Leliana let one of the ravens peck seed out of her hand. "Hawke sent me one final report. He is on his way to Weisshaupt. The Grey Wardens are all gone as well. Adamant Fortress has been sealed. You dealt Corypheus a significant blow, Inquisitor."

Ruya leaned on the railing. "The Grey Wardens are active in other nations. If we put out a discreet warning about the danger they pose..." Then both the Wardens and others might be safe.

"We may improve our standing with nations already concerned about the Wardens. I will take the matter to Josephine." She folded her arms. "We've got some time before the ball in Halamshiral. Arrangements are being made."

She nodded, and started to go towards the stairs. Leliana's voice called her back. "What was she like?" Ruya turned around. Leliana was watching her. "Divine Justinia, or her soul, or the spirit that took her form. I read your report. I know it isn't clear, but..."

"She seemed..." Ruya considered the spirit that had aided them. "Calm. Serene, even. And she guided us the whole way through."

The spymaster's eyes gleamed slightly with unshed tears. "That does sound like her."

"She did ask me to tell you something, though." Ruya walked back to Leliana, and stood next to the other woman. "She said, 'I'm sorry. I failed you, too."

"Oh." Leliana looked down at the papers she was holding. "I should finish this before it slips my mind. Perhaps later we might discuss the matter further." Leliana walked back to her desk. "Thank you."

Ruya nodded, and left the other woman to her thoughts.

#

She went to check on Cole. The spirit had been in disarray since their visit to the Fade, and she was worried for him. He wasn't in his usual spot.

After a few minutes, she found him in the courtyard, arguing with Solas.

"No."

"But you like demons."

Solas kept walking. "I enjoy the company of spirits, yes, which is part of why I do not abuse them with bindings."

Cole rushed to keep up with him. "It isn't abuse if I ask."

He sighed, and turned towards Cole. "Not always true. Also, I do not practice blood magic, which renders this entire conversation academic."

Cole saw her, and rushed towards her like a child coming to tattle. He gestured at Solas. "He won't bind me. He's a mage, and he likes demons, but he won't help."

"Why would you want Solas to bind you?" Ruya tried to put a hand on the frantic spirit's arm, but he shied away from the touch.

"So I'm safe." He shifted from side to side. "If Solas won't do the ritual to bind me, someone else could. Will. Like the Warden mages. And then..." He shook his head. "I'm not me anymore. Walls around what I want, blocking, bleeding, making me a monster."

She moved to stand next to him, trying to meet his eyes. "Isn't it extreme for Solas to bind you? What if that takes away the part of you that makes you..." Words failed her. "You?"

He looked up at her and gestured. "Helping makes me who I am. I help the hurting. That is what I do, all I do, am, me."

"And if binding you erases your mind? Your consciousness?" Solas moved to Cole's other side.

Cole turned to him. "You wouldn't make me hurt innocent people. I don't want to hurt innocent people again."

Ruya looked across at Solas. "There has to be some middle ground between 'do nothing' and 'bind Cole with blood magic."

He nodded. "Indeed. I recall stories of amulets used by Rivaini seers to protect spirits they summoned from rival mages." He gestured at Cole. "A spirit wearing an Amulet of the Unbound was immune to blood magic and binding. It should protect Cole as well. The resources of the Inquisition could be used to find such a talisman."

"Good." Cole starting to walk back to the tavern. "They will not take me."

She watched him go, then turned towards Solas. "Give a description of this amulet to Leliana, and tell her it's a priority."

#

He took his frustrations out on the woodpile. From time to time he imagined faces on the logs as he splintered them. Erimond's featured often. He looked up to see the Inquisitor watching him. He brought the axe down, imagining again that it was Erimond's skull. "Someone I knew once described Adamant to me." The dead man's face swam in his mind, and he set another log up. "'Adamant is, and always will be, the Order,' he said. 'A guardian on the edge of the abyss, the lone soul that stares into oblivion and doesn't waver.' That's what Warden-Commander Clarel tried to be. What they all tried to be." He splintered the log, and set up another. "I'm told her Wardens never wavered. They went to their deaths willingly." As the dead man had. "They died for us, and Corypheus twisted their sacrifice to make it his own." The halves of the log flew in separate directions, and he set up another log.

"We stopped him." She came to stand nearby, but not so close as to interfere with his swing. "We saved most of the Wardens."

He brought the axe down again, then tossed it aside. Part of him wanted to rant at her for sending them away. The rest of him knew she'd done it more to protect them than any other reason. The dead piled up in his memory. "But not all of them, and they died thinking they were doing something good. There's no one to blame but Corypheus. Even Clarel's intentions were righteous." That's what he'd remember most. The moment the Wardens realized what Erimond calling that dragon had meant, they'd gone from fighting the Inquisition to fighting at their sides. A man had gone from his axe lifted above Dorian's head to cleaving the demon attacking Sera without batting an eye. And died to the demon's claws. "Her desire to protect was so great, it led her astray. It's not right..." He kicked one of the splintered pieces back into the pile. "To want to do good, to be good, and have that turned against you."

Her voice was gentle. "Don't think of what went wrong. Think of their intentions, their sacrifice." He saw his grief reflected in her eyes. "Honor their selflessness."

"Clarel made mistakes, but she was a great woman, and she died a great woman." Her last act upon this world had been to drive the dragon away. Who knew how many lives that had saved? Theirs, probably. "It's not the armor or the trappings of the Order. It's not the Joining." He turned his thoughts away from that direction. "At the heart of it, all a Warden is, is a promise. To protect others... even at the cost of your own life."

That much, he knew she understood. She'd gone out to face Corypheus, knowing it was likely to end in her death. That it hadn't... He'd thought he'd stopped believing in miracles.

#

Cassandra was hitting Iron Bull with a stick. Ruya rubbed her eyes. Cassandra was still hitting Iron Bull with a stick. With a sigh, she walked over.

Iron Bull grunted. "Again." She hit him again, eliciting another grunt. "Again." Cassandra hit him again. "Oh, come on. This is why the Qun doesn't like women fighting. I should've asked Cullen."

A moment later, Iron Bull was lying on his back. A slow wheeze escaped him. "Good one."

Cassandra shook her head, and caught sight of Ruya standing there. She shoved the stick at her. "Perhaps you can take over." She stalked off.

Ruya looked down at the stick she was now holding, then at Iron Bull. He shrugged at her. "Qunari training exercise to master your fear. I heard about the Nightmare at Adamant. Sounded big."

"Can you explain why I'm supposed to hit you with this stick?"

"Probably, if I try." He shifted his position into a couple different stances before deciding on one. "It'd involve a lot of Qunari words, though." He shook his head. "Just hit me with the stick, all right? I need to get over this demon crap."

She took a deep breath. "All right." She hit him with the stick.

He grunted. "There we go." He grunted again. "Oh, yeah. Damn demon." He grunted. "Who's stuck in the Fade, huh?" He grunted as she continued hitting him.

It was vaguely disturbing, but oddly therapeutic. Like hitting Lukas with the broom to get him used to his new armor and ready for the melee. Come to think of it, her eldest brother and Iron Bull would probably get along splendidly. Or wreck the tavern brawling. Or both. "You fought in that siege. Every demon at Adamant wanted to tear you in half."

Iron Bull grunted again. "I bet, ya demon assholes." He shifted his stance after she hit him again. "And who killed you?" His next grunt was more of a growl. "That's right. Iron Fucking Bull." She hit him one last time, and he smiled. "Oh..." He shook himself. "I needed that. Thanks, boss."

She handed the stick back to him. "Anytime."

#

Dorian ignored the glaring eyes of Minaeve as he shifted books around on the shelves. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Inquisitor come down from the rookery. "You have remarkably little here on early Tevinter history." She'd gone into the Fade. "All these 'gifts' to the Inquistion, and the best they can do is the Malefica Imperio?" Passed through the Veil. "Trite propaganda." Physically in the realm of demons. "But if you want twenty volumes on whether Divine Galatea took a shit on Sunday, this is evidently the place to find it."

Her smile was warm when she joined him in the alcove. "If I knew what you were looking for, I could help you."

"Because you're a mage? Considering the education standards in the South, that's hardly a recommendation." She gave him a shocked look, and he hung his head and sighed. "I apologize. That was unworthy." He turned back to the bookcase so as not to have to meet her eyes. "Did I see something by Genitivi here? I could have sworn..."

Her hand rested lightly on his arm. "What is this about, Dorian?"

"When everyone returned, they told us about your tumble into the Abyssal Rift." He gestured. "You went into the Fade. Physically went in. Are you..." He sighed, and then realized there was no way around letting her know he'd worried. "All right?"

"Loghain..." Sorrow filled her eyes. "Is gone."

And she blamed herself. Of course she did. He'd seen her after the fight. Cullen had all but had to drag her from the infirmary before she'd collapsed with exhaustion. "The Fade is an ordeal under normal circumstances. To be the only real thing there..." Words failed him. "Beyond description. That you made it out at all is a miracle." He wanted to hug her, but thought better of it. "You do realize this feat hasn't been performed in over a thousand years? Corypheus and his contemporaries entered the Fade and began the Blights. In comparison..."

"That's not exactly comforting, Dorian." She shuddered.

"Nor should it be." He put a hand on her shoulder. "If you can walk in the Fade, others will try to follow." He could think of a half-dozen just off the top of his head. "Who knows what secrets Corypheus has revealed?" Well, more than a half-dozen, but at least a half-dozen who would make serious attempts. "Not all of them will be so lucky as you. What they could unleash..." He sighed. "My advice? Keep this quiet. Let them speculate. Too many will see this as a challenge."

"That's a good idea."

"There are enough idiots in the world who think if they just use enough blood magic, their problems will vanish. It's exactly the sort of thing I want to stop back home. This..." He shook his head. "This I don't need." He turned back towards the bookshelf. "What I do need is a copy of the Liberalum. I'll wager I can find Corypheus's real name. If I can prove he was a grasping ankle-biter with no family to speak of? The luster would come right off." He grinned at her. "Wish me luck."

She gave him an affectionate shake of her head before continuing downstairs.

#

Josephine had her hold court. They'd found the mayor of Crestwood. She exiled him, and hoped he could make a new life for himself far from Ferelden. The next they brought before her was Erimond. A clean death was as merciful as she could bring herself to be.

The next they brought before her was a Warden, Ser Ruth. She confessed to having slit the throat of one of her fellows, and asked for a public execution. Ruya looked down at the mark on her hand. "The Inquisition stands for faith. Our work has greater purpose." She looked up at the woman before her. "Sometimes, we need a reminder. Ser Ruth, the Herald of Andraste forgives you in her name. Find peace in that."

"Your worship, I-" Tears filled the woman's eyes. "I will try."

Josephine looked down at her writing board as the guards began to bring in the next prisoner. Ruya tilted her head. Her diplomat was fidgeting. A lot. Josephine raised her head. "This was a surprise. After you returned from the bogs, we discovered this man attacking. The building. With a..." Josephine wouldn't meet her eyes. "Goat. Chief Movran the Under. He feels slighted by the killing of his Avvar tribesmen. Who repeatedly attacked you first. What should we do with him? Where..." Josephine continued to stare at her writing board. "Should he go?"

This... What? "You answered the death of your clan..." She couldn't quite wrap her mind around the idea. "With a goat?"

The massive man laughed. "A courtroom? Unnecessary. You killed my idiot son, and I answered, as is my custom, by smacking your holdings with goat's blood."

Ruya stared at him for a moment, and then turned to look at Josephine. Josephine seemed to be trying to hide behind the writing board. "Don't look at me."

"No foul." Chief Movran shook his head. "He meant to murder Tevinters, but got feisty with your Inquisition. A redheaded mother guarantees a brat. Do as you've earned, Inquisitor. My clan yields. My remaining boys have brains still in their heads." His deep laughter filled the hall again.

She'd inherited her mother's red hair. And saw an opportunity. "It seems our conflict was accidental, Chief Movran, but it can't be repeated." She leaned forward. "I banish you and your clan - with as many weapons as you can carry - to Tevinter." She could hear Sera's cackle all the way from the other end of the hall.

Chief Movran gave a hearty laugh of his own. "My idiot boy got us something after all."

#

Ruya found Cullen and Dorian sitting across from each other over a chess board. The battle appeared to be bloody and merciless.

"Gloat all you like. I have this one."

"Are you sassing me, Commander? I didn't know you had it in you." Dorian leaned back in his seat, smirking at Cullen.

"Why do I even-" He saw her. "Inquisitor." Cullen started to rise.

Dorian immediately leaned forward. "Leaving, are you? Does this mean I win?"

Cullen narrowed his eyes, and sat back down, challenge written all over his face.

Maker, it was good to see them relaxed. "Are you two playing nice?"

Dorian's lips twitched upwards. "I'm always nice." He moved a piece. "You need to come to terms with my inevitable victory. You'll feel much better."

Her general moved one of his pieces, and then sat back with a smug expression. "Really? Because I just won. And I feel fine."

"Don't get smug." Dorian shook his head, then rose. "There will be no living with you."

"I should return to my duties as well..." Cullen looked up at her, then gestured to the seat Dorian had vacated. "Unless you would care for a game?"

She sat down. "Prepare the board, Commander."

He began resetting the pieces. "As a child, I played this with my sister. She would get this stuck-up grin whenever she won - which was all the time. My brother and I practices for hours. The look on her face when I finally won." His expression sobered. "Between serving with the templars and the Inquisition, I haven't seen them in years. I wonder if she still plays."

They sat a while, sharing stories of their siblings. She told him of the time she'd put a weasel into Lukas's dresser, only for her brother to end up keeping the creature as a pet. He smiled. "This may be the longest we've gone without discussing the Inquisition - or related matters." He moved his piece. "To be honest, I appreciate the distraction."

She felt much the same way. "We should spend more time together."

"I would like that." He looked up at her from across the board.

Maker, she could feel her cheeks starting to go red. "Me, too."

He smiled, and looked down at the board. "You said that." He swallowed. "We should..." He started to reach for the board, and knocked one of the pieces off. "Finish our game. Right. My turn?" He set the piece back in its proper location.

She made an adjustment to her strategy, and they discussed their respective journeys across the Waking Sea. "... and a dozen seasick mages. I don't think any captain has ever been so happy to make it into port." She moved one of her remaining pawns. "Did you leave anyone behind in Kirkwall?"

"No. I fear I made few friends there, and my family's in Ferelden."

"No one special caught your interest?"

"Not in Kirkwall."

They played a while longer, until she managed to corner his king. He inclined his head. "I believe this one is yours. Well played. We shall have to try again sometime."

#

Varric stared into the fire, trying to avoid thinking of their recent excursion into the Fade. When he'd looked back, and Hawke and the Inquisitor weren't there... Those moments before they'd emerged had been the worst moments of his life. And Loghain hadn't emerged at all. He wasn't looking forward to telling Carver. He looked up to see the Inquisitor. "I guess the Hero of River Dane's story finally came to an end. Loghain was the Ferelden ideal, you know? The common boy who freed his kingdom and became a teyrn. He helped to end the Fifth Blight. The rest aside, that made him a hero. He wasn't the first good man to fall to Corypheus. He won't be the last. This story's no good for heroes."

She stood next to him, an affectionate hand on his shoulder. "You must be glad that Hawke made it back in one piece."

"Yeah." Once again, Hawke had emerged from danger by the skin of his teeth. "Closest thing I've ever seen to a miracle, there." He sighed. "Hawke asked me to tell everyone back in Kirkwall where he's going. Fenris needs to know." Fenris was going to be furious. "Maker, I'm glad I won't be doing this in person. I'd better write some letters. Excuse me."

"Loghain has a daughter, doesn't he?"

He turned back to Ruya. "Anora. Teyrna of Gwaren."

"I should write her. Let her know..." She sighed. "Let her know he died a hero."

"Yeah." He sat at the table and got out his pen. Words wouldn't come. He missed his friends. Missed telling stories to Caleb. Missed watching Salla's excitment every time she managed to conjure up the slightest spark. Missed Orana's baking. Even missed Fenris brooding all over the place. At least with this, with the Inquisitor and Cassandra, nobody would be hunting Hawke any longer. That, at least, Fenris needed to know.

#

Cassandra was reading when Ruya approached her. "Good book?"

The Seeker actually shouted in surprise and stumbled out of her seat, nearly falling. Cassandra swallowed, and then hid the book behind her back. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Wait..." Ruya's eyes widened. "Are you blushing?"

Cassandra shifted her weight from foot to foot, like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar. "What would I have to blush about?"

"You tell me." Ruya tried very hard not to smile. She was pretty sure she was failing.

"It's of no interest to you, I'm certain." Cassandra righted the chair, and then sighed. "It's a book."

"I can see that."

"It's..." Cassandra touched the cover of the book, which depicted a red haired woman in armor. "One of Varric's tales. Swords and Shields. The latest chapter."

The romance. She'd never managed to get her hands on a copy of that one. "So you like to read." She tilted her head at the other woman. "What's wrong with that?"

"It's frivolous. There are more important things for me to do."

"That's just her favorite." Dorian leaned on the tower next to where the infirmary was being constructed.

For a moment, Ruya thought Cassandra was actually going to draw her sword on the man. "Nobody asked you, Tevinter."

Dorian's smile widened. "I couldn't finish the last one you lent me." He straightened, and then started to walk off, giving Cassandra a wide birth. "I actually feel dumber for having tried."

Ruya watched him go, and then turned back to Cassandra, who blushed even more. "It's literature. Smutty..." The woman sounded like she was confessing to practicing blood magic. "Literature." Suddenly Cassandra's head came up, and she held out her hand pleadingly. "Whatever you do, don't tell Varric."

"Why not?" She could feel her lips twitching as she fought the smile. "I think Varric would be pleased to have another fan."

"'Pleased.' Yes, that's one word for it." Cassandra held the book to her, and then sighed. "They're terrible. And magnificent." Words began to boil from her almost as fast as they did from Dagna. "And this one ends in a cliffhanger. I know Varric is working on the next, he must be. You, you could ask him to finish it, command him to..." She caught herself, and swallowed. "Pretend you don't know this about me."

#

She managed to hold out an entire hour before telling Varric. It was worth it to see the dwarf's face light up again. He just stared at her. "I must have heard that wrong. It sounded like you said that Cassandra read my books."

"She's a pretty big fan, in fact."

"Are we talking about the same Cassandra? Tall, grumpy Seeker? Likes stabbing things?" He blinked. "Wait, did you say the romance serial? She'll be waiting for a while, then. I haven't finished it and wasn't planning to. That book is easily the worst I've ever written. The last issue barely sold enough to pay for the ink."

That was too bad. Cassandra spent entirely too much time worrying. "Well, Cassandra seems to be hooked on it."

"And I honestly thought a hole in the sky was the weirdest thing that could happen. So..." He looked up at her, and grinned, eyes twinkling. "You want me to finish writing the latest issue of my worst serial. For Cassandra." He laughed softly. "That's such a terrible idea, I have to do it. On one condition: I get to be there when you give her the book."

She immediately held out her hand. "You've got a deal."

Varric shook, and then headed for the desk. "I'll get to work, then. You know, the fact that the book is terrible just makes it more worthwhile, somehow."

Ruya laughed, and walked away trying to figure out if she'd just done something wonderful or created a monster.

#

Josephine nodded to Leliana. "You've heard back then?"

"They aren't exactly thrilled with how things worked out, but they acknowledge the situation could have been much worse. Both Brosca and Lenore have agreed to withdraw from field operations, and remain at their headquarters where they can be observed. And House Brosca will continue to work with my agents."

"They aren't joining the rest of the Wardens, then?"

Leliana shook her head. "No, and I'm not sure it would be wise for them to do so. We may need to retain both as contacts. With the Wardens exiled and the Circles a mess, Lenore is really our only source of darkspawn and Warden lore at the moment."

"I am glad to hear it. And not just because of the aid they've rendered us in Antiva thus far." Josephine glanced down at the map, then back up at Leliana. "And... The situation in Ferelden?"

"Alistair is..." Leliana sighed. "Well, I imagine he's on the furious side. All the responses I've received have been from Cathiel. She acknowledges the Inquisitor's reasoning, and accepts the action, though she was quick to remind me that the Inquisitor's authority does not extend into Ferelden." Leliana's voice became bitter. "Not that it matters anymore."

Josephine rose, and pulled Leliana in for a hug. "I miss him to."

"I know." Leliana collected herself. "Our agents are finding a much more chilly reception, and Cathiel is questioning our holding of the fort in Crestwood."

"Would you like me to..."

"No. I will take care of it."

#

"Heard what went on in that Fade thing. What you think went on. Can't even start to believe that business." Sera was fidgeting with something as she stared out the window.

Ruya shook her head. She'd left a man behind, and had just sent a letter to his daughter, letting her know. "We can stew about what we saw for ages, but some of us didn't come back."

Sera turned to face her. "Knew you'd get what was important. 'Yammer, yammer. Visions and shite.' People are dead. Probably." She tossed the item onto the bench. "Loghain, yeah? Not a lot of tears for that one." She gestured. "All so you could tell the Wardens to piss off. And they're always weird. Usually bad stuff happens first so you're glad when the hero shows up. But Wardens are the wrong way 'round. They're the good thing that means a bad thing is about to happen. Like in Denerim, when the Blight ended."

She settled herself on one of the benches and watched Sera pace and fidget. The woman was never still. The 'probably' weighed on her heavily, but she'd no idea what, if anything, could be done. She should talk to Solas. "A lot happened in Denerim. What did you see?"

"There weren't a lot of Wardens. Mostly people just talked about these two. There was a big fight, and one died, or, I don't know, maybe they didn't?"

"The Hero of Ferelden? You forget the Hero of Ferelden?" Ruya felt her jaw try to unhinge.

Sera threw up her hands and collapsed onto the other bench. "That was ages ago. Ten years. I was playing with small painted boxes and burying stuff I stole." She wouldn't quite meet Ruya's eyes. "I remember more people cringing about magic than Blight. Wardens were an excuse for your stuff to go missing." She shrugged. "Blackwall's nice, though. Different from the Adamant ones. Need more like him."

"I spoke to him a while ago. He's taking it well, but could perhaps use a bit more cheering. What say we find him some pie?"

"Oh, and beer. Pie and beer."

#

Solas was less than thrilled about the Wardens. It was somewhat odd, hearing anger in his normally calm voice, and fury in his eyes. "I cannot believe the Grey Wardens would conceive of such a plan. To seek out these Old Gods deliberately in some bizarre attempt to preempt the Blight..."

"Grey Wardens have always been dangerous." Heroic, but dangerous. "They care for nothing beyond stopping the darkspawn."

"Like a fair maiden chasing a butterfly off a cliff." He walked to where he was painting one of the walls, and gave the mural a critical look. "Except that if you hadn't stopped them, we'd all have fallen." He turned back to face her. "Those fools and duty. Responsibility is not expertise. Action is not inherently superior to inaction." He took a deep breath. "Forgive me. The entire idea is..." He walked back towards the desk. "Unnerving."

She walked over to stand across from him. She was still searching for the right way to word her questions when he looked back up at her curiously. "The new power you wield... I heard from Cassandra that it is the magic of the knight-enchanters? If I am not mistaken, the techniques descend from those of ancient elven mages called arcane warriors." He smiled slightly as he shook his head. "I wonder what they would think to see their magic used in defense of the Chantry."

"I doubt they were called 'Arcane Warriors' in elven." She started examining his pile of books.

"The formal name for the techniques you have learned was the dirth'ena enasalin, knowledge that led to victory." He shook his head slightly. "Mages who eschewed physical confrontation called it ghilan'him banal'vhen, the path that leads astray."

She just hoped it was the path to keeping fewer of her people from getting killed. "What can you tell me about the arcane warriors?"

"They were elite guardsmen, serving as bodyguards or champions for nobles, as I understand. Mages who focused on spirits or the Fade might sneer at their physicality, but never doubted their honor." He spread his hands. "They were the living embodiment of will made manifest, mind shaping the body into the perfect weapon."

"I hope the ancient elven warriors would be pleased to see their techniques survive."

"I hope so, as well. So much knowledge has been lost..." He sighed. "Perhaps having something they created carried forward, even in such a different form, would gratify them." He blinked. "Did you need anything?"

"Actually, yes. I wanted to talk to you..." She sighed, and leaned on the table. "We left a man physically in the Fade, at the mercy of the Nightmare." She looked up at him. "There must be something..."

"It is most likely that he was killed, Inquisitor."

"But what does that mean?" She turned to look at the mural he'd painted of the events at Haven. "A physical death in the Fade?"

"It is not the sort of subject I have considered before."

"Could you..." She sighed. "Is there any way for you to find him? Like when I found you and you took me to Haven."

"I..." He considered a moment. "I can try, Inquisitor. But you and I had been training together for some time, joining our magic. Even with that, it was a shock that you found me. I know little of Loghain."

"But you saw him once in the Fade, at Ostagar."

"A starting point. Yes. I will do what I can."

#

Sera led them to the outskirts of Crestwood, but quickly became nervous, stating the situation didn't feel right. "I was expecting a village or something. The people that leave me stuff don't trek out to places like this." She shook her head. "Give me a city, and I'll give you a tour, but - surprise, surprise - I don't know stupid woods or ruins." Something rustled. "What's that?"

A young man came rushing towards them, then stopped short when he caught sight of them. "Don't hurt me. Harmond made me do it."

Ruya raised a hand in a calming gesture. "Quiet yourself, we're here to help."

"Help?" He shook his head. "Had enough help. I complain about a fight, and suddenly I'm an agent or something?"

"You were the one with the rumor out of Verchiel?" Sera took a step forward. "My friend?"

His eyes widened. "You're her? You're the one he's waiting for." He started to turn and run from them. "It's her. She's here. Red Jenny." Two arrows caught him in the chest, dropping him to the ground.

She reached for her staff as Sera nocked an arrow. Several guards came out of the woods, and she could make out a man standing next to a stone pillar, watching.

#

The observer held up his hands in a placating gesture as they came towards him, stepping over the bodies of the men he'd sent to ambush them. "Whoa-ho-ho. Hold on. I was not aware the Inquisitor was personally involved." He pasted a friendly smile on his face. "This is a tragic misunderstanding. Let's all sheath our swords, you walk out, and we'll conduct this like business."

She didn't need the staff to deal with him. He'd just had his men kill one of Sera's people, an unarmed man. Sera sounded furious. "Don't believe this pissbag. He started it." Ruya gestured for them to lower their weapons.

He stepped out of the shadows. His clothing was finely tailored and embroidered. Nobility then. "There." He sounded satisfied. "That wasn't so hard, was it? We identified the confusion, and we worked past it. I'm Lord Pel Harmond. I do hope, Inquisitor, that you continue to respond to reason. After all, your choice of company is hardly virtuous." Arrogance practically dripped off every word.

"Frigging user, you are. Another noble prick who punches down." Sera shifted from foot to foot, clearly wanting to go for her weapons again.

Harmond rolled his eyes at Sera before turning his attention back to Ruya. "We're the same, you and I." His eyes went to her staff. "Well, that is overstating it. You are nothing like me. But we both need people."

"You want to talk now, but Sera is my ally." Ruya narrowed her eyes. "You attacked her 'friends'." And based on the report the soldiers had given, he'd burned the homes of some peasants.

"Come now, you know how much her meddling cost me? Because apparently you were complicit." He folded his arms and tried to return her glare. "Honestly, previous to this very moment, I thought you'd also been tricked by these Red Jennies. You're of noble birth, and as Inquisitor, you are more than a peer. I attacked them on behalf of us both."

"Arse-biscuit." Sera shot the words at him.

"Quite. Inquisitor? Herald. I don't want to be your enemy. I am barely invested in being hers." He went back to smiling. "If you are willing to recognize an opportunity, we could be exceptional partners."

There was certainly an opportunity here. "A partnership gets me your enemies. I need the territory."

Sera blinked at her. "What are you doing? He's half the mess in Verchiel."

She smiled. "And now his job is recruiting the other." She turned back to Harmond. "Consider your lands and title requisitioned." She caressed her staff. "You opened the bargaining. Think of your immediate options."

He swallowed. "Surprising, disappointing, but also welcome over the alternative."

Next to her, Sera cackled. "Won't be hearing from you again."

"Be sure to return the favor." He sneered at her.

Sera stuck out her tongue and made a rude noise.

#

They stopped in to see how the fort was shaping up. Charter let them know that her friend, a man named Butcher, hadn't arrived for a rendezvous. Ruya, Sera, Iron Bull, and Dorian went to see if they could find him.

Venatori had ambushed and killed the man. They avenged him, and then took his notes to Charter. The rest of the evening was spent sitting with Charter and a few others who knew Butcher, listening to stories of the man as those who had known him best toasted his memory. Paying for the drinks seemed the least she could do.

#

Ruya stopped in to see Sera after they'd returned to Skyhold. Sera gave her a warm smile. "There's you. How was that Harmond mess, huh?" She flopped down onto the cushions. "I should be angry you let him live, but his kind really hate a leash. I mean, he deserved worse for turning it all bad, but we made out just fine. Good one, you."

She knew what it was like to get caught between warring factions. "Risky, but keep it within the Inquisition, and I'll support you.

"Even though this puckered around us?" Sera gave her a disbelieving look.

"Even so."

"Well. Good then." Sera shifted, then tucked her legs up under her. "Right, what do you mean, because I'm really not used to that..." She gestured. "Acceptance thing you're doing right there."

"We'll have some differences, but I want to be one of your friends." The woman brought an entirely new perspective to her. Often a crazy one, but a new one.

"You're pretty big to be one of my contacts." Sera blinked, then continued quickly, "Important, I mean. Not fat. But all right, Inquisitor." She rocked back merrily in her seat. "You're on my good side. We'll see if it lasts."

#

Iron Bull sat up and brushed the dirt off his shoulder harness. "Did you see it that time?"

"Not sure Chief. Might need her to knock you down a few more times for it to really become clear." Krem grinned widely, then winked at Cassandra. Cassandra just rolled her eyes in response.

He got back to his feet and shook out his shoulders. Even slowed for demonstration purposes, he was going to have some bruises later. Battering rams hit with less force than Cassandra. "Hey, Seeker, if I hit a guy high while you go low, you think we could get him to flip?"

She blinked. "Flip?"

"Yes. Ass over tea kettle, you know."

"I..." She tilted her head to one side uncertainly. "Suppose that could be done?"

"I'm always wanted to get a guy to flip!" He started to gesture at Krem to try it out, and then glanced back at Cassandra. The woman was frozen, her face pale. She was staring at a Dalish elf that had just walked in the gate. "Hey, Seeker? Seeker?" She walked away. He exchanged a look with Krem, then followed.

The Dalish man caught sight of her. "Cassandra?"

Iron Bull gave the man an appraising look. He wore a nicked battle axe in a back harness. His armor was battered to hell, and he looked haggard himself. Iron Bull started to reach for his own blade when Cassandra suddenly rushed the last couple feet to the man and threw her arms around him. She hugged him tightly for a moment, then grabbed his arm and started dragging him up to the hall.

"Chief?" Krem asked.

"Keep practicing," Iron Bull called over his shoulder as he followed.

#

"The issue with the merchant in Antiva has been settled," Leliana said. "We owe House Brosca a case of Amaranthine red and..." She glanced down at a piece of parchment in her hand. "An official statement from the Inquisition that a well braided beard is a superior indicator of dwarven sexual prowess than mere chest hair."

Ruya laughed. One day she wanted to meet this Brosca. "Send the wine. And the report from Lydes?"

"Our soldiers intercepted an attack by 'bandits'," Cullen said. "Duchess Caralina sends her gratitude, and supplies for our nearby camps."

"Anything else?" She looked at her advisers.

"I think that covers it, Inquisitor." Josephine looked over her writing board. "Preparations are underway for the ball in Halamshiral."

"Thank you."

Leliana gathered up her reports. The door to the war room opened a moment later. Cassandra leaned in. "Inquisitor, Leliana, there is a matter that requires your immediate attention."

"What's going on?" Ruya asked.

Cassandra opened the door all the way and entered, followed by a battered looking Dalish man. Josephine gasped.

Leliana went pale, and then dropped everything she'd just picked up to the floor. Her voice came out little more than a strangled cry. "Vhenan?" A heartbeat later, she nearly knocked Cullen over as she rushed to the Dalish man and threw her arms around him. He returned the embrace, pulling her in close and holding her tightly. "You're alive. Oh, Maker, you're alive."

Ruya raised an eyebrow. "Cassandra?"

Cassandra's smile trembled. "Inquisitor, this is Warden-Constable Brehan Mahariel."

She blinked. "I thought you said he was dead."

"We nearly were," Brehan said from where he was holding Leliana. "Zeph saw the charges, and died stopping the last of them. We were trapped, but not buried."

"You mean..." Cassandra's eyes widened, and then she shook her head. "Brehan, this is Inquisitor Ruya Trevelyan, Herald of Andraste. I believe you know Commander Cullen and Josephine."

Leliana pulled away slightly, but did not release her grip on Brehan. "The others?"

He closed his eyes for a moment. "Seven. Seven of us made it out. Saitada and Sigrun, as well as Bren, Lars, Jethro, and Wilma of the Silver Order." He sighed. "We found daylight a couple days south. The rumors the first group of refugees we encountered had..." He met Leliana's eyes. "Justinia?" She nodded, and he pulled her close to him once more.

"What rumors have you heard?" Ruya asked him, her voice gentle.

"The sky torn open, demons everywhere, darkspawn leading an army, relics from the First Blight, an archdemon on the loose, Tevinter invading, possessed templars, Wardens banished." He looked up at her. "Andraste choosing a champion."

"I'm sorry to say that most of what you've heard is true." She sighed. "I'll let Leliana and Cassandra fill you in, but..." She glanced at Cassandra, then back to the man in front of her. "Due to recent circumstances, until we can be sure, I'm afraid we must take you into custody. Where did you leave the others?"

Brehan blinked at her, and then turned his head to look at Cassandra. Cassandra nodded to him, and he returned the nod. "They are on their way back to Vigil's Keep." He reached behind him, and handed the axe to Cullen. Cullen accepted it, and then began setting the daggers the man handed him onto the war table. The pile was rather impressive.

Leliana lead the man away. Ruya turned to Cassandra. "Thoughts?"

"Before Adamant, I would have proudly looked you in the eye and told you I trusted that man to the ends of the world and beyond, with everything I hold dear." She sighed. "And I hate Corypheus all the more for putting these doubts in my head. We started the Inquisition with the assumption that he would be one of its leaders. He trained many of our best scouts." She gestured. "Maker, he's the one that suggested I recruit Cullen."

Ruya nodded slowly. "He's your friend."

"Yes."

Josephine glanced at the door, then back at Ruya. "According to what was said at Adamant, the Wardens bound to Corypheus were little more than puppets. Their behavior radically changed. If Brehan has been compromised, it will be noticed."

She sighed. "Blackwall wasn't part of what happened at Adamant. And Loghain died to stop it. Clearly, not all the Wardens have fallen. I trust you, Cassandra, and I trust Leliana. If you say he can be trusted, I believe you."

"Let him stay, Inquisitor." Cassandra fidgeted with one of her gloves. "For his protection, if for no other reason."