The Dread Wolf

Gunnar liked Sera, she was fun to be around, she was wary of him for being a mage at first but quickly ignored that fact in favor of his easy going personality.

"Ya really got them breeches I left?!" she laughs. "Ha! Knew it would serve for something, better us taking them than somebody else, innit?"

"You got them good, lass, did you see how embarrassed they were to fight without their breeches? Ah, haven't laughed like that it's been awhile, aye" He brought one hand one to wipe off an inexistent tear from his eyes.

"Tits were trying to hide their tiny willies!" Said Sera laughing along with Gunnar. 

"My dear, please cease to talk about... the male genitalia, some of us are more civilized and would rather not have to listen to your gibberish" 

Ah yes, Vivienne, they had the 'pleasure' of meeting her when they went to meet with Mahanon who had recruited the Grand Enchanter. She was...something else, as Sera carefully put it 'She is a bitch and she knows it'.

She had immediately pointed out how the Heralds had no control over their magic which had them both sighing and muttering 'not another one' to themselves. 

But then, then she saw Gunnar and she looked scandalized that, she quotes 'a savage mage who could not see the difference of a fork from a spoon' was among them, which ended with the Avvar having to hold Solas from doing something he would regret later...okay maybe not regret but something that could end up with the elf behind bars.

Sera rolled her eyes so hard that Gunnar was worried for a minute that they would be stuck like that.

"Of course ma'am" Gunnar said with mock respect.

The rogue elf giggled as the Lady of Iron threw them a glare over her shoulders, Gunnar gave her a sweet innocent smile that had her frown and shake her head as a sigh escaped her lips. So frustrating.

The two of them kept whispering to each other, talking gibberish to one another that had them both laughing their asses off. 

Solas felt his heart melt at the boisterous laughs Gunnar would let out, his own lips quirking up slightly at the sight.

Varric looked between them with a smug smile, it was like watching Hawke and Fenris all over again. He just hoped it would be less disastrous and painful this time.

They arrived at Haven after a day of traveling, everyone was exhausted so they parted ways, Solas and Gunnar going to their cabin while Sera and Vivienne went to find somewhere to stay. 

The Herald went to meet with the advisors in the war room along with Cassandra leaving Varric behind at the inn.

When they entered the war room they were met with a worried Josephine who was conversing with Leliana who grew serious when her eyes laid on them.

"My spies have followed Lord Seeker Lucius to his fort, we received alarming news about the Templars"  Leliana states seriously, then looks at Cassandra who was anxiously waiting for her to continue. "Not only the Lord Seeker has been replaced with a demon, but the Templars are taking red lyrium"

Cassandra almost drops to the floor in shock, Cullen looks dumbfounded, he shook his head, not wanting to believe such a thing.

"So Gunnar was right somehow" Mahanon said curiously about how the mage was able to sense the demon.

"What about the Avvar?" Josephine questions.

"He was able to tell something was wrong with Lord Seeker Lucius" Said Cassandra, still shaken.

"The savage mage?" Cullen inquires in fear. "He must be possessed! We need to get a handle of him immediately!"

"Oy, hold on a minute! We never said he is possessed" Mahanon tries.

He doesn't particularly have any negative feelings towards the Avvar man, well only when it was related to Solas, that annoying flat-ear has been on his case about being Dalish since they met. But aside from that, the man wasn't really rude to him, he actually smiled at him when they would make eye contact, which was more than any of the shem from Haven had ever done.

"He did say he is a spirit healer" Ellana pointed out rather maliciously. "Maybe he bound himself to a spirit?"

Mahanon gave his sister a look, wondering why she was doing this.

“Shouldn’t we be more worried about the demon and Templars taking red Lyrium?” He asked, trying to get them back to the main focus.

Leliana nodded. “He is right” Before the others could protest. “Wynne, one of the Warden’s companions, was also linked to a spirit, she never got unpossessed before dying a couple of years ago, the Avvar practice this ritual for way longer, him being bonded to a spirit is not really news”

“You knew ! And didn’t tell us anything!?” Cassandra exclaimed with wide eyes.

Cullen looked furious. “He should be killed, binding a demon-”

“Spirit,” Leliana said coldly.

“-it’s the same thing!”

"Is it really?" Josephine questioned. "Demon possessed mages would have no gain by healing the wounded and helping us, can demons even heal?" The last part was directed at Cassandra and Leliana.

"Not that we know of..." Seeker responded, still baffled.

"He has not proven to be a risk so far, I say we keep an eye on him but not attack, we are in no position to refuse help" Leliana said, her eyes piercing through Cullen's own.

"But he is an abomination! We sh-"

"Commander" Her voice was icy cold, she was barely keeping her patience at bay. "As I said, we need all the help we can find, we don't need to make more enemies"

"We wanted the Champion of Kirkwall as the Inquisitor in our initial plan and he is a blood mage, so I don't see why you are so against having another possible blood mage in the Inquisition" Pointed out Josephine.

"I was very against the idea of Hawke being Inquisitor! We don't need any abominations among us!"

"Oh but Warden Surana was a perfect candidate? Need I remind you she was also bonded with a spirit?" Leliana pointed out arching a brow in provocation.

The Commander went red in the face. "T-That's different!"

She rolled her eyes. "The difference is that you had a crush on my wife so you deemed her safe enough to be around, if this is how we lead the Inquisition then everyone here will executed because they are not Neria Surana"

The room went silent.

Mahanon looked absolutely absorbed in the conversation, the good Commander had a crush on the Hero of Ferelden? When he was still a Templar? And he was still a dick towards mages? Wow, what an asshole...not as much as Solas though. He hated that flat-ear with all his being.

Leliana smiled triumphantly when the man couldn't bring himself to protest her argument, because she was right after all.

"Gunnar stays," She said firmly. "Now, about the mages..."

Ellana looked to be unsatisfied with the end of the argument but nodded as she recounted what happened.

Leliana asked them to go find this 'Blackwall' guy, and when they left the Chantry a man called Krem told them the Chargers were up for hiring and if they wanted to see them in action they could go to the Storm Coast.

Ellana and Mahanon went after Blackwall first, they left Gunnar, Solas and Varric to rest, only taking Vivienne, Cassandra and Sera, which was...an interesting combo.

Gunnar prays to the Gods that Sera doesn't try killing the annoying Enchanter.

While the Heralds were out there recruiting, Solas took this opportunity to meet with his agents in the Fade once again. He wanted to get rid of Vivienne for her earlier rudeness towards his friend but he was finding it hard to justify his anger towards her.

She did take some jabs at him as well, calling him an apostate with no better knowledge of magic, he snorted, if only she knew, he was more than she could ever imagine. But nothing that actually insulted him.

In his towering wolf manifestation, he roamed the ethereal landscape, his massive paws leaving trails in the dream world as he rendezvoused with his contacts at their customary meeting place.

Some of his agents questioned the necessity of their efforts to remove Mother Gisele. However, none dared to challenge the Dread Wolf's decisions.

Fen'harel, with his six penetrating eyes, surveyed his agents. Though they spoke respectfully, an undercurrent of fear tinged their voices—a satisfactory assurance of their loyalty.

He listened as they gave their reports, rather uninterested. He could command his agents to get rid of First Enchanter Vivienne, but would it be worth it? She was still valuable, and Gunnar didn't seem angry at her jab, only mild annoyance. Hmm, what to do...

The agents exchanged a glance among them, what could have their leader so distracted? Maybe he had a grand plan in his mind but didn't think it was time to share with them yet?

Maybe he should just have the servants be incompetent to her out of pettines Solas thought to himself, yes, that would do it...for now.

The mere thought twisted his lips into a predatory smile, and a chilling aura emanated from the six-eyed wolf. His agents wisely refrained from questioning his intentions as his grin took on a distinctly menacing edge.

Gunnar got along with Blackwall even though he could tell most of the things he would speak of the Grey Wardens sounded like lies, he wasn't about to pry, so he just listened to the man's tales and pretended to believe him.

He didn't know much about the Wardens, but he didn't need to sense the lies on the man's words, The Iron Bull though, he knew about them and he also knew that Blackwall was full of shit from the knowing look he would give the black-bearded man.

Ah yes, talking about the Qunari. They were at the inn, all of the companions there taking break, minus Vivienne of course, her status didn't allow her to frequent such a place.

"So, you're very big" The one-eyed Qunari said, eyeing him with lust. 

The damn man hasn't stopped flirting with him and Solas for the past hour, it was getting exhausting if he was to be honest. He doesn't know how much redder his face can get.

"Aye, I am....why?" Indeed he was almost the same height as the Qunari warrior, his people always grew taller than most humans.

"Hmmm, you know, we could see who is bigger" The Iron Bull said as if he was talking about how the weather was tonight. Bull winke-could he even wink? 

Varric and Sera were cackling in the corner of his eye, Cassandra looked flustered at and annoyed to have to be here, it's not like there is another inn she could go to in Haven.

Gunnar coughed embarrassedly. "Nay, thank you lad"

The Qunari patted him hard on the back. "Lad! Ha! Tha makes me feel young"

"What about you Solas? Too prideful to try it with a Qunari?" The one-eyed man asked with a smirk.

Solas arched a brow at the silly joke with his name. "I would rather not get involved with the likes of the Qun" 

The Iron Bull didn't seem offended by his words, actually he looked amused. "Of course, of course"

Gunnar who didn't notice the two of them exchanging a challenging stare with one another yawned. 

"I better go now, 'twas a pleasure to meet ya Blackwall, The Iron Bull" He nods to the two men.

"Going so soon? Well, have good dreams, preferably of me" Iron Bull winke-okay for real how do people know when he is winking?!

Bull let out a boisterous laugh when the Avvar quickly left the Inn with his red face in his hands.

Solas stayed only for a little longer, not wanting to look desperate to join his friend, he had to check on his agents in the Fade after all.

When he left, The Iron Bull took his leave as well, walking side by side with the elf. The Qunari was about to open his mouth when the other cut him off.

"There is nothing you can say that will interest me, Hissrad" Said Solas coldly.

So maybe he was being a bit too aggressive, but the Qunari did keep flirting with Gunnar and he nonstop even though it was obvious it made his friend uncomfortable. 

Bull groaned annoyedly. "...man you are an ass, dunno how the Avvar guy can be into you" 

Solas stops on his tracks, but doesn't look at him.

"Excuse me?" His voice doesn't betray his feeling of disbelief.

The Iron Bull smirks smugly. "What? I thought you weren't interested in what I have to say?"

The elf narrowed his eyes at him. "Your attempts to affect me are most curious" 

It was laughable, Gunnar interested in him? They were just friends, yes the man could be touchy and way too friendly with him but that was it, he was just that way.

The Qunari shrugs. "You're smitten with him, thought I would be nice enough in telling you he feels the same" 

Solas didn't know which was worse, the fact that the Ben-Hassrath thought Gunnar liked him more than a friend or that Solas liked Gunnar in that way.

There was nothing between them more than friendship, so why did his heart race at the accusations? Why did something deep inside him feel...hopeful? His eyes widened in horror, what was he thinking? There is nothing to be hopeful about these baseless allegations.

"You are mistaken" The elf spoke firmly.

Bull huffs, noticing the small hesitance in Solas’ words that the elf seemed unaware of, he rolled his good eye. "And here I thought you were smart" The Qunari turned and walked away with a satisfied look on his face.

Solas stood there for a few minutes rather distressed, no, the Hissrad was just making up lies, it was in his name after all, liar, he had nothing to worry about.

He walked back to his hut distracted by his thoughts, the loud snoring as he approached it had the elf let out a small amused snort, he opened the door and found his friend already sound asleep on their bed.

Solas lay on the bed, careful to not wake up the Avvar only for Gunnar to wrap his arms around him and pull him close to his chest, the elf went still, sometimes he forgets his friend is a cuddler. 

The arms wrapped around his middle had Solas whimpering quietly, how long has he been touched like this? As if he could sense his distress the Avvar tightened his embrace earning a satisfied sigh from the elf.

He knew trying to free himself would be in vain, so he may as well just let himself enjoy the touch of a friend, he would never admit how safe he felt in the arms of Gunnar.

The Iron Bull's voice echoed in his mind as he fell asleep, the Qunari was wrong, there was nothing...there was nothing going on between them.

Liar . A small voice in his head whispered as he succumbed to sleep.

Ellana and Mahanon came to the decision they should meet with Fiona before deciding which side to pursue for good, waking up everyone early they departed for Redcliffe. 

Solas was still haunted by the discussion he had with Hissrad, at least Ellana was kind enough to see how tense he was around the Qunari to not bring him in this one. Opting to bring Vivienne and Cassandra along with Solas and Gunnar.

When they arrived at Redcliffe they saw a rift in front of the gates.

"I want a constant watch on that damned thing! Sound the alarm at the first sign of the demons!" A woman exclaimed as she maintained her distance from the rift.

Ellana and Mahanon quickly went to the rift in an attempt to close it before it spit out demons but it was in vain. 

As demons spawned from the rift, green circles appeared under the Heralds, who startled and tried to leave it only to be slowed down by its strange magic.

Gunnar took down a Wraith that was about to attack them, Cassandra shielding the Heralds as they escaped the circle on the ground, once they were out of it the fight proceeded normally.

"What, was that?" Mahanon aske as the battle was over.

"None of my reports indicated temporal distortions near these rifts, interesting" Vivienne said mostly to herself than to him.

"There are many mages in Redcliffe, maybe Fiona will know what's going on" Ellana replied.

The scout from before approaches the gates, ordering the people behind it to open it.

Ellana walked past the gates, the party following, when one of Leliana's people went to report to them. 

"We've spread word that the Inquisition was coming, but you should know that no one here was expecting us"

"No one? Not even Grand Enchanter Fiona?" Questioned Mahanon slightly confused.

Why wouldn't she warn the people of them coming to Redcliffe?

"We've arranged the use of the tavern for negotiations" The scout said before leaving.

An elf who was eyeing them curiously took this opportunity to make himself known. "Agents of the Inquisition, my apologies! Magister Alexius is in charge now, but hasn't yet arrived, he's expected shortly. You can speak to the former Grand Enchanter in the meantime!"

"Well, let's see what's going on here" Said the female Lavellan as she walked further into Redcliffe.

"The veil is weaker here than in Haven and not merely weak but altered in a way I have not yet seen" Solas pointed out, feeling uneasy about this, this felt wrong…

“We must speak to Fiona at once,” Viviennne said urgently.

For once he agreed with the Enchanter.

They quickly traversed the multitude of mages and arrived at the tavern.

There they found the Grand Enchanter who eyed them strangely.

 "Welcome, agents for the Inquisition" Fiona greeted them warily then noticed the other mage's presence. "First Enchanter Vivienne"

"My dear Fiona, it's been so long since we last spoke, you look dreadful! Are you sleeping well?"

Fionas ignored her sharp words and focused back on the Heralds. "What has brought you to Redcliffe?"

Ellana was annoyed at this. "Is this some sort of test? We're here because you invited us in Val Royeaux"

Fiona looked taken aback. "You must be mistaken, I haven't been to Val Royeaux since before the Conclave"

"There is no mistake, while the Templars were leaving, you came to Val Royeaux and asked us here" Mahanon said, getting just as annoyed.

That seemed to make the elven woman even more confused. "The Templars left Val Royeaux Where did they go? That sounds...why does that sound so strange?" She shook her head.

"Whoever...or whatever brought you here, the situation has changed" She looks away ashamed for a moment. "The free mages have already...pledged themselves to the service of the Tevinter Imperium"

"Fiona dear, your dementia is showing" Vivienne commented rather perplexed by her words.

"An alliance with Tevinter? Do you not fear all of Thedas turning against you?" Asked Cassandra.

Solas looked like he had swallowed a lemon. "I understand that you are afraid, but you deserve better than slavery to Tevinter"

Gunnar didn't know much about Tevinter, but by the sounds of it, it must be a dreadful place.

"As one indentured to a Magister, I no longer have the authority to negotiate with you"

"The Divine's corpse is barely cold, and you've already joined the Imperium?" Mahanon said with arched brows in shock.

"Most of Thedas blames us for the Divine's death, the Templars' attacks grew worse, and we mages had no allies. Either my people made a last stand here in Redcliffe or we took the only offer of help extended to us" She looked tired as she finished. "I had to save them, I had not other choice"

Gunnar felt for the woman, she was in a dire situation, if he was in her place…maybe he would have done the same to save his people were there no other choice.

Solas felt a bit of sympathy for her, he knew what it was to have no other choice but the one that could affect other people, he was after all, going to do that after the Breach is closed and his orb returned to him.

Ellana was about to question her when the door of the tavern swung open.

"Welcome my friends! I apologize for not greeting you earlier!" A man in Tevinter clothing said with a broad smile on his face.

"Agents of the Inquisition, allow me to introduce Magister Gereon Alexius" Fiona presented him with a regretful tone.

It was clear she would have joined the Inquisition had they come to her before the Imperium, she didn't like this alliance any better than them.

Alexius shook Ellana's hand, who forced a smile on her face.

"The southern mages are under my command, and you are the survivors, yes? The ones from the Fade?" He eyed their hands critically. "Interesting"

"You're quite a long way from Tevinter, Alexius" Pointed out Mahanon rather sharply.

"Indeed I am, though I have heard you are no Fereldan, either, it seems we are both strangers here" The Magister motioned for the Heralds to follow him to a table.

Gunnar and Solas watched from the other side of the tavern.

"What's so bad about Tevinter, pretty one?" Asked the Avvar rather curious.

Solas arched his brow, surprised his friend had little knowledge of it, of course, sometimes he forgot his people didn't get much in contact with the people outside their hold.

"The Tevinter Imperium is the oldest existing human nation in Thedas and is ruled by a powerful magocracy, the leaders of the Imperium are called magisters, powerful mages must I say, what you need to know is that they enslave elves and humans with low status, though the elves get it worse and many mages from the Imperium practice blood magic"

"Ah" The man uttered, slavery, he still doesn't understand how people could enslave one's kind like it was nothing. "Then they are no more than slaves to this Magister, aye?"

"Possibly, or he wishes to use them to a greater purpose, which we do not know of" 

The Avvar hummed in agreement, he looked around to find some people staring at him, same old bigots who thought he was a savage, the innkeeper from the last time also among them, but one person in particular got his attention.

A man with a sign on his forehead was looking at him with empty eyes.

"He is tranquil" Solas said. "He is no longer connected to the Fade, it's a barbaric practice, but he can not feel any emotions because of this" 

The Avvar felt his stomach drop at such new found knowledge. Cut someone out of the Fade? For what? That was pure cruelty.

"Magister Alexius wishes only mages to remain in Redcliffe, he will approve of you, he does not approve of me" Said the tranquil when Gunnar approached him.

"Why does the Magister does not approve of you?" Gunnar asked.

"He does not like to be reminded of what mages can become, he says all Tranquil must leave Redcliffe, but who would take us in?"

Gunnar’s heart hurt for them, he looked at Solas as if asking for permission.

“I’m sure the Inquisition could find some use for the Tranquil” Solas pointed out.

“I am an alchemist, you must require potions, me and my comrades would offer your services if you take us in” 

“Of course, the Inquisition sure would benefit from your services, aye?”

“Thank you, while one lives it is good to believe there is still use for one's talents”

The Tranquil left to warn his fellow Tranquil colleagues of the offer.

Gunnar felt good knowing the Tranquil would have somewhere to stay, he just hopes he hasn’t crossed a line by offering them a place in the Inquisition.

When Solas and Gunnar turned their attention to the Heralds again they watched silently as Magister Alexius helped his son out of the Tavern in a hurry.

The man's son must have given Mahanon something because he read it out loud for them.

"Come to the Chantry, you are in danger" 

"Did the Magister's son give you that? Why would he help you?" Cassandra inquired rather suspiciously.

"We will be careful, but we need to figure out what's going on here" Ellana was the one to say.

When they entered the Chantry they did not expect to find a rift inside with a mage beating the shit out of the demons with his staff.

Mahanon was most impressed with his battle skills, way too impressed in Ellana's opinion.

"Good! You're finally here! Now Help me close this, would you?" The mage said towards the male elf with a wink.

"Ugh" Ellana said at the same time as Cassandra.

It was relatively easy to close the rift before more demons spawned since there were two people with the mark closing it at the same time, when it was done the strange man approached them with a curious gaze.

"Fascinating, how does that work, exactly?"

Mahanon shrugged, while Ellana contemplated.

"You don't even know, do you? You two just wiggle your fingers and boom! Rift closes"

"Who are you?" Ellana asked with a bit of hostility.

"Ah getting ahead of myself again, I see" He makes a mock presentation pose. "Dorian of House Pavus, most recently of Minrathous, how do you do?"

"Another Tevinter, be cautious with this one" Cassandra warned.

"Suspicious friends you have here" Dorian smirks. "Magister Alexius was once my mentor, so my assistance should be valuable as I'm sure you can imagine" 

"Are you the one who sent that note, then?" Asked Mahanon curious.

For the first time they have seen, Ellana was more aggressive while Mahanon was more calm in their approaches, strange.

"I am, someone had to warn you, after all, look, you must know there's danger, that should be obvious even without the note. Let's start with Alexius claiming the allegiance of the mage rebels out from under you. As if by magic, yes? Which is exactly right, to reach Redcliffe before the Inquisition, Alexius distorted time itself" 

The male Lavellan looked taken aback. "He arranged it so he could arrive here just after the Divine died? That...actually makes sense considering what happened"

"You catch on quick" Dorian agreed.

"That is fascinating, if true....and most certainly dangerous" Solas said with awe in his voice, time magic, that is something he never thought possible, he can't help but think if he had known this type of magic back then, if he could have stoppe- no, it had already been done, and he would fix it soon.

"The rift you closed here? You saw how it twisted time around itself, sped some things up and slowed others down" the Tevinter man continued. "Soon there will be more like it, and they'll appear further and further away from Redcliffe. The magic Alexius is using is wildly unstable, and it's unraveling the world"

"You're asking us to take a lot on faith" Uttered an annoyed Ellana, she didn't really trust this man, but she wonders if he is really telling the truth.

"I know what I’m talking about, I helped develop this magic, when I was still his apprentice, it was pure theory, Alexius could never get it to work, what I don't understand is why he's doing it? Ripping time to shred just to gain a few hundred lackeys?" 

"He didn't do it for them" came a voice from behind them.

"Took you long enough! Is he getting suspicious?" 

"No but I shouldn't have played the illness card, I thought he'd be fussing over me all day" Said Alexius before turning to the Heralds. "My father's joined a cult, Tevinter supremacists, they call themselves 'Venatori, and I can tell you one thing: whatever he's done for them, he's done to get it to you'

Mahanon nodded and turned to Dorian. "Do you have any suggestions?"

"You know you're his target, expecting the trap is the first step in turning it to your advantage. I can't stay in Redcliffe, Alexius doesn't know I'm here and I want to keep it that way for now"  

They left for Haven to discuss their plans after that, Solas contemplating about Time Magic and its use, Gunnar was more than happy to hear his friend theorize how it was possible this magic came to be.

Dorian had arrived a couple of hours ago telling them of the secret entrances and how he could help take down Alexius, the Heralds were set on helping out the mages, but Cullen was still trying to make his case. 

"We need the Templars! They need our help! I'm sure they don't know their Lord Seeker is a demon! If we can make them see reason, they can help us with the breach!"

"They are already too far gone, only a few have not taken red lyrium the others are already corrupt" Leliana said without looking at him. "The mages are in most need of our help, this time travel matter could affect all Thedas, it's most needed to be stopped"

"Why not both?" Mahanon chimed in, everyone turning to look at the elf. "I go to see if the Templars can be saved and Ellana could go to the mages" He looked at his sister for confirmation, glad when she nodded.

"That's....actually a good idea, we have two Heralds after all" Josephine took notes of the conversation ready to write a letter to the Templars and Magister Alexius about a meeting.

"So it is decided?" He asks.

When the advisors nod, Dorian lets out a sigh of relief. "Finally! Now, we must go immediately, we can not wait any longer, for the sake of both sides, I'll be waiting at the gates"

"He is right, I'll go to the Templars right now, the crows will have the letter sent to Leliana's contact before I arrive, same goes for your side Ellana"

"Of course, I will depart immediately"

"Let me guess, Solas is going with you?" Mahanon asked with a blank stare.

Her cheeks warm up. "Problem with that?" She asked defiantly.

"Not really, but he has a stick up his ass, you could do better sister" Before she can retort he continued. "Besides we all know he has eyes for another,"

Ellana clenches her fists, she knew, and yet...

A hand on her shoulder had her looking back to her brother who eyed her with a sad smile.

"I just don't want to see your hurt, just think about it, you can find someone better...preferably someone single" He joked.

The female Lavellan lets out an ugly snort but nods.

"I'll take Sera, Bull and Blackwall with me then, see you later lethallan"

"Creators watch over you lethallin" She replies.

As her brother left she shook her head, she wasn't going to give up that easily.

"My lord Magister, the agents of the Inquisition have arrived" A blond man announced them to the Magister.

At first he had tried to convince Ellana to come alone, but she stood her ground, it was her and her companion together or she would leave at once. It was so clear it was a trap when the blond entered in panic and relented quickly.

Alexius got up from his seat with a charming smile as usual. "My friend! It's so good to see you again"  he eyed Solas, Varric And Gunnar with a sharp look. "And your associates, of course, I"m sure we can work out some arrangement that is equitable to all parties" 

Fiona who had been trying to not get into the conversation had enough. "Do we mages have no choice 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" 

"If the Grand Enchanter wants to be part of these talks, then I welcome her as a guest of the Inquisition" Ellana said, trying to suppress a smirk when the Magister glared at her for a mere second before putting up a facade.

"Thank you!" Said the elven Enchanter with relief.

"The Inquisition needs mages to close the Breach, and I have them, so what shall you offer in exchange?"

"Actually, I hoped you could tell me about these 'Venatori' I'm hearing so much about," Ellana said with an innocent smile.

"Now, where could you have heard that name?" The man questioned with a glare.

"I told her," Felix said from the man's side.

"Felix, what have you done?" 

"You wanted me here, why?" Ellana asked, trying to stay calm.

Alexius turned to openly glare at her this time. "Do you know what you are? You walk into my stronghold with your stolen mark - a gift you don't even understand - and think you're in control? You're nothing but a mistake "

"If I'm a mistake, what exactly was the Breach supposed to accomplish?"

"It was to be a triumphant moment for the Elder One, for this world!"

Solas' whole attention was on the man now, the one who stole his orb, this Elder One, he needed to find out who they were.

"Father, listen to yourself! Do you know what you sound like?" Felix tried to rationalize with him.

"He sounds exactly like the sort of villainous cliché everyone expects us to be" Dorian chose this moment to make himself known.

Alexius gives the man a disappointed glare. "Dorian...I gave you a chance to be a part of this, you turned me down, the Elder One has power you would not believe, he will raise the Imperium from it own ashes"

"That's who you serve? The one who killed the Divine? Is he a mage?" Inquired Ellana.

"Soon he will become a God, he will make the world bow to mage once more, we will rule from the Boeric Ocean to Frozen Seas" 

"You can't involve my people in this!" Fiona shouted in horror.

"Alexius, this is exactly what you and I talked about never wanting to happen! Why would you support this?" Dorian asked,

"Stop it, father, give up the Venatori, let the Southern mages fight the Breach, and let's go home" 

The mage shook his head, giving his son a defeated look. "No, it's the only way, Felix, he can save you!" 

Felix looked like he was just slapped across the face. "Save me?!"

"There is a way, the Elder One promised, if I undo the mistake at the Temple..." 

"I'm going to die, you need to accept that" 

Alexius ignored his son's pleas. "Seize them, Venatori! The Elder One demands this man's life!"

Ellana smirks when he realizes his men have been killed by Leliana's people. "Your men are dead, Alexius"

The Magister scowls at her, he takes an amulet into his hand. "You are a mistake! You never should have existed!" 

Solas could not let the man kill one of the Heralds, he needed both of them and their marks, he went to try to reflect the spell but Dorian had already counter attacked it when he approached them.

A bright green light enveloped them and then they were somewhere else. 

They got dumped into water and Solas immediately started sputtering, accidentally having inhaled some of it.

He sat upright and coughed the rest of the water out of his lungs.

After he was done he stood up, looking disgustedly down at himself before using a spell to remove the wetness from his armor and to protect it from the remaining knee-high water.

Satisfied with his work he listened to what the Tevinter and Ellana had to say.

His eyebrows rose steadily as the two of them continued talking.

Displacement in not only space but also time? It couldn't be, it wasn't possible!

But as Solas looked around he had to admit that maybe there was a little truth in the statement.

Red Lyrium structures grew steadily from the ground, surrounding them.

He would have known that they existed underneath the castle the moment he was near it. 

(Solas could feel their pulsing, echoing call through his bones, and heard the sweet singing of empty promises. There was an itching in his fingers; he had to touch it, taste the energy thrumming through them, through him, feel it invigorating him-

He tended to ignore these thoughts.)

So either they spontaneously appeared or…Dorian and the Herald were right.

Solas wouldn't think of the implications of time travel right now, he could face this crisis later.

He focused back on the present situation.

"No matter what exactly brought us here we need to find a way back. Altus Pavus, you mentioned that the amulet could probably help you construct a spell to return us? It should be further into the castle, as I believe that Magister Alexius wouldn't be anywhere but the center chamber."

Dorian looked caught out: "I- Yes that does make sense. We still need to find out what happened in the time we were gone and when exactly we are."

"Of course, Dorian. Herald, lead on."

The Herald continued to look at him and Solas felt more and more uncomfortable the longer this went on.

"... Herald?"

She seemed to shake herself out of her stupor at the exact moment a shout rose up.

Apparently they weren't as alone as they thought.

Two Venatori agents spotted them.

Solas flung an attack at them before either of the others reacted, his nerves still alight from the unexpected travel and the constant thrumming of the Lyrium in the back of his mind.

One of them fell down with a gurgle, burnt to a crisp.

If he wasn't dead he would be soon, either from his wounds or from the fact he'd drown before ever waking up.

Dorian and Ellana looked at the ancient elf, shocked, and he fought to reign himself in, control his power.

He got distracted by the situation they found themselves in and let himself slip.

It wouldn't do to reveal more, and so he fought and tensed and kept his magic under lock and key.

After they defeated both of the Venatori, Ellana went through their bodies to search for things of value.

She held up a key with a shout of triumph.

"This is gonna be useful."

Solas moved to inspect what else she had found and looked over her shoulder.

The other elf seemingly froze up and Solas raised an eyebrow and stepped back.

He would probably never understand the Herald.

Either of them for that matter.

She stuttered out: "W-we should move along."

He nodded.

"Of course, onward." 

Solas looked over at Dorian, confused as to why the latter smiled in apparent amusement but then internally shrugged and followed after the Dalish.

They trudged through more water and the Elvhen pointedly ignored the Lyrium crystals that seemed to sprout from the earth at every turn.

His hands were tightly gripping his staff, the humming and thrumming too much for him to bear.

The screaming somewhere in the background didn't help either.

They reached an open area, with several corpses hanging from the ceiling and a deep pit directly underneath the gutter they were standing on.

Of course there were more enemies there.

Solas stifled a sigh and settled back to watch and play support.

He'd leave them for the others, still too strung up from the earlier combat, from the Lyrium, from everything .

He wasn't sure he could hide his power any longer if he had to fight right this second.

He exerted a considerable amount of effort to restrain his innate power, pushed it down right to the bottom of his being. Made it fold into itself smaller and smaller until it was completely hidden once again. 

He let out a shaky breath.

The Altus and the Herald shot him curious glances, he wasn't quite sure if they could tell what exactly he'd done, but they definitely knew something was off.

He just have to hope they wouldn't pry

Descending the left staircase, Ellana swiftly passed by the other cells until she saw Fiona and stopped in her tracks.

She wasted no time inquiring about the situation, asking questions about when they are and what happened.

Solas, however, paid them no heed as the compelling call of red lyrium drew him to the right. The melody emanated strongly from that direction, beckoning him closer.

He followed the call, and a sharp, broken gasp escaped his lips as he beheld the scene before him.

Gunnar was firmly shackled to the wall, his face and body bearing fresh bruises, open wounds, and numerous deep cuts that should have claimed the Avvar's life long ago.

Dorian stood at Solas' side, uncertain of how to help. He recognized the man as one of the Inquisition's agents who had accompanied them, though he remained oblivious to the extent of their relationship. 

Judging by the elf's expression, however, it was evident that they shared a significant bond.

As Solas beheld Gunnar's battered and broken form, a torrent of emotions overwhelmed him. His heart ached as if a thousand blades had pierced it simultaneously. The sight of his friend in such agony, a friend he had fought alongside, shared laughter with, and trusted without question, was almost unbearable.

Unable to restrain himself any longer, Solas took a trembling step closer. His hands, typically so steady and sure, now shook with a mixture of anger, grief, and guilt. Memories of their time together flooded his mind making his experience even more painful.

Solas struggled to find his voice, his usually eloquent words failing him, all he managed to choke out was "Gunnar". 

His hands were shaking, wanting to touch, to reassure, but he refrained from doing so, the man might not have red lyrium growing out of him but he still seemed to be infected.

Gunnar only then seems to have noticed their presence, abruptly looking up and eyeing Dorian. “Who are you, what do you want?! Stay away, I’ll rip you apart!” Gunnar(?) snarled at them. “I’ll kill you all!”

This feeltvwrong, Gunnar wasn’t the type to shout threats even in this state, the glowing red in his eyes flickering on and off as the Avvar tried to free himself from the shackles made Solas flinch.

“Valor?” Solas whispered softly in realization.

“What? Like a spirit of valor?” Dorian asked, giving the Avvar a wary look. 

The spirit -was it even a spirit anymore?-  wearing his friend’s face turned to him, tilting his head to the side.

“You, you, you, you, who are you?...” The spirit squinted its eyes in thought then gasped in shock. “Ah yes! The pretty one!” Valor chuckled rather maniacally. “But you were dead! We saw! Dead, dead, dead, gone! Forever!”

Solas couldn’t control his emotions as he whispered. “What have they done to you…” He felt his anger almost combust, he wanted to lash out to tear everything to pieces. 

His magic was fighting itself back to the surface but he viciously pushed it back down again. 

Now wasn't the time.

The spirit’s expression contorted into a grimace. “Broke us, unmade us, tried to corrupt us! But I fought it! I promised I did my best! He is safe now! I just needed to endure a little longer! And now you’re here!” It said the last part cheerfully.

Dorian was still weirded out but talking to spirit possessing someone’s body, but he couldn’t help but notice the same thing Solas did. “These wounds should have killed him, how is he even alive?”

“He wanted to die, it hurt too much. They always come back to make the hurt even worse, he wanted me to let him go, but I couldn’t– he promised! Together, forever!”

“You’re hurting him” Solas whispered heartbroken, whatever Valor has been doing to keep Gunnar from being corrupted by red lyrium it ended up corrupting Valor instead.

“NO!! Just wanted to help! Keep him safe, like I always do! Always a good sister! She-I protect! I keep safe! I help!” The spirit kept repeating the same words like a mantra, as if trying to convince itself that it was doing the right thing. 

(Like he was always trying to convince himself he was doing the right thing. Bringing up the veil was necessary to bring the Evanuris down. Destroying the veil once again was necessary to fix this broken world. But as he looked around himself, the walls humming with red lyrium, his friend suffering and corrupted, just another thing falling to his mistakes, he couldn't help but think that maybe he just made everything worse. It was all his fault. He shouldn't have-)

“Is he still even there?” Dorian asked, feeling uneasy. 

“Of course! He watches, tired, but watching” Valor turned back to Solas. “He missed you”

His heart aches at hearing that, and he couldn't help the pang of loss he felt at hearing that. To Gunnar he was dead. Would he even believe he was there, suddenly, after all this time?

“Can I please talk to him?” Solas pleaded.

Valor hesitated for a second but nodded, red glowing eyes replaced by tired blue ones, Gunnar stared at nothing, still coming back to himself.

Dorian felt like he was intruding, so he went to Ellana who was quietly watching from where they found Fiona.

He quietly told her to wait outside for him, she shot the other two men a conflicted look, but nodded leaving the room. She had killed Fiona, sparing her from the pain after getting information about the others and Leliana.

The Altus approached Solas from behind and gave his shoulder a light squeeze in comfort. “We will free Varric, meet us outside” He said quietly.

Solas nodded, grateful for having a moment alone with his friend. “Thank you,” he whispered.

It’s a couple of minutes later when Gunnar finally stirred, squeezing his eyes tightly before blinking and looking at Solas with a kind smile.

“Pretty one, you’re alive! I thought–it doesn’t matter, you’re alive! Maybe living this long was worth it after all” 

Solas fought to hold back his tears, his chest constricting painfully, how he wished he could wrap his arms around the man, to hold him and make things better, but that was not possible right now.

At least he didn't think he was a hallucination, he could console himself with that. But still his heart ached with the need to touch .

Pain welled up as he remembered the implications within his friend's words. Gunnar might have secretly longed for death from his suffering, but the mere presence of Solas made him think every hardship was worthwhile.

How could he feel like all the torment was worth it, just to see Solas once again?

Solas shook his head, he was still grappling with disbelief at how callous Valor had been, permitting Gunnar to endure prolonged agony for so long. However, he couldn't muster unbridled anger towards the corrupted spirit, as it was not in its right mind.

"I'll get you out of here," Solas vowed, his stomach churning at the sight of his shackled friend.

The cell offered little resistance, yielding easily to his skilled hands. Solas then employed an ice spell to freeze the shackles in place, before shattering them, granting Gunnar his freedom. Weak and unsteady, Gunnar tumbled to the floor but managed to wobble to his feet, his legs trembling from disuse after such a lengthy confinement.

Solas had to hold himself back from going to his friend and helping him stand, cursing internally the red lyrium for keeping him from reaching his beloved friend.

"I may not have a staff, but I won't require one for a good fight," Gunnar declared upon finding no weapon in close proximity. His eyes then landed on Solas, and a radiant smile broke through the scars on his face, each little movement of the scars sending a jolt of pain down Solas' spine. "You're going after that bastard Alexius, aren't you? I'll lend a hand in any way I can, my pretty one"

Solas hastily briefed him on the events surrounding the Herald and his own presence in this dire situation. Gunnar absorbed the information in silence, his responses limited to soft hums and nods. As Solas concluded his explanation, the raw emotion in his voice betrayed the depth of his feelings.

“Gunnar…I…I promise I’ll stop this from happening, you won’t have to go through this when I’m back”  Solas vowed, his voice quivering as he fought to suppress tears. He seethed with rage at the thought of Alexius laying a hand on Gunnar, determined to make the man beg for mercy for every injury inflicted upon his friend

"I have faith in you, pretty one," he whispered softly, his unwavering trust piercing Solas's heart like a dagger. "But for the moment, we must focus on getting you out of here, aye?" The Avvar's radiant smile persisted, as if the mere presence of Solas by his side could mend all wounds and make everything right once more.

Solas nodded, still struggling to contain his anger and grief. Gunnar left the room and paused at the door, waiting for his friend. The elf followed as the Avvar led the way, and in the center of the room, they found the Herald, Varric, and Dorian, who had just arrived from the other side.

“Ah, I would say it’s good to see you alive, but in the shitty situation we are in I don't know if being alive is even considered good”  Varric remarked gloomily to Gunnar, who responded with a cheerful smile.

“Good to see you again, small one!”

"Eh, that's a new one. I'll have to come up with a nickname for you as well," Varric retorted.

Dorian couldn't help but feel a bit relieved as the tension in the room eased slightly with their friendly banter, their steps carrying them further into the unknown.

As Solas maintained his gaze on Gunnar, his eyes filled with a mixture of pain and guilt, Dorian chose to remain silent about it. Yet, he couldn't help but wonder if there was more to their relationship. Were they lovers? It would certainly explain the heart-wrenching expression on the elf's face when he found Gunnar in chains. Of course, they could simply be close friends, but the way they looked at each other suggested something deeper. It would explain Ellana's hesitation leaving the two of them alone, considering her rather obvious infatuation with Solas.

Regardless, their immediate focus had to be on confronting Alexius.

They find Leliana about to be tortured in one of the rooms they pass by, they kill the man questioning her and free her swiftly, whatever she went through, it messed up her features. She looked older and tired, the red-haired was very angry whenever Dorian kept asking her about what happened in the future.

Seeking to break the heavy silence, Dorian turned to Varric. "How did they manage to capture you?" he inquired.

"Tiny over here," Varric nodded toward Gunnar, "knocked Alexius down and went off to mourn your 'deaths.' I heard they captured him later. As for me, I got ambushed while attempting to go after the Inquisition agents to help secure Alexius. His guards remained loyal even with him unconscious"

Gunnar simply hummed in agreement, offering no further details on the matter. His gaze wandered, lost in the memories, his mind drifting.

Solas kept his thoughts on a tight leash, knowing that they needed to act swiftly upon their return to ensure Gunnar's safety. He refused to let anything happen to his friend again, not after failing him once before.

As they pressed onward, they found themselves beset by demons as rifts tore open in their path, forcing them to fight for their lives.

Solas's dismay surged as he observed the Veil, nearly on the brink of collapse. The sky overtaken by green and crackling ominously. Was this the inevitable outcome when it fell entirely? No, it couldn’t be, he insisted silently, shaking his head with conviction. Things would be different, they had to. This chaos must have stemmed from someone's botched attempt. If only he were the one to do it-

It would be different if he were the one to do it, he's got the knowledge it wouldn't turn out like this!

(Arches of electricity, the world shuddering with the aftershocks, and still contained, still not as bad as it could be if the whole were to fall. The torn pieces of the veil pushing insistently at him, seeming to whisper ‘Let me in, let me in, let me in’ over and over again, coaxing, tempting his magic to rise to the surface. Everything in touch with the shreds of what remained of the veil becomes corrupted. It would be different, it had to be different, it couldn't turn out like this)

Solas shuddered and shook himself out of his stupor, once again having to soothe his magic.

He hurries to catch up with the others, having stood completely still, taking in the chaos.

Their steps echoed in the silence as they looked for access to Alexius's hiding location, seeking the lyrium fragments necessary to unlock the door. Solas stole glances at Gunnar intermittently, his eyes betraying his distress as he watched the man zone out, he was clearly trying to hide his pain from his wounds, Solas also noticed the small flinches at the surrounding loud noises.

How Solas yearned to offer solace, to reach out, grasp Gunnar's hand at every time something seemed to trigger him, to envelop him in reassurance that this nightmarish ordeal would dissipate. Yet, all he could muster was a resolve to mend this temporal error, to avert the looming catastrophe.

Upon breaching the door, Alexius greeted them with a resigned sigh, initiating aggression only when Leliana struck down Felix before him, disregarding Ellena's plea for mercy.

In the inevitable conflict that ensued, they were forced to end the Magister's life. Solas withheld his power, carefully restraining it enough to contribute without revealing his true nature.

“He wanted to die, didn’t he? all those lies he told himself, the justifications…he lost Felix long ago and didn't even notice, oh Alexius” Dorian began, but Solas tuned him out, fixing his gaze on his companion.

Gunnar stood, gazing solemnly at Felix's lifeless form and at Alexius, his expression wrought with a sorrow that seemed to absolve the man of responsibility for his torment.

Solas grappled with an urge to comfort, to cradle the man’s face in his hands and falsely assure him of a brighter outcome. Yet, he knew such reassurances would be steeped with deceit.

The ancient elf comprehended the impossibility of taking this Gunnar back to their present. Not only was he already on the brink of death, but meddling further with their intricate web of time travel was perilous.

"This is the same amulet he utilized before. I believe it's akin to the one we crafted in Minrathous. Give me an hour to decipher the spell he employed, and I should be able to reinitiate the breach," murmured Dorian as he inspected the amulet in his grasp.

"An hour?! That's impossible! You must go, now!" Leliana exclaimed, her voice fraught with panic.

Tremors rattled the chamber, causing the very foundation to quake. In a hushed tone, the red-haired operative uttered "The Elder One," her terror palpable.

Varric and Gunnar exchanged a glance that raised an unsettling feeling within Solas.

"We'll secure the main entrance. Once they breach it, it's up to you, Nightingale," declared Varric as he headed outside.

Gunnar cast a glance at Solas, preempting any objection. "Don’t give me that look, pretty one. I'm fading, my time draws near, and you know it," His expression softened, gracing Solas with a tender smile. “Go, fix this, make sure that none of this ever happens, pretty one, aye?”

Solas could only wordlessly nod, distrustful of his own voice that threatened to falter.

"Farewell, mo leannan" The Avvar murmured softly before following Varric and sealing the door behind him.

The unfamiliar word lingered in the elf's thoughts, whatever it meant it was spoken from the heart, he made a mental note to inquire about its meaning from Gunnar upon their return to his time.

"Cast your spell. You have as much time as I have arrows," Leliana interjected, positioning herself and readying her bow.

The Altus delved into his spellwork, channeling every ounce of focus into the incantation. Ellana's gaze flitted between Solas, torn by conflicting emotions, while the male elf remained fixated on the door, consumed by grief.

As Dorian labored to activate the amulet, the door yielded to a forceful kick. A demon barged in, callously hurling Gunnar's lifeless form aside. Solas felt a stifling sense of suffocation, as if the air itself had been sucked from his lungs. His friend's once vibrant face now lay lifeless, blue eyes rendered glassy and vacant.

Dead.

A voice in his mind supplied him with the cruel truth.

The fatal wound inflicted on Gunnar was ghastly. The demon's talons had pierced the Avvar's chest, shredding through ribcage and heart, leaving only a grotesque mess in its wake.

Solas couldn't tear his gaze from his friend's corpse. Someone's hand clutched his arm, jolting him from his subconscious march toward his fallen friend.

"Move, and we're all doomed!" Dorian's urgent exclamation punctuated the chaos as he persisted in focusing on the amulet.

Aware of the stakes, Solas grappled with a tempest of anger and sorrow. A primal desire surged within him to shatter this illusion, to unleash his remaining powers and obliterate everything in sight. Yet, the realization dawned that such an act would sever his return to his time—to the prospect of witnessing his cherished friend alive once more. Reluctantly, he allowed the Dalish woman to draw him back to the center. Leliana valiantly held back the demons and Venatori with waning strength, but Solas could only fixate on the haunting gaze of his now deceased friend.

A luminous blaze engulfed them, and suddenly, they were back. Solas took a minute to understand they were back, but when he did, he  scanned the surroundings frantically. Alexius lay sprawled on the floor, unconscious with a bloodied nose, Felix at his side.

Varric's expression bore a mix of relief and disbelief and he was about to ask what happened but Solas walked past him in a hurry.

Time pressed against Solas's chest, a weighty reminder of the future he glimpsed, of Gunnar's lifeless form. The agony of witnessing that loss surged within him, fueling a fierce determination to prevent history from repeating itself.

Gunnar, his dear friend, was not among them. Panic and anguish intermingled in Solas's heart, an urgent plea echoing through his every thought: find him before the Venatori did, before fate snatched Gunnar away once more.

The mere notion of losing Gunnar again was unbearable, an anguish that clawed at Solas's soul. He wouldn't allow it. He couldn't bear the thought of facing that sorrow once more.

He won’t fail Gunnar again.