Josephine sat at her desk and put her head in her hands. "This is a mess, Commander. Please, close the door. We must speak in private."
He obliged. He agreed with her, but right now, they needed to focus on solutions, not on untangling what went wrong. "We need more time to assess the situation. I'm certain we can convince the Templars that the Inquisition adheres more strongly to their values than the Seekers do under Lucius."
"That may be. But it is not the Templars I wish to discuss. I may have found another potential ally in an unexpected place." Josephine paused. "I have been approached with what appears to be a proposal of marriage."
"Congratulations," he offered politely, wondering what this had to do with anything.
"For the Herald."
That brought him up short. "Who?"
"If you can believe it, Grand Duke Gaspard."
He took a deep breath the calm his internal turmoil. "No, I can't believe it. Why would he offer such a thing?"
"He is gathering allies for a move against Celene."
"I know that, but what advantage would marriage to the Herald give him? As far as he's concerned, she's toxic! The Chantry has denounced her. The Templars have called her weak. The Orlesian nobles won't speak to her. The Fereldans are suspicious of her. Our Inquisition is still perceived as completely disorganized, with no real power. Any association with us is bound to hurt his chances at recapturing the throne, not strengthen them."
"I believe that is no longer true, Commander. The appearance of our Herald in Val Royeaux has incited a ripple of interest in the highest circles of Orlesian society. I have received several letters of interest from some of the best families. After all, Lady Vivienne has joined us. She wields a great deal of influence in the court."
"But Gaspard is a warrior. A general. He doesn't listen to whispers."
"He does when they concern his cousin. Lady Vivienne was personal advisor to the Empress, you recall. Gaspard may believe this is Celene's way of getting her hooks into the Inquisition."
"Ridiculous!"
"I happen to agree with you. In any case, there was no formal proposal of marriage, as such. An exploratory invitation, hinting at something more. A subtle first move in the Grand Game. Nothing may come of it. But it is… intriguing."
"What do you intend to do about it?"
"I know what we should not do about it. We must not tell the Herald. She has enough to worry about."
"I agree."
"Nor should we ignore it. The Grand Duke is too powerful and would react poorly to an outright slight. Therefore we cannot reject his advances out of hand, regardless of what our final decision may be. Nor can we appear too eager. However, it could be useful to have a degree of influence with the Grand Duke in our back pocket."
"Useful? Dangerous, you mean. He plays the Game, Lady Ambassador, and he is an expert."
"So am I, and so is Sister Leliana." She smiled. "She is, of course, aware of the situation, and her people are infiltrating the Grand Duke's household as we speak. This will be a delicate courtship."
"So delicate it could end with a blade in someone's back," Cullen said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Anyway, marriage negotiations are far outside of my area of expertise. Why did you wish to speak to me about it?"
"I need your help, Commander. You know him, don't you? By reputation, at least. What sort of man is he?"
In spite of what he might feel about a potential marriage, it was his duty to be objective. "He's a true chevalier down to his bones. He has honor. His troops love him. He is a skilled leader, an experienced general. Many believe he should have been Emperor. He'd be a good one."
"But what about his… softer side? Do you know anything about his paramours?"
He resisted the urge to snap that she should ask Leliana about that, not him. He knew she was only trying to do her job as thoroughly as possible. She had of course already asked the spymaster these questions. She wanted his opinion, and it would be unconscionable for him not to help. "No, although I believe he and his late wife were said to be genuinely fond of each other."
"Hm. Do you think the Herald could find him attractive?"
"How should I know?" Then he sighed. That had been rude and unworthy of him. "He is handsome, and courtly, and intelligent, and rich. And he is a royal prince. Why shouldn't she find him attractive?"
"I don't really think the Herald cares for titles or wealth, do you?"
"Why don't you ask her?"
Josephine watched him for a moment. The candle on her desk flickered. He suddenly felt overly warm. Then she stood up decisively. "I would like you to travel to Val Royeaux and speak with him. Discreetly. Warrior to warrior. I can arrange a meeting that will seem like coincidence."
"I cannot spare the time. And in any case, I really don't think…"
"You're the only one I can trust with this, Cullen," Josephine said. "You're the only one of us he'll openly meet with."
"Cassandra…"
"She needs to stay with the Herald. You know that as well as I. You can be back within a week at this time of year."
"And what exactly am I supposed to find out?"
"If the Herald were your sister, would you be comfortable with her marriage to Grand Duke Gaspard? That is all I wish to know. Please. Do this for her."
That did it, of course. If it was for her, he would have walked into the Void.