Sera brought him a pie. She even let him eat a slice before demolishing it. Blackwall smiled at the woman's rapid-fire chatter. Cassandra had made it clear he was no longer welcome in her presence, and many of the soldiers did little more than grunt in his general direction. Sera, however, seems oblivious to the entire mess. "Hey. When this is all done, if you ever need my help for anything, you just ask. Alright?"

"Knew it!" Sera lifted a fist triumphantly. "I knew you could be one of us!"

"Us? That..." This was going to backfire. "Red Jenny thing- I..." He shook his head. "I didn't mean-"

"It will be brilliant, right? You can flip some tables, show some nobs your arse, or something-"

He held up his hands. "No one needs to see my arse."

"I knooow!" She cackled. "Oy, you missed it. The Seeker punched the elfy spymaster right in the face. He went down like splat."

Blackwall blinked. "Why'd she do that?"

"He knew about you not being you." Sera shrugged. "Thought for a minute her Heraldness was going to hit him too. Stead she told him go get you out. Glad she did. Wouldn't be the same without you. Always knew you were up to something."

"Sorry."

"For what? Trying?" She tossed a bit of berry at him. "Better than most ever do."

#

"I'm so sorry, Inquisitor. I never thought my family's trading status would trap us in an assassin's plot."

Ruya smiled reassuringly. "You couldn't have known it would lead to this House of Repose coming after you."

"It still shouldn't have slipped past me. I've tracked down the last Du Paraquettes. If they become gentry, they can annul the contract on my life." She began writing. "We'll require a noble from Val Royeaux to sponsor them, a judge to provide documents, a minister to ratify them..."

"It's so like you to take the longest course of action, even when your life is at stake." Leliana's voice was fond.

Josephine sighed. "I assume you already know everything about this mess."

"There is a faster way, Josephine: the original contract on your life is in the vaults of the House of Repose. If my agents infiltrate it and destroy the original, the assassins will have no obligation to chase you."

"Leliana, please. I want no more blood shed over a personal affair."

"Don't be so stubborn, Josie. How long will it take you to gather these favors in Val Royeaux?"

The last thing they need right now was their spymasters killing more people. "We can solve this without more deaths on either side."

Leliana sighed. "My people are ready, should you change your mind." She glanced at Ruya. "I'll post a watch on our ambassador, in case the House of Repose visits."

"I appreciate it, but I still believe elevating the Du Paraquettes will solve this." Josephine smiled at Leliana. The other woman smiled back fondly before walking away. Josephine turned back to Ruya. "First, we'd need to perform some favors in Val Royeaux. I'd be happy to discuss where we could begin."

Ruya nodded, and sat down across from Josephine.

#

"My dear, I know you must have a great deal on your mind right now, but I need to speak with you."

Ruya nodded, and followed Vivienne to the balcony. "What can I do for you, Madam Vivienne?"

"You know as well as I how far the Inquisition's influence has spread." Vivienne waved a fan. "And how desperate the grand clerics have become. Our opinion will be instrumental in the election of the new Divine."

Maker, she was trying very hard not to think about that. "What do you suggest?"

"The Inquisition may not be invited to their vote, but our actions will certainly influence the grand clerics. To sit on the Sunburst Throne, a candidate should have grace, charm, and a will of solid steel. Cassandra may lack the first two, but unless you can think of someone better, she is the strongest choice."

Cassandra or Leliana. Maker, she was just glad nobody was suggesting she take the job. "I'll have to think carefully about this."

"Don't worry, my dear. I have complete confidence that you will guide the clerics in the right direction." Vivienne looked out at the view. "We will have to be very mindful of everything we do and say, for the Conclave is certainly doing the same. If they look to the Inquisition to provide a sign of the Maker's will, we will have to give them the right one."

#

Ruya walked by Iron Bull and Krem practicing in the courtyard. Iron Bull gestured at her before demonstrating a shield bash to Krem again. She walked over as the two of them harassed each other. Iron Bull lowered his shield. "Glad you came by. I got a letter from my contacts in the Ben-Hassrath. Already verified it with Red."

She glanced at Krem, and then shrugged. "Do you want to discuss this alone?"

"Not like I was hiding it from my boys. Besides, right now, I need to hit something."

Krem panted. "You know they've got training dummies, Chief."

"The training dummy might actually defend itself against the shield bash. Anyway, the Ben-Hassrath letter..." He turned back to Ruya.

"What did the letter say?"

"The Ben-Hassrath have been reading my reports. They don't like Corypheus or his Venatori. And they really don't like red lyrium." He rubbed at one of his horns. "They're ready to work with us. With you, boss. The Qunari and the Inquisition, joining forces."

"That could be a powerful alliance." Josephine might just start dancing.

"My people have never made a full-blown alliance with a foreign power before. This would be a big step." He rolled his shoulders. "They've found a massive red lyrium shipping operation out on the coast."

Krem grinned as he set up for another shield bash. "They want us to hit it together. Talked about bringing in one of their dreadnoughts." He adjusted his stance. "Always wanted to see one of those big warships in action."

Iron Bull knocked him on his ass, then shook his head. "Did you see that? Go get some water." He glanced back at Ruya. "They're worried about tipping the smugglers, so no army. My Chargers, you, maybe some backup."

"What does this alliance really get us?" It was sounding a little too good to be true.

"They wouldn't use the word 'alliance' if they didn't mean it. Naval power. More Ben-Hassrath reports. Qunari soldiers pointed at the Venatori..." He rubbed at his horn again. "It could do a lot of good."

She tilted her head to one side. "You don't seem entirely happy about this."

"No, I'm good. It's, uh..." He shrugged. "I'm used to them being over there. It's been awhile."

Understandable. They could take the rest as it came. "I think the Inquisition could use some help from the Qunari."

"Good. I'll pass the word to Cullen and Red. We can set up the meeting whenever you're ready."

#

"Inquisitor?"

"Yes Josephine?"

"King Alistair has asked when a good time would be to send his court mage to speak with Solas."

Ruya blinked. "Tell him we'll be heading into Ferelden soon to deal with an issue on the coast. As soon as that's done, we'll pay a visit to Denerim and pick up the delegation there."

"Marvelous."

#

"I think I owe you an apology."

Brehan blinked, and then glanced up at Blackwall. "Not sure I follow."

"I pretended to be a member of your order." Blackwall sighed. Pretended, and likely caused them no end of trouble in doing so. Josephine was stuck cleaning up the mess from the treaties. "And Sera said Cassandra punched you."

"I knew Gordon Blackwall."

Blackwall blinked. "So you..." He frowned. "You were questioning me then."

"I knew you weren't Blackwall. I was trying to figure out if you even actually knew him, get some idea of who you actually were. How'd he die?"

"He..." Blackwall shook his head. "We were on our way to Val Chevin when he stopped at a cave and sent me to collect some darkspawn blood. I came back up to find him being ambushed. He... he took a blow for me, and died." Brehan stood, walked to the wall, and banged his head on it while cursing in elvish. "Brehan?"

"You didn't pretend anything. You're a Warden. I'll tell Josephine to turn the treaty issue over to Saitada." He shook his head. "You and me are good."

"I..." Blackwall stared at the other man. "I don't understand."

"Let's table this conversation until we've dealt with Corypheus. It's a moot point until then, anyway." Brehan shrugged. "There's no such thing as heroes, Rainier. Everyone carries their shadows with them. We put our pasts behind us, when we become Wardens. A new beginning. So, welcome." He held out his hand.

Blackwall stared at it for a moment, and then took it. "Cassandra punched you."

"I think I got off easily. I hear she threw a table at Varric."

#

"All right, our Qunari contact should be here to meet us."

"He is." An elven man in strange armor stepped out from the rocks. "Good to see you again, Hissrad."

"Gatt!" Iron Bull spread his hands and grinned. "Last I heard, you were still in Seheron."

"They finally decided I'd calmed down enough to go back out into the world."

"Boss, this is Gatt. We worked together in Seheron."

Gatt nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Inquisitor. Hissrad's reports say you're doing good work."

"Iron Bull's name is Hissrad?" Well, he had said he'd picked his name, so finding out it wasn't his real one wasn't that big a surprise.

"Under the Qun, we use titles, not names."

"My title was 'Hissrad,' because I was assigned to secret work. You can translate it as 'Keeper of Illusions,' or..."

"'Liar.' It means liar." Gatt shrugged.

"Well, you don't have to say it like that."

Time to get this back on track. "I look forward to working together."

"Hopefully, this will help both our peoples." Gatt shrugged. "Tevinter is dangerous enough without the influence of this Venatori cult."

"Yes." Dorian said from behind her. Maybe bringing him wasn't her best idea. "Filthy, decadent brutes, the lot of them. I'm certain life would be so much better for all of us under the Qun."

Gatt's eyes narrowed. "It was for me, after the Qunari rescued me from slavery in Tevinter. I was eight. The Qun isn't perfect, but it gave me a better life."

"Yes, one free from all that pointless free will and independent thought. Such an improvement."

Ruya stepped between them. "The Imperium and the Qunari both have their problems."

Dorian nodded. "Fair enough, I suppose."

"I'm not here to convert anyone." Gatt spread his hands. "All I care about is stopping this red lyrium from reaching Minrathous."

"With this stuff, the Vints could make their slaves into an army of magical freaks. We could lose Seheron..." Iron Bull gave a slow shake of his head. "And see a giant Tevinter army come marching back down here."

"The Ben-Hassrath agree. That's why we're here." He pointed. "Our dreadnought is safely out of view, and out of range of any Venatori mages on shore. We'll need to eliminate the Venatori, then signal the dreadnought so it can come in and take out the smuggler ship."

"There might be Venatori mages on the ship as well. If the dreadnought can't handle them..." The plan was simple, but it didn't seem to be flexible at all.

"It's unlikely there'll be more than two or three mages on the ship. And they'll be dead by the third shot." Gatt shrugged. "On land, though, a half-dozen Venatori attacking the dreadnought from cover could do some serious damage."

They were making a lot of assumptions. "What do you think, Bull?"

"Don't know. I've never liked covering a dreadnought run. Too many ways for crap to go wrong. If our scouts underestimate the enemy numbers, we're dead. If we can't lock down the Venatori mages, the ship is dead." He frowned. "It's risky."

"Riskier than letting red lyrium into Minrathous?"

She questioned Gatt further, and wasn't mollified by his answers. Still, they seemed stuck with the plan. The Qunari weren't going to budge. "Let's go hold up our end of this bargain, then."

"My agents suggested two possible locations the Venatori may be camped to guard the shore." He indicated the locations. "There..." He turned. "And there. We'll need to split up and hit both at once."

"I'll come with you, boss. Krem can lead the Chargers. Let me fill him in. Come by when you're ready to move."

She turned to look at her companions. She clearly wasn't the only one unhappy with the plan.

#

Iron Bull bantered with his men, but she'd known him long enough to tell he was worried. The Chargers moved off to do their jobs.

"You gave your Chargers the easier target." Gatt smirked at Iron Bull.

"You think?"

"Lower and farther from the smuggler's ship? It's much less likely to be heavily defended."

"Suppose we'll do the heavy lifting, then. Just like old times."

Gatt chuckled in response.

They hit the first group of Venatori, and dealt with them easily enough. She doubted they even knew what hit them. Though Dorian was being a bit flashier than usual.

Gatt kept looking at Cole. Finally, he spoke. "Iron Bull's reports say you're a demon."

"I'm trying not to be. Sometimes it's hard. I want to kill a lot of people, but I don't."

"Because the Inquisitor has bound you?" Gatt glanced at her, his eyes going to her staff. Ruya glared.

Cole just looked confused. "Because it's not right."

"Bull, how can you work with a demon?"

"He's all right."

They hadn't gone much further when Gatt addressed Solas. "I don't see any tattoos, but you're carrying a staff. Are you from a Chantry Circle?"

Solas gave the younger elf a withering look. "No. And I would prefer not to discuss it."

"Have I done something to offend you?" Gatt looked slightly taken aback.

"You joined the Qun." Solas continued walking.

"After they rescued me from slavery."

"And put you into something worse." Solas didn't bother to look back at the other man. "A slave may always struggle for freedom, but you among the Qun have been taught not to think."

"Solas, not the time." Iron Bull was starting to look frustrated.

#

They took out the next group. One almost managed to get a spell off before her spirit blade took him down.

Gatt glanced over the hill. "Can you make out any of your mercenaries down there?"

"Not from here. Probably a better view once we take the Vints' camp."

"Worried?"

"They're my men. I've been with some of them for years."

#

The last group didn't fare any better than the first two. Solas caught one of the larger warriors with one of his summoned fists, sending the man flying off the cliff. Ruya felt a bit bad about how she always found that just a little funny. He caught her eye as she tried to hide the smile, and winked.

"We're clear, Gatt."

"Right. Signaling the dreadnought." He tossed something into the fire, and a flare shot up into the sky.

Iron Bull smiled proudly. "Chargers already sent theirs up. See'em down there?"

Ruya tossed a salute in their direction, and made out Krem's return wave in the distance.

"I knew you gave them the easier job." Gatt just shook his head.

"There's the dreadnought." Iron Bull pointed. "That brings back memories." She had to admit, the ship was impressive. It took it only moments to sink the smuggler ship. Next to her, Iron Bull laughed. "Nice one." He started to turn back towards his men. "Crap."

Venatori mages were heading towards the Charger's location. Out of her range. She glanced over her shoulder at Dorian and Solas, and both shook their heads. Dammit. "They've still got time to fall back if you signal them now."

"Yeah." Iron Bull reached for his signal horn.

"Your men need to hold that position, Bull."

"They do that, they're dead." Iron Bull lowered his head, glaring at Gatt.

"And if they don't, the Venatori retake it and the dreadnought is dead." He pointed. "You'd be throwing away an alliance between the Inquisition and the Qunari. You'd be declaring yourself Tal-Vashoth." Gatt gestured. "With all you've given the Inquisition, half the Ben-Hassrath think you've betrayed us already. I stood up for you, Hissrad. I told them you would never become Tal-Vashoth."

"They're my men."

"I know. But you need to do what's right, Hissrad..." Gatt pointed at the dreadnought. "For this alliance, and for the Qun."

Ruya struck the butt of her staff against the ground. She'd had just about enough of this. The Chargers were not going to be sacrificed because the Qunari had screwed up their plan. If that's what their alliance took, she wanted no part of it. "Call the retreat."

"Don't."

Iron Bull blew the signal. Immediately, the Chargers began to move. "They're falling back."

Gatt looked crushed. "All these years, Hissrad, and you throw away all that you are. For what? For this? For them?"

She considered herself a peaceful woman. Gatt was about three seconds away from her finding out just how well he could swim. "His name is Iron Bull."

"I suppose it is." Gatt turned away.

"No way they'll get out of range. Won't be long now."

They'd need to arrange a rescue. Get some lifeboats out or something. She and Solas had their healing magic, and Stitches was nearby as well. "Bull, when the dreadnought sinks..."

"Sinks?" Iron Bull's voice was slightly hoarse. "Qunari dreadnoughts don't sink." They watched the ship explode into flames. Ruya sighed, and laid her hand on Iron Bull's arm. "Come on. Let's get back to my boys."

#

"Inquisitor, it is my duty to inform you that there will be no alliance between our peoples." Gatt's face was set into hard lines. "Nor will you be receiving any more Ben-Hassrath reports from your Tal-Vashoth ally."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a bit of fire around Dorian's hands before the man took a deep breath. Clearly, she wasn't the only one angry at the situation. Iron Bull shook his head at his former friend. "You under orders to kill me, Gatt?"

"No. The Ben-Hassrath have already lost one good man. They'd rather not lose two." He walked away without looking back.

Iron Bull sighed. "So much for that."

"I'm proud of you, Bull."

He chuckled. "Thanks, boss."

"Come on. We've got to head in to Denerim."

#

"You are not Tal-Vashoth, Iron Bull, not really."

"Well that's a fuckin' relief." Iron Bull sent a glare in Solas's direction.

"You are no beast, snapping under the stress of the Qun's harsh discipline." Solas ignored the glare. "You are a man who made a choice... possibly the first of your life."

Iron Bull sighed. "I've always liked fighting. What if I turn savage, like the other Tal-Vashoth?"

"You have the Inquisition, you have the Inquisitor..." He gave Iron Bull a respectful nod. "And you have me."

"Thanks, Solas." The big man actually smiled.

They met up with the others a few miles outside the city. Josephine and Leliana had remained back at Skyhold, but Brehan and Cullen had come to join them. Brehan told them that the queen had apparently set aside the Arl of Denerim's manor for the use of the Inquisition.

#

Ruya felt a bit irrational. She'd known that Lenore Amell was a highly respected mage. She hadn't expected the woman to also be gorgeous. The silvery-haired woman greeted Brehan with a hug, kiss, and light jab to the ribs. "No more dying."

"You're the Ferelden court mage?" Ruya stepped forward to greet her.

"No, we had a slight change of plans." Lenore glanced over her shoulder. "He's the Ferelden court mage."

"Hawke!" Varric yelled when he saw his friend. Hawke grinned, and returned the dwarf's hug.

"So, we are supposed to learn a ritual from some fellow named Sol..." Lenore's eyes widened. "Oh, you're the spirit." She walked up to Cole and looked him over in abject fascination.

"I'm Cole."

"You really do look like a young man. Does your hair grow?" Lenore walked in a circle around him.

"I don't know. I've never asked it." Cole looked confused as he turned in a circle to follow her movements.

Somebody whistled, and Ruya turned to see a dwarf. "You were here for a reason."

"Oh, right. Solas."

"I'll take you to him." Brehan gestured for Lenore and Hawke to follow him. Varric tagged along.

The dwarven man held out his hand. "Brosca."

"Ruya." She accepted the hand. "I appreciate all the help you've given us in Antiva."

"Ever told Leliana no? She pouts."

#

Varric couldn't quite hide a smile as he watched Fireball throw rapid-fire questions at Chuckles. He was rather impressed at the man's ability to keep up. Not many could when Lenore really got going.

"So, Ferelden court-mage?"

Hawke grinned. "We did owe Lenore and Brosca a rather large favor. When they asked..." He shrugged. "Besides, it's good to be back in Ferelden. Brought the whole family."

"The kids and Broody are here too?" Varric felt his mouth start to water. "Orana."

"Might have started baking fairly early this morning."

"Hey, Chuckles, we'll catch up with you later."

#

Cullen looked up to see Lenore standing in his doorway. "Mind if I come in?"

"I..." He nodded. "Of course."

"Commander of the Inquisition?" She laughed softly. "Didn't believe Hawke at first. He spoke highly of you."

"It's good to see you again, Lenore."

"You too. I just..." She sighed.

He rubbed the back of his neck. "I owe you an apology, Lenore. The things I said were..."

She frowned. "You don't owe me anything, Cullen."

"Lenore, I..."

"You said some nasty words. I actually electrocuted a friend. Nobody came out of that smelling like a rose." She shook her head. "We were kids together, Cullen. I guess I just wanted to stop in and see if my friend was okay."

"I am." He smiled. "Better than I have any right to be, I suppose."

"Good. I've got to go drag Hawke back to learn the ritual, but I'll find you later and we can talk some more. I want to know everything."

#

"So these... experiments were trying for conscious control of the Blight?" Ruya looked over the notes.

"Blood magic," Cullen said.

"No, bit worse than that, I'm afraid." Lenore gestured. "Blood magic is nasty, but it's stable. Cast a spell a hundred times, you'll either get the exact same result a hundred times, or you know, break out in demon. Blight magic, on the other hand, has an element of chaos to it. It's powerful as hell, but what you can do with it is vastly more limited due to the sheer uncontrollability."

Dorian frowned. "How did this Avernus even gain this information?"

"He tortured a bunch of Wardens to death in a variety of experiments." Lenore's voice was blunt. "You can see why I didn't try continuing his work."

"Wise of you," Solas said.

"Mostly, I just tried to figure out what some of his information meant. My hope was to find something that would give me a clue to how to cure the Blight. We know the Architect cured Fiona, but I still don't know how. More and more, I think it might have been an accident on his part. Some kind of unintended side effect."

Vivienne narrowed her eyes. "My suggestion for this research would be to toss it into the nearest flames."

"Believe me, I've considered it. The only reason I haven't is that I managed to come up with a few ways to defend against such things, and I thought there was a good chance we'd meet up with the Architect..." Lenore shrugged. "Or something like him, again. At the very least, this would give us a clue what we were up against."

"He references concoctions of some kind." Ruya gestured at the notes. "What were those?"

"Jerath brought me the notes, Inquisitor. He didn't bring me any of Avernus's creations." Lenore sighed. "My working theory is that's how he survived killing the Archdemon."

"Fill me in." Ruya raised an eyebrow.

"I think he managed to stave off the effects for some time. My theory is it didn't last. The Calling caught up with him."

"You think he's dead."

"As sad as I am at the thought he's dead, the thought that he's still alive and..." Lenore took a breath. "The thought of what my friend could have become scares the shit out of me, Inquisitor."

"I'm inclined to agree with Lenore's assessment," Dorian said. "This gives us a better idea of Corypheus's capabilities, but not how to defeat him."

"Keep working. You four are some of the finest minds in Thedas. If anyone can come up with a solution, it's you."

Lenore grinned, and then glanced at Cullen. "I like her. You have excellent taste in women." Cullen made a choking sound. Ruya found herself turning bright red. "Oh, and they turn matching colors." Lenore was practically cooing.

"I know." Dorian grinned. "Isn't it adorable?"

#

"Wardens should have bodyguards at all times, for their safety."

Brosca shrugged. "Songbird filled us in."

Iron Bull narrowed his eyes. "Who is Songbird?"

"I hate you," Brehan said to Brosca, who just grinned in response.

"Anyway, I got Zev." Brosca nodded at the elven man standing nearby.

"What about Lenore?"

"I'm good." Lenore gestured at the statue behind her.

Ruya narrowed her eyes and was about to ask what that meant when the statue moved. "Maker's breath."

"This is Shale." Lenore nodded to the golem.

"I'm not sure a golem is a wise idea." Ruya shook her head. "If someone gets hold of her control rod..."

Zevran started laughing. "It's always pretty hilarious when someone tries, no?"

"You think the flesh-creatures would learn." Shale shook her head.

"Remember the last one? He was all 'you will obey me' and then you crushed his head?" Brosca cackled.

"Sure, laugh, but it took ages to get all of him off the ceiling." Lenore sighed.

Ruya blinked, and then turned to look at Brehan. He just sighed. "This is why I always took point."

#

They left Denerim with a better idea of just how much they didn't know. Ruya pulled Solas up behind her on the horse again mostly so they could converse. "If we'd had any of this information when Corypheus first showed up..."

"I am not certain it would have made a difference," Solas said. "Lenore's information said nothing of the red lyrium. We did not learn it may possess the Blight until sometime after we learned what Corypheus was."

She sighed. "It's frustrating to have so much more information and no idea what to do with it. I'm hesitant to share any of this with Morrigan."

"On that, we may be in agreement."

"What's your take on what Corypheus will do next?"

"Although you have ended the battle in Orlais, it will take the country some time to recover. Corypheus faces a decision: accelerate his plan to gain power, or abandon his dream of conquering Orlais." He shrugged. "For now. He will never abandon his dream."

"He's looking for something. We need to learn what or where."

#

"You're late." Iron Bull glared at Krem.

"Sorry chief. Still a bit sore from fighting off all those Vints. Good to see you, Inquisitor."

"How did the Chargers come out of the fight?"

Krem smiled. "Just fine. Thanks to you and the chief, we had plenty of time to fall back. Chief's even breaking open a cask of Chasind Sack Mead for the Chargers tonight."

"Damn it, Krem, that's the kind of thing you don't have to mention to the Inquisitor." Iron Bull glared.

Ruya thought he was just made that he'd passed out first last time they'd gone drinking together. "Sorry, chief." Krem didn't look at all apologetic.

"Ah, forget it. You're doing fine."