Zanneth ran through the hallway, then through the door at the end. On the other side, in the darkness, waited Josephine, Cullen, Revka, and Leliana. At the far side of the hallway, at the turn that would take her out into the ballroom, stood Solona and Bull, presumably stationed there to keep anyone else out.

"Thank the Maker you're back!" Cullen said. "The empress will begin her speech soon. We need to discuss what we're going to do."

"Did you learn anything new?" Revka asked.

"The Grand Duchess is the assassin. I must get out there so I can stop her!"

"Florianne?" Leliana pursed her lips. "So I was right. Serves me right for not trusting my instincts. Offering up her own brother is more cutthroat than I would have guessed, though."

"It is worse," Cassandra said. "She is working with Corypheus directly. She hopes to rule the world while he is in the Black City."

"Of course. The most power a mere mortal could hope to have." Leliana scowled. "Disgusting."

"We must warn the empress!" Zanneth did not understand why they kept her here; why they talked while they lost precious time.

"Warning her too early will do no good," Josephine said, holding a hand out to keep Zanneth from running past her. "These talks must succeed, and if they are halted, everyone must know that it is for treason. Otherwise… the duchess merely flees, with no real consequences."

"Then perhaps she should die," Leliana said, her tone flat.

That got Zanneth's attention, and she stopped trying to get past them all. "What?"

"I have been thinking how we can best use all we have learned to our advantage. Briala, Gaspard, Celene." Leliana narrowed her eyes as she continued. "Someone must emerge victorious in order for the empire to remain strong – which is what we need."

"She's right," Cullen said. "Strong doesn't necessarily mean Celene. I would prefer the more military-minded Gaspard."

"But we have no way to control him directly," Revka said. "Celene we could influence, especially if we are her saviors!"

"But in this war, do we want a peacemaker and Game player? Or do we want a general?" Cullen said, addressing his wife. "I would want a general as our ally."

"Especially a general I can control," Leliana said.

"How?" This was Josephine.

"Briala."

Zanneth narrowed her eyes. "Elaborate." She had not missed how Leliana had said "I" and not "we." It made her more than a little uncomfortable.

"We found dirt on him, yes? His mercenary captain, plus the letters Solona and Sera found. Knowing that he was planning to move on the palace during talks for peace? Treason."

Zanneth was unconvinced. "And what about the empress? Why must we let her die? Does not that give the duchess what she wants? And therefore Corypheus?"

"Not if we control it. Celene's death is not what Corypheus is after, so much as the chaos that would ensure. That won't happen if we are here for the aftermath and ensure the duchess, too, meets her end. Celene's death would make the transition easier, and also necessary," the spymaster said.

Zanneth narrowed her eyes. "No."

"What?"

"We can work to make Gaspard the emperor if we decide that's best, but I will not participate in this mindless death toll."

Leliana was angry. "We are your advisors. You must listen to us!"

Zanneth's temper, slow to rise, flared to life now. "I must do nothing you say! You chose me as your leader. You advise, I listen, and then I make decisions. You do not." She shoved past everyone. Bull and Solona both let her pass without incident. She heard running footsteps behind her, but paid them no mind. She must get out and to the empress in time. She must.

"Let all gathered attend!" That was the crier's voice. Zanneth burst out into the ballroom, almost bowling over a nameless noble with her speed. "Her Imperial Majesty will address the court!"

"Lords and Ladies!" the empress began.

Creators, I'm too late! Zanneth could not maneuver around everyone fast enough. Florianne was being called forward now. Zanneth had stopped listening to the empress's speech almost as soon as it had begun. People were in her way. What would she do?

"I got you, Boss," Bull said. Then his huge hands were on her waist. Her feet left the ground, and a moment later, he had her seated literally on top of one of his massive horns. "Hurry up and shoot her! I'm strong, but I can't keep you up there forever!"

Heart hammering, Zanneth drew the bow she'd taken from the Venatori, notched an arrow, and took aim. There was the Grand Duchess, coming to Celene's side, her hand at the small of her back.

"Stand aside!" Zanneth shouted, and released her arrow. Gasps went up all around, but she paid them no mind. She only had eyes and ears for her arrow. She watched as time seemed to slow and stretch. Then, suddenly, it was embedded in Florianne's chest, between and just above her two porcelain breasts.

Time sped back up. Bull put Zanneth back on her feet, running forward and parting the sea of people for her. They made it up to the steps in record time. Florianne was already dead, a razor-sharp stiletto grasped in one hand. A clean stiletto. Zanneth had made it in time. The empress's blood did not grace the blade's edge.

"You saved me!" A hand gripped her arm, vice-like in its strength. "You have saved the empire!" Zanneth turned to find the empress holding tight to her, eyes wild behind her mask. "I expected duplicity from Gaspard, but Florianne?!"

Zanneth smiled. "Yes. You're not the only one surprised by this evening's turn of events."

The next few minutes were a blur. Cassandra reached her side and pulled her into an embrace, while Revka and Josephine wrangled the empress. Leliana stood silently by, watching it all, a small frown on her face whenever her eyes landed upon the Inquisitor. Gaspard stood by as well, under Bull and Solona's watchful gaze, eyeing the corpse of his sister. And Briala somehow managed to appear as if out of thin air.

Then the empress called her attention, and Zanneth was compelled to accompany Celene, Gaspard, and Briala out onto a balcony. Imperial guards surrounded them, and both Bull and Cassandra stood by the door. Leliana and Josephine both stood to the side, as well, clearly not taking part in whatever was about to transpire. Revka and Cullen had both stayed inside the building.

The accusations started as soon as the door to the ballroom snapped shut.

"Your sister attempted regicide in front of the entire court, Gaspard!" It was the first time Zanneth had actually seen Briala. She sounded exactly as Solona had described her, though: perfectly at home amidst these humans' politics.

"You are the spymaster," the man countered. "If anyone knew this atrocity was coming, it was you."

"You don't deny your involvement."

"I do deny it! I knew nothing of Florianne's plans! But you… you knew it and did nothing!"

"I don't know which is better: that you think I am all-seeing, or that you try so hard to play innocent and fail!"

"Enough!" Celene did not move, but her exclamation was enough to silence everyone. "We will not bicker like children while Tevinter plots against our nation! For the safety of the empire, I demand answers!"

Zanneth blinked at the ferocity and the feeling in Celene's voice. She is the only one concerned with this nation. Gaspard wants it because it is his by birth, but he speaks nothing about his vision for his nation, nor of its safety or the people within its borders. Briala claims to want a voice, but she storms in and bickers just like these shemlen! Celene rises above it all and speaks of the empire, not her empire.

Of the three here, she is the only one I would wish to lead me.

"Your Majesty, if I may," Zanneth said. She had some idea of how important these people were. But Josephine's and Cassandra's wide eyes in the background made it clear to Zanneth that she was probably speaking out of turn in this invisible hierarchy of titles.

"Yes, of course." The empress drew herself up before continuing. "You have saved us, and you have kept our nation from crumbling. You have waded through our politics to accomplish your goal of foiling the plans of he who opened the Breach in the skies. You alone have acted in the best interest of all Thedas tonight. We would be wise to head your words."

Heart hammering in her chest, Zanneth outlined her case against Gaspard. He played a small game, and his concern was solely that of having a nation, not what he would do with it. Briala she left alone. She hoped the elf could continue to make things better for the elves of Orlais, but she could not stomach supporting someone who would try to kill that servant she'd saved simply because of a grudge. That was also a small game. It was petty, it was a cruel, and while Zanneth had no doubt Celene had done that and worse as empress, she still felt that Leliana was wrong. If she must select between three evils, Zanneth would select the one she felt was most able to rule, and whose support came through honest gratitude rather than through the manipulation of Gaspard through Briala.

Leliana was wrong. Sometimes the simplest way, the easiest way, was the best way. Just like the path a stream takes through the woods.

"Assuming the Inquisitor is right, Gaspard, I will have no choice but to declare you Enemy of the Empire." The empress turned away from him. "Guards, seize him."

"No!" Gaspard shouted, taking a step toward the empress. Her guards interceded, grabbing him by both arms and wrenching his hands behind his back.

Celene next faced Zanneth. "Inquisitor, if your people can bring me the evidence, I can make the final judgment."

"Of course, your Majesty," Zanneth said, falling into a shallow bow. What would happen next, she had no idea. But as she was drawn back into the ballroom, she could at least be assured that she had accomplished what Dorian had spelled out for her: she stopped the assassination of Empress Celene.

"How are you feeling with the Inquisitor's decision, Leliana?"

Solona watched as her lover paused, pursing her lips. "I still think my recommendation was the better option, but she made her decision. She is right. We gave her that authority. It was her decision to make, not mine. I wish she had reconsidered, but…"

Solona nodded, sighing and turning to look out the window. She knew that was not the end of Leliana's feelings on the matter, but she did not wish to push her on her complex moral dilemmas while there was still work to be done.

It was a few minutes more of Leliana writing at her desk before her voice filled the room. "So. Are you going to tell me what's bothering you now?"

Solona's heart kicked in her chest. She had deliberately kept the information about Morrigan from Leliana during her report. She didn't want to make it that much harder for Leliana, and she wanted to do so in a place where they could discuss it.

They could discuss it now. They had a small sitting room to themselves, allowing Leliana to meet with her agents, and to have just a moment of not having to hide her true identity or her deafness. And she chose this moment to latch on to seeing Solona so upset earlier. It shouldn't surprise Solona. Leliana was even more perceptive without her hearing than she'd been with it.

"Yes. I… well, how to say it?"

"What? Just tell me, Solona. However upsetting it might have been before, it cannot ruin anything now. The fate of the empire has already been decided."

"I had a dance with Morrigan. She is the Empress's occult advisor everyone has been whispering about."

Leliana was quiet for a moment. Solona seated herself on a settee, watching her lover. The former bard's face was unreadable, but Solona had some idea of what she might be thinking. Solona had similar thoughts.

"So she finally shows up." Leliana raised an eyebrow in Solona's direction. "A little late."

Solona snorted a laugh, then breathed a sigh of relief. Leliana was angry, Solona could tell. But she didn't have to deal with that anger being misplaced. It didn't happen often, but with something like this… there had certainly been the potential for it.

Leliana wandered close. She was free of her religious cowl for now, and allowed plenty of emotion to enter her expression. She reached out, and Solona mirrored her, taking her hand and guiding the shorter woman to sit beside her. "So. What happened?" the spymaster asked.

"We… danced."

"Yes, you already said that."

"Of course. She… she's grown up."

"Yes. As have we all." Her eyes turned down, and she reached a hand up, palming Solona's cheek. "What is it, Solona?"

"She just… left!" Solona said, then took a deep breath, calming herself. "She left, and she could have been dead for all we knew. She saved Elissa, but after that? We didn't always agree, and I know how you feel about her, but dammit we were friends! And she just left. And now here she is, speaking with me like ten years haven't passed since Denerim and I… I just don't quite know how to process it." Solona sighed, turning her face so she could press a kiss to Leliana's palm. "And I have this feeling that we have not seen the last of her."

Leliana was quiet for a moment. "It would be like her, wouldn't it? To find a way to involve herself in the Inquisition."

Solona snorted a laugh, shaking her head before pulling Leliana into an embrace. She then pulled back enough for Leliana to see her lips. "So much has changed since Alistair told me of that blasted ritual he did with her. I made some promises that I… don't know if I should keep. I don't know what all this means. What if we meet the child? I don't know what to think of all this. I don't know what to think of her."

"Well, I still think she is a bitch with ulterior motives. That is what she's proven herself to be." Leliana pursed her lips, getting to her feet and beginning to pace. "But as you say, she's grown. How old was she when we knew her? Twenty at best?"

"Likely closer to seventeen or eighteen," Solona supplied.

"And she knew only her mother leading up to the Blight. She has grown up, she has lived among people, and she is presumably a mother. That is a lot of change for one person. I am not the same person I was when we knew each other. It stands to reason that she is not, either."

"I thought you would still hate her," Solona said, signing with her hands for Leliana's convenience.

"Oh, I do. Or rather, I do not trust her, and I did not before, either. But I have larger concerns than Morrigan. As long as she does not attempt to seduce the Herald in the way she seduced the King of Ferelden, I will have no problems with her mere existence." Leliana paused, lifting a single eyebrow. "Assuming your intuition is correct and we find ourselves dealing with her in the future."

Solona nodded. "I suppose there is that. I just… I trusted her. To have that thrown aside…"

Leliana came to stand before her, placing both hands on the mage's shoulders. "Oh, Solona. My beautiful, trusting, sheltered Solona." Solona looked up into Leliana's face to find the spymaster with a melancholy smile. "Would that we all had only been left, and not fully betrayed."

"I have been betrayed, Leliana," Solona said with a frown.

"Yes, true. And yet you have retained the ability to trust. You showed me how to do so again. Your whole family did, truthfully: Leandra started it, then sweet Bethany, then you. Beautiful, trusting you." Leliana sighed, then chuckled. "And I have gotten sidetracked. What I meant was that you will be all right. Just keep talking. I will listen. Revka will listen, as will Josie. Maybe don't talk to Cassandra about Morrigan. Somehow I do not think she would take that story well…"

"And what about you?" Solona asked, still looking up into Leliana's face.

"What about me?"

"Are you angry that she's shown up? Are you angry about what she did?"

Leliana smiled, a sad smile, and placed her hand on Solona's cheek once more. "How can I be angry with her for saving you? I believe what Alistair said, Solona. She offered it to him as a way to save himself for Elissa, and as a way to save you – his sister – for his own heart. But if she was thinking in those terms… then I believe at least part of her reason was love. She was not such a talented manipulator. She thought she was, yes, but I know manipulation, and she did not have the skill. Perhaps she does now, but then? I think she was attempting to save you both, the only two beings who managed to slither into her cold, cold heart."

Solona sighed, closing her eyes and thinking back to her conversation with Morrigan. "She did say she… held me in high regard."

Leliana giggled. "Well there you have it then!" She sobered after a moment, caressing Solona's cheek again. "Was that what had you so upset earlier, Solona? Morrigan showing her face after so long?"

Solona's heart kicked. She recalled Leliana risking communicating with her, telling her to calm down, that her nerves were showing. She remembered closing her eyes and employing some of her meditation techniques to calm her blood and slow her breathing. And she remembered what had her so upset.

"I… it was Sera."

"Sera?"

Solona nodded. "Yes. She… well, she fancies me, to put it bluntly."

Leliana's expression opened in surprise. "Fancies you?"

"Yes. She picked the absolutely worst time to let me know that I would be happier if we were lovers."

"She… but she is barely more than a child! I thought her doggedly following you around was because of hero-worship! Perhaps she saw you as a big sister or a mother-figure. But a lover?"

"I know. It is absurd," Solona said. "I do not see her in the same light at all. But… well, she forced the conversation, and now she must be both embarrassed and furious with me. She takes her anger out on you, insults you to my face, and tells me I would be happier with her."

"I see. And what does she say about me?"

"Nothing you want to hear, Leliana." There was no reason to repeat any of it. She knew why Leliana adopted a cold veneer: her duty, first to the Divine and now to the Inquisition, demanded it. Solona was not happy to watch Leliana retreat back into that life, but she could not deny that Leliana was good at it. She resolved instead to help Leliana back out into the light whenever she could, and to not watch the sausage get made, as it were. She joined Leliana in her rookery only when there were no other agents about to receive their sometimes-bloody instructions.

Leliana pursed her lips, then sighed. "Honestly, I know you will not stray, Solona. I am a jealous woman, but I am not truly worried. But… this will change your friendship. And it could change things for the Inquisition as a whole. She is… unpredictable at best."

"I'll speak with her before things are too awkward. When we get back to Skyhold. Give her a chance to think, and to put some distance between herself and her confession."

Leliana nodded. "All right. That sounds good." She smirked. "Sounds," she said, then shook her head.

Solona laughed, standing and pulling Leliana into another embrace, kissing her deeply. It warmed her heart that Leliana could retain that sense of humor about her situation.

"Oh, Solona," Leliana whispered after a moment, eyes closed. Solona felt the shiver traverse her lover's spine.

Solona grinned. "Yes?" She let her nails dig in to Leliana's back, traveling up toward her shoulders.

"How do you do this to me still? I have – oh! – I have work that still needs doing!"

"Well. We've done things quickly before. I seem to remember a broom closet at a certain arl's estate…"

Leliana had the good grace to blush. "I was so brazen!"

Solona snickered. After a prolonged kiss, she pulled back, looking into Leliana's cerulean eyes. "Are you convinced?"

Leliana glowered up at her. She caught Solona's chin in a vice-grip and whispered. "Lock the door, my love."

Solona grinned even as a shiver ran down her spine at the rough handling. Some might call her childish, but she knew Leliana would understand that she just wished to recommit their affections after the drama with Sera, after an old friend resurfaced from the ether, after they stopped the assassination of an empress. It had been a difficult night, with a great deal riding on all of their ability to perform their roles. Relieving a little of the pressure in this way was just what she needed.

In truth, it was what they both needed.

Zanneth stood out on a balcony. Bull was just inside the doors, ensuring her privacy. The Inquisitor took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment and willing the tension out of her body. She set the Venatori bow and quiver upon the stone of the balcony, the polished wood familiar against her skin before she let go. If she tried hard to empty her mind of the last six months or so, she could almost convince herself that she stood atop a cliff, and not on a balcony of carved stone, setting her mother's bow down at her feet.

Almost. Images of Cassandra, memories of her scent and the feel of her skin, intruded upon her mind. Many bad things had happened in those six months. She may have wished she could stand here with her brother Hyune at her side, but she would never, ever regret meeting and loving Cassandra Pentaghast.

"The Orlesian nobility make drunken toasts to your victory, and yet you are not present to hear them?"

Zanneth turned on her heel, her eyes snapping open to find a porcelain-skinned, raven-haired beauty standing just on this side of the doors. Why had Bull let her through?

"Do you tire so quickly of their congratulations? 'Tis most fickle, after all your efforts on their behalf."

"Have… have we met?" Zanneth asked.

"No, we have not. And yet I find myself a sacrificial lamb for the Inquisition."

"I'm sorry?"

"I am Morrigan, Inquisitor. I have served as occult advisor to the empress this past year. But now, by Imperial decree, I have been named as liaison to the Inquisition. Celene wishes to offer you any and all aid – including mine."

Zanneth pursed her lips as she considered the woman before her. "You seem familiar somehow," she finally said. "Are you sure we haven't met?"

"I am. Though I am familiar with the Hero of Ferelden."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I traveled with her during the Blight. She and Leliana were just as sickening then as they are now, though now they have an entire decade to cement their nausea-inducing romance. I imagine it won't be going anywhere soon." The woman seemed altogether displeased about that.

"You're the witch in the tales."

The woman – Morrigan – scowled, knitting her brows in distaste. "Yes. I imagine I am."

"I'm sorry. You aren't being talked about, but I've asked Solona about the Blight more than once. You were friends, yes? It stands to reason that you would be part of the stories."

"I suppose… 'tis not relevant, in any event. Do you accept, Inquisitor?"

Zanneth leaned back against the balcony railing. "Do you wish to join us?"

"The assignment has been given to me, regardless of my personal interest. And besides that, I would not join the Inquisition outright. I remain loyal to the empress."

"So, an ambassador, then?"

"Something of the sort. Celene knows you face an opponent who wields great magical power, which is far more important than her own interest in keeping me on her staff. You will require my knowledge if you are to defeat such magic."

Zanneth was surprised at such a statement. "You are so sure? We have all the rebel mages of the Circles swelling our ranks, as well as the former First and Grand Enchanters of Montsimmard, and the Hero of Ferelden."

Morrigan's smile was a little disarming. "Indeed. And all of them have been raised within the Circles, the Chantry. Yes, even Solona. I have the unique position in life of having… studied… with Flemeth, who your people call Asha'bellanar. I know a great many magics not condoned by the Circles or the Chantry. I suspect this is also true of Corypheus. Thus it behooves you to add to your arcane arsenal, yes? Mundane knowledge will not bring the rifts in the sky to a close. Only your mark will do that. But obscure arcane gifts might help in your struggle."

Zanneth pursed her lips. "You speak of blood magic?"

Now Morrigan just looked impatient. "I know many obscure, forgotten, and forbidden arts. Some of it might be considered blood magic, but it predates the introduction of blood magic at large by Tevinter during Andraste's holy war. Blood magic is magic, and is turned to in desperation only because it is outlawed. If it were not forbidden, then it could be explored by more than just those who would break the laws laid out for them.

"However, I understand that this can be frightening for those who do not possess magic. Allow me to reassure you: knowledge alone does no harm. What I possess, I place at your disposal, to make use of or ignore as you desire. And to answer your original question: I was assigned to you, but Corypheus threatens all of Orlais, and that includes myself. Thus, I am not opposed to this appointment."

Zanneth thought for a moment. Varric had known a blood mage. She was… young, innocent, formerly First to her clan but shunned because of the blood magic. For the most part, the girl had been fine. She didn't sacrifice anyone else, only using her own blood and only to supplement the power she inherently possessed. Zanneth remembered her grandmother saying something similar about what desperation and arbitrarily naming something "forbidden" could drive people to do when it came to magical power.

Perhaps Morrigan was right?

Zanneth opened her mouth to speak, to tell Morrigan that she would need to speak with her advisors on the matter, but then halted herself. Her advisors had been evenly split on what they thought should happen. She thought back to how angry Leliana had been that Zanneth did not do as the spymaster had advised. But it was not Leliana's decision to make, ultimately. It was Zanneth's. It was all Zanneth's. History would judge her only. She could go to her advisors for direction, but she must make her own decisions. And minor ones like this, she could make on her own; without the input of a potentially biased party like Leliana, who she knew had a history with the woman before her.

"All right," she finally said, standing up and holding out her hand. "Welcome to the Inquisition, Morrigan."

Morrigan took her hand, briefly. "A most gracious response, your Worship."

The title still grated at Zanneth.

"Will you be traveling with us?" she asked.

The witch released her hand, turning to head back inside. "I shall travel to Skyhold on my own. I have affairs to put in order before leaving Orlais."

"Very well. Safe travels, Morrigan."

"Safe travels, Inquisitor."

Zanneth turned to take in the stars once more. It was only half a minute's silence before a familiar and beloved voice sounded behind her.

"I can't believe you escaped before I did," Cassandra said, irritation coloring her voice in a most familiar way. "A lecherous count insisted on plying me for scandalous information about your bosom our entire dance. All while his hands strayed all manner of places they were not welcome."

Zanneth smirked. "How did you fend him off?"

"Solona took pity on me and informed the count that you would use your mark to remove his head from his shoulders if he continued to touch property that was not his. That was enough to make him scuttle off somewhere to bother someone else." Her voice got low as she added, "Of course, then I was stuck finishing out the dance with Solona."

Cassandra leaned against the railing next to Zanneth, her voice softening, losing its irritated veneer. "I feel we have barely spoken. How are you? Is something wrong?"

"Would you be satisfied if I shrugged you off by saying, 'It's been a long night'?"

The Seeker let out a tiny laugh. "Not one bit."

Zanneth sighed, turning and leaning back against the railing once more. "I can't help but feel that disaster was only averted, but not vanquished."

"That is because disaster has only been averted, but not vanquished," Cassandra said, a slight sardonic cadence to her voice.

Zanneth chuckled, shaking her head. "I can always trust you to be honest with me."

"Most of the time. It took me some time to be honest about how I felt."

"Yes. It did." Zanneth hung her head back to look up at the stars. "But you knew. That was better than me."

She felt Cassandra press her body against the elf's, leaning over her to press a kiss to her chin. As Zanneth straightened, she felt Cassandra's arms snake around her waist, pulling her close. Her heart was suddenly racing.

"I think you can be forgiven, considering all that had befallen you in a very short time."

Zanneth smirked. "Well, I know now. That is what matters, yes?"

Cassandra grinned, nodded, and then covered Zanneth's lips with her own. Zanneth wrapped her arms around her lover's neck, doing her best to keep up with Cassandra's ardor. It had been a long evening, but it was finally over. They had earned a little time to themselves.

A/N: Aaaaand we're done! I don't know if commenters were just quiet on Halamshiral, or I screwed the pooch on it, but whatever. We're moving on. It's my least favorite part of the game, and it was my least favorite part to write because the maneuvering is just not a strength of mine. So I'm just going to cut my losses and move on.

I do hope the ending is at least satisfying, though. And that everyone (in the northern hemisphere) had a great summer! On to new things! Both in life, and in this fic!