It was odd seeing Skyhold so empty. The majority of their forces were still in the wild, digging out the rest of the red templars and securing the temple. She'd arrived to find a raven telling her that Brehan had lost Carver, and replied with instructions to go to Denerim and follow up with Lenore and Hawke. Seeing Corypheus take over the body of a Warden had shaken her, and she'd just as soon he not be anywhere near where Corypheus would strike.

Kels let her know her advisers had returned safely, and she headed into the war room.

#

"When you went through that mirror, Corypheus and his Archdemon fled the field. I'm not sure why." Cullen was resting his hands on his sword hilt. He was also favoring his left arm, and she made a note to drag him to the healer when they were done here.

Morrigan nodded. "What he wanted was no longer within the temple."

Cullen's answering nod was somewhat reluctant. "Perhaps. He spent so long trying to get into the temple, he probably couldn't have helped his forces by that point."

Josephine stabbed the air with her pen. "Then Corypheus is finished."

"If he is wise, he will hide and rebuild his strength before he attacks again." Leliana began examining the map on the table.

"He will not hide."

Ruya turned to look at Morrigan. "Meaning he will attack us directly, at Skyhold."

"Not necessarily, but neither will he remain idle."

Leliana folded her arms. "And how could you have such insight into his plans?"

"The Well of Sorrows held many voices, and they speak to me now from across the ages. They hold wisdom, secrets I never dreamed possible. But even they fear what Corypheus has become."

Victory was still some distance away. "Should we fear him more than his army?"

"Possibly. Luckily for you, he has a weakness." Morrigan gestured. "The dragon he calls is not truly an Archdemon. It is a dragon, in which Corypheus has invested part of his being. He doubtless did so out of pride, to emulate the gods of old. That pride can be exploited. Kill the dragon, and his ability to leap into other bodies is disrupted. He can be slain."

So all they had to do was kill a dragon. At least they'd managed to get in some practice. "You're sure? If there are no bodies for him to jump to..." The remaining Wardens were in Denerim, or in the Free Marches.

"You assume there is a limit to the range of his power. There is not." There was more worry in Morrigan's eyes than Ruya would have expected.

"Then what do you propose? Killing the dragon is no simple task, if it could even be found." Cullen folded his arms as he looked towards Morrigan.

"There is a way to defeat the dragon, to match Corypheus in his power. The Well whispers it to me now. Your help will be required, Inquisitor. There are a few things I must do first. I will let you know when I am ready, and we shall begin."

Cullen turned his eyes to Ruya. "I'll see to Skyhold's defenses in the meantime."

#

Ruya found Varric standing by the fire. "You made it."

He grinned. "Yeah. Should have seen it, Inquisitor. Iron Bull picked up one of those horrors and threw it at a behemoth."

"Our army fought well." She smiled proudly.

Varric shook his head at her. "You and Cullen act like a doting parents. I think he might carry portraits of all the soldiers in his pocket and I'm pretty sure you are knitting them all scarves."

"It gets cold here."

"So..." He looked up. "I'm still trying to wrap my mind around this. You went to an elven ruin..." He counted on his fingers as he spoke. "So a witch could consume a pool of magical goo, and then walked through a mirror. And wound up back here. Have I mentioned the shit that happens to you is crazy?"

When he put it that way...

#

"My dear, I'm afraid I must ask you for help." Vivienne adjusted one of her sleeves. "There is an alchemical formula that I must complete, but I have been unable to obtain a critical ingredient: the heart of a snowy wyvern." Vivienne gestured. "I had arranged to obtain one, but the chevaliers working with me were killed in the civil war."

A little more practice killing dragons couldn't hurt. Iron Bull would probably consider the outing fun. "If I'm going to hunt down a snowy wyvern, I need you to tell me everything you know about it."

"They're quite rare and exceedingly dangerous. Their venom is the most potent of any wyvern. Ordinary hunters would not make the attempt. The risk is too great. You, my dear, would certainly be an equal to this monster."

"We'll see if we can locate one."

"Thank you, my dear. I would be most grateful. I shall give the location of its lair to Cullen. Remember, my dear: I must have its heart, or the potion will not work." She inclined her head. "I eagerly await your success."

#

She sat down next to Iron Bull. "So..." Ruya raised an eyebrow. "Dorian?"

"Yep." He laughed before clearing his throat. "Yes, we've been spending time together."

Ruya hung her head, and then just laughed. "I suppose that's one way to improve relations between Tevinter and the Qunari."

He smacked her on the back. "You know me, boss. I'm a peacemaker. Whatever differences Dorian and I have, this is one way for us to come together." Her answering groan only seemed to encourage the man. "You get it? Cause..." He pumped a fist. "Yeah." He leaned back in his chair, and his voice became a bit more serious. "Dorian's a sweet guy. He's gentle, and he cares under all that bluster. I'm hoping we're good for each other." His eyebrows waggled. "Plus, I've never done it with a mage before. One time, he got so excited he set the curtains on fire." Iron Bull laughed as she turned bright red again.

"I am regretting starting this conversation."

"I should ask Cullen how he deals with the random magic thing. Got to be a templar trick."

"I am never taking you dragon hunting again."

"You know, boss, you're not a very nice person." He grinned. "So to kill Corypheus, all we have to do is kill his dragon first?"

"Looks that way."

"That's easy. We're good at killing shit." Iron Bull smacked her on the back again. This time, she had a barrier up, and he yelped and shook his hand as electricity crackled. He smirked. "Just one more big fight to put this magister asshole down for good. I knew you'd get us here, boss."

#

She stood at the stairs to the library, and took several minutes to work up her nerve before going to check on Dorian. He gave her a peck on the cheek when he saw her, before inviting her to join him for a glass of wine.

Ruya took a deep breath. "What's going on between you and Iron Bull, exactly?"

Dorian sighed. "If only there were a single discreet bone in that lummox." He took a drink. "Err..." He raised an eyebrow. "Do you truly want to know? Is this an official concern, or...?"

Well, she was sort of hoping this wasn't going to result in anyone being skewered or set on fire. "I'm asking as your friend. How did I not know about this?"

"I wouldn't want anyone to know about this, just like I wouldn't want anyone to know I fancy Fereldan beer."

"Oh, the shame, Dorian." She looked at him with mock disapproval over her wine glass, and he smiled.

"Well, it's something. A whole lot of something." He took a sip from his own glass. "At first, it was an ill-considered night after drinking. Then there was a second time, and then..." He took another drink. "I don't know what's 'going on,' to be honest. I suspect neither does the Bull." He looked down at his drink. "Now that I've said it out loud, my ancestors are officially turning over in their graves. Ah, well."

Maker help them all. Her friend was in love.

#

"The Temple of Mythal was extraordinary. In all my journeys, I never dreamed of finding anything like it." Ruya smiled at Solas as they began their usual walk around Skyhold. He returned her smile as he continued speaking. "What will you do with the power of the Well once Corypheus is dead?"

There was still so much to be done. So many refugees. And so much more beyond that. "I'll use whatever power I have to undo the chaos that Corypheus and his allies have caused."

"You would put things back the way they were before?" He seemed surprised at her answer.

"Yes. I mean, not exactly..." Some things needed to be changed.

"I know what you mean. Thank you."

She blinked. "For what?"

"You have not been what I expected, Inquisitor. You have..." He turned to look up at Skyhold. "Impressed me. You honor the past and work to recover what was lost, even if the cost is high. I respect that, and I am indebted to you for the reminder. Forgive my melancholy. Corypheus has cost us much. The Temple of Mythal did not deserve such a fate. The orb he carries, and its stolen power..." He turned back to her. "That, at least, we may still recover. With luck, some of the past may yet survive."

Ruya put her hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, Solas. We couldn't have done this without you."

"You are welcome."

#

Sera was trying to stifle a laugh. And failing. "I'm sorry. Oh, wait, no, I'm not." She spread her hands. "It's just the funniest, innit? That creaky old Abelas in Mythal saying the elves weren't destroyed by Tevinter?"

"If that's a joke, I don't get it." She'd sent scouts to try to locate Abelas, to let him know he was welcome at Skyhold. They hadn't found him.

"Everyone is always, 'Oh, poor elves, victims of this and whatever.' But the empire ate itself. Love it." She bounced on her cushion. "Like being sad makes them better than me. Turns out, they're not victims. They're the same as everyone else: arseholes." She gestured. "Plus, a big, old temple full of demon-worshiping lies. Grand, that."

It was probably good that Brehan was still in Denerim for more reasons other than Corypheus. She'd little doubt if he knew, he'd be in the wilds right now hunting for Abelas personally. "Why are you dismissing what happened in Mythal?"

"Or course. None of it holds up. I mean, it was impressive and all. Makes the Dalish look like tits for living in the woods. But so what? There can't be a bunch of gods and the Maker. Don't matter how much or little you believe, those don't fit. So call me stupid, but I believe the stuff not made up by dead people who failed. Mythal is a ruin full of demons." Sera looked up at her uncertainly. "I mean, it just makes sense, right?"

Ruya sighed. She still didn't know what to make of that Temple. The arguments between Solas and Morrigan. So many things that didn't fit. "I'm with you. Everything in that temple was highly suspect." Including Morrigan herself.

"Or course it was. You couldn't be the Herald and think otherwise, yeah? I mean, that would just be daft. So, main takeaway: we got really weird power, and we can throw it at Coryphy-whatever. Fighting shite with shite. It's like poetry or something. I don't know. Get a bard on that. We should go slap hands in the tavern."

She thought about trying to clarify or explain, but decided it likely wouldn't matter anyway. Sera was Sera. And somebody needed to laugh at everything.

#

He touched up the paint around the eyes, then gave it a critical look. His father would probably be pleased. Maybe he'd make a nug next. The giant ones the Inquisitor had found somewhere did tend to get everyone staring whenever any of their forces got up the nerve to ride one.

"So it's done?"

Blackwall turned to see the Inquisitor in the doorway. "Just about." He set the brush down. "The little ones in the camps don't have much. I thought this might cheer them up. Even in the midst of war, they deserve to be children."

"It's almost time. Are you ready?" She raised an eyebrow at him, her face as warm as it had been before, when she'd come by to visit him more often.

"I am. I've been ready for a long time." He turned to face her. "Things become clear on the battlefield. It's where I truly know myself. Everything else fades."

"You're content." She nodded. "I'm glad."

Made him feel good, hearing that. "I am. There has always been one constant. I am a soldier. I am trained to kill, to follow orders, and to ask no questions." He only hoped she understood what he was trying to tell her. "But this time, I'm fighting for something I believe in, for people I care about. I chose to stay with the Inquistion. I chose this fight, and the difference is profound." He bowed. "I have only you to thank."

She patted his shoulder before leaving.

#

Mother Giselle was talking to Cassandra in the armory. "Will you not consider it, Lady Cassandra?" Giselle appeared to be entreating the other woman. "The clerics are still sequestered. If no one steps forward, they will debate until -"

"And you think I could make them agree?" Cassandra interrupted. She shook her head. "I've heard enough for one day, Mother Giselle."

"Talk to her, Your Worship." Mother Giselle nodded to Ruya as she passed.

Ruya gave her a confused look before going to see Cassandra. "Is there a problem? It seems like she's bothering you."

"Mother Giselle is kind, and she means well. So, yes, she was." Cassandra leaned against a table. "I assume you've heard that Leliana and I are both candidates to be the next Divine." She'd heard. She was really hoping no one would ask her to choose between them. "Because of what happened at Halamshiral, of course. The empire favors you, thus everyone close to you. So now the Chantry bandies our names about without even asking us first."

"How can you and Leliana be candidates? You're not even priests." And she really didn't like the thought of her people being used as political pawns.

"It is not without precedent. Amara the Third was sister to the emperor, and Galatea a commoner. Leliana and I were, at least, part of the Chantry hierarchy. It would be accepted."

"If you don't want it, then tell them no."

She was surprised to see Cassandra hesitate. The woman gestured, and Ruya followed. "Surely it was never meant to be like this. The Chantry, the Circle of Magi, the templars..." They stepped out into the daylight. "This cannot be what they intended when it all began. The Chantry should provide faith. Hope. Instead, it cannot veer from its course, even in the face of certain death."

"If you're concerned, then make it better." If they did choose Cassandra, she would support her friend wholeheartedly.

"Did you know Varric is Andrastian?" Cassandra's smile was fond. "Oh, he blasphemes with every second breath, but deep down, he believes. His heart is virtuous. But he would never step foot in a Chantry. It should be the first place to which the virtuous turn. It needs to change. Perhaps I must be the one to change it."

"What would you change about the Chantry?"

Cassandra gestured at Ruya's staff. "The Circle of Magi has its place, but it needs reform. Let the mages govern themselves, with our help. Let the templars stand not as jailors of mages, but as protectors of the innocent. We must be vigilant, but we must also be compassionate to all peoples of Thedas, human or no. That is what I would change."

Ruya nodded respectfully. "So this is your new crusade?"

"I've agreed to nothing yet."

"And if the Chantry calls on you?"

"Then I will do whatever I can, for as long as I can." Cassandra shook her head. "I suppose I should not be so concerned. The clerics speak my name for now, nothing more." She gestured. "For now, restoring order and stopping Corypheus remain our priority."

#

"So it's true. Some look to Cassandra or even me as Justinia's successor. I never thought the idea would gain momentum." Leliana was standing in front of the rookery shrine. "Or course, with the other candidates out of the picture..."

"Is becoming Divine something you really want?" Ruya leaned on the wall next to her.

"When Justinia was alive, I would've laughed at anyone who even suggested that I could be her successor. Things have changed. Still, I don't know." She turned towards Ruya. "Restoring the Chantry will be like trying to steer a sinking vessel through a storm."

"Whoever becomes Divine will have my support if she requires it."

Leliana smiled. "And I'm sure whoever becomes Divine will absolutely require the Inquisition's backing. The Chantry is faltering, but it still has influence over the people. Who tells the people what's right? Who do they look to in times of peril? A Divine with enough support can change the Chantry, and with it, Thedas. But this is a discussion for later. If Corypheus wins, finding a new Divine will be the least of our problems."

#

The throne was just as uncomfortable as it had been every other time she'd sat in it. Cullen stood, instead of Josephine. He nodded to her. "Forgive me, Inquisitor. For personal interest, I have relieved Josephine. As you might expect." He turned to the man as the soldiers brought him in. "Knight-Templar Samson, general to Corypheus, traitor to the Order. The blood on his hands cannot be measured. His head is too valuable to take. Kirkwall, Orlais: many would see him suffer. I can't say I'm not one of them."

"Judging him will affect as many as his crimes. I won't take it lightly.

Samson lifted his head to look at her. "The red lyrium will steal your vengeance. You know what it does. Corypheus only delayed my corruption."

Cullen's voice held barely checked anger. "Are you still loyal to that thing? He poisoned the Order, used them to kill thousands."

"Templars have always been used. How many were left to rot, like I was, after the Chantry burned away their minds? Piss on it. I followed him so templars could at least die at their best." Samson shrugged. "Same lie as the Chantry. The prophet just isn't as pretty."

Ruya looked at the faces in the hall. Lysette. Moira. The other templars that had joined her forces, at least the ones that had already returned from the wilds. She saw other faces too. Eril. Xaver. Gavren. "I found your people. They believed in you. Believed your cause was righteous."

"Not your business, Inquisitor."

"Your friend Maddox was so loyal, he killed himself. For you." Cullen's hand clenched as though he wanted to wrap it around the hilt of his sword.

"They were always going to die. I saw what Corypheus was doing, so yes, I fed them hope instead of despair. I made them believe their pain had purpose. Just like the Chantry does. Right, Commander?" Samson pulled his eyes away from Cullen. "It ended as well as anything else I've done. Corypheus would kill me on sight. I'll tell your people what they want. Everything I cared about is destroyed."

She wished they didn't need his information. That she could just stick him in some dark hole and... and be no better than he was. "Very well, Samson, you will spend your remaining years serving the Inquisition. Cullen will be your handler. Perhaps he can get something useful out of you." She hated adding to the weight on her general's shoulders.

"I doubt the commander believes there's anything worthy left in me."

"You're not wrong. But you served something greater than yourself once. Perhaps you can be made to remember that."

#

She found Cullen in his office, flinging daggers at the practice dummy. He sighed when he saw her. "Samson took everything from those templars. He corrupted their souls, twisted them into everything they stood against. Everything they would have hated." The dagger sank into the dummy almost to the hilt.

"I know the red templars fight for Corypheus, but I feel sorry for them." All she could do now was pray some could be saved.

"They're barely human now. The red lyrium left Samson's mind unaltered. He knew what he was doing. He dares speak as though it were a mercy? The man's a monster." Cullen retrieved the knives, and tossed them onto his desk. "I pray his information is useful. His life is good for little else."

Ruya waved her hand, using her magic to send one of the knives back into the face of the practice dummy. "Samson got what he deserved."

"The men and women he betrayed -" Cullen threw another knife. It landed just above hers. "They deserved something better. Samson deserves nothing." He threw the last blade. "The red templars needed to be torn down. We've broken Corypheus's army." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I might have known some of them. If my life had gone differently -" He shook his head. "I might have been one of them." He turned towards her. "Do you ever wonder what would have happened if you had not been at the Conclave? If you'd never become the Inquisitor?"

She looked at the man in front of her. Her general. "A life without you?" She smiled. "Never."

#

Finding the snowy wyvern brought them face to snout with another dragon, much to the delight of the Iron Bull. And, if she were completely honest with herself, she'd have to admit she'd had just a little bit of fun battling the beast alongside her comrades. Ruya imagined Vivienne would say the same.

Vivienne tapped the dead dragon with the butt of her staff. "You know, Cassandra, you really ought to have armor with gilding. Or dragon scales. Preferably both."

"Would that not be impractical?" Cassandra looked down at her silverite plate mail.

"It would be dramatic, my dear! Half the value of armor is intimidation."

"I prefer the half that keeps blades out of my innards, personally."

"I believe Dagna actually lined that particular set of armor with dragon webbing." Ruya glanced up from where she was healing a cut on Blackwall. "She thought Cassandra could use a little more fire resistance after that time she got a bit too close to one of Dorian's spells. She did the same for Cole."

"It wouldn't have hurt me. It's friendly fire."

Dorian sighed at Cole. "That doesn't always mean what you think it means."

#

"Inquisitor, you are a treasure." Vivienne's smile was genuine and warm. "Please, accept this as your payment. I must begin work immediately. You have been a dear friend, and I..." Vivienne hesitated a moment before smiling again. "Would like you to come with me."

#

The manor seemed alien, with no people inside. Vivienne led her up the stairs. "This should only take a moment, Inquisitor."

Vivienne walked to the man lying on the bed. Ruya caught a scent in the air, and felt a lump rise in her throat. The man was dying. Vivienne's face was gentle as she took his hand. "I'm here, my darling." She lifted his head and put the potion to his lips.

He stirred slightly, eyes opening. "Vivienne?"

"Yes, darling."

Duke Bastien raised a hand to touch her cheek. "It's going to be all right, my love." His hand fell, and he went still.

"My darling? Bastien?"

Ruya came up beside the other woman. "Vivienne, I'm sorry."

"There's nothing here now."

#

Not knowing what to say, she simply took Vivienne's hand during the carriage ride. Vivienne's fingers clutched hers despite her face remaining composed. "Bastien is dead. I can hardly believe..." She swallowed, and a faint trace of a smile came to her lips. "It was the Wintersend Bal, my first visit to the Imperial Palace. The Circle sent a dozen of us to entertain the nobility. I was in awe of everyone and everything. And then..." Her fingers tightened around Ruya's. "Our eyes met. Bastien spent the entire ball at my side. The dowager tried to have him killed for slighting her, but he didn't care."

"Falling in love across a crowded ballroom. Sounds like something out of a children's story."

"He was a dashing rogue, and any defects he might have had were made up for with rank and importance. It was..." She closed her eyes for a moment. "A more innocent time, I suppose. And now he's gone, and I..." Vivienne nodded slowly. "I must right to his son Laurent..." Her voice became more businesslike. "And his sister will make a terrible fuss if she isn't informed first. And I'll need to arrange for the Chantry services. Maker only knows how long that will take."

"If I can help you, just say the word."

"No, my dear. I'll handle everything." The carriage came to a halt. "Excuse me. I have so much to do."

#

Ruya stared across the valley. The weight of it, of all those soldiers... surely victory must be close. She went to Skyhold's Chantry, and found Cullen there, kneeling before the statue of Andraste. "Though all before me is shadow, yet shall the Maker be my guide. I shall not be left to wander the drifting roads of the Beyond."

She joined her voice to his for the last of the prayer. "A prayer for you?"

"For those we have lost. And those I am afraid to lose." He glanced up as she knelt next to him.

"You're afraid?"

"Of course I am. Corypheus possessed that Grey Warden at Mythal. What more is he capable of? It's only a matter of time before he retaliates. We must draw strength wherever we can." He stood, pulling her to her feet as he did. "When the time comes, you will be thrown into his path again. Andraste preserve me, I must send you to him."

Her hand ran down his armor. "There's nothing to worry about. I have luck on my side, remember?"

He laughed. "That's less comforting than I'd hoped." He caught her and pulled her to him, holding her close. His voice whispered in her ear as he bent his head to her shoulder. "Whatever happens, you will come back."

"Cullen, you don't have to -"

"Allow me this." He held her tightly. "To believe anything else would..." She could barely make out his words. "I can't."

#

Morrigan led them to another temple, one covered by growth. The veil there felt... Ruya didn't have the words. Alive, perhaps. Anticipating. She glanced at Solas, and knew he felt it too.

The statue itself looked almost untouched by the years of weathering. "'Tis all that remains of the great altar." She brushed vines away from an inscription, and read. "'We few who travel far, call to me, and I will come. Without mercy, without fear.'"

"'Cry havoc in the moonlight, let the fire of vengeance burn, the cause is clear.'" Solas finished the verse. "A very old invocation, perfectly translated."

"Why, thank you." Morrigan's voice held only a tinge of sarcasm.

"'Without mercy?' That sounds rather ominous." She thought of how Solas had described Mythal back in the temple. The kind dispenser of justice and the dark bringer of vengeance. The Mother, protective and fierce.

"Indeed it does." Morrigan turned towards her. "Your companions will need to go elsewhere. Not to worry. If there is shouting, they will hear it readily enough."

Ruya looked over her shoulder. Solas nodded, and led the others away. Cassandra and Blackwall both went reluctantly. Morrigan took another step towards the altar. Light gleamed as she cast upon the altar, her voice ringing out. "You know who I am. From high priest to high priest, I am the last to drink of sorrows. Come to us, Mythal. Whatever you are, whatever remains, I invoke your name and your power."

The Veil... shifted. It tingled against her skin, as though something feather-light was passing near. The air went still. And then, striding from the tall grass, came a woman. A woman, and something more.

"Mother."

Ruya blinked, and turned to stare at Morrigan. "Mother?"

"Now, isn't this a surprise?" The woman spoke in a tone that suggested she wasn't surprised in the least.

"I take it you know her?" Ruya raised an eyebrow at Morrigan.

The witch looked absolutely furious. "She is a deceiving witch." Morrigan started to cast.

"Now, now, that's quite enough of that." The woman gestured, and the spell forming in Morrigan's hands simply vanished.

"What have you done to me?"

Amusement tinged the woman's words. "I have done nothing. You drank from the Well of your own volition."

"Then..." Morrigan seemed to shrink. "You are Mythal?"

Ruya turned and stared. And then took a knee. "Thank you for coming. I had no idea what to expect."

"You see, girl?" The woman sounded pleased as she turned her attention back to Morrigan. "Those are manners, as you require a demonstration."

"I do not understand. How can you be Mythal?"

"Once I was but a woman, crying out in the lonely darkness for justice. And she came to me, a wisp of an ancient being, and she granted me all I wanted and more. I have carried Mythal through the ages ever since, seeking the justice denied to her."

"Then..." Ruya tried to understand. "You carry Mythal inside you?"

"She is a part of me, no more separate than your heart from your chest." Her yellow eyes met Morrigan's. "You hear the voices of the Well, girl. What do they say?"

Morrigan closed her eyes. A hundred heartbeats passed before she opened them again. "They..." Her voice was quiet. "Say you speak the truth."

"But what was Mythal? A legend given name and called a god, or something more?" The woman waved a hand. "Truth is not the end, but a beginning." She walked up the stairs to them. "A herald, indeed. Shouting to the heavens, harbinger of a new age. As for me, I have had many names. But you..." She nodded to Ruya. "May call me Flemeth."

Now, that name she'd heard. The woman who had saved both the Wardens and Hawke. Oh, sweet blood of Andraste. "This meeting was no accident, was it?"

"Clever girl."

"The voices..." Morrigan still sounded disbelieving. "Came from you?"

"The price of the Well seemed no dire thing when you saw so much to gain, hmm?" Flemeth's yellow eyes were knowing. "The voices did not lie, Morrigan. I can help you." She extended a hand, holding it just over Morrigan's head. Light seemed to shimmer around both. "Do you understand, child?"

"Yes, I..." Morrigan nodded. "Think I do."

Flemeth turned, and walked away.

"Wait." Morrigan called out.

Flemeth turned. "A soul is not forced upon the unwilling, Morrigan. You were never in danger from me." She continued into the tall grass, and vanished once more.

Ruya started to put a hand on Morrigan's shoulder, then thought better of it. Morrigan closed her eyes, and then nodded as she reopened them. "Come. We should return to Skyhold. I have the answer to your problem. I can match the Archdemon's power, when the time comes. All that remains is for you to find Corypheus."