Despite the coming onslaught, Hawke hesitated a heartbeat longer. Long enough the claws of the wraith were bearing down on her before she made up her mind at last. She would do nothing. She would not fight back with magic. She would not risk being dragged to the Circle and away from her family.

There wasn't enough time, but she reached for her father's knife at her belt in desperation anyway. As though such a little blade in her hands could help her. A futile attempt in a hopless situation.

As the sweep of her foe's ragged arms brushes her hair, about to make contact in full force, a blur of blue and metal flashes past. Knocking the demon back and away from her before the strike made contact. A close call just barely missed. And Marianna stood gawking, gripping the handle of her tiny, sigiled, knife that was not yet half way drawn. She was utterly dumbfounded.

Beyond her, Fenris was locked in a struggle with the shade that had threatened her. He had narrowly evaded his own opponent and come to her defense. Behind her, the one left unattended came snaking across the battlefield. Eager to attack anything in its path. Hawke danced out of the way, and it passed her by. Heading for its original target instead.
In spite of the elf now facing two shades instead of one, he held his ground well. In fact, he had little trouble gaining the upper hand. Just as before when they seiged the mansion he claimed for shelter, the wraiths provided little challenge for him. Fenris is as skilled as they come and certainly as reselient. Not to mention, shades were rather weak opponents. Thus, his fight was simple, easy even. Undoubtedly, they wouldn't have proved much threat to Hawke either, had she not deigned to just stand there.

The others did not struggle much to combat their own contenders either. It was the abomination who was the real threat. And even that enemy was recieving quite a lashing from Ser Cullen. Another seasoned warrior who knew his trade well. No one expected any less.

A few helping blows after the shades had fallen, and the battle was already over. The abomination was reduced to ash and fade soil. Everyone took a brief moment to process what just happened before anyone spoke up.

Mood soured by the prospect of magically corrupt Templars, Fenris shot a look at Marianna. He hoped this reminded her to always be on her guard with magic. But, he was taken aback when he caught her eyeing him with an apologetic smile and a deep blush of embarassment. Her gaze hastily plummets to her feet, retreating from his. And he stares in surprise, frown wiped from his face as she sucks in a deep breath, blush consuming hers.

"Thank you..." She mutters, "For the rescue, I mean..."

She explains as if he didnt know what she could possibly be thanking him for. It shouldn't be unexpected, Hawke was not an impolite person, but somehow he hadn't seen it coming. He supposed it was just a novelty for him to recieve gratitude for his efforts and not have them be taken for granted. It certainly wasnt something he was used to. But, beyond that, her reaction was curious. He'd never seen her act so awkwardly before. Nor had he ever witnessed her blush so profoundly.

"I owe you one for that..."

The edges of her blond hair shift across her cheeks as she looks down, trying to hide the mingling reds and pinks. Her bangs attempt to shadow her avoiding eyes. Her hands fumble with each other every time she speaks. It is almost cute to watch.

He acknowledges this, but refuses to focus on it. Refuses to let it affect him. Even if theres an ever so slight tingle in the pit of his stomach. Instead, he only gives a nod.

"Be more careful in the future..." Is all he mumbles in reply.

Ser Cullen marches up between them, a mix of disbelief and fury burning in his eyes.

"I knew... I knew he was involved in something sinister! But this," he gestures to the remains of leftover fade swill, "Is it even possible?"

"Apparently..." Isabela muses quietly.

No one pays her response any mind.

"He must have been possesed somehow," Hawke sighs, "How else could this have happened?"

Marainna worries now that she will be bringing bad news back to Macha. She can already imagine the reaction it will earn her. and her belly twists at the thought of bearing such a guilt overtop the one concerning Bethany.

Cullen responds with the notion only mages could fall prey to possession.

"I have heard of bloodmages or demons in solid form who could summon others into unwilling hosts..."

Nightmares of a not so distant past in a not so distant Circle swarm through is irises. He hastily shuts them out. Not wanting to remember.

"I'd not thought one of our own would be susceptible."

"It may not have been wise to have come out here alone with him," Carver suggests.

Cullen reminds the boy who he is, and makes it clear he is responsible for this investigation, and intends to get to the bottom of it.

"I do thank you for your assistance."

Hawke shifts her weight, but refuses to be ushered out of this affair so easily. She has a similar agenda, and shes not the sort to take no for an answer in such circumstances. With a sigh, the Knight Captain continues. Stubborn is as stubborn does and he has no time to waste.

"Wilmod was the first to return of the missing recruits. I had hoped to confront him quietly..."

"Speaking of which," Marianna frowned, "If you didn't know he was possessed, why would you draw your blade on him? He was only a recruit..."

Cullen brushes off her disdain, "He'd only been back a few days when he disappeared again. It set off some warning bells."
Unsatisfied with his excuse, she crosses her arms, "Still..."

"I only meant to scare him into a confession. He had to believe my threats were genuine."

"Do you have any ideas what Wilmod may have been getting up to while he was gone?"

He grimaces, "Obviously more than I had anticipated. I digress. Wilmod had never been fully convinced of the Order's rules. Mages cannot be our friends. The must always be watched. I thought Wilmod might be meeting with some old friends who'd escaped the Circle."

Hawke was clearly uncomfortable with such a hostile opinion regarding her kind, but did not contest it. She didn't need to rouse suspicion. Alternatively, she merely changed the subject.

"The recruits believed that Meredith was conducting some sort of deadly ritual. Know anything about that?"

"What," he scoffs in disbelief, "That's perposterous! They can be worse than a weaving circle with their rumors. They do have a vigil before they take their arms, but the gravest danger they face is falling asleep."

"Hmmm..." Marianna hums in thought. "I'm looking for one recruit in particular. One of Wilmod's friends. Do you know where Keeran might be?"

A shake of his head dashes the rest of her hopes, "He also disappeared. They were last seen together at the Blooming Rose. But, I had no luck interrogating the... Uh... Young ladies... There."

Many eyebrows quirked up at this, all eyes on him. Isabela in particular smirks at him.

"I doubt they know anything of magic or demons," he swallows hard.

"I guess that's where we'll be headed then. It's the only lead we have, and I'm not giving up so easily. You never know what you can learn from pillow talk," Hawke jests.

"We would be in your debt if you can manage to help us with this. No one at the b-brothel will speak with me for fear I would shut them down for serving our recruits."

Isabela stifles a giggle at his evasion of her stare. He's rather hopeless.

"Ahem, if you learn what manner of foul creature did this to Wilmod, please come find me in the Gallows. I will ensure you are rewarded."

With one last glance at the sludge beneath their feet, Ser Cullen turns sharply on his heel and storms away. His march back to the Gallows unnaturally rigid. Unbeknownst to Hawke and her companions, there were 'ghosts' chasing at his back.

Marianna and her friends turn to leave to.

"Think you can handle going to the brothel, sister? I've yet to see you actually charm anyone," Carver sneers.

"Oh? I bet five silvers when we walk in there, half the damn establishment will instantly recognize you and know you by name. Just watch."

"I'm getting in on this bet," Varric cuts in, "Theres good coin to be had."

"I'm not taking that up," Carver shoots.

"Why not? If you win, you'll have ten silvers for some delayed gratification later." Isabela baits.

"I'm not taking the bet," he insists.

"Seems you are certain you will lose," Fenris smirks.

"You're just jealous!" Carver spits back.

"Not really," Fenris drawls and proceeds to disregard him with a snort as Carver scrambles to find something to use in his defense.