Halamshiral. The Winter Palace stood sparkling in the moonlight. It's white architecture gleaming in the moonlight. Evelyn watched warily as their armored guard parted, Josephine's voice falling to a whisper as a masked man stood in their path.
She bowed at the ostentatious man and allowed his lips to dryly graze the back of her hand. She listened attentively as he stated his case, warned her of potential suspects and offered his arm to escort her into the palace. Her skin crawled where his lips had touched but she kept her face a pleasant mask of interest and tried to stop the roll of her eyes as the Grand Duke marched away. She turned as Josephine hissed at her to mind her actions and thought she caught the faintest of smiles light up her seeker's face.
"Yes yes Josephine. I understand. I will keep my guard up."
Under her breath she cursed briefly before sweeping past the flustered ambassador and into the ballroom. She ascended the stairs as her name was called, bristling as they named her as daughter to Bann Trevelyan. Mindful of her audience she revealed nothing more than polite patience as the announcer introduced Cullen and then Josephine followed by Leliana.
Evelyn bit her lip to stifle an unladylike giggle at the endless titles they accredited her spymaster. The seneschal of the Inquisition, a veteran of the Fifth Blight and the mistress of the Hero of Ferelden to name but a few. The myriad of titles made the spymaster sound so much older than she surely could be. She caught the flicker of said spymaster's sharp gaze on her followed by a twitch of red lips before the redhead descended the steps and approached the Empress. She smiled as Cassandra's name was announced, pride mixed with astonishment as the seeker's full name and accomplishments were intoned. Evelyn caught the hiss of that accented voice as Cassandra walked past her "don't say a word" and continued towards Celene.
Evelyn nodded and followed her party to stand before the empress bowing low as she stared up at the masked ruler of Orlais. So this was Celene. It was hard to see past the impeccable gown, welcoming tone, and glittering mask but she could sense there was more to the ethereal beauty than met the eye. Evelyn shifted her eyes to the woman at the Empresses side intrigued by the bold stare that seemed to look both at and beyond her. She bowed again as she took her leave only to find herself pulled to the side by Leliana.
"We need to talk."
Evelyn followed the spymaster and listened as the former bard filled her in on her spies most recent intel and warned her of the Empress's latest advisor. Evelyn nodded in agreement and impatience, mildly surprised by the venom in the normally musical voice when Leliana repeated Celene's advisor's name. She was intrigued that there was actually a person who got under this formidable woman's skin and even further surprised that such an individual still lived to draw breath. Despite her amusement she was growing tired of the constant lecturing from her council; she just wanted to find the culprit, maybe enjoy a dance or two ( she still held onto the belief that she could change Cassandra's mind about the whole "I don't dance" thing) and then leave. She glanced at the spymaster anew as an idea formed in her head.
"Does Cassandra truly never dance?"
Leliana tilted her head, surprised by the change of topic. She thought back to all the times she had attended these sort of functions with the seeker and shook her head slowly.
"No. I've never seen her dance at a social function but..." She trailed off hiding her smile at the expectant look on her audiences face.
"But what," Evelyn huffed impatiently, glaring as the spymaster took a sip from her wine glass.
Leliana smirked and motioned the Inquisitor closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratory whisper. "But, when I was vetting Cassandra for Justinia I did happen upon her dancing in the gardens one time."
The memory brought a sad smile to her face. It had been the sight of Cassandra dancing with the First Enchanter that had convinced Leliana that the seeker would support the reforms Justinia wished to bring to the Chantry. She hadn't known till much later that the dance she had witnessed was both a first and last for the secret couple.
"I don't suppose the person she was dancing with was another woman in uniform?"
The surly reply made the spymaster laugh. "As far as I am aware you are the only woman I've ever seen Cassandra look at beyond the lines of friendship."
Evelyn nodded and turned the conversation back to her original idea. "I don't suppose you have the same archaic notions that two women dancing in uniform would undermine the Inquisition?"
The former bard shook her head. "I hold very few archaic notions and that Inquisitor is not one of them."
Evelyn smiled slightly; she would have been very surprised to hear Leliana say she agreed with her counterpart on that topic. Feeling bold she bowed her head, lifting it to fix her spymaster with a devilish grin.
"Then you won't object to saving me a dance later?"
Leliana rolled her eyes at the display and arched an eyebrow at her leader. "Do you think it wise to dance with another woman when your new and admittedly surly lover is but a room away?"
Evelyn shrugged. "Probably not but I'm hoping that since that other woman is you all will be forgiven and if not I am sure you could be persuaded to protect me from our seeker's wrath."
The former Left Hand laughed softly as she rose from the divan. "Or you will bring Cassandra's immeasurable wrath down on both are heads! I am assuming your request has a higher purpose than simply making her jealous, yes? The former bard paused, smiling as the young woman nodded. "Very well I will give your... proposal some thought whilst you ferret out our assassin."
The Inquisitor smirked and saluted Leliana as she stood up straight and deepened her voice, "Yes ma'am. Right away ma'am."
The spymaster bowed slightly and flashed her fellow rogue a pointed look as she dropped her voice to a teasing purr, unable to resist the urge to engage in her favorite form of verbal sparring. "Very good soldier, but next time you will refer to me as mistress, not ma'am." She caught the flash of surprise on the Herald's face and winked before continuing. "Now go I've taken too much of your time as is, there is still an entire court to win over and an assassin to catch before the night is through."
Evelyn nodded and shook off the pleasant shiver the brief change in Leliana's voice had wrought. It was oh so tempting to respond to that flirtatious tone with one of her own but after the incident with Josephine she put aside the notion. The Hero of Ferelden was a lucky woman indeed but the Inquisitor had to say she'd rather the subtle flirtation have come from the seeker than the Nightingale. Squaring her shoulders she moved towards the ballroom; the sooner she found the would be assassin the sooner she could try and enjoy this ridiculous party.
Cassandra glared at every noble that threatened to step towards her personal space. She crossed her arms as her eyes scanned the room. She caught sight of the Inquisitor and Leliana with their heads bent together. It was rare to Leliana uncowled, and rarer still to see her speaking so intently with the Herald of Andraste. She wondered briefly what the two women were discussing but the sight of a tall pale figure moving amongst the shadows drew her attention instead.
As if sensing the seeker's glance, golden eyes stared back as a generous mouth curled into a sardonic smirk. Cassandra frowned. There was something familiar about the look of the stranger and even from across the room the seeker could feel the thrum of lyrium pulsing within the woman's veins. While mages were not unwelcome at court, there were few that would have dared attend such an event. Cassandra narrowed her eyes as she studied the brunette woman further and suppressed an annoyed growl as her attention was turned but the first brave masked soul who'd dared to approach her since she'd arrived.
"Lady Pentaghast? It is a pleasure to finally put a face to such a renowned name."
Cassandra glared, intent on ignoring the intrusion as she turned back towards where she'd last spotted the unknown mage only to find that the mysterious woman had vanished. She huffed softly and turned to address the unwanted guest, letting her annoyance seep through into her words.
"If you know who I am then you should know the answer is no."
She glared as the mask shook and the man behind it chuckled deeply. "But I've yet to ask a question."
Cassandra cut him off with a wave of her hand. "I don't need to hear it. The questions are all the same. Can I have this dance? Would you like to walk in the gardens? Is there a Mr. Pentaghast? May I pay court to you? Can you recount how you became the saved the Divine? No. No. No. No. No. There. Now if you don't mind, I have a ball I'd rather go back to not enjoying."
The eyes behind the mask glittered in amusement and the seeker watched as a gloved hand rose to remove it. The face behind the mask was not one she had ever seen before; older but with eyes that reminded her - strangely enough - of the Inquisitor.
"I must say your candidness is… unexpected but entirely welcome. Now that that is out of the way I merely wanted to ask if you knew where I could find my daughter. Since you are a part of the Inquisition I thought you'd have a rather good idea where she had disappeared to."
Cassandra faltered for a moment. Daughter? Then the man before her could be none other than Bann Trevalyan. The seeker flushed with embarrassment for her earlier actions but steeled her voice as she replied, "I've no clue where she has gone off too. The Inquisition has elected to attend this soirée in hopes of gaining support for our cause. I would imagine the Inquisitor is using her charms in an effort to gain said support."
The Bann tilted his head with a soft snort as he looked out among the crowd. "You mean she is either between someone's legs or in someone's purse. No bother. I will find her myself. I shall let you return to your watch my lady."
Cassandra felt her mouth fall open from the unexpected venom in the Bann's response and then closed it as she watched the tall noblemen don his mask and walk away. Neither her nor Evelyn had spoken much about their families but from little had been said she had surmised that there was unresolved tension there in regards to the rogues refusal to marry as bidden. But, Maker's breath, surely such action did not warrant the level of animosity one had to have to refer to their offspring as a whore and a thief all in the same breath. Cassandra resolved to ask about it when next they were alone; until then she thought she would keep an eye on the Bann and inform Jospehine or Leliana about the potential situation.
Evelyn found she enjoyed the game of hide and seek she was playing with the court. She had been warned not to be outside the ever watchful eyes of the nobility for too long a time so she made a game of it; climbing up trellises to picking the locks to various rooms to applying her quick mind to hidden puzzles that let to secret rooms and even deeper secrets. The rogue felt exhilarated, as she had not in the months since becoming Inquisitor. She grinned easily as she quietly snuck back into the party; her mood vastly improved as she reported her findings to her spymaster before moving amongst her friends and colleagues - taking the time to question if any of them had seen anything.
Evelyn saved the seeker for last as it required her to leave the ballroom and she paused in the doorway, as she took in the sight of her lover in full military dress. She had been right. The seeker was striking; the red of the uniform contrasting well with her olive skin and the angles of the rigid material blended beautifully with the sharp angles of the seeker herself. Evelyn checked herself as those dark eyes turned towards her, a shape brow arching in silent reproach. The Inquisitor felt her cheeks flush slightly and cleared her throat as she moved to stand beside the woman; their backs barely touching as they spoke in hushed tones.
"Have you seen anything yet?"
Cassandra glanced at the rogue out of the corner of her eye, questioning if she should mention her run-in with the Bann. Leliana and Josephine had each had a very different opinion on the matter. Leliana wanted to keep that fact quiet - worried that such knowledge would distract the young woman from the tasks of rooting out the Empress's assassin. Jospehine had thought it best to find their leader forthwith and prepare her, preferably behind closed doors, for the fact that she might have to speak to her sire. Cassandra agreed with both schools of thought but there was no way to employ them both and so she proceeded on the side of caution.
"I met your father."
Evelyn felt a chill settle over her and she clenched her jaw, her voice tight as she hissed back at the seeker. "What!?"
She watched as the seeker's nod confirmed it and the rogue sighed in frustration; her earlier happiness grinding to a halt. It was out of character, or at least the character she remembered, for her father to attend such things. She remembered him sneering each and every year he was extended an invite into Orlais; taking immense pleasure in watching the elaborate invitation curl in the fire he always threw it in. Feeling she should investigate his appearance further she turned to the seeker, her arms folding over her chest.
"Well… he didn't happen to say what he wanted or why he was here did he?"
Cassandra shook her head and mirrored the other woman's stance before answering. "I only know he was looking for you and that he does not hold you in the highest esteem." She paused and gave the woman a pointed look. "A story I am sure you will see fit to share when next we have time."
Evelyn felt her lips curl into a wry grin at the phrasing. Clearly her father had made an impression and Cassandra, being Cassandra, was too honorable to repeat his exact words. The tone the seeker used brokered no argument and the Inquisitor found herself itching to salute the seeker as she had the nightingale but something told her that Cassandra's response would not be as welcoming. She sighed and turned away, resuming her earlier stance of being back to back with her lover. She surveyed the nobles as they walked by and felt the seeker tense against her. Evelyn glanced back at the warrior and could not resist trying for a reluctant smile.
"So… have you given any thought to our earlier conversation?"
Cassandra turned her head slightly, frowning as she sought to recall exactly which conversation Evelyn would be referring to. Perplexed the seeker tilted her head slightly, her tone gruff as she responded back.
"Which conversation are you referring to?"
Evelyn bit back a smile as she glanced at the brunette with carefully concealed interest, her voice taking on the playful note from earlier. "Why... the conversation in which we were discussing your acceptance of my asking you to dance with me."
Cassandra snorted under her breath, ignoring the urge to smile at the woman's clever phrasing as she firmly refuted the Inquisitor's presumptive statement. "I am absolutely sure no such conversation has ever existed except in your own mind. I believe the conversation to which you are referring was one in which I told you that I do not dance."
Evelyn sought to play the trump card her conversation with Leliana had given her and she smiled slowly, "That is not what our seneschal tells me."
Cassandra scowled. She could not recall the spymaster ever seeing her dance, despite having asked her on several occasions when they had both been in attendance to the Divine during one of Celene's many balls. She snorted, "Our spymaster lies as easily as I breathe; I am surprised you let yourself be fooled by her."
Evelyn frowned. The thought that Leliana might have played her did not sit well and she scolded herself internally for not asking the bard more questions. She simply did not have enough ammunition to refute the seeker but Maker be damned if she was not going to have the last word in this verbal spar. An idea formed in her head and she turned to bow at the stoic woman, flashing a mischievous smile.
"I am a fool… I think I see what the problem is now. You think it is I that does not know how to dance and you, rightfully, do not wish to grace the floor with a less than adequate partner."
Cassandra faltered for a moment and then shook her head, her mouth opening to refute this latest attempt only to have gloved fingers softly cover her lips.
"Shhh.. not another word. I shall prove to you that my talents are not confined to just the bedroom and battlefield."
The seeker flushed and crossed her arms as the redhead flashed her another impish grin and strode off towards the ballroom once more. Cassandra growled under her breath. She was not going to go and watch the leader of the Inquisition make a fool of herself. She was not going to move from this spot until the assasin was located and identified. She refused to play this childish game. She was a seeker, the former Right Hand and she… was far too curious to see if Trevalyan was as talented as she claimed. Swallowing her pride and exasperation, the seeker walked determinedly towards the door and led to the ballroom; rationalizing her relocation by telling her there was nothing left to witness in the vestabule anyways.
Evelyn weaved her way through the crowd of chittering nobels; intent to find her spymaster and drag her to the dance floor to have her explain just where and when she had witnessed Cassandra dancing. A sultry voice interuppted her thoughts and Evelyn looked up to watch as a breathtaking woman decsended the stairs, her high black boots echoing against the marble. The moon lit the woman's pale skin and the Inquisitor paused as yellow eyes stared back at her with ill desguised interest.
"My my what have we here… the leader of the Inquisition, Fabled Herald of the Faith. What brings a creature such as you to the Imperial Court? Do you even know yourself?"
Evelyn quirked a smile at the stranger, "It is mystery, even to me my lady." She studied the way the woman's animal eyes lit up in amusement. She had a sneaky suspicion that this was the arcane advisor Leliana had warned her about. Curious to see if she had the right of it, Evelyn took a bow and looked back up regarding her company innocently.
"Inquisitor Trevalyan at your service. And you are?"
Morrigan tilted her head at the display. She had been carefully watching the young woman for most of the evening; amused by her agile stealth and quick intellect as she attempted to solve each and every one of the palace's riddles. She hid her smile as she caught the slight quirk of the other woman's lips. Clearly her own reputation had proceeded her; no doubt her old friend Leliana had warned this Inquisitor of her.
"I think you already know to whom you speak, but let us observe the niceties of the Orlesian court if nothing more than for appearances sake. I am Morrigan, arcane advisor to Emperess Celene." The witch paused as her suspicions were confirmed by the look of smug satisfaction that flickered across the leader's face. She stepped past the Inquisitor and bade the redhead to walk with her.
"I have been watching you since you first arrived. You been very busy tonight, charming the nobles… hunting in dark corners. I wonder if we hunt the same prey you and I?"
Evelyn walked alongside the mage, listening as the sultry voice divulged that recent events had propelled her to seek out the Inquisition and that she had already found and killed a Tevinter agent. It surprised the noble that such information was being willingly shared but she was not about to look a gift horse in the mouth when an ornate key was pressed into her hands.
"I found this key when I searched the body, where it leads I cannot say but if the Empress is in danger then my place is at her side."
Evelyn pondered the witch's gift. The key could be a trap; cleverly laid for herself or even this arcane advisor. She could be caught or framed; both of which would have dire ramifications for the fledgling reputation of the Inquisition. It could also be her only chance to interrupt the assassination before it ever began.
"You don't trust me I know, but I have nothing to gain by misleading you. I owe much to Celene and I would see her continue her reign without the meddling of her wayward cousin. Share with your spymaster all that I have told her and let her decision sway you. She and I are well acquainted after all, but do not tarry too long."
Evelyn watched as the tall brunette turned and walked away, her hips swaying provocatively. She was not sure what she had expected from what little Leliana had told her, but this woman certainly wasn't it. Perplexed she continued her journey back to the ballroom to seek out her spymaster.
Leliana listened carefully as the Inquisitor recounted her meeting with Morrigan. She frowned. The Morrigan she had traveled with so long ago did not do things out of the kindness of her heart. Indeed, she was one of the most selfish people Leliana had ever had the misfortune of meeting, but that, in and of itself, was not reason enough to ignore the information she had provided. Leliana studied the key before handing it back to her fellow rogue.
"I cannot say for sure that this is not a trap, but my spies have been over the palace with a fine tooth comb and even they have not uncovered a portion of what Morrigan has shared with us. As much as I mistrust her motivations, I fear we have little choice but to see where this key leads. Go and investigate this as quickly as you can. Josie and I will make your excuses."
The spymaster watched as the noble grinned wolfishly and she held up a hand before the energetic young woman bounded away. "Take Cassandra with you as well as a few others in case I have misjudged the situation and this is a trap. I am sure our seeker will not lose any sleep over having to miss out on so grand a ball."
Evelyn flashed another smile as she turned away quickly; her body already in motion to go and gather her team when a thought halted her retreat. She turned and fixed the spymaster with a baleful stare and jokingly pointed a gloved finger at the woman.
"If this IS a trap you will not only owe me a dance upon my return but a full re-telling of the story in which you caught Cassandra dancing. I found, to my dismay, that I was woefully ignorant of the details and such is always needed when attempting to persuade a seeker of truth."
Leliana returned the smile with one of her own and nodded her assent to the directive issued. She watched as the young woman navigated the ballroom, quietly speaking to the few companions she would take with her. The former bard could not help but smile at the obvious relief on the seeker's face when she was pulled aside. It would be good to relieve Cassandra of her duty here before that infamously short temper caused an unwanted scene. Leliana heard a soft groan and stole a glance towards Cullen, hiding her smile beneath a hand as his pale skin blushed red in acute embarrassment over whatever was being said by the group of Orlesian noblewomen. She watched him, watching Evelyn as she disappeared, his eyes clearly wishing he too could leave the party, and resolved to find a way to extricate their commander from his many admirers very soon.
Evelyn watched as the elven ambassador retreated through the garden maze, puzzling as to her motives in all this. Recent intel from Orlais had indicated that her and the Empress had had a falling out of sorts, but there were only rumors as to why. Some said it was because of the Empress's response to the recent uprising in her kingdom, others whispered that the two of them were lovers and that the elf had been set aside. The tangled web of lies being woven by this place ever thickened and the Inquisitor shrugged as she proceeded to make her way back to the ball. She needed more information before making her accusations.
The rogue led her party further into the maze and turned into the left wing of the palace; it was the one area she'd had yet to explore. Evelyn paused as she felt a hand on her arm and turned to look at Cassandra's serious expression, the accented voice barely above a whisper. "Celene's rooms are in this wing, if there is a trap here this is the most likely place." Evelyn nodded and turned back to the dimly lit hallway; her excitement from earlier giving a slight bounce to her step as she advanced quietly.
Cassandra followed, studying the younger woman. Like Leliana, Evelyn seemed to thrive on sneaking and gathering information. The warrior had rarely witnessed the Inquisitor so pleased when performing her duties and it unsettled her. The Maker must indeed have a sense of humor. She had hated mages; all mages and yet circumstance and familiarity had given her feelings for one. Now she was in love with a rogue and a woman; two ideas she had never been comfortable with now combined together to hold a fond place in her heart. Cassandra grunted under her breath, annoyed by the direction in which her mind had gone as she followed the Inquisitor and their companions down the darkened corridors she hoped would eventually lead back to some sort of clue that would help end this waste of time.
Evelyn cursed under her breath as she made her way back to the ballroom. The search of the western wing had yielded very little in terms of clues concerning the would-be assassin. If anything, what they had learned had only muddied the waters. First Gaspard's crest had been found on a knife protruding from another noble's back. The duke had not struck her as being rash in execution; instead the entire scene reeked of a set-up and the Inquisitor was loath to take such a thing at face value. Then there had been the meeting with Briala, newly minted ambassador to the elves. She too had a finger pointed in blame and, if it could be proven, the Grand Duke was, at the very least, guilty of treason.
Evelyn did not trust the elf though; there was something too cold in her eyes and her offer of an army of elvish spies was entirely too generous so soon after meeting. The most interesting find had been the locked they had found secreted away in the Empress's private vault. In a room filled with varnished throw-aways, the locket had gleamed with the care it so obviously received. It seemed an unusual display of weakness from a woman who, by all accounts, was a master at the great Game. She could feel Cassandra's eyes on her as she once again pulled the token from her pocket and examined it more closely. Solas had provided the translation and the Inquisitor could not help but think what sort of events had conspired to turn so sweet a gift into something better left locked behind closed doors.
The Inquisitor pocketed the locket as she opened the door that led to the ballroom, surprised to find herself in the path of the mysterious blonde that had earlier accompanied the Empress. She startled but caught herself and flashed the woman her most charming smile.
"Grand Duchess. A pleasure to finally meet. How may I assist you this evening?
She watched as a slow smile appeared beneath the blonde's mask, "Though you have been very careful this evening, your untimely disappearances have not escaped all notice. I believe you and I are both concerned by the actions of another this evening. Come. Dance with me. Conversations such as these are better had when masked by music and pleasantries."
Evelyn raised an eyebrow and glanced over at Cassandra, curious as to her reaction and disappointed to find that the raven-haired warrior has looked away; seemingly curious as to what was being served to the left of her than what was being said to the right. Scowling at the apparent indifference, Evelyn bowed low to the Grand Duchess and took the cold hand into hers, before sweeping the slightly taller woman out onto the dance floor.
Cassandra swept a flute of champagne off the tray of the masked server that passed by and swallowed the contents in one long swallow; resisting the overwhelming urge to smash the delicate glass to the floor. She watched closely as the Inquisitor twirled the Grand Duchess around the dance floor. It was clear the two were deep in conversation but whatever the content it did not deter their steps. Cassandra hated the jealousy that poured through her but she could not look away; her eyes glued to the hold her lover had on the other woman. Her ears registered the soft sounds of footsteps coming to a stop at her back and she stiffened as she prepared to reject yet another would-be suitor.
"Our Inquisitor dances well, don't you think?"
Cassandra turned to find Leliana watching the dance floor, the faintest hint of a smile curving her lips. The seeker rolled her eyes and grimaced as her eyes fell once again on the pair, refusing to acknowledge the spymaster's comment.
Leliana watched the muscles of the seeker's jaws clench and shook her head. Cassandra was entirely too stubborn but it was good to see that she cared for the actions of her lover. They were most assuredly lovers by now; her scouts had all but confirmed it and there was the seeker's own disposition to consider. Leliana had rarely seen the stoic woman display any emotion besides anger, but here she was now, her mouth curled in ill-concealed disdain as she watched the Inquisitor dance with another woman.
"That could be you out there Cassandra. I know she asked you earlier."
Cassandra stiffened, a flush warming her cheeks and she turned to level the spymaster with a glare, growling softly, "That is none of your business Leliana." She ignored the quick quirk of the former bard's lips as her words elicited a soft laugh.
"True. It was simply an observation my dear seeker."
Cassandra sighed in irritation, ignoring the words of her former counterpart. She could not ignore the surprising sense of yearning the words gave her, urging her to stride out on the dance floor and steal Evelyn away. She ignored the unwelcome sensation and merely watched as the dance concluded, her eyes closing briefly to block the view of the Inquisitor bending over the bowed body of the Grand Duchess as the entire court clapped loudly with their approval.
Evelyn flushed and bowed as she exited the floor, her mouth split into a wide grin as she excepted the congratulations from all she passed. The walked up the steps, surprised to find her three advisors standing in a group as though waiting for her. Excusing herself from the group of pandering nobles she joined them; there was much to discuss. She watched their faces as she recounted all that she had seen and heard; the murder in the servants quarters, meeting Briala, the locket she had found and the Grand Duchess's accusations.
Evelyn listened in turn, surprised by the ruthlessness of the different advice given by her councilors. That she, a nobody, was being called upon to decide the fate of Orlais… it was unthinkable and yet, she could not deny the responsibility of it. She weighed her options in her head; Celene or Gaspard; Celene and Briala. There were pros and cons to all options but she did not have time to weigh them all. Although he was the best choice militarily, Gaspard made her skin crawl and the discontent he had sowed throughout the empire did not recommend him in her eyes. Celene did not impress her either, but she at least was predictable. The question that gave Evelyn pause was what to do about Briala. The offer that the elven assassin made was sorely tempting and the rogue could only guess how well Leliana would make use of such a resource. She reached into her pocket and ran her finger over the small locket as she reached her decision.
Quietly she followed the three out to the balcony; her blood still pumping over the excitement of seeing the Grand Duchess Florianna being taken away by the guards. As much as she despised the game, she still reveled in her performance for the evening. She had accomplished much with in a single night; winning the courts approval, ferreting out the assassin and now she would reconcile two powers that together would serve to shape Orlais into a true force to be reckoned with. Evelyn stood with her arms behind her back, listening as Gaspard and Briala traded insults back and forth. It was a good thing she had no interest in forcing the three of them to work together for the greater good. It was more than apparent that the Grand Duke and the elven spymaster would never get along.
Evelyn accepted the Empress's thanks with a low bow and followed the leader and the Briala back into the ballroom to watch as the former rewarded the latter with a title; giving her equality among the nobility. There was a part of it that warmed a place in Evelyn's heart; not that she would ever admit to such sentimentality but for the moment, she was content to smile as the lovers were reunited and Orlais was once again made safe.
Cassandra watched as the yellow eyed woman she had seen earlier made her way back into the palace, a smirk gracing her timeless features. The seeker glared as she strode past and made her way to the balcony where Evelyn stood leaning against the rail facing the moonlit night. The seeker halted, her voice sounding rusty to her own ears as she broke the silence.
"Another one of your many admirers? How many hearts are you intending to break tonight?"
Evelyn turned at the familiar voice and smiled at the welcome intrusion. She shook her head at the light accusation, refuting the seeker's inquiry. "Hardly. That was Morrigan, Celene's arcane advisor and, as it now appears, her liaison to the Inquisition." She watched as Cassandra arched a delicate brow and turned to look back at the last place she had seen the tall woman. The name rang familiar in her mind but she could not place it. Shelving the thought for another day, Cassandra came to rest next to the Inquisitor, letting the fabric of their jackets brush against each other.
"You looked lovely dancing by the way."
Evelyn looked over in surprise at the grunted admission and smiled. "Does that mean you might find me suitable as a dancing partner?" She studied the warrior as she waited for an answer, smirking as a flush touched the high cheekbones of the seeker. Without waiting for an answer she pushed off the railing and gently grabbed the seeker's hand as she bowed.
"Might I have this dance my lady?"
Cassandra resisted the urge to pull her hand away; unused to such displays of chivalry. She started to argue that there was no music but, much to her dismay, the sounds of such were drifting outside through the opened doors. She caught the curiosity staring back at her in the Inquisitor's burning green eyes and she sighed.
"One dance."
Evelyn could hardly contain her surprise and gasped as Cassandra's arm wrapped around her waist, pulling their bodies flush. The rogue felt a tremor or desire flicker through her body at the unusually aggressive gesture and flashed a grin at the unsmiling warrior who began to lead the two of them into a waltz. Leliana had not been mistaken; the seeker was a graceful dancer and Evelyn found it surprising that the tall brunette had been so against the idea to begin with. Not wanting to ruin the moment, Evelyn suppressed her curiosity for another day and simply enjoyed the feeling of Cassandra's arms around her.
Cassandra felt herself relaxing as the song played on. It was comforting, in a way, to hold her lover so close. It broke apart her earlier jealousy and, she had to admit, it was strangely relaxing. So much so that when the one song ended and another began, the seeker continued thier dance without missing a beat. She looked down at the Inquisitor, whose head now rested against her shoulder and felt the other woman's sigh of contentment. The small sigh was worth any discomfort or rumor that could be started if someone were to see them. Cassandra caught a glimpse of their reflection in the glass as they passed and thought that, perhaps, two women dancing in military dress wasn't such a bad thing after all.
