Once more, Ruya stepped through the mirror, followed by her companions. She found her destination, and stepped through the next mirror.

Staircases floated through... for want of a better word, she'd just call it the sky. This place was like the crossroads. And broken. A spirit hung in the air. It turned towards Sera. "Andaran atish'an, mirthardra elvhen."

"Andaran...?" Sera stepped behind Blackwall. "Why's it talking to me. Don't talk to me. You make me dizzy."

"If you wish, honored elvhen, I will speak so your guests understand." The spirit seemed to glow a little brighter. "I am study. I am a learning thirst. Come, know what has not been lost. New words. New stories. The Qunari would not approach, but we learned their words as well. If you wish to exchange knowledge, they congregate by the lower gate."

Knowledge. Spells. Arrows. An exchange was going to happen. "What did the old elves use this place for?"

"This is the Vir Dirthara. The living knowledge of the empire. The libraries of every city. The wisdom of every court. A connecting place whose paths are in disarray."

Maker, she really should have brought Brehan. Then again, they might not be able to get him to leave again. "What put this place into 'disarray'?"

"The Vir Dirthara was made with world and Fade. When they sundered, so did we. Paths broke. Knowledge fragmented. Many were trapped. I preserve their last words."

That did not make sense. And then it started to make a terrible sense. If the Veil had been created, then... "What were these old elves 'last words'?"

"'What happened? Where are the paths? Where are the paths? Gods save me, the floor is gone. Do not let me fall. Do not let me -' On this spot, that is all."

A chill went through her blood. She rubbed her arms. Maker, her hand ached. "There must be thousands of years of history here. There must be so much you can teach us."

"I will try to recall, honored patron, but there are gaps..." The spirit faded and brightened. "Breaks..." It flickered again. "Greetings. Laughter. Emma enasal. Forms out of air. Light. Memories. Aneth ara. So many. Broken paths at every..." It flickered faster. "Missing, missing, missing. I cannot. I cannot..." The flickering stopped. "There is no more. Apologies. I knew all once. We knew. With the break, only fragments or knowledge new, since the fall."

As much as she wished she could, she did not have time to stay and learn more. "I'm looking for a Qunari called Viddasala. Do you know what she wants here?"

"Viddasala. Yes. She uses scholars and mages for study. They fear this place, but they seek to know the Veil."

"Why does Viddasala want to know about the Veil?"

"I regret I do not have more information. I am sundered from myself. If you discover another of me nearer the Qunari, I may now more. Kindly give it my greetings. I have not thought with myself for some time. Know this: an unknown person, not of the Qunari, recently woke the Librarians."

"An unknown person? Could this be our agent of Fen'Harel?"

"The Librarians facilitated learning before the fracture. Before the fall. Now, beware them. They are unwell."

#

They found scattered bodies. Blackwall knelt beside one. "Wide eyes. And that look on their faces..." He looked up at Ruya. "I'd almost say they were scared to death."

#

"Welcome. Welcome. Listen to the last words of those who lived past the fall. 'How could the Dread Wolf cast a Veil between the world that wakes and the world that dreams?' 'The Evanuris will send people. They will save us.' 'When have you last heard from the gods? When the Veil came down, they went silent.' 'What is this Veil? What has Fen'Harel done'?"

Ruya turned to look at her companions. Their shock mirrored her own. "Are these 'records' saying Fen'Harel created the Veil between our world and the Fade?"

"That..." Sera almost sounded panicked. "Can't be true. Veil's always been there. No one made it."

There was so much they didn't know. Not for the first time, she wished Solas was at her side. Perhaps her mentor could make more sense of this.

#

"This looks like..." Ruya examined the parchment. "Technical notes? What did the Qunari come here to learn?" She tucked the parchment away. Perhaps others could make more sense of it. She needed to make contact with Merrill and Morrigan. Maker, she should have brought Jerath. The Evanuris... He knew more of Mythal than anyone. Another chill went down her spine. Would what they had learned here come as a surprise to him?

#

She activated the glowing device, and the stones floated up to make a path. Blackwall watched them go. "Why are these stairs going where we want them to?"

A very good question. Why were they responding to the mark at all? "It's a place of learning. Maybe this 'Vir Dirthara' is helping us find what we need?"

#

Pain shot through her hand, and she stumbled. Cassandra caught her before she fell. "Inquisitor, we must look at your hand."

"The pain's stopped." It had eased anyway. Minaeve had been trying different... It didn't matter now. They had a job to do. She could deal with the mark later.

Sera wasn't fooled. "It's worse, right? You need to..." Sera bit her lip. "Not get worse. Please?"

#

"Welcome, and listen to the last words of those who walked this place. 'If we get out of here, I will end Fen'Harel.' 'After he held back the sky to imprison the gods, the Dread Wolf disappeared.' 'Lies. We must tear down the Veil. The cities, the pathways... Without magic, they're crumbling.' 'You're wasting your time. Fen'Harel's Veil has turned our empire to ruins.'"

It... Back at the temple, Abelas had said nothing of the Veil. Was this why he had not considered the Dalish his kind? Because they were born after... She sent a pulse of healing energy through herself, and caught Cassandra giving her a concerned look. But it cleared the pain enough for her to think. "So the ancient elven empire collapsed because the Veil weakened magic?"

Cassandra let her change the subject. "If what we're hearing is true, this would have been a disaster beyond measure."

#

The Viddasala stood on a platform. "Survivor of the Breach. Herald of change. Hero of the South."

It appeared introductions were in order. "The Viddasala, I presume."

Sera laughed nervously. "Wow."

Despite the situation, Ruya found that amusing. Trust Sera to ogle the enemy. The Viddasala stared down at them. "After fulfilling your purpose at the Breach, it is astonishing to hear you still walked free among your people. Your duty is done, Inquisitor. It is time to end your magic."

Though she was sure it was doomed to failure, she tried anyway. "It's not too late to put our weapons down and talk."

"There's no need to pretend that you're blind to what you've begun. I am no stranger to catastrophe, but this chaos in the south defies comprehension. The Qun left your people to curb your own magic. You've amply proven we should have stepped in long ago."

Oh for... "Then enlighten me about the Qun's plans for us."

"Do you believe closing the Breach solved everything, that its consequences stopped there? The day we saw the Breach, the Qun decided its action. We would remove your leaders and spare those who toil. The agent of Fen'Harel has disrupted everything. Lives that were to be spared, lost for him."

"Who is this agent? Why would you think they work for the Inquisition?"

Instead of answering, the Viddasala turned. "Kill the Inquisitor, then follow me to the Darvaarad."

#

She sent the last of the Qunari warriors flying off the path with a bolt of magic. A small part of her almost pitied him. Cassandra wiped blood off her blade. "Demons, dragons, and even darkspawn. Now Qunari. I wonder if we will ever run out of things to fight."

"Dragons were the best. Well, until Qunari women were everywhere. All..." Sera's eyes got a faraway look. "Like they are." She giggled. Next to her, Blackwall just covered his face with the palm of one hand and shook his head.

Cassandra glared. "You are aware they're trying to kill us. Don't be distracted."

"Just saying, fighting's better with candy."

Ruya attempted to get the conversation back on track. "No wonder the Qunari translated notes into our language. It was for their non-Qunari spies." She held up some documents. "These are Viddasala's papers. She brought mages here to research strengthening the Veil. It explains why the Qunari thought it was worth camping here."

#

"Visitors. Patrons. Welcome. The halls are open."

"Can you tell me where a Qunari called the Viddasala went?"

If she wasn't mistaken, there was some trace of satisfaction in the spirit's answer. "Yes. We heard much, although she fooled herself into thinking we could not hear. 'Take a keystone to the Darvaarad. I will join you there soon, and take stock of our remaining gaatlok powder.'"

"I found a keystone with one of the Qunari."

"Yes. And you need words for their key. 'Maraas nehraa.' It glows. It will open the way to the Darvaarad. May you find what you seek. In coming here, you strengthened the paths. I can now raise one, if you wish to go."

"You've been very helpful..." She inclined her head to the spirit. "Uh..." Ruya had no idea what to call it.

"Ghil-Dirthalen was what the elvhen called me. 'One who guides seekers of knowledge true.' I was connection. One city could read the records of another, one elvhen feel the memories of another. When the Veil fell upon us, I marked the end of all they knew."

#

"You know, when I traveled alone, I'd fight bandits, some drunk chevaliers - nothing out of the ordinary." Blackwall strode along beside her. "Back with the Inquisition, and a moment later we're battling secret Qunari assassins in a dream-library."

Cassandra laughed. "It has certainly been memorable."

"I wouldn't have missed this for anything."

"Aww. Back at you, beardy. We're the best in the worst place ever."

#

"Your agents confirm there are gaatlok barrels in Denerim's palace?"

Leliana nodded to Josephine. "Yes, and in Val Royeaux, and across the Free Marches. The Winter Palace is not the only target."

"The Qunari are one order from destroying every noble house in the known world." Cullen actually paled at the thought.

"There is a bright side: warning the ambassadors will remind them of the Inquisition's value."

Brehan shook his head. "Not when the Inquisition is responsible for that threat."

Ruya turned towards him. "I take it you have new information."

"The elven servant handling the barrels confessed to working for the Qunari."

Josephine sketched the air with her pen. "But the servant was Orlesian. That implicates Orlais, not us."

He held up a piece of parchment. "But the barrels arrived at the Winter Palace on the Inquisition's supply manifest."

Cullen sighed. "How are we supposed to fight a war when we can't even trust our own people?"

"Do you know who got the barrels onto the Inquisition manifest?" Ruya asked.

"Yes. Several of the Inquisition's elven workers have gone missing. I did some checking. They joined the Inquisition after fleeting the chaos in Kirkwall."

"I remember when Kirkwall was at its worst." Cullen's shoulders slumped. "Many of the city's elves converted to the Qun, trying to find a better life."

"And the Qunari turned them into spies." Josephine sighed.

"We can't change what happened, only how we react to it." Ruya leaned on the war table.

Frustration took over Josephine's face. "I fought to protect the Inquisition in this Exalted Council. And for what? So we could deceive and threaten those we claimed to protect?"

"One we locate the spies -"

"This isn't about the spies." Josephine threw her writing board onto the table, splashing ink onto the wood. "You hid the Qunari body. You've all but seized control of the Winter Palace."

Cullen faced her. "We did what was right, not what was politically convenient."

"Do you know what this has cost us with Orlais and Ferelden? They are planning to dismantle us as we speak." Josephine turned away. "And perhaps they are right."

Ruya started to say something, and pain shot up her hand again. She cried out. "Shit. Damn it. We save Ferelden, and they're angry. We save Orlais, and they're angry. We close the Breach twice, and my own hand wants to kill me. Could one thing in this fucking world just stay fixed?" Cullen's arms went around her, holding her close. She clutched to him as though she were drowning. "I need to get to the Darvaarad. You all can fight amongst yourselves once I'm..." She swallowed as Cullen's arms tightened. "Once I'm back."

"Thank you, Inquisitor." Leliana's voice was quiet.

"Would you..." Josephine took a deep breath. "Would you like us to inform the Exalted Council of the danger?"

"Yes. If we fail, the Exalted Council needs to know what happened." And find someone else to fix their problems.

"I will inform them personally." Leliana drew herself up, every inch the Divine.

"Leliana, I can..."

"No. Your job is hard enough already. This is my responsibility." Leliana's hand twitched, and Brehan's closed around it.

Reluctantly, Cullen let her go. "I'll have guards ready at the eluvian, in case the Qunari attack the palace."

"Maker watch over you."

#

Sunrise peeked over the ancient ruins. They returned to where they had started this journey. Where they had sworn their oaths. More than just a new day was dawning. The water of the river was cool as it washed the blood from their bodies. The laughter of old friends rang through the trees.

And then it was time for goodbyes. Some were temporary. Some of them would be separated only by distance. For others...

One journey ends.

Another begins.

#

"The Darvaarad. All right, everyone. Get ready." She glanced at her companions, and saw worried faces. More than a few eyes flickered to her hand. But they all stood. And they all followed. Maker, she didn't deserve the friends she had.

#

"I wish I could say I'm surprised that Viddasala wants to murder everyone, but it makes sense." They all turned to stare at Iron Bull. He shrugged. "We tell stories about how corrupt the South is. Who wouldn't want to kill the evil nobles and save the people?"

"Save is rather a strong term, in this case." Ruya kept walking.

#

They found rooms full of just... stuff. All kinds of things. Dragon skulls. Even one of those artifacts she and Solas had activated. Sera found some parchment. "I know loot lists when I see them. Tracking their stuff like a fat fence. But..." She frowned at the parchment. "They don't sell it? And they're well fit."

And they were able to use the eluvians. "Morrigan said the key to an eluvian could be anything - including knowledge or power." She gestured. "So they're stockpiling both. That's how they got the keystone and opened so many of the eluvians we've seen."

Iron Bull growled. "Hopefully they don't have any more ancient magic crap to throw at us." He glanced in one alcove. "That dragon skull would make a wicked armchair, though. Maybe we could take it back to Skyhold after this?"

#

There was a roar. Ruya had heard roars like that one. Through the columns ahead, she saw... "'Dragon's Breath is..." She really should have seen this one coming. "An actual dragon?"

A qunari soldier caught sight of them. "Teth a! Bas!"

Viddasala stepped into the room. "Inquisition. Nehraa ataashi-asaara meravas adim kata." Soldiers began to move towards them. Viddasala's gaze went to Iron Bull. "Hissrad. Now, please. Vinek kathas."

Iron Bull shook his head. "Not a chance, ma'am." He raised his axe, and buried it in one of the approaching soldiers.

#

"Are you alright, Bull?" Dorian gave Iron Bull a concerned look.

"Never better, Kadan."

"I'm glad to hear it..." Dorian smiled. "Amatus."

Ruya caught Sera's eyes. They grinned at each other, and then simultaneously made gagging motions. Iron Bull made a threatening gesture.

#

The dragon was hurt. It was angry. And... Ruya grinned. And she could see how to free it. She called instructions to her companions. She wasn't sure who laughed harder, Iron Bull or Sera.

Her hand ached again. It... She held it out and released a blast of energy, using that to clear the obstruction. Her companions moved the jets into place, and she strengthened the barriers on herself and Cole. They darted to the levers, and opened the gate.

The dragon - Ataashi - roared. It ignored her and her companions, focusing its rage on the qunari as it made its escape. Ruya and her friends strode across the bridge that had been cleared by the dragons attack. She found herself wishing the beast well as it took wing, heading to places unknown.

#

"Parshaara."

Ruya was about to demand answers of Viddasala when agony burst through her hand once more. She cried out. Cassandra caught her before she could fall.

Viddasala gave her a satisfied look. "Dear Inquisitor, you have such little time left. You must finally see the truth. Elven magic already tore the sky apart. If the agents of Fen'Harel are not stopped, you will shatter the world as well."

"The Inquisition has nothing to do with these agents." She hadn't wanted to punch someone quite this badly in a long time.

"Come, Inquisitor. I am the eyes and ears of the Qunari people. Do you think you can deceive me?" Viddasala gestured with one hand. "You would have died from the mark on your hand, but for the help of one of their chief agents. The same agent who helped seal the Breach. Who led you to Skyhold. Who gave Corypheus the orb, then founded the Inquisition." Viddasala smirked. "Solas, agent of Fen'Harel."

That was... that was bullshit. Solas would never... he couldn't... "That's stupid. It is, right?" Sera looked at her. "I mean, wait..." Their eyes met, and they came to the same conclusion. "Oh, piss."

"Solas..." Her friend. Her guide and mentor. "Is an agent of Fen'Harel?"

"Did you not know? We thought you were his ally." Viddasala shrugged. "Solas tricked us all. He pushed a dying Qunari into the Winter Palace, to lure you into opposing us. Without him, we could have brought the South peace and wisdom along the gentle path. Now we must take the way of blades."

Solas was still helping them. Still protecting them. She started forward, and cried out in pain again. This time it was Blackwall that caught her.

"Panahedan, Inquisitor. If it is any consolation, Solas will not outlive you."