Ruya moved her piece on the game board, and tried not to fidget. The Dalish girl moved her own piece in response and gave her a commiserative look. "I'm starting to think the Divine's solution is for everyone to just die of boredom."

At the door, the templar snickered before catching himself and resuming the stern expression. "To be fair," he said, "worse plans have been suggested."

She moved her piece. "Checkmate." She raised an eyebrow. "Another game?"

The girl shook her head. "I think I'll stretch my legs."

"Now, that is a good idea." Ruya rose. She glanced at the templar. "Want me to bring you back anything from the kitchens?"

"A roast lamb and a bottle of Rivaini rum."

"I'll do my best."

#

"He seems nice, for a templar." The Dalish girl glanced over her shoulder.

"Gavren is good people," Ruya said. "He's my uncle, actually." She shrugged. "So what brings you here?"

"Events here may shape the world. It will affect us as well." The girl twitched a shoulder. "My Keeper said..." She blinked. "Did you hear something?"

Ruya nodded. "There it is again. Is that someone shouting?"

"Upstairs or down?"

"I'll go down, you go up." Ruya headed up the stairs.

#

She looked up through dazed eyes to see several armored men standing over her. Her head felt like it has been split in two, and her left hand felt like it was on fire. The smell of charcoal and burnt meat filled the air, and beyond the men she could see sky. She started to ask a question, and then her vision went black again.

#

She awoke on a cot. It took her a minute to make out the voices around her. No sooner had someone said she was awake than armed men were in the room. They caught her arms, and the next thing she knew she was being shackled and dragged to a chamber beneath the Chantry. Four men remained in the room with her, swords in their hands and pointed in her direction.

Something glowed green on her hand. She shifted her wrist so she could look at her palm. The glow intensified, and for a moment it felt like someone was pressing a hot brand into her palm. Ruya gasped.

The door to the chamber opened, and a woman entered. Ruya felt a chill when she recognized the symbol on the woman's armor. A Seeker. The woman narrowed her eyes, and then walked around to stand behind her. She bent until she was inches from Ruya's ear. "Tell me why we shouldn't kill you now." She straightened, and then paced a circle around Ruya. "The conclave is destroyed. Everyone who attended is dead." She pointed. "Except for you."

Ruya blinked. "All those people?" No. Surely not everyone.

She grabbed Ruya's wrist, yanking it up so the shackles dug into her wrist painfully. "Explain this."

"I can't." What did she mean the conclave was destroyed? Ruya shook her head in confusion.

"What do you mean you can't?" The woman tapped the hilt of her sword.

"I don't know what that is, or how it got there." She'd been walking up a flight of stairs and then... There'd been something glowing.

"You're lying."

A hooded woman pulled the Seeker back. "We need her, Cassandra."

Gavren. The sweet little Dalish girl. The mages. "I can't believe it. All those people..." She swallowed against the lump in her throat. "Dead?"

"Do you remember what happened? How all this began?"

She'd been playing a game of stones. There'd been... someone had shouted and... "I remember running. Things were chasing me, and then... a woman?"

"A woman?"

Ruya shook her head and tried to clear the cobwebs on her memory. "She reached out to me, but then..." It went blank again. Then she'd woken up a prisoner.

The Seeker sighed. "Go to the forward camp, Leliana. I will take her to the rift." Cassandra bent, and unfastened the shackles, replacing them with a simple rope binding.

"What did happen?"

Cassandra finished the knot. "It will be easier to show you." She pulled Ruya to her feet, and led her out of the Chantry.

#

Above where the Temple of Sacred Ashes had once stood was a giant green swirling void. A fade rift, in the sky, larger than any she could have imagined. It took her a moment to realize Cassandra was talking. "We call it 'the Breach.' It's a massive rift into the world of demons that grows larger with each passing hour." She gestured. "It's not the only such rift. Just the largest. All were caused by the explosion at the conclave."

"An explosion can do that?" It made no sense at all.

Cassandra nodded. "This one did. Unless we act, the Breach may grow until it swallows the world."

Ruya was about to ask when her hand was suddenly dipped in molten metal. She screamed and collapsed. Cassandra rushed to her, and helped her sit back up. "Each time the Breach expands, your mark spreads..." Cassandra met her eyes. "And it is killing you. It may be the key to stopping this, but there isn't much time."

Ruya took a deep breath, and then got back to her feet. "I understand."

"Then...?" Cassandra's eyes were hopeful.

"I'll do what I can." She was Ruya Trevelyan, daughter of Josef Trevelyan. "Whatever it takes."

#

Around her people were staring, with expressions that ranged from contempt to hostility to outright murderous. "They have decided your guilt," Cassandra said as they walked. "They need it. The people of Haven mourn our Most Holy, Divine Justinia, head of the Chantry. The Conclave was hers." Cassandra sighed. "It was a chance for peace between mages and templars. She brought their leaders together. Now, they are dead. We lash out, like the sky. But we must think beyond ourselves. As she did. Until the Breach is sealed." She turned, and cut the ropes binding Ruya's hands. "There will be a trial. I can promise no more. Come. It is not far."

She knew all this. It's why she'd been there, with the other Circle mages. With... it hurt to think of Gavren, of the friends who had been lost. She could mourn later. "Where are you taking me?"

"Your mark must be tested on something smaller than the Breach."

They walked through the gate and into the valley. They were halfway up the path when her hand burned again. Cassandra helped her back to her feet when it passed. "The pulses are coming faster now. The larger the Breach grows, the more rifts appear, the more demons we face."

Cassandra had no more idea than she did how she had survived the blast.

#

The bridge beneath them collapsed. Ruya tumbled down, and landed in a dazed heap. Cassandra landed on her a heartbeat later. The seeker rose, then suddenly drew her blade as a demon materialized nearby. "Stay behind me."

Ruya managed to get to her own feet just as another demon appeared, this one between her and Cassandra. It moved towards her. She glanced around, and her eyes fell on a staff. She grabbed it, and sent a blast of ice at the demon. Cassandra finished her own opponent a heartbeat later, then turned. Ruya looked around. "It's over."

Cassandra pointed her sword at Ruya. "Drop your weapon." Her eyes narrowed. "Now."

Ruya sighed. "Have it your way." She started to lay the staff down.

"Wait." Cassandra sighed, and then sheathed her sword. "I cannot protect you, and I cannot expect you to be defenseless." She shook her head. "I should remember you agreed to come willingly."

They started up the path, with Cassandra handing her some potions. Several more demons blocked their path, and more fell from the sky. Fortunately, the demons were not particularly powerful. Cassandra gestured at her. "We're getting closer to the rift. You can hear the fighting."

She could. "Who's fighting?"

"You'll see soon." Cassandra quickened her pace. "We must help them."

#

No sooner had the last demon fallen than the elven mage caught her wrist and pulled her towards the rift. "Quickly, before more come through." He held up her hand, all but pressing the strange mark to the rift.

Ruya felt a surge of energy seem to flow out of her, and the dull ache in her hand eased. The rift twisted, flickered, and then vanished. She stared at him. "What did you do?"

He gave her a small nod. "I did nothing. The credit is yours."

She glanced down at the mark. "At least this is good for something."

"Whatever magic opened the Breach in the sky also placed that mark upon your hand." He gestured. "I theorized the mark might be able to close the rifts that have opened in the Breach's wake - and it seems I was correct."

Cassandra finished cleaning off her blade. "Meaning it could also close the Breach itself."

"Possibly." He gave Ruya a considering look. "It seems you hold the key to our salvation."

"Good to know." She turned to see a dwarf adjusting his glove. "Here I thought we'd be ass-deep in demons forever." He smiled up at her. "Varric Tethras: Rogue, storyteller, and occasionally unwelcome tagalong."

Her eyes widened. Hard in Hightown's author was standing just a few feet from her. Gavren would... She swallowed. "Are you with the Chantry, or...?"

The elven mage chuckled. "Was that a serious question?"

"Technically I'm a prisoner, just like you." He shrugged.

"I brought you here to tell your story to the Divine." Cassandra glared at the dwarf. "Clearly that is no longer necessary."

Varric appeared entirely immune to her glare. "Yet, here I am. Lucky for you, considering current events."

"It's good to meet you, Varric." Ruya gave him a small bow.

"You may reconsider that stance, in time." The mage gave a small shake of his head.

"Aww, I'm sure we'll become great friends in the valley, Chuckles."

"Absolutely not." Cassandra gestured emphatically. "Your help is appreciated, Varric, but..."

"Have you been in the valley lately, Seeker? Your soldiers aren't in control anymore. You need me." He tilted his head and gave her a charming smile.

She stared at him, and then made a disgusted noise before turning away. Ruya assumed that meant the dwarf had won the argument.

The mage shrugged. "My name is Solas, if there are to be introductions. I am pleased to see you still live."

"He means, 'I kept that mark from kill you while you slept,'" Varric said.

At least someone appeared to have a notion of what was happening here. She gave Solas a closer look. He was older, probably at least in his forties. Clearly not Dalish, but there was an odd cast to his features. "You seem to know a great deal about it all."

"Unlike you, Solas is an apostate," Cassandra said.

He shook his head slightly. "Technically all mages are now apostates, Cassandra." He turned his gray eyes back to Ruya. "My travels have allowed me to learn much of the Fade, far beyond the experience of any Circle mage. I came to offer whatever help I can give with the Breach. If it is not closed, we are all doomed, regardless of origin."

That seemed true enough. "And what will you do once this is over?"

"One hopes those in power will remember who helped and who did not." He gave her a respectful nod before turning back to Cassandra. "Cassandra, you should know: the magic involved here is unlike any I have seen. Your prisoner is a mage, but I find it difficult to imagine any mage having such power."

"Understood." Cassandra gestured for them to start moving. "We must get to the forward camp quickly."

"Well." Varric gestured. "Bianca's excited."

She shook her head as she followed them. Who was Bianca?

#

"So..." Varric glanced at her after they'd finished dealing with yet another group of demons. "Are you innocent?"

She had to be. At least, she hadn't intended to do anything. "I don't remember what happened."

"That'll get you every time." Varric leaped over a snowbank. "Should have spun a story."

"That's what you would have done." Cassandra gave the dwarf a dirty look.

Varric just gave her a cheerful smile in return. "It's more believable, and less prone to result in premature execution." He winked at Ruya.

Cassandra continued leading the way up the mountain. "I hope Leliana made it through all this."

"She's resourceful, Seeker," Varric assured her.

"We will see for ourselves at the forward camp." Solas reached back to offer Ruya a hand through the snowdrift. "We are almost there."

#

"Another rift."

"We must seal it." Solas gestured at Ruya. "Quickly."

They moved forward, joining the soldiers engaging the demons. "They keep coming," a soldier yelled. "Help us."

When the last of the demons fell, Ruya turned towards the rift. "Hurry." She heard Solas's voice. "Use the mark."

What had Solas done? She raised her hand, and felt... something... stir. She willed the rift to close, and green light flowed from her hand. Once again, the rift writhed and flickered, then vanished.

Cassandra nodded, and then turned to the soldiers. "The rift is gone. Open the gate."

"Right away, Lady Cassandra."

"We are clear for the moment. Well done." Solas followed Cassandra through the gate.

"Whatever that thing on your hand is, it's useful." Varric gestured for her to precede him.

#

Leliana was arguing with a Chantry brother. The words 'only chance' were mentioned. Ruya glanced up at the rift in the sky, and then took a deep breath before joining the others. "Ah, here they come." The brother gave her a baleful look.

Leliana, however looked relieved. "You made it. Chancellor Roderick, this is -"

"I know who she is." Roderick gestured at Cassandra. "As grand chancellor of the Chantry, I hereby order you to take this criminal to Val Royeaux to face execution."

"Order me?" Cassandra glared. "You are a glorified clerk. A bureaucrat."

The bickering continued for another minute. Ruya finally shook her head. "Isn't closing the Breach the more pressing issue?" They could always execute her later, assuming she survived what was coming.

Roderick gestured at her. "You brought this on us in the first place." He sighed, and let his hands drop. "Call a retreat, Seeker. Our position here is hopeless."

Cassandra stepped forward. "We can stop this before it's too late."

"How?" Roderick lifted his arms. "You won't survive long enough to reach the temple, even with all your soldiers."

"We must get to the temple. It's the quickest route."

Leliana shook her head at Cassandra. "But not the safest. Our forces can charge as a distraction while we go through the mountains."

"We lost contact with an entire squad on that path. It is too risky."

Roderick sighed. "Listen to me. Abandon this now before more lives are lost."

The mark on her hand pulsed again, glowing brightly. Now though, it felt more like picking up a too-warm teacup instead of glowing-hot steel. Was that a good sign, or a bad one? Cassandra glanced at it, and then looked up at her. "How do you think we should proceed?"

"Now you're asking me what I think?" Ruya blinked.

"You have the mark." Solas's voice came from just behind her shoulder, almost making her jump.

Cassandra nodded. "And you are the one we must keep alive. Since we cannot agree on our own..."

The thought of soldiers dying as a mere distraction sickened her. At least, if she was with them, she could perhaps bring her magic to bear. If they were all going to die, it might as well be together. "I say we charge." She was apparently dying already anyway. No use in more needless sacrifice. "I won't survive long enough for your trial. Whatever happens, happens now."

"Leliana, bring everyone left in the valley." Cassandra's nod was approving. "Everyone."

"On your head be the consequences, Seeker," Roderick shot out as a passing condemnation.

#

Soldiers were dying. She stood back to back with Solas, flinging spells where ever she could to help. Solas touched her arm, and then gestured. "Be wary - another fate rift."

Ruya nodded, and the mages headed in that direction. Several soldiers were already there, fighting demons. "How many rifts are there?" Varric asked as he loosed a crossbow bolt on what appeared to be a terror demon.

"We must seal it to get past." Solas put up a barrier spell around the soldiers.

As soon as the last demon was down, Ruya stepped up to the rift. This time, it seemed easier. Her hand started to glow almost as soon as she lifted it. "Sealed, as before." Solas nodded at her. "You are becoming quite proficient at this."

"Let's hope it works on the big one," Varric said, stowing the crossbow on his back.

A tall man in fur-lined armor approached. "Lady Cassandra, you managed to close the rift?" He sheathed his sword. "Well done."

"Do not congratulate me, Commander." Cassandra gestured at Ruya. "This is the prisoner's doing."

"Is it?" He gave her an appraising look. "I hope they're right about you. We've lost a lot of people getting you here."

She looked over the field. Dozens of bodies were visible. She hoped they were right about her too. "I can't promise anything, but I'll try my best."

His face softened slightly. "That's all we can ask." He turned back to Cassandra and pointed. "The way to the temple should be clear. Leliana will try to meet you there."

"Then we'd best move quickly. Give us time, Commander."

"Maker watch over you." He nodded. "For all our sakes."

She watched the soldiers go, noting that despite his apparent rank, the man didn't hesitate to half-carry a wounded man from the field. She took deep breath, and followed Cassandra.

#

Bones and charred corpses littered the ground. For a moment, she was grateful they were far past recognizable. If she'd been able to identify a friend, she might have lost it right there.

"The Temple of Sacred Ashes." There was grief in Cassandra's voice.

"What's left of it." Varric looked around.

Cassandra stepped to Ruya's side and gestured. "That is where you walked out of the Fade, and our soldiers found you." She remembered that. At least, she remembered soldiers standing over her. They walked down the remains of a staircase. She remembered that staircase. The Dalish girl had gone up... but whatever had been up had been demolished in the blast. She'd never even asked the girl's name. Dimly she realized Cassandra was still talking. "They say a woman was in the rift behind you. No one knows who she was."

#

"The Breach sure is a long way up." Varric gazed up at the sky, shielding his eyes.

Ruya was about to respond when she heard Leliana's voice behind her. "You're here. Thank the Maker."

Cassandra gestured. "Leliana, have your men take up positions around the temple." She walked over to Ruya. "This is your chance to end this. Are you ready?"

No. "I'll try, but I don't know if I can reach that, much less close it."

"No." Solas pointed at a rift down inside the temple itself. "This rift was the first, and it is the key." He looked back at her. "Seal it, and perhaps we seal the Breach." It was the best idea she'd heard thus far. She nodded.

Cassandra touched her shoulder. "Then let's find a way down. And be careful."

#

"Now is the hour of our victory." The voice seemed to come from the very air around them. "Bring forth the sacrifice."

"What are we hearing?" Cassandra looked back at Solas.

"At a guess: the person who created the Breach."

Ruya continued picking her way through the wreckage. A strangely glowing red crystal littered the place. She saw Varric's eyes widen, and he turned to Cassandra. "You know this stuff is red lyrium, Seeker."

"I see it, Varric."

"But what's it doing here?" Varric grimaced.

Solas gave it a considering look. "Magic could have drawn on lyrium beneath the temple, corrupted it..."

"It's evil." Varric's voice was insistent. "Whatever you do, don't touch it."

She continued, using her staff to push some of it out of the path. They were most of the way down when she turned to ask Varric and Solas what the red lyrium actually was. Before she could get the words out, the strange voice rang out again. "Keep the sacrifice still."

A woman's voice came, sending a chill through Ruya's blood. "Someone help me." She should know that voice. Why didn't she?

Cassandra paled. "That is Divine Justinia's voice."

#

There was no staircase down. Ruya sighed, and jumped down. Solas landed a couple feet from her. Cassandra landed in a crouch, than began striding towards the breach. The female voice called again, and Cassandra stopped in her tracks.

"Someone help me."

Ruya blinked as her own voice echoed from the temple walls. "What's going on here?"

Cassandra turned towards her. "That was your voice. Most holy called out to you. But..."

The rift shifted, and the light changed. Forms started to appear. A tall man, holding something. A woman. The Divine, held in some kind of trap. And then herself, entering the room. She didn't remember entering the room. She'd put her foot on the first stair down and then, nothing. The Divine told her to run, warn them. The tall man ordered someone to kill her. The shifting forms faded.

Slowly Cassandra turned. "You were there. Who attacked? And the Divine, is she...?" Cassandra gestured at the rift. "Was this vision true? What are we seeing?" She strode towards Ruya.

Ruya shook her head. "I don't remember."

"Echoes of what happened here." They both turned towards Solas as he spoke. "The Fade bleeds into this place." He turned to look at them. "This rift is not sealed, but it is closed... albeit temporarily. I believe that with the mark, the rift can be opened, and then sealed properly and safely. However, opening the rift will likely attract attention from the other side."

"That means demons." Cassandra turned and began signaling the soldiers. "Stand ready." She gave Ruya a nod.

Power surged out of her hand. It made her vision go a bit fuzzy for a moment. She blinked away the cloud, then immediately regretted it as she made out the pride demon that appeared in their midst. "Now," Cassandra yelled, and the soldiers moved in.

Arrows just bounced off the thing's spikey skin. A moment later, Cassandra's sword did much the same. Her spells and the ones cast by Solas seemed to do a little damage, but not enough. "We must strip its defenses, wear it down," Cassandra called to the soldiers.

It would kill all those men before they got through. Almost on instinct, Ruya turned back to the rift. She used the mark to disrupt the energies, and the demon staggered, falling momentarily to its knees. Solas gave her an approving nod before directing a barrage of magic against the weakened creature.

A few more demons managed to escape the rift before they took the big one down. Ruya wiped what she thought was sweat out of her eyes, but there was red on the back of her hand. She wasn't sure if it was her blood or that of the soldier who had died defending her.

They were clear, for the moment. She turned towards the rift. "Do it," Cassandra ordered.

Ruya nodded. Now or never. Energy surged once more out of the strange mark. She saw the rift shift and contort, and send more energy into it. The edges of her vision started to gray as the rift gyrated. Suddenly the rift seemed to burst, and the energy slammed back into her, sending her flying. Dimly she saw the green light shooting upwards towards the Breach, and then darkness claimed her.