Varric caressed the cover of his journal. It was just plain brown, nondescript. He always kept one, finding silent, peaceful times to write his thoughts and what happened down. He turned to the first page looking at his own tidy script.

'That woman Cassandra brought me to Ferelden. It's cold here, snowing. I already hate it. Apparently, I need to tell the Divine the story of Hawke. Couldn't Cassandra of given my book to the Divine instead of taking me prisoner? We are heading to the Temple of Sacred Ashes. (Wherever that is.) The Divine is meeting with leaders from Mages and Templars. They are all meeting there trying to stop this war. Hope peace is achieved, but I don't see how the story of Hawke will change anything or help. I think Cassandra has something more planned, seems rather desperate to know where Hawke is. I won't give my friend up, he has been through enough as it is. He doesn't need people leveling blame for this war at him. It's not like he knew what would happen when he made the choices he did. He was trying to save his home, trying to save Kirkwall. And Maker knows what would have happened had Hawke not done anything. Cassandra is watching me, better stop before she decides to stab this book as well.'

'There was an explosion at the temple that woman was taking me to. We were far enough away that we were fine. Thank the Maker. Now there is a hole in the sky. Big glowing green and black thing. Looking up at it too long gives me a headache. They are calling it the Breach. Smaller holes, called rifts, are opening up everywhere pouring out demons. It's chaotic we're fighting for survival. (It all reminds me of Kirkwall in a weird way.) Lots of people have died. They think everyone that was at that temple is dead. Sadly I think everyone there is dead, I don't see how anyone could have survived that explosion or the demons that came afterward. Any survivors would have been torn apart.'

'Word is some elf came out of the Breach with a glowing white woman watching as they stumbled out. Some are already saying the elf did it. Others say the elf is blessed. Some blessing that would be. I just want to know how anyone survived that shit. Cassandra left to question the elf, they are currently holding them prisoner. Poor thing. Loads of rumors. One of the more interesting ones is; the prisoner has some weird glowing green mark on their hand. All this shit is crazy, Kirkwall level crazy. Not good. There is some other apostate elf around he's keeping prisoner elf alive. Apparently, the green mark is killing them.'

'Met the prisoner. Cassandra brought them to a rift to test the mark I guess. It worked, rift closed. Elf knows at least some Silver Tongue or at least the curse words of the language. Solas and Cassandra called the elf she, but doesn't move like a female, doesn't have the air of one. I think the mysterious elf is a male. Talk about mysterious! He has a mask covering from the nose down, and his armor is weird. I thought the bald elf, Chuckles was mysterious, but this one takes the cake. He fights damn well, wields a staff like none I have ever seen before. Shocked the hell out of Solas when he grabbed the prisoners arm and pushed hand up to the hole. Weird green mark on his right hand. (He is missing a thumb, I wonder what happened there.) Dar'banal'ras. Solas told me later it means to be a shadow or to be nothing. Anyway, Ras: says we can call 'em that. Is the mask because he horribly disfigured? The magic he uses isn't like anything I've ever seen before. Ras also doesn't have Vallaslin which before now, I'd never met an elf without it, except Solas he doesn't have it either. Ras is snarky as hell, enjoyable to listen to, probably not so much when one is on the receiving end of the snark. There was an argument about how to get to the temple. They asked Ras. He decided on the mountain pass. Cassandra wasn't happy with the choice. Ended up saving a squad on the pass, so it was worth it. Had some weird vision\memory at the temple when we got to the ruins. I think Ras honestly doesn't remember anything. He seemed so confused when we saw the vision. Watching him go after the pride demon that showed up when the rift opened was... heart stopping. I thought he was a goner when the demon lobbed a ball of lightning right at him, he didn't even dodge. It didn't affect him. I have never seen a mage immune to magic and the look Solas had told me he hasn't either. How is Ras immune to lightning magic? Does it have something to do with him shocking people? Ras was able to close the large rift under the Breach, but passed out once it was closed. Caused another explosion this one not nearly as destructive just staggered the people at the Breach. Didn't close the Breach though, but they say it isn't growing anymore. Isn't opening smaller rifts everywhere or pouring out demons either. Every little bit helps. We returned to Haven. Set myself up a tent, I plan on staying and helping. I cannot ignore this.'

'Ras was out three days. Finally awake now. He talked to me after he met with Cassandra in the Chantry. We had dinner. He has scars along his mouth only thing I could think of that would cause scars like that would be having his mouth sewn shut. Only people I know that does that is the Qun. No wonder he wears a mask that covers his mouth. He said he wasn't ashamed of who he was, but of the scars themselves because he didn't earn them, but even so it's best he hide what he is. Qun isn't looked at well here, or anywhere really and like over there Tal-Vashoth is frowned upon here. He is a mysterious guy. He likes working behind the scenes, but after watching a couple of days, he knows how to be a leader, how to keep hopes alive and keep morale up. He seems so friendly and open you could almost forget he is hiding things. He has a past, a past he doesn't want anyone to know about. It makes me question what more he is hiding. When we had dinner, I told him I wouldn't tell anyone about what he was hiding under the mask. I think he was testing me seeing if he could trust me. I haven't told anyone. He is like me, a man that works information. Gathers it. Knows when to talk and when to listen. He knows how to read people's faces and body language. He is also good at keeping his own face and body from giving much away. He sneaks out of town a lot. I decided not to follow. With everything going on he could use moments along I'm sure. Called him Shadow. He didn't say anything, so it's his nickname. Fits him in many ways.

I've never seen a mage that fights like him. He fights like he was trained with daggers and not magic, but still uses his magic. Not like most mages do from afar killing with their spells. He uses his to stun then slip in with that unique staff of his with its dagger and uses the blade to kill.'

'Honestly after meeting Cassandra I'm surprised Ras has stuck around and is helping. I'm sure her questioning wasn't pleasant. I know her interrogation of me was terrible. Suppose I cannot say much, because even with Cassandra I'm still here as well. It'd be stupid to leave. Can't just let a hole in the sky try and work itself out.'

'Ras had never played Wicked Grace. Where's the guy been, under a rock? Ah well, I shall remedy the situation.'

Varric smiled at that entry he'd written it quickly just to get the thoughts out of his mind. He'd closed the journal to soon after he'd written it and the entry was a bit smudged thought not bad enough to be unreadable.

'Ras told me he only shocks people he doesn't trust and that he doesn't shock people if he touches them. It is good to know.

Ras trusts me, and honestly, I'm honored. I'm used to tugging people's arms or hands to get their attention. It's something hard to remember with Ras not to touch. I touched his hand and didn't get shocked. That was when I asked about him shocking people. Beyond the information already down, he didn't say anything else. Why does he shock people?'

'Cassandra barged into Ras's cabin, without knocking. Ras would have hated her seeing him without the mask. Don't think she did. I was teaching Ras Wicked Grace, he learns fast. Kicked mine and Solas's butts. Rumors are we are together. (Though I've heard some good threesome stories too.) I'm sure Cassandra thinks there is more between us that what there really is. Surprised her when I touched Ras and didn't get shocked. Don't know if she questioned him about it or not, but if she did, I would have paid any price to see her face when he tells her he doesn't shock people he trusts.

HA! Take that Cassandra!

He left to meet people. Got called later to measure him so a tailor could make him 'suitable' clothes. Sometimes I feel sorry for him. A lot of people treat him like an object. No one even asked if he wanted different clothes. They expect him to do all this for them. He doesn't complain, but surely it all gets... irritating. I don't see how he does it, but I didn't understand how Hawke did what he did when so many were against him in Kirkwall. Maybe it's a hero thing,'

'Tavern is a good place for information. People tend to talk when drunk. Ras is in there all the time. Don't see him drink, but that'd require taking the mask off, so it's not all that surprising. Met Lady Josephine. Lovely lady who acted scandalized by the bet on Ras's gender, but is now holding the paper with the bets on it. Cullen is a military man through and through, but doing good with the troops. Needs to learn to relax and have a bit of fun though.'

'Scouts are back. Off to the Hinterlands. How many different colors of armor does Ras have? I've seen a gray set, a white set, and now green. He asked me to go with. He wouldn't be able to keep me here if he tried. He needs someone he trusts to watch his back. He seems leery of Solas. Doesn't trust Cassandra as far as he could throw her.'

'Hinterlands is kind of hot. Full of people wanting to kill everyone and everything. Cleared the Crossroads. Ras healed a bunch of people while we cleared the dead and got refugees situated. Ras talked to Mother Giselle, which was what we came here for. They were both really calm. Don't know what the plan is beyond getting some sleep. Wish Hawke was here. Hawke and Ras would get along I think. They both have fantastic bad luck. Plus Hawke likes helping people. Maybe I'll write him. It'd piss Cassandra off. Be worth it though.'

Varric looked over what he'd written, putting his quill down as he finished the latest entry and let it sit for a bit to dry. Cassandra walked over.

"Think we should wake them for a meal?" She gestured to the tents where Solas and Ras slept.

"No, just make a big breakfast in the morning. I think they need the sleep more right now, both used a lot of magic." She nodded at his words.

"Well, the food is done. Come, join us." Varric was a bit surprised by the invite, but went and ate dinner with Cassandra and the troops. Once he finished, he put his journal in his pack then crawled into his tent for the night.