"I've made some inquiries into the Imperial Court." Josephine rose from behind her desk. "The sooner we deal with the threat to the empress, the better. The political situation in the empire is dangerously unstable. It will complicate matters."

Cullen stepped down into her office. "Everything in the empire complicates matters. It's the Orlesian national pastime."

Leliana just rolled her eyes at him. "Turn up your nose at the Grand Game if you like, Commander, but we play for the highest stakes, and to the death."

Josephine looked over at Maxwell. "The court's disapproval can be as great a threat as the Venatori. We must be vigilant, to avert disaster."

Maxwell smiled at his ambassador. "Don't worry, Josephine. We'll protect the empress, no matter what."

"I pray you're right. If your vision of the future comes to pass…" She folded her hands primly. "The death of the empress heralds the destruction of everything. Orlais hold Tevinter at bay. All of Thedas could be lost if the empire falls to Corypheus. The Grand Masquerade is a perfect place for an assassin to hide."

"And it's best we discuss these matters in the war room," said Adaar.

"Agreed," said Cullen. "We have to reach the empress before Corypheus. The only question is: how?"

"We know how," said Josephine as they entered the war room. "I have are waking. The real question is: where is our enemy hiding? At the urging of Grand Duchess Floraianne, the empress is holding a ball. Absolutely everyone will be there. During the festivities, Celene will be meeting for peace talks with the usurper Duke Gaspard and Ambassador Briala."

"The assassin must be hidden within one of these factions," said Leliana as they positioned themselves round the table.

"Who is this Ambassador Briala?" Maxwell enquired.

"And ambassador in name only," said Leliana. "She has organised the elves of Halamshiral into an underground army. The empress invited her to peace talks in a bid to gain the elves' alliance in the war. That would be scandalous enough, without the rumour that Briala is a jilted lover of Celene's." Leliana merely shrugged. "A personal grudge and a network of saboteurs at her command? A promising lead."

Ellana eyes widened. "Wait. The elven leader is a jilted lover of the empress?"

"It's not wildly known. Just a rumour whispered among the palace servants a few years ago. It is true and were to get out—the empress an elf—the scandal could destroy Celene's court. Even if a lie, Briala could use it to blackmail the empress. She has some connections to the throne."

"What do we know about Duke Gaspard?" Maxwell asked.

"The man who would have been emperor," said Cullen. "He's Celene's cousin, and was first in line to inherit the throne when Emperor Florain died. Celene outmanoeuvred him. She won over the Council of Heralds, who hold authority over titles 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."

"Aren't the chevaliers part of the army?" Adaar frowned. "Why would they follow the duke?"

"Most chevaliers are sworn to the crown, but that does not give them faith in the person wearing it," Cullen explained. "The empress has tried to improve relations with Ferelden and Nevarra. The chevaliers see her as antimilitary. They believe Gaspard would lead the empire back to the glory of Drakon's expansion years."

"Tell me everything we know about the empress," said Maxwell.

"Empress Celene is a renowned diplomat and reformer," said Josephine. "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 line is her cousin Gaspard, whose made few friends on the Council of Heralds."

"Celene is surrounded on all times by countless guards, courtiers, servants and vassals," said Leliana. "What better place for an assassin to hide than the empress' own household?"

"How can Gaspard still be next in line while he wages war against his empress?" Erdic asked shaking his head.

"The title 'grand duke' indicates that he was a prince before the empress took the throne," Cullen explained."

"You're also forgetting about the little feud between the two of them," said Theron as he entered into the room.

"Theron, I trust you are able to make contact," said Leliana.

"I wasn't, but Kallian was," said Theron.

"You don't mean Kallian Tabris," Ellana blinked. "The first Elven nobles since the Fall of the Dales."

"That's her," said Theron. "She's managed to send a few spies into Briala underground network and we've got quite a bit of information. For starters Gaspard's wife killed Celene's mother. Celene's father killed Gaspard's wife, and died doing so. To the wife, not to Gaspard. Gaspard's first solution to the unrest was to ask Celene to marry him. She refused. He began to work against her in earnest. He even attempted to conscript Wynne, but she eluded him. He manipulated Celene into…" He was silent for a moment. "Celene put Halamshiral to blade and fire. Gaspard's forces were waiting to ambush her after she finished. Thus the war stepped out of the shadows." He leaned back.

"What are your personal thoughts?" Maxwell asked.

"Celene is a patron of the arts. Builder of universities. Even, for a time, something resembling at least a passing ally to the elves. At Briala's urging, at least. She and Gaspard are two sides to a coin, Inquisitor. Each is strong where the other is weak. Pity they are both too hungry to see that for themselves. They will rip each other apart before they work together."

"Briala."

"She was Celene's spymaster. Not as far-sighted as Leliana, but nearly as cunning. The longer the war plays out, the better it is for the elves in the long run. Eventually, one side or the other must turn to them for aid, and the elves will be bargaining from a position of power."

"We shouldn't waste any time," said Adaar. "Let's go to the Winter Palace."

Maxwell soon found himself in a carriage and he couldn't wait to get the Palace, before everyone started killing each other.

Vivienne was smiling at Solas. "You know, Solas, you do an excellent job of spellcasting without any concrete knowledge of technique."

Solas merely shrugged in response. "Your rigorous training lays a solid foundation, true. It also creates boundaries, limits, where none need exist."

"I do prefer to have boundaries between myself and the demons, my dear."

"Of course. You endured the Harrowing, where your Circle teaches you that all demons attempt to possess you."

"Not at all! Many of them simply want to kill you. I suppose you would claim otherwise."

"Why should I? You would not believe me. You have learned your lessons all too well."

On the other side of the carriage, Sera elbowed Cassandra. "What was she like? The Divine, I mean. Was she as pretty as her plates?"

"Pretty as her what?" Cassandra blinked.

"Her plates with her portrait on. They sold them in the shops down in Val Royaux. You'd see them on walls a lot. Cost a bundle and you couldn't even eat off them. Well, part of them. The yellowy-brown paint's poisonous. Had to keep your mash off her eyes."

Cassandra stared. "They put Most Holy's portrait on plates?"

Dorian simply chuckled and looked at Maxwell. "I had a little rumour about you."

Maxwell raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"Indeed. Someone's been doing some training… as an assassin, no less."

Maxwell shrugged. "The skills involved are rather handy."

"I should say! With the amount of killing you do, a bit of flair's a fine thing."

Maxwell crosses arms. "I don't kill that many people…"

Dorian just stared at him. "Are you joking? I'm surprised he didn't kill someone on our way here. At any rate, if you intend to make it an actual profession, do tell me. The Antivan Crows have nothing on the Imperium." He then winked. "I know people. Keep in mind."

Ellana patted the horse, she felt sorry that Maxwell was stuck in the carriage and had to deal with Vivienne. A glance over her shoulder revealed Solas had also left the carriage, and was apparently planning on walking rather than continue sitting in a carriage with Vivienne and Sera. Ellana shrugged, and then offered him a hand up to ride behind her.

Both Blackwall and Cullen kept their own horses near her. Blackwall shrugged. "Val Royeaux, huh? I remember the first time I visited it, some thirty years ago. The market was not half as large without the garish statues and far fewer stands selling those ridiculous frilly little cakes."

Behind her, Solas replied. "The Val Royeaux market was once nothing but tents of oils, leather, and mud. Filled with ragged humans selling strings of beads made of bone."

Blackwall glanced over his shoulder. "You saw this in the Fade?"

"Yes. I left that memory quickly. The smell…" She could feel him give a slight shudder.

"Must have been ages ago."

"Oh yes, it's much better now. I enjoy the frilly cakes."

After so many days wearing armour, Maxwell felt all but naked in the formal attire. He was marching side-by-side with Josephine, who was informing of their contact with in the Palace.

"The political situation in Halamshiral hangs by a thread," said Josephine. "The empress fears our presence could sever it. The grand duke is only happy to have us at the ball as his guests, so I invitation comes through him. Whether we act as his allies, or upset the balance of power, he gains an opportunity… if not a clear advantage."

They found the Grand Duke meeting at the gates as they marched into the Palace.

"Inquisitor Trevelyan!" Grand Duke Gaspard strode towards him. "We meet at last!" He then bowed in a manner that showed respect to a fellow commander. "I've heard so much about you. The rumours coming out of the Western Approach say you and your guard battled an army of demons." His gestures were grand. "Imagine what the Inquisition could accomplish with the full support of the rightful Emperor of Orlais!"

"I could see many benefits to such an alliance," said Maxwell.

"Keep the image firmly in mind," he said with a warm smile. "We may see it manifest by the end of the evening. "I am not a man who forgets his friends, Inquisitor. You help me, I'll help you. Prepared to shock the court by appearing as a guest of a hateful usurper, my lord? They will be telling stories of this into the next age."

"I can't imagine that crowd had seen anything better than us their entire lives."

"I knew we would get along famously, Inquisitor." He then led him into the garden. "As a friend, perhaps there is a matter you could undertake this evening. This elven woman, Briala—I suspect that she intends to disrupt the negotiations. My people have found these 'ambassadors' all over the fortifications. Sabotage seems the least of their crimes."

"That sounds like something I should look into," said Maxwell.

Gaspard sighed. "Be as discreet as possible. I detest the Game, but if we do not play it well, our enemies will make us look like villains."

They parted ways inside the garden. He wandered a bit, returning a lost ring to its owner. His companions mingled as well.

"Gaspard seems to be pointing us towards Briala," he whispered to his guard.

"Figures who try to put blame on an elf," Ellana muttered.

"Just keep your eyes and ears open, but I don't think Gaspard is the murderer," said Erdic.

With that Maxwell made his way over to the gate.

Josephine met him just inside the entrance. "Inquisitor, a moment, if you please?" They stepped off to the side. "I'm sure you know how to handle most nobility, but the Game is nothing like the Free Marches' intrigues. It is no simple matter of etiquette and protocol. Every word, every gesture, is measured and evaluated for weakness."

Maxwell nodded. Vivienne had spent hours drilling him and the guard. "I'll keep my guard up, don't worry."

Clearly, Josephine was not to be easily comforted on the issue. "The game is like Wicked Grace played to the death. You must never reveal your cards. When you meet the empress, the eyes of the entire court will be upon you. You were safer in the Fade with the fear demon."

"It might be a good idea for the others to hear this warning." He started to step away, and then came back to Josephine. "Especially Sera. Maybe tell her twice."

"I'll have a few…" Josephine played with the edge of her glove. "Discreet words." She took a deep breath. "Everything will be fine."

As Maxwell started to walk in, she heard Josephine murmur. "Andraste watch over us all."

"It's her," Theron's voice was quiet.

"The occult adviser. The Inquisitor will need to be warned." Leliana kept her face pleasant and composed as she looked around the garden. "Has he gone in already?"

"I just missed him at the gate. What is Morrigan doing here, Leliana?"

"A good question. We had best find the answer."

Both Cassandra and Cullen were at the top of the stairs, standing stiffly in the dress uniforms. Cullen mentioned some of the others had already gone inside. Maxwell mingled a bit more before nodded to them and heading in.

"And now, presenting: Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons. And accompanying him…" Maxwell walked in beside the Grand Duke. Once again, he could feel a thousand eyes staring at him. One would think by now he'd be getting used to it. "Lord Inquisitor Trevelyan, son of Bann Trevelyan of Ostwick! Vanquisher of the rebel mages of Ferelden, crusher of the vile apostates of the Mage Underground."

He heard Sera's voice whisper fiercely. "He is so full of it. That's not how it went."

The announcer continued. "Champion of the Blessed Andraste herself."

Gaspard actually snickered. "Did you see their faces? Priceless."

"Accompanying the Inquisitor: Seeker Cassandra Allegra Portia Calogera Filomena—"

"Get on with it." Cassandra's gait was far closer to 'stalking' than a 'ladylike glide'.

Maxwell continued walking as he heard his various companions announced. Solas was introduced as Ellana's manservant. Part of him wondered if that had been his idea. Erdic nearly choked when she heard Sera introduced as 'her ladyship Mai Bhalsych of Korse'. From the look that crossed Josephine's face, Sera was going to pay dearly at some point.

The Empress met them at the end of the hall. Duke Gaspard bowed. "Cousin. My dear sister."

"Grand Duke. We are always honoured when your presence graces our court." The Empress gestured grandly, and even managed to make her voice sound warm and pleasant.

"Don't waste my time with pleasantries, Celene. We have business to conclude."

Celene graciously inclined her head. "We will meet for negotiations after we have seen to our other guests."

Gaspard bowed to Maxwell. "Inquisitor."

"Lord Inquisitor, we welcome you to the Winter Palace." Celene spread her hands, and then gestured to the woman beside her. "Allow us to present our cousin, the Grand Duchess of Lydes, without whom this gathering would never have been possible."

"What an unexpected pleasure." The Grand Duchess wore a dress that put Maxwell in mind of a moth. "I was not aware the Inquisition would be part of our festivities. We will certainly speak later, Inquisitor." She withdrew.

"Your arrival at court is like a cool wind on a summer's day." Celene continued grandly.

"Let's hope the breeze does not herald an oncoming storm."

Celene simply smiled. "Even the wisest mistake fair wins for foul. We at the mercy of the skies, Inquisitor. How do you find Halamshiral?"

"I have no words to suffice, Halamshiral has many beauties, and I couldn't do them justice."

"Your modesty does you credit, and speaks well for the Inquisition. Feel free to enjoy the pleasures of the ballroom, Inquisitor." Celene inclined her head. "We look forward to watching you dance."

"Inquisitor. A word, when you and the guard have a moment." Theron's voice reached his ears as he came up the stairs. He walked towards the door without looking at him.

They followed at a more sedate pace, occasionally smiling and nodding at various people. They went through the door to find Leliana waiting for them rather than Theron. She couldn't quite stop herself from smiling. Despite keeping their distance from one another, the two still worked together all but flawlessly. Leliana stepped over to the side. "What did the duke say?"

"He points the finger at Ambassador Briala," said Maxwell.

"The ambassador is up to something, but she can't be our focus. The best place to strike at Celene is from her side." Leliana leaned against the wall. "Empress Celene is fascinated by mysticism—foreseeing the future, speaking with the dead, that sort of rubbish. She has an 'occult adviser'. An apostate who charmed the empress and key members of the court as if by magic." Leliana folded her arms. "I've had dealings with her in the past. She is ruthless and capable of anything."

Adaar raised an eyebrow at the barely concealed anger in Leliana's voice. "How can Celene openly keep an apostate in the Imperial Court?"

"The Imperial Court has always had an official position for a mage. Before now, it was little better than court jester. Vivienne was the first to turn that appointment into a source of real political power. When the Circles rebelled, technically every mage became an apostate. The word has lost much of its strength."

"That sounds exactly like the person we're looking for," said Maxwell.

"She's worth investigating. Can't be sure of anything here. Both leads point towards the guest wing. It's a promising place to start." Leliana stepped away from the wall. "I'll coordinate with our spies to see if I can find anything better. I will be in the ballroom if you need me."

Maxwell found Cassandra far away as possible from the nobility. "This ball is a waste of time, like all Orlesian foolishness," she grumbled. "Let's find the Venatori collaborator and get out of here."

"I don't suppose you'd like to dance, Lady Cassandra?"

Cassandra looked at him as if he was crazy. "Now? This is… hardly the time. We here to find the killer, not… dancing."

Blackwall turned out to share Cassandra's views and he was being pestered by some noble who kept insisting he knew him from somewhere. Maxwell overheard some elven servants talking about a package in the guest wing, and something about a statuette. He'd found a halla statuette in the garden. Another potential lead.

Ellana found Solas was leaning against a statue. She blinked. The man almost looked to be enjoying himself. He caught her eye as she walked over. "I do adore the heady blend of power, intrigue, danger, and sex that permeates these events."

She smiled. "Have you seen anything useful?"

"No, sadly. I do not have the look of one of the elven servants, or I might well be invisible. I wonder how masked men live their lives without ever seeing that servants have an entire society of their own?" He nodded at where a few of the servants were gathered at the other end of the hall. "If you want to find something useful, I would pay attention to what the servants do."

Ellana looked at him fiddling with her fingers. "You have any interest in dancing?"

"A great deal… although dancing with an elven apostate would renew few favours with the court. Perhaps once our business here is done?"

Ellana nodded. "Have you encountered any trouble with the nobles?"

"The Orlesians do not quite know what to make of me." He shrugged. "I have kept to myself, for fear of giving them some purchase to cling to. The food and drink are excellent, however, and the servants have been happy to refill my glass."

She blinked. If she wasn't mistaken, he was actually a bit on the tipsy side. It was kind of nice to see him relaxing a little. "You seem more comfortable with a grand Orlesian ball than I'd have expected."

"I have seen countless such displays in my journeys in the Fade. The powerful have always been the same. Only the costumes change."

"I'll be back."

"Hunt well."

Ellana nodded. She then found Theron talking to a female elf, but she wasn't a servant she was wearing noble clothing.

Theron gestured for her to approach them. "Ellana, allow me to introduce to you Kallian Tabris."

"It's an honour to meet you," said Ellana breathlessly. "What are you doing here?"

"Ferelden are concerned about the politics here and sent me an ambassador," Kallian explained. "Normally it would have been Teagan, but he's still trying to fix the mess in Redcliffe."

"I don't suppose you've noticed anything?" she enquired.

The two of them shook their head.

"Nothing about the assassin," said Kallian. "Though, Briala scenes have been taken quite an interesting me, but that's not surprising. I believe that she wishes to place an elven noble in the court."

"Which you can't do with Celene dead," said Ellana.

"I think there are other things afoot," said Theron. "I'd advise that you keep your eyes open."

Evelyn was marvelled that Josephine and Yvette were related. Surely the age difference between them couldn't be a mere three years. Sera was making very catty remarks about various people. Vivienne seemed to be having fun, and was conversing with various people she knew. Leliana had something of a shoe obsession. Varric had come in with them earlier, but was now nowhere to be found. For that matter, neither was Cole. Hopefully, the two of them had just gone off together somewhere and weren't getting into trouble.

Cullen was surrounded by what appeared to be admirers. "Are you married, Commander?" a woman fluttering a fan asked him.

"Not yet, but I am…" He shifted uncomfortably. "Already taken."

"Still single, then…"

She forced down the urge to arc some lightning across all their masks. He saw her approaching, and took a step towards her almost desperately. "Did you need something?" He glanced over his shoulder at the slightly dispersing group. "The sooner we track down this infiltrator, the better."

"You've attracted quite a following. Who are all these people?" she said with a hint of jealousy in her voice?

"I don't know, but they won't leave me alone." Frustration was evident on his face.

"Not enjoying the attention, then?" She smiled sympathetically.

"Hardly. Anyway, yours—" He coughed, and then lowered his voice to barely above a whisper. "Yours is the only attention worth having."

Butterflies danced in her stomach. "I don't suppose you'd save a dance for me?"

"No, thank you."

She blinked, and stared at him. "Oh."

"No. I didn't mean to—" He gave her an apologetic look. "Maker's breath. I've answered that question so many times I'm rejecting it automatically." He sighed. "I'm not one for dancing. The templars never attended balls."

They chatted for another minute about what he'd observed, which was unfortunately little. He assured her the soldiers were in place. Reluctantly, she went back to mingling.

Maxwell chatted politely with one of the Council of Heralds, and then sympathised with an attaché who was seeking to find a lost 'Pierre'. He then found Addar and Iron bull talking to one another both them was observing the nobility.

"You got anything that need killing?" he asked hopefully. "Because the nobles keep messing with me, and they think I don't know they're doing it. This keeps up, I'm going to be wear someone's skull as my fancy little mask."

"Any interest in a dance?" Adaar asked.

Iron Bull laughed. "Oh, shit, the nobles would love that! Can you imagine Josephine's face, trying to explain that we were…" He sobbed when he realised that Adaar was serious. "Wait, where you serious? Because if so, then yeah, absolutely. I mean, one. The assassins and all that."

Nothing that would help them find an assassin, but passed to Leliana could net them a bit of sway among the nobles. An eavesdropped conversation on the servants Solas had pointed out earlier netted him a missive. It appeared Briala's people were having some difficulties. He passed it to Leliana before heading into the garden.

The Empress's handmaidens stopped him just as he entered the garden. "My Lord! My Lord Inquisitor!"

"May we have a word? It's very important."

"The empress has sent us with a message for you!"

Three of them for one message. Maxwell nodded politely. "I'm always honoured to hear from Her Majesty."

"Oh! She is the honoured one, Inquisitor!"

"Empress Celene is eager to assist the Herald of Andraste and his guard in their holy endeavour."

"She will pledge her full support to the Inquisition as soon as the usurper Gaspard is defeated."

"That's a generous offer."

"The empress believes wholeheartedly that the Inquisition is our best hope for peace in these difficult times."

"She looks forward to cementing a formal alliance."

"As soon as Gaspard is out of the way."

"But we have taken enough of your time."

"Please, enjoy the masquerade, Inquisitor."

Maxwell walked into the garden and approached Dorian.

"This is all so familiar. I half expect my mother to materialise from the crowd and criticize my manners." Dorian took a sip from his wine glass.

"Is this how the elite of Tevinter would carry on?" Maxwell asked as he took a glass of wine from the servant.

"You could almost mistake this for a soiree in the Imperium. The same double-dealing, elegant poison, canapés…" He gestured. "It's lacking only a few sacrificial slaves and some blood magic." Dorian shrugged. "But the night is still young."

"What if your mother was actually here? Where would we be then?"

"Short one mage, I expect. I'd be dragged out by my earlobe."

He tilted his head to one side at the mental image. "I'm having difficulty picturing that."

"Picture me a young boy of five years, then. She certainly always has."

"You might want to move closer to the railing, observed the view. Duke Montefort's jarred is rather…" He winked at him. "Decorative."

"A suggestion worth heeding."

"Try not to get too drunk."

He sighed, and looked dejected. "You ask so much of me,"

Another eavesdropped conversation netted her a potential contact for Leliana. He then went up to Erdic, who was with his wife.

"I need you to investigate," he said.

"Understood, but I could do of a distraction," said Erdic.

"Don't worry Dorian's has that covered," said Maxwell.

Erdic waited out of sight until he saw heads start to turn in Dorian's direction. A few moments later he had climbed the wall and was on the upper level. A quick glance into the garden revealed a nobleman apologising profusely to Dorian, with Dorian apparently channelling every ounce of Tevinter he could muster into a withering stare. Good. At least he wasn't going to get thrown out.

Some searching uncovered a hidden study, and a letter to a 'Lady M'. He pocketed the letter. The study clearly belonged to a mage. There was even a sconce burning with veilfire. This would be the apostate's lair, then. Maxwell would probably send Theron back to do a more thorough search. Quietly, he slipped over to the room the servants had mentioned, and used the statuette to get the door open. Inside, he found several bodies and a packet of letters. Briala's sabotage at work.

Rather than climb back down, he went through the library and made his way over to Maxwell.

"No problems?" he said.

"I found these," said Erdic handing the letters to Maxwell. "It seems our elven ambassador has sabotaged both sides."

"Good work, try and see if you can find out anything else I'll inform Leliana," said Maxwell.

Maxwell then walked towards the door when he heard a voice. "Well, well, what have we here?" Maxwell turned to see a woman in a dark red velvet dress coming down the stairs. She was unmasked, her dark hair swept up but not covered. And her eyes were a piercing yellow, unlike any Maxwell had ever seen before. "The leader of the new Inquisition, fabled Herald of the faith. Delivered from the grasp of the Fade by the hand of Blessed Andraste herself." The woman's lips wore a small smile. "What could bring such an exalted creature here to the Imperial Court, I wonder? Do even you know?"

Maxwell returned the smile. "We may never know. Courtly intrigues and all that."

"Such intrigues obscure much, but not all." She inclined her head. "I am Morrigan. Some call me adviser to Empress Celene on matters of the arcane. You and your guard…" Morrigan gestured, and then began to walk towards the great hall. "Have been very busy this evening, hunting in every dark corner of the palace." Morrigan raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps you and I hunt the same prey?"

"I don't know. Do we?" He had heard of the name Morrigan before, in Theron's book and wondered if this was the same person she certainly matched the description.

Morrigan actually laughed. "You are being coy."

"I'm being careful." Leliana's warning echoed in his mind.

"Not unwise, here of all places. Allow me to speak first, then." She turned over a hand. "Recently I found, and killed, an unwelcome guest within these very halls. An agent of Tevinter." She turned over her other hand, which contained a key. "So I offer you this, Inquisitor: a key found on the Tevinter's body. Where it leads, I cannot say. Yet if Celene is in danger, I cannot leave her side long enough to search. You and your guard can."

The woman was protecting Celene? She was going to need to talk to Leliana again. "You left Celene alone? Is that wise?"

"I must return to her anon, but she is safe enough…" Morrigan twitched a shoulder. "For the moment. 'Twould be a great fool who strikes at her in public, in front of all her court and the imperial guard."

There was a puzzle here, and she was missing several pieces. "What's your interest in protecting Empress Celene? Are you her bodyguard?"

Laughter answered her. "Do I seem a bodyguard to you?" Morrigan gestured at herself. "If anything were to happen to Celene, eyes would turn first to her 'occult adviser.' Even if they knew otherwise. There are sharks in the water, and I will not fall prey to them. Not now, not ever."

Self-interest. That made sense. But the pieces still weren't fitting right. And he thought he knew where the key might lead. He took it from Morrigan. "Briala's people are whispering about disappearances in the servants' quarters. This key may lead there."

"The ambassador does have eyes and ears everywhere, does she not? Proceed with caution, Inquisitor. Enemies abound, and not all of them aligned with Tevinter." Morrigan inclined her head graciously. "What comes next will be most exciting."

She passed what information she'd collected to Leliana, and mentioned Morrigan. "You said you'd had dealings with her in the past?"

"You heard stories of the Blight, yes?"

Maxwell started to nodded. "So that was her."

"Tread carefully, Inquisitor."

Maxwell nodded, and then turned to Ellana, who was standing with them. "Ellana, you best investigate the servant quarters."

Ellana nodded.

The bodies of several servants lay scattered around the room. Sera's face was furious. "Caught in the middle of this crap. What fully qualified arsehole stops to kill a cook?"

Ellana sighed. "Must be the elves Briala's people are looking for."

Sera clenched her fists. "Whoever did this oughta be down here somewhere."

She nodded to Sera, and then glanced over her shoulder at Cassandra and Solas. The faces of both were grim.

They continued through the servants' quarters, and found only more corpses. Some were… very young. Sera was practically growling by the time they reached the garden. Solas touched Ellana's arm, then pointed. The body of a well-dressed man was lying by a fountain, a knife hilt sticking out of his back. Ellana moved in to take a closer look. "This was no servant. What was he doing here?"

Sera nodded. "This guy's way too fancy to belong down here. What's his story?"

Cassandra gestured at the knife. "The crest of the Chalons family. Duke Gaspard will answer for this."

Ellana frowned. "Time to have a word with the Duke."

She rose just as someone let out a cry. A serving girl was running. Ellana started to put up a barrier around the young woman, but wasn't fast enough. A masked figure put a knife through the girl's heart, then looked up at them and fled. Several Venatori emerged from the same path. Without their gear, options were limited. She and Solas stepped forward, casting the spell simultaneously and feeding into each other's magic. Lightning arced among the Venatori.

Cassandra hit one of the Venatori with a tackle, and came up with the man's blades in her hands. She tossed one to Sera before moving in to attack. Ellana summoned the spirit blade, and closed. She and Solas both put up barriers, reinforcing each other's spells. A moment later, the last of the venatori was down.

Sera had found a bow on one. Instead of nocking an arrow or using the knife, she was kicking one of the Venatori in the head. Repeatedly. With a rather impressive string of curses. Ellana stripped a shield off one, and tossed it to Cassandra. Cassandra strapped it to her arm, and then nodded. The seeker held up a staff, and Ellana jerked her head at Solas. Cassandra tossed it to him.

They killed two more groups of Venatori. Sera had found a few more halla statuettes, and managed to get a door open. Ellana looked around the vault, and her eyes fell on an elven style locket. Celene had kept Briala's locket. Interesting. She picked it up.

Sera snerked. "The empress can't give up her pretty things."

Sera crowed triumphantly as she got the outlandishly dressed assassin with an arrow right to the eye. Ellana swiped her spirit blade through the man trying to attack Solas, and Solas aimed his staff at one of the two men attacking Cassandra. A fist of green energy smashed the man against the wall, and Cassandra finished the other off a heartbeat later. The last man started to run, but a knife grew in his eye as soon as he reached the corner.

An elven woman stopped to retrieve her dagger before walking towards them. "Fancy meeting you here." She gave a small bow. "Guardsmen Lavellan. Slumming in a servants' quarters with the rest of your people for once? I We haven't been properly introduced, have we? I'm Ambassador Briala."

Ellana returned the bow. "I'm glad to meet you finally, Ambassador."

Briala looked around at the bodies, and then smiled and gave a nod. "Your reputation for getting results is well deserved. You cleaned this place out. It will take a month to get all the Tevinter blood off the marble." She leaned on the doorway to the balcony. "I came down to save or avenge my missing people, but you've beaten me to it. So…" She glanced over the railing. "The Council of Herald's emissary in the courtyard…" Briala raised an eyebrow. "That's not your work, is it?"

"Gaspard killed him, I think," said Ellana as she pulled out the knife. "The knife has a Chalons crest on the hilt."

"I knew it," Briala shrugged. "I knew he was smuggling in chevaliers, but killing a council emissary? Bringing Tevinter assassins into the palace? Those are desperate acts. Gaspard must be planning to strike tonight."

"The empress needs to know what's going on."

"You can try to warn her. She won't believe anything from me." Briala tilted her head to one side. "I misjudged you, Guardian. You might just be an ally worth having. What could you do with an army of elven spies at your disposal? You should think about it."

Ellana could see the appeal of having an army of elven spies. "You know how to make a pitch, Ambassador."

"I do, don't I?" Briala gave a small bow. "I know which way the wind is blowing. I'd bet coin that you'll be part of the peace talks before the night is over. And if you happen to lean a little bit our way? It…" Briala shrugged. "Could prove advantageous to us both. Just a thought." Briala walked to the edge of the balcony, leaped down, and was gone into the shadows.

"More politics and double-dealing." Cassandra kicked a sword out of her path as they walked back to the stairs. "Is there anyone here who is not corrupt?"

"Call it politics or the Game or whatever, that's personal hate." Sera glanced back over her shoulder. "Heh."

Ellana sighed. She needed to talk to Maxwell, Leliana and Theron.

They stashed their found weapons, and parted ways. Ellana was walking back to the great hall when a man stopped her. "Is it true what they say? You're the one of the Inquisitor's guardians, are you not? We've heard stories of his accomplishments."

The men were standing guard on a door to a room she wanted to investigate. She smiled. "I'd wager I have better tales than anything you've heard."

"I told you, Philippe."

"Not everyone fights an Archdemon and lives to tell. It's an inspiration."

"If you'd like, Commander Cullen could give you all the details of that battle." And he'd probably rather do that than be stalked by various nobles. "He's in the ballroom."

"Really? But…" The man shifted awkwardly. "I shouldn't leave my post…"

"You'd only be gone a moment." Ellana smiled at him encouragingly.

"Philippe. The world is coming to an end. If we don't hear this story now, we'll never have a chance."

"You're right. Thank you, my Lady. Let's go."

She waited until they were out of sight, and then jerked her head at Sera. The elf grinned broadly, and followed her in to search the room. Ellana smiled with satisfaction when she found Gaspard's orders. More for Leliana.

Maxwell was waiting at the door for Ellana and was relieved to see her safe and sound.

"Did you find anything?" he asked.

"Plenty, there are definitely Venatori and the Council Herald emissary was merged with someone using a knife with the Chalons crest on its hilt."

"Gaspard," said Maxwell. "Or more likely someone from his faction."

"Possible," said Ellana. "However, Briala seems to be as concerned as we are and she is offering a deal if we help her."

"Of course she is," Maxwell sighed. "Best in form Leliana and Theron about this."

Ellana nodded and went through the doors.

Maxwell waited a few seconds and then entered in there himself.

"Inquisitor Trevelyan?" Maxwell turned to see the moth-like duchess. "We met briefly. I am Grand Duchess Florianne de Chalons. Welcome to my party."

Had the woman been lying in wait for him? Maxwell put the polite, warm smile back on his face. "Why am I not at all surprised that you want to see me now?"

"This is Orlais, Inquisitor. Nothing happened by accident. I believe tonight you and I are both concerned by the actions of…" Florianne took a step closer to him. "A certain person." She gestured. "Come, dance with me. Spies will not hear us on the dance floor."

"Very well. Shall we dance, Your Grace?" He held out a hand.

Florianne took the hand. "I'd be delighted."

They moved through the opening steps of the dance. Florianne watched him carefully. "You are from the Free Marches, are you not? How much do you know about our little war?"

"I assure you, the effects of this war reach far beyond the borders of the Orlesian Empire."

"Perhaps it does. I should not be surprised to find the empire in the centre of everyone's world." Florianne moved gracefully. "It took great effort to arrange tonight's negotiations. Yet one party would use this occasion for blackest treason. The security of the empire is at stake. Neither one of us wishes to see it fall."

Maxwell moved through the next part of the dance, taking the lead. "Do we both want that, Lady Florianne?"

"I hope we are of one mind on this."

"In times like these, it's hard to tell friend from foe, is it not, Your Grace?" He was able to move through the dance without having to take his attention from Florianne. The woman wanted something, that much was clear.

"I know you arrived here as a guest of my brother, Gaspard. And have been everywhere in the palace…" Florianne's voice was soft. "You are a curiosity to many, Inquisitor…" She was watching Maxwell from the corner of her eye as they twirled across the floor. "And a matter of concern to some."

"Am I the curiosity or the concern to you, Your Grace?"

"A little of both, actually. This evening is of great importance, Inquisitor. I wonder what role you will play in it. Do you even yet know who is friend and who is foe? Who in the court can be trusted?"

"An excellent question. I might ask the same of you, Your Grace."

"In the Winter Palace, everyone is alone. It cannot have escaped your notice that certain parties are engaged in dangerous machinations tonight."

And he was dancing with one of those 'certain parties' at this very moment. "I thought 'dangerous machinations' were the national sport in Orlais." He dipped Florianne low.

"You have little time. The attack will come soon. You must stop Gaspard before he strikes. In the Royal Wing garden, you will find the captain of my brother's mercenaries. He knows all Gaspard's secrets. I'm sure you can persuade him to be forthcoming." They bowed to each other as the dance ended.

"We'll see what the night has in store, won't we?"

Josephine certainly looked pleased. "You'll be the talk of the court for months. We should take you dancing more often."

"I'd happily do more dancing… just not with Corypheus."

"I promise not to invite him to your next ball." Josephine smiled.

"Were you dancing with Duchess Florianne?" Leliana looked disbelieving as he approached, followed by Cullen and his guard.

Cullen gave him a concerned look. "More importantly, what happened in the servants' quarters? I heard there was fighting."

"I hope you have good news." Josephine glanced over her shoulder. "It appears the peace talks are crumbling."

Maxwell glanced at Leliana. "Morrigan gave me a key that allowed Ellana into the servants' quarters, where I found a group of Venatori. And Gaspard's dagger." Leliana looked less surprised than Maxwell would have expected.

"The man would truly do anything to become emperor."

"Then…" Cullen unfolded his arms. "The attack on the empress will happen tonight."

"I think I was always a given," said Adaar crossing her arms.

"Warning Celene is pointless." Josephine looked frustrated. "She needs these talks to succeed, and to flee would admit defeat"

"Then perhaps we should let her die." All of them turned to stare at Leliana.

"You have an idea, Leliana?" Surely the woman couldn't actually mean let the empress die.

"What Corypheus wants is chaos. Even with Celene alive, that could still happen." Leliana gestured. "To foil his plan, the empire must remain strong. This evening, someone must emerge victorious."

Reluctantly, Cullen nodded. "And it doesn't need to be Celene. She's right."

Josephine looked faintly horrified. "Do you realise what you're suggesting, Leliana?"

"Sometimes the best path is not the easiest one."

This was ridiculous. "We came here to save Celene."

"Then you must not only save her life, but also her empire." Leliana set a hand on her hip.

"That means giving her a victory over both Gaspard and Briala." Josephine glanced towards the other end of the ballroom.

"If there truly is proof Gaspard's in league with Corypheus, that would be a start." It was clear Cullen didn't actually believe that to be the case.

"What did Duchess Florianne tell you?" Leliana asked.

Too much, and just enough. That woman was playing her own game. "She said Gaspard's mercenary captain is in the royal wing. That he knows about the assassination."

Cullen rolled his eyes. "Which could be a trap."

"Or a lead." Josephine waved a hand. "Either way, you should search the private quarters in that wing for clues."

"Then get me access, and in the meantime, get your soldiers into position." He looked at Cullen, and he nodded.

"At once. Be careful, Inquisitor."

"I'll help coordinate them," said Adaar. "Erdic can continue snooping around to find any more dirt and Ellana should go with you."

Maxwell nodded in agreement.

Maxwell met up with Theron and he offered him a drink. He accepted the glass, and felt the key as he passed the glass over.

"Ellana told me about the dead emissary," he said. "Gaspard will no doubt play the wounded party, pointing the finger at Briala. After all, he has been in here the entire evening, he couldn't possibly be the guilty party. And yet the council gets the warning clear. His threats are not empty, and any one of them could be next." He took his empty glass from him. "Celene duels with feathers, Inquisitor. Gaspard reaches first for the sword."

He nodded. "The key to the royal wing?"

"Courtesy of Briala."

"Ellana mentioned finding am elven locket in Celene's vault."

"Before Gaspard made his move, Briala was able to guide Celene towards doing much for the elves. Love is a powerful force, Inquisitor."

Maxwell walked to the balcony. Briala was busy talking to Kallain and when the two of them noticed him approaching she walked off. "Inquisitor Trevelyan," she nodded. "Slumming even more than usual, I see. You've charmed some of the nobles. We'll see how long you can keep their favour. What brings you to me?"

"Ellana found an elven locket hidden among Celene's things." He held it out, using his body to block the view of any onlookers from inside. "This isn't yours, is it?"

"Let me see that." Briala's voice lost its collected tones as she stepped towards Maxwell. The elven woman had paled slightly. "She kept this? What was she thinking? If Gaspard had found this, it would have ruined her."

"It might have meant something to her."

"Maybe it did. She held on to it…" Briala began composing her face once more.

"I had a question about you, Briala."

Briala crossed her arms. "I'm an elf, Inquisitor. That should tell you everything you need to know about my life. I'm good at what I do. I help my people no matter the cost. However, Empress Celene and I have… history. There was a time when I put my spies at her disposal. She knows my qualifications. We had a falling-out. Now we're negotiating to determine whether I return to her side in the war."

"I'm surprised you'd admit that, considering the circumstances."

Briala merely smiled. "I know it's incriminating. Few harbour more resentment against Celene than I." Her smile faded. "But if she died after inviting me here, the court would certainly pin her death on me. An elf assassinating the empress? Alienages across Orlais—across all Thedas—would be purged. That cannot happen." Briala's voice was quiet and fierce.

"We'll speak more later, Ambassador."

"Another time, Inquisitor."

This next part would be tricky. Maxwell took a deep breath, and walked to the empress's handmaidens. One fluttered her fan. "Inquisitor, to what do we owe this honour?"

"We are always delighted to speak with you, of course."

"Her Imperial Majesty is unfortunately occupied at present."

Maxwell looked at them. "One of my associates made a fascinating discovery: an elven locket, in the empress's vault."

All three went still a heartbeat. "Oh dear."

"That is very interesting…"

"I'll get Her Majesty."

Celene moved gracefully, a butterfly in blue. "Inquisitor, I regret that we did not have time to speak earlier. No doubt you have questions about many things."

"I found an elven locket sealed in the palace vault. You must have considered it quite valuable."

"It was…" It was hard to read Celene's face behind the mask, but there was the slightest tremor to her voice. "Sentimental. I don't know why I kept it. It was a foolish thing to do."

"Maybe you kept it because you still care for Briala."

"Perhaps I do. But I cannot put her above all the people of my empire. Dispose of the locket however you like. It means nothing to me." The empress turned and walked away.

For a woman who ruled Orlais, and by all accounts was a master of the game, he'd expected the woman to be a better liar. He tucked the locket away and headed back out to collect his friends.

"Are we going to sneak around to look at the empress's unmentionables now?" said Varric. He then looked at Maxwell as if he was crazy. "Just how drunk are you, boss?"

Vivienne was wandering around as if this was completely normal, but Cassandra simply looked annoyed. Varric was finding the entire thing amusing, thought Ellana was looking quite serious as she tried to trace for any magic in the vicinity.

Someone cried out, and the five of them immediately headed in that direction. Cassandra kicked the door open, and Maxwell saw one of the garishly dressed assassins advancing on an elven woman who was scrambling backwards across the floor. He raced over towards her and delivered a solid kick to the clown's stomach. The assassin went tumbling out the window. Sera cackled.

The elven woman wrapped her arms around her knees. "Thank you."

Maxwell knelt next to her, and used Ellana began using healing magic on the light slash the woman had taken on her arm. "I hope you're not disappointed I stole your dance partner."

The woman laughed nervously. "No, not at all." They both stood. "No one's supposed to be here…" The woman took a couple deep breaths to steady herself. "Briala said…" Anger entered her voice. "I shouldn't have trusted her."

"Briala told you to come to this wing of the palace?"

"Not personally. The 'ambassador' can't be seen talking to the servants." The woman gestured. "We get coded messages at certain locations. But the order came from her. She's been watching the grand duke all night. No surprise she wanted someone to search his sister's room."

"This wing is sealed. How did you get in here?"

"Easy. The door was unlocked. One of the others probably handled it."

And yet it had been locked when they'd come in. Interesting. "It takes great courage to come to the royal wing unarmed."

The woman laughed. "It's not 'courage' to blindly follow Briala's orders into a trap. I knew her. Before. When she was Celene's pet. Now she wants to play revolution. But I remember. She was sleeping with the empress who purged our alienage."

Suspicion. And here was proof. "Would you be willing to testify to that, if I asked?"

"Absolutely. If…" She nodded. "If the Inquisition will protect me, I'll tell you everything I know about our 'ambassador.'"

"Go to the ballroom," said Maxwell. "Find Commander Cullen. He'll keep you safe."

"Thank you. Maker protect you, Inquisitor." The young woman dashed out.

They were walking past a fancy door when Maxwell thought she heard another voice. He pressed his ear to the door. There was clearly someone inside, calling for help. "Got any more of those halla statuettes?" he asked Ellana.

Ellana nodded, and a few moments later the door was open. They walked inside. Maxwell started up the stairs, and then stopped short. There was a man. Chained to the empress's bed. Naked except for a helmet. "What… happened?" He glanced at her companions. Ellana and Cassandra was looking anywhere but at the bed. Vivienne and Varric was just shaking his head, expression clearly amused.

"It's not what it looks like!" The man yanked at the chains. "Honestly, I would have preferred if it were what it looks like." He smacked the back of his head into the mattress. "The empress led me to believe I would be…" He sighed. "Rewarded for betraying the grand duke. This…" He pulled at the chains again. "Was not what I hoped for."

"You're telling me that Empress Celene left you naked and trussed like a roast duck?" said Ellana.

"Please, I beg you, don't tell Gaspard!" He began tugging at the chains again. "The empress beguiled me! Into giving her information about…" He continued struggling. "Plans for troop movements in the palace tonight. She knows everything! Everything! The duke's surprise attack has been countered before it ever began. She's turned it into a trap. The moment he strikes, she'll have him arrested for treason."

"Clever, Celene. Even I'm impressed," said Vivienne.

Cassandra was still pointedly not looking at the contents of the bed. "I don't know which is worse: Celene for using such a tactic, or him for falling for it."

Varric was pressing his knuckles to his lips as if trying not to laugh himself. Ellana was just shaking her head at the human stupidity. Maxwell Turned back to the man on the bed. "I'll protect you from Gaspard if you're willing to testify about Celene's trap."

"I'll do anything! Anything!"

"Poor little man," said Vivienne. "One really shouldn't laugh, but it's impossible."

Maxwell began to pick the locks on the chains, and started rummaging around to find the man a pair of pants. Varric tossed over a waistcoat. The man put them on hurriedly before scrambling out of the room.

The mark on his hand sparked. All of them stopped and stared at it. There was a rift nearby. Maxwell exchanged nods, and they headed to the garden door, hands on their weapons.

Hanging in the air was a rift. Below, there was a man tied to a post. Archers stood at the ready. And on the balcony above… Florianne. "Inquisitor! What a pleasure! I wasn't certain you'd attend. You're such a challenge to read. I had no idea if you'd taken my bait."

Maxwell began channelling power into the mark, his hand behind his back. "I fear I'm bit busy at the moment, if you are looking for a dance partner." He caught Ellana's nod out of the corner of his eye.

"Yes, I see that," Florianne smiled. "Such a pity you did not save one final dance for me. It was kind of you to walk into my trap so willingly. I was so tired of your meddling. Corypheus insisted that the empress die tonight, and I would hate to disappoint him."

"At this point, I'd think disappointment was an old friend," said Maxwell.

"You poor, deluded thing. You don't know half of what Samson and I have planned." The grand duchess's face was smug. "And now, I suppose you never will. In their darkest dreams, no one imagines I would assassinate Celene myself. All I need is to keep you out of the ballroom long enough to strike." She spread her hands. "A pity you'll miss the rest of the ball, Inquisitor. They'll be talking of it for years." She started walking back to the door. "Kill her. Bring me the marked hand as proof. It will make a fine gift for the master."

Maxwell tumbled forward as soon as the archers moved. Ellana quickly created a barrier around him. He gestured with the marked hand, and tore open the rift. The archers began to panic as the demons fell on them.

"Andraste's tits! What was all that?" The prisoner leaned forward so Cassandra could unbind him. He rose as soon as she finished. "Were those demons? There aren't any more blasted demons coming, right?"

"No more demons. It's safe." He'd sealed the rift as soon as Cassandra had run the last demon through.

"Maker! I've never seen one that close before. I knew Gaspard was a bastard, but I didn't think he'd feed me to fucking horrors over a damned bill."

Maxwell raised an eyebrow. "Duke Gaspard lured you out here?"

"Well, his sister, but it had to come from him, didn't it?" The man gestured. "All that garbage she was spewing doesn't mean anything. Gaspard had to be the mastermind."

"Your accent sounds Fereldan. I thought you were one of Gaspard's mercenaries."

"Born and raised in Denerim. Seems like I should have stayed there." He kicked the post he'd been tied to. "The duke wanted to move on the palace tonight. But he didn't have enough fancy chevaliers. So he hired me and my men. He had to offer us triple our usual pay to come to Orlais. Stinking poncy cheesemongers."

He rubbed his forehead. "Want a new job? One that pays better? The Inquisition can always use a good mercenary company?"

He nodded. "You hiring? I'm game. Anything's better than this bullshit. You want me to talk to the empress, or the court, or sing a blasted song in the chantry, I'll do it."

Maxwell sent him to go find Adaar and Iron Bull, and started to head back into the party.

Cullen met him as soon as he'd stepped back inside. "Thank the Maker you're back. The empress will begin her speech soon. What should we do?"

"The grand duchess is the assassin. Don't let her anywhere near the empress."

He blinked. "The duchess?" His eyes narrowed. "At once, Inquisitor!" He moved quickly, heading toward the guard.

Maxwell began moving towards the other end of the ballroom. He saw the announcer step forward, and his voice rang through the hall. "Let all gathered attend! Her Imperial Majesty will now address the court!"

Celene spread her hands in a grand gesture as she began to speak. "Lords and ladies, as a nation we mourn our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and lovers claimed by war. The sky is torn open, our Divine dead, and many fear the end of all things come upon us. Orlais must stand as a bastion, a bulkwark behind which all Thedas may take shelter. So Hazard stood for thousand years! So shall it ever stand."

Maxwell kept on making his way to the empress and saw on the other side of the dance floor, Adaar, Erdic and Cullen doing the same. Ellana, Cassandra, Vivienne, and Solas were still behind him. They were still some distance away when Celene turned and gestured towards the woman in the moth dress.

"This would not have been possible without the efforts of many. Dear cousin, please step forward."

Florianne emerged from the crowd, walking towards Celene. Maxwell called out. "Grand Duchess, stand down!"

The grand duchess whirled at the sound of Maxwell's voice, just as she pulled out a dagger. Two men emerged from the crowd to put themselves between Florianne and the empress. She stabbed one with the dagger in the chest and did the same with three others.

"Now!" Florianne yelled. "For Corypheus, kill them all!"

Venatori flooded into the room. Maxwell broke into a run. The grand duchess saw him coming, and fled. He gave chase. "Cullen! protect the people!"

"Yes, Inquisitor!" He broke off pursuit and headed back towards the empress.

They continue to chase until they reached the courtyard and the grand duchess discarded her dress and pulled out a bow and pointed the tip of the arrow directly at Maxwell. "Beaten at every turn. You stole the moment of triumph, just as you stole the demon army from Erimond." She smirked. "And now you've chased a defenceless woman into the garden. Are you proud of yourself?"

"We have the palace." Maxwell narrowed his eyes. "Surrender, Your Grace. You don't have to die today."

Florianne laughed. "Surrender? Now? Oh, you poor deluded thing." She loosed the arrow. Maxwell stepped to the side, letting it pass over his shoulder harmlessly. Florianne leaped off the balcony, landing atop the fountain. "The night is still young. All I need to recover…" She nocked another arrow. "Is to kill you, Inquisitor." More venatori poured into the garden. "So good of you to attend my soiree."

Varric sent a bolt into the throat of a venatori archer as Ellana and Vivienne both arced lightning into the newly arrived forces. Cassandra set her shield, and then barrelled down the stairs, knocking the two oncoming venatori off their feet. Maxwell blocked the swing from one swordsman and then dug his blade into his chest and then he tossed a knife at a venatori archer. Ellana then knocks out a large brute with a spirit blade.

Cassandra's shield blocked an incoming blow, and Ellana came around to sweep the spirit blade through the attacker. Venatori started to surround them, and Vivienne let magic burst out of her, knocking them backwards. Cassandra moved in quickly to take advantage of the telekinetic burst, and Maxwell do the same with his daggers. Florianne popped out of cover to try to take a shot, and Varric hit her. The bolt knocked Florianne from her perch. She tumbled to the ground and landed with a sickening crunch.

Maxwell strode back in and got a quick report from Theron. Five Inquisition soldiers were dead, but the empress was alive and unharmed. He nodded, and then went to join the Celene, Gaspard, and Briala on the balcony.

Briala gestured at Gaspard. "Your sister attempted regicide in front of the entire court, Gaspard."

"You're the spymaster." He glared at her. "If anyone knew this atrocity was coming, it was you."

"You don't deny your involvement." Briala folded her arms.

"I do deny it! I knew nothing of Florianne's plans! But you…" He pointed at her. "You knew it all and did nothing!"

"I don't know which is better: that you think I'm all-seeing or that you're trying so hard to play innocent and failing."

"Enough!" Celene gestured sharply. "We will not bicker while Tevinter plots against our nation. For the safety of the empire, I will have answers."

"I wouldn't have caught Florianne in time without Briala's help," said Maxwell.

The mask did little to hide Celene's surprise. "You were working together?"

"Of course." Briala nodded to Celene.

Maxwell gestured. "Thanks to Briala, Gaspard's mercenary captain will testify that he hired men to infiltrate the palace."

"Hired thugs?" Celene turned to glare at Gaspard, as if she hadn't actually known all along. "I didn't expect you to stoop so low, cousin."

"Don't be naive, Celene. The only difference between a mercenary and a common soldier is a uniform." Gaspard folded his arms. It was clear he knew the night was about to go very badly for him.

"Keep talking, Gaspard. Eventually you'll convince somebody." Briala smiled.

"He also murdered a Council of Heralds emissary. I found the body and his knife in the servants' quarters."

He turned towards him, startled. "I have done no such thing."

"He also ordered his general to sneak troops into the Winter Palace." She gestured to Briala. "Briala found all this out for your sake, Celene."

Celene drew herself up as she stared at Gaspard. "In light of overwhelming evidence, we have no choice but to declare you an enemy of the empire." Her eyes narrowed. "You are hereby sentenced to death."

Gaspard nodded in acknowledgment. He kept his back straight as the guards led him away. Maxwell knew that the two women in front of him were not as innocent as he was, but aligned with these two insured peace all across Thedas. "I think Ambassador Briala deserves some reward for uncovering all this."

For a heartbeat, he thought he saw tears in Celene's eyes. "I can scarcely believe you did all this for me."

"Celene…" Briala's face softened.

"Thank you, Inquisitor. For all your efforts tonight." Celene gave a small bow. "I owe you my life. And Orlais owes you its future."

Celene walked next to Maxwell as they re-entered the ballroom. "You have done so much. For my people and…" She glanced at Briala, and for a moment, Maxwell thought the empress was actually blushing. "For us."

"We won't forget this," Briala said, her voice soft.

Watching them gave Maxwell some small comfort. Love was a powerful force and their alliance would benefit all of Orlais, elves and humans. "What were the two of you do now?"

They looked at one another and Briala looked at him. "There will be some… changers to the court."

"Not just the court," said Celene. "Come, stand with us, Inquisitor. We must give the good news to the nobility."

"Lords and ladies of the court, this is a night for celebration!" Celene raised her hands. "Those who sought to poison our empire with treason have been brought to justice. It is a new age for Orlais. We shall build a world in which all men and women live in harmony. Let the cornerstone of change be laid. I introduce the newest member of our court: Marquise Briala of the Dales."

Briala stepped forward. "This is not just a victory in Halamshiral, or within the empire, or even for elves alone. 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. Together, we will start by saving our world from the enemy who took the Divine and tore the sky apart."

"It will take all of us to defeat the enemy threatening our world," said Maxwell.

Briala took a step forward. "We are already tracking these Tevinter agents. Soon they'll have no place to hide."

Applause greeted their words. Celene's voice rose above the crowd once more. "But that is tomorrow. Tonight, we celebrate our newfound fellowship. Let the festivities commence."

Evelyn was dancing with Cullen, Ellana with Solas, Adaar with Iron Bull and Erdic with his wife and he could have sworn that Theron was dancing with Leliana. Maxwell himself needed a breath of fresh air and made his way over to the balcony.

"The Orlesian nobility make drunken toasts to your victory, and yet you are not present to hear them?" The night breeze brought Morrigan's voice to her. "Do you tire so quickly of their congratulations, Inquisitor? 'Tis most fickle, after all your efforts on their behalf."

According to Cullen's report, the woman before her had saved the lives of both himself and Leliana, as well as the empress, when the fighting had begun.

Maxwell shrugged. "I would have stayed, but the punch ran dry. Scandalous."

Morrigan laughed softly. "Indeed? Let's see you take this piece of news as poorly. By Imperial decree, I have been named liaison to the Inquisition. Celene wishes to offer you any and all aid—including mine. Congratulations."

Maxwell gave the woman a small bow. "Welcome to the Inquisition, Morrigan."

"A most gracious response." Morrigan returned the gesture. "I shall meet you at Skyhold." She turned, and went back into the ballroom.

"I can't believe you escaped before me. A fat count insisted on talking about super fifteen minutes," said Cassandra walking towards him and leaned over the banisters. "We can leave for Skyhold whenever you like. The sooner the better." She then looked at him. "Is something wrong?"

Maxwell simply rubbed his face. "I'm just worn out. Tonight has been… very long."

"It was a lot of foolishness," Cassandra admitted. "But we did strike a blow against Corypheus. We will need to put soldiers at Skyhold on alert. Better to be safe."

Maxwell then turned and looked at her. "Wait. There is one thing we must do before we go." He stepped back, bowed, and held his hand out to her. "May I have this dance, Lady Cassandra?"

Cassandra's face turned pink. "A dance. After all we've been through tonight?"

"Can you think of a better way to celebrate?"

Cassandra looked at him for moment and then smiled.

"I suppose this isn't, terrible," she said taking his hand.

The worries of the night fell away, leaving just the two of them there on the balcony. Dancing.