A/N: This chapter is early due to the holidays! Enjoy :)

Rain began pouring as we drew closer to Therinfal. I felt the cold droplets soak through my armor to my skin within minutes of the heavens opening. I could see the fortress on the horizon, looming out of the fog and rain. It was situated at the top of a steep incline, the templar banners unfurling in the wind.
Cullen slowed his horse as he spotted Varric up the road. Cassandra and I followed suit. Varric was leaning against a tree, studying the horses and carriages left at the bottom of the path leading up to Therinfal.

"Varric," Cullen greeted as we approached the burly dwarf.

Varric flashed Cullen a knowing smile. "Curly." Cullen grimaced at the nickname. Varric's russet eyes fell on Cassandra and his smile widened. "Seeker." Cassandra made a disgusted snort. His eyes landed on me. "Herald." I nodded.

"Were you able to bring it with you?" Cullen asked as he dismounted his horse.

"So little faith, Curly," Varric mocked offense before pulling a package wrapped in leather from behind the tree he had been leaning against. "What you requested."

"Thank you, Varric." Cullen nodded to which Varric offered a slight bow of his head. "What are we walking into?"

"Ah you know, a bunch of griping nobles, grumpy templars and a crumbling fortress with tension so thick you could cut it with your sword, Curly," Varric chuckled. "It reminds me of Kirkwall."

Cullen's lips twitched. "That is not encouraging."

"Come on," Varric spread his hands. "You're gonna love it." He gave Cullen a wink before he turned and started up the stone steps carved into the incline leading up to the outer wall of the fortress. "I'll see you up there."

We waved him off. Cullen turned to me. "Something for you," he stated.

I dismounted and approached him, a brow quirked. "What is it?"

He was fighting a smile. "Open it." He held the package out to me, spread across his hands. I reached forward and undid the ties, peeling the leather back to reveal the contents: a staff and a pair of short-swords tied together. "I know the other weapon you have...you cannot always use, but these - you'll be able to use these without concern." I ran my fingers over the staff and the blades of the swords. I could feel the staff respond to my mana, thrumming as my skin grazed it. It was simple in design: a metal grip, wrapped in leather with a metal sphere attached at the top. I blinked as I noticed a lethal blade set into the other end of the grip. "I had Bethany teach you how to use a staff as a blunt weapon; the blade will make those maneuvers lethal." I picked up one of the swords, designed to look exactly like the ice blades I summoned. "I understand if they're not to your taste, but I thought it was time you had weapons of your own, including a staff. I had Solas design the staff as he is more well-versed in -"

"Cullen, I like them...very much," I smiled as I met his eyes. He seemed to relax a fraction at my words.

"I-I'm glad," he murmured. His eyes flicked to the weapons. "Would you try using the staff?"

I grasped the weapon, its weight heavier than I would have guessed, but no more so than the wooden pole I had used for practice. The thrumming intensified as I held it in my hands. I took a deep breath in, centering my mana and I felt the metal beneath the leather wrap grow cold. I swung the staff as I had been taught, feeling the mana around me flow with the movements. I focused on a tree and pushed the magic from me into the staff. Ice shot out of the staff, freezing the tree I had been aiming for entirely. "It worked!" I let out a surprise laugh.

"Thank the Maker," Cullen let out a breath. "I was afraid - you'll have to thank Solas, he's the one that designed it."

"I will," I beamed at him. "But I'm thanking you first. Solas didn't request a staff be made for me, did he?"

He blushed a little, "Um, no."

I slid the staff into the baldric strapped to my back and tied the short-swords to my belt. We hobbled our horses before beginning our ascent up to the fortress. Unease began pooling in my gut.
Maker, my enemies are abundant. Many are those who rise up against me. But my faith sustains me; I shall not fear the legion, should they set themselves against me.
The templars claimed to be servants of the Maker and Andraste, but I couldn't fight the feeling in my gut that we were approaching a pit of vipers. These templars had abandoned their duty, Lucius had allowed them to shame a member of the clergy in front of all of Val Royeaux before practically spitting on my sister for seeking aid with the Breach.
Cullen seemed to trust this man, Barris, but beyond him? Were there any templars within that wouldbe willing to help us? Would the Lord Seeker listen and come to his senses - realizing that the Breach was the only true threat at present?
I felt Cullen's fingers brush mine at one point and I found his eyes. He looked at me for a brief moment, a soft smile on his lips before he looked forward and stepped away from me. I let out a breath and followed his gaze. As I did, I saw something in my peripheral, but as I looked, there was nothing.
We climbed the last few stairs and found ourselves staring up at the outer wall, the gate raised. As we passed through, we were greeted by the site of several Orlesian nobles; Vivienne looking not only regal, but in her element as she entertained them; and Varric schmoozing a few fans of his books. Their eyes glancing towards us as we crested the stairs, they made their way across the bridge to stand with us.

"They know we are here," Vivienne informed us, "We are waiting for the Lord Seeker to send a reply."

"Andraste, preserve me," Cullen groaned, lowly as his eyes swept over the nobles that crowded the stone bridge. He and Cassandra stood on either side of me.

"The Herald of Andraste!" A voice called as a couple of the masked nobles approached us. "Lord Esmeral Abernache. Honored to participate. It is not unlike the second dispersal of the reclaimed Dales." He gave a slight nod before turning his attention to Vivienne. "Ah, Lady Vivienne! We met at last summer's ball? The Duke introduced us.

Vivienne turned, inclining her head only slightly. "Indeed. I could not possibly forget the occasion," she replied before she strode ahead and directed the other nobles to follow her towards the main gate of the fortress.

Abernache turned back to me: "The Lord Seeker is willing to hear our petition about closing the Breach. A credit to our alliance with the Inquisition. Care to mark the moment? Ten Orlesian houses walk with you."

"The Inquisition values this alliance, Lord Abernache. The templars must see reason. We can't let the Breach endanger us any longer," I replied.

The mask of Abernache studied me a moment, before turning towards where the Breach hung in the sky. "Oh, yes. Ghastly-looking thing. The Lord Seeker can't think we're ignoring it." He waved a hand to have me follow. Cullen, Cassandra and Varric went ahead to cross the bridge. As I looked after them, I saw something in my peripheral again; but as soon as I looked, it was gone. Once we were alone, Abernache spoke. "Speaking of which, I don't suppose you'd divulge what finally got their attention? Rumor will if you won't."

Confused, I knit my brows. "What do you mean?

"The Lord Seeker won't meet us until he greets the Inquisition 'in person'. Quite a surprise after the spat in Val Royeaux," Abernache replied.

That was odd when compared with the reaction Ellana and Cassandra had described. He'd been vile towards them and the Inquisition, hardly deigning to speak with either of them beyond uttering words of slander. Now he would accept nothing less than meeting us in person? I would say nothing of this to Abernache. "The Inquisition only asks the Lord Seeker help us close the Breach."

"Then it's all been arranged by your ambassador. Let the diplomats work their magic if you trust them. Between you and I, the Chantry never took advantage of their templars. Wiser heads should steer them," the man conspired. I was beginning to like this Abernache less by the moment, but he and the others were the only reason we were here.

We had walked together across the bridge and followed a path to the start of another stone bridge that led to the fortress proper as we spoke. Nobles crowded the outer gate where I could see a few templars being surrounded. The gate was open and beyond were stables and the gate to the inside of the fortress. "Here we are! Therinfal Redoubt." Abernache looked towards the inner gate, "It appears they've sent someone to greet you. Present well. Everyone is a little tense for my liking." Abernache gave a slight bow before leaving me to join his fellow nobles.

I caught up with Cullen, Cassandra, Vivienne and Varric who were all speaking in low tones amongst each other. They all looked to me as I approached. "It seems the Lord Seeker is waiting to meet us."

"It screams 'I hate fun and kick puppies', doesn't it?" Varric asked as he eyed the fortress. I smirked a little at Varric's comment and noticed that Cullen's lips twitched as he held in a chuckle.

"The Lord Seeker abandoned the White Spire to come here?" Cassandra questioned, shaking her head. "These lords are useful, but none of this should be necessary. Surely, the Lord Seeker sees the true threat. What is he playing at?"

"I'd ask this lot out for drinks later, but I'm afraid they'd annex the tavern," Varric smirked.

"Just the tavern?" Cullen replied, a smirk pulling his scar.

"I suppose that isunderestimating them, isn't it, Curly?" Varric chuckled.

I looked over the fortress, that unease settling heavily in my gut. You have walked beside me down the paths where a thousand arrows sought my flesh. You have stood with me when all others have forsaken me. "According to Abernache, the Lord Seeker changed his mind about us rather quickly. Is he known for that?" I asked aloud.

"The Lord Seeker isn't reputed to be fickle," Vivienne stated. "Something must have changed."

"Attack of conscience? I hear they happen once or twice an age," Varric shrugged.

"Twice? That's news to me," Cullen mumbled.

Varric eyed Cullen, his lips curling upwards as he studied the Commander. I guessed at what he saw - Cullen standing straighter, joking easier, and a quiet strength oozing from him. Cullen had always been strong and proud, but there was a slight difference in the way he was carrying himself; conducting himself.
My heart warmed at the change. I had to hold back a smile as I glanced over him: the rain was bringing out the curl of his hair. He looked younger when his hair was its natural texture. I'd have to tell him I preferred his curls.

"Come, we should meet whom the Lord Seeker sent," Cassandra instructed, her dark brows furrowed.

We made our way across the stone bridge, hearing the nobles pester the templars that stood outside the gatehouse. The nobles were threatening the wrath of the Empress upon the templars for their disobedience and inaction towards the Breach. Grumblings of the templars' shameful behavior in Val Royeaux was also among them.
I could sense Cullen bristling at their language, when it insinuated that the templars were owned and needed to be leashed. He bit his tongue, but his face turned more sour the more we heard the nobles speak. I could understand his frustration - even to a degree the Order's frustration; while the templars had served the Chantry for ages, their responsibilities - and the sacrifices they made - were taken for granted. How they had handled themselves, however, was disgraceful for men and women who took vows to serve and protect the people; who claimed obedience to the Maker and his Bride.
As we passed into the gatehouse, I looked up to the scaffolding that climbed up near the gate. I saw something - or someone - lounging up there, but I blinked and whatever it was disappeared. More templars, all knights and initiates from what I could tell, stood within; they wore various expressions of worry, skepticism or irritation. Some questioned as to why they were being left to deal with the nobles, wondering where their officers were. Their eyes followed us as we strode through, unsure of what to make of us.
I spotted Abernache near the gate, approaching another noble that stood close to a templar knight. The templar looked irritated as he spoke with an attache. I looked the templar over as we approached: he was young, but I'd guess not much younger than Cullen and myself. His dark hair was shaved close to his head, he had full lips and a broad nose with striking green eyes. He was broad shouldered and carried himself like a man who was comfortable in his own skin.

"Childebert!" I heard Abernache shout. "By the Maker, I haven't seen you in months!"

The other noble turned, "Not enough hunting in your forests, Esmeral! Give the boars time to recover!"

"In that case, let's celebrate collaring these templars by raiding my cellar. Some nice Tevinter whites this season," Abernache chuckled.

"They'll be well earned," Childebert inclined his head. "I never thought the Lord Seeker would throw his weight in the Game."

"You think he dares?" Abernache growled, placing his hands on his hips.

"Of course! This isn't some religious pique — the man meant to draw us out," Childebert observed. "Why drag his templars to this rock if not to wring out some concessions?"

"Mmm," Abernache hummed. "You know these Chantry types. Tricky to nail down sometimes."

I felt Cassandra and Cullen both stiffen at Abernache's words. Thankfully, both stayed quiet, but I could sense their stares boring into the nobleman. At our approach, the templar near the gate flicked his gaze our way. His green eyes swept over us, catching first on Cullen and then on me.

"I present Knight-Templar Ser Delrin Barris, second son of Bann Jevrin Barris of Ferelden," the attache stated to Abernache, who stood before Barris. Delrin made his way to us, not stopping as the attache continued. "Ser Barris, may I be so honored to present Lord Esmeral Abernache…?"

Delrin closed the distance between himself and our party. His eyes landing on Cullen. "Commander Cullen?"

"I am," Cullen nodded, his hands going to his sword pommel. "You are the one who sent word?"

"Barris, ser, yes," Delrin confirmed. "You said the Inquisition works to close this 'Breach' in the Veil."

"We do," Cullen assured.

Barris's eyes flicked to me and then looked over the nobles before meeting Cullen's eyes again. "I didn't think you'd bring such...lofty company."

Abernache approached, crossing his arms over his chest. "Barris? Moderate holdings, your family. And the second son?" Abernache scoffed.

Barris ignored the nobleman. "This… promise of status has garnered interest from the Lord Seeker. Beyond sense. The sky burns with magic, but he ignores all calls to action until your friends arrive."

"Cassandra, should a Seeker lead the templars this way?" I asked.

Cassandra looked concerned, but answered, "In an emergency, if there's no other recourse, but his goal should be to restore them to order."

Barris clasped his hands behind his back. "He has taken command. Permanently."

Cassandra shifted on her feet, her brow furrowing. "If he feels there is a holy mandate…"

Barris nodded. "That is what the Lord Seeker claims, and our commanders parrot him." The man let out a heavy sigh full of bitterness as his shoulders dropped. "The Lord Seeker's actions make no sense. He promised to restore the Order's honor, then marched us here to wait? Templars should know their duty, even when held from it."

"A templar who remembers his responsibilities? I am reassured," Vivienne sneered and I couldn't help but feel that she was directing her statement to Cullen as much as she was to Barris.

Barris flicked his eyes to her, a frown pulling his mouth, but he said nothing. His gaze returned to me, studying my face. It was like Cassandra had said of Cullen after Kirkwall - Barris was desperate for a way out of this situation. "You're with us?" I asked.

"Win over the Lord Seeker, and every able-bodied knight will help the Inquisition seal the Breach."

"That's why the Inquisition came, Ser Barris," I assured.

His worried expression didn't soften. "I'd tell you your chances, but the officers are a mystery lately." The officers. That's twice now they've been mentioned as behaving strangely. Before I could ask him about it he spoke. "We've been asked to accept much, after that shamefuldisplay in Val Royeaux." He was angry about what had happened in Val Royeaux. "Our truth changes on the hour." Truth? On the hour? That unease only grew in my gut.

Abernache came to stand next to Barris and I. "Don't keep your betters waiting, Barris. There's important work for those born to it." I desperately wished that we had notneeded these pompous nobles.

Barris shot the man a glare, but held his tongue before turning to lead us through the open gate. I leaned towards Cullen to whisper, "What do you think?"

"There is something going on to be sure," he replied, his amber eyes scanning our surroundings. "The officers should be the ones dealing with all of this, and yet it's only the rank and file? Something's not right, but given the Lord Seeker's current mood and recent actions..."

I nodded. We came to an open courtyard where a mass of templars stood waiting. The nobles and templars that had stood outside the gate made their way in behind us before spreading out. The courtyard was scattered with supplies and a few tents, surrounding a sealed well that sat in the middle. There were stairs leading to the upper levels of the fortress. Barris led me over to a set of wooden cranks before gesturing to the wall before us. There were three flags on pulley systems. One bore the Chantry symbol, another the symbol of the Order and the last the crest of Ferelden.

"The Lord Seeker has a… request before you meet him," Barris informed, gesturing to the flags. "These are the Standards. An honored rite centered on the people, the Maker, and the Order." Barris gestured to each flag in turn: "The people: mages and common folk alike. It's for their safety the Order was formed. The Maker: the Chantry and Andraste. Bride of the Maker. Lady of Light. And finally, the Order: The templars. Proud Agents. Sword of the faith." Barris turned back to me. "The Lord Seeker asks that you perform the rite so that he may see the order in which you honor them."

"What? Why?" Cullen demanded, crossing his arms over his chest. "This is the rite of a templar initiate, not for any outside the Order to perform or witness. It is normally followed by a long study of how the Order was used in the past to help the initiate make their own choices."

"I agree, Commander, but this is what the Lord Seeker requested before he meets with the Inquisition," Barris pursed his lips.

I looked the standards over. The people, the Maker, and the Order. What is the Lord Seeker playing at? This was not a rite for me to perform, nor would my answers be a representation of the Inquisition as a whole. "What if I fail?"

"There is no "correct" answer," Barris replied, clasping his hands behind his back once more. "The ritual simply shows watchers who you are and what you value." I wonder what Cullen's answer had been.

Cullen leaned towards me to whisper in my ear. "Aside from this bordering on sacrilegious, it seems that the Lord Seeker is either stalling or playing some kind of game with you."

"I agree," I murmured before turning back to Barris. "Fancy title aside, I don't actually commandthe Inquisition. What I answer may not represent the organization as a whole."

"That doesn't seem to matter," Barris stated as he looked over the standards. He turned to Cullen and I, lowering his voice. "The Lord Seeker changed everything to meet you. Not the Inquisition - you. By name."

Cullen and I exchanged a glance. "Why?" I asked.

Barris's composure broke as a worried look crossed his face. "I don't know. He's been fixated on you since your hoard of nobles arrived."

Abernache approached, "The Lord Seeker makes us shuffle flags around? Refuse! Let's meet the man already."

"I agree," Cullen stated.

"The Lord Seeker brushed me aside in Val Royeaux. What changed?" I asked Barris. None of this was making any sense beyond what Cullen had said. I wanted more information before I refused or accepted the request.

"Nothing, except the company you keep. Perform the Standards, and you can ask the Lord Seeker why his opinion of the 'Herald' improved," Barris looked around at the other templars who had begun to grumble.

They spoke to their confusion over the Lord Seeker's actions and request that I perform this ritual. Others looked me over with disapproving faces, claiming Andraste would not have chosen an elf as her Herald. Others believed it was my race and the very fact that I lived that proved it was the Maker's will that I was chosen. I looked to Barris. "Do the other templars have faith in what the Inquisition stands for?"

Barris turned back to me. "You aren't the Herald they taught us to expect, but your race could be part of Andraste's message. More troubling is your company," he shot a glare at Abernache. "We've had no end of pain from blackguards like him."

"Have a care knight!" Abernache protested.

Barris ignored the man, his eyes meeting mine. "They should have no appeal to the Lord Seeker. Our doors shouldn't open to power flaunted. I don't recognize what the Order is becoming."

"That makes two of us," Cullen murmured. Barris looked to Cullen and gave a slight nod.

I looked at the banners, around at the gathered templars and to Barris. If the Lord Seeker was stalling on purpose, I feared the reason why. If this was some kind of test or game, I did not want to play it. "I mean no offense, but the Lord Seeker can't delay any longer, Barris. Take us to him, if you would."

Barris looked stressed at my words. "The Lord Seeker's request about the ritual was—"

"—You helmed louts are wasting the Inquisition's time and my time," Abernache complained, stepping towards Barris in an act of intimidation.

Barris let out a deep sigh, clearly at the end of his wits. "Right. The Lord Seeker can deal with this. Follow me."

Barris led us within the fortress - to the lower barracks - where even more templars were waiting. He directed one of the templars to let the Lord Seeker know that the Inquisition would wait no longer. Time ticked by, the tension growing in the room as it did. I looked to Cullen and Cassandra, who both were keeping their hands on their swords. I looked to Vivienne and Varric, both reading the room.

"This is an outrage!" Abernache cried. "How much longer is he going to keep us waiting? What does he hope to gain by this continued offense?"

"My dear Lord Abernache," Vivienne interjected. "Surely you of all people understand the game he is playing?"

"He wants your feathers ruffled," Varric chuckled. "The more rattled you are, the easier you are to manipulate."

"Do compose yourself, Lord Abernache," Cassandra instructed.

"'Compose myself'?" Abernache seethed. "I am composed, Seeker. This whole affair has been a disgrace and waste of my time. Your Inquisition better put these templars in their place. Its obvious there's discord amongst the ranks. Take the templars who will be loyal and let us leave."

"We obey the Lord Seeker," Barris argued. "He has led us true and has the Order's interest in mind. You have only yours. As for the Inquisition, we are unsure of the organization. If the Lord Seeker believes them a worthy cause to aid, we will come willingly."

"Forget the Lord Seeker," Abernache waved his hand. "You are to be loyal to the Chantry, no? The Inquisition was founded by the Divine. Surely they are more worthy of your loyalty than the Lord Seeker who abandoned his duties, assumed command of the Order and marched you to this ramshackle fortress. To do what exactly, Ser Barris? To sit and wait for the Breach to swallow the world? All so you could moan about not getting your way like spoiled children?"

"It's not about getting our way," Barris scowled. "We are following what our leaders command because they lead us in faith. The Chantry broke that faith and betrayed our trust, dishonoring the Order that has served them for ages. The Lord Seeker wishes to see the Order's honor restored - for us to no longer be the Chantry's leashed dogs, but true knights of Our Lady. To be servants to the Maker. He will meet with you and the Inquisition. He will decide if you will see to the Order's interests and if so, we will answer the call for aid."

"Did you not say that a templar should know their duty?" I asked. "Is obeying the Lord Seeker your duty or is serving Andraste, the Maker and the people as your Standards indicated?"

Barris hesitated a moment. "Those are our core tenets, but the Lord Seeker rallied us and promises better for the Order. Does the Inquisition offer better?"

"The Inquisition would see your Order perform its duty," I voiced. "If serving and protecting is what you ultimately believe to be right, then abandoned the Lord Seeker and help us."

"We can't abandon our orders," Barris stated. "Not while the officers who survived the Conclave follow him. If we left, who would lead us? You?" Barris asked. "Cullen? This Lord and his nobles? Forgive me, Herald, but we do not know you and you cannot tell us with any certainty that you weresent by the Maker. Your Commander may have been a templar, but he left the Order. We do not know your organization and we'd no sooner follow Orlesian nobles than the Empress herself. The Maker and his Bride are our guides and we'd do better to follow one of our own who understands this. Pomp and circumstance is unnecessary, if your intentions are worthy, the Lord Seeker will see that and conduct himself as such."

"It's necessary, you know!" Abernache argued. "Set aside your fanaticism! Your options are limited. You follow your Lord Seeker or the Inquisition - you don't run a battlefield by committee."

"Without faith, you've no knights!" Barris hissed. "You've-" A door opened to another templar wearing the armor of a knight-captain. He was flanked by two other templars. "Knight-Captain?"

What I noticed first was their eyes, a reddish gleam in them that I thought was a trick of the torches. I blinked, but the red was still there, shining through the slits of their helms. After the gleam, I heard it. A song comprised of quiet whispers promising power emanating from the templars that had entered the room. The knight-captain approached us, his hands clasped behind his back, his gait slow and predatory. "You were expecting the Lord Seeker. He sent me to die for you."

Barris and I exchanged a glance as I felt Cullen step nearer to me. "Something is terribly wrong," he breathed so low, only I could hear, his voice sounding alarmed. "Be ready. Barriers first on everyone you can, then attack. Do not draw your blades until you must. I will defend you."

Abernache backed away from the knight-captain and came around the table to meet my eyes. "He is not well."

"Knight-Captain Denam," Barris addressed the templar. "I've brought the Inquisition's representatives. Will the Lord Seeker not see them?"

Denam's eyes landed on me and I felt ice slide down my spine. "So this is the herald of change?" Denam questioned, his voice sounding oddly detached. "Youare why everything must be moved ahead."

I looked to Barris, his face becoming increasingly worried. "Ser Barris, I'm right in assuming the knight-captain has seen better days?"

"I tried to make us ready," Denam straightened. "I thought I knew the way." What have we walked into? Maker, Andraste...save us. The sounds of swords and shields clashing as monstrous roars and strangled cries began reverberating off the stone walls. I felt Cullen tense beside me, his hand tightening on his sword. The templars within the room began to murmur worriedly, glancing between each other and at the knight-captain. "The Lord Seeker had a plan, but the Herald ruined it by arriving with purpose. It sowed too much dissent."

Barris charged Denam, confusion and worry lighting his eyes, "Knight-Captain, I must know what's going on!"

Denam turned to Barris. "You were all supposed to be changed! Now we must purge the questioning knights!"

At the knight-captain's words, chaos broke loose. More templars flooded the room, each wearing a shard of something red around their necks. The few whose faces were exposed, looked like corpses with pronounced veins webbing across their grey skin. The veins pulsed like a heartbeat, glowing red. Their eyes held more than a glint of red, their pupils had changed to crimson. Corrupted. Barris backed away from the knight-captain, taking in the approaching templars. I heard the ring of swords being drawn and bows being stretched taught.

"The Elder One is coming. No one will leave Therinfal who is not stained red!" Denam shouted as arrows flew and swords flashed. The crimson of blood spewing from wounds about the room.

"Now, Herald!" Cullen drew his sword, shoving me behind him as he strapped on his shield. "Maker, save us!" Cullen prayed as templars began falling around us, cries and shouts of pain cut short as blades and arrows found their marks.

"Maker's breath!" Barris swore as he drew his own weapons and defended himself against the knight-captain.

I summoned barriers at Cullen's order, Cassandra and the others drew their weapons and threw themselves into the fray. Swords clashed, arrows and magic flew. I palmed my staff, the metal thrumming as I drew mana around myself. I kept my barriers fed as the corrupted templars attacked the remaining templars, Barris and our party.
The corrupted templars were strong - unnaturally so. Their blades crashed against my magic, each swing gouging out large portions of the barriers. Cullen stayed near me as he promised, grunting with the effort of blocking incoming arrows and blades. Cassandra came to his side after dispatching an archer.

"What in the Maker's name is going on, Cullen?" Cassandra barked as she blocked a blow, the sound ringing in my ears.

"I-I don't know," Cullen answered as he thrust his blade into the gut of an attacking templar, knocking the templars swing with his shield to create his opening. "But I...I think...Sweet Maker, is that red lyrium?"

"Aaah! What's happening?" Lord Abernache cried as he ran past us.

"Abernache, stay down!" Barris barked as he parried a strike from Denam. "Knight-Captain! What have you done?" Barris was enraged as he faced down his superior officer.

"I tried to make us stronger! But time has run out," Denam answered, swinging blow after blow which Barris met with his shield. "We must test the Herald! The Lord Seeker will see you now!" Denam's red eyes turned to me, a cold smile spreading across his face. "It's your fault, elf. He wants you, not us! Now we're all gifts for the Elder One!"

My fault? Test me? This Elder One again? What is going on? Fear was coiling in my gut as I heard that whispering song change from sweet enticement to a cacophony of defiant yells, horrified screams and broken sobs. Cullen and Cassandra fought, a wall between me and the crazed templars that crashed against them.
Varric was leaping around the room, Bianca emitting her mechanical thwack at an alarming rate as he fired shot after shot. Vivienne laughed at the templars that tried to take her down, freezing them where they stood before causing them to burst apart. Frozen limbs littering the ground where they'd once stood.

While the fighting went on, I could hear Barris battering Denam with questions. "What's the Lord Seeker done to us? How many of us have changed? How far does this betrayal go?" They all went unanswered by the knight-captain. Barris let out a defiant yell as his blade pierced his superior's gut. Denam crumpled to the floor, holding his wound.

As the knight-captain fell, so too did all of his corrupted brethren follow suit. Bodies, limbs and blood covered the floor as only a few of us remained alive. "Who's not dead?" Varric questioned the room.

All of our party answered; a few uncorrupted templars grunted in response, holding various wounds. Barris went behind a stack of grain sacks. "Abernache. Useless, but alive!" Barris shouted before he returned to Denam.

"Is the knight-captain alive?" I asked as I approached the templar.

Barris turned to me, his green eyes full of anger. "Barely. If you use a healing elixir, he might survive. If he even deserves it."

I looked down at Denam. This man would have information on what happened here and why; it would be a waste to just let him die. "We'll heal him. Let's deal with the knight-captain after we find his master." I turned to Cullen. "Where can we confine him?"

Cullen met my eyes, but there was something in them I had not seen for weeks. That haunted look was back. "I'd say we tie him up in here," Cullen nodded to a wooden pillar. "Then we need to get out of here to find answers." He looked towards the door Denam had entered through, shouts and fighting could still be heard. He walked forward and began examining the corrupted templars that had fallen, his face becoming livid and grim. He used his sword to bring one of the chains they wore around their necks closer to his eyes, examining the red crystal.

"He hardly deserves our charity," Vivienne scoffed as Barris moved the knight-captain.

"Deserved or no, he has information," I answered as I knelt to heal Denam. That song louder with my nearness. "I will see him questioned." Vivienne waved a hand of dismissal.

Barris tried the door we'd entered through after talking with the surviving templars. "Stuck. It's barricaded from the other side." He pressed an ear to the door, horror crossing his features. "I...I think they're killing the nobles out there." I looked to him, horror on my own face. Those poor people...we-we brought them here and now...

"Blessed Andraste, guide the fallen to the Maker's side," Cassandra stated, her voice low.

"This way is locked," Cullen informed as he tried the door Denam had entered through after finishing his investigation of the corrupted templars.

Barris made his way over to Denam's unconscious body and searched him. "The knight-captain's keys." Barris threw them to Cullen, who caught them and turned to the door. "I would question the Lord Seeker about this 'Elder One'."

"You don't know what the knight-captain was talking about?" I asked Barris.

"No, I've not heard anything about it before he spoke of it," Barris shook his head. Both the mages and templars are wrapped up in this Elder One business. What does that mean?

"More of them!" Cullen shouted as he got the door open. "Sweet blood of Andraste!"

We hurried to him as he blocked blow after blow, grunting with the effort. I was not prepared for what lay beyond the door. The corrupted templars we first encountered were grotesque to look at, but these templars were monsters.
Red crystals were growing out of what little skin the had left, their eyes blood red and their armor twisting away where the red jutted through. The sounds they made were hardly human, though they did still speak. Their voices sounding like many speaking at once.

Cassandra gasped as she beheld one charging at her, "They're monstrous!"

"You think?" Varric called as his arrows bloomed out of the neck of one. One after the other, but the templar kept coming at him.

"We all noticed!" Vivienne barked exasperatedly, as her staff twisted around her. Ice freezing all the templars in the hall, allowing Cullen, Barris and Cassandra's blades to fracture them apart.

"It's horrible!" Cassandra exclaimed, her eyes seeming to be unable to believe what they were seeing.

"We need to find as many uncorrupted templars as possible and get out of here!" Cullen shouted. I could see sweat dripping down his face. "Barris, where should we go?"

"The main hall," Barris instructed. "That's where the others were. We need to get to them - the Lord Seeker should be among them." Barris led us through the barracks. Bodies littered the way, torn apart and obviously brutalized. These templars - or whatever they were - had cut their way through their fellow templars without mercy.

"What templars would dothis?" Cullen asked aloud. "This is cold-blooded murder. Barris, what in the Maker's name has been happening here?"

"I-I don't know," Barris answered. "We've been kept separate from the officers, the only senior templar we've seen has been Denam. He'd relay the orders of the Lord Seeker and the Knight-Vigilant. Perhaps we should find the Knight-Vigilant? He's well respected, I doubt he'd be caught up in this mess."

"We should try," Cassandra agreed.

"You mentioned none of this in your letter," Cullen growled.

"Do you not remember how it was?" Barris replied as he looked at yet another dead comrade. "We follow orders and we do not question."

"I remember only too well," Cullen murmured. I looked to him. His face was dark, his jaw clenched hard. Cullen.

"Help...me," a voice called. We all stopped abruptly and headed towards the voice. It was a female templar who'd been stabbed in the gut, but she still lived. I bent down to her, ascertaining the wound. Fixable, but she'd need rest. I summoned healing magic and closed the wound. "Thank you."

"Stay hidden and rest," I instructed. "We'll be back for you."

As we made it to the top of the stairs, we were met with another pack of the corrupted templars. I couldn't bear to look at them. They had once been men and women, but were now nothing more than monsters. Their corruption visible and plain. They fought without fear, without remorse, and without mercy. Strength and speed beyond normal capabilities.
I produced barrier after barrier on all of our party and prayed to Andraste, my strength would not run out quickly. Blessed are they who stand before the corrupt and the wicked and do not falter. Blessed are the peacekeepers, the champions of the just. These were not the Maker's champions.

"Prepare them! Guide them to me!" a voice shouted and I let out a gasp as I stopped. The voice wailed in my mind, sounding like a choir of voices twisting into one.

"Herald?" Cullen asked, a grip on my elbow.

"Was-was that the Lord Seeker?" I panted, a hand at my head as it pounded in the aftermath of the voice.

"I heard nothing," Cullen replied. I found his amber eyes, they were full of concern as he looked me over. The others responded in kind, eyes turning to me. "What did you hear?" Cullen asked.

"Th-there was a voice..." I panted. "It-it...hurt." I shook my head to clear away the pain. "A man's voice...I think, but it sounded...strange. Like several speaking at once."

"Are you alright, my dear?" Vivienne asked.

"I am...fine now." I answered.

"What did the voice say?" Cassandra asked.

"'Prepare them. Guide them to me'," I met her dark eyes. Her brow furrowed. "The knight-captain said something about my needing to be tested. Ser Barris, do you know what he was talking about?"

Barris scowled and shook his head. "I do not."

"And none of you heard it?" I asked. They all shook their heads in response, worry on their faces.

Varric slapped Cullen on the back as Cullen had gone a little pale. "Oh come on, Curly, this should be run of the mill for you! How much weird crap did you deal with on a daily basis as knight-captain?"

"It was my hope to escape all the 'weird crap' when I left, dwarf," Cullen shot Varric a glare.

I chuckled in spite of myself. "Varric, you will have to regale me of our Commander's adventures in Kirkwall once we're out of this mess."

"It would be my pleasure, Herald," Varric smiled.

"Maker's breath," Cullen grumbled, but that haunted look had abated just a little when his eyes met mine. "Herald, alert us if you hear this voice again." I gave him a nod.

"We should get moving," Barris urged to our agreement.

Barris led us out to the upper courtyard. More corrupted templars stalked the grounds, fighting the few templars that stood against them. More bodies lay dead as we rushed to help those who were fighting. Gutted, beheaded, torn limb from limb, necks twisted at wrong angles.

"Herald, Vivienne, ice walls to create a chokepoint and block the archers!" Cullen directed. "Barris, Cassandra, templars - to the front. Mages and Varric, volley from the back. Herald, barriers after your ice wall and stay with me!"

We did as Cullen directed, causing the corrupted templars to funnel through. I heard the arrows of the archers pounding against the ice wall, but none came through. Show me what you are! That voice echoed in my mind again and I shouted out.

"Herald? Are you alright?" Cullen yelled, but his voice sounded far away.

"It's the voice," I gasped, but I didn't know if he could hear me.

"Herald! The ice wall!" Cullen shouted in alarm.

I blinked and saw that my side of the wall had shattered. I panted through the pain of the voice and summoned another wall, but not before one of the surviving templars was shot down with arrows from a corrupted archer that had the high ground. Vivienne froze the archer before one of Varric's arrows found its mark, causing the ice to turn red as blood flowed from the archer's pierced throat. Another corrupted templar took his place.

"Flames!" I swore as the uncorrupted templar fell. I jerked my hands up, forcing the ice wall taller. I would know you! I yelped aloud, the words lacerating at my mind, causing me to buckle to a knee, but I pushed through the pain to keep the wall up.

"Herald!" Varric shouted.

"Don't worry about me!" I cried, shoving the ache away.

"Done!" Cassandra shouted when the corrupted templars fell. "There's more in the refectory! I hear someone fighting!"

I caused the ice to melt away as we passed through the door. A templar fought their corrupted brethren. Vivienne peppered them with ice, slowing their movements. "Why aren't they using their abilities?" I shouted.

"Maybe they can't?" Cullen shouted back. "The crystals growing out of them - it is red lyrium!"

"What?" I gasped.

"What did I tell you, Curly?" Varric chuckled. "Just like Kirkwall!"

Cassandra made a disgusted noise. Vivienne and I froze the corrupted templars, allowing the others to bash them with their shields. Their frozen bodies shattered apart at the impact. You will be so much more! I doubled over, holding my head in my hands, the pain growing more intense.

"Herald?" Cassandra asked.

I yanked myself up, shoving the pain away. "We need to keep moving," I ground out.

"I don't know what's happening," the templar stated. "All of the officers have been turned into those...things."

"Make your way to the lower barracks, gather any other survivors you run into down there. Keep the knight-captain bound." Barris instructed, before leading us onwards. "This way."

More stairs and another landing brought us to more templars fighting for their lives. One shouted for the templars coated in red lyrium to stop, but they refused. We joined the templars in their fight, numbers making quick work of the corrupted knights.

"Thank you," one said. "Our brethren have gone mad. There are more of the red ones above." She was steady despite the circumstances.

"We've been directing survivors towards the lower barracks -" Barris began.

"-No, we face these traitors with you," the other retorted, his eyes livid, but clear of red.

"We will need all the templars we can get to face the Breach," I stated.

"There'll be no point if you don't survive, Herald," the first stated. "We fight with you."

"Wait here, then," Barris ordered. "I want to check something. Herald, if you would." Barris led us over to a door we'd passed, stress plain on his face. "This is the knight-captain's quarters. He was refusing anyone entry. Keys, Commander." Cullen tossed the keys to Barris.

"Do we have time for this?" Cassandra asked.

"I fear what truths may be revealed," Barris stated as he worked on the lock. "We may need it to confront the Lord Seeker properly."

"You believe this corruption extends all the way to the Lord Seeker?" Cullen questioned, a scowl on his face.

The door swung open as Barris pushed against it. Denam's quarters were a mess and I had to cover my nose as the smell of death filled my nostrils. I glanced around until my eyes landed on a body on the floor. Barris rushed forward to turn the body over. "To answer your question, Commander, I fear that may be the case." Barris looked up at us. "This is Knight-Vigilant Trentwatch. The Lord Seeker told us he died at the Conclave."

"The Lord Seeker is either a fool or a liar," Vivienne stated as she examined her nails. I didn't know how the woman still looked immaculate. The rest of us were rain-soaked, covered in blood and wearing various expressions of anxiousness.

"I'm beginning to understand why I've never met an old templar," Varric observed, his eyes flicking to Cullen.

"Andraste, guide us," Cullen murmured as he knelt to examine the body. "A mortal wound from a sword thrust. This was murder." Cullen stood and began searching the quarters, his face growing harder by the second. He reached the desk and sorted through the paperwork there. He picked up a piece of parchment and read over it quickly. "I fear you're right, Barris. This is a letter from the Lord Seeker to Trentwatch asking him to come to Therinfal covertly. He was to meet Denam and then the Lord Seeker here in Denam's office. He never left." Barris went to Cullen's side and took the parchment, reading over the words written.

Cassandra had been investigating the body when Cullen made his announcement. "The Lord Seeker lied. Maker, help us."

"Was the knight-captain hiding the body for the Lord Seeker?" Barris questioned as he read and reread the letter. "Did he kill the man himself? Maker, what's happening to the Order?"

"What went on here, Barris? The truth," Cullen demanded. His voice was commanding.

"Knight-Captain Denam told us the knight-vigilant died at the Conclave," Barris told Cullen. "Our officers hid a murder. Did they manipulate us for this 'Elder One' nonsense the knight-captain screamed about?" Barris's anger was growing as was his bitterness. Cullen looked at the man, some sympathy in his eyes. I could only guess that Cullen could relate to Barris's situation. Murder. Corruption. Betrayal. Lies. But what or who is this Elder One?

"So, you truly know nothing of this Elder One?" I asked.

"No. Templars serve the Maker and the Light of Andraste," Barris shook his head. "As I said, I've never heard of an 'Elder One' before the knight-captain began ranting."

"Why aren't all the templars corrupted? Why are you still alive?" Cassandra asked.

"The knight-captain said he was trying to change us all?" Barris pondered. "Nothing in this makes sense."

"If the Lord Seeker and knight-captain are compromised, who now leads you?" I asked, looking to both Cullen and Barris. Cullen was looking at more documents on the knight-captain's desk - tucking anything he found important into his cuirass - before he began searching the drawers and Denam's personal chest.

"Officers across Thedas," Barris stated before he gripped his sword tightly. His eyes landed on the dead knight-vigilant once more. "How many have fallen to this madness, I don't know. How long was this planned? How long has this lie poisoned us?" Barris's eyes stayed on the body for a few moments before meeting my stare. "I never met the knight-vigilant, but he was respected. Now I wonder how much of the war was the Lord Seeker and my captain." Barris lifted his chin. "We're owed an explanation. The dead are owed more." Cullen stiffened at Barris's words. He turned towards the man, his eyes wide and full of that haunted expression again.

"We'll find out what's going on. For now, we need to move on," I instructed.

"I pray the Lord Seeker can explain this madness; that he is not truly involved," Barris voiced. "Up the next few flights of stairs to the main hall."

As we filed out of the office, Cullen pulled me aside. "Do you keep hearing it? Is that why you've been crying out in pain?" I could see the worry and anger in his eyes. Not anger at me, but at whatever was causing me pain.

"I do," I admitted. "It hurts and...it's getting worse." I met his eyes and lowered my voice. "I will be alright. You need to stay focused."

"I fear what this means," he murmured.

"What do you fear it is?" I asked searching his face.

"Your description of the voice..." he began, but shook his head. His eyes were intense when they met mine. "Do not leave my side," he growled.

We exited the office, following Barris and the others up a set of stairs which opened to a landing. From the center of the landing grew an huge flight of stairs. More dead littered the area and we had to cut our way through a few more of the corrupted templars.
The Herald of Andraste! It's time we became better acquainted! Come. Show me what kind of female you really are. What do you think to accomplish? What will you become?
 I screamed in agony, clutching my head as my knees buckled. Cullen stepped in front of me, blocking a blow that would have been my death. He let out a defiant cry as he thrust his sword into the neck of the corrupted templar and fought on. As the pain subsided, I cast barriers over them all. Once the corrupted were cut down, we hurried up the stairs and crashed our way through the large doors to the main hall.

"Maker, save us," Cullen breathed. "Andraste, give us strength. What have they done?"

Similar statements passed through the group as we entered the hall. Inhuman wails pierced our ears as we beheld the scene before us. Corrupted and uncorrupted templars fought. Dead were strewn everywhere.
Among the red lyrium templars were mutilated horrors. Humanoid monstrosities, mottled skin stretched over armor and torn apart by large deposits of red lyrium. They wailed before they attacked - the sound a mixture of unbearable pain and madness as they clutched their heads. Elongated claws swung at their prey, tearing through armor, flesh and bone. Lifeless eyes stared through the slits in the helms that were fused with their skulls, rotting teeth like a smile as the skin of their face was pulled taut over the bones.
Beyond the horrors, hulking masses stalked through the mob of fighting bodies, their chests heaving with heavy breaths. Crystals decorated them as well and though they looked more human than the horrors, it was only just enough to make anyone who looked upon them feel despair.
Though all before me is shadow, yet shall the Maker be my guide. I shall not be left to wander the drifting roads of the Beyond. For there is no darkness in the Maker's Light and nothing that He has wrought shall be lost.
 A horror charged us, shooting red lyrium from its palms and we sprung into action. I cast barriers. Cullen and Cassandra blocked its projectiles with their shields. Varric and Vivienne hurled arrows and ice at it. Barris charged the creature as it slowed. As the blows landed, a putrid smell filled the air. Nausea rolled in my gut, the room beginning to spin and I nearly blacked out. I felt hands catch me before I hit the ground, pulling me to my feet.

"Stay with me, Herald," Cullen's voice commanded. "Contain the gas in a barrier or that thing will kill us all! Barris, get back! Varric, ready an arrow with fire."

I shook my head to clear it and did as he instructed. I waited for the others to attack it some more and casted a barrier. The gas the lyrium produced from the creatures wounds swirled around within. The horror clawed at the barrier until it eventually shattered.

"Now, Varric!" Cullen commanded. Varric grunted as he shot his arrow. As the flames met the gas, it and the horror exploded, spraying us with remnants of the creature.

"Lovely," Vivienne's voice muttered in disgust. I looked at her to find her comment applied to the rest of us and not herself.

"Come on!" Barris shouted. "The others need help!"

We threw ourselves into the fray and all I could do was pray none of us were injured. I listened to Cullen's directions, casting barriers, freezing enemies, creating walls for the others to use as cover. Cullen stayed next to me, but distracted by the battle, neither of us sensed the figure creeping its way towards us until I felt hands upon me.
Ice cold and cruel, nails scraping into my neck as fingers fisted my hair, yanking me down and dragging me. I screamed at the pain I felt when they made contact with me. Like searing hot fire burning against my flesh, sapping the strength from me, making it nearly impossible to think.

"I will know you," that voice hissed in my ear.

"Herald!" Cullen's voice shouted over the noise of battle, his eyes searching for me as he turned. I was swallowed by the fighting bodies, blocked from his view as my attacker dragged me along the floor by my hair. I continued to scream, unable to form words through the haze of pain. My eyes searched for him, panic settling in when I couldn't find him.
The fighting separated for a moment and I saw him trapped amongst two horrors and a corrupted knight. His face was ferocious as he swung his blade and blocked with his shield. Eyes blazing as he ruthlessly tore through his foes. "HERALD!" he bellowed.

He was blocked from my view again, as the hands yanked mercilessly on my hair. I was being dragged out of the hall. I tried to find purchase on the floor, tried to focus enough to use my magic, but the pain was unbearable at the effort. Knowing it was my last chance for Cullen to hear me as I was being pulled out a door, I sucked in a breath before screaming at the top of my lungs, the feeling like glass splintering in my chest, "CULLEN!"

In answer, I heard a roar tear through the main hall. Not a shout, not a battle cry or defiant yell, but a roar - as if from a wild beast described in one of Minaeve's books. That roar made my heart quicken, rallying strength within me when I felt none. Yet, I feared for him, what he would do in that kind of frenzy.
Cullen. Cullen! Maker, Andraste, keep him safe! The hands continued to drag me away from the main hall, through an open courtyard and into a dark room that smelled of death and blood. Though darkness closes, I am shielded by flame. Maker, give me strength. Andraste, guide me. Whoever had me by the hair came to my front and grabbed me by the neck once more, shoving me against the wall.

Through the haze of excruciating pain, I saw a cruel smile before that voice spoke again, "At last." Please, help me.

A scream tore from my lungs as I was dragged into the Fade.

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