Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Marian Hawke]

As soon as she sees Carver's face, Marian knows. She grips Bethany's arm, stopping her from going to her twin. "The shelter?" she asks, dreading the answer.

[Carver Amell]

Carver shakes his head. "No, too big. Too late. We have to get out of town. Where's Varric?"

[Marian Hawke]

Now Marian shakes her head. "No time. He'll be fine." Better than us. "One second." 

She lets go of Bethany, heads for the bedroom. Over her shoulder she calls, "Get Mother!"

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

"Get me for what? Marian-where is that girl? Carver! What's going on?" Leandra demands waspishly as she ties a coin belt on.

[Carver Amell]

"Demons," he says, his voice soft with awe and fear. "Demons, in Golden Shores, again."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian skids back into view, buckling on a belt over her dress, one with several pouches on it. She stares at Carver a moment, but... No time for fear. Get Bethany to consecrated ground. "The church. That's our best bet."

[Bethany]

"What? No, we should go to Varric's, he can- damn it! He's not home yet. Fine," the youngest present agrees with ill humor. "Let's go."

[Marian Hawke]

They travel, wary, letting Carver lead the way, his keen ears and sharp nose picking out monsters before they fall into an ambush. They hear screams, smell smoke and burnt flesh, but they press onward, trying not to think about all the dead, the people they could stop for if they risk their own lives. They have to get to the church. They have to look out for each other. They are all they have.

They're not the only ones. When they get to the church, Bright Braiden urges them inside. "Are you hurt? Can you help with the wounded?"

[Bethany]

Bethany winces, looking vexed. Evidently, her years ago healing of Carver was very much a fluke. Now that she's training, her magic has 'settled' and such incidents are now highly unlikely to occur. As such... "I know simple wound care, setting bones, suturing and treating burns."

[NPCs]

Bright Braiden's face lightens, just a touch. "Blessed be Astea. That's a help enough. Mother Septim is in the main chapel, she can direct you best." An herbalist and the town midwife, it's not a great sign that she's the best person around to organize things.

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods. "We need to find the witches who did this. We can't let them walk among us."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian knows that tone. "How do you expect to do that?" she snaps. "Help care for the wounded."

[Carver Amell]

"I'm not-- you know I'm not as good with that sort of thing."

[Marian Hawke]

"Then guard mother while I help."

[Bethany]

"Enough," Bethany snaps out, a second before Leandra was going to start yelling. "Pack, help Brights Braiden and Saihou guard the door. You have your bow, they can't ask for better support. Mar, I'd like your help in the back. You know how I work, you can be my seconds hands. Mother, ask around, find out what you can about what's going on so we can plan. Can't plan without variables." She gives them all a hard look, then heads deeper in without another word as if the mere idea of them not jumping to is out of the question.

Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods.