One month of desert marching later found them back in Skyhold. Renna felt as though her skin was going to be permanently burned to a crisp, but the sweet, mountain air of her fortress helped her relax. She watched Kierrai and Sebastian wordlessly hug their children, holding all three between them and showering them with affection. The loss of their friend had shaken them, reminding the couple of how quickly something could be taken away. She suspected they would take on more of an advisory role in the days to come. She saw an unfamiliar boy running toward them, an aged Mabari warhound at his side. He had unkempt black hair, but his eyes were nearly identical to Kierrai's. She frowned. That was not her child, but it certainly could have been.

"Auntie!" the boy exclaimed. Kierrai looked up in surprise and embraced the boy without hesitation.

"Andraste's tits, Bryce?" she said, looking around in shock.

"Really? You see my child and the first thing you say is 'Andraste's tits'? Honestly, woman." a voice said from the staircase. Renna followed the voice to see King Alistair staring ruefully at the group.

"Well I wasn't expecting a visit!" Kierrai argued, but there was no malice in it. She was clearly overjoyed to see her brother. He joined them and embraced everyone, playfully teasing the babies. Renna smiled at the little family. It was good to see such bonds remaining strong. Suddenly, the couple's blue eyed daughter popped up and ran over to her.

"Come mee' my uncle, Renna!" Talyssa shouted, grabbing her hand and dragging her over. Renna stumbled over and smiled awkwardly.

"Hello again...Your Highness." she said eventually. The king rolled his eyes and looked at his sister.

"Do you still get that treatment too? All the 'Yes, your grace', 'of course, your highness' nonsense. I'm not in court, Inquisitor, you can call me Alistair." he said. Renna smiled.

"And you can call me Renna." she replied. He nodded.

"Al, were you hearing the Calling too? Or was it just the Wardens in Orlais?" Kierrai asked seriously. He shook his head.

"I had received reports of Wardens hearing it, but I didn't myself, thank goodness." he told her. She nodded, relief clear on her face.

"Mama, where's uncle Trav and aunt Mhairi?" Talyssa asked suddenly. Renna winced at Kierrai's pained expression. The events at Adamant had happened a month ago, but they were still fresh wounds to those involved.

"Cub, Mhairi...she's no' with us any more." Sebastian tried to explain, kneeling before her. For most children that young, that explanation would not have been clear enough. Renna frowned as she watched Talyssa nod in understanding. The child had seen too much death already in her short life if that was enough for her to understand.

"What? What happened?" Alistair asked sadly. She hadn't realized that he knew the brave Warden as well.

"I'll tell you later." Kierrai promised.

"How is Traven?" he asked.

"Well he almost killed us, but other than that he's holding up." Renna said. The King arched an eyebrow at her, but said nothing.

"Is there any news on...?" Kierrai began, not finishing her question.

"That is where my report came from about the Calling, but I haven't heard...I haven't heard anything since." Alistair said, worry lacing through his voice. He showed his emotions more freely than his sister. It was a refreshing characteristic. Most people she knew weren't particularly open. Especially nobles.

"She'll be fine, brother. Tha' woman can take care of herself more than anyone I know." Sebastian assured him. Alistair nodded in agreement.

"You're right about that. Now, Inquisitor, I know that Leliana was looking for you, so you should probably go find her." the King said. She nodded.

"Thank you, Alistair." she replied before heading off to find the spymaster. As always, the woman was at the top of her tower, poring over mountains of paperwork and information. She did not look up, but Renna knew that Leliana was fully aware of her presence.

"Hawke sent me one final report." she said, still not looking up. "He is heading to Weisshaupt. As for the Grey Wardens, they are fighting demons and red Templars, and staying clear of the Venatori." she explained. "You dealt Corypheus a significant blow, Inquisitor. I do not think he will be too pleased by it." Renna nodded in agreement.

"I know. However, I have an idea. The Grey Wardens carry respect in other nations. If we spread the word that the Inquisition has their support..." she hinted. Leliana's pale blue eyes looked up into hers.

"We may gain standing with nations that have suffered under the Blight. I will take the matter to Josephine." she noted, filing the idea away. "While you bested Corypheus here and at Halamshiral, he was not present either time. We fear he is close to finding another way to enter the Fade. When you have time, Cullen and Josephine are waiting in the war room with an update." she revealed. Renna nodded and straightened. "Hold a moment." Leliana called. Renna stopped at the top of the stairs and turned back.

"Yes?" she asked.

"I have an update on the situation in Ostwick." the bard said simply. Renna moved over to her, sitting across from the woman.

"Oh? What update is that?" she asked. Leliana smiled softly.

"Your father is on his way here. My agents pulled him out and evacuated as many people from Ostwick as we could. I had Cullen's permission to send a contingent of our soldiers to take the city back, but that might take a bit longer. I just thought you'd want to know." she explained. Renna beamed at her.

"Thank you, Leliana." she replied graciously. Leliana gave a short nod.

"I have a favor." she said suddenly. Renna waited for her to continue. The woman slid a letter across the table to her. "A message from Divine Justinia." she revealed.

"That's a shock. Are you all right reading it?" Renna asked. Leliana nodded slowly, not taking her eyes off the letter.

"Thank you for the concern, Inquisitor, but I am. This message was written months, maybe even years ago, to be delivered to me if she died. I've heard of such contingency plans. A sudden death often leaves loose ends. I'm to go to Valence, a small village on the Waking Sea. There is something hidden there." she finally said.

"I will help you in whatever way I can." Renna promised. There was a flash of surprise in the bard's icy eyes, but it was quickly gone.

"Wonderful. I was hoping you would agree to come with me to Valence." she replied. "One more thing, if what is hidden in Valence is as valuable as I think, we are not going to be the only ones looking for it. I shall meet you in Valence. Try not to delay." Renna frowned as she left. She expected resistance, but the way she said it made it seem more mysterious. She sighed. Apparently, the meeting with Cullen and Josephine would have to wait. She was determined to please the spymaster.


The old chantry was just as she remembered. Beautifully carved statues lined the main hall, depicting some of the most important moments in the Chantry's history. Small, warm braziers lined the walkway, providing a comforting light to all who entered. Leliana frowned. It was empty. It should not have been empty, but she could hear no footsteps other than her own and the Inquisitor's. She glanced back. The woman was deserving of her position. She was much like Zeriah, with her inherent leadership abilities. She had a natural charisma that made you want to follow her. Leliana turned forward. Her reasons for bringing the Inquisitor were more than simply a second pair of eyes.

Renna had a conscience. She still had a spark of innocence inside her that she herself had lost long ago. The spy shook her head slightly. She was afraid. Not of what she might face, but of herself. She had lost herself in the years she had served as the Left Hand. Gone was the innocent bard who had received a vision from the Maker during the Blight. In that girl's place there was a shell, hard as steel, willing to do anything, to hurt anyone, for the greater good. She closed her eyes, which now looked like hardened balls of ice where they had once been warm pools of light. A small part of her feared her ruthlessness. There had to be a line somewhere, but as of yet, she hadn't found it. She furrowed her brow. She would do anything to further the goals of the Inquisition. Anything.

"It's just as I remember it." she breathed. Renna shuffled behind her.

"You didn't tell me you'd been here before." she commented. Leliana nodded.

"After the Blight ended I came here to see Justinia. She was just Dorothea then, a revered mother." the bard explained.

"It's peaceful here. You must have good memories of this place." the Inquisitor responded, gliding out in front of her to examine the statues.

"It was a place of comfort. It is good to see it still untouched by Corypheus." she said, the name tasting like poison in her mouth. Her hand darted to her knife as a figure emerged from behind a column. She relaxed slightly when she saw a chantry sister approaching.

"Leliana? Is that you?" she asked. Leliana arched an eyebrow. She had not expected to see this particular sister here.

"Sister Natalie! What are you doing here? I thought you were in Val Royeaux?" she replied politely, not allowing her hesitation to show in the slightest. Natalie shook her head, and Leliana noted a wariness in her small brown eyes.

"No, I've been here since Justinia died. This place makes me feel like...like she's still with us." her old acquaintance admitted. Leliana nodded solemnly, then turned to beam at Renna.

"Inquisitor, this is Natalie, a trusted friend." she explained. The younger woman nodded, a sharpness hidden in her deep, violet eyes. She was incredibly astute. Natalie's eyes widened in surprise.

"Wait, 'Inquisitor'? You brought the Inquisitor here?" she gasped incredulously. Leliana tilted her head slightly. "My lady, forgive me for not recognizing you immediately." the sister said, dropping to her knees. Renna chuckled and brushed it off.

"You owe me twenty readings of the Canticle of Trials for that." she teased. Leliana nodded to herself. The Inquisitor was cunning enough to be a bard.

"She doesn't mean it." Leliana said as if speaking with an old friend. "Listen, Natalie, there is something hidden here. Something that Justinia left for me." she explained, laying her cards on the table. There was the slightest twitch in Natalie's cheek before she responded.

"Oh really? What is it?" she asked innocently.

"I don't know, but we'll find it. I'm curious to see what brought us all here." the bard replied in a tone that was just as innocent. "Justinia's letter came with instructions for me. They were a little cryptic." Natalie nodded solemnly. "'Always remember that faith sprung from a barren branch. That light has no fear of darkness. Above all, that strength lives in an open heart.' She must be hinting at something in here. Let's look around." she said before striding to the main chamber. She smiled softly and closed her eyes, letting her memories fill her. She glanced back at Natalie.

"Something on your mind?" the woman asked.

"Do they still sing the Benedictions every Friday? That canticle was Justinia's favorite." Leliana asked fondly. Natalie beamed back at her.

"Yes, of course. We'd never give up the traditions of our most beloved Divine." she agreed. Leliana hoped her smile didn't look too false. A small part of her had hoped...No. She knew what she had to do.

"That is lovely to hear." she responded. They searched the hall, Renna being the first to find something.

"Leliana, look at this." she called. The bard joined her and saw a small mechanism on the wall. She pressed it and heard a clicking sound nearby.

"A barren branch." she said, pointing at the painting above the mechanism. Renna nodded and dashed off to find others. Leliana continued to chat with Natalie as they searched, seemingly reminiscing on old times and discussing the Breach together. Before long, all parts of Justinia's riddle were solved, and the sliding of a stone door guided them to what they searched for. Renna stepped toward what appeared to be a small, golden box atop a hidden ledge. Leliana turned on Natalie with a snarl, bringing a dagger to her throat.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." she growled. Natalie's eyes widened for a moment before narrowing in anger.

"Leliana! Stop! What are you doing?" Renna cried. The bard frowned.

"I'm protecting us. They never said the Benedictions here on Fridays, Natalie. Something so simple, and you got it so wrong. I wanted to believe, but you were lying from the start. Keep that pretty mouth shut if you must, dear. You've already told me everything I need to know." she spat. The sister glowered at her, sweat beading on her forehead as she continually glanced down at the blade that pressed against her skin. "The prickleweed burs on your hem, talking about the sun rising through the Breach. It all points to a single place: Morelle in the Dales, Grand Cleric Victoire's bastion. She sent you, didn't she?" she accused. "I suppose now, with Justinia dead, she thought she could make her move." Natalie swallowed, a bead of blood appearing on her throat at the sudden movement.

"The Inquisition has turned Thedas away from the true Chantry, it must be stopped!" she squawked. Leliana arched a cool eyebrow.

"Stop us? You must be joking." she sneered. Natalie wrinkled her nose.

"Mother Victoire is well loved by many. The Inquisition has more enemies than you know." she added. The bard scoffed.

"And Victoire thinks she can ally with them?" she laughed bitterly.

"We don't have to be at odds, Natalie. You can come with us, join the Inquisition." Renna offered. Leliana blinked. That girl always tried to avoid bloodshed, even when it was necessary.

"I was called to serve the Grand Cleric, I will not betray her." Natalie said with a surprising amount of loyalty. "Kill me then. I'm not afraid to die for my beliefs." Leliana pressed the blade a bit harder. "At least I still know what I believe." the sister said, defiantly looking her in the eye. The bard snarled and began to move the knife for the kill.

"Release her, Leliana. She is no threat." Renna's voice said behind her. Leliana barely heard through the roaring of anger and hatred in her ears, but she stopped in surprise.

"The Grand Cleric-" she began.

"Is one woman. We are the Inquisition." Renna interrupted. Leliana froze for a moment, desire to kill warring with Renna's order on her face. With an effort, she dropped her arm away.

"The Inquisitor has spoken. Run. Tell your mistress she has a choice. The Inquisition is coming." she said, her voice icy. Natalie nodded and ran from the hall, not wishing to test her luck. Leliana angrily strode to the box in the hidden room. "No. There's nothing here!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the empty halls.

"It's not what you expected. That doesn't mean it's nothing." Renna soothed. Leliana shot her a glare. Her positive attitude was not helping the situation.

"There's a message, carved in the lid." she said, when her eyes returned to studying the box. "'The Left Hand should lay down her burden.'" she breathed. "She...she's releasing me. The Divine has a long reach, but it is always her Left Hand that stretches out. A thousand lies, a thousand deaths. Her commands, but my conscience that bore the consequences." she whispered, feeling a surge of emotion she had not felt in nearly a decade. She did not know how to handle the anguish building inside her.

"She apologized in the Fade. She said she had failed you. This is what she meant." Renna pointed out. There was an unfamiliar wetness forming in Leliana's eyes. She hurriedly scrubbed it away.

"All this time, Justinia carried the fear that she was using me, just as I'd been used in the past. But Marjolaine's games were trifles. Justinia gambled with the fate of nations. She needed me. No one else could have done what I did, she knows that." she murmured, shaking her head to try to stop the feelings from overtaking her. She felt Renna's gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Then you have to let it go. Let her go. You don't owe her anything anymore." the woman said, striking at the heart of Leliana's emotions. The bard squeezed her eyes shut, unwilling to listen. After a time, she relaxed, knowing the Inquisitor was right.

"If it were not for you, I would have killed Natalie and called it a good thing. Thank you, for showing me what was right when I could not see myself. There is more to be said, but not here. I will see you back at Skyhold." she said, striding from the hall, a small, but genuine smile on her face for the first time in years.