AN1: Sorry for the long wait! I still work on my Star Wars fic, but I'm slow so it will be some time before I update any of my fics even when I'm full of ideas for them.

AN2: I will alter a bit about Thedas, not much, but for those who browse the wikia it may be a big problem. I don't know.

AN3: This chapter doesn't explain much. Why? Because they don't have time, but to rush and I did the same. Next chapter we will have some time to explain and asks the whys.

AN4: This fic start at the beginning of Dragon Age: Inquisition. If you didn't played it this fic may contain spoilers for you.

AN5: I don't own the Dragon Age or any part of it. I can only claim ownership over the things I created for it (Ocs, parts of the storyline etc.). I don't make money from writing this fanfiction. I only make it for mine and (hopefully) others enjoyment.

AN6: For Ana: art/ Qunari-Inquisitor-classes-465850405 She is the mage character with the rogue's bikini.

AN7: Reviews, critique and ideas are welcome as long as you can be civil and a response doesn't offend you.

AN8: For the new cover images: it was made by Smilika, who gave permission to use it. It can be found on Deviantart.

Chapter I

Survivors

Harry of Clan Lavellan was unique. He lived as a Dalish elf even thoughe wasn't a full-blooded was tall, taller than most in the Clan and well muscled while still remaining quite lean, his ears rounder (nearly as much as a shemlen's) and his face more rugged than any elf's. For most part he more took after his father, than his mother in his looks.

But nowadays it mattered little to the Clan. He was accepted by most and even the worst treatment was only muttering behind his back by those who were always complaining because of something. Nothing showed it more than that he was appointed as the First nearly three years ago.

He didn't like that after just getting comfortable with his new responsibilities he was sent to the Conclave to represent his Clan. When he arrived most were already here: templars and mages from as far as Anderfels, with diplomats, nobles and the leaders of the Chantry.

He couldn't remember what happened. The last he was with a group of mages who argued about the lyrium monopoly of the Chantry and how it should be changed if at all.

He stood up. He was in a wasteland of some sort with stone everywhere he looked. He heard a noise behind himself. Turning around he could see dozens of demons of various size running towards him. He ran as fast as he could in the opposite direction. Soon he stood at the bottom of a hill. He started climbing the acclivity. When he looked up at the very top stood a glowing golden woman of some kind. When he arrived there he could see someone else on her other side. He touched the woman's hand and everything went black.

He groaned as he came back to his senses, due to his throbbing head. He could feel cold stone floor under the straw he was laid down.

"Awake after all?" a melodic, feminine voice asked. Harry finally opened his eyes, looking to his right side. He jerked back at the sight.

"Never seen a qunari before, huh?" the woman, - Harry was pretty sure she was, well, a she - chuckled. She was tall, with only a pair of leather boots, pants and a bikini style top over her bountiful chest, the straps crossing eachother, showing her taut, muscled body. Her skin was tanned and had a golden hue nicely contrasting with her silver white hair. There were two horn coming out of her forehead and going back towards the side her skull, rising slowly until the tips were about two or so inch above her head. Her bright purple eyes twinkled and dark bourdon painted lips twitched in amusement. At first glance she was frightening in the dim light. On the second however Harry would consider her more alluring and exotic than anything else.

"So this is one of the Qunari I have heard so much about." he thought. The ox men were a rather uncommon sight in the southern half of Thedas, beside Rivain. Even as his clan traveled across the land he never seen one of them before.

"Yeah, sorry about that." he apologized "I heard about your people, but have never seen one. My name is Harry Evaine of Clan Lavellan."

"Ana Adarr. And don't worry about that. You aren't the first who reacts like that." Ana replied lightly.

"Still it was... wrong. When we will leave this place I will buy a drink or two for you, okay? Where the hell are we anyway?" Harry asked looking around. It was a square chamber made out of stone, with torches lining the walls, but only two was alight. There was a heavy oak door on the far side.

"Some kind of prison. I have only been awake for a short time." Ana replied. Well, that explains why both of their hands were tied together. Harry was about to ask her more when they both heard the noise of approaching footsteps. Their glance locked on the door just in time to see it swing open.

The woman behind it marched towards them. She was of average height, with lightly tanned skin black hair cut short. She wore a full suit of black plate armor with the chest piece bearing a strange sign on the middle of it. A sun symbol with an eye of sort in the center and a sword thrust through it, pointing down. Of course, she had a sword, thankfully still in its sheath, gripping it tightly. Her face was hardened, a scar prominent on her left cheek, her amber eyes dangerously flashing.

"Tell me why shouldn't I execute you two?!" she demanded from both of the, glaring down at them.

"Tell me, why should you do it?" Harry asked glaring back at the woman.

"If it's about those bandits a week ago, they started it!" Ana said simultaneously gaining Harry's amused stare at her.

The woman seemed to be mere seconds away from strangling one of them. Or both, considering how her lips were forming a snarl at them.

"I don't have time for games! You will..."

"Peace Cassandra! We need them." came a soft voice from the entrance. Looking there Harry could see another woman entering their cell with three guards at her back. She wore far less armor than her companion, but still her was leather clad with several patch of chain link on it. Her features, at least what Harry could see under her bluish purple hood, was delicate. She was a redhead with greenish blue eyes. While her eyes were not as cutting as those of their first visitor, they looked on with a cold, calculating gaze.

"So, this lovely lady..." here Harry indicated towards their brunette captor, who snorted at him at that, causing Ana to hide a smile behind her hand "... is named Cassandra. Mine is Harry, and this is Ana."

"My name is Leliana." she replied, her lips twitching in amusement for a moment, before seriousness took over her features "Can you tell us what happened at the Conclave?"

"Something happened?" Ana asked her light voice turning into one of worry "I was there as a bodyguard..."

"You did a fine job!" Cassandra spat at her "You let Lady Justinia die!"

"Her holiness is dead?" Ana asked back, clearly disturbed at the news. Harry was also disturbed by the news. He hadn't seen much of Divine Justinia at the Conclave, so he couldn't quite bring himself to mourn her for long. But the death of her will cause all effort to cease the war between the mages and templars to evaporate.

"Don't act like you are innocent! You two were the only ones alive at the Temple of Sacred Ashes! Not to mention this!" here she grabbed Ana's right arm. The Qunari's palm glowed green eliciting a gasp of pain from her then disappeared.

"What is this?" Ana asked looking at their two interrogator.

"We thought you could tell us." Leliana replied, looking at the female Qunari like she wanted to read her thoughts "I take it you know not what is it, or what its purpose?"

"No, I know that I didn't have it before..." she seemed oddly subdued.

"What of you?" Cassandra turned towards Harry, who, not impressed at the slightest, shrugged.

"I think I was in the Beyond or Fade as you call it..."

"Abomination!" Cassandra shouted causing Harry's eyes to flash dangerously. Before she was able to unleash her sword she was stopped by Harry's words.

"Really? I have you know that many mages visit the Fade and not all of its inhabitants are what you would call 'demon'."

"I take it you don't remember either." Leliana said to him, making him frown but nod never the less.

"Not really." he admitted "There were no end of demons coming towards me. I tried to run away from them… and was saved by a woman?" Harry asked recalling a fuzzy memory of a woman clad in golden light.

"Yes, that's happened to me as well!" Ana shouted excitedly.

"A woman?" Leliana asked interested in it. "Anything else?" Harry just shook his head.

"It seems it will be more difficult to uncover the truth than we thought." Cassandra said at last, thankfully taking her hands off of her longsword's grip. Harry noticed that Leliana lost some of her tenseness as well.

"It usually is." Harry agreed "And I don't want to sound rude, but do you have any other evidence against us than that we were found there? A bit slim to judge on it, don't you think?" Not that would be unheard of, but maybe he could affect them. If they wanted a mock trial it was decided already. He had nothing to lose by trying to talk sense into this two's head.

"That's why you are still alive." the warrior woman replied "But how would you explain that you two, and only you two survived the explosion?"

"Explosion? What explosion?" Ana cut in, taking turns to look at them.

"That is what happened. The whole Conclave was destroyed." Leliana replied.

"So?" Cassandra "You were at the middle of it..."

"And?" Harry looked at her as if she was insane "Lady, if it's true than you can be sure that it wasn't us. Even a child would know to stay as far away as you can. Why would I do it when my interest was in seeing the Conclave success?"

"But both of you are alive and we found no other survivor. What do you think of it?" Leliana asked.

"That we were lucky?" asked Ana with an eye-roll.

"Or that whoever did it was smart enough to do it outside of this temple then went as far from the it as he or she could." Harry replied dryly.

"And that mark? Or the magical energy that our mages could feel from you?" Cassandra asked eyebrow raised pointing the first question at Ana, the second towards Harry.

"It may be because of some magical residue." Harry said at last. It was not common, but sometimes happened. Keeper Miave only spoke of them in passing and he wasn't too interested in them as he had much more interesting and beneficial studies at the time.

"Or it was done to us so we take the blame." Ana guessed. The two women before then looked at eachother then Leliana nodded at her partner with a slight smile. Cassandra shook her head but relented.

"You make a convincing argument. We will take you to the Temple. Maybe you can remember more." Cassandra said, though her doubt was plain to see. "Let me tell you: I will watch both of you. Don't even think about escaping!"

"Alright." Ana seemed happy to go along with that, while Harry just nodded. "Can we get the rest of our things back, please?"

"You can have your clothes back. But I won't allow the staves." Cassandra said after quietly conserving about it with Leliana. Well, that was what Harry expected of them. Only a fool would give weapons to the foremost suspect in killing the leader of the Chantry.

"I will go ahead while you gear up, Cassandra." Leliana said to Cassandra who nodded back.

"Alright. Wait for us at the forward camp."

Not five minutes later they stepped out of the main building of Haven, where their prison was. Ana had dressed in a navy blue coat, with fine steel bracers, greaves and shoulder plate, while Harry acquired a simple black, fur lined coat from one of the storage rooms. Harry, looking to the side, noted that his earlier assessment was correct: Ana was tall, only an inch or so taller than him. He was particularly tall for his people, so he was a bit surprised at that. There was very few humans who could tower over him after all.

He looked around and had to grimace. They were high on the Frostback Mountains or some highland with snow covering nearly every inch of land, and the majority of those it didn't was covered by mud. It was Haven, a small piece of land which only importance was the close proximity of the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Haven wasn't overly large, maybe three to four dozen lodge around the church in a semi-circle with a rampart separating it from a small camp of different sized tents. There was also two of those in the field before the church.

What made him grimace was the people. They were given a wide berth and most looked on them in clear dislike or distrust. He could see the soldiers tightening their grip on their weapons seeing them, how all eyes followed their every movements.

And looking over the sky, he could see the evidence of the explosion they were informed earlier just above one of the peaks. There was a hole in the sky illuminated by the same unnerving greenish glow, the Veil, that came from Ana's mark.

"Ana do you..."

"Yeah, I can see it as well. It's gigantic." the Qunari noted, her voice shaking.

"It's a tear in the Veil, the barrier between the Fade, the realm of demons and ours. We call it the Breach." Cassandra explained. She had a large shield on her back in addition to her original outfit "And it isn't the only one, just the largest. If we don't do anything it may grow larger, until it can swallow the world. Let's go." it seemed that Cassandra wasn't in the mood to wait any longer.

Their walk through the camp was a tense one. The villagers didn't seem willing to cause trouble in front of Cassandra, but the look in their eyes told enough. Both Ana and Harry was glad when they were out of the camp.

A few minutes later they came across a stone bridge with a tower at each end of it. The gates of one on their side was pulled open by soldier stationed there. They glared darkly at the two prisoners, but neither said or done anything more than greeting Cassandra.

"Lady Justinia always said that we have to see how other look on the world. She wanted all of us to set our differences aside and work together." Cassandra lamented, her voice full of pain and hopelessness "She was our beacon of hope. Without her the world will descend into chaos." she slid a dagger out of it's sheath lying horizontally across her back. She cut their bindings "I can promise you a fair trial. Come! The Temple isn't far from here."

They made their way to the other side of the bridge and where the soldiers opened the gate as stoically as those before. Cassandra turned to the left and led them on the path on the mountain's side. The Breach pulsed causing both Ana and Harry to nearly collapse. Ana's Mark flared aching like someone stabbed her hand causing her to let out a painful groan as she fell to her knees. Harry was assaulted by the magical waves it created, burning him and yet leaving him uninjured.

Several meteorites flew from it, falling both near to it and in the distance. Some slammed into the ground before them and set the pine near to it on fire. Luckily the mountain side was scarcely covered by plants. Cassandra didn't seem too worried about it either as she leaned down to help Ana to her feet.

"Are you alright?" she asked, surprisingly gently. When Ana noded she took the Qunari girl's hand into her own, examining it "This Mark on your hand... it's spreading and it is killing you."

"How can we get rid of it?" Ana asked, sounding so lost Harry couldn't help but wrap his arm around her shoulder, giving her a firm squeeze. The Qunari seemed surprised at it at first then welcomed it.

"I don't know." Cassandra admitted "I hope that when we seal the Breach it will stop it from getting larger."

"Don't worry Ana." Harry tried to reassure her as he let go of her "I'm sure we will find a way to seal that hole."

"Let's not waste anymore time." Cassandra said, going back to her usual, rigid shelf.

They only made several hundred meters when they came across another bridge. It was as large as the one earlier, nor was it guarded as heavily. Only half a dozen guard stood there, in front of a cart full of all kind of things, from shield and swords to food and wine.

Just as they stepped on it, the Breach pulsed again. Thankfully the pain was bearable this time. The problem was the meteorites falling out of it. The first slammed into the opposite end of the bridge, shaking it. The second impact was at the bridge's middle, vaporizing the guards in a large ball of flame. Cassandra was lucky that she was able to bring her shield in front of her in time, while Harry and Ana were behind her and protected by her shield as well.

But the bridge wasn't able to endure it, the cobblestones giving way and the bridge falling apart. They were lucky as they fell on the side of the mountain and tumbling down it, landing at bottom. The cart, mostly intact also fell down a mere three four meters away from them, spilling its goods onto the frozen ground.

"Are you two alright?" Ana asked. The female Qunari seemed barely fazed by their fall. She grabbed Harry's arm and helped him to his feet. The man let out a soft groan but nodded.

"A few bruise, but nothing serious."

"And you?" Ana asked as the two turned to their guide. Cassandra was already up and slowly walked towards them.

"Nothing I haven't dealt with before." came the answer through clenched teeth. Both Harry and Ana wanted to offer their help but before they could utter a word another meteor impacted. This was several dozen yards from where they stood. All three of them shielded their eyes from it and when they lowered their arms they could only see several sickly green hued ghostly figure and a few hunched forms wearing rags.

"Demons!" Cassandra shouted as she advanced on the denizens of the Fade with her shield held high and unsheathed sword gleaming dangerously in the sunlight.

Both Ana and Harry looked after her before the Qunari female running to the cart. It seemed that most of the stuff was she needed was intact. While she started searching through it Harry concentrated, forcing his magic to take on a solid form. A blade of pure magic appeared in his hand. Seeing that the demons encircled Cassandra he run to aid her.

One of the wraiths turned towards him, but before it could do anything he stabbed it. With an ear piercing shriek it faded away, but Harry didn't care, he rushed to Cassandra who was trying to hold her own against two shades while the last one stalked her from behind. Before it's clawed hands could pierce her back Harry ploughed into it's side.

Rising to his feet Harry let his magic flow freely. A blast of fire emerged from his palm causing the shade to let out a pained roar as it closed on him. Harry twirled out of the way and ,using his momentum, brought his blade down on the defenseless nape, severing its head.

Thunder cracked as a lighting strike surged from the tip of the staff in Ana's hand. The Qunari woman seemed most pleased, if her smile was anything to go by, as she shot bolts after bolts at the wraiths. Soon none remained on the battlefield.

Cassandra bashed the first shade in the face with her shield while slashing at the other's chest. She twirled her sword as she readied herself for the next attack. None came as Harry dashed from her side, a silver hue around him coiling with one of the shade. His sword also surrounded by magic cut through the demon without any difficulty. The last shade was pierced in the chest by Cassandra before it could even process what happened. Silence descended on the frozen lake they fought on. Only the crunch of snow under Ana's step was heard as she joined them.

For a moment the trio surveyed the battlefield. Then Cassandra turned towards the two prisoner, looking at them sternly.

"Drop your weapons!"

"Ok, ok..." frustration was evident in Ana's voice "You do know that we don't really need weapons, right?" she added as a second thought as she gently laid the staff down next to her.

"You are welcome by the way." Harry said as the spirit blade from his hand disappeared.

"I could have handled it myself!" Cassandra replied, but her voice softened "But thank you. And hold on to your weapons. It's true that you wouldn't need them and I can't protect you." she said touching her side.

"You are injured!" Ana cried out as she grabbed the warrior, keeping her in place.

"I...it's nothing..." Cassandra said, trying to shake off the Qunari's grip. It was futile, the female mage had strong hands and Cassandra herself only put up a meager effort to escape them. The soft blue glow around her hand caused Cassandra to let out a relieved sigh "Thank you."

"Oh, it's nothing! I'm a Spirit Healer after all!" Ana chirped back, smiling at the older woman, who returned it with a smaller one of her own. Cassandra then turned to Harry "Thank you as well. I fought with Knight-Enchanters at my side only a couple of times, but your magic is as formidable as I remember."

"I heard about what a 'Knight-Enchanter' is supposed to be. I can assure you that I'm not one of them. I use the skills of the Arcane Warriors." Harry replied as they started to move towards the path leading out of the valley.

"Aren't they the same?" Ana asked clearly confused.

"Not entirely." Cassandra replied as they stepped from the frozen lake to solid ground. "It's a lost craft of mages among the Dalish, who fought with sword as well as staves. The Circles obtained their lore of battle and improved on them. Still, I image there are some difference."

"Well, I wouldn't know about that as I hadn't had the honor to meet one of these Knight-Enchanters yet." Harry said, taking the lead, before shrugging "Not, that it really matters to me..."

"How did you come across it?" Ana asked curiously. She started to remind Harry of some kind of cat with her curiosity and playfulness. "Impressed some Dalish elf enough to reveal their secret?"

"Something like that, yeah." Harry replied not looking at the Qunari. His eyes gazed on the little path before them. So, he didn't see as the women behind his back exchanging bewildered looks "You were quite impressive back there Cassandra. You must have trained hard to be so formidable."

"Thank you." Cassandra replied back, both her and Ana making a mental note to ask Harry about this 'something' later. "The Chantry's training regime is most effective."

"Are you a templar?" Ana asked worriedly. The reason was pretty simple: the mages and templars were at war with each other for nearly a decade now. When it seemed that peace was archived, it resurged in different places causing a near endless circle.

"No, I'm a member of the Seeker of Truth." Cassandra replied. Ana's eyes widened in recognition.

"You saved the Divine and Val Royeaux from a High Dragon!"

"Me and many more." Cassandra said frowning a little "My name is sung by the bards and minstrels of Orlais, while those who stood beside me were forgotten. "

"Well, you can tell us about them. I find myself curious about you and this dragon-slaying." Harry said as they started to climb the step leading towards the peak of the mountain in front of them. High dragons were the greatest and mightiest creature known to him but he had never had the luck (which most would never call that,) to see one before.

"Maybe latter." Cassandra replied "We need to focus on our task."

"There is something up there!" Ana cried out just as Harry himself felt a magical surge going through him. By the sound of battle that erupted only a moment after it was not far from them. Without a sound all three of them rushed to the top, taking the steps by two.

It was there, among ancient ruins, where Harry met his first dwarf and elf since waking up in the dungeons. They were fighting a group of lesser demons with the aid of a few soldiers from Haven. After taking care of the demon incursion and as Ana started to heal one of the soldiers Harry looked at them, trying not to remember how Ana and him closed a Rift. It hovered above the combatants as a little counterpart of the Breach. Like a small blanket made of Veilfire that hung on invisible threads, it moved, twirled and twisted in all and every direction.

Both his and Ana's hand extended on their own, one glowing bluish silver the other Veil green, and the Rift just seemed to curl into itself then snap shut, reducing the remaining demons to mere ash. Everyone, including Harry and the female Qunari, was astonished at the feat. While Harry had tried to reassure Ana earlier, in truth he had no idea if they would be able to seal the rifts or cure Ana.

The most plausible idea he had was putting up a barrier to contain it and there was several parts of that plan he still had to work out. But it seemed that somehow the two of them was able to close them well enough. The only problem he had with that was the method they used. There was no way anyone would be comfortable with a mark that was able to close these tears from another dimension and no idea how it worked.

Solas, the only elf in the group, seemed intrigued by it. After a quick examination of the two mages, the elven mage declared that their power was not that of normal mages and that the Mark was of the same origin as the Breach.

Harry listened to the elf mage carefully. He seemed stoic and very knowledgeable. As most elf he was shorter and much leaner than humans, but even among his kind he was slightly on the short side.

Though Harry was confused by his origins. Solas wore traditional Dalish clothes, but no vallaslin were visible on his face. The blood writing not only denoted their favoured god, but to their clan as well with colors and subtle markings. Their absence could mean that he was a city-elf before gaining 'freedom' or he could be exiled from a clan just as well. And those were only the first two theories that came into his mind.

"It seems I was correct. The mark on your hand and our friend here can seal the rifts left behind in the Breach's wake." Solas mused out loud, keen eyes roaming over the bodies of the two.

"It would also mean that we could seal the Breach itself!" Cassandra cried out.

"Possibly." Solas calmly replied, then turned towards Ana and Harry "It seems that you two hold the key to our salvation."

"Well, that's good! I thought we would be ass-deep in demons forever." the dwarf decided to join them. Going closer to the little group he greeted them, in a particular fashion "Varric Tethras. Rouge, storyteller and – occasionally – unwanted tag along." here he sent a wink towards Cassandra, who seemed offended by the gesture.

"Nice to meet you, Varric." Ana greeted the dwarf, while Harry curiously looked at the crossbow laid on the dwarf's shoulder.

"You have a nice crossbow here." he said indicating towards the weapon. He had seen several unique weapon used in battle before, but nothing quite like the dwarf's crossbow.

"Ah, she is. Bianca and I have been through a lot together." he replied, caressing 'Bianca' with his left hand.

"You named your crossbow... Bianca?" Ana asked, looking incredulously at Varric.

"She is pretty enough to have a name." Varric said with a shrug. Ana and Harry looked at the other, both realizing that there was more to that then what he let on.

"She is efficient I give you that." Solas said coming from behind them, where he and Cassandra stayed. His attention didn't lingered long on the dwarf however. "How are you feeling?" he asked, turning towards Ana and Harry.

"A bit pain around the Mark, but nothing serious." the Qunari replied.

"Same here, but it has spread to my whole body." Harry said.

"Well, it's expected." the elf nodded as if he foresaw it "After all, you two have been in coma for two days... I'm glad that both of you are well."

"He means: 'You nearly died, if not for my healing.' "Varric supplied helpfully.

"Then we owe you our thanks." Harry said as he bowed a little to the elf, Ana echoing both the sentence and action. Solas shook his head, even as a slight smile wormed his way on his face.

"Think nothing of it. I just did my job." after a moment of hesitation he continued "If you really want to repay me, you can do so by closing the Breach."

Before either Harry or Ana could say anything, Cassandra stepped next to them. She seemed impatient, not at all surprising considering that demons roamed the vicinity.

"We need to move forward!" she turned to Varric "Your help is appreciated Varric, but..."

"Have you been to the Valley lately, Seeker?" Varric interrupted, his clever eyes looking straight into Cassandra's dauntless ones "Your soldiers aren't in control anymore. You need me."

They held their gaze for a moment, neither of them willing to break. Cassandra was the first to turn away from the smirking dwarf, muttering about 'stupid, stubborn dwarf'.

"Do as you wish." she said walking away and to the slope on the side "Let's hurry!"

Their descent was uneventful, save the smalltalk between them. Harry was very interested in the tale of the Champion. After all this whole war started in Kirkwall. When the tale turned towards the Arishok, Harry came across a surprising fact about Qunari.

"So, the leader of the Qunari? I can imagine him." Harry said imaging a tall, horned man with a sword and double axe in his hands.

"No, you really can't." Varric said shaking his head.

"Well, Ana is a Qunari, right? So, I add a couple of inch and a bit of muscle..." Harry said, but Ana giggling and Varric snort stopped him. Even Solas and Cassandra seemed amused.

"While Ana is indeed impressive, she is a lot shorter compared to that giant." Varric said.

"Thank you, Varric." Ana smiled at the dwarf, who winked playfully at her, causing another round of giggle. She then turned to Harry "But what he said is true. I'm... how are you humans say when it came to elven? I'm petite, right? I would only make it to a tall Qunari's chest and the Arishok is bound to be large."

"Large is right. He was at least that tall and weighed more than the double of you, sweetheart, I bet." Varric said.

Harry was a bit taken back. While he wasn't overly tall or muscled for that matter, he was one of the tallest in his clan. He, of course heard tales of the giant of north, but so did he regarding the Dalish elves with little to no truth in them as well.

He was a bit intrigued by them in all honestly. If his luck will be in the usual pattern he will need all the help they can get. And if nothing else they could provide plenty raw might. Although seeing Ana he was sure that their magicians were formidable as well.

But for now they nearly arrived at the camp. He was pretty sure that there will be a just as many hateful or fearful glares on him and Ana as in Haven. And from his previous adventures he was also sure that there will other problems as well.

So, when they saw the Rift at the gate of the camp he just resignedly sighed before dashing after Cassandra, silently praying for no more. He hadn't known that his prayer went unanswered.

After dealing with the demons and sealing the Rift before the amazed eyes of the onlookers the group entered through the heavy wooden gate, just to be greeted by Leliana. The redhead was accompanied by an elderly man in a white and red robe.

"Chancellor Roderick." Cassandra said the man's name with little to no respect. The man's gaze held no love for the woman either "I would like to introdu..."

"I know who they are!" the man snapped "I order you to restrain them and bring them to Val Royeaux for trial!"

"Order me?!" Cassandra was shaking in anger "You?! You are nothing but a pen pusher! A bureaucrat!"

"And you are nothing more than a common thug." Roderick said condescendingly to the armored woman, who grabbed him, snarling into his face.

"Cassandra, that's enough!" Leliana said as she and Harry pulled the dark haired warrior away.

"We have more important things to do." Harry said to her. Cassandra looked at him challengingly for a moment then looking away nodded.

"Like making sure that you two are punished for your sins!" the chancellor said, looking hatefully at him and Ana.

"And what sin would that be?" Harry asked him, knowing his answer.

"You killed the Divine!" Roderick shouted "You were there! Only you and that thing!"

"I will act as if you didn't gravely insulted one of my friends." Harry said, eyes flashing dangerously at the pompous fool "But you have no evidence, aside the fact that we survived!"

"There is no one who it could have been!" Roderick roared back just as emotionally "You and this beast...!" he was silenced by the arcane power erupting from the emerald eyed wizard.

The whole camp fell silent as a chill ran up on every present being's spine. The more experienced knew that Harry hadn't used his magic, not in the classical sense. Angering a powerful mages often resulted in similar situation as their aura flared up. But there was something more to it. Even Cassandra, who could held her own against the First Enchanter of the White Spire was backing away.

The wizard's emerald eyes piercing the Grand Chancellor's soul. The man only realized now how dangerous the one he accused could be. Roderick paled rapidly until he was ghost white.

"I'd advise you to beg for forgiveness from Ana." Harry said coldly, not really caring the disbelieving looks he received "I said it before: I don't like when people insults my friend."

"You would kill me for it?" Roderick asked, sweating a bit. Leliana stepped forward to help him, but Cassandra stopped her and the approaching soldiers. She then turned her attention back to where the duo stood with narrowed eyes.

"Who knows? You are the one who accuse me of mass destruction and killing hundreds of men and women. What do you think?" Harry asked rhetorically. Roderick spluttered out something unrecognizable words, his face turning red. Harry smiled bitterly as he let go of him.

"You know, you remind me of why this war started in the first place." he said, gaining the attention of them "Fear. Fear from the unknown. Fear from the backlash of hundreds of years of mistreatment. All the nobles could see were some with powers they couldn't get no matter what. Templars who were only brave if they outnumbered their prisoners. Just as they were afraid of magic you are as well." Harry said calmly "The only question is: 'Are you able to see reason or only just your fear?"

"And what reasons should I see?" the chancellor asked warily.

"That we sealed away two Rifts already for one." Harry replied.

"That's what I'm talking about! You are the only ones who could do it. Why? Because you caused it." Roderick said back "Who else could be responsible?"

"She was the head of the largest religion in the world and you tell me that she had no enemy?" Harry asked. Everyone fell silent as they looked at him "What? Only I thought that it could be a powerplay inside the Chantry?"

"Or it could be someone from the templars or the mages... The peace talk went well before..." Ana mused aloud. "It's true." Harry thought back "There were some tension, but the Divine was able to make them reach a compromise." If nothing else he had to hand that one to her: Divine Justinia was very charismatic. Roderick looked taken back but seemed to think about their words before saying anything this time.

"And what do you want to do?" he asked looking at the ragtag group.

"We will try sealing the Breach." Cassandra said "If the Maker will it we will be able to close it permanently."

"I see." Roderick nodded "I don't encourage you, but I won't hinder you any further, for now." he looked each of them in the eyes "I still believe that you were the cause of the Divine's death." he said to Harry "But you gave good points against it as well. Let your actions speak for themselves. I will be watching you." he then turned to Cassandra "May the consequences be on your head, Seeker!" and with that the man retired to his tent near to them.

"I have never seen anyone aside from Lady Justinia winning an argument against him." Leliana said as she looked at the man's back.

"He is stubborn as a mule." Cassandra agreed before looking down at the table in front of her. Tracing the local map on it she tapped her finger at the point where once stood the Temple of Sacred Ashes. "How should we proceed?"

"There are two way to the temple." Leliana said "The main one goes through the Valley. We are strained there, with many wounded, while those who still stand are weary. They will need all the help we can give."

"And the other route?" Cassandra asked.

"It's in the mountains, through a mine." the redhead said, her fingers tracing it on the map "I sent a few scouts there, but we haven't heard from them for hours now. I fear the worst."

"Which one should we take?" Cassandra asked quietly, leaning over the table to examine the map. Looking up at Leliana she quirked an eyebrow. The redhead nodded her head towards Harry and Ana, to which Cassandra nodded. "What's your choice?" she asked them, straightening out.

"You are asking us?" Ana asked back in surprise.

"You two are the only one who can seal the Breach." Leliana said softly as if it explained it. It did in a way, but Harry was far from being convinced the wisdom in that move.

"We would be there for hours arguing with each other and we have no time for that." Cassandra added.

"I think..." Ana uncertainly looked at the group then down the map "I think we should take the mountain route. It's shorter and we have a larger chance of not coming across enemies. What do you think, Harry?"

"Why should we pick one over the other?" the man asked back "You, Solas, Cassandra and Varric take that one and Leliana and I will take the other. One group will reach it surely."

"Taking both path?" Cassandra asked surprised. Leliana however seemed intrigued by the prospect of it.

"It could work if we are careful." the redhead said.

"We can't fail." Ana reminded them in her soft voice.

"Alright." Cassandra nodded "Let's replenish our supply and then we will move out."

Not five minutes later the group of four left the camp behind, starting their slow trek up the mountain. Leliana and Harry stood side-by-side looking at the disappearing figures.

"I hope they will be alright." Leliana said. Harry looked at her, watching as she took a quiver and bow from her tent. He knew it the first second he saw her: this woman was at least as dangerous as Cassandra.

Reaching the temple was as hard as the others said it would be. There were two other rifts along the way spawning demons. While Harry and Leliana made it out with only some shallow wounds, they lost nearly a dozen men and women to their adversaries before Harry could seal the hole in the Veil. Two of those deaths were of the heavily wounded. Harry was nowhere near as accomplished healer as Ana or what Solas seemed to be, only able to help with bruises and little cuts. He was powerless to do anything but watch their passing after he helped those he could.

They were silent as they stepped into the ruin of the temple. Only a few walls and pillars stood and none of them remained whole after the what happened two days ago. The most unusual were the red crystal jutting from the ground everywhere. Harry never heard about something like that let alone saw it. If they had more time he would have loved to study them, even if he was novice at this kind of thing.

The few dozen soldiers who came behind them slowly and quietly scattered into little groups, eyes watching for any movement or noise. Harry, with Leliana at his side, looked into the middle of the temple, where a large rift, the largest they seen so far, hovered. It was motionless like the eye of the storm. It looked nothing more than a pretty phenomenon, but all could feel something eerie settling on them when they looked at it.

"Sister Leliana, the temple is empty." one officer reported back.

"I see." Leliana said looking back at the entrance "We can't wait for Cassandra's group. Stay alert and form a circle on the stands around the rift. The mage and I will go and seal... "

"Sister! We can see the other group on the mountain side!" shouted one of the archer near the entrance.

"Thank the Maker!" Leliana breathed out, looking relieved by the news.

Looking at the group it became apparent that they found the scouts, thought only three walked beside the group. All of them looked alright, a little out of breath but no wounds could be seen. Harry was quite sure it was thanks to Solas and Ana's healing magic.

"The others?" Leliana asked, expecting the worst.

"Four dead, the other five went back to the camp." Cassandra said courtly, but not unkindly. Leliana just nodded but her shoulder sagged a little in relief that most of them was alive.

"Let's seal the Breach." Cassandra started walking down the stair leading to the main floor of the temple with only their little group following her.

"And how do we supposed to get up there?" asked Harry looking up.

"That's a long way up. I'm not sure even you can kick someone's ass that high, Seeker." Varric added conversationally.

"This is the first rift." Solas said, gesturing toward the tear in the Veil in the middle of the temple "Maybe if we seal it, we could do it to the Breach."

"Then let's find a way down. And be careful." Cassandra said, though Varric just rolled his eyes and Harry nearly did the same. You don't need to tell people that when you prepared to fight demons.

Luckily there was a stair relatively intact that led to the lower floor. Everyone tensed as the group approached the middle of the temple. Casandra only made maybe two dozen or so steps into the chamber when the Breach pulsed. Before anyone could move ghostly figures appeared.

"Someone help me!" the voice was female and familiar to both Harry and Ana, though neither could recall where did they heard it. Leliana and Cassandra didn't have that problem though.

"Lady Justinia!"

"What's going on here?"

"That was your voice. Her Most Holy called out to you…" Cassandra said.

That was when the figures became a bit more solid, recognizable. Divine Justinia was held by magic her arms outstretched, her face full of panic. The two figures to the side were Harry and Ana, both with their weapons drawn looking to engage the large shadowy figure standing next to Justinia.

"Run while you can! Warm them!" Justinia obviously didn't believe they could win against whoever captured her. Not without help at least. Or was there other reasons as well to her command?

"Intruders?" the voice was deep, yet cold and unmistakably male "Slay them!" he said as he pointed a ghostly finger towards them. That was when, whatever it was ended, dissolving to nothing.

"You were there!" Cassandra said, nearly shouted "Who attacked? And the Divine, is she…? Was this vision true? What was it exactly?"

"I don't remember. Sorry." Ana said sincerely apologetic.

"Me neither." Harry shook his head, not nearly as sorry as Ana, more interested in the one who attacked. There were few people who would be brave or foolish enough to attack the Conclave with hundreds of the best mages and templars in attendance.

"Echoes of what happened here. The Fade bleeds into this place" Solas said "I have seen something similar on battlefields of old." he stepped next to them "This rift isn't sealed but inactive for now. We should hurry and…"

Before either Harry or Ana could try sealing it demons surged from the rip in the Veil. There were dozen of wraiths and shades, but among them stood a figure of immense proportion.

It stood over twice the height of even Ana or Harry. Heavily muscled bipedal form, large scales or rock on his shoulders, legs and arms which ended with claws. It's (his?) head reminding Harry something from a nightmare: large muzzle full of razor sharp teeth, a lot of eyes and four horns protruding from the back of it. Harry recognized it from his Keeper's tales as a pride demon.

Few of the lesser demons attacked Harry or his companions, most making sure that soldiers couldn't help them. Before long only their little group and the pride demon stood near the rift, the walls and stands acting as a natural arena for them.

The pride demon surged straight forward to the middle of their group. Solas raised an ice wall in it's path, but the demon only slowed down a bit. All of them jumped out of the way aside of Cassandra who even as she rolled to the side pierced the demon's leg with her sword. The demon, more out of anger than pain, let out a roar, turning towards the warrior. Allowing Harry to strike it's back with his spirit blade. Only the magical origin of the sword made the attack a little bit more damaging than Cassandra's own.

The demon half turned to the black haired wizard before two arrow flew into it's shoulder, both only lodging into the flesh maybe an inch or two. Before anyone could do something the demon spread his arm towards Varric and Leliana and let loose a whip of lighting scaring the earth as it surged forward. Varric ducked under the whip, while the redhead jumped over it, landing in a roll then letting loose another arrow.

That was when Ana joined the fight firing her own lighting against the demon. The Qunari stood beside Solas, who seemed to be deep in concentration while murmuring something in elvish. Suddenly both his arms and staff flashed blue as all could feel a gentle magic layer wrapping itself over their bodies.

Cassandra and Harry wasted no time and rushed at the demon who fired off a ball of lighting at Solas, who was nearly caught by it, if not for Ana dragging him out the way. It seemed that the elf was either exhausted by this magical defense he cast on them or by the trek in the mountain. Harry remembered him being reasonably swift on his feet.

The demon brought his clawed hand down on Cassandra who both stepped aside and deflected it with her shield. Her counter strike ran deeper this time, causing the demon to roar in pain for the first time in their fight. But she was shocked as the wound seemed to rapidly heal before her eyes. Only her training saved her from being caught by the demon's second attack.

Harry got behind the demon trying to slash it's kneecap in order to slow it down, if not outright rendering it immobile. His sword hit it's mark and went nearly to the middle into the demon's leg. Harry wanted to strike again with either his sword or his magic, but a movement in his peripheral vision. He instinctively put up a magic shield, but the blow went through it before he could boost it further. The blow caught him in the side, sending him nearly to Varric and Leliana.

Harry could feel his breath being caught by it, but aside from maybe a few broken ribs he was largely alright. He was lucky: his own and Solas shield charm weakened it, not to mention that as an Arcane Warrior his magic surged through his whole body strengthening it. If not for that most of his innards would be mushed together and would be lucky to die instantly.

Seeing that he was alright (or as alright as anyone could be fighting as giant demon) Varric and Leliana went to help Cassandra and Ana distracting the demon as Solas looked him over. Ana would have been better if there was a serious injury but Solas was closer and in the battlefield you couldn't pick your healer.

"I think the Breach is making it stronger as well as healing him." Harry said to the elf hedge mage. Solas nodded in agreement.

"I feared as much. We will need to deal such damage it cannot heal itself fast enough."

Harry fall silent. He knew several spell, which would be able to do so, but without a wand or staff it would be foolish to try them. Looking over the group struggling with the demon he could not see any other option even as two other soldiers joined them as the other other demons were slain on the balconies.

"Solas, go and help the other while I prepare myself." Harry said to the elf. He looked at him for a moment then nodded in understanding.

Harry concentrated his magic around him, feeling it flowing around him. He needed to build it up, to reign it closely yet be able to let it run freely. It was no easy task and many mages got hurt or even killed themselves attempting these kind of spells.

Just like in the camp everyone sensed the arcane power rolling off of Harry. But there was something strange about it. Most couldn't point it out, but those who witnessed or were friend with a powerful mage knew what it was. In the camp Harry was merely angered by the narrow-mindedness of the Grand Chancellor, while here he wanted to destroy the demon.

The demon in question also sensed it. Turning to the human mage it plunged towards him nothing slowing him down more then mere second. Before it could reach Harry he was stopped by the bright fires erupting from Harry's hand. The demon roared as the ball of fire engulfed it, flames eating away it's flesh and bones. It took step towards the emerald eyed mage only for him letting out an even more ferocious jet of flame. The demon raised it's hand do defend its head and upper body as he took another step. The fire's intensity grew again, pressing the demon to its knees as flames whirled around it, taking on the forms of drakes and other beasts. With a final cry of anguish the demon eroded away.

After a short second of silence a cheer erupted from the soldiers as the other members of their group made their way towards him. Harry looked over his bright red hands with slight satisfaction. He made it even if barely. A second more and it may became too painful to focus causing him to lose control over the flames.

It was shaman fyre, the progenitor of fiendfyre, one of the most destructive spell known to him from the Golden Age of Tevinter Imperium. While it wasn't corruptive in the same way as fiendfyre, the flames were semi-sentient just as if it was that spell. While this fire didn't 'want' to destroy everything in vicinity (including the caster), it strongly 'desired' freedom, making it hard to control.

"Well, remind me to never be on the wrong side with you, sparkly eyes." Varric said impressed standing in front of him looking at the mage, like he only really saw him now. Ana was already at his side, healing his hand. Solas only offered a nod of acknowledgement even as he closely studied him. Cassandra also wore a contemplative expression on her face, while Leliana seemed to watch him only out the corner of her eyes, her gaze mainly on the Breach and the rift below it.

After a few seconds Ana straightened out, finished with her work. She and Harry stretching their arm called on their new power. The rift brightened up, then pulsed as if resisting their magic. Both mage could feel the resistance as they willed it to close.

They could feel the resistance even as the magic in them overcome it. The rift seemed to brighten up then with a disappeared leaving no evidence that it was there in the first place. Above them the Breach stopped spreading, moreover Harry could have sworn that it was a little smaller. Whether it was true or not after a moment of eerie silence the soldiers started cheering as the both Ana and himself sank to their knees.

They had won the first battle in a storm unlike anything Thedas endured in living memory.