Those who had been slaves

Dorian looked at his entourage that rode beside him. Blackwall looked grimmer than usual. Solas fumbled at his Grey Warden robe. The sleeves were still to long and the neck to tight it seemed. Only Varric was grinning.

"I wish Junior could see us now," he said chuckling, "the mighty Grey Wardens saving the day. He'd like that."

Blackwall made a disgruntled snort. "I still don't like fooling the man into believing we can actually help his son. There should be a more honest way."

"Sometimes a lie can end up being true," said Solas. "Maybe he survives the Joining."

Blackwall glared at the elf. "I told you I couldn't make him a Warden. I… lack the proper ingredients."

"Which our agents are already searching in Vigil's Keep, my dear Warden," Dorian said and shifted in his saddle. He wasn't used to riding. "Besides. We only have to distract my former master long enough. I… doubt Felix actually wants your help."

They passed the gates of Redcliff village. The castle's imposing silhouette was barely visible through the morning fog.

"Creepy fog. Exactly what I needed before confronting a time warping Magister." Varric's cheeriness had evaporated as the crossed the long bridge to the castle. Dorian dismounted before the castle gates.

"Who goes there?" a guardswoman asked. Her partner inspected them with a distrustful look.

"Tell Magister Alexius that Dorian Pavus is here to meet him," Dorian said and put up a jovial smile. "It's about his son Felix. I might have something to help him." He pointed at the "Grey Wardens" behind him.

The woman nodded and went inside.


"Dorian. What brings you here now?" Alexius was mustering them with squinted eyes from his throne. His son Felix stood beside him to his right while the former Grand Enchanter stood to his left. Dorian looked at the guards in the throne room. All were facing them. Good.

"So suspicious, old friend. I'm here for Felix of course," Dorian replied and nodded in the direction of the younger Alexius. But Gereon Alexius only grunted in disgust. "You seriously think I let the Wardens take him from me?"

Dorian shook his head. "I was thinking to bring you to your senses!" He cast his arms open. "Look at what you've become, Alexius. Cults, indenturing people in need, ripping a hole in time. You've become the villainous cliché everyone is expecting from us. For what?"

"Cults?" Alexius raised his voice in surprise.

"They know everything, father," Felix said. The sadness in his voice was heartbreaking.

"They? Felix what have you done?"

"The Inquisition. You can still stop this father. Give up the Venatori and let the mages close the Breach. Let's go home."

Alexius shook his head and confronted Felix. "The Elder One is the only one who can save you. He promised there would be a way."

"Elder One? Sounds like a charming fellow," Varric said. Solas looked at the dwarf and just shook his head.

"Father, I'm going to die. You have to accept that," Felix said. He laid a hand on his father's shoulder. In that moment, Dorian saw how the agents of the Inquisition killed Alexius's guards. When the Magister realized what was going on, it was already over.

"No! I will not lose you!" The Magister tried to cast a spell but an arrow struck his right hand. He screamed in surprise and Leliana stepped out from behind her agents, her bow ready for another shot. "It's over Alexius surrender and you will be spared," she said and stared at him from under her hood.

"Let's stop this now, yes?" Dorian said. He hoped his former friend would not do something stupid. They really didn't need more death.

Alexius dropped to his knees. "You won. There's no point in extending this charade." He looked at his son. "Felix…"

"It's going to be alright father," Felix replied.

"You will die." Alexius' voice was almost failing him.

"Everyone dies," said Felix as the Inquisitions agents came to arrest his father. They put him handcuffs and brought him away.

"Well, I'm glad that's over with," Dorian said. But in that moment a contingent of guards marched into the throne room. "Or not." King Alistair and Queen Anora entered the behind their guards. They didn't look exactly happy. King Alistair first addressed Fiona, who had been silent this whole time.

"Grand Enchanter, we'd like to discuss you abuse of our hospitality." Fiona walked up to them like a beaten dog. "Your Majesties…"

"When we offered the mages sanctuary, we didn't give them the right to drive our people from their home," Queen Anora said and took a step towards the former Grand Enchanter.

"I assure you, we never intended…"

Anora interrupted her again: "In light of you actions, good intentions are no longer enough." The Queen's wrath was accompanied by a stern nod of her husband.

"You and your followers have worn out your welcome. Leave Ferelden or we'll be forced to make you leave," he said.

"But we have hundreds who need protection! Were should we go?" Fiona said shooking her head in disbelief.

"Your Majesties, if I may," Leliana interfered. She bowed to them.

"Leliana? Good to see you!" Alistair's tone softened at the sight of his former companion.

Leliana smirked at him. "It's been a while, hasn't it?" She turned to Fiona. "You can come with us. Join the Inquisition and help us seal the Breach."

"And what are your terms?" Fiona asked.

"Hopefully better than what Alexius gave you. The Inquisition is better than that, surely?" Dorian said and looked to Leliana. He hoped the Inquisition could be different from the rest of the southern Chantry. She nodded. "You will be our allies. Fight beside us and end this madness."

Blackwall nodded in approval. " Good. No one fights well for their captors."

"A generous offer. I hope the rest of your Inquisition will honor it," Fiona said still skeptical.

"I doubt you will get a better one," Alistair said. His words seemed to hurt her greatly. Odd. Dorian hadn't pegged her for a royalist.

"We accept your offer. It'd be madness not to," Fiona finally said and added: "The breach will be closed, you will not regret giving us this chance."

"I hope you know what you're doing, Leliana," Alistair said. "I know Amelia wanted the mages to be free but…"

"Don't worry. The mages will help us end this madness. I'm sure of it," Leliana said smiling. Alistair nodded and the royal pair left the throne room, holding hands.