A feast lay out on the tables of the court. Soldiers, spies, mages, templars, surgeons, servants and ambassadors all mingled among one another telling tales of battlefield glory, political rumors, deceptions, gossip, and of how they will miss the days of the Inquisition saving the world.

Despite it being a celebration of the new direction of the Inquisition under The Divine, there was somberness in the atmosphere. With Inquisitor Trevelyan's decision to step down from her post, it felt as though their beloved and much admired leader was abandoning them, but perhaps it was just time to go off on their own, much in the way that a parent guides a child to their path, but in the end the must walk independently.

Sera had eaten her fill of the banquet and was refilling her mug of ale when the Grand Enchanter Vivienne approached, "I have not had the opportunity to congratulate you on your new position. I must admit, I did not imagine you would have it in you, grasping at power through marriage."

"Thank…wait, what are you getting at?" Sera started, realizing that Vivienne was accusing her of using Eve to gain influence.

"I think you know, dear. Evelyn has far too much compassion and sympathy for you people, and she wears it on her sleeve. I knew it would lead her to doing something as tragically ill-advised as this. Alas, it works out quite well for you. I imagine that you will ultimately to convince her to completely ruin any affluence that her family has." Vivienne snipped, she had never cared for Sera's recklessness with power and intrigue, and had tried in vain to ward Eve from the damages.

Sera's face grew red and her fist clenched around the handle of her mug, Vivienne smirked at Sera's outward rage "Don't make a scene, my dear. Wouldn't want to ruin this last banquet for her as well, would you?"

"Jealous, Vivi? I have something that you never could, even though you try so hard to be accepted among people who never wanted you, and after all of the years they still can't stand you." Sera countered.

Vivienne rolled her eyes and laughed "Don't be silly, girl. You have nothing that I want or can't have three hundred of."

"I have the love of a woman who married me to tell the world and give a proper welcome into her family…rather than keeping me some stupid secret to gossip about at the court." She said, knowing it was a hit below the belt, but what Vivienne was implying was intentionally cruel too. It was all fair game.

"You think that you will be welcomed among the nobility just because one of their own decided to marry down, with some orphaned Elven trash who resents everything about them? Oh darling, you have much to learn, but you will. At least I hope you will, for Evelyn's sake." Vivienne argued, seeing that Sera was going to erupt at that. "Now if you'll excuse me, I only meant to make an appearance at this pathetic excuse of a dinner party as a gesture of my respect for Evelyn." She said, filling her cup of wine and heading off.

Sera was fuming with rage, and her heart ached. Vivienne knew how to zero in on Sera's insecurities and make a mockery of them…perhaps from having intimate knowledge of what it is like to be in Sera's position and being ashamed, but the why didn't matter, the damage was done. Sera closed her eyes and took deep breaths to calm down 'I won't let her ruin this for me. My Evie is not like them, she is not like any of them, she is my Honey Tongue, my Buckles, my Evie, my Lady. This is for her tonight. I won't make a scene' she thought.

Eve sat around the fireplace with Josephine and Cassandra talking about the last few years, the hurdles, the tragedy, the victory, and the occasional comic relief. This would likely be the last time they would be able to carry on like friends together at Skyhold.

Vivienne stopped to greet them on her way back to her quarters, "Evelyn, I wish you the best of luck with all that you do. It has been a pleasure working with you, darling. If there is anything that you ever need, please do not hesitate." She said, appreciatively.

"Thank you, Vivienne. It has indeed been an honor to work with you." she replied. Vivienne gave a dignified bow and walked away.

Sera arrived moments later and took a seat between Eve and Josephine.

Cassandra leaned over to speak softly "I believe she is still upset about not being elected Divine. Leliana's vision for mages contradicts everything that she believes in."

"I think you're probably correct. She has been extremely moody since the elections, but am thankful for her support and helping with the mages under our authority. However, I do believe that she and Grand Enchanter Fiona would have come to blows along the way if not for a few interventions". Eve confessed.

Josephine looked around at the guests and staff of the Inquisition enjoying themselves, "Herald, I do wish you had given more notice about your departure. A jubilee with guests from far and wide would be better serving as a testament to all that you have done, and would have been far more appropriate." She said, preferring to put on a display of influence than waste the opportunity with the sentimentality of the small occasion.

"Oh sure, a hobnob for them to wank each other on a job well done. Piss on them. You saw what a shite they give about her at the Winter Palace. She's given them three years of her life and her friggin' arm. They can bugger off!" Sera spat.

Josephine rolled her eyes at Sera's crude dismissal of those who supported the Inquisition when they needed it most, "But of course, Lady Treveylan."

A somewhat-boozy Cassandra let out a laugh that carried throughout the court, causing heads to turn and eavesdroppers to listen in, "You are a noblewoman now! All of those times you put the screws to us, never letting us forget that we are of noble blood… Oh the irony."

"Pfft, whatever. I'm never going to be like that." Sera proclaimed, crossing her arms and glaring at Cassandra.

"Like what? Someone that people big and small look up to, who takes care of their responsibilities, and occasionally must represent their interests?" Josephine interjected.

"No. Like some frigging power-hungry, head-up-their-arse, self-serving, noble son-of-a-bitch. That's what. Most of the nobles that helped us only did it because they gained something, and then as soon as it was over, Alright, now get the frigging fuck out of here. And so here we are." Sera said, scorned and defensive.

There was an awkward silence, Sera was clearly upset, so Eve spoke up to break the tension, "That's just the reality of serving the people. Sometimes it takes a threat like Corypheus, or an Exalted March, or a Blight to motivate people to do something. Then after it is all over, they don't want the reminder that their lives could have been taken away from them, they just want to get back to normal..." She stretched out her amputated arm as a gesture, "I do not regret what I have given for this Inquisition. In doing so the people have peace of mind, and we prevented the end of the world." Then she shifted her eyes to Sera "Nobility is what you make of it, my love. Cassandra, Josephine, and me, we were born to noble families, but each of us is different from one another. You too are different, and now you have the opportunity to show people that not all nobles are self-serving, head-up-their-arse, power-hungry, sons-of-bitches." she said facetiously, knowing that soon there will come a time when Sera's new title will put her on the spot, but not this evening.

"Hear, hear!" Cassandra shouted, raising her mug of ale. Josephine bowed her head and raise her drink, and then so did Eve, and kept them held high waiting for Sera to join. Without warning, there was a chorus "Hear, hear!", the entire room raised their drinks as well, not knowing what was said, but at Cassandra's call for a toast to presumptively the Inquisitor. Sera glanced around wanting to obstinately stand her ground on principle, but when she saw the longing in Eve's eyes for her to join, she abandoned her resolve—this would be a battle for another night, and so she raised her drink as well.

Cassandra smiled and turned to Eve, "I am going to miss this. Our travels across Thedas, our jokes, our arguments, our discussions…all of it. I know it is not over, but this chapter is coming to an end. I am thankful for knowing you," she said looking around at her friends, "all of you."

"You're right, it's not over, and I am going to miss this as well." Cullen said, walking up from behind Cassandra, he leaned against the stones of the fireplace.

"Commander, nice of you to join us" Cassandra replied.

"I wasn't going to let you three have all of the fun with our Inquisitor." He joked, having intentionally avoided Eve until now working through his feelings about her leaving the Inquisition.

"You arrived just in time for a conversation about noble duties, Commander." Josephine explained with a smirk.

Cullen rolled his eyes and crossed arms, and a frustrated Sera gulping ale caught his attention. "Indeed, please continue."

"Do you remember the first time we went to the Winter Palace on Inquisition business, and when they introduced Sera to the court her official title was 'Lady Mai Bhalsych of Korse'? I thought Vivienne was going to die of embarrassment!" Cassandra laughed, "Personally, I thought it was one of the most entertaining bits of the night!" she admitted.

Josephine closed her eyes and shook her head in disapproval, "Yes, I remember explaining to the Dowager that she was an agent working with us from a foreign city-state who does not speak the Andrastian language very well." she offered.

"Yeah, well piss on titles. It's all stupid shite to put on for other self-important nobs" Sera quipped back.

Eve laughed, "You have to admit, it was a clever play on words though."

"If you say so." she said begrudgingly.

"I'm with you Sera, those noble gatherings are some of the more grueling aspects of this job. I've never had so many women touch my hair in one night." Cullen said, offering some understanding to an obviously uncomfortable Sera.

"Right. I'm sick of talking about it. Yeah, I'm part of a noble family now. So what? We're married. The rest of it can piss off for all I care" said Sera. This was the part she was least looking forward to in her marriage. She knew that it was part of the package, she wanted the legally binding agreement with Eve and it came with attaching herself to the noble side of things too. As far as she was concerned though, they were just rubbing it in at this point.

"I have a feeling that you will do amazing things together. You already have..." Cassandra told Sera, "In whatever you face, you make each other so much more than what you are apart. I have witnessed it, since your first time on the battlefield together, every time you were together you brought out something incredible in one another. It is as though there is a flame between you that burns hot when you're together."

"You're such a romantic. Should have known you've been watching me and Evie getting on" Sera teased.

"Yes, it has been established that I am something of a romantic… and I was only paying you a complement, and admiring your love…" Cassandra frowned.

"Thank you Cassandra. Your kind words mean so much to me." Eve assured her, before shooting a disapproving glance at Sera.

"What?! I was only kidding." She said defensively, then turned to Cassandra, "Don't worry, I'm sure you will find someone to sweep you off your feet. But you know he will have to carry a big stick to match a strong woman like you…get it? Big stick" Sera said, trying to lighten the mood.

Cassandra sneered, "Ugh. Sera why must you be so crude?" She looked up to the Andrastian drapery and said "Besides, I don't have time for a lover…I made a decision to give my life to the Chantry, and that is what I intend to do."

"You say that, but you would unlock that chastity belt for the right person. I know it. You deserve it anyway. Love I mean. You're alright, you know?" Sera said with a smile.

"Sera, some oaths of devotion to others, including the Maker, are taken just as seriously as your wedding vows. It is not a matter to be taken lightly." Josephine explained.

"Right, but Seekers don't have to buy into that pish posh like The Divine, do they?" Sera asked

Cassandra sighed, "There is no writ demanding that Seekers remain abstinent, however it is a tradition that one sacrifice certain pleasures for the Chantry."

"Well, good thing you're the new leader of the Seekers. You can change it all." Sera recommended. "Everyone has sex. I don't care what they say." She said, believing it cruel and insincere to deny those most natural urges.

"She has a point—you will have the opportunity to reshape the Seekers any way you see fit." Eve said, agreeing with Sera that Cassandra's romantic heart deserves happiness.

"Let us worry about that should the time come, shall we?" Cassandra said dismissively. It was a moot point to argue since there were no suitors at the moment.

Cullen let out an oddly-timed laugh. Cassandra shot him a grimacing look, "What is funny?"

"Yeah, Cullen, not like you are having it on with anyone either. What's your excuse? Templars are allowed to bed lovers, aren't they?" Sera said, then quixotically wiggled he eyebrows "Or is there someone you've been hiding away?"

"Uh huh, I would never kiss and tell! Especially not in front of you gossiping hens." He joked, without realizing his sexist language might not be appreciated by such seasoned female veterans.

Each of the women's eyes were glaring holes right through him, and they stood up slowly cornering the Commander. Josephine placed her hands on her hips, Cassandra rolled up her sleeves, Eve reached for her dagger, and Sera popped the top on a bottle of a sinister-looking potion.

"What should we do with him, girls?" Sera said, attempting to evoke fear in the Commander.

"Let's put some itching potion in his short and curlies and make sure he cackles like a gossiping hen." Cassandra suggested.

Josephine added, "I like the sound of that. I assume this is an interrogating technique they teach in the Seekers?"

"Now wait just a minute. Let's not get irrational here. I was only joking." The sweat was beginning to bead on his forehead.

The women showed no sign of backing down, thoroughly intimidating the Commander sufficiently enough for him to look around at someone who may come to his rescue if he should call for help.

Eve chided him, "Looks like you messed up this time, Commander."

"Whoa, whoa! Ladies, I meant nothing by it." Cullen pleaded. "Inquisitor, please think this through." He said, preparing to call for help if they wouldn't stop this ridiculous assault.

The trio glanced at each other and they burst out in a fit of laughter. "Oh maker, did you see the look on his face?" cried Sera. "Yes! He thought we were serious!" Cassandra answered.

"It's alright Commander, we weren't really going to assault you for your poor choice of words." Josephine consoled him.

Eve placed her hand on his shoulder "You should know when in the presence of ladies to use proper language when describing them, especially when speaking directly to them."

Still laughing Sera inserted, "Better, if you're hoping to bed one someday."

The women returned to their seats, and a still-uncomfortable Cullen remained distant in his corner. "Oh come on, Cully-wully, you know we wouldn't hurt you. It was all a bit of fun" Sera reassured.

They had him caught up in their elaborate joke, he crossed his arms and said, "I suppose you're right. I have been around soldiers far too long. Perhaps I should spend more time with the fairer sex."

They shot a glare at him "Who are you calling fair?" Cassandra shot back.

"Nobody, I just meant, women are not as roguish and rugged as men." Cullen explained.

Eve went for her dagger, "Not roguish, eh?"

"…that's…I don't mean you Inquisitor, Seeker, I was referring to most ladies." Cullen back stepped, realizing he had stepped into a trap again.

"We're just giving you a hard time, Commander." Eve admitted, and they all laughed. "Why don't you go have another ale and lighten up?" Cassandra said, pointing with her mug to the barrel on the wall.

Cullen realized that the women were probably inebriated, and that he should try to catch up if he was going to enjoy their company. "You take far too much pleasure in teasing me. I expect this from Sera, but not from you Inquisitor, or you Seeker Pentaghast, or you Lady Montilyet." Cullen replied, his wounded pride showing.

"Commander I apologize if I went too far. I was only hoping to have some fun with you before I leave tomorrow." Eve clarified, so that Cullen would understand her reasoning.

"Tomorrow? Why so soon? Surely you need some time to get your things together?" said Cullen, shocked that not only was she leaving, but it will be tomorrow.

"I will have my belongings sent for once things are a little more settled. Don't fret, everything will be fine, Cullen. You led the templars, the mages, and conquered an army of darkspawn. Whatever Divine Victoria has in store for the Inquisition will surely be boring by comparison." Eve reassured the General among soldiers who was resisting the forthcoming responsibility he would have in the absence of an Inquisitor.

"Commander Cullen, are you worried about the fate of the Inquisition without an Inquisitor?" Cassandra asked.

"In all honesty, I am, Cassandra. The Inquisitor is not just a title, she was the force of Andraste herself, wielding the power of the Fade and restoring peace to those who were all but forsaken to torment and despair. This Inquisition is just as much the Inquisitor herself as it is a force of the Chantry. Many do not wish to see her go, and I am one of them." Cullen confessed.

"This Inquisition would have happened with or without the Inquisitor. It was already set in place by The Divine. The massacre at the Temple of Sacred Ashes, the Fade rifts and the power that the Inquisitor evoked were the catalyst that put things into motion. The Inquisition will serve a new purpose, as the original purpose has been fulfilled. The plans that Evelyn put into motion at the Exalted Council and at today's deliberations will aid in driving the Inquisition toward its new role. You are not alone in this, we are all still here to support our Inquisition and work with the Inquisitior." Cassandra explained, it pained her to see her Templar commander doubting his capabilities to secure loyalty in the absence of the Inquisitor.

Cullen sighed, "You're right. I know you are...I am just going to miss this."

"All of us will miss this, Commander. That is why we drink and celebrate to enjoy each other's company for this one last night" Josephine offered.

Eve put her mug of ale in the center of them "To us, then!" she exclaimed. They clashed mugs together "Cheers!"