After stuffing herself full, Erina headed out with Cassandra, Solas and Varric. They eventually made their way to the Hinterlands. As they arrived at the forward camp, they were approached by a redheaded dwarf.

"The herald of Andraste, I assume?" She asked.

"That's right, but you can call me Erina. Are you part of the Inquisition?"

"I am. Scout Harding, at your service. Its nice to meet you, Lady Erina."

"Same. So, what is going on around here? I can hear fighting in the distance."

"Well, that's a major problem around here. Since the incident at the conclave, tensions between templars and mages have flared to the point of open conflict. Both sides blame each other for the death of the divine."

"That's awful. We have to do something about this."

"Agreed. But, first, is there anything else we should know?" Cassandra asked.

"Yes. Mother Giselle is based in a small village a ways in that directionore. She waits for Lady Erina there. There's also a horse master named Dennet here in the Hinterlands who has expressed interest in the Inquisition."

"Both should be looked into. Mother Giselle first." Cassandra said.

"Right. Thank you for the information, Scout Harding." Erina said.

"Not a problem. I hope you set things right around here, Lady Erina. I grew up around here. Pains me to see it in such turmoil."

"I'll do all I can, I swear."

"Let's get moving." Cassandra siaid.

"You go on ahead, I'll catch up. Scout Harding, a word?" Varric asked.

Cassandra shook her head, not knowing or caring what the dwarf was up to. She did, however, have Varric's words about Erina swirling in her head. She found herself looking at the girl.

"I can't deny, what Varric said makes sense. Erina needs a family. And I'm glad Lelianna made her her sister. But why did he suggest the mother role for me? Me, a mother? A big sister perhaps, but the mother?" Cassandra thought.

"Is something wrong, Lady Cassandra? You're just staring at me. Do I have something on my face?" Erina asked.

"Oh, no. Just pondering how one so young can be so brave."

"Growing up the way I have makes you develop faster. At least, that's what the old orphan master said. Builds character, he said."

"Saying such a thing to a child? Bastard." Cassandra thought.

"Well, I just want you to know that I'm here for you. Come to me if you ever need anything."

"Thank you, Lady Cassandra."

Despite her misgivings, Cassandra now felt a slight tug deep in her heart. A tug of desire to hear the word mother come from Erina, and be directed at her.

"Damn Varric. He's gotten his claws into my mind and twisted it. I can't deny that I do find myself caring for this child though. But, is that enough? And would she even want me? Ugh, damn dwarf!" Cassandra thought.

Cassandra kept thinking about this until they were attacked by a group of rogue Templars.

"They got mages! Kill them!"

"Prepare to meet the maker. Erina stay behind me and Solas!" Cassandra yelled.

"No! I will fight by your side. You're too important to lose!" Erina shouted as she launched a wave of fireballs into some approaching Templars.

Cassandra was taken aback. She hadn't expected the child to care for her so much, especially not this quickly. Just then, a bolt flew into the neck of a templar fast approaching Cassandra's blind side.

"Get your head outta the clouds, seeker! We got a fight to win!" Shouted Varric as he ran in.

"Ur, right. Thank you!" Cassandra said as she turned to face the templars.

The group soon had the mage hunters dealt with. Everyone noticed the sad look on Erina's face.

"What's the matter, bright eyes? We won." Varric said.

"I know. I just wish we didn't have to kill them. Fending off monsters is one thing, but these were people."

"Nobody but crazy people enjoys killing other folks, bright eyes. But, this is all out war between the templars and mages. It's dog eat dog, kill or be killed. We have to defend ourselves, or otherwise our mission goes tits up." Varric said.

Cassandra didn't like Varric's choice of words but she was glad he was trying to comfort the child.

"Tell you what though. You just do damage, and big brother Varric will finish the bad guys off if nescessary."

"Big brother?"

"Yeah, I sorta saw your moment with our spymaster. Tugged at my heart strings and made me realize how big of a soft spot I have for you. So, now you have a big brother too. If you'd like, that is."

Erina ran to hug Varric tightly.

"Of course, big brother!"

Varric patted the girl's head gently and glanced at Cassandra. The look in his eyes reminded her of what he had said.

"The girl's never had a family. And with all the crazy shit she has stacked against her, she damn well deserves one. The Inquisition could and should be that for her." Varric's words circled around her head.

"He's right. For all we are asking of her, its the least we could do. But, even so, me? Her mother? I just don't know." Cassandra thought.

"Well, while this is a sweet moment, we do need to get moving." Solas interjected.

"Uncle Chuckles is right. Let's go, Erina."

"Okay."

After many more battles, against templars and mages, the quartet finally arrived at the village. The sadness and overall discontent at the state of things radiated off of Erina in a palpable aura. But, instead of disgust or anger, a look of determination remained plastered on the child's face. She was going to set things right if it was the last thing she did.

They soon located the revered mother, catching her just after putting an argument between a soldier and a mage healer to bed.

"Mother Giselle?" Erina called.

"Ah, the Herald if Andraste."

"That's what the people call me, but please, call me Erina."

The three adults were surprised by, but happy to see how professionally Erina was handling this. And Cassandra could even feel a tinge of pride for the child.

"Permit me to ask, lady Erina. How old are you?" Mother Giselle asked.

"I'm eight years old, dear mother. And I'll soon be nine."

"Wait, you will be? When is your birthday?" Varric asked.

"Well, being an orphan, I had no way to tell exactly when it was. But, the old orphan master I had did once tell me when I was brought in. I always used the anniversary of that day as my birthday. And that is a month from now."

"Anybody got a quill? I need to write that down." Varric said.

"Somebody nearby might. I'll go ask." Solas said.

"Be sure to let everyone know when we return to Haven, Varric." Cassandra said.

"You can count on me, seeker."

Mother Giselle chuckled slightly.

"What delightful friends you travel with, Lady Erina."

"They aren't my friends. They're my family. Handpicked." Erina joked.

Mother Giselle smiled.

"Well, you are a girl of good taste then. Now, shall we discuss why I called for you?"

"Of course. I hope I don't disappoint you."

"I had heard the stories, as have many others. And the fact that you are a child does not disappoint me. The maker often works in strange ways. Perhaps he thought we needed the purity of a child to guide this dark World back to the light. But what kind of leader will you be? Tell me, sweet Erina, how do you feel about the power you have obtained? Not just your mark, but your faithful followers and soldiers?"

"Honestly, I am overwhelmed. A few days ago, I was no one. And now, I have all this. Truthfully, I'm still getting used to being called lady Erina. I never considered myself worthy of a title."

"And now lady is the least of your titles. But you seem to bear them all well. That shows a level head. That is good. Now, tell me, what do you intend to do with all this power?"

"Close the breach, eventually. Right now, I want to end the fighting between the templars and mages. Being a mage myself, but also having great Templars at my circle, I have some understanding of both sides. I hope to bring peace to both."

"But what if you can't? And what of the people caught in the middle?"

"Then I'll make peace with whoever will have it, and then try again with the other side later. I won't let more bloodshed happen if I can help it at all. As for the general people, I was hoping to make myself of use to them. I know healing spells. Do you need another healer? Maybe somebody to run out and grab herbs for medicines? Tell me what the people need and I'll make it happen."

"Well, firstly, let me say you have quite the vocabulary."

"I had great teachers of all sorts at my circle."

"I can tell. Now then, our supplies run low. Food, medicine, blankets. The people need it all."

"Then we have a lot of work to do, everybody."

"Indeed we do." Mother Giselle said.

"Mother?" Erina asked.

"I wanted to get to know you, sweet child. Like it or not, you are the face of the Inquisition. I wanted to see what sort of person was behind that face. And after looking into your eyes this entire conversation, I can tell you are entirely sincere in your words and actions. Despite her youth, the Herald of Andraste is indeed a woman of integrity. That's why I am happy to help you."

"Well then, welcome to the Inquisition."