They hug him tightly in turn, a little desperate, but mostly content.

Anders is loathe to let them go, so even when he gently pulls away, he keeps a hand on them both. “Well. Let’s go see what the fine people of Hightown are up to this morning.”

"Stepping on the people of Lowtown and Darktown and pretending we don't exist?"

"Obnoxiously ignoring the fact that their entire city was built by slaves?"

"Being oblivious to pickpockets?"

“Caring too much for Orlesian fashion that is probably made by elven servants?”

"Now that's a real crime. What even is Orlesian fashion?!"

"Oh, I don't know. If I had destroyed an entire culture and built an empire on the ruins, I'd probably dress like I decided to wear everything at once."

"Every empire is built on the ruins of someone else's culture."

"Very true, it just smarts a little that it happened to the elves twice. Can't lay down a foundation before another empire comes their bloody way."

"...Yeah," Ilska agrees. The closer they get to Hightown, the twitchier she gets.

Anders reaches out to wrap an arm around her. He feels plenty twitchy himself. "I may be Andrastian but I will never understand the Chantry. What possesses someone to constantly tear down cultures they don't understand? And then the mages. Where to even start!"

"Yeah," she agrees quietly. "-But. Let's not have that rant right in the middle of a load of Chantry-abiding citizens."

"You're right. Better to go and have it in the Chantry itself. Though what would Karl say if we just got him out and then I was dumped in the Gallows?"

Cia pokes his side. "No getting yourself dumped in the Gallows. I'm pretty sure Ilska has a plan to get you out, but."

Anders smiles, but there is a hard glint to his eye. "Don't you worry, I'm far too pretty to get locked up."

"Can we avoid even risking that?"

“Am I aging you beyond your years?”

"Uh-huh. And I'm pretty sure that's our job."

“We’ve never been a conventional family.” Anders squeezes her shoulder. 

"Best family though."

Anders heart thuds happily, and all he can do is smile. 

At least, until the final set of steps to Hightown are before them. 

Ilska leans a little bit closer into him, trying to be reassuring.

Anders takes a moment, and a breath, and then starts heading up the stairs. 

These particular ones empty out in the market, across from the Merchant’s Guild.

Hawke's stood outside, with their back to them.