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Chapter Text

The mages were in trouble.  That was the main concern on Madeleine Trevelyan’s mind as she made her way to the Chantry in Haven.  She knew that Cullen, the Commander of the Inquisition’s army, wanted to forget the mages and go get help from the Templars.  Cassandra felt the same way.

            Of course, the ex-Templar and the Seeker wanted to get help from their fellow Templars, even if they had left their beloved Chantry.  However, what Madeleine had told Fiona when she met her in Val Royeaux was true, she wanted the help of her own people.  Even if Fiona didn’t seem to remember their conversation.

            Madeleine had spent a decade and a half locked in the Ostwick Circle.  Sure, she’d been allowed to go home on visits, thanks to her family’s position and all the money they’d donated to the Chantry, but she was still not free to pursue her own life and hadn’t been until the Mage Uprising.  Her First Enchanter had sent her to Haven, to the Temple of Andraste, for the Conclave and that’s when that freedom was taken away again.  She’d ended up in the Fade and then handed out by a woman, a woman that everyone assumed was Andraste Herself.  After that she’d found herself in Cassandra and Leliana’s not-so-tender care.  The next thing she knew, she had joined a Heretic upstart group determined to restore order to Thedas.

            If only its leaders would agree on the best path to restore that order.  Madeleine knew that would be almost impossible, but she’d made up her mind.  She stared forward as she moved through the chantry, staring at the double doors that led to the room that had become the Inquisition’s makeshift war room.  She knew that its leaders would be waiting for her.

            “You were saying something about…”  Josephine was already in the middle of a conversation when Madeleine entered the War Room.  “Cullen?” 

            It seemed The Inquisition’s Commander wasn’t paying attention to their ambassador.  He was watching Madeleine from across the table.  She wondered if he was plotting how to convince her to save his precious Templars again.  He blinked and looked at Josephine.  “Hmmm?  I… yes?  Oh.  Haven has limited space for our soldiers to train.  Perhaps we could set up something over here.”  Madeleine realized he had another map behind him and he and Josephine turned from her to look at it.

            “What about Redcliffe?”  Madeleine interrupted them.

            “The mages do need our help,” Cassandra confirmed.

            “We’ve received a letter from Alexius,” Leliana, the Inquisition’s seneschal and spymaster, cheerfully announced.

            That was news to Madeleine.  “What did it say?”

            “It was so complimentary that I’m sure he wants to kill you,” Leliana assured her.

            Madeleine didn’t find that surprising.  Not only would he not be the first person who wanted her dead, but their first meeting together hadn’t exactly been two souls destined to be fast, bosom buddies coming together.  It had been quite the opposite in fact.  “I should definitely go see him.”

            “Tevelyan…”  Cullen began, then he just sighed.

            “We can’t leave the Free Mages with that man,” Madeleine insisted.  Then she reminded the others of a reason they might want to help her free the mages.  “We need their help to close the rift.”

            “We don’t have the manpower to take the castle,” Cullen insisted.  “Either we find another way in or give up this nonsense and go and get the Templars.”

            Oh course, he wanted to go get the Templars, he used to be one of them.  Madeleine tried not to hold that against him.

            “If you go in there you’ll die, Herald,” Cullen didn’t even use her name that time.  Did he think that made his argument stronger?  “And we’ll lose the only means we have of closing the rifts.”

            For a moment, Madeleine had thought his objections were out of concern for her own safety, then he added that last part.  So, he only cared about her as a tool for the Inquisition.  She should remember that.  There was something about his smile that made her heart flutter, but she couldn’t forget that he was a Templar who only saw her as a mage; a tool to be used and then discarded.  Hadn’t she grown up in a gilded cage because of her powers?  “Maker forbid I can’t close rifts for you anymore.”

            “I didn’t mean…”  Cullen let out an exasperated breath and then ran a hand through his well styled hair.

            “If we don’t go to meet Alexius, we lose the mages,” Leliana warned.  “And we leave a hostile foreign power on our doorstep.”

            “Even if we could assault the keep, it would be for naught,” Josephine argued.  “An Orlesian Inquisition’s army marching into Ferelden would provoke a war.  Our hands are tied!”

            Madeleine closed her eyes, as her eyebrows raised.  Had Josephine just dared to call her Orlesian?  If she were Ferelden, those would be fighting words.  As a Free Marcher, she was still heavily insulted.  “We are not Orlesian.”

            No one listened to her.  Did they ever?

            “The magister…” Cassandra began.

            “Has outplayed us,” Cullen cut her off.

            Madeleine was not going to just back down.  An idea came to her, a terrible idea.  “There has to be a way in.  Felix, Alexius’ son, told me this is a cult who is obsessed with me.  I doubt that they’ll graciously receive our apologies and go about their business.  They will come after me, and by extension the rest of the Inquisition, if I ignore their… very kind… invitation.”

            “That’s not to mention that the Southern mages under their control are in danger,” Leliana added.

            “There must be a solution,” Cassandra stood firm.  “We must find a way in.”

            “The main gate can’t be the only way into the castle,” Madeleine insisted.  “My family has more than one entrance in and out of their castle and it’s not nearly as large as Redcliffe’s.  That doesn’t include other necessities; a sewer, a watercourse, a secret cave to launch pirate ships out of!”

            “There is nothing I know of that might work,” Cullen insisted.

            “Wait,” Leliana obviously did know something she hadn’t been telling.  “There is a secret passage into the castle, an escape route for the family.  It’s too narrow for our troops, but we could send agents through.”

            Madeleine wondered how Leliana knew about the passage if it was secret and why she hadn’t said something before.  Most important was that if it was secret, Alexius likely didn’t know about it.

            “It’s too risky,” Cullen declared.  He obviously really wanted to abandon the Free Mages to their dire fate and go get his beloved Templars.  “Those agents will be discovered long before they reach the magister.”

            Madeleine wasn’t going to let his nay saying and Templar loving ways get between her and saving her fellow mages.

            Leliana answered Cullen before Madeleine could.  “That’s why we need a distraction.”  She looked to Madeleine who nodded her consent.  “Perhaps the envoy that Alexius wants so badly.”

            “Focus their attention on Trevelyan, while we take out the Venatori.”  Cullen moved his arm in emphasis.  “It’s risky, but it could work.”

            Madeleine noted that he still didn’t use her first name.  She wondered if he even knew it.  Perhaps she should just refer to him as Rutherford, so no one knew that his ignorance hurt her.

            The door behind her swung open.  Somehow, there was something rather dramatic about it.  “Fortunately, you’ll have help,” a deep voice declared.

            She turned to see Dorian Pavus stroll in and smiled at the Tevinter mage.  He did know how to make an entrance and he had the best swagger she’d ever seen.”

            A scout chased after Dorian.  “This man says he has information about the Magister, Commander.”  The scout was out of breath. 

            Madeleine wondered why the scout just addressed Cullen.  Didn’t the scouts answer to Leliana and the regular soldiers answer to Cullen?  Was Cullen making a bid to become the leader of the Inquisition?  It would make sense as to why he was suddenly so determined to get his way.

            “It’s good to see you,” Madeleine assured Dorian, giving him a quick hug for good measure.  She was very happy to see him.  She couldn’t say the same of all of her companions.

            He smiled at her and then looked at the Inquisition’s leaders.  “Your spies will never get past Alexius’ magic without my help.  So, if you’re going after him, I’m coming along.”

            Cullen gave Dorian the stink eye, but then turned immediately back to Madeleine.  “The plan puts you in the most danger.  We can’t in good conscience order you to do this.”  He paused and then continued.  “We can still go after the Templars if you’d rather not play the bait.  It’s up to you.”

            He was like a mabari with a druffalo bone when it came to his precious Templars, Madeleine decided.  She turned to Dorian.  “I’ll need your help making our plan, naturally.”

            “I’m here to help,” He assured her.  “Let’s plan how to take down Alexius.”

Chapter Text

Madeleine Trevelyan slowly walked through the front gates of Redcliffe Castle.  Blackwall and Vivienne walked just behind her.

            Blackwall had been brought as skill.  Who better than a Grey Warden at one’s back when going into a dangerous situation with unknown variables?

            Madeleine had brought Vivienne along, because she knew Vivienne ruffled Fiona, the head of the Free Mages’ feathers.  Fiona was open in her partnership with Magister Alexius and having someone who could easily distract her was a bonus.  Madeleine just hoped she wouldn’t have to fight the Free Mages herself.

            A mage and two Venatori approached her.  Madeleine knew they were Venatori by their… interesting… fashion choices. 

            “Those masks are doing no one a favor,” Vivienne informed them.

            Madeleine tried to hide her grin, as she raised her chin.  “Announce us,” she insisted.

            “The Master’s invitation was for Mistress Trevelyan only,” the mage insisted.  “These others must remain here.

            “It’s Lady Trevelyan,” Madeleine corrected him.  “I’m the youngest daughter of a Bann.  These two must accompany me.  You wouldn’t deprive me of my attaches, would you?”

            The mage looked at Madeleine’s companions and then back at her.

            “We don’t have time to be standing here, cooling our heals, darling,” Vivienne put every threat of Madame de Fer in her voice.

            Madeleine tried to not laugh as she saw her fellow mage tremble and was a bit surprised that the man didn’t soil himself.  He made a good show of keeping his dignity, though.  He merely nodded once and turned, walking deeper into the castle.

            Madeleine and her team followed, walking between the two Venatori.  The two masked cultists nodded at each other and trailed after them.

            Madeleine Trevelyan found Alexius sitting in Arl Teagan’s chair, in front of his fireplace.  Felix was on his right hand; Fiona was by his left.

            “How’s that whole rebelling thing going for you?”  Vivienne archly asked the other mage.

            Fiona just remained quiet.  Madeleine could tell from her look, that she was already having second thoughts.  Why wasn’t she trying to save the Southern Mages from Alexius?  Did the Grand Enchanter no longer care about the freedom of her people?

            “My lord, Magister,” the mage who had greeted her addressed Alexius.  “The Agents of the Inquisition, have arrived.”

            Alexius stood and held out his hands.  “My friends, it’s so good to see you again!”  He looked at Vivienne and Blackwall.  “And your associates, of course.  I am sure we can work out some arrangement that is equally beneficial to all parties.”

            As Fiona spoke, she took a few steps forward so she was standing in front of Alexius.   “Are we Southern Mages to have no voice in deciding our fate?”

            “Fiona, you would not have turned your followers over to my care if you did not trust me with their lives,” Alexius reminded her.

            Madeleine gave a lady like snort and then put on her perfect lady voice.  “Of course, she trusts you, Alexius.  I’m sure lots of people put their lives in your hands.  You have one of those faces.”

            “Yes, the Magisterium tells me that all the time,” Alexius drawled.  “Shall we begin our talks?”

            Madeleine exchanged a look with Blackwall.  Was Alexius really going to make her sit through talks that he had no intention of honoring?  The man was truly diabolical… or stupid. 

            Alexius sat and Felix gave him a wary look, then looked back at Madeleine.

            “The Inquisition needs mages to close the Breech and I have them,” Alexius declared.  “So, what will you offer in exchange?”

            “Nothing, that’s not why I’m here,” Madeleine told the truth.  “And you know it.  I’d much rather discuss your time magic.”

            “I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Alexius lied.  His voice’s emphasis was in the wrong place though, fear seeped through.

            Felix turned on his Dear Old Dad.  “She knows everything, Father.”

            Alexius’ brows drew together.  “Felix, what have you done?”

            “Felix is concerned about you, Alexius,” Madeleine defended him.  “He believes you are involved in something terrible.  From the looks of things, he’s right.”

            “So speaks the thief,” Alexius sneered at her.  “Do you think you can turn my son against me?”

            Vivienne scoffed at the sneer.  “As if you needed our help with that.”

            Alexius stood and began to move around the room, filling every space he could.  “You walk into my stronghold with a stolen mark… a gift you don’t even understand… and think you’re in control.”

            Madeleine had to resist laughing.  She hadn’t felt in control since she woke up in the basement of a chantry with Cassandra yelling at her.  She hadn’t even known Cassandra; she was just someone shouting threats and questions at her.  Still, she wasn’t going to let neither the Seeker nor Alexius make her cower.  She took a step forward, giving Alexius a challenging stare and cock of the head.

            Alexius also took a step forward.  “You’re nothing but a mistake.”

            “Everyone after Aiden and Bianca were a mistake,” she revealed.  “I was, so were Cecily, Damien, Elizabeth, and Finn.  Our parents claimed we were happy little surprises, for the Chantry.  I was less of a happy surprise when my magic manifested.  That brings up another question that has always bothered me, Alexius.  Is your Dark Divine a mage?  Why are they always a man?  Why has he never tried to court the Southern Divine, it could have been cute if they did.”

            “What?”  Alexius took a step back.

            “I have more questions,” Madeleine shrugged.  “Who killed the Divine?  Who do you work for?  What is this mark on my hand supposed to do?”

            “That mark belongs to your betters,” Alexius declared.  “You wouldn’t even begin to understand its purpose.”  He didn’t answer the other two questions, although Madeleine suspected they had the same exact answer.

            “Father,” Felix stepped forward.  “Listen to yourself!  Do you know what you sound like?”

            “He sounds exactly like the sort of villainous cliché everyone expects us to be,” Dorian stepped out of the shadows.”

            “Dorian,” Alexius wasn’t happy to see him.  “I gave you a chance to be a part of this.  You turned me down.”

            Dorian had never said anything to her about having been offered a place in the evil cult.  His decision to turn down his old mentor made Madeleine love Dorian even more.

            Alexius continued to berate his old apprentice, while making grandiose declarations.  “The Elder One has power you would not believe.  He will raise the imperium from its own ashes.”

            Madeleine rolled her eyes.  “Yes, blah, blah, blah ‘My culture is far superior to that of you barbarians’.  I’ve heard it a thousand times before.  The Orlesians also call Free Marchers Barbarians.  The Chantry calls the Mages Barbarians.  I’m two for two right now.  What’s one more?   I’d like to lock you and the Empress in a room together and let you fight it out.  You have magic, but she’s wily from what I hear.”

            “Well, you know, it’s a chance for the Imperium to really one up that who ‘starting the Blight’ thing,” Dorian pointed out.

            “He will make the world bow to mages once more,” Alexius continued.  “We will rule from the Boeric Ocean to the Frozen Seas.”

            Fiona had heard enough.  “You can’t involve my people in this!”

            “Fiona, next time ask more questions before you sign papers!”  Madeleine told her.

            “Alexius,” Dorian stepped closer to the man.  “This is exactly what you and I talked about never wanting to happen!  Why would you support this?”

            Alexius turned his back on Dorian while he spoke.

            “Stop it father!”  Felix shouted at Alexius’ back.  “Give up the Venatori.  Let the Southern Mages fight the breach, and let’s go home.”

            “No,” Alexius whirled to face his son.  “It’s the only way, Felix.  He can save you!”

            Felix’s eyes widened and he stared at his father as if he’d grown a second head.  “Save me?”

            Alexius turned to the fireplace and studied the flames, searching them for answers.  “There is a way.  The Elder One promised.  If I undo the mistake at the temple…”

            “I’m going to die,” Felix frankly informed him.  “You need to accept that.”

            Alexius did not accept that.  He pointed at Madeleine and her friends.  “Seize them, Venatori!  The Elder One demands that woman’s life!”

            The Venatori’s responses was cut off grunts and a sigh of air escaping the lungs.  They then hit the ground.  Inquisition soldiers now stood where the Venatori had been moments before.

            Madeleine looked at them for a moment.  “They’re dead, Alexius.  Those were your men and now they’re dead.”

            Alexius mouth gaped.  Then it closed and his eyes drew closer together.  “You… are a mistake!  You never should have existed!”  He held out a hand and an amulet rose from it, cackling.

            “No!”  Dorian jumped in front of Madeleine and swung his staff.  It knocked the amulet from Alexius’ hand, startling him.

            It did not stop a portal from opening over Dorian and Madeleine’s heads though.  They both disappeared.

            “What did you do?”  Blackwall demanded.  “Seize him!”  He pointed to Alexius and the guards came forward.

            Alexius just laughed.  “It’s too late, they’re gone!”

            Vivienne waited a moment, as if expecting the pair to somehow return.  They did not.

            Alexius eyed the Inquisition soldiers and then Fiona.  “Seize them,” he indicated Blackwall and Vivienne.

            “I do not work for you,” Fiona decided.

            “Yes, you do,” Alexius reminded her.  “You signed the contract.”

            “Fiona, come with us and we’ll reinstate the Circles to protect you,” Vivienne offered.

            Fiona’s lips thinned and she glared at Vivienne.  “I will not return to the Circle!”

Chapter Text

Alistair Theirin, the King of Ferelden, rode towards Redcliffe.  His pseudo-Uncle Teagan had come to him, telling him that he had been thrown out of his own castle by Grand Enchantress Fiona and a Tevinter Magister. 

Teagan was back in Denerim, as Alistair marched on Redcliffe.  Alistair knew that if his beloved wife, Elora, had been there, she would have told him to replace Teagan as arl if he wasn’t willing to fight for his home himself.  Elle had personal experience in the matter and he had to admit that the bannorn respected the Couslands took care of such matters themselves.

Still, he had a Tevinter Magister on his borders and it had to be dealt with.

As the soldiers crossed the remains of Lothering, Venatori jumped out of abandoned buildings and off the old roofs, ambushing his soldiers.

The Ferelden forces were able to beat back the Venatori, but by then, it was too late.

Chapter Text

             Madeleine Trevelyan saw green swirling and then everything was black.  She was worried for a moment.  Then she hit water.  Everything came back into focus.  She was in a flooded dungeon.

            Two men, in very ugly helmets, ran in.  “Blood of the Elder One!”  One of them cursed.

            “Where’d they come from?”  His companion asked.  He held a sword in front of him, but didn’t act like he knew how to use it.

            “I came from Ostwick,” Madeleine informed them.  “My very handsome companion is from Tevinter.”

            “Get ready!”  The first ugly helmet cried.  He raised a mace.

            Were they kidding her?  Madeleine cast a lightning cage around them.  She giggled when they tried to run beyond it, but were then thrown back.  With the water on the floor, the lightning was enhanced and there were interesting smoke and light affects caused by it.

            As they hit the ground, they were both hit by Dorian’s fireballs.

            Neither got back up.  She wasn’t sure if it was the lightning, fireballs, or drowning that actually killed them.  The water did come up above her knees.

            Madeleine and Dorian immediately began rummaging through the two guards’ belongings.

            “Documents,” Dorian held them up.  “How interesting.”

            “I got the keys,” Madeleine held them up.  “Do the documents tell you where we are?”

            “It’s probably not where or what Alexius intended,” Dorian looked around.  “The rift must have moved us… to what?  The closest confluence of arcane energy?”

            Madeleine continued going through the dead guards’ things.  “The last thing I remember, we were in the castle hall.  This is definitely not the hall.  Are we still in the castle?”

            “That’s very possible,” Dorian conceded.  “Let’s see.  If we’re still in the castle, it isn’t… Oh!  Of course!  It’s not simply where… it’s when.”  He walked to Madeleine and tapped her shoulder.  “Alexius used the amulet as a focus.  It moved us through time.”

            “Shit,” Madeleine sighed.  She somehow knew that made matters even worse.  She’d never heard of time magic, but word of magic research in Tevinter didn’t exactly reach the Mage Circles.  The last thing the Chantry would have wanted was their mages playing with time magic.  One of them would have gone back hundreds of years and found a way to keep the mages from every being imprisoned.  Likely, it would have been a mage like Anders and he would have blown up every early Chantry building he could find.  She approved of that.  “Can that even be done?”

            “Normally, I would say no,” Dorian answered, meaning they were playing with time magic in Tevinter.  “Obviously, Alexius has taken his research to exciting new heights.”  O.K.  so, they were playing with time magic. 

            “Are you sure?”  Madeleine groaned.  Why didn’t someone in Tevinter try to stop him?  Why didn’t they want to use it for fun exciting things, like betting on the outcome of jousts and tourneys?

            “We’ve seen his temporal rifts before,” Dorian reminded her.

            They had; Madeleine recalled.  They had seen time distortions outside of Redcliffe Village on their first visit. 

            “This time… we simply… passed through one,” Dorian continued.  “Let’s look around, see where the rift took us.  Then we can figure out how to get back… if we can.”

            “If we can,” Madeleine echoed.  “She didn’t know how they were going to get back.  Moving forward seemed to be a much easier prospect than moving back, it was the way time flowed.  “What was Alexius even trying to do?”

            “I believe his original plan was to remove you from time completely,” Dorian frankly informed her.  “If that happened, you would never have been at the Temple of Sacred Ashes or mangled his Elder One’s plan.”  Dorian sat down beside her, in the water for a moment.  “I think your surprise in the castle hall made him reckless.  He tossed us in the rift before he was ready.  I countered it.  The magic went wild and here we are.  Make sense?”

            Well, shit.  She didn’t need enemies who could remove people from time, thus from existence.  “Not really.  It all seems so insane.  Does he really have the power to just remove people from time?  That’s scary ass stuff.”

            “I don’t even want to think about what this will do to the fabric of the world,” Dorian agreed.

            “We didn’t travel through time so much as punch a hole through it and toss it in the privy,” Dorian declared.  He put an arm around her.  “But don’t worry, I’m here.  I’ll protect you.”

            She smiled at that.  No one had every sworn to protect her before and he seemed so dashing and confident when he did it.

            “What about the others in the hall?”  Madeleine wondered what had happened to Blackwall and Vivienne.  She imagined that Alexius had a way to protect Felix and himself.  “Were they drawn through the rift and where are they?”

            “I doubt it was large enough to bring the whole room through,” Dorian assured her.  “Alexius wouldn’t risk catching himself of Felix in it.  “They’re probably still where and when we left them.  In some sense, anyway.”

            Madeleine stood again and slugged her way to the door in the barred wall nearby.  “Who is this Elder One Alexius kept talking about anyway?  I’m sure he or she or it had something to do with the Divine’s death.”

            “They’re the leader of the Venatori, I suspect,” Dorian mused.  “Some magister aspiring to godhood.”  He tapped her gently on the chest with his staff.  “It’s the same old tune.  Let’s play with magic we don’t understand.  It will make us incredibly powerful.”

            Madeleine giggled at his Proper Magister accent.  “Do they?”

            “Evidently, it doesn’t matter if you rip apart the fabric of time in the process,” Dorian added.

            “Do you have a plan to get back?”  She questioned.  “Please, tell me you have a plan to get back.”

            “I have some thoughts,” Dorian assured her.  “They’re lovely thoughts, like little jewels.”

            “Please, tell me about them,” she pled. 

            “Let’s get out of these damp dungeons and I’ll tell you as we go,” Dorian suggested.

            Madeleine tried a few keys before the door opened.  “Done.  Let’s go see what’s out there.”

            Dorian and Madeleine encountered a couple of Venatori as they explored the dungeons.

            The Venatori stepped out and went “Hey you!”  Then they went “Aagh!”  As they were met with a fireball and bolt of lightning.

            The dungeon area looked bad.  There was rubble in the hallways and red lyrium growing out of the walls.  The red lyrium was what really bothered Madeleine.

            “Alexius has made a dreadful mess of this place, hasn’t he?”  Dorian casually commented.

            “I didn’t see this part of the castle before,” Madeleine admitted.  “But I can’t see Arl Teagan having left his castle like this.  It just not to the Ferelden taste in decoration.”

            “It was covered in the tackiest carvings of wolves and dogs that I’ve ever seen,” Dorian confided.

            “That’s the Ferelden taste in decoration,” Madeleine assured him.

            “This is not an improvement,” Dorian decided.

            “The Ferelden love their dogs,” Madeliene explained as they walked up a set of stairs.  The stairs had chunks missing and there was moss and lichen covering the walls and floors.

            At the top they found themselves on a metal walkway.  Each part had a drawbridge, like the entrance to many castles.  There was a clank as one of the drawbridges fell and four Venatori charged out onto the new walkway.

            “I’m pretty sure this is new.”  Madeleine laid an ice mine under the Venatori and then shot an arcane bolt.

            “It is,” Dorian assured her as he threw a fire ball at the Venatori who had just frozen on the mine.

            The combination of fire and ice caused the Venatori to explode.

            “That’s fun,” Madeleine commented, even as she threw an ice bolt at the remaining Venatori.

            “Oh, you have a macabre side,” Dorian wagged his eyebrows.  Then he followed the ice with an arcane bolt.  “I like it.  Let’s go see what they were guarding,” he added as the last Venatori fell.

            “Bull likes it when I freeze enemies, and he can make them shatter with his axe,” she commented as she veered off to the left.

            “He sounds fun,” Dorian quipped as he approached the closed door.

Chapter Text

            Madeleine found herself in another section of the dungeons.  She heard a couple of prisoners, but saw no more guards.

            In one cage, she found the body of an elven mage she’d met in Redcliffe who was opposed to Fiona’s alliance with Alexius and Tevinter.  She touched his hand.  “He’s still cooling, he hasn’t been dead long.  I thought he’d left to join the Inquisition.”

            “I have a bad feeling that the Inquisition isn’t doing well,” Dorian warned.  “Let’s see if we can find any living prisoners.  I hear moaning, someone must be left down here.”

            They followed the sound to a horrible sight.  Grand Enchanter Fiona leaned against the wall of a cell as much as she could.  The full lean was encumbered by what was coming out of her.

            Fiona spoke first.  She seemed breathless and there was a strange echoing quality to her voice.  “You’re alive… How?”  She tried to take a deep breath.  “I saw him…  you… disappeared… rift.”

            “I don’t understand,” Madeleine motioned at the red lyrium that was coming out of Fiona and at the cell.  “What happened to you?”

            “Red lyrium,” Fiona confirmed.  “It’s… a disease.  The longer you’re near it… eventually, you become this.  Then they mine your corpse for more.”

            “Can you tell us the date?”  Dorian seemed to have very little empathy for the elven enchantress’ plight.  “It’s very important,” he added.

            “Harvestmere 942 Dragon,” Fiona informed him.

            “942!”  Dorian’s voice held alarm.  “Then we’ve missed an entire year.”

            Madeleine had been hoping it was more than a year.  Redcliffe Castle had gone downhill rather fast in that one year.  “And I missed everything,” she tsked.  “Fiona, we need to somehow go back to the time when Alexius activated that rift.  We have barely arrived from that time.  We need to fix this.”

            “Please, stop this from happening,” Fiona begged.  “Alexius served the Elder One… more powerful than the Maker.  No one challenges him and lives.”

            “Then just call me no one,” Madeleine was not going to let this Elder One win.  She would save Thedas, if it was the last thing she did.  Abyss, if she failed, failing would be the last think she did.  “I still trust in the power of The Maker and His Bride, they’ve brought me back from the dead, and I trust in the path they’ve set me on.  I promise, I will do everything in my power to set this right.”

            “Our only hope is to find the amulet Alexius used to send us here,” Dorian declared.  “If it still exists, I can use it to reopen the rift at the exact spot we left.  Maybe.”

            “Good,” Fiona sighed.

            “I said maybe,” Dorian pointed out.  “It could also turn us into paste.”

            “If only you had arrived a few days ago,” Fiona bemoaned.  “Still, you must try to fight the Elder One.  Your spy master, Leliana, she’s here.  Find her, I hope she yet lives.  Quickly, before the Elder One learns you are still here.  I could hear his demons arrive; you must get her out… you must get everyone you can out before…”  She laid her head against the wall.  “Go, save Thedas, save what you can.”

            They went.

Chapter Text

“I feel bad about leaving Fiona back there,” Madeleine Trevelyan looked back at the cells they’d left, as she and Dorian continued deeper into Redcliffe castle.

            “We’ll save her by going back and making sure this future never happens,” Dorian assured her.

            A scream reverberated from above them.

            “I’m not sure that’s going to be as easy as you think it is,” Madeleine had a bad feeling.  Had Fiona said something about a demon army?

            They moved back up the stairs and heard the third catwalk drawbridge drop.  Then they heard screaming.

            “Well, that can’t be good,” Dorian cheerfully commented.  “Shall we see what is going on.”

            “I have a feeling we will have to,” Madeleine responded.  “I’m pretty sure that’s where Leliana is.”

            “There have been few dull moments with you, Maddie,” Dorian pointed out.  “Let’s try to find some.”

            It took her a moment to realize he meant that he wanted to find some dull moments.  That sounded good to her.

            The pair ran out onto the catwalk, to see a pair of dead Venatori and a rage demon.

            “Well, shit,” Dorian sighed dramatically.

            Madeleine shot an ice bolt at the rage demon.  The things were made of fire and ice seemed to be the best weapon against them.  Sure enough, the thing slowed and froze for a moment.  She shot a second bolt and then set a mine.  She was going to run low on mana soon.  She would have to loot more of the dead Venatori.  The mages would be been carrying lyrium, she hoped.  They were from Tevinter, so some of them had to be mages.

            Dorian threw a fireball from beside her and the demon blew up.  “While that was bracing.  I wonder how many more are around here.”

            “Possibly an army,” Madeleine grumbled.  “Let’s keeps going.”

            A few minutes later they found more occupied cells.  Some had familiar faces.

            “What is this supposed to be?”  Vivienne had an unhealthy red glow about her.  “A pretend rescue to gain my trust?  Do you think I’d fall for that?”

            “Someone’s obviously been smuggling in cleaning products and a change of clothes,” Madeleine observed.  “Your outfit is looking awfully white for being in a dungeon.  Wouldn’t most people fall for getting rescued?”  Madeleine looked to Dorian for his opinion.”

            “I would,” Dorian admitted.  Then he looked at Vivienne.  “It’s no trick Vivienne.  It’s me, Dorian, I’ve come to rescue you.”  He struck a pose.

            Vivienne talked to Madeleine, rather than Dorian.  “You were obliterated.  I was there.  You can drop this pathetic ruse.”

            “If your enemies were going to make you see someone, why would they make you see me?”  Madeleine challenged.

            “Good point,” Vivienne conceded.  “Get me out of here.”

            “Alexius accidentally sent us through time,” Dorian added.

            He sent you to this time?”  Vivienne scoffed.  “Was that meant to be a fate worse than death?”

            Madeleine unlocked the cell door.  “You’ve looked better.”

            “It’s the red lyrium, Darling,” Vivienne explained, as she stepped out of her prison.  “It’s killing me.”  She looked back at Madeleine.  “Don’t worry your pretty head about it.  Since you disappeared in the throne room, do you know what’s happened?  The Venatori assassinated Empress Celine.  In the chaos that followed, they invaded Orlais.  Their army wasn’t just mages, but demons, horrible demons.  Their Elder One ascended.  There is nothing left.”

            “At least you’re still alive,” Madeleine pointed out the bright side.

            “Not for long,” Vivienne assured her.

            “There has to be a way to go back and stop this from happening,” Madeleine was determined.

            “Must there?  I think you might be expecting a bit much from the Maker there, My Dear,” Vivienne scoffed.  “Perhaps if you’d arrived a few days ago.”   She sighed.  “Still, lead on.  Anywhere is better than this place.”

            In the next set of cells, another familiar face emerged.

            “Andraste have mercy!”  Blackwall gasped; his glowing red eyes wide.  “You shouldn’t be here.”  His face fell.  “The dead should rest in peace.”

            Madeleine stepped forward and grasped the bars of his cage.  “It’s really, me, and I definitely not dead, Blackwall.”  She pointed to her chest.  “See, I’m breathing.”

            “I was there!”  The breathing didn’t convince him.  “I saw you fall!  Alexius’ spell left nothing but ash.”

            “There was no ash,” she protested.  “You can obviously see that I am not ash!”

            “You skipped over too much,” Dorian reprimanded Madeleine.  “Look at the poor man.”  He turned to Blackwall and spoke gently.  “Alexius’ spell didn’t kill us… it sent us forward in time.  That’s how we survived.”

            Madeleine unlocked the cage.  “Dorian really likes explaining this.”

            Blackwall stepped out.  “Forward in time?  I don’t understand.”

            “Help me fight Alexius and we can go back in time and we can stop all of this before it happens,” Madeliene pleaded.

            “Maybe I’ve just gone mad,” Blackwall decided.  “If what you say is true… this everything I’ve been through… could have just been a mistake, if only Alexius had sent you to a few days ago.”

            “I should have been here,” Madeleine bemoaned.  “But we’ll set things right… what do you mean by a few days ago?”

            “What he means, My Dear, is that The Elder One’s army showed up a few days ago,” Vivienne informed her.  “I’m not sure if Alexius is still alive.  There were a lot of screams and I don’t believe they came just from prisoners.”

            “Demon army?”  Madeleine was really disliking the sound of that.

            “I’d like to make Alexius pay for his crimes,” Blackwall declared.  “If he’s not dead yet, he will be.  Well, if anyone can get us past the demon army, you can, Maddie.  Lead the way.”

Chapter Text

Madeleine led her small team back up a set of stairs.  “Fiona said that Leliana is here somewhere.”

            “How did she get herself captured?”  Vivienne tsked.  “I would have thought her better than to allow the Venatori to nab her.”

            “She was probably coming in to save us,” Blackwall pointed out.  He tripped and looked down at the dead body at his feet.  “Has anyone else noticed that the number of dead bodies seems to be increasing?”

            “They appear to have been torn apart,” Dorian observed.  “Not a pleasant way to go.”

            “Have you noticed that many of them are Venatori, Dear?”  Vivienne asked.  “The demon army has arrived.  You were too late.”

            “We can fix this,” Dorian insisted.

            Madeleine slowly approached another door.

            “Ah, the torture chambers,” Blackwall nodded.  “I’ve only had a couple trips to this area, but I remember it well.”

            “Yes, Alexius’ torturers do leave an impression,” Vivienne agreed.

            Madeleine slowly opened the door.  She quietly crept through the halls.  There was a door on her right.  She tentatively opened it, ready to fight the Venatori.  Everyone in the room was dead.  There were two Venatori, who had literally been torn apart.  There was also the body of a reverend mother.  Beside the reverend mother was a message written in blood.

            I will never deny my Maker.

            “I think I’m going to be sick.”  Dorian brought out a handkerchief and brought it to his mouth.

            “She never denied her faith.”  Madeleine was impressed by that.

            “I hope I can be so brave when it’s my time,” Blackwall knelt by the woman and closed her eyes.

            “She is with her Maker now,” Vivienne assured them.  “We must continue on and save Leliana.”

            Madeleine nodded.  “Let’s go.”

            They continued down the hall.  There were doors in the rest of the section.  Then they rounded a corner and there was one right in front of them.  There was also one to Madeleine’s left.

            She wasn’t sure which one to try first, then she heard singing.  She knew that voice.

            The tale of the love lost to the stars

            Is that of triumph and scars

            She was brave and fierce

            His heart she did pierce

            He’d made vows when small

            But then he lost it all

            He found her and knew at that moment

            She would become his one attachment

            Madeleine followed the singing.  She found a room full of dead bodies and Leliana sitting in the middle, singing.  Leliana looked the worst for wear.  She seemed to have aged decades and her skin was rough and patchy.  Still, she was alive. 

Madeleine examined the room for a moment and then turned back to the Inquisition’s spymaster.  “I didn’t know you could sing.”

“I used to do it all the time,” Leliana assured her as she slowly stood.  “You’re alive!”

“Who killed all these Venatori?”  Dorian demanded to know.

“I did,” Leliana’s voice was hard.

“Come, you’re safe now,” Madeleine declared.

“If you came back from the dead to help us, you’ll need to do better than safe,” Leliana insisted.  “Nowhere in this castle is safe.  I doubt any place in Thedas is safe any longer.  You needed to rescue me two days ago, before the demon army arrived.”

“If we get to Alexius…”  Dorian began.

“You’ll what?”  Leliana challenged.  “You’ll find all of his pieces and burn him?  Alexius is dead.  The demons slaughtered half the Venatori and then Alexius and… Felix.”  The way she said Felix’s name made Madeleine wonder if there was more to his death than Leliana was willing to say.

“He had an amulet…”  Dorian began.

“Anything that belonged to Alexius, that survived, was taken to his Elder One,” Leliana coldly informed him.  “So, if you want it, you would have to go to Kirkwall.”

“Kirkwall?”  Dorian shuddered.

“It’s the Elder One’s base of operation now,” Leliana coolly informed him.  “He took over the Free Marches, he conquered all of Thedas.”

“Well, shit,” Madeleine cursed.

“Could it be anywhere in this castle?”  Dorian refused to give up hope.

“He would have kept it in his office,” Vivienne pointed out.

“He kept it on his person,” Leliana countered.  “There is no way the Elder One would have left it in the office, he’s no fool.  Someone may have found it and figure out how to use it.  If you want it, you need to go to Kirkwall and fight the Elder One for it.”

“Then our path is set,” Dorian declared.

Leliana laughed.  “Only if you want to die horribly.”

“What have we missed while in prison, Darling?”  Viviene demanded to know.

“The demon army arrived a few days ago,” Leliana reported.  “They killed Alexius, and what had once been Felix, and took anything of importance to The Elder One.  The Venatori are still in charge of the castle, but the army could easily still be here.  That’s why we need to get out while we can.”

“What about Felix?”  Fear filled Dorian’s voice.

“He…”  Leliana’s jaw firmed.  “He’s no longer suffering.  Let’s go.”  She turned and began quickly searching the room.  Her eyes landed on a nearby chest.  Easily picking the lock, she opened the chest and produced an exquisite recurve bow and arrows.

“Do you know how to fight?”  Dorian’s voice held surprise.

            Madeleine closed her eyes for a moment, reminding herself that Dorian barely knew Leliana.

            “No,” sarcasm dripped for Leliana’s voice.  “I helped defeat the Fifth Blight with my charm and a song or two.”  She threw open the door and led them away from the torture chambers.

            The red lyrium on the walls grew denser as they climbed out of the dungeons.  They made it to the catwalks.  They were all now down.  There were bodies of Venatori laying around.

            “What happened here?”  Blackwall looked around; his voice was bleak.

            “There are scorch marks,” Dorian observed.  “They were fighting demons.”

            “Then the demon army is still here,” Liliana concluded.  “We need to leave.”

            “We need that amulet,” Dorian insisted.

            “If it still exists, it’s no longer in Redcliffe,” Liliana was exasperated.  “It would be in Kirkwall.  If you wanted to fight Alexius for it, you should have shown up days ago.  You. Are. Too. Late.”

            “How do you propose getting out of here?”  Blackwall wanted to know.  “I suspect the demon army would be on us in minutes if we tried to go through the front gates.”

            “We’ll try by water,” Leliana suggested.

            “Wasn’t there a secret family tunnel?”  Madeleine reminded her.  “Could we try that?”

            Leliana considered for a moment.  “It will take us into the ruins of Old Redcliffe, that might work.  We’d have to go through the main hall, but it might be worth taking our chances.  Be careful.”  She led them further into the castle.

Chapter Text

The bleeding red lyrium motif continued, and increased, as Leliana led Madeleine and her friends deeper into Redcliffe castle.

            They encountered a handful of Venatori, but they easily destroyed them.  They weren’t putting up much of a fight.  At first, Madeleine thought they were just so despondent about the world they created that they had secretly wanted to die.  Then she found evidence that they truly believed their Elder One was a god.  They must have thought he would protect them.  They had a lot to learn about gods, especially false ones.

            Madeleine had found a diary in one of the rooms.  The writer had praised the Elder One, claiming he’d destroyed the Maker and was now The One True God.  “I hope I killed whoever wrote this and I hope it hurt.”

            Leliana looked at the entry.  “The Elder One is more attentive to his followers than The Maker ever was to us.”

            Leliana’s declaration shocked Madeleine.  It wasn’t the first time she had seen the former Divine’s Left-Hand waver, but it was always disconcerting. 

            Madeleine waved around the area.  “I think Thedas did better under The Maker.”

            “The Maker abandoned us, Darling,” Vivienne marched ahead.

            It was a day for shocks.  Vivienne’s devotion to the Chantry was well known, as well.

            The next shock occurred when Madeleine stepped into the courtyard.  There was no blue sky, nor were birds singing.  There was also not a cloud visible.

            The sky was green.  The rift was everywhere.  “Well, shit.”

            “The rift now fills every sky in Thedas,” Blackwall declared.

            “Then we must find a way back and make sure this never happens,” Dorian insisted.

            “Have you not been listening to me!”  Leliana stepped up so they were practically nose to nose.  “Your precious amulet is gone.  If it still exists, it’s in Kirkwall!  No one goes into Kirkwall and comes back out.  No one!  Alexius was ripped apart by a demon army and that army occupies this castle.  We need to find a way out, if you want to live at all!  There is no going back.”

            Dorian blinked at her for several moments.  “I’m going back.”

            “Then you’d better figure out how to make a new amulet, Darling,” Vivienne laughed.  “You’ll die here, just as we will.”

            Madeleine tried to ignore her companions.  She had a bigger problem.  Rifts, many rifts.  She might not be able to find a way back, but there was something she could do.  One of the rifts swirled about her and began dumping out demons.  That stopped the fighting amongst her friends.  She captured a terror demon in a lightning cage and then set an ice mine under her, so nothing could sneak up on her. 

            Behind her, the other fought the second terror that had come through, along with two despair demons.  She didn’t think this was part of the army that she’d been told about.  These had just come through. 

            Madeleine lifted her left hand and fed the power of The Anchor into the rift.  Then she pulled back, stitching the hole in the Veil closed.

            “It’s nice to have you back,” Blackwall told her.  “One rift is down and there are a billion to go.”

            Madeleine glance up at the sky.  “Is that the rift that’s over The Temple of Sacred Ashes?”

            “It is,” Leliana confirmed.

            “But Corypheus didn’t set up his base there?”  Madeleine wondered why not.

            “No,” Leliana assured her.  “Something there disturbs him and his Venatori.”

            Madeleine wondered if they should find out what was disturbing them and use it against them.  She’d only traveled halfway through the courtyard when she encountered another rift.  This time she froze the terror and caught a rage demon in a lighting cage before lifting her hand to the rift.

            “Just how bad are things here?”  Dorian demanded to know as he laid fire mines under the demons.

            “They’re bad, very bad,” Blackwall assured him.  “These are new demons, just coming out of the Fade.”

            “There’s an entire army that’s been here for a year,” Leliana added.  “They’re presently in this castle.  Do you see now why we need to get out?”

            Madeleine closed the rift.  “I’m sorry, Dorian, but Leliana is right.  “If the amulet is somehow in this castle still, we’re going to need help getting it.  If it’s in Kirkwall, we’ll need a way in there.”

            “What makes you believe there’s help out there?”  Leliana challenged.

            “Hope,” Madeleine answered.  “Hope is what makes me believe.  It looks like that might be all we have right now.”  She continued into the castle.

            As they entered back into the castle, they went down a set of stairs.  Madeleine could smell water.  She knew that Redcliffe sat on Lake Calenhad.

            “Are we nearing the Lake?”  She hoped there was a way to slip out of the castle here.

            “This is where ships dock for personal deliveries to the castle,” Leliana revealed.

            “Could we find a working ship to undeliver ourselves from the castle?”  Madeleine suggested.

            “I…”  Leliana began.

            “Hush,” Blackwall hissed.

            “I… I don’t want to…”  Someone was pleading.

            “The Elder One needs more soldiers,” another voice responded.

            Madeleine crept forward.  She knew that voice.  It was a mage who had been locked in Ostwick’s Mage Circle with her.  She couldn’t remember the woman’s name, though.  They’d rarely talked.  Frankly, Madeleine thought the other mage was rather a bitch. 

            She watched as she used magic to force another mage to become an abomination.  Yep, she was a bitch alright.  Madeleine was going to kill her a lot.  She moved down just enough to trap the other mage in a lightning case and then throw a bolt of lightning at the abomination.

            By the time she’d thrown the bolt of lightning, the abomination had three arrows in its neck.  Then Dorian set it on fire.

            “We need to find a boat and get out of here,” Madeleine had already begun looking around.

            “We need to find out what happened to Felix,” Dorian argued.

            “You don’t want to know what happened to Felix,” Leliana insisted.

            Dorian whirled on her.  “I don’t know if you’ve ever had a friend, but…”

            “If you want a boat, we brought one,” a welcome voice interrupted.

            Varric Tethras stood before them; Bianca drawn. “Come with me if you want to live.”

            Madeleine went with him.

Chapter Text

Madeleine watched Redcliffe castle shrink into the distance from near the stern of the ship that a dark-haired woman in scanty white clothes and a white kerchief navigated easily across the lake.

            “This can’t be,” Sera vigorously shook her head, while staring wide eyed at Madeleine.  “The dead are supposed to stay dead.  You should be resting in peace, at the Maker’s side.”

            “I’m not dead,” Madeleine riveted her gaze to her friend.

            “We never died,” Dorian interjected.  “We were sent into the future.”

            “The strangest things happen to you,” Varric commented.

            “You noticed that too, huh?”  Madeleine was glad to see her friends.

            “If you didn’t know we reappeared, why were you at Redcliffe castle?”  Dorian wanted to know.

            “We went to save Lady Nightingale,” the captain of the ship informed him.  “That’s why we brought Bull and the Chargers.”  She indicated The Iron Bull and his boys.

            There were a lot more Chargers than Madeleine remembered and many more of them were Qunari.  “Where…”  Madeleine began, but she stopped when Bull rushed to her, like a charging… well… bull and pulled her into a hug.

            “It’s so good to see you, Boss,” he continued to hold on.  “After we loss you… well, I wish we’d had time to mourn, but…”

            “Thedas went to the Abyss in an applecart,” Krem filled in as he joined them.  “It was a rotten applecart at that.”

            “So, I see,” Madeleine agreed.  “From what little I learned in Redcliffe, all of Ferelden and Orlais are…”

            “All of Thedas,” Krem cut her off.  “It’s all horrible.  The Elder One conquered Thedas and his demons left ruin in their tracks.”

            “That’s why we’re here,” another Qunari approached.  “I’m Olga Dragonsdagger, a former Tal Vashoth.  Many of our companions were part of the Qun, though.  The Elder One is so loving, he brought the Tal Vashoth and Qun together and we should thank him for ending our hostilities for each other… by giving us a more worthy target for our ire.”

            “The Qun is gone, Boss,” The Iron Bull looked heartbroken.  “They… not a single one of them would bend the knee to the Elder One and his Venatori.  The Arishok was killed.  As far as we know, the Tamassrans were killed, with all of their charges.  They died protecting their charges, and then the demons killed the children they were trying to keep safe.”

            “The Elder One saw the Qun as invaders who had stolen Tevinter Land and the cause of the Fall of the Imperium,” Olga revealed.  “All those babies dead.”

            “But…”  Madeleine began.  “That’s a bit insulting to all the South did to gain our freedom.”

            “The South are still barbarian tribes, rattling spears, as far as the Elder One is concerned,” Leliana spoke up.

            “You look like shit, Nightingale,” Varric commented.  “What happened.”

            “You really don’t want to know,” Leliana assured him.  “I’ll let you sit in when I report to The Council, though.”

            “We’ll meet with them as soon as we have the healers look at all of you,” Varric nodded.

            “It’s too late for some of us,” Blackwall bemoaned.  “Let the healers conserve their strength.  They have enough to deal with.”

            “There’s no reason for that defeatist attitude, Hero…”  The captain began.

            “He’s right,” Vivienne cut her off.

            The captain glanced back at her.  “If you want to die, that’s your decision.  I’m just going to get you to our docks near Haven.”

Chapter Text

Haven looked the worst for wear when Madeleine saw it.  The captain had let them off near the base of the Frostback Mountains.  They had traveled by horseback for a day, moving carefully, the former Tal Vashoth scouting ahead to look out for Venatori and demons.

            “It was the Red Templars who first attacked Haven,” Varric informed Madeleine as they carefully moved through the mountains.  “They were accompanied by many of the Free Mages.  Both groups had obviously already ingested red lyrium.  I saw what it did to Meredith, but… this was even worse.  The stuff was jutting out of their bodies and… they no longer knew who they were.”

            “We lost so many that day,” Leliana’s voice cracked.  “I…”  She shook her head.

            “We’ve lost many since that day, as well,” The Iron Bull added.  “Varric’s right, it was the beginning of the end.  They killed a boy outside of the gates, he’d come to warn us of the attack.  I lost Rocky and Stitches.”

            “We lost Josie,” Leliana’s voice was still shaky.  “Our workers were the first to jump to arms, but Josie wasn’t far behind.  She shouted that you would be avenged and took out three Red Templars before they… tore her apart.”

            Blackwall grimaced.  “I’d heard about that in prison.  I wish I’d been there to protect her.”

            “What about… Cullen?”  Madeleine found herself fearing more for her Commander than she realized she could.  She could see him being torn apart too in her mind’s eye and part of her rebelled against even forming the image.

            “He…”  Varric took a deep breath.  He glanced at Leliana.  “He hasn’t gotten any better, Nightingale.”

            Was there something between Cullen and Leliana?  Madeleine supposed she shouldn’t be surprised.  Yet she felt her chest tighten at the thought.  What did Varric mean by any better?  At least that meant he couldn’t be dead, if he were dead, he couldn’t get any better.

            “He…”  The Iron Bull Began.

            “Even those of us imprisoned in Redcliffe Castle heard much about what happened to the Commander,” Blackwall spoke up.  “He was determined to find you, Maddie.  Then he was determined to avenge you.”

            “He was determined to save Thedas and then avenge it,” Leliana corrected him.

            “That’s not how we heard, darling,” Vivienne countered her.  “Even the Venatori thought it was something more personal.  That much rage and determination are not inspired by the unknown masses.”

            “He was captured… tortured, I know that,” Blackwall added.  “But then he escaped.”

            “We managed to rescue him,” Sera revealed.

            “You didn’t decide to come and save the rest of us?”  Vivienne raised an elegant brow.

            “We would have gotten you out if we could,” The Iron Bull assured them.  “I didn’t like leaving anyone behind.  There was an opportunity and we took it.  Cullen was being transferred to Kirkwall, so Samson could gloat over him, before the process of making him a Red Templar was finished.”

            “What’s a Red Templar?”  Madeleine hadn’t heard about any of them.

            “Most of them are dead now,” Bull sighed.  “They were Templars who were forced to ingest Red Lyrium.  The result wasn’t pretty.  We… we’ve tried to save those we can, but… have not yet been successful.”

            “It doesn’t help that The Coryshit decided that he didn’t need them anymore and let his demons eat them,” Sera added.

            “Who’s Coryshit?”  Madeleine wondered.

            “It will be easier to explain that once we’re back with Boss Lady,” Varric assured her.

            Madeleine began to object, but then she saw that they were moving past the Chantry of Haven and she realized that something big had to have hit it.  The entire city was in ruins, but the remains of the chantry building struck her the most.  “What happened here?”

            “We were attacked,” Bull growled.  “We lost.”

            “And they melted parts of your chantry?”  Dorian had noticed the excessive damage as well.

            “The Elder One’s dragon did,” Leliana’s chin lifted and unshed tears glistened in her eyes.  “He decided that we’d become too much of a thorn in his side and he decided to squash us.  You’d disappeared, he’d had Empress Celine assassinated, and was closing in on Denerim.  King Alistair was heavily injured and most of his army had died trying to retake Redcliffe.  We stepped in to save Ferelden and The Elder One decided he’d had enough and destroyed Haven and the Inquisition.  We were nothing more than ants under his boot.”

            “Luckily, a small group rode in during the battle and saved many lives,” Varric added.  “It’s why we still have Nightingale.”

            “She didn’t… Haw…”  Leliana let out an exasperated sigh.  “You’ll see, Maddie.”

            Madeleine was surprised when they moved past the remains of the chantry.  They continued past the walls; she’d tried going past those walls once and couldn’t find a way.  Now there was a big hole in them.

            They continued further up, almost as if returning to the Temple of Andraste.  Then they turned and she noticed a door obscured by shrubbery.  A pair of sentinels stood in front of them.

            One of the sentinels stepped forward.  “Welcome back.”

            The other sentinel gasped.  “Isn’t that…  no one is going to believe this.”

Chapter Text

Madeleine was taken into the mountains.  There was an intricate tunnel system with living spaces in it.  She turned to Leliana.  “You did all of this?”

            “No,” Leliana let out a long breath.  Most of this was left from a cult that worshiped a dragon and swore it was Andraste reincarnated.  “The Chantry wiped out those the Hero of Ferelden left, after the Fifth Blight.”

            “Why?”  Madeleine knew the Chantry was a bit fanatical, but wiping out an entire religion seemed… extreme.

            “They were committing human sacrifice.”  Leliana obviously though that was enough of a reason.

            Madeleine didn’t agree.  “Were they put on trial for the murders?  This is in Ferelden; King Alistair would have overseen the trials.”

            “The Chantry took care of matters,” Leliana insisted.

            “The Chantry is fond of Exalted Marching,” a new voice interrupted.  “This was just another incident of their… zealousness.”

            Madeleine realized that she was now standing in a large room that hosted the remains of the Inquisition’s war table.  It was charred, but obviously still functioning.  Two women stood behind it one had dark hair, almost as dark as a raven wing and bright blue eyes.  The other’s hair was a bright ginger and tied back in intricate braids.  They both studied her.

            “Those people tried to kill me, but I agree that it was not the Chantry’s place to… punish… them.  Alistair and I did protest their actions.”

            “Did that do anything, Elora?”  The first woman asked.

            “Besides putting us at odds with the local Grand Cleric?”  Elora thought.  “There was a strongly worded letter.”

            “You took down an archdemon and you just wrote a strongly worded letter?”  The first woman demanded to know.

            “One of my companions…”  Elora stopped and her eyes widened as she looked past Madeleine.  “Leliana?”  She practically jumped over the table and embraced the former Left Hand of the Divine.  “You look terrible.  I’m so glad to see you!  I was so worried.”

            “You should have been, Dancer,” Varric assured her.

            “Redcliffe castle is no Orlesian Spa, El,” Leliana assured her friend.  “I did find a little miracle while there, though.”  She turned and held out a hand for Madeleine.  “Elora Cousland-Theirin, I’d like you to meet Madeleine Trevelyan: The Herald of Andraste.”

            “Andraste and her Maker have abandoned us,” an elf standing beside the woman Varric had addressed as Waffles declared.

            “Broody, we’ve…”  Varric began.

            “The mages were held captive for a thousand years and the moment we gained our freedom, we were sacrificed to the Elder One,” a blonde man in mage robes stepped forward.  “Yet we have never lost faith in The Maker or Andraste.  You might want to emulate our wonderful example.  Have faith.”

            “Blondie became suddenly devout after… well, after what happened to his people,” Varric explained to Madeleine.  “Of course, the same happened to the Templars.  It proved the Maker didn’t favor them.”

            “Or that the Elder One hated both equally,” Cassandra countered.

            “You really are The Herald of Andraste?”  The woman Varric called Waffles studied her.

            “She is, Hawke,” Cassandra confirmed.  “Somehow she has returned from the dead.”

            “We never died!”  Dorian’s exasperation was showing in his voice.  “Let me tell you what happened.”

            Madeleine found a comfortable chair while Dorian told their story.

            “If there was a Maker, you would have arrived a week earlier,” The Broody Elf declared.  “He wouldn’t have sent a Magister to save us, either.”

            “I am not a Magistrate, you Uncultured Heathen!”  Dorian bristled.

            Madeleine closed her eyes and groaned.

            “What did you call me?”  The elf began to actually glow.

            Madeleine realized that lyrium had somehow been tattooed into the elf’s skin.

            “He called you uncultured and a heathen,” the blonde mage replied.  “He’s correct on both accounts, Fenris, and you know it.”

            “I’m not the one who blew up a chantry, don’t forget that we all know what you did,” the elf, Fenris, pointed out.

            That got Madeleine’s attention.  “Are you Anders?  The Anders?  The Champion of the Imprisoned Circle Mage?  I’m a great admirer of yours.  We heard about what you did in Ostwick.  We’d heard of you before, as well.  You stuck it to the Templars and Chantry.  Many of us who had been locked up in those towers just wish we’d had your courage.  How many times did you escape before you became a Grey Warden?  How many mages did you help free?”

            “Madeleine,” Cassandra hissed at her.

            “Sorry,” Madeleine blanched.  “Cassandra gets rather… upset… when I talk about my views on the Mage-Templar war.  How did that go while we were traveling through time, by the way?”

            “They lost,” the woman Varric called Waffles explained.  “They were both lured into traps set by Corypheus, that would be the creature everyone keeps calling The Elder One, by the way.  I regret that I may partially responsible for his victory.”

            “You weren’t, Hawke,” Varric’s voice was firm.

            “Hawke?  You’re Aiah Hawke?”  Madeleine was impressed.  She’d read The Tale of the Champion, which Varric had written.  She’d also heard whispers of the woman while in Ostwick Tower.”

            “I am,” Hawke confirmed.  “I first encountered Corypheus yeas before the Mage-Templar War began.  “I am the one who freed him from a Grey Warden prison.”

            “Corypheus had managed to get a Carta, an entire Carta Clan, under his control,” Varric explained.  “I knew their leader.  He was… well, he was always an asshole.  When I encountered him in the Grey Warden prison, he was a raving lunatic… and more of an asshole.  The Carta had attacked Carver, Hawke’s brother, and Hawke in their own homes.  I thought they were trying to kill them, but it turns out they wanted their blood and preferred to keep them alive so they could spill it at the opportune time.”

            “They broke into a Grey Warden Keep and tried to abduct one of the Wardens?”  This surprised Madeleine.

            “A group of mages had succeeded in doing it before,” Elora confided.  “Boy, the Wardens were embarrassed after that.  Then when it happened again… they were like a sheepdog who’d been caught dating a wolf.  At least this time, they repelled the Carta.  I remember Oghren going on and on about how shameful it would be to be kidnapped by Surface Dwellers.”  She smiled at the memory, but then the smile faltered.  “He sometimes forgot that he was a Surface Dweller.  He even died defending Orzammar from Corypheus’ demon army.  They let anyone willing to fight to return to the city.”

            “They even asked me,” Varric admitted.  “I don’t think they liked my response.”

            “It would have made even the randiest pirate’s ears turn red,” Cassandra assured him.

            “No, Isabela’s ears didn’t turn red,” Hawke insisted. “She even helped him write it.”

            “Corypheus took over Orzammar?”  Madeleine’s stomach dropped.  That was horrid news.

            “No,” Varric gave a little smile.  “They managed to defend themselves.  It didn’t hurt that The Hero of Ferelden had recently reappeared and brought those Grey Wardens she could find.  She was looking for her king at the time, but she’s the one who put Bhelen on his throne and she went when he convinced Dagna to get word to her for help.”

            “Who is Dagna, and how did she know where the Hero was?” Madeleine was curious.

            “I knew,” Leliana spoke up.  “Dagna knew I would know.”

            “O.K…. who’s Dagna?”  Madeleine didn’t believe she’d met the woman.

            “She’s my honeybee,” Sera spoke up.  “She came to Haven when the Free Mages were made red zombies by Coryshit.”

            “Dagna is a dwarf who studied magic,” Elora added. “I met her in Orzammar and helped her get to Kinloch hold during the Blight. She wanted to study magic, who was I to say no?”

            “Oh,” Madeleine just nodded.  She imagined she’d be meeting a lot of new people in the near future.  “Did she ever find her king?”

            “I did,” Elora spoke up.  “He… he’d tried to step down and by the time I returned to Ferelden… Denerim was under occupation.  Belen’s call ended up being a bit of a blessing, and not just because we were able to save the dwarfs.  The demons had been released into the Deep Roads, presumably to kill the last of the Old Gods, or so Stroud told me when the message arrived.  Dagna went to Leliana and Leliana told Stroud who to find me.”

            “Who’s Stroud?”  Madeleine needed more backstory. 

            “He was a Grey Warden friend of mine,” Hawke spoke up.  “Unfortunately, Corypheus had also corrupted the Orlesian Grey Wardens and he’d come to me for help.”

            “Luckily, I had many of the Ferelden Wardens with me,” Elora grimaced.  “Not that we had nearly the number that Orlais had.  We… the Fifth Blight, and some political ambitions, left us having to rebuild ten years ago.  Still, it was enough to help the dwarfs, who were used to fighting darkspawn and had some warning of the demons when the Legion of the Dead arrived.”

            “I’m sure that was a shock,” Varric chuckled.  “The Legion of the Dead aren’t allowed in Orzammar.”

            “It’s amazing how portents of doom can get exiles overturned,” Elora agreed.  “Bhelen sent the head of the Legion, Kardol, to find me.”

            “What were they going to do to him for going to the surface, exile him again,” Hawke gave a snort. 

            “As far as they were concerned, he was already dead,” Varric shrugged and found a seat.

            “What does that have to do with Stroud,” Madeleine was curious about Orzammar, but wasn’t sure her initial question had been answered.

            “Kardol found him first,” Elora explained.  “We managed to save Orzammar.”

            “Of all the places to save,” Varric grumbled.

            “It’s the last bastion of freedom in Thedas now,” Elora reminded him.

            “Because it has no sky to spit out demons,” Varric countered.  “Blasted Deep Roads.”

            “What about the demon army that was sent down there?”  Madeleine was still worried about that.

            “They lost a lot of members to darkspawn,” Elora assured her.  “Those Ogres are tough, not to mention Emissaries.”  She shuddered at the memory of facing the Emissaries.  “The Legion of Dead and the Shield of Aeducan, a legion Bhelen started, have been going through and cleansing the Deep Roads.”

            “Every other kingdom has fallen,” Hawke added.

            Elora grimaced at that.

            “The rifts run throughout the land, Miracle,” Varric added.  “The skies are full of them.  Bull and his Elite Chargers have been doing what they can to try and free Thedas from Corypheus, but as long as those rifts are there, it is a losing battle.  Even Bhelen’s success cannot last forever, if they aren’t closed.”

            “Did you just change my nickname?”  Madeleine caught that fact immediately.

            “I’ve decided that you should have been Miracle all along,” Varric proclaimed.  “The Maker seems to have sent you back to us once again.  You are His miracle… and ours.”

            “No pressure,” Madeleine muttered.  She known what she’d have to do the moment she’d stepped into the courtyard in Redcliffe Castle and looked at the sky.

            “Oh, no, none.”  Sarcasm dripped from Hawke’s voice.  “I know it’s a lot to ask.”

            “No,” Madeleine sighed.  “I… no one else can… and we must try to save Thedas.  It’s why I signed up with the Inquisition to begin with.”

            “We’re grateful,” Cassandra assured her.  “It’s comforting, that you’ve kept your faith.”

            “It’s part of hope, isn’t it?”  Madeleine questioned.  “If we don’t have hope, we might as well roll on our bellies and let this Corypheus destroy us all.”

            “Hope’s a fool’s gambit,” Fenris grumbled.

            “A wise general once said ‘Hope is like the sun. If you only believe it when you see it, you'll never make it through the night’,” Madeleine informed him.  She had another thought; one she wasn’t sure she was happy about.  “You said that Josephine was killed.  I’d like to light a candle at a shrine for her.”

            “Of course, you do,” Cassandra nodded.  “I’ll take you to our little chapel.”

            “I’d also like to see Cullen,” she added.  “I would have thought he’d be behind any war table set up here.”

            “He…”  Leliana shook his head.

            “I’ll take you to see him, too,” Cassandra promised.  “Come.”  She led Madeleine out of the room.

Chapter Text

Cassandra led Madeleine to a small chamber.  She opened the door to reveal candles and a statue.  It was unlike any statue of Andraste that Madeleine had ever seen.  The statue’s hair blew in the wind and a mage’s stave was clutched in her hands.  She also seemed more determined, and less condescending, than Madeleine had ever seen a statue of the goddess.

            Madeleine’s gaze went to the stave in the statue’s hand.  “Andraste was a mage?”  She’d heard such whispers, but thought the Chantry would have squelched them.  The rumors had only existed in the Circles, as far as she knew. 

            “The cult that once dwelt in these caves claimed so,” Cassandra’s voice was matter-of-fact.

            “The cult?”  Madeleine repeated.

            “They believed that Andraste was reincarnated as a dragon,” a male voice answered.

            Only now did Madeleine realize that there was a man almost prostate before the statue.

            “I don’t know if you ever met King Alistair, Maddie,” Cassandra introduced the man.

            He didn’t look like a king.  His clothes were plain, but clean.  There were shadows under his eyes and his gaze reflected sorrow and despair.            He didn’t appear to be a valiant leader of men, one who had helped defeat an archdemon.

            “No, we never met,” Madeleine finally answered.  “I’m… glad to see you alive, Your Majesty.  Your help saving Thedas will be immeasurable.”

            The man slowly rose to his knees.  “I don’t know what help I could be.  I couldn’t even save my kingdom.  I failed in my duty to them and now they’re all dead.”

            “They aren’t all dead,” Cassandra gently rebuked him.

            “That’s only because Elora came home,” Alistair bemoaned.  “I… without her… I failed and my soldiers were lost because of it.”

            Cassandra made a little disgusted sound.  “It was a trap and you were injured.  Live with it.”

            “I do,” Alistair’s gaze remained on the statue.  “Every day.”

            “It’s too late for either of us to change what happened,” Madeleine declared.  She knew that Dorian clung to hope of finding a way back to the day they had been ripped from.  She did not, though.  The amulet was gone and she had to live in this new world.  She refused to surrender, though.  It wasn’t that she had nearly as much hope as she pretended to, it was that she didn’t see another option.  She wasn’t going to just let this Elder One win, not with everything he'd done to her.  She was going to go down fighting.  Plus, she had a goal.  “All we can do is fight to preserve what we have left and avenge what we lost.  My first step is to close the rifts.”

            Alistair shook his head.  “There are too many of them.”

            “Do you have a better plan?”  Madeleine pushed.  Were they supposed to just pray and wait for death?  That was… rather boring.  Plus, it would let the Elder One win too easily.  She had liked Josephine, and now she was dead.  Blackwall had quickly become a good friend and everyone told her that he did not have long to live.  Dammit, she was going to avenge them.

            “I…”  Alistair sighed.  “No.  What good is my help, though?”

            “Didn’t you once slay an archdemon?”  Madeleine was sure she hadn’t imagined that.

            “He did,” Cassandra confirmed.

            “Elora did the actual slaying,” Alistair admitted.  “I just helped.”

            “Then you can help now,” Madeleine insisted.  “I…”  She knew there was a reason she had come to the room.  Oh, yes, to pray.  “I’m going to pray now.  Pray that you get off your duff and help,” she grumbled the last part.

            “Pray for a miracle while you’re at it,” Alistair shot back.  “That’s what we’re going to need.”

            “We need fighters, those willing to fight for Thedas,” she countered.  “You can help or wallow.”  She knelt in front of the statue.

            Cassandra glanced at Alistair and then looked to Madeleine.  “You aren’t saying anything I haven’t heard Elora shout.  If she can’t get through to him, no one can.”

            “I’m still here,” Alistair reminded them. 

            “The Herald is right, you need to get off your knees and fight for the Maker,” Cassandra coolly informed him.

            Madeleine closed her eyes and began a silent prayer.  Maker knew she needed help.

Chapter Text

King Alistair was gone when Madeleine had finished praying.  Cassandra again explained that the poor man was suffering a strange guilt from surviving The Elder One’s conquest of Ferelden, when most of his soldiers had not.  Hell, most of his people, peasants up through nobles, had not.  Madeleine was not equipped to deal with such matters.  She just knew that she knew she needed all the help she could get and Thedas needed the former king to step up.

            “Ah, I see Heroine has taken her husband back to their room,” Varric walked into the little chapel.  “He’s usually in here.  I’m not sure if he’s praying or begging to Andraste.”  He glanced at the statue.  “Probably both.  I just wish he’d stop praying for forgiveness and start earning it.”

            “He went through a lot, Varric.”  While there was a trace of reprimand in Cassandra’s voice, it was gentler and forgiving. 

            Varric just nodded and then reached out to squeeze Cassandra’s hand.

            Madeleine’s eyebrows shot up at the gesture, but she said nothing.  The pair had obviously made progress in their relationship since Cassandra had taken him prisoner in Kirkwall and dragged him across The Waking Sea.

            “So, Miracle, I thought you might want to visit the infirmary,” Varric gave her a little smile.  “I think there are many weary souls that might be cheered by the return of Andraste’s Herald.  They need the spark of hope.”

            “That’s a great idea, Varric,” Cassandra agreed.  “I know of one or two patients who will be delighted to see Maddie.”

            “Sure,” Madeleine agreed.  She was anxious to get out into the field and to begin closing rifts.  She’d seen the sky and was anxious to return even a spark of blue to it.  Besides, she was no healer and had no idea what to do in an infirmary.  Still, she’d listen to Varric’s advice.  He had quickly become a friend when they first met, also being Cassandra’s prisoner.

            Varric nodded.  “Some of the injuries may shock you, brace yourself.”

            “It can’t be worse than what I saw after the destruction of The Temple of Sacred Ashes.”  Madeleine should have realized that she’d be wrong.  Leliana’s condition should have been a hint.

            Madeleine heard Leliana singing as she approached the room Varric had told her was the infirmary.  She was glad the spy master had gotten to the healers and hoped that they could help her with her skin… condition.

            Leliana did look a bit better; just a bit, Maker help her.  She presently held the hand of a man with a head full of golden curls.  His eyes were closed and red lines ran down his skin.  As she approached, she recognized the face under the red streaks.  It was Cullen Rutherford.  Madeleine looked to where Leliana clenched his hand and she felt bile rise.  She tried to tell herself it was due to Cullen’s condition, but she wasn’t sure that was true.

            “It’s just her,” Varric murmured to Madeleine.

            “What are you talking about Varric?”  Cassandra demanded to know.

            Madeleine wasn’t sure what he meant, she hoped, but couldn’t be sure.  She took a step forward, towards the Commander of the Inquisition; the former Templar who’d always been suspicious of mages.  “What happened to him?”

            “He was captured at the Battle of Kirkwall,” Varric explained.

            “He’d been lucky too many times,” Cassandra spoke up.  “We lost most of our forces, throwing them against the walls of Redcliffe.  He… he couldn’t accept that we’d lost you; he was trying to find a way to get you back.  He finally decided that someone close to the Elder One must know how to undo whatever Alexius had done to you and faced him directly.”

            “He also had a soft spot for Kirkwall,” Varric reminded her.  “He was once the Knight Commander there.  He didn’t want to let Corypheus have the city and… Hawke had called for help.  She blames herself for… this.”  He waved a hand at Cullen.

            “Cullen was forced to drink red lyrium before we could rescue him,” Leliana spoke up.  She smoothed one of the former commander’s curls. 

            “Anders has been overseeing him personally,” Varric added.  “I doubt he’d still be on this side of the veil if it weren’t for Blondie.”

            “He would be like the… others,” Cassandra agreed.

            Madeleine knew what they meant.  She’d seen Fiona.  She was worried that Blackwall and Vivienne would soon be like her.  Hell, Blackwall and Vivienne kept insisting that they were going to die.  She looked at Cassandra, hoping the Seeker would tell her that their friends were wrong.  “Vivienne and Blackwall think they’re going to die, they’re adamant about it.”

            “The likely will,” Cassandra assured her.  “Few have resisted as much exposure to red lyrium as they have.  Even less have lived as long afterwards as they have.”

            “Yet our brave commander hangs on,” Leliana smiled gently at him.

            “Blondie has something to do with that, Nightingale,” Varric assured her.

            “He’s still afraid Cullen won’t make it either, he rarely wakes and we fear the worst is coming,” Cassandra countered.

            Madeleine sat down on the bed next to Cullen, ignoring Leliana’s frown.  “He was trying to find me?”

            “We all were,” Leliana assured her, sounding as if Cullen’s concern was minor. 

            “Curly was determined to find a way to rescue you, he refused to give up hope,” Varric said.

            “Ma…”  The room stopped moving, every head turned to the sound of the voice.

            “Cullen?”  Madeleine leaned closer.

            “Maddie,” he softly answered.  His hand lifted and then fell down.

            Varric grabbed the closest person.  “Get Blondie!”

            “I’m here,” Madeleine took Cullen’s hand.

            His eyes fluttered open.  “You are…”  His hand weakly squeezed her.  “Have I died?  Are we at the side of The Maker?”

            “No, I…”  She hesitated and smiled gently.  “Dorian will be so disappointed that he doesn’t get to explain this.  We didn’t die, Alexius spell flung us into the future.  We just reemerged in Redcliffe a few days ago.  I’m alive, so are you.”

            “Hope.”  The word slipped from his lips before he closed his eyes again.

            “Cullen!”  She climbed further on the bed and leaned over him, afraid he’d gone and died on her.  “If you die, when I just returned…”

            “You’ll kill him yourself?”  Anders rushed in.  “I’ve threatened to do that more than once myself.”  He laid a hand on Cullen’s head and closed his own eyes.  “He’s still alive.  His breathing’s more even.  He’s just tired.  Let him sleep a bit.”

            “I’ll keep an eye on him,” Leliana assured them.

            Anders regarded her for a moment and then turned to Varric.

            Madeliene almost swore she’d heard Varric make a sound, by the dwarf looked innocent.

            “I think you should spend more time with the healers yourself,” Anders decided.

            “I will sit with him,” Madeleine assured Leliana.

            “Don’t you have war planning to do?”  Leliana challenged.  “We need you to help save Thedas.”

            “Which she will do,” Anders gently took Leliana’s arm.  “For now, let the woman rest.  She’s had a hard few days and I’d like to examine her before she goes back out.”  He led her into another room.

            “We do need to meet with the Resistance’s leaders again and plan our next move,” Cassandra gently reminded Madeleine.

            “Give her time to rest, Seeker,” Varric urged.  “She needs to acclimate.  Besides, Anders is probably going to request she go out and find elfroot.  We’re short on healing potions again.”

            Madeleine took Cullen’s hand again.  He turned and looked at her.

            “It wasn’t a dream,” he muttered.  “Perhaps the Maker hasn’t abandoned us after all.”

Chapter Text

“Our first priority needs to be closing the rifts,” Madeleine declared.  She stood on one side of the rickety war table the Resistance now used.

            “I agree,” Elora nodded.  “We need to stop the demon egress into our world.  Bull’s been doing the best he can with his forces, but we can’t keep up with the new rifts and guard the old.”

            “Then our course is set,” a new voice added.  Madeleine saw a raven-haired woman walk in, with a boy at her side.

            “Morrigan,” Elora acknowledged the woman.

            “The Mage-Templar Alliance will be the best group to escort the Herald,” Morrigan added.  “We’re ready to stand with her.”

            “Mage-Templar Alliance?”  The last Madeleine had known, the mages and Templars had been at war with each other.

            “There is nothing like a new threat to convince people to set aside old grudges,” Morrigan assured her, even if those grudges are rooted in a thousand years of wrongs and hostilities.

            “Morrigan is even working with her mother,” Elora confided, as if there was something significant about that.

            “Stopping Corypheus is the priority, what good is my safety if I do not leave behind me a world my son can live in,” Morrigan declared.

            Madeleine glanced at the boy behind Morrigan, but he remained quiet.  Then he cocked his head at Madeleine. 

“You are Andraste’s Herald,” he informed her.

“You could tell that because of my hand?”  She glanced down at her left hand, the green slash seemed to be glowing.  It had seemed to be glowing since the moment she arrived in a decidedly dystopian future.

“No, it’s something… else… about you,” he informed her.

“Kieren,” his mother gently reprimanded.

“She does have a mark on her hand, mother,” he pointed out.  “But can’t you feel the magic in it?  It’s… ancient.”

“I know,” his mother smiled gently at him.  “I hope it will help us.”

“She brings hope,” he assured her.  “Hope is what the people have been lacking.  With hope, more will rise up against Corypheus and his demons.  We need her hope.”

“Yes, we do,” Elora agreed.  “Perhaps she can instill some of it into Alistair.”

“He feels guilty,” the boy told her.  “It’s not his fault, but he can’t help it.  He thinks he should have died with his men, but he doesn’t want to leave Thedas without you.”

“Perhaps you could remind him it isn’t his fault,” Elora’s despair was evident in her voice.

“I will,” Kieren turned and left.

“I didn’t mean right n…” Elora began to say behind him.  “Perhaps I should…”

“Let him go,” Morrigan gave a laugh.  “He can go remind Alistair that he’s a fool.  I… I don’t know how I feel about the bond those two are forming, but he may be the only one who can get your fool husband to pick his sword up.”

“Maker knows I can’t,” Elora sighed.  She turned back to Madeleine.  “Sorry, my troubles aren’t your problems.”

“In this case, I believe they may be,” Madeleine pointed out.  If they were going to save Thedas, they needed every able-bodied warrior they had left.  That made her thing of a not-able-bodied soldier that she knew.  “I saw Cullen.  There is no way he’s commanding the Resistance’s Forces, so who is?”

“We don’t have an official Commander right now,” Hawke admitted.  “We could sure use one.”

“You’re doing a great job leading though,” Elora gave her an encouraging smile.  “You’ve fought a rampaging Qunari horde, you can lead anyone.”  She then looked back to Madeleine.  “Cassandra is our head field commander and each of our units have their own commanders.”

“Bull has not only his Chargers, but The Avenging Horns,” Hawke revealed.  “He has a horde of rampaging Qunari.  Yet they are barely holding out against the demons.  We need to get the rifts closed, so we’re only dealing Corypheus’ demons.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Madeleine was determined to.

“Oh, what gusto,” Morrigan mocked.  “That’s really going to help against the god who destroyed every nation in Thedas.”

Hawke rolled her eyes. 

Elora closed her eyes and let out a long breath.  “What do you propose, Morrigan?”

“Training our Herald,” Morrigan proclaimed.  “I’m sure the mages know some trainers who would help to prepare our Herald for her battle ahead.”

Chapter Text

Madeleine had been with the Resistance for two weeks when Cassandra came to get her.  She’d visited Cullen every day and he seemed to be slowly improving.  He opened his eyes more often and the healers assured her that his breathing was calmer.

            “She’s here,” Cassandra proclaimed as she entered Madeleine’s room.  She’d learned that it once belonged to a mage who fought for a cult that worshipped a dragon whom they swore was Andraste.

            “Who’s here?”  Madeleine honestly had no idea whom Cassandra was talking about.

            “The trainer the mages sent to us,” Cassandra seemed excited.  “She’s here for you.  We need to get you trained, so we can get out there and start closing the rifts.”

            “You seem rather excited about this,” Madeliene observed.

            “Since you disappeared and the Elder One appeared with his demon army, we’ve been waging a war of attrition, trying to just hold on to what we can.  Now, we can fight back,” Cassandra declared.  “We can do something.  Oh, your teacher is here.  The mages sent them to you.  There was a lot of debate about what you needed.  With the Chantry gone, we weren’t sure we could get her, but we did.”

            “Her who?”  Madeleine wanted to know.

            “You’ll see,” Cassandra led her out of the room.

            An elven woman in armor met Madeleine outside the caves.  The sky above her was green, but guards kept demons that might appear from a rift away.

            “Hold and declare, Herald,” the woman demanded.

            “What do you mean?”  Madeleine looked around, hoping someone would tell her what she was supposed to hold or declare.

            “I ask your intent,” the woman explained.  “I was summoned to oversee training and I would know my charge.  I am your commander in this matter, Command Helaine.”

            “It’s good that I have a new commander,” Madeleine confided.  “My last one has ingested Red Lyrium and is very sick.  He’s not up to commanding at the moment.”

            “Yes, I have heard about Commander Rutherford,” Helaine confirmed, her voice crisp on even.  “It is quite tragic.  I hope he pulls through somehow.”

            “As do I, Commander Helaine,” Madeleine agreed.

            “Commander will suffice,” Helaine corrected her.  “I teach the skills of the Knight Enchanter.  It is a rank; it is a life.  Understanding its hierarchy is the first step.”

            Someone needed a life, alright.  Madeleine did not express her opinion out loud, though.

            “You already know this,” Commander Helaine continued.  “You were not made Herald and then taught to lead.”

            “Actually…”  Madeleine began.  She took a breath to explain to Commander Helain that it was exactly what happened, but Helaine didn’t give her a chance.

            “I will teach you to rise to your place,” Helaine declared, not letting Madeleine get a word in edgewise.  “How to join the warriors, spectral blade in hand.  How to command the ranks while standing beside them.  Are you ready?”

            Madeleine wondered what would happen if she said no.  Part of her wanted to say no and to go running to the hills.  Unfortunately, those hills were now under a green sky and filled with demons.  Someone had to do something about it, and no one had done so while she was literally gone for a year; so, she had to do it.  “I am ready to learn what you know.”

            “Then we will begin the simple steps, recruit,” Helaine declared.  “And we will see what heights your reach.”

            “Are you making a joke about my height?”  Madeleine scowled at her, not thinking about the fact that Commander Helaine was even shorter than she was.

            “Then you have a simple task,” Helaine declared.  “Go, learn, and return.  Soon you will lead from the front.  You will Command.”  

            “Do we have time for this?”  Madeleine questioned.  “The skies are green with the sounds of demon screams.”

            “You are right,” Commander Helaine considered.  “It is time to make the demons scream and the people growl, instead of the other way around.  I will help you with this task and then we will immediately begin the next task.  Time is short.”

            “And so are we,” Madeleine muttered.  She followed Commander Helaine’s lead.

Chapter Text

“Commander Helaine has taught me a lot,” Madeleine reported to Cullen as she sat on the edge of his bed, holding his hand.  “She’s an even tougher task master than you are.”

            “No one’s tougher than me,” Cullen opened his eyes and smiled weakly at her.

            Madeleine was beginning to believe that was true.  Cullen seemed to be getting better, much to Anders’ delight.  “Oh?  You’ll just have to get better so we can see.”

            “I’ll get better to help you save Thedas,” he swore.

            “I’ll hold you to that,” she promised.  “Hawke and Cousland have been pouring over the war table, with Cassandra.  They are determined to find the best route for me to take as I close rifts.  They want to make sure we close as many as possible before this Corypheus figures out what we’re doing.”

            “Corypheus?”  He repeated.

            “Hawke and Varric insist that’s his name,” Madeleine explained.  “They’d encountered him before he blew up the Temple of Sacred Ashes.  It’s the name of The Elder One.  I refuse to call him Elder One, that’s too respectful.  Sera calls him Coryshit.”

            Cullen chuckled at that.  “Of course, she does.”

            “She says she’ll keep an eye on you, while I’m gone, to make sure you’re doing better,” Madeleine added.

            “Is that a threat?”   He eyes widened.

            She giggled.  “I need her with me, so you’re safe.”  She hesitated.  “Besides, Leliana would probably hurt her.  She wants to be the one keeping an eye on you.”

            “She’s a good friend,” he agreed.  “I have seen her every day.  She seems to be recovering from her time in Redcliffe.”

            “She’s been here today?”  Madeleine found she didn’t like that.

            “This morning after breakfast,” Cullen confirmed.  “Her skin is looking a bit better, but she’ll probably always be scarred.”  He sounded sympathetic, but sad.  “She says the scars remind her that she survived.  Her spirits are also improving.”

            “She’s constantly angry,” Madeleine warned.  “I don’t know if that will ever change.”

            “It’s giving her fire,” Cullen defended her.  “She has lost so much, but she’s determined to avenge the world.”

            “I’m determined to save it,” Madeleine countered.

            “You will,” he assured her.  There was no doubt in his voice, and she appreciated it.

            Madeleine’s next stop was the healing room that Vivienne was in. 

            The Enchantress was holding on, too stubborn to die.  Madeleine admired that about her.  She and Vivienne had fundamental differences of opinion, but they were both determined to save Thedas.  Their arguments about mages and the Chantry seemed moot when the Chantry no longer survived in its previous structures.  The White Spire was rubble and ash.  Most of the clerics were dead.  Worship of the Maker and Andraste continued, but even that was under attack as more and more turned to worship their Elder One.  The Andrastians seemed to be bonding together, setting aside differences in the name of defending their faith.

            “Herald,” Vivienne greeted her.  Her eyes no longer glowed, but the top of her head was developing red lines across it.  Madeleine found the pattern interesting.  “I hear you are learning the path of the Knight Enchanter.”

            “I am,” Madeleine confirmed.

            “Good, it’s a path I chose,” Vivienne revealed.  “It is honorable, and while there is no longer a Divine, I’d like to think Knight Enchanters are now defenders of the Faith; defenders of all Andrastians.  We are defenders of all of those who still believe in The Maker.”

            Her attitude surprised Madeleine.  “Yes, we are.”

            Vivienne nodded regally at her.  Then her face turned stony.

            “You told me to tell you when it was time.”  A small attendant in white robes told the enchantress.  “It’s… it’s the end.”

            “Thank you,” Vivienne’s voice was stone cold.  “You should come too, Herald.”

            “May the Maker forgive my trespasses against Him and let me by his side,” Blackwall’s voice was broken, but he whispered a prayer.  Then he looked up as Vivienne walked in.  “Ah, Enchantress.  Did you decide that I shouldn’t go to the Maker alone?  Thank you for being at my side.  I… I should fight to stay here, as you have.  But… I’ve never been a real hero.  This land needs heroes and I’m not it.”  He coughed and red came out.  It wasn’t blood, it was liquid lyrium.

            “You were a hero,” Vivienne insisted.

            “No, I…”  He looked pass her shoulder and saw Madeleine.  “Herald.  Yes, you’re what Thedas needs now.  I’m… done.”

            “No,” Madeleine insisted.  She’d lost too many when she wasn’t even in existence for that year. 

            “I’ve been suffering, Maddie,” Blackwall hissed.  “I… I left you a letter.  Let me go, I can’t fight anymore.  I can’t make a difference.  It’s time… to… face my Maker and pay for my sins.”

            “What sins?”  Madeleine looked down at the Grey Warden who had joined the fight to save Thedas.

            “I… in the letter,” Blackwall coughed again.

            “Just rest,” Vivienne encouraged.  “You did what you could.  Let the lives you helped save tip your balance.”

            Blackwall nodded.  “Keep holding on, fighting.  You may beat this yet.  You’re… strong.  Thedas needs your strength.  The Herald… she may not… realize… needs… strength… allies.”

            Oh, Madeleine realized she needed allies, but she needed friends more and one of those friends was dying before her eyes.  “Blackwall.”

            “Not…”  He began, and then he let out a long breath.  Red flakes floated from his mouth and his eyes looked to her, sightless.  His mouth dropped open and red liquid trickled from it.

            “Your death will be avenged, my friend,” Vivienne swore.

            Madeleine didn’t realize the two were friends, she should have realized they’d become close.  How could they not?  She quietly took a pillow and place it under Blackwall’s chin, to close his mouth once more. 

            “I’ll take care of that, my lady,” the healer’s voice was gentle as he came forth.  “I… I have plenty of experience with this.  Andraste, I’ve lost too many.”  The voice was now mixed with sadness and anger.  “I… Herald of Andraste, please help me, so I don’t have to bury all of those in Thedas who will not bend knee to the Elder One.  Help me save it.”

            Madeleine nodded.  She looked down at Blackwall.  She wasn’t sure anyone could save Thedas at this point, but she had to.  There was no choice.  She would save them or not save them; she could not merely try.  She had to find a way.  She found herself walking back to Cullen’s room.

            Cullen saw her face when she walked in, he merely held out his arms.  She lay beside him and cried.

            As soon as the tears stopped Madeleine began quietly talking to Cullen.  He spoke to her of his own losses; before and after she disappeared.  He called that The Day Thedas Was Forsaken. 

            “So, what should we call the day I reappeared?”  She asked, not sure she was comfortable with the thought that of her disappearing equaled Thedas being forsaken.

            “The Day Hope Returned.”  Cullen gave her the sweetest smile and she found her heart warming and beating just a little faster.

            “How can I turn that hope into action?”   She pressed.  She so wanted to save the world, she found herself wanting to save the world for him and she was not sure how that set with her; especially when she saw Leliana stick her head in the room, glare at them, and then disappear again.

            “I have some ideas on that,” he revealed.

Chapter Text

Madeleine was called into a war meeting.  She’d just left Commander Helaine, who declared her… adequate.

            She was shocked to see the large crowd gathered in the War Room. 

The Iron Bull stood with several other Qunari.  They wore armor and bore plenty of weapons.

Dorian stood among a group of mages.  Many of them wore Tevinter fashion, but there were more than a few whose clothes identified them from different regions of Southern Thedas.  Anders was presently with them, rather than with his fellow healers.

Morrigan stood with her son and an older woman, whom she bore a striking resemblance to.  Alistair stood near them, his head down.

Madeleine was just glad to see the former king in a war meeting.

“Good, we’re all here,” Aiah Hawke nodded once.  “Good.  I have discussed this plan with the Herald of Andraste already, for it all hinges on her.  Maddie, are you prepared.”

No, no she wasn’t.  “I am,” she might not be ready, but she had to save Thedas and this was the first step.

“Good,” Hawke responded.  She gave Madeleine a look that said she was very well aware that Madeleine was scared shitless.  “Madeleine Trevelyan’s next move might signal to Corypheus what we are doing.”

Madeleine noticed several of those gathered flinched at Corypheus’ name.  That’s when she realized that many called him The Elder One.  Were they afraid to say the man’s name?  She would have to find out.

“I don’t like this plan,” The Iron Bull spoke up.

“Do you not think you can protect her?”  Hawke questioned.

“I’m not an idiot, the odds are against us,” Bull insisted.

“I’ll be along,” Dorian informed him.  “I’ll protect her, and you if I need to.”

“Great, that gives me confidence,” Bull muttered.

“King Alistair has agreed to lead the remaining Fereldans, who will begin guarding our base, if Corypheus figures out what we’re doing,” Hawke informed the others.  “Morrigan and her family have agreed to aid him.”

“They’ll be enough,” Elora assured the others.

Hawke nodded.  “Then let us begin.  Maddie…”

Madeleine stepped forward to explain the plan.  She would first attempt to close the initial breach over The Temple of Sacred Ashes, with the help of The United Mages.  Then she would slowly begin to move around Thedas, closing rifts one at a time.  The Iron Bull and his Last Charge would go with her, to protect her.  She would also be taking her own private team; people she knew she could trust.  Hopefully, she would get far enough to make a difference before Corypheus came after her.

Madeleine Trevelyan slowly exited the caves between Haven and The Temple of Andraste.  She moved through the Temple of Andraste.  Those killed in the blast were still there, forever frozen in their moment of death.  She could still hear echoes of the event that caused the explosion.

“I can’t believe that I didn’t recognize that voice the first time I heard it,” Varric murmured as they moved to the middle.  He was now part of her honor guard.  She just considered him one of the most valuable members of her team.  “You’d think I’d remember the voice of someone who tried to kill me.”

“Perhaps there have been so many that you’ve forgotten,” Cassandra muttered.

“No, I remember them all, Seeker,” Varric assured her.

Madeleine only half listened to them.  She looked up and saw mages lining the walls of the ruin.  Their dress was that of people from all over Thedas.  So, this is what it took to bring the nations of Thedas together; for there to no longer be nations, just people fighting for their freedom. 

“I don’t believe it,” Dorian gasped from beside her.  “What is Halward Pavus doing here?”

“He came to the Inquisition after you disappeared, Sparkler,” Varric answered.  “He learned that you’d come south and then what Alexius was up to.  His grief…”  Varric shook his head.  “He joined the fight against Corypheus to honor your memory.”

“He…”  Dorian trailed off and just stared up at the man in question for a long moment.  “What about…?”

“He spends most of his time leading the other Tevinter Mages,” Varric patted him on the back.  “It was lucky for him that he was with us, and not in the Magisterium, the day the Venatori blew it up.  Only one other made it out of that.  The remainder of the Chantry claimed that it was Blood Magic gone wrong.  I’m sure the Venatori were the ones to tell them that.”

“I wasn’t the biggest fan of many of the Magisters, but I almost wish they were all here now,” Dorians voice was whimsical.

Madeleine nodded at those gathered.  She would have liked all the help she could get.  She turned and saw the Resistance’s soldiers fighting off demons that spewed from the Rift.  She saw The Iron Bull leading his group of Qunari survivors.  They moved in synch, a formidable force.  Yet as she watched, one fell to the ground; a pride demon above him.

Swallowing, Madeleine sent a prayer up to The Maker.  She needed Him now.  She may not have always believed in Him, but how else had His children survived the hellish year that she had just missed?  How else had she survived the destruction of the temple that she now stood in?

She felt the magic in the air, feeding into the Anchor on her hand.  She lifted her left hand and shot power into the rift.  She kept shooting power in, adding her own magic and will.  She would close this first rift.  There was no try on this, it was do or do not.  She chose do.  She screamed as she kept her hand up and poured even more magic.  She didn’t pull back to stitch the rift shut until she’d fallen to her knees.  Only then, when she was sure she’d done enough, did she lower her hand and her head.

Those around her cheered.

“It’s closed,” Cassandra put a hand on Madeleine’s shoulder.

“Thank the Maker,” Madeleine sighed.  Now she had to close the rest of those in Thedas, without the Elder One, Corypheus, stopping her.

Chapter Text

“You should not go to Orlais next,” The Iron Bull announced.

Madeleine looked up from where she’d been packing her clothes and other essentials.  She had been heading there.  She would leave with her team and a contingent of Resistance Soldiers.  The Iron Bull and his demon hunters, along with the remaining Chargers, would stay behind to protect the resistance.  Many were sure that Corypheus would send someone after them, having realized they must be near the Temple of Sacred Ash’s ruins.  “I… why not?”

“You need to go to Par Vollen, I need to go with you,” Bull answered.  “I believe that Dorian may be needed as well.”

“Then it’s a good thing he’s on my team,” Madeleine pointed out.

“You will also need Vivienne,” Bull added.

There were times that Madeleine questioned whether she ever needed Vivienne.  “I do?”

“Hawke would have been good, as well,” Bull added.  “Perhaps better than Vivienne, but she won’t go that far from the Resistance, not yet.  Not until even she has more hope, and her hope exceeds that of many.  Oh, you’ll also want Fenris.”

“I don’t think having Fenris and Dorian together is a good idea,” Madeleine hedged.  She didn’t know the elf well, but he seemed to have something against those from Tevinter, especially Tevinter mages.  Dorian was only one step down from a Magister.

“It’s… risky,” Bull agreed.  “But I have a plan.”

Madeleine sat down and regarded him.  He likely had a better plan than she did, which was close as many rifts as possible before she died.  It wasn’t a great plan, but it was what she was working with.  “We were going to start in Orlais and then close the rifts one by one until we reached the Free Marches.”

“You might not want to forget Ferelden,” Bull advised.  “If anything is going to get King Alistair off his ass, it will be helping to liberate his country.  He’s suffering from… he feels guilty for surviving when so many didn’t.  I’ve seen it before.  Our Arishok, Maker rest his soul, talked about feeling that why when his Barassaad were all killed by darkspawn upon reaching Ferelden during the Fifth Blight.  He didn’t handle it well at first, either.”

Maker Rest His Soul, she couldn’t get him to come help shake some sense into the former king.  “He was in Ferelden?”

“He knew the king and queen,” Bull agreed.  “It’s why I haven’t talked to King Alistair about him.  They might have been friends and he’ll just feel guilty that he outlived the Arishok, too.  I did tell the queen, she probably told him.  She didn’t seem surprised, she just said something about having more women warriors possibly having saved him and that ‘that was just his roll then’.”

“What is your plan?”  She wanted to know.

“I have a contact in Par Vollen,” he revealed.  “She’s been helping me with a group who have been in hiding there.  They are not with Corypheus, he’d kill them on sight, but they aren’t with us, either.  I want you to talk to them, show them what you can do.  We could really use their help.  From there, we can go to Seheron.  Shit, I never wanted to go back there, but the Fog Warriors seem to have survived and we need them.  That’s another reason we need to bring Fenris along.”

“He was a Fog Warrior?”  That surprised her.

“No,” Bull assured her.  “He… has some connection with them.  Hawke won’t give me the details.  I know they’ll talk to him, though.  From there, we should free the Anderfells, then Navarra.”

“What about Orlais and Ferelden?”  She questioned.

“I hate to leave those two for so long, but Corypheus seems to have a bigger presence there and we’ll want a bigger army,” Bull explained.  “Then we can finally make our move on the Free Marches.  We can still save Thedas.”

Madeleine smiled at him.  Those last words were all she needed to agree to his plan.  Cassandra might claim that she’d brought a spark of hope, but Bull fed that spark in her.  He made her believe they had a chance.

Chapter Text

“It will be some time before I return,” Madeleine told Cullen, sitting at his bed side.

Cullen now sat up and regarded her.  His health had been improving since her arrival from a year in the past and Anders was hopeful that they were on a path to save those who had been forced to take red lyrium. 

The healer had secretly confided to Madeleine that he had some fears about the survivors somehow having the Bight, but figured he and Elora could put them through the Joining if that were the case.  Madeleine didn’t want that for Cullen, but she didn’t want him dead either.

Cullen gave her a smile that made her heart flutter, and caused her to recall Leliana’s smug assurances that she would be there for the Commander.  “Just make sure you come back.”  His voice was gentle.  “I…”  He coughed.  “I…”  This time he turned a bit red.  “I promise to keep fighting this infection, if you promise to come back.”

She reached out and squeezed his hand.  “I promise.”

Madeleine spent a day and a half on horseback getting to The Waking Sea.  She then spent the next week and a half traveling to Par Vollen. 

It had been a tense journey.  The captain was vigilantly keeping an eye out for Corypheus’ Patrols.  They made life difficult for pirates and smugglers.  Anyone who didn’t serve Corypheus, who sailed on the seas and oceans were considered to be either a pirate or a smuggler. 

Then there were the undead who walked the bottom of the ocean floors.  With so many rifts open, spirits had begun occupying the remains of those who had been claimed by the oceans or buried amongst their waves.  They were said to attack port cities upon occasions.

“Why is Corypheus not doing something about the undead situation?”  Madeleine wondered as she stared down at the water.

“The demons serve him, he probably thinks he can win over the undead, too,” Bull pointed out.

“They take down as many patrol ships as they do others,” Isabela countered. 

“They take down ships?”  Now Dorian also stared at the water, his eyes wide.

“The ships have to be near the shore,” Captain Isabela assured him.  “Out here, they mostly harass the fish.”  She paused.  “Apparently, the sirens are having problems with them, enough that sailors can go to places they couldn’t before.  “Smugglers and pirates alike have told stories of sirens offering to help fight Corypheus.”

“Perhaps we should find them,” Madeleine thought it a good idea.’

“I’m not taking my ship anywhere near the creatures,” Isabela swore.  “Find a smuggler to do so, or buy your own ship.”

“I have better potential allies,” Bull assured her.

A week later, Madeleine found herself facing a saarebas.  She knew what the Qunari was.  He had horns and she could feel the magic radiating off him.

Fenris and Vivienne had helped Bull locate the cell of Saarebas who had survived Corypheus’ purge of Par Vollen.  Varric revealed that Corypheus had been one of the Magisters who originally cracked into the Golden City and brought the Blight back with them.  He had standing orders that all Qunari were to be killed on site.

The trio had convinced the cell’s leaders to talk to Madeleine.  She hoped she could convince them to help.  She needed their aid to clear the rifts out of Par Vollen, although, she feared that she might just draw attention to the survivors.

“Why should we help you?”  The Saarebas demanded to know.

“Look…”  Madeleine realized that she had no idea who she was speaking to, except that he was a saarebas and Bull had assured her that he spoke for a whole group who had banded together for mutual survival after Corypheus’ forces had conquered Par Vollen.  They now stood in an alcove near the sea, staring at each other.  “I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.”

“I am Saarebas,” the saarebas informed her.

“And you?”  She turned to one of its two companions.

“I am Saarebas,” he told her.

She wondered how they kept each other straight.  The system just couldn’t work.  “And you?”  She asked the third.

“I am Lucy,” she answered.

Well, that was something.  “Hello, Lucy.  I’m Madeleine Trevelyan.”

“The one they call the Herald of Andraste,” Lucy acknowledged.  “Saarebas one, is our leader.  I like to call him Tim.”

“Don’t call me Tim,” Tim insisted.

“The other is George,” Lucy indicated the second saarebas.

George grunted his acknowledgement of the name.

“I told you that Qunari don’t have names, we have to give them to each other, Boss,” Bull reminded her.  “Saarebas… were never able to do that.”

“Because you sewed their mouths shut!”  Dorian hissed.

“We are dangerous,” Tim declared.

“Too dangerous to be able to speak?”  Lucy glared at him.

“Yes,” George sided with Tim.  “The Qun…”

“Has failed,” Lucy sighed.

“You sound like a Tal Vashoth!”  George accused her.

“Look around, do you see any Qun leaders left?  Maybe the Tal Vashoth were right!”  Lucy shouted at her companions.

Both men gasped at her.

“The Tal Vashoth did do better than those loyal to the Qun,” Varric confided to Madeleine.  “They had a much higher survival rate.  They weren’t looking for their leaders to tell them what to do when the Venatori, and then the demons, attacked.”

“Our leaders turned on us,” Lucy revealed.  “When the demon attack came, they began executing the saarebas, claiming we were too easily possessed.”

“Ouch,” Madeleine flinched.  And she’d thought she had it bad in the Circle of Magi.  “I… I promise that the Rebellion against Corypheus would never do the same.  I, myself, am a mage and no one has tried to kill me for it.”

“I heard you were dead,” George reminded her.  “Someone obviously tried to kill you.”

He had her there.  “Yes, but they worked for Corypheus.  So, he is my enemy.  And he is your enemy.  And the enemy of my enemy is my friend.  None of my friends have tried to kill me, they won’t try to kill you.”

“A lot of your friends are dead, you died,” Tim now spoke.  “Being your friend may not be the wisest move.”

“Many of your own friends are dead,” Varric countered.  “Your leaders are dead.  Andraste brought Her Herald back for all of Thedas, that includes you.  Now she needs your help.  Are you going to refuse the call to help, to make a change, to take our world back?”

“It will keep us alive,” Tim insisted.

“Will it?”  Dorian challenged.  “Why don’t you let us speak to the rest of your friends and let them decide.

“Not without guarantees,” Lucy shook her head.  “We have had few of those in life.”

“Let’s just go,” Dorian sighed.

“We need them,” The Iron Bull insisted.

“There’s a lot of demons over there,” Varric distracted them, as he pointed out the demons milling around.  Do you think we could get them to help with them at least?”

“It’s a rift.”  Madeleine could not just sense it; she could see it.  Heck, the anchor had hurt since she arrived in this new, darker time.  “I hope you have my back.”

She didn’t have time to deal with politics right now, she literally itched to close the rift nearby.  Wasn’t that why she was out here?  She needed to close as many rifts as possible.  Madeleine walked away from the saarebas and to the demons.

Bull let out a curse and followed her.  Then he launched himself at one of the demons.

One of Bianca’s bolts flew by him as he moved, burying itself in the demon beside the one he attacked.

Dorian set fire mines under several more, opening a way for Madeleine as the creatures lifted into the air, screaming.

Madeleine moved through.  She shot an ice bolt at the demon that had survived Dorian’s fire mines and then set an ice mine under her, to catch any creature that tried to sneak up on her.  Then she lifted her hand to the rift and poured the power of the anchor through it.  The thing buckled and shifted as it weakened.  More demons started to pour through, assuring her that not all of them were now on her side of the Veil.

Bull charged at them, even as Varric threw caltrops under them and Dorian set several on fire.

Madeleine lifted her left hand again and poured more energy through the rift.  Then, she moved back, stitching it closed.

Behind her, a demon tried to charge and was frozen in place.  She dispatched it with a simple arcane bolt.   Then she produced her Spirit Blade and began cutting through the remaining demons.

“Hell, yeah, Boss!”  The Iron Bull whooped his approval as she beheaded a demon and then sent a second demon head through the air.

After half an hour, no demons remained in the area.

That’s when Madeleine sensed a second rift.  She coolly moved to it and lifted her hand, stitching it closed as well.

The saarebas regarded Madeleine thoughtfully when she returned to where they waited.

“I see you stayed where it’s safe,” Varric grumbled.

“You are truly blessed,” Tim acknowledged.

“She is Andraste’s Herald,” Varric reminded them.

“Actually…”  The Iron Bull began.

“Her Herald,” Dorian repeated.  “I saw Andraste herself reach out and save The Herald from annihilation, guiding her back to when Thedas needed her the most.  I thank Her still that she chose to keep me with Maddie, Her Herald.  Or I would have been erased from time itself.

“Exactly,” Varric agreed.

George nodded.  “I’ll take you to the others.”

Soon, Madeleine found herself in a cave, where George and Lucy explained to the other saarebas how she had closed the rifts and produced a magic sword that cut through demons.

The saarebas were mostly impressed by the closing of the rifts.  They were so impressed, that they agreed to follow her; at least until Corypheus and his demons were defeated.  That was good enough for her. 

Chapter Text

“What did the letter from Hero say?”  Varric aimed Bianca at a Despair demon and put a bolt through the creature, before blending back into the shadows.

Madeleine hesitated to tell him.  It wasn’t something she’d have wanted to be made public if she were him, even though her mother had told her that lying gave you warts.  It was one reason Maddie had always had problems lying.  Yet, the letter had said that Blackwall wanted the truth to come out.  She sliced through a despair demon with her Spirit Blade. 

Around Madeleine’s team, saarebas fought those demons trying to guard the rift before her.

“Come on, Miracle,” Varric encouraged her.

Madeleine lifted her hand and poured magic into the rift.  “He wasn’t the real Blackwall.”  She pulled her hand back and it shifted.  It would take a bit more magic.  This was the twelfth rift she had closed in Par Vallen and the anchor was growing in power.

“What?”  The Iron Bull had been listening.  He cut down a shade and glanced at them.  “He lied to us?”

“I know.”  Madeleine lifted her hand again and poured even more magic into the rift.  When she pulled back her hand this time, it switched close.  “And I didn’t notice any warts.  He was probably hiding them under his beard.”

“Warts?”  Varric lifted an eyebrow.

“My mother insisted that lying gives you warts,” Madeleine informed him as she searched the demons for supplies and general loot.

“Bartrand should have been hideous then,” Varric commented.  Then paused.  “I mean even more hideous.”

“Who was Blackwall then?”  Cassandra was more interested in the truth of who her dead friend had been.  She already seemed grimmer than Madeleine remembered, but she’d been rather quiet lately. 

Madeleine imagined that it was hard for a former Seeker to help form an army that included so many saarebas.  The Qunari mages had been invaluable, though.  The rifts in Par Vallen were almost all cleared out.  The land was no longer overrun with demons.  Madeleine swore she’d heard a bird singing just that morning.

“His letter said that he was Thom Rainier, a disgraced general in Orlais; one wanted for murder.”  She stood and they moved on to the next rift.  “I’m not sure who Rainier was.  Perhaps, once we free Orlais, we can find out.”

“Hopefully, there is someone left alive in Orlais who remembers,” Varric holstered Bianca. 

“We’ll leave George and a handful of Saarebas to hold Par Vallen,” Madeleine decided.  She gazed at the map set on a makeshift table in front of a blazing campfire.

“Where’s our next stop, Boss?”  The Iron Bull wanted to know.

“You’re not going to like the answer, Tiny,” Varric warned.  He patted The Iron Bull’s arm.

“We’re going to Seheron,” Madeleine answered.  She knew a bit about Bull’s past on the island.  She knew that he’d been assigned there and that it had scarred him.  He hadn’t said much about what had happened there, but he once told her that he’d gone back to Par Vollen and asked to visit the re-educators.

“I’m not looking forward to going there, either,” Dorian assured him.

“We need the Fog Warriors,” Bull grumbled.  “I don’t want to go there, but we need to go.  Let’s just be careful.”

Chapter Text

Seheron was a beautiful island.  It was a forested mountain, with ocean waves crashing at its shores.  Yet, the ground was soaked in the blood of thousands who still called out for vengeance.

Things seemed quiet as Madeleine stepped out of a long boat and onto the shore.  As she moved from the shore towards a castle standing at the top of a hill.

“I don’t think we want to go there,” Varric warned. 

“The Fog Warriors won’t go there,” Bull agreed.  “The Vints controlled the capital.  I doubt they’re any more of those left, it’s likely…”

“Intruders!”  A voice shouted.  “There are Qunari among them.”

“Cursed of the Elder One!”  Another voice answered.

Before Madeleine could figure out what was happening, dozens of shapes appeared on the sloping road that led to the capital.  There were half a dozen rifts that she could see between the shore and castle, but the demons that had to be meandering around the area left these creatures behind.  They were large and wore the uniforms of Templars, but there was red lyrium jutting out of them.

“What in Andraste’s name?”  Dorian swore.

“Red Templars!”  Varric shouted.

Madeleine quickly constructed ice mines around herself and brought up a Fade Shield.  She braced herself for the attack.  These creatures were new to her, but her companions seemed to be rather worried about them.

“Maker, I hoped not to face them so soon,” Cassandra bemoaned.  She hefted her sword and shield.

“They’re better than the demons, Seeker,” Varric insisted.

“I am not so sure about that,” Cassandra eyed her attackers, before lunging forward and slicing at one of the Red Templars.  “The demons come from the Fade.  These used to be men.”

The Red Templar parried her stroke and feinted at her left side.  Cassandra dodged the attack on her right, only to be pierced in her right shoulder.  She screamed out, but kept hold of her sword.  She turned to run her attacker though, then immediately pivoted as a second Red Templar came at her back.  Its sword scraped along her armor.  Then she thrust her sword into the exposed arm pit.  The creature screamed and fell to the ground.

“Are you all right, Seeker?”  Varric inquired as Bianca deposited another bolt into a Red Templar.

“I’m fine Varric,” Cassandra insisted.  “Worry about…”  She swayed on her feet.

Varric moved to catch her, exposing his back.  A Red Templar seized on his distraction and buried his sword in it.

“Varric!”  Evie screamed.  She tried to rush to him, but couldn’t get past the three Templars who were trying to kill her.  She’d frozen one, but another had gotten past her mines.  Luckily, it had stepped into her shield and slowed down.  She sliced at him with her spirit blade.

Dorian threw up a firewall between Varric and the remaining attackers, as Cassandra carefully cradled Varric in her arms.

“Varric!”  Evie cried again.  “I swear, if you die on me, I’ll never forgive you!  You can’t leave me alone with the religious zealots!”

“I’m not…”  Dorian blasted the frozen Red Templar before gasping in affront.

“You know who I mean!”  She managed to kill the Red Templar in front of her, but took a blow from the third one.  Luckily, it only grazed her arm thanks to her shield.  She thrust her spirit blade at him, but the creature moved out of her way.  “Get back here, you pile of shards held together by evilness and shittiness!”

She heard Varric give a little laugh and then a groan.

The creature charged again.  “Death to all mages!”

Oh, so it had noticed she was a mage.  There was no doubt that she was one when a bolt of lightning hit him.  Huh, she hadn’t been trying to hit him with a storm.  She looked around to see if anyone else had done it.   No one looked near her.  Perhaps her storm powers were growing.  Maker knew, she hoped they were.  She needed all the help, and power, she could get.

“Seheron isn’t worth this much effort!”  Dorian declared as he threw a fireball at yet another Red Templar.  He then set a fire wall between Varric and Cassandra and the rest of the Red Templars.

The Saarebas fended off the rest of their attackers, as Madeleine rushed to Varric’s side.  “How bad is it?”

Cassandra just shook her head and cradled Varric.

“I’ll be fine, Miracle,” Varric assured her.

Madeleine turned back towards the saarebas.  “We need a healer!”

They all just looked at her. 

“We don’t have healers in our ranks,” Lucy finally informed her.  “I thought Southern Mages had plenty of healers.  Isn’t that infamous mage, I believe she’s named Hawke, married to a healer?”

“She is,” Varric confirmed, before coughs took his ability to speak.  “Why didn’t we bring Blondy with us?”

“He doesn’t like to leave Hawke’s side,” Cassandra reminded him.

“You know the one called Hawke?”  Lucy’s eyes widened.  “Is she as formidable as legends say?”

“You can ask him all about Hawke, after we save him,” Madeleine glared at the Saarebas.

“There are healers among the Tal Vashoth,” The Iron Bull rushed to their side.  He glanced at his new allies.  “Have none of you learned to heal since Corypheus’ take over?”

“Who would have taught us?”  Lucy demanded to know.

“What about Resurgence?”  Dorian asked.  “Isn’t that some healing spell that Commander Helaine taught you?”

Madeleine shook her head.  “It’s unreliable… and not exactly healing.”

“It should be enough until Stitches gets here,” Cassandra insisted.

“Stitches?”  Madeleine thought he was dead.   She knew that Bull had lost three-fourths of his chargers.

“He’s alive,” Cassandra assured her.  “The Chargers will be meeting us here.”

“Isn’t that convenient.”  Madeleine closed her eyes and concentrated.  Her magic rushed out of her and into Varric.

Varric’s breath evened out and he let out a groan of pain.

“Pain’s a good sign,” Cassandra kept the dwarf’s head cradled in her lap.  “Stitches is coming,” she told him. 

“I was worried about Seheron,” Bull explained.  “So, the Chargers agreed to meet me here.”

“Isn’t that convenient,” Madeleine murmured.

“Not as convenient as having them bring Blondie would have been,” Varric muttered.

“We’ll make camp here and wait for them,” Cassandra declared.

Madeleine had no problem with that.

It was about an hour later, that the ship bearing the remainders of Bull’s Chargers landed.

Cassandra ran onto the vessel and pulled Stitches out.

“Easy, Seeker,” Stitches warned her as she dragged him along.  “I won’t be any good to anyone if you pull my arm out of my socket.”  He looked around the camp.  “Why isn’t there a healer here with you?”

“That’s a good question,” Madeleine agreed.  “Why have I never had a healer in my party?”

As Stitches went to work on Varric, Dalish went to Madeleine.  “Commander Cullen sent a letter.”

“He sent it with you?”  For some reason, that surprised her.

“Yes and no,” Dalish admitted.  “He sent it with the captain, but then Lieutenant Leliana tried to take it.  So, I took it from the Commander, as I’m immune to her charms; even before her regrettable makeover.”

“Lieutenant Leliana?”  It was the first time Madeleine had ever heard her called a lieutenant.  “I thought she was Sister Leliana, the Left hand of the Divine.”

“She was already pushing the edge after Divine Justinia died.”  Varric’s teeth were gritted as Stitches sewed his skin back together, but he managed to speak.  “The fall of Haven pushed her over the edge.”

“It wasn’t our deaths?”  Dorian’s shock was evident.

“He honestly didn’t care about your death, Sparkler,” Varric admitted.  “She was distressed about Miracle’s, but that had more to do with losing the ability to close the breeches.”

“That’s all I’m good for,” Madeleine rolled her eyes.

“She’s been through a lot,” Cassandra reminded them.  “She’d already had her own share of suffering before The Day of Ashes, she…”

“Day of Ashes?”  Dorian interrupted Cassandra.

Madeleine shrugged and shook her head.

“It’s what the former Members of the Chantry call the day the Temple of Sacred Ashes was destroyed,” Dalish informed them.  “Although, there were more ashes the day Haven was destroyed… and the day Ostwick fell… and the day…”

“Ostwick?”  Madeleine’s chest clutched.  She hadn’t had time to wonder what had happened to her family.  Part of her had admitted that there was very little chance that they’d survived, but another part wasn’t ready to face their deaths.

“Miracle’s from Ostwick,” Varric muttered to Stitches, his voice slurred.  “Get…ten sleepy…”

“I gave you something for the pain,” Stitches’ voice was cool.

“I…”  Cassandra blanched.  “It was bad.  Not many made it out.”

Madeleine nodded and found herself staring into a nearby campfire.  “I… I guess I’ll find out for sure when we liberate the Free Marches.  For now, we need to worry about freeing Seheron.”

Chapter Text

Madeleine found herself staring at a map of Seheron well into the night, long after most of her companions, and the small army had gone to bed.

“I can’t get Fenris, who’s met the Fog Warriors up here with me.  Nor can I get Anders, who is a healer,” she said to the map.  “At least all of the Requisition Officers who used to bug me are gone.”

“They were either killed or defected during the Elder One’s take over,” a voice from behind her caused Madeleine to jump.

She whirled around and saw Dalish approaching her.  “I didn’t mean to startle you,” the elven mage apologized.  “I have something for you and didn’t want Cassandra to see me giving it to you.”  She handed Madeleine a parchment.

“Why ever not?”  Madeleine wondered.

“She’d want to read it,” Dalish gave her a little smile.  “The Seeker is rather nosy, needing to have control over everything.  It’s… we all had to find ways to deal with losing Thedas to The Elder… Corypheus, Bull keeps insisting we call him by his right name.  We’ve lost so much.”  She swallowed.  I don’t know if my people even survived.

Madeleine tried to ignore the little voice that said it was her fault; that if she’d been there things would have been different.  “If anyone can survive the downfall of civilization, they can.”

“No one was in a position to fight that demon army,” Dalish’s shoulders slumped.  “I hope some managed to avoid them, and the Red Templars.  Anyway, it’s a letter from Cullen.  He asked me to pass it on to you.”  She gave a little smile.  “The Commander’s now strong enough to write.  It’s a great improvement.  Hawke says it’s a miracle.  She’s going to add him back to the war room meetings when he’s strong enough to walk.”

“That’s good,” Madeleine nodded.  Then she glanced at the parchment in her hand.  “Why did he give it to you?”

“To keep it away from prying eyes,” Dalish answered.  “I’m going to go practice… archery.  Get some sleep, Maddie.  We need you.”

Madeleine grabbed a lantern and took the letter to her tent.

Madeleine opened the letter and saw Cullen’s familiar scrawl.  It was shakier than she remembered, but the man had been fighting off Red Lyrium for some time.  She was just glad he could write again.

Madeleine,

I wish I knew exactly what to say.  I wish I knew what advice to give you as you go to fight the enemy that I failed to stop.  Yet, I know that the Maker will guide your hand and your friends will help you gather the allies we so dearly need.  For your return has convinced me that there is hope and that you can see those scattered across Thedas whose faith was slipping, who no longer even prayed for their own survival, raise their heads up with hope in their eyes.  Their faces turning back to The Maker who returned you to us.

For me, it’s more.  I’m not exactly sure why, but your loss was more than just the loss of a way to close the rifts.  I’d lost someone I cared about, someone… there was something scratched out… I’m not exactly sure nor am I sure I’m allowed to ask how you feel.  I do know that your return has brought light back into my life and allowed me to lift my head again.

            News of your alliance with the saarebas has reached our little refuge and there is a mix of excitement and apprehension.  Hawke is thrilled, as is Anders.  Even Fenris gave a grunt of approval.  Elora is sad that they sent confirmation of a particular Arishok’s death and she didn’t want to tell Alistair of it.  It caused him to withdraw again for a day or two. 

            I asked Leliana to talk to him, hoping they would help each other find their faith again.  She says she has, but she just keeps hovering around me.  She disapproved of Anders insistence on getting me back on my feet and walking around on my own.  He had a cane fashioned for me.  It is made of silver and has the head of a lion carved at the end.  I can’t wait to show you when you return.

            Leliana also seems to resent Beverly, the healer who has taken over her care.  Beverly has literally had to drag her away at times.  Leliana’s skin is improving, but I fear she’ll carry some of her scars, not just inside, but outside for the rest of her life.  She just told Beverly that she didn’t need her interference right before I started this letter to you.  I plan to go see Hawke when I’m finished and see if she’ll give me an update.  Then I’m going to go talk to Alistair again.  Perhaps, as fellow former Templars, we can help each other heal.

            Your Friend,

            Cullen Rutherford

            Madeleine found herself frowning at the word friend.  She wondered why it made her a little sad.  She wanted Cullen’s friendship.  A little part of her whispered that she wanted more.  She told that part of her that she didn’t have time for such fantasies.  She needed to save Thedas.  Yet, she found herself immediately grabbing ink and parchment.  She selected a quill with a bright blue feather, a gift from Varric, and began writing.

            Dear Cullen,

            She stared at the phrase for a long moment.  Was that how she wanted to address him.  He’d only called her Madeleine, after all.  Not even Maddie, but the full Madeleine.  She might have to try to take the Red Templar stronghold just to get more parchment.

            She lifted the quill.

            “If you cross out the dear, he’ll know,” a voice behind her warned.

            Madeleine jumped and whirled to look at Varric.  “You look better, but you should be resting.”

            “I was, Miracle,” he assured her.  Then I noticed the lantern in our tent was lit and I became curious.  I happen to be able to move rather quietly and used my amazingly light feet to see what you were doing.  When I saw you writing a letter, I had to peek over your shoulder.  Imagine my delight when I realized it was for Curly.  Did he write to you?”

            “Yes,” she admitted. 

            “May I see the letter?”  Varric held out a hand.

            She just goggled at him for a moment.  “You want to…”

            “I know Curly,” he assured her, cutting off her objections.  “I can read between the lines and I know you want those between the lines read.  He held out his hand.

            Madeleine was so confused and dumbfounded; she handed the letter over.

            Varric gave a little smile as he read it.  “I’ve never heard Curly sound so… unofficial… hmmm…”  He studied the letter some more.  “I also wasn’t aware that Lelianna was such a jealous little minx.  Of course, Curly is clueless to her real intents.  He thinks she’s just being supportive.”

            “You can tell that from that letter?”  Madeleine thought about it for a moment.  She’d thought Leliana was being rather obvious in her interests.  The former spymaster had practically hissed at her to get out of her territory.  Madeleine had refused to be cowed.  Then something stopped her for a moment.  “Is Leliana still the Inquisition’s spymaster.  I mean…”

            “The Inquisition is gone,” Varric gently reminded her.  “And no, she isn’t.  She… some of the scouts survived, but those around Haven did not.  Then she was captured and…  she needs to recover, not just physically, but spiritually first.”

            “Spiritually?”  Madeleine’s eyebrows rose.  “I never took you for such a Chantry goer.”

            “I’m not,” he assured her.  “I… of course Andraste is real, and I’ve seen proof of The Maker, but that’s not what I meant.  I mean she has to heal inside… her mind and soul.  There are more scars than we can see plaguing her, Miracle.  That doesn’t mean you should step back and let her just have Curly.  Fight for your man.”

            Her man?  Madeleine had never… or had she?  Did she want…  “He’s not my man.”  Her voice was weak, even to her own ears.”

            “Not with that attitude, he isn’t,” Varric agreed.  “But, you’d make him happier than Nightingale ever would.  He might make you happy, too.”

            “I’m a mage,” she reminded him.  “We both know how he feels about mages.  He doesn’t trust us.”

            “Give him a chance,” Varric urged.  “Ask him about Kinloch Hold.”  He paused.  “Don’t push there, though.  He needs feels safe to tell that story, and only when he’s ready.  It was…  I found out more from Warden Queen than I did Curly on that matter.  She apparently rescued him, along with all of the other Templars and Mages alive in that tower after a mage rebellion went wrong.  Perhaps you could have her tell you about it.  Perhaps you should ask Griffin about it.  Maybe it will remind him that he has done a lot of good for Ferelden… when there was still a Ferelden.”

            “There’s still a Ferelden if the people are willing to fight for it,” Madeleine insisted.

            “You  need to embroider that on a tea cozy and send it to the Fereldans,” Varric insisted.

            “I can’t embroider,” Madeleine confessed.  “No one taught us how to in the tower.  Although, I did know a few mages who could knit.”

            “I believe Seeker can embroider,” Varric confided.  “Ask her to do it.”

            “She can?”  This was news to Madeleine.  “Cassandra just didn’t seem the type.”

            “Ask her about her family,” Varric advised.  “You’ll understand, once you get her to talk about them.”

            “If I can get her to talk about them,” Madeleine muttered.  She doubted she would be able to.  She hesitated on her next question, but still asked it.  “Are any of her family still alive?”

            Varric sighed, the sound deep and mournful.  “Not the ones who matter.  They died before the explosion of Sacred Ashes.  It happened long before then, but it still seems to haunt her.”

            “We’re all going to be carrying ghosts with us before this gets better,” she predicted. 

            “I’m glad I can help try to make things better,” Varric assured her.  He handed her parchment and a quill.  “Now, go write Curly back.  Don’t be afraid to swear your undying love.”

            “My what?!”  Her voice rose, but Varric had managed to slip out without her even noticing.  She did hear his laughter on the wind as he headed back to his own tent.

            Madeleine laid the parchment on her small portable desk.

            Dear Cullen,

            Did she want to say dear?  Well, it was too late now.  He would notice if she scratched that part out.  She continued on.

            Was delighted to hear from you.  You are in my thoughts.  Did she really just admit that?  I have been concerned for your recovery as I couldn’t bear to lose… another friend…  Yes, friend.  She meant friend. 

            I could also use your expertise on my venture here.  We have not always seen eye to eye on the matter of the mages and Templars, but I fear Thedas is far past that concern.  I do know that I can trust you and your opinion.  The Inquisition may be gone, but you’re still my… our… well, my commander.  Our fight is the same and I am determined to close the rifts and save our world.

            Don’t let Leliana browbeat you or tell you what to do.  You’re right, she should be more worried about her own recovery.  While I hate to take someone from you, when you need him, I would like your help in convincing Anders to join my team.  We’re in Seheron and there was a close call.

            She then went on to tell him about Varric’s injury and the battle that it had resulted from.  She told him of her set back and fears.  Then she admitted her fears that she might fail in her quest to save their world.  She was saddened at the thought of failing the people of Thedas, but truly feared failing her friends again.

Chapter Text

“Are you sure you’re up to this, Varric?”  Cassandra questioned as she gazed up at the castle on top of the hill.

            Madeleine was still surprised at the concern in Cassandra’s voice.  She had been hovering around Varric like a healer with her first patient.  “I’m not sure any of us are up to this,” she admitted.

            “I’m fine, Miracle,” Varric assured her.

            “Just don’t die on me,” Madeleine pleaded.  “I couldn’t handle it if we lost you.”

            “What about me?”  Dorian demanded to know.

            “We’ve already seen what happened when Thedas lost you for a year,” Madeleine reminded him.  “No one could handle anything like that.”

            “You are so amusing,” Lucy’s voice was deadpan as she joined them.  “My saarebas are prepared.”

            “Bull?”  Madeleine glanced at him as he arrived with the handful of Chargers.

            “Once the gates are down, we’ll flank anyone coming out of that castle,” he promised.

            She gulped.  “Let’s do this.”

            Madeliene’s team moved behind the saarebas.  If the Red Templars who had attacked the night before were awake, then they were hiding from the force in front of her.  She had to admit they were an impressive sight.

            Lucy’s team chanted softly as they walked up the hill.  For a group who’d had their mouths sewn shut for most of their lives, they were rather vocal.  Lucy had told them they were enacting spells, a form of magic that required no hands but rather words to create the desired effect.

            When they reached the castle, the saarebas threw fireballs at the doors.  Others pounded against the walls with fists made of stone.  A few had figured out how to get the fists to sail over the tops of the baileys. 

            There were noises now coming from the castle.  Yet when the gates burst into flame, the portcullis was up.

            No, Madeleine realized, it was missing.  As her forces entered the gates, she noticed it off on the ground, a rusted heap.  As The Iron Bull led the Chargers and the saarebas further into the castle, destroying those who had attacked them, Madeleine continued to look around.  There were dead, decaying bodies in Templar armor littering the ground.  Some of the bodies had red lyrium growing out of them, the lyrium glowed against the wet grass.  As she continued to explore, she noticed there was red lyrium growing out of the wall, like it had at Redcliffe Castle.  She carefully moved closer to the walls, gripping her stave, ready for an attack that never came.  Looking closer, she noticed dry blood splattered on the stone, near where the crystals jutted out.  Well, shit.  “Dorian!”  She called to her friend, her voice soft, yet it still carried across the courtyard.

            “I don’t think you want to be looking at that, Miracle,” Varric warned her.

            “What… how are the crystals coming out of the walls?”  Dorian questioned.

            “There’s dried blood.”  Madeleine started to reach out.

            “Don’t,” Varric grasped her wrist.  “Don’t touch it.  Remember what I told you about Bartrand and Meredith.”

            “It’s, that’s dried blood, isn’t it?”  She was surprised her voice was so calm.

            “It is,” he confirmed.  “I don’t know if it came from the Templars or the previous inhabitants.”

            “It was likely both,” Dorian decided.  “That’s a cheerful thought, isn’t it?”

            “There were less than we expected,” The Iron Bull reported to Madeleine.  “Cassandra probably could have taken out those by herself.  They were likely the very Templars who attacked us last night.  The rest seem to have already been dead.”

            “They probably succumbed to the Red Lyrium,” Cassandra deduced as she joined them.  “The bodies look worse than those inside the Grand Necropolis.”

            “The Red Templars don’t exactly look good when alive, Seeker,” Varric pointed out.

            “You do have a point there, Varric,” Cassandra agreed.

            “They’re all dead now,” The Iron Bull reminded them.  “What should we do with the castle?  Lucy thinks we should tear it down.”

            Madeleine scanned the area.  The castle sat on a large hill, looking out over miles of terrain around it.  If it was fixed up, it would be a wonderful, defensible position.  As it was, there was red lyrium growing out of the walls.  “How hard would it be to repair?”

            “It might take some time,” Cassandra warned.

            “But it would be worth it,” The Iron Bull added.  “Let’s keep a group protecting the castle.  I’ll send word to the base and see if I can’t recruit any locals.  I believe there will be those who want to help, especially if we close the rifts around here in the meantime.”

Chapter Text

Madeleine spent three weeks in Seheron.  She didn’t encounter many more Red Templars and there were no demons.  It hadn’t taken the entire time to close the rifts, but she’d still made sure she got every single one.

            After one week of closing rifts, the Iron Bull had come to her with the remainder of the Fog Warriors.

            “I remember the day the Red Templars came,” Amber, one of the Elders of the Fog Warriors told Madeleine as she sat in front of a large fireplace in the main hall.  Behind her stood Lizaveta, a Tevinter mage, and Gok, a Tal Vashoth.  Together, they formed the Triumvirate, the leaders of the Seheron Resistance.  “Things have been bad on this island for generations.  My people have had to deal with invaders from both the south and the north east.  It has caused heartache and sorrow for centuries.  Yet, we clung to the hope that our island would one day be ours again.  Then these… beasts marched in.  The arrived in Galleons.  At first, we wondered why Antiva had arrived.  What came off those ships wasn’t from Antiva, that we knew for sure.  We waited to see what happened.”

            “What happened was that as the Red Templars made a clusterfuck worse, those of us who had already been fight for, and over, Seheron had to get over our initial shock,” Gok added.

            “Then, as some of us rose to fight the Red Templars, another Galleon arrived,” Lizaveta declared.  “That ship had a Tevinter Mage named Calpernia.  She led a freaking demon army against us!”

            “That was the beginning of the end,” Gok agreed.

            “No, that was the beginning of our set back,” Amber corrected.  “We have proven that we will stand to the last man.  The coming of this Rebellion and the Herald of Andraste merely aids us in standing stronger.”

            “We are stronger by standing together,” Madeleine insisted.  “I need your help.  I need you to join us; only by uniting can The People of Thedas take back our continent.”

            “We have united with the other of Seheron, but the Fog Warriors have not survived by uniting with any group that happens along,” Amber wavered.  “We thank you for the help, but…”

            “They have saarebas fighting for them, free saarebas,” Gok pointed out.  “No longer are they bound.  They talk, they sing, they fight of their own will.  The Tal Voshoth left the Qun, we stood on our own, and answered to the dictates of our own conscience.”

            “As outlaws,” the Iron Bull muttered.  He ignored the warning look Madeleine shot at him.

            “As those free of a system that tried to take away our individuality, who wanted us to deny who we are,” Gok shot back at him.  “I never committed a crime.  My brother, Kors, was a mercenary.  My other brother, Randy, was a clothing designer.  Do not believe that all Tal Voshoth are the same.  The only thing that would make any of us outlaws is the unbending belief of the Qun and those it serves.”

            Madeleine sighed.  She didn’t need this right now, she needed to unite the people, not have them divide over petty squabbles.  “That past is dead,” she reminded them.  “No governments seem to have survived and I see little evidence that even the Chantry has any power anymore.”

            “The Southern Chantry never recovered from the explosion at the Temple of Sacred Ashes and the death of the Southern Divine,” Elizaveta confirmed.  “The Tevinter Chantry fell when Minrathous was taken.  Our Divine was ripped apart in front of his worshippers.  The tales I’ve heard have been rather harrowing.  The Venatori walked in, with the demon army, and declared that Melissan Greeneus of was now Divine.  Melissan was later killed by Calpurnia, who declared The Elder One to be God and stated that he didn’t need a Divine.”

            “I thought one of the rifts was going to kill Greeneus,” Gok admitted.  “By then they were springing up everywhere.”

            “Yes, but now you’ve closed them all,” Amber added.  “At least you’ve closed the ones on the island.”  She looked up and smiled gently.  “I hadn’t seen the stars for many months.  Now I can see them again.”

            “We no longer fear the sky,” Elizaveta added.  “No new rifts are forming, either.”

            “I managed to keep the rift over The Temple of Sacred Ashes from growing anymore,” Madeleine explained.  “Now, I plan to close all those that have opened.  I will make Thedas safe again.  Then I shall take on Corypheus and his demon army.  I need  your help, though.”

            “We are helping,” Gok indicated a nearby wall.

            The Triumvirates’ joint alliance was working with the rebels to clear the red lyrium, and remains of those who died on the walls.

            “And we greatly appreciate the help,” Varric assured them.  “I would like to see all red lyrium destroyed.  It’s… I’m shocked those that survived Corypheus’ take over haven’t all gone insane from being around the people.”

            “I’ve had a few people succumb to the Red Pox,” Amber admitted.

            “That’s why we dedicated so much time and effort to finding ways to eliminate it,” Elizaveta added.

            “Can you give more time and effort to saving Thedas?”  Madeleine asked.  “The Rebel Alliance needs more allies!”

            “Now that the rifts on our island are closed, I believe we can,” Gok agreed.

Chapter Text

Dear Cullen,

            The night after speaking to the Triumvirate found Madeleine sitting in the rooms she’d claimed as her own and writing to the former Commander of the Inquisition again.  She’d found herself doing so more and more often.  She’d include a letter to him each time she sent missives to the Rebel headquarters.

            I’m quite hopeful for our newest alliance.  Corypheus seems to have done what now other person has managed to do.  He’s united the Island of Seheron.  Now that I’ve managed to close the rifts here, the people are willing to join us.  They’ll hold the castle for us, we just need to leave someone who answers to Hawke here.  I was hoping to leave Isabela.  She is the best suited to defend the shores.  Varric isn’t sure she’d be willing to stay, it might curtail her freedom.  He’s sure if Hawke asked, she’d be willing to station herself here, though.  I am writing to Hawke, to ask her to do just that, after I write to you.

            She paused, realizing she’d chosen to write to Cullen first.  All day, she’d been thinking about what she wanted to say to him.  She had found herself hoping for another letter from him and disappointed every time there was not one.  She stayed well distracted, though.  Maker knew there was plenty to do.

            I would love to tell you where we’re going next, but I will not chance my letters falling into the hands of those who worship The Elder Ones.  Ask Lieutenant Dustin when he arrives with the messages.  He should know.  Hopefully, by then, I’ll be writing to  you from somewhere new.  I find myself hoping that I have an excuse to return to base.  I want to…”

            She wanted to see him again.  She wasn’t sure she wanted to admit that to herself yet, much less write it down.

            I want to see all those I left behind. 

            I hope to hear from you soon with news of what is happening there.  Hawke sends more clinical information.  I want to know how everyone is.  Have you recovered?  Has Vivienne, she seemed on the road to either recovery or… something else.  What of Leliana?

            Why did the thought of Cullen knowing ‘what of Leliana’ made her a bit sad.

            News please.

            Your

            She slashed two lines, cutting that out.

            Sincerely,

            Madeleine

            After a pause, she added her last name.  It had taken him long enough to stop calling her Trevelyan, perhaps that was still how he thought of her.  No, it had taken her dying and coming back, but he called her Maddie last time he’d seen her.  Perhaps she should wait for him to write and tell her how he felt, or at least give some indications.  She decided to send the personal letter still, but  she added Trevelyan after Madeleine.

            She put the letter with her other correspondences and went to bed.

            Madeleine was pouring over a map of Thedas, when Varric came into her room shortly after breakfast.

            “We have news from headquarters, Miracle,” he announced.

            She frowned at him.  “I thought I was Hope, when did I get downgraded to merely a miracle?”

            He grinned.  “You still give hope to the people, but your returns from the dead are what bring hope.  You are a miracle.”

            She didn’t know if she could handle the expectations that came with either nickname.  “Why can’t I just be Maddie?”  She  wanted to know.

            “Here are your correspondences, Miracle,” he handed over several pages.  “There appears to be one from Curly.”  He gave her a little smile and then walked away, whistling.

            Madeleine resisted temptation and read the missives from Hawke first.  She was pleased with the progress and reported that news of rifts disappearing in the North was spreading.  It brought hope to the people, but she needed to be wary of the possibility that the news had reached Corypheus’ ears and that he may be sending someone to investigate.  Madeleine had already been wary.  She was keeping an eye out for any demons or more Red Templars.

            There were two other letters.  One was from Vivienne.  The other was from Cullen.  She picked up Cullen’s letter first.  She frowned as she scanned it.  A lot of it seemed to be crossed out and other parts were hard to make out.  She wondered if the red lyrium was affecting his writing ability.  The letter told of his day and how much he enjoyed spending time with Leliana.  The pair were apparently bonding.  He gushed over her progress and visits.  He didn’t come out and claim that they were a couple, but she suspected that they were.

            She found herself rather upset at the letter, admitting to herself that she didn’t like the idea of Cullen and Leliana together.  He needed someone less… Orlesian.  Yes, she assured herself.  She didn’t like it, because Leliana was Orlesian and Cullen was Fereldan.  She stood, leaving Vivienne’s letter unopened and went into the courtyard.  She suddenly had a burning need to practice with her spirit blade.

Chapter Text

“I thought we were going to Antiva next,” Cassandra glared at Madeleine as their ship crested on a wave.

            “We should be heading to Tevinter,” Dorian objected.

            “Hawke thinks we’re heading for Antiva,” Varric backed Cassandra.

            “She thinks you’re heading for Rivain,” Isabela corrected.

            No, Hawke knew she was going to the Anderfells, but Madeleine wasn’t going to tell anyone else that.  She often communicated through code with the heads of the Resistance and Hawke loved the idea of throwing off anyone who might be reading their missives.  It seemed she did not trust everyone in the Resistance, not fully.  They both, also, worried about their messengers being intercepted. 

            Hawke and Madeleine, along with Elora, had begun discussing how they might start intercepting Corypheus’ own missives.  They also discussed the possibility of sending spies into Corypheus’ forces.  However, they had no Red Templars or demons that they could just send in.

            “Hawke knows more than you seem to realize,” Madeleine informed them.  She knew a lot more than they realized.  Madeleine carried on her person several letters; one was from Hawke to a resident of Weisshaupt.

Chapter Text

Samson didn’t like ships.  Even before he’d been blessed by the Elder One, he didn’t like them.   Perhaps The Gallows had never been an ideal place for him to be stationed.  Yet, it was, even now, his base.

            Corypheus now sat on a golden throne in its courtyard.  He thought The Elder One should reign from the Viscount’s Keep or have a great palace built to him.

            There was a palace being built in Kirkwall, one made of marble and gold that reflected the strength and might of the Tevinter Empire, the Empire that Corypheus was determined to restore.  Samson was careful not to mention that destroying Minrathous and killing many Tevine was not an ideal way to  go about restoring the empire.

            He’d left such arguments to Calpernia.

            Calpernia had  stood up for her countrymen.  Corypheus had her killed for her efforts.  He’d had her escorted, by what was left of the Grey Warden Mages to the head of his demon army, The Nightmare.  No one came back from such visits.  He wondered how much she’d suffered before the nightmare had finished  her off.  He’d only seen the thing from a distance, that had been enough.

            He’d heard the Warden Mages describe it… and it had been horrible.

            That’s what he’d thought, at least.  It turned out that it had all been a ruse.  Calpurnia had shown up in Kirkland a week later.  Samson had been in Orlais, trying to find Empress Celine’s purported heir.  She’d been young, in her teens, but her very existence made Corypheus angry.

            When Samson had returned, Calpurnia had somehow been promoted by Corypheus over him.  The Venatori had laughed at Samson when he confronted them about it.  They said it was just politics and he needed to get over being bested.

            Corypheus now called her a true Tevinter and worthy of their homeland.  Apparently, foiling him, yet remaining loyal, made the Elder One happy.

            Samson would rather be on a ship, between Seheron and Rivain, waiting for the rebels.  His men had intercepted a ship heading to Southern Thedas from Seheron.  His men had meant to take prisoners, but they weren’t the most subtle of creatures.  No one was left alive on the ship when he’d boarded.  There were bodies, but it looked like a lot of the crew had abandoned ship when they realized they were being boarded.

            He did find several messages on one body.  The man wasn’t dressed as a seaman, likely he was a currier for the damned rebels.  Samson had not been able to learn where the messages were being taken, but they did hold some interesting information.  Some, he wasn’t sure he’d wanted to take to Corypheus.

            He withheld hints that the Herald of Andraste had somehow returned to life.  He wanted a good… safe that was… time to tell the Elder One of that development.  The best time would be after he had killed the troublesome upstart mage.  That chance had presented itself in another of the letters.

            The rumors of trouble in Seheron had been confirmed.  Now, those rebels were heading to Rivain.  He would intercept them.  The letters indicated that The Herald of Andraste was with them.

            The best time to tell Corypheus that she was alive, was when he presented the Elder One with her head.

            He continued to wait.  Perhaps the Herald of Andraste had vanished from Thedas once again. 

            “Maybe she forgot where Rivain is,” Rick, one of his few surviving Red Templars, wanted to know.

Chapter Text

Madeleine rode through the Anderfells.  Even at this distance, she could already see Weisshaupt.  It rose over the landscape, dominating it.  The road to the keep was steep and arduous.  “So, this is where Hawke’s husband grew up?”

            “Blondie was born here, but he doesn’t even remember it,” Varric informed her.  “He grew up in Ferelden.  He ended up in Kinloch Hold, at the same time Curly was there.  Why don’t you ask Curly about it when you write to him tonight, Miracle?”

            Madeleine blushed and then paled.  “I… I don’t think I will.  I… I’ll just ask Hawke about his progress the next time I send her a missive.  There’s no need…”

            Varric frowned at her.  “Did Curly say not to write to him anymore?  I know there was a letter from him… but, I’m a good judge of people and…”

            “No,” Madeleine assured him.  “He didn’t tell me not to write.  His letter was very… friendly… what there was of it.  I got the feeling that it was hurting his relationship with Leliana or something.  He didn’t come out and say they were a couple, but there were hints.”

            “Curly and Nightingale?”  Varric though for a moment.  “No, I’d never write something like that, it doesn’t work.”

            “They have spent a lot of time together in the healing ward,” The Iron Bull pointed out.  “That’s all sexy and romantic.”

            “I’ve never found being around sick and injured people all that romantic,” Cassandra commented.

            “There are plenty of stories out there about men and women who fall in love with their healer, Seeker,” Varric agreed with Bull.  “You had other letters; did anyone mention that Curly and Nightingale were getting cuddly behind the healers’ backs?”

            “What about what Vivienne said in her letter?”  A new voice asked.

            Madeleine whirled around and saw Sera, sitting on a small chestnut Fereldan, right behind her.  “I… when did you get here?”

            “I came in with the messages that were sent to Seheron, the last batch,” Sera answered.  “I… well Cassandra was being a bossy pants and said that I couldn’t talk to you until I got over my anger at the Wardens, like that was ever going to happen,” she snorted.

            “Are you willing to be nice, at least?”  Cassandra made a disgusted noise.

            “No, but I won’t cause trouble,” Sera crinkled her nose.  “I guess not all of the Wardens are responsible for what the ones in Orlais did, but…”

            “Our contact explained that they were hearing the Calling,” Varric reminded her.

            “Desperate people do stupid things,” Madeleine agreed.

            “They killed the Divine!”  Sera threw up her hands.  Then flipped off the general direction of Weisshaupt.

            “Those… Varric and Hawke explained about Corypheus’ powers over Wardens,” Cassandra said through clenched teeth.

            “Then why are we talking to them?” Sera demanded to know.

            “Because Junior told Waffles that the Wardens weren’t hearing the Calling up here and they can help,” Varric answered. 

            “That sentence makes no sense, Wierdy,” Sera decided.

            “That’s the dragon calling the wyvern scaly,” Cassandra muttered.

            “They just need some help with the rifts first,” Varric continued.  “They’re expending all of their forces trying to keep the demons under control.”

            “Because they created the demon army,” Sera threw her hands up, causing her horse to rear.  She fell on her butt.  “That was the horse’s fault.”  She glared at her horse.  “I know you did that on purpose.”

            The horse just snorted.

            “The Wardens of Weisshaupt didn’t cause this,” Varric insisted.  “Those were the Orlesian ones.”

            “Even the Ferelden Ones had nothing to do with the demon army,” The Iron Bull added.  “We learned that when Elora returned home… to find it destroyed.”

            “Junior and his buddies are real interested in that cure she brought back, too,” Varric added.  “They’re sure it will keep them from ever hearing the calling.”

            “Cure for what?”  it was the first Madeleine was hearing of any cure.

            “We’re not sure,” Cassandra admitted.  “She won’t give us the details, but the Wardens of Ferelden and Weisshaupt are interested.”

            “She gave it to Anders the moment she joined the rebellion,” The Iron Bull informed them.  “He volunteered to take it before anyone else.  Elora had already taken it and given it to King Alistair.”

            “They did give it to Blondie,” Varric assured him.  “Now, Junior and some of his buddies, understandably want it.”

            “What does it do, though?”  Cassandra wanted to know. 

            “They won’t tell us,” Bull admitted.

            “But we’re going to find out,” Varric swore.  “Just as soon as we… well, shit.”

            Two rifts appeared before them, seeming to swell around each other.  There were Wardens flanking it, fighting off the demons that emerged.

Chapter Text

Madeleine slid from her horse and produced her spirit blade as she moved to the rift.

            Behind her, The Iron Bull, Cassandra, Sera, Varric, and Dorian made a half circle.

            “Sera, how did you know that Vivienne wrote to me?”  Madeleine summoned a storm and smiled as one of the lightning bolts fried a Despair Demon.  She then cut through a Pride Demon with her Spirit Blade.

            “I told you; I was on the ship with the letters,” Sera shot a Terror demon and then rolled back, landing on her feet, and releasing another arrow.

            “That doesn’t answer how you know what is in them.”  Madeleine cut down a shade.  Then she raised her left hand and sent power into the rift.

            “It’s the Herald!”  Someone shouted.  It had to be a Grey Warden; everyone Madeleine had brought knew who she was.

            “Bless Andraste!”  Someone else exclaimed.

            “I got bored,” Sera informed her, as she put arrows into a horror demon who had been trying to sneak up on Madeleine. 

            “So, you read the letters?”  Madeleine wasn’t exactly surprised by this.  She lowered her hand for a moment and cast an ice mine behind her, to take care of anything else trying to sneak up on her.  She then cast a dispelling field around her, as the rift boiled.

            The field caused the demons trying to manifest around her to dissipate.

            “Second wave!”  Casandra called and charged.

            “Of course, I did” Sera shot two arrows and disappeared into the shadow.

            Of course, she did.  Madeleine wondered if Sera knew more of the Rebels secrets than anyone else.

            “Don’t you want to know what I read?”  Sera reappeared and released another arrow.  “I know I’d want to know what was in Vivienne’s letter if I was you.  You should read it.  If you read the mess of Cully-Wully’s letter, you really should.  It was sus as the Fade, if you know what I’m saying.”

            Madeleine only knew what Sera was saying three-fourths of the time; however this struck a deep cord of understanding.  She’d been replaying the words in Cullen’s letter over and over again for its hidden meanings and innuendoes.  Something was… off… about it, but he was still recovering from horrible red lyrium poisoning.  Of course, it would be off.  “What do you mean?”

            “Vivienne can tell.  Her bitch button must have been going off,” Sera answered.  “Read the letter.”

            Madeleine couldn’t exactly do that at the moment.  She had a rift to deal with.  She lifted her hand and poured power into it yet again.  The rift folded in on itself.  Madeleine pulled her hand back and stitched it closed.

            There was cheer that went up.

            “Andraste has not abandoned us!  Her Herald is back, all praise Andraste!”  Someone yelled.

            “Praise Andraste!”  The crowd repeated.

            “I think they’re happy to see you, Miracle,” Varric told her.

            A middle-aged woman approached her.  “Welcome to Weisshaupt, Herald of Andraste.  I am Commander Kate Tesh.”

            “Call me Madeleine,” she responded. 

            “Call her Miracle,” Varric commented from behind her.  “We’d also like to see Warden Hawke.”

            “Of course,” Commander Tesh bowed.  “You were expected and he’s looking forward to seeing you all.”

Chapter Text

The towers of Weisshaupt rose above the wasteland of the Anderfells.  They could be seen behind the outer curtain wall.  There was a moat and a small bridge came down, revealing a portcullis behind it, as Madeleine and her friends approached.

            Madeleine was surprised to see blades of grass and daisies around the mote.  As she examined the land, she saw more growth.  There were small patches of green among the reds and grays of the Anderfells.  It seemed, that after over a thousand years, the Anderfells were recovering from the First Blight.  Her attention was caught by one of the daisies.  Something about it made her think it was shaking its proverbial first at the First Blight, telling it that it would not stay down.  It gave her a bit more resolve to continue shaking her first at Corypheus.  Having lost a year, and Thedas falling to shit, would not keep her down either.

            Thoughts of the recovery of the Anderfells were disrupted by a loud gasp, Cassandra Pentaghast had gasped. 

            “I want one,” Sera proclaimed.

            Madeleine looked back at her team and saw them looking up.  She followed their gazes.  Above them a trio of strange creatures flew.  They had the head and wings of eagles, but their bodies looked like depictions of lions that she had seen in books.  She realized they were griffons.  The Grey Wardens really had griffons.  She’d thought they were gone.

            “Junior said they were back, I didn’t dare believe it, though,” Varric murmured, looking up at the griffons.

            Madeleine would have to ask Carver about those later.  For now, she needed to meet the leaders of the Free Grey Wardens; those who did not fall under Corypheus’ thralls.  The Fortress of Weisshaupt had arrow slits, but no real windows.  Madeleine wondered if anyone had ever bothered to get that close to the fortress.  She’d moved her horse carefully up a steep slope.  Those on foot had to use steps that had been carved into the trail moving up, although time and constant ware had worn those down.  She moved towards the large steely gate that gave entrance to the keep.  They were large, she knew they were, they were said to be large enough to move three an army marching three horses abreast at one time; but somehow it seemed rather petite; it was the very large fortress looming behind it.  The turrets were extremely tall.  She could see the pendants flying from them, and understood that they had grey griffons on a blue field on them, but she could make none of the details out.  She could barely even tell that they were blue.

            As she rode into the bailey, she could see Wardens milling around.  She noted that some of their tunics had tears and their boots seemed worn.  Even the armor looked as if it were in need of repair.

            “What happened to their blacksmith?”  Varric muttered to Cassandra.

            “Demons got him,” Sera didn’t bother to lower her voice and she sounded wo confident, that some might think she had been there when the person in question had been killed.

            Still, Madeleine suspected she was right.  As they had gotten closer to Weisshaupt, she’d spotted several rifts in the distance.  She would take care of those after meeting with the Grey Warden leaders.

            In the middle of the bailey, stood a tall man with buff arms and dark, strait hair.  One strand stuck out a little, as if rebelling just a bit.  His eyes were gray, but something about their shape reminded Madeleine of Hawke.  Vaguely, Madeleine wondered why his arms were even exposed.

            Beside the man, was an elven woman in Grey Warden Mage armor.  The armor and the stave she was holding, indicated that she had to be a mage.  Either that or she was strangely fond of mage adornments.  Her brown hair was bound in braids that wound into a bun at the nape of her neck.  The woman stepped forward.  “Welcome to Weisshaupt, Herald of Andraste.  I am Valya.  This is…”

            “Junior!”  Varric interrupted.  “It’s good to see you again good.  Waffles has been worried about you.”

            “Please, don’t…”  The other Grey Warden began.  Then he just shook his head.  “Why is she worried about me?  I’m nowhere near the bulk of Corypheus’ forces.  We just have demon spitting rifts to worry about.”

            “That’s why I’m here,” Madeleine assured him.  “Well, that, and to get your help against Corypheus.  You know of him?”

            “I helped fight him once,” the Grey Warden revealed.  “A Carta once tried to abduct me from a Grey Warden fortress.  They were being controlled by Corypheus, as were the Wardens who were guarding him.  They needed my blood, well mine or my sister’s.  There was a fight, we beat him, and thought we’d killed him.”

            “Waffles beat him, Junior,” Varric corrected.  You just ran around, avoiding Corypheus’ weird beams, and screaming.”

            “I managed to fight him a few times, before I started running,” Carver insisted.  “Weren’t you hiding behind one of those strange statues that were connecting the beams?”

            “Bianca and I had a strategic position from which to shoot Corypheus and those shades he someone kept summoning,” Varric insisted.  “It was a heroic strategy.”

            “If I didn’t know how protective you are of my sister, I might question that,” Carver warned.

            “We need to know how to kill Corypheus now, not what happened when he didn’t die before,” Madeleine tried to steer them back onto course.

            “We did kill him before, Miracle,” Varric insisted.  “He was dead, all dead; not mostly dead.”

            “He was definitely dead,” Carver verified.

            “He’s obviously walking around now,” Madeleine pointed out.  “He’s taken over Thedas.”  She turned to Valya.  “We need your help taking it back.”

            Valya nodded.  “I understand that, but I need something in exchange.”

            Madeleine tried to contain her eyeroll, and failed.  “Of course, you do, everyone seems to want something.  Maker forbid people do things out of the kindness of their hearts during an apocalypse.”

            “You have already closed one rift, but there are dozens more,” Valya continued.  “We need those closed as well.”

            “It’s good for you that I showed up then,” Madeleine pointed out.  “As I’ve already closed one rift.  I actually need your help in making sure I can close the rest.”

            “We’d also like help with that arch-darkspawn,” Varric added.  “You are Grey Wardens, after all, and he’s a type of darkspawn.  Those two things do go hand in hand.”

            “I…”  Valya began.  Then she stopped.

            “That’s not to mention the things that arch-darkspawn is responsible for.  You can’t tell me that those gathered here haven’t lost someone to the maniac.  All of Thedas have lost someone!”  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.”  Just get me some soldiers to help keep the demons off my back until I’ve closed all of the rifts in the area,” Madeleine told her.  “Then we’ll talk about more long term help… and use of those lovely griffons we saw.”

            “They’re young,” Valya warned.

            “That’s not… I’ll take their handlers, too, then,” Madeleine decided.  “I’m trying to save Thedas.  You, the griffons, all The Grey Wardens are part of it.”

            “Why don’t we start a game of Wicked Grace,” Varric suggested.  “I can see how rusty Junior’s become and we can all get to know each other better.”

            Madeleine didn’t hear any better suggestions.  “Why not?  Let’s go.”

Chapter Text

The game of Wicked Grace had worked better than Madeleine could have hoped.  Things had become cordial and relaxed as cards and ale flowed.

            Sera was now passed out under the table in the Grey Warden’s mess hall.  Before the disruptive rogue had passed out, she’d reminded Madeleine to read Vivienne’s letter.

            As she reached the rooms the Wardens had set her up in, Madeleine went to her saddlebags and pulled out her missives.  Cullen’s letter was on top, as if putting it there could somehow cause the words to change.  At the bottom, was Vivienne’s letter.  Madeleine broke the seal and then threw it on the bed.

            She changed into a white, warm, woolen night chemise and then sat on the bed.  She grabbed the letter and sat cross legged, curling her feet under her.

            Darling,

            Madeleine rolled her eyes at the greeting.

            It is with some concern that I write you.  Naturally, I wish you luck on your endeavors as you try to make up for letting Alexius throw you into some magical abyss.  Really, darling, you should have known better and prepared for such an attack.  Yet, I must admit to myself that in all of my own glory, I did not see it coming, either.  I would have blocked it if I had known it was coming.

            Madeleine rolled her eyes.  Vivienne overestimated her powers.  Dorian had tried to block it and had failed.  He, at least, had been familiar with Alexius research into time magic.  She returned her attention to the letter.

            Yet while you are gone, an enemy may wish to strike from your back.  I do not mean Corypheus or his ilk.  I saw Leliana going through the letters that were being sent to you.  I do not know what she has altered, but I am sure that she has.  She stiffens a little when your name is said, especially when the Commander talks of you.  There is something there you cannot trust.  Perhaps she was with Corypheus’ people for too long.  Perhaps she is just jealous.  She is jealous, darling, but that does not discount the other part. 

            Needless to say, you must look for changes in any letter and do not trust them.

            Your Friend,

            Vivienne

            Madeleine closed the letter.  Sera knew what the letter said and Vivienne had seen Leliana tampering with her correspondences.  Had either told Hawke?  Or even Queen Elora?  She had a strong suspicion they had not.

            She started to stand up to find out what Sera knew, then remembered that the Red Jenny was passed out under a table.  She went to bed instead.

Chapter Text

A pride demon roared in Madeleine’s face.  “Not now,” she sliced at him with her spirit blade.  “Sera, I…”

            “Not now, I’m killing demons,” Sera shot a rage demon and then rolled back, practically disappearing in the shadows cast by the Grey Wardens aiding them.

            Madeleine moved to get closer to the elven archer.  She wanted answers about what Sera had seen in Haven.  She’d become obsessed about whether or not Leliana had messed with Cullen’s letter.

            “How is my brother-in-law doing?”  Madeleine found herself distracted by a conversation between Carver and Varric.  She summoned a storm that struck a despair demon with lightning and moved toward the pair.

            “He’s surprisingly well,” Varric answered.

            “Corypheus isn’t giving him any trouble?”  Carver sounded surprised.  “When we first found him, Justice was going crazy.

            “Not anymore,” Varric assured him.  “Justice is no longer a problem.  I don’t know what exactly happened.  It was Dagna, the arcanist.”  He put two bolts through a shade that had appeared before him.  Then he continued telling Carver of his brother-in-law.  “Well, first it was Queeny.  She appeared and started yelling at both Anders and Justice at the same time.  I don’t know how she did it.  Then Dagna appeared and said she wanted to run a few experiments.  She was really fascinated by Justice.”

            “I would imagine so,” Carver agreed.  “She wasn’t afraid of him?”

            “Not a bit,” Varric assured him.  She just declared him fascinating.  “After her experiments, though, Justice was somehow gone from Anders.  She told Hawke that Justice either needed to form a body like Cole did or return to the Fade.”

            “Who’s Cole?”  Carver asked.

            Madeleine wanted to know the answer to that, too.

            “It’s a long story, Junior,” Varric assured him.  “One that needs to wait until we aren’t fighting a bunch of demons.  It ended with his body being killed, and him returning to the Fade, so I do not like retelling it.”

            Madeleine cut down another demon.  Then she cast ice mines in front and back of her, in case any sneaky demon tried to creep up on her.  She raised her left hand and let the Anchor’s power rush into the rift.

            The rift buckled and moved, but stayed up.  She gave a sigh and waited for it to spawn more demons.  One appeared in front her and immediately froze.

            She had to laugh as one of Dorian’s fireballs smashed into the demon and shattered it.  “Thank you, my handsome hero!”  She shouted to him.

            “I’m here for your every whim, My Lady,” he gave a little bow.  Then he sent a fire wall shooting through the remaining demons in the area.

            Madeleine lifted her hand again and fed more energy into the rift.  The rift buckled and swirled.  Then she pulled her hand back and stitched it closed.  It was the third rift she’d done that day, but she was even more tired than usual.

            She looked at her team, and the Grey Wardens who fought with them.  “Let’s have a long lunch.”

            Madeleine nibbled on a piece of cheese as she sat, with her legs crossed in front of her.  She spied Sera sitting near Cassandra.  She wondered if the elf was staying there for protection.  She knew that Cassandra and Leliana were close and thought she might want to question Sera about the ex-spymasters possibly notorious actions with the Seeker around.

            “What has you frowning at Buttercup and Seeker like that?”  Varric sat beside her.

            “She’s been trying to get Sera to talk to her all day,” Dorian responded, coming to sit at her other side.  “She’s avoiding her.”

            “She told me to read Vivienne’s letter, which I did,” Madeleine explained.  “According to the letter, Leliana may be altering the letters sent to me.  She doesn’t say why, but made it sound nefarious.”

            “Altering letters is always nefarious,” Dorian confirmed.  “The reason why she is doing it is the question.  Could she be working for Corypheus?”

            Varric shook his head.  “Nightingale would never support him.  He’s responsible for the deaths of too many of her friends.  Plus, she should have an inkling of what Hawke would do if she found out.”

            “Have you received any letters that seemed suspicious, Maddie?”  Dorian prompted. 

            “Hawke’s letter was in code, but that’s just being cautious,” Madeleine was sure of that.  “Cullen had crossed out a large portion of his letter and some seemed rewritten, but I just figured that he didn’t want to go into detail about how his relationship with Leliana is developing.  It’s obvious that they are close.”

            “It’s obvious that she wants them to be close,” Varric corrected.  “They’re friends, but I don’t believe she has his affections.”

            “They are both in the hospital wing recovering,” Madeleine pointed out.

            “That is all sexy and romantic,” Dorian pointed out.  “They’re all recovering together and bandaging each other’s wounds.”

            “They are not bandaging each other’s wounds, Sparkler,” Varric assured them.

            “Are you sure, Varric?”  Madeleine could see it now.  Leliana was dabbing ointment where red lyrium once tried to jut from Cullen’s ivory skin.  The hussy.  Meanwhile, he was lotioning one of the many lesions on her face.  She really didn’t like the picture in her head.

            “I’m sure, Miracle,” he assured her.  “But if it helps, you can give all the demons and rifts Nightingale’s face before you destroy them.  I believe you had three more that you planned to close today.”

            “If you’re up to it,” Dorian rubbed her back gently. 

            “I want as many closed as possible, before Corypheus realizes what is happening,” Madeleine slowly made it back to her feet.  Then she sat down, when she realized she still held a piece of cheese.  “As soon as I finish lunch that is.”

Chapter Text

Calpurnia stared at the mage before her.  “This report must be wrong, Koen.”  She waved the parchment he’d presented at him.

            Koen fidgeted.  “The information has all been verified.  We lost contact with Seheron.”

            Calpurnia didn’t understand why that was a concern.  “Are you afraid it was that pitiful alliance on the island that was trying to fight the Red Templars?  They were Red Templars, they were dying anyway.  We’ll send workers up to mine their remains.  It’s nothing to be concerned about.”

            “Linnea sent workers up when the report first came in,” Koen admitted.

            “Without my permission?”  Calpurnia didn’t like that.  Linnea was ambitious and was obsessed with Corypheus.  She would often try to sneak into The Elder One’s Throne Room, and personal quarters, trying to get a private meeting with him.  She wondered if it might not be time to dispose of the overly ambitious mage from Ostwick.  The other mage was far from the most talented she’d ever met, but Linnea had found her ambition in spades.

            “Well… yes,” Koen nodded.  “You were busy with the spy, the one that reported the Rebel Alliance was there.  Our sources had verified that one of Hawke’s top people was on that island.”

            “Yet, we failed to find any of her people,” Calpurnia countered.  “If there had been a ship, we never saw it.  It was a false lead.”

            “Is the lead still alive?”  Koen blanched.

            “There is no reason to burn that bridge until I’m done using it,” she assured him.  “Although, it did take time to convince The Elder One not to hurt the spy.  It wasn’t their fault.  We can question the locals to see if they’re there or not.  We’ll send in the Venatori to cut a path through the demons and to guard the rifts.”

            “That’s just it,” Koen gulped.  “The rifts… there are no rifts in Seheron.”

            “What?”  Calpurnia had not heard of any village without rifts, much less an entire island.  “Commander Yar mentioned it in their reports.”

            “Perhaps Commander Yar was just trying to get more funds for her men,” Koen suggested.

            “That’s possible,” Calpurnia agreed.  “Still, we should send people up there to check.”

            “I’m not going!”  Koen quickly stated.  “I mean… my lady…”

            “We’ll send the Venatori,” she assured him.  “Why don’t you have John Rosee sent to my offices.  I’ll have him lead his team up there.”

            “Should we warn him about the Fog Warriors and Tal Voshoth?”  Koen suggested.

            “No,” Calpurnia waved the suggestion off.  “If he can’t handle them, he shouldn’t be leading any of our people.”

            “Yes, my lady,” Koen bowed. 

Chapter Text

Madeleine Trevelyan had spent a month in the Anderfells and found herself wanting to return to Haven for a break.  She had received word from Hawke, who said that more help had arrived, in Have, from the survivors of Par Vallon.  She had sent the few Tal Voshoth she could spare up to help them.  They were working with the saarebas on ways to rid Thedas of Corypheus’ demon army.

            She’d also received a message from Vivienne who was chaffing at the bit to come out and fight.  She supposed that she could use all the help she could get at the moment.  Vivienne also mentioned that a twittering bird kept circling around the grievously hurt stallion, so no others could come near.  She said the bird was even keeping paper and parchments from reaching him.  Madeleine wasn’t exactly sure what she meant, but she suspected that she needed to find out.

            She may need to go back to Haven anyway.  The plan had, originally, been to next go to Nevarra and clear the rifts there.  Perhaps, she could use Cassandra to rally the people.  Yet Valya was changing the conditions of their access to Gryphons.

            “They’re still babies,” Valya claimed.  “Well… they’re young children, perhaps not babies still.  They are too small to ride.”

            “Which is why the Herald suggested using them as spies,” Cassandra countered.

            “How will you understand their reports?”  Valya challenged.  “Look, they want to help.  They sense the Blight in Corypheus and they don’t like it.”

            “That makes sense,” Madeleine agreed.  “They were bred to fight darkspawn.  He’s an arch-darkspawn.”

            “Yes, so I’ll let you have a pair,” Valya repeated her offer.  “I hear that you have Grey Wardens, two of them, in the Rebellion’s high ranks.”

            “One of them is high in the ranks,” Cassandra agreed.  “King Alistair is a non-active member of the rebellion.”

            “Yet, he is the Warden King,” Madeleine pointed out.  “I believe bringing him a pair of young griffons to help train is ideal.”  She hoped that it would help with whatever was keeping him from fighting.  Perhaps they will remind him of his vows or give him hope that he obviously needed.  “Will you be going with us Valya?”

            “No, I will stay with the rest of the griffons,” Valya insisted.  “They were my charges before I had to assume command of the keep.”  She blanched.  “I’m barely a Grey Warden.  I went through the Joining after the Mage Rebellion.  Alas, our leaders were all killed when the rifts began opening, one after another, across The Anderfells.”

            “Then those in charge, after them, went to fight The Demon Army,” Carver added.  “They weren’t darkspawn, but they insisted they had to protect Weisshaupt.  None came back.”

            “The Wardens stationed throughout Thedas retreated here, but we were… already here and they all decided we were in charge,” Valya blanched.

            “Which is why I will happily go to Haven with you,” Carver declared.

            “You have been a Grey Warden for a decade now, Carver,” Cassandra pointed out. 

            “Yes, but…”  Carver began.

            The man obviously wanted to see his sister.  “We’ll be happy to have you,” Madeleine assured him.  “If Valya can spare you, that is.”

            “Now that the rifts are closed, and we’re no longer dealing with demons, we should be all right,” Valya assured her.  “I’ll set patrols and send word if I need Carver.  Don’t worry, we’ll hold Weisshaupt now.”

Chapter Text

Madeleine and her team met their ship to Haven at Marnus Pell.  She would take Carver to his sister and then return him to Weisshaupt when he was ready.  She would then be able to move into Nevarra.

            There had been some concern about crossing into Tevinter, but they hadn’t encountered any Venatori.  The few people they had met were downcast and glanced up at the sky continuously.  That could be because Madeleine had closed the rifts in the area.  She was there, she wasn’t going to leave them open; even if it might be a signal to Corypheus that she was alive and undoing his actions.

            They would see blue and give little smiles.

            One man muttered about a sign of hope and praised the Maker.  Then he looked around anxiously, as if someone heard his praise and would harm him for worshipping his god.

            “Corypheus must be stopped,” Dorian growled.  “No one does this to my country, not even my countrymen.”

            “We’ll free them, I swear,” Madeleine vowed.

            They only had to wait a half day for their ship.

            “It will be nice to be back in Haven for awhile,” Varric proclaimed.  “I know Waffles is going to be thrilled to see Junior.”

            “I… I have missed her,” Carver confessed.  “I’ve been really busy at Weisshaupt, but…  I’ve been worried about the friends I left behind, as well as my sister.”

            “Has she told you about Daisy?”  Varric’s tone grew somber and there was grief in his eyes.

            Carver nodded.  “I was really fond of Merrill.  Marian told me that she disappeared.  There might be hope that she’s still alive.”

            “I believe she is with Chuckles, and the other elves he’s gathered to his cause,” Varric confided.  “I would suggest Miracle find them, and gain their help, if I had any idea where they might be.”

            “She took Aveline and Sebastian’s deaths pretty hard,” Carver confided.  “She wrote me to ask why they would fight so hard for their homes.”

            “It was their duty,” Varric confirmed.  “Choir Boy should have never left Starkhaven.  He had to defend it.  As for Aveline… she was Thedas’ best guard captain.  I wonder how long she held out when Corypheus took Kirkwall.”

            “She would have held out until the end,” Carver was sure of that.  “Marian feels guilty that she wasn’t in Kirkwall to help protect the city from Corypheus.”

            “She left to keep her friends safe,” Varric sighed.  “She couldn’t have known what would happen.  If she had any idea that it needed defending from Corypheus, she wouldn’t have left.  We’re lucky we didn’t lose more.”

            “I agree.”  Carver stood as a boat came on sure, with the ship’s captain on board to see them to her vessel.  “At one point, I thought she was dead.”

            “Oh, plenty of people have tried!”  Isabela jumped out of the boat and ran to Carver, leaping into his arms.  “I thought I was for a short time, but I’m not.  I’m here to welcome you!  Well, to take you to Haven.”  She waved at Madeleine.  “I’m here to see you on board, Herald of Andraste.  I expect that the Maker will favor us with clear skies, since you will be on my ship.”

            “You can expect, but that doesn’t mean it will happen,” Madeleine warned.

            “Still, it’s nice to see clear skies in the Anderfells,” Isabella looked up.  “It’s nice to see them blue.  I missed that color.”

            “You’re in Tevinter right now,” Dorian corrected her.  “Still, blue is a beautiful color.  That I must agree with.”

Chapter Text

The first week of the voyage back to Haven was smooth sailing.  In the second week, the trouble began. 

            Captain Isabela’s look out, in her crow’s nest, had spotted a large galleon, flying a light green flag with a picture of a dragon scaling a black tower on it.  She knew that flag, it was Corypheus’ banner.  “Shit!”  Carrie, the lookout swore.  “Venatori Galleon ahead!”

            “Shit,” Isabela and Varric echoed at the same time.  Isabela maneuvered her schooner closer to Rivaine. 

            The schooner rushed towards the southern shore, leaving any pursuing ship in her wake.  When the crew was sure that no one was following them, they let out a collective sigh of relief.

            “I thought we had The Elder One’s patrol schedules down to the second, Rivaine,” Varric glanced back to where the galleon had been.

            “That wasn’t part of the patrol, Varric,” Isabela pointed out.  “My people cannot predict every movement the Elder One makes.”

            “Corypheus is likely investigating the disruptions in Par Vallon and Seheron,” The Iron Bull predicted.  “We must hope our people can repel those he sent to take back control.”

            Madeleine hated that she had endangered more people, yet they had deserved to be free.  She could only hope that they would now fight for that freedom, and to free the rest of Thedas.  “If they…”

            Her words broke off as the ship lurched.

            “That wasn’t good,” Dorian looked nervously at the railing.

            There was a second lurch.

            Some of the sailors ran to the railings. 

            “Andraste’s Addled Cat!”  Henry Lionsgate, Isabella’s cartographer cursed.  He was not gazing at the water, but above it.

            Madeleine followed his gaze.  A large rift crackled, above the water.  She saw no demons around it, because they would have all fallen in the water.

            The ship lurched again.  Then everything stilled.

            A trio of women popped their heads out of the water.

            “Shit, Sirens,” Isabela muttered.

            “Sirens?”  Madeleine had never heard of them before.

            “They’re a particularly nasty breed of desire demon,” Isabela explained.  “They live below the water and…”

            An eerie melody began to pierce the air.

            “Well, shit,” Varric cursed.  He turned and just stared at the water.

            “Erick, no!”  Isabela called to one of her sailors before he jumped into the water.

            Three more sailors followed him.

            “We’ll take care of this,” Cassandra grabbed Sera and they headed to the stern.

            “You know, they affect me too,” Sera warned.  “Especially that brunette one.”

            “You’ve been goggling over the Quanri women,” Cassandra pointed out.  “That desire demon is not your type.  Aren’t you in a committed relationship with an arcanist, our dwarven arcanist?”

            “I am,” Sera admitted.  “That doesn’t mean I can’t look… or desire.”

            “These wet wenches are not your type, Sera,” Cassandra reminded her.  “Snap out of it.  Now!”

            Madeleine ran to the railing, near the rift.  She set several ice mines around her and summoned lightning.  As a lightning bolt hit the water, she raised her hand and poured power into the rift.

            “Sorry, Sweetums,” Sera muttered as she put arrows into the brunette siren.

            Dorian moved up beside Sera and threw fireballs at the remaining sirens.

            The ship moved again and Madeleine braced.  The rift swirled.  A froglike creature appeared behind her and froze.  Madeleine hit it with her spirit blade and it burst.

            Three more appeared on deck.  

Cassandra whirled and killed one immediately.

“Kermites!”  One of the deck hands, Leroy Sullivan, screamed.  The other sailors ran around him, launching themselves at the amphibian like demons.

Madeleine raised her hand and poured more power into the rift.  It buckled and whatever had been causing the boat to rock rushed towards it, moving to protect it from her threat.  The water under the ship churned and began to swirl.

“It’s causing a tidal wave!”  Isabela keened.  Her knuckles were white as she held on to the wheel of her ship, keeping it in place.

“What has?”  Dorian yelled back to her.

“It’s a hafgufa!”  Varric gasped.  “They’re some sort of demon.  They were only seen once the rifts began appearing near large bodies of water, especially the oceans and sea.  It’s a sea serpent.”

“Andraste be merciful,” Dorian whispered.

The water stilled for a moment.  A large head poked out of the water and then slithered back in.

Madeleine poured more energy into the rift.  Usually, when the rift became disrupted and she was able to close it, the demons near it grew weaker.  Looking at just the head of the hafgufa, she had to hope that would be the case here.

“Bull?”  Dorian looked to him.

“What do you want me to do?”  Bull wanted to know.

“You’re as big as that creature,” Dorian insisted.  “You can jump in and kill it.”

“I wish,” Bull laughed.  “I’m not a great swimmer, though.  I tend to sink rather than float.”

“You spent all that time in Seheron and didn’t learn to swim?”  Madeleine was more than a bit shocked by that news.

“Miracle, you’re the one with lightning, it’s got to be you,” Varric informed her. 

“We’ll cover your back,” Cassandra swore.

Madeleine nodded.  “We need to get its attention, I can’t hit it if it’s under the ship.”

“It doesn’t like you messing with the rift,” Sera pointed out.

“I can’t try to close the rift and hit it at the same time,” Madeleine informed her.

“Fine,” Sera drew her bow.  “Hey, ugly!”  She shot her arrow.

The creature roared to the surface, an arrow in its eye.

How in Andraste’s name had Sera done that?  Madeleine knew she didn’t have time to ponder further.  She called down lightning and struck the creature’s head.

Sera and Varric began filling it with arrows and bolts as it thrashed.

Dorian threw a fireball for good measure.

Madeleine hit it with several more bolts.  She felt herself wobble, but knew she had to stay upright.  She had a rift to close and the ship wasn’t going to last too much longer if she didn’t.

She sent a prayer up to the Maker, and felt Dorian’s comforting arm around her back, steadying her.  She lifted her left hand again and poured the remainder of her power into the rift.  It swirled and bucked once more.  She then pulled her hand back and stitched it closed.

The Madeleine Trevelyan passed out on the deck of Captain Isabela’s cutlass.

Chapter Text

Calpurnia gripped the arms of her red and white cushioned high back chair. She glared at the stack of letters in front of her. The missive she wanted was not in the stack.
She thumbed through the messages for a third time and then threw them back on the desk. “Scott!”
A large man with a shaggy beard and long frizzy, thick white hair ran in. “Yes, my lady?”
“Why have I not heard back from Danica?” She picked up the stack of papers and shook them at him.
“She has not yet returned,” Scott pointed out.
“I should still have word,” Calpurnia countered out.
“With all of the rifts, perhaps she was killed by a demon,” Scott returned. “Not all of them are under the Elder One’s control.”
“Don’t let him hear you say that,” she warned. Still, she had to admit to herself that he might be right. There were rifts throughout Thedas. The sky roiled green. The Elder One failed to find his way back to the Fade, and he might destroy Thedas with his efforts to do so. She wasn’t going to be the one to explain this to him, though. She feared him, and sometimes regretted siding with him. But it had been her choice, and it was too late to back out now. “Very well, we’ll send Lior up with his regiment. Have Jonathan prepare a ship. Then tell Deborah to bring up a bottle of wine from the cellar. I’m going to need a drink.
“There is no wine left, my lady,” Scott cooly informed her. “The wine merchants are all either dead or have joined the Rebellion, since the vineyards were destroyed.”
“Of course, they have.” She stood and walked out onto the streets of High Town. A few of the city’s nobles still walked about, their heads high. They had allied with Corypheus and so far, he had kept the demons from harassing them. However, their clothes were worn and one lady’s feet were bare.
Overhead, the rifts still boiled green.

Chapter Text

Madeleine had regained consciousness somewhere around Llomerynn.

Varric had convinced Isabela to stop on the Island. 

First, Madeleine had closed a rift off the island’s coast.

Then Bull had taken his Avenging Horns onto the island to assess the situation.  The mixed group of Tal’Vashoth and Qunari, although they claimed there were no Qunari anymore, seemed rather happy to get off the ship for a bit.

They came back about an hour later.  The Iron Bull reported that there were a few rifts, but the island was safe.

Madeleine took Sera, Cassandra, and Dorian with her to close the rifts; while the others secured supplies.

“Why did you pass out before?”  Sera’s voice sounded nervous.  She was more nervous about Madeleine having lost consciousness after closing a rift, than she was about the pride demon she was putting arrows in.

“I… that rift took a lot of power to close,” Madeleine cut a despair demon in half with her spirit blade.

“Don’t do it again,” Sera insisted.

“It would make closing the rift harder,” Dorian agreed.

Madeleine lifted her left hand and poured power into the rift.  “Solas once said that the more rifts I close, the stronger I become.”

            “There a definitely plenty of rifts in Thedas for you to close,” Cassandra assured her.

            “Where is Solas?”  Madeleine lowered her hand and waited for the next wave of demons.

            “We don’t know,” Cassandra informed her.  “He left after you disappeared.  He’d become rather depressed, as Corypheus took over.”

            “None of us were celebrating, unless we were an evil wierdy,” Sera put several arrows in a newly emerged despair demon, and then rolled out of the way.”

            “He left shortly after the Inquisition was destroyed,” Cassandra continued.  “He kept muttering to himself about a ball and the elves being blamed.  He then started gathering as many elves to him as possible.  The last anyone heard of him, he had taken them into the Arbor Wilds.  Few go there and even fewer return, to quote Morrigan.”  She hit a rage demon with her shield, and then stabbed a shade.

            “Scary witch wants to go after him,” Sera confided.  She put an arrow through the eyes of a shade.

            “Hawke won’t give her the forces, though,” Cassandra added.

            “I met Morrigan,” Dorian threw a fire ball at another shade.  “She’s formidable, if she thinks it’s worth going after this Solas, it may be.”

            “Agreed,” Madeleine nodded.  She lifted her left hand and threw more power into the rift.  It swirled.  She pulled her hand back, stitching it close.

            “It was a good haul,” The Iron Bull announced when Madeleine returned to the ship.  “We also found some survivors in caves.  “I… well, I sort of promised them that we’d close the rest of the rifts before we left.”

            “Bull, we’ll be here for a month!”  Madeleine wanted to get back to the caves of Haven.

            “They’re defenseless, Boss,” Bull pointed out.  “They need us.”

            Madeleine knew he was right. 

            “We’ll leave ourselves vulnerable if Corypheus’ people show up,” Cassandra countered.

            She had a point as well. 

            “Isn’t saving people why we’re doing this?”  Sera questioned.

            “They’ll also help us get more supplies,” Bull informed her.

            Madeleine let out a heavy sigh.  “Fine.”

Chapter Text

Scott was hesitant as he walked into Calpurnia’s office.  He didn’t want to bring her bad news, but she needed to know.  He wasn’t going to the Elder One and telling him they had a problem.  He would leave that to Calpurnia.

            Calpurnia was glaring at the papers in front of her.  She glanced up at Scott.  “Any news?”

            “Danica will not be returning,” Scott announced.  He took a deep breath and looked at Calpurnia expectedly.  She was the one who wanted to hear the news.

            She sat back and closed her eyes a moment.  Then nodded.  “Did the demons turn on her?”

            “There are no demons in Par Vollen,” Scott reported.  He fidgeted and then coughed.  “Nor are there any in Seheron.  The… the rifts appear to be gone and the Qunari and Fog Warriors are in charge.”

            “They’re dead,” Calpurnia snapped.  “The Elder One’s enemies have all been destroyed.”

            “What of the rumors of a resistance still residing in Haven?”  Scott pressed.  “I’ve even heard that the rift above the ruins of the Temple of Andraste is still.  That new rifts are not appearing and that the Elder One will have no way to step through.”

            “He’ll find a way,” Calpurnia assured him.  “He is looking even now.  There are rumors of the Arbor Wild, rumors that excite him.  Not rumors of a resistance we’re sure is dead.  We destroyed Haven.  I’m sure those rumors The Elder One is following will bare fruition.”

            “I hear that a member of the Inquisition disappeared into those wilds with other elves,” Scott warned.  “I hear those wilds were already dangerous and that they have become more so.”

            “That will be our path,” Calpurnia assured him.

            “What of Par Vollen and Seheron?”  Scott wanted to know.

            “Do you want to tell him that we may have lost the area?”  Calpurnia wanted to know.

            “No,” Scott was calm.  “You are his second in command.  That would be your job.”

            “Damn,” Calpurnia knew he was right.

            “Let’s send others to investigate,” she decided.  “We’ll send three teams north to Par Vollen, Seheron, and the Anderfells.  These will be to investigate, not to enforce.  They will discover what is going on.  We will fix this be we have nothing good to report.”

            “Very well,” Scott nodded.  “Who do we send?”

Chapter Text

The Ravager sailed wide of Eastwick and maneuvered south of Brendel’s reach, entering the Waking Sea.  The path took them close to Amaranthine.

            “Queen Elora would likely like us to free the city,” Cassandra commented as they looked out at it.  “There used to be a Grey Warden base there, before Fereldan fell to Corypheus.”

            “We could look for survivors,” The Iron Bull suggested.  “Perhaps close some rifts and free a city of Ferelden for king Alistair and Queen Elora.”

            “You want Maddie to pass out again, Horny?”  Sera scoffed.  “We have to take care of our Herald of Andraste.”

            “I’ll be all right, Sera,” Madeleine assured her.  At least she didn’t think she’d pass out from closing a rift again.  She was more worried about what else might be in the city of Amaranthine.

            “It’s up to you, Herald,” Cassandra informed her.

            “Miracle, you didn’t plan to come to Ferelden yet,” Varric reminded her.

            “But we’re here, we might as well try,” Madeleine decided. 

            “Or we could be putting up a big sign for Coryphishit that you’re alive,” Sera cautioned.

            There was that, but Madeleine suspected he’d figure that out soon enough.  “I’ve already put that sign up in Val Royal and Seheron.”

            “Then let’s go,” The Iron Bull grinned at his Chargers and Avenging Horns.  “Another port is calling, it’s time to go have some fun.”

            Madeleine wasn’t sure what to expect when she stepped into Amaranthine.  The place had been damaged by darkspawn about years ago, then the demons had destroyed it, but the Grey Wardens had fortified both the city and the fort; and they had survived.

            There was plenty of rubble now.  She could see a few demons moving around, but not as many as she would have expected from the dozen rifts in the city.  Even now, there was a group fighting one of the demons and men and women in Grey Warden uniforms patrolled the streets.

            “I was expecting Red Templars, not Grey Wardens,” Varric admitted out loud.

            “Maybe they’re Red Templars dressed as Grey Wardens,” Sera suggested.

            “Be careful,” The Iron Bull cautioned.  “Our friends in Weisshaupt can be trusted, but many of the Orlesian Grey wardens were in Corypheus’ camp.  Even now, he keeps the Orlesian Grey Wardens close.”

            “Did you just say we were Orlesians?”  A Grey Warden approached them, her hand on the hilt of her sword.

            “The Ferelden Wardens were with Queen Elora when Corypheus struck Ferelden,” Cassandra stepped forward.  “The Orlesian Grey Wardens sided with Corypheus.  Who are you?”

            “We’re Fereldans,” the woman lifted her chin.  “We are not weak, so weak we would serve and arch-darkspawn, like the Orlesians.  I am Lavender.  The Commander did leave a few Wardens behind when she went on her quest.  We heard rumors of Orlesian Grey Wardens in the Hinterlands, creeping into Ferelden while we were distracted by a mission of our own, which necessitated our going into the Deep Roads.

            “We weren’t here when the Red Templars attacked,” a man’s voice added.

            Madeleine glanced back and saw another Grey Warden approaching them.

            “Tom,” he introduced himself.  Tom was short, with brown curls and a close-cropped beard.  “When we returned, we managed to rid the city of the Red Templars.  The rifts were a different story, there was nothing we could do about them.”

            “We fought back the demons, although that is a daily chore,” Lavender added.  “We found several of Amaranthine’s citizens hiding in cellars, waiting for… well, I don’t know what.”

            “Waiting for us,” Tom interjected. 

            “Now they wait for hope, but they have been able to manage,” Lavendar added.  “Their farms have been able to produce small crops, enough for survival.  But… trade has dried up and the city is struggling.”

            “The first thing we need to do is find a way to close the rifts,” Tom declared.  “In the fight to contain the demons, we lost several good Wardens, including Commander Howe.”

            “That hurt,” Lavender agreed, her face falling.  “As did the loss of Cybil and Peter.  We need to find a way to reestablish trade with others who do not worship The Elder One,” Lavender insisted.  “Can you help us the that, strangers?”

            “We might be able to,” Varric studied the area.  “It will be dangerous, but Rivaini could help with that.  We have a few other sailors who might be able to navigate the Waking Sea and if we look for other survivors…”

            “That takes us awfully close to Kirkwall,” Cassandra pointed out.  “I’m shocked that anyone this close to that cursed city has survived.

            “We’ll be all right if we stick near Ferelden’s borders, Seeker,” Varric insisted.  “These people need help.  It’s better to send them goods, reestablish trade networks, than to stuff everyone into the caves.  The risk is worth the reward of helping others.”

            Cassandra sighed.  “You’re right, Varric.  We must try.”

            “I don’t suppose you can do anything about these rifts, can you?”  Lavender’s voice was melancholic.

            “I believe we can,” Madeleine answered.

            “How?”  Tom wanted to know.

            “I don’t believe I’ve properly introduced myself,” Madeleine smiled.  “I’m Madeleine Trevelyan, the Herald of Andraste.”

            “I…”  Lavender began.

            “But you died,” Tom stated.

            “And yet Andraste sent her back to us yet again,” Varric assured them.  “Now, you mentioned a Commander Howe?  Would that have been Nathaniel Howe?”

            “Yes,” Lavender confirmed.

            Varric nodded, sadly.  “I’d met him, did you know that?  I was with Hawke when he encountered her in the Deep Roads.  Let me tell you about it.”

Chapter Text

Madeleine hugged Lavender and Tom, when she finally left Amaranthine.  She’d spent a couple of weeks there, closing the city’s rifts.

            “We can’t thank you enough for the help,” Lavender enthused.

            “What if Corypheus notices that the rifts are gone or that there are no demons in Amaranthine?”  Madeleine worried.

            “He didn’t notice that his Red Templars, the ones he left in Amaranthine, all disappeared,” Thomas pointed out.  “I doubt he’ll notice that the rifts are gone.  These demons weren’t even part of his Demon Army.”

            The Iron Bull grunted.  “We should be happy about that.”

            “Where did they go after they left Redcliffe?”  Cassandra wanted to know.  “As far as we could tell, they didn’t stay around for long after killing Alexius.”

            “I don’t know,” Thomas shook his head.  “I try to avoid Corypheus and his armies, since I heard that he had a hand in the disappearance of the Orlesian Wardens.”

            “I still don’t know why they would work for him, even if they are Orlesians,” Lavender added.  “At least that’s what the rumors that have reached our ears said, and your friend Carver says it’s true.”  She shuttered.  “It gives all Wardens a bad name.  I have heard rumblings, however, that the demon army may now be in the Deep Roads.”

            Madeleine nodded.  She’d heard such speculation while in Weisshaupt.  “We’ll have to visit and find out.”

            “The rifts are more of a priority,” Cassandra insisted.

            “It’s only a day’s journey from Haven,” Madeleine countered.  “It would not be too much trouble to send someone to find out.”

            “Let’s just get to base and discuss it there,” the Iron Bull insisted.

            “We’ll also set up some supply lines for Amaranthine,” Varric promised.  “Heck, Orzammar will likely be more than happy to trade, if they haven’t all been killed by the demon army.”

            “We can thank you enough for what you have done,” Thomas assured them.

            Madeleine gave them a last smile and then headed to the docks.

            “Have you been training while you were gone, lieutenant?”  Helaine demanded when Madeleine rode into Haven.

            “Every chance I could,” Madeleine assured her.  “And there were plenty of chances.  There were rifts and demons everywhere.”

            “Yes, I imagine there were,” Helaine nodded.  “It sounds like you have succeeded once again and made your fellow Knight Enchanters proud.  Continue to do so.”

            “I will,” Madelaine swore.  “Now, I must go and see…”

            “You must report in,” Cassandra interrupted her.  “Hawke is expecting us.”

            “But…”  She had wanted to see Cullen, even if she knew it was a mistake.  He was probably snuggled up with Lelianna somewhere.  He hadn’t come to welcome her back, after all.

            “Let her get comfortable first,” Sera insisted.  “I know you want your bath with rose petal and candles, Cassandra.”

            “I… do,” Cassandra conceded.  “I don’t have time, though, nor does Madeleine.  Besides, we don’t have rose petals and the candles are precious and not to be wasted.”  She gently grasped Madeleine’s arm.  “Come.”

Chapter Text

Marion Hawke and Elora Cousland-Theirin were once again standing behind the war table when Madeleine entered the war room.  She was surprised to see their husbands standing behind them, especially King Alistair.  She was even more shocked to see Cullen.  He and Leliana stood at either end of the table.

            Cullen’s pallor had improved.  He had more color in his skin, even if there were the occasional red line that appeared almost as an angry scar, which she knew to have come from red lyrium.  There was one across his cheek, and another on the right side of his neck.  She saw another one running from the base of his scalp down into his tunic.  His hair had regained life again and was carefully styled, although an errant curl was sitting next to his left ear.  It made her want to reach over and recurl a piece by his other sided.  He glanced at Madeleine, and his hand went to the back of his neck for a moment.  Then he concentrated on the map in front of him.

            On the other side of the table, Leliana sent Madeleine a cutting look; though Madeleine had no idea why.  Had the former spy master wished she had left her in Redcliffe or was this something else?  Leliana’s skin was still scarred, but the healers had smoothed out what they could.  It was obviously a work in progress, and the healers would be working on fixing whatever the Venatori had done to her for years likely.  Madeleine wondered how many of the scars Leliana would carry for the rest of her life.  As Madeleine looked at the other woman, Leliana sent an amorous look at Cullen.  Cullen seemed oblivious to it.

            Hawke had seen the look, too, and ignored it.  “Our next step should be to return to the Anderfells and to free Nordbottom.”

            “It takes too long to sail north,” Cassandra disagreed.  “We should sail across The Waking Sea and take Nevarra from the south.  We should start with Cumberland.”

            “That’s too close to Kirkwall,” Elora objected.

            “So was Amaranthine,” Madeleine pointed out.  “Are you saying I shouldn’t have helped the people there?”

            “No,” Alistair took a step forward.  “I… I am grateful that you did so.  I… to know that there are survivors in Ferelden, it means a lot.”

            “Yes, it does,” Elora agreed.  “I’m thrilled that you helped free the city and that the people there are safe, well as safe as anyone in Thedas is these days, now.”

            “We should send scouts into Ferelden and find out where else the people have gathered together,” Cullen spoke up.

            “Agreed,” Alistair nodded.  “I will see to it.”  He glanced at his wife.  “It’s time I got off my butt and helped my people.”

            Elora flushed and Madeleine wondered what conversations the couple had had behind closed doors.

            “Orzammar is on the way to Cumberland,” Madeleine pointed to the city on the map.  “My sources say that is where the demon army is headquartered.  Well, not in Orzammar exactly, but in the Deep Roads.  Orzammar is the last surviving Thaig.  They need our help.”

            “All of Thedas needs our help.”  Hawke’s voice was weary.  “Orzammar is too dangerous, and we have no idea what you would be walking into in there.”

            “We can’t abandon them,” Madeleine objected.  “If we can destroy the demon army, we can…”

            “We can’t destroy the demon army,” Hawke cut her off.  “We don’t have the resources and that mark on your hand is not going to do any good against it.  Maker, we suspect they killed the last two remaining Old Gods, there is no way we can take them.”

            “That’s why the Orlesian Grey Wardens raised them in the first place,” Anders revealed.  He placed a supporting hand on his wife’s shoulder.  “The demons have destroyed the darkspawn and Old Gods, something the Grey Wardens could never do.”

            “It can’t be that easy to destroy the darkspawn,” Elora disagreed.  “I agree that none of have been seen, or even sensed in months, but it can’t be that easy.”

            “Easy?”  Hawke gave a little, defeated laugh.  “That demon army has wiped out most of the races of Thedas.  It hasn’t been easy on any of us.”

            “That’s not what I’m saying,” Elora shook her head.

            “If we send the Herald of Andraste down there, she’ll die!”  Hawke insisted.  “Then we’ll have to explain it to Andraste.  Do you want to explain it to Andraste?”

            Elora looked at her sidewise, eyebrow raised and eyes blinking.  “Have you seen Andraste, Marion?”

            “I… would I know if I had?”  Hawke questioned.

            “I’ll explain it to Andraste,” Madeleine volunteered.  She couldn’t remember what had happened to her before she stepped out of the Fade, but there were plenty of people who said that Andraste had been behind her when she emerged.  Maybe she had met the goddess. 

            “You should be concentrating on closing the rifts,” Cassandra coolly informed her.

            “You should be out there doing that now, not here in Haven,” Leliana added.

            Was that all she really was to them?  Madeleine felt a sharp heat rise in her.  She wanted to save Orzammar.  She wanted to find out what happened to Solas and the elves who had gone with him.  She wanted to know why Corypheus was whispered to be obsessed with the area Solas had disappeared in.  And all anyone cared about was her ability to close rifts.  Were none of them happy that she hadn’t been killed, or were they just relieved that the anchor had survived.  “I didn’t even want to come to this meeting,” she reminded them.  “I don’t know why I’m here.”  She turned on her heel and marched out of the room.

            “Madeleine!”  She heard Cullen call after her.

            For a fragmented moment, she almost turned around.

            “Let her go,” Leliana told him.  “She wasn’t needed for this meeting.”

            Madeleine kept walking; her head held high.

Chapter Text

“You should not let them get to you, darling,” Vivienne intercepted Madeleine before she had made it to her rooms.

            “Vivienne is right,” Dorian was only a few steps behind the enchantress.

            “How do you know…”  Madeleine broke off and looked back the way she came.

            “We have our ways,” Dorian assured her.  “I don’t think Hawke realizes how many sending crystals are in the war room.  Someone should really tell her.  Varric would, but he has one in there as well.”

            “Why don’t we just use the crystals while in the field?”  Madeleine thought it would have been a wonderful idea.

            “Anders thinks it will make it easier to find you if you did,” Varric appeared.  “And if anyone knows about hiding, it’s Blondie.  He hid from Templars and Grey Wardens alike.  Why don’t we go play Wicked Grade and talk about his, Miracle.”

            “I really want a bath,” Madeleine didn’t know why no one would let her have one.

            “I think we need to talk first,” Varric insisted.

            “Come with us,” Dorian took her arm and followed the dwarf.

            “Hawke is right,” The Iron Bull declared an hour later.

            Madeleine glared at him over her cards.  That was not what she wanted to hear.

            “Waffles is still not use to people thinking that,” Varric commented.

            “She…”  The Iron Bull trailed off when Cullen walked in.

            “Sorry, I’m a little late,” Cullen grimaced.  “I don’t even know what I’m doing here, but Varric said it’s important.”

            “Curly, you learning to relax is of supreme importance,” Varric assured him.  “Sera, deal him in.”

            “If you’ve already started…”  Cullen began.

            “You’re joining us,” Varric insisted.

            Sera threw him five cards and giggled.  She was already inebriated.  Madeleine wondered if she should stop collecting all of the bottles she found in the ruins of homes and businesses, but she found she was in need of those bottles herself from time to time. 

            “Perhaps I should take over dealing for you, Sera,” Dorian gently took the cards from her.

            “I’m not runk, Rorian,” Sera insisted.

            “Of course not,” he assured her.  “It just gives me a better vantage point to admire Cullen.  He is quite the eye candy, isn’t he?”

            “Maddie thinks so,” Sera hiccupped.

            Madeleine blushed.  She hadn’t thought she was that obvious.  She did have… feelings… for the former Commander, but she assured herself that they would be dealt with and that she would be fine not acting upon them.  After all, he was obviously romantically involved with Leliana.”

            Cullen sat down and glanced at Madeleine.  “Why did you leave like that, Maddie?  I mean… you should have… I wanted you to…”  He fidgeted uncomfortably.  “You’re important.”

            “My only value seems to be this,” Madeleine held up her left hand.  “My opinions do not seem to matter.”

            “If those in charge won’t listen to your opinion, then you make them hear you,” Vivienne walked into the room.  She coolly took the cards Dorian offered her.

            “I didn’t think you played Wicked Grace,” Varric admitted. 

            “You do seem a bit uptight,” Dorian agreed.  “Too uptight to play cards.”

            “Darling, you should know that all sorts of gossips, and deals, are made at the card table,” Vivienne cooly informed him.  “One must know how to play, if one wants to be in on the conversation.”

            “What are we conversing?”  Cullen looked around the table.

            “Bull thinks Hawke is right,” Madeleine sent a glare in the Qunari’s direction.

            “It is too soon to try and face the demon army,” Cullen agreed with Bull.  “It is a good goal, a noble one that I will… I mean someone… will happily train an army for.”

            “It should be you,” Madeleine insisted.  “You were my… the Inquisition’s Commander.  Who else should it be?  Cassandra is usually in the field with me and you were a Knight Commander.  I may not have warm, fuzzy feelings for Templars in general, but you are qualified and… you care about our fight.  There would be no one I’d trust more to whip my army into shape, if I were in charge, which I’m obviously not.”

            “What else would you do differently, Maddie?”  The Iron Bull prompted.

            “I would find out what happened to Solas,” she added. 

            “Two copper,” Vivienne placed two down.

            “Copper?”  Bull scoffed.  “Silver or nothing.”

            “Do coins even matter anymore?”  Sera picked up a copper and examined it.  Then she threw it across the room and giggled, before hiccupping again.  “The Nobs are gone, and we are on rations.”

            “Miracle is going to restore as much of Thedas as possible, Buttercup,” Varric assured her.

            “Sera’s right,” Bull decided.  “Coins aren’t worth enough, not until we get a steady trade going again.  We need to switch to rations.”

            “We’re already on rations, Bull,” Cullen’s voice was weary.

            “That’s why we should bet with them,” Bull insisted.

            “The fishermen in Seheron are selling their goods again and farms are being planted outside of Par Vollen,” Varric pointed out.  “Trade will start up soon.  We just need to clear a path for it to flow through.”

            “Which is why we need Nevarra freed,” Cullen pointed out.  “Hawke was a bit harsh, maybe even a little out of line, but she wasn’t wrong about what our priorities need to be right now.  Orzammar was needed for lyrium, but not the baser necessities of life.”

            “How are the Templars doing without lyrium?”  Madeleine knew her voice was harsh.  It wasn’t Cullen’s fault he’d hurt her, and he wasn’t responsible for the crimes of the other Templars.

            “Darling, don’t ask questions that you do not want the answer to,” Vivienne advised.

            Cullen answered.  “Most of them are dead.  Those who survived had horrible withdraw, but…”  He rubbed his head.  “It’s hard for all of us, but those of us left are… it’s better this way.”

            Madeleine bit her lip, she imagined it had been hard for them.  Still…  “We mages would like to still have access to it, especially if we are going to fight Corypheus’ forces.  That’s not why I want to free Orzammar, though.  We need to know if any of the people survived, and… that demon army is a threat to us.”

            “That’s why we need more people to help fight,” Cullen countered.  “I lo… appreciate… your enthusiasm.  I don’t want to leave others subject to Corypheus or his Venatori, either.  But we must be strategic about freeing them.  I wish you’d written to me while up north, I would have loved to be able to advise you… again,” the last part was soft, wistful. 

            “I did write you,” Madeleine gasped.  She laid her cards down and looked around the table.

            Sera skipped Dorians’ turn without noticing, throwing silver on the table, and raising another piece of silver.  Then she slumped in her chair and began snoring.

            “She did,” Dorian confirmed.  “I saw the letters myself.  Did the messages to Hawke get through, or have our reports all been intercepted?”

            “Hawke hasn’t noticed any break in communication, not that she’s noticed,” Cullen assured them.  “Leliana has been working to get her place as spy master back, and Hawke or Queen Elora would have mentioned if there seemed to be missing field reports.  Harding is back in her position; she’ll make sure everything gets through.”

            “If Leliana got her birds back, or trained new ones, those would be a great way to make sure messages arrive,” Cassandra decided.

            “Birds will not fly in certain areas right now, Seeker,” Varric informed her.  “I… my network may still be partially intact.”

            “And you haven’t told us this before now?”  Cassandra was so busy glaring at Varric that she missed her turn.

            Cullen played, not sure what else to do.

            Madeleine called and waited for Vivienne and then Sera to go.  When Sera kept snoring, they all shrugged and kept playing without her.

            “I don’t keep anything from Hawke,” Varric reminded her.  “I trust her implicitly, and she knows that she can trust me.”

            “Yes, to the point where you lied to me about knowing where she was,” Cassandra reminded him.

            Vivienne cooly folded, she did not even acknowledge the fight brewing further down the table.

            Sera jerked awake.  She laid her cards down and leaned towards the quarreling pair, hoping that Varric and Cassandra were going to go to blows once more.

            “You stabbed my book!”  He threw his cards down.  “Why would I tell you anything after you stabbed my book?”

            As the cards were laid down, Madeleine realized she’d won the hand.  She collected her winnings as Dorian took his turn shuffling.

            “Varric, tell me what you need.”  Varric, at least, Madeleine knew she could trust.  She wasn’t sure about everyone in the rebellion, but she was about him.

            “I need Seeker to back off,” Varric informed her.  “I need her to respect my books more.”

            “I do respect your books, Varric,” Cassandra assured him.

            “You stabbed one!”  Varric again reminded her.  “I also would like my publisher back, Miracle,” he sighed.  “I want the old Thedas back.”

            “I… I was too late to go back, Varric,” Madeleine felt tears brimming at her eyes.  “Dorian probably could have reversed Alexius’ spell, but… it was too late… I was too late.”

            “That’s not what I meant, Miracle!”  Varric’s words quickened and he put a hand out to her.

            Cullen reached out and took her hand.  “You tried to stop him.  I’m sure if you could have asked the Maker to ensure that you were dropped in Redcliffe before the demon army attacked, you would have.”

            “If Dorian hadn’t tried to counter the spell, Alexius likely would have erased me from existence,” she added.  She hadn’t been fast enough to see the danger she was in, and now the world suffered because of it.

            “We don’t know that,” Dorian assured her.  “You likely would have just been dropped even further into the future.  It was time magic, it’s dangerous and unpredictable.  I didn’t make it in time to stop him, either.  We must live with the hand we were dealt.  Don’t worry, I’m still here with you.  I’ll continue to protect you.”

            Cullen frowned at the Tevinter Mage and Madeleine had no idea why.  It wasn’t Dorian’s fault.

            Dorian began dealing again.  “Let’s get back to those letters.  So, you never received Maddie’s letters, Cullen?”

            “And I imagine you’d be surprised at what she received from you, Darling,” Vivienne added.

            Cullen’s brow furrowed.  “What do you mean by that?”

            “Ask her to show you your letters, Curly,” Varric advised.  “I’m sure they’d surprise you.”

            “Letters, plural?”  Madeleine was already surprised.  She picked up the cards that Dorian dealt to her.  She was so confused that she threw three pieces of silver into the kitty before she’d even looked at her cards.  How did multiple letters disappear?

Chapter Text

Madeleine spent her morning with Commander Helaine.

            “You have been practicing,” Helaine approved.

            “There are plenty of opportunities to practice when you’re fighting demons multiple times a day,” Madeleine informed her.  “I try to just go to the rifts and close them, but noooo… the demons keep getting between me and the rifts.”

            “Does Lady Cassandra not protect you while you close the rifts?”  Commander Helaine obviously thought the Seeker should be doing so.

            “She gets distracted,” Madeleine explained, as she moved back into form and then moved quickly as Commander Helain lunged at her.  “Once, she went running after a goat.  I don’t know what the goat did to her, but she took it personal.”

            “She left your back exposed?”  Commander Helaine let out a deep sigh and then moved onto the offensive again.

            “I set ice mines behind me,” Madeleine explained.  “They worked, and the despair demon that tried to flank me froze.  Varric shattered it with one of his bolts.  He has my back.  He always has.”

            “That is a good thing for all soldiers to have,” Commander Helaine gave an approving nod.  “You shall take him with you into Navarra.”

            “I will,” Madeleine confirmed.

            “So, you will be going there?”  Commander Helaine kept her voice casual.

            “I would have liked to go to Orzammar on the way there,” Madeleine admitted.

            “A good soldier knows when they are not ready to face an opponent,” Commander Helaine advised.  “I have been with this Resistance long enough to know that you are not ready.  Just as you need to constantly train, you also need to find more allies, and more soldiers to grow your army, before you can face what now lives in the Deep Roads.”

            “I understand that,” Madeleine assured her.  “But I can’t just leave the people of Orzammar stranded down there.”

            “If there is dwarf left in Orzammar, you’re going down and getting yourself killed is not going to help them,” Commander Helaine assured her.  “Most will have either escaped or died fighting.  You will find out, when you are ready.”

            Madeleine knew her friends, these who were telling her that going into the Deep Roads was a bad idea, were right.  She couldn’t stop wanting to save the people of Orzammar, or wanting to get rid of the demon army.

            She walked into the healing rooms, not sure what she would find.  However, Anders had sent a note asking her to stop by to visit those still housed under his, and the other healers, care.

            Most of those who had been housed within the rooms when she first left for the north, were gone.  She found Cullen sitting in front of a chess set with Dorian.

            “And… your king is mine,” Cullen sat back casually.

            “Perhaps I just let you take my king, for my queen is the one really in power,” Dorian declared.

            “Your queen is in exile now, my good man,” Cullen assured him.  “Shall we have another game?”

            Dorian glanced in Madeleine’s direction as she approached them.  Then he stood.  I believe that I should check on my queen.

            “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Madeleine protested.  “Please, continue your game.”

            “My king is dead,” Dorian sighed softly.  “And my queen is in exile.  The game is finished.”  He walked to Madeleine and pulled her into a tight side hug.  “Perhaps you should exile his queen before Leliana finds him alone.  She isn’t the queen he wants.”  He kissed her on the top of the head and sauntered off.

            Madeleine looked after him, not sure what he meant.  Then she looked at Cullen.

            He began to stand.  “Perhaps I should go, too.  I’ve been trying to convinced Hawke that I’m ready for more responsibility, and some action.”  Then he paused.  “That is… unless you would like to play.”

            She smiled at him and took the seat Dorian had vacated.  She’d played plenty of games of chess in the Mage Tower, but didn’t think Cullen knew that.  “I mean… I could try.”

            Cullen motioned for Madeleine to sit.

            She did so, as he set up the table.

            They played quietly for several minutes.

            “How was your training session with Commander Helaine?”  Cullen asked casually, after several moments.

            “It was good,” Madeleine nodded.  “She likes to push me, but that’s because she wants to make sure I survive while I’m off closing rifts.”

            “We all want you to survive,” Cullen assured her.  “I mean… not just because you’re the only one who can close those Maker Forsaken rifts.  I… when we received word that you’d been killed, it… well… it was hard.  I swear, I won’t let that happen again, I swear.”

            She smiled gently, as she moved a pawn.  “I don’t see how you can stop it, Cullen.  You can’t be out in the field with me, just as you couldn’t have gone to Redcliffe that day.  All any of us can ask of ourselves is that we try.  We can’t change the past, Dorian and I tried; we were too late.  All we can do is learn from it and move on.  We can do our best to save Thedas, to save those we have left; to protect what we love.”

            “I… failed to do that,” Cullen gulped.

            “You didn’t fail,” she assured him.  “You fought until you could not fight anymore.  Did…”  She hesitated to ask.  “I know you had a sister, and a brother I believe.  Did they… did they make it?”  She quickly asked the question.  She didn’t want to cause him more pain, but she cared about him, and his family.

            “I… don’t know,” he admitted.  “I fear they did not, but I haven’t heard one way or another.  We lost so many, and I’m afraid to have hope.  For so long, hope was gone from this land.  But now that I’ve learned that there were survivors in Amaranthine, and you… you have given me hope time and again.  Alistair… King Alistair, I suppose I should call him again, has renewed energy.  He is insisting on going into Ferelden and finding more survivors, he wants to protect his people.  Queen Elissa is needed here, but she is insisting on being at his side.  She is taking the Grey Wardens that she brought with her back to Ferelden.  Elora didn’t bring many other Wardens with her when she returned from the west, she sent most of those who had gone west with her back to Amaranthine, before she knew about the demon army.  We all thought those warriors had died.  Now, we find that many of those Wardens in Amaranthine survived and have not joined Corypheus, as those from Orlais seemed to have done.  Varric’s spies have seen the Orlesian Wardens at Corypheus’ side.  Anyway, Queen Elora wants to take the Wardens that had already been aiding the Resistance to Ferelden with her, when she searches for more survivors.”

            “So, he told me,” Madeleine confirmed.  She hated the thought of her friends and allies going into lands still filled with rifts, but didn’t blame them for wanting to find, and protect their friends.  “Will… will you be going with them?”

            “I… Leliana keeps telling me that I’m not strong enough yet,” he leaned back.  “She seems to think she has the right to order me around.”

            “She doesn’t,” Madeleine moved a knight to protect her queen.  “I… it’s not my business to interfere in your… relationship,” she had to force out the last word.  “She is not your ranking officer, though.  What does Hawke say?”

            “She says that it’s time to get off my butt and help the Rebellion,” Cullen admitted.

            “There you go,” Madeleine found herself liking Hawke more.

            “We don’t have a relationship,” Cullen blurted out.

            “You and Hawke?  Anders would be glad to hear that,” Madeleine studied the board.

            “I don’t have a relationship with Leliana, either,” Cullen clarified.  “I don’t know why so many people think I do.  The soldiers gossip, but this time they’re wrong.”

            “Oh,” Madeleine looked quickly up.  “But your letter…”  She trailed off.  She needed to have a word with Vivienne about just what the enchantress had been hinting at.

            “What about my letters?”  Cullen asked.

            “I think you need to send them through Varric’s spy network,” she confided.  “Don’t let anyone see them. 

            “Do you think we have a spy?”  Cullen leaned forward.

            That was possible, but that wasn’t why Madeleine was making the request.  “We can never be too careful.  I’ll talk to him about making sure he has an agent with the Ferelden contention.  That way, I can rush to Ferelden if you have a problem with a rift.”

            “Nevarra isn’t that close to Ferelden,” Cullen pointed out.

            “We’ll get there as fast as we can,” she vowed.  She wanted to see his letters free of a certain former spymaster.

            “I would rather you be careful,” he informed her.

            She gave a small smile.  “I just hope you find your family.  Tell me about them.”

            He moved his queen, as he told her about his siblings, and a nephew.

Chapter Text

Alistair Theirin, the King of Ferelden, looked the young griffon in the eye.  He’d heard stories of how dangerous griffons had been, even to the Wardens who wanted to ride them.  They had never been tamed; they had allowed their Warden partners to ride them.  Of course, the griffons in front of him were too small to ride.  No one was sure when they would be full grown, but it would be many years yet.

            Journals found in Weishaupt had verified the wildness of the creatures, if they didn’t explain how long childhood and adolescence lasted.

            Yet the griffon before him had never snapped at him once, instead it had seemed to sense  the king’s hope and despair and shared them.

            “You aren’t going to rip my head off if I get too close, are you, Stormfeather?”  Alistair moved closer.

            Stormfeather gave a little caw in response and moved forward.  Then he nudged the king’s shoulder.

            That brought a grin to Alistair’s face.  “Yes, I brought you lunch.”  He produced several fish and began throwing them in the air, laughing a bit as Stormfeather caught them in  his beak.  Then he laid his cheek against Stormfeather’s.  “Lucky for both of us that Haven Lake still has fish in it.  There is rumor that there is now some sort of monster also living in the lake, but I’ll make sure you still get fish.”

            “Will he get fish when we go into the Hinterlands?”  Elora interrupted the Grey Warden and his griffon.

            Alistair grinned at her, then his face fell a little.  “I’m not sure Stormfeather, or any of the other griffons, will be ready to allow anyone to ride them.  I mean, when they’re bigger.  He is way too small to be ridden now, even by a toddler.  That doesn’t mean he can’t be of help.”

            “We can leave someone else to watch them while we look for survivors in Ferelden?”  Elora suggested.  “I… I care about the rebellion, but I want to save our people.”

            As do I,” Alistair pulled her close and kissed the top of her head.  “Give me a month, and we’ll be able to take them with us.  They are still small, but they will be a great advantage when we go back into our lands.”

            “Or you could just wait for Madelaine to go with you and close the rifts as you advance,” a deep voice suggested behind them.

            Elora turned around and her eyebrows rose.  “Cullen?”

            “Then I could go with you as well,” he added.  “Anders told me by then he should give me a clean bill of health.

            “You want to go with us?”  Alistair didn’t look at him, but patted Stormfeather’s head instead.

            “I have a sister and brother who were in Fereldan, in Edgehall,” Cullen explained.  “It’s only a day’s ride from here, but I haven’t heard anything from them since Corypheus conquered Ferelden.  I don’t know if they’re alive or dead, and I need answers.”

            “What about Leliana?”  Elora questioned.  “Is she also coming?”

            Cullen blinked at her in confusion.  “I… she… She’s mentioned that her mother is from Ferelden, and she was there during the Fifth Blight, but to my understanding she moved back to Orlais.  I don’t know if she has much attachment to our country.  She must, since she helped your fight the Blight, but she hasn’t said anything to me.  Anders told me that Troy told him that Leliana isn’t supposed to leave Haven without his say so, and that will be awhile yet.”

            “Why?”  Alistair frowned at him.

            “He says she’s suffering prolonged trauma from her time in Redcliffe,” Cullen explained.  “I… I’m trying to be supportive, but Anders says she is forming an unhealthy attachment.”

            “Why is it unhealthy?”  Alistair questioned.

            “Darling,” Elora’s voice was gentle.  “Do you remember when she ninjamanced me?”

            “What is ‘ninjamanced?”  Cullen looked to Elora, then her husband, and back.

            Alistair coughed, failing to hide a laugh.

            “Sure, you think it is funny, now,” Elora sighed.  “You didn’t think it was funny when she thought I was in a romance with her, and cheating on her with you.”

            “What?” Cullen had obviously never heard about that incident.  Few had.

            “During the Fifth Blight, Leliana, the former spymaster of the Inquisition thought we were in love,” Elora informed him.  “I had no clue about this.  I thought we were good friends who liked to braid each other’s hair and talk about shoes.”

            Alistair gave a little chuckle.  The fact that his companions’ faces both lit at the sound didn’t not escape him.  “She wasn’t braiding my hair.”

            “We were sharing a tent!”  Elora threw up her hands.  Then she lowered them.  “Besides, I would have braided your hair for you if it was long enough.  We snuck kisses in front of her.”  She glanced at Cullen.  “Alistair gets really embarrassed by public displays of affection.  His cheeks would pink, but he’d still kiss me.”

            “Especially when Morrigan told us we were making her sick,” Alistair grinned at his wife.

            She returned the smile.  Then her lips quirked.  “Anyway, I was definitely not hiding my relationship with Alistair.  I thought all of Thedas already knew the I was… and still am… madly in love with him.  However, when we became betrothed at the Landsmeet, Leliana became unreasonably jealous.  That night…”

            “Right after she informed me that she still expected a proper offer for her hand,” Alistair interrupted.

            “Which you did wonderfully,” Elora kissed her husband’s cheek.  “I left Alistair’s side to use the woods to… do my personal business.  I was shocked to realize Leliana had followed me.  She blocked my path and looked furious, like I’d kicked Schmooples or something.”

            “I heard Schmooples the Second may still be alive,” Alistair quietly confided.  “But Leliana doesn’t know where he might be.  She was desperate to find him.  That’s how Corypheus’ people caught her.  I think her despair at not finding him is compounding the internal scars of what the Venatori did to her.”

            “It’s possible,” Elora conceded.  “I had not, however, kicked Schmooples the First.  Leliana thought I had betrayed her.  She kept going on about what my betrothal to Alistair meant for ‘us’.”  She made little quote marks around the word us.  “I was confused.  I didn’t know what she was talking about.  Then I reminded her that I loved Alistair and had wanted to spend the rest of my life with him, before I helped make him king at the Landsmeet.  She went off about me betraying her and breaking her heart.  I was unaware that we were anything other than friends.  I hurried back to camp and had Wynne go comfort Leliana.”

            “Wynne dried Leliana’s tears and then gave her a lecture about not being more forthright,” Alistair added.  “Elora cried in my arms about not being able to just have a good friend who didn’t expect more.  I reminded her that she had Morrigan.”  He grimaced at the memory.

            “Who turned out to have her own motives for helping us,” Elora sighed and leaned against Alistair.  Then she looked at Cullen.  “Leliana is acting like you two are a couple.  If you aren’t, you might need to make that clear to her.”

            “I…”  Cullen put his hand to the back of his neck yet again.  “I… she’s nice, she’s a good friend, but… I mean I’m…”

            “Is there someone else?”  Elora pushed.  “Not necessarily someone you are involved with, but someone you want around for the rest of your life?”

            Cullen nodded.  “I haven’t… she doesn’t know… I don’t want to… well, she has enough to do, and I don’t know how she feels, but…”

            “Then go tell her before she goes on her next mission,” Elora urged.  “We’re gong to delay going to Ferelden for a few months.  At least until we can be sure the griffins are comfortable with us.  Perhaps we can even convince her to go with us.”

Chapter Text

Madeleine Trevelyan looked over the supplies that had been given to her, and her team for their trip to Nevarra.  It was worse than she received before she was thrown into the future.  At least she no longer had to deal with those requisition officers, though.  They were always asking her to hunt down strange things, when she had rifts to close and bandits to kill.  They had seemed to think that her job was to get them whatever their hearts desired.

“Maddie… I mean Herald,” a voice interrupted her  thoughts.

Madeleine turned to see Cullen standing behind her.  The former Commander of the Inquisition shuffled his feet.  “It’s Maddie, Cullen, you know that.”

“I…”  He stopped and then started again.  “I wanted to see you off.  I… I’ll miss you while you’re in Navarra.”

“I’ll miss you, too,” she took a step towards him and then stopped.  “Although, I doubt you’ll have much time to miss me.  You have Leliana to worry about.  I hear she’s getting better, but it sounds like she needs you to look after her.  The servants say you two spend a lot of time together, and  your letters said the same.”

“I was hoping you’d write me back this time,” Cullen blurted out.

“Cullen, I…”  Madeleine began.

“She wrote you all the time, Curly,” Varric interrupted them.  “You should have received dozens when we were up north.  Although, you only sent two letters to her and they were both cryptic, and talked a lot about another woman.  I think you might want to secure your letters better.  Talk to Hawke after we leave, I have a feeling she might want to investigate a possible mole in the Rebellion.  She might also want to look out for a possible sneaky woman with a personal agenda.”

“I… I’ll talk to her,” Cullen promised.  He turned back to Madeleine.  “Will you write me?”

She smiled, not sure if she wanted to admit to herself how happy his question made her.  “I will.  Promise me that you’ll write me back… and that you’ll continue to recover.  Even if Hawke didn’t make you the Rebellion’s Head Commander, you’re still mine… I mean the Inquisition… I mean…”  She wasn’t sure she knew what she meant.

“Take care of yourself,” he pled.  “We’ve already learned that the Herald of Andraste is someone I… we… can’t live without.”

“I’ll make sure no harm comes to her,” Dorian swore, as he joined them.  “I’ll also write you,” he winked at Cullen.

“Um… I… yes… very good.”  Cullen stammered; his hand went to the back of his neck.  “Perhaps I should write you as well.  Good luck in Nevarra.”

Madeleine smiled at him.  “Thank you.”

She watched him leave.

“So, the strapping Templar came to see you off,” Dorian grinned at her.  When she blushed, he gave a little laugh.  “I approved of both of your tastes.”

Chapter Text

“A possible mole in the rebellion?”  Hawke frowned at her old friend.  “Cullen, there’s no way Corypheus even knows we exist.”  She knew her claim was that of someone in denial.  The Elder One had to suspect they existed.

“I don’t like the idea any more than you do, Hawke,” Cullen assured her.  “But if there is one, The Herald is in danger.  Her activities are enough of an advertisement that she is still alive.  I don’t want him to come after her, but I realize that is inevitable.  Let’s at least give her as much time as possible to get as many rifts closed as we can.”

“That doesn’t mean there is a mole,” Hawke reminded him.

“When I was captured… it was my own fault,” he admitted.  “I was determined to retake Redcliffe, because…”

“Because that was where you’d lost your Madeleine Trevelyan,” Hawke inserted.  “You were determined to find her body, or some such goal.  Perhaps you told yourself that she couldn’t be dead, even though the evidence said something else.”

“If I did think that, then I was right,” Cullen pointed out.  “I don’t know if I believed that, but I knew taking back Redcliffe had been what she wanted.  I also… it was the only chance I had to save my family.  My siblings were in Edgehall.”

Hawke blanched.  “I… sorry, I had heard that.  I wasn’t thinking.”

“That’s why I want to go to Ferelden with King Alistair and Queen Elora,” he added.  “I must know.  I… I need to know what happened to them.”

Hawke nodded.  “What does that have to do with a possible mole?”

“When Leliana and Josephine were captured, there was something… off.”  His hand went to the back of his neck.  “I’m not sure what it was, but those Venatori should  not have been anywhere near the Frostback Mountains.  There was no reason that they should have suspected that we were trying to find Emilie Valmont.”

“They could have also heard the rumors that Celene’s young cousin was still alive,” Hawke argued.

“Yes, but how would they know that someone else was looking for her, or where our agents were,” Cullen argued.  “Now Josephine is dead and Leliana is scarred, in both face and mind.  The men I sent with them never returned, either.  I… I need to be sure.  I need to protect Maddie.”

“He’s right,” Fenris growled from behind Hawke.  “Several of our shipments have been intercepted.  Varric expressed concerns that he does not believe that Corypheus’ patrols are just that lucky.”

“Fine,” Hawke threw up her hands.  “I’ll let you two look into it.  Let me know what you find.”

Chapter Text

Madeleine Trevelyan’s team rode to Jader.  It should have been a single day’s journey, but she’d found dozens of rifts that needed to be closed, not to mention destroying the demons near them.

Then, as she’d approached the city, her team had encountered some sort of ogre with only one eye.  It shot some sort of noxious vapors out of those eyes.  She’d seen it poison a ram and a desire demon that way. 

She’d also lost Larry and Rena to the creature.  She hadn’t known them well, but Cassandra was rather devastated by their loss.

When she did reach the city, there were several more rifts to close.  The city itself was mostly deserted.  Most of the humans and dwarfs that she encountered were on the docks.

“They’re smugglers and pirates, mostly” Cassandra grumbled as she watched them.

“As long as it’s Corypheus’ people they’re stealing from, I’m good with them, Seeker,” Varric declared.  He glanced at Madeleine.  “I believe Isabela said she would meet us at the old Grey Warden fortress.”

“What did happen to the Grey Wardens in Jader?”  Madeleine wondered.  “Our friends in Amaranthine said they disappeared.”

“All of the Grey Wardens of Orlais disappeared, Darling,” Vivienne informed her.  “The nobles gossiped rather heavily about it, until the explosion at the Temple of Sacred Ashes.  Then they gossiped about that.”

“It interrupted the gossip about the Mage-Templar war?”  Cassandra’s eyes widened a fraction.  “Even more than their own civil war?”

“That was old news by then,” Vivienne pulled out her fan and began moving it methodically before her face.  “They speculated that it might mean a Blight.  That was all we needed.  There were already disasters aplenty, and they expected another soon.  They were rather shocked that they had a dead Divine on their hands, rather than Genlocks at their doors.”

“Yes,” Dorian waved off Vivienne’s gossip mongering with a flick of his hand.  “But that doesn’t explain what happened to the Grey Wardens of Orlais.”

“There are rumors that they’ve been seen with Corypheus,” Cassandra interrupted.  “However, you will recall that not even the people of Weishaupt know for sure what happened to them.”

“They were from Orlais,” Madeleine reminded her.  “One would think that the people of Orlais might have some clue as to where they went.”

“Miracle’s right,” Varric agreed.  “One of them would have gone drinking and talked.  Whoever was in the tavern with them are gone now, too, though.”

“Let’s just get to their fortress,” Sera took off towards it without another word.  “What-ifs will remain What-ifs.”

            The Grey Wardens of Jader had been headquartered in a small chateau.  There was a wall surrounding the chateau, but the gate now lay on the ground by the entrance.  It was wrought iron, with little griffons sitting on each spike.

            The rest of the compound seemed untouched.

            “This place is in better condition than most of Jader,” Cassandra observed.

            “There was no reason to attack it, Seeker,” Varric pointed out.  “The Wardens were already gone.”

            They found Isabela and her sailors in the Great Hall.  The captain was sitting in a plush chair at the head of a large table.  She held five cards in her hand, and was eyeing her sailors suspiciously. 

            “There you are,” Isabela stretched languidly, placing her cards on the table.  Then she stood and sauntered to Varric.  She hugged him close.  “I was getting worried.”

            “We ran into some trouble,” Madeleine informed her.

            “Yes, well, Thedas is just full of trouble these days,” Isabela reminded her.  “Are you ready to go?”

            Madeleine looked around the fortress.  “I think I’d like to  look around first.”

            “There’s nothing of interest here,” Isabela insisted.

            “I’d like to just verify that for myself,” Madeleine went deeper into the chateau.

Chapter Text

            The Grey Warden library was a large room lined with shelves.  The books in the shelves were of a varying degree of size and age.  Some looked ancient.  Others appeared to have been bound recently.  There were several tables and stands scattered through the room.  Many of the stands already had open books on them.

            Cassandra was in front of the one of the stands when Madeleine walked in, with several diaries in her hand.

            “Did you find anything?”  Cassandra continued to pour over the pages before her.

            “It appears that several of the Wardens had time to pack before they left,” Madeleine reported.  She’d found several open chests and very few clothes.  “But they expected to come back.”  She held up the books.  She had found other personal items, keepsakes, as well.

            “Yet they did not,” Cassandra turned a page.

            “No, they did not,” Madeleine placed the books on the table in front of her and sat down.  “I’m hoping someone wrote down why they left.”

            “The Wardens in Weisshaupt were sure it had something to do with The Calling,” Cassandra looked up from her book for a moment.

            “They had no idea where they’d gone, though,” Madeleine reminded her.  “Not unless they all went into the Deep Roads together.  They made it sound as if going into the Deep Roads was not a good thing.”

            “Yet they are the only ones who go in there willingly,” Cassandra tapped a quill on the podium.  Madeleine noticed belatedly the pot of ink beside Cassandra.  “Is it more than just fighting the darkspawn?”

            “I don’t know,” Madeleine admitted.  “Perhaps we should send a letter and ask Carver.”

            “We could,” Cassandra agreed.  “The Wardens hold their secrets close to the chest, but I think there are a few people I know who will get him to open a bit.  Meanwhile, we need to know what happened to the Grey Wardens who were stationed in Jader.”

            Madeleine lifted one of the journals she’d found.  “I’m hoping these will help.”

            The door opened and Varric strolled in.  “I found several letters.  Perhaps they have some clues.”

            Madeleine and her friends had been in the library for several hours and now sat circling a wooden table with six chairs set around it.  Four of them were occupied.  Dorian had joined them half way through their research, and been a great help.  All four of them, stared at the books and letters set in the middle.

            “I have a bad feeling about this,” Varric announced.

            Cassandra made a disgusted sound.  “I have to agree with you, Varric.”

            Madeleine picked up one of the letters and then set it down again.  “Do we know who this Clarel was?”

            “Obviously, she was a Grey Warden, Miracle,” Varric leaned back.  “The letter mentions that she was working with a Tevinter Magister.”

            “She was obviously a mage herself,” Cassandra lifted one of the journals that Madeleine had sifted through.

            “One of the letters we found mentioned Adamant,” Madeleine added.  “Another, The Western Approach.”

            “We’ll have the resistance look into it,” Varric promised.  “There was a huge battle there during the Second Blight. Darkspawn pouring out of the Abyssal Rift or some shit.  I haven’t researched the area well myself; it isn’t a great setting for any adventure.”

            “It’s mostly sand and unpleasant creatures, such as gorguts and phoenixes there,” Cassandra confirmed.  “Still, it might be a place we want to visit.”

            “I’m sure it has plenty of rifts,” Madeleine closed her eyes and laid her head on the table for a moment. 

            “You have plenty of other places that you need to be, Maddie,” Cassandra’s voice was gentle.

            “We’ll let the Resistance hold down the fort in that area for a bit, Miracle,” Varric assured her.  “Finding out what happened  to The Orlesian Grey Wardens isn’t our priority.”

            “No,” Madeleine didn’t lift her head.  “Closing the rifts is.  There are so many of them…”  She let the words trail off and closed her eyes.  She knew she couldn’t just give up.  Giving up on her duty was giving up on Thedas and she wasn’t ready to do that.

            “Why don’t we just stay here for the night and get drunk,” Varric suggested.

            “How?  There aren’t many taverns left in Thedas,” she reminded him.  She should kill Corypheus for that alone.

            “This is a Grey Warden base,” Varric reminded her.  “I assure you that there is a wine cellar.  The Wardens are all big drinkers. You can find their booze all over Thedas. Come on, Miracle, let’s get drunk before we have to jump on Isabela’s ship.”