The settling of Skyhold, as it was called by Solas, was swift and sure, the ragtag army descending on its crumbling halls like locusts on a field of wheat. Ashiril eagerly walked the massive main hall with her advisors. Josephine did her best to be subtle about covering her nose with a handkerchief. Cullen looked around with stern eyes, and Ash imagined visions of war tapestries and training grounds dancing through his head. Leliana was a mask, as usual, but Ash would almost swear she caught a glint of excitement in the spymaster's eyes.

Ash had lived in forests most her life. But the thought of heading a force within this castle thrilled her. She wanted to decorate. She began barking orders for each decrepit corner she came across. The elf had never had so much in common with Josephine.

Soon after, she walked the grounds with Cassandra, listening to her friend's update on how Skyhold would be a boon for those throughout the land.

"We have a new understanding of the situation. We know now why Corypheus is drawn to you," her velvet voice carried on sternly.

"Yes. Comforting at least to know the mark I carry is of no use to him anymore," Ash regarded the bright green gash across her left palm.

"The Anchor has power. But it's not why you're still standing here," Cassandra agreed. She continued across the yard. Ash followed, looking around at the people as they unpacked, raised tents, settled, talked, healed. She caught an occasional glimpse of a broad-brimmed, beaten hat and remembered the strange boy they'd met before Haven fell. Cole, was it? She'd have to look into that. Ash smiled to herself. It was her duty now, to be in the know, and not just a nosey pastime.

They were ascending steps to the main building. Cassandra was waxing more poetic about Ash's efforts of late, of how her decisions had led them through so much. Was that Leliana with the ornate sword she'd seen in their War Table room in the past?

A knot twisted Ash's stomach. Wait. Had she missed something? Damn her wandering attention.

"The Inquisition requires a leader," Cassandra concluded firmly, stepping aside to allow Ash access to the sword Leliana held out for her. "The one who has already been leading it."

Ash's skin prickled as if someone was watching her. She glanced to the side.

Oh.

The entirety of the camp gathered below the stony steps, gazing up at Ash, Cassandra, and Leliana. Their expectant faces looked to her with a regard and hope that unsettled her.

Ash had been one of many warriors in her clan back home. She was a good one, to be sure, but the Keeper had made it very clear he disapproved of her reckless abandon and disregard for tradition. She'd never felt the burden of leadership before. She had never been interested.

If only the Keeper could see her now. How he would laugh. Or in his case, snort amusedly before resuming a stern and disapproving glare.

Ash took a deep, steadying breath. There was Josephine next to Cullen, her eyes brightened by her charming smile. And Cullen was staring so intently she felt a blush creep over her. Where were the others? Blackwall? She imagined they were lost in the throng. There were so many people.

Cassandra was waiting for her response.

"Er… It's unanimous?" Ash finally managed. "You all have that much confidence in me?"

"All of these people have their lives because of you," the warrior wasn't budging. She continued, acquiescing that handing such power to anyone is an important decision, that it must be ordained, and that the future of the Inquisition was in Ashiril's hands.

The elf stepped up to Leliana and regarded the blade. It was mainly ornamental. Ash could never wield it like she did her family's great axe. It would be worn to a dented mess within a day. But that wasn't the point.

She lifted the blade. A resolve stirred inside her. So she hadn't asked for this. It was hers now, and Ash always did enjoy a good challenge.

"Then… I will lead us against Corypheus. Not for power, or my own peace, or because it was ordained. But because he must be stopped, for Thedas. Because it's what is right."

Not bad. Nothing to write home about, but succinct, she nodded to herself.

Ash was dimly aware of Cassandra addressing the crowd. Cullen's voice rang out, and the crowd roared in response. Her heart swelled with the excitement. She raised the sword high above her head and elicited another cheer from the people below. Ash wanted to laugh aloud. Thank Thedas she had been so stubborn all those years ago to learn the two-handed warrior way. She had honed her slight muscles into steel, out of sheer will to disprove those in her clan who thought her far too small to be a successful warrior. How difficult would it have been to hold this chunk of steel aloft otherwise?

With the ceremony concluded, Ash thanked her advisors and continued into the great hall. There was an improved spring in her step. An unexpected fire in her gut. She had half a mind to track down Blackwall and explain how she understood him all the more now.

But first, business. Ash went back to her quarters to put her token sword on display, taking a few moments to admire it and reflect on her new role. Her eyes settled on her wardrobe. Of course. A new role begat new clothes.

When she emerged from her chambers, she was dressed in a shimmering red-gold dress of ornamental scales, a silk sash of deep blue encircling her slim waist. Exquisite leather boots studded with the same red-gold metal rose to her thighs. Gloves of the same soft leather enclosed her hands. She had even braided her long auburn hair in the fashion of her people before battle.

She pushed open the door to Josephine's work area and took a moment to admire how the Antivan had already decorated it with furniture and paintings. The woman looked up from her desk and was briefly taken aback at the Inquisitor's new look.

"You look lovely, yet intimidating," Josephine decided.

"It's a day of firsts," she shrugged. Josephine smiled and briefly dropped her eyes to the letter she was writing.

"I meant to tell you, Inquisitor, that we have all settled in well. I recommend you check in as time allows. Varric and Solas are near the Great Hall. I believe Dorian is rooting through our library on the second floor. Iron Bull acquaints himself with the tavern. Cassandra is, of course, training. Vivienne and Sera are out on the grounds at the moment. Cole is… well. I'll get back to you on that. And Blackwall," Ash detected a lilting note to the way she said the warrior's name, "has been asking for you. I believe he is just outside the main hall."

Ash hoped the Antivan didn't see her blush.

They exchanged a few more words about the previous day before the tone shifted.

"Inquisitor, is it true?" Josephine had not spoken with Ash directly about any of the recent events. "Corypheus is responsible for the mark on your hand?"

"So he claims."

"And here we so firmly believed in Andraste's hand in all this. How credulous of me," Josephine accepted the news with characteristic grace. It made something bend in Ash. Perhaps there was no harm in a little hope.

"Corypheus is as reliable a narrator as my babala. It might be that the Maker was involved, and we are merely too close to see it," Ash shrugged.

"It would be fitting, if that were true," the accommodating Antivan said. She lowered her long-lashed eyes from Ash's face. She spoke again, hesitantly this time. "Does it… hurt? Your mark. The 'Anchor,' as it were."

Ash raised an eyebrow. They all knew more of the mark, but it was still largely a mystery.

"Only when I laugh," she smirked. Josephine pursed her lips and looked up at the elf with amusement dancing in her eyes.

"The pain must be a hardship, indeed."

Ash inclined her head and turned to leave.

"A moment, more, Inquisitor," Josephine called. The elf's shoulders slumped a fraction. "There are some matters on which I would have your input." Ash sighed, spinning on the ball of her foot and fixing a polite smile to her lips.

"Of course." Ash would be a responsible leader, damn it. No matter how boring it could be.