Chapter 16

Night had fallen by the time they arrived at Lake Calenhad, and the moon lent a haunting quality to the picturesque location. As they drew closer to the small dock, she saw the imposing figure of a Templar. Emma had once downloaded a mod just so that she could kick Knight-Lieutenant Carroll into the lake. Unfortunately, she didn't think she'd get away with that here, but she could try out her intimidation skills. "Do you mind if I deal with this?"
The mischievous glint in her eyes made Aedan cautiously agree to the request. The conversation started as always and then he spoke the sentence she'd been waiting for.
"You know, I have some documents too, they say I'm the Queen of Antiva. What do you think of that?"
Emma smirked as she stepped forward, her eyes slowly and deliberately dropped to his groin then lifted back to his face. "I think if I cut off your balls you would be able to make that claim in the right tone of voice."
The templar paled so rapidly, she thought he would pass out. Perhaps she'd gone a little over the top, however, she couldn't deny it felt good to give him a bit of a scare.

Alistair leaned towards her, his brow furrowed. "Do you even have a knife?"
"Nope, I was going to borrow your sword."
He pulled a face. "Eww, I don't want my blade anywhere near his... you know."
"Well, I'll just have to get one of my own then."
She pursed her lips. "I'm sure Bodahn has something suitable."
"Let me know when you get one."
She turned then and smiled. "Why, are you going to train me?"
He took a step back. "Nope, I'll just be more careful about pissing you off."
She chuckled. "Not to worry, I reserve castration for darkspawn and annoying Templars."

Now resigned to making the trip, Carroll agreed to take them to the tower and turned towards the small boat. Emma eyed it with some concern. At this point in the game, the screen would normally fade out and they would find themselves in the reception hall. That wouldn't be happening this time, and she had a ghastly vision of them sinking to the bottom of the lake due to overcrowding. "That looks a bit small, are you sure we can all fit in there?"
Carroll looked at them, then back to the boat. "Hmm, you might have a point. I suppose we should split into two groups."
Aedan readily agreed, looking slightly green around the gills. "Alistair, you go with Leliana and Zevran first."
"Right you are."
Everyone climbed carefully into the boat, gripping the sides firmly as Carroll started to row them across the expanse of water.

"Revek, sit." The hound was bouncing around excitedly, his little stub of a tail whipping back and forth. "No, Revek! You're not allowed to chase the boat." The mabari lay down with a disappointed whine and rested his head on his large paws.
Emma took a good long look at Aedan. "Are you feeling all right?" He gave a distracted nod, but his eyes were glued to the small seafaring craft making its way across the choppy lake. "I take it you're not a big fan of the water?"
He turned a panicked gaze towards her, his throat working convulsively. "No, I definitely prefer my feet on solid ground."

She took his hand and pulled him over to a tree, pushing him against the thick trunk. "Emma, wha-"
Her lips covered his, teasing his tongue with hers. He let out a growl and took over the kiss, one hand sliding over her ass, the other plunging into her hair. She kept him busy until their attention was drawn back to the lake by the sound of splashing. Turning, they saw Carroll pulling up to the dock. Aedan brushed another kiss to her lips. "Thanks for the distraction, Angel."
She grinned, her colour heightened. "Believe me, it was my pleasure."
The boat rocked precariously as they climbed in, but the trip to the tower went smoothly. Aedan sat throughout the short journey with his eyes closed and a smile on his face. As they drew closer, she lifted her gaze to Kinloch Hold and shivered at the palpable air of evil surrounding the tall stone tower. She knew this would be a lot worse than what she'd experienced in the game.

As they walked through the heavy wooden doors, one look at Alistair's face told her he knew what they were up against. He wasted no time in filling them in. "The Circle is lost and abominations roam the hallways."
Knight-Commander Greagoir took a step towards them. "We're just waiting for the Rite of Annulment."
Aedan's' head snapped up. "You're just going to wipe out the Circle without even trying to help?"
The Knight-Commander snarled. "I've lost countless Templars to the madness in there." He jerked his thumb to the closed double metal doors behind him. "I refuse to lose any more."
"Then we'll go in! Some mages must have survived."
Alistair eyed his fellow Grey Warden. "Do you know what you're suggesting, Aedan? There will be countless abominations and demons to fight through, and we don't even know if there are any survivors."
"Then we need to find out. It's the right thing to do." He stared at Alistair, a small smile on his lips. "Your Templar abilities would come in handy, but I'll understand if you'd prefer to wait here."
It was a challenge, one that caused a spark of anger to flicker in Alistair's amber eyes. "I'm no coward, Aedan! Of course, I'm coming with you. I just wanted to make sure you understand what you'll be walking into."
Aedan slapped him on the shoulder. "That's what I like to hear."
Alistair shook his head. "You're mad, you know that right?" However, the smile playing across his lips took the sting out of his words.

Greagoir spoke up once more. "A word of caution... once you cross that threshold, there is no turning back. The great doors must remain barred. I will open them for no one until I have proof that it is safe. I will only believe it is over if the First Enchanter stands before me and tells me it is so. If Irving has fallen, then the Circle is lost and must be destroyed."

"Cheerful fellow isn't he?" Zevran muttered. They made a quick visit to the Quartermaster, stocking up on health and lyrium potions. Emma cast the usual spells on everyone's weapons and then they stood before the great doors. A Templar pulled them open and stepped aside. "Good luck in there."
The sound of the doors closing behind them had an air of finality and filled them all with a deep sense of foreboding.