Renna was still screaming as she felt the ground beneath her feet once more. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she let out all of the anguish she was experiencing. She looked around, seeing her world as she had left it. She glared at Alexius, tightening her grip on her daggers before she cut off the sound she was making.

"You'll have to do better than that!" Dorian joked. Renna could hear a slight tremble in his voice, however, and knew that he was just as affected as she had been. The magister dropped to his knees in defeat.

"I should kill you for what you were trying to do. If you knew what would happen because of your actions you would do it for me. Everyone dies because of you, even your precious son!" she roared. She tried to lunge for him, but was stopped by a pair of strong arms wrapping around her torso. "Let me go!" she screamed, fighting against her captor.

"Renna, please, calm down." Dorian urged.

"You saw what happened to them, Dorian!" she cried, continuing to struggle.

"I know, Renna. But we've stopped it. We need to judge him fairly. Give him a trial." Dorian murmured. She knew what he was saying was true, but she wanted Alexius dead for what he had done. She saw the broken man kneeling on the floor before her and then she went limp. Dorian released her, warily stepping back.

"Felix." Alexius pleaded. The young man knelt down.

"It's going to be all right, father." he said sagely. The man was wiser than his parent.

"You'll die." the magister whimpered. Renna remembered that she had pitied him earlier on, and she felt the feeling once more.

"Everyone dies." Felix reminded him. Alexius began to weep, and Renna realized that she hadn't stopped. Her voice was raw and her throat burned from screaming, and her face was damp. Alexius stood and allowed himself to be taken by the Inquisition soldiers.

"Well, I'm glad that's over with." Dorian quipped. Renna wiped her eyes as a large group of soldiers marched through the doors. She furrowed her brow, wondering what was going on. "Or not." Dorian added. Her eyes widened as she saw the man who walked through the door. He was tall, with broad, strong shoulders and a bearing that suggested years of training. His dark blonde hair was sticking up out of his head from beneath a heavy crown, and he had a light layer of stubble on his chin and jaw. He had warm, honey-brown eyes that looked tired and had a few faint wrinkles at the corners. It was a familiar face.

"Grand Enchanter, imagine how surprised I was to learn you'd given Redcliffe castle away to a Tevinter magister!" King Alistair of Ferelden said jovially, though the tone was oozing with sarcasm. The elven mage bowed her head in shame.

"King Alistair!" she exclaimed. The king arched an eyebrow at her.

"Especially since I'm pretty sure the castle belongs to Arl Teagan." he added. Fiona shook her head sadly.

"Your majesty, we never intended-" she pleaded. Renna studied the look on her face with curiosity. Fiona looked devastated as though losing Alistair's favor was incredibly personal. His face softened.

"I know what you intended. I wanted to help you, but you've made it impossible." he told her. His mouth tightened. "You and your followers are no longer welcome in Ferelden." Renna could see that the decision pained him, but she also knew that it was the best for his country. Fiona was unable to see this.

"But...we have hundreds who need protection! Where will we go?" she asked in shock. Renna stepped forward. This was the moment she had been waiting for. She hoped her advisors would be happy with her decisions since they weren't there to aid her.

"The Inquisition will serve as protectors for you if you agree to join us." she said. The king looked at her as if seeing her for the first time.

"And what are the terms of this arrangement?" Fiona asked, all business.

"Hopefully better than what Alexius gave you. The Inquisition is better than that, yes?" Dorian scoffed.

"I've known a lot of mages." Varric piped up. "They can be loyal friends if you let them. Friends who make bad decisions, but still, loyal." Renna nodded, considering her friends' suggestions. Alistair was nodding in agreement.

"It seems we have little choice but to accept what you offer." Fiona said wearily. Renna bit her cheek. What she decided would change everything.

"We would be honored to have you fight as allies at the Inquisition's side." she declared. She heard many people gasp in shock at her choice.

"A generous offer, but will the rest of the Inquisition honor it?" the mage asked in wonder.

"The Breach threatens all of Thedas. We cannot afford to be divided now." she said simply. Alistair nodded.

"I'd take that offer if I were you, Fiona. One way or another, you are leaving my kingdom. I cannot have you all here endangering my people, my family." he reminded her. Fiona looked shaken by the situation.

"We accept. It would be madness not to." she decided. "We will see you in Haven." she added before leaving Renna and her companions alone with the king. He looked at her for a very long time.

"You seem to be making waves wherever you go, Herald. I shall enjoy seeing what comes from all this." he finally said. Her eyes widened.

"Thank you, your majesty." she said, wondering if she should bow. She decided to drop into an awkward curtsy, which caused him to laugh.

"Maker, you remind me of my sister." he said fondly. She smiled, brushing her hair behind her ear. "I will do what I can to help you as soon as I can. I would rather wait until my wife turns up before I join you, but we shall see, I suppose. Oh, and thank you for taking them. I don't wish to endanger so many innocent people, but unfortunately Fiona gave me no choice." he admitted. She nodded.

"Your help would be appreciated. We will stay in touch." she replied. The king bowed his head with a polite smile.

"Good. I wish you well." he said before turning on his heel and striding from the hall. Renna watched him leave. A little over ten years ago, when she was still a teenager and the Blight had just ended, she had had a huge crush on King Alistair. She blushed as he left. She still found him incredibly attractive.

"Hey, Freckles, if you're done ogling that married man over there, we should probably get back and let the others know what you decided." Varric said, elbowing her in the side. She grunted and then felt a spike of fear. Her advisors were not going to be happy about her choice.