The debate appeared to be ongoing. Maxwell and the others gave their report. Cullen immediately began dispatching workers to get the watchtowers put up. They arranged for the Blades of Hessarian to report to him. Leliana was both pleased and wary regarding Iron Bull.

"It seems Blackall knows nothing about the disappearance of the Grey Wardens." Leliana twisted her hands. "It's a disappointment. I am, however, glad he is with us, even if he was…" She tilted her head slightly. "Not what I expected. He seems to be a good man and his experience will be an asset to the Inquisition." She sighed. "As for the other Wardens, I suppose we will have to keep looking."

Maxwell nodded. "You have a history with the Wardens who ended the Blight."

A cloud came over Leliana's eyes. "Yes. I count them among my dearest friends." She smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Alistair, Elissa and Kallian are bringing Ferelden into its golden age."

"They haven't gone missing with the other Wardens?"

"Officially, they are no longer part of the Order." Leliana's eyes flicked towards the Breach. "A small mercy, I suppose."

"What about the others?"

"Faren went on to command the Grey Wardens of Ferelden, but he is missing like the rest. Sereda, became a commander as well in Orzammar, we've been trying to get a message to her, but according to a brother she is on an important mission and may not be back for quite some time. And…" Leliana trailed off. "Daylen Amell has been gone a long time now."

"And the Hero of Ferelden?"

"Dead." She looked away. "Theron was researching awakened darkspawn and helped us get started with the Inquisition. Then…" She shook her head. "The Maker brought us together. We arrived at Vigil's Keep to learn he was gone. In that instant, I felt the Maker's presence grow cold. One moment a cherished child, the next… abandoned. And then, when Justinia was killed… I was angry. I felt betrayed. But I shouldn't have let my emotions get the better of me. I'm sorry."

Maxwell put a hand on her shoulder. "You don't need to apologise for grief, Leliana."


Cassandra stood near the gate, watching Solas and Ellana. The apostate appeared to be assisting the Dalish mage with improving her barriers. She still wasn't entirely sure what to make of the elven man, but his assistance thus far had proved invaluable.

She caught Cullen's approach out of the corner of her eye. "Thoughts?"

"Leliana is still convinced the mages are the best choice. Josephine leans that direction, but I think she is holding out hope that we may be able to bring both under our banner."

A snort of laughter escaped Cassandra. "And what of Maxwell and the others?"

"Maxwell, believes that we should try and talk to the mages before we do anything. Adaar agrees with me about going to the Templars. Ellana wishes for us to recruit the mages. And Erdic is still on the fence."

Cassandra folded her arms. "You aren't regretting throwing in with us, are you?"

He shook his head. "Not in the slightest. Our latest report from the Hinterlands shows closed rifts and safe refugees. We've people underway to get those watchtowers up."

"The Herald is…" Cassandra's gaze fell towards Maxwell, who was at the moment grooming his steed. She saw Cullen's eyes go in the same direction, and the man started to smile. "A pleasant surprise."

"Every time he seals a rift, we get another dozen recruits." He started to say something else, and then a runner approached with a report. He read it over, and then glanced back at Cassandra. "With those materials you recovered, we were able to put together more field tents."


Erdic was sitting next to Varric having a drink of mead I was looking at the dwarf with curiosity. "Are you from Ferelden? Orlais?"

"Free Marches," said Varric raising his tankard. "Born and raised in Kirkwall. And despite whatever you've heard, no. Kirkwall's not that bad."

Erdic had a hard time believing that, after from all the stories he had heard from the Carta and then gestured towards Cassandra. "How do you Cassandra know each other?"

"You heard about the Kirkwall chantry being destroyed? The guy responsible used to be a friend of mine. The Seeker had questions about that, and I had answers."

Erdic frowned slightly, he still wasn't quite sure what was Varric role in the Inquisition, apart from annoying Cassandra. "I'm not clear of your line of work. You're merchant?"

"I'm a businessman," said Varric. "As you well know my family has a seat in the Dwarven Merchants Guild. As you also know from working for the Carta, merchants buy and sell. Businessmen buy and sell stores. In my spare time, I manage a spy network. And occasionally, I write books."

Erdic blinked. "You're an author? What kind of books have you written?"

"I've tried my hand at a few genres," Varric shrugged. "My crime serials are my most popular. Hard in Hightown. Guards breaking the rules to get things done. The Tale of the Champion is the most famous thing I've written. Or infamous, maybe. I started a romance serial once. Swords & Shields. But to be honest, I don't have a knack for romances. Most of my stories and in tragedy."

He then rubbed the back of his head. "Probably that says something unfortunate about my personally."

Erdic eyes then fell onto Bianca. "Where did you get that crossbow? I've never seen one like it."

Varric hand then rubbed against Bianca affectionately. "Bianca? She's one of a kind. I won her from Paragon Smith Branka in a game of Wicked Grace. She was such a sore loser. Ran off into the Deep Roads in a huff, and that was the last anyone saw of her."

Erdic raise an eyebrow. "Who'd she named for?"

"I can't tell you."

"And the reason for that is…"

"Complicated," said Varric simply. "It's the one story I'll never tell. We'll just have to leave it at that."


Iron Bull and his company had settled in. He nodded to her as she approached, then glanced back at where the soldiers were training. "They've got good form. Cullen's putting his templar training to good use."

Adaar raised an eyebrow. "Did Cullen tell you he was a templar? He's not wearing the armour."

"He didn't have to." Iron Bull gestured. "Might not be a templar shield, but it's a templar holding it. He angles the shield just a bit down. Helps direct fire or acid away, so it doesn't spray right in your face." He demonstrated. "Qunari learn the same thing when we train to fight Tevinter mages. Your templar's doing good work."

She turned, and looked over the soldiers. She had to agree, Cullen wasn't only training the men, but he was also gaining their loyalty. Loyalty was an important aspect for anyone running an army. "I'm impressed by what Cullen has accomplished with the troops."

"Damn right. It takes time to build a group into a team. But he's got their loyalty." He folded his arms. "Now he just needs 'em to make a decent shield wall, and they'll be good to go. Biggest problem for the Inquisition right now isn't on the front line. It's at the top. You've got no leader. No Inquisitor."

"The Inquisition has done all right so far without an Inquisitor," Adaar pointed out.

"As because all we've needed so far is damage control. Reaction. A group can handle that," said Iron Bull. "Once you seal the Breach, it's gonna be time to make decisions. Someone's gonna step up."

Adaar could see his point, but she had no idea who would make an ideal leader. The bickering in the war room was practically ongoing. If she was to pick, it would be Maxwell, he had a kind heart and he was only acting like a leader. The only problem was he was too modest to step forward.

Iron Bull shook his head, and his voice became light. "Ah, who knows. Maybe you seal the Breach, the Chantry gets off its ass, and all those soldiers go home and get fat."

That would be nice. "You think?"

"It could happen. It won't. But it could."


"Maker, look at it. So much easier to ignore when it's far away." Blackwall was staring up at the Breach. He turned towards Maxwell as he approached. "And to actually walk out of it, to be that close…"

"If it hadn't been saved by Inquisition soldiers, I don't know what would've happened." He barely knew what had actually happened. The Breach continued to hang in the sky, swirling slowly above the mountains.

"Inquisition soldiers?" He shook his head. "That's not what I've heard." He gave him the same look many of the soldiers did. That look of wonder and almost reverence. It made him decidedly uncomfortable. "The Breach, the Divine's death, the Wardens…" He sighed. "It doesn't make sense. There's so much we don't know."

"Your experience with the Wardens will certainly be useful."

He shrugged. "Mostly the treaties, I expect. Old parchments you're welcome to. What about you? How do you fit into all of this?"

That he was still working on figuring out. "I just want to help stop the war, try to put things back in order."

"A worthy goal, one I'm happy to support." He punched a fist into his palm. "For me, I'll be satisfied so long as we find the bastards that killed the Divine. They owe us some answers."


Cullen nodded in greeting as Adaar came to watch the soldiers. "Still haven't decided next move?" she asked.

"No, but Maxwell wishes to hear what the Grand Enchanter says before we make action against the templars," said Cullen. "I suppose the Lord Seeker's statement at Val Royeaux might have had something to do with it."

"Why would templars break away from the Chantry?"

"The Order believe the Chantry no longer support their efforts. Not to the extent they should," Cullen explained.

"But the templars have served the Chantry for ages," Adaar frowned.

Cullen sighed. "And in that time, they come to take the Order's services for granted. Templars risk their lives against blood magic, demons, abominations—to feel as if those efforts are dismissed…" He then grimaced as he crossed his arms. "I may disagree with the Order's actions—that I'm here is proof of that—but I sympathise with their frustrations."


"Do you need something, my dear?"

Ellana nodded. "I wanted to ask you about the Circle of Magi."

"Of course." Vivienne nodded graciously. "What do you wish to know?"

"If the Circle disbanded, how can you still belong to it?"

Vivienne looked amused by the question. "The Circle is an idea, my dear, and an idea cannot be dissolved." She gestured. "Many of the first enchanters voted for rebellion, caring little that anything short of a unanimous decision would pit mage against mage. Rather than dissolving it, Grand Enchanter Fiona's vote split the Circle in two. The rebels follow her. The loyalists follow me."

Ellana frowned, the workings of the Circle of Mage always deluded her. "If you lead all the loyalists, why are you only first enchanter and not grand enchanter?"

"Grand Enchanters are elected, and since there are no first enchanters besides myself, no vote can be held. I could name myself Grand Enchanter, but the title holds no meaning now. When the Circles are restored, that will change."

Ellana leaned against the wall. "What was it like to live in a Circle?"

Vivienne folded her arms. "My dear, your question is the root of all problems with mages. I cannot tell you. Every Circle was different, their templars were different, their policy unique… And every person within each tower had an experience of Circle live unique to themselves. Some people suffered, and some were content. Some were cruel, some compassionate, and some indifferent. The same is true for people everywhere, in all circumstances, whether they are mages or not."

"How did we come to this state with the Circles in revolt?"

"A failure of perspective that infected Circle leadership. Mages lived solely in a world of templars and mages. They could not see even imagine what was beyond the tower walls." She leaned on the table she was using as a desk. "Kirkwall gave the world a reason to remember its fear of magic. A mage killed hundreds with a snap of their fingers. Across Thedas, a new, tangible fear of magic grew. Commoners and nobles alike called out to the Chantry for protection."

Vivienne's eyes narrowed. "But the malcontents in the towers thought nothing of this. They cared only for themselves and for their anger at the new templar restrictions." She gestured. "When a mage attempted to assassinate Divine Justinia—again—the mages protested the investigation. The leadership chose to vote on independence based on the 'intolerable conditions imposed by the templars'. Sparing no thought to the fact that magic was more feared in the aftermath of these attacks than it had been since Tevinter's day." Despite its cultured tones, Vivienne's voice betrayed both anger and bitterness. "So long as they had their freedom, they could care little for riots, angry mobs, or about pitting mages against each other." She sighed, and took a deep breath.

From what she had heard the templars, escaped elven mages, some of the restrictions and other things really had been intolerable. "Did they have cause to rebel?"

"In the aftermath of their terrorist attacks? Was that really the most opportune time to break away?" Vivienne shook her head. "By all means, protest abuses by the templars. Just don't do it in a way that says mages support wholesale murder. By voting when they did, my colleagues all but declared war upon the ordinary people of Thedas. A war in which we are outnumbered a hundred to one."

Ellana stared out of the alcove. A runner went past, no doubt carrying vital news of some kind or another. "I thought fighting was only between mages and templars. Why are the Mages fighting mages?"

"The vote for independence was carried by only a small margin, but Fiona chose to let the motion stand. Those who opposed a rash declaration against the entire free world had little choice. By breaking from the Chantry when they did, the rebels declared themselves in support of mass murder. Anyone who did not wish to support terrorism and the slaughter of innocents was forced to take arms against the rebels."

"I can see your point of view," said Ellana as she watched the candle flame flicker back and forth in the breeze from the open door of the Chantry. "Are you familiar with Grand Enchanter Fiona?"

"We've met." Vivienne's voice was blunt with disapproval. "Before her horrendously ill-timed and selfish vote for independence, I thought her adequate at her job. In her dotage, she could not handle looking after the well-being of so many people. We would have done better to replace her years ago and to let her spend time gardening."

"Well, we're heading to Redcliffe in the morning with some of the others. With luck, there will be some who have come to their senses. At the very least, we can get a better view of the terrain."

Vivienne nodded. "I will accompany you."

"Sure, I doubt that I could have stop you even if I wanted to."


There was another of the rifts just outside the gates to Redcliffe. Blackwall and Iron Bull moved towards a rage demon. As they did, they passed through an area that shimmered with green light, and for a moment, it looked as if both men were moving in slow motion. Then they were through.

On the other side of the field, Cassandra passed through another area of green light, and came out the other side so quickly it appeared she'd almost bypassed the area entirely. Maxwell looked over to Ellana and Solas, but from the expression on their faces they were as mystified as he was. "What… was that?"

"That rift altered the flow of time around itself. That is…" Solas bent, examining the area below where the rift had been. "Unexpected."

"If more these rifts act like this one then we are certainly in trouble," said Ellana. "The rifts are already unstable, but if they alter time it could be chaotic."

"There are many mages in Redcliffe. Maybe Fiona will know what's going on?" Maxwell sighed.

"One can only hope, my dear." Vivienne returned her staff to its harness.


An Inquisition soldier rushed up to him, and bowed. "We've spread word the Inquisition was coming, but you should know that no one here was expecting us."

Maxwell blinked. "No one? Not even Grand Enchanter Fiona?"

He nodded. "If she was, she hasn't told anyone." He gestured. "We've arranged use of the tavern for the negotiations."

He nodded and started to follow him. An elven man in strangely cut clothing approached before they'd gone more than a few paces. "Agents of the Inquisition, my apologies. Magister Alexius is in charge now, but hasn't yet arrived. He's expected shortly." He gestured. "You can speak with the former grand enchanter in the meantime."

As they walked towards the tavern, Maxwell glanced over his shoulder at Vivienne and mouthed the word 'magister'. Vivienne's eyes narrowed, and her hand flicked momentarily towards her staff. She nodded. There were a fair number of Inquisition soldiers present at least. As long as they were prepared, they should be able to deal with any trouble that arose.

"The Veil is weaker here than in Haven." Solas' voice was pitched not to carry beyond his ears. "And not merely weak but altered in a way I have not seen."

"I'm more concerned about this magister," said Ellana. "Why would someone so far north, this far down south?"

"I don't know, but we need to find out," said Maxwell.

"Do you think your sister can explain what's going on?" Ellana asked.

"Maybe, but first we have to find her."


"Welcome, agents of the Inquisition." Fiona greeted them as they entered the tavern. "First Enchanter Vivienne."

"My dear Fiona." Vivienne's voice was warm, but her eyes were ice. "It's been so long since we last spoke. You look dreadful. Are you sleeping well?"

Fiona's eyes narrowed slightly before she turned her attention to Maxwell. "What has brought you to Redcliffe?"

Maxwell gave her a confused look. "We're here because of your invitation back in Val Royeaux."

"You must be mistaken." Fiona shook her head. "I haven't been to Val Royeaux since before the Conclave."

Maxwell glanced at Cassandra, who was staring at Fiona. It certainly looked like the same woman. Even wore the same robes. "If it wasn't you who invited me here, who was it?"

"I…" Fiona frowned. "I don't know. Now that you say it, I feel strange…" She sighed. "Whoever…" She shook her head. "Or whatever brought you here, the situation has changed. The free mages have already…" She squared her shoulders. "Pledged themselves to the service of the Tevinter Imperium."

"Fiona, dear, your dementia is showing." Vivienne's voice was blunt.

"An alliance with Tevinter?" said Cassandra looking appalled. "Do you not fear all of Thedas turning against you?"

Solas gestured. "I understand that you are afraid, but you deserve better than slavery to Tevinter."

"As one indentured to a magister, I no longer have the authority to negotiate with you."

From templars to Tevinter sounded like jumping out of uncomfortably warm room into the river of lava. "An alliance with Tevinter is a terrible mistake."

"What choice do we have? All hope of peace died with Justinia." Fiona's face crumbled. "This…" She waved a hand. "Bargain with Tevinter would not have been my first choice, but we had no choice. We are losing this war. I needed to save as many of my people as I could."

Before Maxwell could respond, the crowd parted to reveal a man in oddly styled clothing. She could only assume this was the magister. "Welcome, my friends." He spread his hands in a cordial greeting. "I apologize for not greeting you earlier."

Fiona stepped forward, and gestured at the newcomer. "Agents of the Inquisition, allow me to introduce Magister Gereon Alexius."

He gave a small bow. "The southern mages are under my command." He focused his gaze on Maxwell and Ellana. "And you two are four of the survivor, yes? The ones from the Fade? Interesting."

Ellana took a step forward and narrowed her eyes at the magister. It wouldn't be surprising that she would dislike him more than anyone else in the room. "I'd like to know more about this alliance between the rebel mages and the Imperium."

Magister Alexius kept his face and voice friendly. "Certainly. What specifically do you wish to know?"

"The Grand Enchanter told me she was 'indentured to a magister."

"Our southern brethren have no legal status in the Imperium." The smile he gave the mages reminded Ellana of someone looking at prized pets. "As they were not born citizens of Tevinter, they must work for a period of ten years before gaining full rights. As their protector, I shall oversee their work for the Imperium."

That didn't exactly sound like the best of all possible bargains. "I'm not clear on when, exactly, you negotiated this arrangement with Fiona."

"When the Conclave was destroyed, these poor souls faced the brutality of the templars, who rushed to attack them." His voice remained friendly, but patronising. "It could only be through divine providence that I arrived when I did."

"It was certainly…" Fiona tilted her head to one side. "Very timely."

Now there was a new suspicion. If this magister had known ahead of time that the event was going to occur… "What does the Imperium gain from taking the rebel mages under its wing?"

"For the moment, the southern mages are a considerable expense." He gestured. "After they are properly trained, they will join our legion."

"You said not all my people would be military!" Fiona protested. "There are children, those not suited—"

He cut her off. "And one day, I'm sure they will all be productive citizens of the Imperium. When their debts are paid."

"I haven't seen any sigh of Redcliffe's arl or his men."

"The arl of Redcliffe left the village."

Cassandra narrowed her eyes at Magister Alexius. "Arl Teagan did not abandon his lands during the Blight, even when they were under siege."

"There were…" Magister Alexius shrugged carelessly. "Tensions growing. I did not want an incident."

"You're quite a long way home from Tevinter, Alexius," Maxwell pointed out.

"Indeed I am, though I hear you're no Fereldan, either. It seems we are both strangers here."

"If you're leading the mages now, then let's talk. I'm sure we can come to an arrangement." He gestured towards a table, and took his own seat. "Felix, would you send for a scribe, please? Pardon my manners. My son, Felix, friends." He nodded politely to the young man. "I'm not surprised you're here," he continued. "Containing the Breach is not a feat that many could ever attempt. There is no telling how many mages would be needed for such an endeavor. Ambitious, indeed."

Maxwell shrugged. "Well, when you're fighting a massive tear in the sky, you can hardly afford to think small."

"There will have to be—" Magister Alexius began, but stopped when his son returned.

Felix was only a couple feet from him when he stumbled and fell against him. He felt him tuck something inside his coat as he caught him, and his eyes met his for a split second. He gave him the barest nod.

"Felix!" Magister Alexis called. He moved to support his son.

"My lord, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."

Magister Alexius quickly rushed over to his son. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Father," Felix assured.

"Come, I'll get your powders." Magister Alexis started to lead Felix away. "Please excuse me, friends. We will have to continue this another time. Fiona, I will require your services."

"I don't mean to trouble everyone," Felix said as he was all but dragged from the room.

"I shall send word to the Inquisition. We will conclude this business at a later date."

As soon as the Magister and his attendants were gone, she removed the piece of parchment Felix had slipped inside her coat. "'Come to the Chantry. You are in danger.'"

"Did the Magister's son give you that?" Cassandra asked as he handed the note to her. "Why would he help you?"

"We'll be careful, but we need to figure out what's going on here," said Maxwell.

"Something is definitely wrong," said Ellana. "The Grand Enchanter not recognising us, the unstable rifts and now Tevinter Magister."

A tranquil, and walked towards him.

He confirmed much of what they already knew or had guessed. The Magister had arrived only two days after the events of the Conclave, and forced the Arl out of the castle along with the others that did not have magic, keeping only the servants that were needed. The Tranquil then offered his services as an alchemist, and he accepted almost as much to get him safely out of Redcliffe as she did to gain his skills.

A bit more questioning, and it became apparent that many of the mages were indeed very unhappy about the bargain with Tevinter.


They left the tavern, and made their way towards the Chantry. He was pleased to see at least one mother had remained behind, along with several sisters. It was nice to see that the Chantry had not abandoned mages entirely.

They soon reached the dogs and saw two mages arguing with one another. When he heard the name 'Connor' he suddenly realised the identity of one of the mages.

"Are you Connor?" Maxwell asked.

The young man nodded. "You've heard the story, I guess? I can't believe King Alistair thought Redcliffe was the right place to send the mages." He then turned and looked to the castle. "I mean, he grew up here. Did he think they would just forget what I did to them?"

Ellana stared at him. "You were behind the siege of Redcliffe ten years ago?"

"That's me," said Connor sadly. "The boy with Redcliffe's blood on his hands."

"If I were you, I would have set foot in Redcliffe again unless I was dragged in chains," said Maxwell.

"I had nowhere else to go. When we close the Circles, every city shut its doors to us. There was nowhere else to go." Connor shook his head. "I hated it. I can feel the blood on the stones, even if I can't see it."

Maxwell kept on hearing about Arl Teagan, he was sure that it was Eamon was the Arl. "Why isn't Arl Eamon in power anymore?"

"After the Landsmeet, he stayed in Denerim," Connor explained. "I couldn't be his heir, not after what happened, so eventually he passed the title to Uncle Teagan."

Maxwell could tell but he did not improve of Magister Alexius. "You're not in favour the alliance with Tervinter?"

"'Alliance'," Connor scoffed. "Is that what they're calling it? That magister through my uncle out into the streets! He ciders into servitude! This is my home. Redcliffe. Ferelden. No matter what I've done, I would never invited Tevinter here."

Maxwell knew they had to meet Felix of the Chantry and find out what was going on. "I need to be going," he said.

"Please, talk some sense into the grand enchanter," Connor begged. "Selling us out to the Imperium won't win us any friends. We have to find a way to make peace."


They walked into the Chantry to find a mage hitting a demon in the face with a staff. He glanced towards them. "Good. You're finally here." His accent was Tevinter, like the magister they'd spoken to earlier. "Now help me close this, would you?" He gestured at the rift behind him.

"Hurry!" said a new voice and appearing behind one of the pillars was a female version of Maxwell. "We'll hold them off as long as we can."

"Evelyn?" Maxwell grasped.

"I can answer all your questions, but we must deal with this first," said Evelyn.

It took them only a minute to dispatch the demons. As soon as the rift shimmered, he raised his hand and willed the energy in the mark to seal the rift. It shifted, convulsed, and then vanished.

"Fascinating." The mage turned towards him.

"Never have I seen such magic," said Evelyn in awe.

"How does that work, exactly?" He laughed and spread his hands before he could answer. "You don't even know, do you? You just wiggle your fingers, and boom! Rift closes."

"Who are you?" Maxwell asked.

"Ah. Getting ahead of myself again, I see." He bowed with a flourish. "Dorian of House Pavus, most recently of Minrathous. How do you do?" He gestured.

"Another Tevinter," said Cassandra distastefully. "Be cautious with this one."

"Suspicious friend you have here," said Dorian.

"And I Evelyn Trevelyan," said Evelyn. "And you can trust Dorian."

"Magister Alexius was once my mentor, so my assistance should be valuable—as I'm sure you can imagine."

"We was expecting Felix to be here," said Ellana suspiciously.

"I'm sure he's on his way. He was to give you the note, then meet us here after ditching his father." Dorian waved a hand carelessly.

"Alexius couldn't jump to Felix's side fast enough when he pretended to be faint. Is something wrong with him?" Maxwell asked.

A brief look of concern crossed Dorian's face. "He's had some lingering illness for months. Felix is an only child, and Alexius is being a mother hen, most likely."

"Are you a magister?"

He gave a long-suffering sigh. "All right. Let's say this once. I'm a mage from Tevinter, but not a member of the Magisterium." He shrugged. "I know southerners use the terms interchangeably, but that only makes you sound like barbarians."

Maxwell then turned to his sister. "Evelyn, why are you with him?"

"Believe I was suspicious at first, but I grew wary with the magister's followers. Dorian is the only nicest Tevinter I met, plus I have no one else I could trust we're all being watched, it was a miracle that none of them spot us entering the Chantry. The strangest thing is none of the Tevinters have step foot in the place, is almost as if it's taboo. Dorian said that he could help take down his mentor and I had no one else to turn to."

Maxwell looked back at Dorian. "You're betraying your mentor because…?"

"Alexius was my mentor. Meaning he's not any longer, not for some time." Dorian shook his head. "Look, you must know there's danger. That should be obvious even without the note. Let's start with Alexius claiming the allegiance of the mage rebels out from under you. As if by magic, yes?" He gestured dramatically. "Which is exactly right. To reach Redcliffe before the Inquisition, Alexius distorted time itself."

Everything began to make sense now, for the most part. "He arranged it so he could arrive here just after the Divine died?"

"You catch on quick."

"That is fascinating, if true…" Solas came up behind him. "And almost certainly dangerous."

"You have no idea," said Evelyn. "I have never seen something so chaotic in all my life, whether it was in books or in the world."

"The rift you closed here?" Dorian waved a hand at the residue left behind. "You saw how it twisted time around itself, sped some things up and slowed others down. Soon there will be more like it, and they'll appear further and further away from Redcliffe. The magic Alexius is using is wildly unstable, and it's unravelling the world."

Maxwell rubbed his head. "I'd like more proof than 'magical time control. Go with it.'"

"Maxwell, I know it sounds crazy, but what Dorian says is true," said Evelyn.

"I still find it hard to believe," said Ellana crossing her arms and looking suspiciously at Dorian.

"I know what I'm talking about." He stared at her. "I helped develop this magic. When I was still his apprentice, it was pure theory. Alexius could never get it to work. What I don't understand is why he's doing it? Ripping time to shreds just to gain a few hundred lackeys?"

"He didn't do it for them," said a new voice. They turned and found Felix approaching them. He gave them a nod as he entered.

"Took you long enough." Dorian gave the other man a worried look. "Is he getting suspicious?"

Felix shook his head. "No, but I shouldn't have played the illness card. I thought he'd be fussing over me all day." He turned towards Maxwell. "My father's joined a cult. Tevinter supremacists. They call themselves 'Venatori.'" He gestured at him. "And I can tell you one thing: whatever he's done for them, he's done it to get to you."

Ellana frowned at him. "Alexius is your father. Why are you working against him?"

"For the same reason Dorian works against him." He met her eyes. "I love my father, and I love my country. But this? Cults? Time magic? What he's doing now is madness. For his own sake, you have to stop him."

"It would also be nice if he didn't rip a hole in time." Dorian folded his arms. "There's already a hole in the sky."

"Why would he rearrange time and indenture the mage rebellion just to get to me?" Maxwell asked.

"They're obsessed with you, but I don't know why. Perhaps because you survived the Temple of Sacred Ashes?" Felix gave him a considering look.

"You can close the rifts." Dorian nodded. "Maybe there's a connection? Or they see you as a threat?"

"They also seem to have agreed interest with me, no doubt because I'm your sister," said Evelyn. "Of course, I was against the deal with Tevinter. If Dorian and Felix hadn't warned me about these fanatics I probably would have already been dead."

"If the Venatori are behind those rifts, or the Breach in the sky, they're even worse than I thought," said Felix.

"All this from me?" said Maxwell as if it was some sort of joke. "And I didn't get Alexius anything."

Dorian smiled. "Send him a fruit basket. Everyone loves those." He then looked at him seriously. "You know you're his target. Expecting the trap is the first step in turning it to your advantage. I can't stay in Redcliffe. Alexius doesn't know I'm here, and I want to keep it that way for now. But whenever you're ready to deal with him, I want to be there. I'll be in touch." He started to walk away, then glanced back at Felix. "And Felix? Try not to get yourself killed."

"There are worse things than dying, Dorian."

"Stay safe, Maxwell, I'll see if I can't convince a few mages to stand up against Alexius," said Evelyn. "With any luck we might be able to stop this madness before it happens."


"Well, the malcontents pledged themselves to Tevinter and joined a cult," said Vivienne. "I can hardly wait to see what comes next."

"We must untangle this quickly," said Cassandra. "The Breach will not wait on our intrigues."

"If Evelyn is with Dorian and Felix then the situation is indeed dire," said Maxwell.

"I admit that I don't fully trust those two, but if it's the lesser of two evils then we should take their warning seriously," said Ellana.

"We best return to Haven and report the others," said Maxwell.