The dragon made another pass. Both Ruya and Solas poured strength into barriers. Cassandra and Iron Bull dove out of the way of its fiery breath. Both rolled back to their feet when it landed, and charged in. She summoned the spirit blade, and entered the fray with them.

"Taarsidath-an halsaam," Iron Bull yelled as he stood a few feet from her. They focused their attacks on the dragon's wing, preventing it from being able to take off again.

A swipe of its tail knocked them both off their feet. She called her magic as she stood, reforming the barriers before the dragon could orient its breath.

Cassandra moved underneath it, driving her sword straight up and into its throat. It roared and began to shudder, flailing this way and that as she rolled out of the way. Ruya and Solas arced lightning into it, and a moment later, it fell.

Sera began laughing, a wild and joyous sound. She held her bow over her head triumphantly. Iron Bull threw his head back and howled.

"Everyone alright?" Ruya asked.

"Big heroes, us. That was..." Sera's face was rapturous. "That was great."

#

"Inquisitor!" Iron Bull waved her over. "Come have a drink." Ruya smiled, and sat down next to him. He filled a glass from an oddly patterned clay bottle. "To killing a high dragon like warriors of legend."

She accepted the glass, and sniffed at it. It smelled like a mixture of spice and burning. "What exactly am I supposed to be drinking?"

"Maraas-lok."

That... didn't exactly answer the question. "What does that mean?"

"It means drink." He hefted his own glass. With some mild trepidation, she drank. It seared the back of her throat and made her tongue start to feel almost numb. She coughed. He gave a satisfied laugh. "I know, right? Put some chest on your chest." He smiled dreamily. "That little gurgle right before it spat fire? And that roar. What I wouldn't give to roar like that. The way the ground shook when it landed. The smell of the fires burning..." He sighed happily. "Taarsidath-an halsaam." He looked back over at her. "You know Qunari hold dragons sacred? Well, as much as we hold anything sacred." He refilled her glass.

Her head was already getting light from the first glass. "That thing you just said. You shouted it during the fight, too. What does it mean?"

"Oh, taarsidath-an halsaam?" He shrugged. "Closest translation would be, 'I will bring myself sexual pleasure later, while thinking about his with great respect.'"

It took her several seconds to process that. "You shouted that while it was breathing fire at us?"

"I know, right?" He gave a grunt of satisfaction.

She drank more to not have to respond to that than anything else. With the second glass, she could taste some flavors in the liquid. A hint of peat, and some spice she couldn't identify. She coughed again.

"Yeah. The second cup's easier. Most of the nerves in your throat are dead after the first one." Iron Bull started refilling the glass. "Ataashi. 'The glorious ones.' That's our word for them. Ataaaaasheeeee."

"Why do you think the Qunari think of dragons that way?" The stool was getting wobbly. Or maybe it was the room. It was a little crooked. She should have a word with the engi... inja... builders. This qunari stuff wasn't bad.

"Well, you know how we have horns? We kind of look more..." He shrugged. "Dragony..." He touched one of his own horns. "Than most people. Maybe it's that. But a few of the Ben-Hassrath have this crazy old theory. See, the tamassrans control who we mate with. They breed us for jobs like you'd breed dogs or horses. What if they mixed in some dragon a long time ago? Maybe drinking the blood, maybe magic. I don't know. But something in that dragon we killed..." He smiled again. "Spoke to me."

It made sense. Dragon. Dragon-y. Ataaaasheeee. "It's a shame we had to kill the dragon."

"Damn good fight. Dragons are the embodiment of raw power. But it's all uncontrolled. Savage..." He refilled her glass again. "So they need to be destroyed. Taming the wild. Order out of chaos. Have another drink."

She drained the glass. He laughed. "Nice. To dragons!" He drained his own glass.

"To finding the biggest, baddest things in the world, and showing them that we're badder."

"Anaan!"

#

Cullen heard laughter as he left the armory. He came around the corner to see the Inquisitor taking a wild swing at Iron Bull. Iron Bull actually staggered a bit despite the Inquisitor barely making contact. "No. Straighten the arm. Like this..." His own swing was wild, but knocked down one of the practice dummies.

Her fist glowed as she punched the dummy, which immediately burst into flames. "Like that?" She staggered a bit as she turned towards Iron Bull.

He laughed. "Yeah, you should do that the next time we fight a Vint."

She nodded, then glanced at the practice dummy and jumped backwards, stumbling. "It's on fire."

Iron Bull started trying to blow it out. Cullen sighed, grabbed a bucket, and doused it. "What's going on here?"

"Cullen!" Ruya grinned up at him happily. "We're... um... Oh. Punching up." She threw a swing at the air, and nearly fell over.

"Dragons." Iron Bull picked up a bottle and held it to his mouth, then gave it a disappointed look when it proved to be empty.

"Atasblasheeee!" She gestured at the dummies. "Iron Bull said my right..." She waved her left hand. "Thingy needed work."

"You're drunk."

"Mavals-moks." She pointed at the bottle Iron Bull was holding.

"Maraas-lok," Iron Bull said.

"Maravas-ok."

"Maraas-lok."

"Maraas-lok."

"Maraas..." Iron Bull blinked. "No, was right that time."

Ruya balled up her fist and took another swing at the dummy, missing it entirely and falling to the ground. Cullen sighed, and offered her a hand back up. She rose, and then clung to him to keep her balance. "You've got so many muscles." She ran her hand down his chest. "All muscle-y"

"Maker have mercy. How much of that stuff did you drink?"

"Um..." She glanced back at the bottle and blinked a few times. "I think..." She looked back up at him. "All of it." She started to move away, and then stumbled and ended up clinging to him again, her face buried in the trim of his armor. She sneezed. "You're all fuzzy. Like a bear. Or a lion. My lion-bear-general."

He nodded, and then started to look over at Iron Bull to say something. The big Qunari was sitting against a tree, head back, snoring. "Oh for..."

The Inquisitor was still talking, though the words were lacking in coherency. He thought she might be trying to tell him a story about hunting a bear. He sighed, then picked her up and slung her over his shoulder. His felt himself turn bright red when she immediately patted him on the rear end and started babbling about him having nice legs. With a shake of his head, he started trying to figure out how to get her back to her quarters without anyone noticing. Despite the lateness of the hour, there were still people coming and going in the great hall.

He headed back into the armory, and ended up tucking her behind some barrels on a pile of cloth. Somewhere mid-word, she went from talking to snoring. He found a blanket and made himself comfortable nearby.

#

She woke to a pounding headache and a realization that she was not in her quarters. No, the pounding was not just her head. Someone was actually banging on something. It took her a few moments to realize she was in the armory. She sat up and looked around.

A moment later, someone was handing her a cup. She drank, and discovered it contained tea. A few blinks later, she was able to make out Minaeve. "Bless you." She drained the glass. "Remind me never to go drinking with Iron Bull again."

"If it's any consolation, Inquisitor, it appears he passed out over by the practice dummies. Sera has..." Minaeve giggled. "Well, let's just say I don't think he'll do that again."

#

"Report."

Her advisers ran her through the recent escapades of their agents. The denouncement of her distant cousin Albrecht had ended in the man taking a rolling pin to the head, much to the apparent amusement of Otwin. Leliana reported that while the Marquis of Serault had welcomed Josephine's emissary, they had no new information regarding either the Divine's visit or the reported presence of Carver Hawke that had occurred just prior. Brehan had arranged for a clan of Dalish elves to assist with the situation in Wycome. Rhys and Evangeline had been deployed near Val Firmin, and Rhys had apparently sent a note regarding Cole. The tips from Sera's people had worked out. And thanks to the work of Josephine and Dorian, they now had some allies in Tevinter.

"What about the spies within our ranks?"

"Cathiel admitted to the one that was hers, and we've arranged a more formal liaison," Josephine said.

"We are feeding false information through the ones Brehan and Iron Bull located." Leliana leaned on the war table. "We also found the one responsible for the incident at Redcliffe. Unfortunately, he poisoned himself when he realized he'd been discovered. The healers weren't able to save him."

"The Silver Order dealt with the rest of the Venatori forces." Cullen laid his hand on some parchment. "King Alistair provided me with a copy of their report. He has offered to let Leliana's people question the survivors." Cullen smirked. "Apparently, the Venatori are claiming their camp was attacked by..." He read off the list. "The Carta. Qunari. Abominations. Elves. And darkspawn. All of which mysteriously vanished when the Silver Order arrived. Captain Maeverlies notes that a mushroom known to be a powerful hallucinogen is quite common in the area the Venatori chose to make their camp.

Ruya ran a hand down her face. "Alright. Let's talk Lake Calenhad."

"Our scouts were able to determine that several tunnels beneath the lake had been sealed using explosives. Dwarven explosives. Closer examination revealed that beyond the collapses, the tunnels are flooded." Cullen tapped the map. "Unfortunately, the presence of the water makes further excavation impossible at this time."

"Any ideas as to why?"

"A very good question. Per Warden information, tunnels in that area were regularly filled with darkspawn." Leliana considered. "Saitada has some of her people checking, but they have not located the source of the explosives. King Bhelen claims to have no knowledge of the event, and she believes him."

"Keep looking. And the information from Alistair's agent?"

"Venatori are looking for something in the Hissing Wastes. Red Templars have a port on the Storm Coast. And there is a list of Qunari agents we may be able to make use off." Leliana shrugged. "It does include Iron Bull."

"Guess he was right about something tipping him sooner or later." Ruya smiled, then continued going over reports from their agents and making decisions.

#

Mother Giselle was waiting for her in the hall. "My lady Inquisitor, it's good of you to speak with me." She was holding a piece of parchment. "I have news regarding one of your..." She actually wrinkled her nose slightly. "Companions. The Tevinter."

"Is that a note of distaste I detect, Mother Giselle?" She hadn't missed how many gave Dorian side glances.

"I..." Giselle looked down at her hands. "Admit his presence here makes me uncomfortable, Inquisitor, but my feelings are of no importance. I have been in contact with his family: House Pavus, out of Qarinus. Are you familiar with them?"

"He's mentioned his family. They don't appear to be on good terms."

"Yes, I believe you're correct." She glanced down at the parchment, then back up at Ruya. "The family sent a letter describing the estrangement from their son and pleading for my aid. They've asked to arrange a meeting. Quietly, without telling him. They fear it's the only way he'll come." She held out the parchment. "Since you seem to be on good terms with the young man, I'd hoped..."

Given the earlier conversations of the day, Ruya's first thoughts jumped to the possibility of a trap. Her second thoughts did as well. And even if it wasn't... "If you think I'm going to trick Dorian into meeting his family..."

"The family will send a retainer to meet the young man at the Redcliffe tavern to take him onward. If he truly does not wish this reunion, he can always end the matter there." She offered the parchment again. "I pray you change your mind, Inquisitor. Perhaps their letter will persuade you. If there is any chance of success in this, it behooves us to act."

#

"So Alexius is researching magic for you." Dorian nodded in greeting. "Research is always what made him happiest. Perhaps I'll even go talk to him, eventually." His smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "One word of advice: if he suggests altering time as a way to solve all your problems, give it a pass."

Ruya glanced down at the parchment in her hand. "Dorian, there's a letter you need to see."

"A letter?" He waggled his eyebrows. "Is it a naughty letter? A humorous proposal from some Antivan dowager?"

"Not quite. It's from your father."

All traces of humor vanished from his face. He rubbed his thumb into the palm of his hand. "From my father. I see. And what does Magister Halward want, pray tell?"

"A meeting."

Dorian leaned on the railing for a long moment before turning back to face her. "Show me this letter." He paced as he read it, his grip wrinkling and crushing the parchment. "'I know my son.' What my father knows of me would barely fill a thimble. This is so typical. I'm willing to bet this 'retainer' is a henchman, hired to knock me on the head and drag me back to Tevinter."

Not if she had anything to say about it, and as it happened, she had an army to say about it. "You think your father would actually do that?"

"No..." He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Although I wouldn't put it past him." He thought a moment longer, then nodded. "Let's go. Let's meet this so-called 'family retainer'. If it's a trap, we escape and kill everyone. You're good at that. If it's not, I send the man back to my father with the message that he can stick his alarm in his 'wit's end.'"

"There seems to be bad blood between you and your family." She leaned on the railing next to him.

He laughed. "Interesting turn of phrase. But you're correct. They don't care for my choices, nor I for theirs."

"Because you wouldn't get married? Because you left?"

He shrugged. "That too."

"Let's go meet this retainer, then. We'll leave in the morning."

Dorian nodded. "I wonder how much my father paid this man to wait around just in case I showed?" He sighed. "We'll find out soon enough."

#

She walked the ramparts with Solas, listening to him tell her about some of the things he'd seen in the Fade. It never failed to fascinate her. "Could you introduce me to some of your spirit friends, one day?"

He blinked, and then nodded. "Perhaps. Though it appears you've begun to make a few friends of your own."

"Actually, it's something of a relief the spirit we met in Crestwood hasn't come back for a visit. It..." Ruya considered for a moment. "She was..." Several words came to mind. "Interesting."

He laughed. "Like all people, spirits have a range of personalities."

"Do they..." She tilted her head. "Cole has difficulty understanding the concept of a joke. Is that a spirit trait, or one particular to him?"

"Spirits embody emotions, usually a single emotion. Some of the older, or wiser spirits can grasp the concept, but most are too literal. Even those that understand humor tend to do so only in the way it relates to their particular focus."

"You are saying a spirit with a well-developed sense of humor is a powerful one?"

Solas blinked. "I've never quite thought to put it that way, but yes."

"Whatever happened under Lake Calenhad. Any chance a spirit could tell us what happened?"

"I will see what I can find."

#

The tavern was empty. Ruya's hand immediately went for her staff.

"Uh-oh. Nobody's here. This doesn't bode well." Dorian was doing the same. They exchanged a look, and started to head back to the door.

"Dorian."

Ruya saw Dorian freeze. Slowly, he turned. "Father." A man in well-tailored robes stood on the staircase. She could see a resemblance between the two men. She could also see that Dorian had gone somewhat pale. Iron Bull, Varric, and Cole were just outside the door, and she'd no doubt a shout would bring both running in. "So the whole story about the 'family retainer' was just..." Dorian swallowed. "What? A smoke screen?"

Instead of answering his son, the older man turned to Ruya. He inclined his head politely. "I apologize for the deception, Inquisitor. I never intended for you to be involved."

"Of course not." Dorian gestured dismissively. "Magister Pavus couldn't come to Skyhold and be seen with the dread Inquisitor. What would people think?" He stepped forward and raised his hands to shoulder level before dropping them again. "What is 'this' exactly, Father? Ambush? Kidnapping? Warm family reunion?"

Magister Pavus sighed. "This is how it has always been," he said, still looking at her.

She narrowed her eyes, and then gestured to Dorian. "You went through all of this to get Dorian here. Talk to him."

"Yes, Father. Talk to me. Let me hear how mystified you are by my anger."

"Dorian, there's no need to -"

Dorian turned to Ruya. "I prefer the company of men. My father disapproves."

"That's..." She blinked. She tilted her head in confusion. "A big concern in Tevinter, then?"

"Only if you're trying to live up to an impossible standard." Dorian shook his head. "Every Tevinter family is intermarrying to distill the perfect mage, perfect body, perfect mind. The perfect leader. It means every perceived flaw - every aberration - is deviant and shameful. It must be hidden."

She laid a hand on his shoulder. "Your father might be here to reach out. You could give him a chance."

He shook his head. "Let's just go."

"Dorian, please, if you'll only listen to me." Magister Pavus took a couple steps towards them.

"Why?" Dorian rounded on him. "So you can spout more convenient lies?" He strode towards his father, stopping only a couple feet away. "He taught me to hate blood magic. 'The last resort of the weak mind.' Those are his words. But what was the first thing you did when your precious heir refused to play pretend for the rest of his life? You tried to change me."

Ruya felt a chill down her spine as she realized what Dorian was saying. She formed the barrier in her mind, prepared to unleash it the moment the magister tried anything.

"I only wanted what was best for you." Magister Pavus held out a pleading hand.

"You wanted what was best for you." Dorian hurled the words. "For your fucking legacy. Anything for that." He started towards the door again.

She kept the spell ready in her mind, prepared to defend him if needed. And then she stepped into his path. "Don't leave it like this, Dorian. You'll never forgive yourself."

They stared at each other for a moment, and then he nodded. He turned back to his father. "Tell me why you came."

"If I knew I would drive you to the Inquisition..."

"You didn't." Dorian cut him off. "I joined the Inquisition because it's the right thing to do." He shook his head, and his voice became calmer. "Once I had a father who would have known that." He turned away.

This time, she didn't try to stop him. She put her hand on his arm as they walked towards the door together.

"Once I had a son who trusted me. A trust I betrayed." Magister Pavus's voice stopped them both. "I only wanted to talk to him. To hear his voice again. To ask him to forgive me."

Dorian looked at her, and she smiled at him reassuringly. Slowly, he turned around, and went back to talk to his father.

#

Their other companions picked up enough not to pester Dorian on the trip back. Iron Bull and Varric hassled each other about whether Iron Bull was the best or worst spy Varric had ever met. Ruya had to admit Iron Bull had a very good point about the more spy-like a spy acted the more likely they were to give themselves away. If she hadn't already known, she never would have thought of Iron Bull or Brehan as spies. But then, their obvious traits were so very obvious, she doubted most ever looked beyond them.

#

She found Dorian in his alcove, staring out the window. He glanced at her. "He says we're alike. Too much pride." He gave a small shake of his head. "Once I would have been overjoyed to hear him say that. Now I'm not certain. I don't know if I can forgive him."

Ruya wasn't sure she could forgive the man, and he wasn't her father. Some things you just don't do. Especially not to those you are supposed to love and protect. "Are you all right?"

"No. Not really." He turned to face her. "Thank you for bringing me out there. It wasn't what I expected, but..." He took a breath. "It's something." He started to look a bit embarrassed. "Maker knows what you must think of me now, after that whole display."

"I think you're very brave."

He actually looked surprised at her words. "Brave?"

"It's not easy to abandon tradition and walk your own path."

His smile trembled for a moment. Then he put back on his mask of good humor and cheer. "At any rate, time to drink myself into a stupor. It's been that sort of day." He gestured to her. "Join me sometime, if you've a mind."

She demurred the drinking, but gave him hug before letting him wander off.

#

Ruya saw Cullen standing on the ramparts, and walked over to him. He looked considerably more peaceful and rested than he had a few days ago. He smiled when he caught sight of her. "I wanted to thank you..." He blushed. "When you came to see me..." He swallowed, his stance awkward. "If there's anything..." He exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck. "This sounded much better in my head."

"I trust you're feeling better?" She stood next to him, leaning on the recently repaired stonework of the ramparts.

"I..." He turned back towards the view. "Yes."

"Is it always that bad?"

"The pain comes and goes. Sometimes I feel as if I'm back there." He rested his hands on the hilt of his sword. "I should not have pushed myself so far that day."

She laid a hand on his arm. "I'm just glad you're all right."

He smiled at her. "I am." He gazed out over the valley. "I've never told anyone what truly happened to me at Ferelden's Circle. I was..." He sighed. "Not myself after that. I was angry. For years, that anger blinded me. I'm not proud of the man that made me. The way I saw mages..." He turned towards her. "I'm not sure I would have cared about you, and the thought of that sickens me." He set his hand on hers. "Now I can put some distance between myself and everything that happened. It's a start."

Part of her very much wanted to pull him in for a kiss. But they weren't exactly hidden from view. "For what it's worth, I like who you are now."

"Even after...?"

"Cullen, I care about you. You've done nothing to change that."

The way he looked at her made her heart race. "What about you? You have troubles of your own. How are you holding up?"

She thought about reassuring him, telling him everything was fine. "Honestly, I'm terrified. So many people depend on us. On me. Corypheus is still out there."

"We've made great strides. Do not doubt yourself - or the Inquisition - just yet." He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand before letting go. "If there's anything I can do, you have only to ask."

#

Varric caught up with her before she'd gotten far inside the great hall. He waved something at her. It took her a moment to realize what it was. "You finished it?"

"I did."

"Let's go find Cassandra."

#

Cassandra was by the training dummies as usual. "What have you done now?" She glared when she saw Varric following Ruya.

"I get it, Seeker. You're still sore after our spat."

"I am not a child, Varric." She folded her arms. "Do not suggest I'm without reason."

Varric bowed, holding the book out as if it were a sacrifice. "A peace offering: the next chapter of Swords & Shields. I hear you're a fan."

She slowly turned towards Ruya. Ruya fought desperately to keep her face straight. Cassandra's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "This is your doing."

"Oh, yes. Do you really think I'd miss this?" She'd given serious consideration to arranging an audience.

"Well, if you're not interested, you're not interested. Still needs editing, anyhow." Varric drew the book back and started to turn away.

"Wait." Cassandra held up her hands.

"You're probably wondering what happened to the knight-captain after the last chapter."

Cassandra's mouth fell open. "Nothing should happen to her. She was falsely accused."

"Well, it turns out the guardsman -"

"Don't tell me." Cassandra strode forward and practically snatched the book out of Varric's hand.

"This is the part where you thank the Inquisitor. I don't normally give sneak peeks, after all."

"I..." Cassandra turned towards her. "Thank you." The Seeker's voice was warm.

"Varric's the one you should be thanking."

Varric gave a formal bow. "I am but a humble servant to my loyal readers."

Cassandra caressed the book. "I wonder if I have time to read the first part?"

"Don't forget to tell all your friends." Varric started walking away. "If you have any." Ruya fell into step next to him. He sighed happily, and looked up at her. "Completely worth it."