Kiera Amell thought her life was set before her. A talented Spirit Healer, she assumed that she would spend her life in the Circle of Magi healing the sick and mentoring apprentinces. That is, until a blood mage betrayed her trust and left her to pa...
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Kiera was terrified. She didn't dare look behind her, afraid that she would see the Templars right behind them. She was leaned low, one hand on Jocelynn both to try to keep the crying infant calm and to reassure herself the reason they were running. Garrett glanced back, then dropped back slightly, causing panic to rise in Kiera.
"Garrett?" She looked back at him, then wished she hadn't. Five Templars were not far behind them. "Oh, Maker!"
"The Keep's in sight!" Garrett called to her. "No matter what, you make it within the walls. You promise me you'll keep going!"
Kiera nodded, tears from the terror she was feeling beginning to form. She turned forward again and urged the horse faster. Garrett had moved between his family and the Templars. He hadn't recognized any of them, but he was not going to lose his wife and daughter to them. He'd be damned if they dragged Kiera back to the Tower to be executed for something she was innocent of. He'd be damned if they took his daughter away and gave her to the Chantry. He knew he'd be officially expelled from the Order and maybe even imprisoned for deserting his duties and aiding in the escape of an Apostate accused of Blood Magic. He didn't care if they took him as long as Kiera was safe.
Take care of her, Garrett. Anders' final words to him echoed in his mind. You're a good man. You've always been a good man, even if you were a Templar. Just don't let them drag her back.
He'd made a promise to keep her safe. There was no way in the Void that he was going to break that promise.
~~~
Nathaniel joined the Warden on the wall over the gates leading into Vigil's Keep.
"Riders," the Warden said, handing a spyglass to the second in command. "Approaching fast."
Nathaniel raised the glass to his eye. Seven riders were racing towards the Keep. Five were Templars, the Sword of Mercy emblazoned on their chests. The two riders at the lead looked as if they were trying to outrun the Templars. Then he recognized them.
"Get the Commander! Now!" Nathaniel sprinted down the stairs.
He was met by Roland. "What's going on?"
"Templars. Running down another Mage and heading straight for us."
"How do you know it's a Mage?"
"Because she saved Anders in Amaranthine."
Several minutes later, Realin darted towards them, Tristan at her side. "Nathaniel!"
"Commander, Kiera and Garrett are heading to the Keep with Templars on their heels."
"Not on my watch. Take the Templars alive. Do not kill them." She suddenly smirked. "Wounding them isn't out of the question though."
Nathaniel chuckled before swinging onto his horse and unslinging his bow.
~~~
Kiera prayed they could reach the Keep before the Templars caught up with them. They were within reach of safety. Just several more yards. Kiera's horse suddenly screamed and reared, throwing her to the ground and she landed hard on her back. Jocelynn screamed.
"Kiera!" Garrett cried.
Kiera looked past him just as an arrow flew towards him. "Look out!"
The arrow hit the horse and he reared, screaming. Garrett, being the better horseman, stayed horsed. Suddenly the horse screamed again and fell over. Garrett gave a cry of pain as the horse landed, trapping his right leg beneath his bulk.
"Garrett!" Kiera scrambled towards him as Garrett struggled to free himself.
"You have to go. Leave me. Get to the Keep."
Jocelynn was screaming at the top of her lungs. Kiera looked up. The Templars were coming fast. She delved into her magic and helped Garrett lift the horse.
He crawled backward from under the horse and stood, putting most of his weight on his left leg. "It's not broken. Now run!"
Kiera turned and ran, holding her screaming daughter close to her.
~~~
Garrett knew he couldn't outrun the Templars with his injured leg, so instead he drew his greatsword and turned to face them. He'd give Kiera a chance at a new life, a chance to raise their daughter without fear. He cut down the first Templar's horse as he tried to trample him. The Templar tumbled to the dirt and the second was upon him, slashing his sword towards him. Garrett blocked. Kiera seemed to realize at that moment that Garrett hadn't followed her and screamed his name. Three of the remaining horsed Templars dismounted and charged him. He defended himself from them, being reminded of the Darkspawn ambush just then. Suddenly, they backed away. Garrett limped backwards, wondering what they were doing.
"Come with us peacefully, Garrett," the one that had been holding Kiera's phylactery said. "We can free you from the Blood Mage's hold on your mind."
"You think that's why I'm with her? That she's forcing me to protect her?"
"Why else would you abandon your duties to the Maker? You abandoned your brothers to die."
"Then you should know I almost died in that ambush. What Blood Mage would save a Templar? How many healers do you know that have turned to blood magic?"
"It is her influence, Garrett. We can help you, tell Greagoir that you were forced against your will to protect her. Just help us capture her."
Garrett held his sword up. "No, because she is not a Blood Mage."
"Then you leave us no choice." He held his hand up and a moment later, an arrow sailed towards him.
Garrett managed to block the arrow, but didn't see the second one until it was too late. It buried itself deep into his shoulder and he gave a cry. The Templars advanced on him and Garrett retreated. The ground beneath their feet suddenly buckled and Garrett turned and ran as fast as his injured leg would let him. An arrow hit him square in the back and he gasped in pain, stopping. He saw the look of horror on Kiera's face.
"No!" she screamed, running towards him as a second arrow buried itself into his back.
Behind her, several horses raced out of the Keep. But all Garrett could see was Kiera running towards him. His sword slipped from his fingers and he fell to his knees. Kiera made it to his side.
"I failed you, love," he whispered.
"No, no you didn't."
He vaguely heard the shouting and swords clashing. "I love you."
"Garrett, don't." Kiera looked on with horror as Garrett's eyes began to close.
He was dying and they both knew it. She pulled the arrows from his body and gently laid him down, tears blurring her vision as his breathing started to slow. She couldn't lose him. Jocelynn couldn't lose her father. The Wardens were fighting with the Templars, the Templars holding their ground.
Kiera reached deep within her and grasped her magic. "I'm not losing you. Not now and not like this." Kiera's hands glowed bright blue as she healed his wounds, determined not to allow him to die without trying to save him. In the end, Kiera drained her Mana and collapsed next to him, her world going into darkness just before she vaguely felt herself being lifted.
