Haven – Preparations

Kost POV


"Cullen, you okay?" Leliana asked worriedly. She'd been passing his little 'office' by the practice yards and saw him shaking. "Are you ill? Cold? Did something remind you of…?" Perhaps she really shouldn't be fussing, he certainly hadn't asked, but she remembered the Tower. It had been hard on her, when she had just went there with Agrona. It was worse for him. And she couldn't harden her heart so much to not worry over him and Josie.

"I'm fine, Leliana," he managed. She relaxed at his easy grin. "I'm really not all that fragile."

"No, but we're colleagues, I know a bit about your past, and you're the one who decided just to stop taking lyrium." She kept that last part quiet. She knew he didn't want everyone to know. Even she only knew because she'd bullied it out of Cassandra. She noted he wasn't surprised by her knowledge. "So, what had you shaking?"

"Would it surprise you that I was laughing?" She comically mimed great shock and got a dirty look. "Here." He passed her a note. "Messenger delivered that. If that's how she is normally, I can see why Kost has such a peaceful personality."

She glanced at through the words, feeling a smile creep on her face with each sentence. "Right, I still need to pay them." And provide some sort of compensation for Kost's extended stay. "But you're right. Someone had to be the peaceful one with you've a strong-minded leader. Kost must've been that someone." And it was truly helpful for them. Everyone leading this Inquisition had good intentions, but different backgrounds led to different thoughts on how to go about doing that good. It was simultaneously a strength, because differing perspectives gave a better view of the situation, and a weakness, because arguing. "Shall we put this with the other requests and return to debating the best way to go about those war table operations?"

"Yes, that sounds good." He stood with a stretch. "And maybe the ones we can't agree on, we wait until everyone returns."

"True. We can have Kost pick us up and put us in timeout when we're being too rowdy." That got her another laugh. "Come along, child."

"Ah, if only my sister hadn't drilled into me to not tease a woman about her age." She scowled and he grinned. "Yes, coming, wise elder."

"Maker, Cullen, sometimes…!"


Upon arriving in Haven, everyone immediately split up to do whatever. I ended up following Cassandra and Samantha into the Chantry. It was good to listen to the key players when you were stuck in the middle of someone else's game. Or, so I'd learned as a mercenary.

"At the moment, their strength is only in their unity."

"Which is why going there is walking headfirst into a trap."

"I'm with Cullen on this one. It's sending her straight into a pit of vipers."

Apparently, our three advisors were debating, based on what bits filtered through the heavy door. It was an impression furthered when Miss Samantha and Miss Pentaghast stepped inside the room. I lingered in the doorway, keeping silent as their attention focused on Miss Samantha. I'd long since discovered that if you were quiet, no matter how large you were, you went unnoticed.

"So, when do I leave?" Miss Samantha asked. Lady Montilyet smiled approvingly, while Miss Leliana and Master Rutherford frowned. "It might not work. But hey, maybe just by appearing, I can do something, right?" Her eyes flicked to her gloved hand. As if noticing, the mark flickered an eerie green. "Please?" The soft way she said that one word made me think she was perhaps too aware of how much of a death sentence that thing was.

"She won't be going alone," Miss Pentaghast added. Her gaze and words were firm. "The group that went to the Hinterlands will also go to Val Royeaux." Yay for being volunteered. "So, let's gather them and see what happens." There were sighs, but also nods of agreement. Yay, that was solved quickly. "Anyone else hear arguing?" Ah, yes, from the front.

"Oh, not again," Master Rutherford groaned. Given how Miss Leliana and Lady Montilyet didn't even twitch as he left the room, I figured this was a normal thing. I followed him, deciding that was where the interesting information was now. No doubt the four inside would just be plotting out the meeting.

Of course, I probably should've expected the argument going on outside.

"Your kind killed the Most Holy!" Were we seriously, seriously having mage-templar fighting in our own organization? Ugh… this is why the leaders shouldn't be favoring sides. But nope, the majority of the leaders is biased for mages and calls templars bad zealots. Because mages never do anything wrong. Blowing up that Chantry was absolutely justified in the name of freedom and revolution, damn all who protest against. I hated Thedas some days.

"Lies! Your kind let her die!" Oh, yay, finger-pointing. Because none of us matured past age ten apparently.

"Shut your mouth, mage!" The templar made to draw blade.

But, surprisingly, Master Rutherford got between them before I even had to twitch. Yay. "Enough!" he scolded, pushing them apart and scowling at them both. "Enough with these antics."

"Knight-Commander-"

"That is not my title." He leveled a full-on glare at the templar, who flinched back. "We are not templars anymore. We are part of the Inquisition. All of us." He gave his glare to the mages, who winced. "Understood?"

"No, not at all." I facepalmed as High Chancellor Roderick walked up. Master Rutherford rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "What does it mean to be part of the Inquisition?" he challenged, eyes blazing in anger.

"Why do you always seek me out?" Master Rutherford sighed. "I'm not in the mood to flay your ego again, thank you."

"I am simply curious-"

"Then ask someone else, if you're actually curious and not just making a scene." Master Rutherford look at the crowd, ignoring High Chancellor Roderick's scowl. "Back to your duties, all of you." And Master Rutherford returned inside, likely to join whatever discussion. I wondered if someone should interfere with High Chancellor Roderick.

Someone did. "Goodness, High Chancellor, are you all right?" Lucina, to be specific. She walked up, a gentle smile on her face, and I wondered where she'd been during the argument. "You seem very stressed out," she said, not bothered at all as High Chancellor Roderick turned his glare from the retreating Master Rutherford to her. "Would you like some tea?"

"No." His response was blunt and clipped. "The last tea I had from you put me straight to sleep!" he snapped. I grimaced. He'd noticed. Of course he had.

"It did?" But, to my intense surprise, and greater discomfort, Lucina appeared confused. "Now how did that…?" She gasped, and looked instantly guilty. "Oh no, did I steep it too long?" Her posture shifted, looking meek and contrite. "I will admit, High Chancellor, that the tea was intended to help you sleep, but I was so worried!" Her voice rose and fell with each word, giving the impression of intense distress. "You had bags under your eyes, and you didn't seem to be sleeping at all. I know everything that's going on is stressful, and wanted you to rest. I must've steeped the herbs too long in hopes of maximizing their effectiveness." She ducked her head, hair hiding her face. High Chancellor Roderick looked a combination of exasperated and understanding. All I could remember was how she'd told us she'd drugged him, purposely. Meaning this was all one big lie. "I'm so sorry. B-but, my offer for a calming tea is genuine. You can watch me make it if you're worried!"

"No, that won't be necessary." He hesitated before adding, "I'll have that tea later." Lucina lifted her head slightly and tentatively smiled up at him. "I appreciate the gesture. But do watch your herbs."

"Of course, sir." Her smile warmed a bit more as she brought her head up fully. "Thank you so much for being understanding! I can see why our Divine depended on you so much."

"If only you could convince your sister to do the same." He sighed and shook his head. "I should go and rest, though."

"Yes, and I shall talk with Samantha and see if I might ease some of her stubbornness." She was back to the gentle smile. "Please, have a pleasant rest."

"Thank you, my dear." And he walked off, completely buying the lie. With Lucina not letting the act falter one bit.

Okay, it was 'funny-wrong' that she made bombs and could throw them without a care despite being sweet. Now this was just creepy. Either she had severe memory problems, a self-serving memory, or she just lied and manipulated the High Chancellor. Based on what I knew about her, I guessed it the third. And it was just. Bloody. Creepy.

"Hey, Lucina?" I called. She turned to me, smile warming as she skipped over. "Um… what you just did…?" I accidentally pitched my voice up, making it a question instead of a statement.

"Ah, yes, I'm sorry for getting caught," she murmured, shaking her head. Uh… "Thankfully, it's easy to come up with a story." Then I was right. She purposely lied and manipulated. My skin crawled at the thought. "Was there something wrong with that?" She… she sounded honestly confused. "I'm sorry. Jakob was always protecting me, but even a child gets tired of their protector getting bloody…" …Um… Why would he have gotten bloody? "And storytelling has been quite useful in minimizing damage as I got older?" And she was drooping. "Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry. I'll do better. I promise."

"That's not what I was going to say." The saddest part of this? I wanted to believe she was genuinely confused, genuinely upset… but a nagging voice in my head wondered if this, too, was an act. If she was manipulating me as she had Roderick. I just had to trust her. And hope… and hope she wouldn't betray it. I didn't like this feeling at all. "But, Lucina, I think we're all stronger than that. You don't have to minimize damage."

"But I'm pretty useless, so I should do what little I can."

"Lucina, you can make bombs."

"Anyone can kill." Her smile was wry. And scary. Broken. That was the word I wanted. This all just seemed wrong. "Killing is easy."

Not commenting on that. Not commenting on that one at all. "Just trust us a little more, will you?" She gave me a blank look. "You… do trust us, right?"

"…" There was something very dark and very painful in her eyes, and it made her smile very, very bitter. "I don't trust you all to not disappear because I'm too useless and weak. That's what happened to everyone else." Huh? "Ah, I need to go help Adan."

I didn't call after her. I could recognize when someone was running away. Instead I sighed as she left, and rubbed my temple to ward off an impending headache. I had the distinct impression that I, the long-time mercenary, was possibly the most 'mentally stable' of everyone here.

Now that was a scary thought.


To distract myself, I decided to ask around to see if anyone needed help. But, surprisingly, it seemed that everyone was content. Enough herbs, enough ore… even Master Adan was perfectly content, since Lucina had apparently found some research notes. Varric and Master Solas were just fine, not even needing a proper jacket or shoes despite the snow. I avoided Miss Pentaghast simply because I didn't want to be drawn into a training match. I liked my skin unbruised.

Sighing, I made my way back towards the Chantry, wondering if there was someone to help in there, and happened to overhear a very awkward conversation between Leliana and an agent. Over a traitor. Oh boy.

"There were so many questions around Farrier's death," Leliana growled. Her fists shook at her side. "Did he truly think we wouldn't notice?" She shook her head, sighing. "He knows too much. You know what to do." Um… Okay, this reminded me of Shokraker when something went wrong and nine times out of ten the better option had always been…

"Do you really have to kill him?" I asked. Both Mistress Leliana and the agent turned towards me. "It seems like a waste."

"He betrayed us." I got that much, thanks. "You find fault?" Would I have bothered speaking up if I didn't? "He murdered one of my agents, put more in danger. I condemn just one and save dozens-"

"Is that not the same mentality that led the mage Anders to blow up the Chantry?" She stared at me in silence. "I've heard many stories as to why he did it, and it's impossible to know the full story with his slaying by the Champion, but that fact remains. He destroyed a building filled with innocent people, threw a city in chaos, and sparked a war… to save the hundreds of mages being abused by the Chantry's Circle."

"We… don't have the time for ideals."

"Then make it pragmatic. Capture him, interrogate. Find out what all he's told and to who. Killing him is a waste of information."

"…" She sighed, drooping slightly before facing the agent. "Apprehend him instead." The agent bowed and raced off. "If this results in them not listening to me…"

"Oh, I'll grovel at your feet later to remind them that you're their boss, not me." She gave me a wry smile. "Now is there anything to do? The camp is surprisingly happy and that makes me twitchy."

"Well, let's head inside." She started nudging me towards the Chantry. "I can think of a couple of things, in Josie's office." Oh, wait, was she going to have me deal with paperwork? I hated paperwork. Passionately.

Still, I followed her silently as we walked inside, and through the hallways of the too large building. I'd heard a story that, during the Blight, a strange cult had actually murdered people in this building. Clearly, someone had done some renovation.

"Roderick wasn't too loud this time, was he?" Miss Leliana asked. I shook my head, morbidly curious if there were any bloodstains hiding up in the ceiling cracks. "If he does, I'm going to shove him into that secret room we found Brother Genetivi in." Right, Miss Leliana was a companion of the Hero and Queen of Fereldan during the Blight. She'd know more about the strange cult. Maybe I should ask. Later. "Ah, here we are.

"I apologize, Lady Trevelyan, Lady Lucina," I heard Lady Montilyet sigh as Leliana opened a door. I peered inside to see a party. Master Rutherford, Miss Samantha, Lucina, and Deidre all crowded around a desk, in chairs that didn't match the rest of the decor. "Oh, hello, Master Kost, Leliana!" She turned a smile our way and beckoned us inside before returning her attention to Miss Samantha and Lucina. Both were sipping teas. The others were letting theirs cool. "I'm afraid distant relations of your family are boasting close friendships?" Miss Samantha groaned while Lucina giggled slightly. I noticed Lucina refused to look at me, more noticeable since the others at least gave me smiles, and I had to fight off a grimace. Awkward… "And are apparently being quite… tactless." She sighed, shaking her head. "After some debating, Leliana, Cullen, and I decided I should deal with the matter, but I was wondering the best way. I think future favors, but how do you want to feature in this?"

"It… would be best to not 'feature' me at all," Lucina murmured. She smiled sweetly, though Miss Samantha glared at the ceiling. "I am… illegitimate, Lady Josephine." Was this why this 'Jakob' person got bloody protecting her? "Not only am I illegitimate, I am elf-blooded." I noticed Deidre grimace and then wince as Miss Samantha shot her the fiercest glare I had ever seen. Missing something there. "Most of the Trevelyans see me as a shame to the family." Was this a subtle human and elf thing I didn't understand because I was qunari? Ah, I hated when that popped up. "Father and my siblings never cared, but Samantha's mother, understandably…"

"Nothing that woman did was 'understandable'," Miss Samantha growled. The look on her face was dark, murderous even. Um… "Fuck her, and whatever Void she's rotting in." …Clearly, there were family issues with the Trevelyans. Clearly, this has also messed them both up. Clearly, they were both overdue for therapy. And, clearly, someone was going to trip some berserk buttons in the future. Probably Deidre. She talked first, thought later a lot.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," Lady Montilyet murmured, tactfully and skillfully ending that line of conversation. "If anyone in the Inquisition gives you trouble, Lady Lucina, let me know immediately. With four words, I can destroy anyone's reputation." …WERE ALL THE SWEET ONES SCARY AS FUCK?! "Count on it." Samantha's grateful smile made me wonder if I was the insane one. Even though I knew I was having quite the reasonable reaction. Ugh… "Lady Samantha?"

"If you'd like, just send word to Derrick, my elder brother," Miss Samantha answered, with a little shrug. She shifted her posture slightly, and Lucina leaned onto her shoulder. Miss Samantha then rested her cheek on Lucina's head. That… was a well-practiced thing. "We're the main branch of the family, and he's the heir, so if he so much as hints his displeasure, they'll be scrambling to regain his favor." She paused before smiling sheepishly. "It… uh… might be good to tell him Lucina and I are alive?" …Right, had any of us let our families know if we were alive? Uh oh.

"That is a nice bridge to other parts of needed conversation," Master Rutherford noted. He passed a note to Deidre. "It seems your Keeper, and I apologize for not being able to pronounce her name…"

"No one can pronounce her name," Deidre laughingly reassured. She opened the note and frowned. "Ugh… ma serranas, but this is beyond my reading comprehension."

"It's no trouble." Master Rutherford smiled. "She seems to be under the impression that you are our captive, though."

"…I can write enough to give her some reassurance." Deidre smiled sheepishly. "Who's sending the messenger?"

"Some of my agents," Miss Leliana answered. She passed me a note too, smiling slightly. "This came in recently. It made Cullen laugh, if you'll believe it." Master Rutherford frowned at the gentle barb, but shook his head at her teasing smile.

That gave me time to read the note for myself, and I burst into laughter at Shokraker's blunt words scrawling across the page. Ah, I missed her. A lot. Maybe if the Inquisition hired my group again, I could see them? I'd adore that.

"If you're asking for my opinion on how to help her, whichever you think is best," I answered, barely able to stand up straight as I passed the letter back to Miss Leliana since I was still shaking from suppressing my laughter. "Do let her know I did not get blown up, or lost my memory, so there's no need to disregard the message. Oh, and pay her. Please. She will not shut up if you don't."

"Is she like that a lot?" Master Rutherford asked with a small grin. I nodded and the grin widened. "I like her." A flash of pride washed through me. I was glad people liked her. She was like my older sister, as well as actually being my boss. "I think those were the requests we were having some trouble with. Varric's request shouldn't be hard with Josephine dealing with it, and we have our soldiers heading to Highever and investigating those markings." Ah, so was that what they would be doing? Directing the main force while we went into trouble areas directly as strike teams? That was… very efficient. I approved.

"What of the watchtowers?" Lucina asked, twisting slightly to face Master Rutherford. "Are those going to be all right?"

"The only trouble is an overabundance in volunteers." He snapped his fingers. "Right, I wanted to ask who was cleared for 'light' duty for that. It'll make them feel useful, while not aggravating their injuries too much."

"Ah, is he stealing her?" Lady Montilyet asked. The answer was 'yes' as the two disappeared without a word. Miss Leliana followed them without a word, the dark look on her face hinting she was back to thinking about the traitor. "Ah, well." She smiled sweetly at the rest of us. "Come on. Let's sit and chat. There's still some tea left, and I would love to hear what you're willing to tell me about your pasts?" Why did I have a feeling she wanted to know to spin them into propaganda? "I insist." Well, at least she was nice about it?

I hoped… trusting her with the knowledge wouldn't bite me in the ass later. It honestly did scare me that the two kindest people in the Inquisition I had seen… were also the most capable of manipulation. But I'd chosen to trust. Because trust was important for an organization.

Please don't let me regret it later. Please.


Author's Notes: Just a short little chapter, really, dealing with some plot, introducing war table operations, little bits of backstory, reference to how there's not a lot to DO in Haven... not much else.

Next Chapter – Val Royeaux with Samantha