justsomerealguy: Well, to be more practical Leliana never found out as the future never happened…sorry, I had a nerd moment.

loriwarwick220:I have it planned but I like the building anticipation.

Asilyessam: I agree. I always made that one guy Tranquil too. I figured that after what happened in the Mage Sidequest, I just wondered why the Inquisitor was furious. I kind of wished it was a bit similar to the Paragon and Renegade options in Mass Effect.

Chapter

Birds sounded as I was sitting back in the pavilion, Andraste was sitting across with her head cocked.

"Maxwell?" she asked.

I glanced up at the woman, "What?" I say with dull tone.

The woman opened her mouth before closing it again, as I raised an eyebrow at her actions the goddess waved her hand again.

The pavilion changed, the landscape turned into a cliff-side where ocean water splashed far below. I was the surprised that the chair beneath me vanished and a low couch cushioned my fall, quickly getting my bearings together Andraste sat down next to me. She carefully grasped my right hand and pulled it into her lap.

I frowned, "What are you doing?"

"Healing you."

A white glow surrounded her hands as the feeling of cool water moved across my hand. Letting out a breath, I relaxed against the couch as Andraste fixed my hand with her magic goddess powers. As I watched the woman work, her natural golden glow shrouding most of her features despite me being able to see the outline of her face. The faint shape of her eyebrows were scrunched together, similar to the small, pursed mouth will full lips.

A few minutes later the goddess finally released my hand, which looked more like a hand rather than a baseball mitt, and turned to me.

"Maxwell, do you wish to talk to me?"

"No. I don't."

Andraste didn't like that response.

Placing a hand on my shoulder, she placed the other one on my chest.

"I can sense the distress in you. More powerful than a raging sea, I understand that you do not wish to speak but if you keep it in then you might make a very big mistake with your allies."

I looked away, "I don't-"

Andraste moved the hand on my shoulder down to my back, "Maxwell, we have time. Please tell me."

Looking at the goddess, I didn't speak. Andraste began to rub circles along my back, I would have moved away but I knew that she was just trying to help. Not to mention she did have a calming effect on me.

I moved forward, leaning my elbows on my knees, "They died for me. Leliana, Cassandra, Solas, Varric. All of them."

"Maxwell," Andraste began, "It wasn't-"

"I'm not upset about that," I say. "I'm upset because of what that means for me."

Andraste frowned, "What do you mean?"

I ran my hand through my grey hair, "I don't want this. I just want to be left alone, away from all of this fighting and shit. When I shut the Breach, I wanted to leave Haven."

As I continued to speak, Andraste slowly stopped her ministrations.

"Once we got the forces together, and we closed the giant green hole in the sky I was going to slip away and go build a house somewhere. I can roast rabbits or find a nearby town and do some odd jobs to get money, just live the rest of my life alone."

"I see," Andraste said, "But what is stopping you exactly?"

"This Elder One is still the problem," I reply. "He creates all of these forces to destroy…everyone. He actually accomplishes the villain fetish of world domination and everyone else is powerless. I already have people looking at me as their "Herald" so what happens when Leliana, Cullen or even Josephine says that I can't leave. What happens if they die because I decide to go on my own."

"You do not wish to help them?" the goddess asked.

"I do!" I state, "But I don't want to be extensively involved."

Andraste didn't say anything.

"Here."

Andraste slowly pulled me down into her lap and began to run her fingers through my hair.

"You must rest Maxwell," Andraste said.

"Hey!" I say, trying to get up.

She calmly pushes me back down, "Rest."

Despite my protests, Andraste continued to thread her fingers through my hair. Sighing slightly, I allowed her to continue and felt my mind drift along with the soft waves from the sea below and the wind.

As time went on, my mind began to drift. The lapping waves as a nice background as Andraste's fingers went through my hair, moving through any kind of knots easily. It felt good.

I felt good. Lov-

No. She wasn't her.

Stiffening, I sat up, "Can you send me back?"

Andraste was surprised, "To Haven?"

"Yes."

Andraste seemed to wilt, "Of course."

My eyes opened with the sound of the flapping tent. Lifting up my hand, I saw that the swelling that had vanished, thanking Andraste as my boots hit the ground, I exited the tent before going to the War Room to find Cullen and the others.

I had a massive feeling this would be a total cluster crap.

Stepping into the Chantry, I noticed the color purple walking out of Josephine's office. With a flash of red hair, Leliana saw me before quickly striding up.

The woman eyed me up and down, "You have returned."

I shifted, "Yeah."

"And the others?" she asked.

"I left them back in Redcliffe," I say.

There was a moment of pause, "Pardon?"

I sighed, "Look if you want a report you can get one from Cassandra when she gets-"

"What I want," Leliana growled, "is to know why you decided to leave them."

Sure Leliana.

"I don't want to talk about it."

Leliana stepped forward, "Tell me."

My eyes turned into slits as I glared back at the woman, "Leliana, could you just do me the pleasure of kindly fu-"

"Maxwell."

Cullen strode forward, "Leliana," he nodded at the woman, "I need to borrow him."

Leliana didn't look like she wanted to.

"Of course," she said. Gesturing to me, the woman stalked off.

"Come with me," Cullen said, "Please."

I shrugged and followed the older man out of the Chantry. He headed right, past the wooden houses and up to where a small tent with a round wooden table already set out. With a wooden chest sat on it.

"What is all this?" I ask with a frown.

Cullen went to the table and sat down, "Join me in a game."

"A game of what?"

Cullen cracked open the chest and took out a board before adding small wooden pieces, "A game of chess."

Eyeing the chess set, I slowly sat down, "Why am I here?"

Cullen blinked, "I just…want to play a game. I figured it would get your mind off things."

Despite the BS meter hitting high levels, I shrugged before taking a piece in my hand, "This goes…here?"

Cullen shook his head, "The knight moves in an 'L' shape. Two up, one to either side."

We slowly began to play a game of chess, I never really played before and Cullen had to coach me the best me could. I took a while but I managed to remember where most of the pieces went, (the king kept throwing me off) and I soon lost to Cullen.

As the man knocked over my king, he cleared his throat, "Well that was great for a first attempt."

I raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

"Yes," Cullen said honestly. "You were rather good at coming up with rather unorthodox strategies, despite them not working out in the end. Within a few-"

I cut him off, "Cullen, why are we really here?"

Cullen sighed, "I saw you enter Haven." The man spoke as he began to adjust the pieces of the board, "Your eyes had a look I've seen before, the eyes of a man who'd lost all."

I clenched my fist underneath the table, "Your point?" I demanded, trying to remain civil with him.

Cullen had finished the white pieces before rotating the board and continuing with black, "The last thing you needed was an interrogation from Leliana, she has been acting strange as of late and I did not want her making any rash actions."

"Yeah," I say slowly, "You have no idea."

"I would also like to ask if our mission was successful," Cullen said.

I nodded, "I believe so. When they get back, you could ask Cassandra."

"Of course," Cullen said, "In the meantime, would you like to play another game?"

It took me five minutes longer until my king was taken.

Cullen and I continued to play chess until a soldier strode up, "Commander."

Cullen frowned, "Yes?"

"Seeker Pentaghast has returned and is asking to meet with you and the Herald, sir."

Cullen raised an eyebrow, "Tell Seeker Pentaghast I will be on my way, however please inform her that the Herald couldn't not attend."

The soldier saluted before heading back into the town.

I frowned, "Why did you-"

"I assumed you don't want to face Cassandra yet," Cullen said as rose to his feet, "If you wouldn't mind, could you clean this up?"

I nodded as the man left, gathering the pieces together I returned them to the oak box before placing the board over it. As I closed the box, I left the area and moved down into Haven, already thinking on Varric's earlier words of how to apologize.

"He did what?!"

Cassandra sighed, "He gave Grand Enchantress Fiona an ultimatum, joining the Inquisition or find somewhere else to reside."

Josephine nearly dropped her clipboard, "Did he not understand the repercussions of such an action?"

Leliana crossed her arms, "I would assume he didn't care."

Cassandra shook her head, "Despite his intentions, we did get the aid of multiple Mages who were willing to put aside their problems with the Templars to shut the Breach. The others left along with the Grand Enchantress."

"That is good," Cullen said, "All that leaves is the recruitment for a number of Templars to our cause."

"Yes." Leliana scoffed, "If that is even possible."

Cullen frowned, "These Mages are willing to work with the Templars, I view that as an advantage for us due to the fact it will help boost the trust in us the Templars have."

Josephine quickly back to her clipboard, "That would aid our relations. I have a list of connections I could use when we confront the Templars, they would aid us in case we face the Lord Seeker Lucius."

Cassandra sighed, "If that is all."

Striding from the War Room, Cassandra made her way back outside to the training dummies.

Walking through Haven, I made my way down to where I knew Cassandra would be training.

Training was putting it lightly, I figured she would be relieving stress by using her sword against a dummy that, in her imagination, was me.

Walking past the massive entrance gate, I quickly found Cassandra where we usually trained. However, the soldiers were giving the place a wide berth, and some even gave me panic looks as I approached.

Cassandra shouted as her sword swung through the air, cutting through the wooden support of the dummy as it clattered to the ground. I glanced between the sword and the woman before taking a breath.

"Hey," I say.

Cassandra glanced up before letting out a disgusted noise.

"Right," I say slowly.

Turning away, she said "Did I do the right thing?"

I frowned, was this to herself?

"Erm, Cassandra?" I ask.

"Everything I have done, from the moment the Breach opened, has gone against everything I have held sacred in my life." She said, moving away from the dummies, "History might write me as a fool, a madwoman, or even a traitor."

I frowned, my apology fading as I spoke, "What do you believe?"

Cassandra turned around with her eyebrows knitted together, "What do you believe?"

I blinked, "This isn't about me right now. Ok?"

"Oh it is not!" the woman said with mock surprise, "Well you could have fooled me."

Don't get angry.

"Look I get that your pissed but-"

"I am infuriated by you!" she stated, "You disregard all of our advice, believing in your own arrogance you hold the answer."

"Now hang on-"

"Then you proceed to insult a highly powerful Grand Enchantress by ignoring her words and stating that she either joins us or leave."

"Cassandr-"

"Instead of explaining like some rational person you instead choose to storm out of the castle! What fool does that?!" she demanded.

"Look-I just-"

Cassandra shook her head, "It is a times I wonder if you're were just cursed with being an imbecile or just naturally that way."

A beer can sailed through the air as I ducked. My report card flying from his grasp as the insults began.

Idiot.

Dumbass.

Lazy bastard.

It wasn't until I was twelve when I stopped caring about the insults and focused on finding my next meal. On how I was going to get money.

That was when I met those guys behind the high school smoking a joint.

Screw staying calm.

"Cassandra? What the hell crawled into your ass to turn you into this mega-bitch?"

She turned around, her mouth quirked upwards for a brief moment along with a raised eyebrow, "Excuse me?" she asked, as if what I said was slightly comical.

"You don't even stop to actually think for a minute that I am not this responsible fucking soldier boy? You ever think that "Hey! This guy was just swept up into this? Maybe I should give him some slack. Right?" Oh wait. No, you don't! Guess what Cassandra? I am not like you, I have no idea what the hell I'm doing half the time, and I can tell that your suggestions, sorry, demands, aren't exactly the smartest ideas! Don't always expect me to take your words as gospel!"

Cassandra's mouth went into a frown as she stepped forward, "You refuse to take my words seriously and you may end up with a spear through your back or murdered with magic!"

"Well you haven't exactly given me a reason to Seeker," I growled back.

Cassandra jabbed a finger against my chest, "Trust goes both ways boy!"

I batted away the finger, "Preaching to the choir. Make up your damn mind already! Risk the possibility of trusting me or stay with your paranoia that I'm going to stab you all in the back!"

Cassandra gritted her teeth, "Go to hell Maxwell!"

I smile cruelly back, "Go fuck yourself Cassandra."

Cassandra pushed me, and I quickly retaliated.

"Maxwell!"

Cullen grabbed my arms and pulled as Iron Bull quickly moving in front Cassandra, Cullen frog marched me away from the woman who had quickly been dealt with by Iron Bull.

The solider sighed, "I take it that apology went wrong."

I gritted my teeth, "You have no fucking idea how bad it went."

"Really?" Cullen asked. "Cassandra driven to rage? I think I understand well."

I let out a breath, releasing most of my aggression like dust on the wind.

Damn it.

"Cullen, can we play another round of chess?" I ask.

Cassandra quickly stormed into Leliana's tent, the spymaster was handling another set of books with more names. Leliana quickly shuts the book at Cassandra's scowl.

Before she could speak, Cassandra said, "I am going to the Templar stronghold."

Leliana blinked, "I'm sorry?"

"I wish to confront Lord Lucius," she said. "I believe that I could persuade him to joining us as well as a number of Templars."

Leliana frowned, "Are you sure that is wise? Just you attending this?"

Cassandra shook her head, "No. But I believe that it is better than letting Maxwell go in there and we have the same incident as before."

The spymaster rolled her jaw, "Alright." Leliana said as she searched around her desk as she grabbed a set of papers, "Take these and go. They will help you get to the stronghold."

Cassandra nodded.

Alright, after borrowing some…vellum, (Or old fashioned paper) I began to write an apology. I would hardly call it Oscar worthy, but that just left one problem.

Will it work?

Iron Bull and Vivienne were out. Bull being a fighter and I didn't expect Vivienne to help other than how not to piss her off.

Dorian? Too early to know.

Sera? I think she would tell me to scrap the idea.

Varric? He was an author, but apparently he wasn't a good one.

Solas.

Why not the elf?

It took a while, but I found him sitting on a rock outside of Haven. Legs crossed as he seemed to be meditating. Approaching, I sat down next to him with my legs outstretched on the smooth rock.

I tapped his shoulder, "Solas?"

The elf opened his eyes, "Yes Maxwell?"

"Could I get some help from you?"

The elf frowned, "Of course. How can I help."

I sighed, holding up the vellum I said, "I need to apologize to Cassandra."

"Is that your apology?" he asked.

"Yes Solas," I deadpanned. "This is the apology."

Solas shrugged, "Then by all means."

Clearing my throat, I hold up the vellum to read, "Dear Cassandra. I am very sorry for acting like a jerk for the past few days, and I would like it known that I do appreciate what you have done for me."

Solas didn't say a word.

"Well?" I asked.

Solas turned to me with a confused look, "Is that it?"

I slowly looked between the vellum and the elf, "Yes?"

"Are you writing an apology or just a note? You sound like you are reading a manual rather than an actual apology."

"So it sucks."

"If that means inadequate, yes."

I dropped my head, "Damn it."

Solas uncrossed his legs and turned his head, "Perhaps it would be best for you to relax. Take time to allow your mind to wander."

I raised an eyebrow, "That works?"

Solas smiled, "It does when I move into the Fade."

As I nodded, it took me a moment for those words to sink in, "Wait wait wait, move in the Fade?"

"Yes," Solas said, "Often times I travelled around Thedas, finding old ruins and broken castles before going into a trance to reach the Fade."

"Why?"

Solas frowned, "It is…difficult to explain. Imagine that the Fade is a history book, and at these locations you can see these events with enough training."

"So…you go to the area, and you find a way to see history by tripping major?"

"I…guess?" Solas said slowly.

"But how can you find these areas' in the Fade?" I asked.

"I have been practicing for quite some time," Solas said, "I understand the requirements each trip takes."

I then remembered the Future That Never Was. Solas could sense my Mark. My Mark reacted towards the fade…

"Solas?" I began, "Could you also sense demons?"

The elf frowned, pinching his chin Solas said, "I believe so. I can find spirits, such as compassion, hope and faith, those that can shift into their demon forms. Why?"

"Solas this is important," I say, "Could my Mark sense demons?"

Solas turned to me, taking my left hand in his, he peered at the green glowing line, "Possibly."

My Mark sparked when I touched Lord Luci.

"Solas are there any kind of demons that can shape shift?"

Solas looked up, "Envy can."

"You need to get Cassandra and meet up at the War Room. Now!"

Getting up, I hopped down from the rock and began to dash up into Haven when Solas shouted, "Maxwell what's wrong?!"

"The Templars are being tricked!" I shouted over my shoulder.

Snow flying from underneath my boots, I saw Cullen talking with a guard. As I approached, he opened his mouth but I cut him off, "We need to talk about the Templars. Like now."

His eyes sharpened. Handing something to the guard, Cullen quickly followed behind, "I'll get Leliana."

Dashing into the Chantry building, my boots squeaked as I found Josephine at her desk, as the woman looked up I said, "Tell me you have something to help us against the Templars."

Josephine blinked, "Well, I have a few contacts we could-"

"Good," I say.

Gesturing for her to follow, I see Cullen striding in with Leliana close at his heels, her eyes narrowing she asked, "What is going on?"

"Remember when Lord Luci-boy pulled all of the Templars out of Val Royeaux?" I ask.

Leliana frowned, "What of it?"

"Cassandra said that Lord Lucius wasn't acting right. Like he wasn't all there, and she was right!"

I circled the table before looking at the trio, "It wasn't Lord Lucius who ordered the Templars to leave, it was a demon. Envy according to Solas."

Their reactions varied from gasps to grasping a sword, the I didn't not expect was the slight look of worry.

"Why?" Cullen asked, "What purpose would that serve?"

I chewed on my lip, "When I was in Redcliffe, Alexius mentioned a master. Somebody called "The Elder One" who was behind Alexius taking control over the rebel Mages. Maybe this guy is trying to take control over the Templars too."

"How do we know it is accurate?" Leliana said, "We don't know if-"

"Leliana," I began, "My Mark reacted to Lord Luci when I shoved him. The only time it reacts like that was around the Rifts and the Breach. I would say its safe to assume that he is a demon."

The doors opened to Solas, who was breathing heavily.

"Cassandra's missing."

Cullen frowned, "What?"

My eyes shot to Leliana, who had composed a calm face.

"What the hell did you do?" I ask.

All of them glanced at me, "Pardon?" Leliana asked.

"What did you and Cassandra do?" I repeated.

"I do not understand-"

Realization hit me harder than being thrown off the Pride demon.

"You sent her to the Templars didn't you?"

Josephine's eyes widened, "Leliana!" she said accusingly.

"What would you have done?" The spymaster retorted.

A horde of demons surrounding Cassandra.

Doing nothing as we left her.

"I would have consulted everyone before making an action!" Josephine stated.

Leliana scoffed, "That would have-"

"Would have what?" Cullen demanded.

Leliana glanced at me.

No.

"You cannot be serious," I say. "You cannot be FUCKING serious!"

They all went silent.

I scowled at the woman, "You sent Cassandra into the biggest trap in the world all because you don't trust me?!"

Leliana said nothing.

The events in the Future That Never Was kept flashing in my head.

"You listen to me Leliana," I say in a dangerous tone, "I don't care about your stupid paranoia because I know that you are a good person. What pisses me off is the fact that you didn't talk to Cullen, or at least Josephine before pulling off something like this. Right now, Cassandra is possible in the biggest pile of shit ever and we cant do anything for her."

Leliana gritted her teeth before saying, "So what do you propose?"

I turned to Josephine, "You mentioned contacts?"

The woman nodded, "I know a number of nobles who are not happy about the Templars abandoning their posts. We could use that to our advantage to enter their stronghold."

"Yes, the issue being that it is a stronghold," Cullen said.

"We don't need to worry about all the Templars," I say, "Some may not even know that Luci isn't actually Luci."

"Lucius," Josephine supplied.

"Whatever," I retort. "We all go and try to oust out Luci before we convince the Templars. Seeing us reveal a hidden demon could work in our favor when we recruit them."

"It will take us three days to reach their fortress," Cullen said, "Our plans?"

"I take Solas, Bull and Vivienne to the fortress and be politicians. Dorian, Sera, Varric and Blackwall act as a second team when things go south to help us in the fight. Kick ass and take some names, then rescue Cassandra."

"You mean if?" Cullen said.

I shook my head, "No. I do mean when."

Leliana shook her head, "That sounds terrible."

I gave the spymaster a look, "So was confronting Alexius, and with you sending Cassandra ahead but look where we are now?"

Josephine wrote a few things on her clipboard, "When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow."

Read, Have a Great Day and God Bless!

Review.