Sorry it's been so long since I posted, but working at a summer camp in the middle of summer means my life is crazy. I wanted to add more to this chapter, but I figured I would just add it to the next chapter so I can post something and ease any worries anyone might have that I abandoned this story. Also I found beta that is starting with my previous chapters and is slowly making her way to the current ones. In short no beta for this one so there will be mistakes :D

Aiden halted, a cool blade pressed expertly to his throat. His assailant disarmed him before he could even think about reaching for the dagger on his hip. Aiden looked about the deserted passage. No one was around to help and there was no escape.

"Give me one reason I shouldn't slit your throat, you selfish bastard." A female voice hissed behind him as the tip of another blade settled over one of his kidneys.

"Well…" Aiden tried to assess the situation. The way the knife at his throat was angled meant the woman at least three inches shorter than him. Maybe if he move quickly enough, he could dislodge himself from her grasp. "I'm sure there are many, but at the present moment none come to mind. It's hard to think with a blade at my throat."

"Guess you're making this easier on me."

Aiden twisted, throwing his elbow back, hitting his assailant and stunning her. He managed to grasp one wrist, however, wasn't quick enough to stop her from slicing her other weapon across his torso. "Fuck." He stumbled back until he fell to his knees, leaving himself open for an attack.

"Riley no!" Leliana stepped out of the shadows, stopping her friend before she charged Aiden. "Stop!"

The woman in question tried to dodge the Spymaster's grasp. It was no use. Leliana disarmed her and had her flat on her back in a blink of an eye.

Aiden pressed his hand to his gushing wound in hopes to slow the bleeding. "Riley?" He swayed, struggling to remain upright. "Alistair's Riley?"

"Don't you dare say his name!" The Warden would have rushed if Leliana hadn't knocked her back down. "You blighted son of a bitch! You're the reason he's dead."

"Riley, stop." Leliana tried to reason. "You don't know the whole story."

"I know that he's here and Alistair is not." Riley retorted, sneering at the injured man. "That's enough for me."

"I didn't… Didn't…" Aiden gritted through the pain. "Andraste's tits, I need a healer or I'm going to bleed out."

Hearing the air crackle around them, Leliana tucked the blades into her robe. If they didn't get the Inquisitor to a healer soon they ran the risk of his turmoil leaving him unable to control the mark. "You try anything, Riley, and I'll throw you in the stocks."

Riley snarled, "Let the pig die."

"Listen to me." Aiden braced a bloody hand against the wall. "Get me to Dorian so he can heal me and I can explain everything. If you still want to kill me, we'll have a formal duel.

Riley grunted in response.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Stop squirming."

Aiden cursed and resisted the urge to shove Dorian away. "Will you hurry."

"No, please." From across the room, Riley watched the mage use his magic to heal the inquisitor. She folded her arms over her armored chest. "Take your time. I'm enjoying his moaning and groaning."

Dorian glanced at Leliana, "Charming woman."

The Spymaster gave the mage a tight lipped smile. "She'll fit right in, won't she?"

Wound sealed Aiden collapsed against the chair. At least this time there wasn't a scar. Meaning this whole ordeal could be kept secreted from a certain Seeker. "I need a shirt."

"First, drink this." Dorian handed the archer a stamina drought. "If you're trying to keep your wife in the dark than you need some color back in your face."

Riley opened her mouth ready to demand answers that died on her tongue the moment the Inquisitor yanked his ruined shirt over his head.

So many scars.

She adverted her gaze before he caught her starring. The last thing Riley wanted him to see was the sympathy she found herself harboring for the man. She knew how a man came about such mangled flesh.

"Now." Dorian took the empty vial from Aiden. "So we think we can talk like civilized people? Or do I need to cast a barrier to keep you two apart."

"She's the one who came at me like a banshee," Aiden argued.

Leliana looked to the Warden. She couldn't help but notice how thin and worn down the woman looked. It bothered her greatly. Obviously, her travels hadn't been kind. Or rose, the taint was starting to corrupt her. "Hand over any other weapons, Riley."

The Warden scoffed, "You took them off me, remember."

Leliana arched a brow and held out a hand.

Riley held her friend's gaze a moment before reaching to the small of her back and pulled out a knife.

Leliana glanced down.

"Damn you've got a good memory." Pushing her cloak out of the way, Riley relieved herself of both her boot knife and the one strapped to her thigh. "Happy now?"

"I'd be more at ease if you sit instead of standing there like you're about to pounce." Aiden stated, tugging the shirt over his head as he heard familiar footsteps on the stairs. There wasn't enough time to hide the bloody shirt or potion vials. "Cassandra."

The Seeker talked across their bed chambers. "How bad?"

"How'd you find out?" Aiden wondered.

"That doesn't matter. What does matter is you tried to keep me in the dark." Cassandra shot back, "Where were the guards, Leliana?"

Aiden answered before the Spymaster had to endure the Seeker's wrath. "I gave them the slip. I told them I was retiring for the night. And before you bite my head off, I was going to bed after a moment or two of clearing my head."

Riley smiled, "Please let her."

Cassandra's head jerked to the side. "Who are you?"

"I'm in the one who nearly sliced the Inquisitor in two. You must be the selfish bastard's wife." Riley stated smiling at the furry mounting on the Seeker's face. "A pleasure, I'm sure."

"Riley," Cassandra echoed. A quick glance at her husband's face answered the question slipping past her guard. "Alistair's Riley?"

"Yes." Emotions flooded the Warden's voice as she worked her jaw as if fighting tears. "I'll ask you not to say his name. None of you deserve too. Your Inquisition let him die."

"They didn't. I did." Aiden corrected, pushing to his feet to turn away. Looking at her heart broken face was too much to handle. "He came to Adamant in hopes to reach the Warden under control of one of Corypheus' agents."

Riley's arms dropped to her side, her should relaxing from her battle stance. "So the rumors were true? The blood magic? The Warden's trying to summon a nightmare from the fade."

Aiden nodded. "He helped us figure it all out while the Inquisition provided him shelter from those that hunted him. When we found him, he'd been hiding in a cave in Crestwood for half a year." Having no other choice, Aiden turned around. "Another reason he came to the siege was because he feared you'd be there."

"He tried to find you. We all did," Leliana informed. "None of our contacts could reach you."

A frown appeared on Riley's tired face. "I had to remain untraceable, in case the rumors of Corypheus were true." She met Aiden's glowing gaze. "Please tell me what happened. I need to know."

Aiden told her every moment of Adamant. Of the Fade and all they experienced. Talking about things that haunted his dreams almost every night all these months later. "We argued. We all did." It pained him greatly to tell her the rest. "I didn't want to leave him, I truly didn't. He was a great man and he didn't give me much of a choice."

A tear slipped down Riley's cheek as she leaned against the wall to stay on her feet. "He was always such a noble bastard." She felt Leliana's knowing gaze settle on her. "I though him being dead was bad enough. Now, knowing he's trapped in the fade experiencing Maker knows what is far worse."

"He-Alistair." Aiden let the man's name hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "He's fighting to get free."

"How do you know?"

He fisted his marked hand. "I hear him." He softly confessed taking all but Cassandra by surprise. "Sometimes the magic takes control and the veil becomes weak enough for me to hear those in the fade. Mostly creatures or demons trying to convince me to open a rift to let them free. He's there, helping me fight."

"I-I think I need to be alone." Riley whispered, "Is there somewhere I can lay my pack down."

"Of course." Leliana hesitated for a moment. "You need to know that Morrigan is here… With Kieran."

"Oh." Was the Warden's reply.

"Come. I'll show you to your chambers." Dorian offered to escort the shell shocked woman.

Cassandra waited until the pair disappeared down the stars before asking, "Did the two part on bad terms?"

Since she opened the door, Leliana took her time explaining the situation the two Wardens found themselves in the night before the final battle with the Archdemon. The choice they made to ensure their survival. The sacrifice they made to have a life together and still end the blight.

Cassandra's gaze shifted to her husband, listening to the Spymaster talk. She was trying to imagine herself in Riley's situation. Would she have let Aiden sleep with another woman, creating such a child, to make sure he survived? The thought of children was still to tender to think about. But, if Cassandra could find a way to save Aiden, she would do it in a heartbeat.

"Wow." Aiden rested his arms on his knees, leaning forward, letting everything sink in. "I'm surprised she even wanted to stay."

Leliana frowned, "I suspect her time here won't be long. Losing Alistair is hard enough and to see the child he fathered with another woman is unbearable. Especially when they worked so hard to able to conceive one of their own."

A sadness flashed across the Inquisitor's face, his gaze meeting Cassandra's for a moment. "She is welcomed here in Skyhold and the Inquisition. If she chooses to leave, we will aid her with supplies, finances, anything, until her quest is done or she settles down again in Ferelden."

"A gracious offer," Leliana stated. "I think I should see if the Kitchen can make her a tray. She looks like she could use a good meal or two."

"Or three." Aiden added.

Leliana gone, Cassandra took another moment to look for any signs of Aiden's wound. Dorian did a fantastic healing job. There wasn't even a mark left. She ran her finger tips across his stomach. "We're lucky she didn't use poison. According to Alistair, she was well versed in the area."

"I think she wanted to do the job herself." He took her hand and brought it to his lips. "Let's get some rest. I think we've had enough excitement for one night."

"I should go talk to Allison."

Aiden raised a brow. "So she's the one who told you?"

"She is your sister and has every right to be concerned."

"I'm sure Leliana will inform her. I just want to rest."

Agreeing, she nodded and stood to rid herself of her light armor she took to wearing around Skyhold. Once Aiden disappeared into the closet, Cassandra moved her sword to her side of the bed. She made sure to tuck it out of sight knowing it would only cause her husband to fret. It seemed the mark was unstable now more than ever. Five times now since their return from the Winter Palace had she awoke to the screeches of demons from a newly created rift Aiden opened in his sleep. They took to posting guards outside the door in the main hall. Aiden even resorted to taking sleeping draughts most nights. Even then, there was no guarantee he wouldn't lose control of the ancient magic.

Clad in a pair of thin cotton trousers, Aiden found Cassandra still dressed. A smile crossed his face. "Need some help with those?"

She couldn't help but smile herself at the suggestiveness in his voice. It was hard to miss the way his body responded at the thought of his 'helping'. "I suppose after the stamina drought Dorian gave you, sleep won't come easy."

He crossed the room, taking her by the hips to bring her flush against him. "I always prefer exhausting myself instead of taking those Maker forsaken potions."

"Trust me, I know," She replied on a laugh. "I'm the one 'exhausting' you."

"And I enjoy every moment of it."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

The following evening and after a good nagging from his sister, Aiden found the female Warden amongst the shadows of the battlement overlooking the gardens. Below, he could see Morrigan and Kieran together. It was hard to sort out Riley's expression. She looked so tired. Defeated.

"Don't worry, Inquisitor." Unable to stand the sight anymore, Riley turned her attention to the archer. "Leliana will only restore my weapons upon my exit of Skyhold."

"I'm relieved to hear that," Aiden replied causing her lip to twitch, though a smile never came. He quickly lanced at the pair in the garden. "Are you not going to talk to them?"

"And say what?" Riley hunched her shoulder, emotions flooding her voice. "She made it perfectly clear she was to raise the baby without it knowing of how it came in existence. I-we told ourselves we were okay with those conditions, but it was always in the back of our mind as time went on without a child of our own."

"He told me of the taint and it's affects. He said you were on a mission to find a way to reverse it."

Riley's face dropped. "A futile endeavor now."

"Does that mean you found it?"

"Possibly. It's hard to know if it will truly work. If it will reverse the effects of the taint on the body after so many years." She swiped at the tear lingering on her cheek. "I won't apologize for trying to kill you."

Aiden let out a soft chuckle. "You're not the first one to try. I'm sure you won't be the last."

Now Riley smiled. "You've got a sense of humor. Good. The stress of leading is hard to bear. Not being a tight ass keeps you sane."

"Also help to find the right person to help shoulder the weight."

She sobered, thoughts of Alistair filling her head. She made attempt to hide the tears now. "That it does."

"What will you do now?"

"I can't stay here." She motioned to the witch down in the garden. She didn't have to strength to stay within the same walls as Morrigan and Alistair's son. "I have a brother I haven't seen in years. Maybe I'll spend some time there until I figure everything out."

"If you so choose, you can always return here." Aiden offered even though it was only an empty gesture. As long as Morrigan resided here, Riley wouldn't come back. Maybe when Corypheus was defeated and the Warden released from their obligation to the Inquisition, she would come reappear and help restore the order.

Riley nodded, "I'll keep the offer in mind."

"Will you leave in the morning?"

"No," She announced. "I find traveling under the cloak of night is the only reason I've remained undetected. I hope you and your people will keep my appearance quiet the best you can."

"Of course."

"Then I bit you farewell, Trevelyan. I wish you the best of luck in your quest. I hope the little knowledge I gave Leliana will said you in defeating Corypheus.

"Safe travels, Cousland."

With one last look at the gardens, Riley disappeared.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0p0oo0o0o0o

"Well, now," Cullen started as he took his post on the opposite end of the War table from the Inquisitor. He made sure that everyone was present and accounted for before continuing, "That we've settled back in, it's time for us to discuss what our next move is."

"What is the state of the Inquisition?" Aiden wondered.

"Despite our little hiccups upon our arrival," Josephine replied. "We're well loved in Orlais. Say the word, and the Empress will send her support."

"And your actions at Adamant denied Corypheus his army of pet demons." Cullen's words caused Aiden to flinch. It seemed the ordeal was still too fresh to talk about. "With Orlais support, our number matches his."

Aiden folded his arms over his chest, his eyes tracking the markers on the map. "Maybe they'll rethink following the dark spawn magister from the dawn of time. Speaking of which, where is he now?"

"After you dealt with the Duchess, Corypheus uprooted his major strongholds. He's moving south to the Arbor Wilds." The Commander's scarred lip tilted upward. "His army clearly wasn't prepared to flee. Out victories have them on the defensive."

The Inquisitor's gaze fell to the location on the map, "Good. We need to take the fight to them. If they're hiding in the arbor Wilds, then that's where we're going."

"What is he doing in such a report place?" The Ambassador wondered.

Leliana had the answer. "His people have been ransacking elven ruins since Haven. We believe he seeks more." She frowned ever so slightly. "What he hopes to find, however… Continues to elude us."

"Which should surprise no one."

The entire room looked towards the door and their new comer.

Morrigan strutted towards the table. "Fortunately, I can assist."

Aiden raised a scarred brow, "Oh?" He made a 'go on' gesture and waited with a skeptic look on his face.

The Witch of the Wilds met it with her own smug expression. "What Corypheus seeks in those forgotten woods is as ancient as it is dangerous."

"Which is?"

"'Tis best… If I show you."

"Show me," Aiden echoed, the hairs on the back of his neck rising to full attention. There was something about the tone of her voice that he didn't like. "Where?"

"What are you playing at, Morrigan?" Leliana demanded.

The dark haired woman offered a smile. "Don't worry yourself, Leliana. I promise your Inquisitor will return to you in one piece. We are only taking a short trip to another part of the keep."

Aiden held up a hand before any of the advisors could speak. "Take me there."

0o0o0o0o0o0o

Stumbling, Aiden tried to orient himself as he stepped out of the mirror and back into Skyhold. Not a mirror. An Eluvian. A magical network of mirrors that went Maker knew where and held a power he didn't comprehend. All he knew after his short trip was that it was something that Corypheus couldn't get his hands on. If he did, there would be no stopping him.

"I don't want to do that again," Aiden muttered as Morrigan closed the mirror behind them. It felt like he splintered into a thousand pieces only to be forced back together a moment later in the most painful of ways.

Morrigan only smiled. "'Tis gets easier with time."

He arched a brow. "And just how much time have you spent with these bloody things?"

"Enough to know we must find the one that draw Corypheus."

As unsatisfied as he was with the answer, Aiden knew that was all he was going to get. "We should go in form the others."

"After I check on my son," Morrigan stated, leading them down the hall. "I've been gone far too long."

"What do you mean?"

"Trevelyan!"

Aiden spun on his heels towards the sound of his wife's voice, whom was storming in his direction. "Seeker, I was just-." Aiden cursed the moment Cassandra's fist connected with his gut. He doubled over in pain. "What the fuck was that for, Lass?"

"Don't you realize how long you've been gone?" The Seeker angrily demanded. "We couldn't get the mirror to activate. There was no way to reach you. You've been one for two days!"

"Two days?" His head jerked towards the mage. "How is that possible? We weren't in there more than half an hour."

Morrigan shrugged. "Time move differently."

"And you felt that wasn't something to inform me of before we went in?" Aiden demanded, the mark crackling.

"Trevelyan." Cassandra warned watching green light spark and streak across the back of his hand. Too quickly, it spread to the veins in his neck. The air swirled and moaned around them. A sign a tear in the veil was coming. "Aiden."

It was too late. He couldn't control the magic any longer. "Back away!" Aiden warned as his right hand shot to his left wrist, wrestling to keep it by his side. Something called to him through the fade. Something he couldn't fight. Something he couldn't' stop.

Cassandra yanked Morrigan behind her. "Fight it, Aiden."

"I can't." The pain coursing through his body brought him to his knees. "Go get help."

The Seeker held her ground. "And leave you to the horde of demons?" she pulled the dagger from her belt. "Fat chance."

"What is happening?" Morrigan demanded.

Aiden's hand shot up and, on a cry of anguish, a green tendril poured out, tearing open the thin spot on the veil. The pain was too much. It was different, more intense than anything he felt before. He couldn't stop the magic from pulling the tear wider.

The light was so blinding, Cassandra had to shield her eyes. She held her breath, waiting anxiously for the first demon to spill through. Only, the tear continued to grow hotter and her husband's cries of pain became deafening. Throwing caution to the wind, she dropped down beside him. "Concentrate on my voice. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere."

"Something is coming through," Aiden warned, his eyes growing heavy. "I can't stop it."

Cassandra tossed a look over her shoulder. "Be ready."

"For what?" regardless, Morrigan slipped the staff off her back.

The Seeker's face was grim. "I don't know."

A figure fell from the veil, landing with a hard thud against the cobble stone. And like that, the rift closed with a loud pop just as Aiden crumbled to a heap on the floor unconscious.

"Blessed Andraste," Cassandra whispered in disbelief.

Morrigan rushed forward. "Alistair?"

Later, the shock of the situation would register. For now, Cassandra knelt down beside her husband, immediately checking for signs of life. "Come on you bloody bastard." Her heart was pounding in her throat. Could this be it? The question left a sour taste in her mouth. "Please, Maker. Not yet."

00o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Cassandra, with Allison next to her, sat next to her husband's bedside in the infirmary watching Dorian. The mage pulled down the neck of Aiden's tunic, inspecting the veins that still glowed bright and pulsed with the ancient magic. She noted that it spread even further. Now, the veins running along his sternum to his neck were green.

At least the mark has stopped flaring." Dorian muttered mostly to himself.

"Look at him," Cassandra insisted, looking towards Solas. The elf stood next to the Alistair's cot with a grim expression. "It's still working in some capacity."

"You are right, Seeker," Solas agreed before his attended to the motionless Warden. Leliana had removed the man's tarnished armor and was currently bathing his skin to clean up the grim and blood caked into it. "I imagine bringing a life through a rift required immense amount of energy. At Adamant, they had a small army of blood mages working together to bring the demon into this world."

Cassandra curled her hands on the sheets to control her anger, but couldn't keep it from flooding her voice. "That's all riveting, Solas. However, that gives little insight to what is happening now."

Dorian broke in, "Form a medical stand point, it seems that our Inquisitor has fallen into a state of exhaustion. Due, most likely, to that amount of excursion Solas thinks the mark took out of him."

The explanation did very little to calm Cassandra's nerves. What she wanted was, in lamen terms, what was wrong with her husband and how to help him.

"So, what of Alistair?" Leliana wondered from the Warden's bedside. The Spymaster shared in the Seeker's worry over the men's condition. They laid so still, showing no signs of life other than their shallow breaths.

Dorian ran a hand through his carefully styled hair. "That's a bit of a mystery."

Solas offered more, "They have to be connected after experiencing such a blast of energy they both must have used during the exchange."

"And that means what?" Allison asked, knowing if Cassandra did it would be heated to say the least. "They'll be fine after a few hours of uninterrupted sleep?"

Both mages dropped their gazes.

She resisted pulling at her hair. That wasn't the answer she wanted. Corypheus was on the move and the Inquisition needed to respond. They needed to head him off before he reached the temple that Morrigan spoke of. And they needed the Inquisitor, who laid unresponsive on the cot before her.

Cassandra took a slow and calming breath. "Have we contacted Riley?"

"She was here?" Morrigan asked from the threshold of the infirmary. She looked a bit shaken by the news. "Did she see Kieran?"

Leliana nodded. "She thought it best to leave. It was all too much for her."

The witch's gaze fell to the motionless Warden. Seeing him filled her with mixed emotions. First and foremost was anguish for Alistair's condition. After all, he was her son's father. "How long was he been in the fade?" he looked so thin. So fragile. The horrors of his experience was etched into his pale handsome face. Morrigan couldn't find a trace of the youthful idiot she met all those years ago.

"Almost six months," Cassandra replied.

"A wonder there is anything left of him." Morrigan whispered. "Is there anything I can do?"

Solas looked up. "What do you know of the fade?"

Day turned into night and back into day. Cassandra never left her husband's side. The healer and mages worked around the clock to no avail. Neither men did nothing, but take small shallow breaths.

Tired, Cassandra traced the flowing veins of Aiden's hand with her finger tips. She could feel the magic humming as it churned inside him. Could it be possibly draining the life force from him? Aiden always had to rest after each use of the mark. If used too much, the magic nearly split him apart.

What was he experience now? Was he in agony? Was he constantly linked to the ancient magic? Were the voices plaguing him?

Tears gathered in her eyes, but Cassandra refused to let them fall. Not now. She had to remain level headed. Had to remain strong. In control. Not an emotional mess. Because if this was it, if the mark wouldn't release its hold on Aiden. Then Thedas was doomed. As founder of the Inquisition, they would look to her for a solution to defeat Corypheus. To figure out a way to draw Aiden out of the fade.

Then they would all see she'd only been the true leader's protector. That all she was only good for her sword and shield. Aiden was the Inquisitor. He was the leader Thedas needed. The person to save it from it's horrible fate.

"You have to wake up," She whispered into the stillness. Cassandra laced her fingers through his. "I know you're tired and worn down to the bone, but we're not finished."

Silence was her reply.

"Maker, please." The prayer spilled from her lips. "A little more time. I'm asking for just a little more time. Please. I'm not ready yet."

"Hate to break it to you, Seeker. But praying never got no one anywhere."

Cassandra's head snapped up, meeting the very worried gaze of Riley. "You've made it."

The warden carelessly tossed her pack into the corner of the room and limped her way to Alistair's side. "I turned around the moment I received Leliana's raven."

"You're hurt."

"Doesn't matter," Riley muttered. Fighting tears, she touched a hand to her lover's gaunt cheek. "He's so cold. It's like there is no life inside him."

"They don't know what ails them." Cassandra informed only making the other woman frown. She looked unsteady on her feet, worrying Cassandra greatly. It was obvious, judging by Riley's appearance, the Warden rushed back to Skyhold as quickly as she could. Cassandra wondered if she even slept. "Whatever it is, connects them both."

"So…" Riley's brow scrunched. "If one wakes up so does the other."

"In theory."

Riley dropped himself in the chair next to the cot. Her eyes started to droop. "All we can do is wait?"

"I'm afraid so," Cassandra answered. "Let me fetch you a healer."

"I'm… I'm… Fine." Riley's words trailed off as she her head hit the mattress next to Alistair's head in sheer exhaustion.

"Maker's breath." Cassandra shot across the room faster than an arrow leaving a bow. Being careful as she could, she inspected the woman for injuries. There was a hastily applied field dressing across her left thigh. The white, or what Cassandra suspected was white at first, was a mixture of black and crimson from dirt and blood. She peeled it back and cursed. As Cassandra suspected, the deep gash was infected.

She looked around the room, scanning the potions and herbs, calling on her limited knowledge to determine which would bring the Warden back around. Her luck changed when Allison came through the door carrying a tray of food. "Put that down!" Cassandra commanded using her voice she reserved for training recruits and startling the poor woman. "And fetch a healer."

Allison took one look at Riley and quickly followed orders.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Scream trapped in her throat, Riley awoke screaming at the sensation of her skin being forced back together. She found herself flat on her back with Morrigan hoovering over her. "Maker's balls!" Riley cursed the witch to the fade and back as she healed her wound.

"Still a horrible patient, I see." The witch's lips curved upward for a moment.

Riley gripped the edge of the cot, gritting her teeth to get through the pain. "I'm not sure what I did to piss you off since our last meeting, but I don't think I deserve to be woken in such a manner. Please, for the love of Andraste, give me a potion to numb the pain."

"Here." Allison was quick to comply.

The Warden snapped back. "Who are you?"

"Allison Trevelyan." She introduced herself. "Aiden's sister. Now drink."

Not needing to be told twice, Riley downed the vial in one gulp. It only took the edge off. "Damn it, Morrigan! Are you almost done?"

"You're lucky I'm not cutting the limb off," Morrigan shot back. "The wound was deep and the infection wide spread. Now, shut your mouth and let me finish this."

Cassandra left Aiden's side to take post near Riley next to Allison. "You must have been attack not long after setting off from Skyhold."

Riley's brow drew together in concertation. "I ran into a group of Red Templars. I was sloppy." In all honesty, she didn't put much into the fight. She hadn't cared if she lived or died. What was the point if there was no Alistair?

"And you didn't send word back?" Cassandra demanded. "How far from the Keep? How many?"

"Stop your nagging, Seeker," Riley muttered fighting tears. "Maker, Morrigan."

"I'm done." Morrigan released her magic and the Warden collapsed against the cot, a sheen of sweat covering her pale face. "We still need to treat the infection. I'm going to have to go get the herbs from the garden and wrap it back up."

"Oh, joy."

"Riley," Cassandra drew back the woman's attention.

"Give me a moment, will yea." Riley panted as Morrigan left the room. Her gaze drifted to the other side of the room to find the two men in the same condition she last saw them in. "It was a rogue group and only three of them. If I thought there was more or on their way here, I would have sent a message."

"Here." Cassandra picked up a potion of Dorian's design and handed to the female rogue. She was hesitant to have them in Skyhold knowing the hold they had on Aiden. "This will work better than the first. Don't drink it all. Sip it."

Riley figured it was wise to listen to the Seeker and took attentive sip from the flask. The mixture was potent and hit her full force. The remaining pain washed away to a low dull ache. "By the light, I wish I had some of these in my travels."

"I'm sure you did. Trouble seems to find you."

The Warden smiled ever so slightly. "So Alistair keeps reminding me."

Morrigan returned with bandages and a bag full of herbs. She turned her attention to Allison. "Have any experience with medicine or herbs?"

"A bit," Allison replied.

"Good." Morrigan handed the bag over. "I need you to crush some elf root and lotus until it's a paste."

"No," Riley groaned struggling to sit up against the wall. "Not one of your salves."

Morrigan shot the woman a look. "Do you want to keep your leg?"

"Of course."

"Then shut your mouth and let me work." Morrigan took a few more herbs from the pouch before sitting on the edge of the bed. Her voice was soft when she spoke, "I worried about you." She glanced at Alistair. "The both of you. Especially when I heard about the calling."

Morrigan's words made Riley's face soften. No matter the difficulties they might have had, the witch was and always would be her friend. "Kieran is a good looking lad."

"He gets that from to oaf," Morrigan smiled.

"Here." Allison spoke, interrupting the tender moment to hand over the pedestal and mortar back to Morrigan. "Is this right?"

"Perfect." Morrigan laid out the bandage on the cot and scooped up the paste with her fingers. "Start cursing now."

To prove she was stronger than that, Riley bit down hard enough to split open her lip as the witch of the wilds spread the substance over her still tender wound. She wasn't above letting out a sigh of relief when the job was done.

Morrigan laid two herb leaves on the paste and gently wrapped Riley's leg. "I have something I want to try."

"No more healing," Riley pleaded.

"It's something I think will help draw them out of the fade."

From across the room, Cassandra perked up. "What?"

"I'm sure by know you know that my son isn't like other children." Morrigan watched Riley's gaze drop to her folded hands. "He was conceived under unusual circumstance. He understands more things than meets the eye, including the fade."

"It was why he's so interested in the mark," Cassandra stated. "What do you think he can do?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure."

"Does he know?" Riley softly asked. "About Alistair?"

"I did," Morrigan confessed. "The day I saw him fall out of the fade. I wanted Kieran to know of his father. I want him to see him, but I know it will be painful for you."

"I can bear it if it means it might bring Alistair back," Riley assured.

Nodding, Morrigan crossed the room and poked her head out the door. Kieran appeared in the threshold looking wide eyed. She placed a soothing hand on her son's shoulder. "It's okay, Kieran."

He shuffled into the room, his golden eyes settling on Riley. "Mother has told me lots about you. You're the Hero of Ferelden. You defeated the Archdemon."

"With the help of your mother," Riley started, "And your father."

Kieran turned, cocking his head to the side. He drew closer to the bed the two men laid upon. "They're stuck," he whispered. "They're trying to get back. They can hear everything. Hear the worry. The tears. They want out, but it won't let him."

Cassandra made sure to keep her voice steady when she spoke. "What won't, Kieran?"

"Those in the fade. Those who want the Inquisitor to use his mark to let them free. But he won't." Kieran looked to Aiden now, touching the back of Aiden's marked hand. "The magic churns and burns. It hurts him."

The news made Cassandra's heart clench.

Limping, Riley moved to her lover's side. "What can we do?"

"Break the connection," Morrigan replied.

"But how?" Cassandra demanded.

Kieran looked to his mother. "Can I try?"

She nodded.

"Try what?" Riley asked, but neither one of them answered. All she could do was watch Kieran shift towards Alistair and reach out his small hand.

The moment Kieran touched his skin, Alistair drew in a ragged breath.

His amber eyes shot open, his hand shooting out to grasp Riley by the arm. Though he struggled to breathe, Alistair smiled. "Maker's breath, I'm so glad to see you." He pulled her down into a clumsy embrace, crushing her as tightly as he could against him.

Cassandra stood, holding her breath, as she gazed down at Aiden. Waiting anxiously for his own eyes to open. For him to look at her. To give her that crocked grin he used to calm her when she was worried.