Being a young woman of her word, Erina worked day in and day out to solve the problems of the hinterlands. She had fed the people, gathered supplies, provided blankets. She'd put down rogue mage, templar and bandit strongholds. She had recruited horse master Dennet and had become quite the young rider. She had reunited families and even recruited a cult as agents of the inquisition.

She and her companions were now returning from a secret carta stronghold in a deep road.

"It is a good thing we found that place. Not just carta agents, but darkspawn as well." Solas said.

"I agree. The last thing we need is those monsters roaming the land." Cassandra said.

"Its got me worried though. What with red lyrium popping up all over and now darkspawn this close to the surface? We are dangerously close to another blight." Varric said.

"Ugh. Please don't speak on it, Varric. You'll make it happen." Cassandra said.

"Speaking of red lyrium, how many more of the deposits that our scouts found are left to destroy?" Solas asked.

"Just one. But its inside the lair of that blasted dragon." Varric said.

"We can not bring Erina near that beast. She is not ready." Cassandra said.

"I agree, mama seeker. But we'll have to deal with it eventually. Red lyrium cannot go unchecked." Varric said.

"Mama seeker?!" Cassandra cried.

Varric laughed until Solas nudged him.

"Doesn't your little sister seem exhausted?"

"Yeah, she does. And it's cause she's been getting up in the middle of the night. I've spied her going out to gather more elfroot or bag another few game animals for food. Scamp somehow dragged a whole wild ram in on her own last night."

"That's where that ram came from? Erina told me a guard had bagged it." Cassandra said.

"Of course she did. She didn't want to worry you, mama." Varric kidded.

"W-well, this stops now. Erina!"

"Yes?"

"I believe we have done all we can here for now. We should return to Haven and plot our next move. And you should get some proper sleep."

"What do you mean by proper sleep?"

"I know where that ram this morning actually came from."

"Oh."

"Erina, you are a wonder. There is no denying that. It is awe inspiring to watch you work so hard, at such a young age. But you are not invincible. You need to rest. So, let's return to camp and pack up."

"Alright. Lets go."

Some time later, the group returned to Haven. Cassandra sent Erina to bed in her cabin and then went to the war room to discuss their next move. She informed a nearby soldier to let her know at once if Erina needed anything.

A few hours later, Cassandra returned to check on Erina. She was asleep, however it was fitful. She tossed and grimaced in her sleep.

"How long has she been like this?" Cassandra asked the soldier she'd appointed Erina's guard.

"A few minutes, ma'am. Nothing appears to be physically wrong, so she may just be having a nightmare. I tried to calm her but to no avail."

"I see. I have an idea. Go fetch Lelianna. I'll stay and guard her."

"Yes, ma'am."

Cassandra sat down next to Erina and gently rubbed her cheeks.

"Peace, little one. Nothing can harm you, not while I am here."

To Cassandra's delight, Erina seemed to relax a bit in her care. A few moments later, Lelianna appeared.

"So our little herald is having a nightmare?"

"Yes. I've calmed her down as best I can. I figured a lullaby would finish the job. And, while I am many things, a singer is not one."

"But, as a former bard, I am."

"Indeed, so could you?"

"Of course. But keep doing what you are doing. If it's already helping, there's no reason to stop."

"Very well."

Cassandra rubbed Erina's temples as Lelianna sang a lovely song. Erina relaxed completely in their hands.

"I must thank you, Lelianna." Cassandra said.

"For what? Singing? It's nothing, really." Lelianna said as she gently played with Erina's hair.

"Well, yes, that. But, I meant about making Erina your little sister. Varric saw you and he's made himself her big brother. I'd imagine he's gone around telling the entire inquisition to treat her as a niece or sister."

"Yes, he's told me."

"Ah, I see. Well, you took the initiative without his meddling. You gave her somebody to come home to first. A decision I couldn't make."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, come now, Cassandra. You aren't dense. Surely you've noticed. Since getting over your initial suspicions, you have done little else besides fuss over this child. You spent hours by her side when she was unconscious. I happened by and overheard you praying for her speedy recovery. And a fervent prayer at that. I also heard you reading to her, perhaps trying to influence her mind to give her pleasant dreams. And I know full well what role Varric suggested for you. Now think about it. Constant worrying, praying hard for the child, reading to and massaging the stress away from the child even when she is already asleep. Even asking for a lullaby because you can't sing yourself. I think we both know what you are becoming to our little herald. And it is far more than a big sister."

"But, I am hardly fit to be that, for any child. Least of all her."

"I don't know about that. When I took her to eat before, I asked her how she felt about a lot of our companions. When we got to you, she said that while you were scary at first, she's grown to really like you. When I asked if she thought she could ever love you like she said she loved me, she said absolutely and that she already did care about you a lot. So, the door is open, Cassandra. You merely need to step inside."

"I, I will think about it."

"Take your time. Our girl isn't going anywhere. I'll make sure of it, even if it kills me.".

"Don't talk like that, Lelianna. You'll upset your sister." Cassandra said with a smile.

"Yes, mother." Lelianna joked and got Cassandra to stammer a bit.

Several more hours later, Erina awoke to see Cassandra sitting by her bedside. She was reading a book. The name of the author on the cover Erina knew well.

"Varric is an author?"

"Erina! You're awake. Um, that's wonderful. Uh, this was all there was available to read. It isn't very good. Don't bother yourself with it, ever."

"Um, okay."

"So, are you feeling better?"

"Yes, thanks. So, what do we plan to do next?"

"We figured it would best to face the fire. Its time to address the Chantry in Val Royeaux. Speaking of, Lady Josephine wished for you to meet with her before going there. Something about a quick etiquette lesson and doing your make up."

"Oh, okay. Guess I should go see her now then."

"I'll go to the tavern and have a meal prepared for you. We'll head out when you are finished."

"Alright. See you in a bit then. Huh, I've never worn make up before. Wonder what she has in mind." Erina said as she walked out.

"As do I. Hopefully it won't be too much."

Some time later, Erina appeared in the tavern. Her companions were there waiting for her. They were surprised by her appearance. Josephine had applied a lite pink blush to the girl's face, giving her slightly rosy cheeks. Her eye brows and lashes had also been done with a soft black. Finally, a matte shade of maroon lipstick had been applied. To add to the ensemble, the herald's dark red hair had been tied back in a braid and adorned with golden hair clips. All in all, while Erina had been plenty cute before, Josephine had made her look like a princess.

"Well, I didn't know we were expecting royalty." Varric said.

"Do I look alright?" Erina asked, blushing.

"My child, I have known spirits of beauty that would love to look as pretty as you do now." Solas said with a soft smile.

Erina shuffled back and forth, clearly embarrassed.

"It is a good thing I ordered soup for you. Josephine would never stop if we messed up your new look." Cassandra joked.

Erina sat down and ate her soup. When she was done, she politely thanked the cook. Josephine said it was only proper. Then the four headed out.

Sometime later, they arrived at Val Royeaux. They were informed by a scout about the Chantry gathering up ahead.

"Oh, glorious. This should go swimmingly." Varric groaned as they headed in.

Upon spotting them, the head Mother launched into a tirade against them. Against Erina in particular. Having been prepared for this by Josephine, Erina took it in stride.

"Please, revered mother. We seek only to close the breach. All of Thedas is in danger. Let us talk and join forces. Please, before it is too late." Erina eloquently pleaded.

"It is already too late. The templars have finally returned to the chantry." The mother said as Templars marched in.

However, everyone was shocked when a templar punched the head Mother in the side of the head and knocked her down.

"What was that for? Who do you think are?" Erina angrily shouted, dropping all sense of formality.

The knight-commander ignored the girl.

"Hey! Answer me!"

"Be silent, you ignorant whelp. Your betters are here."

"What?"

"The Chantry has failed, the 'inquisition' shall as well. If the world is to have a chance, all must fall behind us. This is my declaration. My fate, my legacy is the only one anyone should be concerned with. Templars! We move! This rabble is not worthy of a single moment more of our time."

As the templars left, Cassandra and the others began talking about what had just happened. Erina, meanwhile, ran to the head mother's side.

"I guess this humiliation brings you a great deal of satisfaction." The mother hissed as she rubbed her head.

"I don't know who or what you think I am, but i don't like to see people suffer. I'm a mage, I know healing spells if you need them."

"No, no I, I think I will be alright. Tell me, herald."

"Erina."

"Erina. Do you truly believe you are Andraste's chosen?"

"I do. Everyone else that was at the conclave is gone. In the blink of an eye, their lives were ended. I was saved, pulled into the fade and then returned by a glowing woman. I can't see who or what else that could have been besides her worship. I can't speak on what exactly the maker has planned, but I swear to you and all of Thedas that I will never stop until all this evil is bested."

"For all our sakes, I pray for your success, child."

"Thank you, mother."

As Erina rejoined her surrogate family members, a man approached and offered an invite to the manor of a Madame De Fer.

Erina accepted graciously. The group then walked approximately three feet when an arrow struck the ground near them. Erina read the note attached and now found herself on the trail of a 'red jenny'. Finally, the Grand enchanter approached the group and offered a meeting with the rogue mages at Redcliffe.

"Well, as they say, one door closes..." Erina joked.