Evelyn wrapped the fur lined cloak around her body tighter. The chill would not go away no matter what she did. The shivering never stopped as she tried to fight it by moving around. The cold strands of air blowing out of her with each breath she took. The creature had her trapped in her own thoughts and she had not been able to find a way out.

"Why? Why did you let me die?"

It was Maxwell's voice that haunted her. His voice was just one of the several that kept creeping into her thoughts no matter how hard she tried to push them away.

"You didn't stop him, Evie. You let him force me to jump."

Her mother's voice was haunting. Not hearing it in years was almost welcoming. She missed her mother. Longed to have her by her side to talk to her, hold her when she needed comfort.

"You failed to stop Alexius. You allowed them to make me use red lyrium. It's your fault."

Cullen's voice was the strongest right now. It was able to seep into the deep recesses of her mind, in her thoughts. Just as she would be able to chase one image out of her mind another would appear.

"It would be easier if you just open the doors and let me in, Herald," the creature spoke as the frigid air swirled around her. "Let me in and all the pain will go away."

"No," she thought to herself, squeezing her eyes shut. "I will not submit to a demon."

"Corypheus has promised us so much in return for your soul." A new voice, deep raspy. Trying to sound feminine.

She scoffed. "Good luck with that, demon. I'm not a prize to be won."

"Oh…but you are," it said. "He dreams about you when he allows me to touch him while he sleeps. He desires you in ways that you can never imagine."

Evelyn spun on her heels as she tried to strain her eyes to look through the darkness. The place where they held her was not like the Fade, she remembered what that felt like. This was different. Colder. Lifeless. There was no emotion here except for despair. Yet now, something different was in the emptiness that held her captive.

"I told you, I'm not listening." Evelyn clenched her hands into fists and tilted her head up as she shouted. "I will not submit! You can tell Corypheus to kiss my arse!"

"If you don't submit, then we'll have to just play with your brother," Despair spoke again. "He walks the Fade even as we speak now. It would be so easy to just call to him."

"Stay away from Max!" she screamed. Evelyn tried to find the direction of the demon. "You coward! Come and talk to me!"

"But it is so much more fun talking to him," Desire spoke. "I do miss what we had back then. He had tried so hard to keep me away." It paused briefly to purr. "Until now. Oh…the things he wants to do with you…to you…He is not the person you think he is."

Evelyn spun when she thought she felt the Desire demon's touch on her shoulder. Still nothing. Blackness that was more than just blackness.

None of this made sense to her. She was not a mage so how could she be where she was. But if this was not the Fade then where was she. The last thing she remembered was sitting by the fire in the room that Captain Malloy put her in. Watching the fire as she sat on the floor, seeing it slowly die from not being attended to.

She was asleep. They were in her dreams.

Just like Solas had been. When he entered her dreams when they talked about him walking in the ancient ruins as he slept. When they spoke to each other in Haven after it had been destroyed. Talking about how he studied the anchor while she was unconscious after the explosion. How he decided to stay with the Inquisition to assist with the fight against Corypheus to close the rifts.

"You sick son's of bitches!" she screamed, gripping the side of her head with both hands. "Keep trying! Solas played this same game with me and it didn't work. You will not break me and I know damn good and well that you won't touch Max or Cullen because you want me."

Silence from Despair and Desire. A sense of satisfaction filled her. She played their game and she was winning.

"Maybe not your brother," Despair said.

Desire purred again. "But your delicious commander. My sweet, sweet Cullen."

Evelyn turned again when she felt the icy touch creep up her spine. She was now face to face with the Desire demon. The piercing amethyst eyes stared back at her as Evelyn felt her breath taken from her.

"I already hold him tightly in my embrace," Desire said as her hands roamed across her breasts and lower abdomen. "His desire for you is strong. Dark. What he would do to your innocence is…" She closed her eyes as one hand squeezed at her breast and the other down to her crotch. "Painful… lustful... It would be so delicious."

Stepping forward, Evelyn lifted her left hand into the air. The eerie green glow of the mark was bright, lighting the darkness that held her captive in the prison that the demons held her in. Closing her eyes, she pulled back the doors that she had hidden deep down and opened them wide. A scream came out of her as the power from the mark was unleashed on the demon that was in front of her. The Desire demon released a shriek as it began to dissolve before her.

Evelyn felt her body suddenly become weak. Every muscle in her body lost strength as she fell to the ground. Her eyes opened again to find herself laying on the floor in the room. Kneeling before her was her father. Staring down at her with dark eyes yet also blue, his skin pale but normal at the same time. It was like staring at two different faces at the same time.

"Poor dear," he said as he reached out to run a finger down a long tendril of brown hair. Her skin cold, lips blue as she shivered on the floor at his feet. "She said you would be easy to break but I knew you were stronger than that."

The icy touch of his fingers brushed down her cheek. Like sharp icicles scraping across her skin. "I…I… told you I…would do what you want…why?"

"Because, Herald of Andraste," he said, his lips turning into a wicked snarl. "I want to break you until you no longer want to live. And when that time comes, I will take everything you have and crush you for the Elder One." He inhaled deeply and slowly blew it back out as he ran a finger across her cheek again. "You will become his pet, his slave to do as he wishes. And I will receive any reward I want."

He stood up and began to walk towards the door. The further he moved from her; Evelyn felt the cold in the room lift. A sudden thaw began to remove all remnants of the winter that had filled the room. A flood of heat warmed her body the further he was from her. Her body becoming feverish at the rush of warmth that replaced the cold.

"You do surprise me, dear Herald," he said, looking over his shoulder at her. "Your brother Luca broke so easily until I had him doing my will. The same with Captain Malloy." He rubbed his chin, staring at her in thought. "I would love to play with your Commander Rutherford." Seeing the angered expression that produced on her face as she tried to push herself up, he laughed. "Oh, don't worry. I made a promise that I would not touch him. But fail me and my friend will finish what she started ten years ago."

Evelyn felt the nausea building in her stomach as she looked at him. "Is he still alive? My father?"

It turned around to look at her. "You are an interesting thing, aren't you? You ask if the father still lives after all he's done? To you. To your brother. To your poor mother who threw herself off the balcony because she was too weak to fight." He tossed back his head in laughter. "Let's just say he wasn't as strong as you are." He turned to leave again but stopped.

The door closed behind him as he left. The room being bolted shut from the other side by the guards. Lowering her head, she kept telling herself that she just needed to hold on a little longer. It would all end soon. She prayed that Cole was able to get to Cullen with the message. If he did not know what the message meant she hoped that Sebastian would.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

The royal guardsman walked into the Seadog Pub and looked around. The pub was busy with its regular patrons along with a few new faces. Mostly sailors taking a break while the wind and rain was picking up. It was still too early for hurricane season but the closer it got the more unpredictable the weather would come. The guardsman knew that during hurricane season meant that more people the guards would need to keep an eye on. Also meant more disreputable individuals to deal with.

About to turn around to leave, the guardsman spotted a woman that he was unfamiliar with. Most likely one of the ship wenches that travel from port to port, working on their backs to pay their fees for travel. Her long, dark hair was pulled back with a deep, red ribbon. A white dress that barely went past her plump bottom was held tight against her abdomen with a crimson corset. Her ample breasts pouring out of the low cut of the dress. Licking his lips, he watched her lean over a table, her bottom moving side to side as she talked to a man, she was trying to make a business deal with.

"Oh, come now, dear," she purred. "Just a little time."

The guard watched as the man, impeccably dressed and well coifed, ran a finger over his mustache. "Not tonight. I'm just hear for song and drink."

The guardsman watched as she pushed herself from the table, placing her hands on her hips to shift her weight up on her right leg. Licking his lips, he turned to look to each side. No one was around that would report him if he decided to take a break for a bit.

"Your loss, deary," he heard her say.

She turned around and began to work her way towards the bar but paused when she noticed him looking at her. She sauntered up to the guardsman, running a finger over his breastplate, across the pauldrons and around his body until she was facing him again.

"You look like someone who really needs to take a break," she said, looking at him like a cat playing with a mouse.

"Maybe," he said as his eyes lowered down to look at her breasts. "You have time?"

"For you?" she said, smiling as she lifted a long finger up and across his chin. "I have plenty of time." She stepped forward to whisper in his ear. "I even have a room with a cozy little bed waiting for us."

He looked out the corner of his eyes to his left and right when he felt her reach out and take his hand. "A little free time is just what I need for tonight," he thought as he followed her towards the rear of the pub.

The guardsman watched her bottom and felt himself getting heated up even more as he followed her up the small stairs to the upper floor. There were six rooms on the upper floor, three rooms on each side. He knew that because he had been here before for work and for pleasure. Hurricane weather always brought some of the most interesting people to Ostwick. Especially exotic women where were incredibly talented when it came to taking care of the most primal needs of men.

"What's your name, sweetie?" she asked as she turned around to face him as they reached the door to her room.

"Luther," he said as his hands moved to grasp her waist.

Pulling her against his body, he kissed her neck as she tilted her head to the side. She reached behind her to open the door, giggling.

"Wait until we get inside, sweetie," she said as she began to move backwards into the room. "Then we'll have some fun."

She took his hand, leading him into the small room. The room was dark except for a small candle burning in the rear of the room beside the bed. As soon as she got him inside, the door closed with a thud as he kicked it closed behind him. Urging her to the bed, he continued to kiss her neck as his hands moved across her waist to curve around her breasts. His palms could barely hold her breasts as he felt her begin to work on his armor.

"Let's get this off, sweetie. Get you into something a little more natural," she said, nibbling on his ear as she whispered to him.

Luther went to work to remove his armor until he was down to only the thin leather leggings he wore. When he was done undressing, she grabbed him by the shoulders to spin him around and push him down to the bed.

"Get to the middle," she ordered as she climbed up on the bed to straddle his legs.

Smiling, he moved his body up the bed to the top. Placing his hands on her hips, he pulled her along with him. She leaned forward when he was at the top of the bed, taking his hands into hers as she lifted them above his head. Kissing his neck, she reached down between the bed and wall to slide her hand down. Her hand came back up, bringing with it a dagger that she quickly pressed against his neck.

"If you move too quick, I may give you a shave, sweetie," she whispered as she lifted her body up to look down at him.

When he tried to move, she pressed the blade down with a little more pressure until it was digging into the skin, just not enough to break the skin. She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth a couple times, shaking her head.

"I wouldn't do that. I could easily slip," she said.

His eyelids narrowed as he glared at her. "What do you want?"

"Just a few answers to some questions," she said.

"No," he answered.

The door opened and three more walked in. Luther could hear the door being bolted behind them as the room became brighter. All of the candles of the room lit up as the three walked further into the room. The guardsman's eyes turned to see a dwarf, a Qunari and a human walk into the room.

"Shit," he muttered.

Varric walked up to the bed, aiming a crossbow at the man. He looked at her, smiling. "Good job, Rivani."

"Ol' Luther here was more than cooperative," Isabela said as she continued to hold the blade against his throat. "Only now, he's decided not to talk anymore."

"What a shame," Dorian said, rubbing a finger over his mustache. "I'm sure he has a great deal of information we would like to know."

"You'll all be hung for threatening a royal guard," Luther said as he looked up at the men.

Iron Bull folded his arms across his chest as he stepped closer to the bed. "A royal guard, huh?" He looked at Dorian and smiled. "I can have him talking in ten minutes."

"Ya will not get away with this," Luther said as he looked up at the Qunari.

"Looks like we're doing a good job of it," Varric said. He waved the tip of his arrow at the man. "We're just looking for some information. Just tell us what we want, and we'll be on our way."

He shook his head. "No way. I'm more afraid of Captain Malloy than I am of any of you."

"Really now?" Dorian asked from behind. "And why is that?"

"He's possessed," the man quickly said.

"Possessed? You mean he's a nutter?" Isabela questioned as she kept the blade aimed at the guard's neck.

"No, he's possessed," the man answered again. Seeing the glare from the woman, he shook his head. "He's off his rocker."

Varric rubbed his chin, looking up at Iron Bull. "What do you think?"

"I think all Marchers are off their rockers, but that's beside the point," Bull responded, looking down at Varric. "What's wrong with your captain that you're more afraid of him?"

His jaw clenched shut as he tried desperately not to look at the Qunari. Feeling the gentle nudge from the woman on top of him, he reluctantly gave in. "The captain hasn't been the same for a few months now. He's meaner. Harder on us than before."

"Great," Varric said as he lifted Bianca up to rest the crossbow against his shoulder. "Another crazed captain running amok in a city-state." He turned back to look at the guard. "We're looking for two prisoners that your captain brought in a day or two ago."

The guard clenched his teeth again. Isabela rocked her hips over his pelvis causing him to jerk a little as she ground into him. "All right! They're on their way to Starkhaven," the man said. "Captain got 'em under close guard." He closed his eyes, blowing out a heavy breath. "It ain't right 'cause that's Lady Evelyn."

Dorian blew out a breath of relief hearing her name mentioned. "What about a ruggedly handsome blond man? Was he with her?"

"Aye, he's with them."

"Shit," Varric said. "We're too late."

"When did they leave?" Bull asked.

"Right before nightfall," the man said. "They're taking the old mountain path to get there."

Isabela lowered her blade and looked at her three companions. "Sounds like they're trying to be sneaky about all of this." Turning back to Luther, she stared down at him. "And just why are you being so helpful all the sudden?"

The guard shook his head and sighed. "Lady Evelyn's a good woman. Like her mother was. Maker rest her soul. She doesn't deserve what they're doing to her. She's always been nice to my family."

Isabela climbed off the guard and moved over to stand beside Varric. "Going to need horses to get after them."

Nodding, Varric returned Bianca to the holster on his back. "Where's the stables around here, Luther?"

The guard sat up and ran his hands through his reddish-blonde hair. Resting his elbows on his knees, he looked at the dwarf. "Fastest horses around here are over at Dubin's barn."

"Thanks, Luther. If I were you, I'd get back on duty quickly," Varric said. "Or if you're looking for a new start, you're always welcome in Skyhold."

"I might consider it," the guard said as he started to stand up. "Besides, if the captain finds out I talked to ya, I'm gonna be hung for treason."

Varric rubbed his chin, thinking. "We've got coin if you'd show us this mountain path to follow them. Then you can get out of here if that's what you want."

Luther stood up and began to gather his armor. "Aye, I'll do it."

The four turned away as the guardsman began to put his armor back on. Dorian rubbed his chin as he looked at his companions.

"They have a head start on us. However, the mountains will not be an easy journey to make especially in the dark."

"Moon's full," Bull said, folding his arms across his chest. "They're familiar with the path so it shouldn't be a problem."

Varric tapped his hand against his hip, thinking. "I'm willing to risk it. Even if we get word back to Skyhold they won't reach us in time. We're going to have to get to Choir Boy before them."

"And how do we do that?" Dorian asked. When he didn't get a quick enough response, he threw his hands into the air. "Why not sprout wings and fly over the mountains and reign terror over them as we swoop down over them."

Isabela chuckled. "Swooping is bad." The three turned to look at her, curiously. She shrugged and smiled. "A friend of mine said that before."

"There's an old smuggler's path," the four heard from behind.

They turned to look at Luther who was finishing buckling his armor on. Taking a deep breath, he nodded.

"Not many know about it but when I was a kid, my father used to take it when he was…" He stopped, scratching the side of his head.

"Out with it, Luther. We're with the Inquisition. We take everyone just as much as the Wardens do," Varric said.

Taking a deep breath, he tilted his head slightly. "We used to run booze from Starkhaven back to Ostwick when my father bootlegged. It's not taken often because it's narrower than the mountain path that the army took. You can't get a carriage down the smuggler's path."

Bull stepped up closer to the guard and stared down at them. "We'll throw in more coin if you show us the path. Offer you a job with the Inquisition?"

The guardsman looked down at the sash that he held in his hand. The sash of the royal guard of Ostwick. Dropping it to the floor, he nodded. "Aye. I'll show you."