Leliana was alone at her tent in front of the Chantry at Haven, it was her favorite spot, even after all that happened the Chantry still calmed her and it had a beautiful view of the village. She was currently going through the investigation of the mysterious death of one of her agents.
The bard could feel the sickening presence of betrayal on this case, but still could not point her fingers at anyone yet. She sighed a little frustrated but quickly thought, 'It won't be long now, I already put my best agents on this case, I just need to be patient.' With that, she redirected her focus to another matter.
Reports from Cassandra about their expedition over The Hinterlands and its progress, but more precisely, about John and his actions.
The spymaster arranged with the female warrior that she would send periodic letters and include notes on them detailing his behavior so they could learn more about him. You can never be too careful after all.
She picked the first one and started reading it aloud the most interesting parts. It was already far into the night and the sleeping village posed no threat for the knowledge inside those letters.
"The Herald finally returned from Haven, I must say that he is behaving a little bit differently from before he left. More cautious and forethought over his actions. However, that is not keeping him from rushing to battle sometimes. Still, it is never without reason and I can tell he does not enjoy fighting. We settled another camp today, solidifying the Inquisition's roots on the region and closed at least two rifts, he is determined to finish this task first."
The nightingale gave away a sad smile 'Even after my harsh words he still took my advice to heart.' She thought picking up the second report.
"Today we stormed the Apostates Camp near the Crossroads, we made quick work of them. I never thought I would say this, but Varric and Solas are proving to be of great help to our cause. On top of that, John is showing a great amount of skill and some traces of a growing leadership, the dwarf and the elf are really warming up towards him. Since we already dealt with the Templars Camp at our first week of the expedition, it is safe to say that the conflict here should be over soon, the strugglers will most likely be finished by our forces in the following weeks."
"That is great news." Leliana said to no one in particular, making a mental note to notify Cullen over the matter as she started with the third message from Cassandra.
"We established a foothold over the Crossroads yesterday. We were also able to persuade Mother Giselle to join our cause, I am certain that her contacts within the Chantry will prove useful. In addition, the main reason she joined us so willingly is, beyond doubt, the actions of our Herald. The determination that the warrior shows to help and protect the ones in dire need impresses even me. One day we hunt down bandits who were taking advantage from the chaos to rob and plunder, on another one we hunt down rams for the starving refugees. No task is too small for him. I am still trying to understand this, if whether he does only for the sake of the Inquisition and its image or because he is a good man, it may be booth."
'Perhaps that speech wasn't only rushed words out of his mouth after all.' The redhead thinks, reaching out for the last report.
"Redcliffe is still out of reach to us, we are not allowed to enter yet. The expedition is nearing its end, we already covered most of the area and so we leave for Haven soon. Today we stayed at the Dusklight Camp. Unfortunately, for our Herald, he had a dangerous encounter with a High Dragon. There were rumors around the villages that we passed, still I doubt that it crossed his mind the possibility of surprisingly facing her. He and Solas left to gather some herbs for a tonic that the apostate recently learned and followed a trail near the camp. A while later we felt a tremor and a loud roar that startled everyone, soon afterwards John rushes into the camp, tripping over a rock, followed closely by Solas, horror clearly visible on their faces, screaming things about a huge dragon and at the same time marking the map with a big warning to not go there."
The serious spymaster had to cover her mouth to suppress a laugh. "It seems they are having fun." She says to herself. Soon afterwards, she started to yawn and feel the fatigue getting the best of her, so Leliana decided to call it a night.
The bard was already briefing her scouts about their shifts and patterns around Haven when the horns sounded from the entrance.
"The Herald must have arrived." One of the scouts said to another.
"You are dismissed." She stated while looking to the direction of the sound and her agents immediately bowed and left as she turned to the Chantry to meet with the council.
A few moments later John entered the war room, with Cassandra at his side, both still cladded in their worn armors.
"Greetings Herald." Josephine started. "Words of your success at the Hinterlands already reached many ears and so, a few noble houses are now showing interest in our cause." The ambassador complements with a happy tone.
"Also we are receiving recruits on an almost daily basis, all holding you and the Inquisition in a high regard. That without mentioning the agents you have recruited personally." The commander added, a smile adorning his face.
"Those are great news. It is good to know that our efforts are bearing fruits." The Free Marcher said proudly looking over all the faces on the room and making sure to pass the message that he did not do everything alone.
"On top of that we are now reaching out to the contacts Mother Giselle has given to us inside the Chantry that could help us." Leliana spoke, folding her hands behind her lower back as usual. "Unfortunately, the majority of the Chantry is still declaring us heretical." She finished and at the same time, Cassandra snorted.
"As expected." The seeker said unimpressed.
"Still, with the clerics voicing their criticism so loud at Val Royeaux our growth will only be stalled and we won't be able to contact neither Mages nor Templars into helping us with the Breach." The Antivan stated.
"But one of the ideas that Mother Giselle gave to us could help with the situation." Finished the ambassador.
"Which is?" The Herald said, motioning to Josephine continue.
"Have the Herald of Andraste address them personally." She complemented, looking at him.
"You can't be serious, that is not a good idea." Cullen spoke immediately afterwards, shaking his head in a negative reaction.
John reflected for a second and said, "That actually does not worry me so much."
However, the spymaster knew how dangerous this situation could turn out to be. "Do not underestimate the circumstances. An angry mob can finish you just as quickly as a sharp blade." She spoke seriously, making the warrior look down at the map deep in thoughts for a moment.
"I will go with him, we should leave soon." Cassandra breaks the silence that had settled. Leliana and the commander were about to protest when the Herald looked up again and spoke. "We don't have a choice on this. I will go. Just make sure to gather the contacts that were given to us by Mother Giselle, they could help us there."
As everyone apparently agreed with the decision, one scout approached the nightingale and spoke to her ear. "Reporting in, my lady." She recognized the agent that she sent to investigate the murderer of one of her operatives and quickly excused herself. Most of the council did not minded her abrupt exit, except for one young man.
The spymaster was furious, she already suspected a traitor, but confirming something that she really wanted to be a lie brought her anger to a different level. Especially at hard times like the present. "I knew that the whole situation of the assassination was odd to say the least, did the traitor believed that we wouldn't notice!" She said, fuming.
The scout that just delivered the grim news was in front of her, waiting for her next orders. Instantly every consequence possible to this treason raced through her mind, making her even angrier and clouding her judgment and her senses, she failed to notice the Free Marcher observing the situation at hand.
"Deal with him, quickly and painless if you can. He was a friend once." She gave her orders, but as soon as they left her mouth, a familiar voice spoke up startling both of them.
"Wait! What are you doing?" John said approaching the duo in front of him with a serious look.
"I'm dealing with a traitor, the murderer of one of my best agents." She said, crossing her arms over her chest, glaring daggers at him.
"And you would kill him, just like that?" The warrior said, keeping his serious look.
"Do you see fault in my judgment?" The redhead snorted.
"Killing won't solve our problems." He spoke, now with a slightly sympathetic expression.
'That's it.' Leliana thought, making her way towards the Herald, pursing her eyebrows, until she was face to face with him. Even if he was at least a foot taller than her, she still knew how to intimidate someone.
"What do you suggest then? Leave him be? He is now a threat to my other agents, he knows where they are!" Her voice getting louder. "I kill one to save dozens! It may not be pretty, but it needs to be done. I cannot have the luxury of ideals at times like these!"
He did no flinch, he did not bait an eye. Bearing a determined look and with the same tone she was using on him, but with a steady voice, John said. "Now is precisely the time for ideals."
This took the spymaster slightly aback. 'I am impressed with his resolve.' She tought, looking him straight in the eyes, searching for any signs of hesitation, signs she did not find in those hazel eyes. Suddenly turning her back to the young man, she resumed.
"You feel very strongly about this." She said with a sigh of defeat.
"Very well, I will find another way to deal with him." The spymaster complemented, redirecting her attention to the clearly embarrassed scout that watched the whole show. "Apprehend him, but see that he lives." She finished and the scout nodded and turned to leave.
"Look, I'm not saying that you should simply forgive him. Just don't be so quickly to bring down a sword to someone's neck." The Herald spoke, now with a normal voice and an understanding tone.
"Cease him, take every information you can from him over this betrayal and them judge him, make him an example. It helps if people associate justice with us in chaotic times like these." He finished.
Leliana nodded accepting his words.
He turned to leave, but before he could do so, the Orlesian bard called out to him.
"Wait Herald."
He stops, waiting for her next words.
"I believe you are familiar with the Grey Wardens." She said.
The warrior nodded.
"They are awfully quiet about all this madness that fell upon Thedas. We already tried contact with them to no avail." She continued while he remained listening intently.
"However, one of my scouts heard rumors about one Grey Warden recruiting at the Hinterlands, Warden Blackwall. Perhaps it would be wise to follow this lead, he could clarify the matter to us." The Nightingale finished voicing her opinion.
It was not long until he answered. "I will follow this lead after my return from Val Royeaux. Just give me a location if you can. Now I shall take my leave." With that said, John bowed, as Leliana did the same, and left.
Both of them wondering if they would ever have the chance to speak with each other under less stressful circumstances.
A/N: First of all, I know I said that the first chapter would be probably the only one with Leliana POV, but as ideas came to my mind I figured that there will be surely more than one, somethings just sound better from her. Second, the description of this story mentions our hero struggles, and I admit that he is doing a prety good job so far and kind of happy with his actions. Still, you must know if you played the game, that things go downhill pretty quickly after a couple of major quests and that is when things will start to get rough for him. Anyway, thanks for the reviews and follows and favorites! I hope that you are liking reading it as much as I am enjoying writing it. No need to worry about these Author Notes though, I just felt like explaining a little, they won't be many. Also, I was planning on putting this chapter on the weekend but I just found out that I will be busy them for at least a week. So, don't get used to these almost daily updates! Sorry, but don't worry, I will keep updating as much as I can. Thanks again and please review, it really helps!
