A/N: Hey everyone! Thank you for being so patient with me as I wrote up chapter 4, your patience was worth it, I like to think. We're finally getting to the REAL beginning of this adventure with this chapter, so enjoy!

Antinnis wasn't at all surprised at how many people with fancy titles were trying to get favors out of him at the party. By his count, four Ferelden banns, 2 Orlesian dukes, and even an Antivan prince had all asked for the Inquisition's assistance with one stupid thing or another. It was to the point that he all but automatically replied to each with "Please refer all requests and favors through a letter to Ambassador Montilyet." While this was not unexpected, being the most powerful individual in Thedas after all, it was frustrating to not be approached by someone who wasn't trying to get something out of him. He downed a cup of wine like it was water and grumbled inaudibly.

"Lord Inquisitor Trevelyan," came a voice from his left. Antinnis turned, prepared to deliver the same line he'd been saying for the past three hours, only to be greeted by a face with a genuine smile on it. The man's short hair and trimmed beard were streaked with silver-white hairs, giving him a distinguished look. Despite the many battles his physique implied, he still had the look and air of a noble about him. He extended a hand, ringed with a twisted loop of rosewood with shifting shapes running across it. "We haven't met in person, but have had a number of dealings. Aedan Cousland, First Warden and occasional Arl of Amaranthine, at your service."

Antinnis happily shook the man's hand. "At last I get to meet the Hero of Ferelden after all these years! I've heard so much about you, and your gifts were all very well-received."

"No doubt Leliana filled your ears with the many adventures we had," the man laughed. "I've also heard much about you from my wife and son, all good things of course. Again, I cannot thank you and the Inquisition enough for your support and assistance of my family. I'd send more gifts, but with the recent relocation of our main headquarters to Ferelden, I'm in a bit of a disarray."

"Ah yes, I had heard that you moved the headquarters from Weisshaupt to Amaranthine and became the de facto arl."

"Again, you mean. When I was Warden-Commander, King Alistair gave the arling to the Grey Wardens and the title to the presiding Warden-Commander and so I became arl. But since Ferelden doesn't need a Warden-Commander now, I made my successor the Warden-Commander of the Anderfels and I'm arl again, with all the joys that office gives me."

"I know the feeling. So many people expect me to mediate arguments, do favors, settle disputes, change minds…thank the Maker I have advisors. Speaking of nobility, will your wife be joining us this evening?"

"Arlessa Morrigan, as she's now fond of calling herself, has opted to stay home, though she sends her greetings to you personally." Aedan motioned towards a less-crowded section of the marketplace and lowered his voice. "Now that we're away from the crowd, I trust you've heard about the incident in Minrathous?"

"Half the nobles here are discussing it. Six dead magisters? A member of the Magisterium babbling in Ancient Tevene before killing them with powerful blood magic? I have a friend in the Magisterium who barely survived it, he said there was no lead-up to it the weeks and months before it happened. Yet, the Imperium seems to be unfazed, despite how unprecedented something like this is. While everyone across southern Thedas talks about it, it's as if the Tevinters think it's just a night terror."

Aedan stroked his beard thoughtfully before leaning in to whisper. "It gets stranger. I have a…friend among the Qunari, an old companion during the Fifth Blight. Two weeks ago, an elven man came to the other Warden fortress in Ferelden, Soldier's Peak. How he knew I'd be there with Morrigan for the week instead of at Vigil's Keep is beyond me. He delivered a simple message: 'The day I spoke to you about may arrive soon, kadan. I will not look for you upon the battlefield if it comes.' When I implored, the messenger stated that all he knew was that something Tevinter did was causing the Qunari to ready their forces for an attack."

"Another Qunari invasion after all these years? Are you sure?"

"My old companion? He's the Qunari Arishok – leader of their military."

Antinnis' eyes widened a little. "If the Qunari launch an invasion, the Imperium will likely call for help…"

"…and whether or not anyone comes to their aid, the war will spill into the rest of Thedas. Anyone who sides with Tevinter will be declaring war on the Qunari, who have agents and assassins in every major city from Minrathous to Denerim. Anyone who doesn't will still be a target, considering that the last Qunari invasion wasn't limited to one nation."

"A violation of the Llomeryn Accords…that is a grim prospect. Maybe I need to reach out to my own Qunari contact, within their intelligence network. He may not be as high up in the chain of command as your friend, but I may be able to find out a little bit more." Antinnis looked the First Warden in the eye. "I know you Wardens stay neutral in political matters, but a war will affect all of us. Your people and your family have both worked with the Inquisition in the past; can I rely on your cooperation now?"

Aedan clasped the Inquisitor's shoulder. "You have it, Lord Trevelyan. Now, we should probably get back to mingling, lest we attract unwanted eavesdroppers." The two heroes rejoined the main party and took two more glasses of wine. Aedan nudged Antinnis and pointed towards their children, who were dancing together to a melody the orchestra had just struck up. "They seem quite taken with each other, don't you think?"

"She's been taken with him ever since she first met him when she was still a girl."

"Morrigan is desperate to marry Kieran off, it's usually the first thing she comments on whenever he visits. She counts you as a friend and respects your lover, despite how she may feel about the Chantry. Perhaps after we've saved the world, we could discuss a marriage between the two…?"

"And here all I promised Avexis I'd do is arrange for her to spend some time with the man. Let's save the world first, then we'll negotiate," Antinnis chuckled. "The heroes of Thedas, together at last and allied to protect the world once again." He raised his glass. "To peace!"

Aedan clinked his glass to his companion's. "To new friends when they're need most!"

Just then, a bloodcurdling screech carried high above the party. The gates cordoning the marketplace off busted open as red and black-clad soldiers swarmed in, blades brandished but not attacking. A shadow fell over the panicking partygoers as a large creature landed upon one of the buildings. It was a dragon, larger than any high dragon and as black as obsidian. As it glared at the gathered nobles, a voice boomed within their very minds. "Tremble, mortals! For too long you have forgotten me and my brothers, worshipping another god in our place. Now it is time to be reminded of whom you have neglected! I am fire and death, retribution and justice! The God of Vengeance! I AM DRACONIS!"