She glanced at Jayden who had become still, clearly listening. She couldn't stop whoever was coming from entering the room, but she could control what they saw and heard, or in their case, didn't see and hear. Grabbing her athame she stood behind Jayden and drew the blade across her palm, blood welling, calling on its power. Everything became heightened, her senses clearer. She felt the blood coursing through her veins believing that nothing was beyond her ability. It was a dangerous path to walk and she had to force herself to focus. She reached out feeling the beating hearts beyond the door and cast her spell.

Easing to the last door, Ilias hesitated, just for a moment he thought he had felt something, an itch across his skin that made him shudder. He drew on his will, but sensed nothing. Hissing in frustration he pressed his hand to the door and wall, time seemed to slow and then he felt it, the faintest ripple. "Bitch is using wards to mask her magic." He muttered glancing to Gabriel who was watching him in increasing agitation. "She is more powerful than we anticipated."

"Can you stop her?"

"I believe we are about to find out." Heart pounding Ilias took a deep breath to calm himself, drawing on the many years of his Templar training and service, before he unsheathed his sword, drew his will to him once more and put his foot hard to the door, the wood splintering as it was forced open, hissing a curse as Airyl almost knocked him over in her haste to get past him. He frowned as he moved into the empty room, Airyl's gaze was locked on something and the growl made the hair on his neck stand up.

"It's empty." Gabriel hissed in frustration as he reached them having been unable to hold Airyl back.

Eloen paled, the wolf was looking right at her.

"Run Airyl." Jayden croaked, terrified for her.

Howling in fury Airyl leapt towards Eloen, a glyph of red energy appearing below her, her body caught in mid-air.

"Ilias!" Gabriel roared, staring in horror.

"Stop, please stop!" Jayden cried out despite knowing she wouldn't, struggling against the restraints.

Airyl growled and snarled as the red energy shimmered in bands around her body beginning to constrict until she was yelping in pain.

"Damn blood magic." Ilias hissed, sending cleanse into the room.

Eloen shuddered, feeling the energy drain the power from the glyph and press up against the shield that was keeping them from seeing or hearing them, relieved if startled that it held, too distracted to notice Jayden's laboured breathing as though he too was in pain.

Gabriel eased into the room and hunkered down to check Airyl was still breathing. Wincing as she whimpered painfully at his gentle touch. He hesitated looking up straight at Jayden, but saw nothing.

Jayden's gaze was locked on Airyl and the shocking realisation he had felt her pain. He had felt their bond become stronger at Highever, but he had never imagined this could happen. He swallowed painfully, tears burning his eyes at the thought that she might have been feeling his pain since being brought into the dungeon.

"Blood magic clings to the walls in here." Ilias muttered with a shudder. "I never imagined wards existed that could conceal this. We should leave before we trigger anything else."

Gabriel gripped his arm as he moved to the door. "We have to find Will."

"We have checked every cell, he isn't here."

"Where would they take him?" Zevran demanded joining them.

"I know of no other place, when people leave these rooms, they are either enthralled or dead."

"Airyl would know if he was dead." Gabriel snapped glancing around the room as though his friend would suddenly appear, or he would discover some kind of secret door. "And if that warden blood mage couldn't enthral him, I doubt this one can. He was here in this room; we know that by Airyl's reaction."

"That matters little, he is not here now." Ilias snapped, turning hearing the alarm bell ring out, cursing. "We have to go; we are out of time."

Gabriel gently lifted Airyl, hesitating and glancing at the blood-stained chair. "We will find you Will, I swear it."

"I'm right here Gabe." Jayden croaked, closing his eyes in despair as they hurriedly left.

Eloen stared after them thoughtfully, she had never liked Ilias, but she had never suspected him of being a Templar. The paranoid part of her whispered that Rendon and Vaughan had employed him to deal with her at some point, but he had betrayed them instead; she doubted they even knew what he was. It had given her some unexpected insight however, he was powerful she had felt that, but he had not seen through her shield, had not even known it was there distracted as he was by the glyph. She had known her magic was becoming more powerful, but she had never expected this. Smirking, she leaned down and brought her lips to Jayden's ear. "Not even the Templars can stop me."

Jayden felt his blood run cold, she was drunk on power and more dangerous than ever.