"To betray, you must first belong."
-Harold Philby


"It doesn't exist between us for a reason," Edward joked to Blackbeard, "she's a lost sea hound searching for a purpose. I ain't have the time to guide her."

"I'd be quite vexed if it was me you'd be runnin' your yap about." Naomi took a seat next to Kenway, "Far be it from me to be a burden on a fellow Captain. Perhaps if you'd be able to watch yer own tail, I'd have more time to do this 'searching' of mine." She spoke wryly as Adibas sat next to her.

"A woman watching my tail? I've had worse things to complain about." Edward joked as he nodded to the other Captains in the tavern. They laughed together, agreeing.

"If she be the lost sea hound, why is it every time she fancies another man's company, you show up like a ghost from the depths?" Anne Bonny slid Naomi a drink.

"I imagine it'd be because he fancies her." Vane cackled, Edward quickly turning into the source of their humor, now.

"Ah, he wouldn't last an hour with the likes of me." Naomi downed her ale.

"Oh, Ireland, I've missed yeh." Anne gave her a hug.

Naomi woke with a sigh, missing home more as the hours went by. She stretched and cracked her neck, looking around the room. She'd half expected to wake up in her Quarters, having a nightmarish dream. Alas, this was not the case.

The dust finally began to settle. The last 28 years of her life, gone in an instant- and for what purpose? To save these strangers, to save this new realm, to fight demons who were real? The most important question that bogged her mind was the fate of The Dishonored and her crew.

What became of them?

"There's got to be reasonin' behind this madness. Where do I even start?" She wasn't sure, and wasn't comfortable enough to ask anyone else.

She dressed herself, grateful that the holes in her leathers had been mended; even if it wasn't of the Great White skin that she had them crafted with. She armed herself in all of her weapons' glory, ready to embark on another day's strange work.

There was a knock at the door of her cabin. Naomi answered it slowly, wishing she could be left alone for more than a brief moment.

"What is it?" She said upon opening, not caring who was on the other side.

Cassandra stood there, amazed at Naomi's never-ending crudeness.

"I would like to formally introduce you to the most crucial members of the Inquisition." She said flatly.

"More politics, then?"

"It seems anything not involving a blade is politics, in your eyes."

"Aye, you're a keen one, lass." Naomi departed alongside the Seeker with a frustrated slam of the door.

She held memories of the West Indies in an attempt to negate the bone-chilling weather. There was snow in Ireland, but she hadn't dealt with it in years.

Usually blending in with her surroundings, she'd not yet adjusted to the way people looked at her as she walked around the small village. She'd definitely not grown accustomed to being viewed as a prophet of sorts. Putting her hood up, she kept her eyes averted, trying to ignore the new prospect.

The two walked a short while in silence before Cassandra struck conversation.

"This must be hard for you." Cassandra spoke solemnly, "I apologize for not being more considerate in the beginning."

"We're passed apologies- no need." Naomi was blunt with her disregard.

"You're still angry?"

"I have no ill will against yah or yer Inquisition. I'm angry at the situation I find myself in- nothin' more, nothin' less."

The Seeker scrounged for another topic.

"You were asleep for three days..." Cassandra whispered.

"Was I? I've was awake for longer."

Silence followed until they got to the Chantry.

"Does it trouble you?" She questioned the mark.

"Not until the moment I use it to seal holes in the sky, it's quite behaved as it were."

"You've given us time, and Solas believes next time you will succeed, provided enough power."

Naomi paused.

"Do yah find it odd that Solas knows so much about the Breach and its innards?"

"I do not follow." Cassandra seemed perplexed.

"How does he know what this things made out of? How did he know my hand would seal the first rift?"

"Solas is an apostate-

"A what?"

"An apostate. One who practices magic out of bounds of the Circle; a safe haven."

"Magic, Naomi. What else would it be?" Naomi thought to herself sarcastically.

"Ah, alrighty then. Continue on."

"As I was saying- Solas is an apostate who joined us willingly. He knows about things we have no scholars on. His face is bare of markings normally donned by elves. I find allof him odd. However, he is a powerful ally and an asset to us at this time. Come, now, let us go into the war room."

"Well, then." Naomi nodded to her, "Spose' you have a plan?"

"We do."

They stepped into the room where three figures stood around a large map with various markers on it. She recognized the red-headed woman, and the man-

"You're the lion!" Naomi gasp excitingly. "Oh my, you look quite different without a helmet on." She winked at him.

Cassandra cleared her throat.

"May I present Commander Cullen, leader of the Inquisition's forces."

"Such as they are." He spoke quietly.

"I do owe you a heap of favors, Commander. I do hope memory serves you in keepin' track of how many."

"THIS is Lady Josephine Montilyet, our Ambassador and chief diplomat." Cassandra, once again, ruined Naomi's prowling.

"It is a pleasure, Your Worship." Josephine bowed her head.

"And of course, you know Sister Leliana."

"My position here involves a degree of…" Leliana chose her words carefully.

"She is our Spymaster." The Lady Seeker assisted.

"Yes, tactfully put, Cassandra."

"Aye, so I assume you bright bunch have concocted some sort of plan involving me risking my life to save the great people of this land, yeah?"

"I mentioned that your mark needs more power to close the Breach for good." Cassandra led.

"Which means we must approach the Rebel Mages for help." Leliana followed.

"Mages, you mentioned them before. What degree of magic, now?" Naomi questioned.

"Can't believe I'm buyin' into this…"

"The mages were once confined to the Circles all around of Thedas, being forced to practice their gifts under the watchful eye of the Chantry. A rebellion began in Kirkwall, and has spread throughout the city's borders. We may still contact the Rebels yet." Leliana explained.

"And I still disagree. The Templars could serve just as well."

The pang of danger that shot through Naomi could not be explained. Templars- here? Why was Cullen in support of them; how did he know of their existence? Has he not seen the Assassin Insignia littered upon her armor? More questions arose that Naomi could not answer, and in her state of confusion, she now felt threatened.

"We need power, Commander. Enough magic poured into that mark-" Cassandra argued as Naomi was lost in thought.

"Might destroy us all. Templars could suppress the Breach, weaken it so-" Cullen cut her off.

"Pure speculation." Leliana interrupted.

"Iwas a Templar. I know what they're capable of." Cullen bickered.

"You were a Templar?" Naomi began to circle slowly toward him, stalking her prey, "And tell me, lad, how does one just leave the Templar Order?"

"When Lady Seeker Cassandra called on me, I answered."

"Just like that?" She questioned, not far from him now.

He grew nervous.

"Does this trouble you, Your Worship?" Josephine became tense.

Naomi stood in front of Cullen, staring into his unshielded eyes for the first time. His facial structure was strong- proud even. A slight scar graced his lip. This had the face of a man who'd been through Hell and back, there was no doubt about that. She studied him, made him sweat, and observed his flickering stare.

"Unfortunately," Josephine spoke up to ease the awkward standoff, "neither group will even speak to us. The Chantry has denounced the Inquisiton- and you, specifically."

"Who is this Chantry you keep speakin' of?" Naomi grew tired of her own ignorance.

"They are the practitioners of the Chant of Light, teachings left behind by Andraste, the prophet of the Maker."

"Aye, so all this time, we've been talkin' about a magical sort of Christians? Andraste be Jesus, the Maker be God himself, by the sound of his title?"

The three advisors looked amongst themselves, not knowing what Naomi referred to.

"I understand, that's all." Naomi waved her hand, "Can't we just ignore them? Rough 'em up?"

"As I'm sure you've heard, some are calling you the 'Herald of Andraste.' That frightens the Chantry. The remaining clerics have declared it blasphemy, and we heretics for harboring you. Ignoring such claims, as well as responding to them with violence, would surely do nothing more than escalate the issue."

Naomi burst out into guffaw.

"Just like these religious folk, yeah? There's a Breach in the sky, a swirling whirlpool of death, doom, and demons. And these right arses are concerned about wee ol' me?" She laughed on.

"They do know it's a threat, they just don't think we can stop it." Cullen intruded.

"Well we will be stopping it, without the help of your bloody Templars." Naomi immediately grew hot.

"The Chantry is telling everyone you'll make it worse." Josephine cut in before Cullen had time to defend himself.

"There is something you can do, however. We do not find ourselves in a hopeless situation." Leliana aided in Josephine's attempt to redirect the conversation.

"I've received a raven from a Chantry cleric by the name of Mother Giselle. She has asked to speak with you. She knows those involved better than I, and her assistance would be invaluable."

"She's asked to speak with me? Directly? Fancy me that."

"From what I know of her, she is a kind soul and not the sort to involve herself in violence. You will find Mother Gisselle tending to the wounded in the Hinterlands near Redcliffe."

"Am I supposed to know where in the bloody Seven Hells that is?"

"I will be joining you." Cassandra crossed her arms, daring Naomi to argue.

The Seeker turned to leave.

"In the meantime, let's think of other options. I won't leave this all to the Herald," She sighed,"We will leave at first light. I suggest taking the day to make any necessary preparations." She exited the room.
"Your Worship." Josephine curtsied herself into dismissal.

"Do try not to harm each other." Leliana waved off.

Naomi faced the door, fists clenched, allowing the sharp points of her metal-reinforced-knuckled gloves to show prominently.

"You may have saved me life multiple times, Templar, but do not mistake my gratitude for quar'er."

She turned to face him, "Cross me, and I will put you down."

She was gone before Cullen could speak.

After exiting the building, Naomi began walking towards the gates of town, planning to stroll in the woods to ease her aching skull.

A single word that she grew tired of hearing gave her pause:

Templar.

Flipping her hood, she looked to her side. Finding a bench to sit on, she began eavesdropping on a conversation.

"Oh yes, the Inquisition's Commander is quite handsome. I'd surely be a happy bride, wouldn't you say?"

"Ah, Amilia, be careful what you wish for! He's the former Templar Knight-Captain from Kirkwall. Maker only knows what kind of damaged man that's wrought."

"But what a lovely mess to…put back together?" The women giggled.

"Knight-Commander of the Order of the Knights Templar…not a title I've heard in my day, but it sounds important." She thought to herself, "Important enough to assassinate."