"The Elder one isn't going to like this," I warned just quietly enough for Cassandra to hear.

"Let us focus on closing the Breach for now," she said with one final look at our reinforcements.

The mages were all poised around me in a circle. Their staffs were quiet for now, but I still looked at them just a tad warily. Would this work? Could this work?

Solas was addressing the mages while Cassandra and I spoke. I chanced a glance over at him.

"Mages, focus past the Herald. Let her will draw from you!"

It was an unusually commanding voice coming from him, but it sounded natural all the same. As if he had been ordering people around for his whole life.

I took in a deep steadying breath. Focus, I told myself. Pretend not everyone is staring at and counting on you.

I let Cassandra and Solas get clear before I turned toward the Breach. In what was becoming a natural movement for me, I raised my hand toward the Breach and sucked in one deep breath. My fingers twitched just a bit, showing my nerves. The glow around my hand flared to life as if sensing the Breach. I bit my lip and took in one more long breath before willing the mark to close the gigantic tear in the Veil.

The explosion was almost immediate. It sent shockwaves of energy blasting outward from the center and knocked me off my feet. I landed on my back and groaned with pain as light radiated and filled the area.

I pushed myself to a kneeling position, my breaths coming out ragged–more from shock than anything else. My ears were ringing, but I heard muffled sounds around me. It wasn't until I felt hands on my shoulder that I looked up into Cassandra's face. She said something, but I shook my head to indicate I couldn't hear her. She bent closer and said again, "You did it."

I nodded, a slow smile spreading across my face at the sound of relief in her voice.

Music played below us and the sounds of revelry was unmistakable. Cassandra was talking beside me, but I was only hearing every other word. The Breach was really sealed? It had been that easy? No, nothing was that easy. Fear was churning my gut as I gnawed at my lip.

"Lavellan?"

"S-sorry, Cassandra. I'm listening."

"As I said, Solas thinks the main Breach is gone, but we are reporting several lingering rifts." Cassandra bumped my shoulder. "This was a victory."

I tried to smile, but couldn't help it turning into a grimace.

"Is something worrying you?" Cassandra asked.

"I just can't help feeling like this was just the start of something," I admitted.

"Possibly, but either way we should count our victories as they come. We won't always have moments to celebrate."

A bell rang out and my blood turned cold. Cassandra and I shared one glance before Cullen's voice called everyone to arms.

"We must get to the gates," Cassandra insisted.

I was right behind her, ready with daggers in each hand.

"I guess those celebratory drinks are on hold," Iron Bull muttered somewhere to my left.

I jogged up to the three major parties of the Inquisition and asked, "What's going on?"

"Only one watch tower is reporting anything and they said a massive force is headed this way," Cullen replied.

"Under what banner?" Josephine demanded.

"None," Cullen said.

"None?" Josephine gasped. "That's not possible."

The gates rattled beside me and I took a ready stance.

"I can't come in unless you open!" a voice from the other side said.

Was it a demon? Could demons talk? A Templar then?

"Open them," I demanded.

"Lavellan!" Cullen cried. "You can't be serious."

"Someone is on the other side. They don't sound like a threat. Maybe they could help?"

"Or maybe they could kill us," Cassandra parried.

"Either way, they will get inside eventually. Just let me out. I want to talk with them."

"You're not going alone," Cullen insisted as he signaled for the gates to be opened.

As the doors opened, blood sprayed across the pristine snow. My eyes lifted to find a young man with a very large hat standing behind a Templar's dead body. I quickly stepped through the gates and the man strode toward me. He had pale hair that hung into his eyes and a ghostly white complexion.

"I'm Cole," he announced hurriedly. "People are coming to hurt you."

Well…that was just great.

"Cole, how do you know this?" I asked.

"The Templars come to kill you."

"Templars?!" Cullen barked, his sword ready. "Is this their response to our talks with the mages?"

"The Elder One is coming. You know him, he knows you." Cole pointed to a space on the mountain behind him. "There. He's very angry with you."

I screwed my face up with a grimace. "Fuck. Cullen, do we have a plan?"

The Commander scrubbed at his jaw with his hand, his brows pinched. "Haven was never meant to be a fortress. If we are going to face an army here, we may not live to see tomorrow."

"We need to control the battle," said Solas's voice behind me. When had he approached? I hadn't heard him. But then again, it was hard to hear anything over the bell's ringing.

"We need to hit the army quickly and as hard as we can," Solas added.

Cullen pointed to the trebuchet and said, "If we can use those now, we may have a chance."

I was already taking off toward the war machines before I could hear Cullen rally the troops. I still couldn't hear Solas, but I suspected he was behind me. And the mysterious young man named Cole.

I found soldiers scrambling to fill the trebuchets and launch them, but there was pure panic in the air. I scanned the horizon. Hit them where it hurts, right? Then we needed to take out as many of them as he could with a small amount of energy.

There were hundreds and hundreds of torches in the valley below marching toward Haven. If we were going to snuff out those men, we needed something big to happen.I looked to the mountain and pointed. "We need to be aiming there," I told the soldiers.

"That's nowhere near the army though, sir," a soldier beside me said.

"I'm not aiming for them. Just do it. Aim for the mountain itself."

The soldiers seemed to like that someone was barking orders, so they immediately picked up their paces and turned the trebuchet to where I directed. I watched as the fiery debris flew through the air and landed almost exactly where I had planned. With a loud explosive sound, the snow of the mountain ripped down the side and blanketed the troops approaching us. Silence fell amongst us as we watched with bated breath as the mountain took care of our little invasion problem. The soldiers cheered; one even dropped to his knees and began praying.

Victory was short-lived, however, when a cry from the sky alerted everyone before a fireball blasted apart the trebuchet. The heat was intense as the wood splintered and shattered.

Fuck.

Overhead, a dragon circled and I felt our odds of survival plummet.

"Back to the gates!" I cried.

We fled as quickly as our feet would carry us. Cullen was up ahead, ordering people inside the gates. As we approached, I heard his orders more clearly, "Get to the Chantry!"

"The Chantry," I asked as I came up beside him. "Do you really think it will hold against that thing?"

"No," Cullen admitted. "But it's our best bet."

As he climbed the stairs, the gates closed with a solid thud and Cullen said, "At this point, just make them work for that death they crave so much."

I nodded, my head turning up to the sky as I watched the monster circle us. A cry to my right perked my ears and I noticed flames coming out of one of the buildings. Was someone trapped in there?

"Solas, can you use ice magic against that fire?" I asked, already sprinting toward the building.

"It is no ordinary fire. That is dragon fire." At my look of determination, he replied, "I will try."

Flames crackled and sparked, feeding off of the wood of the hut. Solas used his ice magic on the door, but it was too hot, as he had said. The flames were eating away at the ice before it could halt them.

"Cole, give me a boost," I ordered.

"What are you doing?" Solas demanded.

"Someone is in there!" I cried, placing my daggers back in their sheaths as Cole bent and laced his fingers together.

I stepped into Cole's hands and he hoisted me up. Balancing carefully, I propelled myself up and over the flames to the roof of the building. I frantically looked for an opening as smoke blinded my eyes and made them water.

Before I could find one, however, the roof collapsed where I was standing and I sank to the waiting floor below. I sprang to my feet, ignoring the pain radiating up my hip from where I had landed.

"Is anyone in here?" I called over the roar of the flames.

"Here!" a weak voice cried.

I squinted against the smoke until a small figure made its way to me. I latched onto the small woman and screamed, hoping my voice carried, "Solas. Use your magic on the door one more time!"

I didn't wait for him to do as I instructed, but I did place a hand on the door. It was by no means cold, but it was not burning as hotly as it had a minute ago. I simply gripped the woman tightly and smashed my shoulder against the door. I was not the strongest, but it gave easily–probably already damaged from the fire.

We tumbled into the snow and I kicked frantically to push us both away from the flames. Hands dragged us further away and I sank gracefully into the snow. Soot covered my clothing and I was sure it marked my face as well.

"Thank you," the woman murmured over and over again.

"Get to the Chantry," I said, my voice cracking slightly from the smoke I had inhaled.

I stumbled to my feet and started running toward the Chantry as the others were, stopping only to make sure that everyone was able to get inside.

As we stepped into the Chantry, the doors closed tight and the dragon outside roared its displeasure.

"That dragon is ruining everything," I hissed.

Cullen sidled up beside me and said, "Your avalanche slowed the army, but the dragon is just creating a new path for them. We need to launch another trebuchet at the mountain like you did before–bury them once and for all in snow."

"That second avalanche will bury Haven right along with that army," I pointed out.

"We are going to die," Cullen announced matter-of-factly, "But we can decide how."

"Chancellor Roderick can help," Cole blurted. "He wants to help before he dies."

I took in the Chancellor's state. He was bleeding profusely from a deep wound in his stomach. Cole was right, Roderick wasn't going to last much longer.

"The summer pilgrimage," Roderick coughed. "There is a passage to get the villagers out."

"Someone still needs to stay and launch the trebuchet," I noted.

"They might not be able to escape with the others," Cullen said solemnly.

I pursed my lips and nodded. As I moved to leave, Cullen grabbed my upper arm. "You can't be serious?"

"Cole, take the Chancellor to the passage and have him lead the others out of here," I ordered. It was becoming a habit today. One I wasn't sure I liked or not.

I peeled Cullen's fingers from my arm and jerked my chin toward the others, "Go. Lead them. Let me handle this."

"Perhaps you'll survive again," Cullen said without much hope in his voice. "Just wait one moment."

Cullen spoke to a few men in hushed tones before returning to me. Several soldiers marched out of the Chantry and I opened my mouth to argue.

"They'll load the trebuchet," Cullen stated, his tone brokering no argument. "Let that thing hear you."

I pursed my lips, but nodded.

"I will go with you," Solas said.

I'd nearly forgotten he was there, but I shook my head. "No, protect the people. Let me do this on my own."

"You've done a lot of ordering around today, Herald. But you won't be ordering me away from you."

I didn't have time to argue, so I merely nodded. If he wanted to risk his life right along with me, so be it. I had a dragon to distract.

The doors to the Chantry opened with a groan and I stepped out into the chill. I jogged down the steps, careful of the ice and debris, and made my way toward the western trebuchet.

"Why are you coming with me?" I asked, not really expecting an answer.

"You're planning to die. I'm here to make sure that doesn't happen."

"Because of the mark?"

"And other reasons."

I huffed at the vagueness, but continued trudging through the snow. Solas and I made it to the trebuchet just in time. The soldiers had loaded the thing up perfectly. I barked at them to leave as quickly as their feet would carry them and put my hands on the wheel mechanism that would aim this massive weapon. Before I could get far, however, a cry erupted from the sky.

A blast of fire struck the ground and sent me flying. My head bounced off of a crate and stars exploded in my vision. I groaned with pain and a hand found mine.

"Stand up," Solas demanded.

I tried to tell him that I couldn't, but the words wouldn't form. I also wanted to tell him to run as a figure emerged from the flames, but those words also didn't make it out of my mouth.

My heart beat frantically as the figure approached. He looked as Fiona had in that dungeon–a human melded with red lyrium. It spouted from his shoulders, his chest, even his face. It was grotesque.

Another blast of hot fire exploded beside me and flung Solas back. He rolled across the snow and disappeared behind a wall of flame. I opened my mouth to scream, but nothing came out.

I scrambled to stand just as the dragon landed behind me, pinning me between the two creatures.

"You," the human-like being seethed. "You are not going to meddle anymore."

"What are you?" I demanded, my vision spinning dangerously.

"Know me. The Elder One. The will that is Corypheus. The process to remove the anchor starts now," he rumbled.

In one clawed hand, he held a ball of what looked like stone. It was a small thing in his enormous palm, but as a burst of energy slithered across the surface of the ball, the mark on my hand erupted with light in response.

The being hissed, "You interrupted a ritual years in the planning. Then you had the gall to use the anchor to undo my work? This ends now."

Pain bloomed to life at my fingertips and I dropped to the ground, a silent scream on my lips.

Corypheus bent down and hefted me up by my arm. The pain was blinding. I felt as though my arm would be torn from its socket and that the skin along my hand was being peeled back layer by layer.

"I breached the Fade in the servitude of another. I found only chaos and corruption. For a thousand years, I was confused. No more. Beg that I succeed. For I have seen the throne of the Gods and it was empty," he spat.

Corypheus tossed me away and I landed painfully against the trebuchet. I cried out as my back made contact with the hard wood.

"The anchor is permanent," Corypheus announced. "You have ruined everything. So be it. I will begin again and find another way to rid this world of the Blight."

I pulled at my dagger with my good hand, readying my stance as both the dragon and Corypheus closed in. I fully intended to go down fighting, but then the tiniest light caught my attention over Corypheus's shoulder. Was that a flare? My heart did somersaults–the Inquisition had made it out safely. I dropped my dagger and grinned at the monstrosities before me.

"If I'm dying, I'm taking your entire fucking army with me," I spat before I kicked at the handle of the trebuchet.

I kicked again and it gave easily the second time. The roar of the dragon and Corypheus was immense, but the roar of snow tumbling down the mountainside was louder. I bolted as quickly as I could, calling for Solas. He was gone from where I had last seen him. Panic filled my chest as I swiveled my head from side to side, looking for him. A burst of faded blue light struck me and I lost my footing. Before I could even scream, I dropped and rolled across the snow, right over the edge of a cliff.

The first sound I heard was my own cry of pain. I cracked open my eyes just as a droplet of cold water landed on my cheek. Overhead, icicles hung menacingly with pointed tips. I struggled to sit up, my body aching and every inch of me screaming.

I was disoriented and battered, but breathing–which was a good sign. I did an intake of my injuries: maybe a broken rib, definitely a concussion, but nothing else major. Next, I surveyed the area. I was in some kind of cave system with a tunnel before me. A low wind whistled from the tunnel's mouth.

I climbed to my feet and stumbled toward the opening. I breathed on my trembling fingers, hoping that would help at all. The tunnel was frigid…and old. It hadn't been in use for some time now. Mining equipment was left abandoned on the path I limped along. I focused on keeping myself upright, until I noticed an exit up ahead. I wheezed softly with what was supposed to be a laugh.

I stepped outside and the wind whipped my hair and clothes into a frenzy as it howled into the night. My body shivered uncontrollably both with the chill and the reality of what had just happened. What the fuck had that been?

Corypheus was no mortal man. We weren't fighting against something I could understand. My mind tumbled with the implication of it all as Corypheus's words echoed around my skull.

I have seen the throne of the Gods and it was empty.

I trudged through the snow, my legs trembling with the movement. Snow blinded my vision as the wind carried the snowflakes every which way. I wasn't even sure where anyone was. I just knew I had to keep moving or I was going to die out here. Still, thoughts bombarded me as I trekked through the valley.

Had everyone made it? Were they safe? What had happened to Solas? What was that thing Corypheus had used that called to my mark?

The sound of wolves echoed in the night and I prayed they stayed far away from me. It sounded as if they were searching for something or perhaps that was just my brain making something up to keep the fear at bay. Then I saw something in the distance.

I stomped closer and noticed a campfire; the embers still glowing in the dirt.

It wasn't until I heard the voices, that my body finally gave up. I collapsed into the snow, my vision darkening.

I awoke with a start, my breathing coming out rapidly. "Solas," I shouted.

"What have I done to earn the Herald calling out my name?"

My head snapped to the side. There he was, in all his smug glory. I couldn't help myself. I threw my arms around his neck. "I thought you had died back there!"

"I did not, obviously," he said softly.

He brought his hands to mine and unclasped them from around his neck. He didn't release me, however. "We all thought you died. And then here you are, trudging through the snow."

"I'm glad you're alive," I stated, ignoring his words.

"Thank you, though I'm not sure many would agree."

"What would you have me do?" Cullen's voice cut in. "This isn't what they signed up for!"

"Then should we ignore what just happened?" Cassandra snapped back.

"Are they fighting again?" I whispered.

"When do they stop?" Solas teased.

After a brief pause, Solas asked, "Are you well enough? May I have a word?"

I jolted slightly at the serious tone in Solas's voice, but nodded nonetheless. It seems while I had slept, someone had used magic to heal the worst of my injuries. I wondered if it had been Solas himself. Either way, I slid my legs over the edge of the cot I was on and stood up on much steadier feet.

Solas led me away from the fighting and to a lone torch standing on the outskirts of camp. With a flick of his wrist, he lit the torch and stood beside it. He didn't speak for a beat and I brought my arms up to hug myself and keep out the chill.

"The orb is ours," he announced solemnly.

"Pardon?" I was stunned more by his bluntness than the actual words he was saying.

"The orb Corypheus is using, it's ours, Lavellan. What do you think the humans will think when they learn of this? They revere you now, but when they learn that the elves had a hand in the destruction of the Conclave…"

He trailed off, but his implication was clear.

"The elves didn't help Corypheus, even if he used an elvhen artifact. I don't even know what this orb is."

"It is a foci for power. The Dalish gods used them frequently–most had specific foci associated with them."

"Which god was the orb associated with?" I pressed.

"I…I don't know."

I shivered against the cold and Solas held out a hand. "Come closer to the fire."

I took his hand and he gently led me to his side. We didn't let go of each other though. I didn't want to let go of his hand and it appeared that he didn't mind either. The small torch wasn't as warm as the bonfire the others were around, but it was helping a bit to stave off the chill.

Solas's jaw ticked before he said, "That orb opened the Breach and yet Corypheus survived the blast. How? We must find out what power he wields. However he came by it, we must stop him from using it again."

"You think the humans will turn on us the second they learn the truth," I stated.

"I know they will. We must be prepared for it, Lavellan."

"I don't know how to prepare for something like that. The elves already are seen as less than. How much worse could it possibly get?"

"It can get much much worse. Corypheus is threatening that tentative line we already have."

I turned to him, still clutching his hand. "What do you suggest then?"

"You're asking my opinion?"

"Of course. Should I not?"

He paused for a moment before saying, "We need to be above suspicion. Our actions need to speak loudly over the implication that an elvhen artifact killed the Divine."

I turned to look at the flames, licking at the night air. "How do we manage that?"

"Keep being you, Lavellan. It will show."

At that, my head snapped to the side and our noses nearly brushed. I didn't notice we had become so close. I sucked in a small breath. From this distance, I could attempt to count the freckles splayed across his face.

"Corypheus has fundamentally changed the Inquisition and you. They will look to you now more than they ever have," Solas said.

My face went white, but I didn't speak.

"Scout to the north. Be the guide they are desperately seeking. There is a place that waits for a force like yours. A place where the Inquisition can grow and seek respite."

My mind was buzzing with information and my body burning with Solas's closeness. Hoping to look anywhere else, my gaze dipped to his chest…and the necklace that hung there. I cocked my head to the side. "What is this? I noticed it before, but–"

I reached out with my free hand as if to touch the bone hanging from his neck and he backed away, dropping my other hand.

"Be careful, Lavellan," he said with finality before leaving me alone beside the torch.