Cullen stood nervously at the bottom of the stairs. He had no idea what he was doing here, or why Josephine had sent him.
"This...this is absolutely ridiculous. I'm not...I shouldn't be here." he muttered to himself.
"Relax, Curly. Freckles needs a strong, manly man to walk her into the ball, for reputation purposes, of course, and rumor has it that the Iron Lady is fond of Templars." Varric reminded him.
"But I'm not a Templar any longer!" he exclaimed. Varric chuckled.
"Trust me, Curly. It'll be beneficial for all involved." the dwarf said merrily. Cullen furrowed his brow. He had no idea what that was supposed to mean. He glanced around the hall, which was elegant, yet simple, but still twice as large as anywhere he'd ever lived.
"I can't believe she owns this." he murmured. No one responded. It seemed they were all surprised by the Herald's wealth. Cullen scrubbed a hand through his hair as he studied the architecture. Behind him, he heard Varric let out a low whistle. He turned, and his mouth fell open. Renna stood at the top of the staircase in a long, full, silky blue dress that made her unique eyes stand out even more than they normally would. Looking at her in that moment he felt as if he could drown in those violet eyes. The cut of the dress was wide and bared her pale, freckled shoulders. He blushed as he realized that it also gave a generous view of her cleavage. Her cheeks were rosy as if someone had just pinched them, and her full lips were slightly puckered as if she were about to kiss someone. Her dark red hair was pulled into a delicate bun at the back of her head. Sometimes he forgot that the Herald was...well...a woman. A beautiful woman. Seeing her out of her armor, in a dress that definitely showed off her figure, was a swift reminder of that fact. She smiled calmly as she gracefully glided down the stairs to meet him.
"Cullen?" she asked. He realized that he was gaping at her like some uncultured stable boy.
"My lady Herald." he squeaked. "A pleasure."
Renna nearly tripped and fell down the stairs when she saw who waited for her at the bottom. She felt her cheeks flush with sudden embarrassment.
"What is he doing here?" she thought to herself. She could feel her panic rising as he just watched her walk down the stairs. She felt a twinge of irritation as she saw Varric laughing behind his hand. "Don't fall, don't fall. Kick, walk, kick, walk. Stop puckering your lips like that, you look like an idiot." she chanted to herself. She switched to what she hoped was a pleasant smile, although she knew it probably looked more like she was just angrily baring her teeth. "Oh, Maker, why am I sweating?" She tried pulling her arms slightly away from her body to air herself out, but nothing seemed to be working.
Finally, she reached the bottom of the stairs, and for a long time she and Cullen just stared at each other. "Maker he is handsome." she thought. And he was. His soft, lightly curly blonde hair nearly reflected the light in the hall. And those eyes. A girl could get lost in eyes like that. After a time, she realized that nobody had said anything and she was suddenly reminded that that made most people uncomfortable. "Say something witty, you twit!"
"Cullen?" she squawked. "Brilliant. That's a piece of poetry there. Idiot." she admonished to herself. His lips quirked into a small smile.
"My lady Herald. A pleasure." he replied steadily. She found herself wondering how he managed to remain so calm when she was standing there acting like a crazy person. "You can still save this, Renna. Ask why he's here."she told herself.
"What are you doing here?" she said, her tone slightly accusatory. "Not like that! Maker's breath, you're hopeless, woman!" Cullen started.
"I...well..." he stammered. He was adorable when he stammered.
"Our lady ambassador, Ruffles, decided that you needed an escort to the salon this evening, and she knew that the Iron Lady was a fan of Templars, so she sent Curly here to take you to the party. Isn't that great?" Varric replied, stepping in. Renna nodded slowly.
"I did not even know that you were in Val Royeaux." she said to Cullen. He nodded.
"I came with Josephine to discuss some minor alliances. Leliana felt that Josephine needed a guard, and she chose me to do the job. We weren't far behind you, and Josephine got word of your invitation and sent me ahead." he explained. Renna nodded.
"So where exactly is Lady Josephine?" she asked. Cullen's brow furrowed.
"She told me that she would arrive here before we returned from the salon." he explained. Renna tilted her head slightly.
"You don't seem thrilled with the idea." she pointed out. He shrugged.
"I am just...irked that I was sent to protect her and then she sent me away." he admitted. Renna felt a spike of jealousy toward the beautiful Antivan ambassador.
"Oh." she said. He stared at her for a long time, and she found that she couldn't look away.
"What in the Maker's name are you still doing here?" Ari cried from atop the staircase. "You cannot be late!" she shouted, shuffling down the stairs more quickly than a woman her age should have been able to. She literally shoved them all out the door, and they were on their way.
They arrived at a chateau that was a bit larger than Renna's after a short carriage ride. There had not been much talking, so the ride was awkward. Cullen helped her out of the carriage, and she took his arm. Varric, Cassandra, and Solas all stayed outside, preferring to guard from afar. As they walked along the gravel pathway, the pair didn't say anything to each other. Cullen kept opening his mouth, as if he wanted to start a conversation, but then he would promptly close it. It was infuriating, but Renna kept quiet as well. She was so afraid that she would say something stupid again.
"Lady Renalia Seraphine Trevelyan, daughter of Bann Trevelyan of Ostwick, Herald of Andraste, representative of the Inquisition, escorted by Commander Cullen of the Inquisition." a man at the door proclaimed to everyone in the hall. All eyes turned to her.
"I didn't know your name was Renalia." Cullen murmured out of the side of his mouth. She smiled slightly.
"That's because I didn't tell anyone." she replied through her teeth. Cullen chuckled.
"And Seraphine? Doesn't that mean-" he began.
"Burning one, yes. Because of my flaming red hair." she laughed. He laughed with her. "My mother's family is Orlesian, so that is where they got the idea for it. My parents think they are clever, sometimes." she said. He laughed again.
"It is a fitting name, I think." he agreed. She beamed at him.
"Thank you." she said. A pair of nobles approached them, and she bowed her head slightly as a sign of respect. They were masked, but she could see their lips twitch into a smile. They now knew that she was aware of how to play the Great Game.
"What a pleasure to meet you, my lady. Seeing the same faces at every event becomes so tiresome." the man said pleasantly. Renna smiled politely.
"It is a pleasure to meet you." she replied.
"You must be a guest of Madame de Fer. Or are you here for Duke Bastien?" he asked. She could see that he was trying to figure out her angle.
"Are you here on business?" the woman piped up. "I have heard the most curious tales of you. I cannot imagine half of them are true!" she exclaimed. Renna's face remained blank, but inside she was grinning. This woman was not very good at the Game. Renna leaned forward slightly, as if she were telling a secret.
"Everything you've heard? Completely true." she said quietly. Their faces brightened.
"Better and better! The Inquisition should attend more of these parties." the woman said, fascination clear in her voice.
"The Inquisition? What a load of pig shit." a male voice said behind them. Renna turned with a raised eyebrow, while Cullen scowled at the man.
"I beg your pardon?" Cullen asked. Renna squeezed on his arm in hopes that he would calm down.
"Washed up sisters and crazed seekers? No one can take them seriously." the man spat. "Everyone knows it's just an excuse for a bunch of political outcasts to grab power." he added. Cullen was visibly fuming, and Renna knew that she would need to step in to stop him from botching this operation.
"The Inquisition is working to restore peace and order to Thedas." she said calmly, hoping that Cullen would follow her lead. He seemed to understand, and he visibly relaxed. The man laughed.
"Here comes the little noble girl, restoring 'peace' with an army. We know what your 'Inquisition' truly is. If you were a woman of honor, you would step outside and answer the charges." he threatened. Renna arched a red eyebrow as he reached for a weapon. Suddenly, his entire body froze, and a layer of ice coated his skin.
"My dear Marquis, how unkind of you to use such language in my house...to my guests." a voice said from the staircase. Renna looked up to see a beautiful, dark-skinned woman descending. She wore an elegant outfit, with a mask that made it appear as though she had a pair of thick, curling horns sprouting from her head. "You know such rudeness is intolerable." she added as she reached them. There was no doubt in Renna's mind that this was Lady Vivienne.
"Madame Vivienne, I humbly beg your pardon." the marquis said in a strained voice. Vivienne pursed her lips.
"You should." she said. Renna could tell that she was not one to be trifled with. "Whatever am I going to do with you, my dear?" she turned to study Renna for a moment. After a while, she gave a short nod as if she approved of what she saw. "My lady, you're the wounded party in this unfortunate affair. What would you have me do with this foolish, foolish man?" she asked carefully. Renna stared into Vivienne's hard eyes. She had no doubt that the woman would kill him right on the spot if she asked. This was all a test.
"The marquis is of no interest to me. The only pride and reputation wounded here is his. Do what you like with him." she replied. Vivienne smiled slightly, and Renna felt that she passed her test. The mage turned back to the marquis.
"Poor marquis, issuing challenges and hurling insults like some Ferelden dog-lord." she said, snapping her fingers and allowing the ice to melt away from him. He coughed as he was released, and his face flushed with embarrassment. "And all dressed up in your Aunt Solange's doublet. Didn't she give you that to wear to the Grand Tourney?" the woman continued, each word slicing the marquis' credibility to shreds. "To think, all the brave chevaliers who will be competing left for Markham this morning...and you're still here." she said. Renna was impressed. The mage was publicly ripping him apart.
"My lady-" the marquis pleaded.
"Were you hoping to sate your damaged pride by defeating the Herald of Andraste in a public duel? Or did you think her blade would put an end to the misery of your failure?" she asked. Renna glanced at Cullen, who was gaping at the pair. She lightly elbowed him in the ribs.
"You're going to catch flies if you stare like that." she murmured softly so only he could hear. He closed his mouth with a blush.
"She's absolutely destroying him." he said in wonder. Renna nodded as Vivienne continued to tear the man to shreds.
"It's a display of her reach and standing." she explained. He nodded in understanding.
"Run along, my dear. Do give my regards to your aunt." the mage called as the marquis ran from the chateau. She turned to Renna with a wide smile. "I'm delighted you could attend this little gathering. I've so wanted to meet you." she said as though nothing had happened. Renna smiled back and followed as Vivienne went back up the stairs. They reached an empty hallway and the mage finally turned to face them. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Vivienne, First Enchanter of Montsimmard and Enchantress to the Imperial Court." she said.
"Your salon has certainly exceeded my expectations so far." Renna said wryly. The enchantress smiled.
"I'm glad to keep you entertained, my dear." she admitted. "I wanted to meet face to face. It is important to consider one's connections carefully." she explained, becoming all business. "With Divine Justinia dead, the Chantry is in shambles. Only the Inquisition might restore sanity and order to our frightened people. As the leader of the last loyal mages of Thedas, I feel it only right that I lend my assistance to your cause." she said, getting to the point of her invitation. Renna thought for a while. She was a loyalist, which meant that she would want the Circles to be restored. Renna was not sure that she agreed with that line of thought, but she decided it was best to play along and gain a powerful ally in the process.
"The Inquisition would be happy to have you, Lady Vivienne." she decided. The mage smiled pleasantly.
"Great things are beginning, my dear. I can promise you that." she said with a hint of excitement. Renna beamed at her.
"They certainly are." she agreed.
"Please, enjoy yourselves for the rest of the evening. In the morning I will travel to Haven." Vivienne said, leaving them alone.
"Interesting, indeed." Renna said, wondering what she was getting herself into. They did not stay for long, and soon they were back at Renna's chateau. Cullen stood awkwardly before her.
"Well, goodnight, my lady." he said. She smiled softly.
"Good night, Cullen." she replied, heading up the stairs.
"Renna." Cullen said as she reached the top. She turned to look at him.
"Yes?" she asked.
"You look beautiful." he said, blushing furiously. Her skin turned a shade of red that rivaled his.
"Thank you." she replied before hurrying to her room. She leaned against her bedroom door with a dreamy smile on her face. Perhaps the night had gone well after all.
