News of the attack on Leliana spread like wildfire throughout Skyhold, and Cassandra was one of the first to reach her side in the infirmary. 'Leliana!' she gasped, shocked at her state. 'What happened to you?' The spymaster couldn't speak, and neither the chief surgeon nor Cullen would allow her to. 'It was Solas, believe it or not,' Cullen answered instead. 'He attacked her and then fled through Morrigan's eluvian.' Cassandra stared at him in shock, then drew up a chair by Leliana's bedside. 'Did she say anything?' Cullen gestured to the spymaster's wounds. 'Does she look like she's in any state to speak? She's fighting for her life, Cassandra. We should be thinking of ways to apprehend the apostate.' Cullen's brow creased with memory. 'The look in his eyes as he fled…I don't think he was in control,' he said seriously. 'If Solas is losing control then he needs to be contained,' Cassandra answered, shocked. She had known Solas the longest, had met him first in the immediate aftermath of the Breach, and not once had she ever seen the elf out of control. For him to have done this…Cassandra looked at Leliana's unconscious form, shocked by the savagery of the spell Solas must have used. She squeezed the spymaster's hand, before standing up and pinching the bridge of her nose, breathing deeply.

'Has anyone informed the Inquisitor of what has happened?' she asked. Cullen shook his head. 'Leliana was the priority.' He sighed. 'Stay with her, Cassandra. Let me know if the situation changes. I'll go and speak to Arissa.'

Cole hadn't left Arissa's side. She had awoken slowly, confused and upset. 'What…what did I do?' she had asked him, and Cole had found it almost impossible to lie to her. 'You tried to fall,' he had answered, 'but I saved you.' Arissa reached for his hand, and Cole hugged her, his slim form providing familiar comfort. Arissa thanked Sylaise for his presence – without the spirit, she knew exactly what would have happened. And she realised now how terribly she had acted. They stayed together for some time, unaware of the attack on Leliana, until Cullen knocked on the door.

'My lady,' he said, entering, 'I have some bad news – oh. Hello, Cole.' His voice was not unfriendly, merely cautious – as a former Templar, Cullen still struggled with the spirit's presence. Arissa released the boy. 'It's okay, Cole.' Her voice was warm. 'I'll be alright.' Cole nodded, his eyes on Cullen. Then he vanished. Cullen shivered. 'I don't think I'll ever quite get used to that,' he said softly, and Arissa smiled. 'Neither,' she answered, and Cullen smiled, before he grew serious. He gestured to the balcony. 'Want some air?' he asked. Arissa shivered. 'I'd rather not, if you wouldn't mind,' she answered, instead moving to the couch by the fireplace. They took their seats, Arissa drawing her knees up to her chest, Cullen sitting stiff, and awkward. Arissa was the first to break the silence.

'What's wrong, Cullen?' The commander sighed, running a hair through his hair. 'There has been an incident, Inquisitor. Involving Leliana. She was attacked in the eluvian's chamber.' Arissa straightened up, shocked. 'What?! What happened? Is she alright?' Cullen shook his head sadly. 'Leliana is resting in the infirmary, but we don't yet know if she will survive her wounds. The spell used…it was as if she had been attacked by a wild animal, Inquisitor.' Arissa narrowed her eyes. 'A spell? Magic did this?' Cullen nodded. Then came the difficult bit.

'We know who it was, Arissa,' he said as gently as he could. 'I'm afraid to say…it was Solas.' There was silence. Cullen watched the Inquitisitor's face carefully, aware of the growing chill inside the room. Arissa's face was stony, closed. Well, shit, thought Cullen. 'Solas?' she asked quietly. Cullen nodded again. 'You must be mistaken,' she stated. 'He can't have been here, he's not been seen in six months!' She frowned, confused. 'I thought….' Cullen watched her. 'You thought what?'

'Earlier, I…it doesn't matter,' she answered quickly, her brow furrowed. 'Solas could not have attacked Leliana. That's the point.'

'I'm afraid it was him, Arissa,' Cullen said seriously. 'I saw him, right before he disappeared into the eluvian.' Arissa stood up, shaking her head. 'No, you must be wrong. Solas couldn't have done that. It's Solas! I would know if he was capable of this!'

'Would you?' Arissa stared at Cullen, outrage on her features. 'What?' she hissed. Cullen stood up, his eyes fierce. 'We don't even know who Solas truly is, Inquisitor! He ups and vanishes the day Corypheus is defeated, he lied to us from the beginning! And now Leliana's life hangs in the balance, and from what I saw in his eyes, he was unable to control his actions.' Cullen pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. 'I am truly sorry, Arissa. I can't begin to imagine what this must mean to you. But if he is losing control, then the apostate needs to be apprehended.'

A drinking glass exploded, tiny chips of crystal raining all over the Inquisitor's desk. Cullen stepped back, shocked. Another, sat by the bed, followed suit. 'Arissa, calm yourself!' he said sharply. The Inquisitor had turned around, arms folded. Her head was bowed and Cullen took the opportunity to step closer. Gently, he placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her around to face him. Eyes shining, Arissa looked up at him miserably. 'I don't know what to believe anymore,' she said simply, and Cullen nodded. 'I know. No one does.'