Leliana had decided her best ideas recently were when she sneaked into Brady's room at nightfall. Whether she would ever admit it to anyone or not, she felt a sense of security in his presence, as though he would never allow a single thing to harm her. She would think of Marjolaine at times, her mind setting off alarms about the familiar feelings he made rest on her weary eyes and pained chest. She found comfort on how simple it was to shake off the idea of Marjolaine. He was nothing like her, and it has been long past due for her to let go of the fear that would creep up in her mind.
The morning sky had not reached Skyhold, and the room stayed dark besides the gleaming light of the fleeting moon. Brady slept beside her. She watched his face at a complete state of peace. His chest rose slowly and fell back against his lungs. She grinned at his pursed lips, noting that he had a distinct face whenever he slept. She moved away a few dark, short pieces of his hair off of his forehead and nuzzled back into his arms. She could feel his warmth on her bare skin and sighed into his chest. Her senses were filled with every aspect of him. She smelled of brisk fresh air and a cool mist like one that blew off of the Waking Sea in a storm. It was intoxicating, making her feel a sense of content in her chest and an ease in her mind.
With a sniff, he rustled and let out a short breath. His closed eyes tightened for a moment and his mouth cringed. She watched him with intent, her hand finding his cheek and making an attempt to soothe the wrinkles showing up on his face. His eyes broke open. There was a sense of fear in them, but the anxiety he felt in his chest subsided at the sight of her calm next to him.
"I'm sorry," He murmured, falling from his side to his back and letting out a long breath, "Did I wake you?"
"No," her quiet answer made his head turn. Her head was perched up against her hand. She managed a warm look, and he melted underneath the look of her ocean eyes. "Another dream?"
He let out a deep sigh, "This one was different. I saw-" He stopped himself, dropping his head against his pillow and running his fingers through his hair with detest.
"Brady," Her voice was even. She pushed her body against the headboard and put her hand into his. He relaxed to her touch, and squeezed her petite hand into his.
His eyes looked up at her. He couldn't help but pull at a grin when he noticed her tousled red hair that hadn't recovered from their night together. "I'm fine." He nodded.
She wasn't convinced, and he knew. Before she could protest, he silenced her with a gentle kiss against her neck. She let out a chuckle and pressed her hands against his rising chest, "Don't think I'm that easy to distract."
He smiled against her skin, "Of course, Spymaster." His voice vibrated through the nerves in her neck and down her spine. He pressed another kiss against her jaw. His hand began to secure itself across her waist, trying to persuade her through an ingenious pattern of touches. He could feel her heart quicken through the pulse in her neck and he almost grinned at his own success.
Leliana let out a short sigh, her body almost becoming completely limp underneath him. With a sly grin, she rolled him over and pecked his lips. When she could feel his satisfaction in her reaction, she jumped away from him and off the bed. She looked back with a smirk and let out a soft laugh at the innocent look that manifested against his face.
She looked to the balcony for a moment, noticing the sun rising over the mountains and shining it's light against Skyhold's courtyard. He followed her gaze and grimaced, his mind filling with the loss of simplicity in the early morning's moments.
He watched her collect her clothes from around the room, her bare body showing a vulnerable beauty that could bring the Maker himself to his knees. He sat up, allowing his sheets to cover the lower part of his body. His arms crossed over his chest as he cocked an eyebrow, "Leaving already?"
She began sliding articles of clothing back onto her body, "You don't want people talking, no?"
He rolled his eyes, "I'm sure they already have an idea, Leliana. I'm not too good at hiding these sorts of things."
"Well," She slipped on her boot, "I am."
The sun began to peak onto the stained glass that cluttered the windows, allowing colors of gold and blue to tint the room. He leaned forward, resting his arms against his knees. "You know I won't see you until you reach Weisshaupt."
She didn't meet his eyes as she flipped her hood over her head, "I know."
He pursed his lips to the side and let out a disapproving groan, "Goodbye, then?"
She grinned against the cover of her hood and paced over to him with swift, fluid steps. Both of his brows raised with a delighted surprise as her gloved hands found his face and she pressed a deep kiss against his lips. "I'll see you soon." She smiled against his mouth, and with a departing peck, she walked and descended down his stairs.
She heard him sigh as she left. Though she trusted him in dealing with whatever was thrown his way, she still harbored a worry in the back of her mind for him. He hadn't spoken of any of his dreams to her- almost doing anything to change the subject when it came up.
As she reached the main hall, she let out a breath of relief. There was an absence of servants in the hall, and she had slipped away from his quarters without being detected. She could hear the soldiers getting ready outside. The sun had rose higher than the mountains, bleeding light into the hall and allowing the windows to cascade down patterns against the stone floor.
Leliana took steps out of the main hall and out to the courtyard. She had seen a rather large coach already prepared for the journey to Denerim. Bull and Blackwall stood beside it, along with the agents she intended to bring.
When she reached the coach, Bull and Blackwall both nodded and bid her a warm good morning. Bull had his breakfast of a muffin in his hand and also scattered around his face, while Blackwall stood beside him with his arms crossed. The bags under his eyes looked darker than usual, most likely from a sleepless night, Leliana gathered.
She tilted her head to the side, "What are you two doing out here?"
Bull spoke with a mouthful muffling his words, "We're to go to Denerim."
She narrowed her eyes, "I was unaware that you both would be joining me..."
"Got the orders last night, Lady Leliana," Blackwall confirmed, relaxing his arms. "The Inquisitor told us to make sure everything goes smoothly."
Bull shot a glance to Blackwall, then turned his head to Leliana with a smile, "We're basically bodyguards, Red."
He chin dropped down as she darted her eyes between them, "The Inquisitor gave you these orders?" They both nodded in confirmation, and she let out a groan, "Why is he so-" They looked at her with widened eyes. She stopped herself and recollected her composure. "Very well. Let's go."
Cullen stood beside Brady, along with Josephine. Cullen sported decorated armor that differed from his usual suit of armor. It still had motifs to a lion, but was made of silverite and had a sharp blue tint to it when the sun hit it right.
Josephine also wore a slight variation of her usual clothing. Her dress was more decorated compared to the golden one she was usually seen in. The material was Dales loden wool, and it was both fashionable and able to ward off the mountain air.
Brady managed to convince Josephine that his Inquisition armor and helm was both intimidating and regal enough for the Empress. He held his helmet against his waist with one hand and rested the other on the hilt of his sword in the sheath at his hip.
"Now that Leliana is gone..." Cullen spoke up, "Was it strategy sending Blackwall and Iron Bull away, or just you being a bit overprotective?" Brady could hear in Cullen's voice that he was suppressing a laugh.
"Blackwall is still considered a criminal to the Empire of Orlais," He tipped his head to Cullen, "and I'm not trying to find out how Celene reacts to a Ben-Hassrath in our ranks."
"Tal-Vashoth, Inquisitor." Josephine chimed in.
"Right. See? Completely strategic, Commander." Brady crossed his arms. His foot began to tap on the pavement, "Celene really likes to keep us waiting."
"The Orlesian customs encourage being fashionably late, Inquisitor." Josephine shifted her hip to the side.
Brady let out a huff and ran his fingers through his hair, slightly tugging on the short locks. He closed his eyes and let in a deep breath, expelling the tension between his temples with an exhale.
Cullen scrunched his face, taking note of Brady's restless appearance. He could assume what was wrong, as he had seen himself in that same position before. He stopped himself from pointing it out- both because he didn't know what the reaction would be and that he trusted that Brady could tame his own demons without having them exposed in the courtyard.
Josephine continuously looked to her parchment, her eyes darting from the bridge to Skyhold and then back again. About twenty or so moments of impatient twitching, a carriage grazed their eyes. It crossed the bridge with grace, two horses leading it forward while a well dressed coachmen held the wrings. The coverings were a shimmering white, almost blinding when reflecting off the sun. Behind it were three not as impressive caravans, presumably filled with the Empress' endless secret service soldiers.
Brady brought a gleaming smile as the carriage stopped in front of him. He walked over to the door on the side and opened it with a gentle pull. Celene sat inside with her familiar miraculous mask covering the tip of her nose up to the end of her forehead. Her dress almost flowed to the outside of the carriage, its gems and subtle white color somehow manifesting such an elegance against her slender frame. Marquise Briala sat beside her with her hands folded in her lap and a small smile upon the sight of Brady. Her tinted gold mask complimented the emerald dress she wore.
"Inquisitor," Celene spoke with a song in her tone, "I'm delighted to finally come to your home for a change." Brady held out a hand and helped her out of the carriage. On the other side, Cullen did the same for the Marquise. When her feet hit the ground, she brought her nose up, "Though, I could do without all of the mud."
"Your radiance," He bowed as she looked down on him. Her soldiers began to pour out of the caravans behind them. They marched closer to Celene, but not too close, giving her and Brady a soft distance for private whispers if they were expelled.
"Your ambassador tells me that you have had a countless amounts of rare gowns and jewelry found in a chateau in the Emerald Graves?" Her hand tipped towards Brady, her porcelain skin curling up as her lips broke into a slight smile.
Brady licked his bottom lip and cocked an eyebrow. He was tempted to look over to Josephine and compliment her deception, but knew better to show a tell to one of the elite members of the Game. "Oh yes, we figured you would be more than interested in them."
"Well, of course. I was told they date all the way back to the Black Age. They deserve to be preserved pieces of Orlesian history." She nodded, carrying her tone in a loud volume. Briala let out a sigh from the front of the carriage.
"This way your radiance. Your grace." Josephine motioned towards the both of them for the main entrance of the Castle. They followed her and Cullen, the clanking of their soldiers armor behind them all.
Brady walked between Briala and Celene. He caught Briala staring up at him, causing a chuckle to erupt from his throat, "Can I do something for you, your grace?"
She smiled against her mask, "You could tell me why you actually brought us here?" Her voice was low enough for only Brady and Celene to hear.
Celene tipped her head upward and smirked, "I was wondering that also, Inquisitor. I thought if you were going to lure me with false relics, you must really need me here for something."
Brady looked forward and ascended the staircase. His eyes turned to Briala, "You're good."
Briala pursed her lips and raised her nose, "I know."
They entered the main hall and followed Josephine and Cullen into Josephine's office. As the soldiers began to barrel in, Celene waved them off.
"Leave us." She commanded, and they nodded without argument.
When all five of them were finally alone, Brady cleared his throat. "As you have already put together, we haven't been completely honest with you."
Briala crossed her arms, "If that wasn't obvious already. What is the issue, Inquisitor?"
"Now, before I continue... I just wanted to let you know that you both look ravishing... I mean, wow."
Briala's ears began to turn a light pink, "Would you just say it?"
"The Wardens are staging a rebellion and we need your support." The words came out quick from his mouth.
Celene's face was still, "My support? Inquisitor, I just can't send troops away."
Cullen chimed in, "The Orlesian wardens are in on this too, Your Majesty. I don't believe it would be wise to not have your people there to keep everything in check."
Briala spoke up, "What do you mean?"
"The Inquisition has pledged support to the rebellion, your grace. Ferelden is expected to follow suit."
The exposed part of Celene's forehead crinkled towards her covered brows. Josephine took notice, "The Anderfels and Weisshaupt are not too far from Orlais' borders, and if rumors of the First Warden's ambitions are true, it could pose a risk for your empire, Your majesty."
"I would even advise allowing us to take the Marquise to Weisshaupt. She could supervise your forces." Cullen added, crossing his arms and keeping his tone light.
Celene looked over to Briala and saw her appeal to the idea- even through her mask. Briala felt her eyes and let out a thought, "If things go awry, I could pull our support."
Celene let out a sigh, "Even if I did agree, Inquisitor, the Anderfels are weeks away. It is a mystery to know what could happen while they march there."
"Well," Brady's eyes darted between Celene and Briala while his face supported a cocky smirk, "That's where the Eluvians come in." Celene and Briala shared a quick glance. "I'm going to assume you both know exactly what they are."
"Very fondly, actually." Briala tipped her head forward and shot him a smile, "You know the location of one?"
"In my garden, actually." Brady replied.
"Do you know how to activate it?" Briala asked, her eyes narrowing underneath her mask.
"Well, actually..." Brady scratched the back of his neck.
"I'm guessing you don't then?" Celene said, her icy eyes studying him, watching the sureness in his face disappear.
"No. I don't." He admitted.
"We could put your theory to the test." Briala mentioned to Celene, who still stood with disapproval.
"Bria," Celene said softly, "Is it even worth it?"
Briala looked to the Inquisitor, then to her Empress, "The inquisitor hasn't been wrong yet, your radiance."
With a short breath, Celene spoke, "May I speak to you alone, Inquisitor?"
He nodded, and dismissed his advisers. Briala shot her eyes at Celene, who simply nodded. Without words, Briala followed them outside of the office.
"Your majesty-"
She raised a hand, "Let me speak for a moment." With a short movement, she took off her mask in front of Brady. He noticed her high cheek bones and short wrinkles that presumably came from ruling the Empire. Her unexposed skin was a shade paler than the bottom of her face, causing her blue eyes to reflect against her cheeks. "Tell me, why are you really supporting the Wardens again?"
"It's the right thing to do." He answered, his back stiffening.
"And the real reason?" Her blonde brows pushed together.
"I- I'm not sure what you mean."
A sincere chuckle escaped her lips, "People like us have a lot of power behind us. It isn't rare for someone we consider close to pull our strings and make us do things we do not want to." She watched his face contort into deep thought, and almost smirked at the reaction. With her composure intact, she continued, "Sometimes you need to take a step back and make sure what you're doing is the exact 'the right thing to do.'"
"The First Warden could be a danger to us all, Celene." He almost believed himself.
"Tell me, did your Spymaster support this?" She prodded.
"I don't really see how that is your business, your radiance."
She let out another laugh, "I know what it's like to be in love with your spymaster. Maker, believe me on that one." She walked closer to him and rested a pale hand against his shoulder, "Remember their job is to lie, Inquisitor. They just might love you also, but they could just as easily influence you to achieve what they want."
He ignored her, "Do I have your support, Celene?"
With an exhale, she connected her eyes with his. "I suppose. I am in your debt still..." She placed her mask back against her face, "Consider us even." She turned away towards the door and tilted her head back to him. "Now, are you going to show me Skyhold or did I just take this trip to talk?"
