A/N: Back to Meira's POV

"Again," Vivienne instructed.

We were above deck on the ship. Despite the chill from the sea air, I was slick with sweat and panting. It was becoming Ellana and I's morning ritual to go through Cullen's recommended exercises, then to practice with Leliana in cloak and dagger techniques and then for me to practice with Vivienne where she taught me new ways to use ice magic. Each day I had progressed in a technique she dubbed the "Fade Step". It was essentially freezing the body and shifting the frozen particles by manipulating the Fade to move from one place to another at a supernatural speed. At first, I'd only been able to move a small distance, then more, but this morning I was able to go from one end of the ship's deck to the other in a single step. Vivienne was a hard teacher - offering little praise and demanding only perfection. I understood, but I still let out the occasional grumble.

"My dear, if you'd spend less time grumbling at me and simply doing the task I have set before you, you would be making far more progress," she sighed as she inspected her long, manicured nails. I was bent over, panting. Her dark eyes flicked up to me. "Honestly, do pick yourself up. You look shameful."

"Forgive me, Lady Vivienne, if I am a bit exhausted," I growled as I straightened. "I have been through quite a bit in just a few short months."

"True as that may be," she dismissed, "You cannot let others see how tired you are. The only emotion you should ever allow others to see is anger."

I met her gaze. "Very well." I took my stance, inhaled deeply and stepped. It was such an odd sensation. To be frozen, burst apart, propelled forward and then fused back together. I felt the wind in my hair, felt everything passing around me, yet I was neither whole nor incomplete. I panted again at the effort, but it was becoming easier with each try. I blinked out on the waves. Soon. We'd be back in Haven soon. I longed to see Cullen, to talk with him. I was ready to be off this ship with solid ground beneath my feet.

"Better, Herald." Vivienne's voice spoke from behind me.

"Is that praise I hear, Madame Vivienne?" I quirked a brow.

"Hardly, my dear," she smirked. "Now practice your Ice Wall."

With a huff, I grounded my feet, spreading them hip distance. I took a deep breath in and out, clawed my hands over the planks of the deck and pulled up. Up and up and up until my hands were in the air. I heard the cracking and groaning, felt the bitter chill and opened my eyes to find a thick ring of ice towering over me.

"Fortify it." Vivienne barked. I concentrated and manipulated the ice in my mind, thinking of ice spikes, the ice thickening and growing taller. "Good." With a snap, Vivienne made the wall disappear. "You certainly have a gift with ice, my dear. I say that's enough of a lesson for today." She gestured for me to follow as we walked the ship. "You've been up since before dawn, yes? Whatever else have you been doing?"

"Exercises directed by Commander Cullen and lessons in stealth by Leliana," I replied.

"No lessons in etiquette? The Game? History? The arcane? Has anyone discussed the Orlesian Civil War with you?" Vivienne listed off, placing her hands on her hips.

"I've gotten some brief overviews, but no, no detailed lectures."

"Good heavens," she put a hand over her face. "That will simply not do. I will see to lessons for you upon our return to Haven. We may not have time for lectures, but I can ensure dissertations be provided for you to read." Vivienne tapped her chin. "We cannot have an ignorant Herald of Andraste."

"I am hardly ignorant, Madame Vivienne," I glared.

She gave me a smile. A cold thing, to mask what she was truly thinking. "Of course not, my dear." She made her way to the stairs to take her below deck, but turned at the top. "I will speak with Leliana on the matter."

I inclined my head and let out a breath when she descended below.

"Don't tell me you're serious!" Solana's voice raged.

I had been exiting my quarters, heading for the kitchen when I heard her shouting from within. I stepped through the door. I found Solana, Vivienne, Ellana and Leliana all sitting at a table. Anger charged the room. The others already had their plates of dinner in front of them, though there was no food before Vivienne. I guessed she had come in to request another fine meal be prepared for her, when she was pulled into a discussion. A discussion which had turned heated.

"I am perfectly serious, my dear," Vivienne purred. "Justinia's death shattered the balance of power in Thedas. If it is not restored quickly, countless lives will be lost. Mages, templars, innocent people of all kinds now look to the Inquisition to decide their fate."

"Which, of course, is why you wanted to join," Solana spit. "To have a hand in deciding that fate. To gain yourself more influence."

"Wouldn't you?" Vivienne retorted, not batting an eye. "For almost a thousand years, the world believed it was in the hands of the Maker. Now, many believe the Herald is the agent of His will. Whatever the truth is, that belief gives both her and the Inquisition power." Vivienne turned to find me when Solana glanced my way. "Do you not agree, my dear? That this war must end? That it benefits no one?"

"It benefits us!" Solana snarled. "It benefits mages who have been stuck under the thumbs of both the Chantry and the templars! It is giving us a chance to fight for our freedom, to finally speak for ourselves. To maybe make some actual change for the better!"

Both women looked to me. I forced myself not to glance at Ellana. "This chaos harms everyone. And no, war benefits no one - nothing of real worth can be achieved in the shedding of blood, Lady Amell. Order must be restored, yes, but Lady Vivienne, though it is not the circumstances under which you would choose to bring about change, surely you must agree that change isneeded - at least to some degree."

"Of course, but do you honestly think it will happen now? That it will be welcomed?" Vivienne scoffed. "We would have done well to remain in the Circle and change from within."

"The Circle is gone!" Solana seethed. "There is no more Circle!"

Vivienne's mouth grew into a haughty grin as she narrowed her eyes at Solana, "The Circle is an idea, my dear, and an idea cannot be dissolved." Her smile fell, but her eyes remained narrowed. "When the vote was cast, no consideration was made that the lack of a unanimous decision would pit mage against mage." She waved a hand between Solana and herself. "As we are doing now."

"So you truly are for the restoration of the Circles?" Leliana probed. "To keep the status quo?"

"The status quo is gone, Sister Nightingale," Vivienne stated. "All that Grand Enchanter Fiona's vote did was split the Circle in two. The Rebels follow Fiona. The Loyalists follow me. Whatever comes in the future, it will not look like the Circle we had before. We cannot go back."

"I'm surprised you even address Fiona as 'Grand Enchanter', Vivienne," Solana scoffed. "Even more surprised you haven't simply named yourself as Grand Enchanter, since you lead the Loyalists."

"Don't be ridiculous, my dear," Vivienne breathed a humorless laugh, "Grand Enchanters are elected. There is no body to elect a new Grand Enchanter as I am the only First Enchanter able to cast a vote. The title would not only be meaningless now, but essentially a joke. When the Circles are restored, that will change."

"If they are restored," Solana hissed.

Vivienne smiled that cold smile. "Of course, my dear, a slip of the tongue."

I finally took a seat at the table, but the conversation showed no signs of abating. If Solana and Vivienne could have had it out right there in a magical duel, I had no doubt they would have. Instead, they chose to spar with their words and facial expressions. In an effort to curb the heated discussion I asked, "You are from the Montsimmard Circle, yes? What was it like?"

Vivienne's face warmed a fraction, "A place of great history and tradition with no greater library of magical history outside of the Imperium. It was deeply involved in the Great Game, as you might expect of anyone living in Orlais." Which earned a snort and "There's nothing 'great' about it", from Solana. "The mages there were quite competitive, but it was stimulating to be always pushed to exceed the abilities of my peers."

"What is your opinion on templars?" Ellana asked. Well, there goes that effort.

"Having opinions about templars, my dear, is exactly like having opinions about mages, or Nevarrans, or men," Vivienne's tongue cut like a blade. "I have known some who where impossible to endure and some who were utterly charming. I have suffered insults at the hands of those in the armor, but no more than I endured from nobles or tradesmen in Val Royeaux. Personally, I have found the templars a useful tool, skilled at keeping more unpleasant elements at bay."

"If they aren't the unpleasant element themselves," Solana grumbled, causing Vivienne to roll her eyes in response.

"How did the mages and templars get here?" I asked. In for a copper, in for a sovereign. I thought it would be good for Ellana to hear this argument played out before her as well, as she could further understand two of the major viewpoints. "As a Dalish elf, I've been...on the outside looking in."

"Because -" Solana began.

"Hush, my dear, the adults are talking," Vivienne cut Solana off, earning a death glare. "You, my dear, are far too wise not to have realized that many of my colleagues live with their eyes closed." She shot Solana a glance. "Safe from the world inside their towers, they thought only of the templars and their own resentment. Kirkwall gave the world a reason to remember its fear of magic. A mage killed hundreds with a snap of their fingers."

"A mage that had gone mad!" Solana growled. "He does not represent us all. His way is not the way I would have taken."

"Be that as it may, because of the actions of one mage, across Thedas, a new, tangible fear of magic grew," Vivienne bit back. "Commoners and nobles alike called to the Chantry for protection." Vivienne glared at Solana, "But the malcontents in the towers - and outside of them - thought nothing of this. They cared only for themselves and their anger at the new templar restrictions. When a mage attempted to assassinate Divine Justinia - again- the mages protested the investigation." Vivienne sat up straighter in her seat. "The leadership chose to vote on independence based on the 'intolerable conditions imposed by the templars'." Her face fell, "They spared no thought to the fact that magic was more feared in the aftermath of these attacks than it had been since Tevinter's day." Vivienne glared at Solana again. "So long as they had their freedom, they could care little for riots, angry mobs, or about pitting mages against each other."

"That's ridiculous!" Solana stood from her chair, her hands splayed wide. "I docare. I know several others who care. This was not what I wanted. Its not what they wanted! This should be about us versus the templars, versus the Chantry, not us against each other."

"I thought the fighting was only between the mages and templars?" Ellana asked. "Why are mages fighting mages?"

"The vote for independence was carried only by a small margin, but Fiona chose to let the motion stand," Vivienne replied. "Those who opposed a rash declaration of war against the entirefree world had little choice. By breaking from the Chantry when they did, the Rebels declared themselves in support of mass murder. Anyone who did not wish to support terrorism and the slaughter of innocents was forced to take arms against the Rebels."

Solana let out an exasperated noise. "That is not true!"

"If it is not true, than why did the Rebels willingly throw their lot in with the Imperium? Indenture themselves to a magister?" I asked. Ellana had told me of the conversation between her and Fiona and Magister Alexius. I could hardly believe what Fiona had done. "Dire" was an understatement for the situation there and I fully understood why Leliana believed there was no other place for them to redeem themselves than the Inquisition. "I spoke to Fiona. Spoke with this Magister Alexius. Fiona knew what she was doing, knew she was selling those under her protection. Yet, she did it in order to keep them "safe" because the Circles were somuch worse than proverbial slavery to the Imperium's army. What other reason did she have for doing that, other than knowing they would find no help elsewhere because Thedas was set against them?"

"What?" Solana and Vivienne exclaimed at the same time. "She did what?"

"To escape the blade of the templars, Fiona thought it would be a grand idea to sell the rebels to the Tevinters," I repeated. They both wore expressions of absolute rage at my words. "The whole thing sounds like coercion and manipulation on Alexius's part, but when I spoke with Fiona, she fully understood what she had done. Citing Justinia's death as the death of any chance for peace between them and the templars."

"You said something about servitude at the shop," Solana said to Leliana, "but I didn't understand what you meant. I thought you were referring to servitude to the rebels."

"No, Solana," Leliana shook her head, "Your fellow mages have submitted themselves to be wielded by Tevinter. Alexius plans on making them all serve the military. No matter their age or suitability to fight."

"How dare she," Solana raged.

"My dear, it's simply her dementia showing," Vivienne waved a hand dismissively.

"Are you familiar with Grand Enchanter Fiona?" I asked.

"We've met," Vivienne practically spat the word 'met'. "Before her horrendously ill-timed and selfish vote for independence, I thought her adequate at her job," Vivienne began, "In her dotage, she could not handle looking after the well-being of so many people. We would have done better to replace her yearsago to let her spend time gardening."

Ellana snorted a laugh, but quickly tried to cover it up. I had to fight hard to keep my face neutral. Yet, another display of Vivienne eviscerating another with no more than her words. "But did the mages truly have cause to rebel?" I asked.

"Yes," Solana and Leliana replied emphatically.

"In the aftermath of their terrorist attacks?" Vivienne sneered at the pair, "Was that really the most opportune time to break away? By all means, protest abuses by the templars! Just don't do it in a way that says mages support wholesale murder." Her dark eyes met mine. "By voting when they did, my colleagues all but declared war upon the ordinary people of Thedas. A war in which we are outnumbered a hundred to one."

"While I completely agree with you, Vivienne, that what Fiona did was absolutely foolish, you are blind to the truth," Solana spat. "Not every Circle is like Montsimmard - cushy, privileged and ruled by the nobility. We don't all have the luck to wind up at court where we can pull the strings to improve only our own life, forgetting the lives of all those worthless mages we stepped on to get to the top."

"I did not "wind up" at Court, my dear, nor was I born with a silver spoon in my mouth as you seem to wish to paint me," Vivienne cooly argued. "I was born in Wycome and transferred to Monsimmard from the Ostwick Circle while I was still an apprentice. It took a great deal of effort to become a courtier, culminated when I caught the eye of Duke Bastian de Ghislain, becoming his mistress." Her voice took on a soft quality as she spoke of the Duke, the first time I had heard her speak so. "An advantageous connection that opened many doors. When the position of Enchanter to the Imperial Court became vacant, I was able to secure it."

"Court Enchanter?" I asked.

Vivienne's dark eyes flicked to me, "As Court Enchanter, I am tasked with providing assistance to the Empress on arcane matters. Most of my predecessors restricted this to lighting lamps and doing parlor tricks. In such troubled times as these, however, I provide political advice to Her Majesty on the subject of the Mage Rebellion." Vivienne faced Solana once more. "I did that so that others who follow after me could further improve the position. Every move I made in my life was both for my benefit and to show others that it could be done. We can change the system from within to be what we desire, if we are patient, cunning and determined enough to do so. If you try, yet it does not work and you simply give up, you are not allowed to complain that nothing has changed. It is only when you have exhausted every effort, travelled every route, turned over every stone and still nothing has changed, that you can stand back and say 'I am without blame'. When you have made no effort yourself - when you've run away from the problem - the blame rests entirely at your feet." Solana was positively livid as Vivienne sank her claws into her.

Solana stood from her seat, sending her chair falling back and thrust a finger at Vivienne, "To the Void with you!" At that, she made for the door.

"Exactly my point, my dear," Vivienne sighed.

"What do you know of me?" Solana shouted as she rounded back on our group. "Nothing."

"Could I not say the same of you?" Vivienne turned to her as she gracefully rose from her chair. "You know nothing of me, yet you have decided in your mind what and who I am. I could not care in the slightest what you think of me, but do not forget that as you point your finger, you have several more pointing at yourself. Do not take your anger out on me for doing what you failed to do; what you were too lazy to do."

Solana marched up to Vivienne, hand outstretched to slap the woman. I stepped between the two before she could, "That's enough, both of you." Both turned their eyes on me. "You've made your points. Now put the blades away and focus your efforts on the Inquisition. Your infighting means nothing if the Breach is not closed properly. You can be at each others' throats again once we've seen to the immediate threat."

They glared at each other for a moment longer until Vivienne inclined her head to me, "Herald." At that, she brushed past Solana.

Solana stood there, her coffee eyes flicking to me. For the briefest of moments, I saw the glimmer of tears in them. Solana blinked and the glimmer was gone, rage taking its place once more. She said nothing as she turned from the room, her buttery-blond hair billowing around her at the movement.

I sighed heavily, "Well, that was horrible." I turned back to Leliana and Ellana, my eyes falling on the latter. "What do you think, Talitha?"

Her eyebrows shot up, "I thought those kind of rows only happened between Dalish elves and humans. It was rather...entertaining, if I'm to be honest. I feel terrible for Solana, Vivienne carved her open and left her corpse for the Dre-Void."

"I meant more what the argument was about," I clarified.

She hesitated a moment, "Well, I...I am not sure. I think both of them were right and wrong about things, but could at least agree that the way Fiona handled the Rebels was wrong. If they could set aside their pride long enough to actually talk to each other, I think they could reach compromises that bring about the changes needed."

"And if Vivienne is wrong?" Leliana interjected. "That her ideas would set the Circle and mages backwards instead of forwards? She wants to reinstate what was, but only in a way that gives herself and mages power. It would not be for the better, nor would it end well. Solana wants to reshape what was for what could be, but still within the structure that is; yes, while she disagrees with the war, she accepts that it could bring the world to a point of having to listen to the mages. Solana would accept the restoration of the Circles, so long as there are new freedoms promised. Would those freedoms be upheld? Or over time would the Chantry and the templars return to their old ways? I would have it all torn down; let the mages have their freedom."

"Why?" I probed. "Why do you care?"

"I have known mages, some of them were better people than me," Leliana began, "Yet, I am free and they're not. It's not right." She glanced between us both. "Change is coming, no matter how much some may wish for things to go back to how they were. Vivienne is correct in saying that the status quo is gone and that it is more than likely that the Inquisition will be the force to determine what the new order will be - if the Chantry does not regain its strength. Will we use it to truly change things or will Thedas fail to learn from its recent mistakes and doom itself to repetition?"

Ellana shook her head, "I do not think Thedas will accept radical change. How would the people react? What if it only brings mages to more harm? The elves because people love to blame them for everything? Perhaps the Inquisition can set changes in motion as long as it is around. We can nudge history in the direction it needs to go, versus shoving it into an abyss it cannot recover from?"

"What if a shove is what is needed?" Leliana questioned, a red brow quirking. "The way things have been no longer work and restoring it - while at first it would sate the masses and bring peace - we'd only end up where we are now. A shove, a force of change - no the people would not like it, but they would haveto change. One way or another."

"We shall see," I stated. "For now, can we please eat? I am starving and all this talk of the Inquisition ruling Thedas is only increasing my appetite."

Leliana and Ellana chuckled, but nodded. Leliana stood shortly after, having finished most of her food while Vivienne and Solana were arguing, "I have some business to see to, if you'd excuse me."

We waved her off. "Well, that was interesting," Ellana chuckled. "Who knew you shems were so entertaining," she added in a low whisper.

I let out a laugh, "You haven't seen anything yet."

Ellana smiled before she stood, "I'll come check on you after awhile, Herald. I have a book to finish."

"You'll have to tell me what you think so far," I stated. "I'll see you later, Talitha."

I took a moment to enjoy the silence and wondered what Cullen was up to. I wondered if he had taken my advice and gone to the tavern or if he was too busy. I chuckled as I pictured him hiding out in the stables with Dennet's mabari. I hoped he was looking after himself. My thoughts were cut short as I felt a cold blade at my throat.

"What have we here?" an oily voice spoke. "The lovely Herald all by her lonesome?" The owner of the blade lowered themselves to my ear. "Will Andraste save you from me slicing your throat? You are an insult to the Maker, you knife-eared spellbind. The Maker would send no elf in our hour of need. He'll take my offering of your blood as worship."

I thought I would feel fear, but instead all that came was dark rage. "Then do it." The would-be assassin hesitated, the blade shifting just enough at their surprise. I pulled their hand away, freezing the blade to their palm before I leaned forward and rammed my head back as hard as I could. I heard a crunch, felt a pain in my skull, but the looming presence moved away from me. I quickly stood and turned to find one of the sailors holding his nose as blood gushed between his fingers. "What happened to making me your sacrifice?" I goaded.

His eyes snapped open, glaring at me through the haze of pain, "I'll cut you op-" His words were cut off as the head of an arrow burst its way through his throat.

"Shut it," a nasally voice spoke from behind the man, who subsequently fell forward as he gurgled on his own blood. "Ugh, gross!" My eyes met a tall, elven female. Choppy blonde hair, large eyes and full lips curled into a sneer. Her clothes were patched and raggedy. She held a bow and had a quiver of arrows strapped to her back. "It's all good, innit, Herald?"

I met her eyes as she stepped over the man still twitching. "I-yes, thank you."

"Great!" she beamed. "Leliana said you'd be mad, but I don't know why you would be. Me saving your life an' all."

"Why would I be mad?" I asked.

"Better ask her," she shrugged as she crouched above the dying man. "I didn't understand myself. Care if I go through his pockets? Know if they have any sweets in here?" she asked as she glanced around the kitchen.

"Help yourself," I offered. "As for the sweets, I'm not sure, but if you find some, I'd happily take a share."

She chuckled, the sound coming more from her nose than her throat. "Can't make any promises there, Herald."

"Do you know where Leliana is?" I asked.

"Her room I'd 'xpect," the girl shrugged again. "If you're having a go at her, I'd keep it in there."

"Thank you," I smiled. "And thank you for...that." I gestured to the would-be assassin on the floor.

"Had it coming, that one," she sneered at him again. "Ravin' mad."

I made my way to Leliana's room and knocked on the door. "I take it you met, Sera," Leliana's voice spoke from behind me, causing me to jump a little.

"I believe so." I chuckled. "Young elven female? Blonde, tall and funny? Archer?"

"That would be Sera," Leliana nodded, her blue eyes calculating.

"She told me to find you, that I would be mad at you?"

"Perhaps," Leliana clasped her hands behind her back. "The assassination attempt. I knew it was coming."

"You knew?" Ellana's voice growled from behind me. I turned to find her marching her way to Leliana, anger plain on her face.

"Of course," Leliana nodded. "I take it Sera found you, then?"

"She told me what happened and to find you," she seethed. "She didn't tell me you knew. Why is Sera even here? I thought she'd gone ahead of us?"

"I received word that one of the crew members on this vessel would try and assassinate the Herald, if given the opportunity," Leliana began to explain. "We were unsure which sailor it was, so I waited. Sera has been aboard the ship since we departed, hiding in the shadows, watching over the Herald. She was instructed to kill the assassin when he attempted to kill you and bring you both to me."

"Whydid you let my sister play the bait?" Ellana hissed.

"To prove that I was correct," Leliana stared Ellana down. "There will be attempts on the Herald's life. This is one we knew about, so I could make plans to keep the Herald safe. What about one that slips through my fingers? If he had been successful, but it had been you instead, you'd be dead. Any hopes of sealing the Breach would be lost."

"You had no right," Ellana snarled, "You could've at least told us."

"E-Talitha," I murmured, "This is why I decided on this. I am glad it was me and not you."

Ellana glared at me, "So you'll let her gamble with your life?"

"It's not a gamble," I shook my head. "I knowwhat I signed up for. I am not helpless. I will not pass into death without a fight, but I would die to protect you."

"Then that settles it," Leliana interjected. "I simply wished to inform you. Now you know. If you'll excuse me, I need to see about tracking down the man's connections to establish if he was acting alone or if he was part of a larger group."

"That doesn't settle it -"

I placed a hand on Ellana's shoulder, "Let it be."

Leliana entered her room and shut the door behind her. Ellana bristled at being dismissed and began grumbling in Elvhen under her breath as I led her away. I opened the door to my room upon reaching it and gestured for Ellana to go inside. "Wait here, I need to go check on Solana." Ellana nodded, anger still in her eyes. I closed the door behind me as I left and let out a breath.

"No worries, Herald," Sera's voice spoke nearby. "Got an arrow for anyone else who tries."

"Thank you, Sera," I replied before making my way to Solana's room.

I knocked on the door, heard shuffling inside before she opened it a crack. "May I come in?" I asked. Her eyes were red and puffy, her cheeks tear-streaked. She nodded. I walked inside when she backed away and gently closed the door. "Are you alright?"

"No," she replied. "I'm sorry, I did try to stay away from her. She walked in as we were discussing the rebellion and one comment she made set me off. I suppose I brought it upon myself but still...I want to tear her apart with my bare hands."

"She certainly isn't afraid of being cruel," I offered.

"That's an understatement," Solana scoffed. "How dare she look down upon me, as if I ran from the Circle out of cowardice! That is not why I left. I could handle the templars, the abuse, the gilded cage. I would have tried to change things if I had no reason to leave."

"Why did you leave, then?" I asked, sitting on the bed beside her.

"I received word from my father shortly before everything happened at the tower that my mother's family had fallen apart, my mother had disappeared and father was taking my siblings away from it all." I noticed then, that she held a well worn letter in her hands. "I ran to try and find them, to make sure they were safe."

"Your mother's family?"

"The Amells of Kirkwall," Solana stated. "Yes, those Amells. The same Amells that Hawke's mother belonged to; Hawke is my second cousin."

"I had wondered after reading Varric's book," I admitted. "You had four siblings, right?"

"Yes," she nodded, her eyes misting. "Two brothers and two sisters. Fausten - named for my grandfather, Serena, Marcus and Selene. I am the eldest and the only mage, as far as I know."

"Were they in Kirkwall?"

"They were, but when I arrived, the only lead I could find was that they were going to try for Orlais," she murmured. "When I earned enough coin, I made my way there. I started in Val Royeaux, found a few leads that all fell through and didn't leave. I hoped that maybe they'd hear about my shop and come find me, but that never happened." She wrapped her arms around herself. "What-what if...what if they're dead? Or what if...they didn't want to find me?" A sob tore from her throat and she pressed the letter to her chest.

I curled an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to me. "Don't give up hope, just yet. The world has been in chaos for years now, Solana. Perhaps the Inquisition can help locate your family. Between Leliana and Josephine, I believe we could find the answers you seek."

"I pray you are correct," she met my eyes. "I have to find them. No-no matter what the answer may be, I need to know."

"I will see what can be done when we return to Haven," I assured her. As she wiped at her eyes, I held up a hand, "May I?" She nodded. I summoned healing and ice magic into the tips of my fingers and eased the puffiness of her eyes. "Please, get some rest, Solana."

"Thank you," she whispered.

I slipped out, made sure the coast was clear and returned to my room. I found Ellana asleep on the bed, looking years younger as she rested. I hesitated a moment and then curled up next to her. Her jasmine and spiced orange scent bringing to mind snuggling in a bedroll within our tent as children. I drifted, fuzzy memories of my youth lulling me to sleep.

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