For the couple hours, I sat and listened as the guys shared stories about their homelands. Deep down I felt a little left out since I couldn't offer any good stories due to my memory loss but I remained silent regardless. Once their conversation started to change towards the Mage Rebellion, I excused myself to check on Cassandra now that she's had time to calm down after her spat with Dorian. Leaving the other two men, I circle around the observation deck to where Cassandra is leaning against the railing as she looks out into the darkened landscape below us. "I'm sorry." I say as I come to stand beside her and lean on the railing beside her. "I didn't mean to team up against you."

She turns her face toward me and I can just barely make out her solemn expression in the dim moonlight. The rain had lightened enough to be only heard by the soft pitter-patter of the droplets hitting the worn roof. "Don't be. You were right." She says. "Since this whole thing has started, I have been overly cautious and let my cynical view of the world show through."

"It's good to be cautious, Cassandra." I say, softly. "Especially in our current situation."

"I know but it doesn't call for my bitterness toward those trying to help." She sighs.

"No, it doesn't." I admit and she turns to me, her lips curling upward into a grin.

"You really suck at comforting people, you know that?" She says, repeating what I said to her back in Val Royeaux.

I laugh. "Sorry. In all fairness, Dorian has a lot of people going against him. I mean the poor bastard is both a mage and a Tevinter."

"I heard that!" We hear him call from the other side of watchtower.

"I meant no offense!" I call back with a laugh. When he doesn't reply, I turn my attention back to Cassandra. "As I was saying, he has a lot of people going against him. Whether he'll admit it or not, he needs somebody to be on his side and stick up for him every now and then. I truly believe that he wants to help."

She scoffs. "He's a lot like the Inquisition in that respect. Here we are back in Redcliffe to take down a Magister to gain allies while the rest of Thedas would probably rather see us all hang."

I give a hesitant nod. "That's a bit morbid, but yes." I give her a half smile. "If he decides to stick around after all this Alexius business is done, I think he should be welcomed into the Inquisition. He can do some good within our ranks." I smirk. "Plus, he's a snappy dresser."

"We'll see." She frowns. "I can't see Cullen being too keen of that idea."

"Yes well… leave it to me. I think I know how to deal with him."

She shoots me a curious glance but I remain silent, a knowing grin plastered on my face.

The next two days pass with similar routine until we finally reach our camp in the Hinterlands. While everybody is busy with drink or sleep, I stray over to the fenced area near the edge of the cliff and stare down at the Crossroads. Since our visit with Mother Giselle, it had become a bustling village once again, filled soldiers, refugees and merchants alike. As I stare down at the small makeshift village, I jump as I hear the sound of an arrow whizzing through the air and sticking into an overhanging tree branch nearby. Cautiously, I stare down at what looks like one Leliana's agents still poised with their bow up towards me. I give a slight wave and they salute before lowering their bow. Once they walk away, my brow furrows as I look up at the arrow to find a note wrapped tightly around the shaft. Quickly glancing back at my companions who are huddled around the fire enjoying some drinks and happily chattering away, I retrieve the note and glance around once more to ensure that Cassandra isn't lurking nearby before I read it. Meet near Andraste at Dusk. Ripping up the parchment, I walk over to the campfire and throw the pieces in before sitting down on a log next to one of our soldiers to wait.

Once the sun begins to set, I wait as one by one, my companions begin turning in for the night; All accept Cassandra. Anxious to leave without arousing suspicion, I glance nervously at the darkening sky.

"You haven't slept much the past few days." I say, holding my hands out to the fire to warm them from the chill beginning to settle over the landscape. "I'm sure the soldiers can handle guard duty. I need you well rested for tomorrow."

She nods. "I will be heading to bed shortly." She says, looking up from our scouts' reports. "You should get some rest as well. You're the main attraction for tomorrow."

"You make it sound like I'm a character in a play." I chuckle.

"You basically are." She frowns, glancing up from our scouts' reports. "We all are." I raise a brow and she sighs. "The Inquisition has been reinstated for a couple months now yet it still doesn't feel real."

"If this is all just some big dream, it's definitely a bad one." A silence falls over us for a moment before I rise, earning a questioning look from Cassandra.

"Leliana asked me back at Haven to check on something at the Crossroads for her. I'll be back."

"Do you want me to come with?"

I shake my head. "No need." I smile. "I won't be too far." Walking over to the soldier tending to our horses I motion to mine and he stumbles around to get it ready. Once the mounting block is set before me, I thank the soldier and quickly swing up to the saddle and take the reins.

Riding at a steady trot, I follow the winding path leading down past an abandoned cottage while keeping an eye out for any bandits that tend to frequent the Hinterlands. As I enter the village, I pass some of our soldiers who greet me with a salute and muttered blessing. Acknowledging them each with a quick nod, I trot past them as I start making my way toward the giant statue of Andraste near the center of the little village. Most of the refugees I saw earlier from the camp had already turned in for the night but some still lingered about either wandering about or bent before the statue, probably praying for some sign that the Breach will one day end so they can return their homes.

As I approach the statue, the lone torch nearby lights up only the bottom of Andraste's robes while her face remains shadowed by the setting sun behind her. I look around me, worried that I waited too long to arrive when I'm approached by a woman in scout armor. She salutes me and when she drops her arm, I notice the Inquisition insignia on the front of her breastplate.

"Good evening, Herald." she greets, bowing her head.

"Evening." I nod. I notice the upper limb of her bow peeking out from behind her shoulder. This must be the agent who sent the note. "Agent?"

Smiling, she nods. "Leliana sent word that I was to speak with you." She says, carefully choosing her words due to the people around us. "I will retrieve my horse and then we'll head out."

I frown. "Head out?"

She gives me a curt nod and quickly runs off in the opposite direction before I'm able to respond. "Well...shit." I mutter. "Cassandra's going to kill me."

Shortly after, Leliana's agent returns to me riding atop a beautiful golden mount. She pulls back on her reins to stop beside me, earning an objective whinny from her horse. "Ready?" She asks. "He's not very far from here."

Casting a hesitant glance back at the cliff where our camp is located, I nod. "Let's go."

She taps the side of her mount with her heels and they quickly take off on the trail perpendicular to the one I arrived from. With a sigh, I take off behind her.

Although she's pretty quick as she dodges in and out of the trees and over fences and other various obstacles, I'm able to keep a few paces behind until she finally slows a stop by a lake. She points out across the water and I follow to where she's pointing to a cabin similar to mine back in Haven perched about one hundred paces from the shoreline. "Our last reports said he was seen somewhere around this area the past few days. We've been told that the villagers call him Warden Blackwall."

"Does he have a first name or does he just go by Blackwall?" I ask, my eyes catching the light plume of smoke coming from the chimney.

She shrugs and we see the door of the cabin open as three young men dressed in simple garb exit followed by a larger, bearded man dressed like a soldier in his metal armor.

"Looks like you can ask him yourself." She grins at me. Turning her mount, she motions with her chin towards the waterfall nearby. "Come on. The water is shallow enough to cross."

Together we lead our horses through the foot of water which calmly runs down the narrow stream from the waterfall and drains into the lake. As we make it to the other side, we hear the sound of clashing metal but our view is obstructed by a clump of trees. We exchange a glance and quicken our pace to see what is happening. As the cabin comes into view we notice the four men locked in battle with what I can only assume to be bandits that outnumber the men with five against four. I get a few paces away when I see one pop out from beside the cabin and start running at the bearded man's back.

"Behind you!" I yell.

Catching my warning, he quickly swivels around and parries the bandit's strike and kicks him back. As he rises his sword to strike, his previous opponent starts back toward his back. Coming up alongside them, I launch myself off my horse and tackle the bandit to the ground. I block his strikes as he struggles beneath me before I'm able to grip his helmet. As I manage to tear it from his head, he stares up me with a terrified expression before I hit him with it again and again. Blood spurts out of his nose but I keep hitting him until his struggle begins to lessen and he slumps back to the ground. Looking up, one of his comrades notices the bloody helmet in my hand. With a cry, he begins to charge at me. Looking down at the bloodied helmet I smirk to myself and chuck it him. His own helmet stops it from actually causing any damage but, with a loud metallic ting, it stuns him for a moment which gives me time to get in two quick swipes in before running him through with my sword. His corpse drops to its knees and I casually kick it back to release my sword before looking around the area for my next opponent. Two other bandits and one of the farmers lie dead while the others seemed to have fled. I find the other two farmers gawking at me while the bearded man kills the one bandit I knocked to bloody, unconscious pulp with his own helmet before turning to me. "Poor bastards." He mutters under his breath before straightening. He turns to face us. "That was some great fighting." He says to me, sheathing his sword. "What's your name?"

"Lena." I say, wiping my sword off on my sleeve before sheathing it.

He glances at Leliana's agent. "Carina." She replies.

"Good to meet you ladies. I'm glad you were around to assist us but now if you'll excuse us…" He turns away from me and Carina glances at me, motioning to him.

"Are you the man people call Warden Blackwall?" I ask. He pauses and Carina and I get our hands ready on our weapons in case he turns on us.

"Who's asking?"

"Obviously me." I say, growing irritated. "Are you, or aren't you the man they call Warden Blackwall?"

He turns to me, his eyes narrowing. "I am...How do you know my name? Who sent you?"

"Mind if we speak privately?" I ask, glancing at the two men behind him still gawking at me. "It's important."

He sighs heavily as he turns to the men. "Good work, conscripts. It's a shame that only two of you survived, even if this shouldn't have happened." He glances down at the fallen farmer and frowns. "I advise you take him back his family and explain what happened here." He shakes his head. "They could've-" He cuts off as he notices the two been watching him expectantly and clears his throat, straightening. "Well, thieves are made, not born. Take back whatever they stole and return home to your own families. You saved yourselves."

"With our help." I mutter to Carina who smirks beside me.

The men quickly loot the bodies of the bandits and awkwardly carry their fallen friend before they begin stalking away. Blackwall waits until the men are out of earshot before he rounds on us once more. He eyes our armor and narrows his eyes at me. "You're no farmer."

I raise a brow. "Are you sure? Looks can be deceiving. I could be a tomato for all you know."

He scowls at my jest. "I've never seen a farmer fight the way you do. You fight like somebody who has had a taste of war."

"Technically everybody has had a little taste of war since we're currently dealing with this whole damn mage versus templar sh—" I start to say before he cuts me off.

"Who are you? How do you know my name?"

"We're here from the Inquisition." Carina states. "We've come to speak with you about the Grey Wardens."

"What about them?" He says, crossing his arms over his chest. "If you haven't noticed, I'm alone."

"Yeah, we're aware." I say, impatiently. "We want to know if the disappearance of the Wardens has anything to do with the murder of the Divine."

"Last I heard that was the fault of the Inquisition and the one they call the Herald of Andraste herself."

I give a dismissive wave. "Those are just rumors which I have very little interest in. As a warden, do you know whether they're involved?"

"Maker's balls." He sighs. "The Wardens and the Divine? That can't—" As he pauses, I raise a brow. Seeing my expression, he exhales. "No, you're asking so you don't really know." He paces for a moment and as he walks back toward us, I notice the embossed griffin insignia of the Wardens on his chest plate. "First off, I didn't know they disappeared but we do that, right? Thanks to King Alistair and the Hero of Ferelden, there's no blight so our job is done. When that happens, Wardens are the first thing forgotten."

"Yes, that's all very sad but are they capable of such a thing?" I press. "This is very important."

He shakes his head. "No. No warden killed the Divine. Our purpose isn't political."

"I see." I frown. "So where are the other Wardens? Surely there's some that we can hunt down and ask? Preferably one who hasn't been aimlessly wandering the Hinterlands?"

He shoots me a glare. "I haven't seen any wardens for months." He says, flatly. "I travel around, not wandering aimlessly, but recruiting."

I scoff. "And how's that going?"

He shrugs. "Not much interest since the archdemon has been dead for a decade, and no need to conscript because there's no blight coming."

Carina and I exchange a glance. "But those men— You called them conscripts."

He rolls his eyes. "Treaties give Wardens the right to take what and who we need. These idiots," he says, kicking the nearest bandit body for emphasis," forced this fight so I "conscripted" their victims. They had to do what I said, so I told them to stand. Next time they won't need me."

I'm about to make another smart comment about our involvement but Carina shoots me a glance, shaking her head slightly so I shut my mouth.

"Grey Wardens can inspire, make you better than you think you are." He says. "Something to think aspire to."

I sigh. "Well you didn't help our investigation much. I'm no further ahead than I was before." I turn to Carina. "Bring back the horses. Might as well return since this was a dead end."

She nods to me and quickly jogs over to where she tied our horses up and walks them back over, handing me the reins to my mount. I look around me for something to help me back up before I use one of the dead bandits by stepping up on his breastplate and heave myself up into the saddle while Carina uses a nearby log. We turn our horses to leave back the way we came when Blackwall speaks. "Inquisition...agent, did you say?"

Both of us turn, unsure who he's referring to. Seeing his gaze aimed at me I assume he's speaking to me. "Yes?"

"Hold a moment." He says. I wait as he approaches my horse who gives an anxious whinny. He looks up at me, his face solemn. "The Divine is dead, and the sky is torn."

"Are you reciting me a poem?" I ask, raising a brow. "I'm well aware of what's happening."

He ignores me and continues. "Events like these, thinking we're absent is almost as bad as thinking we're involved."

"True." I say, pulling back on my reins slightly. Hopefully he gets to his point soon. My horse is getting restless.

"If you're trying to put things right, maybe you need a Warden."

I raise a brow. "Come again?"

He sighs. "Maybe you need me. I want to join your Inquisition."

Carina and I exchange a glance and she shrugs as if to say, "It's your choice". I pet my horse's neck to try and calm it as I think about this. We're not exactly in the position to turn down allies and having a Grey Warden could look favorable. I look up at him and nod. "Warden Blackwall, go pack up your things. The Inquisition accepts your offer."

For the first time since I've met him, he smiles. "Good to hear. We both need to know what's going on, and perhaps I've been keeping to myself for too long. This warden walks with the Inquisition."

"A very touching sentiment, I'm sure." I nod. He stands there for a moment and I raise a brow. "Well don't just stand there. Go grab your things. We need to get back to camp."

His brows knit together. "I'm going with you now?"

"That's what I said. Hurry up - It's getting late." With a curt nod, he quickly runs back into his cabin and I glance at Carina. "When we return to the Crossroads, I need you to send word to Leliana telling her that we found him and to make preparations for his stay." She nods and Blackwall returns with a pack around him and a shield on his back.

"Should I give him my horse?" Carina asks me.

"That would be preferred." Blackwall says, gruffly.

I shake my head. "No, beggars can't be choosers." Holding onto the reins with one hand, I hold out my other to him. "Hop on back. We need to get going." It takes him a moment but he awkwardly sits behind me, unsure of where to put his hands. With an impatient sigh, I grab his hands and place them around my waist. "We don't have time for shyness. Hold on tight or you'll fall off. Understand?"

"Understood." He says and I motion to Carina. "Let's go."

The sun has already set and there's a slight nip in the night air when we reach the Crossroads. Thanking Carina, I set off back towards camp. "If I may ask a question?" Blackwall says from behind me.

"You just did." I say, smirking as I envision him rolling his eyes. "What's your question?"

"What exactly is your role in the Inquisition?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Your armor." He says. "They don't match yet Carina takes orders from you. Are you another field agent? Her commanding officer?"

I smirk, knowing he can't see it. "Something like that."

"Well?"

From where we are, I see the light of the campfire and the soldiers milling around. They salute me as I pass through and I nod to them.

"I go by many names. To some people I'm just known as Lena, to others I'm Lady Trevelyan but to most I'm the Herald of Andraste."

"So you're Her." He breathes from behind me.

"That would be me." I nod.

"I guess so should address you as Herald."

We stop near the soldier tending to the horses and we climb off before I turn to Blackwall, my expression flat. "Lena is fine." I shrug.

Together we walk to where, much to my dismay, an anxious looking Cassandra remains. Hearing our footsteps, she turns to look at us. "Lena!" She exclaims, relief evident in her voice. She looks me over and is about to say something when her gaze lands on the man standing beside me. "...who's your friend?" She asks, eyeing Blackwall suspiciously.

"My new bedfellow. It's been lonely since you no longer sleep with me." I say with a mock frown. She rolls her eyes and I chuckle, motioning to him. "This is Warden Blackwall. Leliana had me seek him out to question about the Warden's disappearance."

He steps forward and offers his hand. "Blackwall, Gordon Blackwall." She reluctantly shakes his hand.

"Seeker Cassandra Pentaghast." Her gaze shifts to me and her frowns.

"You're covered in blood!"

I look down at my bloodied sleeve, nonchalantly. "Oh yeah, that. Don't worry, it's not mine."

She looks between us. "What happened?!"

Blackwall starts to explain and I stop him. "I believe that conversation can wait until tomorrow, don't you think?"

She shoots a suspicious glance at him once more and I sigh. "Blackwall, there should be a spare tent around here. Get some sleep and we'll brief you in the morning."

"Yes Herald." He says, bowing his head. Wishing us each a good night he stalks off and I turn back to Cassandra who stares at me expectantly.

"Well?" She presses, crossing her arms over her chest.

"When we went to see him, some bandits attacked." I explain quickly. "We're both fine. We had them outnumbered."

She shakes her head, her face contorted with a regretful expression. "I should have went with you."

I place a hand on her shoulder and offer her a smile. "I'm fine, Cassandra. I had plenty of backup. Besides, they were outnumbered. Now, I'm back in camp, unscathed so let's get to bed. We have a long, annoying day tomorrow."

Nodding, she sighs. "You're right. Goodnight Herald." She says as she brushes past me. "Sleep well." As she disappears into her tent, I smile to myself and head off to my own tent.

I'm staring down at the map in the war room when I hear the heavy wooden door open behind me. "Coming to check up on me, mommy?" I say, expecting to get an annoyed groan from Cassandra. As I turn, I see not an annoyed looking Seeker but Cullen. Much to my surprise, he's not even wearing his signature bulky armor but instead simple clothing.

"I'm assuming you were expecting Cassandra?" He smirks, walking over to me. "If that makes her your mother, would that make me your father since I'm your only male advisor?"

My brows rise in surprise. "I hope not because that would mean I'm very sexually attracted to my father right now." As soon as the words leave my mouth, I grimace. "That came out wro—"

Before I can finish, he strides up to me leaning forward, his hand on the table on either side of me. My heart races having him so close to me as his brown eyes meet mine. "So does that mean I get to punish you for disobeying me then?" He says, his face only inches from mine.

"If this is going where I think is, Maker I hope so." I breathe, my gaze sweeping over the scar above his lip. He smirks and I feel my body get pinned against table as he brushes my hair back from my shoulder and moves in, his body pressed up against mine. I feel his warmth and already my mind has placed our lips together but instead he leans in to kiss my neck, slow and gentle. He's making me wait and I can hardly bear it. I want his lips now; I want his kisses. Then he cups my face in his hands and his lips brush mine; Not innocently, like a tease but hot, fiery, passionate and demanding. It's so unlike the fumbling, nervous man I'm so used to that, while I'm enjoying every delicious second of it, I'm a bit caught off guard.

"Is this your way of punishing me?" I say, adrenaline rushing through my veins as I wait to see if he'll take it further. I hardly have a moment to react before he yanks me to him and covered my mouth with his in a hungry kiss. His mouth is so warm, the caress of his lips softer than I could have imagined and I open my mouth with a low moan. He breaks the kiss for only a moment as he sweeps his arm over the map behind me, sending the metal figurines crashing to the ground before I grab the front of doublet and pull him to me once more. He holds me close to him and I feel his hands slide down toward my ass. With a low, impatient groan, he lifts me up and sets me on the table. As he pulls away, his heated gaze watches me as he removes his doublet and the thin linen smock and tosses them off to the side before pulling me to him once more. His lips move to my neck as his fingers carefully fumbles with my belt, muttering curses under his breath.

"Need some help?" I chuckle. He steps back slightly and I quickly remove it and toss it aside seconds before his hands grasp my tunic and undershirt and lift them off. Immediately his strong hands cup my breasts and his breath is hot against my skin as trails slow, agonizing kisses down my chest while his thumbs find my hardened nipples. I let out low moan as my run my fingers through his short blond locks. He looks up at me with a mischievous grin before his mouth finds my nipple. "Yes!" I moan.

"Lena."

I hear my name but it seems disconnected since Cullen is still preoccupied. I look around the war room, half expecting one of our other advisors to walk in but see nobody as I hear my name again. "Lena."

I open one eye to see a concerned Cassandra standing over me and groan. "Andraste's ass." I mutter shutting my eyes, my fantasy now gone. "Even in my dreams I can't get any."

With a sigh, I pull myself upright and rub the sleep that still clung to my eyes.

"Can't get any what?" She asks.

"Eh... ale." I lie, unable to come up with anything better. "This job will drive me to drink. Just you wait and see."

"You also muttered Cullen's name…" She frowns.

"Cullen wouldn't give me any even though I really wanted it." I frown. "Fucking tease." I mutter.

I'm pretty sure she knew I was lying but she quickly drops it as her gaze falls on my sleeve with the now dried blood. "I'm surprised you didn't clean up before going to bed." She grimaces. She rises and walks over to the flap of the tent and holds it open, letting in the morning sunlight in. "I'll see if we have a spare soldier's tunic." She says.

The light is so bright that I have to squint at her. "Are the others up?" I ask but she's already gone. I quickly pull on my boots and exit my tent. Squinting in the morning light, I look around until I catch sight of my other four travel mates sitting with the other soldiers enjoying some food and talking. I walk over to them and frown when I don't see Blackwall. "Has anybody seen a bulky man with a beard and resting sulk face?" I ask, glancing around the camp.

My companions stop their conversations and look at me. "Lena!" Wynne says, quickly rising from her seat to come over to me. "Your face and tunic! What happened?"

I give her a confused look before glancing down at my bloodied tunic. In the dimmed light of the fire last night, I thought I only had blood on my sleeve from when I cleaned off my sword but I apparently had gotten blood all over where my hauberk didn't cover. I shrug. "Bandits attacked some farmers so I helped fight them off." I say, absently. "Did you see him leave one of the tents?"

Before the guys can answer, Wynne ignores my question and looks me over. "Are you hurt?"

I shake my head. "I'm fine. They got their asses handed to them."

Finally, I look over to the path leading out towards the forested area to see Blackwall walking with a few of our soldiers, a large ram slung across his shoulders.

Sidestepping away from Wynne, I start walking towards them. "There you are!"

Seeing me, they stop and my soldiers salute me with a muttered greeting.

"Good morning, Herald." Blackwall greets, bowing his head.

"Let our soldiers take care of that." I say, motioning to his prize. "I need you to meet our other traveling companions."

With a muttered apology, he hands the ram off to two soldiers and follows me to our little group. I call for their attention as he stands beside me. One at a time, they turn to look at us, their reactions varying from curiosity, indifference and suspicion. Going around the circle, point everybody out and introduce them before motioning to the man beside me. "Everybody, I would like to introduce you to our newest recruit, Gordon Blackwall."

He gives a curt nod. "Most just call me Warden Blackwall or just Blackwall."

"Warden?" Wynne asks, raising a brow.

He nods. "That's right, Miss. I am a Grey Warden."

"Well I'll be damned." Varric grins. "I never expected a Grey Warden of all people to join our ranks. I thought the Wardens never get involved with politics?"

"They don't."

Dorian snorts. "And yet you joined the Inquisition who deals with politics on a daily basis? It's usually of a religious nature, but still."

I catch Blackwall's disdainful expression towards Dorian but remain quiet, watching him.

"I didn't join for the politics." Blackwall sneers. "I just want to help with the Breach."

"So I'm guessing you'll be staying behind whenever she rides out to deals with political matters?" Dorian smirks.

Blackwall prepares to retort but I hold my hand up. "That's enough you two." I say, looking between them. My gaze pauses on Blackwall. "Come with me, we need to talk for a moment."

As we leave the group, I lead him over to the area overlooking the bustling village of the Crossroads before I turn to him. "Okay, let's get something straight here, shall we? Do you have a problem with Tevinter mages?"

"No more than the average person, I guess."

I sigh. "Well this is where things get complicated."

He casts a glance back at Dorian. "Are you and him…?"

"I wish." I snort, my expression becoming serious once more. "I need to be sure you can get along with him. Otherwise you might have picked the wrong person to join. I trust Dorian and I need you to get along with one another. I can't have my team divided."

Sighing, he nods. "You're right. I will try my best to work with him."

"Good. Last night I told you I would brief you in the morning."

"Okay." He nods.

"The reason we are in the Hinterlands is because we are going to meet up with a Magister to speak of allying with the mages under his command." I watch his expression which hardens but he remains quiet. "If you have any problem accompanying us on this mission, speak up now. If you aren't okay with dealing with that, you're more than welcome to meet us back in Haven."

He shakes his head. "No. I said I wanted to join and I won't back down from an opportunity to show that I can be of help and that I can get along with the rest of your team."

I smile. "That's what I like to hear." I glance over at the others. "Well, might as well go get to know them. After we're finished, it's at least four days back to Haven." I glance at him. "If you've been traveling alone for a while, it's going to be a long four days for you."

With insistence from Wynne and Cassandra, I change my tunic to a spare Cassandra found in the new soldier uniforms and clean off any blood from the night before. Once I walk back out of my tent in full armor and armed with my bow and sword, Cassandra looks at me and sighs.

"What?" I ask, looking down seeing the blood splatters on my hauberk. "Okay, that I can't help. I need my armor and don't have time to deep clean it."

"I know." She sighs. We walk together back to our company who had assembled while I was getting ready.

"You know, of all people, I never thought you'd be one to be a stickler for cleanliness." I chuckle.

"I'm not." She says, shooting me a grin. "I just don't want Alexius to see the blood, become alarmed and attack you before Leliana's agents can infiltrate the castle."

We approach where our horses are to find one is already being used by Blackwall. "What the hell?" I fume.

"Since we're heading directly to the castle, I think it'd be better for you to ride inside the carriage. It'll keep you safe in case of an early ambush and will show importance."

"Let me guess, Cullen's idea?"

She nods and I let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine, but if and when we head back to Haven, I'm riding my horse. Understand?"

"Of course." She grins. "Now hurry up. The quicker we get there, the -"

"Quicker we can leave." I mutter walking towards the carriage. "Yeah, yeah. I'm going."

I enter the carriage and quickly take a seat across from Dorian, next to Solas. Once I'm secured in the carriage, I hear Cassandra yell to the soldiers to move out and we begin our way to Redcliffe Castle.

Within the hour, we feel the carriage begin to slow to a stop. Peering out the window, I see the towering walls of the castle up ahead and feel my stomach knot up. While the sun was shining brightly, the cold stone walls contrasted with the happy blue skies behind it. Shortly after, the carriage begins to move once more and we pass through the gate as Tevinter guards leered at us from either side.

"Ah the distrustful glares!" Dorian says cheerfully. "Reminds me of home."

Despite the uneasiness I feel, I chuckle. When the carriage stops once more, I watch Cassandra quickly dismount from her horse and come over to open the carriage door. "Are you ready?" She says, the disdain evident in her voice. She wanted to be here about as much as I do. With a sigh, I nod.

"Let's get this over with." I frown. As I exit the carriage, I stand and wait for my companions to join me and notice that half our retinue is nowhere to be seen meaning Leliana's agents have already begun to move into position. Once my team has assembled behind me, I nod to Cassandra and we make our way inside.

I didn't know it was possible but the inside of the castle screams "impending doom" a lot louder than the outside did. The entry hall is dark save a few candelabras attached to the stone and wood pillars lining the dark green carpet leading up the stairs before us. Awaiting us stand two guards wearing similar armor to Alexius – only with a white hood and a metal mask with protruding "U" branching off the forehead like a giant beetle. Their hands clasped behind their backs, they turn to look at us as we stand before them.

"Well?" I ask, looking between them. "What are you waiting for? Announce us."

Neither of them say anything and I feel myself growing more annoyed with each passing second until a young man dressed in simple attire and neatly combed blonde hair quickly walks down the stairs toward us. His gaze sweeps over my group. "The invitation was for Mistress Trevelyan only." He says. "The rest of you must wait here."

As he says this, Cassandra and I exchange a glance. "Yeah, about that." I say, turning back to him. "I don't know what you've heard but Alexius and I have some serious tension, if you get what I mean. These are my chaperons to make sure nothing happens." I smirk, giving him a knowing wink.

Varric stifles a chuckle behind me but the man remains stone faced.

I sigh. "First off, that was clearly a joke. Secondly, that was my clever way of saying that wherever I go, they go. Understand?"

He looks at my party before finally giving a nod. "Follow me."

Turning on his heel, he starts back up the stairs and we fall in line behind him. As we do so, the guards behind us nod to each other and trail behind us.

"I don't like this, Lena." Varric mutters. I nod and look around and see no sign of Dorian. "Where's Dorian?" I whisper.

"He disappeared shortly after we arrived." Solas says, his hands clasped behind him. "I imagine he wanted to stay hidden until the right moment."

I nod as I feel the guards' gazes on me and quickly shut my mouth. The man leads us to another guarded chamber and waits as the guards on either side open it before we enter. This room is lit a little more than the previous one but not by much. Sitting on a large throne atop a platform, Alexius is situated between two large growling mabari statues in front of a fire, casting a shadow over his seated form. Standing beside him on the platform, we see his son Felix and at the bottom of the platform on the other side stands a solemn looking First Enchanter Fiona.

As my party and I step into the light, the man who escorted us stands off to the side and announces us. "My Lord Magister." He greets. "The agents of the Inquisition have arrived."

From the shadows ahead of us, we hear the sound of Alexius' chainmail hitting his wooden throne as he rises. "My friend!" He greets, walking down the platform towards us. "It's so good to see you again!"

Cassandra glares at him from beside me, earning her a smile from our host. "And your associates, of course." His attention shifts back to me as he stops at the top of the second platform. "I'm sure we can work out some arrangement that is equitable to all parties."

Fiona turns to face her master, her angry expression illuminated by the fire behind Alexius. "Are we mages to have no voice in deciding our fate?"

"Fiona, you would not have turned your followers over to my care if you did not trust me with their lives." Alexius says.

"I doubt it was voluntary." Varric mutters.

"Exactly!" I smirk. "I mean, if having your hand forced and being enslaved isn't trust, I don't know what is."

"I forced nobody's hand." Alexius says with eerie calm. "I simply offered help to those in need."

I nod. "Of course. You just have one of those trusting faces. Who wouldn't sign away their freedom to you?"

Alexius smirks. "Yes. The Magisterium tells me that so often. Shall we begin our talks?"

I nod and he turns away from me and sits back down on his throne, crossing his leg over the other and leaning back with his hands steepled before him. "The Inquisition needs mages to close the Breach and I have them." He says. "What shall you offer in exchange?"

He watches me as I pretend to think to buy us some time. "Hm, well actually I was hoping we could get to know one another."

"Oh?"

I stare him down. "Like for example, I want to know more about this Venatori I keep hearing so much about."

He glowers at me. "Now, where could you have heard that name?"

Before I can open my mouth to make up some wisecrack about talking to a magical mabari hound, Felix steps forward. "I told her."

He turns, frowning at his son. "Felix...what have you done?"

"What have you done, Alexius?" I ask. "Your son was only doing what any good son would do and save you from your shitty mistakes." My lips curl up into a smirk. "On the other hand, we meant to disarm your trap before we came in. I hope you don't mind."

Alexius shrugs but I can tell he is furious. "I have yet to see your cleverness, I'm afraid." He quickly rises from his seat and strides toward me. "You walk into my stronghold with your stolen mark - a gift you don't even understand and think you're in control." He looks down his nose at me. "You're nothing but a mistake."

"I'm sure your parents thought the same thing." I shoot back, earning scowl. I take a step forward. "If you know so bloody much, enlighten me. Tell me what this mark on my hand is actually for."

"It belongs to your betters. You wouldn't even begin to understand its purpose."

"Father, listen to yourself!" Felix frowns. "You know what you sound like."

"He sounds just like the villainous cliché everyone expects us to be." We all turn to see Dorian walk in from who know where and comes to stand beside me. "Sorry, for disappearing." He whispers to me. "I like to make an entrance."

I chuckle. "You're here now so that's all that matters."

We turn our attention back to Alexius who glowers down at Dorian. "Dorian." He hisses. "I gave you a chance to be a part of this and you turned me down."

"Yeah, because he actually has a brain." I sneer.

He ignores me, his gaze never leaving his former protégé. "The Elder One has power that you would not believe. He will raise the Imperium from its own ashes."

My brow furrows and I glance at Dorian who shrugs. "Why do that when you and play with time? Can you imagine how many boring conversations you could fast forward through?" I quip, turning to Dorian. "That could definitely come in handy during meetings." I glance at the others and see the annoyed glances I'm getting from Cassandra, Solas and Wynne and quickly turn my attention back to Alexius.

"He will make the world bow to mages once more." He straightens and an evil grin spreads across his face. "Think about it Dorian. We will rule from the Boric Ocean to the Frozen Seas."

"You can't involve my people in this!" Fiona exclaims.

I start to step forward but Dorian holds out a hand to stop me, shaking his head before he takes a step forward. "Alexius, this is exactly what you and I talked about never wanting to happen!"

As he speaks, I hear something the soft whizzing of an arrow flying past and step forward slightly in case it's not our agents. Alexius turns away from us and looks down at the fires behind his throne. "Why would you want this?" Dorian asks. Another arrow whizzes through the air and, with Alexius turned away, I take a chance to turn to see Alexius' guards standing by the pillars being taken out quietly, one by one. I turn back forward and try to suppress the grin starting to form. Our plan is working!

"Stop it, Father!" Felix adds. "Give up the Venatori. Let the Southern mages fight the Breach and let's go home." His father turns to face him, his face drawn with determination. He shakes his head violently.

"No! It's the only way, Felix! He can save you."

"Save me?" Felix sneers. "Stop this nonsense."

Alexius shakes his head stubbornly. "There is a way. The Elder One promised if I undo the mistake at the temple." He shoots me a glare.

"I'm going to die." Felix says, bluntly. I watch as Alexius' face contorts with pain as though somebody shot him with an arrow. Felix's expression softens. "You need to accept that."

A long moment passes before finally Alexius shakes his head. Pushing Felix aside, Alexius points down at me. "Seize them, Venatori!" He calls. "The Elder One demands this woman's life!"

As he says this, we pained cries sound through the hall as the rest of his guards collapse onto the flagstones and our Inquisition soldiers emerge from the shadows, their blades poised for a fight.

I step forward and motion to the now dead guards around us. "Your men are dead, Alexius. I suggest you give up now."

Seething, he stares daggers down at me. "You...are a mistake!" He hisses, his hand raises and a plume of dark green smoke erupts and a necklace with a box-like pendant materializes and floats above his gloved palm.

"Um...Dorian?" I say, glancing at him but he has already sprang into action.

"No!" He yells. With a swipe of his staff, he shoots a golden beam of energy at the strange pendant. Alexius gets blasted back and the pendant bursts open and a large green whirlpool of energy appears, it's light blinding everybody as we all shield our eyes. For a moment, I hear yelling and the sound of a strong wind blowing around the large hall and then suddenly, everything goes dark and the room falls silent.