AN: It's been more than three months since I updated. I wish I could say things are going well, but they're not. But I am still fortunate. I am safe, loved and have a roof over my head.

These are the things that matter.

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

Redcliffe

"All of my words, if not well put or well taken, are well meant."
― Woody Guthrie

The clatter of horses resounded through the valley as Thranduil and his forces climbed down the mountain to Therinfal Redoubt. Ellana stood next to me, staring wistfully at the departing company. "I know what you're going to say. You still need me more."

"Me? I need you?" I scoffed, "With so many others around, of course, I need you."

"How many of them do you actually trust?"

My mouth clamped shut and her eyes glinted knowingly, "Like I said, you need me more."

A strong impulse to snap at her rose yet I remained silent. While my concern for Thranduil was gut wrenching, it was impossible to ignore the truth of her words. I placed a hand on her shoulder in acknowledgement before letting out a deep sigh, "We need to get our preparations done too."

Ellana's lips trembled as she smiled, "I want to be here for you, more than anything else."

I blinked, confused at her sudden display of emotion. Was I too harsh? I pulled her into a hug, "You are right."

She squeezed me back hard before retreating, "I should be heading back to the Chantry; Leliana asked to see me."

I nodded before heading into the village to do my routine rounds; checking the food supply, blacksmith and the general living conditions of the refugees. Haven had already reached full capacity yet with each passing day, the number of people entering the village continued to increase. Since the needs of the others outweighed mine by a large margin, and I didn't want to spend time in an overcrowded human village, I handed my cabin over to Threnn.

Adan, however, continued to suffer from difficulties only healers could understand; he was short staffed no matter how many mages he was assigned. Even the few hundred potions he brewed every day fell short because of the huge demand. He needed all the help he could get.

I trudged over to Adan's cabin and hours passed in the haze of treatment and brewing. I pocketed the best batches of healing potions for my team and as I turned to leave, Adan stopped me, "Herald, if you're headed to Redcliffe, you need to recruit the herbalist who lives there. She's famous for her potent restoratives and we can use all the help we can get."

I nodded, "Very well, I'll see what I can do."

As I exited, I found Solas outside his cabin in the cover of night, deep in conversation with Minaeve. Palming his share of the restoratives, I approached them and caught the tail end of their conversation as Solas handed her a dead carcass, "I hope this helps."

"Yes, it does, thank you Messer Solas!" Minaeve beamed at him, and a jolt of insecurity rushed through me. Her eyes fell on me, and her face paled, "Herald it's not what it looks like! This is research that the Nightingale has commissioned! I'll-I'll just get out of your way!"

I blinked, thrown by her terror. As she rushed away, I grabbed a hold of her, "Wait, please!"

She startled, then stumbled, slipping on ice and I caught her in my arms to prevent her from falling. There was a moment of silence and Minaeve's jaw opened then closed, speechless.

Embarrassed at my forcefulness, I set her down carefully. "Forgive me, Minaeve. I should have been more careful."

She remained silent; her eyes wide. A small chuckle from behind snapped her out of her silence, "Yes, Herald! No! I mean, yes?!"

I fidgeted, embarrassed that I'd terrified someone so much. Damn, why was I so bad at things like this? I tried to gentle my demeanour, "If it's not too much of an imposition, I'd like to request a favour."

Thankfully, she nodded enthusiastically, "Of course, Herald!"

"Can you research ways that I can incapacitate my enemies rather than kill them? If you could highlight their weaknesses and suggest strategies, I'd be very grateful."

"O-Oh." Minaeve blinked rapidly for a second, "I'm already sending the Spymaster such reports. If you'd like, I can send you one too."

"Right. Thank you. I really do appreciate this."

She beamed, "I'll get right to it!"

She rushed off to the Chantry and as I watched her, I tried to determine if Solas was still around with my peripheral vision.

A small glimpse of the tattered green jumper had my heart soaring and sinking all at once. I turned to find his blue eyes watching me, studying my every move. Despite this, I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face, "Picking off bits from dead bodies, Solas? Looting from the dead is normal, but this is a lot, even for a hedge mage."

His posture relaxed at the teasing, "I'll keep that in mind, Dalish apostate."

My lips tilted up, "Not abomination?"

"That wouldn't be wise, given the current situation." His lips tilted up a little in response, "Though with the way you carry on, one can hardly blame the villagers for calling you a vessel for Desire demons."

My smile dropped. My mind blanked.

He couldn't possibly mean what I thought. He couldn't. Was I really that transparent?

The silence extended too long. His eyes ran over my expression before he continued, "I'm sure that girl is infatuated with you after your act of kindness. It's nothing unusual and it will pass quickly. You need not worry."

His smile faded at my continued silence and he retreated suddenly, "I should return, Herald. I have been tasked with a few things…"

I blinked rapidly, trying desperately to ignore the subtext he'd sent. "Of course, I'll see you at the gates tomorrow."

As he turned away, Ellana's voice cut through the air, "Hahren!"

We both turned, and another stab of insecurity went through my heart as Solas abandoned his retreat.

"Hahren, you have to see this!" She spared Solas a glance before shoving a scroll into my hands. My eyes sped through it, a pit of dread settling into my stomach. Keeper Deshanna was begging Ellana to return, presumably, because she had refused. Bandits, 'too armed and trained' were attacking the clan and the Keeper was desperate enough to ask Ellana to reach out to the Inquisition for help.

I had forgotten, it was really that simple. In all the immediacy of the problems thrown at me, I had forgotten that there was so much more going on beyond Haven.

Blood drained from my face as the true scope of this descended on me. I couldn't rememberwhat series of actions would lead to the clan's survival. All that stood out was that nine times out of ten, the clan got slaughtered. Even the city elves of Wycome would be dragged into this conflict.

What could I do? I had to remember; there had to be something!

I glared down at the accursed Mark, hating its existence.

"Hahren, it's okay. Don't be so mad," Ellana's face had a sombre cast, though a small smile curled her lips, "If you need me this much, I'll stay. The Keeper can handle a few bandits." As she spoke, confidence straightened her shoulders and she reached out a hand, squeezing my shoulders.

I seriously considered her words; if Ellana stayed here, then her life would be spared. She'd feel guilty about abandoning her clan when it all went down, but ultimately, she'd be alive.

Yet…the mere idea of abandoning clan Lavellan in their time of need to such a fate was too repulsiveto even contemplate. The Oath aside, the clan had been a home away from home, one that had welcomed me despite their reservations.

But what could I do?!

There were no forces of the Inquisition that I could spare, not even spies. The Duke couldn't be contacted for help because he was the problem.

"Hahren!" Ellana shook me, frustrated at my lack of response.

I took a deep breath, "Ellana, you need to go to Wycome. Take whatever resources you can with you."

"I'm not leaving you because of bandits!"

"These are not ordinary bandits," I struggled to put my concern into words that would warn her of the upcoming danger. "I've been expecting something like this for a while. A Dalish elf being named the Herald of Andraste is a dangerous thing."

Ellana's face twisted in disbelief, "You think these attacks are deliberate."

"If I may," Solas interrupted as he stepped forward, "I know it's not my place, but that seems a little presumptuous. They may just be bandits."

Shit. I knew this was going to happen. No one would ever believe my words as anything more than paranoia and hatred of humans. Still, "Ellana, you should go and help your clan; it's your duty. If it's just bandits, then there's no problem."

Ellana's expression soured, "You want me to leave you, to go help my clan fight bandits." Her fists clenched, "Why don't you just say it straight? You don't want me here!"

I jerked back in shock, "What?"

"Isn't that what's going on? Is it because of-," She cut off, glancing at Solas before her jaw tightened, "All the attention I get? Because I'm getting in the way of the men you want?"

My breath hitched, and I stared, stupefied by her words. What was happening? Why was she saying this?

"Hear me now, Erelani!" She grabbed both of my shoulders, resolve twisting her features, "I don't want them! I don't want any of them! Not if it means I'm not with you!" Her hands squeezed painfully, "Love, that kind of love, means nothing to me! You…you are…my teacher, my friend, my guide," her expression crumbled, "How can I just leave you? You are the only Hahren worthy of that name. Please, please don't hate me, don't send me away."

The pain and desperation in her voice had me reaching out and before I knew it, I was hugging her.

I wasn't a good Hahren.

I had been selfish. Blind. As much as I tried to be a Hahren, I'd been swept away by my desire for…for…everything. I'd been swept away by hatred, by envy, by anger.

Ellana was giving me more credit than I deserved.

Yet…

Yet…

I wanted to be what she saw in me.

"Ellana," I moved her away from me, "Ellana, there is no man-," I cut off, unable to finish my sentence and say that no one could get in between us; Thranduil had stood between us for a long time whether she knew it or not. I remained speechless. In the aftermath of her sincerity, meaningless platitudes felt wrong.

I settled for the truth, "Ellana, I'm not sending you away because of-of-whatever it is you were suggesting-I," I took a deep breath, desperate to tell her the weight of the situation, "I really think-," Words failed me as the futility of the situation hit me. How could I get her to believe?

"I'm really frightened, Ellana."

Ellana stared at me hard, "You're not saying something."

I opened my mouth and closed it again, "I have a terrible feeling about this. Please go and check on them, Ellana."

Ellana closed her eyes in resignation, "Fine, I'll go."

As she turned away, I grabbed her arm, "Whatever is going on, try to resolve it as peacefully as possible. The safety of the People is paramount. More than thoughts of freedom," I stared at her hard, hoping she'd picked up the hidden message. The sudden focus of her eyes as she turned to me, assured me that she did, "If you need me, I'll come at once."

As Ellana rushed off, Solas moved into my line of vision, his hands moving to his back, "Do you really suspect something? Did you dream?"

"Attacking clan Lavellan can be nothing but a message. The Dalish do not have much, so to most, they mean nothing. If they're being targeted, it can only be because of me."

He nodded slowly and as he opened his mouth to reply, I cut him off, remembering the way he'd been avoiding me, "These are your share of potions, Solas. I'll see you at the gates tomorrow."

I walked away, feeling as if my heart was bleeding. I felt as if someone had scraped me raw and revealed the most vulnerable parts of me. As well intentioned as Ellana had been, she'd exposed my vulnerabilities to the one man who'd take maximum advantage of them.

With her actions, Ellana had all but confirmed to Solas that I was obsessed with him.

A quick debriefing in the War Room revealed that Redcliffe had gone dark: there was no information coming in or out. The city was sealed shut; the spawning of rifts near the city prevented anyone from getting in or out of the city.

I tried to push for a pre-emptive strike on the city, but all three advisors staunchly refused; they saw no reason to antagonise the Arl of Redcliffe and in turn, the King of Ferelden with such an attack. With no information coming out of Redcliffe, any attempt to convince the Council was difficult.

All I got was Fiona's requested honour guard.

The morning dawned and a small envoy marched down the valley into the Hinterlands.

The journey was difficult. The Mark was acting up; whatever measures Solas had put in place seemed to have weakened. It was growing aggressively; Solas had to renew his enchantments every hour to keep the Mark contained.

With each spell, pity grew in Solas's eyes.

I hated it.

Madame Vivienne, however, took great pleasure in pointing out Solas's supposed incompetence. Blackwall, in return, would defend Solas, stating at least he tried to help. Bull or Sera would jump in, and an argument would start, broken up by either Varric insulting everyone or Cassandra bringing them to order.

This group was a wretched mess…butI didn't want to do anything about it.

Why did these people even matter when compared to the disasters awaiting us? Why should I care that they didn't like each other, when they didn't like me?

There was no doubt about it either. Every time I approached them, there was a discernible flinch from nearly all of them. Only Solas, Cassandra and Varric showed some restraint, but their stiff body language betrayed them.

It hit me, how alone I really was without the others. When Valo-kas had been around, the sight of a friendly face had made it easier to ignore the suspicion. But with nearly all of them gone, it was impossible to ignore this behaviour. To make things worse, only Maxwell remained from Valo-kas. Only Maxwell approached me fearlessly. Only Maxwell spoke to me.

Not Cassandra. Not Solas. Not Varric.

Maxwell.

And the most terrifying bit: he was kind.

Every gut instinct I had was screaming in distrust.

Maxwell was responsible for this, he had to be. He was plotting. He wanted to take my credibility away, look important and trustworthy while I looked like a nutcase barely holding it together.

Worse still, his mask of kindness and amiability never broke. His absolute confidence in his sense of right was an aphrodisiac to Cassandra. He was the worst kind of person; one who insisted he was righteous and that every wrong he did was necessary while everyone else was evil.

I couldn't stand him, couldn't even bear to look him in the face. Treacherous. He was treacherous. I had to do something about him.

The rift at Redcliffe was…different. It was…heavy. Moving was difficult, until the weight suddenly disappeared, and everyone was thrown by the sudden weightlessness.

The heaviness came in pulses, nearly unpredictable in its intensity or duration, until a stroke of luck let me close the rift.

I checked on the Mark, expecting another failure on its enchantments after that rift, but surprisingly, it was inert and unaffected.

"Did anyone else find that rift odd? It wasn't normal, was it?" Blackwall queried, uneasy.

"That was definitely abnormal," Maxwell strode towards me, "Erelani, thoughts?"

Fucking asshole. How dare you act like the leader? I clenched my fists hard, trying to breathe through my rage. I remained quiet, determined to keep my silence and only speak when it was absolutely necessary.

But it was only to my detriment, "Solas, I think Erelani could use your help again. Do you mind-?"

"Of course."

As Solas reached out, I moved my hand away and clenched it over my staff.

"There is no need."

I could see the visceral reaction the others had at the sound of my voice, all of them freezing in place.

It didn't matter. They didn't matter. I just had to focus on the mission.

I flexed my fingers, trying desperately to think through this situation. I passed a glance at the others until it rested on Sera.

"Sera," She jumped at being addressed, "What did that rift feel like to you?"

"Fuck if I know! It was fucking weird! Are they all like that?"

"Like what, Sera?"

"Dunno, like walking through water? Then like someone pushed you off a cliff and whoosh! You're falling?"

"No, it isn't. Master Tethras?"

"About the same, but it wasn't that bad for me. Honestly, you guys looked funny, like one of those travelling performers that come to town."

"Madame Vivienne?"

"These are just tricks of the Fade, darling, nothing to worry about." I stared at her hard, expecting a real answer, "It was a spell, darling. It's unfortunate that you didn't receive a Circle education, it would have been… beneficial…for you."

I ignored her jab, "Bull?"

"Stupid magical shit. Couldn't move properly."

"Lady Cassandra?"

"Madame Vivienne was right; it was a spell. But the cause is hard to ascertain."

Maxwell spoke up suddenly, "I hate to say this, but if its magic and there are mages here, is the cause really that hard to guess?"

Blackwall shook his head, "They came to us for help. They were desperate. They could be victims."

I turned to look at the one man who would know. He remained silent even as we made eye contact.

"Solas?"

"Something is wrong."

"Ahh, yes, what helpful advice. A blatant statement of the obvious. Your knowledge is irreplaceable, Solas."

"It's nothing compared to your thorough education, Madame. How many here could have guessed that it was a spell?"

I ignored the argument that broke out behind me and watched the gates opening for us. One of our runners headed into the town, while the procession marched slowly into the town.

I followed close behind, unease crawling through me. I've travelled to Redcliffe many times for many jobs, and never was it like this. Once the Warden saved the Arl and his village, it became important. Trade flourished and the village expanded, giving a home to the hundred displaced by the Blight. Normally, an envoy like this would be welcomed with open arms; merchants yelling offers, children running behind the horses and cheers ringing through the crowd. Yet the town was quiet with hardly any people out, and the few who were, quickly retreated indoors once they caught sight of us.

The runner came back, looking thoroughly confused. "Herald, no one here was expecting you."

"What?" Maxwell swerved to me, "I thought you said the Grand Enchanter summoned you?"

As unsurprising as this development was, the unease of the others was nearly tangible.

"She asked for our help, she was worried." Blackwall repeated uneasily.

"Boss, I told you there was something fishy. This is a trap."

"Grand Enchanter Fiona said she's still happy to receive you, Herald. She's waiting at the pub."

The envoy remained on the outskirts of the village while my companions accompanied me to the pub. The pub was deserted with a handful of patrons in the back.

Fiona looked pale and sickly, her four apprentices standing close behind her. Once she caught sight of me, she stood abruptly, "Herald! It really is you! I apologise, I wasn't expecting you, or else I would have made better arrangements."

Something was off. More than her loss of memory. More than the supposed spell. More than Tevinter mages.

For some reason, the Grand Enchanter's words rang false to me. While she had been desperate before, there had been air of sincerity. Now, she looked like a desperate woman at the edge of her tether who would do or say anything to escape her situation.

"Grand Enchanter Fiona, you met me in the Hinterlands recently. Do you recall asking me to come here?"

Her face paled even further, "I-I, what?" Her hands started shaking, "I apologize, and I do not mean any offense, but are you sure you met me? I recall nothing of the sort."

A heavy silence descended.

"I must say, Fiona darling, while I have questioned your abilities as a leader for many years, never did I think your memory would fail you."

Fiona's face suddenly regained some colour as she frowned, "Madame Vivienne. What a…pleasure."

"I'm afraid I don't share the sentiment, my dear. You look positively dreadful."

Fiona pursued her lips before facing me, "Whatever brought you here aside, Herald, the situation here has changed. The free mages have-," she swallowed convulsively, "pledged themselves to the Tevinter Imperium."

"Fiona, my dear, your dementia is showing."

"As one indentured to a magister, I do not have the authority to negotiate with you. "

Exclamations of disbelief filled the room, but Maxwell was the loudest of them all, "Tevinter? You sold the mages to Tevinter? Why-?!"

"Because we were losing the war! So many died and I had to save the people I could! Do you think I would have chosen Tevinter if I had another option? I did what-!" A door suddenly banged open, cutting off Fiona's tirade.

A middle-aged man garbed in expensive sharp robes sauntered in, followed by a small contingent of armed mages. "Why did no one tell me that we had a guest? I would have come sooner had I known!"

Fiona scowled before nodding to the man, "Agents of the Inquisition, allow me to introduce Magister Gereon Alexius."

"The Southern Mages are under my command," His eyes roved over everyone present until they rested upon me, "You must be the survivor! The one who left the Fade? I've heard so many interesting things about you."

If there was one thing I hated more than the Chantry, it was Tevinter. I hated everything about them; the slavery, their religion, even their culture. How did they use the intricate art of blood magic? To enslave others. What did they do after discovering the intelligence of spirits? Enslave them. What did they do after embracing the entirety of magic? Enslave others.

Neither did they try to better the lives of their own people. It was all about glory, power and greed.

But their worst offense; they ruined my people.

The ancient elves may have destroyed the Elvhen empire, but Tevinter ruined them.

"Silence? Are you mute? Is there another who can speak in her stead?"

Cassandra stepped forward, "Where is Arl Teagan and his men?"

"Away from the village for the moment."

"The Arl didn't abandon the village, not even during the Blight. He wouldn't abandon it now!"

"There were tensions arising, and I didn't want to create an incident. As it is, the Southern Mages are now working for the Imperium and have started departure."

"And why would the Imperium need the Southern mages, my dear?"

"We don't. They were a considerable expense. After the Breach, they were in need and I happened to be in the area. The only use I can discern for them is in the Legion."

"No!" Fiona cried, "You said they wouldn't all go to the military! There are children! Those incapable-!"

"And I spent a considerable amount to get you into Tevinter. They can do as they like, once their debt has been repaid."

Fiona looked gutted.

"Be that as it may," Maxwell had donned his polite noble mask, "We still need the mages to close the Breach. I'm sure we can come to an arrangement."

"Why, of course! We must do what we can to help each other during these difficult times," His face turned back to me, "Though I must confess to some disappointment. I've heard so many things about your survivor, but she is so quiet," His voice became deliberate and slow, "Do-you-understand-me?"

I remained silent, keeping my stone-like visage. Everything here was a lie, a charade. While I was good at loopholes and tricking spirits, handling human nobility was a completely different skill. Not only was I a nobody to nobility, I was only good at manipulating and bending the truth. I could do nothing when confronted with such bald-faced lies. From what social position could I contradict them? Who would believe me?

What else could I do, except remain silent?

"Oh, poor thing. Her mind must be addled. Who knows what other effects the Breach must have had," I caught Maxwell's grimace from the corner of my eye at Alexius's words, "Well, come along, please, have a seat."

The door banged open again, "Father!" Two men barged in, garbed in expensive shiny mage robes, "Stop this! Look who I've found!"

"Felix! What are you doing out of bed?" He rushed frantically to the frail looking man attired in sunshine yellow robes, "I told you to stay out of this! I told you to rest!"

"Father, please listen to me. If you won't listen to me, at least listen to Dorian! I don't want this. I don't want any of this!"

"Alexius."

"Dorian. What a surprise. What are you doing so far away from home?"

"I could ask the same of you, Alexius. Felix has been telling me the strangest things."

"More Tevinter mages," Bull grumbled, "This shit is just getting worse."

"Father, let's please just go home! Let the Inquisition take the Southern mages and close the Breach! Let's return home."

"No! Not when I'm so close! Not when I can save you! The Elder One promised me!"

I'd heard enough. I strode over to the quarrelling mages and came to a stop close behind Felix, "You are the Magister's son?"

He startled before swivelling towards me, "I beg your pardon, that was so rude of me. Yes, I am and I'm trying to help you. We don't need these mages, not as much as you."

I placed a restraining arm on his shoulder, "Would you care to explain what's going on, Felix?" I dragged him closer to me, "Don't worry, you know about my Oath, don't you? I won't harm you, not unless you give me reason to."

"Felix, get away from her!"

Alexius drew his weapon and as he did so, I drew mine, placing the blade of the staff on Felix's neck, "A magister delving in dangerous magic. Tell me, why am I not surprised? Are you responsible for the Breach?"

"Unhand my son."

"Father, you heard her, she cannot harm me. Please just tell her everything! Don't make this any worse than it has to be."

"That only means that she has no leverage," His gaze travelled to every person who'd pulled out their weapons, "Still, I am a reasonable man. The Southern mages came to me. We made an arrangement. I've done nothing wrong."

"Who is the Elder One?"

"A man who promised to heal my son."

"In exchange for what?"

"That's between the Elder One and me. None of your business, I'm afraid."

I bristled in irritation at his evasive answers. "Are you responsible for the Breach?"

"No, of course not," He drawled, his confidence returning with each verbal victory, "Though you are clawing at magic you barely understand. Word has it that you're an abomination, yet somehow I'm the villain?"

Why were nobles so good at verbal warfare? I could pin nothing on him, nothing that wasn't already obvious. It was Fiona's fault for agreeing to his terms. It was my fault for drawing my weapon on Felix. Alexius had no reason to share his personal business with others.

I withdrew my weapon from Felix but kept a firm grip on him, "Felix, you were never in any danger from me. I ask again, is there anything you want to tell me?"

"Father, please. I don't want to betray you, but I will if I have to."

"Well, I suppose I can fill in some of the gaps," Dorian bowed, "Dorian of House Pavus, most recently of Minrathous. There has been word of Tevinter supremacists getting together, call themselves the Venatori. I think they follow someone called the Elder One. Does that help?"

I hesitated. I was terrible at confronting human nobility; I couldn't play their games because I had no familiarity with them. The boiling hatred I harboured for them destroyed any chance of presenting a sympathetic visage.

A strong sense of self-loathing engulfed me as I glanced at Maxwell in a silent ask for help.

He strode forward immediately, "That sounds like a cult," His head tilted, "Magister Alexius, affiliated with cultists. What has the world come to?"

"You have no idea what you're saying."

"They're cultists, aren't they? Did they promise you a miraculous cure in return for faith in their god? Were there disturbing rituals? Was there dancing?"

Alexius scowled, "And what about your people? A female elf, no, an abomination, the Herald of Andraste, going around performing unknown stolen magic to close rifts. You have no right to throw stones."

Maxwell shrugged, "We're doing what we can to help others. We're trying to close the Breach. Can you say the same about the Venatori? What are they doing?"

"Father, please, tell them. You don't even like the Venatori. Neither do our men! I would rather die than be a part of this. Please."

Alexius sighed in defeat, "Very well. I'm done with this charade," He eyed everyone in the room, "I'll tell you everything you want to know."

I froze, unable to believe what was happening. Something wasn't right. It couldn't be this easy.

Alexius looked me straight in the eye, "Please, unhand my son. While you have no intention of harming him, he is terribly ill."

My grip tightened, "And the mages?"

His face hardened, "While I can loan their services to you, they will still come with me. A deal is a deal."

This wasn't what I wanted. I couldn't accept this. His change of heart meant nothing. I could not let the Southern mages be sold to the Imperium.

Felix gasped in pain as my grip tightened further.

"Unhand my son. I will not repeat myself again."

I let him go, and as I did, every instinct I had flared up. Something wasn't right.

Something wasn't right.

Felix passed me an apologetic glance before rushing to his father. Alexius whispered harsh reprimands as he ushered him to the far end of the bar.

"I admit, I'm relieved Felix managed to make Alexius see sense," Dorian edged closer to me, "Still, I'd be remiss if I didn't warn you. I suspect Alexius has been dabbling in time magic. He shouldn't have been able to get here when he did."

"Time magic?"

"Alexius was my mentor. We were researching it together, but we'd never managed it. But perhaps, the rifts…," he trailed off in thought.

"Father, please, no!"

I jerked up to see Alexius holding an amulet up.

"Alexius, no!"

There was rapid movement, and a sudden crush of bodies before we were engulfed in darkness.

AN: The next chapter sheds light on many things.

Please feel free to highlight any SPaG errors in the chapter. I just wanted to get this out and it had already been so long.

I hope you guys have a great time. Remember, happiness comes from within.