Happy New Year, dear readers!

This story is a direct sequel to my Dragon Age 2 novelization, Tranquility, which you can probably find from my profile or something.

Just in the case if you are not up to speed with the events of that story, or simply do not wish to catch up (can't blame anyone who doesn't want to go through 81 chapters!), allow me to present you with a small summary of how things stand in this particular version of Thedas-verse.

IN FERELDEN, the elven Grey Warden Maythre has taken the throne through wars, elaborate plotting and series of assassinations. The sinister blood mage has since then freed the elves and Circle mages, as well as sent the Chantry priests and revered mother seeking refuge in Orlais. As the aging Divine ponders about Exalted Marches, the elven Queen works tirelessly to solidify her grasp on Ferelden, alongside her trusted general Ser Cauthrien.

The current status of Maythre's former companions is as follows:

Alistair - sent in Exile following Landsmeet, location currently unknown. Speculation: Free Marches.

Leliana - killed by Maythre prior to Landsmeet, when attempting to take the Urn of Sacred Ashes from the elven blood mage.

Morrigan - location unknown, disappeared after Maythre denied her the Dark Ritual, fearing her rival would become too powerful. Speculation: Eventually found her way to step through the Eluvian.

Oghren - current whereabouts unknown, but he never did leave Orzammar after helping Maythre to locate Branka. Speculation: still living in Orzammar with his insane wife.

Shale - location unknown, all traces of the loyal golem disappeared after the final battle in Denerim and Archdemon's defeat. Speculation: perhaps traveled to Tevinter Imperium to reverse the effects of her current condition and become a dwarf again.

Sten - current whereabouts unknown, departed Ferelden shortly after the Archdemon's defeat. Speculation: has returned to Par Vollen.

Wynne - killed in the great cleansing of the Ferelden Circle during the Fifth Blight.

Zevran - died in Dragon 9:36 in the Warden's Keep, sacrificed by Queen Maythre to cure herself of the darkspawn taint.

IN KIRKWALL, Riona Hawke managed to stop Meredith from putting the Right of Annulment into effect, however, Meredith's defeat came at a very heavy cost. To stop the Knight-Commander, Hawke was manipulated by Flemeth into using a powerful blood magic spell, and as consequence, Hawke was expelled from Kirkwall by the new acting Knight-Commander Cullen. As she attempts to flee to safety in Ostwick, Hawke is intercepted by Ser Cauthrien who takes her captive to deliver to Queen Maythre's court in Denerim...

The current status of Riona Hawke's former companions is as follows:

Anders - died after blowing up the Chantry, regretting that he had put such terrible plans in motion, after realizing that Bethany had been in the Chantry when his bomb went off.

Aveline - has remained in Kirkwall to restore order to the turmoil embroiled city. Together with Knight-Commander Cullen they work to protect the citizens of Kirkwall from the demons swarming from Darktown and threatening to reduce the city to ruins.

Bethany - in the wrong place at the wrong time, Bethany is presumed to have died at the explosion in the Chantry. In a task that nobody fancies, her body has not yet been recovered from the rubble.

Fenris - consumed by his hatred for magic, blaming Hawke for everything that went wrong for him in Kirkwall, Fenris joined the Templar Order and attempted to hunt down Riona when she was fleeing Kirkwall. During his duel with Hawke, he was killed by the intervening Ser Cauthrien.

Isabela - having betrayed Hawke several times, Isabela severely misjudged Riona's capacity for forgiveness and ended up handed over to the Arishok. Varric's sources have learned that she has since escaped, but her current whereabouts and fate are unknown.

Merrill - a carelessly spoken word alerted the Forbidden One, desire demon Xebenkeck, to the existence of the Eluvian in Kirkwall. The demoness, interested in the secrets of the mirror, took a reluctant Merrill with her, passing through the Eluvian together. What happened to Merrill after that... nobody knows.

Sebastian - the prince of Starkhaven passed away in the destruction of the Chantry, together with his beloved Grand Cleric Elthina.

Varric - after Meredith's defeat, stayed in Kirkwall to round up some last loose ends before following his secret lover Hawke to Ostwick. What Varric does not know, however, is that Hawke never reached Ostwick and is currently on the way to Ferelden...

Welp, that's all the summary I can manage. Enjoy the story that is about to follow, ok? And have a happy 2012, everyone. :)