Schemes on top of schemes. They know they can't trust each other, but they think they can all outplay each other. I thought. Was all bloodshed and death worth it, just to see whose ass gets on the throne?
Up ahead, the double doors leading out into the Grand Ballroom stood. Now that I had plenty of evidence, I could finally expose Gaspard and Florianne both for the treacherous, power-hungry cretins that they were. I was going to savor the moment, not because I enjoyed tearing others down, but because they were wicked people who deserved their fates.
Hastily, my companions and I switched our armor for our formal attire and made ourselves look presentable. Every pretentious noble would be in shock if we made our reappearance fully armed and coated in blood. It took me forever just to get their approval to begin with; they had considered me as nothing more than an insipid savage. Some of the more courageous ones had whispered disparaging names such as ogre and sparkle-fingers at me when I had first arrived. Most had just looked down their noses at me.
"Ready when you are, my lady." Blackwall said.
The adoration sparkling in his grey-blue eyes made it difficult for me to focus. I longed to be in his arms and inhale his heady scent, rather than returning to the ball. Almost anything was preferable to being in a room full of Orlesian nobles who were judging my every move.
"If we're to stop the assassination, I suggest we get going. You two can make doe-eyes at each other later." Dorian snapped.
My face reddened a bit and I tore myself from Blackwall's gaze. I took a deep breath and headed out to the Grand Ballroom.
Almost as soon as I walked through the door, I was accosted by Cullen. He looked rather agitated, more so than usual.
"Thank the Maker you're back! The Empress will begin her speech soon. What should we do?" He said.
"Wait here, Cullen. I'm going to have a word with the Grand Duchess." I replied.
"What? There's no time! The Empress will begin her speech at any moment!" Cullen whispered fiercely.
I didn't have enough time to debate this with him. He was just going to have to wait and see what would happen. I left him standing by the balcony, opposite to where Briala, Florianne, and Gaspard were. I slowly approached the three, who were immersed in hushed conversation. As I crossed the dancefloor, the nobles gasped in astonishment. Empress Celene stared down at me from her balcony, curious as to what my next move was going to be.
"You owe the court one more show, your Grace." I said.
Gaspard and Briala retreated several steps, while Florianne turned around, looking less than thrilled to see me again.
"The eyes of every noble are upon us, your Grace. Remember to smile," I said, climbing the stairs so that I could get up close to her. "This is your party. You wouldn't want them to think you had lost control."
"Who would not be delighted to speak with you, Inquisitor?" Florianne said.
I reveled in the fear that was exuding from her. Just moments ago, she had thrown me to demons and Venatori zealots, and left me to die. All her plans for the evening failed and she knew it. She'd have to take drastic measures in front of everyone if she wanted to outmaneuver me now.
"I seem to recall you saying 'All I needed was to keep you out of the ballroom long enough to strike'." I said.
She was rendered speechless, fuming behind her mask. Behind her facade, her eyes were blazing with an unquenchable fury. It was taking all of her willpower to keep her composure before the scrutiny of the gathered nobles.
"When your archers failed to kill me in the garden, I feared you wouldn't save me this last dance. It's so easy to lose your good graces. You even framed your brother for the murder of a council emissary."
Upon hearing this, murmurs of disapproval rippled through the nobles. Florianne still didn't respond, so I continued.
"An ambitious plan. Celene, Gaspard, the entire Council of Heralds…all your enemies under one roof." I said.
"This is very entertaining, but you do not imagine anyone believes your wild stories?" Florianne said.
"That will be a matter for a judge to decide, cousin." Empress Celene remarked.
Florianne turned to her brother, who was standing to her left. Gaspard looked livid; his arms were crossed and he was glaring at his sister with unrestrained animosity and repugnance. Instantly, Florianne's façade dropped. She looked utterly heartbroken.
"Gaspard? You can't believe this! You know I would never—" She said.
Wordlessly, he turned his back on her and walked away from her with Briala. A pair of the imperial guards moved in to apprehend her. She was terrified now, backing away and imploring me to show her mercy. I curled my lip in disgust.
"You lost this fight ages ago, your Grace. You're just the last to find out." I scoffed.
She fell to her knees and began to sob. The two guards grabbed her and hauled her away. As her plaintive sobs echoed off the marble, I felt a twinge of sorrow for her. I quickly pushed it away. Now wasn't the time to feel guilty for a person who clearly didn't deserve it. I would deal with her later.
I looked up at Empress Celene, who was watching her cousin get hauled away. She didn't appear to be too broken up about what had transpired, or at least wasn't showing it.
"Your Imperial Majesty, I think we should speak in private. Elsewhere." I said.
Celene and I, along with Gaspard and Briala, exited the ballroom and went to a balcony outside.
"Your sister attempted regicide in front of the entire court, Gaspard." Briala hissed.
"You're the spymaster. If anyone knew this atrocity was coming, it was you." Gaspard responded.
"You don't deny your involvement." She said.
"I do deny it! I knew nothing of Florianne's plans! But you…you knew it all and did nothing!" He exclaimed.
"I don't know which is better: that you think I'm all-seeing or that you're trying so hard to play innocent and failing." She said.
"Enough! We will not bicker while Tevinter plots against our nation! For the safety of the empire, I will have answers." Celene said.
"I wouldn't have caught Florianne in time without Briala's help." I said.
"You were working together?" Celene asked.
"Of course." Briala said.
"Gaspard, we have the notes to your general ordering him to move troops covertly onto the palace grounds." I said.
"It was a defensive choice. I expected betrayal here, just not by my own sister." Gaspard muttered.
"Keep talking, Gaspard. Eventually you'll convince somebody." Briala remarked.
I couldn't help but to feel sympathy for Gaspard. Briala was being unabashedly hateful towards him. I imagined that he had conspired to dethrone Celene with Florianne to some extent, but he hadn't been expecting her to betray him. He had been fighting so hard with Celene for the throne because it was his birthright to inherit the throne. From birth he had been conditioned for the crown, only to have it snatched away from him by a cousin. It had incensed him, to put it midly.
"His own mercenary captain will confirm that Gaspard brought hired thugs into the palace for an attack." I said.
"Hired thugs?" Celene said. "I didn't expect you to stoop so low, cousin."
"Don't be naïve, Celene. The only difference between a mercenary and a common soldier is a uniform." Gaspard responded.
"We've all heard enough to damn the Grand Duke." I sighed.
"Thank you, Inquisitor," Celene said. She then turned to Gaspard. "There can be no doubt of your treason."
"No, it seems there cannot." Gaspard said. He shot me a poisonous glare.
I know you were the one who invited me here in good faith, but this has to be done. I thought. I don't believe you are what Orlais needs. You're a militant man and a terrible diplomat. Politics are delicate and require someone well-versed in such matters. Brute force leads to wars, not peace. The last thing Thedas needs right now is more wars and bloodshed than Corypheus is already causing.
"Briala found all of this out for your sake, Celene." I said.
"In light of overwhelming evidence, I have no choice but to declare you an enemy of the empire, cousin. You are hereby sentenced to death." Celene said.
My heart felt heavy, but I believed that this was for the best. If Gaspard lived, those who believed him to be the rightful ruler could raise a rebellion in his name and threaten Celene's rule. If the peace were to be long lasting, he'd have to die.
"I think Ambassador Briala deserves a reward for uncovering this." I said.
"I can scarcely believe you did all of this for me." Celene murmured.
"Celene…." Briala said.
At that moment, two imperial guards appeared to apprehend Gaspard. He maintained his dignity as the guards to take him away, unlike Florianne who had sobbed like a child. It made it considerably easier to look him in the eyes.
"Thank you Inquisitor, for all your efforts tonight. I owe you my life and Orlais owes you its future. You have done so much, for my people and for us."
"We won't forget this." Briala added.
"What will the two of you do now?" I asked.
"There will be some changes to the court." Briala said.
"Not just the court," Celene said. "Come, stand with us Inquisitor. We must give the good news to the nobility."
The three of us returned to the Grand Ballroom, where the nobles and my followers were still waiting. Briala and I stood on either side of Celene while she addressed the nobles.
"Lords and ladies of the court, this is a night for celebration. Those who sought to poison our empire with treason have been brought to justice. It is a new era for Orlais. We shall build a world in which all men and women live in harmony. Let the cornerstone of change be laid," Celene said. "I introduce the newest member of our court, Marquise Briala of the Dales."
Celene stepped aside to let all eyes fall upon Briala. The elven ambassador stood unwavering before the nobles, who were glaring up at her with obvious derision.
"This is not just a victory in Halamshiral, all within the empire, or even for elves alone. This is a triumph for everyone! Over a thousand years ago in the Valarian fields, elves and humans together defeated the Imperium. We can do so much more now. We are greater than our ancestors ever dreamed. Together, we will start by saving our world from the enemy who took the Divine and tore the sky apart!" Briala said.
"This evening proves what we can accomplish through cooperation," I said. "It will take all of us to defeat the enemy threatening our world."
"We are already tracking these Tevinter agents. Soon, they'll have no place to hide." Briala said.
"But that is tomorrow. Tonight, we celebrate our newfound fellowship. Let the festivities commence!" Celene said.
To my surprise, the nobles all applauded enthusiastically. Their cheers reverberated on the marble, causing them to be deafeningly loud.
I imagine that if Briala had been a mage or had been qunari, or both like myself, this union wouldn't have went over so well. I thought. I hope things will be better now for everyone. Perhaps in given time, the elves won't be second-class citizens anymore. This nation and the rest of Thedas won't change overnight, but this is a step in the right direction. Perhaps one day, qunari won't be vilified any longer. I doubt it'll be in my lifetime though.
Celene and Briala joined the festivities together, hand in hand. It was nice to see their relationship repaired. It was as beautiful as seeing a perfect rose in a field of blighted weeds.
While the dancing and conversing resumed, I watched from a distance. I had no desire to mingle with the crowd and I was too exhausted to dance. Once the music began to swell, I stepped out to the balcony to be alone.
"The Orlesian nobility make drunken toasts to your victory, yet you aren't present to hear them?" Morrigan said.
Her sudden appearance startled me a bit. I hadn't seen her out here.
"Do you tire so quickly of their congratulations, Inquisitor? 'Tis most fickle, after all your efforts on their behalf." She said.
"I would've stayed but the punch ran dry. Scandalous!" I sighed, melodramatically.
"Indeed? Let us see if you take this piece of news as poorly," She said, chuckling a bit. "By imperial decree, I have been named liaison to the Inquisition. Celene wishes to offer you any and all aid— including mine. Congratulations."
"Welcome to the Inquisition, Morrigan," I said, smiling pleasantly. "It will be a nice change of pace to have another mage present at the war council."
"A most gracious response. I shall meet you at Skyhold." She said.
She departed from the balcony, leaving me alone. I let out a long, weary a sigh. It had been a long evening and I was itching to depart from Halamshiral. Politics and playing the Game were hardly my forte.
I hope I did the right thing. I thought. I allowed Gaspard, the man who invited me here in the first place, to get executed and I reunited Celene and Briala. It's unlikely that I will be thanked for going out of my way to save this human nation, but I suppose that doesn't really matter. Having to put up with absurd squabbling is better than allowing Corypheus to swoop in and take advantage of the turmoil.
I leaned forwards onto the railing of the balcony, which overlooked the courtyard. The courtyard was empty. Everyone was inside, either dancing or gossiping. I shifted my weight. My feet ached fiercely. I'd be glad when it was time to return to Skyhold. After this evening, I was looking forward to a good night's sleep.
Are all human nations like this? Convoluted politics and assassins everywhere? Everyone vying for power? They were ready to throw their own family to the wolves, just so they could gain power! I thought. And I'm part of it all, for now. How long will their gratitude last when I defeat Corypheus and save them all?
I heard a faint scuffle of footsteps behind me. I looked over my shoulder, expecting it to be one of my advisors to share their thoughts about this evening's events or perhaps one of the Orlesian nobles, hoping to see me up close and speak with me. To my, surprise it was Cole. He looked dashing in the formal attire that he was wearing. The dark blue sash accentuated his sapphire eyes, and the red and gold made his complexion a little less pallid.
"I don't understand the Grand Ball. It would have been easier if they said what they wanted." He said.
"That would have made things simpler," I replied. "What did you think of the masks?"
"What masks?" He asked.
"The ones people were wearing on their faces." I said.
"Those weren't their faces?" He said.
I fought the urge to laugh. It was difficult to tell if he was being serious and really didn't know what masks were, or if he was being waggish and was trying to get a rise out of me.
My perplexed expression must have been humorous to him, at least, because he chuckled a bit.
"The colors were pretty, though." He said.
I tried not to stare at him overlong, but I was unable to resist. It was easy to forget the entire world when he was around. I cared a great deal for Blackwall, but what I felt for Cole was something entirely different.
Please shut up! I bet he's listening to your thoughts right now. I thought.
"Would you care to dance, Cole?" I asked.
"I don't know how." He said.
"I could teach you," I responded. "I'll make it fun, I promise."
He hesitantly approached me. I took his left hand in mine and placed his right hand on my waist. He looked a bit uncomfortable, but didn't protest.
Dancing with a human was a bit awkward because I loomed over them by at least a foot, but it was better than dancing with the nobles.
I chortled when Cole misstepped and tripped over my boot. I caught him before he ungracefully smacked the ground. He let out a nervous laugh.
"Dancing is hard. You have to listen with your feet as well as your heart." He said.
"We can practice some more another day. You have done well for your first time." I said.
Just as we broke apart, I spotted Blackwall in the doorway. He was leaned against the frame casually, watching us with an unreadable expression.
"Blackwall! We...uhm, I was just—" I stammered.
"There are at least a dozen young lords and ladies hoping for some time with the hero tonight, yet here you are alone. Care to share your thoughts?" He said.
I blinked. Cole had vanished and it seemed that Blackwall was utterly oblivious to the fact that he had been present to begin with.
What the…? I suppose he made Blackwall forget whatever it was that he saw, in case our dancing incurred Blackwall's umbrage. I thought. But then again, he said that he couldn't make people forget anymore. So…I'm confused. I'll have to ask later.
"I'm just tired. It was a long night." I murmured.
"You work too hard. I can see that you're wanting to get away from it all." He said.
The music died down and a round of applause could be heard from inside. It sounded like the festivities were beginning to die down.
"There's still some time left. Lady Adaar, may I have this dance?" He said.
"I'd like that." I said, smiling.
As the music began to pick up once more, I took his hand in mine and we danced. I didn't expect him to be such a good dancer, but he was. It was a pleasant surprise.
"I didn't know you danced." I said.
"I did once. In another life." He replied.