Glancing up from the rock he had sat on, Ornic cured and sleeping peacefully, Jayden watched as Delilah approached and knelt beside him.

"Rathnal shouldn't have said those things." She murmured gently taking his hand, her thumb moving in slow soothing circles.

"He's right though, the Archdemon would never have seen the battle at Ostagar if I hadn't told the Wardens and I would never have seen it if I hadn't asked for that magic. It was selfish and I didn't think that this would be the consequence. Why didn't the Maker just punish me? Why is the whole country paying for what I did?"

"That is not what is happening!" Grasping his hands Delilah squeezed until he looked at her. "You have to stop torturing yourself."

Jayden lowered his gaze. "How can you bear being near me?"

"Because I love you and because none of this was your fault. You saw something and you tried to help. No matter what Rathnal says the Archdemon would have attacked, the future showed that much. Do you think Andraste would have healed you if you were being punished?"

Jayden slowly raised his head, his eyes dark with pain. "Yes." He whispered. "So I would see the destruction I have wrought. I should have died at Ostagar." He closed his eyes lowering his head. I should have died long ago in the hands of the Emperor and none of this would ever have happened.

"Stop! Stop this now! You saw that glimpse of the future to try and stop it. It was not your fault the Archdemon could see into the Warden Commander's mind. If the Order was not so damn secretive that possibly might have changed your course, but how could you have known? Holy Andraste healed you so you could help to defeat the Blight, not give in to it." Sighing she pressed a soft kiss to his hands. "Would you have felt such peace from Her blessing if it was a punishment?" She frowned at Jayden's conflicted expression. "What did the Archdemon show you, Theron said you looked tortured?"

Shaking his head Jayden looked away.

"Then in prayer or meditation you might find the peace that is eluding you."

Taking Delilah's advice Jayden opened his pack and took out a candle, lighting it at the fire he took himself off to a quiet corner. Sitting down cross legged, Airyl settling beside him, he allowed his breathing to calm, focusing on the flame, acknowledging the fleeting thoughts and releasing them until finally the Blight and its consequences were held on the periphery of his awareness. His eyes closed, his breathing slowing he thought of the bond of Mythal longing for the sense of peace he had experienced there.

Moments later Jayden found himself on the hilltop overlooking the elven Temple, gazing at the crystalline towers and trees in the distance that were somehow entwined around each other. Breathing in the clear air, feeling the sun on his skin he headed down the hill stopping at the entrance to the Temple gazing at the statues of what he assumed were halla. Sinking onto a stone step he gazed around at plants he had never seen in Ferelden. Taking a shuddering breath, he forced himself to focus on all the Archdemon had shown him, but it hadn't just been images it had been feelings as well. He had experienced the man the Archdemon promised he would become if he survived. A General as hard and cold as marble; no friends or family, all sacrificed to duty. He had felt such a depth of loneliness and emptiness even now it threatened to engulf him. He shuddered and stared at his hands, calloused from training and battle, tiny scars across the knuckles. People already thought him harsh, perhaps he wasn't so very far from the man he had seen. He shook his head trying to blank out Rathnal's fury, instead thinking of Delilah; she loved him as odd as that seemed to him and he cared deeply about her. All he had to do was open his heart to her, but the pain of Lyra had always stopped him before. He sighed softly, knowing a part of him would always love Lyra, just as a part of Delilah would always love Albert, but he swore to himself in that moment that he would open his heart to Delilah and she would never again question if she was simply a duty to him and she would never feel alone in their marriage. He would prove to them both and the family he hoped they would have that love and duty could co-exist.

His heart feeling a little lighter he mentally let go of the bond and returned to himself, slowly opening his eyes seeing Delilah watching him, smiling at her flush as she realised he had seen her. Getting to his feet he moved over to her and gently pulled her to her feet, guiding her to a more secluded spot. He met her uncertain gaze gently caressing her cheek, feeling her breath hitch as he leaned closer revelling in the softness of her lips as she sank into his kiss.

Breathless Delilah gazed at Jayden when he finally pulled back slightly, still close enough to feel the heat of his breath on her lips. "Feeling better?"

"Much." He murmured, gently brushing back a strand of hair from her cheek.

She moaned into their soft kiss, sighing as he gently pulled her tight to him. "I wish we could be together without hiding."

"It won't be for much longer."

"Maker knows how long the Blight will last, how long it will be before you are … well you again."

"Then maybe I won't wait until the Blight is over." He smiled slightly. "Let's just concentrate on getting out of this place, then we can talk about it."

Smiling Delilah nodded pulling him close for another kiss.

xXx

Putting down his empty bowl and patting his stomach, Kardol nodded to Rathnal who stood. "You sure you want to move on so quickly?"

"The Archdemon is not resting and neither can we."

"True enough." He raised an eyebrow and got to his feet as Ornic joined them. "By the stone!"

"Good as new Commander."

"You sure you're cured?"

"Sure, bloody unpleasant process, but I'm ready for duty, after something decent to eat that is."

Grinning Kardol filled him a bowl and turned to Jayden, noting the continuing tension between the young man and the Warden Commander. "You have my thanks."

"I'm just glad it worked." Jayden handed over enough vials for each man. "That's the preventative. I suggest you all take it immediately."

"Thank you, Warden."

"I'm not a Warden." Jayden stated quickly not needing anything else for Rathnal to latch onto, shrugging slightly at Kardol's confused expression. "Just travelling with them. Name's Will."

"Well I'm glad you did Will." Turning back to Rathnal he nodded. "May the Stone keep you safe, all of you."

xXx

The day's journey was mostly in silence when they weren't fighting, Darkspawn seeming to be more abundant along the route they now travelled. Rathnal kept them moving at a brutal pace wanting this done. He was desperate for sun and fresh air and every moment here seemed to make him feel less like himself. He made camp reluctantly, Rinna having to point out he looked exhausted as he protested Alistair saying they should stop. Now settled he glanced across the camp realising bedrolls were placed further apart and there was no soft banter, only an uncomfortable silence and the sound of footsteps echoing as someone moved across the camp. He knew he should do something to try and bring everyone back together, but he still felt so raw from the Archdemon's invasion and in truth he had no idea where to start. He glanced to Jayden who moved over to Delilah the pair talking softly, Airyl settled beside them. Sighing he turned away, his responsibility was to his Wardens, but fearing the loss of his friend left him feeling hollow inside.

xXx

Ignoring his anxiety, Soran hovered on the edge of Lenya's dreams, close enough to see, but not enough to trigger her defences. Her dreams were often the same, a ruin and a ghostly woman, but at times he caught ripples of power, saw her change bodies and gained an insight into the magic she was capable of. It was enough to have him believe the magic she wielded was ancient and she herself was older than he could possibly have guessed. She had not simply come across this magic from ancient tomes; she had quite possibly lived in the time when such magic was commonplace. Despite his orders to discover the root of her magic he had passed none of this on, not least because he feared he would be disbelieved. Hiding his increasing fear, he forced himself to become tangible enough for her to sense him. "I have news."

"What is it?"

"I have managed to access the target. Something shattered the barriers, but the magic is already regenerating. We have maybe a few days before all access is lost, perhaps less than that."

"Despite my hope I won't need him it would be foolish to miss this opportunity. Shape the dream as we discussed."

Nodding Soran vanished.

Lenya woke with a start, better to keep her options open; the young man's dreams would not be pleasant this night.

xXx

As he slipped into sleep Jayden found himself on a ferry heading towards an island, slightly disturbed there was no one steering. Ahead, at the top of a cliff looked to be a fortress, huge rings of walls creating a defence that would be hard to breach. Below it appeared to be a jungle, thick fog apparent even from this distance. The boat seemed to know where it was going however and moored as close to the cliffs of the fortress as was possible. Feeling compelled to move Jayden disembarked feeling a rush of anxiety as the boat pulled away. Heart pounding, he sucked in a sharp breath as a shadowy figure appeared gesturing him to follow. "And this isn't creepy at all." Wiping the sweat from his brow at the heat Jayden mustered his courage and followed through the jungle, ducking under creeping vines and stepping over thick roots. They were moving upwards and it wasn't long before he realised they were heading to the fortress. As they came out of cover the shadowy figure pointed to the fortress and dissolved. Seeing no sign of life Jayden crossed the bare stretch of rocky ground, the fortress looming above increasing his unease the closer he got to it. The main gates were open, as were each gate in the defensive rings until he reached the building proper. Heart pounding, he slipped through the main doors, finding himself following the corridors lit by torches, memorising the way in case he needed to get out fast and the torches were no longer lit. There were no sounds and no signs of life other than the flames guiding his way until he reached the chamber at the end of a long corridor, the sight before him as he slipped into the room making him stop short. A huge ring had been hung from the ceiling by chains and intricate metal work and hanging suspended to it was a man. A huge sphere held in what appeared to be a stand made to resemble a dragon claw was below him and he was attached to it via tubes from his legs, torso and arms, the tubes appearing to be filled with his blood. Jayden had no idea how the man could be alive, but whatever he was attached to it was clearly magical. Trembling he forced himself to take a step forward and then another until he reached the horrific device, looking up at the man whose face until that moment had been obscured by his hair. Jayden stared in horror. "Maric!" He felt a surge of panic, desperately searching the apparatus for a way to disconnect him. He turned sharply at the sound of footsteps seeing a robed figure, the face shadowed beneath a hood though he believed it to be a man, several guards behind him.

"I see you have found my Magrallen. It is a thing of wonder is it not."

"What are you doing to him?"

"Do you know the legend of the Theron line? They are said to have the blood of a Great Dragon flowing through them. A legend that is delightfully true. The Magrallen is being powered by his blood."

"To what end?" Jayden found himself unable to suppress his horror.

"Why to re-shape the world as it should be. The Tevinter Imperium will be great once more. Once the Magrallen has gathered enough power from Maric's blood and in turn I have enough power; I and my Dreamers will transform Thedas into how it should be."

"You're mad." Jayden whispered, glancing around uneasily as the guards moved to surround the Magrallen cutting off his escape. With no weapon he would be hard pressed to defeat them alone.

"I never let anything go to waste and you have old magic in you too, the kind of magic that can change worlds. What a glorious day."

Jayden thrashed wildly as arms gripped him that he couldn't escape from; his heart pounding brutally as he was dragged towards a second device that had been hidden in shadow. He struggled as he was secured to the device, before crying out in pain and shock as daggers made cuts and tubes were inserted into his legs, torso and arms as they were in Maric, feeling his blood flowing, terrified as the orb beneath him began to glow.

"There is no escape!"

Jayden turned to Maric realising he was now looking at him.

"Help me!"

Jayden jerked violently awake, his body soaked with sweat and trembling. He flinched from the hand on his shoulder, struggling to catch his breath.

"Easy it's just me." Alistair soothed. "What in the Makers world were you dreaming about?"

Rubbing his arms still feeling the daggers cuts and the tubes he shuddered. "I … it was just a nightmare."

"Some nightmare, I thought you were going to hurt yourself the way you were thrashing around."

"Sorry if I woke you."

"I was on watch." He frowned as Jayden kept looking at and rubbing his arms. "What did you dream?"

"I … it was nothing."

Realising he wasn't going to tell him Alistair nodded. "Well maybe come and sit by the fire for a while until you shake it off."

Nodding Jayden grabbed his journal from his pack and moved to the fire, once his hands had stopped shaking writing everything he remembered about the dream, sketching the fortress and the jungle beneath and the Magrallen. He sat staring at it once he had finished, it had seemed real and he couldn't shake off the terrifying feeling that somehow he had seen Maric's fate. He turned the pages back to the fortress feeling a cold shiver move down his spine.

"Ath Velanis." Sten stated sitting next to him. "You have created a good likeness."

Jayden felt the blood drain from his face. "You know this place?"

"The fortress is on Seheron. It is a terrible place with a terrible history, but now a Magister occupies it." He snarled slightly. "With a dragon cult."

Jayden felt as though he was going to be sick, remembering the man had mentioned dragon blood in Maric. "Do you know the name of this Magister?"

Shaking his head Sten popped a cookie into his mouth. "The fortress is well fortified, it would take a great deal to breach those walls. We have not yet been ordered to take it." He frowned suddenly. "You have drawn an astonishing likeness for not knowing of its existence."

Snapping the journal shut Jayden stood. "Maybe you mentioned it to me when you spoke of Seheron."

"I do not believe so, but perhaps."

Retreating back to his bedroll Jayden opened the journal staring at the sketch of the Magrallen, fear gripping his heart.

xXx

Lenya forced herself back into sleep impatiently waiting for Seron, turning as he finally approached. "Well?"

"The dream played out just as you demanded."

"Good. See to it he has this dream for as long as you have access to him and inform me when that ends."

"As you wish."

xXx

Looking over at Jayden who was thrashing in his sleep again, Rathnal shuddered as a strangled cry of pain and terror left his lips. "I can't stand this." He looked to Alistair who was watching his friend with equal concern. "This is the third night in a row and it is my doing, because I blamed him for everything. Now he's torturing himself in his bloody sleep."

"Maybe you should go and wake him."

"He's liable to go for me if I do."

"Rath you need to speak to him sometime. This thing that's going on between you can't continue, for all of our sakes!"

"What am I supposed to say? Sorry I blamed you for the whole Blight and for every life lost? There aren't enough sorry's in the world to make things better between us!"

"Look he knows it was the Archdemon influencing you, you would be surprised at how far an apology will go. Just speak to him."

"I will, but not now. Please Ali, bring him out of whatever horror he's experiencing."

xXx

Waking from the nightmare Jayden met Alistair's anxious gaze, his friend kneeling beside him. "I'm fine." He muttered wiping sweat from his face.

"You are not fine. I tried to wake you but nothing worked. Look if this is about what Rath said …"

"It isn't."

"The Archdemon then?"

"It's nothing to do with that!"

"Well me then! You're avoiding me more than you are Rath which is saying something and every time you look at me you have a haunted look in your eyes. Now either I've done something to offend you that I don't know about, or I'm part of whatever nightmare is plaguing you."

"You're not in the nightmare." Jayden muttered. "And I'm not avoiding you."

"Not much. Talk to me!"

"Ali can we do this another time."

"No. It's bad enough down here without worrying about whatever is going on in your head."

"Then stop worrying about it there's no need." He flinched at Alistair's frustrated growl.

"Here's the deal, you tell me about this nightmare and I'll leave you alone."

Retrieving the journal from his pack Jayden opened to the relevant pages and handed it over. "Fine, but remember you pushed this."

The colour drained from Alistair's face. "Why didn't you tell me this is what you were dreaming about after the first time?"

"I would have thought that was blatantly obvious." Jayden muttered grabbing his waterskin and taking a long drink.

"Have you dreamt anything like this before?"

"Never, my nightmares have been the Blight since I saw that glimpse of the future and before that it was Orlesian's cutting off my hands." He sighed at Alistair's horrified look.

"It's just it seems … specific."

"It's just a nightmare Ali."

"If you believed that you wouldn't have written it down in such detail and added these sketches."

"I was trying to get it out of my head." Jayden snapped, snatching back the journal and shoving it to the bottom of his pack.

"What if it isn't just a nightmare." Alistair whispered.

"Ali don't!"

"Don't what? You can't expect me to ignore what might be my father trying to contact us!" He grabbed Jayden's arm as he stood and turned away struggling to keep his voice low. "Don't walk away from me … from this!"

"Why are you pushing this? It's just a nightmare! I saw the damn Blight through actual magic and you didn't believe that, now you want to believe a nightmare!"

"I've said I'm sorry about that." Alistair grumbled.

"Not my point." Jayden snapped.

"Just hear me out. Isn't it possible a Dreamer sent you this nightmare? That creepy guy told you as much, that he had Dreamers. Maybe my father managed to persuade one to help him!"

"Then why send this to me and not you or Cailan?"

"I don't know, but does it matter?"

"Of course it matters! A Dreamer could have gone into anyone's mind and you or Cailan would have been the obvious choice, even my father. Giving me this nightmare if that is even what is happening makes no sense."

"Maybe whoever is doing this knows about the Blight so they think Cailan is dead and maybe my father didn't want to reveal me and maybe he tried with your father and … I don't know. Really you are my father's next logical choice. He probably thought you would have come home by now."

"Ali stop this, it's just a damn nightmare!"

"Look I know the idea of a mage accessing your dreams is creepy, but think what it could mean! My father could actually be alive and he needs our help! You can't just ignore this!"

"What do you expect me to do? I can't suddenly magic Maric here!" He hissed his heart pounding.

"What we need is more information." Alistair stated unable to disguise his excitement and refusing to be put off despite his friend's clear agitation. "If you have the dream again and it is real the Dreamer will have to be there. I'm betting it's the shadow that meets you when you get off the ferry and then guides you through the jungle. You need to confront it, but just be careful, Dreamers are supposed to be able to do awful things to people in their dreams."

"More awful than it already is?"

Alistair squirmed slightly. "I really don't want you to find out so just be careful."

Sighing Jayden turned away from his friend. He didn't want the nightmare to be real because if it was Maric had been attached to that device for months if not longer and he doubted he would survive being released. He turned feeling Alistair's hand on his shoulder.

"I know I'm pushing this and I know it might not be real, but if there is a chance … any chance …"

"Come on Rathnal has that agitated look on his face, we better get moving."

xXx

Alistair was barely aware of the hours slipping by, so absorbed in the possibility of his father being alive and trying to make contact. He felt excitement tickle his stomach, he had made a vow that he would find him and that had never seemed so close to being a possibility. He glanced over to Jayden who looked pale and tired, hating that he was clearly suffering, but if he was truly honest with himself he was glad the Dreamer wasn't visiting him, he knew he couldn't bear to see his father in such a way. Moving over to Jayden he offered one of his regeneration potions, relieved when he accepted it seeing a little colour returning to his cheeks. He tried to focus on their current mission and staying alert to the dangers of the Deep Roads, but his mind kept slipping back to his father and the hope that one day soon they might see each other again.

xXx

As Jayden found himself on the ferry, he glanced to the jungle ahead his heart pounding. Jumping onto the bank the shadowy form appeared gesturing for him to follow. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me who you are!" He remained where he was as the shadow moved off through the jungle. He felt no compulsion to follow so sat on a log and waited hoping the shadow would come back. He gave a startled gasp as the jungle suddenly shifted and he found himself at the top of the cliff facing the fortress. Turning he glared at the shadowy figure. "Tell me who you are! I know you're a Dreamer." He swallowed uneasily as the figure took on more material form, but the face remained obscured. "Tell me why you are making me dream this! Is Maric still alive? Is he here?" He gritted his teeth in frustration at the silence. "Answer me!"

Soran shuddered, he hated this constructed nightmare, wished he could go back in time and refuse to work with Lenya, not that refusal was actually an option, but he would have found a way. Despite his relative recency to Aurelian's collective of Dreamers he knew he was by far the most talented, but was yet to prove himself sufficiently and as such he was not afforded the respect, responsibility and knowledge the others taunted him with. Now he wished he still didn't know, but instead Lenya had shown him the Magrallen, shown him Maric and revealed Aurelian's vision of a future Tevinter, sculpted by him of course. He shuddered, sacrifice in the name of Tevinter, no matter who's sacrifice. That coupled with suspecting Lenya was far more than she seemed to be had left him fearful for his life. Added to that the young man before him somehow knew him for the Dreamer he was, it was too much. He was grateful this would be the last dream. He acknowledged he had wanted power, wanted people to know who he was when he passed them, now he wanted the obscurity of the common man. He didn't want to be involved in this anymore, so he lied. "I do not know. I was instructed to ensure you received this dream; I know nothing of the truth of its content."

"Why me?"

"You are who I was told to give the dream to, though reaching you has been impossible until now and the magic that apparently protects your mind is recovering. After this dream you will not see me again."

"How long have you been trying to reach me?"

"Months."

Jayden paled. "I need more information. How do I get into the Fortress, the gates aren't going to be open for me? And more importantly how do I disconnect him from that thing?"

"I have given you all the information I can; she was very specific about the content of the dream."

"Who's she?"

"I wish I knew."

Jayden stared in frustration as the man faded. Nothing happened and realising he had no choice he reluctantly made his way to the fortress to finish playing out the nightmare.

xXx

"Don't you get it?" Alistair whispered excitedly when Jayden had recovered and relayed everything that had happened. "This is a message from Flemeth! Cailan told me she had been looking for father, he had promised to do something for her and he vanished before he could do it, so she went to Cailan, it was when she brought you back from the Wilds. Anyway, whatever it was he would never say, he refused her and told me if she ever came asking me for something in place of our father to refuse her immediately. She probably doesn't know who I am and she likely thinks Cailan would dismiss a dream like that, but you … it makes perfect sense! She knows you, knows who you really are. You have this connection with her and she knows that if you knew he was alive and in trouble you would do everything you could to rescue him. So maybe she found out what happened to him, but even with her magic, maybe because of it with Magisters and Dreamers she can't get to him! So, she gets hold of a Dreamer and sends a message to you. She probably figured the Dreamer might get through where blood magic can't, but it couldn't, not until our confrontation with the Archdemon, it must have damaged the magic within you when it forced its way into your mind. Don't you see, this is real, my father's alive!"

"Why would she send it to me now? She knows we are in a Blight!"

"Exactly because we are in a Blight, so someone else would know in case anything happens to her. Besides the creepy guy said 'old' magic in you not just magic. That's specific. Most people think you have an immunity to magic, not magic that is protecting you. Only a few people know that and only one person we know is looking for him. It has to be Flemeth, who else would it be? She made sure there was everything in the dream, that my father is still alive, where he is, why he was taken. Maybe the Dreamer couldn't tell you who this Magister and the Dreamers are because Flemeth doesn't know, the same for a way in and how to free him. I guess we have to do some of the work ourselves. I know we can't mount a rescue until this bloody Blight is over, but when it is we have to find him! Please help me!"

Jayden sighed softly compelled by Alistair's argument, but still not completely convinced this was Flemeth's doing. "I will do everything I can you know I will. I just think we need to be cautious, but there are some things we can do without waiting for the end of the Blight. Once we reach the surface, I could send a coded message to a contact in Denerim. She would liaise on my behalf with the Mages Collective. If anyone can find out about this Magrallen and find out if it is even real it's them. If it is real, we need to know exactly what it does, how it works and how to stop it and disconnect it. We will have to get a layout of the fortress and Seheron for that matter and I'm not sure asking Sten would be advisable; his loyalty is to the Qun first and if he felt we were somehow going to get in the way of that he would probably try to stop us himself."

"Alright, no Sten then."

"The Chantry in Denerim has all sorts of maps and building plans, we might find something useful there and if not, Brother Genitivi might know how to get them. If not, we go to the Crows." He smiled slightly at Alistair's shocked look. "We won't tell them why we want it, but they always fulfil a contract and we ensure a part of that contract is silence."

"How would we even hire a Crow?"

"They have agents in Denerim. Close your mouth Ali is it really that surprising?"

"No, I suppose not, I just … I thought they would be more secretive."

"Well they don't openly announce it."

"I guess you really have been preparing for all eventualities."

"It wasn't just about the Blight, I figured if agents of Orlais did find me I might need contacts of various kinds."

"You know it surprises me how well you tolerate Sister Leliana given she's part Orlesian."

"I don't hate all Orlesian's."

"Don't you ever think though, the way she fights … I mean she hasn't always been a Sister."

"You think she's a bard here to spy on Ferelden?"

"I don't know, haven't you even considered it?"

"Of course I have, but I'm more likely to find out if I'm friendly than if I'm acting suspicious around her."

"That … well that's rather devious."

"It's practical."

xXx

Unable to contain herself Lenya attracted the attention of the young elven woman in the small village she had decided to spend the night. She wasn't far from Fenris now and a night in a bed appealed. The woman who approached her cautiously was clearly malnourished and had been beaten. She gave her a meal before using her to search the future; the woman experienced a brief euphoria before her life was spent. "A better end than the humans intended for you." Lenya murmured, sitting on the chair of the room in the inn she had paid for, watching the body turn to dust smiling slightly. Getting the dream to Alric's descendent had opened up an interesting future possibility. In it he and the young man she took to be a bastard of Maric's the features were so similar, believed the dream came from Flemeth. All she needed to do was pretend she was her own descendent, that she too had been sent dreams and that she would help him in return for his help. No conflict, no threats or violence; her sacrifice had not had sufficient life force to see more, but it was enough. If things did not work with Fenris she now had another way, though she would need to keep him with her as she would need his help in freeing Maric should it become necessary. Lying back on the bed she smiled as she began to construct a new backup plan, the shabby inn and hard bed finally falling away as she sank into the best night's sleep she had had in centuries.

xXx

Author Note: Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed.