Dragon Age: The Wolf And The Slave

by Sully7072

The champions name became a rallying cry, a reminder that the mighty Templars could be defied. She had defended the mages against a brutal injustice and many lived to tell the tale. The circles rose up and set the world on fire. More Templars arrived at Kirkwall to restore order but we were already long gone. We vanished into the hills and circumstances eventually forced us to leav

137. Perfect Just Perfect

"You made it I was scared you wouldn't come." Relieved, Cullen smiles up at me as I approach Cullen, just after leaving Varric to tend to Dror as I see him petting a mabari, of course. A small soft smile crosses my lips, of course he's a mabari lover. I don't know what I feel towards Mabari's I think they are adorable I just, I don't know if I could handle one, I mean I liked bacon as I grew up getting to know him. Then again, I have a kid now so maybe it's the perfect test to see if I can handle a Mabari they are extremely loyal, and I love loyalty. Besides that, Merill told me of the mabari and the keeper, guess you could say that tale solidified my adoration to the creature. I mean I just think it's adorable especially with its cute face, not like I would say that out loud of course.

"Varric was coming might as well get a free lift besides Dror wanted to come." Fondly, I smile kneeling down I reach out to the mabari beaming brightly at me as I scratch behind his ear making it coo leaning into my touch, nuzzling into my side making a small chuckle escape my lips at the cutie. Heh, Dror would, I could see him begging me to take him home, he loves Mabari's not that I can blame him they are adorable. I could see Dror having a field day with him, his cute little smile, his eyes lighting up, it's funny he's such an animated kid despite coming from the most stoic of parents.

"Dror?" Curious, Cullen raises a brow.

"You'll meet him soon enough." Smirking, I assure him.

"I see I'm looking forward to it." Politely, he tells me.

"How are you feeling?" Gently, I question him as the mabari whines, leaning into my touch.

"Nervous? Annoyed…" Snippily, Cullen exhales.

"Annoyed?" I raise a brow.

"So many Orlesian nobles keep asking for my hand in marriage it's irritating, suffocating as…" Pained, Cullen confesses to me.

"The winter palace." Smirking, I gather making him groan at the memory.

"Exactly." Tiredly, he sighs.

"Well don't worry with how things will turn out I think they'll get the message is everything ready." Confidently, I assure Cullen, already imaging the many envious annoyed Orlesian nobles.

"Everything is ready I just…" Pained, Cullen trails off.

"You need to be ready." Assertively, I remind him as he sighs bowing his head.

"You're right. I need to be ready for her sake…" Sighing, Cullen tells himself.

"I see you got a mabari." Impressed, I arch a brow at the cutie.

"Not a very good one…" Cullen grumble.

"He can't be that bad. Hawke had this dog that I never liked but overtime I learned he had character." Warmly, I smile at the memory.

"Really?" Intrigued, Cullen raises a brow.

"It was…it was a very loving dog, a dog in which its affectionate nature I thought strange." Shyly, I confess pained.

"I see…" Cullen exclaims.

"I do…I am fond of the dog, but it was more of Fenris' dog if you get what I mean…" I hint remembering the dog loving Fenris though it would always linger around me despite my rude remarks.

"I do. I remember that pup it was your shadow." Fondly, Cullen chuckles at the memory.

"I didn't want it to be it wouldn't leave me alone." Sighing, I cross my arms at the memory of getting drunk with my mabari by my side I mean Hawk's mabari.

"Fennic!" Happily, the perky voice calls out as I turn my body freezing tensing up as I feel Eve's arms coil around my form.

"You didn't flip me!" Cheerfully, she proclaims happily.

"That didn't mean it didn't cross my mind." Slyly, I remark my brow furrowed.

"You still didn't flip me!" Enthusiastically, she cheers.

"Right so how are you?" I question brushing her hand off me as she gives Cullen a fleeting peck on the cheek making his cheeks turn ruby red as she drags me away from Cullen, Cullen nodding at me as I nod in understanding as we then head off entering some sort of isolated council room.

"I'm fine just…fine." Distantly, Eve glances to the side pained.

"Don't lie. I saw your hand, I heard from Cullen." Tiredly, I sigh shaking my head.

"The anchor is getting worse it…I haven't been sleeping." Sadly, she confesses to me as she begins pacing back and forth while I calmly lean against the wall, allowing her to rant. I glance at the anchor my eyes widening seeing her hand almost begin to decay wither away. Frowning, I steel myself as I approach her seeing her stare down at her hand pained.

"I know I think I can recognise eyebags Eve." Slyly, I remark chuckling shaking my head.

"I just I don't know what to do it hurts, sometimes I can't sleep sometimes, or I wake up to cry out in pain. It's horrible I hate it and I get so scared of waking Cullen up. It's rare enough for him to sleep from the lyrium withdrawals and Kirkwall I just…" Pained, Eve's voice break as she whimpers, tears in her glassy hues.

"Eve…" Softly, I whisper pushing myself off the pillar.

"I don't know what to do Fen. What helps you sleep?" Eve asks me making me sigh.

"Mediating." Honestly, I answer.

"Meditating? Isn't that what…?" Nervous, Eve trails off.

"Solas taught me yes it has helped ease me." Snippily, I respond.

"But what about dreams if you wake up?" Concerned, Eve whispers.

"I don't go back to sleep and the other methods I don't think would help you but is that all?" I ask her.

"Am I that easy to read?" Meekly, Eve smiles.

"I've had to read a lot of people in my life." Bluntly, I state the fact.

"I just…" Upset, Eve whispers.

"You what?" Bluntly, I question her.

"I…went to see Cullen's family." Sadly, she whispers, joining me leaning against the pillar of snow white.

"They liked you?" Easily, I assume as Eve sighs shaking her head, releasing an empty chuckle.

"They did they loved me I hadn't felt such warmth in years but…" Crestfallen, Eve's features fall from joyous to sorrow as she slides down the pillar, falling to her knees drained.

"But what?" I furrow my brow staring down at her as she curls in on herself.

"We…we've been trying for a family of our own…" Shyly, she reveals to me making my eyes widen.

"Have you now?" Intrigued, I arch a brow.

"Yes, but nothing has been working and I…is it me? I mean Cullen has tons of family members, his family is no doubt fertile and I just…is it my fault? Mother and father could only have me and…and…" Upset, Eve's voice breaks, angrily upset as she gestures out her frustration, turning to look out at the distance as I note her tone shaking, her voice rising with bitterness and malice.

"Whoa hold on. That's a bit of an assumption there." Frowning, I cut her off from thinking that way, I guess being a abom- I mean being a mage can do that to someone's mind.

"But if it's the anchor what if the magic did something to me, to my body to…!?" Fuming, Eve demands form me glaring darkly daggers of uttermost hatred towards the anchor that cone saved the world, now acting as nothing more than a curse.

"You don't know that…" Gently, I reason to her.

"Then what have I done wrong?! Did saving the world earn the maker's scorn!?" Fed up, Eve demands from me pain etched into her hurt tone making me sigh sadly, bowing my head not sure what to say as I try to think for my next move.

"It may be the anchor, or it may be Cullen too…" Fairly, I offer trying to be the more logical side to the emotional mess.

"Cullen how? He has tons of brothers and sisters!" Enraged, Eve screams at me frustration laced in her tone, boiling hot tears cascading down her features.

"Yes, he does but that's from his parents not him, himself." Strictly, I state the fact snapping her out of this state of self-loathing, of self-pity, of self-hating knowing the vicious cycle all too well.

"What do you mean?" Lost, Eve whispers her brow furrowed as I sigh shaking my head.

"Lyrium…it's known to have effects on the body, it can cause infidelity you saw what happened to Hope." Grimly, I explain to her pained at the memory of the slave mines, of my state when…

"But…" Timidly, Eve prompts shyly breaking the still silence of my brain thinking of my next phrase.

"It could be either sides fault it isn't just you Eve." Bluntly, I tell her how it is making her green hues widen having not considered thar route.

"But I…I just feel like a failure…" Upset, she whispers, her voice breaking cone more as she sniffles curling in on herself, bringing her knees to her chest, hiding behind her legs making me sigh at the mess.

"You're not a failure far from it you're the inquisitor you've done so much for the people." Confidently, I promise her, placing my hands on either side of her shoulders as she looks up at me, her teary pained drained greens meeting my stern stoic blazing blue.

"And they still want more and more I don't know what to do with the future of the inquisition. What do you think?" Exhausted, Eve lolls her head back, tiredness etched into her tone as I grimace at the memory, of the whole reason why we are here, the inquisition future, honestly, we've done our job it's done.

"Honestly? It needs to end." Unsure, I confess, stating the fact, we've done what we were meant to do, continuing on would be for nothing as I sigh bowing my head understanding her pain far too well.

"But then…" Desperately, Eve goes to disrupt the point only then to falter, her stern defensive features softening as she bows her head sniffling.

"Just because its ended doesn't mean everything has ended. You can still talk to Cassandra, to Leliana, to Dorian, your friendships won't shatter from the inquisition being destroyed." Softly, I explain to her as she sniffles.

"But...what about you? Can I still…?" Hopeful, she asks me making me sigh.

"Yes, you can. But I can't guarantee anything Eve, life happens, things change, you will always be someone I am…fond of but I can't guarantee I will always be at your beck and call." Sighing, I tell her how it is.

"I never…" Eve shakes her head worried.

"I know…but you need to understand. This is a part of life; chapters end but it's all for the best." I squeeze her shoulders as she bows her head considering my words.

"Is that what got you through Kirkwall when everything ended when…?" Eve wonders.

"Yeah…I was scared too of the change, the shift in my friendships everyone leaving me, I know how you feel I mean my brother and I had always been together but with Hawke and the baby I knew…I knew he would leave me and I felt helpless, hopeless like I had no one." Solemnly, I confess to her.

"What did you do?" Eve enquires.

"I lived. I moved on. I do life stpe by step alone you will have Cullen, think about it like that…" Lazily, I tell her.

"I…thank you Fen so much." Grateful, she bows her head thankful.

"It's fine." Simply, I respond.

"So have you seen Solas?" Meekly, she questions me making me grimace.

"Bring out the curve ball why don't you?" Snidely, I remark unamused.

"Well?" She probes unfazed.

"No. Never and before you ask no I haven't searched for him." Strictly, I report to her irritation etched into my tone.

"Why?" Surprised, Eve blinks taken aback by my response.

"Because it would only hurt me, why chase after someone who will only hurt me again?" Perplexed, I furrow my brow at him.

"You still love him don't you?" Tenderly, Eve whispers making me freeze in my steps, my heart hammering now frozen, my blood boiling now freezing over.

"Of course I do you think I don't? every day I think of the ass and hate myself for it I mean…he hurt me but no matter how much I try to hate him I just can't. he's just so…frustrating!" Angrily, I confess to her telling her the truth surprisingly.

"Fen I'm…" Eve begins.

"Don't' just don't. He let me down, It isn't your fault. He made his decision and I made mine." Icily, I state the fact as it is.

"So where have you been?" Curious, Eve wonders as we make it outside, noting the party gathering around the seats.

"And now the big question…" Exhausted, I sigh bowing my head, hands on my hips only for my eyes to widen at the sound of rapid footsteps.

"Mummy!" Loudly, Dror's voice rings out pouncing upon me making me stumble back taken aback as all eyes fall on us both as everyone gawks at the reason of my supposed missing status.

"So…this is the reason why I was missing for a while." Sighing, I break the news to the group as we all sit down on the sofa's Dror on my lap happily nestled into my lap, peacefully reading his book with my arms coiled around him.

"A while is a bit of an understatement don't you think?" Slyly, Dorian remarks.

"Maybe…" Sheepishly, I shrug.

"Do you have any idea how much chaos this savage was causing?" Disgusted, Vivienne sneers pointing at my son making my eyes narrow, drawing out my hunting dagger.

"You called me a knife ear!" Pouting, Dror argues glaring angrily at Vivienne as I feel my grip tighten on my blade.

"The heck did you call my son?" Disgusted, I glare at Vivienne, crossing her arms unamused.

"W-Well…he ruined my spa day!" Vivienne disputes.

"I don't care if he ruined your birthday you do not call my child a knife ear just watch me Vivienne you like horns how about I make your ears sharp?" Ominously, I snarl at her, slamming my blade deep into the table between us making her flinch back fearful.

"You wouldn't dare!" Glaring, Vivienne glowers at me as my grip tightens around Dror, bringing him closer to my chest.

"Watch me." Icily, I snarl baring my fangs almost as Vivienne huffs.

"Okay enough, I will say this Vivienne calling the boy a knife ear was too far. He's a boy, a child at that." Sternly, Eve intervene scowling crossing her arms.

"He set Duke Gasdord on fire!" Offended, Vivienne accuses Dror as I sigh, glancing down noting my son's impish shy smirk.

"Duke Gasdord?" Horrified, Dorian's features pale.

"He was being rude to me…" Pouting, Dror mumbles nuzzling into my chest trying to hide from the adults.

"So you set him on fire?" Unamused, I arch a brow.

"He was being mean." Simply, Dror argues making me sigh shaking my head.

"Sweetie you can't use your magic for that." Tiredly, I offer playfully pinching his cheek making him whine.

"Wait he's a mage!?" Surprised, Bull blinks alarmed.

"I'm a dreamer too!" Perkily, Dror raises his hand proudly.

"Oh Maker dammit we got another snob!" Annoyed, Sera scowls at Dror.

"He's far from one." Calmly, I assure her.

"A dreamer?" Surprised, Dorian blinks looking up at me as I sigh.

"Urgh…Dror why don't you go off and draw some sketches for me yeah?" Tenderly, I place Dror down on the floor.

"Okay…" Huffing, Dror gives in wandering off as he takes out his sketchpad and quill as he wanders off, once showing me a familiar hunting knife in his bag.

"Does he know?" Immediately, Cassandra leans forward, her brow furrowed.

"Nope." Casually, I pop out leaning back on the couch.

"Why not?!" Blackwall demands from me.

"He doesn't need to know." Simply, I shrug not seeing the big deal behind it, I don't need him, I have Merill and Hawke to teach him.

"I can't believe it didn't die." Impressed, Vivienne blurts out.

"Well first off it is a he and I couldn't believe he didn't die either." Snidely, I correct the fool.

"I'm surprised you didn't die either." Impressed, Bull crosses his arms over the other.

"Well…technically I sort of did." Laid back, I quirk my head to the side making the others frown.

"What do you mean you sort of died?" Worried, Eve questions warily.

"Well Fen's heart stopped." Sighing, Varric reveals as my eyes narrow keeping an eye on Dror as he sits down on some bench and begins to draw and sketch some magnificent masterpiece.

"What?" Horrified, Bull, Dorian, Blackwall and Cassandra gape at the news.

"Yeah had some sort of seizure daisy had to use her blood magic to save her." Varric leans in bowing his head as I grimace at the memory.

"Blood magic you let them!?" Horrified, Sera gawks.

"I was a bit busy during that time you know giving birth." Harshly, I snap at her.

"To think the mage rebel would use blood magic…" Vivienne sneers.

"Okay Vivienne if you don't stop, I will physically stop you." Sharply, I snap at her making her flinch back briefly fearful from my critical glare.

"You could have told us Fen." Tiredly, Dorian leans forward, trying to shift the topic.

"Told you guys what?" Perplexed, I furrow my brow, so I got pregnant so what? Everyone does. It shouldn't be a big thing.

"You were pregnant dumbass!" Blackwall scolds me.

"Does it matter that much?" Lost, I cross my arms over the other.

"Of course, it does Varric you knew!?" Cassandra scowls at him.

"We wanted to keep it on the down low we didn't think the kid would well you know…I mean Fen is still recovering from it." Fairly, Varric defends himself as I lean back on my seat.

"Recovering?" Concerned, Eve whispers worried etched into her tone matching Dorian's concerned look.

"My body went through some extreme stress, the lyrium that left my body weakened me, it did a number on me." Exhausted, I confess leaning over grimacing at the memory.

"The lyrium within you is imbalanced." Cassandra catches on.

"Bingo meaning, I have to refill it or at least steady it." I confirm.

"How?" Curious, Dorian leans in fascinated.

"Smoking lyrium or drinking it. It isn't easy but it helps my body cope, the withdrawal affected me a lot." Grimly, I tell them how it was, my ups and my many, many lows, I did shit I shouldn't have done and went down a path of self-thinking that wasn't…wasn't on.

"It sounds like hell." Grimacing, Cassandra whispers as I sigh shakily.

"It was but I wasn't alone, I had Hawke and the others helping me." I try to assure them only to see their furrowed brow.

"We could have helped too." Blackwall argues.

"Maybe you could have but what's done is done and I don't regret it. My son is safe, happy and healthy that is all I asked." Simply, I state the fact to them.

"Krem would have loved to make small nugs for your kid." Pouting, Iron Bull tells me.

"You still can trust me this kid is like a mini Eve any sort of animal he will fall for but at least with him he will kill if needed." Proudly, I smirk at my son's hunting skills, his tracking skills he caught on quick then again he often tracked animals to simply sketch them or admire just before hunting them.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me you were…" Shaken, Eve whispers hurt.

"Eve I didn't know I was…" Annoyed, I reason to her.

"How do you not know you were?!" Cassandra gawks.

"…I have no idea. Varric can vouch." I gesture to him as he sadly nods.

"How did you even spot it?" Perplexed, Blackwall wonders.

"I didn't Hawke did, she noticed I was vomiting more than usual, we had this bet you see…" Sheepish, I smile scratching the back of my neck.

"Of course, it's to do with a bet." Irritated, Eve pinches the bridge of her nose.

"Yeah well I wasn't to drink for a whole month, and I would get a hefty pay but we both then noticed I was vomiting." Irritated, I huff.

"What about the headaches?" Curious, Eve ponders.

"Oh, that I was so used to the humming from the lyrium I thought it was that." I gesture to my temple, gently tapping the side.

"What did you do?" Sera wonders.

"Cried, cursed, tried to get rid of it." Casually, I list out using my fingers.

"What!?" Cassandra gawks.

"Well I wouldn't say tried I just lived my normal life until Fenris stopped dead oh boy he and Ave were terrifying, they wanted to hunt down Solas and just they were crazy it was pretty funny…" Chuckling, I shake my head at the memory of them fuming while tiredly, Varric sighs.

"See what I have to deal with?" Tiredly, Varric sighs slumping his shoulders as we catch up for old times' sake…

"So I hear you may be joining us in Tevinter…" Dorian exclaims making me furrow my brow as we sit either side of one another with the others, celebrating his going away party despite all of us leaving the inquisition soon enough after this council. I have stuff to do, I have business to take care of, I have Dror to care for, everything has an end like life.

"Perhaps if my business makes me go that way." Distantly, I whisper, my brow furrowed as I pick up my pint, taking a sip of my drink.

"Will…will you be alright there?" Concerned, Dorian whispers softly making me sigh bowing my head.

"I don't know Dorian…" Honestly, I confess.

"Just know you're always welcome in house Pavus." Sweetly, Dorian offers making my eyes narrow at the offer.

"Oh yes so I can see other fellow slaves be ordered about…it'll bring back such fond memories." Snidely, I remark making Dorian flinch grimacing from my bitter words.

"They are treated fairly…" Calmly, Dorian begins.

"I'm sure they are. I…it hasn't been decided yet I don't know yet." Tiredly, I change topic not wishing to argue as I cradle my temple, irritated by the pounding headache coming. I take out my cigarette, lighting it and inhaling shakily only then to exhale, my muscles relaxing, my breath shaky as I lean over, feeling my muscles lighten up as I try to calm down.

"Take your time don't force yourself if you aren't ready…" Gently, Dorian whispers to me leaning over as I scowl.

"That's the thing I'll never be ready for it but I know I will have to go back eventually. I can't…I can't keep running not now not with so much on the line." Honestly, I confess staring down at my pint, my pint shaking as I grimace, seeing in the reflection him…

"Fen…" Tenderly, Dorian whispers only to be cut off as frustrated, I slam my pint down on the table.

"Denarius is dead. I need to move on, I need to prove to myself that Tevinter has no power over me besides I may have some dealings in Tevinter to deal with." Sternly, I state the fact.

"Perhaps so…" Dorian considers.

"But still have you told Eve?" Curious, I question Dorian glancing to the side nervously.

"No…not yet." He confesses making me frown at the dummy.

"Why not?" I furrow my brow at Dorian, he told me, he wanted to meet up using that stone he gave me before I left and wanted to meet up where he told me his plan and…

I've been busy." Dismissively, Dorian turns away.

"You told me." Sternly, I point out.

"That's only because I needed help," Shyly, he mutters.

"You wanted me to look into your fathers' demise, you could imagine my surprise when meeting you in that sorry state…" I remind him.

"Indeed, apologies if I spoke out of turn." Ashamed, he glances to the side making me shake my head at the idiot.

"Dorian you've never done that, you were grieving, and I listened simple as that." Firmly, I state the fact to him leaning back in my seat.

"Thank you for being there for me." Grateful, he bows his head.

"You were there for me when I needed it only seems fair, I do the same. But you still need to tell Bull…" I remind him, the two of us glancing after the drunken mess.

"Maybe…after he wakes up." I add on uneasily watching the wasted male.

"I know I just...it'll be dangerous." Dorian sighs exhaustion flowing through his voice.

"And when have you never liked danger?" Teasingly, I try to lighten the mood.

"True. So, anything yet?" Hopeful, Dorian wonders.

"Only speculation. You need to be careful going back Dorian." Gravely, I warn him.

"But that's what I have you for, with the sending crystal I gave you, we can chat all the time." Cheekily, he reminds me.

"Lovely…" Sarcastically, I remark making him chuckle as I roll my eyes at the nagging stone.

"Indeed! And you mean concerning the coyote of the magisterium I take it that you know him…" Slyly, Dorian remarks as I flinch, my grip tightening, bawling into a pair of shaking fists on the table at the thought.

"So, you did some snooping of your own…" Poisonously, I sneer out.

"I suppose so he's a danger I understand if I can get him on my side." He exclaims taking a sip of his drink.

"You won't." Easily, I reject the idea.

"And you know this?" Dorian challenges me making me scoff.

"I know him." Assertively, I state the fact glaring into Dorian's wary browns.

"Ah ha so there is a connection." Smirking, he lifts a finger.

"One I refuse to share." Coolly, I respond taking another shaky sip of my drink ignoring the brief tremor of my hand and drink.

"Spoilsport I will find out you know…" Mischievously, he warns me.

"Perhaps you will or perhaps you will end up like the rest of those that tried to snoop on him, dead. Question is will you last a day, or will he prolong it? Depends on his mood really so I suggest keeping your trap shut." Snippily, I state the fact, a icy shrill etched into my tone.

"As lovely as ever…" Dorian sighs shaking his head.

"Still you need to tell her…" I whisper placing my pint down, my eyes narrowing at the most likely suspect for Dorian's father's demise as I grimace at the thought of the blonde psycho…my hand quivering around my pint at the thought of him.

"But she's going to cry." Sighing, Dorian whispers.

"She always cries. Time to rip the bandage off clean as they say." Bluntly, I point out.

"I suppose you do have a point. But still who's teaching the boy?" Curious, Dorian leans in making me arch a brow.

"Merill and Hawke." Easily, I answer.

"Nonsense when you come to Tevinter to visit I will teach the boy." Confidently, Dorian promises me.

"Yeah no." I cut him off.

"Why not? You trust Merill and she's a blood mage." Offended, Dorian points out.

"It isn't that…" Sighing, I lean back in my seat.

"Then what is it?" Dorian probes.

"Do you honestly think I am taking my son to a place that will open a whole can of worms I don't plan to tell him anytime soon…" Sighing, I state the fact.

"You'll have to tell him eventually he is going to hear the tale…" Dorian tells me making me grimace.

"Yes, but I would prefer it not to be a fairy-tale around me impaling some magister, I will tell him when he's older when he's ready." Resolute, I argue.

"And when will he be Fen? When will you be?" Impatiently, Dorian demands from me.

"Dorian don't." Firmly, I command him.

"The boy deserves to know the truth Fen, like you said it's better to get the bandage ripped off." Smugly, Dorian recites making me scowl.

"He is a child! This...it's too complex for him it is, when he can fully understand I will tell him I promise." I defend myself.

"You shouldn't be promising me Fennic it's yourself…" Pained, Dorian whispers as I exhale sadly at the truth.

"As the most eloquent drawf you know Sprinkles!" Proudly, Varric begins raising his pint to the high heavens.

"I think he's the only swarf he knows…" Slyly, I remark snickering.

"Speech! Speech! Way too much speech!" Scowling, Sera complaints.

"Varric there's really no need…" Awkwardly, Dorian begins.

"What's going on?" Innocently, Eve stumbles across us making us furrow our brow.

"Bookworm you're just in time! Sparkles, the imperium doesn't deserve you or want you. It may even kill you. But we'll miss you, if it counts…Aaaand you didn't know…" Varric catches up from the still silence, Dorian's sharp scowl and me facepalming.

"What gave it away the scowls or the awkward silence?" Dryly, I question Varric.

"Both really." Smirking, Varric chuckles.

"Okay folks time to take the party elsewhere!" Varric announces.

"Tama never wanted any I swear…" Drunkenly, Bull mumbles passed out on the floor.

"Err leave him…" Varric tells the others as I stand up and the two of us leaving, deciding to give the two some time to talk…

Dror POV:

"Urgh I'm so booored…" Groaning, I huff as I stare down at the quill and parchment in my hand, my brow furrowed as I sit down on the bench as the adult's talk. I don't get why I can't join in; I may be young but I'm way more mature for my age then most, I'm a dreamer too that must mean something. But whenever it comes to adult stuff, I can never be involved I always have to listen in. why don't they trust me more? I bet they are talking about dad. Dad…I wonder what they are like? They seem grumpy, uncle Fenris is but he's kind…sometimes is that what dads are like? I wonder what mine is like. Is he grumpy? Is he kind? Is he smart? I wonder what I got from him…do I have his eyes? His hair? His…nose? I don't know…Am I painful for mum to look at?

"You know I like drawing too." Surprised, I perk up at the voice and turn to the hooded male wearing a coal black cloak.

"You do?" Meekly, I whisper looking down at my canvas before me, my eyes widening to find the drawing, an ink portrait of mum talking, uncle Varric by her side with the others, I hadn't noticed I was drawing it until well…now.

"Yeah whenever I'm stressed sad or an image nags at me. I like to draw it in order to understand why its nagging at me." Softly, he informs me siting down by my side, without my consent as I furrow my brow at the rude male.

"I get what you mean sometimes when I come out from the fade, some images stay in my mind and I just want to draw them…" Shyly, I confess as I look up peering up at his tanned features, a coal black ponytail loosely peeking out from his hood, his eyes shielded by his messy coal curtain like fringe.

"Here, the way you hold the quill, the way you flick your wrist can make some great features." Tenderly, he whispers to me leaning over gently grasping hold of my quill, my eyes widening at the technique used adding features to my mother's locks, shading her, making my eyes widen at the soft tender strokes across the parchment.

"Woah…that's so cool!" Amazed, I gush down at the piece.

"I thought you'd like that." Chuckling, he smiles pleased.

"Thanks a lot I can't wait to show this to mum!" Eagerly, I bema brightly up at him making him chuckle.

"You seem awfully fond of her…" Smirking, he hints leaning back on his bench.

"Mum's the best, she can beat anyone in a fight and she's super smart!" Eagerly, I praise my mother, she's so cool, so badass! So awesome! The way she fights, she argues, the way she controls the battlefield is so amazing!

"Is she now?" Lowly, he chuckles amused by my compliments.

"Yeah, she's the one who got me into drawing," Shyly, I confess staring down my grip tightening on my parchment.

"Oh yeah how come?" Intrigued, he enquires quirking his head to the side.

"When I was younger, mum and I often travelled, we never stayed in one place it was horrible, even now we sometimes have to move about but it was thanks to traveling about and seeing so many beautiful sights that I couldn't get rid of them. I had to draw them sometimes if we camped out, I would stay up late just to see the stars, she stayed up sometimes to keep an eye on me and it was…her hair, snow white it looked so beautiful I had to draw it." Earnestly, I explain softness etched into my smile at I look back on the merry memory.

"You liked her hair?" Teasingly, he arches a brow making me release a small giddy giggle.

"I wish my hair was white, it looks super cool and its very pretty but yeah I drew her, I drew her looking up at the stars at the peak of this gorgeous mountain." Shyly, I whisper my fingertips gently twirling strands of my coal black braid.

"You sound dedicated." He points out.

"Just seeing mum's expression. Mum…isn't really good with praise, she sometimes gets uncomfortable if she praises or gets praised like she tenses up sometimes, but I know with my paintings or drawings mum softens. She has this smile and it's just…it makes my day seeing mum relax I guess you could say. She never gets to relax often." Sadly, I explain to him.

"Why's that?" He raises a brow I imagine anyway.

"Some bad people, I don't know why but they just…they won't leave mummy alone so sometimes she has to leave if they get to close and leave me with auntie or uncle. It's…it's lonely sometimes I mean I sometimes look out the window or try to look through the fade to see if she's okay but…I get scared one day she isn't going to come back. I know it sounds silly but I just…I trail off my features burning blazingly.

"You love her that much don't you?" Cheekily, he chuckles.

"Yeah. I do. Mum is just…she's kind to people I just don't get why so many people want to hurt her or my family at that." Disappointed, I whisper bowing my head, mum is kind, she cares for people, she's kind, she looks after people why do they want to hurt her?

"Life can be complicated." Sadly, he whispers perplexing me.

"It's not fair, mummy hasn't done anything wrong! She's kind, I mean sure she has a temper, but we all do and I just…I just want mum to be happy, to be safe." Honestly, I confess to the stranger.

"What about your father?" He queries making my grip tightens on my sketchpad at the thought.

"Dad? Who knows? Aunty Ave called him a waste of space, uncle Fen called him a abomination…" Snippily, I remark disappointment as I glance to the side.

"And your mother?" He wonders.

"She…she called him kind but complicated person. She said he was kind but also a complete and utter dumbass, like with every praise there would be a fault she would say he was patient but also a know it all well I can't say that word actually a lot of words mum said to describe dad are words I can't say." Lost, I furrow my brow at the memory of me in mum's bed as she gently combs her soft timid tender fingertips through my raven roots smiling softly sombrely at me, a glassy hue in her eyes from my shy question as I cuddle into her stomach, my arms around her.

"I should go, I shouldn't be here." He stands up as I watch him stand up, my eyes widening at how tall he is, he's so tall but so lean, he's like Bull's height only leaner, more feminine looking.

"Oh, okay it was nice meeting you thank you for helping me with my sketches." Grateful, I thank him bowing my head.

"No problem though some advice." Softly, he raises his fingerless coal black gloves to me.

"Yeah?" I arch a brow.

"That little wolf friend of yours…" He whispers in a low voice.

"Yeah?" Fascinated, I peer in leaning in close as he kneels down.

"Don't yell ride me at it, I hardly doubt it appreciates that." Mischievously, he places his forefinger on his lips.

"Oh…okay thanks again! I hope we meet again!" Happily, I smile waving him off as he turns his back to me and leaves.

"Uncle Varric…" Quietly, I whisper breaking the still silence between us as I watch mum talk to her friends. She looks happy she only looks this happy to talk to someone if it's our aunties or uncles, it's rare to see her look pleased talking to someone.

"Yeah kid?" Softly, Varric smiles at me.

"They…they are talking about dad aren't they?" Shyly, I whisper gently placing my sketchpad and quill down between the space between us as amused, impressed even, uncle Varric picks up the parchment nodding his head in approval of my work. Tenderly, I feel my fingertips brush against my chest feeling the outline of it underneath my shirt.

"Kid your…" Uncle Varric begins as I note his strained smile.

"I'm not a child I mean age wise I am, but I know okay, I know I should have a dad and I know he doesn't want me." Huffing, I argue scowling at the thought of father as my fingertips begin messing with one another twiddling my thumbs as I watch. What did I do wrong? Why did he leave? I just don't get it…was it because I am a mage? I mean I know uncle Fenris doesn't like mages despite marrying and having a child who is a mage so why? Did I do something wrong? Did he not love mum? I mean he didn't marry her, auntie and uncle are married and they live together. Dad doesn't live with us and I never even met him. Maybe that's it…

"We don't know that." Softly, Uncle Varric tells me making me frown. Yes we do, he left for a reason after all.

"What do you mean?" Confused, I furrow my brow at him.

"Your dad probably doesn't even know about you." Uncle Varric shrugs sheepish.

"Wha…why doesn't he? Why would mum hide that from him?" Lost, I scowl at the thought, mum is smart I mean she's no spirit of wisdom. But why would she make things harder on herself by choosing to raise me by herself when she could have dad help? Why would she punish herself like this?

"Because by the time you came to be your father was long gone." Sadly, uncle Varric tells me making my eyes widen.

"What? Did mum even try to contact him?" Baffled, I demand from my uncle.

"No one could. Your father escaped from the face of practically reaility besides she didn't need him." Sighing, Uncle Varric tells me.

"But why?" Confounded, I furrow my brow. Why would he vanish like that? Why leave mum behind?

"We don't know…look just like your mum, your father was a complicated person. They both had their faults but despite them they both loved each other, you could see it as clear as day, your father was devoted to your mother. The way he would look at her was like something I had never seen, the way he would even if he was hiding it, the way he would seek her out if she was distressed, his priority was her or so we thought…" Earnestly uncle Varric confesses to me making my eyes widen at the thought. Dad…he sounded like he worshipped mum so why turn away from her?

"What happened then?" Dumbfounded, I ask my uncle, why would he leave someone he seems to cherish so much? Was it because he found out I was going to be born or…or…

"I don't know. Your mum blames it on her condition." Sighing, uncle Varric tells me making my eyes grimace at the sad thought.

"You mean…not living long." Gently, I whisper pained, mum tried to hide it from me, but I knew, I was there when the Venatori and Qunari attacked. I was there whenever she would vomit crimson, she tried so hard to keep it from me but I always saw the blood, her pain, I overheard it all and…I don't hate her for it, I just don't get hwy she has those marks? Whenever I ask, she always freezes up and goes silent when I ask? No matter how hard I try to overhear I'm always caught or never get it.

"Exactly…but even when he did break it off with her, you could see he was as devastated as she was even more maybe. He was torturing himself by not staying by her side. Heh, honestly I've seen many couples in my day including your aunt and uncle, but you know something?" Saddened, Uncle Varric tells me.

"What's that?" I enquire.

"Don't tell your aunt and uncle this but…your mother and father they…they had something else, something special, it was extraordinary like soulmates almost, maybe it's an elf thing…" Shyly, Varric shrugs unsure.

"Auntie Merill did mention how elves take relationship more seriously than humans…" I mutter remembering auntie Merill explaining to me the difference of relations between humans and elves.

"You know what's funny?" Uncle Varric chuckles.

"What is it?" Fascinated, I quirk my head to the side.

"Those two are the farthest from Dalish…" Uncle Varric informs me.

"They were both elves…?" Surprised, I raise a brow that would explain mine and Robin's different ears, she isn't called knife ear though she is called flat ear. Then again that was only one time. I never understood why they called Robin that, I mean Robin looks much more human than I do so how did they find out? Either way, uncle Fenris wasn't happy.

"They were far from your ordinary elves kid, but I think that's what made them work for each other they both were so different but oh so similar. Your father was sharp as a knife and your mother as blunt as a brick but they both cared for their beliefs. They both held pride for their ideals and dreams." Uncle Varric explains to me making me small shyly at the thought. Dad sounds pretty cool…I guess? Mum always did say he was kind in his own way.

"What was he likes?" Shyly, I whisper taking out a familiar jawbone necklace, my fingertips gently brushing against it, clutching it tightly to my chest.

"Your father he was…an interesting guy. He was neither Dalish nor City elf like your mother, but he was a mage," Uncle Varric tells me making my eyes widen.

"A mage like me?" Hopeful, I whisper I must have had my magic from somewhere I mean uncle and mum never talk about their family nor their past really. It's a bit annoying sometimes but I'm sure they'll tell me that's what auntie Hawke and uncle Varric tells me, they told me it takes time for them both to open up, either if I am mum's kid.

"Exactly like you, he was a dreamer after all, and he seemed to know everything it was quite weird sometimes, but he also had his flaws like the next guy. He was proud, no one ever argued against him, everyone was scared of his silver tongue." Chuckling, Uncle Varric tells me. Proud huh? A dreamer too? If he was then why did he leave? He could have taught me so much or…

"His silver tongue?" Confused, I furrow my brow why does he have a metal tongue? That must be hard to talk with. Though it is a conversation starter, I guess.

"Let's just say he knew how to deal with people, but your mother didn't care. She never backed down especially in an argument, you should have seen them at first, they hated each other but then it changed, something shifted and they just…it's better when you read this." `Sombrely, uncle Varric smiles at me gently passing me…

"A book?" Quietly, I whisper my fingertips brushing against the coal black cover with patterns of golden gleaming like vines or like the vallaslin in auntie Merrill's clan. It looks so pretty!

"A book on their relationship, I never told them, but I took notes." Lowly, he whispers placing his gloved forefinger on his lips winking cheekily at me making me giggle. I always thought I got my sneaky sleuthing side form uncle Varric. He always knows when I'm peering in, I don't know how he does it but…

"How come?" Curious, I question uncle Varric, why would he take notes?

"Let's just say my readers are a fan of romance and their relationship has always baffled me so I took notes to understand so now you can understand but read it only when you're older and let's keep this secret between you and me okay pup?" Tenderly, he smiles at me winking cheekily making me giggle.

"Okay thanks Uncle Varric you're the best." Grateful, I smile at him putting the book away.

"I try…" Proudly, he outstretched his arms out leaning back on the bench making me snicker only then to frown when seeing that annoying guy following uncle Varric's shadow approach, probably for some boring letter or boring business, oh well not my problem. Smirking, I get off my bench as I decide to wander around once more curiosity flowing through my veins as I explore…

"Huh?" Confused, I furrow my brow as my nose twitches at the iron stench. Fascinated, I follow the scent, my blues widening when seeing trial of ruby red stilling my movements, feeling my footsteps falter, my blood turning icy cold. I feel my muscles tense. Don't tell me…worried, I follow the trial, slowly shyly, my hand coils around my staff equipping it, hearing the faint hum of magic spewing from my fingertips, sinking into the worn wood of my staff, hearing the heartfelt hum come to life. I follow the trial of ruby red until…

"Are you alright? H-Hold on I'll get help!" Panicked, I gasp as I stumble back, shaken at his thrashing form, his body quivering, shaking frantically, ruby red seeping out, pooling beneath his rusted once slick steel armour.

"Saarebas!" Angrily, he spits at me, venom etched into his tone as disgusted, my shaking hand brushes smearing the crimson on my cheek.

"No wait please I'm here to help! Um…what would mum say? Wait I know! Kost! Kost!" Desperate, I call out chanting to him only to meet his hostile glare, emitting a sharp snarl making me flinch back fearful.

"Saarebas!" Poisonously, he spits at me once more making me stumble back, grimacing at the painful stinging pain from his harsh cruel words.

"Please I don't…I can help you I can…no, no, no! Mummy!" Loudly, I call out terrified, my voice shaking quivering, feeling the hot stream cascade down my amethyst hues, crying out to the high heavens as I hear the clatter of my staff.

"Dror! What's…?" Relived, I turn to face mum, lunging into her arms, bawling into a fit of tears as her electric blues widen at the bloodied sight before us. Whimpering, I nuzzle into my mother's arms as she darts over to my side.

"Mummy! I-I'm sorry I didn't I tried to help but he kept thrashing I didn't know what to do I didn't…" Guilty, I whimper pained. If I had been stronger, if I had been better, if I…I…trembling, I whimper coiling my arms around mum, draping her hands over my form, gently placing her lips on my temple, nuzzling into her neck. She picks me up, cradling me in my arms as I cry in the crook of mum's neck as she blocks me from the sight of the man.

"It's alright, it's alright sweetheart." Softly, she whispers assuring me, whispering into my ear.

"He died because of me." Pained, I argue, hurt shaking my head, if I didn't freak out…

"You did nothing wrong. Did he attack you? Are you hurt?" Softly, she assures me, questioning me sternly.

"No! I saw some blood I thought someone was hurt so…" I trail off hurt.

"What's going…shit." Startled, I turn to uncle Varric, his brown hues wide at the scene as he rushes to my side as we turn to the guard lingering in the doorway.

"Get the Inquisitor and Leliana now!" Sternly, mum orders him.

"But she's with the exalted council…." Shyly, the guard argues.

"I don't care get her! Now." Roaring, mum demands from the guard making them flinch back fearful.

"Yes mam…" Shaking, the guard nods his head and flees.

"Mummy I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Whimpering, I whisper nestled into mum's arms.

"It's alright you're safe now, you're safe." Tenderly, mum whispers to me unaware of the fleeting footsteps, her grip tightening on me as next thing I know. I am handed over to uncle Varric nodding his head and two others rush over to the scene, leaving mum to deal with the business.

Fen POV:

"Had fun at the meeting?" Frowning, I turn to stand, focusing on Eve at the doorway her brow furrowed as her nostrils are greeted by the crisp copper stench lingering in the air as her green hues widen at the sight of the bloodied beaten Qunari warrior.

"To be honest, I'm just glad I got out of there." Exhausted, Eve confesses to me stepping forwards towards the deceased soldier.

"That bad?" Sighing, I turn to furrow my brow at Eve noting her normal hand clenching her hand pained, her features grimacing as she steps towards the deceased.

"That bad. So what's going on?" Eve confirms nodding her head as she then questions me.

"A Qunari warrior, a kasshok in full armour. He managed to sneak in while wounded and from what I've seen there are some cuts from a blade but his death was primarily magic orientated." Calmly, I report to her.

"How did he get into the winter palace?" Perplexed, Eve furrows her brow at me.

"Spies? I asked Bull but he's as lost as we are, he's trying to look into it as we speak but due to being Tal-Vashoth I wouldn't expect much." Honestly, I confess to her.

"Anything else?" Eve probes me.

"This is a warrior; the armour is too plated to be a spy. I'd say a part of the Antamm, the Qunari Military. I'm guessing he was badly hurt, separated from his allies and bled out here. I don't know why here though…I don't see any orders or notes on him either they were taken by the killer who cashed him here or he never had one." I describe.

"We need to find out what's going on." Sternly, Eve decides.

"Agreed at least it will give you a breather from the council." Optimistically, I offer.

"Yes, but can Josephine manage the diplomats while I look around?" Worried, Eve wonders.

"She'll be fine besides she isn't alone. She has the divine on her side. I suggest you get Cassandra or someone to call for a recess for now, just to stop the crowd from interfering with the crime scene. We may also need to get the others be ready for battle." Warily, I explain to Eve her eyes narrowing.

"You think that's likely?" Concerned, Eve's greens soften.

"Knowing us? Most definitely…" Grimly, I state the fact.

"I'll follow the blood trial see where he came from." Eve tells us.

"On it, if you find anything don't go in alone." Sternly, I warn Eve stopping in her doorsteps as she turns to me and nods.

"Right…" Eve nods her head and heads off as I leave the scouts to clean up the body, turning to leave. I need to check Dror, I need to see if he's okay.

"How is he?" Softly, I whisper to Varric seeing him on the bench, his arm draped over the shaking quivering mess that is Dror, hunched over, his hands coated crimson.

"He's a bit shaken but he seems fine." Gently, Varric assures me.

"Are you alright sweetheart?" Quietly, I whisper bowing down to his height placing my hand on his head as he leans into my touch.

"It…It…I tried to stop the bleeding b-but…I couldn't…" Quietly, I kneel down gently taking Dror's shaking quivering hands in my own, gently squeezing them.

"It isn't your fault sweetheart…" Gently, I whisper noting his small whimper, his voice breaking as I bow my head pecking his temple. He whimpers, bowing his head as he cries in my chest as I gently brush my fingertips through his hair, letting him cry, letting him whimper, letting him let it out.

"So you found a active Eluvian." I sigh as Dror falls limp into my arms, sniffling the shock and exhaustion finally filtering in as I hear his small soft snores in my arms as he nuzzles into my neck.

"An active one, this means only trouble. I'll get the others. Can you come?" Hopeful, Eve asks.

"I will. Take care of him Varric if we need you, give him to Meredith she knows the plan if things go south." I mutter as grimly, Varric nods, reluctantly, I hand over Dror.

"I will relax. Just make sure you come back." He tells me as I nod in understanding.

"Just make sure he's okay." Tenderly, I whisper leaning in, my lips brushing against his temple as I brush his raven locks aside.

"I will. Dror has a new picture to show you." Smirking, Varric informs me.

"Oh yeah I'm looking forward to it." Brightly, I smile at the thought as I slowly stand up following after Eve, my heart aching, my mind worrying for Dror as we head into the Eluvian once gathering the party needed.

"This is the crossroad's Morrigan brought me here while showing me the Eluvian…" Amazed, Eve recognises.

"It's beautiful." Amazed, I whisper in awe stepping forward towards the glorious beauty before me.

"He wanted to show you this. He wanted to see that look on your face. He knew you'd love it." Surprised, I furrow my brow as I glance behind me at Cole watching me from afar making me scowl.

"It's pretty…I guess. Kind of sketchy urgh too many colours…" Entranced, Sera whispers in awe as she joins me awing at the sight before us.

"Everything looks grey and murky to me." Frowning, Dorian voices out.

"What? But there are patterns all over it's like glass from… where is it? Fen you're seeing this right?" Sera glances at me.

"Yeah I am. It's magnificent!" Amazed, I whisper in awe.

"Beautiful? It's foggy…I wonder if it looks different to elves." Eve wonders out loud.

"How would that work? Eyes are eyes or supposed to be…" Confused, Sera furrows her brow lost.

"Well remember Sera we are meant to have better vision then humans in the dark." I point out.

"Urgh stupid place…" Annoyed, Sera huffs as we make our way towards another mirror.

"The blood leads to this mirror," Alarmed, Eve calls out as we stand before another Eluvian.

"Right let's see where this guy came from." Bull reasons to us as we all nod, stepping towards the Eluvian and passing through into the unknown.

"Elven ruins. I'm not sure we're even in Orlais anymore…" Eve voices out as we enter the temple of sorts, my brow furrowed at the lit candle torches, people were here, no doubt about it. My brow furrows at the murals of some description that not even I can make sense of as we explore the ruins.

"What gave it away? The lack of elves on spikes or fancy masks?" Slyly, I remark my brow furrowed at the strange ruins you'd think forgotten but…

"Are you quite alright inquisitor? It hasn't escaped me that the anchor is acting up…" Concerned, Vivienne calls out surprisingly me and also unnerving me when noting her concerned tone. I spot Eve hunched over briefly, leaning against the stoic stone walls of the ruin. Perhaps the Eluvian triggered her hand. Concerned, I watch on crossing my arms as we still allowing the magical experts or those remaining that consist of Vivienne and Dorian approach Eve, gently taking her hand.

"It's nothing to worry about Vivienne." Strained, Eve smiles pain in her tone as she hunches over briefly my eyes narrowing at her eerie green glow flaring up to her arm, making her release a cry of agony. Dorian swiftly catches her steadying her as Vivienne removes her yellow glove to look over the mark.

"Don't be stoic at the expense of your health. Solas was the only one who pretended to understand the anchor. But we all know it's dangerous." Vivienne remarks as I flinch feeling a few eyes on me while my electric blue stare horrified at the decaying corpse like hand before me, eerie green veins coil around the thin skeletal hand more bone than flesh hanging, dangling off, like it wet cloth sticking its fibre fangs into the washing line, clinging onto dear life to survive the harsh cutting currents of the wild winds above.

"When it flares, I feel the pain from my palm to my jawbone." Shyly, Eve reveals releasing another cry of pain, my features contorting at her voice breaking as her mark flares up like flickering flames uncontrollably refusing to bow down to anyone as it flickers on, almost absorbing, consuming her arm.

"When we return to the palace, I'll find you something to ease that." Gently, Vivienne shushes her promising it as my brow furrowed surprised by her tender kindness.

"We should take a look at it maybe between the two of us Vivienne and I can find some way to slow it down." Dorian proposes his brow furrowed, noting the concern laced in his tone.

"Now that we have so many samples how hard would it be to make Eluvian of our own?" Eagerly, Dorian proposes as he admires the Eluvian after the two manage to somehow calm the flickering flames of green, deciding to take a short rest for Eve to collect herself and relish in this brief gap of peace.

"Nope. Nope. Nope." Firmly, both Bull and I chorus.

"What's wrong?" Perplexed, Dorian furrows his brow at us.

"Dorian how about you stop being so Tevinter about ancient Bullshit." Scowling, Sera suggests to him.

"Sera I think that's the line best you have ever said…" Amazed, I smirk at the delivery of that line making her bema brightly.

"I try." Giggling, she smirks back pride etched into her tone.

"But think of the…" Whining, Dorian begins.

"No." Together Bull and I chorus sternly shutting him down.

"But Fen I can teach Dror so much easier if I…" Annoyingly, Dorian persists like some child, even then at least Dror knows when to give up, Dorian however is on a different level.

"I'd rather you teach him through the stone." Snippily, I remark.

"You want to bring back a piece of the past that aches to think its lost..." Softly, Cole whispers surprising us as we both furrow our brow at his words.

"Is that approval? Hard to tell with you. Are you at all uncertain about fighting your people Bull?" Dorian then glances from Cole to Bull, concerned etched into his features and tone.

"If this was an authorised mission, I would have heard about it this has to be some rogue group of tal vashoth. We'll figure it out and make it right. So, don't worry unless we run into Venatori." Warningly, Bull argues.

"Please don't jinx us I rather not face both factions that want me dead or dissected." I remark being honest with them.

"Some of these stones here are pretty. Dror would love them for his drawings…" Softly, Cole smiles as we spot him looking down at a few rocks littered across the ruins.

"I'm sure he would. You could give them to him you know?" Kindly, I suggest as shyly, Cole kneels down to pluck the gorgeous gems.

"Yes…he will like them, glimmering brightly just like mother's eyes…" Cole describes making my eyes widen at the compliment…I think?

"I…thank you Cole…I guess?" Unsure, I thank him, my muscles still tensing uncomfortable with the praise.

"He would be happy seeing you so happy with him…" Cole whispers out making me frown, turning to glance behind me at Cole crouching down only then to slowly stand facing me.

"Cole…are you alright?" Worried, I call out to Cole.

"Perhaps the crossroads is effecting him…" Dorian offers.

"Perhaps..." I mutter, my brow furrowed my muscles still tense.

"Next time we get the gang together let's do a dragon instead. Dragons are fun." Grumpily, Iron Bull huffs complaining as he nervously adjusts his axe propped on his shoulder. Warily, he eyes the Eluvian at the end of the hallway of sorts.

"I'm game so long as it doesn't eat me again." I sigh as Bull loudly laughs at the memory while I groan at the memory, I wonder if Bull did give him that gift in the end. I never did ask. We continue our exploration, helping Eve up as we then spot the Eluvian before our sights as we head towards it only to falter at the hunched over form, my nose twitching at the familiar scent of copper lingering in the air and we approach the fallen soldier.

"Another Qunari dressed like the one in the winter palace…" Eve identifies as I kneel down checking the dead soldier for any notes only to find none, much to our disappointment.

"A military guy the armour alone screams that…" I mutter under my breath as I stand up crossing my arms looking over the armoured mess, his armour plunged with ruby red.

"He's Karashok, a foot solider must have been in the same squad." Stoically, Bull identifies the slumped figure against the corner of the wall by the Eluvian's side was his body dumped here perhaps?

"Demons dragons, and even darkspawn now Qunari. I wonder if we'll ever run out of things to fight…" Tiredly, Cassandra sighs deflated looking down sadly at the fallen recruit, her voice echoing through the empty ruin.

"I know I won't." I mutter under my breath.

"Now I'm thinking about dragons now I'm more upset about being here." Irritated, Bull complains to us flexing his muscle anxiously.

"Oh yeah Bull you'd hate me now." Sneakily, I smirk.

"Why's that?" Bull looks down at me, his brow furrowed confused by my smug smirk.

"I may have had to take out a certain high dragon loitering the local mines. Orders from the viscount himself." Smugly, I smirk checking over my nails remembering Varric complaining about the miens which Fenris and I had to deal with before he went off, deciding to go meet up with Hawke again to Weishaupt or so he had planned. I haven't spoken to him in a while, I need to keep in contact with him I'm terrible with that, after all this I shall message him, see if he's still alive or not. I know he hasn't been well since Hawke's separation of sorts but it was really for the best concerning Robin's welfare since Robin was being targeted even more when the couple were together and since Sebastian's troops, it only hammered that nail into the coffin. They are still together but…they just aren't together physically.

"And you didn't call me!?" Offended, Bull gawks at me snapping me out of my thoughts as I turn to face him, to look up at him.

"I handled it myself with some friends of mine." Casually, I shrug.

"What!? You telling me this now!? Fen you traitor." Playfully, he shoves me making me laugh.

"The dragons were amazing, weren't they?" In awe, Sera smiles.

"They really were…" Fondly, Cassandra admits.

"Not the insides though." Mischievously, I remark making the others chuckle at the memory.

"Hah that was a fun memory remember when you were planning it out like some military strategist you had no idea Solas was checking you out." Slyly, Iron Bull remarks making my eyes widen, my muscles tensing as I turn to frown up at Bull once more.

"Checking me out?" Chuckling, I shake my head at the thought.

"Yeah you never noticed though…he thought none of us would, but we saw it." Proudly, Bull proclaims as I groan glancing to the side, not wishing to think of him as I try to fight back the brief ruby red rise in my cheeks almost burning me, internally scolding me for thinking back on those nights between us both.

"He isn't wrong," Sera remarks making my eyes widen.

"What!?" I hiss at Sera flushing ruby red as she giggles.

"You and I both saw that sketchbook. He certainly was a fan of certain assets." Cheekily, Sera giggles as I groan burying my face in my hands at the memory.

"I never understood my homeland's fascination with dragons until the inquisition. I suppose I am Nervahan after all." Honestly, Cassandra confesses to us.

"You don't like corpses though maybe you're Qunari." Iron Bull offers cheekily.

"Dragons were the best until Qunari women were everywhere or like they are!" In awe, Sera begins to salivate almost over them as I grimace.

"To think you'd end up with a dwarf though, they are quite the opposite of Qunari women." Cheekily, I point out hand on hip thinking back on Dagna finding the two quite an adorable couple, then again, I am a stickler for height differences.

"True but widdles has her own perks to her, she's super short and super squiggly so…" Gushing, Sera compliments making me chuckle at the love struck elf.

"Don't want to know Sera." Cheekily, I remark.

"Meeeeaan…" She moans out playfully elbowing me.

"You are aware they are trying to kill us. Don't be distracted." Sternly, Cassandra reminds us ruining our fun.

"Just saying fighting is better with candy." Simply, Sera huffs snapping out of her love daze to cross her arms under her chest to pout at Cassandra.

"I'm just pleased it isn't Venatori. For once Tevinter isn't the problem." Smugly, Dorian proclaims hand on his chest as I smirk slyly.

"I don't know about that…for all we know the Qunari would be here to find some elven artefact to use against Tevinter." Cockily, I offer noting Dorian's playful glare sent at me from my valid point.

"And that's the imperium's fault?" Dorian challenges.

"Who are the Qun up against?" Playfully, I point out making him grumble a few kaffas under his breath making me chuckle at my win.

"You always have to find a way to pin Tevinter down don't you?" Dorian huffs.

"Not just Tevinter, I offer other options like the Qun, mages, Templars you name it I blame it." Smugly, I respond as we continue on our way approaching the doorway by the slumped warrior's side and decide to venture into it, stepping into the unknown once again. Our bodies tense, ready for whatever may come at us or so we had thought. Horrified, our eyes widen when stumbling across a balcony of sorts, finding stone statues of Qunari armed and roaring underneath them are coal black scorch marks…a heavy pulse of eerie green being emitted into the air from afar as we note the tower standing strong and tall, proudly even as the pulse of green disperse into the foreign air of the exotic land bestowed before us.

"Scorch marks everywhere this is the work of a mage." Stoically, Eve identifies kneeling down, her fingertips brushing against the faint ash below.

"A powerful one I can still feel the heat cracking." Dorian describes.

"The expended energy is remarkable I'd say this spell was casted in the past hour." Impressed, Vivienne gushes in awe of the skill while Bull and I share a look, not particularly caring for the magic nerds as Bull and I almost disturbed examine the stone statues of Qunari, their blades raised to the source of the scorch marks.

"What matters is finding out why the Qunari are here and who did this to them." Firmly, Eve reminds us as we all nod, entering through the Eluvian.

"Over there Qunari! If we want to know why they are here. We're got to get across to that island." Eve points out as we watch from afar the battle brewing, smoke and fire fuming out as we stand across the other side of the separated fridge as we all nod and continue looking for the next Eluvian.

"Looking for ruins and dead people. Why do I keep coming back for trips like this?" Moping, Sera huffs.

"I've guessed the sparkling company and your continued contribution to it. I could be wrong." Slyly, Dorian boasts.

"Perhaps it's a calling or the calling. Are you secretly a grey warden? It was going around." Teasingly, Blackwall offers.

"What? No it- Pff! Different name, same arse." Annoyed, Sera complains.

"You return because the calling of the cause is far greater han yourself and to keep us humble. You are needed…" Sternly, Cassandra reasons to her gently.

"Hahah! Wha…? What's your excuse Fen?" Curious, Sera asks me.

"Was nagged by Cullen to come back. Keep an eye on the Inquisitor." Bluntly, I deadpan.

"I can take care of myself." Eve mumbles only then to hiss cradling her flaring green hand as I raise a brow as Dorian rushes over to her side, Vivienne having to return back to the Eluvian in hopes of brewing some sort of concoction to help Eve through the pain of her flaring mark and Cole had gone back to give Dror the gemstones he mentioned. Eve of course promising to return if she needed their assistance.

"I'm sure you don't need a hand…" Sneakily, I smirk.

"Really? The hand jokes already?" Scowling, Eve huffs at me.

"Alright how about this I'll keep you anchored to reality…" Cheekily, Bull joins in as we both snickers.

"Urgh stop!" Annoyed, Eve orders us as we continue on with our search.

"Floating crap, magic mirror crap, evil demon crap!" Frustrated, Bull groans after having enough of searching, his patience growing thin.

"You know there are other curses outside crap…" Playfully, I point out.

"When this is over, I'm going to need someone to hit me with a stick again." Groaning, Iron Bull tells us.

"No." Quickly, Cassandra rejects the offer.

"I don't think I have the strength." Honest, Thom or Blackwell confess.

"The stick broke last time we did it and you complained for about a week due to the splinters. I am not dealing with you whining again." Tiredly, I remind him.

"I do not whine!" Iron Bull grumbles.

"Sure…" Dorian joins in rolling his eyes as we continue looking.

"That works it isn't over and I already want to hit things with sticks…" Sera complains.

"I'm not sure whether I want that to be a metaphor or not…" Unsure, Dorian glances at me as I shrug not sure.

"Even if it isn't. You're game…." Slyly, I remark at Dorian.

"And you would know this?" Dorian arches a brow.

"A drunk man speaks sober thoughts." Sneakily, I reply making Dorian's features turn ruby red as I snicker at the memory of the drunk Dorian, our second night together chatting, talking at me listening to his woes over his father and even his escapades with Iron Bull. Him even asking me how to deal with him due to his Qunari heritage not really sure what to say, he would even ask me sometimes what Bull would say during their nights…words I swear I am still blushing to this day for his level of dirty talk.

"Stripweed, it's been some time since I seen those things…" I mutter enjoying the blissful breeze as Dorian's features scrunch up as he begins to sarcastically warmly greet the wildlife of Stripweed.

"Right here we go what's the story with the weeds?" Tiredly, Sera questions Dorian, taking a seat on the bridge annoyed as Eve continues the search.

"Terrible stuff looks like grass stings like a knife causes sores so much as you brush against it!" Dorian proclaims.

"Imagine having to lift up crates and do your daily labour with those sores all over your form." Snippily, I remark at the gruesome memory of mother treating those with infected feet from the stripe weed, resulting in a few even having their own foot cut off, often leading to them dying of infection, heart attack from the blood or blood loss.

"Oh…right…so of course everyone in Minrathos says it makes a very decent tea…" Dorian grumpily tells the group.

"Does it?" Curious, Eve glances at me.

"Not really no." Bluntly, I deadpan.

"You bring your handkerchief?" Iron Bull questions Dorian making me raise a brow at his attentiveness.

"I'm not…allergic!" Huffing, Dorian sniffles.

"You always say that but half an hour later you're always taking mine." Annoyed, Iron Bull argues.

"Amatus could you not fuss like some achoo!" Loudly, Dorian sneezes cutting himself off.

"Ah ha!" Proudly, Iron Bull smirks taking out a familiar perky pink fabric passing it over to the struggling Tevinter mage.

"Let's…let's move on, shall we?" Weakly, Dorian sniffles, using the hankie as I smile at the two adorable, honestly…

"Remind me if I ever do visit to order that tea…" Smirking, I remind Sera nodding her head eagerly excitedly grinning.

"I thought you're meant to be on my side!" Pouting, Dorian whines at me as I snicker.

"Aww Dorian I'm on no one's side but my own." Cheekily, I smirk as I pinch his cheek as we find the Eluvian and enter through it, continuing on our venture for answers.

"Too bad we're not here at night we could come back when it's dark to look up at the stars to see exactly where we are..." Disappointed, Blackwall sighs looking up at the high heavens of sky blue.

"Or we could be ambushed by Qunari troops…" Snidely, I remark scowling at the memory of the stone statues and Qunari brawling.

"Or we could leave sit in a tavern and wonder where we were while we are somewhere better?" Sera suggests.

"You're not even a little curious?" Hopeful, Blackwall sighs.

"You have met her right?" Chuckling, I shake my head at the thought.

"See Fen gets it. You know I'm not." Snickering, Sera shakes her head.

"Hahah, I've missed you both so." Fondly, Blackwall smiles at us both.

"You clearly have poor taste then." Calmly, I remark hand on hip.

"I'd like to call it peculiar…" Pleased, Blackwall smiles.

"Oh, this is going to be fun. The old team together again to kick some ass how about it Kadan?" Excited, Iron Bull beams at Dorian.

"Holy Maker you used the K word!" Gasping, I raise a brow at Bull.

"I never expected you to be a romantic." Cheekily, Dorian remarks.

"The k word?" Confused, Eve arches a brow.

"It's a title of honour for the man I love…urgh this was supposed to be about hitting things…" Annoyed, Bull groans.

"Well you can hit that later." Chuckling, I suggest.

"EEWW!" Loudly, Sera whines lightly shoving me as I chuckle.

"He did give you that dragon tooth in the end didn't he?" Curious, I turn to Dorian.

"He did but never told me why." Dorian confesses.

"He didn't oh come on Bull! I went into a dragon's mouth for you!" Annoyed, I point out.

"Mind filling me in?" Frazzled, Eve questions still lost.

"Well I think Bull would…" I snicker.

"Eeew!" Sera continues on in disgust.

"But Kadan means where the heart lies…" Calmly, I clarify for Dorian.

"So, it's the Qunari version of Amatus?" Dorian gathers simplifying it.

"Basically, yeah and that tooth he gave you shows how serious the relationship is since in the Qun romantic relations do not exist due to their…sexual preference." Struggling, I trail off not quite sure on how to end it.

"That's…sort of sweet…I guess?" Unsure, Eve shrugs.

"For the Qun that is the most romantic thing you expect." Honestly, I tell them how it is.

"Bull…" Touched, Dorian begins.

"We can talk about it later if you want Kadan alone…" Bull emphasis glances at me making me grumble.

"Rude…" I huff shrugging innocently.

"Did you ever call Solas Kadan?" Fascinated, Eve enquires as I grimace at the namedrop but sigh bowing my head, a small smirk of fondness on my lips.

"Oh yeah only to piss him off. For some reason he hated it when I called him Kadan instead of Vhenan so to rile him up I would call him that." Chuckling, I shake my head at the memory while we called me Vhenan sometimes I would call him Kadan, the way his face would contort into disgust was oh so amusing then again that time I decided to tease him with dirty talk in Qunlat was also hilarious. He gave me this look as if to say never do that again. It certainly made me remember that night I'll say that much.

"Or if you were in a mood with him…" Cheekily, Blackwall I mean Thom remarks, I'm never going to get used to call him Thom, I am lucky he let me call him Blackwall, but still. Unamused, I arch a brow at him, surprised but also irritated.

"And how would you know?" Sternly, my eyes narrow as I place my hands on my hips challenging the chuckling Thom.

"You'd be surprised what is shared between Diamondback." Smirking, he chuckles shaking his head as I sigh at the memory of Solas coming back late. I had thought it weird at first but didn't think much of it that is until the next morning when Blackwall had come complaining to me at the tavern over last night.

"What are…?" Confused, Eve furrows her brow as we blink taken aback by the figures of blue before us their form reminding me of…

"They look like Sentinels…" Eve points out surprised.

"That isn't good…" Uneasy, I whisper my muscles tensing at the memory.

"Atish'All Vallem, Fen'Harel Elathadra," The bulky one, the leader I assume greets us as my eyes narrow at the leaner ones behind him with their arrows and bows at the ready.

"I don't understand Fen do you?" Confused, Eve glances at me.

"No, that accent is hard to decipher, I recognise one of the gods Fen-Harel but that's about it." Honestly, I confess my brow furrowed why mention one of the gods? The trickster one at that? Maybe it means greetings friends, I hope we kill Fen'Harel today? I don't know…

"Nuvenas Mana Helanin Dirth Bellas Ma…" The sentinel leader carries on as I furrow my brow, the accent clear and thick only increasing my confusion at the jumbled up words.

"Can you try saying something?" Meekly, Eve requests from me.

"Alright, I'll try I can't promise anything. Andaran Atish'an Setharan- " Calmly, I begin only to flinch back as it draws out its hammer.

"Virthar Ma Na Din'An Sahlin!" Angrily, it curses at me.

"What…what does that mean?" Worried, Eve glances at me noting me drawing my weapon as she and the others follow my example.

"No idea but from the weapons being drawn not good!" Panicked, I call out as we dive at one another taking care of these ghostly phantom figures of the sentinels.

"What did you say?" Baffled, Eve asks me.

"I only greeted it perhaps it considered us intruders." I propose.

"Well technically we are." Snidely, Dorian exclaims.

"Not helping Dorian." Eve furrows her brow at him.

"It must have been set up to guard something…question is what?" I mutter as we approach the mural of sorts.

"And this must be it." I conclude as Eve raises her hand skywards, her palm connecting as a familiar greenish glow of light connects both her hand and door, causing the door to vaporise and reveal an empty doorway before us…

"That was like veil fire. It claimed…there was a refuge for elven slaves…" Shakily, Eve stumbles back cradling her flaring anchor, grimacing clutching it close to her chest, pain etched into her features.

"What?" Stunned, I blink taken aback.

"You mean the ancient elves kept slaves?" Frowning, Varric furrows his brow glancing at me as my eyes narrow, not quite sure how to feel except seems my belief of the gods not being as they appeared to be seems right to an extent.

"They really were no better than the Tevinter Magisters." I sigh clicking my tongue.

"I'm right here you know, and we don't treat them that bad." Dorian huffs.

"A shame a refuge like this fell. It would have saved many other lives…" Tiredly, I ignore Dorian my electric blues gazing at the murals showing this wolf like creature.

"One more thing not to tell Daisy." Varric sighs glancing up at me. Still though, I hope Dror's okay Meredith is the only scout. I can trust with him and even then, I have Leliana keeping an eye on him too so he should be safe but still…

"Indeed." Grimly, I nod my head agreeing with him.

"So we're getting the gang back together that's exciting!" Brightly, Varric smiles at the thought.

"Don't tell me the viscount of Kirkwall misses skulking about and shooting people…" Teasingly, Dorian snickers.

"You've never been to the viscounts keep have you sparkler? Spend two hours there and you'd be glad to be shot at." Chuckling, Varric explains.

"Oh come now Varric you always have Aveline there to knock some sense into you." Smirking, I tease him.

"You could say that." Varric hints.

"We are not a band of any sort." Sternly, Cassandra furrows her brow.

"Not even a band of merry misfits?" Playfully, I ask.

"Just because you can't carry a tune Seeker doesn't mean you're not front and centre in our band of misfits." Smirking, Varric exclaims to Cassandra.

"Fennic I can't imagine." Cassandra accuses making me glance to the side shyly.

"Actually, seeker for your information Fennic has quite the voice." Smugly, Varric confesses.

"Don't you dare!" Warningly, I scowl at him.

"Fen can sing?" Eager, Eve raises a brow.

"I got to hear this!" Smirking, Dorian argues.

"No, you don't. None of you will ever hear it." Quickly, I reject the idea.

"Admit it you're going to miss getting into trouble like this!" Eve proclaims luckily, she changes topic.

"You make it sound as if his trouble has ended." I smirk.

"Pay me a visit in Kirkwall. I can almost promise you trouble when you arrive." Confidently, Varric vows to her.

"I like it here, it's quiet, a good place for spirits." Softly, Cole smiles shyly.

"Quiet huh? Thanks again for coming to visit. A lot of people needed help." Grateful, Varric thanks him.

"Yes. You and Fen are doing good work healing hurts besides it was nice to meet Dror." Fondly, Cole smiles at me making me smile softly.

"You met him before Cole?" Surprised, Bull arches a brow.

"When he was younger, he was very cute, he liked Fen a lot, he loves hugs, he also loved my hat, he wanted to put it on I let him, he was so scared when it went dark that was until I took of the hat. He loves the peek a boo game, he gets so sad when his mummy disappears but so happy when she comes back. He never wants her to leave." Earnestly, Cole explains as I groan.

"Urgh…" Tiredly, I whisper looking up blinking back the tears crossing my arms pained at the glassy hues in my eyes.

"What's wrong?" Concerned, Cole whispers.

"Nothing Cole, Fen is simply missing her baby boy." Tenderly, Varric smiles.

"I'm a terrible mother I shouldn't have left him there." Pained, I scold myself for my selfish thinking, I am a terrible mother, I should never have been a mother, I'm nothing but poison, abusive to him, he deserves better. So much better.

"You think you should have brought him here?" Varric raises a brow.

"No I just…" Quickly, I argue.

"I have seen little of you these past years Cole where have you been?" Fascinated, Cassandra enquires.

"Helping people, towns burned. Too many dead from bandits. I saw battles it's harder now that they can see me but harder doesn't mean you don't do it. And the warmth, I feel it, when Dror hugs me I feel warm, I feel what love is like and it makes me smile, it makes me want to protect that smile…" Timidly, Cole confesses.

"Cole…" Gently, I smile at Cole bowing his head.

"Dror asked me to be his big brother would that be okay Fennic?" Softly, Cole requests from me making me scream internally.

"Kid you were always Fen's kid the same with Sera." Chuckling, Varric informs him.

"What!? No way!? Really with creepy no! But…" Stunned, Sera gasps.

"Honestly, I've given up denying it…" Exhausted, I sigh bowing my head at the sad truth of it all, in some sort of way I do see the two as children, as children to me and hold a sibling bond to one another. Suddenly, Eve gasps as we watch her release a noise of shock as she raises her hand to the mural door, a light similar to that of when Eve raised her hand to seal the breach connects to the green mural, causing it all to disappear as Eve stumbles back in shock, clutching her wrist tightly in shock.

"This whole valley was a sanctuary created by the dread wolf, Fen'Harel…" Eve elaborates clutching her hand flaring out a bit stunning us, taking me aback.

"Fen'Harel? Isn't that the god of misfortune? That doesn't make sense…. something doesn't add up. Seems there's more to these gods than the Dalish had thought." Smugly, I smirk stepping up feeling a sense of pride for my belief to be partially right as we step through the building past the doorway, no longer in our path as we head through the Eluvian.

"That Eluvian only took us a short distance. That's the same lake we saw from the other tower." Eve peers out looking out at the bridge.

"Good for moving around the city, visiting friends, deploying guards…" Iron Bull remarks as we make our way towards the next strange green door after leaving the Eluvian only then for my eyes to narrow, gently brushing my fingertips across the panels showing descriptions of some man in wolfskin.

"Cuts all over the back he was taken by surprise. This can't have happened too long ago, the blood's dried…" Sternly, I cut myself off trailing off as I kneel down examining the Qunari warriors as Eve raises her hand to another door, the whip of eerie green snapping as she stumbles back cradling her throbbing arm.

"This is…Fen'Harel helping former slavers as a mortal. Not a god." Stunned, Eve whispers to us making my eyes widen at the supposed gods.

"Mortal? Hah knew the gods were nothing but bull…still Merill won't be pleased." Disappointed, I sigh bowing my head at yet another secret to keep from her. It's painful enough looking at her face and seeing nothing more than slave markings.

"If she finds out that is…" Varric trails off.

"Fair point." I give him that.

"Kinda curious that this guy had to specify that he wasn't a god." Bull points out.

"Ordinary guy saves people accidently founds religion sounds a lot like a chant actually…" Varric adds.

"So this guy helped found something that only caused issues great…" Sighing, I furrow my brow as I cross my arms at the thought.

"I wouldn't say issues…it gives them faith." Cassandra voices out.

"Sure say that to the poor dolts that gave their lives for their supposed god or killed so many for some god…" I click my tongue.

"Do you want your Amatus to cheer you up? I could do some of those flexes you like." Flirtatiously, Bull reasons.

"I don't even want to know what that voice is." Disturbed, I mutter from the strange noise Dorian emits.

"Aww a romantic after all. You blushing up there?" Coyly, Varric raises a brow.

"Is that your naked name? in the dark?" Teasingly, Sera snickers.

"It's been too long since we travelled together. I've missed it." Timidly, Cassandra smiles.

"Aww you missed me!" Perkily, Varric cheers.

"It! I said it!" Urgently, Cassandra corrects him.

"Oh come now Seeker how could you not miss that chest hair?" Jokingly, I argue.

"It's nice to help people with you. You're quiet they accept it when you clank." Softly, Cole tells her.

"Glad you're back Cassandra. You break things and I need to see things break in front of me." Sera smiles excited.

"This claims the elven gods were just Evanuris-powerful but completely mortal mages…" Amazed, Eve exclaims.

"OH MY WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT! Sounds familiar doesn't it Dorian? Seems you lot stripped straight out of the book with these arrogant pricks!" Smugly, I point out.

"Hey they are your gods." Huffing, Dorian defends himself making me scoff.

"Oh please this stupid lot are not my gods. I have no gods; I don't need gods." Confidently, I declare waving off the idea of these fools being worthy of worship, like heck I would pray to these arrogant idiots.

"Whoever ran this place was trying to rebuild the slaves confidence. Get rid of this old propaganda." Bull reasons as we enter the strange room, finding some sort of strange tree like object blazing with an eerie glow similar to the veil fire.

"If so then Fen'Harel was teaching the freed elves the truth of the Evanuris being mortal, making them weaker in the elves rise and raising this rebellion of theirs…" I gather as Eve raises her hand in the air towards the tree.

"Ah!" Pained, Eve cries out stumbling back.

"You're hurt!" Worried, Cole cries out as I catch her as she leans on me while I look over her hand grimacing at the blazing mark eating away at her almost.

"I'm not sure it stopped at the least. This looks like it fits the pedestal at that broken bridge." Eve gathers staring down at her hand in awe while slowly, I look up my hand on her shoulder slowly lifting to descend down and draw my blades.

"Seems we're going to say hi to some Qunari great…but first we deal with the sentinel vermin. Lovely…" I call out altering them all as we get into battle positions, easily taking care of them and leaving heading back to the bridge from before, where Eve places her hand on the podium, opening a path for us to join the Qunari in their fight, whether to fight with or against them who's to say?

"Hidden weapons these freed slaves actually fought against the Evanuris posing as gods…" Amazed, Eve explains to us opening another book after having to do some puzzle with veil fire, moving the statue of the wolf to reveal the hidden passageway after looking at a few murals of a wolf and elves, my mind still buzzling puzzled by all these description by all this new found knowledge.

"That's…sounds like a good book to write about eh Varric?" Teasingly, I turn to him, trying to hold in the sheer raw shock slowly flowing through my veins feeling Eve's green hues upon me.

"Would be if I could…" Varric shrugs.

"Fen could you translate this?" Eve requests from me as I nod as she passes me the letter.

"Says here the Qunari came to these ruins due to the Eluvian's connecting to Halamshiral. It seems to be a infiltration, there's not much more." I summarise easily translating the Qunlat.

"So they are aiming for the winter palace." Bull glowers.

"It would seem so but why? There are directions if you want." I pass Eve the note showing her the arrows.

"This is crazy they're acting like we're at war!" Frustrated, Bull snarls fed up, glaring down at the floor beneath him.

"Maybe they are…" Calmly, I propose making everyone go silent still in shock from my suggestion as we continue to follow the map given to us.

Two hours ago, an unknown intruder penetrated our defences. Masked and cloaked. A mage. Used magic to awaken spirits and turned them against us. Intruder moved as if they knew this place, fled after spirits awoke. Dozens dead. Spirits keep attacking. Engagement not reco…

Grimacing, I gently place the note down, staring down at my slick steel gauntlet fingertips crimson covered, ruby red dripping down from both the salivating parchment and my fine fingertips. A mage? No, it couldn't be, I mean spirits…no I'm thinking too much besides he isn't like this. This is bloody, this is anger, this is…this is far too messy of a demise he would end up doing.

"What is it?" Eve questions as silently, I pass her the note, her green hues widening as she then glances at me to see my furrowed brow, not sparing her a glance as she then decides for the rest of us to head back to the exalt council.

"Mummy!" Relieved, Dror rushes to my arms as I kneel down smiling softly strained as I wrap my arms around him, picking him up as I release a small sigh of relief, bowing my head into the crook of his neck, feeling my muscles flaxen as I gently peck his temple.

"You alright sweetheart?" Softly, I whisper to him, feeling my muscles relax as I feel his small arm coil around my neck, hanging down from me as he nestles into my chest.

"Yeah! Meredith showed me these pretty flowers, I drew them! I wanted to pick them, but Meredith told me if I did it would die!" Sadly, he whispers disappointed bowing his head making me smile sadly at his small shy pout, adorable.

"Is that right?" Coyly, I raise a brow.

"Where did you go?" Fascinated, he quirks his head to the side making me chuckle.

"Just on a little adventure…" I shrug.

"Can I come?" Hopeful, he questions me.

"Sorry sweetheart but no." Sternly, I refuse shaking my head.

"Why not?" Childishly, he whines.

"You're too young I promise you when you're older you'll have your own adventure." Calmly, I promise him.

"You think so?" Excited, he requests from me.

"Sweetie if you're my kid I can guarantee it." Chuckling, I shake my head at him, promising him it.

"Yay! I'm going to be just like you, a badass!" Happily, he cheers making me chuckle.

"Yeah let's not hope for that." Nervously, I smile a strained smile.

"Fen…" Eve calls out to me making me turn to her.

"Right…" Sighing, I nod bowing my head as I watch her wait for me seeing a scowling Josephine and Cullen meeting up, glancing at Eve and nodding going on ahead. Tenderly, I place Dror down, my heart aching when feeling his grip tighten on my clothes, noting his bowed head and glassy hues shaking his head making me grimace pained. Silent, Varric nods his head at me noting my discomfort. Sadly, I pry Dror off me noting his disappointed `gaze hurting my chest as I force myself to leave. Dror silently bows his head as Varric gently guides him away as I watch on, hands bawling into a pair of fists at my stupidity. I just can't…I can't be a good mother, angrily, I scold myself as I force myself into following Eve to talk.

"One dead Qunari is bad enough. Now we have more and they're hostile…" Calmly, Cullen begins as we stand around the war table of sorts, a separate private room for us.

"This makes no sense. The Qunari may not be friendly with the Inquisition but they have no reason to attack us." Confused, Josephine furrows her brow.

"Qunari will find any reason to attack." Honestly, I state the fact crossing my arms as I lean against the stoic stone wall in the room.

"Fennic is right they also have no reason to be here or using Eluvian's at all." Frowning, Leliana adds.

"To see them using Eluvian's is baffling at its finest considering their fear of magic." Unnerved, I whisper thinking on the Saarebas, how they were treated grimacing at a familiar phantom figure of him.

"I've had the mirror placed under guard for now." Cullen reports to us.

"It appears the relative peace and quiet of the last two years is coming to an end." Sadly, Eve bows her head disappointed.

"Relative peace my ass. They was never peace Eve, just because one problem was concluded does not mean all the other problems will conclude as well. One conclusion simply opens the door for other problems…it will never end." Annoyed, I state the fact although Corypheus is gone, more is still coming…

"First the blight then mages and Templars, the Corypheus and now this. Can't we go ten years without the world falling to pieces?" Frustrated, Cullen scowls glancing at me.

"We must ensure that the Qunari do not disrupt the negotiations. The exalted council is in a very delicate state." Josephine state the fact.

"I'm certain you can soothe the nobles ruffled feathers while we solve the real problem." Cullen reasons to Josephine.

"Not when the inquisitor insults everyone present by walking out in the middle of the talks!" Fuming, Josephine argues.

"I did dismiss myself." Meekly, Eve tries to defend herself.

"Without the noble's permission…" Snippily, Josephine points out.

"How else was she meant to address the issue? Either way there was no solution that wouldn't anger the nobles, they all want the inquisition disbanded or become an empty shell of itself to use whether we like it or not. We are trapped so Eve leaving like that hasn't done anything that hasn't stopped the inevitable." Irritated, I point out stating the fact as it is.

"Fennic…" Gently, Eve whispers.

"Our only advantage is that Orlais and Fereldan are divided in goal and grievance. If they untie against us Divine Leliana will have no choice but to support their claims. We could lose everything." Sighing, Josephine exclaims to us.

"Josephine I'm sorry I never wanted to put you through this tough position but the Qunari are our top priority, if we don't handle the situation, they could attack all of us." Apologetic, Eve tells her.

"Hey if they do perhaps this will give us another cause to use for Fereldan and Orlais to back us up rather than feed us to the mabari." Optimistically, I try to offer.

Perhaps but we can worry about the politics later." Eve reasons.

My apologies. I will attend to the exalted council." Pained, Josephine bows her head.

While Josephine does that we will investigate further into this issue. We'll head back into the crossroads. We need to find out what the Qunari are doing and why they attacked." Eve decides.

And I will have a quiet word with our honour guard…" Softly, Cullen smiles as we all disperse, heading to our respective duties consisting of me and Eve returning to the crossroads.

Dror POV:

So this is the gaatlok mother mentioned, it was fortunate uncle Varric taught me how to deal with it when he introduced me to the carta. Smugly, I smirk to myself, mum will be so proud of me when she finds out I got rid of the problem then after I deal with it, we can go back home, maybe even pick up some Orlesian fluffy cakes Mr Rainer told me about. It was fortunate I tricked that Meredith girl into thinking I wanted to find some flowers to put in my sketchbook. Focused, my brow furrows as I approach one of the unnoticed barrels, ready to dismantle it or at least stop this foolish plan, violence only leads to bloodshed what could they gain from it when they could achieve the same result by just talking? I always liked the Qunari's blunt ways and honesty but to do this, to go to such an extreme is stupid. I won't let them hurt innocent people even if they are meanies…

"What the!? A brat?" Surprised, I jolt up at the voice and turn to the elf, my eyes narrowing when my ears perk up at the faint swoosh of air breaking, making me turn to his gleaming blade, crimson coated making my eyes widen, my body tensing at the sight of the bloodied blade.

"So you're one of the spies from the Qunari…" Coolly, I remark my brow furrowed, I have to be brave, I have to be careful, I have to play my cards right like mum does, like uncle Varric told me if I ever was backed into a corner, smile.

"Smart kid. Shame I got to silence you." He huffs making my eyes widen.

"I'd like to see you try…" Warily, my eyes narrow as I draw my staff, releasing a burst of flames slamming it down on the ground, making his eyes widen stumbling back screaming clutching his arm, my ears hearing the clang of metal as he screams to the high heavens.

"Dror!" Concerned, Meredith rushes over making my eyes widen.

"No!" I cry out but it falls to deaf ears as horrified I watch Meredith gasp, her baled swiftly being stolen from her as I stare scared when Meredith gaps is cut off by the blade teasingly touching her neck.

"Wait I'll go with you just don't hurt her!" Panicked, I cry out dropping my staff scared.

"Dror don't…" Pleadingly, Meredith begs me as I shake my head, she's important to mum I can't…it's my fault I was the one who got caught.

"Ballsy one, aren't you?" Smirking, the Qunari spy sneers at me.

"I only wish to see a outcome without bloodshed…" Gently, I whisper as he approaches me, smirking smugly proud of his effort.

"Such an outcome is impossible blood will always be spill but still the Viddasalla will be intrigued to see someone like you…" Chuckling, he smirks as my eyes widen as I gasp, scared when next thing I know, I feel a harsh stinging pain in my temple, my head throbbing as my ears ring heavily when everything goes pitch black.

"A child you brought a child?!" Angrily, I am awakened by the harsh screech of a yell as I timidly look up, hearing the clink of metal. I look down at the cold iron coiled around my form. Slowly, I blink a few times finding myself in some sort of dungeon or prison or ruins, I don't know I mean…

"Hello giant woman…" Politely, I greet the woman staring down at me, glowering as I smile timidly at him.

"This kid has something off about them, their power it's the same as the agent…" The elven agent from before reports.

"What?" Baffled, her eyes narrow.

"Please I don't want to fight I just…why are you doing this?" Baffled, I question the giant woman ignoring the guard showing his arm, my eyes widening when seeing his arm, grimacing back in disgust at the burn mark.

"I'm so sorry I didn't mean to hurt you so badly. That was meant to be a warning shot." Apologetic, I apologize guilt over such a severe scorch mark but it falls to deaf ears.

"Why? We did not start this fight child. The agent of Fen'Harel did." The giant woman tells me.

"Then surely they should be punished not everyone." Honestly, I confess, the trouble maker should pay not everyone else.

"We were to bring the south peace with wisdom on the gentle path. It was the inquisition's decision to interfere and brought this harsher path upon them." The giant woman informs me.

"Why!? Why must people suffer for some organisation? For some nobody!? I mean what is a Fen whatever, whoever it is, it sounds stupid. Bloodshed should not be caused over your difference in cultures. If you can't accept the souths culture then leave. Live your life and stop imposing your law upon those unwilling!" I argue scowling at her lack of logic.

"How dare you! These fools don't realize they need our wisdom that is all." Furious, the giant woman snarls at us.

"And where is the choice in that!? How are you the one to decide all this?" Angry, I argue back.

"Because it is my job." Assertively, she states.

"In the Qun not here, not in Thedas, you don't have perspective, if you saw the other sides then perhaps you could have some understanding that this lifestyle. You seek to fit others with does not fit everyone. Everyone is different but that is what makes life so much fun!" Honestly, I confess the fact.

"Such naivety…lock him up in the cell with Attashi!" She orders.

"Attashi you have a dragon?" Amazed, I gush at the thought.

"Disgusting, a knife ear to speak our mother tongue so fluently…" The giant woman sneers disgust laced in her tone.

"Can I see the Attashi? Please, dragons are really pretty…" Hopeful, I question pulling out my puppy dog face, auntie Hawke and Merill taught me well…

"…Very well let the boy see it but put him away immediately." Sheepishly, she huffs gesturing for me to leave.

"Hello there…you're really cute. Wait…why are you…? You're hurting her! Why are you hurting her! She did nothing wrong!" Horrified, I gasp as I see the beauty screaming out pained, screeching in agony breaking my heart, she's so scared why are they hurting her?

"Silence!" Angrily, the gang snarls at me as I thrash trying to get to the suffering creature my heart aching for the poor creature only then to scream as I am dragged away, my nose beginning to sniffle.

Mummy where are you?

Fen POV:

"You who serve Fen'Harel! The Qun demands your death!"

"I serve no one!" Angrily, I snarl drawing my blades insulted by the group of Qunari's words as we rush towards them in the deep roads I assume as we handle them, taking care of them.

"We need to find out what these Qunari were up to. So, let's go see shall we? Look at all that! The Qunari have a huge operation here!" Amazed, Eve gushes after telling us what to do only to see the lyrium mine.

"But for what?" Blackwall furrows his brow.

"What are they doing? They could bring the whole cavern down?" Eve gasps as a tremor echoes in the cavern.

"And you think they care? Eve Qunari are the type of people who look more into the input then the output." Honestly, I state the fact to them.

"The what?" Perplexed, Sera furrows her brow.

"They only care for the profit the outcome rather than what they sacrifice for their goal." Tiredly, I simplify for her.

"This place isn't stable." Blackwall scowls.

"Stay back! I-Wait…your hand…are you the Inquisitor?" Surprised, the male around the flickering flames that was about to be attacked by the Qun approaches us, relieved.

"Odd to find a human in the deep roads at all. Let alone surrounded by Qunari." Warily, Eve furrows her brow.

"Not if they converted to the Qun." I remark placing my hand on my hip.

"You're sharp…I-I wasn't commenting on your ears I just…" Nervously, he flinches back.

"I know what you meant." Curtly, I respond scowling.

"We don't have much time. Please, what the Viddasalla is doing…you have to stop her…" Desperate, the male informs us.

"Viddasalla?" Confused, Eve glances at me.

"One who converts purpose." A high-ranking member of the Ben-Hassrath. Leader of the "Dangerous Purpose" branch of the Ben-Hassrath triumvirate, which handles the conversion of foreigners, the re-education of Qunari dissidents, and the collection and quarantine of magic." Calmly, I explain to Eve.

"So, they are like the magic scholars of the Qun." Eve simplifies making me furrow my brow.

"Sort of…they are more like teachers, they give purpose to the Qun, they roles in the Qun." I answer.

"She is the leader of the Qunari here. She hates magic. Her job was to study it and stop it. At all costs. Not anymore. I don't care whether you serve Fen'Harel or not." The male adds.

"Which we don't." Snippily, I correct him, feeling my blood boil at the thought of serving this looney.

"Someone has to stop her." Scared, he pleads to us.

"Why do the Qunari think the inquisition serve Fen'Harel?" Confused, Eve demands from him.

"I don't know. The Viddasalla mentioned it, and well…your mate is Dalish right?" Nervously, he gestures to me making my eye twitch.

"Excuse you?" Insulted, I scowl crossing my arms.

"Well I mean those markings of yours, wait…you're…you're that elf from Kirkwall. I remember you I served in Kirkwall. Ser Jerran. I joined the Qun after it." Gasping, he realizes only making me groan.

"Yeah…don't remember you. Look there's no time. Just tell us why you think we serve some stupid snobby crazy guy that thinks they're an elven god." Impatiently, I cut him off.

"We've had agents of Fen'Harel causing trouble all over the crossroads, sabotage, making spirits attack us. I assumed the Inquisition was their army and then you came here because Fen'Harel told you too." Sighing, he explains to us.

"Wait…you're Qunari…?" Baffled, Eve blinks taken aback glancing at me for confirmation.

"A number of people joined the Qun in Kirkwall, some even made some attacks on us. Dalish, city elf, human, you name it they joined." I confirm for her.

"Kirkwall was…madness. Chaos. The Qunari were like the eye of the storm." Pained, the male bows his head at the memory as I sigh.

"I don't blame you for joining them Kirkwall was a shitstorm. Your captain didn't help either…" I mutter crossing my arms at the harsh memory of it all, it was all madness, desperate times lead to desperate measures.

"I stand for order and discipline, protecting the innocent from magic but this plan…it's as mad as Meredith was…" Gravely, he recites to us making my eyes widen at the thought of her, the Qun must be desperate.

"Meredith…now that was a mess of a woman. She was no better than Orsino." Bitterly, I snarl.

"What do you mean the Viddasalla isn't doing her job anymore?" Bewildered, Eve furrows her brow.

"Almost a complete reversal actually." He informs us.

"Does the Arishok know?" Baffled, I wonder.

"Yes, and he approved of it. This place is a lyrium mining and processing centre. The Qunari need it for…have you ever heard of Saarebas?" He enquires.

"Maker, the Qun must be desperate in this war." Gravely, I whisper crossing my arms scowling.

"What are Saarebas?" Eve questions me.

"People to you and me, to the Qun nothing but weapons literally, the meaning of that word is Dangerous thing. They are mages that are usually locked up in chains and their lips sewn shut to not let them use spells. To think the Qun would use them though…" Grimly, I explain pained at the memory of a certain Saarebas.

"Yes, and now the Viddasalla is giving them lyrium. A lot of lyrium. It's part of something she calls dragon's breath. There's more to it than that but I couldn't find out what. The Qunari don't like it when you ask too many questions." The male elaborates.

"But I thought dwarves could only mine Lyrium…" Lost, Eve furrows her brow.

"It killed them at first. But Qunari workers have a discipline only tranquil can match. And they're quick learners. They figured it out just like the elves I'm guessing from when they mined here, guessing from the mirrors." The male informs us.

"So, what is their goal?" Eve questions him.

"She said it would save the south. That can only mean one thing Invasion." He reveals making our eyes widen.

"Crap…" I whisper worried alongside Sera and Blackwall.

"This mine is the only source of lyrium the Qunari have. They're using Gaatlok to mine, so they don't have to touch raw lyrium." He clarifies.

"Perhaps we can use this to our advantage, use the Gaatlok to destroy this place…" I offer thoughtfully.

"Exactly…do you know how?" Eve turns to me.

"Eh we can figure it out if not we can bring Bull to help." I offer.

"Agreed." Eve nods her head.

"You've got to find the Viddasalla to end this war before it begins." Pleadingly, he begs to us.

"Leave…you'll find the Eluvian's and when you do approach a Qunari by the name of Bull tell him to come here." Sternly, Eve commands him.

"Of course…" He nods and leaves us as we begin looking for the bombs to prepare for this explosion.

"We're blowing this up right? Brilliant!" Excitedly, Sera beams as we all split up once Bull joined up with us as we all split up to find the gaatlok as I kneel down, preparing the explosion.

"Brilliant if it doesn't kill us Sera…" Calmly, I remind her standing up.

"I guess." She sighs as I coil my fingertips around her arm as I drag her back as the denotators go off, causing another tremor to pile on top of the other tremors from the other Gaatlok barrels.

"That's it let's get out of here and warn the others about the dragon's breath plan!" Urgently, Eve calls out.

"Hopefully before this place floods any worse! Look at the water!" Panicked, Blackwall calls out as we begin dashing away noting the heavy waterfalls spewing out.

"So, anyone want to take a dip?" Teasingly, I ask the group smirking slyly.

"Ladies first…" Blackwall plays along as we escape, watching the destruction of the Qunari's lyrium mine.

"Fen are you sure you're alright being down here?" Concerned, I hear Dorian call out as we stare at the destruction of the mine.

"It's fine we're not too deep." Casually, I assure Dorian.

"But are you getting headaches?" He presses making me sigh.

"Not yet I'm not now come on." Sternly, I remind him as we rush off.

"So, who gets to tell Cullen and Josephine we're probably at war with he Qun? Anyone?" Nervously, Eve requests.

"Pf as if!" Quickly, Sera dismisses.

"They're going to kill me…" Weakly, Eve whines head down.

"Maybe I can tell them. It would bring back memories for Cullen and me. Besides their reactions will be hilarious! And since I have a kid, they can't hurt me." I offer.

"You think so?" Hopeful, Eve wonders.

"I know so." Confidently, I smirk.

"You do realize you're sort of using your kid as some sort of shield." Frowning, Bull calls out.

"Perks of motherhood." Smugly, I smirk as we head back to the winter palace, where Eve and I immediately head down to address the council.

"Dragon's breathe. The Qunari always enjoyed their metaphors…" Leliana remarks after Eve gives in the recent report as we lean over the war table we have to deal with on such short notice.

"But what does it mean? Fen would you know?" Josephine questions me.

"Honestly, I have no idea with them. They worship dragons maybe it has something to do with that." Thoughtfully, I propose.

"Who knows? Qunari agents moving through the Eluvian to attack the south is bad enough already." Gravely, Cullen reasons as I nod my head agreeing.

"I still do not understand why they accused the Inquisition of serving Fen'Harel. How does that implicate us? What made them decide the inquisition serves this Fen'Harel?" Baffled, Josephine questions.

"Hopefully, we will learn more after we have stopped them." Leliana reasons.

"Perhaps it's to do with our association with Morrigan or our trip to the temple of Mythal? We did see a few Fen'Harel statues perhaps the sentinels are attacking?" Humming, I offer.

"Yes, but why? Abelas seemed at peace in the end when we allowed Morrigan to drink the well." Sighing, Eve argues.

"He may have but the other Sentinels may not have. An Eluvian was there too." Quietly, I suggest.

"But we paid our respects to Mythal and took down the threat was terrorising them." Unsure, Eve exclaims.

"At the time but now with him dead perhaps they believe we still have Morrigan and will reveal the secrets of the well. They certainly don't like sharing…" Bitterly, I remark scowling at the memory.

"Maybe but what would that have to do with the Qunari?" Frazzled, Josephine ponders.

"Perhaps they are the agents of these supposed delusional mad man who believes himself to be Fen'Harel. We did meet Mythal right? Maybe someone similar to her…" I bring up.

"Maybe…" Cullen whispers considering it.

"Corypheus set himself up as a god maybe someone who knows elven history is doing the same. Either way they have not yet shown themselves as a threat. The Qunari are the main threat at hand we must stop." Sternly, Eve reminds us of the task at hand.

"Agreed." Leliana nods her head.

"Let's see the exalted council try to disband the Inquisition after we've saved them from this dragon's breath." Confidently, Cullen smirks.

"They will find a way Cullen, some way whether we like it or not." Grimly, I state the fact as it is.

"We must find out what this dragon's breath is first. For now, our only lead is the Qunari leader, the Viddasalla." Leliana reasons.

"Gentlemen!" Loudly, the harsh slam of the door startles us.

"Oh perfect…" Grumbling, I bow my head irritated feeling my eye twitch at both ambassadors that want us dead or used.

"My apologies lady Josephine. There has been an incident with one of your soldiers." The Orlesian informs us.

"How dare you? It was bad enough that the inquisition chose not to inform the exalted council of the Qunari corpse!" Angrily, the Fereldan snarls.

"Orlais would have been happy to have helped." Perkily, the snooty voice calls out.

"And do what? You lot are as useless as each other!" Frustrated, I huff.

"How dare you!? Do you know who you speak to knife ear?" Angrily, the Fereldan sneers at me making my eyes narrow.

"Someone who clearly shouldn't be an ambassador is he is so comfortable using such slurs…" Frowning, I argue pushing myself off the table from leaning over it.

"Indeed." The Orlesian ambassador sneers.

"Oh, don't talk you Orlesian lot thrive off stealing and discriminating the elves." Scoffing, I shake my head at the fool recalling Ameridan.

"But now your own guards are attacking servants? You have overstepped your bounds!" Fed up, The Fereldan snarls at us changing topic.

"My plan to seize power in Fereldan would hardly start with soldiers scuffing in Orlais, Arl Tegan." Snippily, Eve scoffs.

"While the exalted council is our foremost priority. The inquisitor will of course address the matter personally." Falsely, Josephine smiles at the two taking control.

"Thank you, inquisitor. Orlais stands ready to assist the inquisition as always if…you would leave that loudmouth rabbit out of it…" Disgusted, the Orlesian bows glaring icily at me.

"And I wonder who he is referring to?" Sarcastically, I mutter rolling my eyes.

"We will do what we can, but we do not appreciate such slander to one of our own." Sternly, Cullen intervenes making me sigh.

"Secrets and lies. Do you understand why we fear your inquisition?" Irritated, The Fereldan ambassador points out.

"And you don't have secrets and lies of your own or shall we bring in the current king's origin to account?" Snidely, I remind the Arl making him flinch back from my stern glare.

"You dare! You act as if you're the solution to every problem. How long before you drag us into another war?" Angrily, he growls at me turning on the heel of his foot and storming off, leaving us with yet another problem to deal with, perfect…just perfect.

"An Eluvian marked by a bookshelf. This should be it…" Eve exclaims as we approach the mirror.

"Good time to get some answers from the Viddasalla." I mutter as we walk through our eyes widening at the dismantled, destroyed looking ruins of a once proud looking library, my heart aching pained at the sight of the ruins that were once powerful tall towers now nothing more than rubble remnants of a once powerful empire, our empire.

"Is this some sort of old elven library?" Perplexed, Eve wonders.

"There are traces of some ancient magical catastrophe in the air." Vivienne notes.

"You can detect that?" Impressed, I raise a brow.

"Just read the room dear." Cheekily, she smirks at me making me roll my eyes at her sly smirk.

"Let's hope we can track down the Viddasalla in all this." Eve sighs shaking her head exhaustion flowing through her veins.

"Andaran Atish'an Mirthandra Elvhen…" The ruby red spirit greets us.

"Fen?" Uncertain, Eve glances at me.

"I'll try… Andaran atish'an." I mutter stepping forward as I request the spirit in ancient elven to speak in the common tongue for my friends.

"If you wish honoured Elvhen. I will speak so your guests will understand." The spirit confirms.

"Ma serannas." Grateful, I bow my head.

"I am study. I am a learning thirst. Come, know what has not been lost. New words. New stories. The Qunari would not approach but we learned their words as well. If you wish to exchange knowledge, they congregate by the lower gate." The spirit introduces itself.

"What is this place?" Eve enquires.

"This is the Vir Dirthara, the living knowledge of the empire. The library of every city. The wisdom of every court. A connecting place whose paths are in disarray." The spirit answers.

"Why are they in disarray?" Perplexed, I raise a brow.

"The vir dirthara was made with the world and fade. When they sundered so did, we. Paths broke. Knowledge fragmented. Many were trapped. I preserve their last words." The spirit informs us.

"What were their last words?" Curious, Eve questions as I furrow my brow at the rather morbid question.

"What happened? Where are the paths? Where are the paths? Gods save me, the floor is gone. Do not let me fall. Do not let me-on this spot, that is all." The spirit recites.

"Thanks really paints a picture…" Awkwardly, I glance to the side crossing my arms at the petrifying picture presented before us.

"I'm sorry you had to remember those words…" Gently, Eve whispers to the spirit.

"Is it fine, any knowledge is good knowledge." The spirit responds.

"I don't know about that…" Grimly, I whisper crossing my arms thinking back on a certain vallaslin.

"We're looking for a Qunari called Viddasalla. Do you know what she wants here?" Eve requests from the spirit.

"Viddasalla yes. She uses scholars and mages for study. They fear this place, but they seek to know the veil." The spirit tells us.

"The veil?" I raise a brow curious.

"I regret I do not have more information. I am sundered from myself. If you discover another one of me nearer the Qunari. I may know more. Kindly give it my greetings. I have not thought with myself for some time…" The spirit speaks.

"The elves what did they learn here? What were they like? How long is our history?" Eagerly, I question hopeful.

"I will try to recall. Honoured patron but there are gaps…breaks…greetings, laughter, Emma Enasal. Forms out of air. Light. Memories. Aneth ara! So many, broken paths at every…missing! Missing! Missing!" Pained, the spirit cries, my eyes widening then dilating in alarm at her painful whimpers.

"Stop Ir abelas!" Urgently, I call out stopping her pained wails.

"Apologies I knew all once. We knew. With the break only fragments of knowledge new, since the fall." Grimly, the spirit bows her head.

"Ir Abelas, I did not mean to cause you such distress and sorrow." Apologetic, I whisper noting a few looking at me in surprise to see my softened features.

"It is…fine it is Halam'shivanas…" The spirit whispers.

"Fen we need to go." Sternly, Eve reminds me of the topic at hand as I nod in understanding.

"Right… Ma melava halani Ma serannas Dareth shiral…" Grateful, I nod my head, dismissing myself from her.

"It is good to hear from the people again in our old tongue. Know this an unknown person not of the Qunari, recently woke the librarians." Warily, the librarian spirt warns us.

"Woke them? To do that I imagine it would take a great amount of power." Impressed, I whisper my brow furrowed at the thought.

Enough for that scorch mark?" Eve probes making my eyes widen at the memory of the stoic stone statues of the Qunari, the searing scorch marks below as I grimace at the memory.

"Indeed." Grimly, Vivienne nods her head.

"So a mage, perhaps an agent of Fen'Harel?" I propose my brow furrowed at the thought of some maniac pretending to be a god, which what I don't understand is why choose that god? That crazy creep had a whole pantheon to choose from so why choose the one everyone seems to hate and despise? It's confusing, it perplexes me, I mean if I had to choose one I would go with Mythal it would confirm more followers and more troops to use since everyone seemed to love Mythal in their Dalish tales, that is if I remember Merrill's tales correctly.

"The librarians facilitated learning before the fracture. Before the fall now. Beware them. They are unwell." Concerned, the spirit informs us making me nod my head alongside the others only then to furrow my brow at its wording.

"Unwell?" Confused, I furrow my brow unnerved at the thought, unwell can mean a lot of things, things I would prefer not to deal with.

"Fen come on we got to focus and find the Viddasalla." Firmly, Eve reminds me snapping me out of my thoughts as I blink, noting my loitering form as I see the others quickly brushing past me.

"Fine…" Sighing, I shake my head brushing the thought aside as I catch up with the others.

"This Qunari is dead but there's not a mark on them…" Frowning, Eve points out as we find another ruby red spirit alongside an Eluvian and dead Qunari.

"There's no need, the face gives it away…" I mutter looking down at the clean kill.

"Backs hunched; eyes wide open…they were scared shitless when they died." Bull describes looking down at the deformed figure.

"Welcome. Welcome. Listen to the last words of those who lived past the fall. How could the dread wolf cast a veil between the world that wakes and the world that dreams? The Evanuris will send people. They will save us! When have you last heard from the gods? When the veil came down, they went silent! What is this veil? What has Fen'Harel done?" The raw red sprit greets us.

"Are these records saying Fen'Harel created the veil between our world and the fade?" Stunned, I whisper in awe at the sheer power needed to accomplish such a feat, I see why they called the guy a god.

"They're saying some guy just made the veil. We must have been ass deep in demons before then." Grimly, Bull reasons.

"Impossible! If there was a time the vile didn't exist. There would be some mention of it in human history." Snootily, Vivienne dismisses the notion.

"If so, that would explain how Fen'Harel banished the gods, but to do that? That's extraordinary! It changes so much for what we thought the veil and fade to be." Impressed, I whisper shaking my head unable to bema brightly at it all.

"Careful Fox your nerd side is kicking in." Teasingly, Varric calls out.

"It's not! I am not a nerd either…I just find the history of my people fascinating it's that so hard to believe." Snippily, I huff crossing my arms over one another, scowling.

"Aw relax Fox I think its adorable…" Teasingly, Varric chuckles making me roll my eyes.

"And I think you should shut up." Grumbling, I huff at the ass.

"These rocks are heading towards the upside down Eluvian…" Eve notes.

"Creepy. Helpful but creepy." Scowling, Bull exclaims.

"It's a place of learning. Maybe this Vir Dirthara is helping us find what we need?" Curious, I propose quirking my head to the side, fascinated at the exquisite architecture of this beautiful place.

"Now it's even weirder. Fox I thought you didn't like fade shit." Scowling, Bull complains at me making me roll my eyes at Bull anxiously flexing his muscle, adjusting the sharp axe over his shoulder.

"I don't mind it. Not all spirits are bad Bull." Sternly, I state the fact.

"And you know this?" Warily, he arches a brow.

"I've met a few kind sprits." Honestly, I confess shrugging sheepishly.

"Wait! What!? How!?" Gawking, Bull demands frantically.

"Long story…" I groan glancing at Varric nodding at me.

"If what we seen here was true then it changes everything, we thought we knew about the fade and the world." Amazed, Cassandra exclaims.

"It means I belonged here helping healing the hurt. I am not a wrong thing." Happily, Cole smiles looking out at the crossroads.

"You never were Cole; you can still do that." Gently, I assure him.

"Then why did people think of me as a wreck? A ruin? I was what I should have been Solas understands." Hurt, Cole bows his head pained.

"I imagine he would understand if he were here…" Snippily, Bull reminds him.

"And understand the moral responsibility of staying with the woman who gave birth to your child." Blackwall, I mean Rainer remarks, making me groan not wishing to talk about the crazy chaos that are my feelings down below over all this.

"Now I wonder who you're talking about Rhainer…" Sarcastically, I quirk my head to the side to face Thom.

"Apologies I just…" Sighing, Thom bows his head his features contorted pained almost.

"What's done is done Thom. Nothing can be changed." Curtly, I state the fact hand on hip, not wishing to open this box of problems.

"And if he were to come back?" Curious, Bull enquires making my eyes widen at the idea that I hadn't thought of to be honest, my mind too busy dealing with the rush that is parenthood. I mean I have had people ask me like Isabella and each one I answered with the same response.

"If he were I'd tell him to shove off…" Tiredly, I recite grumbling darkly, craning my neck to the side, hearing the faint snap of my aching muscles and neck, placing my slick silver gauntlet on my shoulder, stretching my arm out a bit.

"Heck yeah!" Cackling, Sera fist bumps the air in agreement.

"Shame he ran off leaving behind not only one but two…" Bull joins in on the dogpile making me groan even louder at the mess.

"Not you too." Whining, I groan slacking my shoulders, bowing my head to the side not wishing to talk about it. I would rather be emotionally prepared to deal with the Qun than be emotionally exhausted. It only leads to reckless mistakes, mistakes I rather not make, not now, not with Dror in my life.

"Solas would understand if he were here but we must respect his decision to leave." Sternly, Vivienne reasons trying to defend him, but I then note the pain and irritation in her tone.

"You're only saying that because you didn't like him. Like we should respect his decision to leave Fen with his child…" Snippily, Casandra remarks making me sigh tiredly.

"Okay seriously guys, I get it you're angry, but I really, really do NOT care. It happened, get over it." Fed up, I intervene.

"He doesn't want us to follow but I can almost feel him here. All new faded for her…" Softly, Cole whispers.

"For her?" Eve raises a brow my eyes narrowed.

"Seems Solas has a fade girlfriend…good on him. At least now he can't knock her up." Smirking, I step forward, the guys following after me. I place my hands on my hips as we approach the Eluvian and pass through continuing on our path to find answers for this whole mess.

*So...what do you think of Dror? Of Fen? Would love to know!*