Alone part 2

     The trip to Tevinter felt like a walk to his execution.

     Fenris remained in the cell the whole time, never moving from his spot in the corner. He hardly touched the meals slipped in due to lack of appetite, didn't respond to the jeers of the guards. Even when Varania came down to see him he paid no attention to her.

     She spoke about their childhood, of the life he lost when he received the markings. About their mother and about her brother Leto; Fenris couldn't identify with this stranger she spoke about who was full of life despite his position as a slave. Who would tease her playfully. Who-as it turned out-competed for the lyrium now embedded in Fenris's skin so he could ask Danarius to free his mother and sister.

     Most of all, she apologized and tried to explain to him her actions.

     "He promised to make me his apprentice if I helped him reclaim you," Varania told him. "I won't have to keep struggling to make ends meet if I become a Magister."

     Perhaps if he was still his old self, burning with anger, those words would have done nothing to sate the rage that would have no doubt built up. He would still want to see her dead, sister or not. And Anders-hypocritical bastard that he was-would no doubt harp on Fenris for having magic in his blood.

     Wait; why was he thinking of the abomination?

     Fenris put those thoughts aside. But all that did was made him think of Hawke's betrayal.

     He should've seen it coming; even if he fully believed she would stand by him when he confronted Danarius (which-he would admit-he had some lingering doubts), Hawke had changed ever since her mother's death. The loss of both her siblings-Bethany to an ogre and Carver to the taint-only hardened her. She was probably tired of trying to save everyone after failing to keep her family safe. That would also explain why she let the Arishok take Isabela years ago, now that he thought about it.

     Weeks later, someone above shouted that they would soon be docking in Minrathous. So…they were finally here. From what he heard while eavesdropping on the guards, Fenris wouldn't have his memories erased right away since Danarius didn't have all the resources needed at the moment. For now, he would be kept in a cell and guarded.

     Fenris kept his gaze down during the walk to the estate and when he was thrown into one of cells in the basement. Just as he had on the trip, he kept to one corner and never said a word nor acknowledged if someone was there.

     Days passed. Still no news.

     Part of him wished it would come sooner; a treacherous thought whispered that it would be better if he could forget again. Forget about the fog warriors, Hawke, and the other painful memories that haunted his mind and refused to leave him be. Return to the life where he wasn't constantly struggling to remain free.

     Had such a thought come to his mind before Hawke's betrayal, he would have shoved it away in an instant. Now, it was a comfort for the inevitable.

     "You need to eat something, Leto."

     Varania was here again. If he looked at her, would he see worry? Her voice sounded concerned, but he couldn't bring himself to care.

     "....."

     "You can't keep this up; sooner or later, your body will give out if it doesn't receive nourishment."

     "....."

     There was a sound of a plate scraping across the uneven stone floor.

     "Please, Leto…"

     She attempted to call him by his old name, but she may as well have spoken about a complete stranger.

     "....."

     The soft padding of feet told him that she left.

     Fenris kept his gaze aimed at the wall.

     This pattern repeated until one day the door was unlocked and one of the guards hauled him to his feet and dragged him out.

     "It's time, slave." One of the guards holding his arms sneered.

     So today was the day, then. Fenris didn't struggle or raise his head as they brought him up the stairs. He didn't say a word when they approached Danarius with Varania at his side and followed them to the room where the ritual took place. This time, Fenris looked up…and a cold pit formed in his stomach.

     He knew this room all too well.

     How many nights did he wake up in a cold sweat, his sleep tormented by the memories of the ritual which gave him the markings and stole his previous life away? How many times did his mind return to this room and the agonizing pain that assaulted him whenever he felt even the lightest touch from another person on his skin?

     Another reason, that small part of him whispered, that this won't be so terrible. No more nights remembering.

     Fenris's legs gave out from under him, not crashing to the ground only because of the guards still holding him.

     "I apologize, Ser," Varania spoke up. "he's hardly eaten since he was recaptured."

     "Still a troublesome little wolf, I see." Danarius sounded amused. "No matter; once the ritual is done he will once again be the obedient pet he used to be."

     The guards pulled Fenris over to the table in the middle of the room and strapped him down.

     "Go find the scullery maid-Cybil, I believe her name was-and bring her here."

     Out of the corner of his eye, Fenris saw confusion in Varania's expression as she watched the guard leave to follow the orders given to him.

     "Ser…why bring her here?"

     "Fuel for the spell, of course. Manipulating memories requires the power in blood, and erasing them will mean using a life. No worries about Cybil; she has gone deaf and can't do her tasks as well. At least her life will be of some use."

     Confusion turned to queasiness. Varania looked uncomfortable at the thought of someone's life being sacrificed. This was odd; surely she would've known that blood magic was practically required for a mage to become a magister.

     The guard came back with a young elven girl, turning queasiness to horror. When Danarius said Cybil had gone deaf, it was assumed she was an old woman. However, it seemed she was either involved in an accident that took away her hearing or there was an illness.

     "Now that we have everything we need, let us begin."

     The crackling of magical energy filled the air, along with the sound of chanting. Before Fenris closed his eyes to prepare for what would come next, he saw Danarius slide a knife from its sheath and turn towards Cybil. He waited for the spell to assault his mind and tear away his memories.

     "Master! There's someone at the door!"

     The chanting stopped.

     "Didn't I tell the staff I am not to be interrupted?"

     Even though his voice was calm, there was slight annoyance.

     "You did, Ser. But I had to tell you because your 'visitor' is coming this way."

     Fenris heard a muffled curse. Surprising; not once had he ever heard Danarius curse.

     "What are the guards doing? They're supposed to stop him."


     "We've tried, but this man isn't ordinary, even for a mage!"

     A mage?! Who would…?

     "And what is that supposed to mean?"

     "I-I don't know exactly what it is-it's not blood magic, that's for sure-but he has some sort of pow—"

     There is a loud yelp and the sound of someone being shoved towards the ground while calm footsteps make their way into the room. Shuffling feet meant others moved out of the intruder's way.

     Who was this person, who just broke into the mansion of a magister? Some sort of mage, from what the guard said. A rival, perhaps? Seemed likely.

     The sound of one end of a staff hitting the floor sounded with a sharp crack!

     Two words were spoken with anger and venom barely held back.

     "Release him."

     Fenris's eyes shot open in recognition. He knew that voice.

     Anders?!