And once again, she walked into the Chantry to find the Inquisition's leadership arguing.

"It's not a matter for debate." Cullen stood facing Leliana and Josephine. "There will be abominations among the mages, and we must be prepared."

Josephine made a placating gesture. "If we rescind the offer of an alliance, it makes the Inquisition appear incompetent at best, tyrannical at worst."

Cullen caught sight of her, and took a step forward. "What were you thinking, turning the mages loose with no oversight?" He gestured upwards. "The Veil is torn open."

She stood her ground. "Give them their freedom for now. If they prove later they can't handle it, impose restrictions." They'd given her a chance, and she thought she'd done rather well. She could only hope the rest of the mages would follow suit.

"And how many lives will be lost if they fail?" He shook his head. "With the Veil broken, the threat of possession..." His eyes went to the staff on her back as he trailed off.

"Enough arguing." Cassandra stepped forward. "None of us were there. We cannot afford to second-guess our people." She gestured at Ruya. "The sole point of the Herald's mission was to gain the mages' aid, and that was accomplished."

"The voice of pragmatism speaks." Dorian leaned on a wooden column. "And here I was just starting to enjoy the circular arguments."

Cassandra folded her arms. "Closing the Breach is all that matters."

Ruya nodded. "The longer the Breach is open, the more damage it does. We should head there as soon as possible."

"Agreed." Josephine tucked her pen into her writing board.

"We should look into the things you saw in this 'dark future'." Leliana looked down at the parchment in her hand. "The assassination of Empress Celene? A demon army?"

"Sounds like something a Tevinter cult might do." Dorian gestured. "Orlais falls, the Imperium rises. Chaos for everyone."

"One battle at a time." Cullen drummed his fingers against his sword hilt. "It's going to take time to organize our troops and the mage recruits. Let's take this to the war room." He smiled at Ruya. "Join us. None of this means anything without your mark, after all."

She returned the smile. "Thank you. I'd be honored to help with the plan."

Josephine started walking. "Meet us there when you're ready."

"I'll skip the war council, but I would like to see this Breach up close, if you don't mind."

"Then you're..." Ruya's eyes widened as she looked back at Dorian. "Staying?"

He winked at her. "Oh, didn't I mention? The South is so charming and rustic. I adore it to little pieces."

She shook her head and laughed softly. "There's no one I'd rather be stranded in time with, future or present."

"Excellent choice." He bowed with a flourish. "But let's not get 'stranded' again anytime soon, yes?"

#

They had a plan. Now all they had to do was wait for the mages to arrive and select who would be the most suited to the job. Leliana almost laughed when Ruya insisted Fiona not be part of the group at the Breach.

Cullen walked her out of the Chantry. She glanced at him. "You weren't happy with how I brought in the mages." She hesitated, and then asked. "Do you have a problem with me as well?"

He looked startled by the question. "Of course not." He sighed, and rubbed the back of his neck. "I have no intention of endangering your alliance, but I must ensure the safety of those here. That concern extends to the mages. They are putting themselves at risk for the Inquisition." He glanced at her. "As are you. Any precautions taken are meant to aid you, nothing more. I hope you will accept them as such."

She smiled, and nodded. "Is there anything I should know?"

"I'd gotten used to mages disliking me on principle. Vivienne's views on templars are..." He glanced back at the Chantry. "Surprisingly traditional."

"I've never disliked you on principle." Oh. Had she really just said that outloud?

"Oh, um..." He took a quick step forward to open the tavern door for her. "Thank you."

#

"How angry do you think the King and Queen are at us?" Ruya asked.

Leliana smiled. "They aren't angry."

"Are you sure?"

Her smile broadened. "We will have to tread a bit more lightly on Ferelden soil, but..." She shook her head. "I've fought alongside them both. If Cathiel were angry, you'd be full of arrows. Irritated and frustrated, probably, but not angry."

Ruya hesitated, and then sighed. "In Redcliffe, you sacrificed yourself so that I could return here."

"Of course I did." Leliana shrugged. "One small life in exchange for a second chance at history? I always loved a bargain."

She'd never get the sight of that terror demon out of her head. "It was still a sacrifice and still noble."

Leliana put a hand on Ruya's shoulder, making Ruya meet her eyes. "And I would do it again." She glanced back in the general direction of Redcliffe. "Arl Teagan is returning to Redcliffe Castle and resuming his duties as lord. The people are returning, slowly but surely." She sighed. "Unfortunately, our show of support for the mages has angered many."

"I'm not sure there was an option that wouldn't have angered many."

#

Solas smiled as they fell into step with each other on their walk around Haven. "So we have gained the mages, excellent. They should be able to seal the Breach." He turned his gaze to her. "You are certain you experienced time travel? Could it have been an illusion, a trick of the Fade?"

She shook her head. "I've been to the Fade before. I'd know it."

"Point taken." He gestured. "What an amazing gift. It is vital the Inquisition succeed, to avoid the future you witnessed."

They walked in silence for a few minutes. As they crested the hill above the lake, she raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm surprised you're not more interested in your own future."

"I know enough. If that future happened then I-" He turned to look down at the camp. "And Cassandra, Cullen, and the rest - failed to stop this Elder One." He turned back to her. "Speaking of which... you should ready yourself."

"For?"

"This Elder One. You have now interfered with his plans twice. Once at the Temple of Sacred Ashes..." He used his staff to point out the locations. "...And now again at Redcliffe. A being who aspires to godhood is unlikely to ignore such an affront."

They continued their walk, circling the lake. "I wonder if the magic they teach in the Circle is different from the magic used by the Dalish."

"Magic is magic, just as water is water, but it can be used in different ways." He shrugged. "Dalish magic is more practical, not needing Chantry approval, although they still frown on blood magic. Superstition." He sketched the air with his hands. "Much of it is more subtle, a legacy from when the elves were immortal."

"The legends of elven immortality..." She raised an eyebrow. "Did they use magic to increase their lifespan?"

"No, it was simply part of being elven." His voice once again became that of the storyteller, or perhaps that of the patient teacher. "The subtle beauty of their magic was the effect, not the cause, of their nature. Some spells took years to cast. Echoes would linger for centuries, harmonizing with new magic in an unending symphony." He looked wistful. "It must have been beautiful."

She tried to picture it. The best she could come up with was reflections in fractured ice, layering upon each other. His other words came to mind. "You said the censure against blood magic was superstition..."

He glanced at her. "I did." He shrugged. "It's fortunate Cassandra is not within earshot. Most modern cultures forbid blood magic. Publicly, even Tevinter disapproves of it. But as I said, magic is magic. It matters only in how it is used."

"I'd be interesting in learning more about blood magic." She tapped her staff. "It seems the only stories we ever get are about how it is misused, and in the circle, it's dangerous to even show too much interest in that."

"I would teach you, if I knew it." Solas's eyes studied her. "Unfortunately, using blood magic seems to make it more difficult to enter the Fade."

"See, that's something I don't understand. Why would a magic associated so strongly with demons make it more difficult to enter the Fade?"

"You understand why I have never bothered to learn it. A shame, as it is extremely powerful." He shrugged. "Provide it remains a tool, not a crutch... nor a passion."

"There's the problem, isn't it? It's forbidden, so the only people who use it are the kind that will misuse it. And therefore, we don't actually know much of anything about it."

#

Varric watched the Herald and Solas walk through the gate. That both seemed to actually enjoy wandering around through the hills and trees around the camp just proved something he'd always suspected. Mages were crazy. Damn he missed Hawke. And Daisy. Even Blondie, sometimes. He saw the Herald start to walk towards where the soldiers were practicing. He waved, and she altered her direction to join him at the fire.

"The mage rebellion joins the Inquisition. I've got to admit, that's a twist I didn't see coming." He glanced up at her. "One thing you saw in the future worries me. I mean, it was all bad. But red lyrium in Ferelden? Infecting people and growing out of them? That's bad." He kicked a rock into the fire, sending up a small shower of sparks. "Finding more of it really punches a hole in my 'red lyrium at the temple was a coincidence' theory."

"How long does it take for red lyrium to grow? How fast can it spread?"

"It took years to infect people in Kirkwall, but no one there was actually ingesting the stuff." He'd have to write to Hawke, see if his contacts had found anything. That wasn't going to be easy with the Seeker looking over his shoulder. "This 'Elder One' managed to take the worst thing I can think of and make it worse. That's an accomplishment."

"The Inquisition has the numbers to track down all this lyrium and destroy it." She leaned on her staff and looked out over the soldier's tents.

He followed her gaze. There sure were a lot of them now. Curly was doing good work. "I hope so. I don't want to think about what happens if it starts a plague." Bartrand's house had been bad enough. And the Knight-Commander... "I've got people trying to figure out where the red stuff came from. I think maybe we should make that a priority." And hopefully he wouldn't get asked too many questions about 'which people'. "But that's enough doom and gloom. You just one a big victory for the Inquisition. What're you going to do to celebrate?"

She blinked at him. "That's a good point. We should celebrate." She tilted her head to one side and thought for a moment. "A banquet? Something like a banquet?"

"A word to Josephine, and I bet she could arrange anything." He shrugged. "Things should be calm around here for at least the next hour. Take a moment to enjoy it." He gestured towards where Cassandra was beating on a practice dummy. "If the world's about to end, I'm sure the Seeker will let us know."

#

"So... that Tevinter guy sent you into the future?" Iron Bull gave her a dubious look and grunted.

"Normal magic is one thing, but Tevinter goes beyond all reason."

"I know, right? The Vints are always pushing." Iron Bull nodded at where the mages were starting to trickle in. "Anyway, I hope our new friends have what it takes to close the Breach. Damn thing gives me a headache just looking at it"

Krem nodded. "Nice work at Redcliffe. I could help the mages learn to work with Inquisition soldiers, if you like." He coughed. "Not that the chief has any apostates in the group."

Ruya grinned, and gestured at her own staff. "How should we deploy the Chargers?"

"The templars have holed up in Therinfal Redoubt. No idea what's happening inside." He tapped the fingers of his left hand against his right vambrace. "I could have some of the boys poke around. If nothing else, we'd get a better look at the land."

"Good idea. Let Leliana know."

#

Blackwall was leaning on a stone wall near the smithy, working a whetstone over the edge of his blade. He nodded as she approached. "There was never going to be an easy answer to the mage dilemma." He nodded to her. "What you did for the mages took courage. You gave them a chance. Everyone deserves one." He slid the stone over the blade again, and then examined it with a critical eye. "I have to ask: what was I like in that dark future you saw?"

Sword and shield in hand until the very end. "You fought with honor and died a hero. You did the Wardens proud."

He stared at his reflection in the blade. "Then I was worth something in the end. Thank you." He looked over at where the maps they'd found in the Grey Warden camp were spread out. "I've been meaning to thank you. There are a hundred things that need your attention. You didn't have to take the time to help me, and yet you did."

"If the history you pursue benefits the Wardens, then it was worth it."

"You've proven yourself to be an honorable woman. Principled." He sheathed the sword, and then gave her a bow. "I've great admiration for you, and I've never been more certain in my decision to join you."

She grinned. "There will be opportunities for us to do even more in the future."

"Then I look forward to it."

"I'd like to know more about you."

"Compared to yours, my life will seem dull indeed."

"Your name, 'Blackwall,' doesn't sound Orlesian. Marcher, then? Fereldan?"

"I was from the Free Marches, originally. Markham." He shrugged. "That was a long time ago. Another life."

"Why did you join the Wardens?"

"Because they remember honor and sacrifice, words that have little meaning to the rest of us. Because they lay down their lives for those they have sworn to protect. We all need to believe there are such men in the world. I needed to believe I could be one of them."

She nodded. "I know you said you hadn't met Warden Constable Mahariel, but what about the other Wardens from the Fifth Blight?"

He shook his head. "They mostly scattered after things calmed down. Lots of work to be done."

"Still is, I suppose."

#

She could feel Vivienne's look of disapproval the moment she entered the Chantry. It was like leaping into a half-frozen lake. "If Fiona and her malcontents are joining us as allies, we need to be prepared. Abominations are inevitable." Vivienne folded her hands. "Cullen doesn't have enough templars to handle incidents. Some of the rank and file need to be trained."

In fact, she and Cullen had already had that particular discussion over drinks. "Train our people, but keep it secret. Let the mages think they're not being watched." Give everyone a chance to get comfortable with each other and learn to work together instead of at cross-purposes, but still have people on hand if needed.

Vivienne's face lightened as she considered the notion. "I like the way you think, darling. I'll have a word with Cullen. We are reliant on his people absolutely." She made a small adjustment to her sleeve. "There has never been a greater threat to mages than the Breach. Until it is closed, no one is safe."

"You have a low opinion of your fellow mages." She shared it for particular mages, but as a whole...

"It's not a matter of opinion, my dear. I have a close relationship with reality. Many of our colleagues to do not." Vivienne gestured. "Magic is dangerous, just as fire is dangerous. Anyone who forgets this truth gets burned."

"You're singing to the choir, Vivienne."

The other woman actually smiled. "Tell me something. You told me that you'd see the Chantry restored. What about the Circle?"

"Mages shouldn't be kept out of the Chantry. Who knows the dangers of magic better than a mage?" Templar wasn't an option, but what if she could have been both mage and sister? The Circle was necessary. Young mages needed a place to come where they could learn and be protected until they'd mastered their powers. But it didn't need to be the mess it had been.

"A curious idea. Such twists and turns your mind takes." Vivienne tapped a finger against her jaw thoughtfully, but her face actually looked approving of the notion. "It's something to consider, my dear."

"Oh, I found this in a tower near Redcliffe." She handed the ancient, battered tome to Vivienne. "Based on the mark, it appears to have been stolen from Montismmard."

Vivienne took the book and smiled, caressing the cover gently as she laid it on the table. "Thank you, my dear. It is good to know this is safe."

#

Josephine was having a discussion with a dwarven woman about lyrium as Ruya approached. The dwarf nodded to Ruya, then glanced at Josephine. "I'll take my leave. Good day."

"Who was she, Ambassador?" Ruya asked.

"A merchant. I thought we should reach out to the dwarves to secure lyrium for the Inquisition's mages. According to Lady Korpin, it's raised the ire of the Chantry."

She had a suspicion they could conquer Tevinter and Par Vollen, and it would raise the ire of the Chantry. "How?"

"Access to lyrium makes us rather more formidable than they anticipated. We are becoming a challenge." Josephine made a quick note on a piece of parchment. "Sadly, the remaining grand clerics appear to be consolidating the Chantry's power instead of comforting the masses."

Ruya sighed. "The Chantry should be a place of hope, not another group scrambling for answers."

"That must be its strength again." Josephine opened the door to her office, gesturing for Ruya to follow her in. "The Chant did much to bridge nations. Little but the Chantry ties Orlais, Nevarra, Ferelden, Antiva, and even Rivain to a common cause."

"Has the Chantry truly promoted such peace?" Ruya sat down on a trunk.

"Andraste's chant is familiar across kingdoms, a source of many shared customs." Josephine punctuated her words with her pen. "That is the crucial point. Common ground is the start of all negotiations."

"I suppose a shared faith can be useful when talking with strangers."

"Precisely. And these similar interests are merely where we begin. We must learn to think beyond our own wants to secure peace in Thedas."

The woman's enthusiasm was a little infectious. "Planning to steer the history of the world, Ambassador Montilyet?"

"I believe the Inquisition is already charting that course. Which brings me to a question, if you have a moment." She glanced at a piece of parchment, bringing it to the top of the others on her writing board. "The remaining grand clerics sent a missive inquiring about events at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. They demand to know whether the Inquisition officially claims that Andraste saved you from the Breach. If it were up to you, how would you reply?"

That was a very good question. "Will my answer change your reply to the Chantry?"

Josephine glanced towards the war room. "If Leliana, Cassandra, Cullen, and I could agree on our official stance, I could answer that." She sighed. "We should decide soon. The revered mothers don't seem to know what to make of you."

She sighed. "I don't know if a miracle from Andraste saved me any more than they do."

"Yet, as rumors you're Andraste's Herald grow, the grand clerics may not believe such a humble reply. A difficult situation, and I thank you for your answer."

"Have you heard back from my family?"

Josephine broke into a smile. "I have indeed. Your brother, Otwin, is proving to be a particularly valuable resource for what efforts we have in the Free Marches."

#

Sera was a bit less happy about the mages being part of the Inquisition, but settled down a little after Ruya bought her a round of drinks. She tried to ask Sera about her background, but came away more confused than enlightened. It seemed the events at Redcliffe had reminded Sera that Ruya herself was a mage, and made her a bit skittish.

Ruya ended up spending most of the evening sharing a bottle of wine with Dorian. He told her about Tevinter, correcting a few bits of misinformation and reluctantly admitting to what parts of Tevinter's reputation were true. They sat on the edge of the wall, watching the soldiers at practice.

"The Inquisition supports free mages. What's next? Elves running Halamshiral? Cows milking farmers?"

That elven one didn't seem like such a terrible idea. "I take it you don't agree?"

"On the contrary, I approve. Heartily." He took a drink. "I do wonder if you've considered what this support of yours will do. For mages in general, I mean. The Inquisition is seen as an authority. You've given southern mages license to..." He swirled the liquid in his glass. "Well, be like mages back home."

"If it means they're anything like you, I approve."

"Ha. There aren't many mages back home like me."

"I'd believe that."

"I never fit in." He winked. "Bloodstains are so difficult to clean, you see."

She sipped from her own glass and watched where the tents were being set up for the incoming mages. "So we're doomed to a future of blood magic, then?"

"Not at first." His face became a little more serious. "But you'd be a fool not to see where this could lead. Thing is, the Imperium was once just like the South. Templars, proper Circles, all that rot. Then it changed. By inches." He refilled his glass. "Not that this is reason to oppress us. Still, my homeland should be a cautionary tale, not a source of inspiration."

They went silent for a moment, both tilting their heads to admire the er... footwork... of some of the soldiers. "It occurs to me that I barely know anything about you."

He waggled his fingers and dropped his voice an octave. "Beyond my being a mage from Tevinter, you mean?"

"Beyond that, yes."

"And beyond my being so charming and well-dressed? Which is obvious to anyone."

She laughed. "You certainly think highly of yourself."

"It's true." He spread his hands. "I could be more modest, but I'd be lying. Now..." He took another drink. "What was I talking about? Ah, yes. Me. I am the scion of House Pavus, a product of generations of careful breeding, and the repository of its hopes and dreams. Naturally, I despised it all: the lies, the scheming, the illusions of supremacy. That's Tevinter in a nutshell, isn't it? Needless to say, my family was not happy with my choices."

They continued talking as it started to grow dark, then made their farewells. She headed back to the tiny cabin she shared with Minaeve and one of the tranquil, and bid them both goodnight.

#

The first wave of mages had mostly settled in the following afternoon. Ruya was walking through the camp when she found Cassandra having a heated discussion with a senior enchanter. "And what are we supposed to do, exactly?"

Cassandra glared. "What you always do: complain."

"We've already spoken with Commander Cullen. No one listens." He shook his head angrily. "We want better quarters. We want the templars kept at a distance, and some respect for -"

"This is not the Circle. You mages are our allies, not our wards. Act like it."

"How are we supposed to-"

"Deal. With. It." He stormed off at Cassandra's reply. The Seeker shook her head, and then glanced at Ruya. "It never ends, evidently."

"Is there an issue with the mages? Can I help?"

"The mages are here as equals. They need to get used to what that means." Cassandra started walking towards the back of the camp. "It is your doing, after all. You created this alliance."

"Well, I hope it works. What other choice to we have?"

Cassandra blinks. "Oh. I do sound like I'm blaming you, don't I?" Cassandra shook her head. "I don't disapprove. In fact, you did well. You made a decision when it needed to be made. And here we are. I wish I could say this was my doing."

"We wouldn't be here at all if you hadn't stood up against the Chantry."

"You're being kind."

"You're discounting your role in this."

"Let's close the Breach." Cassandra actually looked uncomfortable at the praise. "Then we can say how successful I was."

#

Cullen found her a little while later. "The mages are ready to approach the Breach. I pray this will be enough to close it."

She nodded, and followed him towards where they were gathering for the trip up to the temple. A few of the mages gathered were vaguely familiar faces to her, but she did see a senior enchanter from Ostwick who gave her a friendly smile. Vivienne and Dorian were also present, though both stood some distance from the other mages and each other.

Solas gestured for her to come with him, and she followed him up to where the green light of the Breach trailed down to where the original rift had been. Cullen and Cassandra flanked her in case more demons managed to come through. Cassandra turned back to where the mages were gathered, and shouted to get their attention. "Mages!"

"Focus past the Herald." Solas raised his staff, and took over giving the commands. "Let her will draw from you." He met her eyes, and signaled her to begin.

Slowly, she walked into the light, holding up her marked hand and letting the energy surge through her. She felt the power of the other mages join her own, and harnessed it, half closing her eyes as she willed it through the mark. It hurt, a sharp but not unbearable pain, and she felt her body start to tremble. The green light began to shift and shimmer, convulsing. She drew more magic into her, pulling from the others until she thought she would burst. Then she took a deep breath, and released it all at once through the mark.

It seemed as if something cut the strings holding her up. The power surged upwards in a scintillating burst of light, and she collapsed down to her knees. The entire Breach convulsed and then there was a blinding flash. She felt Cullen and Cassandra on either side of her, helping her back to her feet. "You did it," Cassandra said.

Cullen put her arm over his shoulder and half carried her out of the Temple.

#

Ruya stood near the quartermaster's station, watching the celebration taking part below her. Minaeve was dancing with Seggrit of all people. And dancing better than she would have expected from an apprentice Circle mage. Even Adan appeared to be enjoying himself.

"Solas confirms the heavens are scarred by calm." Cassandra walked to stand beside her. "The Breach is sealed. We've reports of lingering rifts, and many questions remain, but this was a victory." She gave Ruya an approving nod. "Word of your heroism has spread."

"You know how many were involved." Ruya gestured at the camp below them. "Luck put me at the center."

Cassandra's lips tugged upwards into a half-smile. "A strange kind of luck. I'm not sure if we need more or less." She turned her own gaze to the camp. "But you're right. This was a victory of alliance. One of the few in recent memory." She turned back to Ruya. "With the Breach closed, that alliance will need new focus."

She started to reply, and then heard the sound of the alarm bells. A moment later, Cullen was directing the soldiers. "Force approaching. To arms."

"What the...?" Cassandra shook her head, then touched Ruya's shoulder. "We must get to the gates." Both women jumped down from their position and rushed forward.

#

"Cullen?" Cassandra called as they approached him.

"One watchguard reporting." He gestured. "It's a massive force, the bulk over the mountain."

"Under what banner?" Josephine asked.

"None."

Ruya started to open her mouth, and then something hit the door. She moved forward, Cullen a step behind her. He drew his blade as he came down the stairs.

"I can't come in unless you open," a voice said from the other side.

She exchanged a look with Cullen, and he gestured for one of the men to open the gates. A massive man in Venatori armor started to move towards them. He pitched forward, and fell on his face, revealing a young man in a broad-brimmed hat standing behind him, a dagger in each hand. The young man sheathed the knives. "I'm Cole. I came to warn you. To help." He took a step forward, and Cullen swiftly moved to block his path. "People are coming to hurt you. You probably already know."

"What is this? What's going on?" Ruya asked.

"The templars come to kill you," Cole said. He pointed back at the oncoming forces.

"Templars?" Cullen looked towards her, then back at Cole. "Is this the Order's response to our talks with the mages? Attacking blindly?" He shook his head, then looked towards her again, his expression revealing his concern.

"The red templars went to the Elder One." He sidled past Cullen to approach Ruya. "You know him? He knows you. You took his mages." Cole pointed up at the hill above the frozen lake. "There."

The creature on top of the hill looked something like the drawings she'd seen of darkspawn emissaries. But considering the human man standing next to him, the creature had to be nearly nine feet tall. "I know that man..." She heard Cullen say. "But this Elder One..."

"He's very angry that you took his mages," Cole told her.

"Cullen." She turned towards him. "Give me a plan. Anything."

He nodded. "Haven is no fortress. If we are to withstand this monster, we must control the battle. Get out there and hit that force. Use everything you can." He pointed to the trebuchets, and she nodded. He turned back to the people at the gate, and started shouting orders. "Mages. You-" He pointed his blade at them. "You have sanction to engage them. That is Samson. He will not make it easy." She saw the soldiers begin to rally as he continued. "Inquisition. With the Herald. For your lives. For all of us."

#

Ruya followed a small band of soldiers to the trebuchets, Varric, Blackwall, and Solas only a few steps behind her. The templars started to attack. Some of them had red crystals on their armor or even... Oh Maker help them, some had the red lyrium growing out of them. She reinforced the barrier Solas put up around the soldiers, and started calling down lightning. Blackwall moved in front of her with his shield, keeping any of the templars from getting close to her with their blades. She saw one of the Inquisition's templars doing the same for Solas.

The trebuchet fired, and someone shouted that the templars had taken the north trebuchet. She glanced at the soldiers and indicated she'd go take care of it. A few of the soldiers followed her, but most stayed to guard the trebuchet as it continued to fire.

She and Solas twirled their staffs in unison, sending forth lightning to disrupt the templars lines as the soldiers charged in. Not enough. Two of the Inquisition soldiers went down under templar swords, despite the barriers. The battle was brutal. Half of the remaining soldiers were wounded and limping by the time the trebuchet was clear.

Staff in hand, she stood at the back of the man who aimed the trebuchet, making sure nothing came in to disrupt his work. The stone hit the side of the mountain, and for a moment she thought he'd miscalculated. Then the slide began. She clapped him on the shoulder and cheered as the slide began to bury the forces marching on Haven.

Blackwall tackled her out of the way as burst of red energy blew the trebuchet to pieces. She looked up dizzily, and felt her blood go cold as she saw the tattered dragon in the air.

"Shit!" Varric hollered as he scrambled to his feet. "Who ordered the end of the damned world?"

Blackwall rolled off her and pulled her to her feet. She stumbled after him, along with the two surviving soldiers. The dragon started to circle again, and its breath killed another group of soldiers. She heard them scream as they died in the strange red fire.

The blacksmith was trying to get the door of the smithy open. She aimed her staff, and hit it with a blast of energy as she moved past, blowing it inwards. He saluted her as he rushed inside.

#

Cullen was at the gate, shoving people inside. "Move it, move it." He took one more look out before he closed the gates behind them. "We need everyone back to the Chantry. It's the only building that might hold against..." He met her eyes, and she could tell he didn't want to say it. "That beast." He sighed. "At this point..." He started up the stairs. "Just make them work for it."

They fought their way through Haven. Lysette was facing a group of the red templars, and they moved to help her. They collected a few more soldiers as they went, clearing the houses and tavern of wounded. Ruya got up a barrier just in time to protect both her and Minaeve from shards of exploding pots as the fire continued to spread. They rescued Threnn, and the quarter master got an arm under the wounded Seggrit, helping him into the Chantry.

Roderick was at the door of the Chantry. One look told Ruya he was in bad shape, but he held the door for them. "Move. Keep going. The Chantry is your shelter." He stumbled as he let the door close behind him.

Cole caught him, and got Roderick's arm over his shoulders. The young man looked up at her. "He tried to stop a templar. The blade went deep. He's going to die."

"What a charming boy." Roderick let Cole carry him to a chair. Ruya followed, and called up her healing magic. She wished, not for the first time, that she had more skill in the art. There was nothing she could do for him. She met his eyes, and he nodded in resignation.

"Herald." Cullen came towards her. "Our position is not good. That dragon stole back any time you might have earned us."

"I've seen an Archdemon." Cole spoke up from where he was kneeling next to Roderick. "I was in the Fade, but it looked like that."

"I don't care what it looks like." Cullen gestured. "It has cut a path for that army. They'll kill everyone in Haven."

"The Elder One doesn't care about the village. He only wants the Herald." Cole looked up from under the brim of his hat."

"If you know why he wants me, just say it." There had to be something she could do. These people had come because they thought she and the Inquisition could protect them.

"I don't. He's too loud. It hurts to hear him." Cole shook his head. "He wants to kill you. No one else matters, but he'll crush them, kill them anyway. I don't like him."

"You don't like..." Cullen pulled his gaze from Cole and back to Ruya. "Herald, there are no tactics to make this survivable. The only thing that slowed them was the avalanche. We could turn the remaining trebuchets, cause one last slide."

"We're overrun. To hit the enemy, we'd bury Haven."

"We're dying, but we can decide how." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Many don't get that chance."

She started to nod. Perhaps some of them would make it. And if they took this army with them... there were still Inquisition forces at the Crossroads and other places. Cole's voice reached her ears. "Yes, that. Chancellor Roderick can help. He wants to say it before he dies."

Her eyes widened, and she came to Roderick's side, kneeling to hear him better. "There is a path. You wouldn't know it unless you'd made the summer pilgrimage. As I have. The people can escape. She must have shown me. Andraste must have shown me so I could..." He caught her wrist, his grip weak. "Tell you."

"What are you on about, Roderick?" She put her hand over his.

"It was whim that I walked the path. I did not mean to start - it was overgrown. Now, with so many in the Conclave dead, to be the only one who remembers... I don't know, Herald." He raised his eyes to meet hers. "If this simple memory can save us, this could be more than mere accident. You could be more."

She looked up at the man standing behind her. "What about it, Cullen? Will it work?" She grabbed her staff, preparing to head out. She was the target. They'd focus on her, not on the Chantry. All she had to do was get to the trebuchet.

He nodded. "Possibly. If he shows us the path." He looked at her staff, then back at her. "But what of your escape?" Their eyes met, and he nodded. "Perhaps you will surprise it, find a way..." It was clear he didn't have much more hope for that then she did. He turned to the soldiers and the people. "Inquisition. Follow Chancellor Roderick through the Chantry. Move."

Cole got his shoulder under Roderick again. Roderick turned his eyes to her one more time. "Herald... If you are meant for this, if the Inquisition is meant for this, I pray for you."

Cullen looked back from where he was directing the forces. "Keep the Elder One's attention until we're above the tree line. If we are to have a chance-" He caught her arm. "If you are to have a chance - let that thing hear you."