Kira dreamed of dragons.

Or were they archdemons? She wasn't really sure.

They chased her, flames pouring from their mouths. She tried to run, but they circled her like vultures, her path in all directions suddenly cut off by their fire. The ground opened up beneath her and she fell -

The first time she awoke, it was with a shout of fear that quickly gave way to a cry of agony. Her chest felt like it was on fire. She couldn't breathe.

"Darling, you must be silent," said a familiar voice urgently. "You'll wake half the camp if you carry on like that."

But before Kira had the chance to ask Vivienne what she meant, a cool, soothing hand was on her brow, magic was flowing through her, and she was falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.

The second time she awoke, it was to shouting, but this time, it wasn't hers. And it went on for hours.

The good news was that Kira's distraction had worked. The bulk of the Inquisition's forces had managed to escape Haven. The bad news was that they'd escaped to the depths of the Frostbacks and had little to no idea of exactly where they were. The worse news was that no one could agree on how to remedy the situation.

Meanwhile, Kira lay in her tent, attended by Mother Giselle, and tried to recover from her very near brush with death.

"If they're arguing about what we do next, I need to be there," Kira told Mother Giselle after hours of very loud, very circular arguments, but the revered mother just shook her head and patted Kira gently on the hand.

"Another heated voice won't help. Even yours. Perhaps especially yours," Giselle said.

From outside the tent, she could hear Cullen's raised voice, and she longed to go to him, to soothe his worries and to tell him everything was going to be all right. It had been Cullen who had saved her. He'd found her with the phylactery she'd given him and carried her back to the Inquisition's camp. Without him, she'd be frozen somewhere in the mountains, never to be seen again.

She still wasn't entirely sure how she had escaped the avalanche. Everything after she fired the trebuchet was a blur. She remembered running, and she remembered pain, and then… nothing.

Her injuries had been severe and included three broken ribs, a fractured collarbone, a punctured lung, and a lot of scrapes and bruises. Vivienne, who had insisted on healing the worst of Kira's injuries, had informed her airily that none of the cuts would scar, as though that was the most pressing issue.

Kira would rather have woken to find Cullen in her tent, but that was beside the point.

"Enough!" shouted Cassandra from somewhere outside. "This is getting us nowhere!"

"Well, we're agreed on that much!" Cullen snarled in reply.

Mother Giselle stirred beside Kira when the mage made to rise. "Shh," she murmured. "You need rest."

"They've been at it for hours," Kira argued.

"They have that luxury, thanks to you. The enemy could not follow, and with time to doubt, we turn to blame. Infighting may threaten as much as this Corypheus."

"Exactly why I should be helping them!" Kira sat back on her cot with a petulant sigh. "Do we know where Corypheus and his forces are?"

"We are not sure where we are," admitted Giselle. "Which may be why, despite the numbers he still commands, there is no sign of him. That, or you are believed dead. Or without Haven, we are thought helpless. Or he girds for another attack. I cannot claim to know the mind of that creature, only his effect on us." The revered mother paused and laid a hand on Kira's. "Our leaders struggle because of what we survivors witnessed. We saw our defender stand… and fall. And now, we have seen her return."

Kira sat up slowly, her hand going to her ribs. There was still some lingering tenderness from those she'd broken in her battle with Corypheus, or perhaps in the avalanche. Vivienne had healed her wounds only enough that she was no longer in immediate danger. The rest of the other mage's mana was to go towards helping others who'd been injured during their escape from Haven.

And Kira, unfortunately, was in no shape to heal her own wounds. Her mana had been dangerously depleted, and it would take some time for her stores to return to normal without a lyrium potion to replenish them.

Giselle continued. "The more the enemy is beyond us, the more miraculous your actions appear. And the more our trials seem ordained. That is hard to accept, no? What we have been called to endure? What we, perhaps, must come to believe?"

"I escaped the avalanche. Barely, perhaps, but I didn't die."

Giselle chuckled softly. "Of course, and the dead cannot return from across the Veil. But the people know what they saw. Or perhaps, what they needed to see. The Maker works both in the moment, and in how it is remembered. Can we truly know the heavens are not with us?"

Kira sighed. "Mother Giselle, I just don't see how what I believe matters. Corypheus is a real, physical threat. We can't match that with hope alone."

She stood, grimacing at the throbbing in her side and ignoring the revered mother's protest, and walked to the entrance of her tent. She gazed out into the snow, where the Inquisition's leaders had separated. Leliana sat by a fire, gazing into its depths, while Cassandra stood at a makeshift table nearby, poring over what appeared to be a map. Josephine stood with her arms wrapped around herself, gazing, unseeing, into the distance. Cullen leaned against a tent post nearby, rubbing the back of his neck absently.

From behind Kira, a melody sounded as Mother Giselle began to sing. She walked from the tent to stand before Kira, her voice strong and sure as it drew the rest of the Inquisition.

"Shadows fall, and hope has fled,
Steel your heart, the dawn will come,
The night is long, and the path is dark,
Look to the sky, for one day soon,
The dawn will come."

The next verse began, and Kira was surprised when a beautiful voice soared over them to join with Giselle's. Leliana had begun to sing, lifting her head towards the heavens. It was only a moment before Josephine, and even Cullen joined in. The rest of the camp began to sing along, and they were all staring at her.

"The shepherd's lost, and his home is far,
Keep to the stars, the dawn will come,
The night is long, and the path is dark,
Look to the sky, for one day soon,
The dawn will come."

One by one, the Inquisition - for they were all Inquisition now, whether soldiers, mages, templars, or civilians - clasped their fists to their chests and kneeled in reverence before her. Their song rose higher and higher into the sky, and Kira stood in shock at the scene before her. They were singing this because of her. This was the result of their faith in her.

"Bare your blade, and raise it high,
Stand your ground, the dawn will come,
The night is long, and the path is dark,
Look to the sky, for one day soon,
The dawn will come."

The song ended, and Kira bowed her head, her heart full of some emotion she couldn't quite describe.

"An army needs more than an enemy," said Mother Giselle softly. "It needs a cause." And then she walked away.

Kira took a moment to collect herself. Now, more than ever, she felt that she needed to be a part of the conversations that would guide her people to safety. But where were they to go? They were in the middle of nowhere without a clear understanding of just where exactly they were, and they had nowhere to go. They could hardly return to Haven.

Solas materialized at her shoulder. "A word?" he asked briskly, and led Kira to the edge of camp. With a wave of his hand, he lit a brazier there with blue fire and gestured for her to join him. The fire was warm and welcoming, and she shared it with the elf gladly.

"A wise woman, worth heeding," said Solas, nodding towards Mother Giselle. "Her kind understand the moments that unify a cause. Or fracture it." There was a pause. "The orb Corypheus carried, the power he used against you - it is elven. Corypheus used the orb to open the Breach. Unlocking it must have caused the explosion that destroyed the Conclave. I do not yet know how Corypheus survived… nor am I certain how people will react when they learn of the orb's origin."

Kira frowned. Solas was a purveyor of strange magics, it was true, but he hadn't seen the orb. He'd only heard her describe it as she recounted how she'd made it out of Haven. "All right," she said slowly, and perhaps a little suspiciously. "What is it, and how do you know about it?"

"They were foci, used to channel ancient magics. I have seen such things in the Fade, old memories of older magic."

Kira relaxed. She had spoken with Solas at length regarding his trips into the Fade. She found it extraordinary, and she could well believe that he had seen evidence of the orb, or something like it, in his travels.

"Corypheus may think it Tevinter," explained Solas. "His empire's magic was built on the bones of my people. Knowing or not, he risks our alliance. I cannot allow it."

"Well," said Kira, looking around. "Lost out here, it will hardly matter. They'll have to set aside blame while freezing is their first concern."

Solas smiled. "We are agreed on that, and I may have a solution. By attacking the Inquisition, Corypheus has changed it. Changed you. Scout to the north. Be their guide. There is a place that waits for a force to hold it. There is a place where the Inquisition can build… grow…" He conjured an image in the fire and watched as she stared, dumbstruck, at a magnificent fortress built high in the mountains. "Skyhold."


The next morning, they set out for Skyhold, Kira at their head. She had deliberated with Solas deep into the night and had a general sense of where they were going, which she quietly shared with the Inquisition's leaders before dawn. Having a direction went a long way towards soothing the fears and anxieties of the group, and it was with renewed vigor that they left camp.

That day set the pace for their subsequent days in the Frostbacks. They walked all day, save for a short break for a meager lunch from the rations that the Inquisition had brought from the chantry's stores. At night, they made camp and set guard rotations before settling down to sleep.

That first night after her miraculous escape from Haven, she was surprised to find herself assigned to a watch with Cullen. She supposed she shouldn't be, given their penchant for midnight rendezvous, but somehow she hadn't expected to be able to spend time with him until they'd made their way to the relative safety of Skyhold.

When she joined him at their assigned post, he looked her over with concern. "Are you certain you're well enough for this, my lady?" he asked. "I can -"

"I'm fine, Commander," Kira interrupted with a small smile. She couldn't help but wince as she sat, her hand going automatically to her ribcage. She hoped he hadn't noticed, but when she looked up, she saw his knowing look.

"You should be resting," he said flatly.

"Trying to get rid of me?" Kira asked playfully. "I'm crushed."

Cullen smiled in spite of himself. "Never that, my lady." He looked like he wanted to say more, but in the end, he simply looked away. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine, Cullen, truly. Vivienne healed the worst of my wounds. There's some residual tenderness, but I'll live."

"I'm glad." There was a whole different kind of tenderness in his gaze when he looked at her. She blushed and looked away.

They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, gazing out into the darkness of the Frostbacks. It was a nice night; the sky was clear and cloudless, and it wasn't as bitterly cold as it was the night before. The Inquisition's campfires burned dully somewhere behind them, but it felt like they were largely alone.

"Cullen?" Kira asked softly after a while.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you. For saving me."

Cullen shifted beside her. "You're welcome," he said after a moment's hesitation. Then he reached for the phylactery where it hung under his armor. "I should return this to you -"

"No!" Kira said, rather more forcefully than she intended. Cullen paused, surprised, and Kira swallowed. "I mean - I - would you - do you think you could hold onto it? Keep it safe? Just - just in case?"

Cullen paused. "You… want me to keep it?"

Kira looked at him. Of course, she wanted to say. Always. But, however alone they might feel, there were other sentries around. People could hear them. Besides, they were far from safe. If she was going to confess her feelings, she wanted it to be… well, private, and perfect, and everything that this moment was not.

Besides, what if he didn't feel the same way? Then she'd be stuck on watch with him all night, and that would be awkward.

And was it worth potentially ruining their friendship?

"If you don't want it -" she started, but he cut her off.

"No! No, it's - it's not that, it's just… I mean, I - I was a templar. I can still use it. I just - don't want you to be uncomfortable."

Kira fought back a smile at the way he stuttered and fumbled for words. It was hard to tell in the darkness, but she thought he may be blushing. "I'd like you to keep it, if you don't mind," she said finally. "I trust you. It… would make me feel safer, knowing you have it with you."

Cullen slowly tucked the phylactery back beneath his armor. "Then I would be honored to keep it safe for you, my lady."

The next few days were trying. By day, Kira led the Inquisition through the mountains towards the fortress Solas had shown her in the fire. At night, she signed up for as many watches as she could without drawing the ire of the Inquisition's leaders, who regularly voiced their concerns that she was doing too much and resting too little.

"I can't sleep," she confided in Cullen one night on watch. "I just - can't. Ever since Haven -"

She'd shivered, and he'd quietly put an arm around her shoulders.

After that, the protests largely quieted. She wasn't sure what he'd said to the other Inquisition leaders, but whatever it was, she was grateful.

When she slept, it was with magical assistance. She quietly pulled aside Vivienne, who had healed her, and Solas, who had provided a road to shelter, to ask for their help. When she was ready to sleep, one of her two fellow mages would discreetly enter her tent, magically put her to sleep, and slip away. Without their intervention, she was afraid of waking up, screaming, from the nightmares that lingered behind her eyes.

Their camp desperately needed her to be strong. She wouldn't let them down.

It took them a week of hard walking to reach Skyhold, and when Kira crested a rise and finally saw the fortress, she was left in awe. Solas joined her, looking rather pleased with himself, and together, they led the Inquisition home.


Skyhold was a fortress fit for an army, and a welcome sight after a week trudging through snow and ice. It was not, however, ready to house that army. They arrived to dilapidated buildings and collapsed ceilings. However grand the castle and its grounds may once have been, it was a shadow of its former self now.

But it had been forgotten, and it was their best bet for safety as they recovered from Corypheus's attack.

Their arrival at Skyhold resulted in a burst of activity. What belongings and supplies the Inquisition had managed to salvage from Haven was unloaded by soldiers and civilians alike, who took up residence wherever they could find shelter. Kira was right there with them, helping to haul boxes and sacks into designated storage areas, where the Inquisition could take stock of what they had and make plans to find more. Her mana had begun to replenish - enough to repair her tender ribs, at least - and she managed to help with limited protests from her colleagues.

Leliana sent messengers to the closest cities to barter for supplies and encourage merchants to make the trek to the Inquisition's new home. It would take them some time to return, but if they could establish supply lines, it would go far towards solidifying the Inquisition's hold on the area.

One day, Kira saw Cassandra beckon to her from across the courtyard. She slipped past a group of tents that had been set up for their healers and skirted a group of incoming refugees. As the days passed, the Inquisition settled, cleaning and repairing Skyhold. As they did so, more people continued to flock to the fortress.

"They arrive daily from every settlement in the region," said Cassandra as Kira reached her side. "Skyhold is becoming a pilgrimage." The Seeker led the way up a nearby set of stairs. "If word has reached these people, it will have reached the Elder One. We have the walls and numbers to put up a fight here, but this threat is far beyond the war we anticipated. But we now know what allowed you to stand against Corypheus, what drew him to you."

Kira held up her left hand, where the Anchor flashed green. "He came for this, and now it's useless to him, so he wants me dead. That's it," she said flatly.

But Cassandra shook her head. "The Anchor has power, but it's not why you're still standing here. Your decisions let us heal the sky. Your determination brought us out of Haven. You are that creature's rival because of what you did. And we know it. All of us."

They crested the staircase to find Leliana waiting, ceremoniously holding an intricately decorated sword. Kira, her heartbeat fluttering wildly in her chest, found herself suddenly wondering where they'd found it or when they'd had time to have it made. A crowd was beginning to form in the courtyard below, all looking up at the trio of women on the stairs.

"The Inquisition requires a leader: the one who has already been leading it," Cassandra said.

Kira did not like where this was going. She didn't like it at all. "You," she said weakly, refusing to believe what her eyes were telling her. When Cassandra shook her head, Kira turned her gaze to Leliana, her eyes pleading. But Leliana shook her head, fighting to hide a smile.

"You," Cassandra said.

Maker's breath. Kira's heartbeat thundered in her ears. "P-perhaps I didn't hear you correctly," she stammered. "A mage at the head of the Inquisition?"

"Not a mage. You."

Kira barked a laugh. "I happen to be a mage."

Cassandra made a face. "I will not pretend no one will object, but times are changing. Perhaps this is what the Maker intended. There would be no Inquisition without you. How it will serve, how you lead: that must be yours to decide."

Kira looked out at the crowd gathered, at all of her friends and companions, at all of the Inquisition's soldiers, at all of the civilians that had been streaming into Skyhold in days past.

She found Cullen's golden gaze, and what she saw reflected there both frightened her and gave her strength.

Kira stepped forward and tentatively took the sword from Leliana. It was lighter than it looked, and she studied it for a moment as she thought. When she spoke, it was in a clear voice that washed over her people. "Corypheus will never let me - will never let any of us - live in peace. He made that clear. He intends to be a god, to rule over us all. Corypheus must be stopped."

"Wherever you lead us," Cassandra said approvingly. She approached the edge of the staircase. Looking out over the crowd, she called, "Have our people been told?"

It was Josephine who responded. "They have. And soon the world."

"Commander," Cassandra cried, "Will they follow?"

Cullen turned to the crowd. "Inquisition! Will you follow?"

The crowd cheered.

"Will you fight?" Cullen continued, raising his hands to rally the crowd. "Will we triumph?"

The crowd's cheers grew louder.

Cullen turned, drawing his sword in one smooth motion to point it toward Kira, his eyes shining with pride. "Your leader! Your Herald! Your Inquisitor!"


The ruins of Skyhold were impressive. Kira could tell that beneath the dirt and debris was a beautiful fortress worthy of being the Inquisition's home. As she and her advisors entered the great hall, she was once again rendered speechless by the exquisite architecture.

Fortunately, her advisors were not.

"So this is where it begins," said Cullen, drawing her gaze from the crumbling ceiling far above back down to the ground.

"It began in the courtyard," corrected Leliana. "This is where we turn that promise into action."

"It began months ago, with all of you," Kira said wryly. "And don't pretend it didn't."

"But what do we do?" asked Josephine, her brows knitted with worry. "We know nothing about this Corypheus except that he wanted your mark."

"He wants to restore Tevinter," mused Kira. "But this can't be a prelude to war with the Imperium, can it?"

"I get the feeling we're dealing with extremists, not the vanguard of a true invasion," agreed Cullen.

"Tevinter is not the Imperium of a thousand years ago," said Josephine. "What Corypheus yearns to 'restore' no longer exists. Though they would shed no tears if the south fell to chaos, I'm certain."

"You're probably right about that," said Kira grimly. "Corypheus also said he wanted to enter the Black City, that this would make him a god."

"He is willing to tear this world apart to reach the next. It won't matter if he's wrong," Leliana pointed out.

"What if he's not wrong?" asked Cullen. "If he finds some other way into the Fade…"

Leliana frowned. "Then he gains the power he seeks or unleashes catastrophe on us all."

"What about his dragon?" Kira asked. "Could it really be an Archdemon? What would that mean?"

"It would mean the beginning of another Blight," said Leliana.

Josephine wrung her hands. "We've seen no darkspawn other than Corypheus himself. Perhaps it's not an Archdemon at all, but something different?"

"Whatever it is, it's dangerous," said Cullen. "Commanding such a creature gives Corypheus an advantage we can't ignore."

This comment turned Kira's mind to the most pressing issue. "Could he strike at us here?" she asked. "We can't have a repeat of what happened at Haven."

Cullen looked thoughtful. "Skyhold has the bones to withstand Corypheus. After what you did with one trebuchet, I'd bet against direct attack."

"We do have one advantage," said Leliana. "We know what Corypheus intends to do next. In that strange future you experienced, Empress Celene had been assassinated."

Josephine's mouth flattened into a thin line. "Imagine the chaos her death would cause. With his army…"

"An army he'll bolster with a massive force of demons, or so the future tells us," added Cullen.

"Corypheus could conquer the entire south of Thedas, god or no god," Josephine said.

Leliana sighed, rubbing a temple with one hand. "I'd feel better if we knew more about what we were dealing with."

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out from behind them. "I know someone who can help with that."

Kira and her advisors turned to see Varric walking toward them.

"Everyone acting all inspirational jogged my memory, so I - I sent a message to an old friend," he said. "She's crossed paths with Corypheus before, and may know more about what he's doing. She can help."

Kira paused for only a moment before she nodded, though something about this sudden introduction made her uneasy. "I'm always looking for new allies. Introduce me."

Varric hesitated. "Parading around might… cause a fuss. It's better for you to meet privately. On the battlements." When Kira frowned, Varric sighed. "Trust me. It's complicated." And with that, he turned and left.

"Well, then," said Josephine, nonplussed. "We stand ready to move on both of these concerns."

Cullen nodded. "On your order, Inquisitor."

"I know one thing," added Leliana as they dispersed. "If Varric has brought who I think he has, Cassandra is going to kill him."


Later that afternoon, Kira found Cassandra in the practice field that had been set up in one of Skyhold's courtyards. The Seeker, who was ferociously attacking a practice dummy with a blunted sword, saw her coming and paused, lowering her sword. Sweat dripped from her brow and she swiped at it with one hand.

As Kira stopped beside her, eyeing the practice dummy, Cassandra asked, "Have you met this friend of Varric's, Inquisitor?"

Inquisitor. It was still jarring to hear her new title. "Not yet, no."

"It had better not be who I think it is," Cassandra said with disgust. "I will wring that little bastard's neck."

"Why?" Kira asked, her curiosity piqued. "Who do you think it is?"

"Someone Varric claimed he could not contact. Someone the Inquisition - indeed, all of Thedas - desperately needed." Cassandra shook her head, rolling her eyes. "I'll reserve judgment until I know for certain. No need to have that rogue screaming 'persecution' yet again."

"Don't get too worked up, Cassandra," Kira advised. "I'm going to need all of you in the days to come. Even Varric."

Cassandra looked unconvinced.

Kira left the Seeker to her thoughts and returned to her patrol of Skyhold. Her companions and advisors had scattered to the winds, and she found that their absence - or, at least, them not being where she was used to them being - bothered her. She had grown used to being able to ask for advice or even just find them for a quick chat. Not knowing where they were was… strange.

Cullen was at the bottom of a set of stairs near the gate to the path down the mountain, standing with his hands braced on a table with papers scattered across it, held down with various makeshift paperweights. As a desk, it was rather precarious, but Kira knew that he had not yet found an appropriate place to call his own. We need to fix that, Kira thought. Everyone deserves to have a home here.

"Ser!" called a messenger, who hurried up to the makeshift desk as Kira watched from the stairs.

"The order was sent?" Cullen asked without looking up. A breeze tousled his hair, and Kira's swallowed hard.

"Yes, Commander."

"Send men to scout the area. We need to know what's out there."

"Yes, ser!"

The first messenger left as another came running to take his place.

"Commander!" The second messenger saluted. "Soldiers have been assigned temporary quarters."

"Very good," Cullen said. "I'll need an update on the armory as well." When the messenger didn't move, Cullen glanced up, scowling. "Now!" he barked, and the messenger scurried away.

Cullen turned, looking irritated, and caught sight of her. His expression immediately softened, and she went to him.

"We set up as best we could at Haven, but we could never prepare for an Archdemon—or whatever it was," Cullen said. "With some warning, we might have…"

"We were all shaken by what happened," said Kira softly.

"If Corypheus strikes again, we may not be able to withdraw… and I wouldn't want to. We must be ready." He was all business, and went on to rattle off a status report. "Work on Skyhold is underway, guard rotations established. We should have everything on course within the week. We will not run from here, Inquisitor."

Kira listened half-heartedly, her mind on the war going on in her heart rather than that playing out in reality. After she'd survived Haven, she'd had every intention of telling Cullen how she felt about him. But now, she had been named Inquisitor. He was technically her subordinate now, and he'd treated her with nothing but professionalism ever since she was granted her new title.

What if she'd been wrong? What if there had never been anything special between them?

And even if she wasn't wrong, how could there ever be anything more now?

She shook herself. He was reporting, and she should do him the courtesy of listening. There he was, watching her expectantly with those golden eyes. "How many were lost?" she asked carefully.

"Most of our people made it to Skyhold. It could have been worse." Cullen's gaze shuttered momentarily, but then a small smile appeared. "Morale was low, but has improved greatly since you accepted the role of Inquisitor."

Kira made a face. "Inquisitor Trevelyan," she said. "It sounds odd, don't you think?"

"Not at all," Cullen said, "But then you never were one for titles, my lady."

Was he teasing her? Maker's breath, how was she supposed to fall out of love with him when he did that?

"Is that the official response?" she forced out.

Cullen laughed. "I suppose it is. But it's the truth. We needed a leader; you have proven yourself."

"Thank you, Cullen." Kira looked away, rubbing her mark with her thumb. She shouldn't say anything. She should walk away. But then she glanced up and found him watching her, and she imagined that maybe the look in his eyes was affectionate after all, and she couldn't help herself. "Our escape from Haven…it was close. I am relieved that you—that so many made it out."

"As am I," said Cullen. There was a long pause in which neither seemed to know what to say, and finally, Kira turned to leave.

But then she felt his hand close on her wrist.

"You stayed behind," Cullen said, his voice low and pained. "You could have -" He stopped, releasing her arm. "I will not allow the events at Haven to happen again. You have my word."


With a great deal on her mind, Kira found herself atop the battlements before she realized where she was. It was early in the evening, and the sun was sinking low over the distant mountains. The view from the battlements was truly spectacular, and as she glanced towards the towers and balconies of Skyhold's central castle, she found herself wondering what it would be like once repairs were made. She was to have a suite at the top of the castle, or so Josephine had said, and Kira was sure that the view would only improve with the added height.

She wondered what it would be like, being Inquisitor, as she leaned against the battlements, her face turned toward the setting sun. Thus far, she had simply signed a lot of paperwork approving repairs to Skyhold. Kira looked out across the valley and shivered in the chilly air, her gaze lingering on the camps of soldiers dotting the mountainside and the valley beyond. What would happen when important decisions had to be made? When lives were in her hands?

Movement out of the corner of her eye caught Kira's attention, and she turned to find Varric waving at her. That's right, she remembered suddenly. Varric wanted me to meet his friend on the battlements. Kira pushed herself off the wall and made her way to Varric.

Beside the dwarf was a young human woman, her dark hair cropped short. She wore battered leather armor and wore multiple blades openly. Her eyes were light blue and humorous; Kira liked her on sight.

"Inquisitor, meet Hawke," Varric said without preamble. "The Champion of Kirkwall."

"Though I don't use that title much anymore," Hawke quipped. Her voice was strong and melodic, and lighter than Kira had expected.

"Hawke, the Inquisitor. I figured you might have some friendly advice about Corypheus. You and I did fight him, after all."

Kira stared at the dwarf as Hawke leaned against a wall nearby. Varric wandered to the opposite side of the battlements, where he seemed to be taking in the view. I'll deal with that later, she thought, and turned back to Hawke expectantly.

"You've already dropped half a mountain on the bastard," the Champion said. "I'm sure anything I can tell you pales in comparison."

Kira snorted. "Whatever you know helps. Corypheus will keep killing people until he gets what he wants, and he wants to be a god."

"I suppose you'd better go stop him, then."

Kira raised an eyebrow. "You're right. That does pale in comparison," she said wryly.

Hawke sighed. "All right, all right. I'll tell you what I know, for whatever good it does."

"Varric said that you fought Corypheus before."

At the sound of his name, the dwarf in question returned to Kira and Hawke.

"Fought and killed," Hawke confirmed, her pretty face grim. "The Grey Wardens were holding him, and he somehow used his connection to the darkspawn to influence them."

"Corypheus got into their heads," added Varric. "Messed with their minds. Turned them against each other."

"If the Wardens have disappeared, they could have fallen under his control again,"
said Hawke.

Kira ran a hand over her face. "So Corypheus has the Venatori, the red templars, and now possibly the Wardens as well? Wonderful."

Hawke smiled. "Don't worry. I didn't come this far just to give you bad news. I've got a friend in the Wardens. He was investigating something unrelated for me. His name is Alistair. The last time we spoke, he was worried about corruption in the Warden ranks. Since then, nothing."

Varric sighed. "Corypheus would certainly qualify as corruption in the ranks. Did your friend disappear with them?"

"No. He told me he'd be hiding in an old smuggler's cave near Crestwood."

"If you didn't know about Corypheus, what were you doing with the Wardens?"
asked Kira.

"The templars in Kirkwall were using a strange form of lyrium. It was red. I'd hoped the Wardens could tell me more about it," Hawke explained.

Kira nodded. "We know of the lyrium you describe. Corypheus had templars with him at Haven. They looked like they'd been exposed to it."

"Hopefully my friend in the Wardens will know more," said Hawke.

Kira looked from Hawke to Varric thoughtfully, and after a moment, she said, "I'll take any lead I can get at the moment."

"Good," said Hawke cheerfully. "I'll do whatever I can to help." Suddenly, the Champion's face darkened. "Corypheus is my responsibility. I thought I'd killed him before. This time, I'll make sure of it."

With their discussion done, Hawke retired to the inn for the night. Kira and Varric remained on the battlements, and Kira turned to the dwarf with a raised brow.

"So," said Varric nervously. "Corypheus is back… Well, shit."

"Indeed," agreed Kira. "So is he a darkspawn or a magister?"

Varric frowned. "I'm not sure. I don't think Corypheus really knows either. He's definitely a darkspawn. But… when we found him, it was pretty obvious he hadn't heard that. He thinks he's a magister—a priest of Dumat, in fact. And he says he broke into the Golden City, like in the Chantry tale."

Kira shrugged. "Honestly, I'd rather fight an ancient darkspawn with a pet Archdemon than deal with that hole in the sky. At least you can kill darkspawn."

Varric looked troubled. "We didn't just think Corypheus was dead. He was dead. No pulse! No breath! Full of stab wounds! There wasn't a lot of room for doubt. It makes me wonder… I thought the Wardens imprisoned Corypheus to use him. Maybe they did it because he can't be killed."

"Everything can be killed," Kira said grimly. "We just have to find the right way to do it."