A few days after the attack on Vigil’s Keep, Anders picks his way through the forest, trying to find his way back to the road. He grimaces a few times, as Justice flares beneath his skin. It hurts, in a strange way, like his skin doesn’t fit.
Or maybe that’s how Justice feels.
"Yes, well, we'll see if my lodger agrees," he says, tapping his temple.
"Now, that's something I definitely don't want you to try," Anders says with a wink, and settles down to sleep.
"I think I already tried it once." Cia snuggles back against Ilska,obviously settling down to sleep emself.
"Okay, well, don't try it a second time," Anders says, only half joking.
"No promises," Cia murmurs, but the way ey rolls over doesn't leave much room for further discussion.
Anders takes that as a hint, and settles himself further, shutting his eyes.
A week and a half later, they disembarked the boat at Kirkwall.
Anders takes one look at the slave themed statues, and tries to hold Justice back. "Interesting decor," he remarks.
"Keep close. They can't deny a Warden," Anders says with confidence he doesn't feel. He starts heading to the ferry's into Kirkwall city.
A man steps between Anders and the teens. "Welcome to Kirkwall. Purpose?"
"Afraid I can't let that be, sir. Knight-Commander Meredith has new protections over the city. New children must be tested before being let into Kirkwall proper."
"Does the Knight-Commander have no respect for the Wardens?" Anders asks, voice hard.
He's trying to hide the panic he feels, being separated from Cia and Ilska.
Cia's pressed close to Ilska, eir eyes slightly wild. (Ey can hide, ey knows ey can, but Ilska's vibrating, and not quite growling yet, but it's close and-)
"I'm sorry, ser, but the Commander is quite stern. Don't worry, you'll have your kids back in no time."
"I'd have them back faster if your Commander respected Grey Warden rules," Anders said dangerously. (Cia might recognise Justice getting close)
"We'll be fine," ey says quickly, voice surprisingly steady. "Nothing to worry about right? We've got nothing to hide." Ey's trying to convey that ey knows how to fool the tests.
"Your-" Anders had a whole argument about mages being legal within Grey Warden rules stopping when he sees Cia's look. He trusts em.
"If my conscripts come back in anything less than perfect order, you'll be hearing from the First Warden." The man has the decency to look spooked.
Anders looks over at Cia, and for a second he knows he looks as desperate as he feels. "You'll be fine," he assures himself more than them.
Cia nods to him, looks at the man, and with far more authority than ey actually feels. "Well. Let's get this over with."
The man leads them away, towards the Gallows, leaving Anders at the docks.
Lirene, cradling her baby, comes up to him. "We'll keep you hidden from them. We know what gets done to mages in this town."
"Thank you," Anders says honestly, but part of his heart left when Cia and Ilska did.
However he follows Lirene and her husband onto a boat, heading into Kirkwall proper.
Cia stays close to Ilska, steers her after the other man, whispers quietly, reminds her they need to behave, be unobjectional.
The man leads them to a group of scared teens-kids. The Knight-Commander apparently isn't picky.
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