Ruya took a seat at the table and Cassandra passed her the basket of rolls. Varric was pestering Blackwall again. "So it was just you, alone in the vast wilderness?"

Blackwall helped himself to some ham. "What are you on about?"

"The lone wanderer, searching the world. What's he trying to find? Love? Absolution?"

"Try 'someone with a strong arm and a stronger will to fight darkspawn.'"

Varric waved a sausage around as though it were a conductor's wand. "Yes, but what does that represent?"

"Wanting to kill more darkspawn."

"You're just like Sebastian." Varric bit the sausage in half.

"You do realize that if you don't tell him, he's just going to make something up," Brehan said.

"He'll make something up even if I do tell him," Blackwall countered.

Sera and Iron Bull were apparently having a discussion about Qunari women. The look on Sera's face was slightly disturbing. Dorian was going back and forth between being amused by Varric's needling of Blackwall and giving Cassandra a contemplative look.

Cassandra finally glared at Dorian. "Why are you looking at me like that, Dorian?"

He grinned. "I'm imagining what you would look like..." He looked her up and down. "In a dress."

Next to Cassandra, Brehan started laughing. Cassandra immediately turned and punched him. He fell off the bench with a yelp, and continued laughing as he lay on the ground.

"Oh, I think I've got to hear this story," Varric said, leaning forward.

"One word, elf, and I will end you." Cassandra glared.

Brehan's voice was half-strangled from the effort to stop his laughter. "You made your point quite eloquently the first time."

She shook her head at him and made a disgusted noise.

#

They were waiting on word of the forward camp at Emprise du Lion. A very brave young woman had made it to Skyhold to report sightings of red templars, an act which had cost her an ear and part of her nose to frostbite. Josephine's heart had practically bled all over, and the woman was now a member of her staff. Ruya did a slow circuit on the ramparts, walking and talking with Solas about his rift magic. As fascinating as she found it, she couldn't quite manage to pull the raw fade the way he did. He admitted that her skills with barriers had begun to surpass his, and they ended up experimenting with pulling the fade into a barrier. She could only hold the spell for a few seconds, but they discovered not only did it make her completely invulnerable, she actually was able to phase through things while the effect was active.

#

Cullen sparred with her on the ramparts, making her use a different type of sword than the one she'd been practicing with thus far. It was annoying how long it took her to find her balance again. They set the blades back in the rack, and then slowly walked back towards his office.

"It's a nice day."

She was so wrapped up in how nice a day it was it took her a couple moments to realize he'd spoken. "What?"

He rubbed the back of his neck. "It's..." He looked away. "Was there something you wished to discuss?"

There were a thousand things they needed to discuss. She didn't really want to talk about any of them. "Cullen, I..." She sighed.

"What's wrong?" He started to put a hand on her arm, and then drew it back nervously.

"You left the templars, but do you trust mages? Could you think of me as anything more?" Maker, she felt like an idiot saying it out loud.

"I could." She blinked and stared up at him. He blushed. "I mean, I do..." He shifted his weight from foot to foot and ran a hand down his face. "Think of you. And what I might say in this sort of situation."

"What's stopping you?" She hadn't been this nervous walking out of the Chantry to take on an archdemon.

"You're the Inquisitor. We're at war. And you..." He met her eyes. "I didn't think it was possible."

She caught his hand. "And yet I'm still here."

"So you are..." He stepped towards her. "It seems too much to ask." He ran the knuckles of his other hand down her cheek, his touch feather-light. "But I want to-"

Ruya leaned forward as he bent his head towards hers.

"Commander." Both of them froze. Cullen stepped back from her and glanced at the voice. She saw Kels walking towards them, looking at the parchment he was carrying in his hands. "You wanted a copy of Sister Leliana's report."

"What?" Cullen stepped away from her, his voice harsh. Ruya could feel her cheeks reddening.

"Sister Leliana's report. You wanted it delivered 'without delay'." Kels finally looked up. He blinked. He looked at her for a moment, and then looked at Cullen. Cullen took a step towards him, and Kels' eyes widened as he took a step backwards. "Or..." The young man looked absolutely terrified. "To your office..." Kels glanced at her again, and somehow his eyes managed to widen even further. "Right..." He fled like the Archdemon was on his heels.

She looked down at her feet. "If you need to-"

Cullen cut her off by grabbing her and kissing her soundly. She wrapped her arms around him and returned the kiss. They stood there for a few seconds or a thousand years, lost in each other.

Then he stepped back. "I'm sorry..." He swallowed. "That was..." He managed to meet her eyes. "Um..." He smiled. "Really nice."

"You don't regret it, do you?" She gazed into his eyes.

"No. No. Not at all." He leaned in to kiss her again.

#

Scout Harding filled her in on Sahrnia's situation. It didn't look good. Ruya seconded Harding's request to get some supplies out for the people, and asked for a volunteer from among the Inquisition's healers.

"The red templars have been mounting frequent attacks. They want Emprise du Lion. Bad." Harding punched a fist into the palm of her other hand. "Let's get out there, and take it back from them."

"Rift first. It's a little too close to the town. Form a perimeter, in case any of the demons get past us." Ruya gestured for her team to follow her in.

She and Solas used their magic to disrupt half of the fountains. Unfortunately, one of the remaining one's produced a pride demon. It sent Blackwall skidding across the ice with a blow from one massive fist. With the other demons attacking, they couldn't form a circle around the pride demon without leaving themselves vulnerable. Ruya altered her barrier, and phased into the pride demon before dropping the spell. The resulting forces sent the pride demon flying backwards and stripped it of its own defenses. Simultaneous blows from Iron Bull and Cassandra finished it off, and they turned to mop up the rest.

#

Food in Sahrnia was apparently a scarce resource. Mistress Poulin, who appeared to be the town leader, was sharing what little she had. "That was generous of you," Ruya said.

She nodded. "I do what I can. I am partly to blame for all this." Mistress Poulin gestured for Ruya to step in out of the cold. "The red templars are here because, fool that I am, I sold them my family's quarry. They've taken every worker. We haven't seen them in weeks." Despair gripped the woman's face. "And it's not enough. They keep coming, taking more people. And there's nothing I can do to stop them."

"What do you mean, the red templars take workers?"

"People just disappear. First those who worked the quarry. Then they took people from their homes." Mistress Poulin shook her head. "I don't know why. I just prayed they'd leave me and my family alone."

Ruya left the other woman to her thoughts.

#

As they left the village, she spied three red templars advancing on a lone swordsman. She started to form the spell to come to his aid, and a heartbeat later realized he didn't need it. Whoever he was, he was skilled. Ruya headed towards him.

"Michel de Chevin at your service, Your Worship. I saw the Inquisition's banners from afar." He bowed. "Never expected to see the Herald of Andraste herself."

Next to her, Cassandra's jaw dropped. "Ser Michel de Chevin? Empress Celene's champion?"

"No longer a champion." His voice was quiet. "No longer 'ser'."

Now that story she knew. "You were disgraced and banished from court for treachery."

He nodded. "There's much more than that, but it ends the same way. What does it matter?" He gestured. "Despite all, I have a strong arm, a stout heart, and I still serve Orlais."

Slowly, she nodded. "Are you here to guard the people?"

"As much as I can, although this was not my original intention." He gestured at the mountain. "I hunt a demon. This one calls itself 'Imshael,' and has settled in Suledin Keep, up in the hills." He sighed. "Imshael is free because I made a mistake. I will see him destroyed. Now that the Inquisition is here, perhaps the red templars who guard the keep can be routed." He set his hand on the hilt of his sword. "All I need is one chance."

She asked him a few questions about Imshael, and learned it was apparently some kind of desire demon. He didn't know why it had come to Emprise du Lion, but noted it appeared to be working either for or with the red templars.

The corpses caught her eye again. "You could serve the Inquisition. We hve use for strong arms and stout hearts."

His face was apologetic when he replied. "No. Not until Imshael is defeated."

#

"Mountains. Cold. 'Let's bring Dorian.'" He punctuated his words by flinging a fireball into the midst of a group of red templars. Next to him, the Inquisitor intercepted another before it could reach him, slashing away with that magic sword she had. It took them only a few minutes to clear the area, and the Inquisition's soldiers moved up and began organizing defenses between the red templar stronghold and the citizens of Sahrnia.

He glanced at the big man who stood a few feet from him. How Iron Bull could walk around this area without wearing a shirt was beyond him. Not that he was necessarily complaining. Iron Bull caught him looking and smirked. "Quite the stink-eye you've got going, Dorian."

Dorian folded his arms. "You stand there, flexing your muscles, huffing like some beast of burden with no thought save conquest."

Iron Bull's grin only widened. "That's right. These big muscled hands could tear those robes off while you struggled, helpless in my grip." He lowered his head. "I'd pin you down, and as you gripped my horns; I. Would. Conquer. You."

"Uh." Dorian blinked and tried desperately to sweep his thoughts back into some sort of rational order. "What?"

"Oh." Iron Bull tilted his head. "Is that not where we're going?"

"No. It was very much not."

Iron Bull shrugged and walked away. Dorian started to watch him leave, and caught the look on the Inquisitor's face. The woman was redder than the lyrium.

#

They fought through several more groups of red templars, and slowly moved their defenses further up the mountain. One of the Inquisition's soldiers got a behemoth with a ballista, and then nearly choked on his tongue when Ruya patted him on the shoulder in congratulations.

According to Scout Harding, one of the trails led to the mines, and the other led to the templar stronghold. She called her people over to the first trail. Rescue first, and then they could finish clearing the area.

#

Cole got the lock open on the cage. Ruya couldn't help but smile at the joy on the spirit's face as the people started to flee to safety. An older man held back long enough to give them a rundown on the red templar's numbers and fortifications.

They continued in carefully. The red templars knew the area better than they did, but apparently it hadn't occurred to them that the mines would come under attack. Several times though, she, Dorian, and Solas had to hold back on their spells to avoid hitting civilians. After they fought through the first group, she focused on the barriers and using her spirit blade, moving in with the warriors. She fought back to back with Cassandra. A couple arrows were deflected by the barrier, and a moment later the archer had an arrow in his eye courtesy of Sera.

A few more locks were picked, and more miners made their way back to safety though the cleared passages. An older woman in the last group of civilians actually took a moment to hug Cole before making her way after the others, and Ruya couldn't help but smile at the dumbfounded look on the spirit's face. After a moment, he smiled as well. "I'm glad we did that," he said.

#

They made their way back to the camp. Some of the miners had stopped there to recover before making their way back down the mountain, and one of the soldiers was ladling a hot soup into bowls. Ruya told her team to take a few minutes to rest and get a hot meal in them before heading into Suledin Keep.

#

Michel joined them for the push into the Keep. He sighed apologetically, and then pointed down the mountain. "Bad news, Herald. Your efforts to drive off the red templars have not gone unnoticed. Ishmael knows we're here. He's sent red templars after me, and a pack of shades descends now upon Sahrnia. The people are defenseless - I must return without delay. It's up to you to destroy Imshael."

"Take care of the people. We'll handle this. Good luck."

"And you, Herald."

#

Her stomach twisted when she saw the bodies in the lyrium. Some of them may have been templars. Ruya said a prayer for the fallen as they continued to push in. The infected giant put up a fight. Iron Bull tackled Dorian out of the way of a thrown boulder. Ruya moved in with Cassandra, aiming her blade at the thing's hamstrings. It was less mobile on its knees, but still formidable. Sera took a hit from one of its flailing arms before it finally went down.

Ruya went to Sera's side. Her fingers glowed white with healing magic. The amount of practice she'd received in the past month had improved her skills. Fortunately, the barrier had kept the damage from being too great. Sera was far more irritated about the damage to her brand new quiver than she was to the damage to her person. Apparently, the purple and yellow creation had been made especially for her. That was oddly comforting. There had been a brief moment of worry when she first saw it that Harritt had gone blind.

#

Imshael was possessing a perfectly ordinary looking man. He smiled when he saw them. "Ah, the hero arrives. But is it hero? Or murderer? It's so hard to tell."

Ruya narrowed her eyes at the thing before them. Several red templars stood around the courtyard, on edge but not yet attacking. "You're the demon called Imshael."

It actually looked insulted. "Ahem. Choice. Spirit."

"Talky ones." Iron Bull growled. "I hate the talky ones."

"Wait. Wait. Wait." Imshael shook it's head. "These are your friends? They're very violent. It's worrying." It focused its eyes on her. "True to my name, I will show you that you have a choice. It doesn't always have to end in blood."

"No." She formed the sword in her hand. "You die, demon."

"Oh, for..." It's voice was petulant. "Choice. Spirit."

#

It shifted into various forms as they fought it, and tried to call on other spirits. Dorian put up a wall of fire between them and the red templars. It didn't slow them down as much as Ruya'd hoped. Iron Bull caught a claw across his chest from one of the faster of the red templar monstrosities, and an arrow caught Solas in the leg. Slowed, he would have taken an axe from another of the red templars had Cassandra not reached him in time, but it was clear blocking the blow had injured the Seeker's shield arm. With a start, Ruya realized Sera was on the ground. Blackwall stood over the fallen archer, keeping anything from getting to her, but he was being sorely pressed.

She focused her magic, calling on the fade and the spirits she could feel pressing against the veil. A glyph appeared on the ground, and she felt a touch, almost feather light, against her skin. Healing energy flooded into her allies, and a heartbeat later, Sera was back on her feet, firing arrows into the demon as rapidly as she could.

Ruya held the spell as long as she could as she continued to fight. It lasted only seconds, but that was enough. The tide turned in their favor. A final axe blow from Iron Bull scattered the motes of Imshael across the wind.

She staggered a moment, leaning on her staff. Solas was at her side a moment later, pressing a lyrium potion on her. She drained it gratefully.

#

Cassandra was about to pronounce the Keep cleared of the red templars when she heard a cry from the Inquisitor. She drew her blade and rushed in that direction, Iron Bull at her heels.

Ruya was kneeling next to a templar, cradling the man's head. "Is he gone?" The templar asked weakly. Cassandra could see the red veins glowing beneath his skin. "The demon is finally gone...?"

"He's not gonna make it, boss," Iron Bull said softly.

"Shh..." Ruya brushed the hair from the man's face. "It's going to be okay, Xaver. We'll get you help." She dug a restorative potion out of her pouch. "Why was the demon here, working with the red templars?"

"A garden needs a gardener. Nurturing, gentle hands, directing the change. Not too fast. Not too slow. Just right. Has to be just right." The man's voice was growing weaker.

"Xaver, I'm sorry..."

"Imshael..." The templar blinked red-rimmed eyes up at her. "He said he could take the red out. If I said yes..."

"Imshael could've saved you?"

"He liked to watch the agony. He liked to play. We were his garden. Consent, and live. Deny, and be consumed. Oh, but what he wanted..." Xaver shook his head weakly. "No..." He shuddered. "Anything but that. I chose the red. I chose -" He went limp.

"Inquisitor..." Cassandra put a hand on the younger woman's shoulder.

Ruya gently closed the man's eyes, and stood. "He resisted the demon. I always knew he was..." Her voice hitched. "That he was strong. No demon could take him." Her head came up proudly. "Raise the flag. Let them know the demon is dead."

#

Someone had found an urn for her. She swept the ashes into it. Xaver was going home, to rest beside his father. She told herself it was better than never knowing. Part of her wasn't so sure.

Cassandra tried to offer some of the Chantry platitudes. Sera offered half a bottle of wine and a raunchy story about some place called the Pearl and a dwarf in drag. Dorian and Iron Bull made crude remarks about Blackwall and his 'firm grip'. The fact that they tried to help was more help than any of their actions.

Solas and Cole sat next to her as she watched the others. Their quiet presence was comforting. Her eyes went to where the rescued miners were sitting with their families. A young girl clung to her father as if afraid he'd vanish if she let him go. He stroked her hair, and whispered to her quietly.

They'd helped.

Maybe that was enough.

#

Michel returned with them to Skyhold. She'd have to talk with her advisers about the best place to assign him. They'd brought Mistress Poulin back with them as well, as a prisoner. From what they'd found in the remains of the quarry, the woman had been trying to protect people as best she could. Ruya sentenced her to return to Sahrnia and oversee the relief efforts and reconstruction. The woman was effusive in her gratitude.

#

Josephine noted the positions of the fort and immediately began dispatching people to repair and hold the keep. It was apparently perfectly located for the purposes of trade and diplomacy. Ruya noted that her ambassador was actually humming. Though, that might have more to do with the small vase of wildflowers that had appeared on her desk.

Ruya smiled to herself. She'd spotted Blackwall picking the wildflowers earlier. It appeared the stalwart Warden had an eye for the lady ambassador. Her feet took her towards Cullen's office.

Kels was inside, straightening a pile of parchment. He glanced up when he saw her. "If you're looking for the commander, he's gone to speak with Seeker Pentaghast."

She nodded, and headed to the staircase.

#

Cassandra and Cullen appeared to be arguing. "You've asked for my opinion, and I've given it." Cassandra folded her arms and glared. "Why would you expect it to change?"

"I expect you to keep your word. It's relentless. I can't -"

"You give yourself too little credit."

"If I'm unable to fulfill what vows I kept, then nothing good has come of this. Would you rather save face than admit -" He cut himself off when he noticed Ruya standing there. He sighed, then walked away. "Forgive me."

She blinked. He'd been pale, with dark circles beneath his eyes. She immediately turned around to stare at Cassandra.

"And people say I'm stubborn. This is ridiculous." Cassandra met Ruya's eyes. "Cullen told you he's no longer taking lyrium?"

"Yes, and I respect his decision." And him for making the decision.

"As do I." She glared at the door. "Not that he's willing to listen." She sighed. "Cullen has asked that I recommend a replacement for him." She held up a hand to forestall Ruya's objection. "I refused. It's not necessary. Besides, it would destroy him. He's come so far."

"Why didn't he come to me?"

"We had an agreement long before you joined us. As a Seeker, I could evaluate the dangers. And he wouldn't want to..." Cassandra's face softened. "Risk your disappointment."

He was her general. Her rock. "Is there anything we can do to change his mind?"

Cassandra smiled. "If anyone could, it's you." Cassandra turned towards the forge, watching the flames dance. "Mages have made their suffering known, but templars never have. They are bound to the Order, mind and soul, with someone always holding their lyrium leash. Cullen has a chance to break that leash, to prove to himself - and anyone who would follow suit - that it's possible. He can do this. I knew that when we met in Kirkwall." She turned back to Ruya. "Talk to him. Decide if now is the time."

#

Ruya opened the door just as a box containing a glass vial hit the wall next to it, shattering and sending shards and splinters everywhere. Cullen stared at her in shock. "Maker's breath. I didn't hear you enter. I -" He hung his head. "Forgive me."

"Cullen, if you need to talk..." She stepped all the way in, closing the door behind her.

"You don't have to -" He started to come around the desk, and stumbled. He caught himself on the edge, and groaned softly. She immediately went to his side, putting a hand on his arm. "I never meant for this to interfere."

"Are you going to be all right?" She started to call up her healing magic, only to realize that she didn't know what, exactly, she was healing.

"Yes..." He leaned his weight onto the desk. "I don't know." He closed his eyes as she touched his cheek. His skin was cold. He opened his eyes and looked at her. "You asked what happened to Ferelden's circle. It was taken over by abominations. The templars -" He started to pace back and forth. "My friends - were slaughtered. I was tortured. They tried to break my mind, and I -" He gestured sharply. "How can you be the same person after that?" He ran a hand down his face. "Still, I wanted to serve. They sent me to Kirkwall. I trusted my knight-commander, and for what? Her fear of mages ended in madness. Kirkwall's circle fell. Innocent people died in the streets." He turned to face her. "Can't you see why I want nothing to do with that life?"

She stepped towards him. "Of course I can. I -"

"Don't. You should be questioning what I've done." He shook his head, and went back to pacing as she sat on the edge of his desk. "I thought this would be better - that I would regain come control over my life. But these thoughts won't leave me..." He kicked the chair halfway across the room. "How many lives depend on our success? I swore myself to this cause..." He turned, his hands clenched into fists. "I will not give less to the Inquisition than I did the Chantry. I should be taking it." He punched the bookcase, knocking a piece of wood off. "I should be taking it."

Ruya put her hand on his shoulder, and then gently pulled him towards her. "This doesn't have to be about the Inquisition. Is this what you want?"

After a moment, he let out a breath. "No." He leaned into her as she wrapped her arms around him. "But..." He pulled her to him. "These memories have always haunted me. He leaned back to look at her. "If they become worse, if I cannot endure this..."

She caressed his cheek gently, guiding him to look into her eyes. "You can."

He took another deep breath, and let it out again. "All right." He bent, burying his face in her shoulder, and she held him close.

#

They headed out to deal with bandits and mercenaries that had taken over a fortress in the Hinterlands and made the mistake of taking shots at some of the Inquisition's people. Ruya sighed when she realized that Sera and Varric were apparently keeping score of their respective kill shots.

They were on their way back when something shook the ground beneath their feet. Ruya exchanged glances with her companions, and saw equally confused and concerned faces. She waited a moment, but there were no further tremors. After a moment, she started to continue walking. She got about ten paces before she stopped short.

The waters of Lake Calenhad had receded. As near as she could tell, the overall depth of the water had dropped by almost a foot. "What in the...?"