Sereda was overlooking the balcony of Kal'Hirol contemplating on what had transpired over the past few years, a mage and templars war and Orlais was in the midst of a civil war.
"Things are getting chaotic," said Sereda she looked at Gorim.
"I know, I had to move my wife's family here to protect them," said Gorim. "Ferelden gave safe haven for the mages and the templars followed them and are at the moment are tearing the Hinterlands apart."
Sereda nodded. "Things are just as bad in Orlais, Grand Duke Gaspard has staged a coup against Empress Celene."
"What does this mean for the lyrium trade?" Gorim asked.
"We're providing lyrium to both mages and templars, its biggest commodity and we can't deny it to anyone. As for Orlais, Bhelen is providing aid for Celene in hopes that trade in foodstuffs will resume quickly."
"I've heard the unrest in Orzammar, riots in the streets?" said Gorim.
"Yes, there's been a considerable food shortage, how I don't know," Sereda sighed. "Bhelen is doing what he can to maintain peace, but it's a tall order."
"Unrest on the servers unrest down here, Thedas seems to have no rest of troubles," said Gorim.
"I just can't believe that a war started at the exact same time," Sereda said rubbing her head.
"Wasn't the one who started this mages revelation that Grey Warden Mage that Paragon Faren recruited?" Gorim frowned.
"Yes, but I extremely doubt that he ever imagined that Anders would do anything so horrific," said Sereda shaking her head. "Of course, he wasn't alone I have heard rumours of that idol was discovered in the Deep Road excavation had a part to play and there was that crazed Knight-Commander wanted to wipe out an entire circle even though it had nothing to do with the death of the Grand Cleric of Krikwall."
"I can see why the mages wanted to revolt after that," said Gorim nodded.
"It also didn't help that a mage tried to assassinate the Divine," said Sereda. "At least that's what I've heard from travellers."
"Any idea what the Divine is going to do to end this conflict with the mages and templars?" Gorim asked.
"I've got no idea," said Sereda. "I however believe it will get worse before it can get better.
A few months later, Sereda returned to Orzammar. Once she got there she saw that the riots hadn't stopped, in fact they seem to have intensified. She had no idea what could have started such a riot and how the food shortages began.
She made her way over to the Palace and found Rica with little Endrin at her knee. Endrin looked a lot like Bhelen when he was his age.
"Auntie Sereda!" Endrin tried and ran up to her and giving her big hug.
"You've been a good boy?" Sereda asked.
Endrin nodded enthusiastically and Sereda looked at Rica who just smiled.
"Come on, Endrin leave your auntie alone I imagine she's here to talk to your father," said Rica pulling Endrin away. "Why don't you go off and play in the nursery."
Endrin then ran off happily, he was only becoming a fine young man, but he could do with calming down instead of rushing around all over the place.
"How are things Rica?" Sereda asked.
"Bad," said Rica. "The Assembly has been in constant session about the riots, but they can't decide on a single thing. However, I don't think that's why Bhelen summoned you hear."
"You know why?" Sereda asked.
Rica shook her head. "I don't know why they would need you, but judging by the way everyone is acting it's bad."
"This just gets better and better," Sereda sighed. "I don't suppose you know if there's been any news on the surface."
"We believe the Divine has organised a Conclave, but the delegates we send their haven't reported back."
"That doesn't sound good," said Sereda frowning.
"I know, but we better hurry the Assembly is getting impatient," said Rica.
Sereda soon made her way to the Assembly, which was at the moment in the middle of an argument.
"We have to put down these riots!" Lord Vollney roared.
"With what brute force?" said Lady Dace. "These are people were talking about, Lord Vollney we can't just storm and forced them to quell. They are hungry and scared, need to reassure them."
"We still not know the cause the food shortages," said Lord Ivo. "And Ferelden has been unable to send aid due to the mage and templar conflict."
"Enough," said Bhelen when he saw her enter. "We can discuss this later, right now we have more troubling issues."
"Why have you summoned me?" Sereda asked.
"Mine shafts are collapsing and it is disrupt our lyrium trade. More presently the quakes haven't subsided and is created new openings for darkspawn," said Bhelen.
"Would you wish me to do, I can't stop the earth from moving," said Sereda.
"True, but we have traced the disturbance and I need you to investigate. You're the only one I trust to see this matter through," said Bhelen. "I've already sent word to the Legion of the Dead and a platoon to meet you there to assist you."
"Why haven't you call for aid?" Sereda frowned.
"We have, but the Grey Wardens haven't and had our call," said Lord Ivo.
Sereda was quite shocked by this, Faren wouldn't abandon Orzammar in a time of need. "Paragon Faren won't just ignore something like this," said Sereda.
"I agree," said Bhelen. "It could be that he's having his own troubles and unable to provide aid or our messages haven't reached him since things are a bit chaotic on the surface at the moment, the reports we've been getting are sketchy at best. We'll try and find someone to assist you, but at the moment you and the Legion of the Dead are on your own."
"Then I'll leave immediately," said Sereda and turned to leave the Assembly.
"Sister," said Bhelen getting to his feet. Sereda stopped and looked at him and saw concerning his face. "Be careful."
"I survived a Blight, Bhelen, I'm sure I can survive a few quakes," Sereda smiled.
She then exited the assembly, not knowing of the dangers that she would meet.