Chapter 36: Aftermath

Disclaimer: I do not own The Elder Scrolls Series or the Dragon Age Series.

Elder Scrolls belongs to Bethesda and Dragon Age belongs to Bioware

A/N: So, so sorry. But it's been hectic with a new job and my last semester in college. Really hard to find the time to write when it's homework right after work everyday. But don't worry, the end is in sight. About 11 chaps to go as we reach the finale.

"Hold the door! Hold-"

The hinges barreled forward, Templars and Seekers flying back with bloody screams. Those that didn't hinge forward and immediately froze in steps. Not even their magical resistance was enough to stop the entire hall from becoming a frozen cave of ice and statues. Save for a lone spot by the unwavering fortitude of the Chantry personal guard, shielding the Most Holy.

"Uggh!" Several of them spelled, collapsing under strain as they vomited and passed.

"Captain!" those remaining called out while the others stepped before their Divine. "Divine Victoria, please stay-"

"Sergeant, there is no place where I'll be safe," Victoria interjected with cold stares towards the intruders. "Not anymore."

Several heavy Imperial swordsmen funneled through, clad in Ebony and steel-make armor, massive kite shields forming as a wall. Mages and battlemages, gigantic Orcs with battleaxes, an armored Troll, and even a tiny Scamp all congregated forth, ready for battle. To end the Chantry once and for all.

The Seekers and Templars readied their weapons up, for one last time for the bloodbath that was to ensue. Agonizing seconds became hours in their minds, sweating flowing with tense fear. And they raised forth to yell a cry of battle as their opponents moved and… parted ways to the side. Hearts stopped briefly, nearly losing their breaths as perplexity came upon the defenders' faces for the two women that parted through the mass of Imperial troops.

An Altmer and a Nord strolled forth, their dualistic armor and appearance giving both pause and relief. The Altmer woman on the left was messy and bloodied on the cheek, her golden skin littered over with loose blond hair. Her steel armor of superior gray and gold, engraved with a dragon and eagle that aired her position. Yet still paling in comparison to the woman on the right.

Nearly tall as the elf, the Nord woman surpassed the Altmer in looks and pride. Her soft skin nearly perfect yet blemished with soft pink on the cheeks; bobbed midnight hair colored like the night, deep emerald eyes that sparkled. Even in the midst of it all, the Thedosians would be lying to not be enamored. But reality quickly put them back in place, noticing the otherworldly dagger brandished on her hip and the black-red scale armor wrapped in a hooded cape.

"So you're Divine Victoria," the Nord questioned rhetorically, resting a finger on her chin as she observed the Divine's armor. "Huh… I was right, gold is pretentious. What was Gaius thinking?"

The Seekers and Templars raised brows, confusion set amongst as they looked to their Divine for guidance. Rife of annoyance she displayed with a visible disgust set upon her lips. To which in turn, the Nord laughed with a jester of joy.

"Oh come on, seriously? You're getting worked up over nothing," she laughed as she shook her head.

Victoria assuaged her ire to another form. "Over nothing?" she asked venomously, glancing out the window. "The answer I expect of a naive child… no, even a child would understand why millions are displeased as me. A deranged fanatic."

"Says the one that wears a golden sun on their head," the Altmer huffed, drawing equal measure of contempt eyes back from Victoria.

Victoria chuckled. "Oh, how charming. Making quips while a city burns and people run terrified from dragons and mages. You must be so pleased, Empress."

"Pleased we're bringing the Orlesians down from their high horse," the Empress Serana replied, crossing her arms as she grinned a cocky smile.

The Divine continued to stare down the Empress, still hiding the most visible signs of the anger and disgust she felt at these Imperials. She and the guards knew something else was odd about the Empress and her soldiers. They weren't dead but neither being taken as prisoners. So why were they simply talking?

"Look, I'm not going to talk about vague bullshit promises if that's what you're concerned," Serana explained, pressing forward to Victoria. "I'm just here to make an offer."

"One that will end with my head on a spike," Victoria countered.

"Not unless you're stupid enough to attack now," Serana said. "It's simple really. Disband the Inquisition."

For a moment, the Divine widened her eyes at the Empress' request, caught off guard at the straightforwardness. A weakness that revealed an opponent's plan yet apparently did not matter to the Empire.

Victoria returned back with a shaking head of disapproval. "And what reason would I have to be your puppet?"

"I'm not implying anything," Serana said with a sigh. "For once in your life, can you not look for a hidden meaning between lines and just listen? You know why I'm asking so I'm not going to explain why I'm making this offer."

"Oh dear, have you not been paying attention?" Victoria snided. "My answer, as well as the people of Thedas, was made long ago and it will not change."

Victoria changed her stance to one of vigilance, approaching alone and beyond the quick reach of her guards. "So install your puppet Divine," she declared firmly. "Because I will not be yours."

Serana stared back with a blank then to one surprise widening her eyes before they slumped down with her lips to a pout. She sighed, staring down to the floor as she walked back to the soldiers. "You're not wrong," she said as she turned with disinterest. "You won't be my puppet."

The roof crashed above into splinters, barreling down a cloud of dust. Victoria stumbled, caught by her guards, shielding her behind as the smoke concealed the entirety of the room. Defenses raised, they held for what they presumed an attack from the soldiers. To which they would have preferred, gasping in horror as the smoke cleared to a bloodied Emperor rising up from a kneel.

"You'll be mine," Gaius said. "GOL HAH DOV!"

It burned. Blazes consumed it all into a maelstrom of red and orange, destroying what was left. Of any hope or chances.

"But you must continue the fight or everything will be lost."

What would the voice know? All these vague premonitions… none have happened. Only losses against a great foe.

"Led by an even greater foe."

And so what if it is? He cannot be overcome, not even by the Dread Wolf. A towering figure of power that no being can defeat.

"Perhaps not of Thedas or even of this world?" The voice spoke rhetorically. "Perhaps it is the destiny of another?"

This world? What of it? There's no time, not enough.

The voice faded in volume and in distance, leaving from the heat that continued to consume. Air filling with smoke and ash.

"If you cannot win… if there is no hope for victory, then you must survive," ever-fleeting the voice called, echoing in the distance. "Delay the inevitable victory, ensure others the time they will need. For that is all that can be done."

Evelyn jerked, coughing uncontrollably of the salty taste of seawater. Her eyes wide awake from the darkness that consumed, lying below columns of smoke that flowed above. Breathing in as much air as to then exhale, she relieved.

"Cassandra!?" she exclaimed, leaping to her feet as she turned her head in all places to find only trees.

A touch to her shoulder made her jump, mana raised in her palm towards… an Inquisition soldier?

"It's just me, Your Grace," the soldier stammered, raising his hands in surrender. "Corporal James from Ghislain."

"Wha-" Evelyn paused, breathing heavily before holding her mouth shut. "Uh… yes, yes. I… I remember you. I'm… I'm sorry, Corporal, just… Where are we?"

"Uh… further north from the city," the soldier said slowly, pointing behind. "The Commander is with-"

"Cullen, where?" Evelyn exclaimed.

Without haste, she pushed past the soldier, ignoring the sounds coming from the man's mouth. Through the trees and branches, Evelyn laid bare on several Inquisition soldiers huddled close, looking further in.

"Move, move!" said Evelyn.

"The Inquisitor? She's awake!" Murmurs all around coming forth to Evelyn, frustrating her even more as she waded through.

"Gossip later, now stand aside all of you," Evelyn demanded.

The soldiers all parted, leaving a straight path for the Inquisitor. And frustration turned to utter dismay, laying eyes on her three advisors surrounding a deceased friend. "No…" all could be said from her as she slowly inched, step by step. Towards a crying Josephine being soothed by Cullen, and a spymaster who simply stared at her dead friend. None of them took even a moment to look at her as she approached.

And there Evelyn stood silently, wide-eyed as she was stricken between bawling and anger. She… she still couldn't believe it- it… had to be a trick or a bad dream like before. Just… no.

"Guys, I-"

Evelyn's face was met with a quick jab of a fist, propelling her down as she held her nose. The blood she could feel streaming down her nostrils, her entire face radiating with pain. Looking up to the stretched arm Leliana held above, her jaw clenched and baring teeth.

"Le-"

"Don't," Leliana said coldly, anger swelling in her as she scowled. "Not… another… word from you. Ever."

Evelyn had not seen such rage seething from Leliana, like an animal ready to rip apart. Not even betrayals had set her with such a fury.

"Leliana, please-"

Leliana roared down, pummeling her with ferocity onto Evelyn as she managed in a few punches before both being pulled away.

"Leliana, control yourself!" Cullen reigned Leliana in before being shoved away.

"Are you happy with yourself, Evelyn?" Leliana ranted, circling away towards Josephine. "Is this how you want it?"

"Why would you think I want this?!" Evelyn countered, marching forth in stomps. "She wasn't just your friend, she was ours. I tried to save her, I just… wasn't fast enough. Don't blame me for her death, blame the Empire."

"You're the reason why the Empire killed her in the first place! Because I was stupid enough to listen to you and Solas about your fucking visions!"

"Do you not see the burning city behind you, Leliana?" Evelyn swung her arm behind. "The visions weren't wrong."

"They weren't because you wouldn't listen, because of your delusion that there was a chance!" Leliana answered with raging veins on her head. "No more!"

"There won't be if we keep yelling to the Imperials where we are," Evelyn countered. "Don't think I don't know what we've lost. But it'll be even worse if we give up. We still have Tevinter and the Qunari. We can still-"

"ENOUGH!"

Echoes of dragon roars were all that flew to her ears as Evelyn's attention was squarely on Josephine. Everyone stunned at the wave of rage she expelled as if she were the Dragonborn.

"Enough, Inquisitor," Josephine continued into a cold tone, streaming tears over a reddened face. "No more! I will not sit by and watch you burn and kill everything for a lost cause!"

"We haven't los-"

"Cassandra is dead, are you blind?!" Josephine screamed as her voice cracked and broke into sobs. "She's... she's gone."

Josephine broke down into sobs again, quickly held by Leliana who resumed back to her glares. It was then Evelyn noticed an invisible force, swiveling around to see all the soldiers staring her down the same.

"The Empire killed Cassandra, Josephine," Evelyn stammered. "They killed Rainier. We can't just stand aside and not avenge them."

"For what?" Leliana yelled with flushed cheeks. "Val Royeaux is taken, the Free Marches have fallen, and it's only a matter of time for Nevarra."

Leliana stomped forth again, closing in on Evelyn, mere inches from her face. "Everyone is dying and it's all on your head," Leliana said. Her voice cracked but she forced it to a flat growl again. "Cassandra, Rainier, Dorian, and Bull."

"What!?" Evelyn stepped back, skipping a breath. "What do you mean Dorian and Bull?"

Leliana only radiated with her glare of anger, turning back to Josephine.

"Leliana?!" Evelyn demanded only for Cullen to pull her back. "Cullen, what-"

"Dorian and Bull haven't been seen, Inquisitor," Cullen spoke plainly, remorse tingling in his tongue.

"No, they can't…" Evelyn shook her head. It couldn't be, they were… "We have to find them then. Send spies in after dark and get-"

"No."

Such an empty indifference silenced Evelyn inward, at how quickly Cullen shut her down. But none more so than the glare he gave. Just like Leliana's, Josephine, and all those around. Resentment, fear, hate... placed solely on her.

"It's…" Cullen held back his volume, grumbling back down. "It's over, Inquisitor. We can't… I can't... do this anymore. I won't… I won't send any more soldiers to their deaths. I can't."

"We can't," Leliana added. The spymaster slowly rose up, carrying Cassandra in her arms as Josephine whimpered the last of her tears. Without so much as a glance towards Evelyn, they walked in solaced grim. "It's over. We're done."

"Like hell you are," Evelyn stammered out in short breaths, stepping in her path. "You can't just quit Leliana, not with everything we've been through! The world is doomed if we don't stop the Emperor. And the Empire sure as hell won't let the spymaster of the Inquisition waltz right up to their doorsteps."

Leliana stopped without a care in motion, gently putting Cassandra down. Stoic was her eyes now, staring at Evelyn. Without even slight regret, she ripped off her Inquisition emblem and tossed it before her feet. She resumed back to Cassandra, walking without a word with her friend in tow.

"Leliana! Josephine!" Evelyn raised, her spymaster and ambassador continuing to walk on. "Don't turn your backs on me!"

Evelyn raised the emblem high above for all to see, gripping it so tight that heat pressed over her fingers. "You made a commitment!" Evelyn screeched, losing to cracks as she pressed it over her chest. "To this organization! To bring peace to Thedas, all of you! With all the sacrifices we've made, it'll all be for nothing if we just give up. Please, I… I need you all with me. Please don't… don't leave."

Her eyes drenched, struggling to hold a wave from bursting. Bowing to her comrades was all she could do, hoping with every fiber they would return. The amends she would have to make would have to be beyond what she's done now. For one starting with-

The sound of stepping boots raised her head, a short jubilation rose within Evelyn and immediately ripped asunder. As if a massive hole bored through her heart, losing whatever shreds of hope to the missing soldiers that once surrounded her. With Leliana and Josephine nowhere to be found through the thick brushes.

Evelyn stumbled to a fall, only to be caught and lifted. "Cullen," she exasperated and grabbed hold of his shoulder. "Don't… don't leave. I know we've lost a lot but we have to keep going. We can't let the Dragonborn win, he'll-"

Cullen pushed Evelyn's arm aside, walking away with not a single mutter or disgruntled sigh. Just the mush of dirt pressed beneath boots, carrying a solemn commander back to the enemy.

The hole in Evelyn's chest began to fill as if with intense cold. All hope drained, only to quickly fill again with another desire. "Fine then, go!" Evelyn raised her fist. "Go and give up! I hope you feel better about yourselves after the Empire destroys more cities!"

The rage pulsed between her breathes as she stood on to watch Cullen and a few remaining soldiers leave. Deeper into the forest before once again nothing but the sound of a dry wind breezed above.

"Fuck!" Evelyn swung into a tree, its bark cracking under her fist.

Then as the anger subsided, she pressed her head against it. Tears swelled and for as much as she wanted to cry, her thoughts trained back to those around her. And from the looks of it, she still had quite a few remaining.

"Do none of you want to leave?"

The soldiers candidly turned from looking in her the eye which only returned the rage within Evelyn until one stepped forth from the side.

"It is not that, Inquisitor," the soldier answered. "Our personal feelings aside, we swore an oath to you and the Inquisition. More importantly, your ideals are something we believe worth fighting for."

At least some understood the meaning of loyalty and trust. "Thank you," Evelyn said. "You're Captain Edward, am I correct?"

"I am, Inquisitor," he nodded. "In fact, I am the only remaining captain here that serves under Commander Cullen."

"Used too," Evelyn quickly corrected the man before turning to face the rest of the soldiers. "As of this moment, Captain Edward is the new Commander of the Inquisition. I expect you all to follow under his orders. Am I clear?"

The soldiers turned to exchange glances before saluting. "Yes, Inquisitor!"

"Good," Evelyn said, grabbing her arm. "Now then… we should all move out. From the looks of it, the Empire is probably finishing off the rest of the Orlesian forces."

"What about those still in the city?" a soldier raised.

"They…" Evelyn paused, holding her lips for the right words. "We don't have the manpower to save them. All we can hope is that the Maker spares them their lives for now. But if not, we make sure their deaths aren't in vain. And to do so, we'll fight… for another day."

Evelyn turned to the captain. "Send a message to the other remanents that are outside the city. Tell them we are retreating to Tevinter and meeting up with their army."

"At once," the captain replied. "Soldiers, we move out now! Get the wounded on carts and have the scouts watch our flanks!"

The soldiers bustled through the orders without question. But they did so fearfully like rodents scampering for their lives, nearly tripping or even shoving a few times. From the predator that was the Empire, their destruction of Val Royeaux an overshadow for what would await them. All for a future that they probably wouldn't see to live. And that was all Evelyn could ask of them, for she would spill the blood of the Empire and the Dragonborn.

The bloodied Orlesians all fell to their knees, all their energy used in their arms to stop from collapsing further. The gouache wounds dripping with blood on the last remaining gilded spot of the Imperial Palace courtyard. If it could even be called a courtyard with all the freshly made blasts of magic; corpses of men, elves, beasts, and daedra lining nearly every square inch. Utter depravity.

"All this… for your own pride. Your delusional sense of superiority drove all this… Gaspard."

Said Emperor could barely look Rhiata in the eye, the last bouts of coughs of blood still drowned whatever answer he could possibly muster. With a tilt of the head, soldiers lifted Gaspard by the arms to stumble back into a stand along with the rest of his men.

"Is he dying?" Rhaita asked one of her mages.

The mage overlooked the Orlesian Emperor and shook his head. "No General," replied the mage as he pulled his staff forth. "Neither he nor his men are in danger of expiring. Though they are in need of medical attention."

"That will depend on how cooperative you are Gaspard," Celanya said. The Redguard sauntered forward with her arms behind, grinning as she looked down on the Orlesian Emperor. "So… prey tell what you think?"

Gaspard's head was dragged to face the Redguard. His breaths labored from his parted bleeding lips with hardly a spring of life left in his eyes. But with the last of it, he narrowed forth at the Redguard, grinning with contempt.

"I think I'd prefer not to talk with rabbit-lovers," he said.

Gasps broke among both the Imperials and the Orlesians at the defiance of the Orlesian Emperor. Surely death was to follow such an insult especially to one of the Empire's top generals. All eyes laid on what seemed inevitable but were instead made to question as Rhiata began to laugh.

And laugh she did, louder and louder as her head turned up unrestrained. Uncontrolled it was that it began to spread among the soldiers, laughing if no other reason not to. Even the Orlesians through their broken bodies let out few chuckles between soft coughs.

"What is wrong with you all?" Gaspard stammered out. "This is no- Urrghh!"

Shock came for the Orlesian Emperor as he began to choke for air. His hands braced for what held his neck; ethereal draconic wyrms wrapped around his neck, slithering out its fangs. His entire body lifted above, legs dangling to let free.

"Oh but it is," Rhiata relayed. With a tightening of her fist, the wyrms wrapped so tight that Gaspard's eyes seemed they would pop any second. "This is the mark of a new age for Thedas! And I find it most salubrious that in your defeat you're still blind to what's in front of you."

Gurgles of spit bubbled up, frothing from Gaspard. Hands lost their grip, slowly falling to the wayside view of Orlesians wide-eyed in terror to the bare toothed grin of the Redguard.

"That's enough, Rhiata!"

The Orlesian Emperor dropped without delay, quickly holding his chest together as he coughed into a violent storm. Rhiata twirled, raising her hands out as the wyrms flowed back into her body.

"Empress," she greeted. "I was simply demonstrating to Gaspard-"

"He is still an Emperor, Rhiata and you will refer to him as such," Serana answered. The Empress waded past, slightly squinting at Gaspard. She stopped, speaking without turning as Celanya stopped beside the Redguard. "Is that clear?"

"Yes, Empress," Rhiata bowed. "I am sorry if I overstepped my bounds."

Serana waved Rhiata off as she turned back to Gaspard, still coughing on his knees. "Emperor Gaspard…" she said as the Orlesian responded with a finger to recollect himself.

"The Empress of Tamriel," Gaspard answered as he labored back up, slouching from the pain. "The rumors on your beauty do you no justice in person."

"Probably because it has to do with how all the women dress up here," Serana retorted. "With all the makeup and frilly dresses, they look more like clowns than actual women. They make Rhiata here look like a model. No offense, by the way, Rhiata."

"None taken, Empress," Rhiata bowed. "And I have to agree with you. Especially with the masks."

"Especially that," Serana snapped her fingers. "I'll never understand those things. You'll have to explain it to me sometime."

"Before my execution?" Gaspard questioned.

"Well… that depends on what you'll say," Serana crossed her arms. "But not to me."

Serana stepped aside from the Orlesian Emperor's view and allowed for a shock to enter his eyes, widening on his bloodied face. For it was none other than Divine Victoria, escorted by Imperial soldiers along with the Altmer general, Cealnya. She looked back with a grin as the Divine approached with her clasped hands.

"My dear Gaspard," Victoria spelled as she looked down with solemn lips. "How far have we fallen."

"Most Holy... what is the meaning of this?!" Gaspard demanded, rising away from an injured state to one gritting his teeth. "You would betray us to the Empire?"

"Think carefully about your next words… Emperor," Victoria seethed with a glare. "You will find I am not in the mood to entertain such slanderous accusations. No one has done more to resist the Empire as I have and you would be well to remember."

Gaspard huffed. "Forgive me if I cannot see clearly with your Imperial escorts," he stammered forth before grabbing his side.

"I am as much a prisoner as you are," Victoria clarified. "But I am also the Divine of the Chantry, the most powerful woman in all Orlais. And I now must do what I can to ensure that continues."

"You traitor!" Gaspard lunged. Legionnaires quickly held the Emperor down from Victoria, who made no effort to move as she continued her glare of disappointment. "Orlais built the Chantry to what it was! Without us, you are nothing but fanatics preaching from your gilded tower."

"True but that makes her more useful," Serana strolled back forth.

"Then stop with these games and end it already."

"Don't be absurd, Gaspard," Victoria wavered off. "You may be bloodied but that head of yours still should understand what is to happen."

"To be paraded through the streets," Gaspard labored. "And executed before the masses as the Emperor's plaything. I may not be as versed as you are in the Game, Vivienne, but I'm not blind to the fate of captured men."

"Look above you," Victoria said in a commanding voice as the Legionnaires pulled Gaspard's head up. "Did you not see the dragons or is your head still as mindless as Florianne said? What reason would the Dragonborn have to parade you or any of us?"

The soldiers released the Orlesian Emperor to the ground as he caught on his hands. Eyes trenched towards the ground slowly raised to Victoria's as she spoke unequivocally. "This is an offer, Gaspard. One that will save not just the Chantry but Orlais as well. And in face of everything we have now… you will take it if you wish to survive."

"There is nothing the Empire can offer me," Gaspard declared.

"You haven't heard of our offer," Serana raised from her silence as she held out her palm, a sly smile arising from the corner of her lips. "In return for the Chantry's cooperation, Val Royeaux will be a neutral free-city ruled by the Divine. And if you agree to this and surrender, we'll allow you to rule the new Kingdom of Orlais as its King."

"From an Emperor to a King?" Gaspard let out a chuckled scoff.

"There can only be one Emperor," Victoria stated. "Now then, has reality stepped back into the head of yours?"

Gaspard chuckled weakly, rising up on his knees and barely able to look up straight. His eyes seemingly wandered off into the distance, nothing but a blank stare with slow breaths.

"Well…" Serana questioned for an answer.

The Orlesian Emperor made no grand show of gesture or emotion to the Empress as he turned back. And with a nod, bade the fate of Southern Thedas.

"Huh…? Didn't think you listen," Serana commented as she walked past. "Alright, lock them up."

"What?!" Gaspard and his men exclaimed, struggling as Legionnaires gripped hold. "But I-"

"I'm not an idiot," Serana said. "Accepting the offer doesn't make you our friend. If we let you walk around freely, then you might escape. No… we'll until the war is over before anything is official."

The Empress nodded and in a quick succession of punches knocked the Orlesians out from any further chatter. "Take them to the Grand Catherdal," she bade the soldiers as she turned to Victoria. "And go with them and explain to the rest of the prisoners."

"As you command, Your Imperial Majesty," Victoria bowed before walking off with the Legionnaires.

"Now then," Serana swiveled around to the Imperial Palace. "Mind showing me around the Palace, Rhiata?"

Rhiata smiled. "Not at all, Empress."

Earlier...

"What do you mean he has not been seen?! Everyone saw them!"

"But General they-"

"No excuses Captain! Redouble your efforts and keep searching until the Emperor has been found or else you-"

"General Gasred!"

"Not now, Lieutenant!"

"But General-"

"I said to not interup-"

"The Emperor!" The lieutenant blurted, lulling a pause in Gasred as he turned. "He's here."

Gasred rushed out of the tent, running with great haste towards the soldiers grouped so close.

"Move, move!" He commanded, wading through. "Where is the Emperor? Have any-"

His answer laid before him, of an Emperor broken and bleeding and barely able to stand. Yet, even so, he was not a weakling about to fall over any second. For hung over his shoulder laid the mighty Dread Wolf himself.

Gasred shook his head and rushed forward. "What are you idiots standing around for?" he yelled. "Help your Emp-"

A palm strike nearly hit Gasred, the Breton only barely reacting in time from the Emperor. He glared silently back as Gasred felt his organs as though twisting inside.

"No," Gaius said in a monotonous tone. "Water."

Gasred could not answer but dumbfounded at the request. But a rise of the Emperor's brow quickly made the Breton turn and nod for the soldiers.

The soldiers stumbled and tripped like buffoons, hisses, and light roars as Khajiit and Argentina tails were stepped on.

"Idiots," Gasred muttered to himself as he hid his shame from the Emperor.

"It's fine, Gasred," Gaius relayed through a huff of air.

The sound of water sloshing rose Gasred from hiding. To which it became awkward as the Emperor drank to drink voraciously from a canteen and dropped the unconscious Fen'harel like a sack of manure.

"Put him in the magical restraints and collar," Gaius sighed as he took a moment from drinking before returning back to it.

The soldiers' idiocy disappeared as Gasred saw several surround the downed Elvhen, quickly placing restraints all over his body.

"Have him transported to Neloth," Gaius said, handing the canteen off to Gasred. "Quickly."

"But my lord," Gasred followed as he handed off the canteen. "Your injuries! You must let our healers-"

"Later," Gaius answered, "There will be time-"

Gasred leaped forward, blocking the Emperor's path. "My Emperor, I insist."

The knots returned, spiraling ever throughout his body. He would be lucky if he lived through this insubordination. But he had too. The blood, broken armor and skin. To his Emperor in such a condition was just… unbelievable. And he would be damned if such a condition would damage him further.

As he thought, Gasred had to contend with the mighty glare from his Emperor. A rage would look as it boiled out, screaming and hitting Gasred. His mouth opened to which Gasred flinched away to only be met with a loud sigh. More so annoyance than anger.

"Here," Gaius said, holding out his palm.

"I'm sorry?" Gasred asked.

"Your personal potion," Gaius clarified. "I'll take it and heal later. For now, follow me to my tent."

Gasred let out a sigh of relief. "Oh… of course," replying as hung his head down.

"And have them bring a meal too. A decent size."

'Decent size' were not words Gasred thought the Emperor would exaggerate. Yet there he was with him in his tent, watching the Emperor scarf down his third full turkey with bread, wine, and what other assortments of side sweets.

"How can you eat so much?"

"Say… something?" Gaius raised his head, chewing between each other.

"Oh um…" Gasred scratched his head, "Nothing it's just…"

"Are you hungry as well?" Gaius asked. "Ask if you desire."

"No, no, it's not… it's…" Gasred stared back at his Emperor with fumbled head scratch before letting out a sigh. "Should you not be taking it easy. Even with my potion, you're still bleeding. And I doubt the Empress would approve either."

Gaius let out a chuckle. "With her, no doubt," he answered before putting bread in his mouth.

"But we're not in any danger now," Gasred laid out. "Fen'harel is defeated by your hands and Orlais is done for. We've won."

Gaius slammed his mug of wine and Gasred jumped and slicked into his seat. The Emperor looked again with beaded eyes at him. Has he done something wrong?

"It's not over yet, General," Gaius slowly shook his head, holding his cup out on the edge of his hand as if to make a point. "Not with the Qunari and the Inquisitor still out there."

"How do you know the Inquisitor is out there?" Gasred scoffed.

"I'd know," Gaius said as he took a sip. "Trust me."

"I believe that Emperor but…" Gasred paused. "So what if she is. Her allies are all but gone. Where does she have left?"

"Tevinter," Gaius stated. "Or more accurately, Minrathous. And it won't be just her but the final stand for all Thedas. Whoever wins there shall decide the fate of this continent."

"How could one battle decide that this late in the war?" Gasred questioned. "No offense my Emperor but that's not how battles work."

"Well I hope so, Gasred," Gaius leaned forward. "If events play out as they should, then there should be no problem."

What did he mean by that? Could the Emperor predict the future? It sounded impossible to Gasred but the more he thought about past events, it all the more sense. And all the more reason to but admire him.

"I see," Gasred smiled. "Well then, is there anything I can do to ensure such events happen?"

"Not at the moment Gasred but thank you," Gaius leaned back into his chair. "For now, we must rely on Marcus to succeed."

"And shall we wait?"

"Hmm… for a few weeks and then the army will march forth," Gaius said as he stood... "As for me, however, I believe I should meet the Qunari. Personally."

Arlathan Forest

"Marcus… Maarrcuss. Wake up…"

"Mmregh…" Marcus mumbled.

The battlemages vision began to open from the darkness as a soft light began to enter slowly.

"Wake up!"

A slap smacked over his cheek, rousing Marcus to a stinging sore and a yell.

"The hell was that you-"

Marcus's mind entrapped his mouth from further movements. Laying eyes upon ones blue worn on a face of blond hair. The last he ever expected to see.

"Nilssa?!"

Extras:

/a/Ojeutav - Here's a picture of the Dragonborn from Chap 35 on imgur