Unmasked

The trip to the Winter Palace was a success in so much as Celene still reigned, but the mission left a sour taste in Eve's mouth. She couldn't comprehend how people could live like that; never knowing who was going to stab you in the back – either verbally or literally. Orlais was a viper's nest where you couldn't tell friend from foe, and secrets were uncovered with unholy glee. It mattered not to the nobles that there were dead bodies scattered throughout the kitchens and living areas; all they cared about was getting their food and drink served to them without delay.

She knew her distaste was shared by Cullen, who had spent the majority of his time being courted by men and women alike. Eve had been dangerously close to letting loose with a shock of electricity when one man had touched Cullen's backside, and only Josephine's earlier warning about behaving had stopped the noble from getting some nasty burns around the groin area.

At the end of the evening, she managed to escape onto one of the numerous balconies. But even there she was tracked down by Morrigan. Eve remembered Solona talking about the daughter of Flemeth, and although her friend had initially been wary, the two had become close by the end of the Blight. Upon first meeting Morrigan, Eve could well understand Solona's cautiousness, however, the mage had been nothing but helpful during the mission, so when Morrigan explained that she had been asked to assist the Inquisition, Eve was happy to have her on board.

Alone again, Eve rested on the balustrade, gazing out into the darkness and listening to the distant chatter of drunken guests. She turned at the sound of footsteps and smiled as Cullen walked towards her. His hand covered hers. "This has been quite the night. How are you doing?"
She managed a tired smile. "I'm fine, just glad it's all over with. I can't wait to leave this place."
He chuckled and moved his hand to her shoulders, rubbing gently. "Not to your liking?"
"No." Eve grimaced. "I think I'd rather face a few giants than deal with any more nobles."

He drew back a little and bowed, his hand held out to her. "Would you do me the honour of accepting my hand for this dance?"
Eve's eyes widened in surprise, knowing of his reluctance to dance after she'd pestered him throughout the ball. "I thought you didn't dance?"
His warm brown eyes lifted and she saw a glimmer of amusement. "For you, I'm willing to try."
She gave him a beautiful smile, and his heart skipped a beat at the sight. Then she curtseyed and took his hand. He slipped one arm around her waist and his hand closed around hers, then they danced under the moonlight, using the strains of the soft melody that drifted from the ballroom as their guide.

It was a few days after the return to Skyhold when she went to the stables with the intent of getting Blackwall to join the next game of Wicked Grace. The first had gone down very well, although not so much for Cullen who had literally lost the shirt on his back to Josephine's skilful handling of the cards. However, upon entering the stables, she found it empty. Turning to leave, she was stopped by a messenger who handed her a crumpled note.

A sense of foreboding washed over her as she read the brief contents, and it didn't escape her notice that the missive seemed to have come from one of Leliana's reports. She filed that away for later and gathered as many of the inner circle as she could find, then set out with all haste to Val Royeaux.

They entered the city to find a large group of people gathered around the gallows. A wretched man was on his knees as the charges were read out against him. Eve recognised the man's name, Mornay, as being the same one mentioned in the missive she'd been handed back in Skyhold.
"Well, shit," Varric said, a frown gathering on his brow as he looked on the scene. Eve wholeheartedly agreed with the sentiment. Mornay was roughly pulled to his feet and a rope placed around his neck. Just as it seemed that Mornay's fate was sealed, Blackwall walked onto the gallows, declaring the man's innocence. "He was given orders and followed them like any good soldier."
The Orlesian guard strode forward. "Then bring me the man who gave the order!"

Blackwall looked out over the crowd and his eyes, full of regret, met Eve's. She stepped towards the gallows. "Blackwall..." She wanted to ask him what he was doing, why had he become involved, but he spoke before any further words could leave her lips.
"No, I am not Blackwall. I never was Blackwall. He is dead, and has been for years."
The prisoner was staring at Blackwall intently, then his eyes rounded. "You! After all these years..."
Blackwall gave a nod to Mornay. "I'm done hiding. I gave the order. The crime is mine. I am Thom Rainier."

Eve felt like she'd been punched in the gut and staggered back as the revelation sunk in. Her brain whirled with questions and a flicker of anger started to burn inside of her. She watched, stupefied as Rainier was taken away, then she regained her senses. "Cassandra, we're going to need rooms at a hotel while this mess is ongoing, and Varric, can you send a message to Skyhold? The advisers need to know what's happened."
"And you, boss?" Bull asked.
She gritted her teeth, trying to rein in her anger. "I'm going to have a chat with the imposter." The last word was spat out with all the contempt she felt for the man who had lied to her.

Having vented a lot of her anger on Rainier, Eve left the prison unsure of how to handle the situation: should she save him or let him die? The questions battered her tired brain as she followed Cassandra to the hotel where they would be staying. The night brought little council, and she hoped that the advisers would provide her with some options.
Much to her relief, it was Cullen who showed up with the message. Seeing the strain on her face, he pulled her into a comforting hug. "How are you holding up?"
The tightening of her arms around his waist told him how much this betrayal had hurt her. Cullen sighed and pressed a kiss to her cheek, dreading the moment when she learned the full story.

Eve pulled back and led him to her room so that they could talk in private. "What are my options?" she said, getting straight down to business.
He explained that the Inquisition could free Rainier, if that's what she wanted to do. Eve's grey eyes sought his. "What do you think of all this?"
Rubbing a hand over his face, he replied, "I think his actions were despicable, but I also think it took a great deal of courage to step forward and save Mornay."
Eve paced the floor. "Maker's balls! How did this even happen? How did Leliana not pick up on this?"

Cullen glanced away, knowing that Eve would catch on. He heard the swift intake of breath and looked up to see her eyes glinting with fury. "She knew!" Eve recalled the crumpled note that looked as though it was from one of Leliana's reports. "She fucking knew and didn't say anything!"
An angry tear was roughly wiped away. "Is there anything else I should know about? Any other fucking imposters that Leliana is hiding?"

Hating to see her hurt and angry, he stopped her in mid-stride and pulled her to the sofa where he sat her down. The room had a small bar and he quickly poured out a glass of wine for both of them. Eve managed to unclench her fist long enough to take the glass from him, then without hesitation, she swallowed the contents and threw the glass at the wall.
"Feel better?"
"Not really, no. How could she not tell us something this important?"
"I don't know. Perhaps, she thought he deserved a second chance?"

Eve didn't reply but got up and fetched herself another glass of wine.
"Have you decided what to do with Blackwall?"
"Yes, we're going to get him out of there."
"And Leliana?"
Eve glanced at him. "What about her?"
"Have you decided what to do with her?"

The wine quickly went the same route as the first one, but the glass managed to avoid the same fate as its predecessor. "My hands are tied. She's an excellent spymaster and I won't risk the Inquisition by removing her from that role. Also, can you imagine how that would affect morale? Leliana is as much responsible for starting the Inquisition as Cassandra. So, there's nothing I can do, but that doesn't mean I have to trust her or like her!"

Cullen was saddened by her words, knowing how well the two women had gotten along. He stood up and walked towards her. "Eve, you can't..."
"Don't. Not right now. I'm too angry to think clearly and I can't discuss this in a reasonable manner."
His hand cupped her face. "I understand, but I'm here when you're ready to talk about this."
She managed a small smile. "Thank you. Now, I suppose we should get back to Skyhold and sort out a way to free Rainier without pissing off Orlais."

The group stepped out of the hotel, and Eve came to a sudden stop, causing Vivienne to exclaim, "Darling, really, do give me some notice before you come to a screeching halt."
But Eve barely registered the comment, as she stared into the face of her mother.