Kaitlyn tried to ignore the dwarf’s words and the disgusted look the Knight-Commander shot her. Lovers? They weren’t lovers were they? People had whispered the same thing about her and Wendell, even after he’d undergone the Rite of Tranquility. But still… this was different. Wendell had been her childhood friend but Thea was a complete stranger. And despite her irritation, Kaitlyn fully understood why her fellow Templar had looked at her that way. It was perfectly acceptable for members of their order to be in relationships and marry, and even if it was seen as strange for women to couple, it wasn’t unheard of. But a mage and a Templar? It was like an elf falling in love with a dwarf. Only trouble would come of such a coupling. [i]”Why does it matter what they think? Why does it matter if it’s true if I can’t stay and she can’t go?”[/i] Deep in her heart she felt a pang of loneliness at the thought. But was it because she had real feelings for Thea or because over the last day the mage had slipped into the place of her old friend? Kaitlyn couldn’t say and she didn’t have the luxury of time to dwell on the thought.

Dagna moved out into the corridor while the first enchanter and Knight-Commander backed away to give them space. [b]”Yes,”[/b] the Templar stated, breathing out a heavy sigh. She shouldn’t have been surprised that Thea had guessed the problem so quickly. Maybe she had known all along as well? [b]”It’s the corruption.”[/b] Why was this so hard? They barely knew each other. [b]”Back there in the woods… with Wendell. I’m not sure how it happened but…”[/b] Pictures of the fight flashed in her mind. Metal. Blood. Screams. [b]”…it did and no amount of Templar or elven magic could help.”[/b] Her eyes pleaded with the mage, not to blame herself for what happened. 

Kaitlyn’s voice grew distant. [b]”I’m going with the Grey Wardens. It’s my only chance and if I make it through this I’ll join them in the fight against the Blight. Turns out I’m pretty good at hacking down darkspawn and this time I won’t have to worry about their corruption.”[/b] [i]”At least not for a while.”[/i] Rumor had it that eventually Grey Wardens died from the tainted blood, but that took a while but most didn’t live long enough for that to be a problem. It was similar to Templars and Lyrium or Mages and Daemons. Power of any kind had a price and sooner or later the Maker made you pay despite Adraste’s pleas.

[b]”I wanted to say good-bye, Thea.”[/b] Kaitlyn said fumbling for words. Behind she could hear Dagna was becoming antsy. It was time. Now that the mage was done with the Harrowing, she’d be safe. She didn’t need a protector anymore. The mages here took take care of their own. Nevertheless, Kaitlyn still felt guilt over what she’d done. Would Thea ever learn to be happy or would she forever see the White Tower as a gilded cage? Perhaps she should have just left Thea with the Dalish. [b]”And let you know… that I’m sorry.”[/b]