Lying next to Fleta, Ellowyn listened to her breathing, conscious of every movement of the sleeping mabari, alert in case she began to struggle, but the healer had promised the wound would heal and she was comfortable. Feeling close to tears she refused to cry; all four soldiers who had intended to harm her were dead and she was glad, only sorry that she had not killed them all herself. She had been surprised that Thomas had carried out the executions himself having expected the task to fall to Warin, not at all sure how he would cope with it. Sighing she pulled a blanket over herself remembering her conversation with Jayden at Haven, that he never wanted to get used to killing people. She remembered how guilt ridden she had been about those deaths, yet this time she felt no remorse, the deaths were justice and she would do it again, realising her actions had given her an edge she had not previously had. At Haven taking a life had been a new and terrible experience and one she felt had been unnecessary, forced upon her by the actions of the cultists themselves. The current situation held similarities, yet this time these men had also invaded her home, killed indiscriminately, Mother Mallol's death was proof of that. They deserved no mercy and she cared little that they had simply been following orders. Biting her lip Ellowyn remembered the loyalty of Highever's soldiers to her father and wondered if they would have carried out such actions without questioning if he had ordered it. Try as she might she could not see Howe's soldiers as blameless and she wanted each one who had been part of that attack dead. While she knew Fergus intended to capture and imprison them, she wanted each to pay a price of blood for all they had inflicted upon Highever and its people. Her thoughts drifted to the families lost to slavery wondering if there would ever be a way to rescue them. Sighing, she ran her hand down Fleta's back, for the moment at least she needed to concentrate on Highever. Glancing at the ring Morrigan had given her she was tempted to put it on, but the witch was right, there was no point summoning her without true cause and she was alive. With luck they would not hear of what had happened until after the attack, her brothers did not need to be distracted.

xXx

Sitting next to the fire in his room where he had sat for most of the night, Thomas stared at the flames still feeling cold to the bone. His gaze kept returning to his hands feeling as though they were coated in the blood of the two men he had executed. He wondered if his younger self would have fared better, of course that Thomas would likely have stood at his father's side and been part of these dreadful schemes. Sighing, he supposed he was party to some of them at least on grounds of omission concerning Jayden and while the guilt was tearing at him, he couldn't afford to dwell on it, not yet at least.

Shuddering Thomas stood and grabbed his coat intending to go to the garden. He changed direction however after seeing the soldiers on duty try to become invisible beneath his gaze and went instead to the small chapel, mercifully it was empty, likely always was in the early hours of the morning. Thomas glanced up at the statue of Andraste and sank onto the front bench, still feeling cold despite the thick coat. "Maker have mercy on me." He whispered. "For what I have done and may be called to do in the coming days to defend what is right." He sighed softly, he had thought the executions the right course of action, the only course, but if that was so, why was it tormenting him so much. "I need your guidance." He whispered gazing at Andraste's likeness. He thought about Haven and his own sister's experience with the spirit of Holy Andraste, he had no illusions he would have been found unworthy. His thoughts strayed to his brother, knowing he would give anything to be able to turn to him for advice. Glancing at his hands again he wondered what Nathaniel would have done in his place, acknowledging that he would have fought side by side with the Cousland's as he intended to do himself. He expected no forgiveness for his past actions, but perhaps what they accomplished here could serve to ensure a great wrong was put right, as much as it could be. Bryce and Eleanor would never be returned to their rightful place, but Thomas swore that Fergus would be Highever's Teyrn and he would do all he could to make that happen. "I miss you brother."

Taking a deep breath, he stood and leaving the Chapel he walked swiftly to his original destination. A slight breeze rustled the leaves of the trees and plants, stinging his face with its icy touch. Ignoring the cold, he sat on a bench in the centre of the garden until the pale light of dawn began to lighten the sky, lost in thoughts not only of the past, but of the future. Standing and stretching his body cramped with cold and lack of movement, he walked the entire garden watching the light change it from a place of darkness and shifting shadows, to splashes of colour that reminded him there was good in the world. Glancing up he saw Ellowyn watching him from a window wondering how long she had been there. He gave a slight nod and headed inside moving into the Great Hall and the warmth of a roaring fire. Lost in the rhythm of the flames he jumped at the touch of a hand against his cheek.

"You are freezing." Ellowyn chided gently. "How long were you in the garden?"

"A few hours, I think. I could not seem to get warm so I went to the Chapel and then the garden. Might as well be cold somewhere pleasant."

"I do not want you to get sick." Ellowyn stated gently, filling a bowl with steaming porridge.

Thomas took it gratefully, wondering when the servants had brought it in.

Pulling them both chairs next to the fire, Ellowyn wrapped her hands around her own bowl. "Trouble sleeping?"

"Is that so surprising?"

"No, I …" Ellowyn bit her lip as Thomas averted his gaze to the fire. "Thomas what you did … it was necessary."

"Was it? I could have locked them up. I could have lashed them. I could have put them in stocks, but in truth I was so angry, so terrified by what could have happened to you that I believed I had to send a message so strong no-one would even think of hurting you. I just … I am afraid that I did exactly what my father would have ordered done."

"He might have." Ellowyn stated softly. "But not because he was worried about me, or cared for me. He would have done it because I am a tool to him, a way to gain power." She reached over and gently took Thomas's hand, relieved he was feeling warmer. "Your brother would be very proud of you." She squeezed his hand at his startled look.

"There is nothing to be proud of."

"You are risking everything for us." Ellowyn whispered. "That is not nothing." She smiled as she felt him gently squeeze her hand, feeling him tense, turning to see Captain Horace enter the Great Hall.

"Forgive me for disturbing you my Lord, my Lady." Horace stated.

"What is it?" Thomas demanded.

"The men are ready for your inspection my Lord."

Thomas inwardly sighed; he was not looking forward to seeing more fear. "Very well I shall join you shortly."

"Very good, my Lord."

Finishing the porridge Thomas placed the bowl on the table. "Would you like to join us?"

"I would, but I do not like leaving Fleta for too long. I will see you later."

"Be careful Ellowyn."

"I will be with Fleta and Guardsman Emery will be outside the room. Thank you for assigning him."

"He is the only one I think I can trust, but you have weapons on you, yes?"

"Yes, now please relax." Watching him leave Ellowyn stood and headed outside nodding to Emery before returning to her room, Fleta still sleeping. Sitting on the edge of the bed she gently ran her fingers over her ears, glancing to the dressing that she had sternly told Fleta not to touch. The wound would heal, but that she had been hurt at all tore at her. She turned her thoughts to the Storm Coast, hoping that this facade could soon end.

xXx

Leaving the protection of the base, Delilah headed down towards the water hesitating as she saw Jayden and Leliana sparring. Airyl was watching the pair perched on a rock. It had become part of their morning routine and it drove her to distraction. Her betrothed seemed to surround himself with beautiful and dangerous women, though she doubted it was conscious on his part and while she had never considered herself a jealous woman, where he was concerned, she was beginning to realise she was. The longer he spent with Leliana, Serris and Morrigan the worse her jealousy became. She felt a rush of relief as the sparring ended, her hackles raising as they laughed at something Leliana had said. She turned at the sound of footsteps swallowing her annoyance as Serris approached, if she thought to claim his time she could think again.

"You look as though you disapprove of their training."

"It is not that I disapprove, I simply do not know why he chooses to train with the Sister every day."

"He likes to gain skills and Leliana was not always a Sister."

"Well she is a Sister now and as a Sister she should not be so interested in him."

Hiding her smile, Serris glanced at the pair. "Sister Leliana is his Spiritual Advisor and they will likely spend more time together. Perhaps you should concentrate on supporting him, rather than being jealous."

"I am not jealous!"

"My Lady you are positively green." Chuckling at Delilah's glare, Serris continued on towards the caves where the Wardens were meeting.

Delilah stared after her, startled when Jayden approached.

"You looked deep in thought."

Heart thumping at his smile Delilah nodded. "I was thinking that you spend so much time with Sister Leliana and Warden Serris, you must be learning a great deal."

"I am. You should join us, you would learn a lot from Leliana, she has a fighting style I think you would pick up quickly and having another language is always useful." He gently took her hand. "Besides, when we are married, I would like us to visit Antiva, it would be good if we could both speak the language."

Flushing slightly Delilah smiled. "I better start learning then, perhaps you could give me my first lesson." She chuckled softly at his mischievous grin, letting him lead her towards a patch of dense trees, moments later lost in his kiss, Airyl as always guarding them. Pulling back slightly Delilah gazed at him. "Do you often think of when we will be married?"

"I do." He murmured, pressing a soft kiss to her throat.

"Not just for what we will be able to do then I hope."

Grinning Jayden shook his head. "Not just that."

She sighed softly. "Warden Serris told me I am jealous."

"Are you?"

"Perhaps." She sighed at his curious look. "Is it any wonder? You have nothing but beautiful women around you all day. You spar with Leliana, learn languages with Serris and Maker alone knows what you talk about with Morrigan." She glared at his amused look. "It is not funny."

"You are a beautiful woman Delilah, besides Morrigan, Serris and Leliana are friends, you are who I am planning a life with and I can guarantee that no-one but you is thinking of me in any way romantically. Well maybe Zevran, but that's lust." He grinned as she smiled. "That's better."

"I am not a jealous person, but with you …"

"Delilah is it really so surprising you feel this way? Albert was taken from you in such a cruel way and mistrust is a way of life at the moment, but you can trust me."

Sighing Delilah leaned against him smiling as his arms wrapped around her. "I do not know why I am letting this get to me when we have larger concerns."

"It is because we have other concerns that our minds often make other issues larger than they actually are."

"I worry for Thomas and Ellowyn, why have they not contacted us yet? Surely they must have all the information they need by now."

"I suspect they have yet to discover the whereabouts of the children." He held her a little tighter as she shuddered.

"How could my father do this? What madness is driving him?"

"We will find that out and we will stop him."

"You are sure Morrigan would respond to her summons?"

"I trust her." Jayden stated firmly.

Remaining silent, Delilah tried to soothe her fear for her brother, Warin was with him, yet she still felt the growing knot of anxiety and she longed for the wait to be over. Glancing back towards the shore she frowned slightly noticing the Qunari standing by himself staring out across the water. "Does he prefer his own company; he spends so much time alone?"

"He lost those he came here with to the Darkspawn; he would never admit it, but I believe he is lonely and homesick." He glanced at Delilah as she moved back.

"He seems to like spending time with you, perhaps you should make sure he is alright." She smiled as he kissed her cheek before he headed off in Sten's direction, Airyl racing down to the water. "See I can be generous." She ignored the inner voice that pointed out Jayden was unlikely to enter into a romance with the huge warrior.

Cautiously Jayden joined Sten at the water's edge. "Thinking of Seheron?"

Nodding Sten turned to face him. "It is not the same, but the smell of the sea grounds me. Retaking this nobles castle is a delay we should not get involved with."

"Like it or not the Wardens will need Fergus's support at the Landsmeet. He will be Teyrn and that is a position of great power."

"Perhaps." Sten glanced back to the camp. "I do not like the lack of defences here. If we are discovered, they could well attack here."

Jayden smiled knowing Sten liked to be idle even less than himself. "That is why we are going to make sure this place can be defended." He glanced at the camp himself. "Or be used to debilitate as many of Howe's soldiers as possible if necessary. If the people were moved to the caves along with the supplies if soldiers were coming … well the buildings could be rebuilt if needed."

"It is good that you acknowledge this possibility."

"My father taught me strategy, plan for as many possibilities as you can conceive and hopefully you won't need to engage all of it."

"He sounds like a sensible man."

Jayden smiled slightly. "A brilliant strategist, someone I hope to live up to."

Sten caught sight of Delilah heading back to camp. "She should not walk about so freely."

"I will let you tell her that." Rolling out a map of the Storm Coast on a rock next to them Jayden pointed to the caves in the west. "These would be a good place to hide. There are several entrances which means there are several escape routes if needed. Should it be necessary we use the camp as the attraction, set some traps. Archers take position here and here above the camp." He gestured to several other positions further out from the camp. "We already have scouts positioned here and they will see soldiers coming from any direction."

"We should begin immediately."

xXx

Thomas moved between the lines of soldiers, their armour gleaming, not a slouch in sight. If anyone's gaze met his it quickly moved away and when he spoke, he even saw some of the younger soldier's flinch. His voice held no menace, in fact he had only praised the men, but now they knew what he was capable of and just how far he would go. He dismissed the men to their duties and wandered over to the training yard, picking up a sword and practicing on one of the dummies. Images of the moments after the attack on Ellowyn played in his mind, seeing the blood that had been Fleta's, but that he had initially thought had been Ellowyn's. He felt cold at the thought she could have been hurt or worse killed. They had grown closer there was no doubt about that, but for Ellowyn what was between them was friendship only, whereas his heart ached for her in every moment. The affection they shared while only an act for Ellowyn was true for him and he was desperate to be gone from Highever to be spared the torment. He had thought he could bury his feelings enough to cope, but he was lying to himself. He was in love with her, had killed to protect her, but there was no hope of romance between them. It made him shudder that the marriage his father was so determined to gain between them, was something he had come to want himself. Imagining his father in front of him he attacked the dummy with a fierceness that surprised him. Only stopping when he realised that several soldiers were watching him with concern, immediately turning away when his gaze fell on them. Returning the sword to its rack Thomas headed inside, at least the bone deep cold was gone, but instead he felt hollow, as though all that he was, had been scooped out leaving a shell. He reached the study as the exhaustion hit him, slumping onto the chair behind the desk, closing his eyes and leaning back.

Thomas found himself walking through the streets of Amaranthine, frowning as he looked down. Channels of blood swept passed him flowing to every house and business. He turned sharply but the streets were deserted. He froze suddenly feeling a presence behind him, forcing himself to turn slowly seeing his father and the elven mage at his side. Swallowing with difficulty Thomas tried to back away, but he couldn't make his feet move, glancing down and seeing blood wrapping around his boots like tentacles. Crying out in alarm he glanced frantically to his hand almost sobbing in relief to see he was still wearing the Volcanic Aurum ring. Clenching his fists, he turned to his father. "You have to stop all of this!"

"Why when it gets us everything we ever wanted. Ellowyn can be yours."

"It would be a lie!"

"What does it matter as long as she is at your side and does what you tell her."

"Of course, it matters!" Thomas roared in fury. "You cannot just enthral people if they do not do what you want!"

Rendon laughed loudly. "Of course, you can, if you have the means and I do. Why would I not make use of such an advantage?"

"Why did you kill them? Why kill Bryce and Eleanor, why not enthral them as well?"

"They were in my way."

Thomas paled because while his father's lips were moving, it was the mages voice he heard. Glancing to his father's feet he saw tendrils of blood wrapped around his legs, realising more were wrapped around his arms, watching as he was suddenly lifted into the air, suspended like a marionette. He felt ice cold fill him struggling against the tentacles of blood now wrapping around his legs. "You cannot enthral me!" He cried out in terror, shaking violently as the mage smiled; struggling as the tentacles wrapped around his arms pulling him into the air, leaving him as bound and helpless as his father. "Release me!"

"Relax my Lord." The mage purred. "This will not hurt."

Thomas gasped as he felt as though ice water was being poured down his throat, struggling violently, crying out as a hand gripped his shoulder, relieved when he realised it was Ellowyn, but her eyes were cold and he realised the tentacles of blood wrapped around him were being held by her.

"Dance for me Thomas." Ellowyn whispered seductively.

He felt his limbs jerk in response to her finger movements. "Stop this, please."

"Only when your father is dead."

Frantically glancing around for anyone who could help him Thomas saw his sister; the hideous threads were wrapped around her and some were reaching out from her to an oblivious Jayden. "No!" Thomas screamed.

He woke with a start to Warin's hand on his shoulder. Shivering he shook off the remnants of sleep and gave Warin a half-hearted smile. "I got no sleep last night; I think it is catching up to me."

"You should rest."

He shook his head, having no desire to go back to sleep, what he needed was physical activity. "How about a training session?"

Warin smiled slightly. "Of course."

Even as he trained Thomas couldn't shake the images of his nightmare and his thoughts turned to his sister feeling a deep dread settle in his soul.

xXx

As the sun set Captain Horace was officially off duty, changing into civilian clothing he headed down to The Siren, a brothel with excellent ale and even better entertainment, a good place to destress or so his men told him. He usually didn't indulge in anything other than drink, but with the arrival of Lord Thomas and the stressful events that had unfolded since; he found himself with coin and the hankering for female company. Trying to ignore the niggle of guilt inspired by the knowledge that his wife was in Amaranthine caring for their children, he hesitated as he noticed movement, stepping back into the shadows himself to avoid being seen. He frowned as Eric, a tailor who had always inspired suspicion in him, was making his way west. Given the curfew the man should have been in his home not wandering the streets. Curiosity piqued the Captain moved after him, his suspicion escalating as he headed towards a section of caves in the west of Highever. The very ones Caladrius and his people had used to transfer those taken from Highever to the ships waiting at the Storm Coast. His jaw clenched as he spied Philip who was clearly waiting for the tailor. The damn smith was trouble and should have been long gone on a Tevinter ship. If he was still in Ferelden, then Maker knew who else could be in hiding. He couldn't get close enough to hear them, but he would bet his own mother Eric was updating him on what was happening within the Teyrnir. Fists clenching, he headed back the way he had come determined to find out what was going on.

xXx

Taking off his coat as he stepped through the door, Eric stifled a yawn. "Mattie darling you still up?"

"Yes Eric."

Frowning at the slight tremble of her voice he went into the main room freezing. His wife was sitting at the table, two guards standing behind her and at the opposite side of the table facing him was Captain Horace.

"Good evening Eric, nice night for a stroll, but you know the rules of the curfew."

"I … I …" He fell silent as the Captain raised his hand.

"Now Eric, before you spin me a tale and I have to tell my men to do something awful to your wife …" He smiled slightly at her whimper and the colour draining from Eric's face. "Why don't you sit down."

Shaking Eric took the chair the Captain had gestured to.

"Now let me tell you what I know and you can fill in the blanks. Tonight, you met with Philip in the caves west of here. He is certainly a man who should not be in Ferelden, let alone still in Highever and I suspect tonight is not the first time you have met him."

"I …"

"Before you say I am mistaken or some other nonsense, remember it is lovely Mattie who will pay the price if you lie to me."

Eric glanced frantically to his wife as tears slipped down her cheeks. "He escaped the Tevinters."

"That much is obvious Eric. What I want to know is how and if others escaped with him."

"Everyone who was taken with him escaped. They had help see."

"From whom?"

"A couple of Wardens."

"Really and what are Wardens doing on the Storm Coast?"

"Here to help with the Darkspawn, but the Tevinters tried to take them too."

"Fools." Horace muttered. "What did they think they were going to do with Wardens? Never mind, so are the Wardens still with Philip's little group?"

"Yes sir, one of the Wardens was badly wounded. Philip reckons he might die. I … I was just helping him with medical supplies."

"You talked a great deal for someone just helping with medical supplies."

Shifting nervously Eric glanced at his wife before looking back at the Captain. "He was asking if there was any news, that was all."

"And what did you tell him?"

"Only what is common knowledge, that Lord Thomas Howe arrived a little while back with a man servant and a woman whose face was covered. That the servants have not left the Castle since their arrival and no-one knows who the woman is."

"Making you all a little curious is it?"

Playing nervously with his hands Eric shrugged.

"No matter. Have you arranged to meet him again?"

"I …"

"Remember dear Mattie." Horace warned softly.

"A few days from now. The medical supplies can be difficult to get."

"Right well I think that will do for now." As Horace stood, he gestured to the guards who grabbed Mattie and pulled her up from the chair.

"No! Leave her be." Eric cried out getting to his feet, gasping as the tip of Horace's sword pressed against his throat.

"Don't worry Eric, you're coming too."

xXx

Shivering in the cell opposite his wife, Eric stared at the captain. "Please, do whatever you want with me, but let Mattie go."

"Sorry Eric we need her too, you see you are going to meet with Philip and you are going to tell him what I want you to tell him. If you don't, Mattie dear will suffer terribly and I can't risk either of you trying to get a message to him before that, so I'm afraid here is where you will both stay. Now get comfortable and don't make any trouble, I'd hate my boys to have to mess up Mattie's pretty face."

Leaving the jail Horace headed back to the castle, the coin still in his pocket and all thoughts of ale and women set aside, instructing the guards with him to get supplies and swift horses and ride to the Storm Coast with all haste and report back on what was going on there. They were both his nephews and his best scouts so he knew they would be swift, careful and most importantly report only to him. Any little rebellion needed to be stopped before it started, but with Wardens being involved and the return of Ellowyn to the castle he feared there was more going on than he was aware of. He was an ambitious man, but he was also cautious and he wanted proof of what was going on before he took action.

xXx

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