"Cullen, you sent for me?"

Cullen looked up from his table to see Alex entering her office, after they had watched her sister and her cousins leave Skyhold. "The red lyrium deposits are being destroyed, and we've cut the red templars to the the core." He told her, "It's a pity Maddox thought his sacrifice was the only answer. But that leaves Samson with a severely curtailed army, and enchanted armor he can't maintain. You did it."

Alex smiled at him, "We both fought to make this happen. Don't sell yourself short."

He blinked in surprise at her praise, and he couldn't help but blush a little as he smiled in thanks at her, "Well, I…. thank you. But my work's not done yet. We're getting recruits by the hour. There's more than a few ex-templars among them. We've struck a blow and given people hope. This is a true victory."

"Inquisitor! I've finished it!"

Alex and Cullen looked at the door as a red haired dwarf entered his office, looking a little breathless and excited, holding a circle shaped rune in her hand. Alex couldn't resist but smile down at Dagna, as in her own way, she had helped immensely in making sure she and her companions safe with her enchanted armors and weapons that she made with Harrett, their blacksmith. It also helped when she learned that Dagna was the way she is now because of Solona, as her older sister had helped her move away from Orzammar to study magics, even though dwarves are incapable of them. The dwarf was chatty, energetic, and so enthusiastic and passionate in her work, that even though some of her explanations about her craft confused Alex, she continued to watch her while she worked in the smithy.

"Are you talking?" Dagna said in surprise at Cullen and Alex, but she waved a hand, "Sorry. Have it anyhow." And she gave the rune to Alex, who looked at it. It glowed red, and had a strange symbol on it. "You mean this rune?" Alex asked the dwarf.

Dagna's face looked incredulous, "It's not just any rune. I made it with red lyrium and what's left of poor Maddox's tools. The lyrium acts on the median fissures of lyrium to…" But she stopped her explanation when the two looked slightly confused, "It'll destroy Samson's armor. He'll be powerless."

Alex grinned down at her, "We should render our enemies powerless at a stroke more often."

"Maddox covered Samson's tracks thoroughly." Cullen told her, "But wherever Samson's retreated, we'll find him. Your army stands ready, Inquisitor. For Samson, for Corypheus, for whatever you command."

"Understood." Alex said, and she straightened her back, "Cullen, have Leliana and Josephine meet me at the War Room. We have work to do." She looked down at Dagna, "And you…"

Cullen watched Alex as she moved closer to the dwarf, and he grinned when she knelt down a little and gave the dwarf a hug, making Dagna blink but laugh out loud in delight at the sign of the Inquisitor's affect. "You are the most amazingly brilliant dwarf I've met in my life! Thank you!"

Dagna returned her hug with one of her own, even though she was standing on her tip toes to do so, "I know right?! But don't tell that to Varric. He's been pestering me recently about my works. You don't want to make him jealous."

Alex huffed a little, "He can get jealous all he wants. The only reason I stick to him was because of his fluffy chest hair." Dagna and Cullen laughed as Alex leaned back, letting go of the dwarf, "By the way, were you able to speak to Solona while she was here?"

Dagna's face lit up when Alex mentioned her sister, "Yes! Oh my goodness, she's still incredible! I thought she had forgotten all about me, but actually headed to my smithy just to talk with me while you were gone! She said she remembered me and that she was glad that I followed her advice. It was almost like… like.. meeting a Paragon in the flesh!"

Cullen chuckled, but he bowed down at Alex, "I will take my leave, Inquisitor. We'll see you at the War Room at your convenience." He told her, as Dagna seemed so excited to talk with Alex concerning her sister.

Alex smiled up at him, "Alright. I'll see you later, Cullen."

He bowed down again, smiling at them as the dwarf pulled at Alex's hand to head to the battlements to talk more about her sister.

Alex entered the War Room, looking serious as she bent over the map, "It's time to plan our next attack. What's the state of the Inquisition?"

Josephine smiled at her, "We are well loved in Orlais. Say the word, and Empress Celene will send her support."

Cullen nodded at her, "And your actions at Adamant denied Corypheus his army of pet demons. With Orlais' support, our numbers match his. Corypheus' followers must be panicking."

"My agents agree." Leliana agreed as she stood with her hands behind her back, "Our victories have shaken his disciples."

Alex grinned up at them, "Perhaps they'll rethink following the darkspawn magister from the dawn of time." She looked down at the map, "Where is Corypheus now?"

Cullen leaned over the map and pointed at it, "After Adamant, Corypheus uprooted his major stronghold and sent them marching south to the Arbor Wilds. His army clearly wasn't prepared to flee. Our victories have them on the defensive."

"Good of Corypheus to make it easy to find him." Alex quipped, making Cullen grin at her, "If he's hiding in the Arbor Wilds, that's where we finish him."

Josephine looked a little confused as she looked at her and Cullen, "But what is Corypheus doing in such a remote area?"

"His people have been ransacking Elven ruins since Haven." Leliana told them, pointing at a pile of papers on the desk… reports from her agents. "We believe he seeks more. What he hopes to find, however… continues to elude us."

"Which should surprise no one."

Alex turned around to see Morrigan entering the War Room, looking slightly smug as she made her way beside Alex, "Fortunately, I can assist."

"You have my attention, Lady Morrigan." Alex said to her, inclining her head to make her continue.

Morrigan nodded back in gratitude before speaking, "What Corypheus seeks in those forgotten woods is as ancient as it is dangerous."

"Which is?"

At this, the witch smiled mysteriously as she backed away, " 'Tis best… if I show you."

Alex watched as the woman headed towards the door, and she looked back at her advisors. Josephine seemed confused at the woman's answer, but she could see Leliana scowling, looking distrustful at Morrigan and giving her a gaze that said be wary of her. Cullen merely shrugged and nodded at her, as if telling her to go ahead and follow her, and Alex sighed before heading towards the door, hoping that whatever the woman had to tell her, would help her stop Corypheus.