Pain pumped through her stomach as Henricks fists pummeled into her. Even with her plate mail still on, the force of the impact cause the air in her lungs to come out with a whoosh. Kaitlyn knew she shouldn’t have hit him, but she couldn’t help it. Her response was almost visceral. She hated how he spoke about Owen almost as much as she hated the way he looked at Thea. The pain in her abdomen was almost nothing compared to the pain lancing through her arm. Kaitlyn gritted her teeth in an effort to cope with the resonating ache. 

Beside her, Thea said something. A protest for them to stop? Kaitlyn didn’t know. She was too busy fighting through the pain and concentrating on Henrick. This time when he pulled his fist back, Kaitlyn threw her weight, but nothing happened. He was stronger than her by a long shot, but she still should have been quicker. Another blow fell across her stomach followed by another, and another. It hurt to breath. It hurt to stand. But she couldn’t escape the onslaught not matter how much she tried. Suddenly, a wooden staff whipped down, separating their two bodies. The timing couldn’t have been better. It smashed into the man’s flying fist with a sickening sound. Fleetingly, Kaitlyn wondered if it had managed to break his wrist. She hoped so.

Breathing hard, the female Templar struggled back, no longer on her feet but her knees. It took all of her strength and most of her dignity to not fall any further. Henrick was not so lucky. Within a few seconds, and a well-aimed hit of Thea’s staff, he was lying prone on the stone floor. 

Thea managed to help her stand back up just as the First Enchanter and the Knight-Divine came upon them. Kaitlyn still had the good graces to blush, while Thea allowed her tongue to run wild. Did the mage even realize that these two were the highest ranking individuals in their Orders? Probably not. 

[b]”Are you alright?"[/b]

[b]”Yes.”[/b] Her voice sounded exhausted even to her ears. It was a blatant lie but Kaitlyn still had her pride even if she had little else.

[b]”Templars are expected to conduct themselves better than that,”[/b] the Knight-Divine replied, unphased by Thea’s angry outburst, [b]”Those that aren’t quickly find themselves on the front-line.”[/b] Stern brown eyes surveyed the duo, the severe scars on his face becoming more severe. The woman next to him, garbed in the robes of the First Enchanter, wore a mask of calm.

[b]”This has been an eventful day,”[/b] she stated, her words were low and melodic, [b]”First the Grey Wardens and now this. These are certainly… trying times.”[/b] Kaitlyn was two ashamed to meet the eyes of either of them. [b]”You will come with me child,”[/b] First Enchanter Corynn continued, extending a wrinkled hand to Thea, [b]”That is unless you plan on being a Templar’s walking stick for the rest of your life… though I fear your position will be short lived.”[/b]

The mage seemed hesitant. [b]”I’ll be fine,”[/b] Kaitlyn said softly, her words barley above a whisper. Once again she wished she believed her words. If the taint or infection didn’t get to her, surely the Knight-Divine would. Attacking another Templar was inexcusable, especially in defense of an apostate and a Tranquil.

A sharp hand clamped down on her chin as Hexworth approached and began to rotate her head back and forth painfully. [b]”I would have expected better, McKarth.”[/b] he stated, his words filled with the foul sweetness of lyrium. [b]”Your father…”[/b]
[b]”Is dead.”[/b] she stated. Hexworth and her father had been close once, similar to the way her and Owen had been. But things changed. Peopled died.

Hexworth didn’t let go but instead continued to examine her face from her flushed cheeks to her sicken pallor to her listless eyes. He’d seen enough death to recognize the signs. [b]”You are dismissed.”[/b] He turned his attention over to the mage at her side.

[b]”But sir,”[/b] Kaitlyn argued back.[b]” I was hoping to be part of the Harrowing since…”[/b] 

[b]”I said you are dismissed Knight-Corporal.”[/b] he said cutting her off, [b]”You are useless to everyone like this. Picking fights, embarrassing the Order, stinking of infection. Go get yourself fixed.”[/b]

Kaitlyn wasn’t foolish enough to temp his temper any longer. She knew he was being kind. He was right. She needed help. Now. [b]”I’m sorry,”[/b] It took more strength than she even knew she possessed to remove herself from Thea. Only she wasn’t sure what she was sorry about. That she wasn’t going to be there for the Harrowing? Ultimately, Thea would have to face the daemons in the Fade alone whether Kaitlyn was there or not. That she’d gotten the mage into trouble? That she’d even escorted her to the White Tower at all? No, Thea was strong. She would do just fine. Just fine. The world swirled, steadied itself, and blurred again.