Elle,
I hate to have to admit that Ostwick follows Orlais in anything, but so it is. With the glowing praise of Empress Celene and the noble court of Val Royeaux, the local Chantry (and therefore you mother) has finally decided that you were obviously blessed by the Maker. "He sent His Bride to save you from the treachery at the Conclave so you could lead us all out of the darkness encroaching upon the world and back into His light."
From heretic to savior in one night. Not bad, my dear. I can now openly send the support of House Trevelyan to the Inquisition.
But you know you have always had mine,
Papa
Eleri, Darling,
How wonderful to have had our faith rewarded. Mother Kannas has finally acknowledged the Herald of Andraste and the Inquisition. I have had so many people asking about you. They, rightly, of course, assume that your mother would know you best. I think I shall have a grand gala to meet with everyone and while they are here collect funds for the Inquisition's coffers.
Garen has been quite droll about it all. He is constantly going on about his lost "brothers". If they had stayed with the Chantry where they belong, they wouldn't be "lost" now, would they? He wants to offer them shelter here if he can find them, but I told him absolutely not. We will not become a refuge for traitors.
Send along your blessing for my gala, darling.
Lady Margot Therese Trevelyan
Elle,
Mother is being even more insufferable than usual, but I am not free to leave. If not for Corypheus, I might envy you.
I think you understand the position the templars are in. Those of us lucky enough or principled enough not to join our commanders are being hunted down. I am safe here, so do not worry about me, but many others do not have a safe place to retreat.
I hope you will agree to my idea. Father thinks it sound. The free templars would trust me and even though he left the Order, Knight-Captain Cullen had an excellent reputation. If I can reach them, I would want to direct them somewhere they could not only be safe, but useful. The Inquisition would be perfect.
Please join me in this. I have to do something.
Garen
"Cullen's already voiced his approval of Garen's plan. It works wonderfully for everyone." Eleri placed another letter on Josephine's desk. "This, however, would benefit from your superior diplomatic expertise. That and I really am just incapable of replying to my mother in anything even approaching a civil tone."
Josephine read over the letter quickly. It was easy to see why Elle was so perturbed by its contents. "I can take care of this," she quickly assured. "A banner that has hung directly over your throne would be the perfect 'blessing.' It has a tangibility that words would lack to the nobles more inclined to visit her gala than travel here directly. And the chance to touch something, however minor, associated with us would make them more willing to open their purses. With your approval..."
"I trust you to handle it. That's why I brought it to you and not Leliana." She crossed her arms and rolled back on her heels. "Although, depending on the day, I might prefer one of the Nightingale's solutions," she growled.
Josephine laughed. "I will take care of it. It is nothing that I haven't dealt with before. And believe it or not, easier than quite a few I've had to appease." She glanced up to the shadow in her doorway. There had been the glint of metal. "You leave again in the morning?" she asked.
Eleri sighed. "First light," she confirmed. "Another six weeks."
"You should go enjoy what's left of the day and do not concern yourself with this any longer. I have it well in hand." Josephine moved the letter into one of the precise stacks of paperwork on her desk.
"Inquisitor?" Cullen stepped out of the shadows and into the doorway.
Eleri turned at the sound of his voice. "Yes, Commander. You need me?"
"I do," he answered simply.
Josephine watched them leave with a smile. Since returning from Halamshiral, they'd made an effort to hide their relationship behind their titles, but no one was fooled. And everyone seemed to support them.
The usual stream of marriage proposals she received for both of them had dried to a trickle and been replaced with offers of estates for the wedding tour. Josephine filed those away. It was still too early to solidify any of those plans. But as soon as she received news of a proposal, she would be ready.