I
Servis agrees to work for the Inquisition to save his life. Once he's free, he wishes to get as far from Skyhold as possible, but a letter he receives drastically changes his plans.
Crassius Servis considers himself lucky.
Perhaps he's not the wisest or the most talented mage in Tevinter but like a cat he always lands on his feet, almost completely unscratched. When he pleaded for his life, asking Inquisitor Lavellan to spare him, he knew his chances were very low. But he, Crassius Servis of Vyrantium, could be useful. He'd get them whatever they desire; precious artifacts? Orlesian teacups? Antivan fabrics? No problem at all. He would be more than happy to help. He never truly believed in the Elder One anyway but that wasn't something he can admit in front of his fellow Tevinters, right?
The Inquisition crushed their enemies without ever looking back, yet the Inquisitor decided that Servis deserved to live, at least a little bit longer. So he can be useful for the Inquisition, of course. They made him talk, didn't really have to use any fancy torture techniques. In fact, once he started talking it was difficult to silence him. Servis values his contacts but more importantly he values his life. So when the Inquisition's spymaster, the woman called Nightingale, asked him questions, he answered. Half–truths are better than lies. And technically he didn't lie to her, just conveniently forgot about certain details.
He can leave Skyhold, hoping he'll never have to come back to this place. It's around the time Servis reaches Halamshiral when he receives a letter.
Contacting his associates is easy. He's but a smuggler, not someone important, and he has pockets full of coin, so he finds a place where he can rest and prepare for a longer journey without anyone bothering him. He's pretty sure the Inquisition didn't send agents after him. He's supposed to be working for them, after all. So all things considered, all Servis wants from life now is to go back home. That Venatori business was a waste of time. As soon as he sets foot in Tevinter, the Inquisition won't be able to touch him. Besides, why would they bother chasing someone like him across Thedas when they are more important matters to attend? Servis likes being insignificant, it makes his job easier, especially in situations like this one.
He wants to rest, talk to merchants, drink Orlesian wine, eat their smelly cheese, and relax. For a moment he truly enjoys being a nobody.
But when he returns to his room late at night, there's a letter waiting on his bed. He looks around, suspicious, feeling his heart racing. All that wine he drank makes him bold, sparks of magic form in his hands when for one long second he expects Antivan assassins coming to get him.
Nothing happens. Servis lets out a sigh, feeling like a fool. Obviously he's not important enough for someone to hire assassins to kill him. Especially Antivan assassins. They are extremely expensive, everyone knows that.
The letter is the only thing that changed since he left. Before picking it up, he hits it with a simple spell. Even when he's drunk he's cautious enough to check if it's just an ordinary piece of paper or a poisoned trap created to kill him.
He doesn't know it yet, but it's a beginning of something that will change his life forever. He always trusts his instincts, and this time they are urging him to tear the paper open and read.
The letter Servis receives is like a polite invitation. Even though no one knows he's here, someone addressed him by his full name, Crassius Servis of Vyrantium, written in a neat handwriting. He breaks the seal he doesn't recognize; the sign on the wax looks like a styled symbol of Tevinter, two dragons. His eyes quickly scan the contents of the letter which is short and mysterious. But what interests him more is the name at the bottom of the page. He expected an anonymous letter, a threat perhaps (but why? He's harmless like a fly!). Servis reads it all again, searching for every hidden meaning, and when he's done he repeats the name of the person who wrote it, as if it was a riddle.
Lady Calpernia
He could swear he's heard this name before. For some reason he thinks of history lessons he had to attend when he was younger. Is that some queen's name?
The first thing that comes to his mind is that the author knows he's heading to Lydes. Because it's an awful coincidence otherwise, since she suggests meeting in that place. It also seems like this Lady Calpernia knows him well. She knew what exact sum to offer to make him interested enough to even consider her proposition.
Despite the prospect of getting so much coin, something doesn't feel quite right. Servis wrinkles his nose; this smells like more Venatori problems. Although he so blatantly lied to the Inquisitor about almost everything, he was telling the truth when he said he was never a devoted member of that sect. Between Alexius with his time travel nonsense, and Erimond with his strange obsession with the Elder One, Servis was probably the only sane member of the Venatori. Let the important people fight and conquer, he was pretty glad with his assignment that included just enough gold and treasures to make him happy.
But then the Inquisitor ruined everything. And now he's getting a letter from some mysterious woman. Servis lets out another sigh. In the good old days he could simply avoid complicated plots the rest of Tevinter loves so much. His decision to join the Venatori wasn't the smartest move, and now he has to face the consequences.
No matter how he complains about his situation, Servis can't help but feel intrigued. There's someone who considers him important. Maybe this is a good opportunity to improve his life. Servis looks through the window at the night sky and wonders if meeting this woman won't end in his death.
He's done so many foolish things in his life, what's one more going to change?
Lady Calpernia remains a mystery to him. And to everyone else apparently because it seems that no one, absolutely no one, knows her. Sure, he didn't have much time for his little research, but he did what he could. Before he left for Lydes, Servis asked, begged and bribed, spending quite a lot of coin to make his contacts talk about the Venatori and a woman called Calpernia. What he got from one of them was a book on Tevinter history. As if he needed some old book!
It's like Lady Calpernia doesn't exist. Perhaps she's just a name on the paper, and he's falling into a trap. He gives his possessions a solemn look. If all he has can fit everything he owns in two bags, then he really doesn't have much to lose.
But Servis quite likes his life, so when he walks into a tavern in which he's supposed to meet this mysterious woman, something twists anxiously in his gut. He wipes sweat from his face, finds a table by the window, and glances around.
It's early afternoon, the place is still empty, real life begins at night. There's a man sleeping in the corner, dirty hat is covering his face. His snoring is loud enough to irritate. Servis wrinkles his nose. Typical southerner.
He orders a relatively cheap bottle of wine. His Orlesian sounds odd, the waitress gives him an amused look. He feels heat on his face, vaguely wondering if his limited knowledge of this language won't get him in trouble. In moments like this he misses his homeland terribly.
Servis waits. After an hour the wine doesn't get any better. It gets worse, in fact, so he orders a stew. He heard the waitress recommending it to another client, praising it so highly that one could think it's the best thing Orlais has to offer.
Seeing the colour of the substance he is given, Servis loses all hope. He needs to leave this barbaric country, or else he'll surely die. He glances at the door every time someone enters the tavern. There's no one Tevinter in sight, only Orlesians speaking so quickly in their odd language Servis doesn't care to listen to their annoying chatter.
Then he notices someone looking at him, and Servis moves his eyes to a man in a rugged cloak. He approaches the mage without hesitation. The stranger is tall like one of those savage Qunari; it means he's not an assassin. Assassins are considerably shorter, even kids know that. But there's something ominous about this man that makes Servis uneasy.
"Bonum Vesper, Crassius Servis," the giant says, dark eyes glaring coldly.
Although the voice speaks perfect Tevene, it's also so deep Servis can't force himself to reply. This is not how he imagined the last surviving leader of the Venatori. The person who speaks to him looks more like a thug one meets in a dark alley after the sunset, like someone ready to kill for a bag of coins. Not to mentions the rags the stranger's wearing are torn in places, dirty, and certainly not Tevinter.
"I'm sorry," he stammers in common, hiding his trembling hands under the table. "I think you confused me with someone else."
Go away, he pleads with his eyes. He's good at looking like a sad little puppy if he needs to; maybe this creature takes pity on him and leaves without saying anything else.
To his horror, the person not only stays, but sits down by his table.
"Don't be a fool, Servis. We both know why you're here."
The stranger narrows his eyes at him. Servis very much regrets he never learned a spell that could make him invisible.
"I'm waiting for someone," he says, switching to Tevene. "And I intend to wait here for her as long as I have to."
The man doesn't reply; instead he reaches to his pocket. For a second Servis is sure the man's grabbing a knife, and he finds it difficult to breathe. Being stabbed to death in a lowly Orlesian tavern sounds terrible.
What the stranger puts on the table is not a blade, but a piece of paper with a Tevinter stamp, same like the one on the letter Servis received before.
"Come with me," the man stands up, giving Servis a look. "She wants to speak with you. If you care about the Venatori, you will accept her offer."
He leaves Servis utterly confused. Hopefully no Inquisition agents hid in the shadows to witness this odd encounter. Servis stares at the door, finally able to breath normally again, then his eyes look at the piece of paper.
He doesn't particularly care about the Venatori. He doesn't really care about anything other than going back home where he can live in peace. This is certainly not what this man would like to hear.
On the other hand, Lady Calpernia chose him. If the Inquisition finds out about this, they're going to hang him on the nearest tree for treason. But the Venatori are Tevinter. As much as his homeland irritates him at times, working with Tevinters is always better than dealing with the rest of the world that doesn't understand his Tevinter ideals at all.
It only takes him a minute to consider his options. Servis grabs the piece of paper, and runs after the man, nearly tripping over his own feet. Everything around him is so terribly Orlesian, he clings to the one person who offers him a way of escape.
The man looks over his shoulder at the smuggler, barely acknowledging his presence. Not a talkative type, I see, Servis thinks as they began to walk through the streets of Lydes.
Disclaimer: Dragon Age is not mine.
A/N: I don't know if I'm writing Servis *right* because there's so little about him in DAI. Hopefully you'll find my interpretation of this character interesting enough to continue reading.
This story is unbeta'd. English isn't my first language, so I apologise for any mistakes.