Their investigation into the Servant's Quarters left IIyana with more questions than answers. Besides the blood splatter walls and dead bodies aligning the floor, the body of a councilman was also discovered - a blade bearing the Chalon's family crest embedded deep in his heart. They had fought their way through the warriors and rogues that appeared and soon IIyana was chasing one of the assassins through the darkened hallways of the palace. Rounding the corner, the assassin dropped dead as his head snapped back with the force of a blade. Her savior, an Elven woman wearing a forest green dress and silver mask introduced herself as Ambassador Briala, and the woman offered the Inquisitor an alliance after deeming her a worthy ally.
With suspicion clouding her mind, IIyana's gaze followed Briala as she walked through the French style doors unto the balcony to ordered her spies to dispose of the carnage below. She then turned back, staring, remaining motionless, as if she were gathering her thoughts.
"Tell me, Inquisitor," the woman's honeyed-voice filled the air. "What would you do with a network of Elven spies at your disposal?"
IIyana considered her words carefully before replying, "I already have an excellent spymaster."
"One dedicated to the Inquisition," Briala countered. "What I offer is a network that will remain loyal beyond the Breach. Those dedicated and loyal to you." Her interest piqued, IIyana encouraged the woman to continue. "I can offer you people who can move freely about inThedas - noble households, alieneages, the Qun - I also have the means to travel to other parts of this world within minutes. To see and conquer places you can only imagine."
"But you lack the power to pull this off."
"And the reputation. With you behind me, I can give you the world, Inquisitor."
IIyana arched a brow. "As long as I play nice."
"Take all the time you need - I am a patient woman after all," Briala encouraged. "But I know which way the wind blows, and I am willing to bet coin that you'll be apart of the peace talks before the night is over. If you happen to lean a little our way ... it could prove advantages for both of us."
"You said that I am a worthy ally. I would like to know why," IIyana asked as the two women retraced their steps back into the gardens where their team awaited.
Briala stopped short of passing the giant gates that will take them back to the main hall. "I have watched you all evening and I agree - only you can bring a God to his knees. Regardless of the outcome, our paths will cross again. I am sure of it," she said and retreated into the shadows as if she were never there.
"I heard what she promised you, IIyana," Cassandra said from behind. "You cannot trust her."
IIyana chose not to answer, instead, ordering that they all return to the ballroom before the alarm was raised. Cassandra was correct - she couldn't trust the Ambassador. She was even convinced that Briala had purposely offered an alliance to gain more allies to overthrow the crown. But despite their political differences, and what she knew of Ambassador Briala's history, IIyana couldn't deny the fact that both of them shared one common goal and that was to better the lives of the Elven people.
Solas' gaze met IIyana's from across the room as she re-entered the Vestibule, and he raised his champagne glass in greeting. His agent had informed him of her exchange with Briala and he was relieved to find that she'd come to no harm. His desire for her only deepened when she tilted her chin and stalked off in the opposite direction from where he was leaning against a giant statue. He watched as she spoke with Josephine and a young woman and then moved along the room as she mingled with Councilmen and Ambassadors.
He was biding his time. Waiting. She couldn't avoid him forever and eventually, they will have to talk. He'd learned from Varric the consequences of his behavior and he couldn't help but add another item to his list of atonement. He had needed time to grieve but a situation within his own network required his personal attention; otherwise, he would have returned sooner.
"Pardon the interruption sir, would you care for another glass of champagne?" The elven woman asked. She was a pretty thing with light brown hair and blue eyes. He smiled and accepted the glass she handed him. She blushed and quickly turned her gaze towards the Inquisitor, her voice shaking with embarrassment.
"The Inquisitor is lovely tonight, isn't she?" the woman said with breathless wonder.
"Yes, yes she is," Solas agreed. He took a sip of his champagne, enjoying the tiny bubbles dancing on his tongue before smiling at her reply. "I have heard rumors of her beauty but they do her no justice. She is more beautiful in person. And so kind!"
They watched IIyana move along the crowd and the woman added, "what's it like to be apart of the Inquisition?"
Solas chuckled softly at the awe that transformed her lovely face, earning him another blush - this time a deeper red. The woman played her part well, Solas thought before confessing that he found it fascinating.
"Fascinating? Which part?" Her voice was sweet, innocent and Solas couldn't help but lean in, his gaze intense as he looked at her lovely face.
"The part where I uncover spies." She appeared confused at his response but as his lips curled slightly, her smile falters and he gave her a knowing stare. "You were given orders, were you not? If the Inquisitor did not align with your leader," he said dangerously. "I only wonder if your lover was aware of this when you agreed."
"Forgive me, sir, I have no idea -"
"You will tell Briala that if she so much as breathe the Inquisitor's name, she will be dead within seconds. And her entire network will be annihilated."
Her facade broke and she gave him a tight smile. She listened carefully to his orders. And fearfully.
"I understand. Now, what about -"
"To be released. When my conditions are met." His gaze followed IIyana out the room and he placed his empty glass on the tray, dismissing the spy completely. She was already being surrounded when he trailed silently behind IIyana. He followed her through the long corridors and out towards the gardens, having every intention to continue when Dorian snared him.
"Hello, Solas," Dorian said pleasantly, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Why don't you join me in the study. I suddenly desire your company."
"Another time, perhaps."
"Come, let's have some wine and we'll discuss a few things -"
Solas gave an impatient shake of his head. "I need to speak with IIyana."
Dorian's grip tightened into an unbreakable clamp. "I really must insist." His pleasant expression didn't change when he threatened to make a scene. In return, Solas threw him a chilling smile. Denied his prey, his blood was teeming with violence, his temper on the brink of explosion when he told Dorian to lead the way.
He followed Dorian through the entrance, down a side hallway, and into a small study. The heavy oak door closing behind them for privacy. The room was delicately styled, with a small french drop leaf table and a writing chair positioned in front of a trio of windows leading out into a small private garden. On the opposite wall, a tray of decanters placed behind the massive desk centered in the back. A few candles lit the room.
Solas made his way towards the windows, hoping to catch a glimpse of IIyana's whereabouts, as Dorian remarked conversationally. "I'll say this for you. It's in your favor that you are looking to amend things with IIyana."
"I don't need anyone's permission when it comes to her."
Dorian glanced at him, the soft candle gleaming his eyes and over the layers of his hair. "Now you see, that's where you're wrong. She is my family. My best friend. It would be amiss of me to not at least defend her honor." He smiled wickedly, taking great care to pull his gloves off. "And you will need to go through me to get to her."
Solas considered his options before his shoulders hitched into a shrug. The last thing he wanted was to create more damage to the already delicate strands of trust he had left with IIyana. "I would hate to hurt your face."
"It is a lovely face, isn't it?" Dorian replied and he patiently waited as Solas pulled off his ridiculous hat and set it aside.
Neither broke eye contact as they circled one another - measuring, calculating.
"You shouldn't have stayed away for so long, Solas."
"I hadn't intended to."
"Perhaps next time, you send word instead of letting your lover suffer," Dorian suggested.
He threw the first punch which Solas easily dodged. Readjusting, Dorian retreated as Solas threw a right. A moment later, Dorian connected with a left cross, earning him a very satisfied hiss from Solas.
"Your age is showing," Dorian snickered. "Cullen would have deflected that blow."
Solas swung with a right, then a left, which Dorina quickly deflected but not in time to stop the right hook that landed squarely against his jaw. If he wasn't so damn surprised, he would have to give credit where it was owed.
"Losing your flare?" Solas asked with a grin.
"Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. Such fire," Dorian said. "I have to admit that things have been rather bland these days. Our dear Commander lacks your passion when he's alone with her."
Solas growled and lunged at Dorian, slamming him into the writing table, its contents scattering across the marble floor as the fragile wood shattered into a million pieces. Grabbing Solas' arm, Dorian hooked a right foot around his ankle and took him down. They rolled once, twice, until Dorian landed another punch to Solas' face. He let out a savage curse and landed his elbow painfully into Dorian's midriff. The Tevinter grunted and Solas sprang away, retreating a few steps.
Breathing hard, he watched as Dorian leaned up on his elbows with a satisfied smirk.
"You're holding back. You could have snapped my windpipe in two." Dorian pointed out, stretching the kinks from his back. He'd landed harder than he originally thought and his muscles were already beginning to ache.
"I didn't want to add your death to my list of apologies," Solas said acidly, "before I had a chance to speak with IIyana."
Dorian grinned. "It would be devastating." Accepting Solas' extended hand to help him raise, he added, "you took your time returning home."
"I was detained," he confessed, hoping that Tevinter would cease his questioning. "But how is she, Dorian?"
The tender way he spoke of her had Dorian reconsidering his stance. He was torn between loyalty and knowing the truth of his friend's heart. Perhaps a little nudge is what she needed. "She may be upset but she still cares enough to plan your death. Why, by the time we left the Servant's Quarters, IIyana had settled on flaying you alive, castrating you, then setting your corpse on fire."
"Ah."
"We are talking about pre-Skyhold IIyana, Solas," Dorian responded and tried not to laugh at the man's exasperated face.
Solas turned his moody, blue eyes towards him. "Perhaps I will take you up on that drink." His tone, though low, carried the clear sign of man resigned to his fate.
There was a time when neither he and IIyana could remain in the same room without so much as trading insults and resorting to adolescent - sometimes childish - behavior. Back then, she'd drive him nearly insane with her scathing tongue, and if he then what he knew now, he would have saved them both the trouble and kissed her sooner. But the Tevinter was correct. In his heart, he knew IIyana would forgive him but she would not do so willingly.
Dorian walked over to the decanters and pour the honey-colored liquor into two glasses and handed one to Solas. "Shall we toast to your inevitable demise?"
There was a short silence. Then, "she'll send me away with a Dalish ritual just to spite me." Solas said, finishing his drink in one take.
"Only after she's made you beg," Dorian added and took pity on his friend by pouring him another drink.
By the time she sensed him again, IIyana was in the middle of the dance floor twirling Duchess Florianne around the ballroom to the amusement of the court. She should be paying attention to their conversation but her thoughts kept returning to him; his touch, his kiss. And like a damn fool, she'd melted into his arms as though the last three months had not existed. It was as if she'd been drowning in sorrow and being in his arms again had given her the oxygen to breathe, to live, to feel. To love.
You are a damn idiot, IIyana. He'll only hurt you. Again.
She caught a glimpse of him from the upper level and she nearly missed a step, her eyes shifting between the woman she was dancing with and the man above. For every step she took forward, he moved as if he were side by side with her and together they moved as one. Beside her, the Duchess was rambling on about the Gaspard and the Court but IIyana's gaze was directed only at Solas.
"You have little time, Inquisitor," the Duchess said as IIyana dipped her low, interrupting her scattered thoughts. "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 of Gaspard's secrets. I'm sure you can persuade him to be forthcoming," the Duchess continued as she was led off the dance floor.
IIyana scanned the upper level and when she could not find Solas she ascended the stairs towards her advisors. Cullen was there to meet her with an apprehensive smile.
"Well done, Inquisitor," Josie beamed with a prideful smile. "If you haven't won them over, you will by the end of the night. You are the talk of the party."
"What were you and the Duchess discussing?" Cullen interrupted, although his voice indicated he had other matters on his mind. This was the first moment they've been together since Solas' arrival and she didn't miss the worry lacing his beautiful brown eyes.
"The Duchess suspects her brother to take the throne," she glanced up as the two walked side by side. "She says the Captain of his mercenaries will be found in the Royal Gardens."
"She is up to something. That information was not given freely. We should expect a trap." Leliana stated from her left.
IIyana nodded in agreement. "We'll head in the direction of the west wing, but make sure our soldiers are positioned when we need them. I suspect this will not end well." She bid Leiliana and Cullen good-bye as the two headed in the opposite direction to convey their orders.
"May I have a moment?" Josie asked. Although her eyes were expressive and she wore her usual gracious smile, stressed lined her lovely face as she led them to a private corner of the room. IIyana waited for her friend to gather her thoughts. "Inquisitor, about Master Solas ..."
"This was why you were so nervous when we first arrived," Josie confirmed with a tight smile. If anyone knew about Solas' arrival, it would have been Josie or Leiliana. Both knew the ins and outs of the Inquisition's schedule and both knew that she was headed to the Grand Library. Only Josie would have sent Solas after her. "How long have you known," IIyana asked.
"Since last night," Josie confessed to her astonishment. "We received word from our Scouts that he would arrive by this afternoon."
"And you kept this from me?"
"We felt it best -"
"We?" IIyana stated - baffled, confused.
"The three of us -"
"Cullen knew about this? Is this way he was extra attentive this afternoon?" IIyana demanded, unable to believe that the man who'd comforted her for the past three months would withhold this information. She couldn't decipher what was worst - that they intentionally kept the information from her, or that they placed the Inquisition's duty above her heart. "Did you all not take a moment to consider how I would feel? To see him here. When you all knew I would be the target of every member of the court?"
"Of course we considered our options, Inqui-"
"My name is IIyana Lavellan, Josie," she snapped. "I know you all mean well, but damnit - I have feelings too." She picked up her skirts, ready to storm off but she couldn't because of the where they were. She felt powerless all of a sudden. Helpless, as if she were a prisoner and the only way to freedom was to finish playing The Game. Releasing a sigh of defeat, IIyana stared back at Josie, a woman she's long considered a sister. "With everything that we've been through, I thought I at least had you in my corner."
IIyana didn't bother to hide the betrayal she felt as she turned her back on Josie and headed in the direction of her next mission.
Author's Note:
Hi! I owe you all an apology. I hadn't realize that I had followers on this site as it can be difficult to navigate. For those who've stuck around I will upload all the chapters I have posted recently. Keep in mind, I took a couple of months off, but have resumed writing. We are now up to Chapter 30.
Sorry for the long wait,
E