They met. Ruya. Cassandra. Cullen. Leliana. Brehan. Harding.

"My agents have found nothing. With the eluvians, he could be anywhere."

"Have you heard from Merrill or Morrigan?"

"No." Brehan folded his arms. "My only response from Jerath and his people was that he'll meet us in Skyhold."

"Maintaining the Inquisition, even as a peacekeeping force, leaves us vulnerable to agents of the Dread Wolf..."

"But also gives us the strength to respond."

Leliana sighed. "We will need to be careful. Solas knows everything about us. Who we are, how we work, our strengths and weaknesses..."

"Then we find people he doesn't know." Ruya drew a knife, and plunged it into the map. "We will save our friend from himself..." She took a breath. "If we can." And perhaps the world with him.

#

"It's been a long time."

"It has, kadan." The Arishok turned to face him. "I told them to take you first."

"They did try. Your vanguard is dead." Jerath shrugged. "You'll deny involvement. Rogue elements, overstepping their bounds. Rather like your predecessor." He walked towards the larger man. The woman, the leader of the Ben-Hassrath, kept her eyes on him. She was the reason he was here, but first... "There are two issues here. The first one is personal."

"I thought, once, that you and Saitada would come to the Qun. You always did know your purpose." He put a hand to the hilt of the sword, and drew the massive blade.

"The Qun is a lie, the writings of a madman driven to desperation. The answer broke his mind and poisoned his soul. I told him not to make that wish." Jerath smiled. "No one ever listens." He drew his axe, but not the sword.

"I will regret your death." The Arishok swung his own blade as soon as Jerath stepped into range. Jerath closed as the blade came down and stopped it with the axe. Then he brought his fist down upon the weapon, where blade met hilt. The sword shattered.

"You come at Alistair and Cathiel again, they will be on their feet, facing you, and armed." Jerath met the Arishok's startled gaze with eyes that had gone solid black. "You thought you knew me. You know nothing. The Qun teaches nothing. Consider this your warning. You get one." He turned and walked away from the larger warrior. Towards the woman. "As for the other matter..."

She stood, her eyes flicking between the Arishok and Jerath. "What are you?"

Jerath glanced over his shoulder at the Arishok. "Do you remember the question that brought you to Ferelden?"

"What is the Blight?"

He nodded. Then his hand shot out and caught hold of the woman's wrist. The sharp edges of his gauntlet cut into her skin. She screamed and fell to her knees. He let her go, and she collapsed, black veins already trailing up her arm. "Ask her. She can tell you. I know what runs in your veins. Do not make me return to Par Vollen." He left the woman shuddering on the ground, and the man staring after him.

#

"Lenore Amell has taken the position of Ferelden court mage. Hawke is on his way to Kirkwall to help Varric." Josephine looked at her notes.

"Where do we stand with Kal'Hirol?"

"House Brosca has stated they will remain neutral, and that the Inquisition's gold spends as well as any other. House Saitada is cordial, but has stated a preference for maintaining its distance. On a personal note, Saitada made it clear that she is unwilling to provide any aid regarding her contacts among the Qunari."

Ruya made a frustrated noise. "So much for getting an answer from the Arishok."

"It's not a decision she made out of hostility to the Inquisition." Brehan ran his fingers through his hair. "Saitada and St...Arishok always knew there would come a time they would end up on opposite sides. Their personal feelings for each other are irrelevant, as both will ultimately do their duty. She won't ask him for help..." He met her eyes. "And he won't ask her."

"That's something, at least." She sighed. "Are you all right, Brehan?"

"I have no way to answer that question." Brehan sighed. "Fen'harel and Mythal are not only real, I've..." He shook his head. "I've spoken to both. I will stay with the Inquisition, and you know where my heart lies. But on this..." He leaned back in the carriage. "I cannot speak for my people. And I fear I can offer you no insight on the gods I once followed."

She leaned into Cullen, letting him put his arm around her. "My next question..." Maker, she hated having to ask this. "Solas left the Inquistion. And a few days after that..."

"Jerath arrived and joined." Brehan's voice was quiet.

"You've considered the idea as well, then."

"I have. I have yet to reach a conclusion. The timing fits, and there are things he knows that..." Brehan folded his arms. "But it was Jerath who told us about Fen'Harel. And, as I recall, he also called Fen'Harel 'fucking stupid'."

Despite everything, Ruya couldn't help but laugh. A moment later, the laughter died. "Was he speaking of Corypheus getting the orb, or why Sol... Fen'Harel gave him the orb?"

"I wish I could answer that, Inquisitor. He will be at Skyhold." Brehan bowed his head. "I hope."

#

Hawke entered the door of his old estate and stopped short. Salla ran into him, and Fenris just barely managed to catch Orana before she fell. He grinned as he started walking forward again. "Carver, Merrill. What are you doing here?" Hawke gave his brother curious look, and then glanced at Merrill. Carver had a tattoo on the side of his face. It looked vaguely like a stylized dragon. Merrill's previous facial markings were gone, replaced by the same tattoo. "And what are..."

"It's good to see you, brother. We've come because we heard a rumor Viscount Varric was looking for people to help out around here."

"So, here we are." Merrill's smile was cheerful as she cradled her daughter. "And we brought presents."

"I love presents." Caleb peeked out from behind his father. "What did you-"

From the garden came a creeling sound. All of them turned to stare. It took Hawke several minutes to make his voice work. "That's a griffin."

"His name is Tamlen. The babies don't have names yet." Merrill smiled.

Carver gestured. "Come, I'll introduce you."

#

Nesiara came to her door, her face pale. "Your majesties?"

"What is it, Nesiara?" Cathiel drew her robe around herself.

"There..." She looked over her shoulder. "Warden-Commander Jerath is here. He's requested to speak with you and Wardens Lenore and Brosca."

Alistair rose. "Did he say what he wanted?"

"No, your majesties. Only that it was important."

"Get Lenore and Brosca."

#

He held his daughter tightly. "I am so very proud of you," Loghain whispered.

"Father..." Anora returned the embrace. "You don't have to..."

"I've been dead some time, Anora. I no longer have a place in this world." He glanced out the door towards the garden where two of his companions waited. "Caronel and Valya need a home, and will protect you. And your child."

"My..." Anora looked up at him. "Child?"

"Your wish did not go unheard." He kissed her forehead. "Live well."

#

Jerath was standing in the war room, looking out the window when they arrived. Cathiel strode in. "You've got some nerve, arriving in the middle of the night."

"I brought an apology." He gestured at a large basket. "I believe you have a fondness for these."

"If you think some apples are going to..." She trailed off as something moved inside the basket. "Jerath..."

"I have lied to you. About many things. Much of what I have done, and some of what I have yet to do is..." He turned to face them. "Unforgivable.

Alistair stepped forward and removed the cover from the basket. Cathiel's jaw dropped. "Griffins." Alistair stared. "You..." He looked at Jerath. "How?"

"It was a terrible mistake, made for the best of reasons, that took them from us in the first place. A lesson some still must learn. Ferelden needs you, all of you. I have one more gift..."

#

Delilah opened the door, and her face lit up. "Nathaniel." She held out her hands and pulled her brother into a hug. "It's been ages."

He returned the embrace. "I..." He swallowed. "Delilah, I've come to say goodbye. For good, this time."

"What..." She looked up at him. "What are you talking about?"

"I am called. I cannot remain."

#

Saitada stepped into her office and stopped dead in her tracks. "What are you doing here?"

"I made you a promise." Jerath's voice was quiet.

"A promise?"

"When the time came, I would say goodbye."

Despite the rift between them, her heart lurched. "Please, tell me you aren't part..."

"I like this world, Saitada. And its people. Where you walk, hope remains. I brought you a parting gift." He gestured at a large basket sitting by her desk.

She walked forward, and removed the covering. Inside stirred... "Griffins."

"Goodbye, sister. We will not meet again."

"Wait..." She rushed to the door and looked out, only to see no sign of him. "Jerath?"

#

"Varric."

He turned around, and his jaw dropped. "Blondie, what are you doing here?"

Anders smiled. "I..." He sighed. "You were a good friend, Varric. I..." He took a breath. "Better than I deserved. I didn't want to go without saying goodbye."

"That's..." Varric tilted his head. "That's got a permanent sort of sound to it."

"I know it will matter little, but..." He took another breath. "Will you tell Hawke I'm sorry?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I'll tell him." Varric felt tears prick his eyes. "Blondie..."

"Goodbye, Varric. And thank you."

#

Ruya couldn't help but feel relieved when she saw Jerath standing in the balcony above the great hall, watching them enter. She gestured for her inner circle to follow her to the war room. Jerath met them there.

"Alright, first things first. The immediate threat. The Qunari would have sent soldiers to -"

"It's been dealt with." Jerath shrugged.

"What?"

"Cassandra, you recall Varric telling you of the misadventure of Carver's brother at Chateau Haine?"

"Yes, I..." Cassandra stared. "Tallis was seeking to recover a list of Qunari agents in the south."

"It fell into the wrong hands." Jerath smiled. "Mine, to be specific. We turned a few, watched others. I've been getting Ben-Hassrath reports for years, and have kept the list up to date. We settled those accounts while you were dealing with the Viddasala." He shrugged. "You can stop looking for the missing servants."

"Maker's breath, Jerath." Brehan stared at him. "You are saying you killed them?"

"Actually, Morrigan took care of the issue here in Skyhold." He tossed a rolled map onto the war table. "We also dealt with the vanguard that was put in place to take over after the attack. Locations and numbers are marked there."

"When the Arishok finds out..."

"Oh, he knows. I paid him a visit. We had a nice, pleasant chat. Then I shattered his sword and infected the leader of the Ben'Hassrath with the Blight."

"You..." Ruya slowly shook her head. "Did what?"

"I am not a nice person, Inquisitor." He straightened. "There is another matter."

Ruya stared at him. He'd been prepared for the attack by the Qunari, known about it ahead of time and... "Are you one of Fen'Harel's agents?"

"I told you who sent me here."

"But you knew who he was." She clenched her fist.

"Yes."

"And you know what he plans."

"Yes."

Sorrow clutched at her. Yet another friend she'd trusted was betraying her. "Tell me the truth."

"Then let us start at the beginning. I did not kill Urthemiel."

"I was there when it happened, da'mi." Brehan folded his arms.

Jerath smiled. "I stole him."

#

She paced back and forth, trying to come to terms with what Jerath had told her. "Flemeth sent Morrigan with you intending this outcome."

"Yes."

"You decided to go along with it, because you are apparently some kind of lunatic. You and Morrigan stole Urthemiel's soul. It's in your son, Kieran. Except instead of taking it to Flemeth, Morrigan decided to abscond with it. And you just went along with that too, because you are apparently some kind of lunatic."

"That is one way to put it, yes."

"You stole an old..." Ruya rubbed her forehead. "I guess that answers my question about 'what's the strangest thing you've been asked to do'." She folded her arms. "So Flemeth has Urthemiel in play."

"Flemeth is dead." Jerath's voice was flat, his face expressionless.

Brehan stared. "Did you..."

"The orb was broken. The Dread Wolf needed another way to get power to accomplish his goal. He took it from her, killing her in the process."

"Mythal is ended." Brehan closed his eyes.

"Mythal knew her wolf well, lethallan. When she took me from the fight at Adamant, two things happened. She made her final request of me..." He smiled. "And she gave me an amulet."

Ruya stared. Varric had told her that story. "Then..."

"Mythal endures. When I leave here, I will be returning to her side."

"Maker's breath..." Cullen swallowed. "Morrigan."

"Yes."

"Her final request..." Ruya rubbed the back of her neck. "What was it?"

"Do not seek vengeance upon her wolf."

"She..." Ruya took several breaths. "Adamant. It wasn't you she was protecting."

"She has a perverse fondness for her mangy hound."

"Are you a threat to him? Could you stop him?"

"Not without cost. Cost perhaps greater than that entailed by letting him go through with his plan."

"This is ridiculous." Brehan shook his head. "Da'mi, he's a god."

"Yes." Jerath closed his eyes. When they opened again, they were pitch black. Then they glowed, as Solas's had done. "I know. I am sorry, Inquisitor. But you've never met the Warden."

#

"The Architect sought to steal power, to make himself more. But he did not wish to be lost again, bound to the taint, so he tried to use a Grey Warden as an intermediary. He died believing he was unsuccessful. For a long time, there were only broken pieces, too weak to even make themselves known, dwelling in the hole where another used to be. They changed the Warden, and were changed in return. Power grew, enough to restore Mythal from the spark remaining. They are bound together now." Jerath's voice was quiet. "I am whole again. Remade. Reforged. Reborn."

"You're an archdemon."

"That is one way to put it." Jerath shrugged. "You see now, why I cannot fight the wolf for you."

"I..." Ruya slowly nodded. "A torn Veil, or a blighted Fade."

"It should be acknowledged there would be a distinct possibility of both."

"You really aren't helping the whole 'let's all panic' thing, da..." Brehan hung his head. "You were a rage abomination, and let me punch you in the face. You're an old god, and you let me push you into a river."

"What are friends for?" Jerath smiled. "The Inquisition is going to need you, lethallan. For longer than the years you have remaining. Will you allow me to lift it from you?"

"I..." Brehan's eyes widened. "The taint."

"Yes."

"Yes."

Jerath's hand caught Brehan's shoulder, and Brehan shuddered and cried out. Jerath released him a moment later, and Cullen caught Brehan before he fell. Jerath turned to Ruya. "Temmerin, Talsaad, and Dagna would like to remain with the Inquisition. Will you look after them for me?"

"Of course." Ruya swallowed again. "We need your help."

"What makes you think you won't receive it? Yell in the right hole, Inquisitor, and you may well be answered. I fear, however, the Dread Wolf is not the only threat to this world. I will do what I can to buy you the time you will need to deal with him." Jerath tilted his head. "Commander?"

"Yes?" Cullen was having some trouble making his voice work.

"I'm wiping the slate between us clean. But in the future, I suggest you not owe any favors to gods. That kind of thing just never ends well."

Cullen went pale, and nodded. "Thank you."

"Goodbye, Inquisitor. And good luck. I suggest you keep something in mind."

"What's that?"

"The wolf is clever, but not wise. If he were, he would have remembered something." Jerath smiled. "This is the age of dragons."