"I can't wait for Chuckles to say something about the Veil."

"I don't always mention the Veil."

"You do. Always." "Yes, you do."

"See? Told you."

Varric and Solas were engaged in somewhat of a healthy rivalry. Vastly different from each other, they somehow accept these things about the other to keep a friendship.

Chapter 3

We were on a ship heading for Orlais. The same ship that apparently got our ambassador to Haven, a courtesy gift in hopes of our success, I have been told. The last ship I was on was owned by my Qunari warband.

This was somewhat different, but still familiar. Cassandra I believe was in the armory, checking over her weaponary. I didn't know if she expected to need them when meeting with the Council, but I guess if no one expected the Conclave to end in a demonic explosion with a hole in the sky, then anything is possible.

Varric and Solas were down in the hold, warming up by the burner, as Solas began to 'investigate' Varric. The two only spoke briefly to one another when we were in the Hinterlands. The elven apostate mostly staying to himself. But I assumed that now we were pressing onto three months since the Inquisition had been established, and we were becoming familiar with each other.

"Varric, you joined the Inquisition when seeker Pentaghast questioned you?" Solas asked in earnest.

Varric got up from where he was squatting with a tired groan before he plopped himself in one of the chairs, "She was very insistent that I help."

I hummed at that, as Solas offered me to sit across from Varric. "I wonder why?" I asked aloud.

The dwarf shrugged, stretching his neck like he hasn't been able to in weeks, "Who knows?"

Solas laughed to himself, gaining our attention. Varric's head lifted at the sound, "What's so funny, Chuckles?" he asked with a wry grin.

"It surprised me that an elven apostate is the one who joined the Inquisition voluntarily." He laughed again at the irony.

I nodded, appreciating the humor behind it, as I dug into my pack for ingredients to make myself a sandwich. I was starving. That seemed to remind Solas of something as he pulled out his own knapsack, presenting Varric with his bestselling novel, 'Hard in Hightown'. "By the end of Hard in Hightown, almost every character is revealed as a spy or a traitor."

When Solas set the rather thick book at the edge of my makeshift counter, Varric stared at it for a long while with a confused expression, "You read my book?"

"Varric," I pointed out, "It's a best-seller, why do you always sound so surprised when you meet someone who has picked it up?"

Solas continued looked pointedly, "In fact, I found it in the library at Haven, oddly enough. Anyway, about the plot. Everyone but Donnen turned out to be in disguise. Is that common?"

Varric picked up his copy of the book, thoughtfully, "Are we still talking about books or are you asking if everyone I know is a secret agent?"

Solas seemed rather serious about his question, "Are there many tricksters in dwarven literature?"

The dwarf appeared to be considering it, as he placed the book back on the table just as I completed making my meal, "A handful, but they're the exception. Mostly they're just honoring the ancestors. It's very dull stuff. Human literature? Now there's where you'll find the tricky, clever, really deceptive types."

Solas picked it back up, taking one more look at the novel...like it had answers written on the back cover with a quiet, "Curious," before replacing it back into his sack.

"Not really. Dwarves write how they want things to be. Humans write to figure out how things are." Varric admitted, which in a lot of ways made sense.

After I swallowed my first bite, I muttered, "And yet here we are...cleaning up another human mess."

Solas seemed slightly bewildered by my statement, "What would the Inquisition do without our stabilizing influence?"

Varric scoffed, a strange expression crossing his usually friendly face, "I assume they'd just start burning things."

I laughed at a memory from the Mercenary Band I had first joined almost ten years ago, "That does sound like most humans I know."

"Ahem!"

All three of us swiveled our heads, well...Varric and I did, Solas appeared to have noticed Cassandra's silent entrance behind us. I took another bite of my sandwich, "If you are quite finished...we should be getting rest. We will arrive in Orlais soon."

"Seeker," Varric cooed with his usual charming smile, "Are you mad? Now, now, don't get touchy. We're just here to lend you simple humans our help."

"Before you cause everything to explode." Solas added.

"Again." I added.

DAI

On the ship back to Ferelden, we had acquired two more members of our Inquisition with influence and allies to aid us. First was Sera. We met her about two weeks prior to our return as we explored the city after she left us clues on her whereabouts. She appeared to want to help the Inquisition, with the aid of her 'Red Jennys'.

Unorganized rogues were different than the trained professionals Leliana took command of. They could help us with nonsensical nobles. And then there was Lady Vivienne De Fer. A Circle Mage, and an honorable member of the Imperial Court of Orlais.

Or rather the Empress's salon. That was what Cassandra whispered to me. She was merely an entertainer, she didn't have as much influence as she claims she did. But somehow the air that this mage had convinced me otherwise, and I recruited her into the Inquisition.

The nobles seemed to have been unhappy to see her go, I think I saw one woman brought to tears, so...I made the right choice in bringing the woman along. Cassandra was discussing certain topics with the Captain, as Sera went to take a nap. Vivienne was most likely on deck as well, she was complaining earlier about the smell of the hold.

I didn't smell anything. Keen nose that one has. It was lunch time on another day at sea, and I was sitting with Varric and Solas, as they discussed, "You really spend most of your time in the Fade?" Varric asked.

Solas nodded proudly, "Yes. As much as is possible. The Fade contains a wealth of knowledge for those who know where to look."

"Sure, but I don't know how you dream, let alone wander around in there." Varric admitted, appearing a little disturbed, "Especially when the shit that comes out of the Fade generally seems pretty cranky."

"So are humans, but we continue to interact with them... when we must."

I then heard the hold open to where it led to the barracks and a groggy Sera wandered out. Her short, choppy hair pointed in every direction, dried drool on her chin, and glaring at us as she was in the process of waking up. "Good afternoon, Sera." Solas greeted rather chipperly.

"Ungh…" She groaned, plopping down next to him.

"Would you like breakfast...or rather lunch?"

"Why are you so damn happy? We have been in the ocean forever, just sailing around. Are we there yet?"

I chuckled at the cranky girl elf, "Sorry, Sera. Not yet. I can make you a sandwich if you would like?"

She groaned again, plopping her head onto the table. Solas smiled at us in amusement, "I think she enjoys sea travel."

Varric laughed, "You know what I like about you, Chuckles? Your boundless optimism."

"It's comforting that whatever qualities I lack, you'll invent for me, Varric." Solas added with a slight smirk.

"No, really. Why else would an elven apostate help crazy Chantry folk close a hole in the sky?"

I nodded, pointing at the dwarf, "He's got you there, Solas." I got up from the table, and nudged Sera up to her feet, "Come on, Sera. Let's get you cleaned up and ready for the day."

"Hoor-fucking-ay…" She groaned, trudging behind me as most teenagers do.

DAI

The Storm Coast, we were camped in the miserable Driftwood Margin. Most of my followers had to join camps with the Bulls Chargers. I had only known their leader for about a day, and he told me he was a Qunari Spy.

Most of my followers were scattered about doing their own thing. Cassandra and Vivienne were within eyesight, as the Seeker was discussing formations with Scout Harding, and Vivienne was harassing Thren about certain Requisitions. She had an air of authority surrounding her.

No doubt Sera was with the Chargers, having been excited to meet the mercenary band. With Vivienne occupying the Requisitions Officer's time, I approached the table where Solas and Varric were putting in their own orders. "Is it true that the entire dwarven economy relies upon lyrium?" Sola asked, regarding Varric's own requisition.

"Mostly. We've got the nug market cornered as well." Varric answered.

I was still pretty ignorant when it comes to other cultures. My first mercenary band was a mixed bag, but I never got close to anyone in that band (The only one I rightfully known was Iron Ass Tully, and I was convinced he hated me because of what I was). I stayed in the band for only two years, before I joined the Valo Kas Mercenary at age twenty. For six years I served loyally to the Tal Vashoth Shokrakar. I was a little more closer to them, but nothing forged in blood or anything.

I often worked with different people every so often. "Do the dwarves in Orzammar study lyrium?" I asked innocently.

Varric adjusted something on his notes before he looked up at me, "If they have, they certainly haven't shared anything up here. Why?"

Solas answered, "It is the source of all magic, save that which mages bring themselves. Dwarves alone have the ability to mine it safely. I wondered if they had sought to learn more."

I looked back over to Varric, "Do they care about stuff like that?"

He shook his head.

"Varric," Solas continued, "Do you ever miss life beneath the earth? The call of the Stone?"

"Nah." Varric answered blankly, "Whatever the Stone - capital S - is, it was gone by the time my parents had me."

Solas looked like he had a follow up, but seemed unsure if he should ask, "But... do you miss it?"

"How could I miss what I never had?" Varric asked, "But say I did have that sense, that connection to the Stone. What would it cost me? Would I lose my friends up here? Would I stop telling stories?" This was the first time I saw Varric have actual strong feelings about a topic, and of course it would have to do with his culture. Or rather lack of, "I like who I am. If I want to hear songs, I'll go to a tavern."

Solas seemed to approve this answer, "You are wiser than most."

I took note of where we were, "The fall of the dwarves...I don't quite understand all of it." I admitted.

"What's there not to understand?" Varric asked, "It is an endless sea of darkspawn. You clearly never seen one."

Solas intervened, "A great deal, although that is a different matter. Dwarves control the flow of lyrium. They could tighten their grip on it."

Oh…

"So," I tried to piece it all together, "I think I get it. No one up here really cares about what happens below. Kind of figures."

"But," Solas interjected, "You are forgetting, Adaar. Varric, for instance, is active in the Carta. Varric, you know your people could tug the purse strings. You could claim sovereign land on the surface, or demand help restoring the dwarven kingdom, but you don't."

Varric offered a pained smile, "You're not saying anything I haven't said myself, Chuckles. Orzammar is what it is. Did you know, the Hero of Ferelden was part of the Carta. The whole reason she became a Grey Warden was because she was going to be executed. Her sister is the mother to the heir to the dwarven throne. They have made the Hero a Paragon and erected a statue of her in the Diamond Quarter...and yet...people don't want to acknowledge where she came from. That they used to treat her like the lower of the low. That...is the nature of Orzammar."

I nodded in understanding. "I can see why you wouldn't want to live there."

Varric nodded, heading for the his tent to get out of the rain.

DAI

"I'm sorry Varric that my coming here caused...such an uproar." Garnet Hawke said as I approached the pair in the Throne Room by the fireplace that night. Cassandra was nowhere to be found, after her and Varric's big fight, and I noticed Solas creeping out from the Atrium, wearing a different long sleeve tunic, with paint smears across it.

He has taken to painting murals in the spot of Skyhold he claimed. He has a right, he was the one who found the place for the Inquisition. Garnet Hawke appear less intimidating and grand out of her armor, in a simple frilled dress that was no doubt worn out. It showed how much she has traveled since the fleeing of Kirkwall.

The four of us sat at the fire, Josephine arrived to offer the champion some tea, acting as a proper host more so in a home than at a Fortress. Three of us accepted the offer of the warm and soothing beverage. Solas passed.

We were having a pleasant conversation, Hawke explaining things that have happened in the past three years since she apparently last saw Varric. She was just with her brother, Carver, and Aveline Vallen. He was a Grey Warden and was under her watch when the whole Calling started.

From there we've moved on to other topics in different arrays. Garnet had a comforting affect on everybody, even Solas seemed in much better spirits today, after the curious silence he had. "Is there at least a movement to reunite Orzammar and Kal-Sharok?" Solas asked.

"What is it with you, Chuckles? Why do you care so much about the dwarves?" Varric asked, he turned to Hawke, "Keeps asking me about Orzammar and such."

Hawke took a sip of her tea, not at all like a noble, holding the entire teacup instead of its handle and gave a very loud slurp, "I would like to hear more about dwarves. I can't get enough of it. Tired of the Mages and Templars, and now all I hear is the Grey Wardens."

Solas took a breath, "Once, in the Fade," When he began this sentence Varric mouthed to Hawke 'Here we go…' as Solas got ready for a rather lengthy explanation, "I saw the memory of a man who lived alone on an island. Most of his tribe had fallen to beasts or disease. His wife had died in childbirth. He was the only one left. He could have struck out on his own to find a new land, new people. But he stayed. He spent every day catching fish in a little boat, every night drinking fermented fruit juice and watching the stars."

"I can think of worse lives." Varric muttered, taking a sip of his tea.

Solas seemed slightly offended by that settlement, "How can you be happy surrendering, knowing it will all end with you? How can you not fight?"

I laughed, "That must be some damn good fermented fruit juice."

Varric and Hawke nodded in agreement, but Solas sat back with a bit of a frown. A long silence followed before Solas spoke again, and what he said surprised me. "I am sorry to have bothered you with my questions about your people Varric." The dwarf looked in, seeming surprised by the sudden apology. Hawke bit into her biscuit with a thoughtful curiosity for the elf, "I see so much of this world in dreams. Humans, my own people, even qunari. Dwarves alone were lost to me, save scattered fragments of memory where some spirit cared to watch. Now I know why I see so little."

Varric didn't answer at first, but then he asked, "And why is that?"

Hawke added in her thoughts, "Is it because dwarves have no connection to the Fade? I mean...I remember when I traveled through the Fade in Kirkwall...despite Varric having no Stone Sense he was unable to come with me. Dream with me. Do you know what that means?"

"I do." Solas answered, appearing saddened, "Dwarves are the severed arm of a once mighty hero, lying in a pool of blood. Undirected. Whatever skill of arms it had, gone forever. Although it might twitch to give the appearance of life, it will never dream."

A long thoughtful silence followed before Varric responded with, "I'd avoid mentioning that to any Carta, Chuckles. They might not take it the right way."

I sighed, feeling I had something to say, "Solas...no offense, but you have a bit of a fixation on doom and losses and death. Maybe you spend too much time in the Fade."

It was a thoughtless comment. I realized it right when I said it, and Solas seemed rather offended. But he instead responded with, "I've no idea what you mean."

Varric spoke up, getting to the bottom of it, "She means all the "fallen empire" crap you go on about. What's so great about empires anyway? So we lost the Deep Roads, and Orzammar's too proud to ask for help. So what? We're not Orzammar and we're not our empire. There are tens of thousands of us living up here in the sunlight now, and it's not that bad. Life goes on. It's just different than it used to be."

Garnet slightly scoffed, "Well, that remains to be proven true, in all honesty. But...yet again...Warden Commander Brosca seems happy enough. But she was never an actual citizen of Orzammar from what I remember her briefly telling me."

Solas seemed greatly bothered by this, "You have no concept what that difference cost you, Varric."

Varric took a stand, attempting to make his leave, "I know what it didn't cost me. I'm still here, even after all those thaigs fell." He set his teacup down, "On that note...I am calling it a night. We are heading to Crestwood tomorrow and I don't want to be too tired."

Hawke nodded, "I don't know if I have a quarters or…"

"I'll talk to Josephine," I responded, "I'm sure she has a whole guest bedroom prepared for someone like you."

Solas spoke up, "It might be a bit of trouble for her put together the way she wants it. The Champion did come in such short notice."

"Tell her not to trouble herself, I am going to Varric's room."

…"Hawke, I...you don't have to-"

"Don't worry, Kata. I'm sure Varric wouldn't mind. After all we're bestfriends. And we still have much to speak about, privately." Judging by my bewildered reaction, she began laughing aloud, standing outside Varric's chambers, "Oh, are you considering that Varric and I are in an elicit affair? Sadly, Varric has rejected my advances many years ago. We are just friends. Family even. Good night."

And so she entered Varric's room, not caring what anyone thought of it.

DAI

"I knew those two would get along." Garnet told me a couple of days after we returned to Skyhold from Crestwood. In the same vain as Hawke, seeing Warden Commander Ada Brosca in simply a commoner's sundress, sitting out in the courtyard with Varric, as the storyteller spun his tale, she didn't seem as intimidating.

She was just Ada. The dwarf woman who has trouble speaking after surviving a slit throat eight years ago. Solas was standing a ways watching them with a pensive look. The state of the dwarves seemed to really bother Solas, and I made my way toward the friendly dwarves, as Sera suddenly appeared to bombard Hawke with all sorts of questions.

"How are you feeling today, Ada?" I asked, taking a seat across from them, feeling the sun across my back. I turned in those 'pajamas' Josephine was having me wear, and put on my usually strappy top that showed off my abs and biceps, and a bit of under my breasts. I worked hard on my body, and I was proud to show it off.

Ada appeared impressed, nodding with an intrigued smile, as Varric also took notice. "Finally got rid of those ugly damn pajamas. It barely fit you." He added.

"I know," I laughed, "One wrong move and the buttons would have popped off."

Ada let out a choking laugh as Varric nodded, "I'm sure Buttercup and Bull would have paid good coin to see that. Especially the look of pure horror on the Seeker's face."

I heard the grass crunch as Solas made his approach. Ada looked up at him in mild recognition. Solas bowed slightly in respect, though his eyes were narrowed. He for some reason had discontempt for the Wardens. "Well met, Warden Commander. I had not the chance to properly introduce myself. I am Solas."

Ada nodded, gesturing to her throat with an apologetic smile. "She can't talk too much." I admitted to the elf.

"Ah, so I have heard. I apologize, for what it's worth."

She waved it off, before Varric narrowed his eyes up at Solas. "You have been glaring at us across the way for some time now Chuckles, was there a reason you came over here? Did you have something to say."

Solas didn't answer, and Varric shrugged, "look," the dwarf egged on, "Don't be shy. You've made your opinions pretty clear, just come out with it."

Ada looked between Varric and Solas questionably, before Solas suddenly blurted, "You truly are content to sit in the sun, never wondering what you could've been, never fighting back."

"Ha, you've got it all wrong, Chuckles. This is fighting back." Varric countered.

The Warden Commander stared at me, expecting an explanation but it was much too long to give so I just let her listen. "How does passively accepting your fate constitute a fight?" Solas questioned.

"In that story of yours—-the fisherman watching the stars, dying alone. You thought he gave up, right?"

"Yes." Solas responded, crossing his arms.

I had already come to the same conclusion as Varric had. The dwarf continued, "But he went on living. He lost everyone, but he still got up every morning. He made a life, even if it was alone. That's the world. Everything you build, it tears down. Everything you've got, it takes. And it's gone forever. The only choices you get are to lie down and die or keep going. He kept going. That's as close to beating the world as anyone gets."

Solas appeared baffled by the explanation. I looked down at the grass feeling bashful, "I remember," I spoke up, revealing a small piece of myself, "I didn't have much choice in how I lived. I was not part of the Qun...nor have I actually left it. My parents were Tal'Vashoth. I...looked like this in this world. I never belonged anywhere. I felt...my life had no purpose. So I fought instead. I joined band after band, trying to find my place in this world with what I learned and what I got. When I was branded, I….didn't think I had a choice. I don't follow the Maker or the Qun but I stayed because I chose to."

Ada remained silent as usual, her face unreadable, as Solas took a hesitant seat next to Ada. "I was mistaken." He merely said.

"Now," Varric continued, "can we finally put this conversation to bed. We've been talking about it for months."

Solas seemed a little ashamed upon the realization, "Considered it dropped."

"Thanks."

For a moment we sat in companionable silence, as I noticed Ada eyeing Varric's crossbow. When he locked eyes with her, she pointed at it with a questionable furrow of her eyebrows. "You've never seen something like this before right?"

She shook her head.

Varric picked his weapon up, "The woman who made Bianca would rather not many dwarves have them. Wars are bloody enough as it is. A crossbow that fires this far and this quickly with so little training? Every battle would be a massacre."

Ada nodded in silent agreement.

I changed the topic when there was nothing left to say, "Have you ever read Varric's books?" I asked her, "They are quite popular, or so I am told."

Varric tried to feign humbleness, "I do all right."

Solas smiled, "I am glad of it." The Warden Commander studied Solas curiously before he continued, "We live in a dark and angry time, child of Stone. So much of what people believe has come crashing down. If you bring them a little peace with the worlds you make between the pages, you have done more than most."

The Warden Commander nudged Varric and he laughed, "Let me see if I can find another copy." She jumped to her feet eagerly, yanking the surface dwarf to his before they headed off towards the Throne Room. Solas narrowed his eyes again where Ada couldn't see them.

"You don't trust her?"

He huffed, standing up, "What gave that away, Inquisitor." And he left swiftly.

DAI

"Is Ada still with Morrigan?" I asked Blackwall in his shed.

He was in the works of crafting a knife holder, and didn't look up from his work. "Who?"

"...Warden Commander Brosca?"

He paused for a moment, "Oh, sorry. ...you see, I only even addressed her as Warden Commander, I... her name slips by me at times. I uh...believe so? She's with that arcane advisor woman we met at the ball, correct?"

"Yes. They are apparently close friends."

Blackwall nodded, "I see."

"Did you want to get drinks at the tavern. Help you forget about the whole Calling, huh."

"...sure Adaar."

Blackwall was a strange fellow, and he got weirder once we got to Skyhold. And now he hit the threshold once Warden Commander Brosca arrived. I assumed it was due to the Calling. The Wardens were all out of sorts.

In the tavern, Varric and Solas were sitting at a table, and I led Blackwall over to them to join as Varric shuffled his cards. "Hawke is getting changed out of her dress." The dwarf explained, "We are going to play a game of Wicked Grace. You ever play, Chuckles?"

Solas eyed the cards, "I'm not much of a gambler anymore."

Blackwall remarked, "Who said anything about playing for real coin. That is just to keep score."

Solas ignored Blackwall, "What do you play for, Varric?"

Varric grinned, "If you ask Hawke, conversation mostly. That way I win no matter how the cards fall."

As Varric began dealing the players in (despite Solas insistence he did not want to learn), I noticed a little boy hesitantly walking into the tavern. Upon his appearance, Solas stiffened. I recognized him as Morrigan's son.

Curious boy, says the strangest things. He stood by the doorway, staring right at us. I returned to my game, unsure what exactly he wanted. Perhaps Kieran merely wished to explore. "Do the Grey Wardens let anybody into their ranks?" I asked Blackwall. "I mean, Ada's a dwarf and she managed to become Warden Commander."

"Well, she was the only one really left." Varric noted, "Let's be honest here. She wouldn't have been first choice. And I'm sure they tried to put somebody else over her. I know there were elves in the Order as well. There's never been a Qunari Warden, but I just think it's because no Qunari ever signed up."

Solas muttered under his breath, but we caught it as he studied his cards boredly, "A pity they do it so badly then."

Blackwall glared up at the elf, "Would you care to repeat that?"

"Solas…" I began, getting pretty frustrated with Solas's attitude towards Blackwall, Brosca, and the other Wardens, "What is your deal? Why do you hate this Order so much?"

Solas answered in no time, "Their fight against the darkspawn is noble, but what progress have they made?"

"Aw come on, Chuckles," Varric tried to lighten the mood, "Give them some credit, it's not like you can study the Blight safely. I may not like everything they've done, but without the wardens, we'd all be blighted by now."

"They've bought us some time, I will grant them that."

Varric pointedly nodded behind me, and when I turned around Kieran was standing right behind me, staring.

He was much more unsettling in popping up at random times than Cole was. "Can I help you?" I asked.

Varric pulled out a chair for the curious little boy, "Here, you can sit with me."

No one protested, but at the same time Blackwall didn't look pleased. Solas appeared unsettled.

"Did you see the look on those nobles' faces back at the Winter Palace, Chuckles?" Varric continued his conversation as if nothing was wrong.

"They seemed unaccustomed to seeing elves without servant's livery... or dwarves at all." Solas remarked, seeming far less amused by it than Varric.

Blackwall chuckled a bit to himself, "It was rather priceless seeing the sheer bewilderment on those Orlesians faces."

Solas turned his attention back to Varric, "Are you planning a chapter filled with courtly intrigue?"

"Close. I need to describe the face someone makes when they choke down something terrible."

I was noticing the way Morrigan's son was watching all of us at the table. Very studiously which was rather strange for an almost ten year old boy. His face was carefully neutral, and Solas still appeared suspicious of the boy's prescence.

I then heard the footsteps of Hawke's prescence, "Apologies for the delay. That dress was a pain to get out of. I thought your Enchantress would help me, but she tore me down for not knowing the proper treatment of a ball gown the size of Ferelden."

As she took a seat, dressed in simply a coat and trousers, she took notice of Kieran and greeted him pleasantly, "Hello, little one. Where did you come from?"

"The Arcane Advisor's boy." Blackwall introduced.

"Well, it is nice to meet you. What is your name?" She asked.

"...Kieran." He introduced.

"You are a handsome little boy." Hawke had a way with children it seemed, and as the barmaid came with a platter she took it upon herself to take what was offered from her. "Do you like cheese, Kieran?"

The way his eyes lit up reminded me again that he was just a child, as Garnet offered him the platter assortment of the cheeses. He eagerly popped one into his mouth with a small thanks of gratitude.

DAI

As we marched on our way to the Temple of Sacred Ashes, it felt like we were coming to the close of a chapter in the Inquisition's place in history. So much has happened. The Warden Commander was dead, and Morrigan was the confirmed inheritor of the next age…

...and Kieran was gone. Swept away by the Witch of the Wilds, Flemeth. Morrigan was still determined to see the task through, but she proclaimed after she does her part she would leave immediately to search for her son.

As we arrived at the place that started it all, I instantly felt chills down my body, "I can't wait for Chuckles to say something about the Veil" Varric remarked.

"I don't always mention the Veil."

Everyone agreed with Varric, "See? Told you."

Solas frowned, as we continued our march. But it seemed less about the conversation and more about...something that only he knew. Was he also saddened by Kieran's abduction...he didn't seem to care for the boy before.

DAI

The day after Corypheus's defeat, I found Varric in the Atrium, admiring the murals the disappeared elf left behind. My hangover was slowly going away after yesterday's festivities. The dwarf noticed my prescence. "You know that feeling you get when its like...you've experienced something before?" Varric asked me.

I rose my eyebrow at him, prompting him to continue.

"I remember when Hawke's older brother, Holland, tipped Curly on Anders. It was the only way to insure that he wouldn't hurt anybody. We later found out that it was Merril who warned the mage, and he high tailed out of Kirkwall. We hadn't heard from him for about seven months after that.

"Then...we were at the Chantry...and he reappeared. He...changed. I don't know where he was but...it was not him anymore. That beginning part...when Anders booked it...I feel the same way I do now."

"I don't think Solas is planning on blowing up a Chantry." I remarked.

Varric looked up appearing saddened, "No...but...it feels worse, don't it."