Cullen smiled when she entered his office. "The papers you found on the red lyrium smugglers were exactly what we needed. We have the location of the red templars main supply of lyrium. You'll never guess where." His words had a tinge of laughter.

"Wherever it is, you seem happy about it." His good mood was almost infectious.

"I have cause." He spread his hands. "Sahrnia. You've already dealt with the red templars there."

Ruya blinked. "That was Samson's red lyrium supply?" She couldn't quite stop herself from laughing. It seemed the Maker had smiled on them.

"The past tense is apt. We should send some people to sift through what's left. With some luck, we can track the shipments from the quarry to Samson's headquarters."

#

She saw Cassandra and Blackwall sparring, to the cheers of some of their other companions. Ruya was a bit surprised to see Vivienne there, talking with Brehan and Iron Bull. Vivienne nodded when she joined them. "Inquisitor."

"Madam Vivienne." She looked over at the sparring ring. "I take it Blackwall has fully recovered?"

"Varric raised the question of which group was tougher, Wardens or Seekers. They decided to..." Brehan sighed as a shield bash from Cassandra sent Blackwall sliding into the mud.

"It would appear we have our answer," Vivienne said.

#

He spread the cards out on the table. "Okay, Kid, try it again like we practiced."

Cole touched the cards. "Two pairs beats one pair. Four of a kind beats two pairs. She slips the ace of dragons into a thigh-high boot, calls to the barman for another round. Blondie stares at the table, angry, always angry."

"Focus, Kid, you can't beat four of a kind with bad memories." He sighed. Hawke hadn't been happy to hear the Inquisition wanted to arrest his brother. Talk about situations that could get awkward in a hurry. He was pretty sure the Inquisitor didn't intend Carver any harm. But Hawke wasn't always the most reasonable person where people he loved were concerned.

"She put a chain of daisies around the neck of the griffin, and he smiled. They soar together."

"I have no idea what that means Kid, but I like the imagery."

#

"Solas?"

He turned towards her. "Inquisitor."

"Everything alright?" Ruya tilted her head at her friend.

"I've been unable to trace what may have occurred under Lake Calenhad. There is an oddity to the Fade, a vaguely familiar ripple, but nothing I can pull to clarity. Whatever spirits may have observed are silent."

"I can see why that would disturb you." She sighed. "Walk with me? Seems easier to think while I'm moving."

"Air would be welcome."

They walked together, leaving the gates of Skyhold to do a circuit of the camp. Rather than talk about the red templars or Corypheus, she asked him about some of the spirits he'd encountered. He told her about the lonely spirit whose actions may have led to the formation of Ferelden.

She looked over at where some mages were practicing. "Do you think you might take on an apprentice?" She glanced over at him. "Other than me, I suppose."

Solas looked startled by the question. "I... had not considered the idea. Perhaps."

"I'd love to learn that trick of yours where you twist the veil a little to increase the efficiency of your attacks."

He nodded, and they walked to a suitable clearing to practice.

#

"I have been reading the letters found in the Quarry. Samson is making red lyrium from people?"

She shuddered. "Not anymore. Not in that mine."

Cullen wrapped his arms around her. "I knew Samson had fallen, but this? It's monstrous. We have to put an end to him." He let go with one hand and picked up a piece of parchment. "Look at these orders from the encampment. That armor must give Samson extraordinary power. We may not be able to stop him."

"Samson's a menace. If we can't defeat him, no one stands a chance." Ruya ran her hand over his armor, tapping it lightly with her fingertips.

He put his hand over hers. "Then we must destroy the armor." He shook his head. "I couldn't say how. Templars are trained not to destroy expensive magical equipment." He looked down at her. "Perhaps Dagna has some ideas? She crafts the impossible every day."

#

Dagna appeared to be in a very good mood. She was actually singing as she moved about the undercroft, twirling now and then as if dancing. Ruya smiled. "Experiments going well?"

The dwarven woman jumped as if startled. "Oh, yes, Inquisitor. Everything is going wonderfully." She laughed. "It just feels like a good day."

"What have you learned of Samson?" Ruya leaned against the stair railing.

"He should be dead." Dagna gestured with one of her tools. "I mean, you could make a hat out of red lyrium and kill people, especially the wearer. Samson's armor, it's genius. To do all this and not go insane, it must be resistant. Or he is insane. Or both." She tossed the tool up in the air and caught it."

"So in addition to killing others, it's slowly consuming him, too?"

"Yes." She punctuated the statement with a jab of the tool. "But slow is not fast. Doesn't matter, I can find a way to hurt him. I just need time and red lyrium. For tests."

"Is that wise?"

"Everything is safe if handled properly. And you don't touch it long. Or breath it." She traded out tools and started waving a contraption around that had several moving parts. "I mentioned the hat, right? No hat." She grinned widely. "Time and resources, Inquisitor. I'll get you what you want. Now shoo. I've work to do." She went back to tinkering with whatever it was she was making.

Ruya blinked, and looked again. Was that a toy bronto? She thought about asking, and then shrugged. Blackwall was still building a toy griffin. Everyone needed something to relax them.

#

"You should talk to Leliana."

Brehan looked up at Cassandra. "I hear a lot of implied threat in that statement."

"One would have to be blind, stupid, and possibly insane not to realize how much you two still care about each other." Cassandra folded her arms and glared.

"By the dread wolf..." Brehan shook his head. "Leave it be, Cassandra."

Cassandra sighed. She took a step towards the door, and then turned back around. "Tallis was Qunari."

"Odd how that doesn't actually surprise me." He was silent for a moment. "I would have come, Cassandra."

"I have never doubted that." She smiled at him. "It is why they tried to kill you."

"Doesn't fit."

She raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that those Maker-damned Venatori had no problem taking control of me. Mythal preserve us, they turned Cathiel on Alistair. So tell me, lethallan, why bother trying to kill me?"

For a moment, she stared. Then she nodded. "You make a very good point."

#

"No red lyrium, no allies, and soon Samson will have no armor. I hope." Cullen handed a report off to Kels, and sent the young man on his way.

Ruya raised an eyebrow. "You hope?"

"Dagna's started work on her red lyrium samples, but she needs more details on the armor." He gestured. "We found orders in the mine. They mention Maddox. A name I did not expect to hear."

"Another voice from your past?"

"In a way. This is complicated." He paced behind his desk. "Maddox was a mage in Kirkwall's Circle. Samson smuggled letters between him and his sweetheart. Eventually Samson was caught - That's why he was cast out of the Order. Maddox was made Tranquil, and became a skilled craftsman of magical items. Samson must have..." Cullen leaned on his desk. "Rescued him."

She frowned. She'd heard of abuses, but... "I can't believe they made a man Tranquil over a few love letters."

"The official charge was 'corrupting the moral integrity of a templar.' Knight-Commander Meredith wielded the brand for far lesser offenses, believe me."

"Why would Maddox need saving?"

"When the mages rebelled in Kirkwall, the worst battles took place at the Gallows, in the Circle itself. I thought Maddox had died in the fighting, or was eking out a living in the streets - a hard fate for a Tranquil in Kirkwall." He rested his hands on his sword hilt. "Samson must have found him. Taken him in."

"Perhaps there's something left of the man Samson used to be."

Cullen shook his head. "Or he's shrewd enough to know an extraordinary resource." He gestured at the papers on his desk. "It seems Maddox built Samson's armor for him, and maintains it still." He drummed his fingers against his sword hilt. "Tranquil in Kirkwall needed rare and expensive supplies for their enchantments - supplies we can trace." He looked up at her. "I can have our men kick down some doors, Inquisitor. Samson's armor might lead us right to his stronghold."

She nodded agreement. Eben came in with another report, and she waited while Cullen looked it over and sent the boy back on his way. "You've mentioned siblings. With everything that's happened..." She knew she wasn't the only one who had lost family to these events. "Do you know if they're all right?"

"I've received word from my eldest sister. She was always good at tracking me down. South Reach has experienced the same chaos as everywhere else - my family is fine. Pray they remain so."

That she was already doing. "Your sister 'tracked you down'? She didn't know where you were?"

"I let her know I was in Haven. She assumed I survived." He looked slightly defensive, and then hung his head. "It's not the first time. I may have neglected to tell her when I was transferred to Kirkwall."

Had she not kept her brothers apprised of her location, they'd have hunted her down. "Why?"

"I wasn't in a good state. I wanted only to leave. I received an angry letter about my 'disappearance' two years later." He smiled fondly. "For all her reprimands, it was a relief to hear from someone who knew me before the Blight."

She tilted her head at him. "If you don't mind me asking..." She shifted a little. "Brehan mentioned one of the Wardens during the Blight was a circle mage. Did you know her?"

He looked down for a few moments. "I attended her Harrowing, actually. She was a lovely woman."

"Lovely?"

"There was some..." He sighed. "Youthful infatuation."

"You never acted on it?"

Red crept into his cheeks. "It was inappropriate of us both. She was one of my charges and..."

"You don't need to be embarrassed, Cullen." She smiled and gave a small shake of her head. "I was a Circle mage as well." She laughed softly. "Relations between mages and templars were either strained or..." She shrugged awkwardly. "The other thing."

"Were you..." He turned even redder. "Did you..." Cullen rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean..."

Ruya looked down at her feet. "No. I um..." Now her own cheeks were turning red. "Gavren was a lieutenant and everyone knew he was my uncle so..." She shifted. "Maker, even if anyone was interested, they stayed away."

"You mean you're a..."

For a moment she was sure steam was actually coming out of her ears. "Yes." Her voice came out as little more than a squeak. They stood there for a few moments, avoiding looking at each other. "I uh..."

"Right. Um..." Cullen swallowed. "I saw her once after she became a Warden." He went quiet again for a moment. "They freed the Tower during the Blight. I would be dead or mad if not for her."

"I..." Ruya blinked. "Brehan didn't mention that."

Cullen sighed. "I was in a sorry state when she found me. The things I said were... unkind. Untoward. I regret them now. I wish she knew that."

#

Leliana glanced up to see Josephine watching her again. She sighed. "What is it, Josie?"

"Have you talked to him yet?"

She didn't have to ask which him Josephine meant. Or the subject matter. "We have spoken many times since he rejoined the Inquisition."

"Leliana..." Josephine tapped her foot. "You know that isn't what I mean."

"Leave it be, Josie."

"You know you are the reason he stayed in Skyhold, don't you?"

"Josie." Leliana folded her arms. Then she sighed. "Yes."

"So have you talked to him yet?" Josephine smiled at her. "I miss the days of you two randomly dancing in the hallways."

"You are a hopeless romantic, Josephine Montilyet."

"Romantic, yes." Josephine wagged a finger. "Hopeless, never."

#

Dorian grinned when he saw the Inquisitor leave Cullen's office. He could add 'southern templar' to the list of people he'd never thought to count among his friends. Watching the commander and the Herald fumble conversations with each other never ceased to entertain. He should arrange an evening out for them. Surely there was someplace in Skyhold that would serve as a romantic getaway. A little push in the right direction, so to speak. He gave Ruya a friendly smile when she entered the library. "Have a thing for strapping young templars, I see."

She almost tripped. Truly precious. "What's this about?" Her ears were turning red.

"Oh, nothing. Just something I find rather adorable about you." He gestured for her to join him in the alcove he'd claimed. "Josephine tells me your brother has succeeded in locating the recently requested tomes and will be arranging their delivery soon."

"You've had luck then, with Corypheus's real name?"

"Possibly. Your brother acquired a tome the Grand Archivist desires for his personal collection. Josephine is arranging the bribe as we speak."

#

Blackwall looked across the table. Sera was working on her third slice of pie. He smiled fondly. "Right, how's it end?"

"What?" She swallowed the huge bite she'd taken. "That tavern tale?"

"Come on! You left off elbow deep in..." He hesitated a moment. "Circumstances. That can't be it."

Sera grinned broadly. "That wasn't her name, but yeah, that's as far as the story ever gets. Why are you complaining?"

He gave her an exasperated look. "Because I can't stop thinking about it. I need to know the end!"

"Why would you want to stop? The whole point of the good bit is thinking about the good bit. If i tell the end, it ends!" She waved her fork at him, then took another huge bite. "Bunch of moaners, this! Drag out the sad shit? 'Yes, please.' But hang on to a good bit? 'Oh, can't have that.'" She swallowed. "Frigging daft! So you gonna squeeze up to her or not?"

"What?" He blinked at the sudden subject changes. "Squeeze up to who?"

"Lady Josie. I've seen you doing that knightly stuff."

"Maker, Sera." Shit, how many others had noticed if Sera had? "No, stay out of it."

"You're all shy. What, you think you can't treat her right?"

"No, it's not-"

"I'll show you." She started looking around the tavern. "I just need a peach, a ripe one, 'cause if you do it right..." She waggled her eyebrows at him. "Ripe, down there."

"Please, no peaches, ripe or otherwise."

"Well I can't teach you bananas. That would be like showing you swords." She waved her fork again before putting the last bite of pie in her mouth. Then her eyes widened, and she pointed the fork at him again. "Oh, remember: do not use it like a sword."

He put his head down on the table. "How do I make this stop?"

#

"We have him, Inquisitor." Cullen drove a marker into the map. "We've found Samson's lair." He smiled up at her. "My duties usually keep me here, but for Samson? I'll make an exception."

Her heart beat just a little faster at the thought of going into battle at her general's side. "Samson still has that red lyrium armor."

"All the more reason for me to go. I would..." He looked down a moment, then back up at her. "Sleep better, if I knew I would be at your side."

"We'll leave in the morning." She walked over to stand next to him, and he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into him. Ruya tilted her face upwards, and he bent to kiss her gently. "The commander of the Inquisition and the Herald of Andraste. That will have people talking." As if they ever did anything else.

He sighed. "You wouldn't believe how quickly gossip spreads through the barracks."

"Does it bother you?" She brushed his hair back over one of his ears.

"I would rather my - our - private affairs remain that way." He kissed her again. "But if there were nothing here for people to talk about, I would regret it more."

She giggled. "That day you kissed me on the battlements: how long had you wanted to do that?"

Cullen laughed. "Longer than I should admit."

"You don't have much patience for nobility. I'm glad my title didn't scare you off."

"I hadn't considered..." He frowned. "I have no title outside the Inquisition. I hope that doesn't - I mean, does it..." He shifted his weight from foot to foot. "Bother you?"

"No." She pulled him to her for another kiss. "If you care for me, that's all that matters. I wasn't trying to put you on the spot."

"I'm not very good at this, am I?" He rubbed the back of his neck. "If I seem unsure, it's because it's been a long time since I've wanted anyone in my life." He ran his fingers through her hair. "I wasn't expecting to find that here. Or you."

"For now, at least, it's no one's business but ours." She leaned her forehead into his chest. "The last thing I need right now is either of my brothers thinking they need to stick their noses in."

#

"This is it." Cullen and Blackwall pushed the gate open. "The heart of Samson's command."

"I don't see him anywhere." The place was on fire, and looked all but deserted. She could make out only a few figures moving in the distance. "Or hear him."

"Nor I." Cullen readied his shield. "Maker, tell me he hasn't fled..."

Cassandra and Blackwall went left, while Ruya and Cullen went to the right. Varric remained in the center, firing his crossbow whenever he had a good shot. Ruya poured strength into her barrier as she and Cullen fought back to back up the stairway. She arced lightning, stunning them long enough that Cullen was able to use his shield to batter his way through, negating the enemy's height advantage. The hours spent training together paid off, they moved through the field as if they'd been fighting at each other's sides for months.

The others caught up with them at the door, and they hit the behemoth with wolfpack tactics. A blow from Blackwall caused cracks in the red lyrium, and Ruya arced lightning to the weak point. The behemoth shuddered, and all three warriors moved in to hit it again. It fell, tumbling down the stairs to land unmoving.

#

"This place is already half-destroyed." She kicked aside some debris.

Frustration was evident on Cullen's face. "Samson must have ordered his templars to sack his headquarters so we couldn't."

"Sorry, Curly." Varric looked around. "Someone tipped off Samson you were coming."

"I think you're right. Still, we've dealt Samson a blow."

"There are people moving around." Ruya gestured. "Perhaps there is still something or someone to be found."

#

They fought their way through a couple groups of red templars. Despite the offer, none of the red templars surrendered. Near the back of the last chamber, Ruya spotted someone slumped against a wall. She moved in that direction, flanked by Cullen. She was only a few feet from the figure when he lifted his head and spoke. "Hello, Inquisitor."

"You know me?" She moved in closer.

Cullen knelt next to the man. "It's Maddox. Samson's Tranquil." He glanced up at her. "Something's wrong. I'll send for the healers -"

"That would be a waste, Knight-Captain Cullen." Maddox's eerie voice interrupted him. "I drank my entire supply of blightcap essence. It won't be long now."

Ruya sighed. Even with her magic, she wouldn't be able to do anything to combat the poison. "We only wanted to ask you questions, Maddox."

"Yes. That is what I could not allow. I destroyed the camp with fire. We all agreed it was best. Our deaths ensured Samson had time to escape."

"You threw your lives away?" Cullen gestured angrily. "For Samson? Why?"

"Samson saved me even before he needed me. He gave me purpose again." Maddox's voice was growing weaker. "I..." He slumped. "Wanted to help..."

Ruya laid her hand on Cullen's shoulder. After a moment, he sighed, and stood up. "We should check the camp. Maddox may have missed something."

#

They found a stash of lyrium bottles that had been licked clean. Samson had been there. And likely not all that long ago.

Varric kicked one of the bottles across the room. "Drinking it, wearing it, growing it - you can't say Samson isn't committed."

Cullen drummed his fingers against his sword hilt. "How much red lyrium is Samson taking? His resistance must be extraordinary."

Ruya sighed. "We can't leave Maddox here. He should be properly laid to rest."

"If even Samson did his best for Maddox, we can do no less."

Blackwall grabbed the blanket from one of the beds, and went back to start wrapping the dead Tranquil. Cassandra and Varric went to one side of the room to search, and Ruya and Cullen went to the other. Cullen found some papers on a table, and growled. "Samson left a message. For me."

She touched his arm gently. "What does it say?"

"'Drink enough lyrium, and its song reveals the truth. The Chantry used us. You're fighting the wrong battle. Corypheus chose me as his general, and his vessel of power.' And other such nonsense." He shoved the papers haphazardly into a sack. "Does he think I'll understand? What does he know?"

#

Ruya looked around the workshop. "This must have been Maddox's room."

"The fire couldn't destroy these entirely." Cullen ran a hand over the items on a workbench. "Whatever they are."

"It looks like tools, and part of a forge."

"Tranquil often design their own tools. Dagna should be able to make sense of them." He began carefully packing the tools away. "If Maddox used these to make Samson's armor, she could use them to unmake it." He smiled. "We have him."

#

Varric watched Curly and the Inquisitor walk back towards his office. He looked up to see Dorian doing the same thing. "Ah, romance in the ranks."

"It's adorable how they think they're fooling anyone." Dorian returned Varric's grin, then tossed him a small pouch. "Alright, never let it be said I don't pay my debts. Here you are, five royals."

"I tried to warn you." He pocketed it.

"I had no idea nugs possess such creepy little feet." Dorian shuddered. "Stuff of nightmares."

#

He tried to tell himself he was drunk. That it was a bad decision influenced by copious amounts of wine. Except that on his worst day, half a bottle wasn't enough to actually get him intoxicated.

At least, not intoxicated enough to blame the booze for why he'd just let a qunari tie him to a bed. Iron Bull's hands were surprisingly gentle as they unfastened Dorian's buckles.

This...

Probably couldn't be blamed on the wine.

He decided to blame the Inquisitor instead. Her recent moony-eyed looks when she thought nobody was looking had clearly affected his judgment.

#

"And then the dogs go tearing through the hallway, dragging the sacks behind them. Flour, everywhere, and the baron is screaming so loud you'd think it was werewolves chasing him." Sera cackled.

"Maker." Ruya laughed. "I think I actually heard about that. Templars got called out to investigate rage demons in some lord's pantry." She glanced at the bottle. "I'm not sure I should have any more of this."

"Pft. You at least made it indoors. The Bull passed out right in the practice ground."

Ruya laughed. "All I heard about that was 'Sera' and 'yellow paint'."

Sera giggled. "Thought I was in trouble, when a couple of the Chargers came over. But that Rocky bloke just corrected my spelling."

#

"There you are." Cullen fumbled his pen, and it clattered to his desk and then onto the floor.

Ruya picked it up and offered it back to him. "Were you waiting for me?"

"Yes. I mean, no." He took the pen from her.

"I can come back later, if you'd prefer." She hadn't meant to interrupt his work.

"No. Please stay." He set the pen down. "We have some dealings in Ferelden. I was hoping you might accompany me. When you can spare the time, of course."

"Is something wrong?"

"What? No. I would rather explain there. If you wish to go."

She smiled. "We've got a few days yet before the masquerade. I believe there is time now."

"I will make the necessary arrangements."

#

It was nearly twilight when Cullen led her away from the camp. They walked through the trees to reach a small lake, glittering in the moonlight. "Where are we?"

He took her hand, and led her out onto the dock. "You walk into danger every day. I wanted to take you away from that. If only for a moment." He gestured at the lily-covered lake. "I grew up not far from here. This place was always quiet."

She leaned into him for a moment. Then she stepped back and looked up at him. "Alone with a mage. That doesn't concern you?"

"The templars have rules on..." He leaned on one of the posts. "Fraternization. But I'm no longer bound by them."

"I know, but..." She shifted uncertainly, then sighed. "You've seen the worst mages have to offer. How can you not see that in me?"

"I don't. If I've given you reason to doubt..." He sighed. "Of course I have." He took her hand, and pulled her to him. "Whatever I fear of magic, I see none of that in you." He rested his chin gently on the top of her head. "The last time I was here was the day I left for templar training. My brother gave me this." He let showed her an old Ferelden coin. "It just happened to be in his pocket, but he said it was for luck. Templars are not supposed to carry such things. Our faith should see us through."

She smiled up at him. "You broke the Order's rules?" She put a hand over her heart. "I'm shocked."

"Until a year ago, I was very good at following them." He smiled. "Most of the time." He looked down at the coin in his hand. "This was the only thing I took from Ferelden that the templars didn't give me." He took her hand, and pressed the coin into it gently. "Humor me." He closed her hand over the coin. "We don't know what you'll face before the end. This can't hurt."

"I'll keep it safe." She tucked it away carefully.

"Good. I know it's foolish, but..." He pulled her to him once more. "I'm glad."

Ripples broke the surface of the lake as a water bird ducked beneath the surface. It was beautiful here, like the lake by the elven ruins on her family's lands. It had been her sanctuary, whenever she'd wanted to get away from her brothers for a while. More than once, she'd fallen asleep there, only for one or the other to carry her home. "Did you come here often?"

"I loved my siblings, but they were very loud. I would come here to clear my head." He smiled fondly. "Of course, they always found me eventually."

"You were happy here?"

"I was." He kissed her softly. "I still am."

She smiled up at him. "How will you survive without a parade of messengers and war reports?"

"I should be able to last the day." His eyes twinkled. "Besides, I told Leliana to send word if -"

Ruya cut him off with a kiss. "Cullen. You. Me. Alone. Pretty lake."

"Right. Of course."