Anri returned to his home when night was high in the sky. He greeted Mellana, who had become tolerant of her clingy halla friend grazing next to her.

  "I just finished putting Elana to sleep. Whether she stays asleep is a different story," Lantina said as she exited the backdoor. She frowned when she saw a distant expression from Anri.

  "Are you all right?"

  Anri nodded and surprised her when he pulled her into a hug. "Thank you."

  "Oh, come on, don't be so dramatic. I'll come back tomorrow to babysit her again." Lantina awkwardly laughed off and patted his back.

  He pulled out and watched her leave the courtyard, then turned to head inside but his hand paused on the door when he heard Varric and Dorian talking in the kitchen.

  "I tell you, Varric, something is changing in Anri." Dorian was not hiding his concern.

  "Oh, come on Sparkler. The kid's gone through a harrowing ordeal. Look at all the shit he's had to deal with being the Herald. Now he has to cope with half an arm gone and no longer having the power to close rifts. Most guys would mentally crack, but he gets it together and starts an organization to fight a shadow war."

  "No, it's not just that. His body gives off an energy I don't know what to call it." The quiver in Dorian's voice was obvious. "Just this morning, I woke up because I felt his lifeforce trying to..." He faltered on his words and then added. "He's changing. I don't know if a demon is inside him. Maker, if so, I'm scared to lose him."

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  Varric sighed, his voice was gentler when he added. "Anri's gone through everything no man should go through. It's probably changed his aura and that's what you're feeling. That's why we need to be there for him. Because, let's face it, if he falls we all do."

  He left the kitchen via the backdoor and saw Anri leaning against the wall. "Talk to him." He patted Anri's shoulder.

  Anri calmly walked into the kitchen to find Dorian seated at the table, going through a bottle of wine.

  "Shiraz '67. A flavor totally whatever as the name suggests." Dorian nursed his glass as he swallowed a hefty amount of the bland wine.

  Anri eased onto the bench to sit next to him.

  "You're late."

  "What's the matter?"

  Dorian faced him and laughed bitterly. "What makes you think anything is the matter?"

  "Dorian..."

  "No, don't say anything." He raised a hand before Anri to stop his words. Then he calmed himself down and faced his lover.

  "Tell me honestly. Are you still the man I fell in love with?" Dorian's expression was a mixture of hopeful and fear.

  Anri closed and then opened his eyes, feeling deep sadness. "No."

  Dorian frowned, confused and uncertain of his response. So, instead he rose and said he was going to bed. He left the room.

  Tears fell from Anri's eyes as he felt his love slipping away from him. Even he didn't really know what was happening to him. But the moment on the hill made him see that he was no longer the Anri whom Dorian fell in love with. No longer the Herald, the Inquisitor...

  "No longer Anri Lavellan."

  As he was wiping away his tears he heard Elana screaming. His entire being moved to her aid.