In Which the Plot Thickens- And There is a Paradox

Everyone was insanely busy for the next couple weeks. Messages were sent out, people ran around doing recruiting and administrative work… most of which was almost irritatingly- or perhaps comfortingly, Olivia's opinion on the matter tended to change based on her mood- similar to what Olivia had been doing during the Blight, just with fewer darkspawn.

Perhaps most importantly, however, Solas, the elven apostate who had kept the mark from killing Olivia and become the local rift expert, figured out how to close the rift. "We need a lot of magical power to boost what you do with the mark," he announced to Olivia. "We could get it from either a large number of mages or Templars."

"We should talk to the Templars," said Cullen immediately.

"I think the mages would be better," said Solas.

They glared at one another. The two of them seldom agreed on anything. Olivia sighed. "Alright. You two…"

Josephine cut in. "You should probably talk to the Chantry, too. We might be able to get some of them on our side and then the ones that are against us will lose strength."

Cullen stared at her. "Are you joking? They want to kill her. We should go get the Templars."

Personally, Olivia felt rather like that wasn't a much safer option, but still… "Josephine has a point. We could at least try talking to them." They should at least try diplomacy.

As it turned out, going to Val Royeau to talk to the Chantry did, in fact, go just as horribly as Cullen suspected it would, but not for the reasons he was thinking. They did meet a couple people who offered their help- Vivienne, literally the only High Enchanter who had stuck with the Chantry and Sera, a rather quirky-seeming elf who offered the help of the Friends of Red Jenny, a large organization of people who, well, Charade had tried to explain it once but Olivia still wasn't exactly sure what they did- it sounded a lot like some of what she had been doing right before the whole world went pear-shaped. Sort of. Just with less focus on trying to find a cure for the Taint.

No, the reason the trip went wrong was not because of the Chantry but because of the Templars. Their Lord Seeker Lucius, leading a large group of Templars, showed up in the middle of the discussion, knocked out the woman Olivia had been talking to, made a rambling speech about destiny and such, and announced that they were all leaving the city and would no longer protect it.

Actually, this was also kind of reminiscent of the things Olivia had been doing during the Blight. She'd certainly interacted with a lot of crazy people who made rambling speeches about destiny and such back then.

"Has the Lord Seeker Lucius gone mad?" asked Cassandra, sounding shocked.

"I'm going to have to go with 'yes'," said Olivia. "Trust me. I've met a lot of crazy people, and he is definitely crazy."

"But he was always so sensible!"

"Not anymore, apparently. I guess this rules out getting help from the Templars."

"Don't write them off yet," said Cassandra. "There have to be some of them who see that he's crazy."

Olivia just stared at her. The likelihood of that happening was extremely low. "We should go back to Haven."

"Excuse me." An elven woman appeared from behind a pillar.

Cassandra looked surprised. "Grand Enchanter Fiona?"

Solas seemed surprised as well. "Isn't it a bit dangerous for the leader of the Rebellion to be here?"

"I heard about this gathering and had to come," said the Grand Enchanter. "I wanted to see the Herald of Andraste in person. If you need help with the Breach, my people are a better option."

"Why didn't you die at the Conclave?" asked Cassandra suspiciously.

"I thought it might be a trap and sent a proxy instead. You'll notice that Lord Seeker Lucius wasn't there either. It disgusts me that the Templars got away with this."

Of course she thought that the Templars were responsible. "Let's try not to assume anything about anyone without evidence," said Olivia tiredly.

Fiona looked skeptical. "I'd like to invite you to Redcliffe to meet with us. An alliance could be beneficial to both of us, after all. I hope to see you there." The Grand Enchanter turned and left.

"Let's go back to Haven," said Cassandra.

Back at Haven, they already knew everything that happened. "My scouts sent word ahead," explained Leliana.

"It's a pity that the Tempars have abandoned their senses as well as the capitol," said Cullen.

Olivia refrained from pointing out that she'd never had much faith in the Templars' senses in the first place. "At least we know who to talk to now," she said.

"The mage rebellion could be ten times crazier than Lord Seeker Lucius," said Cullen, sounding annoyed. "The Templars can't all agree with him."

"But the mages did at least invite us," pointed out Olivia. "That suggests that they actually have an interest in talking."

"If the mages are responsible for the Conclave this could be a trap," pointed out Cassandra.

"It might not be. And know for sure that the Templars don't like us." Cullen didn't seem very happy about that. Olivia sighed. This was getting pretty tiresome. "Cullen, can I talk to you in private for a minute?"

Now he looked confused. "All right." Olivia took his arm and pulled him off to the side.

"Cullen. I understand that you want the Templars to join us. You still care about the Order and your friends in it. I also admit that there are probably a lot of good people in the Templars. People who just want to protect others. But not only would they probably attack us on sight, I just cannot trust them. Because even ignoring all the corruption in the Order, the Order's methods are inherently wrong and the Templars who have stayed are not going to understand that." Cullen looked about to protest, but Olivia held up a finger. "Hear me out. Imprisoning people whose only crime is existing is wrong. Taking children from their families is wrong. Killing anyone who tries to resist that is wrong. The rite of tranquility…is so wrong that anything I can say about it isn't even adequate. Do you even realize how much they've done to you?" It felt really good to get all that out. Ranting was more cathartic than she would have thought.

"The Tempars haven't…"

"Gotten you addicted to a debilitating substance? Ordered you to kill someone they knew you were in love with if she became possessed during her Harrowing as some kind of twisted test of loyalty?"

Cullen was looking a bit pale. "I…I need to go think." He turned around and bolted.

Olivia walked back over to Leliana, Cassandra, and Josephine. "What did you say to him?" asked Leliana.

"The truth." Leliana winced.

"So, we're going after the mages?" asked Josephine.

"That's probably a trap!" said Cassandra.

This set off another round of bickering, Josephine and Cassandra walking off still arguing.

Leliana sighed. "There is another thing. As you already know, several months ago, all of the Grey Wardens in Orlais and most of the ones in Ferelden disappeared. I wouldn't suggest getting involved, but the timing is a bit…interesting. Honestly, I'm worried that maybe Chancellor Roderik might have a point. The only Wardens they left behind seem to be Alistair and yourself, both of whom haven't actually been active Grey Wardens in a long time."

That sounded really bad. "You're suggesting that they were responsible for what happened at the Conclave?" Asked Olivia. She really didn't want that to be true, but… it did sound incredibly suspicious.

"Maybe, maybe not. My agents have heard about a Warden named Blackwall in the Hinterlands. It would make me feel better if you talked to him. Unless he confirms that there really is something going on with the Wardens. In which case it wouldn't make me feel better, but at least we'd know."

Olivia sighed. "I really hope your suspicions are unfounded."

"Again, so do I."

As it turned out, Blackwall knew absolutely nothing. The expedition wasn't completely useless, though, as they did manage to get a few new allies and close several more of the mini-rifts. They also found some journals on the Storm Coast that had belonged to Grey Wardens, but the information in them was singularly unhelpful. All they could gather was that the Wardens were looking for someone. Based on how the long the journals seemed to have been there and the lack of specificity, it could even have been Olivia herself, though, unless the searchers were particularly incompetent, it was unlikely that she was the target, considering that she hadn't been anywhere near the Storm Coast. Olivia and Leliana eventually decided to leave the search to Leliana's agents and go meet the mages at Redcliffe.

The first sign that something was, once again, wrong in Redcliffe was the mini-rift just outside the gates of the village. The land seemed to have recovered from the Blight- it was almost odd to see greenery around the village- but something was very wrong with the people. "Seriously," Olivia said to Valena, down in the smithy, which she'd taken over after her father died. "The Arl just- left? Why would Teagan do that?"

"I don't know," said Valena. "But first these Tevinter magisters show up, and then suddenly Arl Teagan said he had to leave. The kid, Connor, is back, with the rebel mages, but, well…"

"He's too brainwashed to be any help?" said Olivia.

Valena nodded in agreement. "Also most people don't trust him because of, you know, the zombies."

"That would also be a reason. Where is this magister, anyway?"

"In the tavern. Along with the Grand Enchanter."

Olivia nodded. "Thanks." She walked out of the smithy. "It was nice to see you again," she called over her shoulder, making her voice sound lighthearted. "It was good to catch up." What? She could do subtle.

In the tavern, they were greeted by Grand Enchanter Fiona. Who then looked surprised and asked why they had come to Redcliffe. Which was odd, considering that she was the one who had invited them. In person. "You asked us here," said Olivia. "In Val Royeax?"

The Grand Enchanter looked even more confused. "You must be mistaken. I haven't been to Val Royeax since before the Conclave."

Olivia could do subtle, but this was just confusing. Even with a magister here, why would Fiona lie about inviting her? It wasn't like she'd snuck off to Val Royeax; somebody would have noticed. "Unless you have an identical twin, I'm pretty sure it was you."

Fiona looked down. "Whoever or whatever brought you here, the situation has changed. The free mages have already pledged themselves to the Tevinter Imperium."

And now Redcliffe was apparently a Tevinter outpost. Olivia barely refrained from groaning. "Andraste's ass," muttered Varric. "I'm trying to think of a single worse thing you could have done."

Solas nodded in agreement with Varric. "I know that you're afraid, but surely you deserve better than slavery to Tevinter." Olivia had to agree with both of them. Of course, the magister had probably used mind control. That would also explain why Teagan would abandon the people he was responsible for.

Fiona spoke again. "As one indentured to a magister, I no longer have the authority to negotiate with you." Maybe they'd just threatened her. She did look pretty scared.

"Well, who does then?" asked Olivia. The back of her mind was screaming 'be subtle'.

At that point two men in Tevinter robes walked down the stairs. They had obviously been listening in to the conversation. "Welcome, my friends," said the older man. "I apologize for not greeting you earlier."

"Agents of the Inquisition, allow me to introduce Magister Gereon Alexius," said Fiona.

"The southern mages are under my command," said Alexius. Olivia resisted the urge to frown. Something about that statement just rubbed her the wrong way. "And you are the survivor, yes? The one from the Fade? Interesting."

"Interesting alliance you've got here," said Olivia. It was probably better than calling it a hostile invasion, considering that she was currently in the town that had been taken over and cut off from backup. "I'd like to hear more about it."

"Of course. What do you want to know?"

"Hey," she said, as if she had just noticed, "where's Teagan, anyway? I haven't seen any sign of him or his men around."

"The Arl of Redcliffe left the village," said Alexius simply. "There were… tensions. I did not want an incident."

Translation: Teagan objected to Tevinter taking over Redcliffe and Alexius got rid of him. Olivia hoped that Teagan was safe and currently getting reinforcements to retake the village rather than dead or mind controlled. "That's not the point of this visit, anyway," she announced. "I need mages to help me close the Breach."

"Right down to business," Alexius smiled and gestured to one of the tables. Fiona glared at him. "Please be seated."

"Of course," said Olivia politely, sitting down across from him.

"Felix, bring a scribe," called Alexius to the other Tevinter man with him. "Oh, excuse my bad manners. This is my son, Felix." Felix bowed and left. "I'm surprised you came here," Alexius said to Olivia. "Closing the Breach is a feat not many could even attempt."

Olivia shrugged and leaned back. "Well, I like to think big."

Alexius leaned forward. "There will have to be-" he cut himself off and Felix came back, stumbling. "Felix!"

Olivia leapt up and caught the younger Tevinter as he collapsed, slipping something into her pocket. "I'm so sorry, my lady, please forgive me."

Alexius looked worried. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, father," said Felix, clutching his side.

"I'll get your powders," said Alexius. "Please excuse me, friends. We must continue this discussion another time."

Alexius left, carefully helping Felix walk out with him, followed by Fiona. Olivia looked at the bit of paper that Felix had slipped her. "Come to the Chantry," she read aloud. "You are in danger."

"Because that doesn't stink of a trap at all," said Varric.

Olivia smirked. "Let's go anyway."

There was a rift in the chantry. A very strange rift. While Olivia and the others got rid of the demons her timing was somehow off, like everything was happening too quickly and too slowly in turns.

There was also someone else in the chantry. "Good," said the elegantly dressed and coiffed young man once the demons were gone. "Help me close this rift, would you?"

Olivia shrugged and held up the mark, closing it in the usual stream of green light. "Fascinating," said the man. "How does that work, exactly?" Then he laughed. "You don't even know, do you? You just wiggle your fingers and boom! Rift closes."

Olivia felt a bit like she ought to be insulted. "Sorry, who are you exactly?"

"Ah, getting a bit ahead of myself, I see. Dorian of house Pavus, most recently of Minrathos. How do you do?"

Cassandra didn't look happy. "Another Tevinter. Be careful with this one."

Dorian only laughed. "Suspicious friends you have. Alexius used to be my mentor, so I'm sure my help ought to be useful. Look, you must know there's danger here. That should be obvious even without the note."

"You think?" asked Olivia sarcastically.

"Let's start with Alexius claiming the allegiance of the rebel mages out from under you. As if by magic, yes? Which is exactly what happened. To get to Redcliffe before you, Alexius reordered time itself."

Olivia stared at him. Just when she thought that things could not possibly become any stranger. "What?"

"That is fascinating, if it's true," said Solas. "And almost certainly dangerous."

"You saw how the rift here twisted time around itself?" asked Dorian. "Slowed some things up and others down? Soon there will be more like it, further and further away from Redcliffe. The magic Alexius is using is wildly unstable and it is unraveling the world."

Olivia seriously wondered about why people did some of these things. "Alright, why?"

"I can tell you." Felix walked in through the doors. Dorian looked particularly happy to see him. "My father's joined a cult, the Venatori. Whatever he's done for them, he's done to get to you. They're obsessed with you. I don't know why. Maybe because you survived the explosion at the Conclave."

"Or it's because you can close the rifts," added Dorian. "They might see that as a threat. I have to leave Redcliffe before Alexius realizes that I'm here, but when you deal with him I want to be there." Dorian turned to leave. "Oh, and Felix? Don't get yourself killed."

"There are worse things than dying, Dorian," said Felix darkly. He turned and left in the other direction.

"I think," said Olivia. "That we need to go back to Haven to discuss this."