Luck - Chapter 13

Eliza wipes a smear of blood away from her face, grimacing a little. She nudges the body of DuPuis with her foot.

"Thank the Maker. Even his voice bothered me."

Isabela sighs in relief, rubbing her forehead softly. Aveline crosses her arms, shaking her head,

"An innocent man would have surrendered. Perhaps Emeric was right, after all."

Eliza shrugs a little, simply happy she was part of removing one more blood mage from Thedas. She starts towards the door to the estate, glad that at least the disappearances would end. Aveline shoulders the door open, only to be greeted by the panicked face of a familiar elf. Eliza raises a brow, stepping out in front of the Guard-Captain,

"Arianni, what are you doing here..?"

"My boy, Feynriel, he -- I know you sent him to the Dalish, but his nightmares have continued.. Please.. Two days ago, he fell into a nightmare and I fear for his life. Please, Hawke, I beg of you.. You have to save my boy. Keeper Marethari is coming here to meet you, I just assumed -- "

"It's fine Arianni. I have no qualms with helping Feynriel, unless any of you disagree?"

Aveline shakes her head, smiling gently. She could use another day off. Isabela smirks,

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, Hawke~"

Anders seems hesitant. He isn't sure of what this rescue entails, but if Hawke needs him, he was sure Varric wouldn't mind watching Emily for just a little while longer.

"Lead the way, Arianni."

Eliza offers the worried mother a gentle smile, before following Arianni to the Alienage.  The small band maneuvers through the Hightown streets, just as the first rays of sunshine dance over the rooftops.

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Sebastian wakes up just after dawn, stretching, scratching the back of his neck as he stands. He washes his face and dons his signature armor, before heading out into the main hall of the Chantry. He looks out towards the Grand Cleric's chambers, before seeing the Grand Cleric herself, walking down the hall, lighting the candles at the bases of the golden statues.

"Elthina! Did you send Emily home, already?"

The Grand Cleric looks up and smiles gently towards Sebastian,

"In a way, yes."

"In a way..?"

"I sent her to the Circle. The girl told me she was uncomfortable with her magic, so I sent her off with the templars."

Sebastian blinks, in shock, unsure of how to respond for a moment,

"I suppose.. if the girl fears her magic.. Then it is for the best.."

Elthina smiles gently, going back to her candle lighting.

"I.. should tell Hawke.." 'And Anders... Perhaps I should bring a templar along.'

Sebastian grasps his bow firmly as he heads out the Chantry doors, padding along the streets of Hightown as he mulls over what he should tell Hawke, and how he should tell her, and Maker, what mess had he gotten himself in to, now? He reaches Hawke's home, and knocks patiently, smiling politely when Bodahn opens the door,

"Excuse me, ser, is Hawke home..?"

Bodahn looks back into the estate, before looking back to Sebastian and shakes his head,

"She never returned last night, serah. If you see her, tell her to send word that she's fine if you would."

Sebastian blinks in thought, praising the Maker for his blessing of time, before walking back towards the Chantry. As he steps onto the main street, he is practically mowed down by Varric.

"Varric! What're you doing out so early?"

The dwarf turns, having ran from Lowtown, looking up towards Sebastian,

"Listen, Choir Boy, is Hawke home?"

"No, I was just -- "

"Shit!"

Varric starts back for Lowtown, when Sebastian grasps his shoulder,

"What's wrong, Varric?"

Varric shoulders his hand away, turning to face him,

"I don't know how, but Emily got out last night.. I thought she might have went to Hawke's place to wait for Anders, but you just said she isn't home."

"Yes, they haven't heard from her since she left last night."

"Where could she have gone? Ancestors, when I get my hands on her.." 'I will squeeze the breath out of her and chain her to that damned Mabari.'

"Well, I think I have an idea.."

"What?! Where is she?"

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Meredith paces before the small cell before her, her hands curtly behind her back. She eyes the young, shivering girl with a critical eye, lips pursed in a disappointed frown,

"So you.. are the mage my men were led to."

Emily shivers, sniffling softly, hanging her head so as not to give Meredith the satisfaction of seeing her tears.

"Were you the one that killed them, then?"

Silence.

"Answer me!"

Emily jumps a little, before shaking her head, wiping at her eyes,

"N.. No.."

"Who was it, then?"

"A friend."

"Are you trying to be smart with me, girl..?"

Emily tilts her face up, a monstrous bruise covering most of her cheek, her eyes swollen with tears,

"Papa's not afraid of you.. Why should I be..?"

Meredith narrows her eyes, looking to one of the templar guards, nodding,

"The Grand Cleric told my men that you do not want to harm people with your magic, and do as your precious 'Papa' does.."

A templar grabs Emily roughly by the arm, hoisting her to her feet.

"Tell me where he is.. and I will let you go free."

"No! I would never tell you where Papa is!"

"Well then.. If you won't cooperate.. And your powers do scare you so.."

Emily tries to kick at the templar holding her, her loose grasp of magic nullified by the Knight-Commander's very presence.

"I can save you, dear girl. From your terrible, terrible curse."

Emily tries to scream, but her mouth is covered by a cloth that shimmers bright blue in her presence, muffling her screams, slowly bringing her into unconsciousness, but not before hearing the words through a thick blanket of numbness,

"Prepare the Rite."

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"Before we continue, there is something I must tell you that is not for her ears... Feynriel can not become an abomination.. If he falls prey to the demons in the fade. You must kill him. A death in the Fade will make him what your Circle calls 'Tranquil.' Do this only if you must."

Eliza blinks as she enters the fade. She drags her hand across in front of her, watching the still-captures of motion that are left behind. She looks towards her companions; Aveline looks perturbed, perhaps even uncomfortable. Isabela was excited, to say the least. And Anders.. He was not Anders. Eliza eyes the thin blue lines radiating from his skin, even through his robes, her silver eyes trailing up towards his own; not the warm brown they usually were, but an endless, turbulent swathe of blue that shimmered in the Fade's usually bleak palette.

"I had never thought to return in such a way.. It is good to feel the breath of the Fade once again, so much different than the emptiness of your world."
"Anders..? Are you alright?"

"I am Justice. Anders has told you of me, yes? But we can not waste time here. I can sense Feynriel's spirit waning."

Eliza blinks, watching as Justice marches towards the main hall. She follows close behind, looking around. It was an ethereal copy of the Gallows, but, why? Eliza shakes her head, before spotting a Shade lingering in the center courtyard. It approaches them slowly, without intent,

"Mmm.. How interesting.. To see two forgotten magics in one day.."

"It is a demon of sloth, do not listen to it!"

Justice practically spits, eyes glowering dangerously. Eliza looks back towards him, and nods. The demon glowers slightly, watching them,

"I can assure you a peaceful resolution to your time here.. You may call me.. Torpor."

Eliza eyes the demon quickly, before looking to her right,

"Aveline, if you would?"

"My pleasure, Hawke."

The Guard-Captain steps forward, striking the first blow against the creature. Torpor reels back, hissing, before slashing at the warrior. Justice roars, sending forth a spirit pulse that all but causes the spirit to disintegrate. Eliza blinks, in shock, looking back towards Justice,

"Er.. Nice trick there, Justice."

"The way he intended to use Feynriel was unjust. He had to be stopped."

"R.. Right."

Eliza rubs the back of her neck, before heading towards one of the doors.

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Eliza huffs, standing over the body of the accursed desire demon. She looks towards the fading corpse of Isabela -- honestly, she should have seen that one coming. Aveline had betrayed her earlier, at the feet of a monstrous demon of pride. How is it that the only non-possessed mage in their group is the only one to leave this place unwavered? She looks back towards Justice, sighing heavily,

"Guess it's just you and me, now, huh?"

"So it would seem."

Eliza walks back out into the main courtyard, spotting Feynriel pacing about,

"I.. I have to get out of here. It isn't safe for me!"

Eliza jogs down the steps, and she grins as Feynriel's gaze meets hers,

"Glad to see you're alright, Feynriel."

The half-elf seems relieved to see her,

"Oh, Hawke, thank the Creators.. I.. I have to get out of here. It isn't safe for me here."

"Relax, Feynriel. I'll keep the demons away from you."

"I.. I suppose you could, huh.. I just.. The Dalish do not have the knowledge I seek.. But.. I do not know where else to turn.. Not the Circle.. Perhaps.. Perhaps Tevinter? Yes.. Tevinter! They would know how to master these powers, wouldn't they?"

"It's worth a shot, right?"

Eliza does her best to smile. Justice, however, seems in terrible pain. He grasps the sides of his head, and lets out an aggravated shout, 'She's here, she's hurt, what's going on? Why isn't she with Varric? Who is hurting her?'

"EMILY!"