Nothing especially eventful happened on the journey to Soldier's Peak. The closer we got, the harder I had to fight the sadness welling up inside of me as I came across the familiar hallmarks of home—the emerald shades of the foliage peeking out from beneath the freshly fallen snow, the fresh, salty smell of the grey sea. With each step I took I felt my burden grow heavier. No matter how hard I tried to draw my attention elsewhere, my thoughts inevitably went back to the sounds of the walls crashing down around me that fateful night; the oppressive heat from the fires that engulfed everything in their path; the screams of innocents as they were butchered; the look of devastation and discernment in my parents' eyes as I was carried farther and farther away from them. Say what you will about the Blight. For me, it was one heck of a distraction. But as we grew closer and closer to Highever, even the insurmountable task laid before me was no longer enough to quell my heartache. The fortress was situated just outside the border of our lands. I tried not to look too far off in the distance, but I do believe I spied some tattered banners with a faded Cousland sigil miserably undulating in the harsh winds. It took all my strength not to break down right then and there.

I figured my best course of action was to keep myself as separate from everyone as I possibly could. Even Alistair. Especially Alistair. As a leader I had to be strong and around him, I seemed to lose my resolve all too easily. And this tactic worked twofold. Although I'm fairly sure I managed to undo some of the damage that night at the lake caused, the last thing I wanted was to find myself getting carried away around him. Again. Minimizing our alone time seemed like a logical way to go about doing that. I didn't want to rush him and I didn't want to make him doubt himself. My little confession about being with a man of experience probably intimidated him enough as it was. I so didn't want to make things worse. If that meant limiting the touchy feely stuff to hand-holding, hugs, and the occasional peck on the lips, so be it.

When we managed to actually arrive at the fortress, it was freezing. With a capital BRRRRRR. We'd traveled maybe a hundred miles in the last few days, but the change in the weather was incredibly drastic. This whole Blight thing really seemed to be messing with Mother Nature. Luckily we had the foresight to grab some supplies for just such an occasion back in Denerim. Metal armor unfortunately doesn't really offer much in the way of warmth; neither did the leather I wore beneath it. So, I opted for a fur-lined cloak and some gloves to match. They sort of helped. Ish.

"And, here we are—Soldier's Peak. Maker's breath, look at the size of her! What a fortress!" Levi observed. "I told you the map would get us through the tunnels."

"Oh admit it. You were lost a couple of times." I teased. I tried my best to put on a happy face and pretend everything was alright even though my heart was bleeding. The absolute last thing I needed was for someone to sense my despair and ask me what was wrong. I had to act as if nothing had changed; as if I were the same old Scarlett.

"No… the map was just… soggy. That's all."

"Riiiiiight. Okay, coming with us, then? Or will you stay here and keep the horses company?"

"I'll follow you. From a distance. This place has the stench of death. I expect there's trouble up ahead."

"Oh good. Trouble is my middle name." I smirked.

"You told me it was Amaryllis! I feel so misled." Alistair joked.

"Oh, I just recently changed it. Figured this new one was more fitting, considering."

"Hmm... you do have a certain proclivity for getting into mischief, I suppose."

"Funny… I was usually so well-behaved before I met you." I gave him a quick wink and a half smile.

"Yeah, I get that a lot." He grinned back. "So, Soldier's Peak, eh? Looks like it's seen better days. Better centuries, more like."

"Once the Wardens flourished, their ranks full, their caliber certain. Now they even accept people like you, Alistair." Ouch, Morrigan. Ouch.

"Hey!" Alistair whined. I had to admit, it made me the slightest bit happy to have them back to hurling zingers at one another—although it was usually Morrigan who did most of the hurling. I was just happy things seemed to be getting back to normal. Well, as normal as could be expected with those two.

And then the aforementioned trouble found us. Those frozen skeletons I'd come to know and love from our return to Ostagar attacked, in addition to some frozen animated corpses—you know, just to keep things interesting. And then the visions started. I don't know why. I don't know how. But we were able to see glimpses of events past as though they were playing out right before our very eyes. In the first, I saw King Arland's knights planning to starve the Wardens out of the keep.

"I'm not going mad, am I? You saw it too? How is this even possible?" Levi asked. I didn't have any answers for him. Then Wynne chimed in.

"The veil is thin here. It was the same at the Circle Tower."

"The veil?" Levi asked.

"That's what separates our world from the Fade and demons." She explained.

"Demons?! Thank Andraste you came, Warden." Apparently Levi was none too fond of demons. They weren't really my favorite either, so this should prove to be an especially fun undertaking.

"Alright, Wynne, Sten, Zev, please stay out here in case there are more of those… things. The last thing we need is an ambush while we're seeing what there is to see in there."

"Understood." Was all Zev offered, which was incredibly out of character for him.

"That's it? No flirtations or brazen come-ons?" I inquired.

"What can I say? I was not about to argue when afforded an opportunity to watch your backside as you climb the stairs."

I nodded. "Ah, suddenly it all makes sense."

Upon entering the main hall, another vision manifested. We saw Levi's granny Sophia, who was apparently crazy good at giving rallying speeches, and a mage named Avernus. Hmm… the plot thickens.

As we fought our way from room to room, I tried my best to keep my eyes peeled for anything that might give me added insight into what it really meant to be a Grey Warden—information on the Blight, the Archdemon, the Joining, anything. No such luck. The one promising book I stumbled upon was burned beyond all recognition. Figures.

When we went upstairs another vision presented itself. We saw Sophia and Avernus again, only this time it was during a great battle. Sophia told Avernus that the soldiers needed his help, and then he began casting a spell—a spell that summoned demons. Avernus was, apparently, laboring under the delusion that he could control said demons and use them against the invading soldiers. Stupid, stupid man.

Before we could even really process what we'd just seen, we were attacked by more demons and some dead Wardens. It felt so… strange to kill my own kind. I know I had never met those men in life and I know I wasn't all that keen on becoming a Warden in the first place, but by now it had become a huge part of who I am. I now took pride in myself and my cause. Although it was only Alistair and myself left, I still felt a kinship toward anyone else who knew what it meant to be a Grey Warden; even those who had died hundreds of years ago.

"The Wardens summoned demons. And my grandmother… she knew…" I saw the hope in Levi's eyes dim as the words left his mouth. The likelihood of us finding something to clear his family name now was pretty slim.

"The Wardens are a pragmatic bunch. They know how to do one thing and one thing only: win. And they do that by any means necessary." Probably not the most comforting sentiment, but it was the best I could offer.

"I thought my family was better than that. Maybe there's more to this. Answers may lay up ahead."

And so we pressed on, and what we found was… beyond disturbing. Sophia Dryden's decaying body was currently inhabited by a demon. And, in true demon fashion, it wanted to strike a deal. It may have often been a case of the blind leading the blind when it came to a lot of the situations we'd faced, but one thing I knew for sure: Never, ever make deals with demons. It always ends badly.

"Levi, I'm afraid your great-great-grandmother is possessed." I managed to recall that not many people deal with demons on as regular basis as I did. I just wanted to explain this little detail in case Levi resented me for doing what had to be done.

"That, or she's really let herself go. My great-great-grandmother is dead. I don't know what that is." Good. Glad he was seeing reason.

We attacked Sophia and her Warden skeleton minions. They posed little trouble, and as an added bonus, I found Sophia's—that is, the real Sophia's—old journal on a desk. I grabbed it and placed it in my satchel before we moved on. Perhaps some of the answers I was seeking lay within.

The next set of stairs took us to a bridge where even more skeletons attacked us as we fought to avoid their arrows buried between the seemingly endless falling snow.

Morrigan created a wall of fire and Leliana proceeded to nail each one with an arrow. One by one they fell. Alistair and I didn't even have to do anything but stay out of the way.

"Nice teamwork, ladies." I praised.

"I confess I typically prefer to work alone, but I suppose you are not completely inept." Morrigan addressed Leliana.

"Gee, Morrigan. Coming from you, I suppose there is no higher compliment." Leliana answered.

"You suppose correctly." Was all Morrigan said in return.

"Group hug?" Alistair smirked. Leliana, Morrigan, and I just glared at him. "Okay, not ready for that yet. Got it."

We entered the tower and in the first room I found some research notes from that mage from the visions—Avernus. I began to read them immediately. A lot of really bad things had gone down in this place, and Avernus seemed to be at the head of all of them.

He was experimenting on people. Torturing them for as long as he could until they succumbed to death. All in the name of finding a cure for the Calling. Alistair had explained that to me awhile back—the inevitable time in a Warden's life when the humming of the darkspawn grows too great to be ignored and we meet our end in the Deep Roads, taking as many darkspawn with us as possible before we go. Although there is honor in such a death, I had to admit I was intrigued by the notion of overcoming it. It was comforting to think my family would be there on the other side waiting for me to join them, but with each passing day, I was growing more and more sure of the fact that this notion was just that—a comfort. Nothing more. They were gone and I was likely never going to be by their side again. This life is likely all we get. If there is a way to somehow prolong it, well, that is something worth exploring.

I placed the notes in my pack beside Sophia's journal. Although what he had to do to summon those demons was utterly despicable, he was a man of both magic and science—a powerful combination. This could be of great use to us.

When we entered the next room, my jaw immediately hit the floor. The man from the visions was standing before us—something I thought to be completely impossible. Alistair had mentioned we get maybe 30 years before submitting to the Calling, if we're lucky. This man, if that is indeed what he was, had to be hundreds of years old. My mind was blown. I needed answers and I needed them fast.

"I hear you. Don't disrupt my concentration." He called to us. "Even now the demons seek to replenish their numbers. Are you to thank for this temporary imbalance?"

"Avernus, right? How in the Maker's name are you still alive?" I asked.

"Only just. I have only a short time left."

"But… how have you survived this many years?"

"The chantry foolishly forbids blood magic—but there are many so secrets to uncover. As my body decayed, I found ways to extend it. But that can only go so far."

He went on to tell us more about the rebellion, most of which was already revealed in the visions. But then he mentioned something that really caught my attention.

"Did you just say Teyrn Cousland?"

"Yes. He was to aid us in the fight against that tyrant Arland but he chose to betray us."

"That's… he was my family." I confessed.

Avernus let out a dry laugh. "You lost many family members that day. I saw the head of Teyrn Cousland on a table, with an apple in his mouth. Arland took it upon himself to butcher as many Couslands as he saw fit to ensure the rest would stay in line."

I closed my eyes and held them tightly as I balled my hands into fists and dug my nails into my palms. Don't do it, Scarlett. Don't let the sorrow win. It was just… with my thoughts already turned to my family and the terrible way I lost them, the mention of even more of my kin being slaughtered at the hands of a tyrant, well, it did nothing to help the situation. Don't you cry, Scarlett. Don't let a single tear fall. Channel it into something you can use. Get angry.

"So, in summation, you used blood magic to summon demons to aid in your rebellion. You actually thought they would remain under your control." I made no attempt to mask the vitriol in my voice.

"For months I prepared the summoning circles; researched the darkest depths of the fade. That moment was a triumph of demonic lore. Dozens of demons called by my hand."

He was positively beaming. He was actually proud of what he'd done. It was disgusting.

"But with so many variables, I suppose calculation errors were… inevitable. I was so close."

"What you did was monstrous, Avernus. You're to blame for all of this. Some things you just don't do, no matter the intention." I scolded.

A look of remorse befell his face and despite my best efforts, I felt my anger begin to fade. I know, I was just as shocked as you are.

"From a Warden, that means something. So tired. So old. Let me undo my greatest of mistakes. Let me cleanse this place. Then… then I will accept whatever justice you feel I merit."

He seemed genuine in his request, and I had no idea how to repair the veil myself, so Avernus was really our only option if we hoped to reclaim this place.

"I accept your offer. But before we go, Levi here was hoping to get some… clarification on a few things."

"Mister Mage… uh… ser, my family name has been worth less than dirt for over a century. Do you have any proof that Sophia was a hero?" Despite everything we'd seen and discovered, he was still holding out hope. Poor bloke.

"Your great-great-grandmother was the best of us. Brave, fiery, charismatic. Utterly devoted to the fight. But proof? There is none to be had."

Levi's face fell. Through all these goings on with demons and corpses and possessed grandmothers and seemingly immortal mages I had been reasonably distracted from my own heartbreak. When I saw the look in Levi's eyes, my heart broke all over again.

"I had hoped... But thank you, Warden." And despite this whole venture proving to be fruitless, his thanks were sincere. That Levi, he was a good egg.

We followed Avernus to the Great Hall so he could repair the damage he'd caused so long ago. While the old mage worked to undo the summoning circles he'd created, we had to fight the waves of demons and spirits that kept coming through. Rage demons. Shades. Ash wraiths. And my personal favorite, a desire demon to top it all off. Yeah, it had gotten to the point where I'd committed all their classifications to memory. So ridiculous.

While Levi hid in the corner and Avernus was busy casting spells, Alistair, Morrigan, Leliana, and I fought them off. Although I did want to rid the keep of these foul creatures, I just didn't have that spark I usually felt in the heat of battle. Instead I felt… tired. I felt homesick. I still managed to hold my own, but the heaviness that was weighing down my heart was also weighing down my sword. Alistair seemed to take notice and fought beside me every step of the way. I think he's a keeper.

Once the demons and spirits were destroyed and the veil was repaired, I was left with the one-million-sovereign question: What in the Maker's name was I going to do with Avernus?

"It's over." Avernus declared. "The veil is strong now. Or stronger, at least. I said I'd submit to judgment and so I shall. Can I be left to experiment in peace?"

"These… experiments of yours. Tell me what you've found." Yes, truly, it was always better to find out as many details as possible before condemning someone to death. Sound logic, right?

"The darkspawn's taint has power. The Wardens use it merely to sense when darkspawn are near. A triviality. My research has discovered so much more—hinted at even greater heights. This knowledge could grant all Wardens even more power."

"Are you being deliberately vague here?" I asked.

"You've already read some of my research. Given time and the proper materials, I could learn so much more. So, what say you?"

"Your crimes are heinous." I began. And with some difficulty, Avernus got on bended knee and bowed his head, as though he were waiting for my sword to cast that fatal blow. But this man was a fountainhead of knowledge and untapped potential. He was no good to anyone dead. "You must atone. Research ways to help the Wardens. ETHICALLY." I emphasized.

He nodded. "With what time I have left, I will do this. It may take months or years for my research to reach fruition. When it does, I will send for you. Thank you for this, Warden." And with that, he left to make his way back to the tower.

"You've done it, Warden. Soldier's Peak is safe again. That old geezer Avernus deserves the gallows if you ask me, but… if he does the proper research—without the sacrifices and the blood magic and all—maybe he'll turn up something good." Levi seemed legitimately happy, despite our failure to find what he was looking for.

"I'm… I'm sorry there was no proof to redeem your family, Levi." I said sincerely.

"The past won't offer redemption." Alistair explained before putting his hand on my shoulder. "Try the future instead."

I reached up and held his hand. He could be so wise sometimes. Maybe I wasn't as good of an actor as I thought. Maybe he could sense I was thinking of home, of my family. Or maybe I was reading too much into things. I was really good at that.

"You're right. For so long I was focused on the past. On answers. But I think I would have been better off had I stayed at home. Enough of that, though. I find myself at a loss. You've got a whole fortress now. I suppose I should start plying my trade again. I was thinking my family and I might set up shop here. And you, of course, will receive a considerable discount." Levi offered.

I reached out to shake his hand. "It's a deal. I'm glad to have met you, Levi Dryden."

He shook my hand. "And I you, Warden. And I you."

"Looks like we're done here. A demonic invasion thwarted, a Warden base safely rescued. We do good work." Alistair declared. I gave him a soft smile.

"Yep, not too shabby, if I do say so myself. I suppose we can all sleep here tonight."

"No interest in going head-to-head with your tent this evening?" Alistair teased.

"Ugh. I would rather fight a thousand more demons than that blasted thing." I groaned. "Let's get the others and see if we can convince Wynne to scare up some dinner. You're welcome to join us if you'd like, Levi." I offered.

"Thank you kindly, but after all I just saw, I don't think I'll have much of an appetite."

I nodded. "I understand. I suppose this is all sort of old hat to me by now."

"You have such an odd way of speaking sometimes." Leliana observed.

I let out a big sigh. "So I keep hearing."

…

After supper I went back to see Avernus and requested all of his notes—every scrap of paper he had, every scribble. Then I retired to one of the many rooms with a fireplace, lit it, and started to dig in. I still had a lot of questions and I knew there were answers to be found somewhere within this mess. And to be perfectly honest, I welcomed the distraction. Although it had been a rather eventful day, I couldn't shake the ever-present thoughts of what and whom I'd lost. Of all I'd left behind. I sat down at the desk and laid all the papers and journals out, readied my quill, and donned my reading glasses—yes, those are a thing. I hadn't had much reason to pull them out before now.

I soon became engrossed by the visceral, gory descriptions of the experiments and what Avernus hoped to gain. So much pain. So much suffering. I once read that one should consider not what one was about to kill, but rather what one was allowing to let live. Had I made the wrong decision? Should I have punished this past evil rather than hold out hope for eventual good?

Then a knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Come in." I called.

"Hard at work, I see." Alistair smirked. "Are you… wearing spectacles?"

Crap. I'd forgotten I had them on. "…Guilty." I reached up to quickly remove them.

"No, I… I like them." Alistair admitted shyly as he placed them back on my face. I gave him a slight smile.

"Something on your mind?" I asked.

"Well, I was hoping we could talk. I um… I've noticed you've been rather… distant these last few days. Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine. My mind has just been… preoccupied lately." I gave him my best smile, but I could tell he wasn't buying it.

"With what?" he asked gently as he sat on my desk and took my hands in his.

"It's not important. Really." I tried for the smile again but I could feel it fading around the edges. C'mon, Scarlett. That wasn't going to convince anyone.

"Ever the strong one." He got off the desk and knelt before me and looked up into my eyes, his hands never leaving mine. "Scarlett, I'm here for you. You don't need to be strong for me." I just looked down into my lap, unable to meet his eyes. He placed two fingers under my chin and forced me to look at him. "Even saviors need rescuing, remember?"

After a rather lengthy pause, I mustered up the courage to say something.

"I just… we're so close to home, Alistair. It's all around me. Every sight, every smell, every sound. All of it is just screaming my name and reminding me of what I left behind when Duncan took me away. Everywhere I turn I see their haunted faces. I hear their terrified cries. I—"

And then I lost it. The floodgates of emotion opened and I began to weep. Tears streamed down my face and my shoulders shook and I cried so hard I could barely breathe. He pulled me out of my chair and held me tight in his arms.

"I just miss them so much." I managed to get out between sobs. He stroked my hair and rocked me gently as we sat on the floor in front of the fire.

"I know, Scarlett. I know. It's okay."

I hugged him so tightly, as if he were my only lifeline in a sea of despair. I buried my face between his shoulder and his neck and just slowly breathed in the musky scent of him over and over again. And although he didn't smell anything like Highever, he still smelled like… home. Somehow, that made all the difference.