Three days had passed and Tori stirred, looking around as a door opened. A crash sounded as she sat up and she looked towards the noise, finding a young elven servant.

"Oh, I didn't know you were awake, I swear!" The servant said.

"It's alright, don't worry about it." Tori said, looking at the servant. "I only-"

The servant fell to her hands and knees. "I beg your forgiveness and your blessing. I am but a humble servant. You're back in Haven, my lady. They say you saved us. The Breach stopped growing, just like the mark on you hand."

Tori looked down at her hand, seeing the mark appearing now as nothing more than a glowing green scar along the length of her palm.

"It's all anyone's talked about for the last three days." The servant said, looking at Tori.

"Then we're safe." Tori replied, looking at the servant. "The danger is over."

"The Breach is still in the sky, but that's what people say." The servant stood and started backing away, towards the door. "I'm certain Lady Cassandra would want to know you've wakened. She said, 'At once.'."

Tori swung her legs out of bed and looked at the servant. "And where is she?"

"In the Chantry, with the Lord Chancellor." The servant said, then opened the door. "'At once,' she said." She added then hurried through the door, letting it close behind her.

Tori sighed and stood slowly, looking around the cabin. It was the one she had woken up in the first time, just after the Conclave had been destroyed. She noticed a change of clothes for her, so she changed into them quickly. They were warm, winter clothes made of soft tan leather and dark grey furs. They fit her perfectly.

"I guess I should find Cassandra now."

Tori walked through the streets of Haven hearing the people speak of how brave she was for saving them, calling her the "Herald of Andraste". She made her way to the Chantry and walked through the front doors, down the hall, and into the chamber where she had met Josephine and was reunited with Leliana.

"Chain her!" Roderick ordered. "I want her prepared for transport to the capital to face trial."

Cassandra stood upright and looked at the guards. "Disregard that and leave us."

The guards- Templar knights from the look of it- saluted her and left, closing the door behind them.

"You walk a dangerous line, Seeker." Roderick said, glaring at Cassandra.

"The Breach is stable, but it is still a threat." Cassandra replied, advancing towards him. "I will not ignore it."

Tori stepped forward. "So I'm still a suspect, even after what we just did and the fact that I possess no magik?"

Roderick glared at her next. "You absolutely are." He sneered.

"No, she isn't." Cassandra said. She looked at Tori. "I believe you, Tori. I do not think you capable of committing such a heinous crime." She looked back at the Chancellor as Leliana stepped forward.

"Someone was responsible for the explosion at the Conclave. Someone the Most Holy did not expect." She said, her eyes narrowing at the Chancellor. "Perhaps they died with the others, or they have allies that yet live."

Roderick looked at her incredulously. "I am a suspect?!"

"You and many others." Leliana said.

"But not the prisoner?" Roderick asked, glaring at Tori.

"I heard the voices in the temple. The Divine called to her for help. She also invited her personally. I knew Divine Justinia well enough to know that she would not so casually invite someone to a matter of such importance. Most Holy trusted her well."

"So her survival, that thing on her hand, all a coincidence?" the Chancellor retorted.

Cassandra shook her head. "Providence. The Maker sent her to us in our most darkest hour."

Tori looked at her. "Though all before me is shadow, yet shall the Maker be my guide." It was one of her favourite passages from the Chant of Light.

Cassandra looked at Tori. "We lost everything, then out of nowhere you came." She went to a shelf behind her.

Leliana looked at her old friend. "Tori, the Breach remains and your mark is still our only hope of closing it."

"That is not for you to decide." Roderick said, his arms crossed.

Cassandra came back to the table and slammed a book down, looking at the Chancellor. "You know what this is, Chancellor. A writ from the Divine, granting us the authority to act. As of this moment, I declare the Inquisition officially reborn." She advanced on the Chancellor. "We will close the Breach, we will find those responsible, and we will restore order with or without your approval."

Chancellor Roderick remained silent and left the room, humiliated. Cassandra sighed and rubbed her neck as Leliana touched the book.

"This is the Divine's Directive: rebuild the Inquisition of old, find those that will stand against the chaos." She looked at Tori. "We are not ready. We have no leader. We have no numbers, and now, no Chantry support."

Cassandra looked at her. "But we have no choice. We must act now," She turned to look at Tori. "With you by our side."

"If you are truly trying to restore order..." Tori said, looking between the Hands of the Divine.

"That is the plan." Leliana said.

Cassandra approached her. "Help us fix this," She outstretched her hand. "Before it's too late."

Tori looked at her and nodded, grasping Cassandra's hand. "Of course I will. I'll do whatever I can to help."

A week had passed since the Inquisition became official instead of an idea, a week had passed since the first rift was closed and the Breach sealed, a week had passed since Tori had been named the "Herald of Andraste".

Tori wandered about the village, checking everything before she met with Cassandra. She went from merchant to merchant, checking their wares, then moved on to check on the apothecary, offering Adan tips on what herbs to use for what. Finishing her rounds, Tori made her way to the Chantry where she found Cassandra waiting outside for her.

"Are you ready for the meeting?" Cassandra asked.

Tori nodded. "Led the way."

They entered the Chantry and walked through the halls, but Cassandra noticed that Tori was looking down at her gloved hand.

"Does it trouble you?" She asked.

Tori stopped for a moment. "I wish I could get rid of it..."

"We have need of it yet." Cassandra said.

Tori sighed. "As you said. I didn't ask for this..."

Cassandra put a hand on her shoulder. "I know, Tori. We will find a way to remove it once this is all done. What's important is that your mark is now stable, as is the Breach. You have given us time and Solas believes that a second attempt might succeed, provided the mark has more power- the same level of power used to open the Breach in the first place. And that is not easy to come by."

Tori looked at her as she pulled her braid over her shoulder. "Cassandra, that sounds dangerous. We don't know what harm could come from giving that much power to something we barely understand."

"I understand you are worried, as we all are." Cassandra said. "We will find a way, I promise."

Tori nodded. "Let's get to the meeting then to discuss our options."

Cassandra nodded and led the way just as Cullen came around the corner. "Commander."

"Lady Cassandra." He held open the door for her, then saw Tori coming up behind her. "Tori, I uh..." He couldn't find words in that moment as he took in her image.

Tori had braided her long chocolate brown hair as she had many times before, but it draped over her shoulder and Cullen's eyes were drawn to what she was wearing: a tunic with long sleeves tucked under her gloves with matching pants, boots, and a cape that hung just above the floor, the entire ensemble of her outfit varying in shades of blue, grey, and tan. A patch of her skin showed through the fabric, just above her navel- revealing some of the markings Cullen had seen a long time ago when he had bandaged her feet. Her makeup matched the shades of her outfit, the eyeshadow dark blue and grey, black kohl eyeliner lining her eyes and accentuating her naturally dark and luscious eyelashes.

"Cullen? Is there something on my face?" Tori asked.

Cullen took a deep breath and smiled, shaking his head. "No, it's just you look especially beautiful today."

Tori blushed and smiled. "Thank you. You look handsome yourself today. Did you start using a new product for your hair?"

Cullen blushed. "I, um, n-no I-"

Tori giggled and patted his cheek. "I'm teasing, Cullen. Come on, let's join the others."

Cullen watched as Tori entered the war room and he swallowed. 'Maker's breath, what am I going to do?'

When Cullen joined them, Cassandra began the meeting as he took his place on the other side of the table.

"I mentioned, Tori, that your mark needs more power to close the Breach for good." She said, looking at Tori.

"Which means we must approach the rebel mages for help." Leliana said.

Cullen looked at her. "I still disagree. The Templars could serve just as well."

Cassandra sighed. "We need more power, Commander. Enough power poured into that mark-"

"Could destroy us all." Cullen interrupted. "The Templars could suppress it, weaken it so-"

"Pure speculation." Leliana said, interrupting him this time.

Cullen sighed. "I was a Templar, I know what they are capable of."

Tori wanted to say something, anything, to help the situation, but she didn't know what. She looked to Josephine as she spoke next.

"Unfortunately, neither group will even speak to us yet." the ambassador pointed out. "The Chantry has also denounced the Inquisition, you specifically." She added, looking at Tori.

Tori sighed and fiddled with her braid, something she had done when she was anxious, nervous, or upset in any way. "They still think I'm guilty..."

"That is not the entirety of it any longer." Josephine said. "People are calling you the 'Herald of Andraste' and that frightens the Chantry. The clerics had declared it blasphemy and us heretics for harbouring you."

"But I didn't give myself that title. The people of Haven chose to name me that." Tori said, her hands falling to her sides.

"Chancellor Roderick's doing, no doubt." Cassandra said.

"It limits our options. Approaching the mages or the Templars for help is currently out of the question." Josephine added.

"But just how am I the 'Herald of Andraste'? I'm not even of this world!" Tori said, worried and confused by it all.

"People saw what you did at the Temple, they saw you close the Breach. They have also heard of the woman seen behind you when you fell out of the rift. They believe that was Andraste." Cassandra explained.

"Even if we tried to stop that rumour from spreading..." Leliana started.

"Which we are not." Cassandra added.

Leliana looked at her, then back at Tori as she continued, "The point is everyone is talking about you."

"That's quite the title, Tori, isn't it?" Cullen said, looking at her. "How do you feel about that?"

Tori looked at him, trying to hide her emotions. "It's a little unsettling, to be honest."

Cullen chuckled. "I'm sure the Chantry would agree."

"Tori, people are desperate for any sign of hope and to some, you are that sign." Leliana said.

"And to others, a symbol of everything that has gone wrong." Josephine added.

Tori sighed. "Wonderful... So if I wasn't with the Inquisition..."

Cullen looked at her. "Well, to be honest, they would have censored us no matter what."

"And you not being here isn't an option." Cassandra said.

"There is something you can do." Leliana said, looking at Tori. "A Chantry cleric by the name of Mother Giselle has asked to speak to you. She's not far and she knows those involved far better than I. Her assistance would prove invaluable."

Tori looked at her. "Why would someone from the Chantry help a declared heretic?"

"I am told that she is of a reasonable sort. Perhaps she does not agree with her sisters." Leliana explained. "She's attending the wounded at the Crossroads, near Redcliffe Village. We passed through there many years ago when we returned to Redcliffe with the Ashes for Arl Eamon, if you recall."

"I do." Tori replied, nodding.

"Look for other opportunities to expand the Inquisition's influence while you're there." Cullen added.

"We need more agents to expand the Inquisition past this valley. Who better to recruit them?" Josephine noted.

"In the meantime, let's look at our other options." Cassandra said. "We shouldn't leave this all to the Herald."

The others nodded and the meeting came to an end as each attendee went about trying to find other options. Tori and Cullen were the last out of the war room, but Cullen stopped Tori before she could leave.

"Tori, may I speak with you?"

She nodded. "Of course, what is it?"

Cullen looked at her. "Is everything alright?"

Tori looked down at her hand and sighed. "As fine as it can be, considering everything going on."

Cullen took her hand and removed part of her glove, revealing her palm. He looked at the glowing green scar that the mark had become and sighed. "Does it hurt still?"

Tori shook her head. "Not so much since we sealed the Breach."

Cullen looked at her. "Tori..."

She glanced up at him and offered him a small smile. "I'll be fine, Cullen, don't worry. It's still just a lot to take in."

He reached up and touched her cheek. "Are you sure?"

She nodded and leaned into his hand. "I promise."

"You know you can tell me anything, right?"

Again she nodded. "Of course."

Cullen smiled and pressed his forehead to hers. "Just don't hide anything from me, please. I want to be there for you, no matter what."

Tori reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him. "You don't have to worry so much, Cullen, but thank you. It's good to know there's still someone out there I can count on wholeheartedly."

"You can count on all of us." Cullen said, hugging her back. "I hope you know that."

"I know." Tori sighed, breathing in his scent. It was still that musty earthen cinnamon scent that she remembered.

Cullen smiled and held her for a moment longer. "I should return to my duties." He said as he stepped back.

Tori nodded. "Of course. I should get ready to leave for the Hinterlands."

"Of course." Cullen said, then reached into his pocket. "I have something for you, Tori, before you go." He pulled out a small box and put it into her hand. "Here, this was meant to be for your birthday, but it arrived late with everything going on."

Tori opened the small box and found a silver necklace inside, its pendant a beautiful tear drop shaped gem of deep blue with traces of turquoise shimmering in the light set in a filigree frame. "Cullen, it's beautiful..!"

"I'm glad you like it. I know blue is a favourite color of yours, so when I saw this pendant I thought of you instantly." Cullen said. "May I?"

Tori nodded and handed the box back to Cullen, then turned and lifted her hair out of the way as he took the necklace from the box and brought the necklace around her, fastening the clasp. When he was finished, Tori looked down at the pendant, the light making it glitter like the sea as it rested against her chest, right at her chest plate. "I love it, Cullen..." She turned back to him and smiled.

Cullen smiled in return and reached up to touch her cheek. "Promise you'll be careful when you leave?"

Tori nodded, putting her hand over his. "I promise."

"Then safe travels, Herald of Andraste."

Tori shuddered and looked at him. "Let's stick with 'Tori' unless we have special guests."

Cullen chuckled and kissed her forehead. "Of course. Now go before you lose the light."

Tori nodded. "I'll send word when we reach the Crossroads." She gave him one last hug and smiled. "I'll see you again soon."

Cullen watched as Tori left the war room and hurried to her room to gather her things. He left the war room and the Chantry entirely, making his way to the training camp to speak with Rylen about the soldiers' progress. Not long after he joined Rylen, Tori exited the village and headed to the stables with Varric, Solas, and Cassandra at her side. They grabbed their horses and Tori whistled for Amantheon who came quickly. Cullen watched as Tori saddled Amantheon and hopped up onto his back.

Tori made sure that everyone was ready to go, their provisions and such packed, then glanced towards the training camp. She smiled and raised a hand when she saw Cullen. When he raised a hand in return, she turned away and led her party to their path. She touched the pendant lovingly, silently thanking Cullen once more for giving her such a precious gift.

"That is a beautiful gem, Tori." Cassandra said, looking up at her. "You did not have it on before."

Tori blushed a bit and smiled. "Cullen gave it to me. A late birthday present."

She smiled. "It suits you well, Herald. The Commander has good taste."

Tori nodded. "Yes, it would seem so." She looked up at the sky. "It'll take four or five days to reach the Crossroads."

"We should hurry, then, before we lose the light." Solas said. "There is a place we can camp ahead. We should reach it by nightfall."

"You know the way?" Tori asked.

"Indeed. I've camped there myself a few times. If you should like, I can lead the way." Solas offered.

Tori nodded. "Very well, then Solas. Lead on."