Four houses: the vanilla houses in Bravil and on the Imperial City Waterfront, the Abandoned House in Cheydinhal turned into a proper home, and a house in Crucible in the Shivering Isles left to her in the will of someone she helped.


No, it was started deliberately. Those are the followers of the two quarreling Princes. The Princes struggle for the throne and their respective followers carry on the fight.

Second Seed, 3E411 - Thyself is the strictest judge

With the Veil tear closed, the fighting in the Pavus Manor guest wing was eventually done.

"Ugh, this was just like during the Inquisition!" Dorian took a deep breath, putting away his staff. "Remember, Anders? Demons pouring out of tears in the Veil..? Anders?" But Anders was no where to be seen. They searched the wing, but he was not there.

"There is also no corpse of a mage," Lucanis pointed out. "The one that held the Veil tear open. He must have been in the Fade..."

"And Anders went after him," Dorian nodded. "Then the tear collapsed..."

"Spite, we need you," Lucanis said as if to himself, and a spirit copy of Anders appeared next to him.

"Let's go," Spite hissed, opening a portal around Lucanis, and a moment later Lucanis was gone.

"That... was unnerving," Viago said with a shudder. "Vanished, just like that!"

"Spite opened a portal... that's one of the perks of having a spirit merged with your soul," Dorian shot a glance at Viago. "I did not know he took the form of Anders though..."

...

A few hours later Lucanis and Anders re-appeared at the manor, not having suffered any particularly ill effects. Some rescues were less spectacular than others, it seemed. They found Dorian in the parlour, reading the same page over and over again.

"Finally..!" He jumped up, seeing them come in. "I did not realise Spite had Anders' form," he said to Lucanis. "That's..." he shook his head. "You do not have to choose between us," he turned to Anders. "I was wrong to ask for it."

"No, you were right," Anders looked uneasy. "It's not like that... not black and white..."

"I am happy for the two of you," Lucanis smiled looking at them. "That earring suits you, Anders." He took a step closer and embraced him. "Nunca te perderé," he whispered in his ear. "Y nunca me perderás. I am never too far away."

"Like when I get stuck in the Fade again," Anders grinned. "Why do I always make such a mess of things? Always need rescuing..."

"It's in your nature..." Lucanis stroked his face, then pulled him close and kissed him. "Forgive me," he said when the kiss was done. "I lied about that being the last one..."

...

"Dorian, I..." Anders started saying, blushing violently, when he and Dorian returned to the privacy of their suite.

"No, no need... No need to say anything..." Dorian smiled, embracing him. "I still love you."

"No, there is a need," Anders disagreed. "It's about trust. I promised exclusivity, and now I broke my promise. Yes, yes, Lucanis started it, but I did not stop him..." He sighed.

"I had not realised what he meant to you, truly, what you meant to him..." Dorian shook his head. "That wasn't just a casual affair. Concessions have to be made."

"And yet I had to make a choice, for myself, if anything," Anders was adamant. "I too require exclusivity... from myself, most of all..."

"And you feel that that kiss went too far," Dorian looked him in the eye. "Well, I don't think so. Not given the circumstances... and everything..."

"I feel awful..." Anders shook his head. "Torn..."

"Don't overthink it," Dorian smiled. "Or, if you wish, we draw a line at kissing... just for Lucanis," he added, suddenly looking stern. "How's that? You, Warden Anders, are allowed to kiss Lucanis Dellamorte at all times, but everything else and anyone else is out. Does that make you feel better?"

"I suppose..." Anders sighed. "What about you though? Whom will you be kissing?" He asked with a little mischievous smile.

"Oh... no... I won't be kissing anyone besides you, meu bem," Dorian smiled with sadness. "The love of my youth is very much like Lucanis' Mathilda - although the person is still alive, it is no longer the one I loved... or still love perhaps..." He sighed, remembering the demon's offer in the Arlathan Forest. "Regardless. No kissing for me."

They stood there a while longer, sharing the warmth of their feelings.

"Worry not, I trust you to walk that edge," Dorian whispered in Anders' ear. "You can trust yourself on that, too."

"Can I? Can I really trust myself?" Anders smirked.

Dorian pulled back slightly and looked at Anders shrewdly. "But this isn't about Lucanis, is it? You're worried about the Blight."

"Yeah..." Anders nodded. "What does Fiona want from me? Or from you? Who was the real target of this attack? And why? Am I the weakest link..?"

"You worry too much," Dorian said firmly. "We don't know the answers to those questions, other that it seems that Fiona wants power over the mages of Tevinter. We do have some of the strongest magic, if I say so myself..."

"The sort of thing she tried to arrange during the Inquisition?" Anders looked up.

"Only it backfired then, but yes." Dorian released the embrace and walked over to a small writing desk, taking out some papers. "This is a wedding license," he showed Anders the document. "If you agree, I want to file it with the Magisterium..."

Anders snatched the paper from Dorian's hands and read:

I, Dorian Pavus, Magister of the Imperial Senate of Tevinter, give notice of marriage to Anders of Ferelden, a Warden of the Order of the Grey, and a registered and legal slave of House Pavus of Minrathous. The ceremony is to take place in accordance with the laws of the Tevinter Imperium... etcetera, etcetera.

"But... I am a man," Anders was rooted to the spot. "This..."

"The laws of Tevinter do not actually specify that the spouse has to be female," Dorian smiled. "I never knew... it's not done, it does not exist... but it isn't forbidden... It's simply that no one tried it before."

"But... will they permit it?" Anders was still in shock.

"This is a notice, it does not require approval," Dorian was still smiling. "Meaning that they cannot refuse. It is for that reason that I went to all the trouble of citing the appropriate codices and annals and paragraphs... They can check it all for themselves - the law does not forbid it!" He was jubilant.

"You... want to marry me..?"

"I do."

Anders slumped on a chair, the license still in his hand. He read it again... I, Dorian Pavus, Magister of the Imperial Senate of Tevinter, give notice of marriage to Anders of Ferelden...

"Linus Kristavssen of the Anderfels," he finally said, looking at Dorian. "That is my name, along with 'Anders of Ferelden'. Best do it right, amor."

...

The furor that Dorian's notice produced at the Magisterium, was beyond imaginable. It outshone all other recent sensations, including Neve's proof found in the Arlathan Forest, the promised cure for the blight, the darkspawn attack in the catacombs and even the tear in the Veil in the Pavus Manor - all of that took a back stage to the greatest and most sensational scandal of all - a gay marriage. Dorian was right, it wasn't actually forbidden, and the authorities were powerless to prevent it from going ahead... Dorian once again took his rightful place as the Magisterial Pariah.

"This comedy is getting rather repetitive," he was saying at dinner. "Everyone shouting 'you can't do this' and then realising that in fact I can... and we will." He smiled at Anders. "Unless you'd rather not be showered in rotten eggs on your wedding day."

"It can't be worse than the Joining," Anders smirked. "Bring it on!"

"When is the wedding?" Lucanis asked. "And is Fiona also invited?"

"That is an excellent question," Dorian turned to him. "You understand why I rushed it, right? We are required to give a week's notice, at least. The ceremony can take place later, but legally the marriage will be already in effect.  We'll set a date... say... in a month, so Fiona has time to make a move... or to lay low, which would be annoying. Either way..."

"She is not laying low!" Viago pointed at the window. "Look - here she comes!"

Indeed, a richly adorned carriage stopped in front of the Pavus Manor and a lady in impeccable robes stepped out.

"I believe I am expected," they heard her voice from the corridor and the butler showed her in.

"My Lady," Dorian rose politely to greet her.

"Fiona, please," she smiled. "We all know who we are here, don't we?" She looked around the room and everyone nodded a greeting. "I hear congratulations are in order! Magister Pavus is finally getting married! Oh my... I hadn't seen that coming, I must admit." She took a seat and accepted a drink offered to her.

"Legal necessities do sometimes rule the day," Dorian inclined his head. "I would not have rushed it, but the circumstances do not tolerate delays."

"The... circumstances?" Fiona raised an eyebrow. "Oh... your infection, you mean. I see."

"Quite."

"I imagine it will make no difference to your plans," she smiled at Anders, "but we do have a cure for the blight. Perhaps it will make a difference to your other plans though."

"The most pressing matter now, besides the marriage, is to defeat the Blight," Dorian said coolly. "My condition is stable, it will keep, I hope. Legal provisions are needed in the event of my death which, frankly, is more likely to be at the hands of darkspawn than from the infection. Anders is officially a slave and that will be relinquished with the marriage."

"I see." Fiona paused, sipping her wine. "Then perhaps we shall speak again, should you survive..." She rose to leave. "Which I very much doubt. We are ready for you, Warden," she added, looking at Anders. "We are ready for all of you," she looked at everyone in the room. "I cannot attend your wedding but I do extend my very best wishes of a long and happy life..." She smirked. "A contradiction in terms for someone marrying a Grey Warden... Good day to you all."

...

"We are ready for you..." Viago repeated Fiona's words. "What did she mean by that?"

"That whatever army she's been building, is strong enough to take on the remaining Grey Wardens and their friends," Anders smirked. "Driving back this Blight won't be easy."

"And where is this battle to take place?" Teia mused. "They attacked Minrathous twice now, and Fiona is here, but somehow I don't feel..."

"...that Minrathous is the real target?" Dorian looked up. "I agree. Confusion is one of her weapons... but may be... hmm..."

"We could turn it against her?" Lucanis grinned. "You have another plan, Magister Pavus."

"Well, they did want to make me into a showcase of their ritual to cure the blight..." He smiled. "What if... what if I changed my mind... what if... our marriage is not strictly for legal reasons... what if... I cannot bare the thought of my life ending prematurely because of the infection... because I love him and want our time together to last..." His voice trailed off but no one spoke, giving Dorian and Anders the time to finish the thought without speaking.

"This will be dangerous," Anders got up and stood by Dorian's chair, hugging Dorian from behind. "If she seeds you with red lyrium..." He tightened the embrace, burying his face in Dorian's hair.

"You will have to be very cautious," Lucanis said in a hollow voice. "You are putting your life on the line."

"Isn't there any other way..?" Teia was close to tears.

"I have no intention of going through with it though!" Dorian exclaimed, seeing all the long faces. "I just want to draw them out..."

"They are no idiots and won't necessarily believe you," Lucanis pointed out. "But I do like the idea... only may be it is too risky."

"What about Neve?" Anders suddenly looked up. "That rash on her skin... Perhaps I should pay her a visit and see how she's doing..."

"Without throwing tantrums this time," Lucanis gave him a long look.

"Well... she'll forgive me, I think..." Anders grinned. "May be this is why Varric agreed to Fiona's scheme... oh, she must be involved with him too... not for himself... but if someone close to him contracted the blight..."

"Hawke..." Dorian nodded. "Only Varric isn't actually rotten to the core and could not bring himself to seeding another person after the first victim died... but skin rash won't cut it for the Emissary..."

"Especially if that Emissary is under Fiona's control!" Anders finished his sentence. "If Neve can convince Varric to put our differences aside... I'll promise not to call him Scheisszwerg if he doesn't call me Blondie."

"Is that what this is all about - name calling?!" Viago glared at Anders. "Unbelievable!"

"Not really," Teia shook her head. "I don't like it when you call me..."

"Alright, alright!" Viago cut her off. "No need to air that in public, dear..." Then, noticing quizzical looks from Anders and Dorian, he added: "We are not actually a couple... Teia and I... just old friends..." But the smirk on Lucanis' face was enough to dispel that myth. "We..." Viago paused, looking at her. "It's complicated."

"And when is it not?" Dorian laughed. "Very well, it seems we have a plan. Neve is to receive a visit from her favourite healer..."

Second Seed, 3E411 - São loucos!

When Dorian and Anders entered The Gay Vint, all conversations ceased and even the band skipped a beat. They walked up to the bar and as the barman was pouring their usual drinks, Dorian turned to look around the room. All eyes were on them, but no one came forward. Dorian smirked and turned back to the barman.

"You're the talk of the town again, Magister Pavus," the barman said with a wink. "Didn't think I'd live to see what you two plan on doing."

"It isn't forbidden, never has been," Dorian shrugged.

"Not in law, may be," the barman conceded. "But the society won't forgive you."

"The society!" Dorian laughed. "Including this society here." He turned around, looking at the patrons of the one openly gay bar in town.

"They won't forgive you making them all look like cowards," the barman said softly. "It has always been assumed that they could not marry, that it was forbidden in law... but now... well... quite a few of them will have questions to ask of their partners."

"You don't need to feel bad or blame anyone," Dorian said loudly. "It wasn't easy to find out! It's not exactly advertised! We have all been led to believe that gay marriage was forbidden! That people like us do not exist in Tevinter! But no more."

He smirked, watching some people shiver. Anders took a step towards him, wrapping his arm around his waist.

"Well said, amor," he smiled. "Well said." He turned Dorian to face him, took him in an embrace and kissed him, their profile facing the "audience". Some people gasped.

"You'd think they've never done it themselves," Damien approached the bar. "Cowards and hypocrites, the lot of them." He watched Anders and Dorian for a little while, then spoke again, to no one in particular. "They... we... all do it in the privacy of our bedrooms... or in one of the many private rooms upstairs... or sometimes on the dance floor obscured by the other dancers... But to stand in front of everyone and do it... For that, your name has to be Dorian Pavus."

"Tevinter is odd, indeed," Anders turned to him. "Anywhere else..."

"Anywhere else it would be just as outrageous," Damien interrupted him. "Not in public! You cannot kiss your beau in public like that! Not in Tevinter, not in Antiva, not in Ferelden!"

"Err... I guess I've been a Grey Warden for too long," Anders laughed. "We tend not to care..."

"Is it... Is it just for legal reasons?" Damien squinted at Dorian. "I know you had to make him a slave again... and your condition... I imagine you didn't want him to remain a slave after... err..." His voice trailed off.

"After my death?" Dorian finished his sentence. "Yes, this is why we rushed it. But this is not why we're doing it."

"So... I didn't realise just how right I was..." Damien looked uncomfortable.

"What's the problem, old boy?" Dorian smirked. "It's fine as long as it's casual, is that it? Because we're gay, we just play, it's never serious, feelings are never involved? I thought you'd know better."

"Oh, I do know better... we all do... But it is something quite different to actually say it aloud."

"Then perhaps we should get used to it."

...

When Neve returned home after a day in the city, she found someone sitting slumped against the wall of her roof apartment.

"Have you been waiting long?" She recognised Anders. "You aren't... checking up on me, are you?" She smirked.

"A while and yes, I am checking up on you," Anders got up. "I never figured out what that rash was..."

"Shhh... not here," Neve looked over her shoulder. "Come inside."

Her home was modest and not particularly tidy which Anders thought strange considering Neve's reputation of a meticulous investigator. Perhaps that didn't extend to household chores, or perhaps Neve had been too preoccupied. She tossed some cushions on the floor rug and gestured Anders to take a seat - she did not have a sofa.

"I hear congratulations are in order," she said with a smile, uncorking a nice bottle of wine. "Oh, I can afford this... don't fret," she smirked expecting a protest but Anders wasn't protesting. "I just never thought you'd..."

"No? Perhaps you don't know me very well," he smiled, accepting the wine.

"No, I don't... Hmm..." Neve squinted at him. "Perhaps that will change... but this is to your future with Dorian, with my best wishes... quite sincere ones, in fact."

They drank a toast, but Anders wasn't going to let that slide.

"Last time you were less than flattering in your opinion of Dorian," he reminded her. "Have you changed your mind?"

"Yes, I decided I don't have an opinion," she smiled. "I just never stopped to think... too driven, I guess... but in fact, it doesn't matter. You didn't come here to talk about him."

"Very well, let's cut through the chase," Anders nodded. "Your rash. Any developments?"

"Not that I can see," Neve shook her head. "Look, it's still the same." She rolled up her sleeves to show the rash on her arms.

"Take off your clothes," Anders wanted to see the rest. "You had some on the back as well."

He took his time examining the rash but again could not sense any magic within it.

"It looks like a tattoo of red ink," he finally decided. "Do you not remember when it was done?"

"No, I do not..." Neve shook her head. "I do remember when I discovered it, on the arms. I cannot imagine how anyone would be able to give me a tattoo without me remembering it!"

"Oh, that's easy enough, I don't remember getting half of mine," Anders smirked. "They got you drunk or drugged, it would not take long to make a simple design like that..."

"But why?!" Neve was rubbing the rash on her arms, realising that yes, it looked exactly like a red ink tattoo.

"Varric needs to seed someone with red lyrium, but Varric isn't... well... it's not in his nature... he would not do that normally..." Anders shook his head. "I guess what I'm trying to say... I hate it when he calls me Blondie but besides that, he isn't a bad sort."

"You think he did this?" Neve rubbed her rash again. "Instead of the actual seeding?"

"I think so," Anders nodded.

"Which means he's planning on turning me over to the Emissary!" Neve jumped up. "Oh - my - gosh!!!" She started pacing the room, her face going from red to white to red.

"Neve, calm down!" Anders said with some urgency. "Calm down, Neve!"

But Neve wasn't calming down. In fact she looked like she was about to burst into tears or to tear the house down, whichever came first. She was in panic.

"Neve!" Anders jumped up too, catching her in a hug. "Stop panicking. I want to help you. I never said I wouldn't."

Tears came first. Restrained and not able to pace about, Neve lost a hold on herself and broke down in a flood of tears. Her sobs carried all the pain and anguish of the past year or two, from the realisation of the ultimate purpose of Zara's exploits and the degree to which she helped put them into practice, to her unsuccessful attempts to change allegiance, to blaming Dorian for her misfortunes, to getting used by Solas for only very limited gain... and up to her irrevocable demise sooner than she would have liked... Neve was grieving her failed life, her cruel fate of one not being born with enough money to match her ambition. And if wasn't for Anders holding her, she would have collapsed.

Anders knew that there was no point in talking to her until she calmed down, until the first flood of tears was over. He picked her up and sat her on the cushions, settling down next to her, with her head resting in his lap. Eventually Neve stopped sobbing.

"Ask Lucanis to kill me now," she said through silent tears that were still running down her cheeks. "It's better than the alternative."

"I could, but that's not why I'm here," Anders said, stroking her hair. With everything she'd done, he just could not see her as an enemy. "We can still fix this, Neve."

"You're just saying it..." She started sobbing again.

"Não só digo por dizer," Anders shook his head. "Not just saying it..."

"Que disse..?" Neve looked up, not expecting to hear him speak Tevene.

"Do you know who is behind it all?" Anders smiled at her surprise. "Who gave Varric the idea?"

"Who?" Neve sat up, her tears dried up. "I... I never stopped to think about that... I know you asked it last time... Have you found out?"

"Oh yes," Anders smiled. "It's Fiona."

"Fiona?!" Neve didn't seem to expect it. "The leader of..."

"The very same."

"But... why?"

"The same as last time she made a deal with a Tevinter Magister and a darkspawn lord - for power," Anders shrugged. "I imagine she believes she can control the Blight. You've heard of their miracle cure, no doubt? Dorian tells me it's all over the Magisterium."

"I have..." Neve said slowly. "I just never... oh... that's bad... that ritual requires red lyrium..."

"So, Neve," Anders gave her a long look. "You are an investigator. Don't just focus on your quarry, look around as well. The way I see it, it's time to come to our senses. We all want the same thing - to defeat the Blight. It's stupid that Varric should oppose us... He cannot lead Grey Wardens, and I don't think he wants to. I think Fiona offered him a cure for the blight in exchange for his help with the Emissary."

"But Varric is not infected, is he?" Neve seemed to have difficulty believing Anders.

"I don't think it's for him. He would not do it for himself," Anders looked at her with significance. "It's more important than that..."

"He isn't gay as well, is he?" Neve sat up.

"No, he isn't," Anders laughed. "But people can have friends... for whom they care very deeply... no need to be gay."

"Oh. It's just that he never married..." Neve shot Anders a glance, then lowered her gaze again.

"Neve, you are fishing," Anders shook his head. "This has no bearing on anything. You can ask him yourself, and if he chooses to tell you... well, then you'll know. But believe me - this is not it."

"Alright, now I want to know it all..." Neve smiled. "An investigator, remember? I don't always just focus on one thing..." She sighed. "What do you want me to do?"

"Help us end this stupid stand-off," Anders looked straight at her. "Between Varric and me. We are stronger together, we need to face this Blight together, or else we'll all lose. I don't know if there is a cure for the blight, there may not be... I sure would like to find it too, if it exists..."

"Dorian..."

"Dorian."

"But you do not believe in the ritual with red lyrium," Neve nodded.

"No. Do you?"

"No."

"No."

Neve nodded again and poured the wine.

"Give me some time," she said, raising her goblet. "Fiona will not be in a hurry. Yes, I know she visited the Pavus Manor, I know of the tear in the Veil... but that's just for show. Let me dig around here some more... come see me in a week or two. Plan your wedding, why don't you, we could all use some merriment, I reckon... once we recover from the shock. São loucos!" She laughed. "Crazy..."


---------------------

Second Seed, 3E411 - A line in the sand

"We shall return to Treviso," Lucanis exchanged glances with Viago and Teia after Anders told them about his visit to Neve. "But should there be any trouble, call me immediately," he looked sternly at Anders.

They left. The butler left too, taking the servants with him. Anders and Dorian stood alone in the lounge, the very same room where they spent so many afternoons together as friends, reading, talking... enjoying each other's company without having to think of the meaning of it all.

Anders took a step towards Dorian, embraced and kissed him.

"I can do it now, I've always wanted to do it..."

"What?"

"Kiss you..." He smiled. "But it was so complicated before... I should have just done it."

"And then what?" Dorian raised an eyebrow. "You weren't gay, I was. That's why you didn't do it."

"I think I've been gay for a very long time already," Anders stroked his face. "Wolf didn't seem to think I'd ever find a woman to my liking... 'The one that makes you stop running after all the others,' as he put it. I wonder what it means to be gay... I wonder why we need those labels."

"Forget the labels," Dorian shook his head. "No, with you the problem was the wrong kind of sex. And your addiction to pain."

"Addiction to pain?" Anders exclaimed in disbelief. "No, no addiction! I can very well do without, thank you very much! It was just a means to an end..."

"But that's what I mean... No one in his right mind would consider pain as a means to anything," Dorian smiled. "People avoid pain, but you embrace it."

"Well... put like that... that's right..." Anders nodded. "Sex with men was my source of pain... I didn't need to enjoy it because I wasn't gay. When I asked you to... help me change my mind..." He looked at Dorian and smiled. "I was giving up my reliable source of pain... because it would never be the same again..." He paused looking into Dorian's eyes but Dorian remained silent. "And I did it for Lucanis..." He shook his head. "I should have done it for you... I hurt you then, didn't I?" He suddenly realised how Dorian must have felt.

"But we were friends only," Dorian reminded him. "But yes, I was jealous... no, I was hurt. Yet I wanted you to be happy... that was more important to me than being the one with whom you were happy..."

"Dorian, I've been such a fool!"

"No, you fell in love... it happens," Dorian smiled. "Hot and intense, like everything you do..."

"It... fizzled out though," Anders looked up. "The flame is gone... but something still remains."

"Like embers..."

"No, not like embers," Anders shook his head. "Embers can be rekindled, but this passion cannot. The passion is dead, it ran its course, it... fizzled out. What remains... you know, I think it's friendship."

"While with us, it's the other way around," Dorian smiled. "Friendship was there first. The rest came later."

"It would have come a lot earlier if I wasn't ignoring and suppressing it because I kept telling myself that I wasn't gay!" Anders got angry at himself.

"Stop blaming yourself... you weren't ready. I wasn't ready. I did the same thing as you."

"Why?"

"Because to me, friendship is precious. I was afraid to lose it."

They've been standing there, talking, for quite a long time, examining their past feelings, speculating what would have happened this way and that... they felt the need to take it all apart and put it back together, to look in every crevice, at every twist, examine every missed opportunity to open up to each other. Then, suddenly, Dorian went pale and fainted. It was only for a brief moment and Anders held him from collapsing, but it could not be ignored.

"The blight is deepening," Dorian noted.

"We skipped your treatment with all that's been going on!" Anders suddenly realised. "It's all my fault... come on, we'll do it now."

Dorian tried to protest that it could certain wait till the evening, but Anders was adamant. "Now!" He shook his head and led Dorian to the bedroom.

"Liam, come in and lock the door," he called Dorian's valet. "I need your help."

"Liam?" Dorian was surprised. "But he's never seen..."

"Oh, I think Liam knows full well what's been going on," Anders watched him enter their bedroom and lock the door. "Liam has ways of finding out... So, Liam," he turned to him. "I shall perform the treatment, and when I am done, you will need to bandage Dorian's leg. You know how to do that, I trust?"

"Yes, Sir," Liam nodded.

"Wait, what are you planning?" Dorian looked up with worry. "You normally put on the bandage yourself..."

But it was too late - Anders had already started the incantation and wasn't listening.

That day, with each drop of his blood falling onto Dorian's wound, it was Anders who cringed in pain, black veins coming forward under his skin; it was Anders' blood that boiled; it was Anders who heard the screams of the Blight in his head. When the wound on Dorian's leg started to close, he nodded, withdrew his bleeding wrist and fell to the floor. Liam bandaged Dorian's leg as directed.

"Leave us," Dorian sent him away. "Now, what did you do that for, coração?" He picked up Anders from the floor and put him on the bed. "It is my pain to bear, not yours... you took it upon yourself again..." He shook his head. "Come now, release it..."

He held Anders close while the pain was ravaging Anders' body, piercing his liver, his heart, reaching every corner in a stream of liquid razor blades, until eventually it trickled out and Anders breathed easier.

"This was worse for you than it is for me," Dorian realised. "Don't do this again - I told you!"

"We delayed it too long this time, it would have been too much..." Anders still spoke with some difficulty. "But I... I can take more."

"This cannot continue," Dorian said decisively. "As soon as the papers are ready... As soon as you are no longer a slave... I want to request the Joining."

"So soon..." Anders smiled. "But I may lose you then... No, don't rush it... I can take a lot more pain..."

"Of that I have no doubt," Dorian said gravely. "But it's better that I should die before the main assault on the Blight... you will be one man short but you will pour your hurt into the battle and it will heal you..."

"Or I shall fall..."

"It is better we have a wedding after the Joining, should I survive," Dorian smiled. "It is better I face the Blight as a Grey Warden... although we could still fall then..."

"It is better we wed once the Blight is defeated," Anders nodded. "Once there is a promise of life again..."

...

"It hasn't even been a week!" Neve found Anders sitting on her doorstep again. "What's the rush?"

"It's something else..." He smiled. "I've got a favour to ask..."

...

"This portal is centuries old!" Dorian was examining an age old eluvian in a cave under Minrathous. "How did you get it to work?" He turned to Neve.

"I didn't, your elven goddess did," she smiled. "I had no idea it was here, the same as everyone else... but I wondered how she managed to move so swiftly... everyone thought it was through the Fade, but you cannot bring people through the Fade, it just didn't make sense. Then eventually I found this eluvian, and everything became clear. It leads to the Anderfels."

"This is how you teleported me last time!" Anders realised.

"And then I had to carry you to that inn, yes," Neve nodded. "Still unconscious... You are heavy!"

"Well, you could have just asked instead of hitting my head with a brick..."

The eluvian led them to a crumbling cave under the dungeons of the Grey Warden Head Quarters, and soon Dorian was doing his best to convince Alistair that his Joining had to take place sooner rather than later.

"My blight is deepening, I do not want to wait any longer," he was saying. "And should I perish... so be it."

"You will likely survive," Avernus entered the room. "I have a theory why Wardens die during the Joining. It isn't an Archdemon killing them - there is no Archdemon most of the time - no, it is the horror of what they see, that is the Blight. For someone unprepared, it is often too much to take in. But you... you are not unprepared," he looked at Dorian. "You've faced the Blight already. You've seen the blood and the horror, you've fought Archdemons even... You haven't yet heard the song... granted. So there is still a risk. But may be not quite as large as it would have been..."

...

"Dorian Pavus," Alistair spoke solemnly. "From this moment forth, you are a Grey Warden. Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that can not be forsworn. And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten. And that one day we shall join you."

Anders watched as Dorian took the silver chalice from Alistair and brought it to his lips. He took a sip, and then another and collapsed as the Archdemon rose inside his head.

They had said their goodbyes already, they were prepared, but nothing could prepare Anders for the death of the one he loved.

"He will live," Avernus knelt over Dorian. "He is stronger than the Blight. Give him time."

Anders dropped to his knees next to Dorian, ready to slit his wrist, but Avernus stopped him.

"Not this time, Anders," he touched his shoulder. "This is a trial that he must stand on his own. It's different for everyone... some Wardens told me of theirs... I had no idea..."

"No idea of what?" Anders looked up. "You have the best idea of all of us what the song actually means..."

"The song is different for each of us, it appears," Avernus mused. "The shadow of the Archdemon whose blood we drink... the way it rises on the tide of the Blight... that varies. But he will live, the worst is past," he smiled to Anders. "I've seen it enough times..."

...

Anders and Dorian spent a week or so at the fortress in the Anderfels. All was relatively quiet, discounting constant darkspawn attacks that became routine. The Wardens were ready for them and no one fell in those battles, besides the darkspawn. The news of Dorian's and Anders' marriage soon reached everyone but did not become a sensation; Anders had to make a choice and he chose Dorian, and hence Lucanis took a step back. What else was there to say? Grey Wardens did not judge. Harding wanted to know every detail, however, but Anders shook his head and she too eventually stopped asking. With the newfound eluvian connecting the Anderfels with Minrathous and the portal from there to Treviso, it would be easy to assemble everyone quickly in case of a more serious attack, and so Anders and Dorian returned home to see if Neve had any new leads.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Midyear, 3E411 - Battle plans

"Any news?" Anders looked up seeing Neve climbing up to the rooftop where she had her apartment.

"Oh yes, and then some!" Neve grinned. "Come inside."

Neve seemed to be in much better spirits than last few times that Anders saw her; she looked in better health too. She showed him in, offered him fruit and wine, she was the most charming hostess and Anders smiled at her but there was unease on the back of his mind. The change was too striking.

"Have you started cheating on Dorian yet?" She suddenly asked with a cheeky smile.

"What?!" Anders was taken aback. "No!"

"You should," Neve smiled again. "With a woman. It won't even be cheating, you know."

"It would still be cheating and no," Anders shook his head in disbelief. "What brings this up?"

"Nothing, just wondering... given your promiscuity..." She looked straight at him. "I've been investigating."

"My promiscuity?"

"Your promiscuity, among other things," Neve nodded. "In particular in Kirkwall."

"Kirkwall..." Anders sighed. "That... well... I needed money..."

"Don't apologise, I am not judging," Neve grinned. "It's just that you got noticed during that time. Your blood got noticed."

"I am a blood mage," Anders shrugged. "I slit my wrists every day... I was using my blood for healing there, so yeah, I guess I got noticed..."

"No-no, that's not what I mean," Neve put a bowl of Anders' favourite dried figs and dates in front of him. "I mean blood during intercourse. Someone you've been with noticed that it was no common blood."

"He sensed my taint, right? Well, I am a Grey Warden," Anders shrugged, starting on the figs. "What of it?"

"Not just a Grey Warden," Neve was holding her secret close to her chest, only revealing a little at a time. "Your blood is special. You know what I mean."

"No, I don't," Anders shrugged. He guessed that she was probably talking about the special properties of his blood that he gained from drinking Avernus' mixture, but he wasn't going to say it.

"Oh, come off it, Anders," Neve beamed at him. "That person was blighted. He got your blood on his... err... body... and later realised that if it mixed with his, it made his blood boil like during a blood magic ritual... but it also made his blight recede... Were you not surprised that the same person kept coming back for more?"

"No, I wasn't, he wasn't the only one," Anders shrugged again. "They all drew blood... more or less... I would not know whom you mean."

"But you could sense the blight!" Neve frowned, as if Anders insulted her intelligence.

"Yes, I could, and I wasn't bothered because it presents no danger to me." Anders put down the fruit bowl and faced Neve. "Cut through the chase, Neve. What about that person?"

"He was a mage... and you gave him an idea," Neve beamed at him. "Remember the head of the Circle of Magi in Kirkwall? It was he!"

"And so?"

"And so... don't you see?" Neve rolled her eyes. "The bizarre shapes of blood magic transformations during the mage rebellion? The unusually strong and obedient demons? The sheer power of their spells? Red lyrium was involved, yes, but not just that. Also your blood."

"What?!" Anders sat up. "But that was years later! Even if he got my blood on his... err... at the time, there was no way he could have used it years later for anything!"

"You underestimate him."

"Evidently," Anders smirked. "Or rather you must be thinking of the other Anders who was not me. You know, the one that blew up the Chantry."

"You still say it wasn't you?" Neve squinted.

"I still say it."

"Hmm... well, that just doesn't fit..." Neve mused, leafing through her note book. "What does your blood do, anyway?" She looked up.

"It can slow down the blight somewhat," Anders sighed. "Not by much though... It's toxic to darkspawn... That's the same effect, by the way. It's got Grey Warden taint..."

"Yes, yes... Grey Warden taint..." Neve was still leafing through her note book. "Oh, here: Grey Wardens drink the blood of a slain Archdemon which gives unique properties to their taint... it isn't simply the Blight," she read and looked up. "May be it wasn't you, then. May be any Grey Warden would do. May be your blood isn't all that special after all."

"And may be you just don't know," Ander thought but didn't say it aloud, taking the fruit bowl again.

"Anyhow..." Neve resumed since Anders wasn't saying anything else. "Those transformations, those demons... They used the same binding rituals as always but added red lyrium into the blood... To do that, they seeded themselves with red lyrium first!" Neve's eyes went big in surprise. "Imagine that! They seeded themselves, then drew blood for the rituals, and that blood carried red lyrium in it! Which gave them the extra power!"

"I suspected something like that," Anders said grimly. "That would explain those strange transformations. But where does Grey Warden blood come in?"

"Some of them were blighted, like the head of the Circle of Magi. Grey Warden blood allowed them to keep their minds while the Blight was ravaging their bodies!"

"Hmm..." Anders stopped eating and looked at her. "They became 'awakened' darkspawn..."

"What?"

"Darkspawn that kept its mind, or regained it," Anders explained. "We came across some of them just after the Fifth Blight... They used Grey Warden blood to achieve it."

"Oh... so you knew about it already..." Neve's voice fell.

"I am a Grey Warden," Anders shrugged. "The Blight is my business, so yes, I knew about the awakening but I didn't know that such darkspawn was used in the Kirkwall rebellion. But it was years and years ago, Neve! How is that relevant?"

"It's the same ritual that Fiona is using to cure the blight," Neve said in truimph. "She was in Kirkwall, she saw everything that happened!"

"Hmm... but how does it cure the blight?" Anders squinted.

"It doesn't, of course," Neve rolled her eyes. "Do I have to spell it all out for you? It doesn't cure the blight but it does boost the person's life force so it looks like the blight is receding, while in fact the person's will becomes bound to Fiona's or to whoever is performing the ritual... And the victim has no idea until their master exercises that will!"

"The Blight is life," Anders said softly. "That would actually work."

"I know," Neve sighed.

"And Grey Warden blood is needed because..?" Anders prompted her.

"Oh... err... I don't know," Neve had to admit. "I thought it would reinforce the ritual, since your blood can slow down the blight... And yes, I know that it is only your blood, no just any Grey Warden blood that can do that, somehow... But if you are adamant that you weren't in Kirkwall during the rebellion but only years earlier... then, I suppose, it doesn't fit..."

"I guess not..." Anders nodded. "But what your information means, is that Fiona may in fact command a large army of people through this binding."

"And she uses Grey Warden blood to... how do you say... awaken the darkspawn?" Neve looked up.

"Yeah, get a few Emissaries fight intelligently... That's very dangerous," Anders agreed.

...

"So, you still don't trust her," Dorian smiled when Anders told him about the meeting with Neve. "You didn't tell her what your blood could really do..."

"Neve is useful but no, I do not trust her that much," Anders nodded.

"Do you think there's anything to Neve's story that someone noticed the properties of your blood back in the Kirkwall days?" Dorian wondered.

"They couldn't use it in the rebellion, I am sure, but they could have kept a sample..." Anders rubbed his chin. "And not necessarily from sex... I was using blood magic every day for healing... Anyone could have taken a sample of my blood without attracting attention... But what good would it do?"

"No good at all, that is rather the point," Dorian smiled. "Your blood neutralises the blight... well, partly, anyway... and thus it could interfere with Fiona's ritual."

"Which would explain why she wanted me dead," Anders looked up.

"The darkspawn attack on Minrathous, the tear in the Veil in this manor... yes, that explains that," Dorian nodded. "Also setting up Varric against you... and at the same time... Fiona could have done much better than that, if she really wanted to kill you. I admit, I am at a loss..."

"But ultimately none of it is important," Anders had had enough. "The real question is whether Varric's Emissary is still playing the role of the Archdemon, and if so, how does it benefit Fiona? And how to defeat them."

"The Emissary was supposed to escape in the end of the big battle, right?" Dorian smiled. "I bet he'll escape to Fiona and together they will be preparing the next Blight. Or whatever she is planning."

"Which means that in order to defeat them, we have to let him escape and we have to find a way to follow..." Anders nodded. "And then kill them both."

"And what about the elven god?"

"What elven god?"

"The one we didn't defeat... the one that was talking to Solas... what was his name again... Elgar'nan," Dorian reminded Anders.

"Oh... we leave him be."

"Why? He will raise the next Blight."

"Probably," Anders nodded. "But there will always be someone who will raise the next Blight. There are plenty more forgotten elven gods, there's more intelligent darkspawn, ancient corrupt Magisters, and so on. We cannot kill them all. I think Elgar'nan is no different."

"So, what do you intend to do?" Dorian looked up sharply.

"I think it is time to take the fight to Fiona," Anders said firmly. "Morrigan said she could locate Varric's Emissary. We do that, we draw him out, the darkspawn horde will follow. We fight. In the end he will try to teleport and Morrigan will take us with him, I'm sure she can do it, or else she can find him again. Fiona will likely be there, so another fight. We kill them both, ending the Blight."

"That's a brilliant plan," Dorian laughed. "Plenty of opportunities to die in the line of duty. The only difficulty will be to get Alistair to approve it because, you know, he is the Warden-Commander."

...

"This is sheer madness, Anders!!" Alistair was shaking his head. "Didn't Fiona say she was ready for us? You will face overwhelming odds!"

"I can locate the Emissary in the Fade," Morrigan joined in. "And I can deliver you to wherever he is going, but I cannot take an army with us! It will be just a few people, Anders! Just a few people against her whole army!"

"Which we don't know whether it even exists," Anders pointed out.

"No, we don't," Alistair agreed. "But even if she is alone... she is not to be trifled with."

"True. But what choice do we have?" Anders looked straight at Alistair. "What choice did you have but to stand up against the Blight with just two Wardens?"

"The duty that cannot be forsworn," Alistair said softly. "What choice indeed..."

"Well, Bianca is excited," they heard a familiar voice and Varric walked in. "It's time we stopped this madness, eh, Anders?" He smiled at him. "We can restart our mutual name calling after the Blight is done with," he winked.

"I'm game if you are," Anders grinned. "But there's something I need to tell you first..."

"That there is no cure for the blight," Varric said softly. "Yeah, I worked that out... It was stupid of me to hope..."

"Don't say that," Anders looked him in the eye. "I know exactly how you feel..."

Varric threw a glance at Dorian and nodded, he did not need to say anything else.

"Well, if we are all sure..." Alistair looked around the room. "Even though it is complete madness and suicide..."

"So, here's what we do..." Morrigan took over and Alistair seemed all too happy to let her take the lead.

Midyear, 3E411 - Fiona's endgame: a warm welcome

"We shall go into the Fade and draw out the Emissary," Morrigan was explaining her plan. "We'll attack and make him follow. Once he's out of the Fade, the darkspawn horde will join him - they will attack the fortress."

"We shall be ready for them," Antoine nodded. "Evka has been working on the catapults... Catapults!! They've not been used in centuries..."

"More like never," Evka smirked. "But they will work now!"

"But what if the Emissary does not take the bait?" Lucanis squinted. "What if he doesn't believe it's time yet?"

"Then we'll kill him," Anders shrugged. "When he realises we're not bluffing, he'll take the bait."

"Or not..." Lucanis was not convinced.

"Well... Should that happen, it will be a setback, then you kill him and return here," Alistair decided. "We regroup and come up with a new plan."

Everyone sighed but agreed.

"So..." Morrigan picked up the thread. "The battle against the darkspawn horde won't be easy but we only need to kill the Emissary. Or rather, we expect him to escape rather than die," she smirked. "That will likely not stop the horde, you will still need to kill them all."

"Charming," someone grunted.

"It's the Fifth Blight all over again..." Alistair looked at her. "I still have flashbacks of that day..."

"At least you got to fight the Archdemon!" Oghren scowled. "The rest of us were sodding stuck clearing the darkspawn filth in the city..." He shook his head and took a large swig from his hip flask. Alistair, Morrigan and Oghren were the only ones of the current company who fought in the Fifth Blight.

"And just like then, a small group will follow the Emissary, while the rest of you will have to deal with the horde..." Morrigan continued. "I can carry three... may be four..."

"Carry?" Evka looked up.

"We might be able to use his portal but I doubt it," Morrigan explained. "More likely we'll fly... I can carry three or four on my back..."

"In your dragon form," Dorian smiled. "Just like during the Inquisition."

"Yes," she smiled. "I am glad at least someone remembers... I do help."

"We remember," Alistair glared at her. "Planning any special rituals this time?"

"No," she shook her head, shooting a glance at Kieran at the back of the room. "So, who is coming to the dance? We shall be facing a lot of mages... a lot of abominations... likely worse than Kirkwall. We do not have to kill them all... but we must kill Fiona."

"The others will become easy prey once she's dead," Neve nodded.

"May be, or may be not," Varric shook his head. "It didn't work out like that in Kirkwall... not fully..."

"I am coming along, you need a blood mage," Anders said firmly.

"You need a very experienced blood mage," Avernus corrected him. "I am taking your place. You stay back - the Wardens here need a healer."

Anders went red in the face and shook his head but said nothing, for now.

"One," Morrigan counted.

"You need a demon, Spite and I are coming with you," Lucanis looked at her.

"Two," Morrigan nodded.

"Fiona will be glad to see me," Varric smirked. "Bianca is excited."

"Three," Morrigan smirked but accepted. "He's a dwarf, we can take one more."

"You need a templar..." Alistair started but everyone shook their heads. "What?! I'm a templar!"

"You are indeed a templar," Anders said softly. "I never doubted you. But we need you here."

"I'll go," Dorian looked up. "Blood magic and necromancy... both could come useful," he smiled. "What?" He looked around, noticing surprised faces. "What else would you expect from a Tevinter Magister?" He smirked.

"No, I'll go," Emmrich stepped forward. "Necromancy is a good point... if the rest of you will allow me..?" He looked at everyone with a question.

"Four," Morrigan said, looking up. "Avernus, Lucanis, Varric, Emmrich and I will face Fiona's abominations..."

"The fight might spill over," Avernus noted. "Be ready," he looked at Anders.

"We shall form a forward force," Anders took the lead. "We shall tackle any Emissaries, walking boils or other forms of darkspawn capable of calling up reinforcements. Dorian, Harding and Taash - you are with me."

"You are leaving me back at the fortress," Alistair sighed. "I am not entirely useless..."

"No, you are not," Anders turned to him. "If the fight spills over... which I think it will... we shall need a templar to face Fiona. You have to be alive."

"Oh..." Alistair smiled and nodded. "Makes sense..."

...

Everything was prepared. The Wardens gathered outside the fortress waiting for the darkspawn horde to appear. Anders was walking among the fortifications wondering where they would be coming from. He approached one of the catapults and noticed Linus, the old Warden who could not walk, positioned at the controls.

"I don't need to walk to work it!" He beamed at Anders. "My arms are still strong, my pain is bearable, thanks to that spirit you summoned for me... Linus Kristavvsen of the Anderfels..." He watched Anders, smiling. "I am glad that there will still be Warden Linus after this fight..."

"Provided we survive..." Anders met his gaze.

"Oh, I won't survive, I have no illusions," Linus shook his head. "Darkspawn will eventually break through, there will be fighting on the battlements, fighting in the fortress... and my inability to walk will spell my doom then..." he sighed. "But it will be a good death worthy a Grey Warden! So I'll say goodbye now, Anders... Linus... You must promise me to celebrate your wedding after this is over... Life must win in the end."

"Indeed... I promise," Anders smiled. "Here they come!!!"

...

Drawing out the Emissary proved easy, he seemed to have been expecting it. Morrigan led her group into the Fade through the same Deep Roads entrance where they entered the Fade to fight the elven goddess a few months previously. The passage looked the same as before at first, but this was the Fade, nothing was as it seemed. They turned a corner and the scenery changed, and soon they stood in a large cavern surrounded by darkspawn. The Emissary was waiting for them.

The battle was symbolic, if anything. They exchanged a few fireballs, but darkspawn wasn't attacking. Instead, they were protecting the Emissary's retreat.

"The real fight will be in Mundus," Avernus commented. "We should hurry, they are trying to get us trapped in the Fade..."

"...and have the main force be five man short," Varric scowled. "Clever."

They cut through the darkspawn and exited the Fade hot on the heels of the Emissary, before he could collapse the exit behind him. They chased him all the way to the Grey Warden fortress where the main horde of darkspawn were mounting an assault. They were well organised, even with the Emissary engaged in a battle of his own, and Avernus pointed out several other Emissaries directing the battle.

"They are well prepared, indeed," he shook his head. "While we are tied up here, the rest of the horde acts on its own..."

"We don't need to be tied up all that much," Lucanis didn't like it. "It doesn't take all five of us to keep this one Emissary busy," he squinted. "I bet that's their plan... while in the meantime Anders is getting slaughtered over there!" He pointed at a mighty storm cloud hovering over a patch of heavy fighting resembling a whirlpool of flesh and blood. "He needs help!" And before anyone could protest, he opened his spirit wings and dived towards the fight.

"But..!" Morrigan cried, then shook her head. "Oh never mind, I guess he's right..."

"A change of plan, I think," Avernus turned to her. "I shall stay with the Emissary, the rest of you join the main battle. Oh, I am more than a match for him, never fear... he isn't the strongest," Avernus smirked. "When he teleports, I'll alert you," he looked at Morrigan. "Then collect the others and follow me."

The sea of darkspawn was still coming in, with more Emissaries appearing, there was no time to waste.

...

"Now, Morrigan!" Avernus shouted, noticing the main Emissary that he was engaging, preparing to open a portal. "A portal! I shall endeavour to keep it open..!"

But how could Morrigan hear him over the noise of the battle while being on the other end of the battlefield? Yet hear him she did... talking gems were not that uncommon, after all. As soon as Avernus called, a dragon rose over the battlefield, circled to pick up a few people and flew towards the Deep Road tunnels where Avernus was holding the portal open. The Wardens saw it and breathed with relief: darkspawn would get no further reinforcements, and all they had to do now was clear the horde before them... preferably before the next phase of the battle began.

...

"Oh my, what a delegation!" Fiona greeted four people riding on a dragon's back. "Your dragon form is impressive, Morrigan!" She smiled. "Too bad there isn't enough of Mythal in you to do any real damage..."

She cast a spell and a blighted dragon appeared at her side. "Go play!" She prodded it.

"Just like during the Inquisition..!" Varric swore. "Here we go! Morrigan is out." Indeed, Morrigan in her dragon form was now engaging the blighted dragon. "Wait for it..!" Varric seemed to know what would come next. "Abominations!"

Fiona cast a spell, or may be just clapped her hands, there was some noise and movement behind her and a repulsive fleshy abomination ran to the front.


"A harvester! But no golem to carry him?" Varric smirked. "You are slipping, Fiona."

"This is just a teaser..." She smiled, retreating into the shadows.

The harvester was swift, it had razor-sharp teeth and claws and it cast magic... blood magic.

"It is trying to turn you to its side, take heed!" Emmrich cried, dispelling a red cloud around himself. "It will make your blood boil next! The more blood we spill, the stronger it becomes!"

"Then we must kill it quickly!" Lucanis stopped, watching it, searching for the weakest spot... he'd never seen a monster like that before. "Does it have a heart? I guess we'll find out!" He leapt, his spirit wings carried him high, then he dived, landing on the back of the harvester, and planting his sword deep into the harvester's body. The monster reeled but did not die. It seemed that if it did have a heart, it wasn't in the usual place. "The bloody thing has no neck!!" Lucanis swore, trying to figure out how to cut off its head.

"Plant your sword into its skull!" Avernus shouted over the shrieks of the harvester. "That works on dragons!"

"Dragons have a brain," Varric smirked. "But this thing... who knows!"

"It's worth a try!" Lucanis thrust his sword right between the eyes of the harvester, then drove it up, slicing the skull in two. Green puss gushed out of the wound... "Ugh!!!" Lucanis was covered in it, his life force quickly dwindling.

"It is blighted!!" Avernus ran up to him, pulling off the dying monster and slitting his own wrist in one movement... "Let's hope it works the same way as with the boils..." he muttered as his dark blood covered the puss on Lucanis' body. The mixture boiled violently and went up in a cloud of fog. Lucanis slowly sat up, shaking his head.

"Did I die just now?"

"No, but you came close," Avernus helped him up. "I don't know... I hope you have not been infected... I acted as quickly as I could..."

"Don't worry, Avernus," Lucanis smiled. "I am glad I did not die this time." He kicked the harvester's corpse with his boot. "Where to next?"

The fight with the harvester may not have been long, but it took all of their attention, and they did not notice where Fiona vanished to. It was the Fade, she could be anywhere.

"Follow me!" Emmrich called, standing in front of a solid rock wall. "This way!"

"What - through the rock?!" Varric squinted in disbelief.

"It is no rock," Emmrich smiled. "It's an illusion..." He put his hand through it to demonstrate.

"I'll be damned..." Varric shook his head but followed.

"Through here..." Emmrich led them down a narrow passage, there was a dim yellowish light in the depth. "She's that way..."

"How do you know this, exactly?" Varric still wasn't sure.

"I... can sense her," Emmrich sounded uncertain himself. "I don't really understand it... she should not be dead..."

"Dead?!" Lucanis caught up with him. "Like... err..." he recalled Emmrich telling them about the fate of his old friend Johanna. "Like she's half-undead?" Lucanis decided against mentioning Johanna by name.

"Half-undead?!" Varric was visibly worried.

"It does not matter now, we can analyse it later," Avernus interrupted the discussion. "After we kill her, one way or the other. First we must find her!"

"Or some of her friends! Watch out!!" Lucanis yelled as several harvesters ran towards them from the gloom ahead. "Mind their heads!!!"

...

"Well, you seem to be stronger than I expected," Fiona watched them emerge from the red mist of an epic battle. "Still all alive? Remarkable..." She shook her head. "But not for much longer," she smiled. "You should have killed him when you had the chance, Lucanis." She snapped her fingers and Illario stepped forward from the shadows, a red lyrium pin in the lapel of his jacket. He touched it and Lucanis collapsed, just like back in Treviso.

"You won't wake up this time, cousin," Illario smirked. "Your mage isn't here." He looked around the room and flicked his wrist. "As for the rest of you... The Crows send their regards!"

Before anyone could react, half a dozen Antivan Crows assassins jumped out of the shadows...

"Bastards!!!" Varric yelled, twisting away and throwing a smoke grenade into the fray. He showered them with a spray of crossbow bolts, not bothering to target anyone in particular since they were moving too fast. He only hoped he didn't hit his own party...

"Emmrich - frost!!!" Avernus yelled but Emmrich was already incanting it, having had the same idea.

"Your soul is mine, Avernus!!" A demon rose from the ground.

"Oh shut up, Armaros," Avernus scowled. "Attack!!!" He cried slitting his wrists for another blood magic spell. "Your blood is mine!!"

Everything was over as suddenly as it began. The assassins were on the ground, some dead, some rolling in pain, some getting up and slitting the throats of those that were still alive... Only Illario was immune to Avernus' blood magic, protected by his red lyrium pin. He drew his swords and launched himself onto Avernus who stood quite defenceless keeping his magic going...

"Bianca dislikes traitors," Varric swore and spit, firing a single bolt through Illario's heart.

"You can have those, Armaros," Avernus gestured at the dead assassins. "Until we meet again." The demon hovered over several assassins and faint silvery threads were visible rising out of their bodies and disappearing into the demon's. The demon vanished, carefully avoiding Illario and his red lyrium pin.

"Even a demon avoids red lyrium," Emmrich was watching it with interest. "A friend of yours?" He looked at Avernus.

"An old acquaintance," Avernus smiled.

"Did you just summon a demon..?" Varric looked baffled. "And I thought Wolf was bad with his blood spraying..."

"I was the one who taught him," Avernus grinned. "Yes, I just summoned a demon. But he got his payment and left, we are in no danger. When faced with red lyrium..." He looked at the body of Illario, the pin still in his lapel.

"Yeah... bad business..." Varric shook his head. "And Lucanis is dead too..."

"Lucanis isn't dead," Emmrich knelt over him. "This happened before... Lucanis is fine, it's his demon that got knocked out... his resident spirit... Determination."

"And Anders isn't here..." Varric looked puzzled. "Why does it have to be Anders, actually? 'Your mage isn't here', Illario had said... but they are no longer..." He didn't continue, shaking his head.

"Oh, they are still bonded, nothing's changed," Avernus was checking Lucanis' pulse. "Hold on..." he spoke softly. "If I know my boy, he's on his way already..."

19 Hearthfire, 4E202 - Goblins

Yikes, they are indeed in a mage guild infested with goblins, foul little beasts, I hate the things! Are Dune/Elsweyr goblins different from Cyrodiil goblins? 👺

Ah, an errant mage seems to blame. Messing with teleportation portals in catacombs and such. Tsk tsk.

Exactly, that stupid Dwemer Puzzle box, took ages to find the darn thing. Because the entire time, we're looking for some sort of puzzle involved (at least I was). Meanwhile, the box is right there on a shelf, in plain sight.

Whoa, she hears the conversation she had two centuries before with Uriel in this dungeon, that's chilling.



An assassin, wow. Nice to see which tools Lena picked up in the tutorial, where it all began. I love this entire conversation between she and Hauk.



Oh my gosh.

http://chorrol.com/forums/index.php?s=&...st&p=341531

No, they are the same goblins, mostly. I might have altered a few for those dungeons but generally they are the same.


I remember I was quite surprised when Baurus suggested it... every single time I played the tutorial... I guess it says something about my playing style.

Midyear, 3E411 - Nunca me perderás

Anders collapsed mid-casting.

"What..?" Dorian knelt over him. "Not dead... then what?" He checked his pulse, touched his forehead... there didn't seem to be anything wrong with Anders, except that he was somehow knocked out. Dorian carried him over to a quiet corner and stayed with him, casting spells from where he stood. This was the second time that Dorian regretted never having studied blood magic seriously.

...

"Spite?" Anders looked around. He was standing on a misty mire and something was tugging at his soul. "Spite?" He called again. "Determination!" But there was no response, just more tugging. "Trouble," Anders decided. "So, what do I do now..?"

The mire was in the Fade, that much was clear, but why was he there? What happened? Whose Fade was that, even? He looked around, the place felt strangely familiar... Yes... The Black Marsh... it was the Black Marsh where they met that witch... the baroness... no, not a witch... an abomination... a Pride Demon abomination... they somehow entered the Fade... there was a fight and the baroness forced everyone back to Mundus... everyone, including one spirit that did not belong in Mundus... Justice... That was the place where Anders first met Justice, where Justice found himself possessing a corpse of a fallen Grey Warden, Kristoff... Yes... Anders paced about... it was all coming back to him... "This is my Fade," he realised. "But Justice isn't here... it's not about Justice... it's about Spite..." He felt another tug at his soul, as if something or someone was confirming his thoughts. "He is in trouble," Anders realised. "Lucanis is in trouble..!"

The mist was hovering low over the water of the mire, it was hard to see anything through it, hard to make out where to step... There were rocks, patches of grass, dirt, water, sand... "Got to see what's about," Anders decided, trying not to step into the water. "Last time... last time there was a portal over there... and corpses all over the place..." He peered into the low mist... and saw corpses rise from the ground. They were still corpses, they didn't come alive... yet... he shook his head and turned away - the Fade was showing him what he expected to see. "Got to find what doesn't belong here," he nodded to himself. "That mansion... is it as I remember it?" An abandoned mansion stood behind a stone wall, he could just see the upper balcony rising behind it. There used to be an entrance through the basement somewhere... and a great gate to the gardens, locked. Was it still the same? He decided to try the gate first, but it was still locked. "No way to get through that," he shook his head. "Just like last time..." he sighed. Last time the basement was a trap, the spirits wanted them dead. "Got to find Spite..." Anders kept pacing about. "Where would he be..? What happened? Why do I feel I've got to hurry..?" Panic was rising in him, he could not see clearly, the mist seemed to thicken, to cover more ground, to confuse him more and more...

There... something seemed to glow under the mist... It wasn't in the mansion, it was out in the clearing... that clearing... of course...

The clearing was littered with darkspawn corpses.

"That's different..." Anders stopped. "No, wait... the mansion is of no importance... it is this place... this was where we found Kristoff's body..." He looked closely at the corpses - one of them would not be darkspawn but a man... "Luca..!" Anders dropped to his knees - he found a man's body, exactly where Kristoff lay back then, but now it was Lucanis, and he was dead. A red cloud was hovering over him, making him appear as a vision inside the mist. "Luca..!" Anders did not bother suppressing his tears. He pressed his hands to Lucanis' chest, but it was much too late for heart compressions... the heart inside that chest was silent.

...

Anders didn't know how long he'd been sitting by Lucanis' body, not able to shake off an overwhelming feeling of grief. It was eating at his soul, it was consuming him from within, it was as if... "As if a demon is holding me here," Anders suddenly realised. He was in the Fade, the body of Lucanis was but an illusion... "Which demon?" Anders wondered, forcing himself to rise and walk away from the body. "Either Sloth or Despair..." Either of them was bad news. He would have to kill the demon to return to Mundus, but there was something else... something important... something that he couldn't quite put his finger on... why was he brought there in the first place? Surely, there was a reason... It seemed he'd spent years there already, he could not remember when or how he got there...

"Remember," a voice said inside his head and he felt a tug at his soul.

"Remember... what?"

"Siempre estas conmigo..." Lucanis' voice said in his head. "You're always with me..."

"Spite!" Memories came flooding back to Anders. Spite now looked like him, and may be there was more to it than just looks... It took some powerful magic to change Spite's appearance from that of Lucanis to Anders. "Always with me..." Anders repeated and tugging at his soul renewed. Lucanis had to make so many choices... He first had to accept Spite as a part of him, or die. He accepted Spite, accepted living as an abomination, always having this spirit inside him, never having a private moment entirely to himself... And then Anders and their affair... Was that love or just curiosity? And if it was really love, then would it displace his love for Mathilda? Or would they co-exist? Why was he even attracted to this man, to this mage, who was in so many ways the exact opposite of Lucanis? But something moved Lucanis to act out of character and to accept this affair without question or analysis, to let it unfold, to follow where it would lead... Yes, it was love, he decided. And no, his love for Mathilda did not die. Not when he wanted to brush it aside, not when he thought the demon had killed it. It recovered every time again, it was still there, the flame might die down for a time, but the embers were always hot, rekindling the flame again. He loved a woman that no longer existed... a woman that changed so much that she was no longer the same person to him. It was love that went nowhere, that only existed in his soul, and yet it refused to die. Then what of Anders? His ways were so different, he was a healer, he gave life while Lucanis took it. He took a risk with Anders... a gay romance was not something Lucanis had ever envisaged, and yet there it was, he started it and Anders picked it up. But Lucanis always knew that, as bright as their passion was burning, it was only temporary. It was new and strange and exciting for both of them, it had both depth and strength, and yet it could not displace Anders' prior attachment just as it could not displace that of Lucanis. Anders may not have understood it, but Lucanis had done: Dorian. Dorian was more than a friend, no matter how hard they were trying to convince themselves to the opposite; Lucanis saw all the signs. But at the same time Anders became a part of Lucanis, just as Spite was now a part of him, just as Mathilda of his youth became a part of him when he refused to let go of the memory. Anders was what stood between Lucanis and death so many times, Anders was the one person who saw his suicide attempts for what they were and quietly reversed them, Anders was the reason Lucanis was still alive... and once Lucanis saw it, it was only natural that Spite would look like Anders. Siempre conmigo... Always with me. "Spite!" Anders exclaimed again, running back to the corpse of Lucanis lying on the clearing. It wasn't a corpse and it wasn't Lucanis - it was Spite, back in Lucanis' form, and dying. Spirits could die, and if Spite were to die, he would take Lucanis with him.

"Siempre contigo," Anders knelt by Lucanis' body, placing his hands on the chest as if for compressions. "Siempre contigo... Always with you... Memories never leave us." He closed his eyes remembering that night when Lucanis' spirit was fighting a demon in the Fade while his body was dying in Mundus, he'd had a cardiac arrest, and Anders kept his heart going, kept massaging it, kept the body from crossing that line from where it could no longer recover. "Spite will not die for as long as Lucanis' soul sustains it," he thought. "But since they are merged, it won't take long for the soul to wither away... This happened before," He opened his eyes with a start. "Illario's red lyrium pin... It had nearly killed Spite and made Lucanis collapse, and then Lucanis had to accept living as an abomination, or else his soul would wither away... exactly like now... except... he had already accepted that..." Anders sighed and shook his head. What else was there to accept? "Accept him fully..." He realised. "They aren't that different, Spite and Lucanis, and now they have to merge, or else Spite will die, and Lucanis with him. But Lucanis isn't here... he is in Mundus, knocked out, and there is no time to talk it through... So what do I do..? Why am I here..?"

He looked at the form of Lucanis on the ground. If that was Spite, then why did he change his form? Perhaps Lucanis did not love him, Anders, anymore... but somehow that seemed unlikely. "Am I just being selfish?" Anders smirked to himself. The proof of that seemed to be before him. The mist on the clearing was starting to freeze, the cold was getting under his clothes, creeping towards Anders' heart... what was the point of it all? If Lucanis wanted to die, then who was Anders to stop him? A blizzard rose around him, etching that thought in his mind and erasing all else. Death would be sweet, indeed.

...

"I am you and you are not dead," Anders heard a hissing voice inside his head. "He needs you... we both do..."

"A demon..." Anders shook his head, his movements sluggish, frozen. "Despair. Despair is when you stop fighting, when you give up, when nothing matters any longer... but may be it still does..." He got up and looked around. The blizzard was coming from further away, was that an iceberg? A giant icicle? A rock covered in ice? A rune stone... a summoning circle... Anders suddenly rememebered. There was a summoning circle back in Black Marsh, back in the real world, and it seemed there was one in this Fade as well... "I cannot fight a Despair Demon," he realised. "Not strong enough... never was..." he sighed. "But if that demon is sustained by the circle... well... that's worth a shot..."

Targeting runestones seemed to have an effect and the blizzard let up. The air was still freezing and the cold was still creeping under the collar and up the sleeves, but it was no longer hugging Anders' heart.

No vento que lanca a areia no vidro
Na água que canta, no fogo mortiço...

An old song from another lifetime floated in the air. >>> Listen to the song

Eu sei, meu amor, que nem chegaste a partir
Pois tudo em meu redor...

The song died down again.

"Estás sempre comigo!" Anders exclaimed, completing the verse and turning the song around. His lover wasn't dead! It wasn't a farewell! That song had a completely different meaning!

A few fireballs took care of the runes in the summoning circle. The blizzard died down and the freezing cold started to melt. The demon wasn't defeated but it was gone for the moment, and that was good enough. Anders ran back to where Lucanis' body lay... his lover. No, he wasn't his lover any longer... and that didn't make any difference.

"Spite! Determination!" He called, placing his hands on the chest of the spirit corpse again. "You are me and I am you!" If Spite had been a mortal of flesh and blood, Anders would have slit his wrist and given him some of his life force. But Spite was a spirit... and Anders had no idea how to heal a spirit. "I grant you a gate to my soul..." His heart jolted when he said that... He was letting a spirit touch his soul again, it was Justice all over... but he was out of options.

"I am not Justice..." He heard Spite hiss in his head. "I won't stay... not with you..."

Anders closed his eyes. It was out of his hands now, it was between Spite and Lucanis... He felt a tug at his soul as Spite touched him taking sustenance and then leaving. No, that spirit was not going to stay, that spirit already had a host...

...

The air on the clearing started warming up with the mist rising and dissolving, and even something resembling a sun ray appeared in the sky.

"You came for me," Anders heard a familiar voice. "Again."

"Always," he smiled, watching Lucanis take a deep breath and sit up.

"Where are we?" He looked around. "I... feel different."

"It is the Fade, of course," Anders looked around, it was still the same place, looking much more welcoming now. "This is where I met Justice, all those years ago. Spite brought me here, or may be Spite followed me here... because of what this place meant to me. How do you feel?"

"Like you are inside me," Lucanis rubbed his chest. "In my heart."

"In your soul, may be, a little," Anders smiled. "And Spite?"

"He... is you... he is here, yet he is no more..."

"Then it worked. He is a part of you now, you are no longer possessed."

"How did you do that?" Lucanis squinted, not sure what to think of such a merger.

"I didn't do it..." Anders slowly shook his head. "I promised you not to interfere... back then, on the balcony in Minrathous. I only allowed Spite to take what he needed from me... but it was you who let him in."

"Because he was you and you were there already," Lucanis nodded. "Well... my friend..."

"My love..." Anders moved closer and took Lucanis in an embrace.

"My love... aye..." Lucanis smiled. "I do love you, I didn't lie. Which is why we are just friends now..."

"I become a memory like Mathilda..." Anders' voice fell.

"Not like Mathilda," Lucanis shook his head. "I want you to be happy. Really happy. And that won't be with me. Dorian was ready to do the same... for me. But no... that isn't right, we both know that. I shall be happy to watch you being happy with him. This is not like Mathilda. You and I have a talking gem," he smiled.

"We keep in touch," Anders smiled too.

"We don't lose each other. Nunca me perderás."

They had to leave before the demon returned, but there was still time for a kiss - the one thing that Dorian insisted was outside of their vows. "Considering all that you mean to each other, I don't think it goes too far," he had said. And this time Anders agreed.