Heart and Home ch. 3

"What are you going to do," Fenris asked pensively.  Hawke ignored him for the moment, fumbling with the straps on her armor.  She rarely bothered to wear the set of light plate, preferring robes to the jutting breastplate, spaulders, gauntlets, and sabatons.  If she was putting them on, it meant she expected trouble.  Trouble and templars, thought Fenris coldly.  

"Riese?" he persisted.  She tightened the strap on her spaulder, pulling the chunky piece tight against her shoulder and then looked at him.  "I don't know.  I have a bad feeling . . . I want to be ready for anything."  The elf sighed and stood up, taking the mage's gauntleted hand.  "If you're going to wear armor, you should at least put it on right.  Here."  He fixed the latches and went over the rest.  

Hawke was far from helpless, but when it came to armor she was like raw recruit.  She knew where the pieces went and sort of how to get them there.  She watched him with a small smile.  "Thank you."  Despite being ill at ease, he managed a slight grin in return.  "Can't have you dying on me," Fenris said softly.  He wanted to pull her close, but settled for placing a light kiss on her cheek.  

Bodahn took just that moment to interrupt.  "My lady!  Sirrah Tethras and the Guard Captain Aveline are downstairs.  The uhm, pirate could not be found and the healer was not in residence.  Sirrah Vael will meet you at the Chantry.  I spoke with Merrill and she is on her way . . . if she can find it."  The dwarf sputtered to a stop at a sudden loss for words.  "Thank you Bodahn," Hawke said, walking over to pat him on the shoulder.  

"My boy and I should have left already, my lady.  Things here have gotten a bit out of hand!"  Riese took out a pouch of gold and settled it in the dwarf's hand.  "You should be able to catch a ship out today.  I appreciate everything you've done here, but I think you're right.  You and Sandal should go before - before anything happens."  Bodahn looked down at the pouch and up at Riese, eyes damp with unshed tears.  

"Thank you," he said, throwing his arms around her.  Hawke looked surprised at the show of affection, but she embraced him all the same, patting his back gently.  "My boy and I will miss you," the dwarf said quietly.  "I'll miss you too," Riese told him.  Bodahn stepped back and looked to Fenris, "You take care of my lady.  She needs people she can trust."  The elf nodded, as if he would do any less.  With that, the dwarf was off to round up his son and whatever they needed to take.  

"I should do the same for Orana," Hawke said.  Downstairs she collected another pouch from her desk and went to the kitchen.  The Tevinter ex-slave was there, sitting at a small table, reading.  Riese had made it a point to teach the woman to read, and despite Orana's initial horror at the whole idea, the elf seemed to actually like books now.  She looked up as Hawke came in and scrambled to her feet, giving the mage a low curtsy.  "How may I be of service mistress?"  

Riese sighed.  "Kirkwall has become a dangerous place for me and mine.  Bodahn and Sandal are leaving and I think you should go to."  She set the pouch of gold on the table.  Orana stared at it for a moment, cheeks flushing.  "I'll not abandon you, mistress.  I'm not afraid to serve," she told the mage, lips thin with disapproval.  "Orana, if the templars take me, they will hang you for 'sheltering' me.  Or worse.  You need to go while you can."  The elf shook her head, looking down.  It was no easy thing for her to say no to Hawke, but she was determined.  

"Orana!  Listen to me!  You can't - "  The Tevinter girl looked up, interrupting Riese's plea.  "You have been better to me by far than I ever expected.  You say I am free now to choose my future?  Fine.  I choose to serve you no matter what happens.  That is my choice, mistress."  Hawke's jaw dropped.  For once, she was at a loss for words.  

Fenris stepped forward, nodding to the girl.  "If you're going to stay, make yourself useful.  We need to be ready to leave at a moment's notice.  We'll need at least a week's worth of supplies, clothes for warm and cold weather, and writs from the lending houses.  Get to it."  Orana curtsied again, a slight smile of triumph lightening her features.  "As you will."  

Hawke finally managed a soft, "Thank you." as Fenris guided her from the kitchen.  "She is mad," the mage muttered once they were out of ear shot.  "You don't always get your way, Riese.  You gave her freedom; let her do what she wants with it."  Hawke nodded, "I just hope it doesn't cost her her life."  The elf gave her a reassuring look.  "Whatever happens, we'll handle it."  The mage smiled at him and headed out into Hightown.  

They could hear the rumble of the crowd before they saw it, a mass of angry people milling about below the Chantry steps.  Above them, nearly to the doors, stood the First Enchanter, a few of his protégés behind him.  Across from him stood the Knight Commander glaring daggers, and behind her, Carver.  Hawke's brother stood with a few other templars, trying to look menacing.  Fenris look to Riese and saw regret strong enough to make her stumble before she got control of herself.  

The crowd parted before her, whispers running ahead, "The champion . . . Hawke . . . she'll sort them."  Riese stared ahead, no trace of emotion in her cold gaze.  Carver did not look at his sister, and it was no wonder.  She'd had to save him from a group of blood mages and that idiot Thrask a few weeks ago.  As usual, he'd shown no gratitude, concerned only with his ego and the embarrassment of being saved by his sister again.  Fool.  

One of the mages greeted Hawke enthusiastically, nearly running down the steps to intercept her.  "Champion!  Thank the Maker you've come!"  Hawke gazed up at him, still expressionless.  "What's happened?" she asked, eyes traveling up to Orsino and Meredith.  

The two of them were too wrapped up in mutual animosity to look her direction.  The mage spoke quickly, panic speeding his words, "First Enchanter Orsino got into a terrible argument with the Knight-Commander.  He stormed off to bring the matter before the Grand Cleric, but the Knight-Commander gave chase, I fear there will be blood!"  "Then get out of my way.  I need to get to them before that happens," she replied, pushing past the terrified man.  

Tethras looked to Fenris and shrugged as if to say, "What can you expect?"  Aveline shifted uncomfortably.  The elf knew all she could see were the victims in this, the people of Kirkwall, and the chaos that would ensue if Hawke could not get the mages and templars to back down.  They followed her, stopping just short as she approached the Knight-Commander and First Enchanter.    

"I will have the tower searched, top to bottom," Meredith hissed, eyes fixed on Orsino.  "You cannot do that.  You have no right," the First Enchanter replied, anger making his words harsh.  Meredith deigned to throw an icy glare Hawke's direction before answering.  "I have every right!  You are harboring blood mages and I intend to root them out before they infect this city."  

"Blood magic?  Where do you not see blood magic?  My people cannot sneeze without you accusing them of corruption," Orsino spat.  Fenris wondered what Hawke would make of it all.  Blood mages were a fact of life in Kirkwall; they fought enough of them to know what a problem they were.  The fact that the Knight-Commander was probably right would likely not sway Riese.  He knew where her sympathies lie.  

"Do not trifle with me, mage.  My patience is at an end," Meredith answered, blue eyes flashing with rage.  "A wonder that I never saw it begin!"  Orsino's tone was bitter, echoing innumerable losses suffered in a war he had been quietly waging for as long as he could remember.

"Why are you fighting again?" Riese asked, stepping between them, plaintive tone demanding their attention.  Fenris put a hand to his hilt, watching.  He knew it was pointless to try to stop Hawke when she was determined to get involved, but he hated seeing her put herself at risk.  

"Well look who decided to show up," spat Carver.  He was still rankled by his sister's rescue nearly a month ago.  He should be grateful Hawke had come when she did; if not for her, he would be dead.  Unfortunately, he was about as good with gratitude as he was with tact.  Riese ignored him.  

Meredith just glared.  "This does not involve you champion."  Orsino replied before Hawke could answer.  "I called her here.  I think the people deserve to know just what you've done."  The Knight-Commander's attention snapped back to Orsino, eyes locking on him angrily.  

"What I've done is protect the people of this city time and again.  What I have done is protect you mages from your curse and your own stupidity, and I will not stop doing it."  Meredith turned back to Hawke, voice taking on an exultant tone, belief in her own righteousness shining through.  "I will not lower our guard.  I dare not," she finished, slamming her gauntleted fist into an open palm.

"Is there any truth to what she is saying?" Riese asked, looking to Orsino.  The First Enchanter bristled at the question, but answered.  "These are only her latest accusations, nothing more.  And what if she does not find what she is looking for?  How much further will she go to root out something that isn't there?"  Fenris noted coldly that Orsino hadn't actually answered Hawke's question.  No wonder, considering how much he knew about blood magic himself . . .  

Meredith cocked her head, taking Riese and Orsino into her mad gaze.  "The Champion knows better than anyone how deep the Circle's corruption goes.  I must find the source!"  Ever the peacekeeper, Hawke ignored the barb.  "There must be some way we can work this out."  

Surprisingly, Meredith's expression softened, "What other option do we have?  Should we look the other way, tell the poor victims of a possessed mage that we meant no harm?  Tell me champion, that you have not seen with your own eyes what they can do, heard the lies of mages that seek power!"  The fervor was still there, burning in her eyes, but the question was genuine.  

Riese answered immediately.  Fenris knew this was a question she had asked herself more than once.  "You can't use the actions of some to condemn us all."  Before she could say more, Orsino spoke again, calmer this time if no less intense.  "You would cast us all as villains, but it is not so!"  

Speaking only to Orsino, softness creeping into her voice, Meredith replied, "I know, and it breaks my heart to do it, but we must be vigilant.  If you cannot tell me another way, do not brand me a tyrant."  Fenris was inclined to agree.  Mages could not be trusted.  Well, mages that were not Hawke.  They had to be watched, kept carefully in line, every action scrutinized.  Without that, they were either weaklings waiting to be taken by demons, or magisters in the making.  

The First Enchanter was not satisfied with this answer.  He shook his head, "This is getting us nowhere.  Grand Cleric Elthina will put a stop to this."  From his vantage point, Fenris could see Sebastian near the doors to the Chantry.  He tensed at the mention of his beloved Elthina and moved forward, obviously intent on putting himself between the aggressive mage and the Grand Cleric.  He need not have bothered.  

Before he could reach Orsino, Meredith grabbed the mage's arm, tugging him around to face her.  "You will not bring her Grace into this!"  Sebastian didn't move back, standing just at the steps, blue eyes sympathetic but unyielding.  The elf knew Vael loved Hawke, perhaps as much as he did, but Fenris also knew the Prince would protect the Grand Cleric at any cost.  

"The Grand Cleric cannot help you!" shouted a strident voice behind them.  They turned to see Anders pushing his way to the stairs.  Fenris had not seen the mage since the last errand he begged Riese's help on, gathering shit in the sewers and venturing to the cursed mines for Drakestone.  He hadn't asked what the man needed the supplies for and didn't want to know.  He was Hawke's problem.  Not that Fenris wouldn't have been happy to take care of it, but Hawke told him early on to leave Anders be, and mostly he had done just that.  

The man was an abomination, a danger, and he needed to be put down before he hurt someone, but Riese called him friend and saw only his good works in Darktown.  All the elf could hope was that her kindness was not betrayed, that she would not pay in blood for trusting someone so lost to the curse of magic.

Meredith advanced on Anders, and behind her the templars tensed.  "Explain yourself mage."  Out of the corner of his eye, Fenris saw Varric rub his hands over his face in horror.  After all they had done to keep the fool out of the Circle . . . now this.  "I will not stand by and watch you treat all mages like criminals, while those who would lead us bow to their templar jailers!"  The apostate slammed his staff against the ground for emphasis, face distorted by anger and madness.  

Hawke reached for him, but he ignored her, eyes on Meredith and Orsino.  "How dare you speak to - " the First Enchanter began to retort, but Anders cut him off.  "The Circle has failed us, Orsino!  Even you should be able to see that!"  The apostate's control slipped, eyes flashing as rivulets of blue fire writhed across his features.  For a moment Fenris worried that he would have to strike Anders down no matter Hawke's feelings, but the spirit faded and the mage reasserted himself.  

"The time has come to act.  There can be no half measures."  A line from his manifesto, no doubt.  "Anders . . . what have you done?" Riese asked, worry threading her voice.  The apostate would not meet her eyes.  "There can be no turning back."  As he spoke, the ground began to tremble, a low roar growing louder beneath them, shaking the Chantry, the steps, the courtyard . . .  what magic is this, thought the elf.  

A horrific beam of red light burst from the Chantry towers tearing the stone apart.  The clouds spun around it, the sky took on a violent hue.  And then a second blast ripped through the city as the gathered energies burst out from the center.  Kirkwall groaned as debris showered down on the crowd below, flagstones splitting and shifting with the force of the blast.  

Hawke's mouth was open in a silent cry.  Sebastian was thrown forward, flung down the steps by the blast.  Fenris wondered if he still lived.  Tethras' jaw dropped as the dwarf grasped the implications of this defining act.  There would be no middle ground.  Aveline wore an expression of tightly held rage and shock; she knew what this would mean for peace in the city.  In one stroke, Anders murdered the most respected of city elders along with hundreds of the faithful.  The apostate watched with grim satisfaction, only the tiniest flicker of guilt on his face.  

Merrill stumbled into the courtyard, eyes wide and frightened.  The Dalish had a way of turning up at the worst moments, thought Fenris.  It would have been better if she stayed home, hidden away in her alienage hovel.  Merrill might be an ally, but it was one Fenris would rather not have at his back in this madness.  Right after her, he saw Isabela slip in, or perhaps the pirate had been there all along.  Either way, she went to stand by Merrill, whispering something to the frightened elf.  She could not have expected this to happen, but she looked very calm.  Perhaps it was just that she always expected the worst.                    

When the dust settled, no one moved; there was only shocked silence.  "Maker have mercy," whispered Meredith softly.  Anders looked up, eyes closing against the rain of soft grey ash, "There can be no peace."  Orsino turned to him, still trying to understand what had just happened.  "Why?  Why would you do such a thing?"  The apostate opened his eyes, finding resolve as he replied.  "I removed the chance of compromise because there is no compromise."  

Something changed in that moment, appalled inaction replaced in the blink of an eye with horrific determination.  "The Grand Cleric has been slain by magic, the chantry destroyed," Meredith intoned, all trace of sympathy gone.  "As Knight-Commander of Kirkwall, I hereby invoke the Rite of Annulment.  Every mage in the Circle is to be executed - immediately."  

Orsino nearly stumbled as her words hit him, "The Circle didn't even do this!  Champion, you can't let her!  Help us stop this madness!"  Fenris stiffened at the First Enchanter's plea.  All he wanted to do right now was get Hawke as far away from this massacre as he could.  

"And I demand you stand with us!  Even you must see that this outrage cannot be tolerated," Meredith demanded.  "This . . . is chaos.  We must help the Knight-Commander," said Aveline loudly.  "No!" Merrill gasped.  The elf looked older to Fenris, her usually cheerful features etched by grief.  She had only just lost her clan, lost being the kindest way to say it.  He willed her to be silent, but as usual it didn't work.  "This wasn't their fault!  You can't possibly want to slaughter innocent people, can you?" she begged.  Anders finally turned to Hawke, adding his voice to the others.  "It can't be stopped now.  You have to choose."

Riese had eyes only for Anders in this moment, expression blank with shock and betrayal.  "Was that . . . why you needed me to distract the Grand Cleric?" she asked in a small voice.  Fenris didn't know about this part.  He looked to Hawke, realizing she may have played a bigger role in this than he thought.  "If you knew what I was doing, you would have felt honor-bound to stop me.  I couldn't take that chance," the apostate replied, voice trembling with passion.  

"The Circle is an injustice in many places beyond Kirkwall.  The world needs to see," he continued, trying to justify himself to Riese.  Whatever answer she might have given was lost to Orsino's desperate cry, "You fool!  You've doomed us all!"  "We were already doomed.  A quick death now or a slow one later - I'd rather die fighting," Anders replied.  Fenris shook his head.  

Riese finally found her voice.  "Anders . . . you're a murderer!  The Grand Cleric, the mages . . . their blood is on your hands," and then more quietly, "and mine too."  "I know," Anders told her.  A trace of regret tinged his words, not for the dead but for bringing her into it.

Meredith interrupted them, "It doesn't matter.  Even if I wished to, I could not stay my hand.  The people will demand blood."  Hawke stepped back, hands pushing the whole idea away.  "I don't want to get involved in this," she nearly shouted, anguish etched in every line of her.  As if that was even a choice, thought Fenris.  

"You are already involved," spat Meredith, glaring.  "You are the Champion of Kirkwall.  Do your duty or fall with these mages.  It is your choice."  Fenris gripped his hilt tighter, anticipating.  Riese looked around for a moment as if seeking answers from her companions, or perhaps guidance from the Maker himself.  When no voice spoke, no resolution presented itself, she hung her head.  "I can't let her slaughter all of you," she said sadly, finally looking up at Orsino and his mages.

Aveline took a faltering step forward, anger flashing in her eyes, "Hawke, if you do this, I don't know if I can follow . . ."  Fenris felt his heart grow heavy.  He knew he shouldn't make this any harder than it already was, but he couldn't keep silent any longer.  "Hawke, if you do this, if you free them from the Circle - no matter how justified you feel - the mages here would become magisters.  Do not let them."  She gave him an anguished glance but no reply.  

Tethras gave a long sigh, looking at Riese without any of his usual good humor.  "You sure about this?  Even you might not win this fight."  The look on her face right then said she knew very well that she might not win, but that did nothing to change her mind.  Merrill, ever ready with helpful suggestions piped up to reassure the mage.  "I know we can do this.  I believe in you, Hawke."  The sad thing was, the Dalish meant it.  She held a lot of respect for Riese, and seemed to believe the mage could do anything.

"Shit," Isabela said, summing up pretty much everything, and then she smiled at Riese in that infuriating way she had, careless, as if nothing mattered.  "What have you gotten yourself into this time, Isabela?" she asked playfully, only a hint of chagrin ruining the effect.  Hawke said nothing, expression unchanged.  This was not stand she took any pleasure in making.  

Carver gave her a desperate look, the seriousness of the situation finally penetrating.  Despite the jealousy and anger he felt towards Riese, he was still her brother.  "See reason, sister.  I don't want to fight you!"  Hawke did not look at him.  Fenris didn't think she could.  

Meredith gave her a withering look.  "Think carefully, champion.  Stand with them and you share their fate."  "I'm not helping you, Meredith," Riese said, voice quiet but firm.  "Thank the Maker," Orsino sighed.  She ignored him, looking instead to Fenris.  The elf felt torn.  He loved Hawke more than anything; they had been through so much together.  

Every time he needed her, Riese was there for him, her magic, her body, her mind at his beck and call.  He did not agree with the path she had chosen, but he would not be able to live with himself if he left her to walk it alone.  "It is a mistake," the elf said, meeting her gaze, "But . . . I won't abandon you."  He wanted to say so much more, but there was no time.  

Aveline shifted behind him, leather and steel creaking as she fidgeted.  Hawke looked to the guard captain and waited.  "I see what you are trying to do and my place . . ." She stopped for a moment, thinking.  Fenris knew what ran through her mind.  Donnic and the other guardsmen at risk, the people of Kirkwall falling as mages and templars fought across the city.  He would not blame her if she left.  "Is with you," Aveline finished.  

It did not come easily, and it was obvious the woman had plenty of reservations, but the guard captain trusted Hawke.  Even in this, apparently.  Meredith's expression grew grim, "You are a fool, champion."  The Knight-Commander was finished talking.              
          
She strode away, shouting over her shoulder, "Kill them all!  I will rouse the rest of the Order!"  Orsino reacted first, shouting to the mages there, "Go to the Gallows before it's too late!"  They ran, hiking their robes up, scattering across the courtyard like frightened birds.  Fenris wondered if they would get to the Circle before Meredith could, and if they did, would it matter?  

His attention was drawn back to their own predicament as the templars drew their blades.  Carver stood sickened as he realized what was about to happen.  Riese did nothing, hands to her sides.  She had no desire to kill these men and when it came to Carver . . . Fenris was afraid she would die before striking him.  The templars were no more eager to engage the champion, but Meredith had given an order.  

They stood, blades wavering with uncertainty, harsh breath the only sound.  One man, expression hidden by his helm gave an anguished cry, fanaticism winning out over fear.  He charged Riese, blade lowered.  She did not move to stop him.  Fenris stepped forward, sword ripping free from his scabbard, but Isabela was faster.  The pirate's dagger slid effortlessly under the helm of the templar, turning his shout to a wet gurgle. The square erupted into combat, only the siblings still in the midst of the melee.

Tethras had Bianca out in a breathless second, sending another templar flying back with a bolt through his chest.  The damn things punched through plate like a knife through paper.  Sebastian was still picking himself up off the ground and could do nothing, although Fenris was unsure what side the prince would choose.  It didn't matter.  The others mowed through the templars with frightening efficiency.  Orsino called lighting down on them in a show of unnecessary force, the bolts seeking their metal clad opponents.

The templars fell to magic, blade, and bolt without landing a single blow.  It was sad really; Meredith had to have known they would be outnumbered and out classed.  She merely left them behind to delay Hawke.  Lives expended like cheap coin to buy her a few more minutes . . . solid tactics, but very cruel.  Especially when one of the lives left behind was Hawke's very own younger brother.  

The elf glanced up from his own adversary, now lying eviscerated at his feet.  Riese and Carver still looked at each other as if the carnage around them did not exist. The mage took a step forward and her brother fled.  She turned to watch him, expression unreadable.  Carver did not look back.  The elf wondered if he was headed for the Gallows.  He hoped not.  

Orsino surveyed the damage, shaking his head.  "So it's come to this," he said sadly.  Fenris was surprised to hear regret in the First Enchanter's voice.  "I don't know if we can win this war, champion.  Thank you," the old elf told her.  He gave Anders a look filled with loathing.  "I will leave your friend for you to deal with.  I must return to the Gallows.  Meet me there as soon as you can."  Riese nodded, expression still distant.  

It hit Fenris then, what she must be thinking.  Her family was dead, all but Carver and he seemed determined to stand against her.  She would have to confront him sooner or later and they both knew it.  And now her adopted family, the friends she loved stood with her, but there was a traitor in their midst.  She would sit in judgment of someone she loved; she would have to watch him die.  

Hawke turned slowly and looked at Anders.  Her fellow mage sat, shoulders slumped, on an old crate.  Was it regret that he carried?  Remorse?  Fenris doubted it.  The apostate held the zeal of a fanatic.  The man could rationalize all he liked, but when it came down to it, his actions today only proved the Chantry's point.  Mages were dangerous.  He had forced a confrontation that would likely kill the very people he said he wanted to save and worse, murdered hundreds of innocent people.  Either he was an abomination and could not help himself, or he had chosen to commit this atrocity.  Whichever it was, he would have to face justice.  Surely Riese would see that.  

Everyone held their breath, waiting for Hawke's reaction.  It was obvious what they wanted though.  Sebastian looked furious, vengeance in his blue eyes.  Varric and Isabela seemed equally sickened by it all, and Aveline had that grim expression she wore when dragging in the worst of Kirkwall's scum.  Even Merrill looked offended, which Fenris found somewhat annoying, considering what Riese had done to keep her alive.  All he could hope was that Hawke would see the right of it.  Friend or not, Anders was dangerous; there was no saving him from this grave he dug himself.