Freedom

"There's Captain Jeven's office," Aveline said. "Wait here while I explain our initiative."

Carver and Alexandria stood outside of the door that closed behind Aveline. The ambush on Sundermount had been a tough ordeal. They had been well equipped and well organized for bandits. All of them thought that there might be some foul play, but there hadn't been any proof. Aside from the coin the looted from the bandits, all they had were their weapons and armor. Not only that, but when they began attacking the bandits, none of them ran away from Alex's magic. Most people feared magic, but these thugs actually "countered" it in a way and continued fighting. You either had to be well paid or have a boss that doesn't let you live if you come back with excuses. Even Hewie didn't scare them off, and there's nothing more ferocious than a mabari war hound's charge.

"I don't know how they do it where you come from, Guardswoman," came an angry male voice through the door, albeit a little muffled, "but I decide the patrols, not you and your whims! You may have been put up for lieutenant in your first year, but I'll have no show-offs in my command! Have I made myself clear?" There was a pause. "Report to your post before I have you and your Fereldan accomplice jailed!"

The door slammed open and Aveline exited the office in an angry hurry. She stopped just in front of where Carver, Alex and Hewie were standing.

"That was a lot of yelling for us doing him a favor," Carver said after Jeven had closed the door once more.

"We killed a band of highwaymen," Aveline said, not really hearing Carver's remark. She was still confused. "What does it matter whose patrol it was?" She sighed. "It's not the first time he's made me wonder like this. Something is very wrong."

"So then let's see whose toes you actually stepped on then," Carver said.

"That would be listed on the duty roster," Aveline nodded before walking to a big pole with different sheets of paper listed. Alex, Carver, and Hewie followed behind her. "What have I stepped into this time," she sighed, lifting different sheets of paper up in search of the name she was looking for.

"Aveline!" came a foreign female voice. Aveline turned to face a guardswoman with brown hair and soft eyes approaching her. "I owe you for clearing that ambush this morning. Saved me a mess of trouble."

"Brenan, that route was yours?" Aveline asked.

"It was," she answered. "Single Patrol. I'd have been dead for sure."

"So there was nothing unusual about it at all?" Carver asked her.

"It had been clear for weeks," Brenan answered helpfully. "It didn't get unusual until we heard about you and Aveline, serah. The Captain reassigned me after he heard about what you did. And I passed the satchel to Donnic for his patrol tonight."

"The satchel?" Carver asked, not understanding what she was talking about at all.

"Pay and order assignments," Brenan supplied. "Captain has us run deliveries to the outposts on light duty. The satchel is usually just an uploaded copy of the roster. The satchel for this morning, however, was heavy." As quickly as Brenan thought it was unusual, she dismissed it. "Anyway," she continued, "thanks again, Aveline. You're a good one."

When Brenan was gone, Aveline turned back to the duty roster. "So the satchel gets heavy the morning we take care of an ambush..." she mused.

"You sure you want to pursue this?" Carver asked. "This is your superior we're talking about.

"If a guard was put at risk, a good captain would want to know why," Aveline said in a justifying manner. "And if he's not a good captain, I want to know why."

"It's certainly a messy way to pass on information," Carver added. "And Brenan already sent it along."

"You're right," Aveline agreed. "Another guard is walking into that very same trap. I can't let that happen." She studied the duty roster more carefully. "Brenan said Donnic...a good man...Donnic, Donnic... I've got his route. A night walk in Lowtown today. We're going to make sure his quiet patrol stays that way." Aveline turned back towards Carver and Alex. "I'll meet you outside of the Hanged Man just after sunset. A guard's life is at stake, so please don't keep me waiting."

"We'll be there, Aveline," Carver said sincerely. "Don't worry."

Aveline gave them a weak smile of gratitude before making her way to the barracks.

Carver and Alexandria said nothing as they exited the Viscount's Keep. They still received looks of disgust from the noble men and woman, but they were a bit more guarded now since Hewie came along. They may be Kirkwall's most powerful and "important" people, but their titles and money mean nothing to a mabari war hound that could easily tear your throat out. The nobility weren't about to risk their lives on their discrimination against the less wealthy.

It wasn't as sunny as it was yesterday. There was still that annoying glare of the sun coming off the white stonework, but at least there was shade from the clouds today. Wordlessly the three walked down the long staircase from the entrance of the Keep to Hightown.

"You certainly weren't very chatty," Carver commented offhandedly while they walked on to Lowtown.

"I'm not usually," Alex replied quietly.

"You once were, though, Alex," Carver said, looking over at his sister with a smile. "You used to talk my ears off with what you learned from a book or from Father. Some days we actually had to tell you to stop talking because we were afraid you'd pass out from not breathing enough." He chuckled at the last part, remembering things as they used to be.

"Things have changed," Alex said in an emotionless tone.

Carver's smile dropped instantly. "You certainly have," he sighed.

Alexandria looked over at her brother for a second before quickly looking away again. So have you, dear brother. You are actually starting to enjoy people knowing how you are, Alex thought to herself. Did you like it when Jeven said "accomplice" and not "accomplices?" Do you like the attention, especially since you're the only one receiving it?

"Something's on your mind," Carver stated, not asking.

Alex looked over at him. Had she not been wearing her hood, Carver would have seen the haunted look on her face. He would see what she was feeling and thinking for the first time since they arrived in Kirkwall. "I was just thinking about what Lirene told me when I inquired about the Grey Warden," she lied.

"You never did tell me how that went," Carver admitted, buying her lie.

Hewie pressed himself closer to his mistress' leg. Things were changing. And he was fearful for Alexandria's safety and future.

Lirene's Fereldan Imports had a musty and dirty smell to it when Alexandria entered the place. As she opened the door, she was surprised at the number of Fereldans in the shop. All of them were quiet except for those closest to the counter. They were making the most noise. You would think that with the lack of jobs, less people would be in this shop trying to buy items, she thought as she slowly made her way through the people to the back. No Kirkwaller would find themselves in here. Before she made to the back, though, she saw a small chest on top of an old wooden crate. "Donations" had been scribbled on to the top. Alex remembered how nice people always were in Fereldan, always helping one another out. This cesspit of a city would have truly won over her if she didn't at least give something to those in need. She may be in Kirkwall, but she was still a Fereldan through and through.

"Will everyone just please step back!" came a woman's voice form the back of the shop as Alex's thirty silver clinked to the bottom of the chest.

"My mother's in labor! The baby's come early! Can anyone help her!?" came the frantic voice of a younger woman.

"I'll send word to the healer," came the voice of the first woman again, "but—"

"My son's hurt bad," came a male voice. "Cart overturned on him in the blasted Bone Pit."

"Everyone in your Turn!" said the first woman. Alex had made her way to the back of the store finally and saw that the voice belonged to a dark brown haired woman standing behind a shabby counter. "I promise we have donations coming in. There will be food and medicine for all of you."

There was a pause in the ruckus, so Alexandria took this time to approach the counter. The woman saw her approach and started talking before Alex could even say why she was here. "Hello, my name is Lirene. If you are seeking aid, leave your name with my girl," Lirene motioned to the girl behind her. "We serve everyone here—no one came from Fereldan without troubles. But I can't give priority to anyone who's already found work and lodging." With that said, Lirene crossed her arms and assessed Alex for the first time. A Fereldan woman coming in here with dark clothes and a hood obscuring her face that's heavily armed is certainly unusual indeed, and someone worth keeping a close eye on.

"Is there any way I can assist these people?" Alex asked, genuinely hoping she could help. She had the desire to help the two that needed medical attention, but she wouldn't say anything unless prompted.

"If you have coin to spare," Lirene answered, "we won't turn it down. Donation box is in the front." That's when Lirene noticed the weapon Alex was carrying with her. At first she only noticed the dagger strapped to her belt, however that double bladed staff reminded her of the weapon the healer always had with him. "Unless you have other skills to offer," she added quietly.

Alexandria bit her lower lip. There was her prompt, but she decided that she should probably get the information she came here for first. "I hear you may know where I can find a Fereldan Grey Warden," she finally said.

That's when Lirene got defensive. "The only Grey Warden I've heard of is sitting on the thrown. We're out of the Blight's path now. Why do you need to find a Warden."

"The healer was one of the once, wasn't he?" the girl who's mother went into labor said. "A Warden?"

"Well, he's not now," Lirene snapped. "And busy enough without answering fool questions about it."

Alexandria saw that she was going nowhere fast with this conversation. "Can we continue this conversation in the back room?" she asked politely.

At first Lirene was going to say "no" and be done with it. But there was that staff on her back again. She decided to take her chance. "Very well," they turned and exited into the door behind her. Once the door was closed behind them, she asked "What's all this about?"

"I need the Grey Warden's help," Alexandria said. "I can see that you don't want to share information on him with a stranger you don't know and can't trust, but if you can tell me anything, I would greatly appreciate it." Alex hesitated for a moment before adding, "Just as the soon to be mother and crushed boy would greatly appreciate it if I were to help them with my certain skill set I happened to be born with."

Understanding dawned on Lirene's eyes. She had found another mage that could heal. "You see what our people have to face in Kirkwall. They have no jobs, no homes. Most can barely buy bread." Lirene's tone had softened. "This healer, the Grey Warden you're looking for, he serves them without any thought for coin. He's closed their wounds, delivered their children."

"Why does he need to hide, though?" Alex asked.

"He's a good man. I won't lose him to the blighted templars."

Alexandria was shell shocked for a moment. Another mage? Another apostate? I knew I wasn't alone but...he actually has the courage to come out of the shadows and help others with his magic. I would never put myself at risk like that. "He—he's a mage? Alex stammered.

"He is." Lirene answered in a calm tone, almost like a mother talking to her child. "Just like you."

Alex closed her eyes for a moment, processing that information. "Then you understand that your healer is in no danger from me."

Lirene nodded, "I suppose it isn't my secret to keep, anyway. Anders has certainly been free enough with his services. Refugees in Darktown know to find the healer, look for the lit lantern. If you have need enough, Anders will be inside."

"My services are available to the two that needed a healer when I entered your store," Alex said. "For my family's sake, I can't offer anymore."

"I understand," Lirene replied. "I will inform them that there will someone who can help with go with them. First the mother, then the son." Lirene went to exit the room they were in, but turned back to face Alex. "And thank you..."

"I would prefer not to give my name."

"Well, we have to call you something," Lirene said. She paused for a moment, studying Alex. "How about 'Mockingbird?'"

"Mockingbird?"

"Yes," Lirene answered. "Mockingbird's copy the songs of other birds. I see a lot of Anders behavior in you; though, I'm sure that's how most mages in your situation act."

Alexandria nodded. A Mockingbird helps two people that need healing magic. Mockingbirds are a myth, a legend. You can't hunt down myths nor capture legends. The templars wouldn't have much to go with if someone sold me out under the name of 'Mockingbird.' "That should be fine," she said before following Lirene to help the two families that needed a little bit of magic.

Of course, in the version she told Carver, she never went into the back room of Lirene's shop. She never told Lirene that she was a mage. She never helped to people using magic. She never became Mockingbird. In the version she told Carver, simply asking Lirene who she was protecting made her crack and tell her about Anders. The version she told Carver didn't make him angry at her for putting her, their, lives in jeopardy. Carver didn't yell at her for using magic in Kirkwall. Carver bought the half truth story she gave him. There was no confrontation.

Carver hadn't said anything throughout Alex's recollection of her and Lirene's conversation. Now that she was done telling him, he spoke, "Perhaps we can find this Grey Warden before we clear out the estate and get the will today."

"We're doing that today?"

"Why not? We've got a long ways to go until sunset."

"I suppose, you're right," Alex said, "but maybe we should see if Varric can help us. He may be a good shot and can help us with the slavers, and he's a smooth talker, so he can help us with the Grey Warden as well."

"Afraid you can't handle a few slavers," Carver responded, in jest.

"I'm more 'afraid' that you might yell at me for actually fighting against them," was Alex's retort before she pulled ahead of Carver, leaving him behind and forcing Hewie to trot a little to catch up to her as she strode in the direction of the Hanged Man.

In the darkness of the Undercity, with the thieves and murderers, it wasn't hard to find the light for Fereldan refugees here. There were actually two lit lanterns that shined brightly in the stuffy, black air. Carver, Varric, and Alex had no difficulty in finding the place where the Grey Warden healer was.

As they approached the door, Alex started getting nervous. She was always nervous whenever she trekked into Darktown, however, this Grey Warden mage was an unknown. She stuck close to Hewie, who padded softly behind her, and let Carver and Varric take the lead on this one. She remained in the shadows. For now.

When they opened the door, a tall blonde was standing in the center of the room, over a cot with a boy laying on it. The boy was very still. The mother and Father kneeled on either side of their son while the mage, while Anders, did his best to heal the boy. Blue orbs of light were seemingly held in his hands as he moved them over the boy, giving life to the proper spells that would heal him. Threads of the spells whispered their way down to the boy, touching the boy's skin and going through him to heal whatever was wrong.

Carver and Varric stood in the doorway, waiting for him to finish. Alex had to look over the top of Varric to see and was transfixed by Anders' magic. He's a spirit mage! I can feel the fade closer than ever, like whenever I use spirit magic. Maybe Lirene was right in calling me Mockingbird. It's almost as if I've copied his ways exactly.

Soon the blue light from Anders' magic grew brighter and more intense. Alex could feel the power he was putting into the spell radiate off of him. Then, suddenly, the boy let out a loud gasp, and Anders severed the spell, but the mana required to sustain it until now took its toll on Anders. He had to prop himself up against a pillar that was close by as the family thanked him and left as quickly as they could. No one stayed in Darktown longer than they needed to.

When the family had left, Carver and Varric began to approach Anders once more. Alex and Hewie followed more at a distance. They're going to provoke him with all the bravado they're walking with, Alexandria thought, shaking her head.

Anders had been massaging his forehead when he sensed danger. He quickly reached for his staff before turning around to face the intruders. His hand was outstretched to ward them off as he spoke in a strong voice, "I have made this a place of healing and salvation," Anders growled, sounding as if he had his own personal echo on a couple of the words. "Why do you threaten it?"

Alexandria saw her brother and Varric tense. Before they could do anything stupid, she hissed at her brother, "Remember, we're only here to talk, not start fights!"

Carver and Varric heard her, and they relaxed a little.

Anders didn't hear Alex though, and he remained poised and ready to attack. They hadn't attacked him yet, so Anders took this chance to size up those he was against. The larger one with the black hair was a warrior. He could tell by the two-handed sword he carried on his back and the way he held himself. He was the same size as Anders, but if the fight turned to physical blows, the warrior would definitely win. Another one of them was a dwarf. He carried a crossbow that was nothing like Anders had seen. The dwarf was also lacking a beard, but had seemed to grow it on his chest instead. Crossbow bolts were always a pain to deal with. As for the other one, the woman he almost didn't see she was so well concealed by the shadows. She was a mystery to him. She could be more dangerous than the other two. Maybe not as dangerous as the mabari that had stepped in front of her as soon as he had grabbed his staff, though.

"I'm just here to talk," Carver said, throwing his hands to the side a little to show he had no intention of reaching for his blade.

"We're interested in getting into the Deep Roads," Varric added. "Rumor has it that you were a Warden. Do you know a way?"

"Did the Wardens send you to bring me back?" Anders asked, untrustingly. "I'm not going. Thos e bastards made me get rid of my cat." Anders relaxed a bit, and returned his staff to his back. "Poor Ser Pounce-a-lot. He hated the Deep Roads."

Alexandria had been observing Anders for any signs of danger and to get a read on him so that she could give her brother advice. She had been expecting hostility and for there to be no trust between them at all. She had not been expecting the part about the cat though, and smiled at that a little bit.

"You had a cat named Ser Pounce-a-lot? In the Deep Roads?" Varric asked incredulously.

"He was a gift," Anders explained. "A noble beast. He almost got ripped in half by a genlock once. He swatted the bugger on the nose. Drew blood too," his voice was one of pride as he spoke of his cat. "The blighted Wardens said he 'made me too soft.' I had to give him to a friend in Amaranthine."

"So you came to Kirkwall just to escape the Wardens?" Carver asked, getting into a more serious topic.

"You say that like it's a small thing," Anders replied with a harsher tone. Alexandria nudged Carver at this point. "Yes. I'm here because there's no Warden outpost, no darkspawn, and a whole host of refugees to blend in with." Anders hung his head slightly, "And some reasons of my own."

"Talk about the expedition now," Alexandria whispered to Carver. "Be friendly about it too. He's not our enemy. But he will be if you keep talking like you just did."

Carver winced his eyes a little at Alex's remark before doing as she said. "We," he motioned to Alex and Varric, "are part of an expedition into the Deep Roads. Any information you have could save people's lives."

"I will die a happy man if I never think about the blighted Deep Roads again," Anders sighed. "You can't imagine what I've come through to get here," he snapped. "I'm not interested..." But Anders stopped himself. "Although...a favor for a favor... Does that sound like a fair deal? You help me, I'll help you?"

"If you help our expedition reach the Deep Roads, I'll do whatever you need," Carver said.

"You don't ask for my terms?" Anders asked smugly, a hint of a smirk on his lips. "What if I were asking for the Knight Commander's head on a spike?"

"Then we'd be doing Kirkwall a huge service," Alex answered quietly too herself, but not quiet enough.

Anders looked at her with a shocked but amused expression, to which Alex dropped her head and looked to the side when she saw him looking at her. She scolded herself for drawing his attention. Slips like that could cost her at some point.

"I have a Warden map of the depths of this area," Anders continued. "But there's a price." He turned and walked away from them a bit before turning back. "I came to Kirkwall to aid a friend named Karl. He's a mage, a prisoner in the wretched Gallows." A pained expression appeared on his features."The templars learned of my plans to free him, though. Help me bring him safely past them and you shall have your maps."

Alexandria's heart sank. Templars? He wants us to fight templars? She wanted to slap Carver to let him know not to ask anymore, to let him know that the deal needed to be off, but she stopped herself. If I show him any misgivings about this plan, he'll back out completely, she thought. We need those maps. There's no other alternative. But templars... The panic she always felt with templars and guards mentioned or around rose in the pit of her stomach, threatening to smother and suffocating her. She remained frozen.

"How exactly do you plan to free him?" Carver asked. "We don't exactly stand a chance if we try to break him out of the Gallows."

"It won't come to that," Anders said. "I told Karl to meet me in the Chantry tonight. Maker willing, he'll be there alone. But if there are templars with him I swear," his voice to a dangerously harsh edge, "I will free him from them, whatever the cost." His words, they were dripping with hatred. Alex could sense it, and she involuntarily flinched from the words as if they were tangible.

"Do you really want to make your friend an apostate?" Carver questioned. He would never had asked for Alex to be an apostate, but she had been one all her life. If there were any way to change that without involving the Circle or templars, he would.

"That's such a weighted term," Anders snapped. "Yes, Andraste said that magic should serve man, not rule him. Yet I've yet to find a mage that wants to rule anything. It goes against no will of the Maker for mages to be free."

Alexandria pushed back her panic and tried to get Carver to agree to help. If she sounded confident in what the plan was, perhaps he would agree. "We're helping him, right?" she asked in a whisper.

"From what I've come to understand," Carver nodded, "forcing mages into servitude is just going to lead to another Imperium."

"That's...not usually the response I get," Anders replied, his tone growing softer, more relaxed and relieved. "Perhaps we will work together better than I expected." He glanced over back at Alexandria. He was curious about her. Throughout this entire ordeal she hadn't said a word. It was like she was just hired muscle waiting for a job to start. Or she's hiding something, he thought. She could be dangerous.

"We better be careful, though," Carver warned. "We're risking a lot if anger the templars." This was more for his sister's benefit than Anders. He couldn't care less about the Grey Warden. His sister was risking a lot. He almost wished he could convince her to stay home and not go with him tonight.

"Join me at the Chantry tonight," Anders said. "And no matter who might be with Karl, we will all walk away free." We have to.

We better, Carver growled in his head. "We'll be there."

"I welcome your aid," Anders said with a nod.

Carver led the way out of Anders' little sanctuary. Varric and Hewie followed. Alexandria hesitated and watched Anders for a moment before following. I didn't think mages could look so tough. He was a Grey Warden, I suppose, and he may have endured his share of horrors, but... He's as tall as my brother, a full head taller than me, and he looks as if he could be a warrior as well. Alexandria was puzzled by Anders. He was an anomaly. Then again, I have been mistaken for a rogue or warrior of sorts by almost everyone as well... But those soft, amber eyes of his...they're filled with sorrow... I probably look the same way though. Perhaps I am a Mockingbird.

Anders thought of the strange woman once they had left. She seemed so familiar in stature. But her silence still unnerved him. What is it about her that makes me think about her? I didn't even see her face, for crying out loud. He thought about the way she walked. Perhaps she's the bigger guy's sister... It doesn't matter though. So long as she helps me free Karl, I don't give a damn about what or who she is. He knew that wasn't true when he thought it though.

"Well, this looks like the place," Alexandria said, looking at the ladder that led to a hidden door. "If the cellars go this deep, maybe we were important."

"There's only one way to find out," Carver said. Then he added with a cheeky grin, "And before we go in, Alex, try not to cause too much destruction. I don't want there to have to be any more renovations and upgrades than already needed when we move in."

"You are so cocky, you know that?" she asked jokingly.

Varric laughed at the exchange. "You have to admit that Hawke has a point there, Alex. No point in spending more money than already required."

Alexandria shook her head before climbing up the ladder ahead of them, forcing Carver to help Hewie up since he couldn't exactly climb anywhere.

I can't believe they actually had an ogre's head mounted above the vault door, Alex thought as they returned to Gamlen's hovel with Grandfather's will. And I thought the Orlesians had terrible taste.

Claiming the will from the slavers hadn't been that hard in all honesty. A few mighty blows, some fireballs, and a couple of pinning shots later, they had managed to cut them all down. The cellars were straightforward too. There was no double backing involved or anything. Alexandria did find something that intrigued her though: letters that were sent to him from a mage named Tobrius. It was something of her Father that Alex could hold on to until she found the mage and figured out what they were about. Carver had easily dismissed them as unimportant, but Alex felt as though they might mean something. She wasn't going to ask Carver's permission to seek this mage out. He would never agree to her going to the Gallows.

As they opened the door, they were welcomed yet again by their weasel of an uncle trying to ferret out more money. "...so I'm just saying: blood's blood and all, but you are take advantage of my hospitality... It's only fair that you make something of a...monthly contribution—"

Mother looked absolutely disgusted. "You sold my children into servitude?" she asked unbelievingly. "Now, you're asking me to pay rent!?"

Carver came up and stood next to Mother. His towering figure made Gamlen cower a bit. "Er..." he stammered. "Maybe just put something towards food..."

Carver shook his head. "We found the will."

"Grandfather left everything to Mother and us," Alexandria added. "See for yourself." She handed the will over to Mother, who looked over it carefully yet quickly.

"Er...ah...I should...maybe..." Gamlen was about to head for the door, but Hewie stood defiantly in front of it. Nothing other than his mistress' order would move him from that spot.

"'To my daughter, Leandra, and all children born of her...the estate in Hightown and all associated revenues...'" Mother read.

"We have a home, Mother," Carver said with a smile. "A real home."

"They forgave me. Mother forgave me." For the first time in a long while, Mother sounded happy and relieved. It was only for a moment though. "But... Gamlen how could you?"

"You're the one who ran away, Leandra," Gamlen accused. "What happened to 'Love is so much more important than money...?'"

"It is!"

"You didn't even show up for the funeral!"

"The twins were a week old!"

"We all have our burdens," Gamlen snarled. "Mine was looking after a life you abandoned. How long was I supposed to wait?"

Carver found himself understanding Gamlen's side of it, as much as he hated him. "If it wasn't for the Blight, Mother, would we have ever come back here?"

"I always thought I would. But...I suppose you two are Fereldan to your toes..." she admitted.

"Look, Sister," Gamlen said. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done it, but I did. And there's nothing I can do to get it back."

"I don't expect that, Gamlen," Mother shook her head. "It's enough to know Mother and Father didn't die angry. I'll petition the Viscount for rights to reclaim the estate. Maker willing, you'll have your 'house' back within weeks."

"You don't have the coin or standing to even get an audience with the Viscount," Gamlen spat back. "You've got to be someone in this city to live in that house again."

"Then I had better get started," Mother responded with fierce determination before walking to her room.

Gamlen shook his head and glared at Carver and Alex before walking off.

Alexandria wanted some time to think, but before she could, Carver looped his arm with hers and said, "We need to go for a walk and have a little chat, Sister."

She already knew what this was about. This chat was going to be about Anders and his plan to free his friend. "Yes, we do."

Lowtown was settling down now that the afternoon hours were spent. There wasn't heavy traffic of people anymore and the shop vendors looked positively bored. The sun had finally faded behind the tall buildings in Kirkwall and the temperature was finally becoming cooler. Carver and Alex walked towards the gate leading to the Docks. It one of the safer places to talk because everyone there was so preoccupied with the qunari being there that they wouldn't notice a brother and sister having a conversation about things that could end up with them in the Gallows.

"You've changed," Carver started out with.

"So have you."

Carver wanted to protest, but deep down, he knew it was the truth. "What happened, Alexandria?"

Alex was tempted to leave him in silence, but that was part of the problem, that was part of the change. She dropped her head a little. "Bethany's death and this city."

"I—I don't understand."

"When Bethany died," Alex started, "I was so lost. She was my other half. And because she was gone, I clung to you... I was so young back then. But, this city has forced me to grow up Carver," she looked at him with sad eyes. "I'm not that little girl with pigtails riding her year-old mabari anymore."

Carver nodded in understanding. "When Father died," he said, "I tried my best to make everything right for you and Bethany, like he did. I was forced to grow up then. It was almost like I became our Father for you."

"You're a lot like him, Carver," Alex agreed. "But you don't need to be anymore." Carver looked questioningly at her. "Part of the reason I'm so distant now is because I'm trying to drive you away from me. All children have to leave there parents protection at some time. That's what I'm doing with you." She stopped to face him, "We've been through a lot in Kirkwall. I've grown up. I know how to take care of myself. And I resent the fact that you believe you still have to take special care for me."

"But—"

"You can still look out for me, brother," Alex said, smiling for the first time since she's been here, "but in order for me to grow as a person and to be who I truly am, I need to take care of myself now."

Carver had to look away for a moment. He knew what she was saying was the truth. For him to be as close as they once were, he was going to have to let her control her life. She knew the consequences probably better than him, and she knew herself at the moment better than him.

"And you've changed too, Carver," Alex continued. "You love the attention you get now," she said with a smile. Her eyes were a little glossy from all the emotions she was feeling: happiness, fear, sorrow, pain. "You can finally receive it too without drawing eyes in a bad light now. And part of me thinks that you're frustrated with having to tone it down for my sake."

"I—I'm sorry," Carver stammered.

"Don't be," she smiled. "I understand. It must be tiring looking out for me all the time, so don't." Alexandria straightened herself out and stood taller. "I can take care of myself."

Looking at Alexandria, Carver couldn't understand how he never noticed before. Alex wasn't a child anymore. She was a powerful mage. She could handle herself with and without magic. She didn't need his protection anymore. But she did need her brother, which he could never truly be in Kirkwall when he was so focused on keeping her safe. "I'm sorry for not realizing that sooner, dear Sister."

Alex smiled genuinely at him. It was good to smile again. The last time had been on the boat about a year ago when they were traveling to Kirkwall. "I forgive you. Just...promise me to be my brother from now on, and not my bodyguard."

"I promise," Carver laughed before pulling her into an embrace. "It's good to have you back, Sister."

"And you, Brother."

They released one another from the embrace slowly. "Now," Alex said, "what else did you want to talk to me about?"

Carver's smile faded. "The Chantry," he started. "I don't like the sound of this plan at all."

"I know," Alex nodded, "which is why I plan to fight normally."

"This is going to be dangerous, Alex," Carver warned. "We aren't talking about taking out mercenaries or anything."

"I know, but we have no choice. We have to do this Carver," Alex said, gravely. "I can do this. And we won't have any major repercussions."

"Ok," Carver agreed. A few minutes ago, he would have told her he wasn't going to allow her to come, but after their heart-to-heart, he understood her one more. They had both changed, and they had both accepted and understood it. Things were better, less hostile, and less dangerous. "I'm going to head back to the Hanged Man and ask Varric's help when it comes to helping Aveline and Anders. Are you coming?"

"No," Alex answered. She turned to the waves they had found on their walk. The docks were noisy, but they were always peaceful to her simply because of the water. "I'm going to stay here and think for a while. I'll meet you there at sunset."

A nod was the response Carver chose before turning away and leaving her to her thoughts. What annoying bastards those thoughts could be.

Alexandria's mind kept returning to Anders. Why? She didn't know. But that's what kept happening. She decided to embrace the thoughts in the hope that they'd go away after she had dwelled on them for a time. He hates the templars more than everything. I can feel it, and his anger towards them. That could be dangerous in the long run. He might act solely on his anger and forget that things could backfire on himself or others, she thought gravely. But he's helping people. He's risking his freedom and life to heal those that need it with no thought for himself either. He's doing what's right in a city that's full of wrong. A few gulls cried out, and Alexandria looked to the sky and watched them fly above her head. I wish I could do that. Alex was talking about the birds' freedom to fly and Anders courage to heal others at the risk of his life. Closing her eyes, Alex remembered Anders as he was when healing that boy. He had been in a peaceful trance while using magic. The blue light cast about him accented his hair and face, drawing her attention to it. She couldn't stop thinking about him. He looked so sad, even when at peace with his magic, like he's lost more than everyone else.

Opening her eyes, Alexandria knew what she was going to do now before the sun began to set. With determination, she walked on. She was now in control of her life, thanks to Carver. She got to decide what risks she took and what paths she chose for herself. It may not be the safest one, but it was the right one for her. When she found herself at the door, she opened it and walked inside. She worked her way around a few people before she came to stand in front of her choice.

"Is there anything I can do to help these people," she asked for a second time.

Lirene smiled, "I believe there might be a few things you can help with, Mockingbird."

~~.O.~~

Author's Note: Ok, I know I skipped a lot of the combat in this, but that's because I really don't like the combat. It's not necessary. I will however add it in the other chapters. This chapter is just slow.

Also, I did have a major catastrophe planned for the brother and sister, but it seemed way to over the top, so I had them become close again in some fluff.

And I'm sorry that this chapter is really short... I didn't like this chapter...

I can't wait to get to the Tranquility mission in the next chapter after helping Aveline become Guard Captain. EEEEK! I'm so excited. I can't wait to hear reactions.

Anyways. Thank you for reading and please let me know if you see any errors. Thanks.