Once again she was in the Chantry, the house of the Maker. She knelt before the austere statue of the Maker, his spiked crown gleaming, his sword plunged into the stone floor. She stayed in prayer, enjoying the presence of the Maker.

A great battle lays before you today, you must be ready. A woman's voice spoke behind her. The Qunari will rise against you and you must not be caught unawares. For in you lay the hopes and dreams of all our kin.

Theresa felt her hands grasp her shoulders with firm but gentle hands. I understand. I am not afraid of the Qunari.

What then do you fear child? She asked.

The safety of my children. I cannot protect if I am fighting Qunari.

Trust the Maker. He wraps his faithful in his embrace. The faithful shall not be forsaken. The woman told her.

Theresa closed her eyes. She took her in the woman's words. The Maker will provide.

Things with the Arishok had not gone so well and now they were attacking the city. They had fought their way out of the compound and up into the main part of Lowtown. Running into the clearing they came across a group of Gray Wardens. They were lead by a woman dressed in strange heavy armor covered in arcane runes in shades of silver and blue. She wore a feathered helm that looked elven in make. Her left hand glowed with arcane energy and in her left was an elven long sword.

"Thank you, Sister for your timely arrival. We have been overwhelmed if not for you and your companions. "She had a strong and forceful voice, approaching them she sheathed her sword."I know the Qunari here were a problem but I had hoped this would have been resolved without bloodshed." She sounded almost sad for the Qunari.

"I know you." Theresa said.

"Aye, and I you, sister." The woman said.

Aveline looked at her "You have met a Gray Warden?"

"Not in person, in a dream." Theresa answered "She is a mage, like me."

Fenris shifted behind her out of habit, he was still distrustful of most mages. The fact she was heavily armored and armed did not help matters.

"I am Faith Howe, Commander of the Gray for the Gray Warden's in Ferelden." She introduced herself.

"The Hero of Ferelden!" Aveline said with astonishment.

"You should have told me you knew a hero!" Varric said poking her.

"We haven't actually met." Theresa protested.

There was an explosion somewhere in the city. Everyone looked towards the docks. The Warden's readied themselves.

"I wish I could stay and help but we have been delayed to long already. But here, take this." She said handing Theresa an amulet "This belonged to me, I think it will be of more use to you than me. Until we meet again sister."

Theresa took the amulet and watched the group of wardens leave. She would have examined the amulet more but another explosion reminded her now was not the time. Slipping the amulet around her neck she looked at her companions.

"We'd best hurry, the city can't take much more of this."

"You have to tell me about these dreams if we survive this." Varric said.

"Sure thing. If we survive."

"HAWKE!" Fenris cried

The Saarebas has caught them all unawares. It stalked up upon the prone mage with malicious intent and just as it was going to pounce, a huge long sword burst through its chest showering her with its blood. Ripping the blade savagely free was the Knight-Commander. Sheathing her sword she offered Theresa her hand.

"I am Knight-Commander Merideth." She introduced herself as she pulled the mage up "I know you."

"Ser Carver is my brother, Knight-Commander." Theresa answered not being one to lie.

Fenris was soon at her side in case the Knight-Commander decided to attack her. He was more uneasy of Templar's now than he was of mages.

"Strange that he never mentioned you." Knight-Commander said with a suspicious tone.

"It's good that we found you, Knight-Commander. The Qunari are-" Aveline began.

"It's obvious what they are doing." Knight-Commander Merideth interrupted "The Qunari are taking people to the keep and may already be in control. We will need to deal with them."

"Why are they taking hostages?" Theresa asked.

"They're going to take everyone of import and put them in the same place." She answered.

"Those that agree to convert, live. Those that don't…" Fenris did not finish his statement when he came to Hawke's side, between her and the Knight-Commander.

The Knight-Commander noticed. She looked at the elf and then Hawke. "Charming." She said.

"I am here to serve Kirkwall." Theresa said, "I'll not let its people be massacred."

"Good." Knight-Commander said, "And for now I will over look your use of magic."

Theresa put her hand on Fenris's arm when he went to draw his blade. Everyone noticed the flash of blue that ran up his arm to his lips. Not now. She pleaded silently. She was thankful he when he relaxed his sword arm.

"We can deal with this later." Aveline said, "We need to get to the keep."

"Agree. I will gather the rest of the Order. I will meet you at the keep." Knight-Commander said to them before leaving.

"She is dangerous." Fenris said.

"I know, but right now we need her help." Theresa told him.

"Are you alright?" Theresa knelt before the groaning mage. Checking him for wounds.

"Many thanks, my friend." He said allowing her to help him to his feet.

"I am sorry about your friends; they did not fare as well as you." Theresa told him as gently as she could.

"The other's that can't all be…" he looked around distressed, "gone. No!" he cried kneeling before a fallen mage "I told them to run…"

"First Enchanter Orsino. You survive." Knight-Commander Merideth said with no amount of enthusiasm.

"Your relief touches me, Knight-Commander." He retorted sarcastically.

Carver and Theresa locked gazes. She was relieved that he lived. "Carver, you're alive."

"That's Ser Carver." He said coolly, "Figures I'd fine you here."

Theresa frowned. This is a discussion for another time. "Ser Carver now is not the time." She replied using his title "I'm glad you live."

Carver and Fenris locked stares. Fenris really didn't like how Carver treated his sister.

"True we have no time for words. We must strike back, before it'd too late." Knight-Commander Merideth demanded.

"And who will lead us into battle? You?" Orsino asked.

"I will fight to defend this city. As I have always done." She retorted.

"To control it you mean. I won't have out lives tossed into the flames to feed your vanity!" First Enchanter Orsino growled.

"ENOUGH!" Theresa yelled.

Everyone looked at her, even her companions. Especially the Knight-Commander and the First Enchanter, they could feel something was off about her. The normally soft spoken mages words commanded so much more power than anyone thought possible. Even Carver was surprised to find she had his attention.

"This bickering helps no one. To the void with your personal feelings, more lies at state here than your personal crusade against one another. Think of the people in that keep before yourselves!" Theresa rebuked them both. It made Carver resent her more for having such a valid point and commanding so much respect.

"You shame me," the First Enchanter said, and then he looked at her "You should lead us."

Theresa looked at him but the Knight-Commander spoke up first. "What! She isn't even of this city!"

"Neither am I, yet I don't hear you complaining about us both fighting to defend our homes." First Enchanter reasoned.

"Very well, then. But whatever you plan, be quick about it." She conceded.

"This should be interesting." Carver muttered he was even less happy that the Knight-Commander was deferring to her.

Theresa thought she was going to be sick to her stomach when the Viscounts head came to a stop at her feet. He had the most ghastly look on his face. She followed the trail of blood to where to Arishok stood staring hard at her and her companions. She hadn't heard what the Arishok had said until that moment so fixated as she on the head that Fenris had to grab her elbow to bring her back to the present.

"…We have guests." He said "Shanedan, Hawke. I expected you. But, for all your might, you are no different from theses bas. You do not see. "

"We can still stop this. Please." She pleaded.

"Perhaps." He said "Prove yourself, basra or kneel with your brethren."

Fenris grabbed her and pulled her back as four of the Arishok's guards leapt forward, weapons where she had just been. She regained her focus quickly, supporting her companions with stone and lightning. She was far stronger than they had thought.

"PARSHAARA!" He commanded stepping down to face her on equal terms. The creature towered over her but at least two feet. Beside her Swiftrunner growled. He gave the hound a glance before looking back to Hawke. "You are basalit-an after all. Few in the city command such respect. So tell me, Hawke: You know I am denied Par Vollen until the Tome of Koslun is found. How would you see this conflict resolved without it?" He asked.

Just before she could answer the doors to the throne room burst open and Isabela strode through carrying the book. "I believe I can answer that." She said striding up and handing it to the Arishok "I'm sure you will find it mostly unharmed."

"The Tome of Koslun." He said with reverence, handing it to a guard beside him.

"Isabela!" Theresa cried "I didn't think you would come back."

"It took me awhile to get here with all the fighting an all. I nearly didn't. I got halfway to Ostwick before I know I had to come back. Pathetic. This is your fault Hawke." She said grumpily.

Theresa could only smile. "I'm glad you came back."

"The relic is returned. I am free to return to Par Vollen- with the thief."

"What?" Isabela said surprised.

"Oh, no, no, no. If anything kicks her ass, it's me." Aveline said stepping forward.

"She stole the Tome, she must return with us." He demanded.

"No." Theresa said firmly, "You have your relic, take it and go."

"I'm sure he'll take that well. Rivaini? You might want to move a bit this way." Varric told her.

"Then you leave me no choice." He said "I challenge you, Hawke. You and I will battle to the death, with her as the prize. "

"No! If you are going to duel someone, duel me!" Isabela cried.

"You are not basalit-an. You are unworthy." He snapped at her.

"I accept." Theresa said firmly. She felt Fenris's hand on her shoulder "I will not lose Fenris. Keep her safe."

"Meravas! So shall it be!" he called before they began.

She reacted quickly, wasting no time. She surrounded him in an ethereal prison that began crushing him. He was stronger than she thought, forcing his way through the prison and charging at her. She barely dodged her as Swiftrunner tackled him from the side scoring a deep hit on his side. The Arishok through the hound off and into stairs and was about to come at her again when he was knocked backwards by the fist made a stone, which was followed by a sickening crunch of bone.

Ignoring his injuries the Arishok charged her. Before she could properly react she was backhanded across the face, his talons cutting her deeply across the eye and knocking her back feet five on her back. Leaving her no time to recover he kicked her in the ribs, breaking several of them and sending her sliding across the floor.

Swiftrunner tried to intercept but the Arishok bashed him hard with his axe, stunning the hound. Stalking up on the prone mage he took aim to strike…

She was so tired. So very, very tired. She just needed to rest a little, just a little. No, wait what was I doing? She asked. I was doing something important, but I can't remember.

Rest now, child. She heard the woman speak, we will finish this, you rest. She felt the woman combing her fingers through her hair. You've done enough, rest.

"THERESA!" Fenris screamed.

They had to hold him back when the Arishok's axe came down. The expected blow never landed though. Suddenly there was a bright flash of light and time seemed to stop, or slow down. Everyone except Hawke's companions averted their eyes from the bright light.

"You have done enough harm, Arishok." Spoke a voice of power echoing into this world from another "Now you will feel the wrath of the Maker."

"Foul and corrupt are you. Who have taken my gift and turned it against my children!" The creature veiled in light commanded.

Her companions watched in awe as she reached out and grasped the Arishok's head. The light enveloped me and a terrible cry issue forth as the wrath of the Maker flowed through him. It an explosive climax he was throw into the stairs, pieces of his shattered axe embedded in his chest. The Arishok's death words echoing in the ears of all who heard him.

"…we will return…"

When the light faded Theresa was standing there, uninjured, disoriented and mostly naked. Fenris was the first one to her side, wrapping her in her cloak. Weakened from her battle with the Arishok Fenris easily lifted her into his arms. Fenris stared at the body of the Arishok. When he turned to leave he was faced with the Knight-Commander.

"Is it over?" She asked, almost sounding disappointed.

"It is." Theresa whispered, relaxing against her husband's chest.

"Then the city has been saved!" One of the nobles cried.

The Knight-Commander narrowed her eyes at Theresa, nestled securely in the elf's arms. The nobles around them cheered. He however was watching her quite closely.

"Well done. It seems Kirkwall has a new Champion." Knight-Commander Merideth declared.