Prologue

And down they fled into darkness and despair.

-Threnodies 8:28

Her eyes stung and her throat burned, the noxious smoke searing her senses. Small bits of ash landed on her face and hands, the occasional ember singeing her fingers.

She looked down at her hand, holding the knife. And then at Anders, hunched over, looking away.

"Stand up," she said softly. "I want you to look at me."

Slowly, Anders rose to his feet and turned to look at her. She forced herself to meet his eye, to face the depth of his despair.

"I'm glad that it's you," he whispered.

"I'm not," she whispered back, voice hitching as she held the knife to his throat.

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This was written for the Bioware Bang on LiveJournal. I have a link to the cover art in my profile, provided by the incredibly talented Ashmouth on DeviantArt. This story was betaed by the generous and helpful JessicaJones, Xogs, Neaira and Conzuela