Jeez! The powers that be all weaving their own webs behind the scenes for their own benefit. Well weaved!

I like how the fact that healing from such a trauma has not been ignored and that it's been made clear that months have passed since the incident. Anya may not be fully healed but she's had time to work thru many issues and it's more believable because Nathaniel is someone she trusted before.

I'm always surprised no others have played with this one alternative.

Nice myths!

Sometimes politics is wiser than acting like a vengeance demon to get a vengeance demon.

I wouldn't have thought Justice disliked the Commander or Oghren this much. (Velanna had been very unjust and is a but harder to be upset) surprising that the anger came so fast. and sad, I love Anders/Oghren chats.

Sorry for the time it's taken to review the last couple chapters. I read them when you posted them, but got caught up with other stuff and then wanted to re-read.

I really liked the twists on the Kirkwall Chantry bombing plot. In particular, Elthina's role and the revelation that her general behavior that contributed to the mage/templar tension and civil unrest was actually by design, part of a larger scheme.

Also, you kept me guessing with the whole "are they *really* dead or aren't they?" game with the various characters :) I got one wrong, as I'd counted Bran among the dead. But I guessed right that Nathaniel, Varric, and Donnic weren't.

The bittersweet ending worked very well for a story that was full of such moments, where little happiness was gained without a stiff price accompanying it. And I appreciated that while you didn't tie up every loose end, you did so to the degree that the story felt complete, satisfying. And at the same time I want more, which I suppose is to just to say you successfully nailed that balance between too much and not enough that great stories achieve.

All in all this was a wonderful story, and congratulations on finishing it up!

I just read this entire story from start to finish (despite Inquisition being out!) and it is fabulous. Well done. I love your characters, your descriptions, your crazy conspiracies...how well it all fits into the basic structure of the DA verse.

Seriously, good job!

I'm still simply in awe of the beautiful balance between venom and (some form of) motherly care in Anya's mother's letter. It's a marvel, I do that weird wincey-nervous giggle every. damn. time. The real tragedy is that her mother's love has gotten so out of whack that in the movie of her life, she's the heroine trying to love her children in the best way possible.

Bran might not realize it, but he is exceedingly lucky that Varric decided to stay in Kirkwall, at least for a time. No matter his strength of will or talent for governance, he has a tremendously difficult job, and it won't be Bran that hears about everything going on, it'll be Varric, Kirkwall's answer to the Shadow Broker. :)

The end ... ah, it's just ... I was going to say 'perfect', but it's really not. Events aren't wrapped up neatly with a bow, there are dear ones dead or injured, everyone sees the pieces moving for war. Nothing's over, but what a lovely, calm little moment in time for Anya and Nathaniel. It's real and realistic, and they can enjoy their time in that little well of calm for however long it lasts. OK, so it's perfect after all. Brava!

Aww, what a lovely ending for Anya and Nate. I do like that he suffered some injuries, making it so real. But her reflections were just perfect, exactly the sort of confusing, sad, realistic, heart warming and heart breaking thing it all was for her.

"Slowly opening her eyes, she focused on a blur of motion on the narrow band of road that wound through the flower draped hills. A rider was approaching and she knew from the way the sun kissed golden hair that it was Zevran. A warm smile touched her lips and even though he was too far away to see the gesture, she raised her arm and waved at the king's emissary." - This was a lovely change over of mood, from melancholy to accepting.

"It was only luck that had saved Bran. The Viscount's Honor, an ornate and intricately carved badge of office, worn on a thick silverite chain around his neck, had blunted the killing blow, merely rendering him unconscious. Kirkwall was slowly rebuilding under his leadership." - Yay! Love that.

And as always, Nate is her strength and reason. He's awesome.

This story was purely wonderful and I will miss all of the characters you so brilliantly created and guided in this tale. Brava!

What an exciting chapter!

"He continued to fall, reaching out for some kind of handhold to slow his descent but there was nothing except the dark fog. A high, thin wail permeated the darkness, the rushing of wind through and around him as he seemed to hurtle down the long, dark shaft." - I loved the entire description of Zevran going through the Eluvian. Terrific imagery.

"With a disorienting snap that left her feeling nauseous, sound and movement coalesced and went forward at a normal pace. Her stomach lurched and her head cried out in protest. And with that sudden clarity, she realized everyone in the room was yelling.

"Quiet!" she shouted, struggling to stand." - That put me right there and I heard and felt it all as she did.

And Bran, so perfectly capable.

"A harsh shout of laughter burst from her mother. "Oh, you are delightfully more me than your father. Haven't you any desire at all to know who he was?"" - Wow, that was somewhat cruel of Flemeth. Great banter between them though.

"He knew when he saw the leather scrap that whatever they found could not possibly have survived the blast. He should not have let Nathaniel enter the guardhouse. Damn it, he should have done it himself. Tears washed the soot from his eyes and he blinked them away as he knelt down beside a templar who was pulling away small chunks of the façade of a building." - How cruel you are! But I Varric's confusion and slowly coming to his senses was well done. I definitely held my breath a bit.

"Aveline drew her sword and backed away, her eyes swinging between Bran and the grand cleric. "Do what you must. You have my full support," he" told her and she nodded, her sword coming to bear on the grand cleric's chest." - Maker, I didn't know who was going to get it here, but poor Aveline!

""My old friend Sten would say this is a good day to die. I, however, disagree," he stated." -Awesome, I love it. I also like how Zevran is the voice of reason as Anya struggles to find Nate.

"Once more, Meredith swung her sword, aiming for Anya's head, and then Cullen shouldered Anya out of the way and brought his own sword up, pushing the tip into Meredith's throat." - I lvoe the way you handled Cullen here too. He also wants the best for Kirkwall and is clearly tired of the violence.

And yay Nate! Off for the epilogue...

Such a climactic chapter, Shakes. Very exciting to read.

CONGRATULATIONs!
A truly satisfying and delicious end to a story of epic proportions! It kept the perfect balance of wrapping up - and leaving loose ends. The last line was the best. :) and as pleased at how this has been brought to the end, I am truly going to miss the updates. You've been a constant companion, As well as Anya and nate, and I am going to sorely miss their company. Thank you so much for all that you've given! What a fantastic tale. I look forward to where your muse takes you next!

Oh how unbelievably epic! What a chapter! The thought of both Varric and Nate dying surely ripped my heart out you naughty writer (which is awesome!)

But you've swooped in at the 11th hr I see.

I was right there with Anya, in the chaos, the dust, heart aching. A perfect climax.

( ,,, time to read the epilogue!)

Holy crap, I thought you killed Nathaniel! I was nearly in tears. Thanks for writing this, it is definitely one of my favs.

I wondered if you were pushing to get ready for DAI. Great story, as usual. Bitter sweet, but I was very relieved that Nate was alive. It's a little sad to see the end of it. Thanks, Jan.