A/N: Hey, so I'm not dead! I definitely didn't mean to take so long again with this update, but there were a lot of factors, like work, life, other writing projects, some writer's block, etc. And I admit, the overall lack of response to the last chapter was a bit discouraging as well. Anyway, I was sick over the holidays and ended up replaying DA Inquisition since I was pretty much quarantined, and it rekindled my interest in this story as well, so I finally got a new chapter done! And even if there continues to be not much response to the chapters, I will keep going, as I really want to finish this and also write an Inquisition sequel, as I have many ideas for it. One of my New Year's resolutions is to write more overall, so I'm going to really aim for every 2 months for an update, possibly more frequently depending on how it goes. And for future chapters, Ayla and Alistair will be coming to visit again, and there's going to be a bit of canon change coming up soon, so there's some stuff to look forward to!

Thanks to all those who have favorited, followed, and read so far - I'm glad you like the story and hope you're still reading!

Extra special thanks to the few who did review last chapter: Guest reviewer (I'm glad you liked the chapter, and the depiction of Mardin's struggle. It was a big thing for him, and my favourite part of that chapter to write!), LostSpace, who has been amazing at continuing to review for me (you rock!), and Bornkiller9, whose timely review on the weekend gave me that last kick in the ass to get the chapter finished! I love hearing from you all, and hope to continue to hear from everybody, as more reviews definitely help keep me encouraged!

PLEASE REVIEW EVERYBODY - THERE WILL STILL BE A GIFT FIC FOR THE 200TH REVIEW!

Disclaimer: As always, any dialogue, characters, or story you recognize belongs to Bioware. Mardin and everything else is mine!

Chapter 25: Hate

Mardin let Fenris take point entering the holding caves. They'd wiped out the guards at the entrance easily enough, partly due to the blazing fury which Fenris had fought with. Not that Mardin could blame him; he hadn't the slightest idea what Fenris had endured at this Hadriana's hands, but he was certain that it had been terrible. Fallor had long ago outlawed slavery, but Aberold had not, and Mardin knew there were more than a few Aberoldians who would be only too happy to have a shifter to cage and break to their will, in much the same way these magisters had tried to do to Fenris. The mere thought sickened him, so he was perfectly content with following Fenris in his mission to slaughter these people who'd once enslaved him.

This resolve was only more firmly cemented when they entered the holding caves themselves, and the coppery scent of blood hit Mardin's nose so strongly he almost gagged. It was so strong it almost overwhelmed the scent of putrid death twining just below it. "I have the feeling we're not going to encounter much resistance in here," he murmured as they made their way through the cave. It appeared to be more of a ruin than an actual cave; the walls were sculpted stone bricks, rather than a natural cave formation, some with murals of slaves depicted on them, and the floors were made of flagged stone. There was even a barred door of iron currently blocking their way forward.

Fenris, who had been reaching for the door handle, paused and turned back to him, frowning. "What would make you believe that?"

"The fact that I smell more blood and death than actual people," Mardin replied simply.

Fenris scowled, his brows drawing together. "Hadriana is a blood mage; it is likely she is preparing for our arrival."

"Then we'd better hurry," Brianna said grimly, and Fenris nodded, reaching for the door and pulling it open.

"So much for a nice day in Kirkwall," Isabela muttered as they all trooped through the door behind Fenris.

Mardin was unsurprised to see a bloody, mangled body lying in a congealing pool of blood on top of a wooden table in the room beyond the door; he was even less surprised to see the pile of bodies stacked morbidly around the table. He covered his nose, trying to manage the overwhelming stench as they moved forward into the room.

"See for yourself," Fenris growled to them, gesturing at the table. "The legacy of the magisters."

"They kill the slaves for their blood," Isabela said in disgust.

"They sacrifice the unwilling?" Merrill gasped in horror, looking at the table with wide eyes.

"Is that so hard to believe?" Fenris snapped at her. "You are only a step away from it yourself."

"That's not true!" Merrill cried, distress lining her face.

"Believe what you like," Fenris snarled at her. "In my experience – "

"Fenris," Brianna interrupted him evenly before Mardin had a chance to, her eyes glacially cool, "you may not want to finish that sentence."

"Take it easy on Daisy," Varric added, frowning. "She's here to help you, you know. Just like the rest of us."

Fenris looked at them all for a moment, then gave a jerky nod and a grunt as he stalked away towards another door. Mardin frowned as he followed him. While he could sympathize with Fenris's rage towards those who had wronged him, he did not agree with taking that rage out on their friends. He only hoped that the elf had better sense than to continue belittling their friends, or he would be forced to intervene. Especially if he turned that rage on Brianna; Mardin owed her far too much now to allow such a thing.

They continued deeper on through the holding caves, making their way through many doors and hallways. There was more resistance than Mardin had initially expected; it appeared that although Hadriana had sacrificed many of her slaves and companions, she'd left any with the ability to wield a weapon alive. None of the slavers they ran across, however, were a match for their own party, and they worked their way forward with little injury.

They finally came across a room where one of the slaves had been left alive; a young, blonde, elven woman in a simple cotton dress, who huddled in the corner during their fight with the armed slavers, her eyes wide with fright.

As soon as the fight was done, Fenris sheathed his sword and approached her with surprising gentleness, kneeling down and asking softly, "Are you hurt? Did they touch you?"

The woman shook her head frantically, tears streaming down her face now as she cried, "They've been killing everyone! They cut Papa, bled him . . ." She pointed a shaky hand at another table piled high with sacrifices. Mardin grimaced at the sight, crossing the room to keep as far from the stench of it as possible.

"Why? Why would they do this?" Fenris demanded, turning an anguished gaze to their party. The others all shook their heads, looking upset but not having any answers. Merrill looked as though she might be sick.

"The magister . . . she said she needed power, that someone was coming to kill her," the elven woman offered tearfully.

Fenris hung his head at this, guilt clear on his face. Though Mardin was still a bit annoyed with him for his earlier comments, he couldn't stand to see that look on his face; he crossed over to Fenris, squeezing his shoulder lightly as he murmured, "It's not your fault. She did this, not you. She would have found another reason to sacrifice them eventually."

Fenris nodded, though Mardin noticed he didn't look fully convinced as the elven woman continued hysterically, "We tried to be good! We did everything we were told! She loved Papa's soup. I don't understand . . ."

Brianna came over, crouching next to the elven woman as well, saying softly, "I'm so sorry. This must have been terrible for you. We need to know, though, is the magister still here?"

The elf nodded tearfully. "I think so. The magister said they were to prepare for battle. I think she's very frightened!"

"She has every reason to be," Fenris growled, straightening up and pulling away from Mardin's hand.

The elven woman looked up at him, crying out, "Please, don't hurt her! She'll be so angry if you hurt her!"

"It will be all right," Brianna assured her. "We'll make sure she won't be angry at you ever again."

"Everything was fine until today! " the elf protested, and Mardin blanched at her words, a sick feeling roiling in his gut. Had she really thought that?

"It wasn't," Fenris said heavily, looking sadder than Mardin could ever recall seeing him. "You just didn't know any better."

The woman turned her tearful gaze to him. "Are you my master now?"

"No!" Fenris shouted, slashing his hands through the air in denial, looking horrified.

The woman looked around at the rest of them, clearly distressed and confused. "But . . . I can cook. I can clean! What else will I do?"

Brianna sighed, running a hand through her hair as she straightened up. "Head back to Kirkwall, ask one of the city guards where the Amell mansion is. A dwarf named Bodahn should be there; tell him Brianna sent you, and he'll take care of you."

The elf got to her feet. "He will?" When Brianna nodded, she cried out, "Oh, praise the Maker! Thank you!" She turned and ran toward the door they'd come in, quickly leaving through it.

Fenris turned angrily to Brianna as soon as the elf was out the door. "I didn't realize you were in the market for a slave," he snapped at her.

Mardin bristled at the comment, certain that Brianna had not meant in that way, and started forward. She put a hand to his chest before he got very far, however, halting him, and stared Fenris down as she retorted, "I gave her a job, Fenris. And a safe place to live, until she chooses to leave."

Fenris backed up, looking flustered. "Ah. Then . . . that's good. My apologies. Let's find Hadriana and be done with this place." He stalked away quickly, not looking back at them.

"Andraste's ass," Varric muttered, shaking his head as they all watched Fenris walking away. "This is turning into a real mess."

"He's right, though. We need to get this over with," Isabela said, looking more serious than Mardin had ever seen her look, either, as she started after Fenris.

"Yes, let's find this bitch Hadriana and get out of here," Brianna agreed, heading towards the door as Mardin and the others fell in behind her. "She's giving the rest of us mages a bad name."

"Yes, she is," Merrill muttered unhappily.

They had to make their way through several more rooms before they finally found Hadriana herself. A dark-haired woman in ornate lavender robes, she was backed into a corner in the room, a large magical shield of blue surrounding her, and several armed warriors between her and the entrance. She tensed visibly as they entered the room, Fenris still in the lead, and shouted, "You've made a terrible mistake coming here, slave!"

"Not as much as you have, witch!" Fenris snarled at her, drawing his sword before he shot across the room, glowing with furious light.

Mardin was right behind him, sword and shield raised, covering the angry elf's back as he fought his way through to the mage in the corner. He felt a barrier spring up around him as well, and knew that Brianna was keeping a close eye on them, while Isabela slipped in and out of the fighting around them, popping up unexpectedly behind a warrior here or there to stab them viciously in the back. Even as they fought the human warriors, however, Mardin could see demons and corpses rising up from the ground around them, likely summoned by Hadriana. Bianca's bolts, Merrill's earth magic, and a few of Brianna's own elemental spells helped keep the creatures at bay until the last human ally of Hadriana's was down.

Fenris went straight for Hadriana after that, hacking and slashing away at her shield, howling in fury, while Mardin kept his attention on keeping anything else the mage summoned away from the enraged elf. Isabela and the others helped him, for it seemed as if every time they cut a creature down, another rose in its place. Mardin was just wondering if Hadriana's supply of magic was inexhaustible, when he heard a scream of pain from behind him and the corpse in front of him collapsed.

He turned to see that Hadriana's shield was finally down, and the woman herself lay on the floor. She reached frantically for her staff, which lay a few feet from her hand, but Fenris stepped over it, lifting his sword above her head.

"Stop!" Hadriana cried, holding up her hand. "You do not want me dead."

"There is only one person I want dead more," Fenris snarled at her, though he did briefly halt, his sword suspended in the air above her. Mardin didn't lower his weapons, either; though the sensation of danger he'd felt since entering the holding caves was mostly gone, now, it hadn't disappeared entirely, which meant the mage might still have a trick or two up her sleeve.

"I have information, elf, and I will trade it in return for my life," Hadriana said, looking almost smug, and Mardin frowned, wondering what she could possibly think would save her now.

Fenris, however, simply scoffed at her, not lowering his sword. "The location of Danarius? What good will that do me? I'd rather he lose his pet pupil."

"You have a sister," Hadriana said quickly, as the sword started to lower. "She is alive."

Fenris froze, then lowered his sword away from Hadriana. Mardin sighed; though he didn't know most of what Fenris had experienced when he was a slave, he did know that the elf had lost his memories when the lyrium lines were branded into his skin. Fenris had confessed the fact to him during a late night of wine drinking in the mansion. He had no memories prior to that incident, so while it was entirely possible Hadriana was lying (though it didn't feel to Mardin like she was), Fenris would have no way of knowing; he didn't even know his real name. No wonder Hadriana had looked so smug; no one would be able to turn away information about a family they couldn't remember.

Hadriana sat up, looking much more confident. "You wish to reclaim your life? Let me go, and I will tell you where she is."

Fenris looked back to the rest of them, clearly torn. Brianna had come up next to Mardin while Hadriana spoke, and now said softly, "This is your call. Whatever you want to do, we'll back you."

Mardin nodded along with the others, though he privately decided that if Fenris took the deal, he'd kill the woman himself. This must be why his instincts were still clamouring and pulling at him; Hadriana might not have any ability to attack left at the moment, or he was sure she would have used it by now, but if they let her go, he had no doubt she'd come back at them tenfold later on. That was something he could not allow, no matter what the others decided; he'd promised himself, after that disastrous incident in the Fade, that Brianna's safety came before everything. She trusted him with her life, even after what he'd done, and he would make damn sure he didn't betray that trust, no matter whether it cost him his life, his honour or his bloody pride. So he watched, not sheathing his sword, as Fenris moved toward Hadriana.

"So I have your word?" Hadriana demanded, staring up at him. "I tell you, and you let me go?"

Fenris leaned down, only inches away from Hadriana's face as he said in icy tones, "Yes. You have my word."

Mardin couldn't help a slight smile as his instincts twanged lightly at that; Fenris was lying. It seemed he wouldn't need to intervene after all. He sheathed his sword as Hadriana said quickly, as though she hoped to get the words out before Fenris changed his mind, "Her name is Varania. She is in Qarinus serving a magister by the name of Ahriman."

Fenris tilted his head slightly, staring at Hadriana, still only inches away from her. "A servant. Not a slave."

"She's not a slave," Hadriana confirmed hastily.

The lyrium lines on Fenris's body lit up, bathing the corner of the room in an eerie glow as he said coldly, "I believe you." In almost the same moment, he thrust his glowing hand through her chest, a gasp escaping her as he ripped the heart straight from her body. She collapsed to the floor as Fenris crushed her heart in his hand, dropping it on the floor as he walked away from the body. "We are done here."

Brianna stepped in front of Fenris before Mardin could stop her, for he knew that the elf probably wanted to be left alone, and asked Fenris quietly, "Are you all right? Do you want to talk about it?"

Fenris whirled on her, his eyes wild and his hands waving through the air as he shouted, "No, I don't want to talk about it! This could be a trap! Danarius could have sent Hadriana here to tell me about this 'sister'. Even if he didn't, trying to find her would still be suicide! Danarius has to know about her, and has to know that Hadriana knows. But all that matters is I finally got to crush this bitch's heart. May she rot and all the other mages with her."

"Right, my mistake. Clearly you're too upset to talk right now," Brianna said coolly before Mardin could intervene, though he didn't miss the flash of hurt in her eyes. "Let's go back and we'll talk later."

"You saw what was done here," Fenris ranted on, ignoring the out Brianna had just given him. "There will always be some excuse, some reason why mages need to do this. Even if I found my sister, who knows what the magisters have done to her. What has magic touched that it doesn't spoil?" He said this last with a venomous snarl, glaring right at Brianna, and this time she couldn't seem to stop herself from recoiling back a little, the hurt very clear on her face now.

Oh, that is it. Mardin stepped between the two, fury bubbling in his veins, the bear roaring within him; no one got to talk to Brianna that way, friend or no. He shoved Fenris back so hard the elf nearly fell over, catching himself just before he did, his eyes lighting with fury as he swung his gaze back to Mardin. Mardin ignored the restraining hand he could feel on his arm and Varric's shout in the background as he said coldly, "I get that you're pissed at Danarius and that bitch over there. You have a right to be pissed at them. You have no right, however, to take that out on Brianna or our friends, who have only ever helped you. And if you ever talk to her that way again, I'll smash that bloody hard head of yours through the nearest wall, do you understand me?!"

"I'd like to see you try," Fenris hissed, his fists clenching at his sides as his lyrium lines lit up once more.

Mardin laughed shortly. "If you're under the mistaken impression from our sparring sessions that you have any idea what fighting me for real is like, I'll tell you right now, you couldn't be more wrong."

"Both of you stop it right now," Brianna snapped, coming out from behind Mardin to stand to the side of him, hands on her hips as she glared up at both of them. "Or I'll be the one blasting you both through the nearest wall."

"I'm with Hawke on this one," Varric declared, and though Mardin didn't turn to look at him, he could hear the distinct ratchet and clank sound of Bianca being prepped with a bolt. "Bianca doesn't like arguing with her friends, but when she does, she's got a real sharp tongue."

"Please, stop it," Merrill implored, even as Isabela added, "Unless the two of you plan to strip down, oil up, and wrestle for the fun and benefit of all of Kirkwall, you'd better back down right now."

Mardin couldn't stop his snort of amusement at that one, coming right on the heels of Varric's, and he eased back, the fury draining out of him, even as Fenris looked around at the others, sudden shame settling deep on his face. He put a hand up to his head as though it ached, and shook his head rather frantically. "I . . . need to go."

Without another word, he darted past all of them, disappearing through the door they'd come in through in a matter of seconds. Mardin turned to look at the others; they were all putting their weapons away, various looks of relief on their face. "Strip down and oil up?" he repeated incredulously to Isabela, his lips twitching.

She grinned unrepentantly. "A girl can dream, can't she? And believe me, that one's a favourite of mine."

"Hey, Rivaini, you might be on to something there," Varric said with a smirk. "Imagine the ticket sales we'd be able to get for that match, let alone the bet money. What do you say, Red?"

Mardin snorted. "I say, if you two can actually talk Fenris into it, I'm there." He was quite certain it would be a cold day in the fire pits of Dorfanas before they convinced Fenris to be naked in public, never mind a naked wrestling match, so it was a safe promise to make.

"You hear that, Rivaini?" Varric crowed. "You get to work on Broody, I'll figure out a venue."

Isabela gave a throaty laugh at that. "Mmm, I'll be happy to. I'll maybe give it a few days first, though."

"I don't understand," Merrill said plaintively. "Why do you want them to be naked when they wrestle? Can't they just wrestle with their clothes on? Maybe not the spiky armor, though."

"Oh, kitten," Isabela said with a sigh, wrapping an arm around the elf's slender shoulders. "I can see we've still got a lot to talk about."

"Why don't the three of you go on ahead?" Brianna suggested in a deceptively mild tone. "I need to talk to Mardin alone for a minute."

Uh-oh, Mardin thought as the other three nodded, trooping out through the door that Fenris had just left through. He had a feeling his lovely mage was still quite furious with him, and wasn't surprised when he looked down to see that her eyes were still snapping violet fire at him. He wondered if it was perverse of him to find that angry look incredibly sexy when he was pretty sure she was about to blast him across the room. He held up his hands in a defensive gesture. "Look, Brianna – " he began.

She whacked him on the arm before he could finish. "What in the Maker's name were you thinking, trying to start a fight with Fenris?! You do know what he can do with those lyrium lines, right?! No matter how strong you are, your skin isn't impenetrable!"

"I know that," Mardin said patiently, feeling more than a little guilty when he noticed worry warring with anger on that expressive face of hers. "And if it ever actually came to a serious fight, I'd never let him get that close, believe me. But he wasn't going to attack me; my instincts for danger never went off. He just needed someone to take his anger out on, that's all. And I wasn't about to let him take it out on you." He was determined to be her shield and her sword arm, to be used in all the ways she might need, even if she didn't know she needed them.

Brianna blew out a long breath, staring up at him with her hands still on her hips. Her gaze grew searching and intense, so much so he felt mildly uncomfortable. Finally she said softly, "You don't owe me anything, you know."

He glanced at her sharply, startled and unnerved. "Excuse me?"

"You don't owe me anything," she repeated, smiling gently at him. "If you're trying to pay some imaginary debt from what happened in the Fade, don't, okay? You don't need to."

"Yes, I do," he countered softly, feeling guilt pierce deeply through him again at the thought of what he'd almost done. What his stupid pride and ridiculous fear had almost driven him to do. If he had actually ended up hurting Brianna – with his own hands – he . . . he didn't know what he would have done. Even the thought made him feel so deeply and violently ill that he couldn't even reconcile it, didn't understand it. Why it struck at him so deeply, he didn't know, and didn't much want to know. All he wanted was to make sure it never, ever happened again. "And you won't convince me otherwise."

She studied him for a moment longer before she nodded. "All right, if it makes you feel better, I won't argue with you – for now. Just remember that you promised not to go sacrificing yourself, or taking everything on yourself. I'll forgive you for a lot of things, but not sacrificing yourself for no reason, or for not trusting me to help, understand?"

He nodded, smiling at her. "I understand." He'd told her the truth when he'd promised to try not to sacrifice himself anymore, to trust that they could do this together. If he could see any other way out, he would take it. But that didn't mean he couldn't make keeping her safe from any and all harm his number one priority. And if the only way out was giving his life for hers? He would do it gladly.

She narrowed her eyes at him, almost as if she knew what he was thinking, but she didn't say so. Instead, she merely said, "Good. Let's head back to Kirkwall now, shall we?"

"Gladly," he agreed, falling into step beside her as they walked toward the door.

They'd only gone a few feet when she said, "Were you serious when you told Varric you'd wrestle naked with Fenris?"

Mardin laughed at that. "I said only if they could talk Fenris into it. Can you actually imagine him saying yes to that? And you sound as if you'd like to see that," he added teasingly.

She flushed as he looked over at her, admitting, "Well, the part with you stripped down and oiled up does sound . . . interesting."

Tendrils of lust snaked all through his body at the suggestive tone of her voice. "Find me some oil and I'll give you a private show tonight," he said lowly.

Her eyes widened slightly, and then she smiled. "I know exactly where to get some."

"Then let's hurry back." He nearly chased her all the way back to Kirkwall.

Brianna was making her way out of the kitchen shortly after midnight with a tray of food when she heard a light, tentative knock at the door, rather like the one Mardin had employed only a few days ago. Just like the other night, her mother, Bodahn and Sandal were all asleep, along with Orana, the young elven girl they'd found in the holding caves. She frowned, crossing to the door, wondering who it could be this time, as Mardin was still up in her room where she'd left him.

She set the tray of food on a table in the entrance hall, then reached for her staff before moving to open the door. She didn't think someone who wanted to harm her would knock so nicely first, but one never knew in Kirkwall. She opened the door, and even in the dim light, she recognized the shock of white hair. Fenris had already started heading down the steps, likely thinking she wasn't awake, but turned when she opened the door. He looked up at her, uncertainly. "Hawke – I – "

"Come on in," she said, stepping back and setting her staff aside. He gave a jerky nod, following her inside. She closed the door behind them, then waved him into the front room, where he began pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace, while she sat perched on her chair, watching him.

After a long moment of pacing in front of the low fire, the light bouncing patterns off his tanned skin and currently inactive lyrium lines, Fenris stopped abruptly and faced her, his green eyes conflicted. "I've been thinking about what happened with Hadriana," he said at last, hardly able to meet her eyes. "I took out my anger on you, undeservedly so. I was . . . not myself. I'm sorry."

"Thank you," she replied softly. Brianna couldn't deny that it had hurt her to have the same anti-mage hatred she'd dealt with all her life directed at her by someone she thought of as a friend, but she could also understand where Fenris had been coming from at the time. And the fact that he was here apologizing, when she knew how difficult that was for someone like him, meant a lot to her. "I appreciate your apology. And I imagine you didn't want to fight Mardin, either," she added lightly.

"I do not wish to be at odds with either of you," he said sincerely, meeting her eyes this time. "Or the others."

She nodded, and sensing he still had more to say, waited in silence until he went on, "I needed to be alone. When I was still a slave, Hadriana was a torment. She would ridicule me, deny my meals, hound my sleep. Because of her status, I was powerless to respond and she knew it. The thought of her slipping out of my grasp now . . ." He shook his head fiercely. "I couldn't let her go. I wanted to, but I couldn't."

"You wanted to let her go?" Brianna asked, surprised. She honestly wasn't sure she would have been so forgiving, especially after what Fenris had just told her.

Fenris nodded shortly, staring down at his hands, as if still seeing her blood on them. "This hate . . . I thought I'd gotten away from it. But it dogs me no matter where I go. To feel it again, to know it was they who planted it inside me . . . it was too much to bear. Ah, but I didn't come here to burden you further."

Brianna couldn't even begin to imagine what Fenris had gone through in Tevinter, and she suspected it was much worse than he'd let on. With that in mind, she couldn't find it in her heart to hold his earlier words against him; he'd been like a wounded animal, lashing out in pain. As Mardin had later pointed out to her, she would have been better off leaving him alone at the time and asking him to talk later when he'd calmed down. So she reassured him softly when he moved as if to turn away, "We're friends, Fenris. You're not a burden."

"I'm not certain I know what that is," Fenris replied heavily.

"It's when you're there for somebody when they need you, even when they're acting like an ass," a voice said lightly from above, and Brianna looked up to the balcony above to see Mardin leaning against the railing, wearing only his breeches, the rippling muscles of his chest and abdomen still gleaming from the oil she'd liberally spread on them earlier. She bit her lip as the sight sent a wash of desire through her, reminding her distinctly of how they'd just spent the last few hours. He gave her a cocky grin as he noticed her reaction, raising his eyebrows at her. "I got tired of waiting for you to come back with the food," he explained.

"Mardin, I must apologize to you as well. You were correct that I was treating Hawke and the others unfairly. And I will endeavour not to do so again," Fenris added hastily.

Mardin nodded. "Good, glad to hear it. I probably shouldn't have said what I did either, but I'm not about to let anybody treat Brianna like that, friend or no. Especially not after everything she's done for us."

"You are right." Fenris bowed his head. "Once again, Hawke, I am most sorry for what I said. You have done much for me. You have been a . . . friend, and I thank you for that."

She smiled at him. "You're welcome, Fenris." While part of her had been annoyed with Mardin for his high-handed interference earlier, a part of her had found his desire to protect her even from harsh words sweet. And she could see that he had likely gotten through to Fenris in a way she might not have been able to, which she also appreciated. "I hope you remember that in the future. But you've also done a lot to help me. Both of you have," she added, looking up to Mardin, who smiled warmly down at her.

"Question for you, Fenris," Mardin said abruptly before Fenris could say anything else, "do you hate mages because they might lose control and become abominations, because they have more power than the average person, or because of what those magisters did to you?"

Brianna frowned, wondering what he was getting at as she darted a glance back to Fenris, whose brows drew together in thought. "I . . . am not certain," Fenris admitted. "I suppose . . . much of this hatred in me is because of what they did to me, but some of it is wariness of that power they have, that all mages have, that they used to harm me, and others. And the fact that if they succumb to their temptations, they could so easily harm so many others."

Mardin nodded, as if he'd expected that answer. "Then you should hate me, too."

"What?" Fenris looked startled and confused. "But you are not a mage."

"Mardin – " Brianna began, concerned about where he was going with this, but he held up a hand to stop her.

"Just hear me out. Shifters can lose control, too, if our emotions overwhelm us," Mardin told Fenris. "I could lose control, shift into the bear without being aware of it, and I could attack and harm people without meaning to. Just like an abomination. And I've come close to that, more than once. We also have abilities the average person doesn't, like our shifting, and my strength. And I don't even know how many people I've harmed with those abilities."

Fenris was frowning now. "But you have not used that power to harm innocents."

"No," Mardin admitted, "at least, not that I'm aware of. But neither has Brianna. And I'm sure there are many more mages out there that haven't done so, either. Besides that, mages didn't choose to be born this way. They didn't choose to have their power. I chose to be a shifter. So really, you should hate the one who chose this, not the one who didn't."

"Did you not choose that ability to help your country and your people?" Fenris demanded. "And do you not continue to use it that way?"

"Of course I did, and do. What does Brianna use her abilities for, again? And there are many more mages who use what they've been given – without ever having asked for it – to help people," Mardin countered, and Fenris frowned, nodding. "I see your meaning," he said reluctantly.

Brianna smiled, finally seeing what Mardin was doing, hoping that this comparison he was drawing would help Fenris start to break free of his hatred for mages. If she had not realized she loved him before, she thought, her heart filling with warmth, she would surely have realized it now, as Mardin went on, "Hate Danarius if you want, and Hadriana, and any other mage that's harmed innocents for no other reason than because they can. I'm right there with you. I would have killed Hadriana myself if you hadn't; she needed to die, or she would have come right back and attacked us again. And I'll happily help you kill that Danarius bastard whenever he shows up. But don't hate all mages just because they're mages. They didn't choose to be that way, and they don't deserve it. Brianna, especially, doesn't deserve it. If you do insist on it, then you'll have to hate me, too, and any other shifter. And maybe Templars, too, now that I think of it."

"I . . . will think on what you've said," Fenris replied at last. "And try to recall it, whenever I feel this hatred welling up in me again." He glanced down at his hands, again, before looking back up at Mardin and frowning. "Why does your skin appear so shiny?"

Brianna choked on the sip of water she'd just decided to take from the cup on the table next to her, while Mardin started snickering, clearly trying to keep from howling with laughter so as not to awaken everybody else in the estate. He clutched the balcony railing as he finally managed to get out, "Ask . . . Brianna."

Fenris glanced to Brianna, who could feel herself turning bright red with embarrassment as she waved her hands in front of her in denial, trying to get her coughing under control. It must have finally clicked for Fenris, for his face started to turn red, as well. "Ah, I see. I suppose this means I will have to endure Isabela's endless demands, as well?"

"I'm afraid so," Mardin said at last, having now gotten his laughter largely under control. "Isabela and Varric are determined to make the oiled-up wrestling match a reality. Sorry, Fenris."

Fenris heaved a sigh, as Brianna added with a laugh, "We can call that your penance for today."

"I feel sure it will be more than adequate penance," Fenris muttered. "In any case, I should take my leave now. I will let you return to . . . whatever it is you were doing," he added hastily, his face starting to flush again as he headed for the door.

Brianna let him out, ignoring Mardin's renewed chuckles behind her as she grabbed their tray of food and hoped to the Maker that Varric never got that little detail out of Fenris.

"Ah, there you are, dear!" Mother exclaimed as Brianna entered the light, airy kitchen for breakfast two days later. "I was hoping to catch you this morning. The Viscount is hosting a ball in two weeks, and you simply must attend with me. Now that we are truly Amells again, we must begin acting the part."

Brianna sighed, rubbing her forehead as she sank into the other chair at the square table. One of the Viscount's fancy balls full of pretentious nobles was definitely not her thing. "I'm not the Amell, Mother, you are. Isn't it good enough if you go?"

"You may not bear the Amell name, but you are my daughter, so you are still an Amell," her mother replied firmly, smoothing the skirt of her elegant purple dress. "And you must attend. You've already missed one official ball."

"I don't have anything to wear?" Brianna said hopefully.

"Not to worry." Her mother flapped her hand. "I'll have something made for you. We certainly have the money to get you a dress now, thanks to that expedition of yours." She smiled, a beam of pride that Brianna was not used to seeing on her mother's face as she added, "I'm still grateful you used your money from the expedition to buy back the estate. I feel like an Amell again."

"You're welcome, Mother," she replied softly. "Just don't get all pompous on me, okay?"

"I promise," her mother said with a soft laugh. "If there's one thing I learned in Ferelden, it's that good people can be born in a hut as easily as a palace. Honestly, after so many years as a peasant's wife, it feels strange to have nothing to do. But I can't spend the rest of my life mourning Bethany and wishing Carver were here. She's gone and I can't bring her back, and Carver will visit when he can. I guess I just need to start picking you out a suitable husband." She gave a hopeful smile at this. "Perhaps we can start at the ball."

"Mother, no," Brianna groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I do not want you picking me out some arrogant noble boy. I can find somebody on my own." And indeed, had hopefully already found him, if Ayla had been right about how Mardin felt about her.

"Oh? Like that handsome red-headed boy that's been hanging around so much lately?" her mother said, her smile growing wide when Brianna whipped her head up to stare at her. "Come now, dear, don't think I haven't noticed you sneaking him in and out of your room. I can certainly see the appeal," she finished, fanning herself with one hand.

Brianna thumped her head back on the table. "Maker, kill me now," she muttered into the wood. She was just grateful she'd learned a sound-proofing spell so that at least she knew her mother hadn't heard her with Mardin, even if she obviously knew what they were doing.

"Oh, don't worry, I remember what it was like being young. Your father and I – "

"Please, Mother, stop talking, I'm begging you," Brianna interrupted her, lifting her head and holding out a pleading hand. She absolutely did not want to hear about her parents' sex life when they were young.

Her mother laughed merrily. "Oh, dear, don't be so embarrassed. Anyway, I simply want to know if you're serious about your young man. And what his intentions are."

"I am," Brianna admitted softly, flushing. "Serious about him, I mean. And I think he'll be serious one day, too. He's just . . . he's had some bad experiences, so he's afraid. But he'll get there." She hoped so, anyway.

Mother gave her a soft smile. "I'm glad to hear it. I will look forward to attending your wedding one day, then. And I won't pester you about arrogant noble boys, I promise. You can even invite your young man to the ball, if you wish."

Brianna drummed her hand on the table, thinking. It might not be so bad if Mardin were there to liven things up. And she certainly wouldn't mind seeing him in a fancy outfit, or showing him off a little. "Maybe I will," she said. "If he's willing to come. Anyway, Mother, why don't you look for someone suitable?"

Her mother looked startled at that. "Me? At my age? Do you really think I should?"

"Of course!" Brianna exclaimed. "You're still a beautiful woman, Mother, and you deserve happiness of your own. Especially after all we've been through. And I'm sure there are plenty of men who would be happy to court you."

"Thank you, love. And perhaps I should think about it," Mother mused thoughtfully. "Of course, no one could ever replace your father. But it is refreshing to think I could still be courted at this age."

"Of course you can," Brianna declared firmly, thanking Orana when the young elf set a plate of eggs, bacon and toast in front of her. The girl was as talented a cook as she'd promised, and Bodahn had only been too happy to give up the cooking duties to her.

She'd only just started digging into her breakfast when Bodahn himself appeared at the door to the kitchen. "Lady Amell." He bowed his head to her mother, then turned to Brianna. "Serah Hawke, Master Tethras is here to see you. He says it's an urgent matter." Bodahn sounded politely doubtful of the truth of the claim; he and Varric didn't seem to get along terribly well, Brianna had noticed, but Bodahn was careful not to let it influence his work.

"Show him in, Bodahn, please," Brianna said, and Bodahn nodded, leaving the room.

Varric came in not even a minute later, looking considerably more distressed than Brianna could ever recall seeing him. "Hawke, good, I'm glad you're home. Leandra," he added quickly, nodding to her mother, who returned the greeting. "Red will want to know this, too, but I thought I'd tell you first."

Brianna frowned. "Varric, what is it?"

"I think . . . I've found Bartrand," Varric said.