Chapter 26: Orlais Awaits
-Do you feel better?
He spoke softly as she ran out of tears and started to breathe normally again. He moved her away from his chest, holding her face with both hands, his thumbs timidly caressing her cheeks and wiping away the tear tracks from her skin.
Her eyes were still closed, and she could feel his hair touching hers, blending in the tips where they touched like two different sets of gold, his shade a lighter wheat, whereas hers was as to the sun at dawn, as if the smallest fraction of copper had bestowed its hue in response to his light.
When he spoke, she felt his warm breath touch her lips almost as tenderly as she imagined his kiss would. She was still cradled in his lap over his thighs, where he had sat on the grass, opening his arms to her while he shielded her in her grief.
The pain was not gone. The demons still lurked inside, but he had made them retreat, their voices now mere whispers in the distance, now easily lost amidst the sounds of their surroundings. Each of the tears she had spilt on his shirt, close to his heart, had bored the name of a fallen soldier of Adamant, a life severed from existence, a weight added to her shame and guilt. Cullen had not tried to stop it, nor denied it. He didn't intervene or try to justify their absence to her. He just held her, gave witness to her pain and stoically endured this rare opportunity to watch over her without judging or attempting to amend it, just sharing it silently and tenderly, allowing the scale of her grief to be their requiem.
That, to her, had meant the world.
His touch, his company, and the certainty that he knew what she felt had given her strength, so much so that she almost didn't want to open her eyes when he spoke. But after a silence that felt too long, at last she did.
The moment her eyes met his, the amber of his gaze struck her. Not for the first time, he surprised her with his intensity, even though each time before she had sworn it could never be any stronger. It was as if he was trying to reach her innermost fears, luring them to a common ground where he had trapped his own demons, all in an effort to fight all of them singlehandedly, if only to free her from this turmoil.
She breathed deeply, suddenly feeling as though she had lost her breath just by looking at him, and the smell of parchment, leather straps, sunlight, and something that was only Cullen filled her lungs.
He did not avert his eyes from her for all the time it took her to answer, and the devotion she saw in him made her words falter.
The "yes" she tried to utter was lost under something that resembled a choked grumble, thanks to the hoarseness of her throat after she'd released all her pain in sobs. The oppression that had not lessened its grip around her neck, the heaviness that her heart still carried and would continue to carry, and the dizziness of her mind combined, in such a way, as to make her overlook the impulse to analyze just why her blood was pounding through her now, of all times, when the worst had passed.
Instead she chose to nod, ending the gesture with her head bowed, both in exhaustion and in a desperate attempt to seek refuge from her own desires. Thoughts were resurfacing, the depraved versions the Fade had corrupted them into, and she had purposely hidden those things from Cullen when she'd confessed what she had faced beyond the breach. She felt awful keeping it from him, but to tell him would have meant exposing herself to truths so severe and so intimate that it would have made her feel far too vulnerable. So much so, that the true subject and main tool the desire demons had plagued her with would be too apparent for him, easily recognizing himself in the figure of her deepest yearnings.
As her head was bowed, the press of his lips on her hair astonished her just as much as it seemed to surprise him, for she felt the barest of flinches, as if he had realized what he was doing too late to correct the action fully and had only prevented himself from going further by kissing her head.
Cullen stole that moment to take in the sky above them, willing his heart to slow its frantic beating and his mind to collect itself lest he do something they would both regret. After all, she needed him to soothe, not to take advantage of her moment of weakness.
-I think we should get going,- he said as he contemplated the dawning light slipping through the trees and climbing the horizon.
He looked at her, searching for some consent, and when she nodded again with her head still bowed, he helped her stand as he pushed himself up from the grass, marveling at the fact that his legs still worked, considering how frail he'd felt since she embraced him and accepted his help.
Once they were both standing apart from one another, he tried to give her more space and walked the few steps that separated them from her horse's gear. He gathered the saddle and reins and moved to collect her horse, who was idly rummaging for the best pastures after realizing his rider was being looked after.
The beast hardly seemed to notice the Commander work him back into his gear, and didn't even flinch when the man lifted his head to put on the reins again.
A few minutes later, Cullen was checking the straps and buckles to make sure they were secure when he shot a cautionary glance over the horse's back. Evelyn was standing right where he'd left her, watching the sky and breathing heavily as though trying to calm herself. Her hands were hugging her upper arms, and after a couple of purifying sighs, she shuddered absently.
Seeing this, Cullen reached for his coat by instinct, only to remember that said garment laid in his room next to his armor stand, still fully equipped with all his gear. In his haste to come after her, he had only dressed in a simple shirt, trousers, and his usual boots. He wore nothing in the way of protection, and was even less prepared for the possibility of inclement weather that, even in spring, still clung to one's bones when the sun had not yet risen enough to melt away the biting chill of night.
He realized this oversight was actually quite dangerous for someone in his position. The list of enemies of the Inquisition grew by the day, and despite thorough security measures Skyhold was and would be, for the foreseeable future, a pilgrimage point where refugees from all over Thedas would come seeking protection. Therefore, the grounds could not be off limits to strangers, albeit risking that one of those groups arrived with less than honorable intentions. It was true that the only assault thus far at the Keep had been one of a single Avaar warrior who attacked their walls with a goat (Cullen still had a hard time believing that, and he had been there when it happened), but he had learned the hard way that it was better to be cautious than to count casualties. That's why his mind's preoccupation with her was more than worrying to him, for it had been so strong as to make him vacate the fortress in naught but garments strictly necessary to maintain propriety, at best.
With no other option, Cullen scoured the saddlebags to see if she'd possessed more foresight than him, and found that her preparations had gone as far as to bring along a thin, hooded vest she wore over her leather armor, the metal chest piece engraved with the Sigil of their movement. As a set the armor could provide a great deal of defense from the elements, but take away the full protection of the ensemble and the vest alone was far from adequate so early in the morning. It was, however, the only option he had available, and therefore the only thing he took with him when he walked toward her again.
-Are you cold?- He didn't wait for her answer. -Here.- She meekly allowed him to untangle her arms from her chest and dress her in the vest, only looking up when he was about to step away again.
-Cullen...- She spoke softly, her voice noticeably hoarse, soul too burdened to gather the strength usually permeating her words. -Thank you.
She took his right hand, still bandaged after he broke it at Adamant, and held it in hers, looking at it as if seeing it for the first time. He was not wearing gloves, which was unusual for him, and the bandage reminded her starkly that she was not the only one who carried wounds, physically or spiritually.
After a while, Cullen turned his hand in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze.
-Promise that you'll find me if you need me. No matter the hour, the day, how busy we are, or whether or not you know what to say, I will listen, Inquisitor. Even if you prefer a shoulder to an ear, sometimes, …don't face it alone.
Her heart made a somersault at his words. As she glanced at him, though, the image of a desire demon taking his form overlapped with reality, replacing his concerned grimace with a lewd one, his eyes searing. Closing her own tightly, she nodded once more, feeling as Cullen released her hand.
-I'll hold you to that,- she smiled inwardly, his words echoing hers on happier times of innocently playing chess together, both of them oblivious of the cost the upcoming siege would incur.
oOo
By the time she finished brushing her horse and feeding him to make up for taking him out so early in the morning, Skyhold had already awakened.
She and Cullen had arrived half an hour ago, when the guards' night shifts were being relieved. The Commander walked with her as they guided her horse by the reins, casually making small talk about fighting strategies and the advances the army had achieved since arriving in Skyhold. Finally, they reached the stables, where he departed after reminding her about their War Council mid morning.
She stayed behind with the excuse of taking care of her horse just to think things through, but her contemplations were interrupted by the grumbling in her stomach as soon as the smell of fresh baked bread wafted to her nose.
She followed the tantalizing aroma to the common room, passing through the kitchen where she was acknowledged with several smiles and "good mornings" from the cooking staff. Before the events in The Western Approach, she often used to offer her help in bringing something to the tables, but lately she had stubbornly taken her breakfast alone in her bedroom, making up excuses just to be by herself. Clearing her throat, she forced a patient smile and renewed her offer to them. It was normal for them to be short staffed, requiring hands to refill pitchers or to bring out more food dishes as time went by and newcomers arrived to have meals, but as it always happened, the kitchen staff refused profusely, as if scandalized that she had proposed to scrub the floor with her own clothes.
When she entered the main hall, Sera's voice didn't give her a chance to search for a place to sit.
-Hey Inky! Over here!- She was waving her arms in the air, and Evey laughed despite how her day had begun.
-You are rather more enthusiastic than you rightfully should be, this early.- Everyone in Skyhold knew Sera hated mornings. Each breakfast, if by some miracle she was already awake, Sera would grumble and barely pronounce a word besides a colorful expletive regarding what her thoughts were on morning lovers. When on the road, most of the inner circle would tease her about it until she'd awoken enough to fight back. Then everyone knew at last that Sera was fully out of the Fade.
-Didn't sleep. Coupla arsehats were drinkin' an' bein' loud little tits.
The Inquisitor raised one brow at the contradiction between Sera's blatant cheeriness and the fact that she had been deprived of a good night's sleep. Yet more surprising was the fact that she addressed this as an event beyond the ordinary scope of her surroundings.
-Your room is in the tavern. There's never not a drunk in there.
-Yeah, but these weren't just any wasted know nothings. They were nobles, like. Get them drunk, an' they think they can do whatever. I mean more than normal, you know?
-And yet you don't seem upset about it.- At this, Sera snorted and Evey had a very strong sense of foreboding. -Maker, Sera, what did you do?
-You seen nobles, right?- She made a sound with her tongue as if mocking her own words. -Course you did, you were born among 'em. Well, normally I woulda shot 'em through the face, if I thought Josie wouldn't put me in a hole for it, but this time Bull had a better idea.- She leaned in her direction, lowering her voice but unable to stop the periodic giggle attacks. -So there's these templars, right? Thinkin' they can get some peaches for the night by sweet talkin' and getting' 'em drunk. So 'ere they are, all snotty and shiny bits, and they are so caught up and gaggin' for it that they don't notice us switchin' the drinks around!
She laughed for a whole minute while trying to finish the story.
-They end up takin' like forty minutes to find a door, and when they do, turns out they walked right into the storage closet. Caught them this morning huggin' on some barrels.
Evey was almost afraid to ask.
-And the nobles?
Sera exploded in a fit of laughter that resounded through the common hall. She bent over the table with one of her hands on her stomach, the other pointing at Bull, who had remained silent and calm with a devious grin on his face.
-Don't worry, boss. They'll show up, eventually. They're just having trouble remastering that coquettish swagger of the hips when they walk.- He winked at the Inquisitor in the most insinuating way she had ever seen.
Cassandra's look as well as her tone didn't hide her disapproval.
-I never took you for someone who would take advantage of an intoxicated woman, Bull.
He raised both hands as if surrendering.
-Hey, I didn't. And you should give me a damn prize for my restraint, actually. They climbed on my lap more times than I could count. How was I supposed to know they'd end up climbing to the bar as well and falling ridiculously...
He couldn't finish the sentence on account of Sera interrupting him.
-Right on their snob arses!- She nearly laughed to the point of choking.
Cassandra tried to hide her smile in her cup. The Seeker did not appreciate Orlesian nobility, and she secretly rejoiced in each of their shames and slips out of character.
Evey dropped her head in her hand. She couldn't deny that she very much enjoyed the idea of one less insufferable noble in her neverending, unwanted retinue, but the idea of how their Ambassador would take this incident was somewhat worrisome.
-Maker, I'll never hear the end of this. I swear, if I have to listen to another of Josephine's lectures about decorum and the correct way of addressing our noble guests, I'm going to send her directly to you two!
-Nice! we'll buy her a drink, -Bull retorted hastily with a devilish smile.
Sera was having troubles breathing at this point; her usual giggles had turned into guffaws, practically forcing her to suck in a breath amongst fits of hysterical laughter.
Evey was about to rebut Bull's answer when a scandalized Dorian stopped her.
-Evelyn Arabella Trevelyan!
He tried to keep up this scolding, but Evey's confused mumble stopped him.
-Um, that's not my middle name.
-Well, excuse me! I'm trying to take a stand here, and I needed to add a little more impact!- He stood at her side and grabbed her sash, which she had just noticed sported a significantly large dried bloodstain. -Have you no respect for high couture? You kept that aberration of a garment for over four months, but you can't keep this one in decent condition for three weeks?! Are you punishing me for something? Did I hurt you in some way?
He was adding an affected tone to his speech, as if he was truly heartbroken and about to cry, which made her affect her best "puppy eyes" in a cheap attempt to play the part of an apology. Dorian, of course, would have never fallen for that (not that she was trying too hard) and immediately raised his hand, preventing her from replying.
-Just… Never mind! I'll find something else to replace it.- Sitting on a nearby chair, he added, -But I swear to you, if you don't take better care of this one next time, I'll…- He thought about the perfect threat, and immediately grinned in his perfect, maleficar smile. -I'll rat you out to the fashion triplets.
In other circumstances, the menace of delivering her to Josephine, Leliana, and Vivienne's hands would have been enough to make her promise never to affront his sensibilities again, but the origins of the bloodstain were hoarding all her attention. Luckily, Bull caught Dorian's consideration, preventing him from demanding a response to his threat.
She looked at her hand, now bandaged completely due to both her sliced palm from her failed attempt to catch her dagger in midair, and from her ire released punching the tree with her fist. Still, even though the wound to her palm had bled more than the other, it was in no way near as important as to leave the stain on her sash. Besides, the fabric was ruined on the left side, and she had wounded her right hand. She remembered that she had hugged herself when Cullen was preparing her horse to return to Skyhold, and she had simply tried to combat the empty sensation she had felt the moment he released her, but he had thought she was cold and had come with her vest to get her warmed up again. That time, though, she had hugged her own arms, not her torso, so even if her hand had bled that much (and it didn't) she couldn't have stained the sash in that moment.
That mystery kept her absent from the breakfast conversation for a few minutes until she heard Varric's call.
-Hey, Curly! Are you actually coming here to have breakfast? And on the same morning our fearless leader decided to put an end to her isolation? Should we let the guards know they have to keep an eye out for flying druffalo?
Cullen made a grunting noise to express what he thought about the dwarf's exaggerated greeting. Granted, lately he had not come to the common hall for morning meals, choosing instead to take it on his office and therefore not be forced to put his work on hold, but it wasn't like he hadn't come in such a long time, was it? He pointedly recalled having breakfast with all of them last...
Cullen stopped in his tracks a few feet away from the table. Has it really been that long?
If he was honest, he couldn't remember the last time he had come here in the morning of his own volition. When they had first arrived at Skyhold, there was too much work to allow himself the luxury of eating anywhere else but his office. Then, when the keep was fairly secure, the new troupes Evey had summoned had been in dire need of decent training and he had been adamant about providing it. After that they had begun the plans for Adamant's siege, and when they came back from that, there had been too many notes of condolences to write and attach to the ones the Inquisitor had insisted it was her duty to write, as well as the arrangements to provide those families with all they needed to move forward, only grieving the loss of their beloved without the desperate financial situation that usually followed these events when a provider for a family was lost.
Truth be told, he had only eaten breakfast here when Cassandra had dragged him begrudgingly, telling him one more time that he would end up exhausted if he drowned himself in work for too long, not helping his lyrium withdrawal in the least by pushing himself to these extremes.
So there it was. Perhaps looking at the sky for flying druffalos was not as outrageous as it sounded.
Promising himself he would try to take a break more often and at least eat in the way the Maker had intended, he covered the distance that separated him from the empty seat next to Varric.
-Good to see you're taking it slow, Curly!- The dwarf slapped his mid back companionably the moment he was next to him, and Cullen leaned forward reflexively, unable to contain a slight flinch, gritting his teeth almost imperceptibly.
While Cullen poured himself a cup of coffee and began examining the contents of the different bowls of food in front of him, a pair of hazel eyes watched him from the edge of a cup.
That morning, the Commander of the Inquisition forces was not wearing his armor.
oOo
At midmorning, the War Council assembled. Time was against them; there were still some months until the Ball at Halamshiral, and they had already received their invitation, the surprise waiting for them when they came back from The Western Approach. Even still, there was much to discuss to make sure they'd have at least a slight chance of succeeding, and it was so overwhelming that Evey had almost wanted to disappear before Josephine and Leliana had a chance to "train" her in the ways of Orlais, the Imperial Court, and nobility.
She had experience in the latter; she was one after all, being the daughter of a Bann, but she was a Marcher and Orlais was another animal entirely. Whereas in her home, nobles were petty and nasty for the most outrageous reasons, in Halamshiral a misstep could translate into so much more than just simple humiliation. It could mean outright suicide, not only socially, but actual death. But, whether she wanted to admit it or not, an alliance with Orlais could change many things, giving them influence and power that they could only dream of having now. Still, she dreaded when her female advisors recommended that she stay in Skyhold for training in The Great Game for the three months leading up to the event.
Once she came back this morning from her "excursion" with Cullen, she made up her mind about an idea she'd had since before the Adamant debacle. She wanted to travel to The Dales. The Inquisition had not yet explored that area, and the fact that Halamshiral was part of that territory could give them some advantage for the future. One never knew what might be encountered while on their travels. The options were varied: she could go to The Emerald Graves, The Exalted Plains, or even Emprise du Lion. All of those regions were in need of assistance to some degree, but she had yet to decide where she was more inclined to go first. After this morning, the idea of parting was not so attractive as it was the night before, but she needed to get away from this enclosure. She felt trapped, and after what had happened in the Fade, that was the last thing she needed.
Josephine, Leliana and she had already arrived. Time was dragging slowly but surely, and the fact that Cullen was already ten minutes late was beginning to get on her nerves, her suspicions even stronger now.
Then, just when she was about to tell the others she would go check on what was keeping him, the heavy wooden door of the War Council Chamber opened hastily.
-I beg your forgiveness, my ladies. I was delayed by some recruits' petty quarrel.
All that answered his words were their three perfect, yet disguised, surprised faces. He could have sworn he'd heard a little gasp that, he suspected, had come from the Ambassador. Cullen couldn't blame them; he was rarely seen in anything but his armor, save for the trip to The Western Approach when the weather had not been the best to don that much metal. Now, nevertheless, he was dressed in the same clothes he'd worn to breakfast. He had briefly considered wearing his pauldrons and vambraces, at least, to the point where he actually put them on and checked his figure in a mirror, but the image reflected was so ridiculous that he had discard them outright. If he was not wearing his breast plate, he might as well forego everything else, save his cloak.
At sight of their shocked looks, however, he asked himself if he had made a tactical mistake. They were too polite to ask, but he knew this change in his routine had not inadvertently escaped notice. Especially Evey's, who was watching him with a raised eyebrow and looked the least surprised among them.
The way he was being watched and scrutinized was making him uncomfortable.
-Shall we, um,- he cleared his throat, starting over. -Shall we begin?
He took his place between the other two advisors in front of the Inquisitor before someone had a chance to respond.
-Yes, of course,- Josephine took the reins and began reading the list of topics for the day, checking which one would be better to start off the meeting. At last, she seemed to decide on one in particular and looked straight to Evelyn. -There are several issues that require your attention, Inquisitor, but I think the paramount one is the upcoming Grand Ball.
Evey nodded in defeat. She knew this subject would arise, but that never meant that she would like it.
-In Orlais, the nobility are ruthless,- Leliana added as if she and Josephine had previously planned to take turns explaining the gravity of the situation. -The Game is played constantly, and it is filled with intrigue, seduction, ambition, and scandal. Any misstep could mean the end of a bloodline, as well as not a small amount of lives. Playing it requires training, and even though you have a base in political stratagems, this is much more intricate than you might have previously seen. Hidden beneath a polite veneer, which will purposely make you feel safe when you are actually walking on thin ice, is the desperate attempt of the nobility to escalate in society, using any means necessary to do so. You'll have to spend hours learning how to avoid the dangerous traps that even our potential allies will lay in front of you, and you'll need to become as comfortable with it as you can in order to play it smoothly and safely.
She pointed to herself and Josie.
-We'll provide you with everything you need to know. You'll have to memorize names, titles, and relationships, both in blood and convenience; you'll have to study the pasts of the main players, and the possible moves they'll attempt to trap you in on the spot. We'll teach you how to predict their next play and how to avoid being lured into unknown and dangerous territory. Dorian and Vivienne will serve as stand ins, and will put you under strenuous situations that you might encounter during our stay in the Palace. We'll need your full focus, attention, and dedication to reach our goal, and don't lose anything in the meantime. Once we deem you ready, you'll have to decide who among your inner circle will accompany you, although we strongly suggest you take Dorian or Vivienne, both if possible. They have much experience, and can help you if you find yourself in a difficult situation.
Evey tried to process all this information, nodding from time to time to let them know she was paying attention, and at the same time tried to accept the fact that her plans to travel to the Dales might be doomed before she had the possibility of putting the subject up for discussion.
Cullen seemed overwhelmed as well, and slightly disgusted with the idea of getting themselves into the viper nest willingly. With a sneer, he seized the silence to give his opinion.
-That's all well and good, but the most important thing remains: We have to reach the Empress before Corypheus.- And then he pointed out a marker which represented their forces laying over Halamshiral on the map. -The only question that matters is, "how?"
Josephine slid a piece of parchment out of her note board and put it on the War Table.
-We know how. I have our way in. The political situation in Halamshiral hangs by a thread. The Empress fears our presence could sever it. The Grand Duke is only too happy to have us at the ball as his guest, so our invitation comes from him.- She pushed the paper closer to her and Evey recognized it immediately, especially with the Gran Duke's signature and family crest on it. It had been laying in the desk of her room for an entire week, and though she'd read it and, in a distant, fuzzy way, even acknowledged what it said, she'd given it back to Josephine afterwards with little to no commentary about it, knowing full well that the subject would arise in the next War Council anyway. -Whether we act as his allies or upset the balance of power, he gains an opportunity, …if not a clear advantage.- She turned once more to Cullen. -The Ball has been planned at the urging of Grand Duchess Florianne, Gaspard's sister. Absolutely everyone will be there, and during the festivities, Celene will be meeting for peace talks with the usurper.- She momentarily looked at Evey again and clarified, -meaning the Duke,- and then her eyes turned to Cullen once more, -and Ambassador Briala, so the real question actually is: where is our enemy hiding?
Leliana didn't give Cullen time to answer.
-The assassin must be hiding within one of these factions.
Cullen intervened, looking straight to Evelyn.
-And it's our job to figure out in which one.
Evey nodded, falling once again in the now old dance of her part as Inquisitor.
-Well, first thing is first: What do we know about Duke Gaspard?- She looked at her three advisors, trying to figure out who would be the first to address to her.
Cullen won the pleasure.
-The man who would have been Emperor.- The Inquisitor raised her brows in surprise. Noticing this, Cullen nodded sadly. It was evident that he thought the Duke would have been a better choice. -He's Celene's cousin, and was first in line to inherit the throne when Emperor Florian died. Celene outmaneuvered him.- He shrugged his shoulders. -She won over the Council of Heralds, who hold authority over title disputes. She became empress, and he a general in the Imperial Army. He's well loved by the troops. He's also a chevalier. Most of their numbers sided with him when he turned on the Empress, since even if they swore to serve the crown, that doesn't necessarily instill faith in the person wearing it, as happened this time. Even with Celene's attempts to win their confidence, the chevaliers see her as anti military, and Gaspard as a possibility to restore the glory the Empire had in the years of Drakon's expansion.
She nodded once more, mainly to assure her advisors' minds that she was, in fact, paying attention and doing her best to keep up with all this political mayhem.
-And Ambassador Briala. What about her?- Considering the title of the woman, she looked to Leliana or Josephine for her answer.
The Spymaster stepped in.
-An ambassador in name only. She has organized the elves of Halamshiral into an underground army. The Empress invited her to the peace talks in a bid to gain the elves' alliance in the war. That would be scandal enough,- she squinted her eyes as if she was about to unveil a dangerous secret, which of course she did, -without the rumor that Briala is a jilted lover of Celene's. A personal grudge and a network of saboteurs at her command? A promising lead.- One corner of her mouth turned up. Leliana adored scandals.
The Inquisitor, for her part, was more than shocked. This was indeed promising.
-Wait! The elven leader is a former lover of the Empress? This plot thickens worse than in Varric's tales.
At this, Leliana actually chuckled.
-It's not widely known, and that gives us a considerable advantage. The most you could get from others is that they heard just a rumor whispered among the palace servants, a few years ago. If it is true and were to get out, the Empress and an elf, the scandal could destroy Celene's court.- For a second, Evey felt uncomfortable at the feline smile of her Spymaster. She looked like a wild animal who knew her prey was trapped. Thank the Maker she was on their side…
Yet as soon as the fleeting hunger appeared in Leliana's eyes, it vanished again.
-Even if a lie, Briala could use it to blackmail the Empress. She has some connection to the throne.
-So, that leaves us only Empress Celine. Josie, tell me everything we know about her.
The Ambassador took one step forward and, with her board in one hand and a quill in the other, she gestured.
-Empress Celene is a renowned diplomat and reformer. She works tirelessly to secure peace for the Empire. Unfortunately, many Orlesians view peace as complacency. She has yet to name an heir, leaving the future of the Empire in doubt if anything happens to her. Especially when the next in line is her cousin, Gaspard, who has made few friends on the Council of Heralds.- Josephine dropped her complete speech without even pausing to take a breath, and even though she really found all of this fairly boring, Evey had to admit she was impressed with the efficiency of her advisors.
-All things considered, is it really possible that an assassin could reach Celene to kill her?
-Normally it wouldn't,- Leliana straightened and joined her hands behind her back. -Celene is surrounded at all times by countless guards, courtiers, servants, and vassals. So it will make perfect sense to use the Ball as a fog curtain to get to her. After all, she is forced to greet everyone there and to mingle with the most important guests, at least. Consider this, Inquisitor: what better place for an assassin to hide than the Empress's own household, especially if they want to make everyone believe the attack came from the outside?
-Then, we have two main suspects: One driven by personal spite over a possible heartbreak, the other due to revenge over Celene gaining the throne.- She summarized it out loud, mostly for herself than for her audience, then considered for a moment all the possibilities. -I find one thing hard to understand yet though. How can Gaspard still be next in line while he wages war against his Empress?
Cullen surprised her in holding the answer to that.
-The title "Grand Duke" indicates that he was a prince before the Empress took the throne. Even if she wants to get him out of the way, and I'm sure she does, she is bound by hierarchy.
She sighed. This was becoming dangerous territory, and the fact that it was going to require intense training and could still end up in disaster didn't make things easier, nor the prospect of attending the Ball more attractive.
She looked at her advisors without bothering to conceal her frustration.
-Do we need to go to the peace talks? The Empress must have personal guards. We could just warn her she is in danger.
Josephine made a grimace.
-We've made the attempt but...- She left it in the air and Leliana picked it up straight from there.
-It seems that our messages never reached her… Someone intercepted them.
Cullen looked at her with understanding eyes. He clearly did not like this either. As far as she could tell, he was not a fan of nobility in general, having little patience for most of their demands. Apparently, she was one of the few nobles he not only tolerated, but also seemed to enjoy spending time with. But then again, she was not like most nobles, especially Orlesian ones.
After that sympathetic look, another one pleading forgiveness replaced it.
-It's better that we don't leave this to chance. If Orlais falls to Corypheus, no land is safe.
She knew, Maker knew she was aware of it, but the idea of spending an entire week in Orlais fearing that any slight miscalculation could mean a significant blow not only to the Inquisition but to the people they were defending was trying, to say the least.
She sighed and decided to give in, but they'd have to give some in return first.
-We'll begin my full training once I come back from the Dales.- Her female advisors made an attempt to interrupt, but she raised her hand and talked first. - Though I will take Vivienne on my trip so she can use that time to teach me the basics.
-But Inquisitor, the Ball is merely three months ahead and if we...
-The Inquisitor is right, Josephine.- Cullen intervened, -The Dales are in need of assistance. I received notice that the rifts there are unstable. We can't risk the people there if we can do something about it.
Both Josephine and Leliana seemed defeated. They knew changing Evey's mind once she set it on something was difficult, but trying to do it when she had Cullen's support was an exhausting experience since they were almost equally stubborn in nature. They also knew that meant they'd have to work twice as hard once the Inquisitor came back from her trip, but this was definitely not the moment to bring that up.
Evey looked at Cullen and mouthed her thanks when the others were not looking, smiling slightly. Cullen nodded solemnly.
Josephine rubbed her forehead in a surprising unlady like gesture and asked,
-When will you be leaving?
Evey pretended to think, as if she had not thought about this enough in the past week while trying to occupy her mind with anything but the events at Adamant.
-Three days. I'll let my companions know after this meeting.
Leliana intervened there.
-The Dales are vast, Inquisitor, with several settlements including Halamshiral, itself. Do you have a more precise idea as to where you'll be heading?- That sounded almost like the sarcasm Evey knew it was.
-I do, actually.- She took her own marker with the Inquisition's emblem and put it over Emprise du Lion. Her advisors watched carefully. Leliana nodded. And Josephine gasped.
A noise followed, and it made her raise her head. Josephine was already bending over to find the quill she had dropped. When the ambassador stood again, she could see a distressed look in her eyes.
-Is there anything wrong, Josephine?
At the mention of her name, Josie looked at her and blushed, trying to avoid her eyes and looking guilty.
-I... Emmmm... No, everything is in order. I beg your pardon, Your Worship. Please continue.
Evey looked around and met the eyes of an annoyed Leliana and a confused Cullen. She then turned back to Josephine and walked straight to her, noticing how she flinched at her proximity.
-What is it Josie?
The ambassador looked back at her, and then, with a defeated sigh, took one of her notes and gave it to her.
The letter was addressed to Josephine, an elegant family crest seal broken from when it had been opened. It was from an Edouard Desjardins and mentioned the dire situation Emprise du Lion was in. There had been Red Templars sighted near Sahrnia, and the people were frightened that this could mean the end of their peaceful lives.
Evey looked at her advisors furiously, crumbling the note in her hand.
-When did this arrive?
Josephine, whose voice had been reduced to almost a whisper from guilt, was the one to answer.
-It was delivered with the last batch of correspondence.
Evey's eyes, as well as Cullen's, grew considerably at this news. Leliana, as usual, had a stoic look on her face. The Inquisitor tried desperately not to scream at her.
-Are you telling me that you've known of this for two weeks and did nothing about it?
-Not nothing, exactly,- Leliana's calm voice interrupted her. -The day we arrived from The Western Approach, I came upon this news,- she said, not specifying if Josephine had told her or if she had found out by her own means, -and deployed Harding with a handful of my spies the very next day. They traveled under specific orders to report any critical information they might find about the Red Templars, as well as their activities.
Evey was breathing heavily, the same blind fury of this morning blazing inside her.
-Why was I not informed of this sooner?!
-Can you blame us, Inquisitor?- Leliana's answer sounded almost like a reproach. -You've been coping with Adamant's consequences, and you were not in the best shape to have this dropped on your shoulders, as well. We did what was necessary. Even if we informed you before, you still needed the information from our own scouts before you could venture there.
She nodded. Though she didn't like it, she had to admit Leliana was right. Far too often she'd had arguments with them because she wanted to explore some place blindly without any other information besides a call for help from an unknown person. This time, the informant was someone who was obviously one of Josephine's acquaintances, and even a friend, if the letter was any indication, but a reconnaissance was always a good course when exploring new lands. Still, she wished she had known earlier. She might have been able to travel before, or even with Harding.
She lowered her head and her eyes were covered over by her bandaged hand. Who was she kidding? If it wasn't for Cullen's intervention, she would still be secluded in her own despair, trying as little as possible to interact with anyone.
She then bent over the War Table, her right hand over the Gamordan Peaks, her left in the Sundered Sea.
-Is there anything else I should know?
Josephine cleared her throat in such a soft and elegant way that the gesture could never have worked at it was supposed to.
-Nothing that requires immediate attention, Your Worship.
-Yes, well, I prefer to hear it now, if it's all the same to you.- She instantly regretted her poisonous tone and glanced each of them apologetically. They all nodded their acceptance.
Leliana was the first to continue as if nothing had happened.
-Word spread about your deal with the Wardens in the aftermath of the Adamant battle, and people among Skyhold are divided. Some claimed, as you, that the Wardens need a second chance to clear their name.- She made a pause, as if giving her time to prepare for the upcoming news. -The others think that it's unfair to give refuge to the murderers of our people.- She flinched at this. Back at Griffon Wing Keep, she knew this could happen, but foolishly hoped the people would see it her way.- We hoped that with Ser Ruth's judgment, we might appease most of the detractors.
She didn't like that at all; she never liked judging people. The last one had been almost a joke, judging a man that attacked Skyhold with a goat, and most people had taken it as such. But this? This was far from that. This judgment could heal the Inquisition or open a breach between their followers.
Maker, sometimes she hated being the Inquisitor.
Leliana followed with her report.
-Most of the survivors sent by our allies requested permission to bring their loved ones and continue fighting for the Inquisition. We took the liberty of writing down the letters that will be sent to those desired to their superiors, and left it on your desk for your evaluation. If everything works as we expect, and none of the soldiers are called back to their settlements, we think the wisest thing to do will be to bring them here to Skyhold, and deploy most of the Wardens elsewhere. This may also lessen the grieving families of the burden of sharing their home with those they blame for the deaths of their beloved ones. The problem is where to send them.
Josephine took the lead here.
-The restoration of Haven is complete. We managed to make it habitable again, and with it we now count a new settlement to give to our troupes.- She turned her body toward the Commander, but did not raise her eyes from her notes. -Earlier this morning, you were saying something about...- Apparently she realized then that Cullen was still looking at the Inquisitor's marker on the map. -Cullen?
It took him a few seconds to recall what had been said that his mind had registered beyond his notice.
-Hmmm? I... eh... yes... Haven has limited space for our soldiers to train, but it's enough for the Wardens. Perhaps we could set up something over here for the troupes there, and deploy most of the Wardens there. They could make rounds to the nearby villages and provide extra protection, and at the same time leave room for the Haven soldiers here. As you are aware, some of them left their families, and it may raise morale to bring them back together after...- He stopped before he mentioned the ones they lost at Adamant.
-Yes, that will work. I will hold audience with Ser Ruth this afternoon.- For some reason, she refused to call it "judgment", especially in cases involving the wardens, since it sounded as if she was entitled to decide everyone's destiny. -And then we will give word to the Wardens of where they will be assigned.
-That leaves Livius Erimond, Your Worship. He...
She stopped Josephine by raising her hand.
-I know, I'll take care of him after Ser Ruth.- She looked at her three advisors again. -Anything else?
-Well, there is one thing more,- Josephine ventured. She looked at her warily, and Evelyn made a gesture to encourage her to talk. -The answer to Grand Duke Gaspard must come from your hand only. He is after all who invited us, and has requested the honor to assist you at the ball. Therefore, it customary that the answer to his invitation be given by the one the missive is addressed to.- Her face told the Ambassador everything she needed to know.- I am aware that you do not enjoy this, but consider it a prelude to your training in the Great Game. Just...- She swallowed silently, -make sure to write in friendlier terms than you did when you answered Emile de Launcet's proposal.
Cullen snorted.
-Emile de Laucet. Really.
He looked back at Evey, who was rolling her eyes.
-Really.
-The man is inept! Back in Kirkwall, he actually spread a rumor that he himself was a blood mage, just to attract women! Hawke had a hard time deciding whether to emasculate him or concede one night of enjoyment before then turning him over to the Circle.- He shook his head with sadness. -Tragically, he chose the latter.
This time, Evey was the one who snorted in amusement.
-You should have read the letter. His skills have not improved.
-I would rather have read your reply.
They laughed together until Josephine cleared her throat, this time more insistently, as a mother demanding her children's attention.
-Still, please refrain yourself this time. The Duke outwits Emile de Laucent by far, and he is too valuable a potential ally to risk the luxury of keeping in his good graces.
-Don't worry, Josephine; I will behave as the lady my mother raised. What I don't understand is why the Duke is so eager to win our favor.
-Gaspard knows our presence will cross the Empress, even if she will never admit it, as it is logical.- Leliana continued, -In the people's eyes, an alliance with the Inquisition comes short of an alliance with Andraste herself.- When Evey tried to interrupt, Leliana raised her hand, stopping her.- Even if you don't like it or if you discovered the contrary in the Veil, this is how most people see you. Celene does not need that pressure hindering her leverage in the peace talks, nor face the possibility of us not giving our full support to her cause, which is why I suspect Gaspard was able to outmaneuver her and invite us first. It will be your duty to evaluate the situation and decide who you will support... if anyone.
Evey nodded once more and, afraid that this would continue indeterminately if she immersed herself in the subject of the Ball again, she straightened her back and crossed her arms, as she usually did when she was about to adjourned the meeting.
-Well, then, if that is all, I think we all know what to do for the time being.- She turned to Josephine once more. -I will see you in a couple of hours with a draft of my reply to the Grand Duke.
Her three advisors then gathered their reports and walked to the door, leaving her to her musings while she studied the map in deep concentration. Words of "Inquisitor" reached her from both women, and before Cullen's voice did the same, she spoke.
-Commander, a word if you please?
She did not turn when he quietly acknowledged her request, nor when she heard the door closing behind her female advisors. Instead, she calmly walked to one of the windows in the back of the room, waiting until the other door at the other end of the hall leading to Josephine's office closed in turn.