Maker's Sign, or False Divine…

Khotal's eyes fluttered open, immediately registering the warm, comfortable bed he seemed to have found himself in. He flexed his left hand and moved into a sitting position, stretching comfortably. His head snapped to the side as something clattered to the ground.

A young elf stared at him from the doorway in an mix of awe and horror.

"My lord!" She cried out nervously. "I did not know you were awake."

Khotal sighed, shaking his head as he slowly coaxed himself awake. "It's quite alright," He looked around. "Where are we?"

She swallowed hard and stumbled for words. "Haven, my lord," She glanced back at the door. "I'm sure Lady Pentaghast would like to see you- 'right away' she said."

The qunari narrowed his eyes in concentration. "Cassandra?"

The young elf nodded quickly. "Yes, my lord- right away she said!" She then promptly scurried out of the room, leaving Khotal shaking his head in confusion.

Khotal rose to his feet and looked around the small room; a wardrobe sat across the room from his bed, his new greatsword leaning against it. On the bedside table next to him, his tattered clothes from the assault on the Breach laying bundled up; amusedly, a small thought popped into his head that someone had attempted to fold the armor before giving up. The comedic thought was quickly chased away by an assaulting headache, accompanied by the resuming burning in his hand.

Adaar strode across the room and opened the wardrobe; inside was a sparse motley of leathers and heavy furs. Grabbing an outfit, he quickly changed and opened the door, stepping out into the snowy village of Haven. With a scowl he noticed the Breach sitting comfortably in the sky, minus the column of green light that had formerly split it in half.

"It's somewhat annoying, isn't it? All that work, drama, effort, and yet... to no avail."

Khotal looked to his side to see Revas leaning comfortably against the door frame, staring intently towards the hole. The mage was dressed in baggy clothes, a fur hood pulled over his head. His feet, however, were mostly bare, only wrapped in thick cloth.

Lavellan looked at the qunari and gave him a smile. "Lady Seeker has requested our presence in the chantry. Supposedly something important."

Khotal raised an eyebrow as they made their way through the snowy village, soldiers and chantry members lining the path. "How long was I out?" He asked gruffly, staring in confusion at the men and women making up their path

Revas his eyes and concentrated. "Eh, two or three days, I think."

Khotal was momentarily distracted by the whispering voices swirling around him.

"That's the Herald?"

"Yes."

"He's taller than I thought he'd be."

"He's the one who stopped the Breach from getting any bigger."

"I heard he was supposed to close it entirely."

"Still; more than anyone else has done."

The elf smirked. "These people are worshipping you as the next Andraste, may I say. It's been quite frustrating. I killed the bloody pride demon after all." He said, mock anger in his voice.

Khotal shook his head as the duo entered the chantry, stepping through the enormous doors into a well lit stone hallway. The sound of someone singing elsewhere echoed around the building.

Before they even reached the door at the end of the hall, they heard Cassandra and Roderick arguing.

Revas sighed. "Would you believe me if I said they'd been at this all day?"

Khotal shook his head. "...Probably."

The qunari pushed the door open.

"Ah, the murderer! Seize him, and prepare him to travel to Orlais for judgement immediately."

Chancellor Roderick certainly wasted little time.

Cassandra raised a gloved hand to the guards standing on either side of the door. "Ignore that order, and leave us."

Roderick snarled. "Have you gone completely mad? Justinia is dead, Seeker- he murdered her!"

The Seeker gave him a look. "I know he is not guilty. I saw with my own eyes."

The Chancellor made a face like he ate something particularly nasty. "Ah, yes, your shadowy image in the rift. Did it not occur to you, Seeker, that perhaps he could control the Breach? His survival is, what, coincidence?"

Cassandra gave him an even nastier look. "Prominence. I believe the Maker sent him to us in our hour of need."

"And what do you think, Adaar?"

Revas slightly jumped as Leliana stepped out of the shadows, head tilted curiously at the large man.

"If the Maker would send someone like me, it was certainly a fitting time to do so." Khotal said after a moment of silence.

Roderick barked out a harsh laugh.

Cassandra narrowed her eyes at him before strolling across the room, grabbing a rather large book off of a desk, before bringing it back to the large table they were gathered around. Revas pushed off of his position leaning against the wall to get a better look.

"You know what this is?" The Seeker asked rhetorically.

The Chancellor narrowed his eyes. "You're mad if you think the Chantry will approve of this."

Cassandra ignored him and looked at her allies around her. "Perhaps I am mad. Perhaps madness is what we need right now. Nevertheless, as of this moment, I declare the Inquisition reborn. We will close the Breach, we will restore order, with or without your approval." She gave Roderick a pointed look. The Chancellor stood for a moment before silently marching out of the room. Cassandra waved him off and leaned against the table, sighing heavily.

Leliana squared up to the tall Qunari. "This is the Divine's directive; rebuild the Inquisition of old, find those who would stand against chaos. We aren't ready. We have no leader, no numbers- and now no Chantry support."

The Seeker stepped shook her head. "But we must act now," she turned to Khotal. "And with your help, we may accomplish this and close the Breach." She outstretched her arm.

The qunari stood silent for a moment before taking her hand, shaking it firmly. "I'll do whatever I can to help," Releasing her hand, he turned to Revas who had reclaimed his spot leaning against the door frame. The elf was peering around the corner into the main hall, making a face at Roderick's retreating back. "And what about you?"

Revas turned back to the trio. "Me? Ah, Lady Nightingale is already ahead of you on that."

"He has proven to be an invaluable asset these first few days." Leliana said, nodding in confirmation.

The qunari nodded and turned back to the table silently; the book of the Inquisition sat stoically, emblazoned eye on the cover staring back up at him.

Khotal sent a look around the tavern appraisingly; it was a small, quaint building, much like Haven itself. The oak walls were lit warmly with candles, a firepit roaring against one wall. The building was filled with soldiers and workers, a bard singing quietly in the corner while the bartender ferried drinks to the inhabitants. The qunari turned forwards, taking a swig of his mead; and catching a glimpse of Revas.

"Patron of the arts?" Revas asked, catching Khotal's eye.

Adaar grunted. "Patron of taverns more like," He took a drink. The elf was sitting across from him, a finger outstretched, magic spinning the mug of ale in front of him. The Dalishman was fidgeting. "I take it you're not."

"Aha, well, I'm Dalish. Buildings in general are a... fairly new concept to me. I've been in human cities and buildings before, but this one is... remarkably claustrophobic."

Khotal nodded in vague understanding. "What's being Dalish like?"

"Well, it depends," Revas said, sipping his drink. "The Dalish are so splintered and disjointed at this point in time that there are very few similarities between clans nowadays. We do retain quite a few traditions and what not from Arlathan, and later Halamshiral, but millennia disconnected has left us like... separate cultures. Anyhow, it depends. My clan, Clan Lavellan, was very dependent on hunting. We'd hunt, and trade what we didn't need for things we did need with other clans or human settlements. However, I remember meeting one clan, Clan... Sabrae, I believe it was? And they put a lot of stock in herding halla. What they did with them, I'm not sure. I wonder how they're doing..." He trailed off before shaking his head. "So, any interesting qunari things to share?"

Khotal froze mid-swig before grunting, putting his mead down. "You're asking the wrong guy."

"Not from the motherland?"

"No."

"Well, you came from somewhere. You were at the Conclave for a reason, I gather."

"...My mercenary band, the Valo-Kas, were sent to keep peace."

"Hard to keep peace when the place blows up," Revas muttered, drawing a cold glare from Khotal. "Blew up. Right. Apologies."

The qunari sighed. "If any of them survived, they're on the way back to the Free Marches as we speak."

"They... wouldn't even have searched for you?"

Khotal looked to the side, eyes glazing over slightly in rememberance. "It's risky work. People die. You move on."

"Lord Adaar, you are requested in the chantry at once." One of Leliana's agents said from the doorway, standing in the snow.

Revas lifted his hand and waved the man off. He gave Khotal a sly grin. "Go on then. See what the politicians cooked up for you this time."

Khotal strolled into the chantry, walking down the warmly lit hall to the War Room at the end. The mercenary pushed the heavy door open, stepping inside.

Cassandra stood up from her position leaning against the table, turning to the qunari with a nod. "Adaar, you've already met Commander Cullen. He's in charge of the Inquisition's forces."

The blonde man inclined his head respectfully. "Thank you for joining us on the front lines. I'm not sure how many of our soldiers would've died without your assistance closing the rifts."

"And this," the Seeker continued on. "Is our chief diplomat, Josephine Montilyet of Antiva."

The tanned woman dressed in golden silk gave Khotal a sort of curtsy, quill and pen occupying each hand. "Greetings, Lord Adaar."

"It's... just Khotal."

"Very well, Khotal."

"Now that introductions are out of the way," Cassandra said, tapping the table, a map strewn over its surface. "We need to devise a plan to close the Breach completely."

Josephine gestured with her pen. "On your first venture to the Breach, you merely managed to stop its growth- as admirable a feat as that is- and if we are to close it, we will need an immense amount of power to channel into the Herald's Mark."

Cullen sighed as if they had had this conversation before. "A power the Templars can provide."

Leliana stepped forwards. "Or, a power that the mages can provide."

"The mages are in the midst of a rebellion, Nightingale," Cullen said, tapping the table emphatically. "They're splintered and harried with no true leadership or infrastructure- and no guarantee that they'll stop fighting long enough to assist us."

"There is no guarantee," Leliana said pointedly. "That the Templars would be even willing to hear our plea. The few Templars that are still loyal to the Chantry are nowhere near plentiful enough to meet our requirements, and the renegade Templars are nowhere to be found, outside of hunting mages down like dogs. There's no guarantee either faction will assist us."

Cassandra slammed her palm into the table. "Enough. It does not matter if they are splintered. It does not matter if they are warring. No matter what, we need to ally ourselves with one of them if we are to stop the Breach."

"It does not matter who we decide to pursue if the clerics and Val Royeaux continue to demean and demonize us at every waking moment," Josephine said, tapping at her tablet. "If we are to continue our plight further, we will need to silence them first."

"Why?" Khotal asked.

"Because the people listen to them. They are the Chantry. Their word is paramount to law."

"On that," Leliana said, fishing through a pile of papers on the table. "My agents said that there is a 'Mother Giselle' in the Hinterlands, assisting with the refugees."

"If anyone will know the climate of Orlais, it's her." Cullen said, nodding.

"Then we'll send some agents to meet with her and see if she would be willing to assist us." Josephine finished.

Leliana looked up to Khotal. "Better yet; send the Herald. Prove to the people that he isn't some demon sent to destroy the world."

"Excellent idea," The ambassador agreed brightly. "Lord Adaar, select a few agents to accompany you to the Hinterlands to meet with Mother Giselle. Leave as soon as you can; I've no doubt Leliana's raven will reach her before you do."

Cassandra stepped forwards. "I can accompany you."

Khotal nodded, and turned away, leaving the War Room.

It was beautiful.

Revas may not have been the most nature-loving of his clan, but even he had to admit that the place was breathtaking.

"Welcome to the Hinterlands," Varric said brightly. "Try not to trip on any bodies."

Khotal looked down at him. "What do you mean?"

Cassandra answered for the dwarf. "The Templars and mages' war has intensified in Fereldan, especially here."

Revas chuckled under his breath.

"Sir!"

A dwarven woman walked up to them, deep red hair pulled into a bun. She was dressed in Leliana's agents' standard garb.

Khotal ran through the briefing Leliana had given him before they had set out. "Head Scout Harding, right?"

She gave a small smile and inclined her head. "That's me."

"You ever been to Kirktown's Hightown?" Varric asked, a coy smile playing at his lips.

She frowned. "I don't think I have."

"That's a shame because then you'd be Harding in Hi- oh, forget it."

Cassandra made a face as Revas laughed.

The dwarf pointed to his friend. "Toasty gets it."

Harding blinked to herself for a moment before her face fell, a serious expression crossing it. "The fighting's gotten pretty bad. We've tried to get some of the refugees to safety, but it's been going pretty terribly. Maybe you can help?"

"We'll go down and see what we can do." Khotal promised, nodding.

She bid them farewell as the party moved to the "Crossroads" as Leliana had called it.

"So, Varric," Revas began as the party picked their way down the steep hill leading into the valley. He turned from his position far ahead of the group, bare feet wrapped in cloth gripping the rocks beneath him. "About that thing I wanted you to get…"

Varric snorted as he attempted to not stumble, short legs digging into the dirt. "Yeah, I talked to some of my merchant connections, we should have a shipment soon enough."

Revas gave a lopsided grin as he reached the path at the bottom. "You're the best."

The others joined him and Khotal took point, leading the party out of the small clearing and into the valley wider. His instincts buzzed and he leapt backwards, narrowly avoiding a fire ball shooting for his head.

There was a battle cry from the other side, and a handful of Templars charged up. One swung and nearly stabbed his blade into Revas, aiming for the mage, stopped only by a well-executed block with his staff.

"Stop!" Cassandra yelled as the mages and Templars converged on them, fighting everyone who wasn't an ally. "We're not your enemies!"

"I don't think they care, Seeker!" Varric yelled back as he shot at one mage with his crossbow.

The three forces clashed, metal clanging and glinting in the warm light, spells crisscrossing the battlefield.

Revas dodged another sword swing and smashed the man in the helmet with his staff. Focusing, he sent a fireball careening towards the man, catching him in the head, before striking out with the bladed end of his staff, stabbing another man in the knee. Pulling it out, he slid several meters back and out of the fight, fire lining his path.

From there he conceded to shooting small fire attacks while Varric escaped to another distanced area and Cassandra skillfully defended herself.

Khotal, however, dashed around the battlefield like a whirlwind, greatsword whirling around him skillfully, ripping through magi robes and platemail alike.

After several moments, and more than a couple of wounds, the Templars and mages had fallen, leaving the quartet standing alone.

"Well," Revas said after a moment of silence. "That was awful."

Varric shook his head and put his crossbow away. "I hear ya, Toasty. Reminds me of Kirkwall. Awful sums it up."

Khotal huffed and didn't contribute, strapping his sword back onto his back. He winced and touched his fingers to his cheek, wiping blood away; a Templar had managed to get close enough to swing his sword, nearly decapitating the qunari before he narrowly dodged. Instead, he was left with a nasty red gash marring his dark grey skin.

Cassandra quietly sighed to herself. "These must've been the men giving Crossroads trouble. We should hurry before more come."

They reached the Crossroads with little to no trouble. If a fennec counted as trouble, that is. The small, make-shift settlement was brimming with refugees, tents dotting the roadside. Two people had set up small merchant shops. No one was buying anything. Inquisition soldiers and agents rushed to and fro, banners emblazoned with the Inquisition's eye flapping in the wind.

Revas frowned and turned to Cassandra. "What's happening here?"

She barely spared him a glance. "These are refugees, kicked out or having left their homes because of the war. The mages and Templars fail to see how their war affects us all."

They strolled further into the Crossroads, before finding their target; Mother Giselle rose to her feet, turning to the agents as they strode up. Dark brown eyes crinkled with kindness, dark skin marred with wrinkles. She was dressed in the customary red and white robes of the Chantry, a large red hat lined with gold sitting on her head. "Inquisition- Herald." She greeted, voice lilting in an Orlesian accent.

Khotal bowed. "Mother Giselle," She smiled kindly and inclined her head. "We've been told that you're willing to help us. I... assume you've gotten Lady Nightingale's message?"

Giselle nodded slightly. "I have, and I am more than willing to help you in your plight. The Chantry is tearing itself apart in Val Royeaux. When the people need them most, they turn away, bickering in dissension. The people need hope and closure- the Chantry in turn offers nothing but scathing criticism and the spreading of terror, if only inadvertently. But the Inquisition needs the Chantry's support in order to succeed more than most."

Revas cocked his head, eyebrow raised, distorting the pale green tattoo swirling his eye. "And how would we do that?"

"To start, take the Herald to Val Royeaux. I will attempt to gather the high members of the Chantry to meet. Talk to them." Giselle replied patiently.

The Dalishman laughed. "You expect a qunari to convince the Chantry to help. I may be new to your politics, but even I know that that is a... piss poor idea."

"Lavellan." Cassandra spat, frowning in distaste.

The Mother merely smiled and shook her head. "You do not need to win them over. You just need them to doubt. Their greatest weapon is their united voice. Take that from them, and you have your chance. I can offer you nothing more than my promise to assist you in gathering the Grand Clerics. I bid you well, Inquisition."

"That was worthless." Revas muttered as the party walked away.

"Perhaps not. She does tell the truth in regards to the clerics' united voice being their strength," Cassandra said. "Though... I worry we will be powerless to win them over at all."

"Regardless," Khotal cut in from his position at the front of the group. "We should head back to Haven and inform the war council of this."

Varric frowned, sending a look around the Crossroads. "Ditto. Still... maybe we should see if we can come back. This place is in desperate need of some Inquisity help."

Revas patted the dwarf's shoulder. "One battle at a time, Tethras. One battle at a time."

A/N: Yay… new chapter! I'm tired and don't have much to say… also, I'm tired so there's no little extra thingy at the bottom. I'm tired…

-Your Tired Author, Infernokota