She. Anders corrects that in his head. "How long has it been just you two?"

"Few months. Since not long after we found out I was a mage."

"Your caretakers didn't take it well, then?"

Ilska makes a derisive sound.

"That's putting it mildly."

He doesn't need them to go into detail. His father was much the same, though Anders hadn't the chance to run before the Templars came. 

"Do you have a plan for what to do next?"

"Not really," Cia admits. "We haven't really had time to think ahead."

Anders frowns, cursing the world they lived in. Two kids, with nowhere to go? Just because Cia was a mage? 

He thinks. Maybe they could go to an Alienage? Denerim was only a week back- 

But Karl. He finally had a chance to save the one person he loved and finally tell him that. But these kids...

Anders straightened. “Have you guys thought about an Alienage?”

"Uh, yeah. Too many- Ilska doesn't really do well with too many people to watch. And she won't listen when I tell her it's fine, and safe..."

“I don’t blame her. They’re busy places, crowded too. And, even though I don’t blame them, they’re not too nice toward humans.” 

Anders sighs. He would run a hand through unruly blond hair, were it not covered by a hood. “I know this is a stretch, but do you have family elsewhere? Perhaps in the Free Marches?”

Ilska hisses angrily.

"Uh, if we do, I don't know about them."

Anders curses his good heart. Damn Karl and his good influence.

"All right. You don't have to, if you don't feel it's safe, but would you like to come with me? I'm fleeing to Kirkwall on a refugee boat."

Ilska looks very suspicious of that offer.

Cia pokes her side, and something passes between the two of them. Ilska slumps slightly.

"I- we'd- appreciate that. For- for now at least."

"You are welcome to come along with me once we get there, or go off and do you own thing. North Thedas is vast, and the Templars less vigilant than the ones here or in Orlais. You could slip right through."

"Yeah, it's a better chance," Cia agrees, nodding slowly. Pauses, twists eir fingers together. "I- could you maybe- teach me some? The healing stuff?"

"I...I've never really been a teacher. But I think it would be useful, with your sister being the scrapper. Someone's gotta patch her up afterwards. Sure."

Anders saying 'sister' obviously startles Ilska, but she looks...almost grateful.

The smile Cia gives him is both grateful and relieved. "Yeah, she's kind of a walking disaster like that sometimes."

"I would think she thinks it's worth it, protecting you."

Ilska nods, looking at Cia like ey's the most important thing in the world. (From Ilska's point of view, that's probably true.)

Cia laughs quietly. "Yeah, I guess she does, I'd just appreciate it if she did it with a few less injuries."

"Would you listen to that, you're already talking like a healer! We bemoan the amount of injuries with every breath in our lungs."

Cia grins widely. "Must be in my blood."