Pacing at the back of the Great Hall, Rathnal's impatience was almost at bursting point when a flushed Rory returned and he wasn't the only one. The entire hall was filled with the grumblings of agitated nobles and guards who were spoiling for a fight.

"Warden Commander, Jowan is gone."

"What do you mean he is gone?"

"He is gone, along with his belongings. Stephen and Daniel had no idea he was not in the house and have gone looking for him."

"Damn it! Everyone apart from Aedan and Ayanna go and find him." Rathnal nipped his lip. "Be careful, Jowan would not have left on his own, he feared the Templars too much and he would never have got past Daniel and Stephen without help. I don't know how, but I believe Eloen is with him."

"Understood."

"T'would have been better to have kept him where he could have been seen." Morrigan muttered sharply.

"Thank you for that, Morrigan." Rathnal snapped before moving quickly to Fergus relaying the information.

"Is there some kind of problem?" Rendon queried, seeing the frustration in Fergus's expression. He had been informed Jowan was dead, if that proved not to be the case it could be deeply damaging.

Clearing his throat Eamon took a step forward. "There seems to be an issue with locating the mage. We have people looking for him."

"I see." Rendon stood. "Is it not clear my friends that these accusations are baseless?"

Fists clenching Aedan growled in frustration. "We cannot let that bastard get away with this!" He forced a deep breath as Ayanna's hand grasped his and squeezed gently.

Everyone turned as the doors opened, Ellowyn, Delilah, Thomas and Warin entering. Rendon smiled warmly, the relief intoxicating. "Ah at last. Welcome my children and Lady Cousland, your timing is most fortuitous. Are you ready to give your testimony?"

Delilah looked past her father to Jayden, her blood running cold. Tears filled her eyes as she clutched Thomas's arm, knowing by his own alarmed look he feared that Jayden was lost to them.

Heart pounding Ellowyn glanced at her brothers and swallowed hard, Rendon believed her still enthralled and had given her the floor. Taking a steadying breath, she glanced back to Delilah and Thomas who nodded and then strode forward to the centre of the hall. Her gaze drifted to Jayden feeling sick to her stomach wondering if there was anything of him left to be brought back to them, yet he had not given her up, so something of him had to be there.

Forcing himself to remain still, Jayden didn't dare make full eye contact with any of them fearing he would give himself away; silently praying to Andraste that Rendon would drink the wine soon.

Clearing her throat, Ellowyn glanced around the room ensuring to make eye contact with each noble. "I am here to give testimony to events that have led us here. Before the battle of Ostagar I received a letter from Lady Delilah requesting I visit. She was living with her grandmother at the time. While there we received an invitation to Vigil's Keep which we accepted." She met Rendon's gaze seeing him beginning to frown. "It was while at Vigil's Keep, Delilah and myself were confined to the Tower and on a daily basis I was taken from there to another room where a blood mage attempted with her vile magic to turn me against my family."

Heart pounding Rendon stared in shock, his mind in chaos at Eloen's obvious failure. He saw the confusion in the nobility, heard their shocked mutterings and loud exclamations and knew he needed to regain control. "Dear Ellowyn, you need not be afraid of your brothers or those with them, you are protected here."

"I am not afraid of my brothers; they would never hurt me. My father never betrayed Ferelden, that is your doing!"

Rendon felt fury rage within him, without Ellowyn he would have a much harder time convincing people of his version of events. He locked eyes with Warin acknowledging he had been betrayed, indulging in a brief moment of imagining how he would punish him. "If you say you were taken to a blood mage every day, how is it you are not enthralled?"

"I had an amulet that protected me, given to me by Lady Delilah."

Trembling beneath her father's intense gaze Delilah forced herself to join Ellowyn, glancing around the hall. "It is true, I gave Ellowyn the amulet. I … I had information that a blood mage was in my family home. I know I should have informed the Templars, but I feared my father was enthralled. I … I intended to kill the blood mage and free my father from her grasp." She turned back to her father, seeing his shocked expression. "When you came to me and told me to invite Ellowyn to Amaranthine, I knew you intended something, but I just thought you wanted to make her want to marry Thomas. I procured the amulet to ensure that didn't happen. I never imagined you intended to wipe out all of the Cousland's apart from her."

Feeling nauseated, Rendon forced himself to remain outwardly calm. All this time he had believed Highever had been under his son's control and now he understood the truth, that it had been Fergus in charge and Maker only knew what had happened to his men. Not only that his children believed him enthralled, it was a cruel irony.

Grand Cleric Elemena stepped forward in alarm. "Are you saying you believe your father is enthralled by a blood mage?"

Trembling slightly Delilah nodded. "My father may not be the best of men, but all of this …" Tears slipped down her cheeks. "In truth I do not want to believe him capable of it."

Rendon moved towards them, stopping short and turning to the Grand Cleric. "Perhaps your Templars may be of some use in this situation, as they were earlier. I will undergo the procedure."

"Very well."

Rendon gazed at his daughter. "Misinformation has been rife and I never imagined things coming to this either, but I promise you I am not enthralled." He nodded to Ser Henric as the Templar approached.

"This may feel a little … unusual."

Rendon felt as though energy waves were moving through him; a little unsettling if not unpleasant.

"The Regent speaks truly; he is not enthralled."

Delilah paled and turned to her brother who moved quickly to her side. "Then all of this, this was of your own mind." She trembled and wiped roughly at the tears. "You were never forced. You planned and executed this out of what, a need for power?"

"Delilah, daughter, I planned and executed nothing, the Cousland's are traitors. Did you witness Ellowyn taken to this so-called blood mage?"

"I … no, she was taken while I slept, but …"

Rendon shook his head and turned to the nobility. "I made a mistake friends, my own daughter has been deeply misled and Ellowyn's mind is clearly too fragile to go against her brothers. I have put her in a situation that she clearly cannot cope with and these concocted lies are to save Fergus, when she does not understand the true extent of his treachery."

Delilah felt panic as she realised the nobility were dismissing them. "I …"

Ellowyn turned to Thomas as he grasped her arm, effectively silencing the tirade that was about to pour from her lips. She turned back to Rendon seething.

"Father enough." Thomas stated, a command in his voice that surprised everyone. "I myself rescued Ellowyn and my sister from the Tower. I saw you with the blood mage and I know some of the terrible, unforgivable things you have done. This cannot continue. If you are not enthralled then you are guilty of murder, hiring assassins and lies that have literally ruined lives." His eyes widened as his grandmother stepped forward.

"Julianna." Rendon growled. "What are you doing here?"

"Where else would I be when my grandchildren are here?" She turned to Fergus. "Perhaps Lord Fergus, this can be put to rest if the blood mage is brought forward."

"The Arl's estate is being searched for her as we speak." Fergus stated, glancing at Rendon who sat down looking too comfortable for his liking. If Eloen had escaped with Jowan he feared the nobility would turn against them. He glanced again at Jayden, praying to the Maker that he would break his silence.

"Yet again a search for a mage!" Rendon muttered, shaking his head. "Very well, but do not test the patience of these proceedings!" Desperate to confront his children and Warin it took all of his willpower to remain on the throne. He glanced back at Jayden. "Betrayed by those closest to me."

Only sheer willpower keeping the delight from his face, Jayden bent closer to Rendon's ear. "Delilah is a good woman; I saw real fear for you in her eyes. Perhaps you should not judge her too harshly. We have no idea what they have been told."

"True enough, but Thomas …"

"Loves you. They are not betraying you out of malice, but fear for you."

Sighing, Rendon nodded. "You speak wisely." He glanced at Julianna. "No doubt their grandmother has something to do with this."

Maddock once more banged his staff on the floor. "We will take a short break, but everyone is to remain within the hall."

Delilah turned to Julianna barely able to comprehend the difference in her. "Grandmother! You … you are so different from the last time we met."

"Well, poison will change a person. I am feeling much more myself now."

Gently hugging her grandmother, Delilah took off the ruby ring she had been given when they had last met.

Shaking her head Julianna refused the ring with a slight smile. "No matter my condition when I gave it to you, I wish you to have it." Turning to Thomas she clasped his hand, squeezing gently. "I am proud of you." Squeezing again at the tears in his eyes.

Thelda moved to her brother's side and raised an eyebrow. "Finally going against him I see."

"Looks like it."

"About bloody time, though he won't be taking it well. Lady Julianna intends to take her grandchildren from Ferelden as soon as possible. I am going with her; I assume you will too."

Warin swallowed uneasily. "Assuming I live through this, then yes."

Rendon leaned forward at the sound of foot falls as Captain Brom and Knight Captain Eldon entered the hall, relieved they both looked frustrated.

"Let me guess." Vaughan smirked. "Your search for a blood mage on my estate proved fruitless. Just as it did the last time. As if I would allow such vile practices in my home!"

Brom turned to Fergus looking deeply uncomfortable. "We searched each room as you requested, the Templars doing whatever they do to dispel magic. There was no mage there."

Rathnal hissed in frustration. "I believe it is as I feared, Eloen and Jowan are together, but where they are Maker only knows."

"What about these accusations of slavery?" Arl Wulff demanded impatiently. "No loyal Ferelden would be involved in such a practice! What proof is there, because by the Maker Rendon, if this is true there will be consequences!"

Swallowing painfully Kara stepped forward identifying herself. "We have their ledgers, but the letter giving permission to the slavers was given to the Queen and we now have no means of knowing what she did with it. I did have the head slaver in my custody, a man named Caladrius, unfortunately when my second in command went to bring him to these proceedings, he found him dead. We can provide those who worked for him, but they had no knowledge of who Caladrius was dealing with specifically." She noted the slight clench of Rendon's jaw at the mention of the slaver, but it was not enough to give him away.

"And the children from Highever?" Alfstanna's voice quivered slightly as their case against Rendon continued to fall apart.

Jayden felt his stomach lurch as Sister Theohild stepped forward.

"I myself took the sworn testimony of the children before they were returned to Highever."

"Meaningless." Rendon snapped getting to his feet. "Maker, now they have drawn a Chantry Sister into this foolishness. Provide the children, provide those who were keeping them captive."

Theohild swallowed uneasily. "Once they left the ship, those guarding the children had no memory of what they had been doing. They cannot testify to what they do not remember. There are suspicions of interference with blood magic, but the Templars will need to investigate."

Glancing around the room Rendon saw how uncertain and confused the nobility were. "It is clear my friends that you are being lied to by someone. I have proven I am not enthralled and there is no mage in the Arl of Denerim's estate. I have given you authenticated proof regarding the letters indicating Bryce Cousland was in league with Orlais. The witnesses they have provided in this attempt to slander me have proven false. They have provided no blood mage and the only mage I have knowledge of, was the very one sent to help out with the situation in Redcliffe and they cannot even provide him. They accuse me of being involved in slavery and attempted assassination of Wardens, but what proof have they provided? None! They have attempted to twist the truth to suit their own agenda. Bryce Cousland was involved in a plot with Orlais against the Mac Tir's to destabilise Ferelden. I cannot explain his motivations though I wish to the Maker I could. I would also like to point out that Andraste's Champion stands at my side, he would hardly do that if I had tortured him!"

"None of this makes any sense." Alfstanna stated angrily. "Why would Bryce betray Ferelden? What would Fergus possibly gain by torturing Holy Andraste's Champion?"

Rendon sighed deeply. "As I said, I cannot begin to understand Byrce's motivations, but I suspect the most likely reason for Fergus to torture William is that he is not just Holy Andraste's Champion."

Jayden turned to him sharply, astonishment on his face. "Regent!"

"Trust me my boy." Rendon stated, gently patting his arm.

Jayden wanted to jerk his arm away, but through supreme will he managed to remain still.

Rendon walked forward slightly. "If you recall, I mentioned earlier a plot against the Mac Tir's. That plot included a death threat against Loghain's youngest. You all know he was kidnapped by Orlsian's at the tender age of seven and the rescue operation that occurred to retrieve him.

Arl Wulff stared at Rendon and then at the young man behind him, glancing to Alfstanna who looked equally shocked as did the other present nobility.

"We thought we had hidden him well, but not well enough. Fergus found out who he was, being lifelong friends with the Queen, perhaps it was inevitable. He then decided to follow through with what his father started."

"Then why not just kill him?"

"I have suspicions only, but killing Queen Anora likely had a strategic benefit for Orlais, it would destabilise an already conflicted country, but killing Holy Andraste's Champion is another matter. I suspect Fergus passed on the information to Orlais about who the Champion truly was and the order changed from death to a more useful alternative to them. Why kill someone who could be used. As Holy Andraste's Champion, Jayden would have access to nobility, royalty, perhaps even the Divine herself. He is skilled in several weapons and stealth. Ideal for an assassin or information gatherer, but his loyalty is well known and to be useful to them he would first need to be broken."

Jayden stared at him in growing horror, feeling the shift in the room, seeing the shocked expressions of his fellow soldiers. He swallowed hard as he caught Terrance's gaze, the young soldier staring at him in confusion.

"However, I have always kept a close eye on Jayden and I discovered his capture by Fergus's men and subsequent torture. The Mac Tir's are family to me, Jayden is in fact betrothed to my daughter, but even were that not the case, I would not allow the torture of an innocent, certainly not when those orders came from Orlais."

Jayden's heart pounded brutally, his legs were shaking and he felt sick.

Rendon walked back and forth keeping attention on himself. "They tortured Jayden physically, tortured one of his boyhood body guards in front of him to try and break him. Jayden was told the guard died due to his injuries and sadly he carries the guilt of that."

Alfstanna stared around the hall and then at Jayden. "Champion, is it true? Are you Jayden Mac Tir?"

Jayden stared at her at a loss, unable to make himself speak.

"It is time for the truth." Rendon stated gently. "Time for you to tell everyone who you truly are."

"I can confirm it is true." Grand Cleric Elmena stated stepping forward to everyone's surprise. "Ser Cauthrien, perhaps you would fetch the General. I believe Loghain should be here for this and if his grief is too great, tell him I will send Templars to carry him here if I must." She faced the nobility as Cauthrien hurried out of the Hall. "William is Jayden Mac Tir. This was told to me by the General and the Queen herself after he received the healing blessing of Holy Andraste and was given the title of Champion. They confirmed the reason for him being concealed as another, was due to a death threat that they believed was Orlesian in origin." Moving to Jayden she met his alarmed gaze. "You have spent years as someone else and I know it cannot be easy to reveal the truth of who you are, but there can be no denying it now. You are the son of Loghain and Celia Mac Tir are you not?"

Letting out a shuddering breath Jayden cleared his throat. "I am." He glanced at Rendon who was sipping the wine at his side, a self-satisfied smile on his face. 'Enjoy this while you can, you smug bastard. I'm going to wipe that smile off your face'.

Rendon drained the goblet and placed it back on the tray, victory was surely his.

xXx

Racing through the corridors of the Palace, Cathrien reached Loghain's chambers finding him sitting in a chair by the window staring out at nothing. "General you must come with me; the Grand Cleric demands your attendance at the Landsmeet."

"The damn Landsmeet. Let them argue amongst themselves until the Darkspawn reach them, I no longer care."

"You will care about this. You stepped aside and allowed Arl Howe to become Regent and he has just informed the Landsmeet of Andraste's Champions true identity."

Loghain turned sharply. "What?"

"He has him with him now. He has been tortured. The Regent says by Fergus and Fergus declares it was the Regent."

Staring in shock, Loghain shook his head. "What does my son say?"

"He has not declared truth or lie either way."

"No, they will kill my son too." Loghain cried out in despair, lurching to his feet. "How could Rendon do this after all we did to hide him? Why would he do this?" He shook his head almost stumbling to the door. "Not my son. Not after all we sacrificed to keep him safe!" Cauthrien at his side, Loghain hurried along the corridors, his stumbling becoming a stride as his anger took over, pushing back for a moment the debilitating grief, his son the only thing that mattered now.

xXx

Hearing the mutterings growing in support of Rendon, Cailan could take it no longer. Stepping forward he pushed back the hood from his cloak revealing himself to the shock of all gathered.

Rendon rose startled, his plans shattering around him. He fought to keep the fury and disappointment from his voice. "King Cailan, we heard you were killed at Ostagar."

"I sustained a head injury and I lost my memories, but I have finally recovered."

Stepping forward Rendon stood straight needing to regain control. "Forgive me your Majesty, but why then did you not let your people know you were alive? Why wait so long in these proceedings before revealing yourself?"

"As to why I did not return to Denerim before now, as I said I had no memories and Anora and Loghain were here. They were aware of my … situation. As for these proceedings I did not want to distract from them until the heart of the matter was revealed and proof of accusations given."

"I see and it is clear you stand with your uncles who stand with Fergus. My Lords and Ladies, it pains me to say this given the joy it will give us all to see his Majesty still alive, but by his own admission he left Ferelden in its greatest time of need. Forgive me Cailan, but we have only your word and that of your companions that your memories were lost. Perhaps the truth is far simpler, you could not cope with the escalating danger facing our country. Facing the numbers of Darkspawn that we are, this country needs a leader who will not shirk from duty, who has the strength of will to lead our people to victory."

Cailan stared at him stunned, realising with horror that some of the nobility were poised to turn against him. Frustration at his own reluctance to return to Denerim burned within him and he turned his anger on Rendon. "And you think that is you? You were not even present at Ostagar!"

"That is sadly true, your Majesty, but it has been explained." Rendon stated feigning weariness. "But it was not myself I would advocate to lead us, but that can be discussed after this matter has been put to rest."

Cailan stared at him stunned, his presence effectively dismissed.

Seeing the hold Rendon seemingly had on the majority of those present, to the extent he could challenge Cailan in such a way, Fergus gave a shuddering breath. Their enemy had slithered out of every piece of evidence they offered to those assembled. Every witness was dismissed, dead, or had disappeared and as he glanced at his siblings, he saw the same look in their eyes, Rendon was going to win.

Ellowyn met Jayden's cold gaze, she had been so certain he would still be himself, but the hate in his eyes made her tremble. "What are we going to do?" She whispered, moving over to her brothers, relieved when Edward joined them.

"We have one last card to play." Fergus nodded to Aedan who left the hall returning moments later with Gawain, flanked by Gabriel, Lawrence and Tess. They saw the colour drain from Jayden's face, as he clutched the throne to keep standing.

Harris felt Vaughan's furious stare, too shocked to say anything.

"How is he here?" Vaughan hissed. "You said he was dead!"

Swallowing hard, Harris shook his head. "I …"

"You are worse than useless! I should have known better than to trust you."

Rendon looked at Jayden sharply, fury and frustration almost choking him. "More tricks and lies, they seek to throw you off balance and confuse you." He hissed. "You saw with your own eyes Fergus torture him. They will have bent his mind to their will."

"I would speak to him myself." Jayden whispered.

Rendon hesitated. "As you wish, but remember all that was done to you."

Clenching his hands, Jayden felt a fresh wave of rage surging through him. "I will never forget it." He growled. Limping down the steps he headed towards Gawain, never taking his eyes from him, aware of the attention of those assembled focusing on him, stopping short, relief, joy, grief and fury warring in his expression.

"My Lord." Gawain stated gently.

"Gawain." Jayden heard the break in his voice, it sounded too rough, laced with pain he was struggling to keep back. He looked to the guardsman's hands, realising in growing grief that he must have had magical healing and yet Vaughan had done too much damage, noticing Thomas's ring was sitting loosely on his little finger, the only one it would have fit on given the damage. "I'm so sorry."

"This was not your doing, my Lord."

"It absolutely was. I … I thought they had killed you." He met his gaze. "I …" He stared at him helplessly.

Gawain took a step forward. "I swear to you, Lord Fergus did not do this. I don't know what they have done to you, what they have made you believe, but I swear on my life, on my loyalty to your family, my loyalty to you, the Cousland's are no traitors."

Being as gentle as he knew how Jayden took hold of Gawain's hands, slipping the ring from his finger and placing it on his own, sleight of hand ensuring no-one else noticed, as he withdrew a moment later meeting Gawain's gaze. "I swear to you, you will have justice."

Heart pounding Gawain felt shock that he was clearly not enthralled, despite how much he had clearly endured and all appearances to the contrary.

Jayden turned to Maddock. "May I speak?"

"Of course, my Lord."

Trying not to flinch at the title, Jayden turned to Fergus. "You assert it was not you and your family who have betrayed Ferelden, but our Regent."

Fergus swallowed hard. "I do."

"And yet every piece of evidence you have offered is worthless. It is time for the truth. I am so damn tired of lies."

"I swear we are not lying." Fergus protested.

"You would have us believe our Regent orchestrated a plot against your family and mine that spanned years, for the purpose of taking power, using blood mages and slavers to do it."

"I know how it sounds …"

"Do you? You would have us believe this blood mage infiltrated the minds of unknown numbers with the express purpose of gathering power for the Regent, and yet you have produced no such mage. You can't even produce the mage who was a tutor for Arl Eamon's son and is now a warden recruit. Why, I wonder."

"I swear to you …" He fell silent as Jayden held up his hand, feeling a rush of shock to see Thomas's ring on his finger.

"It is time for the truth. Regent, did you murder Teyrn Cousland?" He saw Fergus's shocked expression before he turned to Rendon.

"Yes. I stabbed him in the gut and then slit his throat." Rendon's eyes widened as he stared in horror at Jayden, hearing shocked gasps fill the room. "What sorcery is this?"

"Did Teyrn Cousland betray Ferelden; was he in league with Orlais?"

"No." Rendon blurted out, getting to his feet.

Jayden took a step back towards him. "And the mage you took into your service is in fact a blood mage?"

"Yes." He tried to cover his mouth with his hand glancing around wildly at the astonished nobility.

Ellowyn gripped Edward's arm, her heart pounding, turning to her brothers whose eyes were locked on Jayden in shock.

Lawrence grinned broadly, discreetly squeezing Tess's hand, seeing Gabriel's relief and Terrance's awe.

"Have you been using this blood mage to adapt people's minds to gain information and have them favour you?"

"Yes." His voice was a strangled cry as he tried to back away, but Brom and Kara's men had blocked the doorways and his own men were looking in confusion at Jayden.

"Did you in fact have this blood mage use magic to make writing appear as another's?"

"Yes!" Rendon gasped.

"Was this the case for the letters you submitted as evidence today regarding Teyrn Cousland?"

"Yes."

His eyes darkened with rage. "And is this also the case with the letter given to the slaver Caladrius, supposedly from the General?"

Rendon attempted to suppress the need to speak.

"Answer him."

Rendon turned, staring at Loghain in horror. "I … yes."

Jayden saw the pain in his father's gaze, the grief, he looked as broken as when his mother had died. He met his father's gaze seeing his slight nod, turning to Rendon as the noble turned back to him in panic.

"Jayden …"

"Did you sell people from Highever, Amaranthine and Denerim to Tevinter slavers?"

"I … I did."

"And the children from Highever, you had your men put them on a ship and took them from their home. Why?"

Rendon tried everything in his power short of cutting out his own tongue to be silent, but the potion dragged the words from his lips regardless. "I needed them."

"For what purpose?" Jayden demanded.

"For leverage to make their parents and the people of Highever compliant and for a blood magic spell."

"Explain to us why." Jayden snarled.

"Only the blood of the innocent can be used in the spell cast to change the appearance of another's writing. They were not harmed." Rendon protested. "A tiny prick of the finger for a few drops of blood."

"You took them from their homes, their family." Jayden snarled. "Trust me, they were harmed! Did you imprison Ellowyn Cousland in Vigil's Keep with the express purpose of turning her against her family by using blood magic?"

"Yes." Rendon clutched his throat, stumbling back as Jayden continued to advance.

"Did you send assassins after the remaining Cousland's and wardens?"

"Yes." Rendon glanced around panic stricken for a means to escape.

"Was the Queen murdered on your orders?" Jayden snarled.

"Yes." The word a rasped hiss as he tried to stay silent, glancing at Loghain who stumbled back in shock.

"Why?" Jayden's voice broke with pain and fury.

Rendon struggled against the potion, but it was too strong. "She was interfering with my plans; she was an obstacle that needed removing." Rendon stared at him. "How are you doing this? Eloen made sure of your compliance!"

"I am Holy Andraste's Champion!" Jayden roared, fury surging through him, feeling the shock of his friends at the admission, but he had no intention of being seen as a victim as he had as a child and being pitied, unaware of Brom and the soldiers present of his Company standing taller in pride. "I am immune to blood magic to control the mind. Your blood mage may have made me see the memories you wanted me to have, but she could not twist or remove my true memories." He moved slightly closer, shaking with rage. "You are a man who has professed friendship with my family since before I was born, but you have proven yourself a traitor. You betrayed my family; you betrayed the Cousland's. You betrayed Ferelden when you sought to take over Highever rather than doing your damn duty and bringing your troops to Ostagar!"

Rendon stared around the room. "This must be some kind of magic at work."

"This is you telling the truth for once in your life! Tell these people who really tortured me and under whose orders it was done."

Rendon felt as though he was choking. "Vaughan and Eloen and they were my orders."

"Arl Vaughan and Eloen, your blood mage?"

"Yes!" He gasped.

Vaughan stared in horror, backing away towards the door, Brom himself stopping him. Harris too, taken into custody.

Rendon moved forward in desperation and grabbed Jayden's tunic; a pleading look in his eyes. "Cailan was supposed to be dead. I wanted to make my daughter Queen and you King. Think what you could do as King."

"You are insane." Jayden snarled. "Who is truly behind the threat on my life."

"I am." Rendon gasped, staring at him pleadingly, sparing a quick glance to Loghain at his shocked gasp.

"Why?"

"So, your father would agree to a betrothal between you and Delilah. I could not risk you being aligned with the Cousland's. Please Jayden, you have to understand, all of this was for the good of Ferelden."

Jayden stared at him wide eyed realising he truly believed that was the truth. "How could all of this death and pain be for the good of Ferelden?"

Rendon backed away looking desperately for a way out, everything he had worked towards turning to ash in front of him.

Hate and rage coursed through Jayden, the Cousland's had their proof they were not traitors, the truth of his schemes was out there and now he only wanted one more thing. Gone were thoughts of making Rendon suffer, all he wanted now was his death.

Loghain saw the predator clearly in his son and knew he intended to kill Rendon. The consequences would be his own death, but in that moment, he knew his son wasn't concerned with his own life. He saw Thomas's hand shift to his sword as he began walking forward and all three Cousland siblings had murderous gazes locked on Rendon. He knew all too well how powerful the drive for vengeance was, how it could be blinding and he could not allow any of the younger generation to be destroyed by it. He glanced at Cauthrien, seeing in her eyes she knew what he intended. "Protect my son." He commanded before he moved swiftly, grabbing Rendon before any of them could reach him, slamming the man, he had called friend against a wall. "Traitor! You destroyed my family; you damn near destroyed the Cousland's. We trusted you and you betrayed us. You took my children from me!"

Rendon gasped in pain, glancing down and seeing the dagger in his gut. "I deserved more." He gasped as Loghain twisted the blade before letting go of him, slumping to the floor.

"You deserved nothing!" Loghain snarled.

Jayden stared at his father stunned, a part of him glad the dagger he had purchased for his father as a child was the weapon that would end Rendon's life, another darker part of him furious that he had been denied the kill.

Thomas froze, his heart pounding fiercely, turning as he felt Warin's hand on his shoulder.

"Loghain just saved your life." Warin whispered. "They would have hung you for sure if you had killed your father."

Delilah let out a choked sob, clutching her grandmother who was standing a little straighter.

"Justice of a fashion, Delilah. It was inevitable."

The Cousland siblings stared in shock. They had each wanted to be the one to end his life, but none of them could quite bring themselves to blame Loghain for his actions.

Calian paled knowing what it would mean for the man who had been like a father to him.

"No." Morrigan whispered, staring in horror, shaking her head, her hands trembling. "This cannot be."

Ayanna glanced over to her startled. "What is it Morrigan?"

"Tis not supposed to be him." Her gaze locked on Jayden and his father, finally understanding the truth of what she had seen in her glimpses of the future. "No." She whispered.

Loghain watched Rendon until his last tortured breath was spent; though it was far too brief for all the pain he had caused. He heard hurried footsteps and stepped back as a healer knelt down beside Rendon's body, moments later confirming he was dead. There was no relief, no sense of justice, just the shock and rage that a man who had professed to be his friend had destroyed his family and his life. He became aware of the silence, of the shocked looks, but all he cared about was his son, moving to him but not touching him seeing the anger and frustration in his eyes. "Let his death be on my hands, not yours. I failed to protect you so many times. Rendon took so much from you; I will not allow him to be the reason you lose your life."

The anger drained and Jayden felt his hands tremble, his voice a distressed whisper. "They will execute you."

"If I give my life to save yours, I have no regrets."

Bowing his head Jayden closed his eyes hearing increasing whispers against his father, taking a deep breath, he lifted his head to meet his fathers worried gaze. "They won't get near you." He growled.