This story is a sequel to my first tale about Queen Anora and Michael Cousland, called "Luck and Destiny - A Marriage of Convenience."
Chapter 1. Something Wicked
Leliana strolled down the busy market street of Val Royeaux. A thousand sights, sounds and smells washed over her from every direction. She heard the sound of chanting voices from different directions, rising and falling like an eternal canon, as she moved lazily from one merchant's both to the next.
She loved this city as no other place in the world, with its wonders and vices. It was hard to imagine that she had once been prepared to give up. She found herself remembering that long night she had spent venting her fears and worries to her friend Michael, and he had listened patiently. He had said many wise things to her and made her see what she really wanted in life.
She loved the thrills of this wonderful city and the subtleties of it's Great Game, the endless game of scheming and plotting that most nobles in Orlais was continuously involved in. She would have withered locked away in the chantry forever.
Unfortunately Michael's insights into her mind had its short comings. He had seemed remarkably apt at missing all the carefully laid clues she had given him that she would be very amenable to a courtship. She often wondered if he had been polite about it or just clueless.
Leliana sighed. Ferelden wasn't a land of subtle nuances. Maybe she should have just thrown herself at him as blatantly as that swamp witch Morrigan.
She stopped at merchant stand at picked up a lovely pair of sky blue boots and made of the finest Antivan leather. She felt the thin supple leather and sighed. It was probably a bit too small for her which was a shame. With a last longing look at the boots she left and continued her walk.
Leliana looked up to the sky and saw that the sun was already past noon. Lord Roussel would be expecting her now. She hurried her steps. There was no reason to appear overly eager to please the Fox of Val Royeaux, but neither was it prudent to be rude to him.
Sometime later she knocked on the door to one of the many magnificent houses in the noble district of Val Royeaux, and a liveried servant had shown her into a chamber to wait for his master. Leliana looked at the many rich and wonderful furniture that decorated the room. Lord Roussel was rich and had many important friends. He was a master of the Great Game and an important patron to cultivate.
"Ah, Leliana! How good of you to spare a moment of your precious time" a rich melodious voice said behind her.
"Lord Roussel, you are far too kind. I am always at your service." Leliana answered with an exaggerated courtesy. "You wished to see me. To what do I owe the pleasure of this invitation? What can I do for you?"
Lord Roussel, the Fox of Val Royaeux, was a relatively small, but still imposing man. His dark complexion spoke of Antivan ancestry, but that was not something anyone would dare to mention to his face of course. Today he wore a rich purple tunic trimmed with gold, and a matching pair trousers. A white mask, made according to the latest fashion, hid the upper half of his face, except for his piercing green eyes.
"My dear Leliana. As much as I appreciate your willingness to offer your services, today it is I who can do something for you" he said smiling at her.
Leliana tensed behind her mask of civility. Lord Roussel was a master of the Great Game and, like all of his importance, he was as cold as ice. He would never invite a famous bard to his mansion without an ulterior motive. Her game was now to find out what, without committing herself too much.
"I have received some news that might interest you Leliana," Lord Roussel continued smiling amicably. "It concerns a former acquaintance of yours, Prince Michael of Ferelden."
For a moment Leliana almost lost her composure. She had not been prepared for this turn of events. Michael was far away in Denerim. What interest did Roussel have in him and what did he want from her?
"If it is help with Ferelden politics you seek, I'm afraid I have little knowledge of value. It's been long since the Prince and I met," Leliana said with feigned nonchalance.
"My dear Leliana, I would not call you here and pretend to be of help to you, just to drag you into something as sordid as Fereldan politics. I only wish to convey some information that might interest you, since you have a history with the Prince."
"What information is that?"
"Why, rumor has it that your Prince is not very happy with his current position. Apparently Queen Anora has him jump to do her slightest bidding, and yet she is so cold in bed that there is still no sign of an heir."
Leliana almost opened her mouth in an angry retort, but stopped herself just in time. This was no more than idle gossip on the street, and it was demeaning to her friend. All that remained was for her to discover why he was interested in prodding her like this.
"While I am grateful for you taking the time to convey this information, I can't help but wonder if there is no small favor you wish in return," Leliana said.
"Alas, you read me like an open book I'm afraid. All my shameful secrets are laid bare to your keen eyes. There is indeed a small favor you can do for me, if you return to Denerim," Lord Roussel said with a disarming smile.
"It so happens that our ambassador in Denerim has misunderstood his duties. His instructions are to aid all trade between Fereldan and Orlais. Unfortunately an acquaintance of mine, of the excellent trading house Domille, has troubles receiving the necessary permits to import silk to Ferelden. It seems the ambassador only favors the substandard cloth that the miserable house Veneer hawkes."
"Naturally I would feel forced to somehow repay you for the effort, should find it in the kindness of your heart to help me with this small matter," Lord Roussel finished.
Leliana smiled to herself. So this was her true mission. Convincing a bribed ambassador to recant or preferably accept better bribes from a new source. Her first thought was to politely refuse him, but Lord Roussel was an influential man. It would be a good thing if he owed her a favor. Besides, the mention of Michael had brought back old memories. She wondered how he was doing now, and if there really was any truth to the rumors about him and Queen Anora.
"Lord Roussel, as you anticipated I now feel moved to travel to Denerim. It will be my pleasure to help you with that small matter you asked of me while I'm there," Leliana said smiling.
"Wonderful news!" Lord Roussel said. "The good man Domille will be much relieved to hear this. I do hope that the Prince is well, if nothing else a visit from you is sure to brighten his day. Just as you have brightened mine."
Lord Roussel stood alone smiling to himself, after Leliana had left. That delightful girl was an excellent bard, and he had more than once been tempted to try and sample the delights her body hinted at. Unlike his ill fated underling Marjolaine, he knew better than to mix business and pleasure though.
Despite her skill, Leliana would always be a novice at the Great Game however. She was far too easy to read, to be able to deceive someone like him. And she was as simple in her desires as the rest of the people from Ferelden. Her feelings for the Prince where obviously just as strong as he had hoped they would be.
He did not know what the Empress truly planned, he doubted anyone did, but it was obvious that the Empress did not look favorably upon the speed at which Ferelden had recovered from the war and the Blight under the reign of Queen Anora and Prince Michael. This was his opportunity to gain much favor at court.
Little Leliana had no idea of her true purpose in Denerim or the part she would play in his game.