Once more, Maxwell and the guard stepped through the mirror, followed by their companions. Maxwell found his destination, and stepped through the next mirror.

Staircases floated through… for want of a better word, he'd just call it the sky. This place was like the crossroads. And broken. A spirit hung in the air. It turned towards Ellana. "Andaran atish'an, mirthardra elvhen."

"More ancient elven," said Ellana.

"If you wish, honoured elvhen, I will speak so your guests understand." The spirit seemed to glow a little brighter. "I am study. I am a learning thirst. Come, know what has not been lost. New words. New stories. The Qunari would not approach, but we learned their words as well. If you wish to exchange knowledge, they congregate by the lower gate."

Knowledge. Spells. Arrows. An exchange was going to happen. "What did the old elves use this place for?" Ellana asked.

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

Maxwell took a step forward. "What put this place into 'disarray'?"

"The Vir Dirthara was made with world and Fade. When they sundered, so did we. Paths broke. Knowledge fragmented. Many were trapped. I preserve their last words."

That did not make sense. And then it started to make a terrible sense. If the Veil had been created, then… "What were these old elves 'last words'?"

"'What happened? Where are the paths? Where are the paths? Gods save me, the floor is gone. Do not let me fall. Do not let me—' On this spot, that is all."

A chill went through his blood. He rubbed his arms. Maker, his hand ached.

Ellana looked around the library. "I could learn so much about my people. What were they like? How long is our history?"

"I will try to recall, honoured patron, but there are gaps…" The spirit faded and brightened. "Breaks…" It flickered again. "Greetings. Laughter. Emma enasal. Forms out of air. Light. Memories. Aneth ara! So many. Broken paths at every…" It flickered faster. "Missing, missing, missing! I cannot! I cannot…" The flickering stopped. "There is no more. Apologies. I knew all once. We knew. With the break, only fragments or knowledge new, since the fall."

Adaar then took a step forward. "We're looking for a Qunari called Viddasala. Do you know what she wants here?"

"Viddasala. Yes. She uses scholars and mages for study. They fear this place, but they seek to know the Veil."

"Why does Viddasala want to know about the Veil?"

"I regret I do not have more information. I am sundered from myself. If you discover another of me nearer the Qunari, I may now more. Kindly give it my greetings. I have not thought with myself for some time. Know this: an unknown person, not of the Qunari, recently woke the Librarians."

"An unknown person? Could this be our agent of Fen'Harel?"

"The Librarians facilitated learning before the fracture. Before the fall. Now, beware them. They are unwell."


They found scattered bodies. Thom knelt beside one. "Wide eyes. And that look on their faces…" He looked up at Maxwell. "I'd almost say they were scared to death."


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

Ellana eyes widened and upon seeing the faces on everyone else they will just much shock as she. "Are these 'records' saying Fen'Harel created the Veil between our world and the Fade?"

"If it's true… that means the Fade and the waking world were once one and the same," said Dorian.

There was so much they didn't know. Not for the first time, she wished Solas was at her side. Perhaps her mentor could make more sense of this.


"This looks like…" Adaar examined the parchment. "Technical notes? What did the Qunari come here to learn?"

Dorian examined them. "I recognise some formulas. The Qunari are trying to prove theoretical magic of some kind.


Maxwell activated the glowing device, and the stones floated up to make a path. Thom watched them go. "Why are these stairs going where we want them to?"

A very good question. Why were they responding to the mark at all? "It's a place of learning. Maybe this 'Vir Dirthara' is helping us find what we need?"


Pain shot through his hand, and she stumbled. Cassandra caught him before he fell. "Inquisitor, we must look at your hand."

"The pain's stopped." It had eased anyway, but Ellana had a worried look on her face.


"Welcome, and listen to the last words of those who walked this place. 'If we get out of here, I will end Fen'Harel!' 'After he held back the sky to imprison the gods, the Dread Wolf disappeared.' 'Lies! We must tear down the Veil! The cities, the pathways… Without magic, they're crumbling!' 'You're wasting your time. Fen'Harel's Veil has turned our empire to ruins.'"

It… Back at the temple, Abelas had said nothing of the Veil. Was this why he had not considered the Dalish his kind? Because they were born after… "So the ancient elven empire collapsed because the Veil weakened magic?" said Ellana.

Cassandra just stared. "If what we're hearing is true, this would have been a disaster beyond measure."


The Viddasala stood on a platform, she brought some similarities to Adaar, but horns didn't resemble ram horns. "Survivor of the Breach. Herald of change. Hero of the South. And his trusted Honour Guard."

It appeared introductions were in order. "The Viddasala, I presume."

"After fulfilling your purpose at the Breach, it is astonishing to hear you still walked free among your people. Your duty is done, Inquisitor. It is time to end your magic."

"The Anchor repairs tears in the Veil," said Maxwell narrowing his eyes. "I would think you would approve of that."

"Is that all it does?" she scoffed. "Tell me, why hold your hand as if it's begun to pay new?" She certainly had the eyes of a Ben-Hassrath. "I am no stranger to catastrophe, but this chaos in the south defies comprehension. The Qun left your people to curb your own magic. You've amply proven we should have stepped in long ago."

"Is that what Dragon's Breath is for?" Ellana glared. "Murdering our heads of state just to control our magic?"

"Do you believe closing the Breach solved everything, that its consequences stopped there? The day we saw the Breach, the Qun decided its action. We would remove your leaders and spare those who toil. The agent of Fen'Harel has disrupted everything. Lives that were to be spared, lost for him!"

"Who is this agent? Why would you think they work for the Inquisition?"

Instead of answering, the Viddasala turned. "Kill the Inquisitor, then follow me to the Darvaarad."

They attacked with velocity, but Ellana and Dorian use their magic to push them backwards. Adaar then charged swinging her greatsword so hard that she sliced right through the blade of a Qunari warrior and his head.

Erdic, Cassandra and Thom charged using their shields to block the blades of the Qunari and while they were distracted Maxwell sneaks behind them and strike them down from behind with his daggers. Varric hangs back and fired bolts from Bianca at any Qunari they got anywhere near the Maxwell.

Ellana sent the last of the Qunari warriors flying off the path with a bolt of magic. Cassandra wiped blood off her blade. "Demons, dragons, and even darkspawn. Now Qunari. I wonder if we will ever run out of things to fight."

Adaar then found more notes. "No wonder the Qunari translated notes into our language. It was for their non-Qunari spies." She held up some documents.

Ellana took the notes from her and examined them. "These are Viddasala's papers. She brought mages here to research strengthening the Veil. It explains why the Qunari thought it was worth camping here."


"Visitors. Patrons. Welcome. The halls are open."

"Can you tell me where a Qunari called the Viddasala went?" Maxwell asked.

If she wasn't mistaken, there was some trace of satisfaction in the spirit's answer. "Yes. We heard much, although she fooled herself into thinking we could not hear. 'Take a keystone to the Darvaarad. I will join you there soon, and take stock of our remaining gaatlok powder.'"

"I found a keystone with one of the Qunari."

"Yes. And you need words for their key. 'Maraas nehraa.' It glows. It will open the way to the Darvaarad. May you find what you seek. In coming here, you strengthened the paths. I can now raise one, if you wish to go."

"You've been very helpful…" He inclined his head to the spirit. "Uh…" Maxwell had no idea what to call it.

"Ghil-Dirthalen was what the elvhen called me. 'One who guides seekers of knowledge true.' I was connection. One city could read the records of another, one elvhen feel the memories of another. When the Veil fell upon us, I marked the end of all they knew."


"You know, when I traveled alone, I'd fight bandits, some drunk chevaliers—nothing out of the ordinary." Thom strode along beside her. "Back with the Inquisition, and a moment later we're battling secret Qunari assassins in a dream-library."

Cassandra laughed. "It has certainly been memorable."

"I wouldn't have missed this for anything."


"Your agents confirm there are gaatlok barrels in Denerim's palace?" Josephine asked.

Leliana nodded to Josephine. "Yes, and in Val Royeaux, and across the Free Marches. The Winter Palace is not the only target."

"The Qunari are one order from destroying every noble house in the known world." Cullen actually paled at the thought.

"There is a bright side: warning the ambassadors will remind them of the Inquisition's value."

Theron shook his head. "Not when the Inquisition is responsible for that threat."

Maxwell sighed. "This is our fault."

"Fault, no. But our responsibility."

Maxwell sighed. "How did it happen?"

"The elven servant handling the barrels confessed to working for the Qunari."

Josephine sketched the air with her pen. "But the servant was Orlesian. That implicates Orlais, not us."

He held up a piece of parchment. "But the barrels arrived at the Winter Palace on the Inquisition's supply manifest."

Cullen sighed. "How are we supposed to fight a war when we can't even trust our own people?"

"Do you know who got the barrels onto the Inquisition manifest?" Erdic asked.

"Yes," Theron nodded. "Several of the Inquisition's elven workers have gone missing. I did some checking. They joined the Inquisition after fleeting the chaos in Kirkwall."

"I remember when Kirkwall was at its worst." Cullen's shoulders slumped. "Many of the city's elves converted to the Qun, trying to find a better life."

"And the Qunari turned them into spies." Josephine sighed.

Adaar slammed a hand on the table. "The Inquisition stopped Corypheus and saved the world. We cannot let outside threat change who we are."

Frustration took over Josephine's face. "I fought to protect the Inquisition in this Exalted Council. And for what? So we could deceive and threaten those we claimed to protect?"

"One we locate the spies—" Cullen began.

"This isn't about the spies!" Josephine threw her writing board onto the table, splashing ink onto the wood. "You hid the Qunari body. You've all but seized control of the Winter Palace!"

Cullen faced her. "We did what was right, not what was politically convenient!"

"Do you know what this has cost us with Orlais and Ferelden? They are planning to dismantle us as we speak!" Josephine turned away. "And perhaps they are right."

The sudden cries from Maxwell turned their attention onto him as he clutched his hand in a pain.

Maxwell started to say something, and pain shot up his hand again. She cried out. "Shit! Damn it! We save Ferelden, and they're angry! We save Orlais, and they're angry! We close the Breach twice, and my own hand wants to kill me! Could one thing in this fucking world just stay fixed?!"

Everyone just stared at him as he cried out in frustration. He took a deep breath and looked his advisers. "I need to get to the Darvaarad. You all can fight amongst yourselves once we're…" He had a feeling that he would be walking out of this this time. "Once we're back."

"Thank you, Inquisitor." Leliana's voice was quiet.

"Would you…" Josephine took a deep breath. "Would you like us to inform the Exalted Council of the danger?"

"Yes. If we fail, the Exalted Council needs to know what happened," said Maxwell. He then turned to his guard. "If I don't survive this the three of you must do whatever it takes to keep order."

"I think I can speak for the entire guard when I say that we will do whatever it takes," said Adaar and Ellana and Erdic nodded.

"I will inform the Exalted Council personally." Leliana drew herself up, every inch the Divine.

"Leliana, I can…"

"No. Your job is hard enough already. This is my responsibility." Leliana's hand twitched, and Brehan's closed around it.

"I'll have guards ready at the eluvian, in case the Qunari attack the palace," said Cullen.

"Maker watch over you."


Once the emerge out of the eluvian Maxwell felt the eyes of all the companions looking down at him as he clenched his fist in pain.

"Leliana told us what happened with your hand. There must be something we can do," said Cassandra desperately.

Maxwell turned to Cassandra and pulled her close. "Whatever happens, I wouldn't trade the years we've had together for anything. I love you."

He could feel tears washing down her cheek as she pressed her face onto his shoulder. "And I you. Always and forever, my love."

"Enjoy me while you can, I expect you all miss me terribly later," said Dorian.

"It's been an honour to kick asses beside you all," said Iron Bull as they approached the eluvian.

"The Darvaarad. All right, everyone. Get ready," said Adaar.

Maxwell glanced at the faces of his guard and companions, and saw worried faces. More than a few eyes flickered to his hand. But they all stood. And they all followed. Maker, he didn't deserve the friends he had.


"I wish I could say I'm surprised that Viddasala wants to murder everyone, but it makes sense," said Iron Bull. They all turned to stare at him. He shrugged. "We tell stories about how corrupt the South is. Who wouldn't want to kill the evil nobles and save the people?"

"Save is rather a strong term, in this case," said Erdic.


They found rooms full of just… stuff. All kinds of things. Dragon skulls. Even one of those artefacts Ellana and Solas had activated. Sera found some parchment. "I know loot lists when I see them. Tracking their stuff like a fat fence. But…" She frowned at the parchment. "They don't sell it? And they're well fit."

And they were able to use the eluvians. "Morrigan said the key to an eluvian could be anything—including knowledge or power," Ellana gestured. "So they're stockpiling both. That's how they got the keystone and opened so many of the eluvians we've seen."

Iron Bull growled. "Hopefully they don't have any more ancient magic crap to throw at us." He glanced in one alcove. "That dragon skull would make a wicked armchair, though. Maybe we could take it back to Skyhold after this?"


There was a roar. Maxwell had heard roars like that one. Through the columns ahead, he saw…

"'Dragon's Breath is…" Adaar stared. "An actual dragon?"

A qunari soldier caught sight of them. "Teth a! Bas!"

Viddasala stepped into the room. "Inquisition! Nehraa ataashi-asaara meravas adim kata!" Soldiers began to move towards them. Viddasala's gaze went to Iron Bull. "Hissrad! Now, please. Vinek kathas."

Iron Bull shook his head. "Not a chance, ma'am." He raised his axe, and buried it in one of the approaching soldiers.


The Qunari soldier attacked them without a second thought, but they felt their blades one by one. In fact Iron Bull was probably the one that killed the most.

"Bull, what you did could not have been easy," said Cassandra.

Iron Bull shrugged. "The Iron Bull is just fine. When this is over drinks on me, probably a lot of." He then looked at Adaar. "You ready to finish this, kadan?"

"As long as you at my side," said Adaar smiled.

"Always."


The dragon was hurt. It was angry. Maxwell could see how to free it. He called instructions to the guard and his companions. He wasn't sure who laughed harder, Iron Bull or Sera.

His hand ached again. It… He held it out and released a blast of energy, using that to clear the obstruction. His companions moved the jets into place, and the guard began to open the gates.

The dragon—Ataashi—roared. It ignored him, the guard and their companions, focusing its rage on the qunari as it made its escape. Maxwell and his friends strode across the bridge that had been cleared by the dragons attack.

"Parshaara!"

Maxwell was about to demand answers of Viddasala when agony burst through his hand once more. He cried out. Cassandra caught him before he could fall.

Viddasala gave him a satisfied look. "Dear Inquisitor, you have such little time left. You must finally see the truth. Elven magic already tore the sky apart. If the agents of Fen'Harel are not stopped, you will shatter the world as well."

"Whatever you think I've done, mass assassination is in a good moral high ground," Maxwell glared.

"The South was poisoned by elves' manipulation. It suffers just as you do now." Viddasala gestured with one hand. "You would have died from the mark on your hand, but for the help of one of their chief agents. The same agent who helped seal the Breach. Who led you to Skyhold. Who gave Corypheus the orb, then founded the Inquisition." Viddasala smirked. "Solas, agent of Fen'Harel."

"Damn it, Chuckles. What have you done?" said Varric shaking his head.

Adaar took a step forward. "Whatever Solas is involved in, the Inquisitor is no puppet and neither are we."

"Even now, you refuse to see the strings." Viddasala shrugged. "Solas tricked us all. He pushed a dying Qunari into the Winter Palace, to lure you into opposing us. Without him, we could have brought the South peace and wisdom along the gentle path. Now we must take the way of blades."

Solas was still helping them. Still protecting them. Maxwell started forward, and cried out in pain again. This time it was Thom that caught him.

"Panahedan, Inquisitor. If it is any consolation, Solas will not outlive you."

The Viddasala and her saarebas entered into the eluvian.

Maxwell looked at Ellana, who just stood there in shock. "Whatever else, Solas was one of us. I won't leave him for Viddasala."

They all nodded and then entered into the eluvian.