Kierrai was keeping an eye on the Inquisitor. She barely knew the woman, and yet, she wanted to protect her. She had had the same desires with some of her dearest friends in the past. Zeriah, Revin, Traven, all of them had some spark within them that Kierrai wanted to keep safe, and she had tried her best to do so. She grinned at the red-head. Renna was no different. She would do great things, that much was certain, but only if she was kept safe. Kierrai glanced around the empty halls as they made their way toward the sound of shouting. She certainly wasn't making her job easy.
"You painted Orlesian assholes! When I get out of this, I'll-" they heard before the sound of flesh hitting flesh rang out. They rushed toward the sounds and kicked open a door.
"Oh, balls." Kierrai muttered as she saw a ring of Orlesian archers with arrows trained on them. A soldier, clearly one from Ferelden, was tied to a post across the square. A flighty giggle sounded on the balcony above them.
"Inquisitor! What a pleasure! I wasn't certain you'd attend." Florianne called down to them. Kierrai arched an eyebrow. If she didn't have twenty arrows trained on her breast, she would hurl a dagger at the woman and end everything before it began. "You are such a challenge to read. I had no idea if you'd taken my bait." the duchess added smugly. Kierrai rolled her eyes. When she was certain nobody was paying attention to her, she allowed the shadows to wrap her in their comforting embrace. It wasn't magic, although some thought it must be, she just happened to be quite skilled at sneaking around. She smiled to herself. It was a talent that her young daughter had picked up as well. Talyssa had given them all sorts of grief with her constant disappearances.
"I fear I'm a bit busy at the moment if you're looking for a dance partner." Renna called out to the blonde. Kierrai swallowed the laughter that bubbled up inside her. The woman certainly had a sense of humor.
"Yes, I see that. Such a pity you did not save one final dance for me." the Orlesian tart twittered. "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." she crooned. Kierrai froze. Corypheus? He was dead. She had watched them burn the body. There was no way.
"Why kill the Empress? What does Corypheus want to achieve?" Renna called. Kierrai shook her head. Maybe there was a different Corypheus?
"Bloody unlikely." she murmured.
"Celene's death is a stepping stone on the path to a better world. Corypheus will enter the Black City, and claim the godhood waiting for him. We will cast down your useless Maker and usher in a united world, guided by the hand of an attentive god." Florianne revealed. Kierrai rolled her brown eyes. What was it about villainous people that made them want to reveal their entire plan before trying to execute it? It never worked! A greenish glow began emanating from the center of the square. Kierrai narrowed her eyes at it. She had never been close to one of the rifts before, and it was a decidedly uncomfortable experience.
"You don't have to go through with this, Florianne. There's still time to turn back." Renna pleaded. Kierrai sighed. She had been in Renna's position too many times. She never wanted anyone to die, or to be hurt, but sometimes there was no turning back. And usually, if a person wanted to lean toward evil, they were not the type to have a change of heart.
"Oh, my dear Inquisitor, you are so naive. In their darkest dreams, no one imagines I would assassinate Celene myself." Florianne said with another giggle, gesturing her hands with a flourish. Kierrai continued to creep along the outer edges of the courtyard. She needed a good position. "All I need is to keep you out of the ballroom long enough to strike." Kierrai almost snorted. The duchess was making things far too easy for her. Not being one to wait around while evil people finished their speeches, Kierrai slipped out the door, leaving everyone behind. Hopefully they wouldn't get themselves killed in the meantime.
Dorian arched an eyebrow as he watched the striking, dark-haired woman slip through a doorway on the other side. He hoped that she was going for help, but, as he had no idea who she was, he did not know if that was a part of her character. She seemed like a good sort, but there was no telling around here. He studied the soldier, Ferelden by the looks of his drab uniform, that was tied across the way. He was squirming and muttering to himself. Dorian chuckled. Fereldens did seem to get themselves in the tightest of spots.
"Pity you won't be able to rejoin us, Inquisitor. They'll be talking about this ball for years." the duchess with the botched haircut crooned. "Kill her, and bring me the marked hand. It will make a fine gift for the master." she said to her lackeys. Dorian sighed. When would people learn that no one messed with Renna Trevelyan on his watch? An arrow fired, and he lazily flicked his hand, causing a bolt of arcane energy to dissolve it. Renna smiled and raised her palm to the rift that appeared in the sky before them. Dorian wove a thin barrier around her to ensure that she wouldn't be bothered by the demons that began flowing out of the tear. An arrow or a sword could still harm her, but the demons wouldn't come close. He scratched at his oiled mustache before whipping his staff around and cracking it hard on a demon's skull. Renna began to take a step forward.
"I wouldn't move if I were you, love. That barrier will only protect you if you're inside it." he called. She shot a glare at him, the light making her violet tattoos stand out against her freckled cheek.
"You trapped me?" she asked, still holding her palm to the air as the rift began pulsating.
"Only to keep you from being eaten by a demon, darling." he jested. He really did like her. She wasn't exactly his "type", per se, but he wanted to keep her around. He blinked gray-green eyes. He didn't want her to die. He chuckled to himself. In another person's mind, that would basically mean undying love or friendship, but he had no use for such terms. They were frivolous and insufficient. How could someone use words to effectively describe how they felt about another person? It was preposterous. He wrinkled his nose as the rift made a loud "popping" sound and Renna stepped away from the barrier. They dispatched the remaining Orlesians before untying the Ferelden soldier.
"Andraste's tits, what was all that?" he spat. Dorian laughed jovially.
"Ahh, Fereldens. Always so...charming." he quipped.
"Were those demons? There aren't any more of those demons coming, are there?" the man asked, clearly shaken. Renna did that thing she always did. The one where she somehow managed to get a person to calm down, even in a situation that called for panic.
"It's all right, soldier. They're gone now." she promised. Dorian shook his head in wonder. She truly was incredible.
"I knew Gaspard was a bastard, but I didn't think he'd feed me to fucking demons over a damned bill." the soldier swore. Dorian frowned. It was unseemly to curse like that in front of a lady. Even one who sometimes had a mouth like an Antivan dock worker. His words didn't phase Renna for an instant.
"Gaspard led you here?" she asked in wonder. The soldier scoffed.
"Well, his sister. But it had to come from him, dinnit? All that garbage she was spewing didn't mean anything. Gaspard had to be the mastermind. Right?" he asked in confusion. Dorian thumbed his chin. He did not know who was in charge of these schemes. All he knew was that Orlesians schemed just as much as Tevinters, so he thought most of them were pretty sleazy.
"You are Ferelden, are you not? I thought you were one of Gaspard's mercenaries. How did you end up working for an Orlesian duke?" Renna asked. Dorian nodded thoughtfully. It was a good question.
"Born and raised in Denerim. Seems like I should've stayed there. 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 triple our pay for us to come here. Stinking poncy cheesemongers." he grumbled. Dorian snorted with laughter and everyone turned to look at him.
"What? That was a good one!" he argued. Renna winked at him and turned back to the man, who was blubbering again. Within minutes, she somehow convinced him to join the Inquisition and testify against Gaspard if she called. Dorian gaped at her.
"What?" she asked as the soldier left.
"How do you do that? It is absolutely remarkable." he claimed. She shrugged, modest as always. He was certainly not modest. If he had her interesting power of persuasion, he would brag about it all the time. His family name did mean "Peacock" after all, and what else did peacocks do besides strut about, displaying their glory?
"I just talked to him, Dorian." she pointed out. He scoffed.
"Yes, well if I just 'talked' to people, they would run me out of their houses. With pitchforks. And fire." he reminded her. She grinned cheekily.
"I think you'd charm the pants right off them." she argued. He laughed.
"Ahh, well. We don't really have the time to find out. Your dark-haired friend slipped away ahead of time, but I don't know if she went to warn that Templar of yours, or if she bolted. I probably would have bolted." he mused. Renna rolled her eyes.
"Let's go stop Florianne then." she said. The silver mask on her face covered her cheeks, but Dorian knew she was blushing. The mere thought of Cullen set her cheeks afire.
"After you, my dear." he said. Hopefully this night would soon be over.