XX: The Champion and The Inquisitor
Nearly a week passed since the Inquisition arrived at Skyhold and as Cassandra predicted the day they crowned Kassandra the Inquisitor, dozens upon dozens of pilgrims flocked to Skyhold's gates. They came from all over Thedas with stories unique to them and hopes to join the quickly growing Inquisition. The news of Kassandra's status as the Inquisitor spread across the land and Josephine shared how some noble houses noticed the elevation of status and were eager to align themselves with. Much to Kassandra's pride, her family was the first among the Free Marches to pledge their allegiance to the Inquisition. Other families fell in line behind them and some noble support bolstered the credibility of the Inquisition. But winning over Orlais and some of Fereldan would require more than just noble vouching, and that is where missions came in.
Following behind Varric, who was acting more evasive than usual, Kassandra moved across the battlements underneath the winter morning sun. With the settling into Skyhold, Kassandra fell back into more comfortable habits of hers before the Conclave thrust her into the Inquisition's path. There was something about Skyhold that called out to her, beyond it being a boon from the Maker in their darkest time of need.
"Varric, is this guest the reason you're acting so paranoid these last few days? Leliana alluded that you were avoiding Cassandra for fear she might wring your neck out with her bare hands." Kassandra inquired, a sly grin slipping onto her face as she noticed Varric's shoulders tensely twitch at the mention of the Seeker of Truth.
"Let's just say Seeker won't be my biggest fan when she finds out that I've been hiding someone from her," Varric grumbled and Kassandra's brow raised with interest, feeling like she knew exactly who she was going to meet. So, Varric managed to "find" the Champion after all?
Kassandra and Varric walked to the end of the battlements, where a woman was waiting for them, dressed in armor that showed off meticulously crafted twin daggers. Standing with her back facing them was none other than Gabrielle Hawke, the Champion of Kirkwall.
"Inquisitor, meet Hawke, Champion of Kirkwall." Varric introduced and his voice caused Gabrielle to turn around. She made eye contact with Kassandra and studied the woman they called Inquisitor. Kassandra carried herself with the authority of royalty and her lithe frame and beauty was somewhat disarming. She looked like one of the oil portraits hanging on the walls of her Kirkwall mansion that followed her when she walked through the halls, sending intimidating chills up her spine under their unwavering stare.
"Though, I don't use that title much anymore. I prefer Gabi to any nonsensical, bullshit title." She clarified and gave Kassandra a nod of acknowledgment. Kassandra mirrored her nod stiffly and she could see some of the rumors were true.
"Hawke, the Inquisitor. I figured you might have some friendly advice about Corypheus. You and I did fight him after all." Varric explained as he walked off to the side, leaving the two women to speak without him mediating. Gabi's eyes trailed after Varric with what Kassandra could only describe as undisguised longing, but she quickly returned to eyeing Kassandra.
"So, you want my advice? The last time I gave advice, Kirkwall was nearly torn apart. Besides, you've already dropped half a mountain on the bastard. I'm sure anything I can tell you pales in comparison." Gabi growled out, unable to temper the bitterness laced throughout her tone. Kassandra hardly reacted to the venomous reaction to Varric's request and she could understand why she was less than enthused to be in Skyhold. Gabi was angry. She was the kind of mad that could be felt as it radiated from a person. It formed around her like a defensive shield, meant to keep people out and demons locked inside. Her eyes were haunted and uninviting, daring one to step too close and experience her wrath.
"Corypheus has already killed the Divine, along with countless others… and he'll kill a lot more unless we stop him." Kassandra declared brusquely and her meaning was clear. People were going to die if Corypheus continued to gain power and Kassandra had no patience for self-pity. Either Gabi helped her, whether voluntary or with some persuasion, or Kass would walk away and figure it out herself.
"I suppose you better stop him then," Gabi remarked sarcastically, but she sighed and rubbed at her face, cautious to avoid the mark across her nose. She crossed her arms and that telegraphed that she was conceding. "I'll tell you what I know, for whatever good it does. I don't envy you, Inquisitor, but I may be able to help you."
"Varric said that you fought Corypheus before." Kassandra off-handedly remarked, her eyes leading with a question only mirrored by her tone. What was real and what was false between the lines of Tale of the Champion?
"Fought and killed." Gabi corrected her and there was no sense of pride for that accomplishment, only more anger. From behind them, Varric gave a chuckle when he brought the bottle of liquor from his lips. Gabi shot Varric a scathing glare, to which Varric deftly avoided with a cast of his eyes toward the mountains. Gabi continued, "The Grey Wardens were holding him and he somehow used his connection to the darkspawn to influence them."
"Corypheus got into their heads, messed with their minds, turned them against each other." Varric elaborated as he pulled the bottle of liquor away from his lips. He managed a halfheartedly sheepish look and swirled the bottle, offering it to Gabi. Her eyes softened, but she refused the drink. Kassandra watched the exchange keenly and noted the way Gabi changed demeanors when she remembered they were not alone. There was more to that story than matched what Varric shared for the world to see.
"If the Wardens have disappeared, they could have fallen under his control again." Gabi considered and none of them liked the sound of that. With Corypheus having the Venatori, the Red Templars while at Therinfal, and a dragon under his manipulation, adding the Grey Wardens to his list of manipulated minions only spelled out trouble for the Inquisition. Kassandra chewed on her lip while considering further action. They had yet to find a way to rehabilitate those controlled by Corypheus' manipulation or red lyrium. Still, the Grey Wardens were a symbol of hope the people of Thedas needed uncorrupted.
"If that's what happened to the Wardens, do you think we can free them?" Kassandra inquired hopefully, knowing to earn the support or backing of the Wardens was precisely what the Inquisition needed to bolster its growing reputation. If she knew anything, it was how politics and war went hand in hand. One could not exist without the other and civilization thrived on structured, organized politics.
"It's… possible, but we need to know more first. I've got an ally in the Wardens, who was investigating something unrelated for me. The last time we spoke, she was worried about corruption in the Warden ranks. Since then, no contact has occurred." Gabi sighed and for the first time, Kassandra could sense concern for another person besides herself.
"Corypheus would certainly qualify as corruption within the ranks. Did your friend disappear with them?" Varric inquired, sensing Hawke had a credible lead on the trail of the Wardens. That, or more likely, she discovered a world of trouble—which would hardly be out of character for his old friend. Gabi Hawke had a funny habit of trouble following her wherever she went in the most ironic fashion. Or tragic, depending on who you asked.
"No. She told me she would hide out in an old smuggler's cave near Crestwood." Gabi explained quickly and cast her eyes toward Kassandra, who appeared pensive. The two women couldn't be worlds apart; Gabi was openly crass and a revolutionary figure to all symbols of authority, while Kassandra's regality embodied order and justice and the holy light of Andraste's blessed touch. Befitting that she fixes Gabi's mess, at least that is what the Champion believed.
"I appreciate the help." Kassandra thanked Gabi for her time and bravery for accepting Varric's call, knowing it was the polite thing to do while ignoring the apparent tension between them. There was friction from Gabi's distaste for women like Kassandra and she knew it. Gabi needn't say anything for her eyes spoke volumes with the absence of words.
"I'm doing this as much for myself as for you. Corypheus is my responsibility. I thought I killed him before. This time, I'll make sure of it," Gabi declared brusquely while she brushed off Kassandra's praise in some resentment. She didn't need pretty words or her respect. She knew she screwed things up and needed to fix them. This wasn't her attempt at heroics; she would leave that to the people who were okay with being a hero. Gabi turned over her shoulder before she walked off and said, "Let me know if you have any other questions. Otherwise, I'll meet you in Crestwood."
Kassandra and Varric watched the fading image of Gabi's back as the Champion of Kirkwall navigated down the side of the battlements and vanished from sight. The encounter piqued Kassandra's interest in the Champion.
"She's a… colorful character," Kassandra selected her words carefully, but in the spirit of not knowing exactly how to categorize the Champion of Kirkwall. Her contrasts constituted as an enigmatic. She was selfish and yet there were moments Kassandra was convinced she cared about others, intelligent but rashly jerked by her emotions, and seemingly devoid of all ambitions that once enthralled her interests.
"That's Gabi for you," Varric simply replied, a phrase he undoubtedly used to explain Gabi to all those who met her many a time. There seemed to be a familial, platonic love Varric held for the Champion. Kassandra might wager that the fondness Varric held was similar (if not the same) to her affection for her older brother, Theodore. The only question lingering in the peripheral is whether Gabi considered the connection between the two of them the same. Perhaps Kassandra was thinking into things far more than necessary, but there was a disconnect between the two that she witnessed undeniably.
"Thank you, Varric," Kassandra turned to her companion, gracious for the arranged meeting and his ability to convince Gabi to make the journey. She had a sneaking suspicion that Varric knew her whereabouts since before the Conclave but chose to lie to Cassandra about them. She knew that would hardly go over well, but she did understand some of Varric's hesitation. Would she be so willing to sell out Theo or Alek to hostile strangers in a bid to save her own skin? Likely not. For the Trevelyan lineage, family and duty and honor were connected; one could not exist without the others.
"Anytime, Herald. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to resume avoiding the Seeker and I believe you have a meeting with the advisors." Varric gruffly chuckled, left Kassandra with a cheeky parting salute before walking away from the battlements and vanishing into the crowd of busy refugees Skyhold accepted into its safe walls. Kassandra admired the work ethic of her people proudly and decided that she should head for the war room, not wishing to keep her advisors waiting for her presence. She might be the Inquisitor, but their contributions kept the Inquisition running smoothly. Without them, she wouldn't be here or in charge of all those lives. Kassandra hiked up her skirt to her gown and walked across the battlements back to the Great Hall for the first war table meeting at Skyhold. From what she knew, Leliana and Josephine and Cullen were awaiting her there to discuss their next move. Josephine urged that Kassandra should start her efforts by accepting invitations to the Winter Palace to stop the assassination threat against Empress Celene. However, Kassandra had little love for Orlais despite her love of the Game. Therefore, she was at an impasse. After she met with Gabriella Hawke, she had a potential course of action.
Kassandra swept into the Great Hall to a chorus of greetings directed at her and she nodded respectfully when she passed. Being called Inquisitor needed some getting used to, but she was trying her best to acclimate to the newfound changes. No longer was she a simple noblewoman or even the Herald of Andraste; she was something much higher. She glanced at her newly imported throne with a wry smirk before ducking into the hall that would lead to the war table. She walked through Josephine's empty office with the silence interrupted by the repetitive click of her heels and the muted crackle of a hearth. She stood outside the double doors that would lead into their new and improved war room, and Kassandra fully expected that Leliana, Josephine, Cassandra, and Cullen were awaiting her beyond the doors.
Throwing open the doors with a forceful push, Kassandra effectively halted the conversations between her advisors and they attentively awaited for her further instruction. But while the others were focused on the essential outcomes they wished to discuss and gain approval from Kassandra with, Cullen couldn't bring himself to look away from Kassandra. Deep blue velvet adorned with embroidered swirls and snow-white fur around the sleeves cloaked her body in a dress—reminding Cullen that he and Kassandra were not the same. She was noble, elevated high above his station with the bestowment of Inquisitor. Kassandra gracefully walked to her end of the table across from him and she studied the map of Orlais and Fereldan spread across the table with great interest.
Leliana's soft snicker pulled him from his distracted state and the knowing smirk on her face left him turning red and forcefully clearing his throat. Kassandra lifted her head up and looked at him in slight concern.
"I apologize for the delay. Shall we begin?" Kassandra inquired of her advisors; calling them "hers" now still hadn't registered in her mind. She was met by a chorus of various forms of yes from Cullen, Cassandra, Leliana, and Josephine in disjointed succession. Kassandra steepled her hands together while she awaited the briefing as to her next moves.
There were two pressing matters that Kassandra faced as the Inquisition's potential next move: coming to the aid of Empress Celene and warn her of the assassination plot orchestrated by Corypheus or dealing with the absent Grey Wardens and the rumors filling the Void of where answers should be. Cassandra and Cullen strongly advocated for the searching of the Grey Wardens while Josephine rallied behind forging connections in Orlais' noble houses. Leliana remained mostly silent, except for injecting a few snide comments here and there, making it difficult for Kassandra to figure out where her opinion laid. That just happened to be unsurprising for Leliana; she let you know her opinion on an issue when she wanted or when it was the most personally expedient for the spymaster. It is what made her well-qualified and proficient at her job while serving as a frustration point within Kassandra. Sometimes, she wanted honesty from Leliana about what she knew, rather than the smoky illusions in the mirror's reflection. Kassandra had yet to make up her mind on which path to choose and time was not a luxury the Inquisition had.
"I spoke with the Champion, who seemed less reluctant to assist than I anticipated. I'm not fully sure what I expected, to be honest," Kassandra remarked with some hesitation to admit that Hawke threw her for a loop, knowing that word always got back around. She heard Leliana's knowing click and could feel the anger radiating from her left-hand side, where Cassandra stood beside her. She would advise Cassandra later to not harass Varric, even though she was sure her words might go unheeded. Therefore, she fully expected to catch wind of a brawl between the two and hoped that she might be swift enough to mediate it. She continued, undeterred by her wandering thoughts, "The Champion boasts knowledge of a contact hiding in Crestwood, a Grey Warden. I wish to speak with them before diving into the matter of the disappearances surrounding the Grey… or choosing Orlais over the issue."
"Why don't you consider taking a few days to mull over the matter. You have scheduled a trip to the Forbidden Oasis tomorrow." Josephine wisely suggested and Kassandra nodded, considering that to be an option of hers. This was not the time for snap judgments that promised nothing but miscalculations; she needed to be absolutely sure what the Inquisition's forces could reasonably manage without expending themselves.
"That I shall. I have a few quests for you to fulfill," Kassandra picked up a few of the pieces on the map belonging to each other her advisors. "Otherwise, I have nothing left to discuss. You are all dismissed." Kassandra remarked before she departed from the room and re-entered the Great Hall. She considered returning to her room for a quiet moment but decided against that.
That was how Kassandra found herself wandering around Skyhold, giving herself a chance to explore. Within minutes, she located a garden where the Chantry mothers flocked to and convened to pray. She discovered the high perch where Vivienne claimed her lounge and the two exchanged pleasantries as ingrained in them by courtly experience—old habits die hard. She passed through the rotunda where Solas selected as his small, humble corner of Skyhold and onto the battlements. Her gaze sweeping over the courtyard saw tents for the wounded and recovering (which were fewer than when they arrived), refugees helping to clean debris left behind, and a small gaggle of soldiers surrounding Cullen. Kassandra located the nearest set of stairs and intently made her way toward Cullen, drawn by her gut.
"Send men to scout the area. We need to know what's out there," Cullen ordered and pointed at something on his desk, which Kassandra rationally assumed was a map drawn of the area. A search party and scouting expedition? Not a poor idea at all.
"Yes, ser!" The soldier exclaimed and raced off toward the gates without further delay, opening the spot for another soldier to stand before Cullen. Kassandra inquired a brow and observed how Cullen ran a tight ship of his people. She found herself unabashedly impressed by his operations and how his soldiers were loyal to him.
"Commander, soldiers have been assigned temporary quarters" The second soldier reported to Cullen, who barely glanced up from his reports laid out across the table. With that information relayed and the soldier's current task complete, Cullen had another one prepared to assign. Skyhold's renovations and fortifications were underway, which was a task that required the swiftest completion.
"Very good. I'll need an update on the armory as well… Now!" Cullen barked when the recruit stood there blankly and watched as he scampered off with new orders. He suppressed his sigh under his breath and planned to turn back to his work until he caught sight of Kassandra and that damn dress in his peripherals. As she approached, Cullen snapped straight up like a ramrod and did his best to appear presentable and in command. She was the Inquisitor now and Cullen held no illusions about how a potential friendship might come secondary to their duties. He turned to greet her, "We set up as best we could at Haven but could never prepare for an Archdemon—or whatever it was. With some warning, we might have…" Cullen awkwardly trailed off, finding himself at a loss for words, and Kassandra knew that he blamed himself. How many times would she have to tell others that the only one to blame was Corypheus?
How many times have you told yourself that, her mind taunted back?
"Cullen, that is not important. What happened at Haven was not your fault or anyone besides Corypheus. You mustn't neglect your health or work yourself to death-" Kassandra's concern didn't fall of deaf ears as Cullen knew she seemed worried about him. She had nothing to worry about. He had too much to do to be concerned about sleep or anything else of lesser importance than redeeming himself.
"-If Corypheus strikes again, we may not be able to withdraw… and I wouldn't want to. We must be ready. Work on Skyhold is underway, guard rotations established. We should have everything on course within the week. We will not run from here, Inquisitor," Cullen informed, interrupting Kassandra's statement as he knew he didn't deserve such benefit of the doubt. He made critical errors during Haven's fall that would haunt him, one of them being misjudging her. Kassandra frowned, noting to resume the discussion when some privacy reached the two of them. She nodded to the positive news given to her about Skyhold's progress. She personally approved the plans for constructions, connections, refugees, and security as the Inquisitor and she felt the ideas pitched by her advisors were of the best out there. She surrounded herself with the greatest minds in all of Thedas; she was bound to get results she liked.
"Good. Our people are strong, resourceful, and, most of all, loyal. I honor each of their sacrifices. My only hope is that I am the right fit to carry the Inquisition on my shoulders," Kassandra remarked, mistakenly allowing self-doubt to creep into her words. She carried herself with such poise that a slip of the tongue like that would never happen, but uncertain circumstances provided some looser confines of what she could do. She trained in combat, as proven by her champion title. She was a seasoned politician and diplomat as dictated by her status and years of experience. But was she truly the best leader for the Inquisition, a force with enough power to challenge the Empress of Orlais and strike fear into the heart of a fallen magister with an archdemon dragon as a pet?
"We needed a leader, you have proven yourself." Cullen declared, knowing that Kassandra was the leader the Inquisition needed. He knew that others were considered in the beginning by Cassandra, but there was always something about Kassandra. She stepped up to the plate early on and braved the challenges, ones unseen by anyone before. Leadership suited her well and her statement reassured Cullen that he and the others made the right decision to nominate her as Inquisitor.
"Thank you, Cullen," Kassandra sighed and she glanced up to him after her attention was diverted to a small scuffle off to the side. When their eyes reconnected, Kassandra observed his smile—close-lipped but nevertheless pleased. Smiles from the Commander were rare occurrences. With her fear assuaged, Kass felt comfortable to address the thoughts on her mind: Cullen's makeshift workstation. She knew he had an office selected out for him and there was no reason for him to work outside when he could do so indoors. "You cannot be comfortable out here." Kassandra tilted her head and gestured to the makeshift setup Cullen established in the courtyard. She saw him out here at all hours of the day and sometimes burning the midnight oil when he should be asleep.
"I make do, Inquisitor. Besides, I find myself far too busy to consider moving just yet," Cullen explained and somehow, Kassandra should've guessed that the ever-busy Commander kept the outdoor workstation out of pure convenience. However, she planned on changing that and furnishing Cullen's before he could put it off.
"Allow me to help," Kassandra declared and she smoothly picked up a stack of reports from the end of his desk, ignoring any protest from Cullen. She handed them off to one of the soldiers who raced to her side and clamored to take them from her hands with a small smile. Kassandra walked to the edge of the desk and gripped the edge, prepared to carry it to his office. She gave Cullen an encouraging nod to take the other side while she assured the gaggle of soldiers surrounding them that she would be alright on her end, but they could still assist. At that, several armored soldiers grabbed the other sides and Kassandra gave a confident count. On her cue, everyone lifted the desk up together and the burden seemed lighter with extra hands.
"On your direction, Inquisitor Trevelyan!" One of the soldiers grunted and Kassandra, who appeared unaffected by the heavy lifting, gave a calm smile. She instructed the soldiers to get in step and managed to get them up two flights of stairs, much to Cullen's awe. She was a natural-born leader, charismatic and intelligent and fair. She was the kind of woman people flocked to and who received them with grace. When they walked across the battlements, someone spotted the Inquisitor and Commander with the desk and raced to hold open the door of Cullen's office. Kassandra heard everyone they pass greet her and Cullen with the utmost respect, bringing a small smile to her lips.
"That will be all," Kassandra informed once the desk was placed down where Cullen desired it and the soldiers scurried on, likely having tasks of their own to do. Kassandra dusted off her hands delicately and she appeared as polished, put together as before. She admired the space Cullen chose for his office with twinkling eyes, missing how Cullen leaned against the side of the desk and studied her.
"They admire you," Cullen remarked quietly while he sifted through the reports discarded on his desk, trying to shuffle them back into some coherent order. Azure eyes snapped out of their fascinated exploration of Cullen's study and settled onto the Commander.
"Huh?" Kassandra, clearly caught off-guard, inquired as she heard Cullen's comment but didn't understand. She wondered if she missed part of his statement.
"You inspire your people. Morale was low but greatly improved since you accepted the role of Inquisitor. Seeing their leader, who they believe to be a divinely touched warrior sent on behalf of the Maker, tackle mundane and insurmountable odds with the same hands-on, dedicated approach fosters respect. The troops are willing to follow you into the jaws of death and to the deepest trenches of the Void. In all my years with the Templars, I have never seen such dedication between a leader and their army." Cullen explained to Kassandra while he set the newly fixed reports back onto his desk, ordered alphabetically. Kassandra glanced down at her hands and back up at Cullen, not knowing that. She didn't realize the extent of how people looked up to her, whether it was beyond the fancy titles or was it for her efforts.
In the emptiness of the office, with only her and Cullen, Kassandra decided that she should broach what was on her heart before she lost her courage.
"Cullen, I believe we should speak about what happened at Haven, between us, I mean," Kassandra whispered and they both understood what that meant. Their fight before the fall, watching the mountain crumble down, and the harrowing rescue when Kassandra emerged in the snow battered and bruised. There was nothing left out of their minds.
"That we do. Back at Haven, I spoke in haste, out of misguided anger. You shouldn't have been the recipient when it was meant for Corypheus. I must ask for your forgiveness. All my rage vanished when I found you when you weakly called to me. You were covered in scratches and blood, clothes were torn, and colder than the ice. I was so afraid that you might not make it through the night that I recall the prayer I spoke. I likely sounded like a madman-" Cullen mused sheepishly, genuinely apologetic, and openly for such a quiet and closed-off man. Kassandra felt stunned by the revelations coming from Cullen, unaware that her actions impacted him so profoundly or that he cared enough about her to admit his perceived wrongs. His perspective opened her eyes to the unknown other side of the story and Kassandra knew she had some sharing of her own to do.
"Cullen, I already forgave you. After seeing the flare over the mountain's top, I found myself overwhelmed with relief as I knew you and the others made it to safety. That mattered to me more than my own life at that moment. I knew the mountain needed to come crashing down on Corypheus and his army, even if I went along with them. When the mountain tumbled down under the pressure of the trebuchet, all I could think was that I was sorry." Kassandra confessed and her recollection left Cullen spellbound, speechless, and anticipating her next words. While he waited for her on the other side of the mountain, he wondered what was going through her mind and now, he knew. Kassandra self-consciously brushed her hair behind her ear and out of her face, "Now, with it all said and done, I am glad that you- that the others made it out."
"As am I," Cullen whispered into the tense, electric silence residing in the space between the Commander and the Inquisitor, encouraging Kassandra to turn her face away. Cullen reached out and cupped her cheek, returning their eyes together. Kassandra felt her breath hitch in her ribs and the gleam in Cullen's eyes would never leave her so long as she should live. Within them, Kassandra saw hurt and fear and vulnerability—a flash into the inner workings of the stoic Commander, unable to hide behind the stoic lion of a man. He swallowed thickly when recalling the memories surrounding the fall of Haven and finding Kassandra in the ashes and snow while barely clinging to life. "You stayed behind- You could have—I will not allow the events of Haven to happen again. You have my word."
"I shall hold you to it, then. As I expect you to hold me to mine, where I solemnly swear to lead this Inquisition for all those men out there who believe in me- in us," Kassandra replied, not even missing a beat. Cullen swallowed at the mention of "us" but nodded affirmingly. They must hold each other accountable. No Kirkwall or Kinloch Hold would happen here; Cullen refused to make another mistake of equal magnitude and hoped that, under Kassandra, he might discover his chance to atone.
Kassandra departed from the office, leaving Cullen with much to think about. Her dress flared out behind her in the wind racing through the mountain and the sun shone down on her face, two opposing sensations that somehow complemented the hope on her heart. Corypheus had knocked them down, but they got back up and were ready to fight back. And Kassandra knew, as she stood at the battlement's edge and stared out to the land beyond the Frostbacks of Orlais and Fereldan, that she was meant to lead this Inquisition to ultimate glory.