Conspiracy

Marian was almost inconsolable after reading Anders' note. Her baby was growing up so fast. Her baby was in so much danger. Anders was there and ran off to go help others when he knew that this was one moment where she would need him most. Fenris did his best to calm her nerves, but even he was afraid. Liz was too young to understand the severity of her situation, even if she didn't fall prey to a demon, she wouldn't be able to control her magic for some time yet. Here at home there would be the risk of her accidental use of magic getting her or someone else hurt. Out in the world, one slip and she'd be taken away.

Orana took the news well, her life in Tevinter had not made her fearful of magic like it had for Fenris. Bodahn was understandably concerned, but tried to remain optimistic. Sandal's had been the most surprising reaction, as he hummed out a thoughtful 'Enchantment...' then went to his work table and started on a new project. After a day spent with Marian teaching Liz about her magic, Sandal procured a necklace, going over to Liz and putting it on her. Liz smiled at the shiny and gave Sandal a hug before running off to go show Orana her new thing.

"Sandal dear, is that what you were working on all day?" Marian asked gently.

"Enchantment!" He smiled up at her.

"Yes, I figured. What kind of enchantment is it though?" She asked cautiously.

"...No scaries." He answered after a moment to consider his answer.

"No scaries? You mean demons? Did you make her a wearable ward?" She asked in surprise.

"Enchantment!" Sandal grinned, confirming her guess. Fenris was impressed that he had managed such a thing. It would certainly allay some of their biggest fears about this situation. If only Sandal were able to teach others to do what he did, every mage in Thedas could benefit from such an enchantment.

It was four days before Anders finally came home, his robes torn and bloodied, finally mangled beyond repair. The anger and worry that had built up in Marian over those for days came to a head as she cried and yelled at Anders. He accepted the onslaught, and once she had calmed a bit she dragged him off to have a bath, lecturing him about his recklessness all the while. Upon seeing his only coat in tatters, Orana quickly set to work making him a new one. She was making it all in black so that at the very least it wouldn't end up so terribly stained as its predecessor had. Bodahn and Sandal were at the market, so Fenris took care of Leto and Liz. He gently played with Leto while listening to Liz ramble about how she was gonna be the best snow-mage ever, and did his best to be supportive and not ruin her joy with his own fears.

A knock at the door interrupted them, and Fenris went to answer with Leto in one arm and Liz following close behind, excited to greet whoever had come to visit. Her aunts and uncles always brought her treats and gifts, after all. Instead, they were greeted by two templars and a mage, and before Fenris could ask after their intentions (or, more likely, just tell them to go away and shut the door) a spell was cast and Fenris blacked out.

-

Anders had been quiet during the entire affair of Marian bathing him. He knew he didn't deserve her understanding right now. He would explain himself later, when she had calmed down. He did leave without a word for four days, after all, she had every right to be emotional. When she finally deemed him 'un-rank' he stood and dried himself off, then hugged his love.

"I'm sorry. I know I handled myself poorly. I promise, I won't do that again."

"You'd better not! Liz complained about you being gone every day."

"She really does love me, huh?" He responded quietly, still in awe at the blessing that was his daughter.

"Of course she does! You're her father!" Marian huffed, "I know you're insecure from time to time, but you should at least be certain of the fact that your own baby loves you."

"It's still nice to hear you're loved, even when you know it to be true."

"Yes, well... I love you too, you know? I was really worried about you. Disappearing without a trace like that."

"I know, and I promise I'll make it up to you. But first, I should go spend some time with the kids." Anders smiled, kissing Marian quickly before dressing and heading downstairs only to find... nothing. He checked the kitchen, the library, the nursery, even Orana and Bodahn's rooms. Nothing. Marian noticed his search and joined in. She found Fenris' sword left behind, which struck her as odd but not unreasonable if he was heading out with the kids. No, what made her go from confused to concerned was that the travel bag for the little ones' things was left behind, and had not even been packed, so it wasn't last-minute-forgetfulness.

Marian started to hyperventilate. Anders had just gotten back and now Fenris disappears with the kids in tow? What in Andraste's name was going on?! She gathered up Anders and they left to find Aveline. As guard-captain she could put out a search for her missing family members. Aveline gave the order, and then joined them in their search.They walked the streets of Hightown, asking if anyone had seen them. One of their neighbors had an answer that made Marian want to throw up.

"I saw him walking arm-in-arm with some templars earlier. Some lady was following behind carrying the kids. I guess they must've been tuckered out, because they were both fast asleep."

"Thank you for telling me." Marian responded quickly, then ran off towards the Gallows. Templars had taken Fenris and the kids. It would be one thing for templars to take Liz, as upsetting as it was, legally they were entitled to do so. But Fenris wasn't a mage, so the only reason to take him would be to arrest him, and they wouldn't walk arm-in-arm. There was no explanation for taking Leto, he was a three month old baby, he couldn't be arrested and he certainly couldn't be accused of being an apostate.

She left Anders and Aveline by the front gate and went alone to confront Meredith. She slammed into Meredith's office, without a care in the world for the delicate politics of their relationship.

"Champion?"

"Where. Are. My. Kids?!"

"Why would I know anything about your children? I've been blamed for a lot of things, but this is just ridiculous."

"Don't lie to me! Templars were seen with Fenris and my babies! You're in charge of the templars, so tell me where they've taken them!"

"Indeed I am, but I have given no order to bring your man in, and I certainly wouldn't order my men to take your children without ample cause."

"Then where are they?!" She cried out, the desperation clear in her voice.

"Excuse me, ladies." Orsino interrupted from the door, "I...might know what's happened."

"WHAT?!" Marian screamed, rounding on him and grabbing him by the front of his robes, "You will explain yourself RIGHT NOW!"

"I've noticed some mages and templars sneaking out at night, whispering in the halls, passing notes. I suspect some sort of conspiracy. The only note I was able to recover said 'We could use the Hawke children.' I had been planning to discuss it with you once I had a lead on what they were planning." Orsino added the last part sheepishly, and Marian was ready to rip his throat out with her teeth.

"If any of my family have so much as a scratch I will have your head, Orsino."

"I am inclined to agree. You had suspicions yet kept them secret from me, and now innocent children are in danger." Meredith stood from her desk, her face set firm. Orsino hung his head in shame and pulled a list from his pocket.

"These are the people I suspect of being involved."

"We will search their quarters. Go back to your office, Orsino, we will have much to discuss when this is done." Meredith lead Marian to the templar barracks, and the found a hand drawn map in one of the suspects drawers. It showed a location on the coast, about an hour out of town.

"I cannot come with you, Champion, with the news of this conspiracy I have to remain here and weed out the wicked. I will send your brother with you to aid in my stead, and have the Knight-Captain prepare a party to follow and arrest whoever remains after your confrontation."

"Thank you, Meredith."

"You may thank me once these traitors are executed."

Carver was quickly gathered up, and once they had reunited with the others and left the Gallows, Marian explained what she knew, and what the plan was. Carver and Aveline were angry, but Anders was furious, crackling blue with Justice's ire. With the magic pouring from Justice they were far faster than they usually would be, and ran without exhaustion to the location on the map. Once there, they found a collection of mages and templars, surprised to see them arrive so soon.

"Ah, the Champion of Kirkwall is quick to respond to the needs of her family, but not the needs of her people." The mage leading the group declared. Marian recognized her as Grace, a mage she had helped to escape the Templars a couple years prior. Looking around she saw Fenris and the children laying on the ground unconscious behind a couple Templar guards.

"You have one chance to return my family to me, Grace."

"Why should I? You killed the love of my life, why shouldn't I return the favor?" And with that threat, chaos erupted. Justice lunged forward, quickly snapping Grace's neck with all the strength Anders' body could provide. Carver and Aveline launched themselves into the fray, and Marian used force pull to get the templar guards away from her loved ones. She then cast a protective barrier over them, not wanting them to get hurt in the crossfire. Soon enough every conspirator was laying on the ground, dead or dying, and the Hawke entourage stood strong. Marian removed the barrier and attempted to wake Fenris and the kids. Nothing, they were breathing, but they were unnaturally still. This was no normal slumber, even poison did not cause one to sleep so soundly.

Justice went over to them and laid his hands on them. "They were sealed in slumber with blood magic. What pathetic mages, to resort to such actions against innocents." He grumbled in his inhuman voice. He sent out a pulse of magic over them, and they all gasped awake. Leto started crying almost immediately, and Liz screamed looking at this strange, distorted version of her father. Marian dropped to her knees next to them and scooped up both of her little ones, holding them to her tightly as they wailed. Fenris sat up slowly, eyeing Justice with suspicion.

"The Knight-Captain is coming!" Carver called over to them, and Justice flickered away, leaving Anders behind, physically exhausted from the exertion Justice had put him through. Fenris caught him as he slumped forward and helped him ease into sitting next to him.

It was then that Knight-Captain Cullen joined them, looking over the battlefield.

"Did you leave no one alive?" He asked with a tone of awe.

"A few are alive but gravely injured, Ser." Carver saluted, his arm across his chest.

"I see. Give them health poultices, Meredith wants to be able to question at least one of these conspirators." Carver nodded his acknowledgement and quickly set to work going around the field, finding the ones who were still groaning in pain and pouring elixirs down their throats.

"And what of your children, Hawke? Are they alright?" Cullen asked with genuine concern.

"They are alive. Thank the Maker..." Marian answered before finally breaking down and letting tears of relief flow down her cheeks. A small storm cloud had formed above them and was starting to rain and thunder. Fenris's eyes widened, looking between the cloud and Cullen. Thankfully, he didn't seem to suspect anything, since it wasn't really possible to tell that it had formed because of the little girl in Marian's lap, instead of from Marian herself. With two survivors in tow, Cullen and his men escorted them back to Kirkwall. Marian set to feeding Leto as they traveled, the little boy desperately hungry after the ordeal. Carver carried Anders slung over his shoulders back to the city, the mage unconscious now, the weeks of wearing himself thin finally catching up to him after his over-the-top efforts.