Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, Dragonage or anything else I may reference

Magic and the Inquisition

Chapter 32 Not Dead Yet

Cold.

That was the first thought that came to mind. Slowly ever so slowly like a bear from hibernation, the thin folds of skin that covered one of the most vital senses on the human body began to undo, moving little by little allowing ever so small creeks of the cold light of the sun to crawl like a predator it's way through the grey stone floor moving silently crawling up the frame of the bed before then finally landing into the slowly opened eye-catching the brilliant purple hue that sat there silently for a few seconds.

It was cold, even as the mind once again became aware of its surroundings slowly glancing in a given direction. Like a computer, the senses of the human body began to input data, slowly at first only titbits and nothing came at great speed instead simple emotions and thoughts at first, but as the seconds passed on that came to a rapid increase, for even as he felt another cold breeze slip through the cracks of mortar and grace his exposed skin, did other thoughts come back to him.

Pictures, of strange places that for the briefest and most inconspicuous of moments came back ramming full force into his mind with no care for what had just occurred, he grunted in shock his eyes going wide with realisation as it struck him at such speed that he sat up immediately ignoring the thudding pain that followed him as he did.

The Nightmare, the Arch Demon, the Wardens, his men, the Inquisition, everything it all came flooding back. He glanced around his mind immediately on edge as his eyes glanced rapidly around the room, this was not Adamant he thought suspiciously, there was no sand, no dryness in the air that lacked any organic life having been wiped long ago by the Darkspawn in their endless wars against the living, there was also no smell of death mixed with that of powder that hung heavy and there was no sound of gunfire echoing off in the distance.

Everything was quiet, peaceful even.

It was suspicious.

Or at least it was until once again he felt natures chill brush past his skin, however, instead of recognising it on his face he instead felt it on his chest sending his attention downwards where to his shock he saw that his chest was bare, leaving it open to the world with only a thin piece of cloth between him and the elements. His heart raced faster at the thought and then without hesitation, he pushed his hand forward grasping the quilt that had covered him and with one quick yank threw it away where to his horror he saw that his lower half was also in the state as the first.

"I've been washed," He said darkly as he inspected for any damage on his frame. True to his word while his body was bare and easy for him to look on, he instead only concentrated on how it had been kept clean, there were no bruises, no gashes, cuts and no broken bones, Merlin there had not even been a scar left behind from his injuries. In fact, the only bit of damage he could see was that his arms had decayed slightly leaving him with less muscle then he should have but not so much that he was a bare husk.

Odd that was not natural, not natural in the slightest. His mind flashed back to the Fade and how he had felt the endless magic pour into his body acting like a glass with no lid but being filled up forcing it to crack the actual glass in order to escape the glass. In doing so it had forced his own magic to the brink in trying to protect him and keep him alive, but it had failed, he had known that he doubted that even someone like Dumbledore of Voldermort would have been capable of such a feat, certainly longer then he could, but indefinitely not a chance and without any sort of injury, as he was seeing now other than a bit of muscle loss, that shouldn't off been possible. Magical healing was good, far better then muggle's were but that didn't explain this, was it even possible to recover from such a shock the sheer magic in him should have killed him and when he escaped to the world the release of such magic as it sought to move away from him should have eviscerated his body, but again he was alive and mostly well.

He said to himself though and that reason was that even in his mostly recovered state could he still feel the utter exhaustion of his magic. He groaned and hissed in agony as he tried to feel his core, it did still respond to his command, but it was so utterly weak that normally such a sensitive part of a wizard's body able to learn so many things and pick up on far more required nearly all the minimal strength he had left simply to respond.

Great he had magical exhaustion he thought to himself dimly, it was painful, and agonising now that he had touched it, as though there was some kind of great knife beneath his skin acting as a blister and even so much as gently prodding it was like he had slit his heart open, even now h could feel it pulsate and burn from the simple use forcing him to grit his teeth ignoring the agonising pain for it to dull down, it did thankfully, but even so the pain that now remained with him was the fresh pain from when you stubbed a toe. It was agonising and ever-present yet despite this he was able to ignore the pain and look around his current surroundings.

The place he had landed in was most certainly fancy he noted, the stone floor was well made and firm as he laid his feet on it wincing as another shock of pain jolted up, it appeared he had not been on his feet for some time. Though the walls were bare for the most part, some did hold a number of paintings', most were of places, faraway lands he had never seen, verdant forests, illustrious waterfalls, bustling cities and ports, the colours used were bright and glorious and the pictures themselves were of rich places, always there were at peace and always did they seem to hold a mixture of diversity in people. Staring more closely he noticed that one of the city paintings was of Val Royeux, it was a beautiful picture, taken in autumn given the reddish hue of the leaves, and the tone of light, the city was sparkling it's golden lions that it was so proud of seemingly becoming alive in the bright contrasting sun that lit the picture with natural light.

He groaned for a moment at the site of the picture and nodded his head thoughtfully, of course, he was still on this planet, why might have he thought otherwise. No matter glancing to his left he saw that there was a series of furniture that included tables and chairs as well as a series of drawers and cabinets that were stacked neatly in one corner, one of the tables, the largest had a number of chairs that had been left our whilst left upon the table a couple of glasses had leftover. People had been in recently and they knew about his presence. He groaned at that if this was going to be another escape attempt it was going to be a hell of a lot harder now. Still, he needed more clues so he glanced left past all the furniture to where he saw some curtains.

For the most part, they covered the obvious window, but whoever had closed them had not been though and there was still a small gap that he was able to see the smallest of snippets that broke out through the fabric allowing him to see into the darkroom as the fire inside had been doused allowing a small trickle of smoke to rise upward through a gap that was most obviously a chimney.

Pressing downwards he rose up quickly ignoring the sudden of vertigo that took over him as he did so as his mind was more focused on the screaming pain that his thigh muscles gave out in the process. They stung and hurt, clamouring for relaxation from the sudden demand, but it was of no use, instead, he simply pushed forwards, gently moving one clumsy foot in front of the other until before he knew it he was walking once again.

His first destination was to the drawer and cabinet. With his skin exposed and experiencing cold freezing air, he needed to dress himself quickly, thankfully though there was no need to run a bath as raising an arm to his nose and taking a whiff he could tell that he had been washed fairly recently. That was somewhat of a relief though not by much, for all he knew he was a prisoner in such a place that they merely kept him clean in order to keep him alive and prevent him from catching a deadly disease or otherwise.

With a bit of pain that thankfully was fast fading as his legs became comfortable with the pressure placed upon them, he was soon able to reach the cabinet where, with his hands placed upon the brass handles he pulled open the double oak door revealing none other than the clothing that he had worn that day when he had fought at Adamant, whenever that was. Gingerly he placed his fingers upon them slowly allowing them to re-feel the texture of the cloth as he pulled it close to his chest. Even in the darkness with only a small amount of light the red was clearly visible, bright and magnificent, it presented a strange sense of power and dignity, and as he felt it he could also feel the weight of his responsibility settle down, allowing that ever-present sensation to once more rear down and attach itself down like a heavyweight that would never be.

He sighed for a moment then let out a small smile at seeing something so personal returned to him, but that quickly turned to panic, however, when after picking up the rest of his clothing he noticed that out of all the belongings he owned that the most vital of all of them were nowhere to be found.

His wand that belonging most vital to any witch or wizard a possession arguably more essential than love or a partner, it was that which made a witch or wizard it was that tool and companion often more loyal than any person or any other thing that would stay by their side from the moment they first received it to the moment they took their final breath as they died. The wand was more important than anything else and as his face turned into one of loss, his heart racing as he rushed around the rest of the room, bare feet slamming on the ground causing more jilts of pain to shoot up after so long as Nat desperately tried to dress himself at the same time did he search. He looked everywhere, in the cabinet in the drawers, under the table, in the bed and behind his pillow, eventually, he took to moving every piece of furniture it creaking in protest at his actions but he would not be denied. It was of no use though his wand could not be found.

He didn't panic though instead with a sudden purpose in mind he marched furiously towards the cabinet that his clothes had been from and snatched up his other weapons, his bare hilt within its sheath, as well as his pistols and rifles placing them comfortably back in position before finally placing his commander's hat back on.

For a moment he considered sneaking to the window and glancing out, he could get some basic recon done that way, allowing him to see just what he was dealing with and who he was dealing with, but just as soon as that thought came it also passed. If he had been placed here, then there was a chance that there were people sent to watch the window for any sign of movement. That small gap that existed now was too small and to curved for him to see out of without moving anything.

He sighed again before then gently even as he felt his muscles still unused to action after what must have been a small amount of time; he rested his hand on his sword. He did not know if he was in any shape to fight at the moment, but he was not about to wait and find out, instead he had to move quickly, if this place was the home of the enemy he would have only a short period before they sent guards after him in pursuit, in that time he had to find his wand and escape. So with conflict in mind, he pried open the door doing his best to keep the noise down and see if there were any guards holding the premises.

There weren't.

That was some luck it seemed, the only question now was to decide did he go left or right, neither path looked at all familiar though they were both lit with stereotypical medieval churches. Not desiring to dawdle for long he closed his eyes allowing his ears to better concentrate now that they were no longer distracted by other things, there was some sound in the distance, that of people talking though in what language or the subject he couldn't say, what he could, on the other hand, was the direction. As a result, he took the opposite direction following along these older stone walls until finally, he came across a set of stairs that led him downwards, through more twisting and turning occasionally forcing himself to hide behind what cover he could find as people passed by talking loudly as they went along their business. Some of those who went past were elves and going by their outfits, they were servants off to do some job or another, thankfully they were too focused on their jobs to even pay attention to anything else allowing him to slip past them quietly descending deeper into the castle where eventually he then found somewhere he recognised.

It was his office.

Well, technically it was the outside of his office complete with the sign, above and a new one which stated clearly that the room was out of bounds until father notice. Nat frowned at the news but paid it no mind that was likely just a ruse set up by Dorian and the others in the research group he had set up. He had allowed the man permission to carry on if anything happened to him.

Gently he placed his hand upon the wooden door, the moment he did, he felt the familiar warmth and sensation of his own magic lurch out. Rapidly it scanned him acting like some sort of strange animal as it seemingly dashed inside of his body moving up and down searching as intrinsically as he had laid the spell as it made sure of his identity. Not a moment later he felt the magic buzz with recognition allowing him entrance the door opening wide enough for him to walk comfortably inside.

He gave a slight smile, the office was in the same condition as he has left it, his table was neat and no marks or stains marred it and the pile of paperwork he had left before his departure for war was still there ready to be observed. On the left of his wall however, he noticed that the small piece of paper that made his new calendar had been changed. No longer was it on the month that he had left for war but instead it was two months later though given the date that was left he would guess that it would have been a day or two over a month since the battle had begun.

Curious he walked over it hoping to find any sort of other notes that had been placed on it that may give him other information, however much to his contempt it was not to be and instead each day had been marked down informing him of how many days passed. Nodding to himself he walked back to his table and pushed a hand underneath to where he knew one of many buttons sat. In this case, as he pushed the button he became aware of the door that guarded his room locking in an instant preventing anyone access either from going in and out leaving him in peace.

With that completed and his destination now known to him, he felt somewhat safer, enough that he instead pressed another button allowing for one of the other drawers to pop out. Pressing that, he was then greeted with a large magical equivalent of a digital screen, on it was a series of questions that he had written himself, some were of a magical nature others were of a more muggle design but only after all of them had been completed by him did a quiet ticking sound be made available and the bottom of the drawer slide back to reveal a set of descending stairs.

Following the stairs down, he was met with the site of his personal quarters. Though small in nature, it was comfortable, about the size of a larger more expensive flat though one that lacked the vast majority of furniture, for the amenities were few and far between with nearly all rooms lacking any sense of life or other emotion instead holding a very Spartan-like appearance giving any other nothing more than the fact that they were used.

He wasted no time, rushing past the small dining room that consisted of a small single table and chairs, and into the main bedroom where he quickly located the shower that was placed alongside and stripped himself of his clothing. He was out twenty minutes later and within another ten he had dried himself and was now dressed in another copy of his own typical clothing though unlike his usual attire which was typically held within a small bag kept on his person and now locked to him as it required him to be able to cast magic to open, this set was instead a different colour consisting of slightly brighter clothes which were mainly a light blue complimented with trainers and jeans as well as a light jacket.

Once that was placed on and he had a quick look in the mirror, grumbling to himself how he should have thrown these clothes away ages ago because of just how bright they seemed to be well at least compared to his normal attire, he then moved back into the kitchen and towards the washing machine, carrying his officers garb with him and starting the wash cycle after which he then entered in a rapid series of punches to the numbers. To any observer, this would look like a random series of numbers as there was no sense of order or anything resembling such a thing, yet after a few second there was the sound of another beep and had there been anyone else observing, they would have watched as a small tray slowly extended from in front of the microwave.

Inside the plastic tray, was a wand, it wasn't his wand mind you, his wand was a deep black matte and was slightly shorter than the 13 inches one in his hand, it was also made of different wood and had an uncomfortable grip compared to his own which favoured that of his hand and for faster-paced work compared to this which was more of a fine tool that would belong more to a curse breaker or serious enchanter. It was lighter as well and even though he felt it respond weakly to the small amount of magic inside of him keeping him alive, he knew that it was no great match, an average wand, one that would serve him decently until he could get his own back.

Swishing the wand once in his hand to get a decent feel of the weapon in his hand, he made a mental calculation doing his best to make sure of its strengths and weaknesses. Once again he was reminded of the same information that he had first learned, that it was an average wand in terms of capability, not powerful, not weak, it was well suited towards charms and less so towards transfiguration, it also felt neutral to him, not liking him and going out of its way to pleas hi, but neither hindering him in any way out of spite, it was for all intensive purposes an average wand and he hated that.

With the wand confirmed, he then reached back into the tray grabbing the wrist holster that sat towards the side and gently snapped it onto his wrist before then placing the wand inside. He doubted he would use the thing, however, with his own magic as significantly drained as it now was, it would be foolish for him to get into any type of sight or situation that would require him to call upon his skills to get themselves out of any danger and even if that was the case he would prefer not to for several days as just the thought made him hurt. Still in this world, it was better to be prepared than to be sorry.

At the back of his mind though he could not help but feel worried and concern for his wand at his parting. His wand was his partner and though he had not named it and likely never would, he sorely missed its absence from his side as though somebody had ripped his very soul away from him or instead had mutilated him, tearing off a leg and running away with it preventing him from ever walking. Was it okay, had it been injured or hurt, it had not cracked, he shivered at that mere thought the idea of a wand being broken wasn't new, after all, there were repair services from back home and he had inquired and taken out hefty insurance on his main wand and a smaller one on his main backup, something that was essential when one was in his profession, but not something he had considered much afterwards.

Wand repairing was a rare skill, one that could only be carried out by the same type of people who manufactured them in the first place, often their fees were expensive and came with a grim and distasteful look that one would dare to allow such a tool to even have the slightest bit of a knick in them. But all the same, they would repair it even if those like Olivander would give another stern talking too and threatening people never to come back if they do something so significant again.

But to lose a wand as he had apparently managed to do, or worse have it stolen, if he never recovered it he wouldn't hear the end of it, thankfully though as he looked around at his neat office he had a feeling that he wouldn't have to worry too much. Most likely given that he was still alive and his room had not yet been requisitioned and that the servants he had passed were in good health he could surmise that they had very likely won the battle of Adamant leaving the way open fort their army to march back home in peace, or so he would like to think.

With everything now complete, it was a rather simple matter of then eating a quick breakfast and then heading back up into his office where after simply pressing another button the entrance to his own quarters was shut and hidden away as the false lid returned revealing nothing other than several notebooks of plain paper, if anyone had been in here when he wasn't awake or aware of it, they would not find anything of any actual value.

That just left the case of regrouping with the other members of the Inquisition, something that made him ponder as he felt a grin and sense of excitement emerge. How should he do it he wondered, should he walk in casually like he had when he had returned from Orzammar waiting to see how long it would take for the others to notice his presence or should he instead make a grand entrance as images of Aragorn in Lord of the Rings opened both the doors as he then marched in wounded but alive all the same.

He glanced back down at his clothes and gently took a hold of the metal necklace that hung around his neck stroking it gently. He was going to have to be more careful from now on, while his magic recovered his whole disguise relied upon this necklace, it wasn't something he liked to do, rely on his clothing for such a vital defence. While his clothing was protected to keep him safe for the most part he always knew he could rely on his own skill to keep him safe but now, the secret that he carried one that had been revealed against his will some time ago all the way in the Fade was going to be questioned.

Anger threatened to take hold of him at that thought, everything he had worked towards this entire time, returning home, his origins, why he was even here, every lie he had made all the trust he had believed he had managed to establish was going to be thrown out the second he revealed himself to them. How was he going to defend himself in any real manner, his magic was gone and his advantage of gunpowder was now shared amongst the men and what gold he had was locked in a wallet that would take time but more vitally was nowhere to be found.

Again his mind briefly wandered towards his oldest and most loyal companion that was his wand but it was only for a moment as he had to worry about more essential things. As poorly as he wished to admit it, he was in a position where he could run. It wouldn't take much, if this was Skyhold then it was isolated and on top of a mountain, and more vitally he had escape routes.

Unknown to the others he after hearing the fall of Haven had taken other measures when he had researched other ways into which one could escape. It was necessary he knew, after all, if Skyhold in turn fell and everybody else slaughtered their bodies then used as decoration he would need a way to escape and not just him but also those others who would provide essential services, those highest ranked Templar's and Fiona and all the other mages as well as any and all gold and other resources that could be carried with them.

Cullen may have ignored his warnings believing he was safe inside some wooden palisades and even safer now behind a true fortress, but he did not for even with the old magic that gathered here helping to assist with his own magic as it sought to protect this place did he trust in the strength of his own magic against a being that had walked the Fade and lived to tell the tale.

Then again, was it even worth it. While he may have his escape route allowing him to escape easily enough, how long would he be able to stay hidden for, days, weeks, months? He didn't have the skills nor the knowledge to hide from a determined enemy for any real period of time, at least not without the power of magic, something that was now denied to him due to his recovery, Valeyna and the others would find him all the same, and what would be the point in the first place.

Where would he run to? He had no friends, no allies, no safe house created as of yet, he would instead be a normal child in the world on his own only he had the might of the most powerful organisation on the continent hunting him down and the enemy of said vast entirety also trying to hunt him down, there was no safety in running away only death and that would only leave things worse than they were at the moment.

Would running not also say that he was guilty as well, while it wasn't always a case that only the guilty tan away from things like this, it was a case that running often proved such a thing in the eyes of others and this was not Earth, with the law of innocence until proven guilty, it was very likely the other way round and if Valeyna wanted him captured or expected she could do so without any father command. No, if this was to turn into some type of case against him he would have to be present and ready to not only hold his own and to tell then what he thought was correct but also to not be ashamed of anything. He was not at fault here, not for lying because it was only logical to do so, and not for any other crime he had committed for they were done in the best case of the continent that was facing a devastating foe.

That just left the original question, how to make his entrance.

He gripped his sword feeling the sensation of steel beneath his fingers in place of his wand made him feel strong again. He could not simply creep in, he was the second in command of the Inquisition, the impression that would give was that of weakness, one which would make the allies of the Inquisition question his appointment even more than they did so, he would have to do it with a sudden flair, one that would give of an air of power, one that those who might doubt his health could gaze at in awe at his seemingly miraculous recovery.

He grinned, he had a plan.

"A goat?" Valeyna questioned slowly her attention admittedly somewhat pictured by the quite frankly bizarre story that she was now confronted with. Over the past month since the battle of Adamant she had been thrust into her duty as the Inquisitor, often that meant trivial thing such as signing up on orders or checking with requisition orders that they had everything they needed, a few times some of the other advisors called for their help in certain regards as there were multiple choices in how to deal with a subject. However for all the droll work that she had to do whether in talking to endless dignitaries giving false smiles as she stood by Josephine's said as she said a whole host of words that made no sense listening to her to make promises and agreements all of which was part of a complex plan did she if ever get to the more exciting bits of governing and that was judging.

She couldn't say why she enjoyed it so much but perched on her nice throne high atop the stares looking down on all those in front of her did she feel a rare sense of both excitement and lust. Maybe it was her desire to dominate the very thought that she had the lives of people in her hands, their very lives hanging by the barest of threads, but by the gods did she love the look of despair in the eyes of her enemies and that feeling of love in her allies as she granted them some type of boon that they would repay her back with.

So naturally, it was to her amusement when she woke up to find herself being asked to judge a man for, catapulting goats of all things into the castle walls. Just how the man had managed to sneak past the guards, but she could say that she was happy to know that the defences Nat had said he had put up did indeed work.

It was much to her shock and Sera's endless amusement as for a few moments they watched as a goat baaed loudly as it hurtled towards them only to then pass through a barrier that like some kind of great gaseous thing seemed to simply explode in a squalor of gore. Guts went everywhere, as bits off hooves smacked guards in the face, blood splattered the walls coating the once grey walls into a bright red mess, even poor Cassandra who had been walking past at the time; as to her horror, one of the goat's genitals had torn off its body and landed directly in her tankard of ale where it had then floated there seemingly testing her to do something or other.

Eventually, Cassandra did by dropping her tankard drawing her sword and yelling at other guards to follow her as they then charged across the bridge that defended Skyhold to capture the man whose goats were now decorating the walls. However, the one who seemed most amused by all of this was not the giggling elf as she saw countless guards rush towards the closest bath in order to wash themself of the filth, but instead the instigator of the entire attack who was also laughing his head off as he was dragged in and saw the state of her inner courtyard.

Valeyna sighed, if Nat ever got out of that sleep of his she was going to have to have a word with him.

"Okay, would you care to tell me why you were catapulting goats into my castle," She asked looking at the large Avvar man in front of him. Like most men of that clan, he was exceptionally tall had pale skin and had muscles that appeared like they could tear a man's head of their shoulders with the barest of efforts. The man smirked at her and walked forwards.

"Chains, not necessary. You killed my brat son and I returned in the tradition of my clan and smattered your holding's in goat's blood" Valeyna sighed and exchanged a glance with Josephine, this was going to be a long day.

"Why, of all things is that a tradition? I would have thought something but goat's blood seriously? Do you have any idea how long that is going to clean up." The man gave a deep throaty laugh in return obviously not expecting such a response.

"Ha, then it is a worthy insult, even if my brat of a son did get himself killed"

"What did he want; when he sent that letter challenging us to a fight, there was not much... point to it"

"My brat of a son thought that if he could kill some soldiers with good steel that he could fight his way to Tevinter and do some real damage"

"Tevinter" Valeyna said slowly raising an eyebrow as she did so. "You do realise that Tevinter is north of here, very far north" The man shrugged. "Right, well anyway you didn't do any harm to the Inquisition so I'm not going to kill you although I think Cassandra here may want a word with you. Perhaps I could put you in the giblet then again if all you wanted was to fight Tevinter, it could be funny to see what would happen and just let you go. On the other hand, though you did kill some goats." Again Valeyna glanced towards Josephine for help, with Nat gone, she was her best shot of politics, after all for all she knew imprisoning this avvar tribe leader could lead to a war with other avvar which in turn led to attacks on their convoys leaving more people dead and other consequences.

"I don't know, this is unexpected" Valeyna nodded still grateful that the woman was honest even if that did mean that she had no clear cut way how to proceed onwards. On one hand, the idea of giving the man and what left of his clan weapons and escorting them north was an attractive one, Tevinter was no friend of the elves let alone the Dalish and with Corypheus arisen there were bound to be some supporters that were providing aid of some kind. Perhaps if the man-caused enough trouble he may actually root some of those supporters out then again they might be killed the moment they arrived or sent into slavery instead. Then there was the other side of the debate, she couldn't just send random people to attack another country without a just cause, doing so would damage her reputation not to mention it would be seen as a reward, that despite attacking her holdings and insulting her guests by splattering them in blood, that she would give the man something as a reward for his action.

She looked downwards and to her left where a small cluster of Orlesian nobles had gathered, though they were silent and this was far more of a formal trial then anything official with any true consequences compared to most other things, she could still feel their penetrating gaze on her mixed with the occasional flash of gold.

They were making bets.

She turned back to the Avvar his dark brown beard contrasting greatly with his pallid skin, what to do with such a beast, she could not send him back home to his people either in victory or defeat, death would be the easiest option, any nobles who may have been unfortunate enough to have been splattered by goats blood would have vengeance and she could also show that she was not one to be trifled with, yet all the same, the man had not meant and had not done any actual harm, was it really right to take his life for such an action.

She sighed and placed some fingers over her eyes doing her best to make it look like a normal gesture of her movements as she tried to hide the guilt that was rising inside of her. It was not the best option, not a particular just one, but as Nat and Josephine would advise, politics demanded sacrifice and cruel actions to be taken. She just hoped that this action was not how her tenure continues, for she had a number of other people to judge, all for different crimes and all she had to weigh up her decisions.

"Very well, as punishment for desecrating my fortress I declare-" Suddenly without any warning, the large double doors that granted entry into the grand chamber opened with a loud and sudden bang, the oak wood striking with enough force to send a couple of unprepared nobles jumping in shock as they turned their gaze. Valeyna sighed and looked at the new distraction only to freeze.

"My apologies for my late arrival, if somebody could please give me a quick understanding of what is happening that would very much be appreciated." Like a bell ringing off in the dark of night when all others had gone asleep and were dreaming, Nat strolled into the room with a fast yet powerful manner. Not breaking his stride once he didn't even bother to turn in the direction of the nobles he noticed in the corner of his eyes instead of keeping them straight ahead his own attention fixed onto the Inquisitors as he fingered the hilt of his sword. Only when he had made his way to the end of all hall marching up those stairs with a steady poise and precision that once again showed all those in attendance just who he was did he then march up to the throne of the woman, standing on the same level she sat at their eyes meeting for but a moment. Nat bowed his head once and then turned on his heel and walked a few paced to the inquisitors left taking an exact mirror image of Josephine and then cross his arms behind his back as he locked gazes with the accused.

"So what is his crime" Josephine glanced in shock at Nat and for a moment she went to yell, scream maybe even rush towards him and give him a hug now that he was seemingly safe and unharmed, however seeing his own professional guise reminded the woman of her own and without any delay or other actions that could be misinterpreted by the nobles down below did she explain the events that had transpired.

"I see," Nat said finally his eyes moving briefly behind his shades to the men and women behind, he checked their emotions, determining just how they reacted to every word they said, currently their attention was fixed on him and though silent he could that would change shortly. He looked back at the accused and the man met his gaze in a challenging manner. Nat gave a fake smile. "Well my good sir it seems we're in a bit of conundrum, however, I have a solution"

"Oh yeah and what's that?" The man taunted however Nat ignored it. "Death is the most appropriate course of action since you assaulted our fortress; however such a thing would not resolve the problem, in fact, it would just leave work that others will have to deal with. Instead, I suggest first and foremost that your punishment would be to clean the castle for your transgressions"

"What, you mean that mess made with the goat?"

"I mean the entire fortress, ever single crack, gap, window, toilet and every other inch of this place, whether it be the blood you split onside these walls and the excrement that comes out of our lovely nobles posteriors here" Nat waved towards the nobles enjoying how his every word seemed to input a sense of dread into the man, of course, it would the man was not just a savage, but a soldier of savages his very life was to fight and hunt food for his clan, for him to do menial work of any kind, was likely some form of heresy. "But that is not all since you stole the goats you will also have to pay for their return"

"And how am I meant to do that then, I don't have any stupid coin" The man growled angrily at the boy shaking at his chains for a second but only for a second as rumours came to pass and a terrifying realisation set in. That was no boy that stood before him dressed in stupid clothes that were the desecrater the one who could cut down armies, obliterate dragons and make anything else run in fear whether demons or Darkspawn alike.

"You would earn the coin" Nat continued onwards not at all concerned as the rattling of the chains continued to rise, the man to most others amusement seemed absolutely focused on trying to escape using his hard muscles to try and drag the soldiers from their stations. Thankfully the guards of the Inquisition were awake and were instead able to pull the man's arms outwards stopping the man from anything else. The man growled but stopped as the usually quiet sound of a pistol being prepared to fire seemed to echo through the halls.

All attention was on the wizard as he pointed the gun at the man's skull, bored Nat remembered his own lessons and kept his finger off the grip instead pressed on the outside of the gun, it would not to accidentally kill a man after all.

"For that little transgression, I change my mind, originally I was going to allow you to continue working here until you had paid off your debt but given the fact you have just assaulted two of our guards I will add another sentence and make the punishment harsher. " Nat turned to Valeyna silently asking her permission to carry on, reluctantly as not knowing where this would lead, she agreed. "I shall give you over to the Grey Wardens, to join their ranks, should you succeed you shall bolster their number and assist in the war against Corypheus"

"And should it not" The man snorted angrily not quite getting what this group of Wardens exactly ere, but not at all liking the sound of it.

"The result is the same regardless, death. Only one is fast and the other is slow and horrible. Should you survive the test, your body will be transformed and start to rot away and kill you but by but, spreading your mind and other things, though you will get the opportunity to fight the Tevinter scum you despise so much and if you fail, well... I hope your gods are forgiving ones."

"You would dare" The man roared with an explosive force only despite his fury Nat could sense the sensation of defeat in the man's tone, he was not angry at having been bested it seemed no doubt he had expected such a punishment, and likely he was also considering that he could be put to death for such a thing, but this, to be made some sort of servant to another organisation, to live the rest of his days in service to these arrogant northerners as though he were a slave of some kind, that was not what he had intended.

"The decision lies with the Lady Inquisitor, it is her that shall decide your fate" Valeyna blanched at that but all the same she considered what the punishment was, in truth, it was a death sentence, one way or another the man would very likely lose his life to the blight either due to the initiation or something else in his line of service. It was not the decision she wanted to give, but everything else was simply too weak, the man had assaulted Skyhold and while it had only been sheep it could have been something far worse, men and women could have died, they still might if those goats had anything nasty inside of them before they had been transformed into a gory red rain. But there were benefits to such an agreement and even though Nat did not look at her she could already see what had been considered, he may have only just woken up but he remembered slaughtering the Wardens, butchering and cutting through their numbers like a blazing hot knife through butter.

The Orlesian wardens were battered, bruised and on the verge of collapse not again able to declare war as they weakly hobbled back to their home base in the Anders. In a single night, a great organisation had been brought to heel, gaining a victory and likely an animosity as well, so by sending a large powerful-looking man, she couldn't help but wonder if this was some kind of recompense.

Suddenly it struck her like a fist in her gut and at that moment she felt like bursting into laughter at the realisation of what had just happened. If he was sent to the Wardens, he would have to be equipped with weaponry, and then if he was to meet up with the other wardens from Orlais he would have to travel all the way there, and the only way to get to the Anders would be through Tevinter.

That utter fucking bastard, he had just given the man exactly what he wanted and presented a good excuse to do so. The man got to wreak havoc in the north doing the inquisition a favour, she could say she held no resentment to the wardens as she was sending in a brilliant recruit and the giant got to go whatever it wanted as soon as it hit Tevinter borders. No doubt the moment he was escorted in he would receive a message of some kind saying he had to depart quickly forcing him to tell the man to make his own way through to the Anders. The giant would no doubt ignore the orders and the Inquisition could blame it on sudden changes in the war or scouting missions, there was no foul done.

Shaking her head she leaned forward in her throne and nodded towards the guards.

"Very well, escort the man to the Grey Wardens in the Anders, tell them he is a gift sent to reinforce the Orlesian garrison that we sent away" With a strong salute in the form of their right arm it's fist clenched and folded across the chess the guards escorted the large man away as another two joined quickly ready to cut down the giant if he tried to attack.

"Very well, Lady Josephine may I ask who is next on our list," Nat said politely this time ignoring the growing whispering from the nobles, though they tried to hide it, he knew he was the topic of the conversation and he could likely guess what was being said as well, but he did not care instead of focusing back on the topic of hand. The rumours were bound to float for a while now anyway and already servants were silently and discreetly dispatched from every door leading into the great hall with the news of his recovery, no doubt they were to alert the others.

"Up next is the issue with the Mayor of Crestwood" Josephine answered again in her ever professional tone.

"Very well bring him forward" Valeyna demanded.

"Mayor Gregory Dedrick of Crestwood is present for betraying his own constituents. He confesses that ten years ago, he flooded Old Crestwood to kill refugees and villagers touched by the blight. The mayor claims it was to spare the rest of Crestwood, but we only have his word" Introducing the man now brought before the throne, Valeyna saw a very different one from last time, that once terrified man seemingly soaked to the skin and terrified of the mere sight of her main advisor was not changed to a battered man one whose eyes were haunted.

Gravely as the man lifted his head up to see the woman who controlled his fate, the man sniffed in fear and then daring to glance to his sides he then shot back as he saw the emotionless face of the boy who had done so much damage to his village already.

"If the Mayor has anything to say in his defence, let him speak."

"There's no cure for the blight, but I couldn't convince anyone to leave behind a sick child or husband behind" Nat frowned at the news though not because of why the others did. He had a point, after all, the blight was incurable and not even grey wardens were cured, it also spread quickly and was a devastating thing which could wipe out entire communities from what he had seen leaving nothing but death in its wake. In theory, the most practical thing to do would be to kill anyone who caught it and burn the corpse, but that was a hard thing to ask, especially to a loved one. He went to speak but before he could Josephine did so first in a frosty manner.

"So you herded the infected into one place and flooded old Crestwood? Were no innocents caught in the waters?"

"Nearly everyone in the village had the blight, I swear it. Have mercy I couldn't tell the survivors I'd drowned their own families to save them. I-I couldn't "

"Nat anything to say," Valeyna said noticing the lack of glare that was directed to the man by nearly all others in the surroundings.

"You say nearly everyone else had the blight in the village?" The man nodded his head. "Could they correlate these facts, if we sent people to investigate, would they agree with such a statement" Josephine turned sharply her features in a suave political manner but all the same Nat noticed the shocked and almost glare on her face.

"I-I, don't know it was so long ago and there was a panic"

"Well I hope for your sake that they can"

"Nat what are you saying," Valeyna asked cautiously.

"What the man did is not in doubt, the man did most certainly kill those people, what I want to determine is whether he had a justifiable cause. I would counsel to put the trial on hold and put the mayor in custody and hold him here with no contact whilst we send somebody to speak with those villagers who were around at the time. If they agree that the vast majority of people were infected, or that enough were infected and the people were refusing to abandon those who had the blight then by rights the man was acting within his job as a mayor, if not then a murderer"

"He murdered his constituents" Josephine argued. "Innocent people"

"True, but he saved the others. At times lady Josephine the only way to prevent a disease from spreading around the body is to cut off the limb that it infests before it can spread. It is a grave solution and one not desired, but one that is required all the same lest the body die and wither. Until I can learn more about the real situation, that there was indeed a very real threat, then I must abstain my opinion"

"And if forced" Valeyna said raising an eyebrow.

"Innocent of murder. He performed his job to save the village even if it only meant a few individuals. In which case a review should be made to see what actions he took leading up to such an action to determine whether it could have been prevented"

A shocked sense of whispering resounded around the halls, as eyes landed on Nat. Typically his reputation was of a butcher, one who mercilessly killed all, who dealt out punishment, yet here he was defending a man who had killed hundreds. Even Valeyna was unable to hold back her surprise at the decision Nat had made, he had been the one during their trip to Crestwood who had seen something was wrong, the one who had kept looking for clues and hints where she believed that there hadn't been any, the one who had initially claimed the man was responsible for death, and yet he was defending them.

"Why?" The mayor's voice was a mix of utter confusion and disbelief. "Why would you defend me, is it not bad enough that you come into our village murder our protectors, now when I am brought before the Inquisitor to face punishment for my crimes, that you dishonour me and prevent the victims from having justice. Do you have no honour, no decency?"

"Are you saying you want to die?" Nat spoke softly though despite that there was a deadly air, one that even in his weakened state not able to be boosted by magic sent shivers down the spines of those around. "Because that is what you are facing if you are found guilty old man, there will be no retirement for you, no sense of exile, no hope of a better sentence in Ferelden, you shall be put to the sword." The mayor snarled furiously so much so that his crooked skin seemed to bend more than it should do and all light left his eyes like a last beacon of hope had vanished entirely from the world.

"Unlike you, I have a heart, and no longer am I able to live with the consequences of my actions. Inquisitor when I flooded Crestwood I did what I thought was right however there were far more innocent people down there then there should have been, I panicked, I thought I saw a Darkspawn one night and in response, I flooded the dam. What I did could only be considered murder, I deserved to be punished for my sins"

"Very well," Valeyna said not sparing a glance to Nat, even as much as she would like to she could feel the lingering eyes of the nobility upon her, watching her every action waiting and watching, seeing how would she react to this sudden confession. "In that case, for your crimes of murdering several hundred innocent villagers on the village of Crestwood, I sentence you to death." Then without another word the Mayor nodded his head in thanks to the Inquisitor before then turning on his heel not needing to be dragged by the guards that accompanied him to his cell.

Nat followed the man as he walked back to his cell curiously. He did not take offence to the man's words, he had been called worse than a monster and he was right, not once had he lost a single bit of sleep to the actions he had committed, not once did the pictures of those he had killed whether they were Darkspawn, bandits, or even Templar's haunt his dreams, their deaths meant nothing to him, they were the enemy. Was this a bad thing? He could not say though he doubted it, what was the point of feeling mercy for a bunch of people who sought to do nothing but enslave a group of people, either because of something they were born with or for other goals. They deserved their deaths and though they did not give him joy, they did not cause him sadness either.

Only when the mayor had passed through the large double doors that led into the main hall of the castle did the volume of the crowd begin to pick up once more, this time again focused on him. Wary glances, mixed with suspicion, fear, respect and something else that repulsed him utterly. How typical he thought, these nobles were no doubt sizing him up, seeing if he could make a good partner in some sort of alliance, one in which whatever noble family managed to strike such a bargain would become undoubtedly powerful.

Just what did each one desire exactly, going by the family symbols he had seen on the way here, he knew there was a good mix of different families and therefore desires. Some of them wanted his aid in military matters, whether it be in access to the weapons in which he had laid lows the walls of adamant, or for his actual force or perhaps instead his own talents he cared not the answer would still be no. Others wanted economic advantages, very likely in favourable trade terms or the access to the blacksmiths that worked in the fortress. Most very likely just wanted political assistance, his own voice to work in their favour when it came to policy making or perhaps to even lend it into the political ordeal that was currently Orlais, and then there were the others.

Though he hid it well some of the members in the audience felt a cold shiver down their backs, looking around they could not find the person responsible but before they could make any sort of noise or distraction to have a look, they were stopped as the voice of Josephine carried through the hall, informing them of another two more trials that were about to occur.

All went silent again allowing for the sound of heavy armour to resound as it strode weakly on the stone ground giving forth to the image of a female Warden, her face lowered in utter shame and her body giving no form of resistance. She was a survivor no doubt from the campaign, perhaps a capture ring leader, or somebody else, he could not say without the ability to peer into her mind, but given how she did not sneer once instead only granting a small fearful glance in his direction seemed to tell him that she was more than aware of who he was and what he had done to her precious little order.

"Another of the lingering pains of Adamant your worship. Sir Ruth is a Senior Warden of the Order. She was one of the many who slit the throat of another to bind a demon. She does not contest this. In fact, she surrendered to us, she wants no mercy, she wants the public justice of the headman's axe"

"You're very serious about this, is more death the answer?"

"There is no excuse for my actions; I murdered another of the Order. That marks me more the Blight ever could"

"Accepting the actions in the thrall of Corypheus, many treaties allow Wardens any extreme, if it opposes the Blight," Josephine said slowly watching carefully as the knight of a once ordained and beloved Order's face seemed to hollow out as the consequences of her actions seemed to confront her for the first time.

"I can't do it, I can't use the Greater Good to justify my crimes, as if it would create a future that I could be a part of. It is wrong that this broke me, I've done worse with full sanction, I can do nothing but be an example of the cost"

"Oh" Nat's voice was musical like a chuckle only condescending and harsh biting into the woman's seemingly noble excuse. "How rich, you were given the choice long ago in what manner you could have served, you could have refused yet you did not. You willingly took that action to take another life, one who may have very likely been somebody you knew and swore to defend the people of this world with, you knew what the result would be as unless you were the very first to do so I doubt you were not at all informed of what was going to occur. Yet despite that action you took even when you had the choice to refuse, you come in here after your defeat begging for mercy"

"I ask for no mercy only the headsman's axe" The woman yelled.

"And that is not mercy?" Nat countered. "You claim not to want to create that you can be part of when you took those actions yet you did so you are a hypocrite and a liar, you did not care, not in the slightest. You do desire mercy and it shows in one very obvious way, your desire for own death. You may state that it is to warn others, but of what, the danger of facing the Inquisition, I believe I made that prominent when I tore the walls of your fortress down into ash and butchered your order like animals, that you should not mess with demons and blood magic in such a way? That has been proven time immemorial by now that is basic information. That the Order can do wrong? A person need only flip open a history book and see that, there is no such thing as good and evil, only one's perception on the matter. That leaves the final thing, that the Inquisition can be manipulated. And again that is wrong. You seek the mercy of execution because you're haunted by your past decisions, haunted every day that you made the wrong choice, it tears and gnaws at you, like a great pain that an never go away, weighing you down. Every effort you make to get rid of it is in vein when you sleep at night you dream of what you did or how things could be different had you chosen a different path. By now that pain is so utterly powerful that you are helpless against it, tortured every single moment of your life, helpless against it's will no matter how much you beg. No, you do desire mercy, you desire mercy in death because that is when it will end, and that is when you will no longer have to deal with this. So tell me this Sir Ruth, why should we grant you the mercy of death, why not allow you to live the rest of your life like this, we both know it is far more effective, that even though all the pain you will never be unable to end it yourself, in fact, I wonder"

Suddenly without warning, Nat stepped away from his position in a slow agonising manner, every single step he took he watched as the woman kept her eyes fixed on hers, as her breath swallowed, finally after making it to the end of the steps so that he now stood in front of her a cold smile on his face he drew a small dagger from his belt and then lightly presented it to her holding it only from the bottom. Before the guards could say anything he gave them a subtle movement informing them to step away leaving only him next to the woman even as she stared at him.

"Here, take this" He said gently like a loving brother pressing the hit of the blade into the woman's hands before then taking a safe distance away.

"Nat" Valeyna's warnings fell on deaf ears as hers like those of the nobility fell like a great weight unable to move in the slightest even had she wished them too.

"I will give you this punishment, if you desire to end your own life, you may do so" The woman looked up a small gleam of hope in her eyes "However if you do so it must be done by your hands alone, you may not ask anybody to do it for you, you may not ask for or be given any assistance or anything else in that matter, you must take that decision yourself and only by yourself." The gleam brightened so much so that it was like a ray of hope in her eyes.

With her eyes closed, she turned the blade towards her throat moving it slowly fighting her own heartbeat and rush and a swirl of emotions as she came to do the deed. She could feel it now, the guilt lessening as the cold sensation of steel brushed against her sweet skin. Time slowed down around her and all other sound seemed to vanish as all her world became the end of her life and the weapon that would take it. Despite this though, she felt a sense of calm rush over her, finally, it would end, finally, she could make amends.

She took one last breath and with a slow movement, she went to thrust it forward peace finally upon.

"I do not give you permission"

Only at that moment as every sensation of peace and calm had surrounded her wishing her a happy end to her life did it then fall around her in shambles. Her hands stopped the blade still touching her throat and her eyes opened wildly in alarm as they focused on the child the one who had given her the knife who now looked down at her.

"What" She mumbled.

"I said I do not give you permission" Nat repeated calmly.

"But the knife"

"Is to end your life, yes, but that does not mean I give you permission to do so." The woman froze still her heart beating frantically as her mind began to speed up impossible. That couldn't be right she thought to herself, he had given her the man to redeeming herself, yet he had just denied her that couldn't be right, surely it must be a mistake. She looked up expecting to see a different expression but Nat instead shook her head.

No, no, he could not be refusing her, after everything she had done, she had to be executed, it was an unmerciful act one which was deserved yet here he was giving her the means to end her life yet refusing to give her permission. She turned to the knife the cold steel reflecting in the warm glow of the torchlight, she could not end her life, what matter would that teach, what measure of mercy was it that they would give those who committed such a crime the choice to end their life. It was wrong, cold, it had no meaning, her death would hold no meaning if she chose to kill herself, when they spoke of her they would now say that she was killed for doing wrong actions but because she had killed herself, she had stolen the justice that was due to all those she had wrong for herself. She could not commit such an act, doing so would rob others of their just cause, her life again would hold no meaning, she would be just a pile of flesh and bone and blood on the floor, she could not be redeemed by the maker, not brought to his side to rest forever with Andraste, she would be buried here.

What message was her death if she chose it.

None.

"Sir Ruth you may hold that knife for however long as you desire, but you shall not find death here. If you want it, only you can give yourself permission to die, nobody else. Now if there are no more complaints, you may leave"

"No, you can't do this, my crimes were inexcusable, I cannot be allowed to live in this world anymore, the other wardens they deserve justice"

"I think enough Justice has been dealt with the wardens already" Valeyna interrupted. "And with the order in tatters, they will need every Warden left to help them rebuild, so Sir Ruth I agree with my advisor, you shall live and you shall also carry that dagger with you so you may choose to give justice to the others whenever you so wish, however you do not have my permission to do so and you shall never have it"

"Your worship I can't they will never allow me to"

"To what," Josephine asked daring the other woman to speak out loud and admit her guilt and fear to the group when the woman looked around at the faces that surrounded her she only felt the weight of her decision to come back down around. Everybody here whether they were nobility from the richest parts of Orlais to the servants who did their best to stay hidden as they scuttled back and forth paying as much careful attention to what was happening as possible did she realise what had happened.

Her decision had nearly allowed for every single one of these people to be killed when she had taken that knife to kill her fellow warden, she had not just killed him, she had killed every other warden in the battle of Adamant, as well as kill every other person that Corypheus and his actions had taken. Untold thousands were dead because of her hands, and many more would die in the days and months to come.

Slowly not noticing how the guards came back and took her out of her manacles did she stare at her own reflection in the blade. It was just like then she knew, back when she had made the choice, the easy way to end her solutions, all it took was a little sacrifice and a small amount of blood. It was an easy action to make, one that like she had thought back then would claim the least amount of lives, only this time it would be hers and now a fellow warden.

Only she could not make that decision, instead, all she could do is feel as her fingers numbly clutched the hilt of the blade for a few long moments as she pondered on her life. Then after an unknown amount of time but what felt like the span of centuries falling upon her, withering her body and turning her hollow inside did she turn around escorted by the guards until she was outside facing the sun of a cold morning and the battlements of the enemy that had torn down those of her own order in the sake of preserving peace and life.

With a sigh, she did not notice how a taller blonde boy watched her with narrowed eyes as she took one step in front of the other and then glance back through the small crack in the door to the one who had set the woman on this path.

Cole nodded.

"I'm afraid Adamant's woes continued your worship," Josephine said hoping to get this business of trials over with as her gaze lingered onto the mage standing her opposite. Though she wanted to rush towards him and ask how he was, she could tell as well as all others in the room who held any semblance of political nuance that such a thing would be a disaster, showcasing incompetency of the Inquisitor had she thrown away something so important over in political terms anyway something such as an advisors health whilst in important affairs. Yet even so with the woman's restraint, she could feel the doubting eyes of the nobility, as those that had been fixed upon the elven woman were now drifting towards the mage.

Ever since he had stepped into this hall he had seemingly taken command of the trials, giving forth sentences that strayed from the norm. True he spoke with permission but the wandering eyes of the nobility eluded to them seeing that the true judge and ruler of the Inquisition was not the Lady Inquisitor but instead the second in command. She would have to speak with him once this was all over she knew, away from prying ears so they may not know the seeming fracturing of the organisation as different members seemed to dominate the highest levels of command.

"I submit Lord Vivius Arum on the Varandium who remains loyal to Corypheus. We found him alive, offering extreme resistance." The woman chuckled. "Likely because the Order will ask for his head. In more colourful terms, to say nothing of the justice you might personally require for what was suffered in the Fade"

"That's putting it mildly" Valeyna snarled hatefully at the man bearing her teeth in a savage cruel manner. Just the mention of Adamant was enough to set her blood on fire, what had once been a swift if brutal and bloody victory, had then transformed into a nightmare of hellish proportions. First had been her men, those who had stormed the battered and ruined rubble of the fortresses, easily killing the puppets of the ancient Darkspawn only to be burnt and eaten alive by that pet Archdemon. After that had been the turmoil of trying to pin him after he had nearly killed her with that blast of his separating her from Nat, forcing a child to confront the Archdemon alone in order to draw it's gaze so that others could be spared its fury. Afterwards came the Fade itself where she had been ripped from the world she loved into the domain of a nightmare beyond living comprehension, one which had toyed with her mind, killed the only loyal warden left in Orlais and had nearly killed her friend sending him into a coma for quite some time as he hung barely to the smallest scrap of life.

Just the sight of his pompous well dressed Tevinter aristocratic face made her want to rush down those steps this instant turn him into a pulp. Her magic flared about her for a few moments turning her Vallaslin into a brightly glowing symbol of power and pain that promised untold amounts of death and destruction, what should she do with this man she wondered.

Execution was too fast, to clean for the crimes he had committed and Nat was right with Sir Ruth, what message would that send, that even if you did perform unspeakable horrors, that you would be given a quick clean death, one that was painless, such a thought sickened her and she could tell even with her friends face as he stood there his hand clutching his sword in a tighter grip then normal that he thought the same thing.

"I recognise none of these proceedings you-" Vivius spat out.

"Commander "Valeyna ordered and Nat obeyed before Vivius could even comprehend what had even happened the boy he had thought he had killed was in front of him where with a sudden lurch, threw his knee in a powerful blow directly between the man's legs hitting him with force to the man's jewels.

Blood burst from Livius mouth the red ichor splattering all over the place staining the floor, walls and a good amount on the commanders face though he didn't blink not even as the man collapsed with a pitiful whine to the ground. Behind all men flinched at such an impact as it was without a doubt far more brutal then such an action normally would be as the man now laying on the floor was barely able to grasp an occasional short breath through his laboured feeling and incredible agony, even as Nat towered over him.

"Quiet. Now, what to do with you, after all the trouble you had wrought, all the lives you have taken, all the damage you have done. Hundreds lie dead because of your actions, good men and women who wanted no part in this war but chose to serve anyway to defend people like them from monsters such as yourself, a simple execution is too kind".

"Your petty justice-" Vivius tried to speak but before he had a chance the nod of the Inquisitor gave the commander the authority he needed. Then without delay, a powerful, steel toe capped boot slammed into the top of his skull smashing his head onto the floor breaking it with ease. Bone jutted straight out and a scream of agony echoed from the man.

"Silence" Came the vindictive voice. "The wardens will not have you, and neither will I take your life" Through the pain, Livius began to smile. "No such a thing is too quick, too kind. I think something harsher is a much better reward"

"You have no right" The gurgled voice was once again shut up as Nat not caring this time bent over and drew his dagger, a gasp of shock echoed through the hall as all those gathered as he placed the sharp edge at one of the mage's fingers pressing the blade closer and closer feeling his bloodlust begin to flow once again at the idea of getting revenge.

"I have every right" With a nod the order was given and the sound of flesh slicing through skin and bone echoed through the halls where to the shock and horror of some of the lighter more queezy members of the audience who could only watch as the bloodied right index finger of Livius the one holding the all-important ring of nobility was then held aloft blood dripping from the cut for all to see.

"You pathetic mongrel, I will see this place burn. I serve a living God, he will"

"God" Valeyna's voice was like a hushed whisper, the type that in the coldest of blizzards when lost and alone surrounded by only the slow and painful death of hypothermia and when your mind played tricks on you forcing you to hear wolves when there were none, did her voice then turn to a chuckle. It was quiet and mocking but soon unable to contain herself the magic of the woman flared and a loud mocking raucous laugh escaped her lips and the beautiful sapphire of her eyes transformed into that of the coldest ice dancing in sadistic mirth. "A living god" She smiled. "Excellent"

"He will burn this place to the ground, every single man will be put to the sword, every elf's blood sacrificed, every child enslaved as is their rightful place and every woman placed into the sexual servitude of any man who would dare use her filthy lower class filth"

"You do not understand, Tevinter. You call Corypheus a god, as though he is some kind of great creature unable to be killed, however, I have the perfect counter to his little scheme, one that will make even your pathetic master bow his knees in shame"

"Nothing can beat him, you shall all pay"

"More idle threats. No matter, Lord Vivius I have decided on a just punishment for you." Again there was another fell silent, but one heavier then those of all the others combined as the group dared to listen to what possible punishment this savage Dalish woman could give out. Whispers of being made Tranquil were made abound and those few loyal Templar's in the room close by and ready to end the man's lives felt their interest piqued. Valeyna was considered a great magical apologist, yet the crime dealt by the man was extraordinary, would she give a mage the one punishment they feared more than any, would she rip out his very being as a person, or would she perhaps sentence him to slavery in order to allow the man to feel what it would be like to be seen as a pathetic worm for the rest of his life, to have his own desires turned against him.

Raptly all paid attention.

"Lord Vivius for the crimes you have committed against the people of Thedas, for the slaughter of so many you have caused and the barbarity of so many other things, for too many crimes to list, I sentence you to death by slow and extreme torture. Your body and mind shall be shattered into a million different pieces your sense of self entirely abandoned until you beg for death in which case you shall be boiled alive and then your corpse shall be hung, drawn and quartered with the remains sent to every corner of this land to be a display of such heinous actions.

"No, you can;' do this, I am a lord of Tevinter" Vivius screamed even with his head battered and slightly caved in a major injury. Even as the two guards marched forwards and picked up the defeated mage off the ground and began to drag him away his eyes covered in blood as he tried to escape all the while the Inquisitor and commander watched emotionlessly as the tyrant was led away to meet his fate. Finally when his foul presence was lost the woman turned to Josephine.

"Is there anything else?

"No your grace"

"Good, in that case, please alert the other servants to meet us in the war room, Commander please accompany me, Lady Josephine join as soon as you are able"

"Of course your worship" An with a small curtsy born of years of diplomatic training Josephine quickly walked towards the nearest servant ordering them to run quickly and inform all those who fought with the Inquisitor to make their way quickly to the war room, where after following the fast pace of the Inquisitor she barged into the large room only a minute or so later.

There was no warning for Nat as he entered the familiar area known as the war room, despite his usual quick reactions; he still felt his mind dull and his magic still recovering. Waking up from a magically induced coma was never a nice thing and something he truly despised, even if it was one he had grown used to over his younger years during his lessons in duelling. Even with the fond memories of his teacher sending him hurtling towards the other side of the room smashing his delicate face into a wall or being burnt alive in a fire or sometimes transformed into some kind of animal at the teacher's pleasure, that did not mean that he had not endangered his own life in trying to improve his skills, either by pushing his physical limits or by casting spells well beyond what even his own prodigy talents could produce.

The result was always a dull headache that never went away no matter what drugs or potions he used as well as a myriad of slower reactions as hid body recovered, so while he was not able to react as he felt the weight of an entire elven woman suddenly glomp him, he was able to catch her and prevent the two of them from toppling over.

"Valeyna," He said with a sigh ignoring the warm feeling as her arms entangled themselves around the back of his neck and pulled him even closer to her, so much so that he felt his chest start to hurt from the pressure of having her far more considerable one pressed so directly into his he didn't care about. Instead, he simply took a breath of fresh air allowing for the woman to simply hug him tightly.

There were no words said from the Inquisitor, she didn't have to say anything, just this feeling of him in her arms again, alive and consciousness was enough. As she pressed her head into the crook of his neck she took delight in his scent and closed her eyes. He was alive, more than that he was awake and he was here with her, seemingly unharmed, strong and mighty, finally after an unknown period of time that she felt appropriate she lessened the hug and stepped back slowly her eyes locked onto his own glasses. Before she could say anything else however Nat was rushed once again as Josephine was next in her hug though nowhere near as tight as loving.

"You're awake" Josephine cried happily. "I feared that with the Fade, I remember seeing you, so thin, so pale as though you were a corpse." She smiled allowing a small myriad of tears to run down. "But look at you, all strong and dominating now".

"Kid" Cried the overly cheery cry of Bull and again Nat was only able to mentally brace himself as the charging form of Bull acting like a sort of battery ram, seemingly thrust himself through the door and snatched him up in his arms, and began what Nat could only start to think was an attempt on his life given how he could feel his bones seemingly protest at the sheer strength that was exerted. Only when his face turned blue did the man relent and place him with both hands carefully on the ground as though he was some weak piece of china that would fracture at the slightest touch.

"Well, well, it seems you are still standing" As the voice of Blackwall followed Nat turned his attention hiding his surprise as behind the man the grinning face of the fake warden close din followed by the warm and seemingly honest smirk of Varrick as he too followed.

"Figures, of course, you were going to wake, up, makes for good storytelling," Varric said shaking his head before like Bull he approached Nat and offered a hug, for a moment he thought the kid wouldn't accept it but with a small smile, Nat nodded and embraced the dwarf for a few moments where his attention was then once again captured as a sudden black blur quickly enveloped him.

"By the Maker, it is true, you are alive" With Cassandra now having revealed herself, it was then Cole's and Sera's turn to join in on the fun.

"So you're awake, bugger and here I was hoping to get off scot-free as well" The elf muttered mockingly yet despite that Nat noticed the slight grin and was unable to miss as the girl gave him a small light jab on the arm. "Don't do that again alright, had the Inquisitor here going nuts for an hour, drove Cullen mad, though so it wasn't all bad".

"You survived, good" Cole added pleasantly.

"What's all this ruckus about" Vivienne emerged next and like a sudden rain the happy atmosphere that was there vanished in an instant. "So you're awake, very well. Inquisitor unless there is actually something that requires my attention, I shall be in my quarters" And with that, the woman stormed off however the mood was brought back as the last three all quickly pushed their way through the door battling one another before then shoving them through at once.

"Well it seems the reports were true, you are awake. To survive from that? You must have the Makers own luck" Cullen added brightly.

"Or his protection" Leliana finished with a smile. "Though how are we going to sort this out, if your list of actions continues, it's going to be impossible to remember them all. God slayer, Fade survivor, Nightmare killer. I look forward to seeing those letters"

"I don't" Cullen muttered.

"Oh come, commander, the nobility is going to love this; I can already see any introductions at events. Lord Tempest, God slayer, Vanquisher of Nightmares, decimator of Templar's, they'll eat that right up. Anyway, I see you're awake" Dorian finished. "Finally realised you couldn't be a lazy sod anymore and woke up."

Nat shrugged his shoulders.

"Meh, it's hard to stay asleep, I mean I left you in charge of the mages in my absence, Merlin knows what's happened, It's a miracle in of itself that the place has blown up yet, I would have thought by now that you would have sent us into space" Nat joked and walked towards Dorian, where again he was pulled into a favourable hug which was then halted as he then stopped and noticed that Solas wasn't present. Where's Solas"

"Asleep, apparently he got bored of being awake and decided he wanted to try and find you"

"Find me?"

"Yes, after how long you had been out and with the recovery of your physical attributes he was concerned that you might not have recovered from the Nightmares attack" Valeyna added.

"I see in that case I'll have to thank him for the thought. Anyway, back to business" With a loud slap Nat stepped back towards the war table making a careful note and hiding his annoyance at the sheer quantity of knives, daggers, arrows and other things which have been thrust without care into the woodwork. "What happened while I was unconscious, going by the fact that we're all here alive and breathing and you seem to be a peaceful mindset without much concern I would guess we won"

"We did," Valeyna said gently. "By the time we emerged from the fade, the soldiers had the entire castle secured and the remaining Wardens had surrendered"

"And the Arch Demon?"

"It flew off"

"I see" Nat stroked his chin as his eyes fell upon the site of Adamant, just as Valeyna had said there was now a pin that indicated that it now within Inquisition held territory likely indicating that any and all rifts within the area had also been taken care off. That was not the only area however as there other marks and pins, some indicating new rifts others were indicating encampments of forces, epically those of Orlais two main factions as they continued this civil war. "How many did we lose in the battle" Perhaps it was the time that had passed for the others but unlike usual, Nat noticed that Valeyna did no longer seem as concerned by those who had died, no doubt she had already done what she could in his stead, but he could not afford to be left out of the loop, he had a war to win.

"Three hundred and fifty-seven," Cullen said grimly. "A small price given the usual cost of fighting such a creature in a Blight, but a heavy one regardless" Nat nodded his head, it was indeed a heavy loss, he would have preferred to lose nobody on this first mission abroad, to show the enemy a glimpse of the power they had but far more vitally so he could blood the soldiers under his command, give them a taste of battle so they might better steal themselves better when far more dangerous encounters sprang forth.

"Anything after that, no major campaign"

"There has been the occasional skirmish with patrols closer to the Tevinter border but nothing too dangerous. So far it seems Corypheus is content to bide his time wherever he is" Josephine added not noticing as Nat's attention piqued at the mention of the northern border, perhaps it may be time to meet in person with Tevinter. If they could take away the main group of supporters from the man, then they could likely cripple him, father.

"Any other new, anything at all?"

"Duke Gaspard and Empress Celene have agreed to a temporary ceasefire in a month and a half so they can best prepare for their meeting in the Winter Palace. We have already managed to secure ourselves place, however, you alongside the Inquisitor have been sent a personal invitation"

"Me?" Nat said hiding his surprise. "Why would they desire to send me a separate invitation, If I were to attend would I not be considered part of the Inquisitor's retinue?" It was at this point that Leliana smiled, not a slow sad smile or one of anger and revenge as he had seen but rather the more beautiful smiles that she often gave when she wanted to tease somebody whether it be him or some else it didn't matter but it happened all the same.

"It seems you've garnered a bit of a reputation, your invitation was sent by not only the Empress but also by Gaspard. Both were rather insistent that should you awake that you attend. " His eyes narrowed harshly at that and his mind went into overdrive. This was not a good thing he knew, on the outside, it seemed all fair and brilliant, his actions had garnered enough respect and praise to be invited by both potential rulers did insinuate that he was someone special that they wanted to know, however that was only a thin veneer one that anyone with political experience could see through.

"Do you think they desire to separate us, or instead improve their chances of gaining favour" Nat queried"

"No doubt it would be both, but I think there is more to this then Inquisition politics. Given your age and position, this could be an invite to"

"Marriage" Nat spat the word out as though it were poison. "I have no intention of abandoning my freedom and ruining my life in such a pathetic manner, no matter if I have recovered enough by then I shall join. For now, I would have us talk of other things"

"We have secured more locations in Orlais, the demon population has been going down, on the other hand, we have been facing an increased rise in Darkspawn activity" Cullen added.

"Darkspawn? Has Corypheus already begin to sort their help" The commander shook his head fervently.

"Maker no, it started shortly after the battle of Adamant, powerful earthquakes, they've been rampant over the last month, villages have been torn down, mountains have seemingly collapsed and it's been sending Darkspawn upwards, we think to escape"

"That's... odd. Can you think of any reason behind a sudden upsurge in major seismic events?" Cullen blinked for a moment trying to comprehend the worse for a moment before finally being able to understand and thus responded aptly.

"No it just did, it has been driving Orzammar crazy, a few days ago they sent a diplomat to demand answers"

"Could it be some form of spell, I'm no expert in your history, but I thought the continent was pretty stable, only magic sounds to be the cause. Even then though, I don't think a spell could bring down a mountain as you claim"

"Well it didn't technically bring down the mountain, it just split it a bit and started a massive avalanche. Leliana has sent agents to investigate but so far we have nothing, we'll just have to wait and see."

"Anything else?"

"Not particularly most areas we can reach have been secured for the most part though trouble does keep popping up, apart from, the earthquakes and the Winter palace nothing has happened as of yet, so we're just waiting."

"Which leads us to you" Valeyna interrupted drawing the attention of the wizard when he looked into her eyes however the warm light that was there previously faded entirely replaced with a suspicious look that seemed destined to pierce his skin as though searching for a crime had had yet to commit but she was sure he would do. "What are you hiding, what did the Nightmare mean by Great Traveller." Nat went to speak. "Don't bull shit us, we want the truth and we'll know if you're lying"

Nat gave a heavy sigh and glimpsed towards the window to the outside cold of the mountains. Perhaps he should have run away, or maybe instead stayed in bed until his magic had recovered to the point of being usable again. Were that the case he could say anything he wants and wipe their memories of it straight after and input new ones, yet that was not the case and he did not hold such an advantage in the conversation. Cullen and Blackwall had already made to block the door preventing escape and the castle was too high up to leap out of and land safely without his magic, not to mention Sera was close enough to knock him down on his ass at a moment's notice if she wanted to and even if she didn't there were at least two other mages who could hold him there for as long as they desired.

There was no escape from this he knew, no brilliant way out to save his identity, no great spell, he was now forced to tell, his secrets ripped from, he could resist but it was off no use, the secrets of his past would not do him any good nor would they affect the mission in any way. So with a long sigh, he hopped into one of the only chairs and leaned backwards his eyes meeting the woman's.

"Before we start, I would like you to know that were I in better condition I would use my magic to show examples so you need not imagine, however, given the current environment I am unable to do so and will not be able to use magic safely for another 2 weeks and not comfortable in a battle for a month, even then I will likely not be at full strength until perhaps the time of this winter palace, and that's a rough guess.

"You look perfectly healthy," Cassandra remarked sarcastically as she noted his scar less form.

"Physically yes, It can take a good amount to scar a wizard though even I shouldn't have emerged as unscathed as I have even with my magic so I can only assume I had other mages helping to recover my healing at a far better rate which again likely explains why I'm awake after a month instead of perhaps being in a permanent coma. No matter, where do you want to begin?"

"Somewhere simple, what's your real name?" Valeyna asked as she leant her lithe body against the frame of the table.

"Nathanael Tempest, heir to the noble house of Tempest"

"You're nobility?" Blackwall cried in surprise.

"Trust me that's the least of your concerns, anyway next question" Nat smiled enjoying the sudden look of wariness that already came over the fake warden as he started to understand what was about to happen.

"The nightmare called you a Great Traveller, what did he mean?" Nat closed his eyes, the faint calls of that name echoing through his ears as he stood in that place, magic clawing at his body to rip it apart. His look turned dark and then he answered.

"In short, because I am from a different planet "The reaction was to be expected, blind calls, perturbed looks, those who thought he had gone mad and others, something else, thankfully through all of it Dorian kept a clear head and raised a single eyebrow. Only when the shouting had stopped and a sense of calm returned did the man ask his own question.

"Another planet, is it one of those we can see at night or is it like the Fade some type of realm connected but unseen?"

"Neither. I know for a fact it isn't another realm connected to this one, or I at least hope so, for it if it was, I might have been able to feel home. As for another planet, it may be possible though not one you can see, instead, if that is the case it would be far away, perhaps in another galaxy, I do not know and could never say"

"Fascinating, truly fascinating. What was it like, how did water, work, was it the same, and food, and magic do they work on different principles"

"Hold your horses, Dorian, I think we have a more important question to ask," Blackwall said rebuffing the man as he then walked over his ever step seeming heavier than it normally did, only when the man was close enough that Nat could see the individual strands of the man's beard did he then speak. "If you're from some other world, how did you get here"

"Well that would be the fault of the Inquisitor or Corypheus or instead of the Ancient elves, take your pick" Now he most certainly had their attention Nat knew, the curious looks from everyone were certainly piqued but none so more than the two mages, both who were interested in scholarly and historical meanings.

"What did my people do," Valeyna asked her eyes beaming at the idea of learning some kind of long lost lore about her people."

"I'll keep this simple when I have recovered enough to show you I will, but for now with something this complicated it's best to merely give you an idea. Anyway though, at some point in history, the ancient elves abandoned this world, what they planned to do, I have no clue, but in the end, they somehow managed to make a portal to mine and fled through it. Do not ask me how the magic works, I don't know, all I know is that after coming to my world they very quickly all died."

"What how" Again Nat shrugged his shoulders and was forced to watch the irritated look on the Inquisitors face as she was denied knowledge.

"All I can guess is that they might have died of heat loss and dehydration or starvation, you see where they came out is in a dessert specifically in a country called Egypt. How long they lasted again I can't say did dint have a chance to look around their tomb so I have no idea if they brought a large number of supplies or not"

"But the ancient elves were bound to have some mages with them; couldn't they have just their magic to deal with the problem?" Nat shook his head.

"I don't think so, and this Dorian shall begin to answer one of your questions. You see there is a fundamental difference in our two different types of magic, yours like the elves is external, you have a connection to the Fade think of it as a lake. When you want to cast magic you call upon its power which is sort of like an individual river, now like a river depending on its size, direction or depth that might affect the water moving through it, all the same however the magic is not truly yours as it is the fade's and you are taking from that. In contrast, my magic is my own, I have no connection to some great vast lake or knowing the size of the Fade, some vast infinite ocean, instead, I have my own power my own lake that is inside me. I was born with that lake and that lake is mind, it is where my magical power and all things related comes from and it is why casting so much magic can drain me"

Dorian's eyes widened suddenly with understanding turning his usually handsome and tanned face into a pale almost sickly one ad he pieced things together.

"The elves lost their magic the moment they entered your world"

"Yes that is my theory, and it would explain why such a powerful and ancient race would hold no weight in my world's history as far as we know. In fact, they would have been nothing but regular muggle's, smart, but magic-less and in a strange foreign land with no direction anywhere, I believe that they died in the desert and their bones have decayed entirely or are buried under so much sand that they have never been discovered "

"Okay, but how does explain how you came here, if the elves didn't even affect your history in the slightest, how did you find out about them," Varric asked though his attention was completely fixed, every word he analysed forming his own conclusions on the likelihood of things.

"Recently we found an old Egyptian tomb, normally it wouldn't be anything special, there are loads of them buried beneath the sands that muggle have no clue about, but this one was different, this one had been built on top of some other civilization, the ruins of whatever had been left of the elves. Anyway despite being dead and not at all known, there was one thing that still remained"

"And what was that? Valeyna asked leaning forward transfixed.

"A strange orb thrumming with odd magical energy, sitting alone atop a pedestal facing a giant mirror" Dorian's alongside all the others including Solas who had believed he has snuck in secretly gasped silently recognising at least one of the items.

"There was a portal, to another realm" Bull said in amazement.

"It seems so"

"Then why did it fail, if the elves lost their magic because there is no fade then why not the orb"

"Because the orb was like a batter, it contained magic from the fade and was kept, however, I think it required magic to be used something that the elves couldn't do meaning their one way home was lost to them."

"Oh I get it so you cast a spell on the orb and it opened up the portal," Sera said bored.

"No, others had already tried that and the orb didn't respond, not in the slightest. However, I think when the ritual Corypheus used when it failed it sent some sort of magical wave, screaming through the fade, perhaps this energy wave struck the other portal which in turn activated the one that was by me which destroyed the temple I was in and forcing me to flee through the portal to survive or be crushed to death. Now because of the flawed ritual which upset the portals, I was likely thrown through the portal where I would have stayed however at the same moment the ritual happened and threw me in, a rift opened up right beneath me allowing me to fall straight through"

"How do you know any of this is real, stories of ancient elves, magic portals and other things" Cassandra inquired cautiously now of what might be a crazy blood mage, it was a possibility was it not or perhaps he had gone insane with his time in the fade.

"I can't be" Nat admitted honestly shrugging his shoulders in the meantime." This is all simply theory, without somehow being able to find any clues or hints how I got here I can't know if there was some kind of accidental ritual, or something else, Merlin despite not believing in gods, that was on my planet, for all I know this could be an entirely different reality and they might exist. I don't know all that I do know however is what I experienced and here I am now sitting before you.

Whether you choose to believe me or not is your choice, the fact of the matter is that it happened and I'm here before you"

"This is insane" Josephine whispered her head shaking at the bizarreness of it all.

"Hah, at least you're not the one who had to experience it." Nat joked yet despite this he could only feel the weight of everything fall around him, so much so that he felt the requirement to keep his mask of inference on now more than ever, they were all observing him he could tell, from the slightest movement to something more. Leliana he could guess was fixed on seeing if he was lying, Dorian was fascinated by his home, Varric was listening with some attention though he was still struggling to believe everything, Solas on the other hand simply said nothing instead lost in his own deep thoughts. It was the Inquisitor that he was most concerned about, now that this had come forth how she was going to react to him, with anger and hatred, or with fascination, perhaps she might call him delusional and think he was injured in the Fade to the point that he couldn't think carefully. It didn't matter which, in his current state he was unable to fight back whatever happened.

"So this home of yours, are... are you trying to go back to it" There was a very light pleading tone Nat could detect, it was mixed with a sense of desperation and growing horror. Another attempt at trying to keep him here when this was all done perhaps, maybe she wanted him to trust her all the more so she could stab him in the back. For a moment he wanted to trust her earnest face, perhaps she was being honest, then again, he knew that was a lie. He knew her, the way she slept around, jumping from person to person begging to be accepted to have someone who would truly love her, no doubt she was moving from Bull and looking towards someone else. Why him of all people he couldn't say, there was nothing that would make anyone attracted to him, but all the same, the woman seemed to do it and by the looks of things she wanted to try and keep him here with her under her command. He could not allow such a thing.

"Of course, beautiful as Thedas may be, it is not my home, nor will it ever be. However that does not mean I will abandon you, there are threats here which raise my concern for my own home. You will have my assistance to Corypheus is beaten, of that, you can count on"

"and afterwards" Cassandra's reply was cold, not unfriendly but stern, cautionary, no doubt she was weighing up the pros and cons of such an action. Whether she could fathom of such a thing as different worlds was not important but rather how she considered the fact that he planned to leave.

"I will continue to search for a way home. I have lingered here far too long, got swept up in things that I shouldn't have" Cassandra narrowed her eyes.

"What do you mean got swept up in events?" She demanded.

"Exactly as is it sounds, despite my actions since joining, I am still a civilian, one who holds no proper government rank except my title as nobility. In a sense, I am a representative of my country and would likely have the power to act in their stead, but it would be like having a random soldier wash up on a continent far away and assisting the people there. I hold no real power. Were this in different circumstances I would have been nowhere near here, in fact, you never would have heard of me as Aurors and politicians would take my place. Instead, you get me, one random wizard who happened to be at the right place at the wrong time, or maybe right time and wrong place, or maybe both of either category. Whatever my point is that under the normal circumstance I would not be allowed to get involved as I have".

"And yet you have" The woman growled.

"Wait if you're not supposed to be here kid, then why get involved in all this?" Bull Inquired curiously as he leaned against a nearby wall pulling out a tankard of ale that he seemed to be hiding on his person where he then began to drink the contents slowly.

"You were the first people I saw, and considering I had just fallen through an inter-dimensional portal only to be attacked by demons a few moments later, i figure safety in numbers."

"That doesn't explain why you stayed, you could have left any moment you wanted," Bull said.

"Practical reasons, I was new to this world, knew nothing about it. I could have left of my own volition, but this is a medieval society, the type of knowledge I want is going to be focused in either old books or in well-versed people. It would have done me little good to find information only not to be able to not use it given that I couldn't speak, read or write the language. Also, there was a case of contacts, call me shrewd, but I realised that I had likely gained some favour with those at Haven that day, even if it was small, I figured such a thing could be useful if I needed assistance down the line"

"You used us" Cassandra hissed violently her eyes quickly turning into a glare at the thought of having been the pawns of others.

"It was not all for my own sake, Young as I may be, I am a member of my Nation, as the only representative of that nation, the duty falls to me to represent it's interests whether I was the King himself or some random working-class bloke of the street. To that effect, I have been fighting Corypheus because he is a danger and my people believe in fighting in what is right, trust me when I say were others aware of the situation many would agree with my intervention if not for my actions"

"You fight wars for moral reasons? Either you're an idiot or you're deluded beyond belief " Blackwall shook his head yet as time passed Nat could tell that the man was doubting his story especially at the last mention of some type of moral nation. Nat shook his head he guessed that this would be the response coming from a man in his background, years of the military very likely didn't put a great deal of trust in those in charge, especially if they were sending young men and women to die in some pointless campaign.

"I'm not a fool Blackwall, I know that when my country goes to war it is for their profit at the expense of other nations, however as hard as it may be for you to believe, the governments do have to be somewhat mindful of the people. Should a leader start an unnecessary war which would become incredibly unpopular, there is always the possibility Parliament would enact a vote of no confidence and kick that leader out to replace it with a new one. Or in an even more doubtful scenario, his majesty does still retain the right to dissolve parliament entirely. Otherwise, if you can believe it, most of my countrymen will agree when troops are deployed, whether it is to fight piracy, terrorists, a cruel authoritarian regime. My country is no saint, no country is, but the tyranny of the Orlesian nobility, killing anyone who disrespects them running amok in towns and cities to kill and murder without recourse, that is deplorable, as is the war Corypheus wages. We outlawed and spent a great many deal of time and resources to end it long ago, and this ethnic cleansing of elves, the butchery, I despise that as well and this cannot stand."

"Naive optimism and callous business." The man spat glaring at him. "How can you do it, so easily say one thing and mean another, to hold no sense of honour. You claim to fight because you despise Corypheus but you can't wait to go home" Nat shrugged his shoulders, not at all perturbed by Blackwall's words.

"I see so that is why you asked for lessons"

It was during this thought process that the slow and sombre tome of Solas finally broke out, though instead of one that would indicate a deep dislike or anything else, there was a sort of respect he could feel, nothing major but almost for a moment did Nat feel like a strange sense of kindred has passed between them. Was it the recognition of a man long past his own time and practically in an alien world to him compared to what he grew up with and another who was literally from another world where the laws of natural things in the world such as magic were different or made no sense.

Yet just as that sense of strange kindred came it vanished and instead of the warm almost comforting eyes of a man who had seen a lot, they were instead replaced with the cautious and meticulous eyes of a man who had the rare ability to stay alive for so long when it seems every other member of their kindred had died many years ago. Solas was going to approach him he could tell, whether in anger or in something else however was yet to be decided.

"Wait so you asked Solas to teach you languages so you could learn elfish, does that also mean you asked me to teach you Orlesian so you could navigate Orlais" Josephine smiled good-naturedly. "How crude and politician like of you."

"Yes well, it wouldn't do to be in a foreign land seeking knowledge if I can't read the languages that they're written in. Though whether or not you would believe most the languages I have come across here are the exact same as others back home"

"Wait what, you're telling me they speak Orlesian in this other world of yours" Cassandra cried her previous thoughts on Nat's background now more focused on the idea of languages to the point she was leaning closely on the table begging for more.

"Well it's called French where I'm from, it's the same for your native language Josephine, what you call Antivan I call Spanish, and Tevinter is very much Italian in nature whilst Navarra is German and Austrian in nature"

"Wait how you know this, I thought you said you could not speak any of those languages before coming to me?"

"I didn't" Nat agreed with a fake smile. "However I am able to roughly recognise a language, I can't speak or understand a word, but I can guess which one it is"

"Ah, I see," The woman said before then frowning and looking up with a curious glance. "Then what do you call this language, you speak it so well"

"That's because common as you call it is called English. It is the language of my homeland though like here it can be considered the Lingua Franca, though due to history and circumstance rather than being designed by the dwarves specifically for Trade."

"How fascinating" It was and Nat could see that Josephine was buzzing to ask an endless stream of questions about every single topic, however with her experience as an ambassador she was able to clear her mind and then refer back to the Inquisitor as she was finally allowed to take the lead and ask her own set of questions to the newly revealed foreign mage.

"So you came from another world, because of the ritual and want to return, okay I understand. I believe you"

"Just like that?" Valeyna smiled

"You haven't let me down before, I trust you. Even if it is bizarre, there's no reason why you would make up such an excuse unless there was a reason. So yeah just like that." She smiled but to her discontent she noticed the way Nat seemed to struggle to believe her, quickly her mind flashed back towards what he had said to the demon. It had hinted at something regarding his sister, for a moment she wanted to ask but thought better of it, already Nat was sneaking his way most subtly to a large window where occasionally he would shoot a glance downwards. Like an animal, he was feeling corned and like an animal, he was looking for a way to bolt. Because of this she stepped backwards but making sure to keep an eye on him lest anything raise the tension. "I do have one question though"

"Only one," Nat asked doubtfully.

"For now, I think you want to ask some things as well. But anyway my question is, what will you do if you can't go home"

A slow silence emerged over everyone but especially the wizard.

Nat stood there in silence. What would he do if he couldn't get home, true he had considered it before and thought about making business empire that could take over the continent and thus improve the technology level and standards of living, but that was more of a joke then anything, a theoretical plan to test his thinking ability, he didn't think he'd actually do it. In truth he kind of knew that he would just keep looking, he didn't expect to find anything in a year or two as much as he hated to think of such a thing, this was ancient archaeology he was going to do, a profession he had never really considered given that while it may have been interesting and history related, it was not something that had to do with combat. However, the information he would need, the mathematical formulas to pull off magic on such a scale, only now as he looked a Dorian and thought about what he had likely done to get time magic to work did it start to really hit him.

He may never go home, he could be stuck here for the rest of his life, in a foreign land, away from everything he had ever known, destined to leave a far duller life, there would be no food he was familiar with, no modern entertainment apart from that he brought with him, no internet in which he could learn any topic he wanted, no anything. He was stuck in a backwards society.

But even if that was the case and even if he retained his position as second in command of the Inquisition, did he really want to stay in the same place for the rest of his life. He wasn't foolish the Inquisition may be growing in power and influence now and his role would look good on a CV, but the Inquisition would not last, within the next few years if it defeated Corypheus it would be forced to collapse as the goal it sought to achieve was gained forcing the organisation to hold onto whatever scraps it could. Then the top membership would be disliked and all favour gained would soon vanish as they saw no need for such an organisation in peacetime when the threat of two realms folding into one another no longer remained.

Then he would have to find another job and frankly, the life of a teacher or lord at his age was well frankly boring. He did not want to do his current job again so soon, besides he was a wizard and he had magic at his beck and call, and when combined with his youth and o old responsibilities to a house which had likely collapsed with its heir gone and perhaps replaced by another, he could do whatever he liked. The things he could learn, the magic he could perform, very little could stop him in his current state and with time he would become even more powerful. Why would he want to stay when he could venture and learn new magic and see other things? In fact, as he thought about it the more he felt the call to adventure and the wild, to go see things and do things that others could never do or hope to achieve.

People spoke often of not letting opportunities cross them by.

Well, this was his opportunity, his once chance to do whatever he desired. Silently he took a silent deep breath and returned the harsh look that the Inquisitor was sending his way.

"Most likely, I'll explore the world"

"Explore, you won't stay here," Josephina asked in a concerned manner however Nat shrugged his shoulder, not at all bothered by the odd sense of choice he would make if forced into it.

"No, I'd rather stay away from politics for a while, it can get rather busy. You start by trying to do one thing and before you know it, you've found yourself in a conspiracy to overthrow the new system and implement a new one. Besides staying in one place, not my type of things, I'd be bored beyond belief"

"So you'll leave either way. Is there anything that could change your mind" Nat shook his head and glanced towards Solas, there was no way of knowing what the man was thinking inside that head of his, however as blind as he was, Nat hoped that he could work with him. If he was an agent of Fen Harel, then it was very likely that he might have what he wanted in terms of contacts and possible knowledge, just what he might want to exchange for such a thing could be discussed.

"You believe that there is no Fade in your world, none at all," The bald man said with an oddly calculating look. Nat narrowed his eyes slightly, he recognised that expression, it was that of a man who was doing a cost-benefit analysis. Was he planning on some type of invasion, or something else?

"None" Nat confirmed.

"I see, perhaps we could discuss this in our next language lesson" Nat raised an eyebrow, though the offer sounded genuine; he knew better than to trust people like him. With the truth seemingly revealed the man has already decided that he was worth not killing at the very least, something made all the more apparent by the decision to carry on with lessons. All the same despite the furrowing doubt Nat nodded his head in thanks, with Solas's education he may find a way back home.

"What was it like, you're home?"

"Oh come on, you can't believe him, different worlds, no Fade, you have to be kidding me. How do we know his mind wasn't damaged by that demon thing" Sera shouted shivering for a moment as she considered the monster that the others had only told her about.

"You have proof?" Valeyna asked. In response Nat dived into his pocket a few seconds later he pulled out his phone and walked towards the Inquisitor where in full sight of the others he simply got through the passcode bits until he eventually got managed to pull up his photo albums where he could then demonstrate them.

Valeyna paid eager attention, in awe she watched as with a single flick of Nat's finger the picture what appeared to be the most lifelike painting she had ever seen get replaced with another one that was equally as lifelike. In each of the pictures she noticed two schemes, the first was of the buildings, often there seemed to be large towers made of an unknown material that soared into the sky. Made of strange glass with what she thought was stone, she watched as the largest buildings make a rather nice background contrasting with the bright blue sky above. Each picture was different, some were made of the strange material and others were made of brick, there were bridges as well, some small, some seemingly made of metal and one of such grandeur and scale that it appeared to be an ancient castle that was built long ago to guard the entrance into the city. But the size of the city was another thing, Though not often when there was a picture of them on the roof of a building all that could be seen in every direction was an endless sprawl of houses that went on forever covering up all green land.

"That's London, the capital city of my country and where I was born and raised"

"It's so big, I can't even see the walls," Leliana said her eyes gleaming as much info as she could.

"There aren't any walls, not any more anyway, the city grew so large and walls so entirely ineffective that nobody builds walls around cities now."

"And these things in the sky" Josephina said excitedly.

"An aeroplane" Seeing the beaming eyes begging for more info, Nat related. "It's a flying machine, made of metal relying on the laws of physics to allow it to fly in the air and transport people all around the world.

"Flying" All of a sudden Solas found himself rushing over his eyes watching carefully as picture after picture went by though he didn't comment any farther. Suddenly however the pictures changed much to Valeyna's annoyance.

The reason for her sudden annoyance was that the normal blank pictures of London were instead replaced by pictures of him. He was dressed as he normally was but instead of being alone, he was next to a girl, one older than him by several years, so much so that Valeyna would have said that the girl was her age and was she beautiful. Thin, well dressed with pale skin and a symmetrical face that went well with her long bright blonde hair and vibrant emerald green eyes that seemed to draw all who looked at them in, Combined with larger than average assets but a neat yet casual sense of dress, the girl looked like some kind of nobles daughter.

"Who's this" Valeyna growled noticing how the woman with a bright cheery smile had her arm wrapped tightly around Nat's waist and dragging him towards her. In other pictures there was him and the woman smiling and laughing, at others, they seemed to be fooling around, either with magic or as she messed up his hair. It didn't matter to Valeyna though instead there was only one unique thing, Nat was happy and he was with a woman. Not as beautiful as she was, but that was due in part because of her elven nature, but for a human, the girl was gorgeous, the type that nobles would take as a mistress or abandon their fortunes in fairy tales for.

"Katie, my sister," Nat said allowing his fake smile to turn into a more honest one.

"Sister" Valeyna glanced back a sense of relief bursting within her at the mention of family relations between them. "Oh yeah, I can see it, the hair and skin colour."

"Yes, one of the few physical similarities we have" Valeyna nodded, even if she took into account the time that she had seen passed the Illusion Nat wore at times, it was hard to see much that would mark the pair out at first glance, they were different in far more ways than others.

"How come?" It was an innocent question, but one that made the wizard freeze for a moment as she was forced to consider a correct response.

"We're half-siblings, our fathers were different, but we got on well. These pictures were taken quite recently, Kate had just finished her exams to be a photographer and to celebrate I took her around the city to get some shots"

"She's very pretty. What was it like to get looks from guys when they saw her with you" With a teasing wink thrown at him, Leliana enjoyed the way that Nat reacted as he rolled his eyes, as though he was used to this type of question so much by now.

"Nothing, Kate had a boyfriend. Of course with him deployed she like being in my company as it often seemed to stop guys from approaching her"

"You played bodyguard?" Nat grinned like a shark.

"Oh yeah, you have no idea how hilarious is to watch as some approaches the table to talk to her either to ask her out or something else and then she ignores them. Even when they don't they would try to insult me"

"And when they got physical" Cassandra asked. This time Nat didn't grin so much as did a deadly aura emerge for the briefest of moments before vanishing again, despite it lasting for only a few short moments, likely no longer then a second or so, at that moment Cassandra had been paralysed. Oddly it was not natural, as when she turned she saw only Nat's cool face and the terrifying expression that promised anyone who looked upon it incredible pain if they continued. "And if they got past that"

"What you think I would swoop in and protect her? Kate's not some maiden in distress she'd ask them to leave and if they tried anything she'd put them on the floor. Only if things got really bad would I interfere" Nat said his voice proud as he glanced down at the sister he had not seen in such a long time, how was she doing now he wondered. With his duties as second in command, he had not yet had the time to think of his sister, not when the war was waging and his advice and skills were needed.

"You sound... proud?"

"I am. She's intelligent, funny, happy, and talented with her job. She likes her work and wanted to become a world-famous photographer, she passed the top of her class and when I last heard she was even getting some regular clients. She's done well for herself, not to mention she also managed to actually find a good guy to settle down with, he even proposed to her and everything. Not to mention he's absolutely fucking terrified that if he hurt her, that I would flay him alive."

"So usual brotherly antics then" Leliana giggled as Nat seemed to glare at Blackwall seemingly not happy at the way his eyes lingered on her sister's breasts for a nanosecond too long.

"Of course, she's my sister after all, and I'm so proud of her. Just a shame I've missed the wedding"

"What, no" Josephine's face fell into one of horror and even the stern unbelieving Blackwall looked in sadness at the second in command. "You can't off, when was it planned, couldn't they have delayed" Nat smiled painfully for a moment but shrugged doing his best to make him seem unconcerned by the missing of his sister's wedding.

"It's fine, my lack of presence means nothing, I'd already paid for the wedding, and the honeymoon, and the rather large wedding gift, not to mention I made sure to leave little presents for every year I was gone. So my absence won't affect her in any meaningful way"

"No that's horrible, you're her brother. Of course, she will, no doubt she will be searching for you" Valeyna interrupted doing her best to imagine what it would be like to have a brother. Was it a nice feeling, when she was younger she had thought that one of her best friends had been her sister as that was the way they had treated each other and how the adults had spoken about them, only now as she was older did they mean like siblings, it was just a shame that with her taking the position as the Keepers First, she had not had the time to keep up with her friend in such sisterly pursuits. All the same were she known that she would get married, she would invite them.

"Perhaps," Nat said doubtfully."Well I hope she enjoys herself, I hope I get to see her again"

"Of course you will, we will help in any way you can," Josephine said happily. Stepping forward she desired to embrace the wizard in a hug and tell him that everything would be all right and they would return him to his family once all this was finished, yet before she could they were interrupted once again by Valeyna.

"So you want to return home, to this woman?"

"My sister" Nat reconfirmed. "But yes"

"I... I see"

"Anyway back to other business, I am willing to discuss more of my home later. For now, however, I need to focus on recovering, Merlin knows how I managed to survive let alone without scars, but all the same, my magic will take weeks to recover and if what you say is true then I have a great many other things that I need to attend to."

"Things, what things?"

"For one there are those under my command, it may be a month late but they behaved in a well-disciplined manner and must be told so, also I must see to the dead and inform those who still have living relatives that a member of their family will not be coming home, also there is more training to be done, not to mention the logistics. The weapons showed their worth at Adamant and more will have to be produced as well as an extensive amount of guards posted to defend the powder makers, I have no doubt we will be receiving a message from Par Vollen now that I am awake and not in a coma. Speaking of which" All of a sudden Nat turned to look at Bull.

Normally such an action would not bother the wizard in the slightest, he had magic and could eviscerate the man in a second, but now, devoid of his magic and still weak from sleeping, all he could see was the giant muscles that rippled as the man moved, when combined with the sharp horns on his head that he had seen the man skewer a person with, he knew that such a battle would come down purely to skill. He may have his smaller size and the enchantments, but Bull could just as easily rush him and snap his neck like a toothpick if he wanted and the fight would be over in a minute.

Nat shook his head not allowing such thoughts to trouble him, he was the second in command of the Inquisition, a commander of its armies and advisor to what may be the most powerful woman in the world. His state of weakness was temporary one to be rectified in a manner of weeks, all the same, he could already remember that sensation of bull's hand on his throat, his eyes crazed with madness as he went in for the kill.

"Next time you try to kill me, put a little effort in it" Then without warning, he thrust his fist into the man's hard abs. It did nothing, however, Bull smirked and nodded.

"Good to have you back kid, I guess I can ask you more questions later" Nat nodded. "Good, I want to pick your brain about some things while I, uh, think about this"

"Very well, anyway now that's done unless it requires the others, I think we should allow them to go back to their duties. We have our next engagement to plan" And with a pained smirk, the others acquiesced giving the occasional goodbye as they left the room leaving only the Inquisitor and her fully assembled set of advisors as they looked at the large number of daggers that had been thrust in. "So, these Earthquakes, what do we know of them"

"So eager to get back underground, I would have thought with your last two experiences regarding Darkspawn and dragons you would want to avoid it"

"Trust me, Cullen, If I could go the rest of this war without having to delve back into the Deep Roads I would, but major seismic activities are a serious risk. For all, we know Corypheus could be up to something down there, or perhaps one of the other old priests, perhaps one we have not yet encountered or maybe something worse. Frankly whatever it is, if something is causing such massive disturbances all of a sudden, I want to know what it is and why it's happening. And stop if it we have to"

"You're that concerned, sure it's a nuisance for some people, but that bad?" Nat shook his head his eyes lingering onto the old parchment of the map to where the area of earthquake impact was the highest.

"Cullen, if these sudden earthquakes get worse, we could be facing major uprisings on our hands, the loss of armies, the destruction of societies. For all we know the earthquakes could be a weapon in design, something cooked up by some deranged mage, whatever it is, it doesn't matter. Should an earthquake emerge from directly under a city or something else, that's the continent plunged into chaos. With the wardens dead we don't have the power to hold back blight"

"I doubt it's that bad, there has been an increase in Darkspawn attacks, but nothing that indicates another blight or anything venturing anything near that level of threat. If it were, we would have heard reports from Orzammar that attacks were increasing. Surely other more serious matters take precedence, the Winter place and the attempt on Celene's life" Josephine argues noticing how Nat seemed to stare at one dagger, before then gently tugging it out of the map.

"Yet you still think otherwise," Cullen said.

"An underground foe who would be able to move freely unhindered is a major disaster if they had access to the right technology and supplies Merlin knows what they could do with the Deep Roads, collapse a city from underneath itself, allow for demons to spawn in populated areas. Not to mention we already know that there's at least another ancient Tevinter god, more of those Magisters and a bunch load of Darkspawn and strange dwarves in Kal Vashrok. Having a bit of good luck will do nobody harm, especially if we are able to act quickly. Anyway, this could improve relations between us and Orzammar, if we can convince them to work with us we may get equal assistance at a later date. "

"Even if it is true and something is causing the earthquakes, how do we stop them?" Nat paused for a moment, even in his still tired state he could remember what it was like all those months ago deep in the underground hell that was the Deep Roads. The cold, dark lair that was the home of the Darkspawn was not a place he desired to visit any time soon, even now just the thought of such a place sent a cold and horrid feeling down his back. It was hard to navigate, and even with his growing map... Again he froze as a horrid sensation washed down him.

His map, the thing that he had created those golems to do so they could provide crucial information, was that still going to happen now, did they still exist completing the job that he had given them he didn't know. He would have to check when he had time but for now, he needed to get to other things, there were several days for him to recover his strength.

"I don't know" He admitted.

"You don't know" Valeyna's voice was incredulous.

"How can you not know how to stop whatever it might be if there is something? I've seen you fight Archdemon's, survive the fade when you were physically dying and be tormented by the Nightmare. How can you not know?"

"I just don't" Nat 's voice was raised, once again his mind flashed back to what had only been recent, back to what that demon had shown him, the thoughts in his mind, his sister and that... Whore. He shook his head banishing the memories soon after however and responded. "I do not even know if anything even is causing the problems only that we need to investigate, with what's going on, Corypheus, the Architect, archdemons, it's better to be safe than sorry"

"And if it's natural?" Leliana butted in quietly.

"Then it's natural, nothing I can do"

"And if something else is responsible?"

"Depending on the intent, we hope to put a stop to things, Kill it if it's necessary" At that moment Nat barely caught the slightest flicker on Solas's face, what it as was he couldn't tell, doubt, concern? Either way, he returned back to the business at hand, what could possibly cause earthquakes and other problems that were at hand.

"Let's hope not, I've had enough of killing at the moment," Valeyna summarised before her face turned stern. "But you, you're not going anywhere, not until you've recovered your strength, you nearly died in the Fade, it's a gift of the gods that you're still alive now, I'm not letting you go out and fight, not at all."

"I'm not a fool Inquisitor, I have no intention of rushing into the Deep Roads as of yet. As you said I still need to recover and regain my senses"

"Perhaps you should get some sleep" Josephine suggested politely but it was turned down with a pointed look from the wizard.

"I've been asleep for the past month, I'll sleep later, for now, I need to find my wand and make sure that the men are okay. No doubt word is already spreading via the servants, I would prefer to give out the whole truth before it spirals entirely out of control. No doubt the men are going to blame me for the death of their fellow soldiers."

"It wasn't your fault, you couldn't"

"Don't" Came the loud and demanding voice of Nat. "I was the commander, in charge of the operation, the sense of responsibility ends at me and nobody else. Whether I could have foreseen the Dragon attacking is irrelevant, the fact of the matter remains it was my responsibility to lead them in to combat, to keep them safe and I failed. Now if there is nothing left to say, I shall be on my way, if you have questions on my past I will answer them, just not this instant"

"I have your wand"

"What?" Nat turned his attention now fully on the elf woman. Before he could say anything else however he watched at the woman placed a hand into her pocket where slowly she pulled out the familiar piece of well-polished black word in a delicate grip and held it carefully in both hands.

"When you went down, it was in your hand. I didn't know where you stored it and since you seem to keep such good care of it I thought it would be best if I kept it safe"

"I see. Thank you" Quickly and quietly for his mind was distracted on other things Nat approached the woman snatched up his wand quickly where he then slotted it quickly into its sheath, and gave her a nod before then turning around, only once he had left the room did Valeyna speak again.

"Shouldn't we do something, he's only just woken up" Dorian shook his head.

"Exactly, he needs time to process realise what's happened, for now, we should be grateful he's even awake, you remember what the healer said it could have been decades and instead he's awake in only a month."

"But still a different world, aren't you curious in the least Dorian?" Cassandra interrupted.

Of course, I am, but again we need to let him wake up and rest, for him it's only been a few hours since he saw his men get burned alive and murdered, he needs to come to grips with things, it doesn't help that we just cornered him and demanded answers."

"I suppose but still"

"Time seeker, that is all I ask, once he's ready he'll answer questions, for now, let's just let him wake up"

"Still"

"Time, Seeker" Dorian repeated more ardently. And with only a grumble and a glare, Cassandra allowed for silence to fill the room as the group reflected on what had just occurred. Meanwhile, Nat still recovering began to consider how to step forward, the future was certainly going to be a trying and interesting one that was for sure.


Hi sorry for the late update this should have been uploaded about 2 weeks ago, the reason it hasn't is because of Corona. No as of publishing I have NOT caught the virus to my knowledge, instead what happened was that work and other things that would have been done in June and July were pushed up suddenly because of the Virus which left me with no time for writing for quite a while now.

I hope everyone is able to stay safe in these times and though I do not wish to cause alarm to anyone I think it is best just to let people know that in the chance that Corona does infect me and it does become serious I will do my best to try and put a notice up. Again I seriously hope it is not needed, but i would let you know regardless in these trying times.

Again sorry for the late release and especially if it has affected the quality of my work

Best Regards

Battleship Vytalia