Ruya sighed. She'd hoped Solas could make more sense out of Brehan's information on the Architect. Unfortunately, it was starting to appear that the two men couldn't spend more than a few minutes in each other's presence without antagonizing each other. The last conversation had been almost entirely in the elven language and had resulted in Leliana grabbing Brehan by the arm and dragging him away. It wasn't just the fact that Brehan was a Warden. Apparently, Solas had also made a comment about the Dalish not knowing as much as they thought they did. She'd been surprised how quickly that had put Brehan's back up, considering that the man appeared to be a practicing Andrastian.

Fiona had told them her story. Or most of it, Brehan thought the former Grand Enchanter was still leaving something out of the tale. Ruya took tea with Vivienne, hoping the other woman could shed some light. With the Circle libraries in disarray though, what few suggestions Vivienne had would be difficult to follow up upon. Vivienne and Otwin had begun to correspond directly. Apparently her brother was putting his skills to use scouring the Free Marches for copies of various tomes for the Inquisition. She imagined he was enjoying himself thoroughly.

Tea ended in them both sharing fond memories of Lydia and others lost to the war. The Circles were never going to be the same.

#

Brehan was able to give them some additional information regarding a Warden stronghold in the Western Approach called 'Griffin Wing Keep'. Ruya led her companions to the location, only to find the Venatori using it as a base. Iron Bull gave her a hopeful look, and she poured strength into a barrier on him. He charged, taking out five Venatori and the keep door. Cassandra and Blackwall followed, finishing off those who'd been knocked down by the big man's rush. Ruya, Solas, and Dorian followed them in. Dorian and Sera focused their attacks on the Venatori on the heights, while Ruya used her barriers to prevent counter attacks. Solas focused his own magic on the enemy mages, keeping them off balance. He manifested what looked to be a giant fist and used it to punch one right off a tower, much to the apparent delight of Iron Bull. She used the spirit blade on the few Venatori that got past the warriors.

By the time they got back to the forward camp, Knight-Captain Rylen was already there with his force and some supply wagons. Apparently, Cullen had been of the belief she wouldn't run into any problems.

One of the scouts let them know they'd seen something strange back in the hills, and she went to investigate. Behind her, Cole and Cassandra were talking again. It was strangely sweet, watching the two of them becoming friends. It was like having a little brother at times. A very strange little brother.

#

"It's oddly comforting."

Cassandra looked at the scene before her, and then turned to look at the Inquisitor. "Comforting?"

Ruya looked back. "That the real world can be stranger than the Fade."

For a moment, Cassandra just stared. Then she laughed. "I think I see what you mean."

Men, weapons, and spells hung in the air, frozen. Part of a tower was collapsing, and the bricks arced, but remained in place. Time had simply stopped. The few demons inside were almost a relief.

#

They located several keystones that enabled Solas and Ruya to get the door open. Drops of blood still hung in the air from where they'd been swirled around a staff. A dead man, dressed in the style of a Tevinter mage, lay on the ground nearby. The blood had come from him.

Sera made a gagging sound. "Ugh, it's in my mouth."

Ruya gestured for the others to stay back as she and Solas approached the scene. She kept a barrier up on both of them. The dead mage had used blood magic, giving his life to stop the strange effect from expanding and swallowing the world. It took them only a few moments to determine that removing the staff would restart time, allowing them to seal the rift, but they'd have to move fast. As soon as time restarted, the demons would be freed to attack again.

Her companions raised their weapons in preparation. She and Solas both formed barriers. He nodded to her, and she freed the staff.

#

Ruya disrupted the rift, staggering the demons and giving her companions an opening. Her spirit blade lashed out, slicing a demon that was charging at Solas. Barriers reinforced, she joined the front lines, back to back with Iron Bull. A rage demon came at them, and they moved simultaneously, her magical blade low, and his axe high, coming in above her head. The demon melted to the ground and dissipated.

"Now," Solas yelled.

She turned, focusing her power through the mark. The rift seemed to struggle against her, and she pushed harder. It refracted, then collapsed and vanished. Iron Bull put a hand on her shoulder and she gave him a reassuring nod.

#

Iron Bull slowed his pace a bit to fall into step next to Blackwall. "How does being a Grey Warden work? I assume it's more complicated than just signing up."

Blackwall shrugged. "Yes."

"And how is it that you're the only ones who can end the Blights?"

"Is there a reason for the interrogation?" Blackwall glanced up at Iron Bull.

"Curiosity. The Ben-Hassrath could know more about the Wardens." Iron Bull shrugged. "Also, those ogre guys, the darkspawn that look like messed-up Qunari? The Ben-Hassrath aren't pleased."

"Few are." Blackwall nodded.

It occurred to Ruya that she hadn't asked Brehan why only Wardens could end Blights. She probably should. She'd ask Blackwall, but was reluctant to ask the man to violate his oaths. And it was clear Blackwall hadn't been privy to the same level of information Brehan was. Just a year ago she would have been in awe of the Wardens. Now the Wardens' spymaster was working for her. She glanced back over her shoulder at Iron Bull. "I thought the current Arishok fought alongside the Wardens."

"He did. And Warden-Commander Saitada spent a couple years in Par Vollen."

Ruya blinked. "She's been to Par Vollen?"

Iron Bull chuckled. "Did you see that dragon tooth hanging on her belt?"

"I did, actually. Looked like it had been split in half."

"The Arishok's got the other half. Were we talking about any people than the Qunari, that thing would mark her as the Arishok's mistress."

She almost tripped. It was probably a good thing then, that she hadn't decided to take Saitada and her people prisoner.

#

Tracking the darkspawn led them to an ancient prison. The Venatori had apparently been digging for something, and instead unearthed a tunnel. Ruya focused her magic to seal the tunnel.

They continued tracking the Venatori, eventually locating them in another set of ruins. The leader put up a fight, but a well-timed shot from Dorian exploded the ground beneath the other man's feet. The Venatori mage tumbled from the upper level, slide across the ground, and came to a rest at the feet of Iron Bull, who promptly set one of his huge boots on the man's neck.

Leliana was going to be pleased.

#

She watched Brehan pace in front of the window. Finally he sighed. "If anyone, other than a Warden, were to kill the Archdemon, the essence of the beast would simply transfer into the next nearest darkspawn and the beast would rise again. It happened dozens of times in the First Blight. That's why my order was created."

"Okay." Ruya folded her arms. "That doesn't explain why only members of your order can kill them."

"Grey Wardens are tainted, Inquisitor. The Blight is within us, making us ghouls. A darkspawn is a mindless, soulless beast. An empty vessel." He took a deep breath. "A Grey Warden is not. Should a Grey Warden slay the beast, the essence travels instead to the Warden. Both are thus slain."

"Maker. That's..." Her head came up sharply, and she stared at him. "Jerath Tabris lived."

He was silent for almost a full minute. "Yes."

"How?"

"I don't know."

"Brehan, believe me when I say I will drag you down to a cell."

"I don't know, Inquisitor." Brehan went back to pacing. "Lenore has been trying to figure it out for nine years, and she's no closer to an answer than she was the day it happened. All we do know is..." He exhaled. "Saitada sent Jerath to Soldier's Peak to clear out demons. There, Jerath encountered a Warden mage named Avernus who had used blood magic to keep himself alive for almost two hundred years. He spent most of that time experimenting."

"Did Jerath recover anything regarding these experiments?"

"Yes. He gave Avernus's notes to Lenore."

"I suppose she and I are going to have some things to discuss when she arrives."

#

"Was Servis able to provide you any useful information?"

Leliana nodded to Ruya. "He's actually somewhat terrified we might ransom him back to the Venatori. It seems he was using his smuggler contacts to smuggle artifacts out from under the Venatori's noses."

"He stole from Corypheus?" Ruya shook her head and laughed. "I don't know if he's bravely stupid or stupidly brave."

"He claims he was hired by a third party and has no loyalty to Corypheus." Leliana shrugged. "With your permission, I believe I can make further use of him."

"He's all yours." Ruya glanced at the map. "We should get some people out to look over that laboratory we found in the still ruins. I'm sure Vivienne can suggest a couple mages to send. Anything else?"

"Arl Teagan invited the Inquisition to send a champion to a tourney being held, with the winner being given possession of an untended bannorn." Josephine held up a piece of parchment.

"I'm sure we can find one or two soldiers around that might be interested." Ruya smiled, and then looked up at Cullen. "I'll leave finding some suitable volunteers to you."

"Fairbanks, in the Emerald Graves, claims to have information of value to the Inquisition. He says he'll provide it in exchange for us eliminating a dangerous rebel band called the 'Freemen of the Dales'. Uprooting them could be a very good move for us."

"Dispatch Harding. We'll head there next."

#

The forest here was truly beautiful. She'd never quite realized trees could get that big. Part of her just wanted to stop and stare for a while. Behind her, Solas glanced over at Dorian. "I am surprised you do not practice blood magic, Dorian. Is it not popular in Tevinter?"

Dorian smiled widely. "While we're sharing surprises, you've done a lot less dancing naked in the moonlight than expected."

Ruya ran a hand down her face. Solas just rolled his eyes. "Tevinter lore about elves remains accurate as always."

"I wanted to see you make flowers bloom with your song, just once." Dorian gestured grandly.

"I don't suppose the Dalish actually have spells that can do that?" Ruya tilted her head curiously as she walked.

"There is magic that affects the growth of plants." Solas shrugged. "None of it, however, involves singing."

"Which is something of a disappointment." Ruya raised an eyebrow at Cassandra's comment. Cassandra smiled. "When we get back to Skyhold, you should ask Brehan to sing."

#

"Good to see you again, Inquisitor. Hope you've got your comfortable boots on." Harding led her over to a map with several flags sticking out of it. "The scouts have seen a number of Fade rifts, all over the forest. We've located this mysterious 'Fairbanks.' He won't share his information with anyone but you. He and his men are camped out at Watcher's Reach, on the path ahead. From what we can tell, they're refugees from the war. Peasants, mostly."

"Tell me everything you know about Fairbanks."

That unfortunately proved to be rather little, other than Fairbanks wasn't his real name and he'd been helping people fleeing the destruction of the civil war. "They call this place the Emerald Graves. Legend says that a tree grows here for every elven knight of Halamshiral who perished in its defense. Makes you sad, doesn't it?" Harding gazed up at the green canopy.

"What was done to the elves here was unforgivable."

"Never again. At least, I hope not."

#

Fairbanks claimed that the Freemen were in league with the Venatori. She started out suspicious, but after examining his evidence and the rest of the information his people had gathered, she had to admit it did look to be the case. The Freemen appeared to be helping the Venatori with their smuggling. This could lead them to Samson, and perhaps Corypheus himself.

#

"I'm just saying, Dorian, you carry around this picture of the qunari in your mind. Like you see us as this forbidden, terrible thing, and you're inclined to do the forbidden."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"All I'm saying is, you ever want to explore that, my door's always open."

"You are impossible! This is-" Dorian threw up his hands and made a frustrated noise before stalking away.

"Good! I like that energy. Stoke those fires, big guy!" Iron Bull called after him.

Ruya kept walking, doing her best to pretend she couldn't hear them. Solas and Cole were having another of their stranger conversations, the ones in which she couldn't quite figure out the subject matter. And Sera and Varric... maybe she should separate those two before Varric gave Sera anymore advice.

They found the caves marked on Fairbank's map. She moved in with Blackwall and Iron Bull, focusing a protective barrier around herself and the warriors. Dorian used a wall of fire to form a chokepoint, preventing the enemy forces from being able to circle around towards the mages and archers.

Cole had the lock picked before Ruya located the key. She looked over the information in the camp before sending it back with the freed prisoners for Fairbanks and the Inquisition's people.

#

They fished dealing with the Freemen holding the small fort, and began making their way back to Fairbanks. The fort would be a better location for his people, and the Inquisition could strengthen it, giving them a presence in these woods.

Blackwall called over to Solas. "Sera and I were just talking about you. We need you to settle a question for us."

Solas sighed. "Sera's involved? So this question will be offensive."

"Yes, probably. Sorry." Blackwall's smile was completely unapologetic. "You make friends with spirits in the Fade. So..." He shrugged. "Um, are there any that are more than just friends? If you know what I mean."

Solas stopped short. "Oh, for..." He turned towards Blackwall. "Really?!"

"Look, it's a natural thing to be curious about!"

"For a twelve year old!"

"It's a simple yes or no question!"

"Nothing about the Fade or spirits is simple, especially not that."

Blackwall's eyes practically lit up. "Aha! So you do have experience in these matters!"

"I did not say that."

"Don't panic. It'll be our little secret."

"Ass." Solas started walking again.

"Now who's twelve?" Blackwall called after him.

Ruya sighed, and then caught the happy expression on Varric's face. "What are you smiling about?"

"Just feels a bit like old times, Inquisitor." He walked after the others.

#

They managed to hit the smugglers and get back out without attracting the attention of the giants. Iron Bull almost looked disappointed. Ruya looked over the letter. If they followed up on its contents, they might be able to track down Samson.

"Mockingbird, mockingbird, quiet and still, what do you see from the top of that hill? Can you see up? Can you see down?"

Blackwall startled at Cole's recitation. "Wait."

"Can you see the dead things all about town?"

"How do you know that song?"

Cole looked confused. "It just came to me. Everyone says everyone knows it. The children knew it."

Blackwall stared at the spirit a moment before moving up to take point. Ruya frowned. That was odd.

#

Iron Bull hit the heavily armored freeman commander with a full on tackle before the man could bring his axe down on the fallen Blackwall. Both tumbled down the stairs and out of view. Solas gestured to Ruya before moving to Blackwall's side, and she went in to aid Iron Bull. She strengthened the barrier around herself, pulling in from the Fade, and leaped from the landing. She landed next to the downed Iron Bull and lashed out with the spirit blade, killing the man that had been trying to move in on the injured qunari. She whirled, the blade in her hand, as arrows and fire fell among the remaining freemen. A few heartbeats later, the last of the enemy had fallen, and she went to check on Iron Bull.

He looked up at her, his eyes slightly dazed. "Ow."

"How bad?"

"Busted my arm." He considered a moment. "Maybe a couple ribs."

She focused her healing magic to deal with the worst of the injuries, then handed him one of the restorative potions. Dorian came down the stairs to help her get the big man back on his feet. Together, they half-carried Iron Bull back up the stairs. She raised an eyebrow at Solas. "Blackwall?"

"Is lucky to be so hard-headed," Varric answered.

Solas's lips twitched as he nodded at the dwarf. "He will be fine, Inquisitor."

"Everyone else alright?" She glanced around and received affirmations. "There was a good spot to camp right over there. We'll rest and report back to the forward camp in the morning."

#

"Varric?"

"I saw that right, right? You jumped off the balcony?"

"Are you..." Her eyes narrowed. "Taking notes?"

"Someone has to."

She laughed, and then went to check on the wound on Iron Bull's side from where he'd been cut by the enemy's armor during the fall. It was visibly healing now, and she thought there might not even be a scar when it was done. Iron Bull shook his head at Varric. "Hey, Varric, are you gonna write me into one of your stories?"

Varric gave him a pointed look. "How could I not?"

"When you do, make sure you describe the musculature right. Cause this isn't just endurance work-there was a lot of strength training to get here. You wanna use words like 'rippling' or 'ripped.' 'Ripped' is good."

"Hmm..." Varric started writing. "The Iron Bull's belly was prone to rippling after every meal. He rarely wore shirts as they ripped under the strain."

"That hurts, Varric. That's hurtful."

Ruya sighed at them, and then went to check on Blackwall. Solas was examining the wound on the man's head. Blackwall gave her an embarrassed look. "I'm sorry, Inquisitor."

"I'm just glad you're alright." She sighed, and looked up at Solas. "From what we found, there are still freemen in the villa. Will you stay to keep an eye on Iron Bull and Blackwall while we go finish them off?"

"Of course."

#

The freeman leader was fast. Cole was faster. She doubted the enemy leader even knew who'd killed him. She kept barriers up on the archers as they stood on a vantage point, picking off the freemen who tried to rush into the courtyard. Dorian used a wall of fire to block off various paths, while Ruya and Cole became the front lines. The fight took longer without the presence of their warriors, and Dorian was visibly dragging by the time it was done. It occurred to her that not all that long ago, she would have been as well.

Sera moved around the field, gathering up arrows, while Ruya and Varric did a quick search for anything the Inquisition might find of interest. She'd send some of Leliana's people back later for a more thorough look.