[NOTICE] ORIGINAL TITLE FOR THIS EPISODE WAS "The Lions, The Hallas, and The Serpent (Peace Talks Pt3)" but that couldn't all fit on the line. Enjoy :)
BALLROOM
Zanrye slipped back into the ballroom in a few seconds, greeted by the council of heralds, the dowager he'd assisted sometime earlier, and one of the ladies who was harassing Cullen earlier. Now that the drinks had flown, she was getting jungle fever. He batted her off and made his way over to Josephine and her sister. He said nothing to the younger woman and looked at Josie.
"How is my court approval?" He asked her without any introduction. She was startled.
"I… it's very, very good Inquisitor." She said. "I would say there is no one here who I can claim thinks ill of you. You've been doing quite a bit this evening. And many loved Dorian's song earlier, which also earned you points for proper amusement."
"How big of a scene do you think I can get away with?" He asked her bluntly. Josephine's eyes became worried but she hesitated only a second.
"I…would not recommend it, my lord." She said. "Your…duties here…do not require a scene."
"Just tell me, Josephine, please." Zanrye begged testily. "I'm not going to do anything, I just need to know."
"I would say that…our position is good here." Josephine said and then she pulled Zanrye to the side, much to her sister's huffs and puffs. She lowered her voice. "Even…if you were to… do as…Leliana has suggested…the Inquisition backing such a change…would be welcomed almost unanimously." She said this sadly and did not look at him. Her look of disappointment made Zanrye frown. Gaspard was still to be considered—now more than ever—but he did not want that look to be on her face. He placed a hand on her waist.
"I was not asking quite for that." Zanrye told her softly. She looked to him. "I was more wondering about how long I could disappear."
It was a lie. But she did not need to know that.
"You have already been gone awfully long." Josephine said. "Any longer will do nothing more."
"Good." He released her. "I was just wondering where I stood…how many hearts I captured tonight. We need all the support we can get right?"
"…yes." She started to smile. "You are learning the game, Inquisitor."
"Good teachers." He said to her as he strode away now, back out of the ballroom after his drive-by visit to it after his meeting with Briala.
He walked out and found Dorian pacing in the Hall of Heroes, with Solas leaning on the wall and Cassandra crossing her arms, no doubt from bantering with one of the two men present.
"There you are!" Dorian cried, striding over to him. "Where have you been? You told us all to come and meet you in very few minutes each and then you run off!?"
"It's alright." Zanrye smiled at the man kindly. "I just had to take care of a few things first.
"Oh take care of a few things he says." Dorian rolled his eyes. "As if we weren't sitting here, wondering if something foul had happened to you."
"You were gone awfully long." Cassandra added.
"I know. I was making my decision." Zanrye said. "About who we're supporting."
"And?" She asked, suddenly perking up. Zanrye just shook his head.
"Later. Everything still depends on what we find in the royal wing."
Though Cassandra was a bit pouty, she followed him with the rest into the forbidden area. The guards were all gone. They walked freely. It was most definitely a trap.
Zanrye took lead and they faced a study tucked to the side of a large staircase leading to another landing. Zanrye tightening his grip on his sword—too small for his liking still—and motioned for his team to follow him up the stairs. They were quiet and careful, checking the table and revealing yet more blackmailable information on the various nobles at the party. As Dorian assessed them, they walked onto the landing. They entered upon an array of doors, each of which had a painting next to it. He could see over the banister the floor below as a skylight (or moonlight in this case) rested above their heads, letting the beams light the area.
"Hello?" He heard to his left, through the door. He looked back at Cassandra, face hard who nodded to him. He slowly edged forward as the voice continued, "anyone out there?"
He was about to go for the knob when a blood-curdling scream was let out in another room, just to their right. Zanrye drew his sword and rushed in, busting open the door to try and stop any more violence.
A venatori assassin stood above the elven lady who was trying desperately to back away, scuffling out of the way of the slashing swords. Her eyes came to Zanrye, distress within them, and he charged in, running towards the assassin at full speed. He looked only too late before Zanrye impacted the man (or woman by the feel of her) and pushed her out the window. The victory, saving this woman's life, had him smiling as he turned to the woman on the floor.
"Thank you," the servant said.
"It's alright." He crouched down, voice too kind but so happy at what he'd done, "You're safe now. Won't be bothered with that blighter anymore."
"I suppose I won't." The servant chuckled nervously and stood up, her face distressed. "N-no one was supposed to be here. Briala said…" she sighed. "I knew I shouldn't have trusted her."
"Briala told you to come to this wing of the palace?" Zanrye arched a brow. He was aware now that his team was behind him. He chose his words carefully.
"Not personally." The servant said bitterly. "The ambassador can't be seen talking to servants. We all get coded messages from certain locations but the orders are from her. She's been watching the Grand Duke all night. No wonder she wanted someone to search his sister' room."
"Couldn't anyone else know the code and drop location?" Zanrye asked her evenly.
"I don't know." The servant said. "Any of us could do it but…no one else would send me here."
"And what were you told to find in here?" Zanrye crossed his arms.
"The message didn't say." The servant said. "I should've known it was a setup."
"And you got in here…" he asked her.
"The door was unlocked." She said. "I suspected one of the others handled it."
"So many people taking advantage of the fact that this wing is closed." Zanrye said, thinking, mind racing as he considered the players.
"She probably knew it was dangerous and sent me anyway. So one more secret could be removed." The servant said bitterly and her animosity was palpable. "I knew her, you know. Before. When she was still Celene's pet." Zanrye looked at the woman, eyes revealing nothing. "Now she wants to play revolutionary but I remember. She was sleeping with the Empress who purged our alienage!"
"And you'd be willing to testify to that if I asked?" Zanrye asked her evenly. "We can give you our protection." The woman's eyes lit up.
"Yes! Yes, I will tell you all you want to know about the ambassador." She said.
"Then go wait with Cullen in the ballroom," he told her gently. "But do not breathe a word unless it's to me." She nodded and scurried off.
"Then it's confirmed." Dorian said, smirking. "Little elven lovin going on with the Empress.
"No time for that." Zanrye said. "We have to go and see where the yelling was coming from." He walked out of the room and went up more stairs, hearing the voice get louder, profanities and yells of "painted Orlesian arseholes!" echoing through the halls. Soon, they found the culprit. Using the halla statues, he opened a door into what could only be the Empress's quarters, seeing as the furnishings were more lush than any others and the bed rested on a risen platform above the study and play area. He ascended to quite a sight.
The naked man was chained and struggling to the bed, only a helmet on his head and nothing to protect him from the prying eyes of Zanrye and his crew. Not that Zanrye wanted to see. Dorian laughed out loud and Cassandra made a sound of disgust. Solas actually let out a giggle.
"What…happened?" Zanrye asked him.
"It's not what it looks like." The man stuttered. "Though…I would have rathered it was." He sighed, ceasing his struggles. "The Empress led me to believe I'd be rewarded for betraying the Grand Duke. Instead, this is what I get."
"I…can imagine he thought his reward would be," Dorian smirked, voice at Zanrye's ear and the Inquisitor had to battle the urge to laugh.
"Please." The man urged. "I beg you. Don't tell Gaspard. The Empress beguiled me into giving her information about troop movements and…and everything. She knows all about Gaspard's surprise attack and it hasn't even begun." The man was ashamed. "It's a trap now. The moment he strikes, she'll execute him for treason."
That showed why she was so calm about the whole thing. She knew it was not Gaspard and yet she pretended to treat him as a threat yet to be handled, lying to the Inquisition. Zanrye thought hard. Gaspard's movements were foiled already. Celene had him pinned and solicited a soldier to do it. He knew about Briala…and that only left one….
"We'll protect you from Gaspard if you aid us with any testimony we may need you to give against Celene and her trap for Gaspard." Zanrye said.
"Anything." The man moaned. "Just don't leave me here."
Zanrye got him out and then turned to the others.
"We have to move—now. Back to the ballroom. She's about to strike." He moved past them, leaving only Dorian to question who the 'she' was that Zanrye was talking about.
PRESENT
ROYAL WING
The answer to Dorian's question came soon after they stepped out of the royal wing and into the divider between it and the ballroom itself. The fade rift was in the center and a dozen crossbowmen had their arrows cocked and pointed at the Inquisitor. His hand shined and buzzed.
"Inquisitor." Florianne's voice rang out, resting on Cassandra and Dorian's shocked ears and Zanrye's knowing ones. "I wasn't certain you'd attend. You are such a challenge to read…I had no idea if you'd taken my bait or not."
"Well I had to when you made the offer so enticing, though I didn't expect to see you so soon Duchess," Zanrye smirked at her cruelly, hand behind his back. "Thought you'd be in the ballroom still…I'm afraid I'm a bit busy if you're looking for another dance partner."
"Yes I can see that." The woman said lightly. "Such a pity you did not save one final dance for me. You are such an elegant dancer—for an elf. But thank you for walking into my trap so willingly. I was so tired of your meddling." She eyed him. "Corypheus insists Celene die tonight and…I would so hate to disappoint him."
"And Celene has to die, does she?" Zanrye asked her.
"She is a stepping stone of the path to a better world." Florianne shrugged him off. "When Corypheus enters the black city and claims the godhood waiting for him, we will cast down your Maker, and your silly elven pantheon, and be led by an attentive god. And I shall rule all of Thedas in his name."
"You believe that?" Zanrye scoffed. "You can't be that stupid, Florianne. You don't have to do this. You're being played."
"You are so naïve, Inquisitor." Florianne scoffed. "Besides, no one would imagine I would kill Celene myself—as I will do now. All I have to do is keep you away from the ballroom long enough for me to strike." She smirked. "A pity you'll miss it, they'll be talking about it for years to come." She stepped back, ordering her troops. "Kill him. Bring me his marked hand. It will make a good gift for the master."
As she turned, Zanrye spring forward. It was too soon, she had the advantage. Maker, if he had just figured it out sooner! He dodged two arrows and disrupted the rift, pulling out his sword and ending one of the archers before him instantly.
The shields sprang and he and Cassandra burst upon the enemies with such fury, as to eliminate them quickly. The terrors would come soon, the rift was opening once more. Zanrye's head was hit with a bow and he faltered but Cassandra drove the man through with her own longblade, giving Zanrye time to recover. He shook his head clear. There were too many he knew. But they would need to succeed. Everything was counting on it.
He dodged as a wraith came out of the rift and threw a burst of energy towards him.
"Dorian!" He yelled.
"On it! On it!" The man said, fumbling a bit. He threw his weight into magic energy that set one archer on fire before he rooted the wraith in place with a spirit barrier. Zanrye ran to it and hit its body with his own sword, rendering the demon nothing but a formless spirit that was sucked back into the rift from which it came. He felt pain then as an arrow hit him in the shoulder. He didn't have a shield up. He glared behind him and pulled the arrow out—it hadn't gone too deep.
His feet sprang and he whirled, slicing through the man's entire torso as he did so. He fell without a yell—or maybe Zanrye couldn't hear it for the screaming of the despair demon that had just appeared. Shit. Despair demons were the worst. He'd almost lost Cassandra to one in the Hinterlands. They were fast and jumped around, with shields. And they aimed their magic straight at the hearts of their foes.
Zanrye yelled for his team to focus all their attention on the despair demon. They did and he quickly drew the attention of the remaining two archers and stuck one in the side before he moved to puncture the thigh of the other one and punch him to the ground. He ran back, cutting through a wraith and dematerializing it as he did. He made it in time to land a few cuts to the despair demon before it too was taken back into the rift.
"Solas needs help." Cassandra called out as she battled with another terror. There were about five. Two to each person. Solas had been scratched in his side by one demon and had barely put up a shield in time to stop its second attack. Zanrye walked toward the scene, hopping every other step before he plunged his blade into the demon's back. It screamed and writhed and clawed back towards him, catching one of his wrists and Zanrye yanked his arm away. He took out his sword and plunged it into the thing's back and then into its face before the demon gave a final wail and was taken by the rift. Zanrye turned to the face the rift, focusing on it, hand outstretched. His arm shook as he felt he power surge through it and connect to the rift, swallowing it and reversing its opening until the rift exploded and was no more.
He turned back to look behind him, seeing Solas getting to his feed unsteadily at first. He helped him stand and examined the slashes. They were not bad but must hurt like hell.
"Are you alright?" He asked the man.
"Perfectly fine apart from the sting." Solas commented, smirking. Zanrye shook his head and cupped the man's neck affectionately, pausing to yank the hat off his head and throw it away, before he turned to where Dorian now stood over a man in Ferelden style dress.
"Untie him." Zanrye said to Dorian as he approached. Dorian did and the man got to his feet.
"Andraste's tits!" he swore. "Were those demons!? There aren't any more comin are there?"
"Aren't you supposed to be a soldier?" Zanrye said, disgust in his voice. "Act like one."
"Pay isn't good enough to keep my calm, friend." The man grumbled. "I knew Gaspard was a bastard but I didn't think he'd feed me to fucking horrors over a bill!"
"Gaspard lured you out here?" Zanrye asked.
"Well his sister did." The man explained. "But it had to come from him, didn't it? All that garbage she was spewing—doesn't mean anything. I bet Gaspard's the mastermind."
"You think you were tied up and left for dead over a bill?" Zanrye asked skeptically. "And who are you anyway? You sound Ferelden—aren't you a mercenary for Gaspard?"
"Born and raised in Denerim." The man said proudly. "The duke wanted to move on the palace tonight but didn't have enough fancy chevaliers. So he hired me and my men. Had to pay triple our rate to get us to Orlais."
"Inquisitor." Cassandra's voice came out. Zanrye nodded at her without looking.
"Want to sign onto the Inquisition? We could always use a good merc company—and we pay much better than Gaspard can." Zanrye said.
"You hiring huh?" The man asked. "I'm game. Anything's better than this bullshit. Hey, you need me to talk to the empress or the court or sing a blasted song in the chantry, you got it. Thanks for saving my ass."
The man walked away then, grumbling still as he did, "Andraste's tits" repeated over and over.
"Come on." Zanrye said. "We have to get to the ballroom now."
"And hopefully not run into trouble along the way." Dorian added.
Trouble found them a few turns later. More Venatori agents. Florianne was thorough, ensuring that even if the rift did not hold them long enough, they'd die to the agents. But after winning in that battle and a renewed vigor, Zanrye and the three others tore through the venatori. The mage, the assassins, and even a brute they brought—very unlike their inconspicuous style. But all fell underneath Zanrye's sword and the flurry of fire and ice that flew from the staffs of Dorian and Solas. He was beginning to run by the time they'd encountered the third group. Would they even make it in time? No bells had rung but they wouldn't now that the hour was so late.
Zanrye felt that he was bleeding in his side where the previous assassin had gotten him. It was a shallow wound but it still hurt. His shoulder was mostly numb. But his wrist was what really hurt the most. The demon had scratched a bit deep it seemed and the stinging made him constantly have to shake his hand out. It was not bleeding freely any longer as the blood had dried on there. He knew his left cheek was bruised as well—from his encounter with the Venatori from a few hours earlier beginning to take form now that so much time had passed. He knew he looked a bit of a mess. And, as they finally got out of sight of their foes, Zanrye had a small smile on his face as he wondered what Vivienne would say about the state of his clothes, what Leliana would say about the state of his boots, and what Josephine would say about the state of his bloody hand.
PRESENT
BALLROOM
He entered the ballroom not to a scene of commotion as he expected. But to a scene of calm. Nothing had happened yet. He had made it…they had made it.
"Maker…" he heard a few men mutter at the state of him. Zanrye said nothing, instead walking into the room further to scope out the scene.
He saw Gaspard and Florianne entering from one wing. The Duchess took one look at Zanrye and her fear was paramount. He eyed her with contempt, and turned away to see Cullen coming to him, nearly out of breath.
"Thank the Maker you're here." He said. "Celene's about to do her speech. What should we do?"
Zanrye looked out of the corner of his eye and saw Briala standing in the crowd, waiting as well. She made eye contact with him and he with her. She had a stone look on her face and nodded to him. He raised his hand slightly and made his index and middle finger cross over each other. Briala's face was surprised and she arched her brow. Zanrye raised his hand flat and indicated for her to wait and see. Cullen saw him and tried to find out who he was signaling.
"Wait here." He told the man, "I'm going to have a word with the Duchess."
"What?" Cullen was shocked. "There's no time! Celene will begin her speech any moment!"
"Exactly." Zanrye said. "And I need to be near the Duchess so that she can't strike."
He left Cullen there, dumbfounded, and walked across the great stairs and ballroom floor to the Duchess. He caught eyes with Vivienne and jerked his head for her to follow and she nodded and began on her own route, carving her way through the crowds as he was. He came upon the Duchess standing before where Celene was due to come out, waiting with both Gaspard and Briala now. Zanrye spoke loudly.
"We owe the court one more show, your Grace!" He called out, voice carrying. There was an audible gasp in the room and he did not look anywhere else but them, save for when his eyes made sure Vivienne was coming. The Duchess turned and so did the others. Briala kept her eyes on his hands, waiting for another message.
"Inquisitor." She said, mouth a thin line. Celene had finally arrived as well. Zanrye came up the steps, his voice full of contempt and venom.
"Everyone is watching us, why don't you smile." Zanrye smirked as he walked up to her. "This may be your last chance to end this with dignity. And be thankful I'm giving you that—I know you're just a pawn in Corypheus's game."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Florianne said, backing away as he advanced.
"Really?" He asked loudly. "You've already forgotten trying to kill me in the garden just a moment ago?" His voice carried into the halls. Florianne's eyes were like fire but she was silent as the whispers and jeers buzzed throughout the place. Zanrye crossed his arms behind his back and strolled around her, his sword ever in reach. "You arranged for Gaspard to be here so that all eyes would be on him…and not on you. That way, you could carry out your plans." He stopped in front of Celene and spoke with eyes on her but words for Florianne. "So…when that council emissary stumbled into the wrong room, you killed him and would pin it on Gaspard." He stopped before her. "You've gathered the entire court and Gaspard and the Empress here tonight …all bunched together, just waiting to be taken out in one fell swoop by Corypheus."
"This…is all very entertaining." She said the words smoothly but her face was pale as snow. "But surely you don't think anyone believes your wild stories do you?"
"That will be a matter for a judge to decide, cousin." Celene said firmly.
"Gaspard!" Florianne said, anxiousness coming to her voice. "You don't believe this do you? You know I would never—"
Midsentence, the Duke shook his head and stepped away from her, climbing the stairs, his anger radiating off of him. Briala followed him, her eyes on Zanrye: he stuck out his index and middle finger together vertically and brought them down to a horizontal position. She gave no physical indication she had heard him but blinked and looked away, climbing the stairs as well.
"You lost this fight hours ago, Florianne." Zanrye said to her softly, a wicked smile on his face. "A pity that…you're the last to find out."
The guards moved in on her and as she backed away, her was suddenly frozen still as Vivienne encased her in ice to cease her movements. She gave Zanrye a nod and he smiled at his mage. She let the guards detain the Duchess before she finally broke the spell.
"Your imperial majesty." Zanrye said with a hard voice. "I think we should speak in private." He was glaring at Celene as well. He nodded to Cullen and Leliana and made his way over to where the three peace talkers were going to convene. He caught up behind them as the squabbles began prematurely and he softly touched the small of Briala's back before they all exited outside onto the terrace.
"Your sister attempted regicide in front of the entire court, Gaspard." Briala said harshly.
"You're the spymaster." Gaspard said. "If anyone knew this was coming, it was you. I knew nothing of Florianne's plans but you…you knew it all and did nothing!"
"I don't know which is better," Briala smirked. "That you think I'm all-seeing or that you're trying to play innocent and failing."
"Enough!" Celene said firmly, her face angry. "We will not bicker while Tevinter plots on our nation. I will have answers and I will have them now!"
"I was only able to catch Florianne in time because of Briala's evidence…your grace." Zanrye said in a soft, aloof voice.
"You were working together then?" Celene asked, her eyes surprised.
"Not for the whole of it." Zanrye said, eyeing Briala, "But when she showed me the plots by Gaspard on your life, I knew that she was my best way to keep you alive…and keep Florianne's plot from coming to fruition."
"But Gaspard is not completely innocent either—of crimes against the throne." Briala said.
"No." Zanrye agreed. "Together…we were able to find notes from Gaspard to his general ordering troops to move covertly onto the palace grounds."
"It was a defensive choice," Gaspard said simply. "I expected betrayal just…not by my sister." Zanrye said nothing but Briala taunted.
"Keep talking Gaspard." She said scathingly. "Eventually you'll convince somebody."
"Then there were the threats Gaspard made to the council of Heralds, bullying them into giving him the crown." Zanrye said.
"So I am a bully?" Gaspard laughed. "Is that the worst you can say of me?"
"Oh, and his mercenary captain will be happy to tell you all his plans for the coup tonight." Zanrye said lazily. Gaspard's face closed and the man was furious. Celene glared at him and then leveled the Inquisitor with a stare.
"You…were able to find this…" She said.
"Briala and I." Zanrye said, waving his arm in the direction of the ambassador. "As I said, when we combined our information, we were able to cover more ground and get further. Good thing we did, for the sake of your life. Your majesty."
"In light of overwhelming evidence, we have no choice but to name you an enemy to the empire, Gaspard." Celene said. "You are hereby sentenced to death." Zanrye said nothing as the guards came to take Gaspard away to the dungeons. He stood straighter however.
"I would ask if we could speak later, your majesty." Zanrye said. "About Gaspard's sentencing…I feel there may be use for him in other areas."
"We will see." Celene said to Zanrye, not making any promises.
"I also want to make sure that Briala gets rewarded." He said in a stately voice, turning to the elven woman. "The Inquisition could not have done this without you and are fully ready to compensate you with anything you deem acceptable for your service to our allies in Orlais"
"I do not need any, Inquisitor." Briala said humbly, eyeing Celene shyly. "None at all from you either your majesty. I…I'm just glad you are safe." Celene's eyes were glossy.
"I can scarcely believe you did all of this for me." She said softly. Briala looked down, with one single whisper of, "Celene…" The Empress turned her eyes, full of affection and gratitude back onto Zanrye.
"Thank you Inquisitor. For all your efforts tonight. I owe you my life and Orlais owes you its future." She said. "I must go speak to the guards but come with me to address the people."
She left them there, wiping hastily at her face—no doubt drying her earing eyes. As soon as she was gone, Briala turned her gaze to Zanrye and crossed her own index and middle finger.
"Life." She said. "Why the change?" She had her hands on her hips. "Were you testing me?"
"No." Zanrye shook his head. "It's as I said before…plans may change. And they did. Corypheus wanted Celene's death specifically. That means she had to stay alive." He eyed Briala proudly. "And from your response…about Gaspard and Celene…I knew that you could handle the task of persuading Celene just as you could handle dealing with Gaspard."
"You would have had more of a puppet with Gaspard." Briala said.
"But with either one, you can help the elves." Zanrye told her plainly. "And I have my own blackmail against Celene." He looked out at the Empress relaying orders. "I only hope things will go smoothly for you with her…. She believes your affection for her is what caused all of this, her being saved from assassination."
"Only half the truth now…" Briala said slowly. She sighed. "But I do know her better than Gaspard and how to move her…and…now I suppose I have more will to move her." She turned to eye the empress as well. "And I can enjoy the time we will have…and do my job at the same time." She turned back to Zanrye. "I'm going to deceive her…. It's never been something I could ever see myself doing. And yet here I am."
"You won't need to push yourself." Zanrye said. "Only do enough to start her on course for the elves. That's all I need from you right now."
"I know." Briala said. "I just…." She thought. "I guess I only just realized what you meant…."
"When?" Zanrye asked her.
"Back in the Hall of Heroes." She said. "When you spoke of my being ambassador for the elves and not putting them first…you were right." She sighed. "I was willing to settle for their sluggish progression…instead protecting the woman who…who destroyed their homes when they rebelled." She sighed. "The love…was always unequal between us." She looked to the sky. "Because unlike me…she knew to put her people before her lover. But I did not do the same." She was silent for a moment. "But if she had put me first…and I her…" She looked to Zanrye, "then I feel…or wonder…what a love that would have been to someone like you."
"To a Dalish?" He smiled at her. She smiled back, giggling now.
"Yes." She said. "To a Dalish…" Zanrye did not say anything for a moment, gazing out at the moon before them. He did not even ponder the question really…not before he spoke.
"I wonder the same." He said slowly, turning to her and finally feeling the connection that they both shared, for the first time that night. "I used to think that there was no way that any true elf could love a shem…feel for one. But as you said…what happens when the sh…human…truly loves the elf? When she…loves the elf not in spite of him being an elf but embracing him fully, his culture and race and all. What happens when she's willing to endure and resist and fight for him—as well as disagree with him for his own good?" He looks to Briala now and sees her studying his face, deciphering his words. He has a wistful look. "We all need reality checks, I know. For many city elves…you all need to understand that those types of relationships are scarce and that's usually not the case in most shem-elf relations…so Dalish are, and other elves should be, mindful of their possibly being taken advantage of." He gave her a sad smile and scoffed before he continued, "But even the purest of elves…many Dalish…need to accept and recognize that they do exist…and that's the hardest lesson for the champions of even life and history to learn…especially firsthand." Briala's eyes were locked and she did not say a word. He sighed, watching as Celene turned back to come to them. "The love…is not the problem…it's the question of what type it is…and it's up to the elf to be able to discern that."
Celene waved for them to join her. Zanrye nodded his head and followed her back into the ballroom with Briala in tow. They were walking back into the fray, before the eyes of the entire court once more, the hundreds of faces looking upon the three of them, cheering and clapping. Zanrye knew he looked horrible but he couldn't help but smile at the sight.
"You have done much for my people…and for us." Celene said softly to him, eyeing Briala lovingly. Briala smiled back at her.
"We won't forget this." She said softly.
"And what plans do you two have now? Zanrye asked. Celene's smile grew bigger and Briala's grew a bit more shy but she spoke up.
"There will be some changes to the court." She said proudly.
"Not just the court." Celene interjected. Briala was surprised and the Empress just smiled. "Come, stand with us Inquisitor while we give the nobles the good news."
She led the two of them to the banister overlooking the crowd. Zanrye held his hands behind his back and watched as they all listened to the Empress.
"Lords and ladies of the court. This is a night of celebration." She said, voice carrying to all. "Those who sought to poison our empire with reason have been brought to justice. It is a new age for Orlaise. We shall build a world in which all men and women live in harmony." She smiled at Briala. "Let the cornerstone of change be laid. I introduce the newest member of our court: Marquise Briala of the Dales." Briala was surprised but stepped forward and Zanrye couldn't help his grin. Celene was hooked alright and was going the extra mile. Everything according to plan. He only hoped Briala could find happiness in this state….
"This is not just a victory for halamshiral." Briala said, voice filled with passion. "Or within the empire. Or even the elves alone." She paused. "This is a triumph for everyone! Over a thousand years ago, in the Valarian fields, elves and humans together defeated the imperium. We can do so much more now. We are greater than our ancestors ever dreamed!" She looked to Zanrye. "We will start by saving our world from the enemy who took the divine and tore the sky apart!"
"This evening shows what can happen when we join forces." Zanrye said to the crowd. "Whether that be elf and human, or Orlais with the Inquisition. Our enemies are coming, and we will be prepared for them when they do. And we will not let them succeed in dividing us."
"We are already tracking these tevinter agents. Soon, they'll have no place to hide." Briala said, her voice fierce and full of fire that would get any person to their feet.
"But that is tomorrow." Celene said smoothly. "Tonight, we will celebrate our newfound fellowship. Let the festivities commence!"
The cheers were near deafening. He had gotten in his plug, Briala had become a member of the court, and now he had elven spies and Celene in his pocket. He smiled as well as he made his way away from the commotion. He had done it…he had played the game. He had been offered pieces to select and routes to take but he had forged his own. And Zanrye truly felt…that he had won.
PRESENT
TERRACE (OUTSIDE BALLROOM)
He was able to make it out to the terrace, away from all the noise and drinking before he was roped in by some noble here or there. It was hard to take in that this was real. Everything he wanted—or hoped to dream might happen—had. He might even be able to keep Gaspard alive as well. He was almost dizzy as the cool air hit him. He inhaled it lightly and let the quiet come upon him. It had been a lot of work winning.
"The Orlesian nobility make drunken toasts to your victory and you are not present to hear them?" He heard Morrigan's voice in his ears. He turned to her. She came up to stand beside him. "Do you tire so quickly of their congratulations Inquisitor? Tis to fickle, after all your efforts on their behalf."
"I would have stayed." He shrugged. "But then the punch ran dry and…" He shrugged. This made her laugh. He laughed with her. He had not been scared of this mage since he first laid eyes on her. He couldn't think of why Leliana feared her so.
"Indeed." She said. "Let us see if you take this piece of news as poorly." She looked at him. "By imperial decree, I have been named Liaison to the Inquisition. Celene wishes to offer you any and all aid, including mine. Congratulations."
Zanrye was surprised. His eyes narrowed slightly and then he looked away and back.
"And what can you do exactly Morrigan?" He asked.
"Let's just say I have knowledge that falls outside of the realm of…most mages." She said.
"I already have Solas for that." Zanrye said flatly, but his tone slightly teasing as well. "I don't think he'll take kindly to another trying to steal his spot."
"Well, the more knowledge, the merrier." She said. "I suspect Corypheus also has as much. Thus, it would behoove you to add to your arcane arsenal yes?" He thought on her words.
"Yes." He said. "But what magic are you talking about?" Before she could answer, he said, "It sounds as if you're speaking of blood magic." He sucked in tragically. "Dorian doesn't like that very much, I'm afraid."
He was challenging her. She seemed to appreciate it in a strange way.
"I know many obscure, forgotten, and forbidden arts." She said, smiling. "Some of which you may consider blood magic, yes. But if that frightens anyone, let me give my assurances that what I possess, I place at your disposal, Inquisitor. You may make use of it or ignore it as you see fit."
Zanrye didn't respond for a time. He didn't much like people being added without his knowledge. But if it has been pushed by Celene, it had probably also been pushed by Briala. And he would have both Solas and Vivienne check her out. Even Dorian too, if he could stand to come near a trained "forbidden arts" mage.
"Welcome aboard, Morrigan." Zanrye said finally.
"A most gracious response." Morrigan smiled at him. "I shall meet you at Skyhold."
She left him and Zanrye was once more alone with his thoughts. Another new development that night. He didn't know if he needed her but more help was never negative. And the truth was, they did need more mages to battle all the ancient power Corypheus had at his disposal.
It was only a matter of time. This was thrice he'd foiled the demon's plans and four times he'd lived after these such encounters. No doubt the demon king was angry. And he'd be coming for them all soon. Zanrye knew trainers were on their way. He knew wardens were waiting, hiding, missing. It was time to start preparing for the day of reckoning.
The hand was soft that came to rest on his back. He looked to see Josephine had come to bend over the rail with him, smiling at him as she did so. He took her in, moon lighting her face. She had a small look of earnestness and worry in her features.
"Is everything alright?" She asked. "You look…troubled."
Zanrye stared at her for a brief moment before he shook his head, looking back towards the railing and then to her again, a small smile on his face, one not entirely genuine.
"I'm just worn out." He said with a sigh. "Tonight has been…very long." He looked out into the sky as he spoke. He tiredness was taking him but he felt calm in her presence…and became even more vulnerable. He didn't know if it was the game or the talk he'd had with Briala, or the Orlesian wine he'd sipped, but he felt very…in touch with Josephine. And more vulnerable than ever before. After all that had happened tonight…he didn't know what he would feel. But he certainly did not expect to feel as though he'd stood next to an electric current that was constantly flowing and taking him along.
"It was a tumultuous evening." She said softly, tenderly. "And you will need to see a healer as soon as we get back to Skyhold." She softly touched his wrist, blood clots on it. She tsked. "I suppose we can only be thankful it was not something worse…." She nudged him, "But…Orlais is safe now. We beat Corypheus again. I suppose it is worth the struggle."
"And on top of that, the well-dressed horrors want to be friends." He said, teasing creeping into his calm tone. "I guess we really will have to invite them to dinner now." She let out a giggle that sent ripples through Zanrye and he found that he couldn't suppress a shiver. That made her grip his shoulder tighter, as if beginning a massage. Her voice was kind.
"Tonight was a triumph," She concluded. "You should be proud. You saved the empress—and at least sent Gaspard to prison for the time being, whatever will be done with him. And you even managed to make the Ambassador be on good terms with the Empress…a step in the right direction for Orlais' elven-human relations." She smiled bright at him. "Everything happened so right…and you made it that way. Everyone here owes you their lives."
He looked at her and smiled back, soaking her in. She was talking to him, when he felt alone. She was telling him things with enthusiasm, encouraging him. She was… what I need…what I want exactly when he needed it. Her presence alone was soothing him. He straightened slightly.
"You're right." He said finally. "It was a victory…." He chuckled. "But the game's…a little bit too rich for my blood." His eyes glinted at her. "I'll leave the maneuvers to you, my lady." She giggled once more but could sense his weariness still because in an instant, her hand was rubbing his shoulder. It sent waves of calm down his arms and dopamine all throughout his body. It was like getting high but without the displacement of the dream feeling.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" She asked him softly. Her eyes were attentive. "Can I get you anything? A drink perhaps?" Her hand was firmly on his shoulder and her eyes were wide, ready to run to his rescue. He eyed her for a moment, watching her watch him with eyes that told of motives of selflessness. He blinked and looked around.
She had come out to see him…presumably for something else, not to be his errand girl. And yet here she was, offering to be at his beck and call and ease his pain. He looked back to her, to those eyes full of affection and caring…for him. He thought back to her sister's comments…and then back to when he spoke to Florianne before their dance….
And then he stood slowly and walked a few steps away from her, his body buzzing as if a fade rift were nearby. He suddenly knew exactly what she had wanted, what she was willing to give up for his comfort. But he didn't want the drink, or even sleep anymore. He wanted…exactly what she wanted. He stopped after three steps and then turned back to her awaiting gaze.
"We actually…didn't get a chance take the floor ourselves…in all the commotion," he said, voice softer than he expected. "You told me my moves were noteworthy…." He bowed low, offering up his hand to her and saw her eyes go wide with excitement she tried her best to contain. Oh yes, that's what she wanted. "Would you care to dance…Lady Josephine?"
She hesitated and then let her small smile come out. Her own hand reached out and placed itself on his own, her feet moving her closer to him.
"I…was hoping you'd ask my lord" She said even softer than him. Zanrye smiled at her and placed his wounded hand on her waist, holding their others palm to palm as her free hand came to rest on his shoulder. He moved slowly and started their pattern…back…right…forward. He placed his feet next to hers, guiding her along. She followed his every step.
Zanrye didn't know how it happened but in a moment, he found that he was lost in the moment. Literally, lost. He had no concept of their time or even what was around them. He guided her, lightly elegantly as if they were floating. They moved back…and right…and spun to reverse… and then back…and then left…. Her face was bright and her eyelids were heavy as if she too were in a trance. He held her body close to his own, hand securely at her waist, their thighs touching every time they came to a rest. He was pleasantly warm, despite the breeze.
She did not speak but then she did not have to. Their movements were slow, and fluid. Not fast and intricate. He turned her in his arms, reaching the length of her arms as he had with Florianne. But this time, the actions felt more…personal. He bent with her and turned her back to him, bringing her even closer to him if that was possible, both her hands on his shoulders, both his hand sin her waist. The action made him inhale (he hoped not too loudly). Josephine looked down, into his chest. He turned them again, bodies melding together with the music.
His eyes met a retreating figure. Briala stood seemingly backing away the way she came. When they connected eyes, she just gave him a small smile and a nod before leaving the area completely. Zanrye was distracted for but a moment and in that instant, Josephine's eyes came to look upon him. Zanrye looked back down to hers and felt the air leave his stomach and lungs.
She gave him a small, serene smile that he returned with equal timidity. But he was not scared. Rather…he was…bashful. He looked into her eyes, her essence filling his vision, her body fitting into his, the music filling the space around them and encompassing them in the evening.
He realized that he thought she was beautiful. The most beautiful woman I've ever seen
He realized that her hand fit perfectly into his. Like the petals and the stamen in a Crystal Grace
He knew that this epiphany, this moment of eureka was displayed on his face for in a moment, her voice piped up, adding to the atmosphere that now encompassed them. She did not break the spell that had overtaken them. She solidified it.
"Does your…wound pain you?" She asked him. She interrupted the moment she wished for since the start of the night with a question about him. She wanted to make sure he was okay, that he was enjoying what she was enjoying as much as he could.
He realized that her pleasure gave him pleasure. Her happiness swelling inside my own chest.
"No." He said, looking at her with eyes of adoration and submission. "This is perfect."
He realized that this moment between them was indeed perfect.
Just the two of them, away from the pressures of the courts, the masses, their families…. This time, with her womanly frame pressed to him, her hand gripping his shoulder and her head slowly coming to rest on that very same shoulder as the night wore on…. With his arms coming around her as he continued their waltz which morphed into a graceful shuffle, bodies close to keep their heat safe from the attack of the winds….
This time…this woman…this dance…this ending to the game played by those with wicked eyes and wicked hearts…was perfect.
PART THREE/THREE of Wicked Eyes, Wicked Hearts
Helpful Information
RECAP
Briala uses Celene's infatuation to manipulate her so that the elves can obtain equality and opportunity. Briala is an agent of the Inquisition now. She chose Gaspard to live rather than Celene but (as Florianne wanted to kill Celene specifically) I always thought it best save her.
SEMANTIC/NONSEMANTIC
Solas's hat was fugly. This was for Solas fans who hated it as well.
Had to explain the "kinda advanced" toilet system. I don't want that just chamberpot shit.
I don't think Gaspard's a bad guy either. In fact, if he's allowed to kick Ferelden's ass then he'd probably be the best ally for you. He's an opportunist is all.
Fyi: no one in the Inquisition but Zanrye knows about his network of spies with Briala or his deal with her. He's alone on this one.
Hand motion was when you cross your fingers as if swearing to keep a secret. It meant life.