Chapter 4:

Halamshiral

As Liahris came down the stairs, with Josephine, Leliana, Dorian, and Vivienne behind her, I could not help but gasp, literally gasp. Her hair was pulled up in an elaborately braided updo, with waved tendrils framing her face, and small, tear shaped pearls hanging from her pointed ears. Half her face was hidden beneath an ivory mask that had been enameled with pearl powder, giving her a mysterious and seductive air. Her makeup was expertly done, highlighting her cheekbones and the shape of her eyes. Her dress was a rich, dark green silk, the same green of the vallaslin hidden beneath that mask, and it all brought out the small flecks of amber in her brown eyes, while contrasting beautifully with her snowed hair and creamy skin. It was a strapless dress, made so to show off her long, elegant neck, and the fine curves of her shoulders. The bodice was tight fitting around her small waist, giving way to a full skirt, a skirt I knew could be removed with a flick of her wrist if need be, to reveal black leather leggings, which were more suitable for fighting. She looked utterly and devastatingly gorgeous.

Liahris blushed as she saw me, and I walked up to her and bowed, then took her marked hand and kissed it. I thought I saw Leliana and Dorian grin, and Josephine exchange an excited smile with Vivienne, who humored her with a more impassive smile. Then I offered my arm and led her to the carriage that would take us to the Winter Palace.

When we arrived at the Palace, I watched as the Grand Duke introduced himself and offered to escort her, an invitation she graciously accepted. While the Duke and Liahris mingled with several nobles outside the Palace, I took the opportunity to slip away, searching for the infamous Ambassador Briala Mihris had told me so much about. It was time to reclaim what was mine.

None of the nobles noticed me as I made my way inside the palace, for why would they notice an elf anyway? Even one dressed in finery as I was at the moment, they probably thought I was the servant of another, and that was my cover anyway.

I walked through the shadows of the castle, making my way to a small, private dining room that overlooked the gardens. There, resting against its northern wall, was an Eluvian. I walked through it and felt the ripple of magic, the ancient humming beckoning me home. There was nothing left to do now but wait.

Only a few moments had passed when the eluvian was activated, ripples pulsing through the glass as if it were water, and I hid in the shadows, just before a small elven woman emerged from it. She had brown hair tied up in a bun and cunning brown eyes hidden beneath a silver mask. Briala.

I waited for her to deactivate the eluvian, the wind carrying her whispers of the passphrase. "Fen'Harel enansal." The Dread Wolf's Blessing. My eyebrows lifted in surprise as the small woman walked out of the room. I could not help but smirk indulgently at her back as I stepped from the shadows, wondering what tales Felassan might have told her that might have earned me her admiration, but looking back, I could not fault her. The Dread Wolf's cunning was legendary, and it would make sense for a spy to invoke him.

I stood right in front of the eluvian, saying the passphrase in a smooth, crystal clear voice, and it activated immediately. I stepped across it, into the labyrinth and made my way to the crossroads. Once there, I summoned my magic and willed the eluvians come to life, to activate by my magic and will alone, and so they did. They flared to life, a blueish haze emanating from each and every one of them, before they quieted. The eluvians were mine. I had effectively overridden the magic that bound them to Briala.

I walked back at a brisk pace, reaching the dining room just as the first bell was rung, summoning all to the Main Hall. I made my way to the gardens, where Josephine was lining us all up behind the Duke and Liahris like a mother hen, and just as the second bell sounded, we made our way inside, fashionably late.

The Duke was introduced by the court seneschal, and then it was Liahris' turn. She fidgeted nervously, and Vivienne placed a steadying hand on her shoulders, and whispered, "Remember to smile, darling. This is all for show."

"Accompanying him, Lady Inquisitor Liahris Lavellan." And she walked gracefully down the steps and into the Grand Hall, and curtsied just as Leliana had taught her. The Empress bowed her head in acknowledgement, before the seneschal continued. "Vanquisher of the Rebel Mages of Ferelden, Crusher of the vile apostates of the Mage Underground. Champion of the Blessed Andraste herself."

In front of me, Varric snorted and whispered, "This guy writes better fiction than I do."

Sera, on the other hand, seemed annoyed by the whole thing. "Ugh, he's so full of it! That's not how it went!"

"Accompanying the Inquisitor: Madame Vivienne, First Enchanter of the Circle of Magi, Enchanter of the Imperial Court, Mistress of the Duke of Ghislain." And out walked Vivienne, completely in her element, poised and confident. She walked slowly behind Liahris.

"The Iron Bull, leader of the famed mercenary company Bull's Chargers… as the name might imply."

"Warden Blackwall of Van Chevin, Constable of the Grey, Bearer of the Silverite Wing of Valor."

"Renowned author Varric Tethras, head of noble house Tethras, Deshyr of Kirkwall to the Dwarven Merchants' Guild."

"Lord Dorian Pavus, member of the Circle of Vyrantium, son of Lord Magister Halward Pavus of Asariel."

The rest of the introductions followed quickly, or maybe it felt like it because I was not really paying attention. Well, until Sera's introduction, at least. That grabbed everyone's attention. And Cassandra's as well.

"Her Ladyship Mai Bhalsytch of Korse." I smiled indulgently, as the young elf snickered and walked down the stairs.

"Seeker Cassandra Allegra Portia Calogera Filomena– "

"Get on with it!"

"Pentaghast. Fourteenth cousin to the King of Nevarra, nine times removed. Hero of Orlais. Right Hand of the Divine."

"The Lady Inquisitor's elven serving man, Solas." At last, I was announced, and as I walked down the steps, I saw Liahris' frame tense ever so slightly. She had been vehemently against that introduction, arguing with Vivienne and Josephine about it for weeks on end, until I finally convinced her it bothered me not, and it was the only logical thing to do, because I was the only one with no title and if she wished to gain court approval, she could not have them announce me as "the Inquisitor's elven apostate lover."

"Ser Cullen Stanton Rutherford of Honnleath. Commander of the forces of the Inquisition. Former Knight Commander of Kirkwall."

"Lady Leliana, Nightingale of the Imperial Court. Veteran of the Fifth Blight. Seneschal of the Inquisition, and Left Hand of the Divine."

"And Lady Josephine Cherette Montiliyet of Antiva City, Ambassador of the Inquisition."

Each of us bowed before the Empress, and then the festivities began. I watched as Liahris was introduced to that Duke and this Marquis, and this Lord and that Lady, and absolutely charmed them all. She was not as skilled in the Game as Vivienne, Leliana, or even Josephine, but she was a fast learner and a good student, and was already employing many of the tricks they had all taught her. How to flatter in order to gain trust, when to joke in order to relax the nobles, when to appear dimwitted in order to be underestimated, and when to show her true cunning in order to shock and intimidate, all of these things she executed to perfection. She also timed her escapes perfectly, disappearing when unnoticed, but always managed to be back right before someone asked for her.

As the evening progressed, Liahris had spoken to her Imperial Majesty's ladies in waiting, met Ambassador Briala, and had met Gaspard's mercenary captain and found the corpse of a man who belonged to the Council of Heralds. She found an elven locket and confronted both Celene and Briala about it.

When Florianne revealed herself to be an agent of Corypheus, and her archers failed to kill us, Liahris walked back to the ballroom, ready to expose the Duchess. Cullen came up to her immediately, asking her for orders, but Liahris calmly asked him to wait, as she would have a word with the Grand Duchess.

She walked proudly up to where the Grand Duchess, Gaspard and Briala were standing. "We owe the court one more show, Your Grace." She began, smiling just a tad arrogant.

Florianne turned to face her. "Inquisitor."

"The eyes of every noble in the Empire are upon us, Your Grace. Remember to smile." She began walking up the steps towards the Duchess, slowly, completely in control of the situation. "This is your party, You wouldn't want them to think you had lost control."

Florianne took a few steps back, as she said, "Who would not be delighted to speak with you, Inquisitor?"

"I seem to recall you saying, 'All I needed was to keep you out of the ballroom long enough to strike.'" Liahris said, raising her voice so all the court would hear. Florianne looked around nervously, as Liahris circled her like a bird of prey, and began exposing her plans. "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 loose your good graces. You even framed your brother for the murder of a Council Emissary."

The court's reaction was immediate, and as the whispers and mumblings began, they quieted soon enough, as Liahris continued. "It was an ambitious plan. Celene, Gaspard, the entire Council of Heralds… All your enemies under one roof."

"This is very entertaining, but you do not imagine anyone believes your wild stories?"

"I did not wish to, but it seems I have no choice." Said the Grand Duke.

"Gaspard? You cannot believe this! You know I would never…" But at that moment, both Gaspard and Briala turned away from her. "Gaspard?" Florianne called out, as she was surrounded by chevaliers.

"You lost this fight ages ago, Your Grace." Liahris said, using the title to mock Florianne. "You're just the last to find out. Take her away."

And so they did, the chevaliers dragged the Duchess away from the ballroom, sobbing, and utterly disgraced.

"Your Imperial Majesty, I think we should speak in private, elsewhere." Liahris asked, and walked out, with the Empress of Orlais, the Grand Duke, and the Ambassador following her. I could not help the pride that swelled in my chest, seeing her so in control of the situation.

As she met with them, she exposed Gaspard's planned coup, with the mercenary captain and his commander both willing to testify. As the Grand Duke was sentenced to death, Liahris convinced Celene that she could not have done it without Braila's help, and effectively reconciled the two secret lovers. As they addressed the court, presenting a united front, the Empress granted Briala the title of Marquise of the Dales and the crowd cheered when Liahris spoke of all that could be accomplished through cooperation, and vowed she would make this a better world for humans and elves.

Afterwards, I found Liahris alone on the balcony, the Empress' occult advisor having just left. I recognized her immediately as Flemeth's daughter, Morrigan, from the memories I saw when I slept in Flemeth's hut in the Korcari Wilds. She walked right past me, head held high and not even sparing a glance in my direction.

Liahris was resting her arms on the rail, looking out onto the gardens. She had taken off her mask, and the skirt of her dress during the fight with the Duchess' agents. I placed my arms around her, hugging her from behind, and she startled until she realized it was me. "Emma'lath." she whispered and leaned back to give me a light kiss on the lips, before turning her head to stare at the gardens once more.

"I'm not surprised to find you out here." I whispered into her ear. "Thoughts?"

She sighed and said, "I'm just tired. It has been a very long night."

I tightened my grip around her waist, and she relaxed against me. "It's nearly over now, vhenan. Cullen is giving his men marching orders as we speak." I heard the band begin a new song, a slow romantic melody floating on the night air, and knew I would not get this chance again. I let her go, and she turned to look at me. "Come, before the band stops playing. Dance with me?" I bowed, with one hand outstretched to her.

Liahris blushed immediately, and smiled ever so slowly, before placing her hand in mine. "I'd love to." I took her in my arms and led her through the slow, sensual dance.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you looked tonight?" I asked, as our bodies swayed with the music. The whole atmosphere was intoxicating, and I willed my mind to memorize the way she moved, how she looked under the star light, knowing I would cherish this memory for the rest of my life.

"No, I don't believe you did." She said coyly.

"Well, I shall have to remedy that, won't I?" I twirled her twice, and then dipped her low, before bringing her back up into my arms. She let out a surprised squeal before laughing gleefully. "You looked gorgeous, vhenan, an intoxicating combination of mysterious, dangerous and seductive, and my heart stopped when I saw you."

She blushed furiously, and bit her lip. "Oh… well… maybe I thought you looked quite handsome too."

As the band concluded its song, our dance culminated with a kiss, and as if on cue, Josephine came to collect us. We said our goodbyes to the Empress, and made our way back home.