The war between mages and Templars had only gotten worse since Rin had been away. Every town they passed was full of refugees. People were injured, hungry, cold… and Rin couldn't understand why no one was doing more to help the innocents in this war.

And so they carefully passed through each town, for with refugees came bandits with the intent of taking advantage of the desperate.

"You know… you should probably sell that cloak…" Zevran murmured to him as they wandered through one of the last towns before they would reach the Conclave where Zevran would leave Rin. They were already attracting quite a bit of attention being two well-armed elves, but Dorian's cloak spoke of coin that they did not actually have.

Rin pulled the cloak a little tighter around him. "It's warm," he defended. "Why would I sell it?"

"Because it stands out like a gold coin in mud…" Zevran continued lowly. "It's dashing, yes. But, you need the coin. And you can buy a more discreet and warmer coat then…one that's meant for the South, not Tevinter."

"Yeah…" muttered Rin idly. "I'm going to just keep it."

Zevran had an amused smile playing around his mouth. "Fine, fine…" he said lightly. "Do as you wish…"

Rin smiled slightly, glad he was desisting. Then, "Hey look," he bent suddenly, picking up a sodden book that had been left in the mud. "Can you believe this? Someone just threw this away. Hard in Hightown by Varric Tethras…"

"Varric… hmm, I've met him," quipped Zevran. Then he chuckled, "He would not be so happy to know his book was in the mud."

"He wrote the Champion of Kirkwall's story didn't he…" murmured Rin, inspecting the book to see if it was readable.

"Yep, met her too…"

Rin rolled his eyes. "Yes, I know, you've met everyone," he sighed. "You know so many influential people and yet here you are escorting little old me home."

Zevran chuckled. "You just have that effect on people, Rin," he smirked. "They like you."

Rin snorted, "Right…" he said sarcastically. Then he sighed again, deciding the book was too far gone. "You know what D-"

"Dorian would say?" Zevran cut in, smirking again. "I don't. But, I'd wager you do. You seem to know a lot about what he'd say or think or do… seeing as you keep talking about him every five minutes."

Rin blushed furiously. "Well that's a bit of an exaggeration…" he muttered.

Zevran raised his eyebrows at him. "And you refuse to sell his cloak."

"So?" Rin demanded defensively. "It's a good cloak."

Zevran looked very amused. "Uhuh…" he quipped lightly. "And how was the sex the other night?"

Rin wondered I his face could possibly get any redder. "Non-existent for you?" he teased.

Zevran laughed heartily. "Don't be ridiculous," he said in a sing-song like voice. "Isabella, her second in command and I got very well acquainted."

Rin shook his head, his eyebrows disappearing into his hair. "Of course…"

Zevran chuckled. "So… how was it?"

Rin clamped his mouth shut. He wasn't about to gossip about their night together. "Amazing, and private," he said simply, offering Zevran a smug smirk.

But, Zevran just found this even more amusing. "Just as I thought…"

Rin frowned. "Well, what does that mean?" he said begrudgingly.

"Honestly the two of you are ridiculous," added Zevran. "Woeful puppy dog eyeing each other when you had to leave…"

Rin stared at Zevran in surprise. "I… what?" he spluttered. "Puppy dog eyeing? What even is that? And you're also just being crazy now."

"This is why you should just avoid 'feelings' all together," smirked Zevran. "Keep it fun. Or you get all unreasonable and ridiculous like you're being now."

Rin groaned in annoyance. "I don't know what you want me to say right now. I can't deny it or that will just prove your point."

"Finally, some pragmatism!"

"Zev. It was just sex." Rin threw him a look. "Just like you and me."

"Oooh, just like you and me. So you pined over me to, then?" Zevran smirked quite a bit.

"Maker's breath…" muttered Rin. "I am not pining." He threw Zevran an annoyed glance. "Let's just… talk about something else, shall we?"

Zevran shrugged, "Sure," he said lightly. "But, you know you'll be bringing Dorian back up in five minutes anyway."

Rin rolled his eyes, making a personal note in his head not to bring Dorian up again as long as he could help it. He'd have to keep his day dreaming in his head. "I know you just want the juicy details."

Zevran chuckled, "Of course. But, I also know that you'll see a leaf, or some shape in a cloud and suddenly that will have everything to do with Dorian again, and we'll have this whole conversation once more."

Rin just clenched his jaw, shaking his head stiffly. He pulled Dorian's coat tightly around him, "You are impossible," he muttered lowly, stomping on ahead and leaving Zevran to laugh at him while he jogged to catch up.

When they finally did reach the conclave, Zevran took Rin to the place Taen had told them he and the other hunters would be waiting for a few days before heading into the conclave to spy on the events.

There were three elves in the small camp, all of them hunters that Rin knew well, but none of them his brother.

He walked over to them quickly, looking between them.

"Rin!" gasped the female hunter. "You're OK!"

"Mera, hi," smiled Rin as she hugged him tightly. "Tanar, Elris," he nodded at the other two hunters. "It's… good to see you all. Where's Taen?"

The elves glanced at each other uneasily. "He's… with the clan, Rin…" Tanar said finally.

Rin frowned, "Why? I thought he was going to be here."

Tanar sighed, "Your Father has gotten much worse since you last saw him…" he said lowly.

Rin's heart clenched in his chest. "Is he… still alive?" he asked very quietly.

Mera glanced at Tanar, then said softly, "He was when we left, Rin."

Rin felt a very overwhelming feeling wash over him, making his whole body feel almost compressed. He breathed in quickly, "Right," he said finally. "Then, I need to get back to the clan too."

"You can't do that yet," Elris said steadily. "We have to do what we came here to do before we can take you back."

Rin closed his eyes momentarily. He was ready to snap angrily at the elf, but he knew it would achieve nothing. He knew there was nothing he could say. The Keeper had given them a task to do. So they would complete it. "Fine," he said very lowly. "What do we have to do?"

Everything happened quite quickly from there. Rin said his farewells to Zevran who gave his sympathies over his father, and still insisted they meet up again in the future. Rin tried to smile, but found it difficult with this churning fear and worry in his stomach.

Then, they were sneaking into the Conclave, Tanar leading the way, telling them where to go. Rin had been sent one way with Mera, the two of them silently traipsing along the path. When… Rin was certain he heard something. Someone… calling for help?

"Go get the others…" Rin muttered to Mera. "For back up…" he insisted. "I'll go check it out."

"Rin," said Mera quietly. "Be careful. Don't let anyone see you."

"I'll be fine, Mera…" muttered Rin, frowning when he was certain something unsavoury was going on not too far down the hall. He moved off quickly. "Get the others!" he hissed one last time, getting closer to the noises and then-

That was the last that he could remember.


He awoke, cold, hard chains bound his wrists; the rough metal grinding his skin with every movement. And there was pain… but the pain from the bindings was not what bothered him. It was a new pain; unfamiliar, sharp… burning… agonising.

His left hand flashed; bright, green energy emanating off his palm, jolting him into reality and he stared at it; his shock and confusion the only thing stopping him from crying out in pain.

What was that? Where was he? What… had happened? Panic gripped him as he tried to remember, pushing his mind to think, but it would not… could not. Like there was a wall solidly in his mind refusing to let him reach the information he desired. Dread threatened to overwhelm him.

And then,

"Honestly, Leliana. This is so unnecessary. I'm telling you Rin couldn't have done this."

Zevran?! Thought Rin madly. He shook his head internally, wondering if this was all some insane dream. Then, finally, he looked up, trying to ignore this horrid burning sensation in his left palm. "Zev?" he muttered.

"He's awake," a woman's voice spoke. She sounded stern, powerful, her accent sharply nevarran. "Leliana get this friend of yours out. We need to speak with the prisoner alone."

Rin stared at them all. The Nevaren woman looked fierce and angry, she had short, black hair and a sword strapped to her hip. The woman who must be Leliana sighed, her hair a warm, light auburn, mostly hidden by her hood and her eyes a cool blue. "Zevran," she said. "We have to follow protocol. Leave us be for now. I will speak with you later."

Zevran looked at Rin, their gazes catching and Rin started to panic.

"What's going on?!" he demanded now pulling at his chains as his dazed mind began clearing. "Zevran-"

"It's alright Rin," Zevran said quickly, and he sounded quite… tender. Like he was glad to hear Rin's voice again. What had happened?! "Leliana, can't you see he has no idea-"

"Zevran," Leliana cut across quite harshly. "I knew things were about to get even more complicated when you turned up," she muttered. "Look, you're not helping anyone right now. Leave us be." Her last three words were so sharp and strong Rin wasn't surprised when Zevran sighed and held his hands up in surrender.

"Fine, fine…" he muttered lightly. "But, I will be rubbing it in your face when you realise I'm right…" he added idly as he walked up the stairs and out of the cool dungeon.

Rin looked between the two women who remained, the black haired on still glaring at him coldly.

"I…" he began, then his hand throbbed again and he bit back a cry of pain. He bit his lip furiously. "Agh, what is going on?!" he continued. "What is this thing on my hand?!"

"You don't remember?" demanded the black haired woman, clearly not believing a word Rin was saying. "That the conclave is destroyed? Everyone who attended is dead. Except for you." She leant in to Rin closely, looking ready to grab him. "Tell me why I shouldn't just kill you now…"

But then, Leliana was grabbing her back. "We need him, Cassandra," she hissed, turning to look at Rin herself. "Do you remember what happened?"

Rin stared at her, Cassandra's words very slowly sinking in to his system, feeling like small shards of ice were settling in his stomach. Everyone… was dead? That meant… the other hunters they were…

Rin swallowed with difficulty, "What do you mean everyone is dead?" he said finally, his voice rough. "I…" he looked down squeezing his eyes shut and feeling so incredibly overwhelmed. "I can't remember anything," he continued, furiously mad at his brain for failing him so right now.

Suddenly, Cassandra grabbed Rin's wrist, pulling his arm up painfully. "Explain this," she demanded, before throwing his burning hand back down.

"I can't!" hissed Rin, glaring steadily up at this fierce woman. "I don't know what it is!"

"Can you remember anything?" Leliana insisted, throwing Cassandra a look. "Anything at all."

Rin wracked his brains, trying desperately to remember, his anger building as he struggled. "I…" he began, foggy, blurry memories floating dazedly off in the distance in his mind's eye. "I remember running…" he muttered, now frowning furiously with concentration. "Things were chasing me. And…" a bright silhouette of a woman filled his mind eye and he looked up in confusion. "A woman?"

"A woman?" Leliana pounced. "Who?"

Rin frowned further, trying to keep that image in his mind. "She… reached out to me…but then…" he broke off shaking his head angrily, no more information coming to his mind. "I can't remember," he repeated dully.

"Go to the forward camp, Leliana," Cassandra said suddenly. "I will take him to the rift."

"And you will let me come too," Zevran was at the top of the stairs again. "I'm sure you could use my help," he added with a smirk, gesturing to his daggers.

Cassandra looked ready to snap, but Leliana spoke first. "Cassandra, that might not be a bad idea," she said seriously. "Zevran is an excellent fighter. You can trust him."

Cassandra sighed heavily. "Very well," she said sternly. "Know that I will not hesitate to kill you, however," she added staring Zevran down. "If you give me reason."

Zevran smirked at her. "I'll hold you to it," he said amiably and Cassandra's lip curled with distaste.

But, Rin felt immensely relieved that Zevran was here, his mind still whirling with all this news. "What… what did happen?" he said quickly, looking between them all a little desperately.

Cassandra pulled Rin to his feet, leading him up the stairs with the others. "It will be easier to show you…" she muttered.

And she was right. The moment they exited the dungeon Rin had to squint and look away from the sky. As the sky had been torn apart. A huge, menacing breach glared down at them, swirling ominously; eerie green sheathed between crisp, ice blue and airy white.

He stared in shock and horror. The flashing green colour in the clouds exactly matching the mark that he now bore on his hand.

"What is that?" he gasped in shock.

"That, Rin…" said Zevran, standing beside him as Cassandra finally released his hands from his cuffs. "Is what we are calling 'the breach'. The world's kind of gone to shit this past week," he added, actually having the nerve to smirk again.

Cassandra looked quite annoyed, throwing Leliana a glance, but she merely gave her a look as if to say, 'that's just what he's like', before continuing on, likely to the forward camp as instructed.

"It is a massive rift into the world of demons that grows larger with each passing hour," Cassandra explained gruffly. "It is not the only such rift. But, it is the largest. All were caused by the explosion at the conclave."

Rin shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe an explosion could do all that…" he muttered. "This is… madness."

Zevran slapped him on the back. "Glad you haven't lost your senses," he said simply. "It is madness, isn't it?"

"Unless we act now," Cassandra cut in tersely. "The Breach may grow until it swallows the world."

"So dramatic, isn't she?" quipped Zevran. "And feisty. I think I'm going to like her," he smirked but then sobered quickly when the breach expanded once more and Rin grasped his hand, falling to his knees with the pain as green energy sparked and crackled over his palm.

Cassandra ducked down quickly, her eyes urgent while Zevran lay a hand on Rin's shoulder, looking very concerned. "Every time the breach expands… your mark spreads. And… it is killing you," Cassandra said insistently, not beating around the cold reality of that sentence.

Rin breathed heavily, the pain slowly wearing down slightly. It did not surprise him that this mark was killing him. Though it certainly did fill his stomach with heavy dread.

"It may be the key to stopping this," Cassandra added and Rin finally knew why Leliana had said 'we need him'. "But we don't have much time."

Rin swallowed, looking up with determination in his eyes. Well, there was only one thing to do then. And it was as clear as day in Rin's eyes. "Then if I can help…" he said quietly, meeting Cassandra's steely gaze. "I will. Whatever it takes."


Dorian sat staring into his pint of ale as though it were an endless, dark pit. He was so far into his state of inebriation he didn't care what he drank anymore. He was finding it difficult to care about anything right now.

Dorian had never seen as much commotion or terror among the masses till the day the conclave exploded and the sky was torn open, rifts spewing demons now erupting all over the country.

The world seemed to be coming to an end, yet there was only one thing Dorian could think of.

The bright, green eyed elf who didn't deserve that fate. He didn't deserve to die like that. So young and with so full of life. Dorian had tried to convince himself that perhaps Rin had not made it to the Conclave before it exploded. That maybe… just maybe he was still out there.

But he knew he was foolish to think that.

"Perhaps we'll meet again if you come back this way after seeing your family."

"I'd like that…"

Dorian's hand clenched on his pint and he gulped down the liquid quickly, his throat feeling almost too tight to swallow. Those eyes, and that smile… that sweet, warm smile haunting his mind's eye.

"Dorian."

Dorian's head nearly fell against the counter, his brow immediately forming a scowl as that was the last voice he wanted to hear right now. "What are you doing here?" he snarled at Fenris who was for some reason taking a seat beside him at his secluded, corner table.

"A letter," Fenris said simply, and he didn't sound as aggressive toward Dorian as usual. "A very interesting letter. Addressed to you."

Dorian looked at him with an angry frown. "So now you're stealing my mail?" he demanded. "Give me the letter."

Fenris's face remained quite stony. "Not stealing exactly…" he said idly. "Seeing as the distressed man at the bar has been calling your name with the letter for the past hour as the messenger bird seemed quite insistent that you were here. It must have quite a sharp beak by the look of his hand now."

Dorian glared at his pint. "Just give me my letter and get out."

"Hmm…" mused Fenris lowly as he pulled a piece of folded parchment from his pocket. "No, I'm not planning on going actually."

Dorian snatched the letter off him. "And why not?" he snarled.

Fenris sighed lowly. "Look, I understand that you're upset," he said quietly. "And I'm sorry. Rin was a good-"

"Just, shut up," hissed Dorian. "You didn't know him. You didn't even try to get to know him. You don't know or like me and I don't care for your sympathies. Nor, do I feel like continuing this waste of a conversation with you."

Fenris wasn't fazed by his outburst. "Well, one thing I know is I doubt Rin would be sitting around in a tavern, drowning his sorrows while the world is falling to pieces."

Dorian's lips curled furiously, but he ignored Fenris, opening the scrap of parchment that he now realised was from Felix; the son of his old Mentor- Magister Alexius.

"Herald of Andraste…" muttered Dorian absently. "What is he talking about?"

Fenris raised his eyebrows. "You've really been just drinking yourself blind since the explosion haven't you?"

Dorian gave Fenris a very dark, angry warning glance.

Fenris just held his gaze steadily. "The breach caused by the explosion has been stabilised. Someone survived the blast, they're saying he's the Herald of Andraste because he has a magical mark on his hand that allows him to close rifts. That's who your little friend is talking about."

Dorian stared at him. That was… well, a big deal. He looked back to the letter, gazing over the next words Felix had hastily written. Alexius was involved in something terrible, something involving this Herald and Felix needed his help. In… Redcliffe.

"Who was the survivor?" he asked quietly, knowing how stupid it was to get a smidgen of hope back up.

"I don't know," said Fenris honestly. "They don't refer to him by name. I… have heard a rumour that he is an elf though…" he added hesitantly.

Dorian looked at him very quickly, his heart suddenly picking up speed in his chest. "An elf?" he repeated immediately.

"Yes, but there could have been quite a few elves there, Dorian…" Fenris added lowly. "Don't… get your hopes up," he said quite sternly. "Anyway. This situation your friend is hinting at sounds serious. Involving a Magister. I'm coming with you."

Dorian's lip curled unpleasantly again. "No you're not," he growled. "Why would you even want to?"

Fenris raised his eyebrows. "The world is in chaos and a Magister is wanting to add to that? How could I refuse such an opportunity?"

"Opportunity?" repeated Dorian in disgust.

"To rid the world of another twisted Magister."

Dorian shook his head again angrily. "You're still not coming with me," he snarled. "Felix is my friend and I will help him alone. If… Alexius is using the type of magic that Felix is hinting at then you will have nothing to add that can help us."

Fenris smirked darkly. "And do you even know the way to Redcliffe?" he said lowly. "Dangerous times out there. Rifts with demons pouring out of them, bandits everywhere… rogue Templars and mages…So I'm sure you could in fact use my help. Or… did you want to die before you got there?"

Dorian sighed lowly and roughly, staring at his drink again for a long moment. Then, "Vishante kafass…" he muttered furiously under his breath. "Fine," he snapped. "You can help me get to Redcliffe. But, we're not going there to kill anyone. We're going there to see what the situation is. To stop Alexius."

Fenris bit back an angry retort. "As you say," he said instead, forcing a very fake smile. "But, we will just see what happens."

Then, Fenris slammed a small potion bottle on the table in front of Dorian. "Now sober up," he added. "We leave immediately."

And so it was with the silver haired elf that Dorian begrudgingly left the tavern to enter the world outside which was far too bright with sun right now. Dorian squinted, his head throbbing. "That potion was terrible," he snarled.

Fenris chuckled darkly. "It's sobering you up," he said simply. "So it's working. I never said you wouldn't still get a hangover."

Fenris frowned suddenly, his eyes catching sight of something.

"What?" snapped Dorian.

Fenris shook his head. "That merchant…" he muttered oddly. "The bow he has looks a lot like the one those pirates had. The one Rin wanted back."

Dorian followed Fenris's line of sight immediately. Then, wordlessly he walked off toward the merchant.

Fenris frowned as he watched Dorian empty quite a bit of coin onto the table before returning with the stunning, carved bow over his shoulder.

"Why… by the Maker, did you just buy that?" he demanded.

Dorian ignored him, walking past him, continuing down the road. Truth be told, if that was Rin's bow… Dorian could not stand the thought of it being passed around by miserable strangers. He couldn't just leave it there.

Fenris sighed lowly, then followed Dorian quickly, soon taking the lead to begin their journey toward Redcliffe.


When Rin awoke for the second time not knowing where he was… he at least awoke in comfort this time. His back lay upon a small bed, the little cabin he was in quite warm with a crackling fire in the corner.

He closed his eyes, thinking back to what had happened this time.

It all felt so surreal. So much like a horrible nightmare that Rin wished had never come to pass. But, the dull burning in his left hand reminded him every second that this was all very real.

The only light relief from it all had been Zevran's company. The company of one he knew. One who didn't think he was responsible for it all. They'd fought their way toward the horrible scar in the sky, the pain getting worse in Rin's hand. When finally they reached a smaller rift where soldiers were fighting the demons with a bald elven mage and a stout, sandy blonde dwarf with an enormous crossbow.

And then,

"We must seal it, quickly!"

The bald elf had grasped his hand, thrusting it at the smaller rift, a small replica of the one in the sky. Power welled up within Rin and his hand had exploded with power, green magic shooting from his finger tips and with a painful, scorching sensation, all of a sudden the rift was closed.

"It appears you may be our salvation after all."

Rin shook his head dizzily; that had been nothing compared to the larger rift. But, he couldn't remember what had happened. There had been a huge demon… it was terrifying. Rin was barely accustomed to wielding this foreign power in his hand. Had he… closed the breach? Did it work?

He sat up suddenly on the bed, hearing a noise.

A skinny, brown haired female elf was carrying a crate into the room. She gasped as soon as she saw him and Rin stared in surprise.

"I didn't know you were awake! I swear!" insisted the girl desperately.

Rin frowned, not knowing why she seemed so distressed. "It's fine," he said quickly. "I… where am I?"

But then, the elf suddenly fell to her knees, bowing before him and Rin felt even more shocked and uncomfortable.

"What are you doing?!" he said madly.

"I beg your forgiveness!" the girl gushed. "And your blessing. I am but a humble servant. You are back in Haven, My Lord."

Rin moved to sit on the edge of his bed. "Please… it's fine. Stop… bowing…" he said uncomfortably.

"They say you saved us," insisted the elf. "The breach in the sky has stopped growing. Just like the mark on your hand."

Rin looked down to the glowing scar on his hand. He stared at it for a moment, almost mesmerised.

"It's all anyone has talked about the last three days," continued the girl, still on her hands and knees before Rin.

Rin frowned again, wondering why in the void she was doing that. But he sighed in relief. So the danger had passed for now. "So… what happens now?" he said a little wearily. "A trial I suppose?"

"I… don't know anything about that," the elf said, finally standing. "But, I do know Lady Cassandra would want to know you're awake sir. At once she said. 'At once'."

Rin stood up slowly listening to the odd elf tell him where he could find Cassandra before she ran out of the room. He wondered where Zevran was. He could do with a familiar face right now. Though the dwarf, Varric, had been very friendly and amusing. And the very same Varric Tethras of the book he'd found. He couldn't even think of such seemingly trivial things right now.

He grabbed a warm looking coat from the dresser near his bed, then he followed the elf into the snow outside, figuring he should go see the fierce warrior as she had said and work out what was going to happen to him now.

It was freezing outside, the cool air biting into his skin quite a shock to the system. But, not anywhere close to the shock that he got as he made his way over the snowy path toward Haven's main building. For outside his door, a battalion of guards dotted the pathway, and they all had their hands to their chests, nodding at him as he passed.

Rin frowned, moving on quickly and trying not to make eye contact. Then… he heard the whispers and the gasps.

At first he was sure they'd be like the ones he'd first heard when emerging from the dungeon. Accusing glares… people spitting in his direction… thinking he was responsible. He the filthy knife-ear.

But, they weren't like that at all.

"That's him!" he heard a man gasp. "That's the Herald of Andraste!"

Rin frowned further, what!?

"They said when he came out of the fade, Andraste herself was watching over him!"

Rin moved faster now. Well that wasn't true at all. What in the void were they going on about? Why were these people looking at him like this?

"Your Worship!" Another villager gasped, bowing to him as he passed. Rin nearly tripped as he stared at her.

"Our Saviour…"

"Your worship!"

"Herald!"

Rin finally entered the main hall to Haven, shutting the huge door heavily behind him before leaning back against it for support, breathing very quickly. He glanced around, keeping his eyes down from the guards before heading to the room the servant had told him Cassandra would be in, hearing angry voices from within.

He needed to get some answers.


A/N Thank you so much Sylvie for your guest review again! I'm so glad you're still liking it! Thank you so much for reviewing again! And animexchick as usual you are AMAZING. Thank you so much for your continued support! Hopefully this chapter was alright, getting into the real Inquisition stuff now! Yay! :)