Leliana studied the two women standing opposite of her. She had never seen Cassandra look so worn and the Inquisitor was not appearing much better. She had read Solas's reports on both their healths. Evelyn's wounds were healing but the mark was still taking a toll on the young woman while Cassandra appeared to have been half starved to death. It was little wonder both appeared ragged. If the situation were not so dire, the spymaster would have been the first to suggest that the council's line of questioning be put on hold for a few days, but with the destruction of Adamant looming against the question of where the seeker's had gone on top of the… disturbing incident of a rift that had seemingly closed all on its own, an incident the spymaster had witnessed with her own eyes… they could ill afford to wait at all. Leliana caught the unspoken question in Josephine's eyes and nodded as she clasped her hands behind her back and shifted her weight.

"We have received several reports concerning the events of your journey to the Fade Inquisitor, as well as what was discovered once you returned. So too have we heard about the abandonment of Caer Oswin, but little else has been uncovered to put to rest the question of what has happened to the Seekers of Truth. I hesitate to ask but it seems that only the two of you can fill in the gaps for us all."

She paused and fixed her fellow hand with a concerned look as she softened the edge of her voice. "Cassandra… were you able to identify your captors? Were you able to discover the fate of your order?"

Cassandra drew a deep breath and closed her eyes as she allowed her weight to rest against the cool stone wall. The tremors had returned once more and she refused to appear weak before her peers. She had been waiting for the question, dreading the thought of reliving those dark events within her own mind yet Leliana spoke true; she was the only one who could shed light on the disappearance of her order as well as identify the other players who had been involved. She nodded and began.

The senechal listened in rapt attention as the seeker described what had befallen her in her usual brusque factual way, but despite the even tone Leliana was shocked at the depth of deception Cassandra had uncovered. The Lord Seeker had betrayed the entire order. He had sold his brothers and sisters to the enemy and fed his soldiers to the destruction of demons. He had allowed them to be experimented on, all at the behest of an ancient being even HE did not believe was a god. A part of Leliana ached for her friend; for having to face such betrayal, for having to give the only apprentice she had ever known a clean death in order to save him from the corruption that threatened to take over. It took the former bard back to another lifetime, to a dungeon not far from where she now stood, to a moment where she'd had to slide a knife across a friend's throat to free him from the pain other's had inflicted simply because of his association with her and Marjolaine. The seeker's tale only intensified and the spymaster listened carefully as Cassandra described the dungeon in which she was held. The appearance of Corypheus and Calpernia were unsurprising, it only made sense for the two of them to be involved. Leliana was impressed by the seeker's sheer willpower as she described her attack against the pair. That she had even succeeded in wounding the both of them in her weakened state was commendable; a true testament to the devastation that could be wrecked with the warrior's impressive skills.

"But after that moment I was met with a new face; one I had seen but once before…"

Leliana lifted her brow at the faint pause in Cassandra's speech and followed the seeker's gaze to find her staring at the Inquisitor with a look of pained disquiet as if she were apologizing for what she would say next.

"It was... Bann Trevelyan. He said…"

"No! Impossible!"

The bard watched as the Inquisitor sprang to action, fists clenched as stomping footsteps brought her to stand before the seeker. She saw Cullen start and held up a hand to still his desire to intervene.

Evelyn searched Cassandra's eyes for any mistake, for any uncertainty to her identification. Seeing none the rogue turned back and glared at the cowled figure in the corner, her voice dangerously low.

"Leliana I want him found NOW. I want him uprooted from whatever hovel his ass rests within and brought here NOW."

Cassandra reached for the Inquisitor, her fingertips brushing the soft fabric of her tunic, her voice rough from the strain of recounting the events that had befallen her. "Inquisitor, we have greater concerns to focus our attent -"

"No."

Evelyn turned and fixed the taller woman with a glare, repeating her earlier outburst. "No. Right now this is MY greatest concern. He hates me, he has always hated me and that I can forgive BUT for him to harm the one I - "

"He did not harm me. At worst he taunted me but he never laid a hand on me Inquisitor."

The redhead jerked her head from side to side before fixing her eyes on her spymaster once more, refusing to lose herself in Cassandra's patient gaze. "I care not. Find him Leliana, find him now or I swear by every relic the two of you hold holy I will find him myself."

Leliana nodded once, more to cool the rise of the young noble's temper than anything else. She blamed herself. Cassandra had come to her after the Winter Palace and told her of the words she and the Bann had exchanged but the spymaster had thought nothing of it. The man's hatred of his youngest was well documented and his remarks, although scathing, were to be expected. She failed to detect the hidden malice in them and as a result she had misread the threat the man had posed. His capture could not be their greatest concern but that would not stop her from putting her very best on his trail. Her attention was recaptured by the Antivan ambassador's cultured tone.

"Please continue Lady Cassandra."

Cassandra threw another look towards the young rogue whose back was now to her shaking with what she could only assume was tempered rage. She wanted nothing more than to go to her now, to soothe the anger seething beneath the now mostly calm surface. She knew such emotions all too well but now was not the time, not when there was so much more to tell. She turned her gaze towards her fellow hand and revealed, what she was sure would be, the next bombshell.

"We have a spy Leliana. I only saw him once, but I would recognize him again. He came down to the dungeon's with Lucius garbed in the same manner as your own agents. I did not hear what was said but it could explain why I was targeted."

Leliana grit her teeth. Of course double agents were expected; a contingency she planned for but to hear her worst fears confirmed was unsettling. Her mind flew into action, hatching plans within plans. She would have to clean house now; she would have to re-vet all but her most trusted agents. The task itself was daunting but there could be no further mistakes. She had already allowed Bann Trevelyan to slip through her scrutiny and she could ill afford dissention within her own ranks. The Left Hand turned and briskly walked toward the door, opening it to signal to Charter who she had placed on stand-by following the de-briefing.

Evelyn watched as the cowled figure spoke in hushed tones to, what she could only assume was one of her fellow redhead's agents. Her mind was reeling already, blood pumping at the sheer nerve of her father. How could she have let this happen? How the hell did he find out about her and Cassandra? And why would he align with Corypheus of all people? Her sire had always been a sanctimonious prick, forever going on about the Chantry and all the good deeds he had funded. To think he would give all that up, risk his "good name" on such a gamble was… unimaginable. Evelyn caught the seeker looking at her, worry etched within the harsh angles of her face. She shook her head, waving aside Cassandra's concern. A part of her wanted to rail at the other woman still, to demand to know why she had not said something during the ride back to Skyhold but such actions were futile now. A light touch to her arm pulled the Inquisitor back to the present.

"Are you alright?"

The Free Marcher fought the desire to lean into the touch and forced herself to pull back from it as she fixed the taller woman with a hard stare. "Why did you not tell me on the ride back? We were alone. You could have told me then Cassandra."

The seeker winced at the harsh hiss of words and nodded at the truth of them. Evelyn was not wrong. She could have told her, should have told her but the words were hard enough to force from her lips just this once. Cassandra could not imagine telling such a tale over and over again. She shook her head. No. The course of action she had chosen was best.

"What's done is done. I am telling you now Inquisitor."

Evelyn felt a growl vibrate low in her throat at the stubbornness of the expected response and glared at the seeker, a sarcastic response at her lips. Her snarky reply was cut short by the icy lilt of Leliana's voice drawing her back to the task at hand.

"What of Lucius Cassandra? Where is the Lord Seeker now?"

The seeker paused her response, her mind projecting a memory from the Fade nightmare; a memory of crushed bone and flesh torn beneath a malignant smile. She shook her head and sighed. "I know not. When I was in the Fade I saw him or a vision of him. He told me he was dead, though I do not know if such a declaration is true. I do know Corypheus held him responsible for my attack and nothing we have learned of this darkspawn creature has indicated a forgiving nature."

Leliana nodded in agreement. "Yes, in all likelihood the Lord Seeker is dead but I will assign agents to search him out all the same. I have already instructed Charter to find Bann Trevelyan and bring him here. She will not fail; she is my most trusted agent."

Evelyn nodded curtly, "Good. And when you do find him I want to be there for the interrogation Leliana."

The spymaster frowned, hesitant to allow such a thing to be witnessed. She had no intention of going easy on the noble and one way or another the odious man would pay for his part in Cassandra's capture. Leliana studied the leader in front of her. It was clear that the other woman's earlier anger had not abated but even though she and her father were not close could she stomach watching the methods the spymaster had perfected over the years? Should she bear witness to that possible brutality? Shaking her head, Leliana refused the request.

"No. It is best you leave that to me Inquisitor. Be assured that all our questions will be dutifully answered before I release the Bann for the sentencing of his crimes."

The young rogue bristled, "Sentencing? What sentencing? There will be no such thing, I will take his head myself!"

"Careful your Worship, doing so may do more harm for our cause than good."

Josephine flinched as a sharp green gaze was turned on her, red brows raised in a sign of disbelief. The ambassador rushed to defend her warning before the leader's infamous temper escalated further.

"The people know who you are my lady and so they will know that this man is your father. No matter the estrangement, there are many who would be shocked by a daughter ordering the public execution of her sire. There will be others still who will be outraged should said execution be performed by that daughter. I know you will next say that there will be no trial but I implore you Herald, there must be one. Even if Leliana's spies are successful in routing the Bann from wherever he is without notice, surely there are those within our own keep that will learn of his stay here. Failing to provide a public reason for his imprisonment would only stir the rumor mill. I understand your anger truly but there must be a better way."

Leliana nodded, "Our ambassador is right Inquisitor, but there are many fates that are worse than a quick death no? Think of those you have already sentenced; Ser Ruth, Gereon Alexius… both of them begged for death and yet you chose not to recompense their demands. Instead you forced them to live, to awake each day bearing the weight of their crimes…"

"Ha! If you think my father will beg for death you are mistaken spymaster. And as far as him waking each day with the thought of those he has wronged; his regrets will only be that his plans were thwarted, that his youngest bested him and that he has lost. He is not a man who accepts defeat. If I leave him alive then he will spend every minute of waking schemeing to take me down once more."

Cassandra flinched at the harsh bark of laughter that escaped the Inquisitor. From what little the seeker had been able to gather of her captor, Evelyn was not mistaken. The Bann seemed uniquely determined to destroy what he considered the least of his children. An idea came to mind and she cleared her throat, pausing as all eyes in the room turned towards her.

"A solution if I may. Since I am the wronged party, perhaps it best that I be the one to demand satisfaction from the Bann. This will -"

Evelyn narrowed her eyes, shaking her head a low growl escaping her lips. "The hell you will Cassandra. I will not permit you -"

"Permit me!? You may command me in battle Inquisitor, you may decide what actions I take within the Inquisition but your authority stops there Trevelyan."

The rogue recoiled at the harshness of her lover's tone, wincing at the accented snarl of her family name. Cassandra had rarely used her surname and that had only been at the beginning of their acquaintanceship. To hear it now, after so much had passed between them… No, Evelyn shook the wounded feeling aside - fighting the urge to plead with the woman. She had almost lost her once; she could not… would not stand by only to risk losing her again.

Weak

The Nightmare's voice returned to breath softly in her ear and the Free Marcher flinched at an accusation she could hardly deny. What she felt for seeker did make her weak in some ways, but in others it forced her to find her strength; it was impossible to separate one from the other. Clearing her throat, Evelyn equivocated and stepped towards the tense warrior.

"I did not mean that the way it sounded Cassandra…"

Josephine interjected, the Right Hand's suggestion had struck just the right note of justice, a point she wanted to make before the two lovers began another argument Clearing her throat she burst past the Inquisitor's almost apology.

"Allowing Cassandra to battle the Bann would be both pleasing to the public and resolve the issue of allowing your father to keep his life. The Bann is no warrior and there are few that can best our seeker. Since he is directly responsible for her abduction it is only fair that she be allowed to meter out his just reward no?"

Evelyn glared at the smiling diplomat, her mind hatching a myriad of ways to get back at the eternally polite Antivan. She looked to Cullen and Leliana for support only to be met with short nods of agreement. The rogue sighed heavily, her shoulders falling as she accepted her war council's seemingly unanimous decision. "Fine have it your way - since you all so rarely agree on any course of action It appears that my opinion does not matter and the council has spoken. Let us move on."

Leliana felt her lips twitch at the backhanded compliment followed by the pout that shaped the other woman's lips. With the weight of the world on such slim shoulders it was easy to forget just how young their elected leader was. The spymaster nodded and took command of the de-briefing once more, steeling her emotions for the next thread of conversation.

"The reports mentioned your time in the Fade Inquisitor as well as a certain spirit who…"

Cassandra drew back, having already heard Dorian's version as they had stowed away the horses in Master Dennet's care. She did not want to think on the possibility of Justinia's spirit trapped in a neverending nightmare. Maker's breath… after all that dear woman had given, to think she would not immediately go to the Maker's side… the seeker shook her head. No, such things did not bear thinking about. Such issues only confused and drew on the insecurities of faith. She watched as the two redheaded rogues conversed back and forth with small pauses as Cullen and Josephine voiced their own inquiries. She studied Evelyn even closer, her earlier anger at the presumptuous command forgotten as tired eyes followed the shape of slumped shoulders. It had surprised the seeker that Leliana had called the meeting even knowing what little she had gathered concerning recent events. Cassandra suspected the Left of having her own agenda, one which she was clearly struggling to leave for last. The journey to and out of the Fade had not been all that the Tevinter mage had revealed. He had also let slip that their return had placed them in the center of what appeared to be a ritualistic massacre of Grey Wardens; something Cassandra found almost impossible to believe. The order of Grey Wardens had existed even before her own and carried with it a heroic legacy. The men and women who entered service did so with no hope of being remembered for their sacrifice but took it upon themselves to protect the whole of Thedas from horrors most could not begin to fathom. They tainted their bodies to serve and walked towards their assured deaths serving still. The seeker knew that the order did not shy from blood magic, a fact that had enraged Cassandra to no end as a youth, but to sacrifice their own people…

Hazel eyes narrowed as arms crossed, impatient to move past the discussion of the Fade. If it were up to her she would prefer to bury that memory and never visit it again. She watched as Leliana made small notes on a piece of parchment before tucking it into her glove, blue eyes sharpening beneath that ever present cowl as Cassandra released a huff of annoyance.

"This is not the time nor the place to play games Leliana. The Inquisitor is almost dead on her feet and I am not far behind her. Ask what it is you really want to know so that this meeting can be adjourned."

Leliana tilted her head, surprised at the ease in which Cassandra had read her and the veiled ferocity behind the words. For all that her associate professed to hate the Game she was uniquely adept at reading it. The spymaster caught the questioning look tossed between herself and the seeker by the Inquisitor and forced her own annoyance at the interruption aside. Cassandra was not wrong in her assessment and truthfully there was little either of them would be able to tell her about the destruction of Adamant since by all accounts both had been unconscious or nearly so by the time the party had escaped through the rift. The spymaster bowed slightly, her tone much lighter than her mood.

"Very well. You both can go; I will speak to Dorian and the Iron Bull concerning the other matter."

Evelyn started to ask what other matter but stopped as she caught the spark of warning in dark hazel eyes. She wanted to know what she had missed; what had occurred that so clearly had unsettled the normally level headed bard. She remembered nothing but the pain being etched across her back and the solidness of the qunari's broad shoulders as he had hefted her over them like a sack of potatoes. She had awoken to the welcome sight of Cassandra, unsure of where she was but relieved to know that the woman she loved was alive and, for the most part, well. The Free Marcher felt a gentle tug at her arm, responding more to the husked rasp of Cassandra's voice than the light touch or actual words.

"Come Inquisitor. I will escort you to your quarters and send for a healer. Wounds from demons should not be taken so lightly."

She turned to follow, missing the puzzled look that passed over Cullen's face and the exchange of small smiles between the spymaster and ambassador. Instead she fell in step behind the seeker, allowing herself to be led away from the war room and up to her quarters. Her appreciation the view afforded her did not distract from the light limp that disrupted the seeker's normally confident step nor the worrying slowness of her own movements. Evelyn once again cursed the timing of events as the door to her quarters opened. The last time they had been together in this part of the keep she had been at the seeker's mercy, unease mixing with anger and desire as she fought to keep hold of the will to end things. In that she had failed miserably and considered herself a fool for even trying to sever the bond the two of them shared. She did not know what the future held, nor if she would even survive to see it, but whatever time she had left she wanted to spend it with this brash woman who had so quickly captivated and changed her very outlook on life.

"You are quiet."

The rough accent broke through her thoughts and the Inquisitor blinked as she realized they had come to the first step. She felt the questioning stare and rose to meet it, flashing the warrior what she knew was a tired smirk.

"I was simply enjoying the view."

Cassandra snorted and shook her head at the light tease, a part of her gladdened to hear it. The familiar turn of the rogue's lips did nothing to disguise her fatigue and the seeker wondered if the both of them would make it up the single flight of stairs. Had this been any other time the seeker would have offered to help her friend, even carry her up steps but Cassandra was warrior enough to recognize her own limitations. She had sorely miscalculated just how weak a forced fast could make one feel. She let her back rest against the wall and tipped her head back as she exhaled, content to offer a brief moment of rest in the guise of conversation.

"Maker, I have not been this drained since my first week of seeker training." She turned and cast an apprehensive look at the woman beside her. "I do not know how it is you are still standing. I helped Solas change your bandaging as you slept, the demon… suffice it to say the scars that will be left behind may even put Leliana's to shame."

Evelyn chuckled softly, her natural wit turning her response towards jest. "I've heard scars are all the rage this season. When is the next ball? I'll have to employ an entire battalion to fend off those Orlesian ladies." She paused to appreciate the brief laugh accompanied by an exaggerated eye roll before tilted her head, brow furrowing slightly as she joined the seeker on the wall. "Leliana has scars on her back as well?"

She watched as the seeker nodded once, a faint smile playing on her lips. Her lips. The thought brought with it a myriad of memories that spurned her forward. Ignoring the pain in her back Evelyn stubbornly pushed away from the wall and curved a single hand around the taller woman's neck. She tangled her fingers in the short hairs at the base as she pulled those lips towards hers. She swallowed the soft gasp, answering it with one of her own as she tasted Cassandra for the first time in what seemed like months. Evelyn pressed her body against the seeker's, leaning into her, gripping those generous hips in an effort to stop her hands from roaming as those lips softened under her, parting slowly. Teasing flicks drew the seeker's tongue forward to tangle with her own as the kiss slowly grew heated. She slid her hand lower, cupping the hard curve of muscle and pulled the warrior closer as her thigh slipped between Cassandra's earning a husky but reproving whisper of her name. Evelyn groaned as she pulled away, tracing the other woman's jaw line, pressing kisses along the edge, hiding her regret in the crook of the seeker's neck as pain warred with the desire pulsated in her veins.

"Maker Cassandra I want you but…"

Cassandra nodded as the soft words panted against her skin, the exchange had rendered her breathless, the trembling in her limbs returning to remind the seeker of her own weakened state.

"I know, but we should stop for now. I will send for a healer so that you can rest."

Evelyn nodded, nuzzling her lover's neck, lips brushing the delicate curve of her ear, "I don't want to stop… these past few days, I've thought of nothing but the moment I could have you back in my arms… of all the ways I would say I was sorry, of all the ways I would prove just how grateful I am to have you back with me but I cannot... my back feels like I've been rubbing up on a rage demon and I need to lie down." She paused and turned her head to look into the seeker's eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "Will you come back to me once the healer leaves?"

Cassandra pulled back and shook her head as a incredulous chuckle escaped her lips. "You can not be serious? Neither of us are in any -"

Evelyn shook her head a wry smirk gracing her lips. "Not for that. As much as I want to rip your clothing from your body and do any number of unspeakable things that might make you do more than whisper my name I know trying right now is futile. No. I ask because when you are near, the mark is quiet and the nightmares stay away…" She let her voice trail off at the sharp look directed at her and internally cursed her choice of words.

Cassandra pushed away from the wall, reaching down to lift the marked hand with her own, a scowl of concern marring her features. "What do you mean the mark is quiet?"

Evelyn slid her hand away from the gentle touch and let it fall again to rest at her side as she ran her other through her hair. "It is nothing Cassandra, forget I sa -"

"I thought the pain had went away after the Breach was closed in Haven. You told me it was so. What has changed? How long has this been going on?"

The questions came at her in rapid succession, the seeker's gloved hand grabbing her arm to raise the hand in question, reminding the Inquisitor of Haven and the first time she had met the brash Right Hand of the Divine. The rogue yanked her arm away, her voice cold. "Please. I don't want to talk about this right now.."

Cassandra opened her mouth to argue, to force the issue but closed it again, giving the other woman a curt nod, her lips thinned with the effort of allowing the matter to rest. "We will speak of this another time Inquisitor. Wait here and I will send for a healer."

Evelyn sighed at the use of her title and waved the seeker away. "Very well." She watched as the warrior marched back to the door and disappeared into the great hall. The rogue leaned against the cold stone and winced. She reached her hand back, feeling the heated flesh, wondering just how bad the wounds would scar, how long they would take to heal. The Inquisitor turned to glare at the stairs and then back at the door, shrugging aside the seeker's command to wait as she took on the first stair and then the other. Sweat beaded at her forehead as she grit her teeth, determined to make it to the top before Cassandra returned unsure if it was stubbornness or impatience that was driving her forward. She heard the sound of a door opening, then voices and she cursed under her breath, forcing herself to move faster, ignoring the surprised accented curse. Two stairs left and her gait faltered, strong hands gripped her hips, steadying her as Solas's voice washed over her.

"Careful or you will re-open the wounds Inquisitor. The demon's talons flayed apart your back and my magic can only do so much at a time. You should be resting, not fighting with the stairs."

The Free Marcher turned to glare at the elf, annoyed by the amused upward turn of his lips but held back the quick retort that threatened to spring forth. Instead she shrugged off the hands that held her steady and defiantly climbed the last two steps. Her body sagging into the warmth of Cassandra's as the warrior pressed against her side, leading her slowly towards the bed. Evelyn fell on her stomach, letting her eyes drift shut as she sank into the plush mattress of the Orlesian monstrosity that took up the majority of her quarters. It was the one luxury she had allowed herself, much to Josephine's delight and it was one she was most grateful for now. She felt soft hands pushing her tunic up and turned her head to see the look of pained empathy on her seeker's face as the cooling rush of healing magic washed over her. Evelyn grit her teeth as every muscle screamed into life before she felt her body slowly relax and the tension in her back released, driven away by magic. The rogue fell into a pleasant lassitude that was only broken only by the sound of Solas's sigh, signaling his exhaustion. She closed her eyes, willing sleep to take her before the spell wore off.

Cassandra watched as the livid skin beneath the thick scars seemed to crawl under the healing light and felt the hand clasped in her own flex and then tighten. Guilt washed over the seeker as she, once again, mentally berated herself for failing in her duty to protect the woman beside her; her mind imagining just how much worse the injury could have been. She had seen worse certainly but seeing such injuries visited on a friend or brother in arms was very different than seeing them on the body of the person you loved. Her eyes flitted from prone figure to the focused mage, the latter's soft sigh pulling her from her thoughts.

"That will be enough for now Solas."

The mage nodded, relieved and released his spell before gently tugging down the young woman's tunic. He reached into the pouch at his side and handed the seeker a small vile.

"She will need this once the magic completely leaves her body. The muscles are still stitching and this will help… alleviate her discomfort."

He watched, faintly amused as the seeker's high cheekbones seemed to flush, a dark eyebrow arching upwards.

"You assume I am sleeping here?"

The elf shrugged and gave the now scowling warrior a bemused smile, "I assume nothing seeker Pentaghast. I know only that were it me who was fortunate enough to have someone go through such a thing and risk so much for, I would certainly stay by their side no matter what others might presume."

He paused as he gathered his things before turning towards the stairs to leave, amused by the faint huff that rolled of the intimidating woman. Solas turned and cast an amused look at the seeker, noting that she had not released their leader's hand.

"But perhaps that is just me."

Cassandra glared at the retreating healer, sighing as the door below opened and shut. She looked at the relaxed figure that lay so still in the bed and then at the hand squeezed tightly inside her own. It truly was pointless to pretend anymore. The seeker slowly extricated her hand from the Inquisitor's and settled into a nearby chair. Evelyn had said her presence warded off the nightmares, Cassandra mused as she felt her own exhaustion creeping in. She shook aside the unwelcome heaviness and stood once more to pace the room. If the Herald needed her she would stay and do all she could to ensure the younger woman was given the chance to heal.