Shivering with cold Harris hugged his cloak tighter around himself. He had attempted to follow Kara's people, but their usual routines were no longer existent and at times they disappeared, he suspected they were using the passages beneath the city, but he had no intention of following them down there, he would be caught for sure. He was not built for stealth, though he could hide himself if the occasion called for it. He felt his anxiety release a fraction as Brina slipped along the alley and joined him. Vaughan had told him specifically to do this alone, but he had been unable to find Gawain himself and had no choice but to seek help, besides which Brina knew how to keep her mouth shut. "What news?"

"I have found him, but getting to him will be difficult. There are always several people in the house." She frowned slightly. "Airyl is also there." She met his gaze. "Where is Captain William? He would not have abandoned her."

"That is not your concern. Can you get in there and kill Gawain or not?"

Brina scowled. "Of course I can, but I am not going to." She raised an eyebrow at his shock.

"I already offered you coin!"

"You could not pay me enough."

"I don't understand. You have never had a problem killing people before!"

"I don't have a problem killing people, but I do have a problem killing those associated with Holy Andraste's Champion."

"For Makers sake Brina, you don't believe that rubbish. If he was truly protected by her, I wouldn't have been able to …" He hesitated and fell silent.

"Harris, what have you done to him?"

"Nothing, it doesn't matter."

"Where is he?"

"Stay out of it Brina, please." He sighed deeply at her look. "He was in Vaughan's dungeon, but I have no idea where he is now and I haven't seen him since I first took him there. Look if you won't do it just show me the house." He trembled slightly as her hand rested on his arm.

"Still doing Vaughan's dirty work, what will it take to make you realise he is using you. You are nothing to him other than someone to blame if things go wrong."

"You are wrong, he comes to me when he needs things done. I'm important to him." He turned away from the sadness of her expression. "Don't pity me, Brina."

Sighing, Brina glanced back the way she had come. "If I show you the house you must promise me something."

"Anything."

"Never contact me again." She felt guilt stir at his shock, but held firm.

"Brina …"

"I warned you brother. I warned you if you kept company with Vaughan this day would come."

"But I …"

"Choose Harris, quickly."

"I need to do this."

"Very well, follow me."

Numbly Harris followed her, keeping to the shadows and back streets as she was doing until she stopped and he followed her gaze to a house he had never noticed before. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me, you were a fool to get involved with Vaughan." Sighing she gripped his shoulder. "Goodbye brother."

"Brina wait." His stomach sank as she vanished into the shadows and he was left with the painful knowledge he might truly never see her again.

xXx

Settled on a perch on a roof on the other side of Denerim, Brina saw the flames' brilliant glow and sighed, just for a moment she had entertained the idea that he had walked away from Vaughan's demands. She glanced to her left seeing movement and nodded as Kara joined her. "I assume Gawain and his companions are safe?"

"They are. It can't have been easy to tell me."

"You have always had my loyalty Kara and you always will. Sadly, it seems Vaughan will always have my brothers."

"He has never known about our connection?"

Smiling sadly, Brina shook her head. "My brother was built for violence; he never was much of a thinker." She swallowed painfully. "Is he … is he alive?"

"Of course, we need him to report to Vaughan that his target is dead. I just wish he could have led us to Will."

A slightly shuddering breath leaving her lips Brina glanced out over the city. "What now?"

"Now I need you to use those listening skills of yours. You know the Arl's guards, maybe one of them will let slip where Will is." Kara sighed. "We have to find him Brina, before things have gone too far and we stand no chance of him healing."

Nodding Brina slipped from the rooftop making her way silently to street level.

Kara sighed slightly. "We will find you Will, I swear."

xXx

Standing in the cell, barely able to conceal her frustration, Eloen stared coldly at her prisoner. Several days had passed since the dungeons had been invaded; she had felt his desperation not only for the failed rescue attempt, but also the pain inflicted on the wolf and used it to goad and distress him further, but despite everything still he had held his tongue. She had pushed her magic and his tolerance for pain to their limits and only stopped because a dead prisoner was of no use to her. Now she was left with no choice given Rendon's demands, to try something even more dangerous. "I give you one more opportunity to give me the information." At Jayden's silence Eloen smiled. "As you wish. Remember this is your doing, I did warn you about the consequences of your continuing silence." Relishing the fear in his eyes she drew closer to him than she needed to, seeing him visibly tense. Carefully she wove the spell to loop the one memory she had access to, leaving a thread for her to unravel when she wished and stepped back. The effect was almost immediate, his body shaking, his own whimpers and pleading music to her ears and then his screams, terror and pain that he couldn't keep silent. Smiling, she moved to the cell door. "Sweet dreams, tomorrow I think your mind will be more amenable to bending to my will." She slipped out, shutting the door behind her.

xXx

Sketch gently pressed a hand to Airyl's head as she stirred, a whimper of pain making him wince. "I'm sorry, I'm doing my best, that damn spell did a lot of damage, but you are almost healed now." He smiled slightly as she pressed her nose to his hand, glancing as Gabriel gently stroked her head, the same worried look had remained on his face since leaving the dungeon. The only time he had left Airyl's side was to meet with Kara to figure out their next move. Frowning, Sketch felt Airyl's body tense beneath his hands, startled as she staggered to her feet, whining and whimpering, dragging a paw across her face before she tilted her head back and howled in pain and distress.

Moving after her, Gabriel felt the knot of anxiety in his gut tighten as Airyl paced at the front door, alternately whimpering and howling. He glanced at the others as they joined them alarmed by the noise.

Heart pounding Tess glanced at her fellow guards. "Will." She whispered.

Airyl turned to them, snarling and moving to the door.

"Airyl we do not know where he …" She stared in horror as Airyl began throwing herself against the door.

"Sketch, sedate her, now!" Gabriel commanded, moving to get between the wolf and the door, ignoring her snarl as he blocked her way.

Green energy manifesting at his hands, Sketch cast the spell, Airyl staggering before she collapsed to the floor, a desperate whimper leaving her before she lay still. Shaking, Sketch moved over to her, checking for injury.

Theron shuddered. "Creators, what are they doing to him?"

xXx

It was a few hours after dawn when Eloen made her way down to the dungeons. She had slept incredibly well and walked with a confident smugness she simply could not hide. The dungeons were empty and the few guards on duty moved swiftly away from her as she passed them. Heading down to the lower level she moved to the room at the end, unlocked and pushed open the door, the smell of blood and sweat hitting her immediately. Eloen stared in growing alarm, blood was still dripping from where restraint met flesh as Jayden had struggled to be free. His body was sweat soaked, his eyes were open, wild and unseeing, raw, bloodshot and swollen. His mouth was open in screams that no longer had sound. All of her smug confidence disintegrated and was replaced by fear that tore at her gut and throat; moving swiftly she connected with him and stopped the memory. She turned sharply, sensing someone at the door relieved it was Vaughan and not Rendon, if he saw Jayden in this mess, she had no doubt he would kill her on the spot.

Feeling the blood drain from his face Vaughan stared wide eyed. He hadn't known what had drawn him down here after being so determined he was going to stay away and he wished he had ignored the impulse. William had shown him a strength of will he had seen in few others and she had ripped through it as though it was nothing. He had seen other prisoners who had been brought to her and while some of them were left insensible, none had been quite like this. He didn't see pain administered to draw information; he saw brutality administered for enjoyment. He understood it, but even to him this was obscene. He cleared his throat hoping it wouldn't reveal the tremble he felt through his body. "Well, you have made a mess of him." He saw the fear in her eyes, she knew she had gone too far.

"You have to help me."

He recoiled from her terrified she would use her magic.

"Fool, Rendon would kill me if I used my magic on you. Help me clean him up."

He glared at her but found himself helping her to undo the restraints, realising with increasing fear that their prisoner was making no attempt to escape and he doubted he was even aware they were there. "What did you do to him?"

"Just get him on the other chair." Eloen snapped, fetching water and cloths to clean the sweat and blood from Jayden's body.

Vaughan remained tense, sure that at any moment he would attack them, but he simply sat staring at nothing, his body shuddering. He was glad to fasten the restraints that would keep him in the chair, though realised to his surprise that he was being gentler and more careful against the raw skin, glad to leave the cell and the mage with her vile magic. He hated William, had enjoyed every moment of causing him suffering, but no-one deserved whatever she was doing to him. He shuddered and hurried back to his own room, bathing and scrubbing himself raw, trying to forget what he had seen.

xXx

Kneeling beside Jayden, Eloen moved her hands to his temples and coaxed him gently from the terror induced state he was trapped in. She felt a rush of relief when his eyes finally focused on her, seeing the tremble that moved through his body. He was afraid of her and while yesterday that would have thrilled her, today she just needed to ensure his mind was still intact. "What is your name?" She kept her voice soft and coaxing, frowning at his silence. "Do you understand what I am saying?" Her frown deepened as he closed his eyes, another shudder moving through him. She gripped his chin forcefully. "Open your eyes." He did so immediately, trying not to make eye contact despite her close proximity. "Let me make something clear to you. The Arl wants information and has charged me with getting it. If I don't get it, he will torture and perhaps even kill me. I will not allow that to happen, so you are going to give me what he wants, or I will force you to relive that memory until you are nothing more than a drooling shell of the man you were. Do not test me." She saw the defeat in his eyes and the way his body slumped despite the restraints. "Are you ready to talk?" She saw the pained swallow as he attempted to speak, the panic as there was only silence. "Damn it." She muttered, standing and leaving the cell.

Watching her leave Jayden shuddered in pain, the muscles of his body were painfully cramped due to tension and he was in no position to attempt to ease them. His throat felt on fire and despite attempts he could make no sound. His head throbbed viciously, but finally he forced himself to look at his hands, tears of relief slipping down his cheeks to see they were still there. He could still feel the sensation of the blade slicing through flesh and bone, stretching out his fingers to try and push away the terror and pain. He closed his eyes trying to calm his quickening breathing. He wasn't sure how many times the memory had repeated itself, but he was aware how close he was to losing his mind. Glancing to the door he swallowed painfully, perhaps it was already lost. He flinched as the door opened and his tormentor returned.

Putting the tray down on a table and pulling a chair over to him, she picked up the mug and brought it to his lips, encouraging him to sip the honey water, noting the fresh tears. "It will help to soothe your throat." He obeyed, avoiding her gaze and trembling if her fingers brushed against him. She tended to him patiently until he had consumed half of the contents of the mug and then she brought over a bowl of broth, gently bringing the spoon to his mouth.

Jayden wasn't sure he had ever tasted anything so delicious, grateful for every spoonful and hating himself for it. As he finished the last mouthful and she returned the bowl to the tray, he bit his lip hard, flinching as she gently brushed a strand of hair from near his eyes.

"Answer my questions and I promise you, whatever else happens, I will not force that memory upon you again. Now, tell me, why are you in Denerim?"

While he didn't believe her, he couldn't go through that torture again, not even for the Cousland's and Wardens, he would lose his sanity. "Delilah sent me." Jayden croaked, speaking painfully, his voice barely audible.

Raising an eyebrow Eloen leaned a little closer. "Why."

"She no longer wanted us to travel with the wardens. She … she does not trust me."

"In what way?"

"We have been travelling in the company of some very beautiful women. She can be fiercely jealous and believes I will betray her."

"And will you?"

"No!"

The conviction in his voice gave Eloen pause. "What reason does she have to be so jealous?"

"None that I have given her."

Eloen worried at her lip fearing the magic she had used upon Delilah was having some unexpected consequences, she would have to make adjustments when she was once more in her company. She retrieved the mug of honey water at the clear pain in his voice and helped him to take a few sips, giving him a moment before continuing. "What were you to do in Denerim?"

"Wait for her to arrive, she was going to meet her brother, she would not tell me where. She said what I did not know I could not tell."

"How does she know where her brother is, if she has not been travelling with him?"

"They have been sending coded messages to each other via the Chantry. Delilah is devout and no-one was surprised when she wished to pray. I did not know about the messages until we left the others. Thomas sent her word to meet him."

"Where was she to meet him?"

Jayden sighed dismally. "She wouldn't tell me. She said it was for my own safety."

Eloen frowned slightly. "Why have you kept your arrival in Denerim a secret?"

"She did not want the Wardens to join me. She said we can't trust them. She has to be wrong. I tried to explain they are just doing what they need to, to get us support to fight the blight."

"Where were the wardens when you left them?"

"They were searching for the Dalish. I don't know how they are going to find them."

"And the Cousland's, where are they?"

"I don't know."

Frowning Eloen helped him to drink the remaining contents of the mug before she left the room heading to find Rendon, relieved he was in the study and not in the palace. She had been surprised at his composure after the rescue of the Night Elves, but he had the only person he needed and once the Landsmeet was done she suspected Kara would find herself in a watery grave along with her people and the elves they had rescued.

"What is your progress?"

"The collar has allowed me to gain only a small measure of access. Instead of a house to work with I have a single room, or in this case a single memory, if that is what it is, but it is serving its purpose. I had no idea such natural defences to blood magic existed." She quickly relayed all the information Jayden had given her.

"Interesting." Rendon mused. "Very well, I would ask him some questions myself."

xXx

"What of Caladrius?" Rendon demanded, giving Jayden little break between his questions. "Where is he?"

The pain of his throat was a torment, his voice little more than a croak, but Jayden forced himself to speak. "I don't know, I swear. We found no slaves and only empty cages. There were no ships. We were too late."

Frowning, Rendon caught Jayden's jaw, forcing him to look at him. "We taught you to lie, to conceal your emotions and your pain. I admit I cannot be sure you are telling the truth, so perhaps another night of this memory will help me to be certain." He moved back at the terror in Jayden's eyes, there was no lie about that.

"I've told you all I know. Please, please don't make me go through it again. I can't tell you what I don't know!"

Rendon reached out a hand to his shoulder. "When I am convinced you are telling the truth it will stop and I promise you won't remember it. It will be plucked from your mind as though it never existed." He moved from the room gesturing to Eloen to follow him, closing the door behind them, closing his ears to Jayden's pleading cries.

"It might be unwise to have him experience the memory again in such a way, my Lord."

"But you can make him forget the memory once this is done?"

"Yes, but if the damage to his mind is significant …"

"Then I suggest you make sure it is not. Loop the memory."

"Yes, my Lord."

Unable to make out the conversation beyond the door, Jayden attempted to loosen the restraints, but there were too many, they left little room for movement and the damn collar made it so hard to move. He dropped his head as the door opened again, an involuntary whimper left his lips, shuddering as Eloen moved behind him and he felt her fingertips against his temples. "Please stop, don't do this! You promised! What use am I to you if you destroy my mind?"

"Perhaps you will be a more obedient puppet."

"I never betrayed you." He whispered.

"Liar."

Closing his eyes, steeling himself for what was to come, Jayden forced the words from his lips trying to contain his fear. "I can't tell you what I don't know!" He knew even if he told them the truth he would still have to endure the torture and somehow that knowledge made it a fraction easier to restrain himself from telling them everything they wanted to know.

"Then you have made your choice."

Terror constricting his throat Jayden felt the pulse of her magic, screaming as he was dragged back into the memory.

Shuddering at Jayden's screams, Rendon strode away from the cell, his heart pounding fiercely. He wanted to believe the boy, but if what he had said was true, then why had Warin not informed him of it. He retreated to his room and stood by the fireplace coaxing the few embers still there to ignite. He trusted Warin without question, but he needed to know why he had withheld information if that was indeed what he had done. He grabbed the Calling Crystal, his heart pounding, relieved when it was answered quickly.

Warin frowned, Rendon sounded frustrated and agitated, never a good combination. "How goes it, my Lord?"

"Jayden has finally begun to speak, but what he told me raises questions that must be asked and will determine if we must continue with torture, or if his conditioning can begin."

Swallowing painfully, Warin tried to ignore the tremble of his body. "What questions my Lord?"

"Was Delilah at Highever with you and is she travelling with you now?"

Warin paled. "Yes."

"Why did you not tell me last time we spoke?"

Heart pounding brutally, Warin called on all of his years of training and experience to remain calm. "I was shocked by your news and if you remember you ended the conversation relatively swiftly."

"And yet you have not made contact with me since."

"I did not wish to take the risk."

"It does not matter I suppose." Rendon muttered, the steady tone to Warin's voice calming him. Warin could fool almost anyone, but he had known him too long to be deceived. "What I would like to know is why Thomas summoned Delilah to Highever, and why Delilah sent Jayden to Denerim."

Warin stared at the Calling Crystal, grateful that Rendon could not see him, relief that Jayden had not in fact broken, releasing a tension in his chest he had not been aware of. His agile mind once more came to his aid. "Forgive me my Lord, I suggested Lord Thomas send for Lady Delilah because I felt Lady Ellowyn would be more settled with her, especially after some unpleasantness with the soldiers, which your son dealt with admirably. I assumed you would call a Landsmeet soon to end all of this unrest in our country. I advised Lord Thomas to request Lady Delilah send Jayden on to Denerim. I did not think he and Lady Ellowyn should meet until we are all together to avoid any … disruption. I apologise if I acted in error."

Rendon felt a rush of relief that the boy had spoken truly and the torture could come to an end. "No, not at all I was merely curious as to their motivations. To be honest it gladdens my heart that my children appear to have gotten over any unpleasantness of their youth and are working towards our common goal." Rendon snorted. "Sending each other messages via the Chantry indeed. I remember a time during the occupation when we did the very same. Very well, now I know we have finally reached the truth in that matter, I can accept his answers regarding the Wardens and Cousland's."

"Might I ask what he said?"

"The Wardens to his knowledge are searching for the Dalish in the Brecilian Forest, that he has had no further contact gives me hope that the mercenaries I sent have dealt with them."

"And the Cousland's?"

"He does not know where they are. Disappointing but not entirely unexpected given he was travelling with the Wardens. I will have Eloen ensure his loyalty to me and create hostility towards the Cousland's. Get here as quickly as you can Warin, we have much to do."

"Yes, my Lord." Warin stared at the Calling Crystal, his hands trembling slightly as its light dimmed. He turned to Fergus who had been with him. It did not surprise him that he was watched over to ensure he did not betray them with the device, but it still left him uncomfortable. They moved quickly to the nobility, the Warden Commander joining them as he explained the conversation.

"How can we be sure this is not a ploy from Rendon?" Eamon demanded in agitation.

"William is weaving a story, just enough truth so they will believe the lies." Warin stated. "Trust me, if Rendon knew the truth, he would not be able to hide it from me. I have known him for too long and know all his moods. He does not hide things as well as he might think and I would know."

Eamon scowled. "And perhaps you are still in league with him and are leading us into a trap." He returned Warin's glare.

"Enough!" Ellowyn snapped. "Arguing amongst ourselves helps no-one."

After several moments of silence Thomas met his gaze. "Will is a strategist and he will know that we will have to assume at some point he may become compromised." He glanced at the ring on his finger. "Still, if I can get close enough to him, we can know for sure."

"That is too dangerous!" Delilah muttered.

"All of this is dangerous." Thomas stated softly. "But he would risk it for me. I will do no less for him."

"Will is employing a simple tactic, keep your friends close and your enemies closer." Ellowyn stated firmly. "He will trick them, make them believe he is enthralled so he can stand at Rendon's side at the Landsmeet."

"For what possible purpose?" Eamon demanded.

"When he went to seek Flemeth for a way to help his mother, she also gave him a truth potion. He retrieved it before Gwaren was destroyed. If he is in a position of trust he can administer it."

"We cannot possibly know that is his intention, nor if he still has access to it, or indeed if the potion actually works." Eamon spluttered. "We must assume he will tell Rendon everything he knows, if he has not already, which includes you are not enthralled; his children stand against him and Cailan lives. We must adjust our plans and accept the likelihood that William is no longer master of his own mind." At their scowls he sighed. "He will break at some point if he has not already. It is foolish and irresponsible to deny it. Everyone has a breaking point and he is young and has been through a great deal. We cannot assume he can hold out for longer because of his experiences." He shook his head at their continued scowls. "You all clearly have faith in the boy and I understand that, but he is being tortured by a blood mage, no-one, not even a Champion of Holy Andraste herself can hold out against that forever."

Cailan stared at his hands; a cold knot of fear was building in his chest. "I suggest we do whatever we can to decrease the time it will take us to reach Denerim, we need to put an end to Rendon before there is no stopping him."

xXx

Letting out a trembling breath Kara rose to her feet, her eyes still locked on the Calling Crystal. The Warden Commander had made contact with Zevran who had called them all together to receive the update as one group. Those who had remained to guard the slavers on the ship had also returned, shock at events that had unfolded leaving them speechless. Space was tight so some were sitting on the floor, others standing, slight sharp movements betraying their agitation. William was alive, that much they knew from Airyl who was now being continuously sedated given her reaction each time the spell had ended, Sketch remaining with her. She had seen Dylan sink onto a seat and suspected he knew exactly which memory their friend was being forced to relive, though now there was hope that the torture at least would stop. Yet they would be turning their attention to adjusting his mind and she was afraid to guess what form that would take. Nausea clawed at her throat, her hands trembled and she realised she had never felt so helpless. "Where was he? Where would they have moved him?"

Sighing, Dylan took a shuddering breath. "It is possible they were there and she cast a shield or glyph to hide herself and Will. We have worked with something similar before, but to hide them so completely … she is more powerful than she was in the Circle, which means she is much more dangerous."

"You know this mage?" Kara snarled.

"I wasn't her friend if that is what you are asking. I didn't even really know her to speak to, but she used to be kind. I cannot imagine what madness she has fallen into that she would do all of this."

"If she can shield herself from us, how can we hope to find her?" Terrance muttered.

"Well, none of us are getting back into that dungeon." Gabriel snapped. "We burnt our bridges there."

"Not all of us." Zevran stated thoughtfully. "Once Morrigan arrives she can gain entry where we cannot."

"Yes." Tess hissed. "But she is still days away and the others more than a week, days when that bitch is tearing into Will's mind trying to make him believe Maker knows what. We can't wait!"

"What choice do we have?" Leliana stated calmly, hoping to diffuse the increasing tension in the room, her own agitation unseen, a testament to her skill.

"Vaughan will know where he is." Lawrence stated, rage evident in his tone and clenched hands. "I say we beat it out of him."

"And just how do you propose we get to Vaughan?" Kara demanded. "He is always surrounded by guards when he leaves the estate and there is no pattern to his comings and goings." She sighed deeply. "I have someone trying to find out where Will is, but I have had no word yet."

"Someone?" Leliana could barely keep the ice from her tone.

Kara met her gaze. "She is skilled at gaining information."

"I still think we should find a way to get to Vaughan." Lawrence muttered.

Dylan sat silently desperate for nightfall. They were right, Morrigan was too far away, but she was not the only one who could change her form and despite the dangers he was determined to find his friend.