Chapter 19
Ellana was sitting by herself at the long oaken bar of The Kirkwall, admiring the ornaments and lights decorating the walls to celebrate Hallow's Eve. On her walk from the train to the tavern, she had noticed that many of the storefronts were decorated for the upcoming holiday. Unlike Tevinter with its abstract black and gold ribbons, or the esoteric Elven rituals of smoke and piety, Orlais' interpretation of the day was festive. Carved pumpkins called jack-o-lanterns and orange strands of electric lights hung from every available surface.
Celebrating the dead was much more cheerful in Val Royeaux.
She was currently, other than Varric and the cooks in the back, the only one in the tavern. It gave her a chance to scroll through her phone to re-read the text conversation between her and Solas. Ellana missed their conversation more than she wanted to admit. Given how prolific their texting had been, it would have been foolish for her not to recognize the mutual attraction between them. Speaking on the phone, however, had confirmed the heat of their chemistry. Thinking about how rugged and deep Solas' voice had gone when Ellana had teased him made her break out in a wicked grin.
Selfishly, she wished she was meeting with Solas at The Kirkwall that evening. The night before, she had practically leaped across her studio apartment when she heard her phone vibrate. Her disappointment not to hear from him was short-lived when she read the name of one of her oldest friends flash across the screen.
xxx-xxx-1925, Cassandra Penthegast, 7:00 p.m.
Lala, I've been transferred to Val Royeaux
xxx-xxx-1925, Cassandra Penthegast, 7:01 p.m.
It was unexpected. I wondered if you'd like to meet up tmrw?
Ellana smiled at the use of her college nickname, along with the unanticipated good news. Cassandra was a prosecutor who had spent the last few years working in Montsimmard. The two had met in undergrad, keeping in touch as Cassandra went to law school, becoming an expert in navigating the complicated interplay between the monarchy, Chantry doctrine, and an elected parliament in Orlesian law. The two had bonded over their zealous hours studying at the library, later becoming roommates.
xxx-xxx-3245, 7:05 p.m.
Absolutely. Have you heard of The Kirkwall?
Ellana texted Cassandra immediately back, while also selfishly hoping that Solas did not return home that day. Having not seen Cassandra for over a year, Ellana decided she'd take the risk.
xxx-xxx-1925, Cassandra Penthegast, 7:06 p.m.
Oh, Varric Tethras owns it?
xxx-xxx-1925, Cassandra Penthegast, 7:09 p.m.
I wouldn't mind letting him know I'm in town.
xxx-xxx-3245, 7:11 p.m.
That sounds ominous. Can we go somewhere else?
xxx-xxx-1925, Cassandra Penthegast, 7:09 p.m.
Let's go! 7:00 p.m. meet you there?
xxx-xxx-3245, 7:11 p.m.
I should have known that you'd find a way to mix business & pleasure. Xoxo
xxx-xxx-1925, Cassandra Penthegast, 7:12 p.m.
You are one to talk. See you there!
Ellana couldn't help arriving a little early, sipping on a glass of merlot waiting for Cassandra. Pulling out her phone, she had been reading through her faculty email when she felt a light tap on her shoulder. Turning to see her friend, an undignified yip escaped from Ellana as she wrapped the reserved woman in a warm hug.
"I've missed you!" Ellana cried, drawing back to see Cassandra grimacing a bit. She knew better than to take her cold greeting personally. She noticed that Cassandra looked a bit tired, obviously coming from work in a matching purple pantsuit. Her ID card still hanging from around her neck, with the seal of the District Attorney's office-a sword and eye-emblazoned on the front.
"That is clear," Cassandra sighed in her Nevarran accent before taking the seat next to her and softening. "It is good to see you too, my friend."
The two were interrupted by Varric coming out from the kitchen, stepping up on the platform designed for his use to the tall bartop, an apprehensive look in his eyes as he spotted the lean brunette woman.
"Cassandra Pehteghast," The Dwarf said, "What will it be?"
"I move a couple hundred miles to Orlais, and it seems as though everyone knows each other," Ellana lamented in the background.
"Knowing is a bit strong in this instance," Cassandra said dryly before intensely staring at Varric, who blanched under her gaze, "Whiskey, neat."
The Dwarf grabbed a bottle from the opposite wall, an Antivan blend with a sword on the label, and gracefully poured a glass, tossing it so it practically glided across the bar, before throwing a towel over his shoulder and fleeing back to the kitchen.
"Are you going to tell me what that was about?" Ellana wearily asked Cassandra.
"We have a mutual friend that has evaded my attention for some time. Subpoena and all. Other than that, no."
The two took a sip of their drinks in unison. A small content silence that reminded Ellana of their days as undergraduates.
"I didn't know I'd be in Val Royeux until earlier this week. I'm sorry I wasn't here to help you adjust to Orlesian life. Its…"
"Very vibrant?" Ellana offered weakly. "Especially for elves."
"Yes," Cassandra teased, taking a sip of her whiskey. "I can't say I don't think about moving to Fereldan-or even Navarra-bar exam, and all, a few times a year."
Ellana laughed at the stern woman's attempt at friendly humor. She knew that Cassandra would never leave her post in the Chantry branch of government that Orlais relied on for its Department of Justice. She was a true believer in Andraste and the church, a subject that they rarely delved into given that Ellana was culturally polytheist.
"Has it gone well?"
"There are parts of it I like. I've started making some good friends. My students are beyond amazing. But-"
"Yes?"
Ellana recalled a conversation she had with the prosecutor shortly before she had driven from Tevinter to the Orlesian capital. Cassandra had been supportive, especially of the prestigious job opportunity. Still, she had warned the newly minted professor that life might not be as idyllic as Ellana hoped, considering that Dalish elves had been banned up until the last twenty years from entering the country. That, and Cassandra gave her full warning that the Orlesian game of flattery and artifice could be agonizing to deal with considering Ellana's straightforward manner.
"I think you were right. I don't know if I fit in here. It's been a little rough. My department-and Cass, I don't know if I should tell you this, but I was attacked outside my office by a roving fanatic."
"Ellana!" Cassandra exhaled, gripping Ellana's arm tightly 'Why didn't you call? Why do you never call when you need help!"
"I know, I'm sorry. It happened so fast, and these last few weeks have been so hard. If it wasn't for my new friends, Dorian and his husband Bull-and my colleague Solas-I don't know how I would have gotten through it."
Ellana summarized the whole incident for Cassandra, leaving out the more secretive parts of the story. When she finished, Cassandra slammed the rest of her whiskey down before exhaling loudly. "Did you call-"
"No, I didn't call him," Ellana cut off her friend with a glare, "I don't know why you think that situation is so unresolved. We ended things amicably years ago."
"You might have officially ended things," Cassandra smiled, "However, I know you spent the last few summers…"
"Enjoying each other's company?" Ellana finished with a grin before gulping down the rest of her wine. 'I tell you that I almost became a victim of blood magic, hexed to do the bidding of who-knows-who to do who-knows-what and all you want to know about is the current state of my romantic life?"
"You must forgive me," Cassandra said with an unrepentant smile, "It was quite the saga for a while."
"You are the only one who made it a saga," Ellana laughed, shaking her head. "Besides how is Galyan?"
"Galyan-ey." Cassandra replied Evasively.
Varric popped out of the kitchen again, a knowing look on his face, not even bothering to ask as he poured another serving of wine for Ellana and a glass of whiskey for Cassandra. Disappearing for a second, he returned with a bowl of olives and a cheese plate.
"Thank you, Varric," Ellana shouted, not bothering to keep her volume at an acceptable level considering the two women were the only patrons in the bar that night.
As Cassandra shoved a piece of cheese in her mouth, Ellana tried to discreetly check her phone for any missed messages. All the talk of romance made her wonder if she might hear from Solas that evening.
"Am I so boring?" Cassandra asked sarcastically.
"No, Cass, I'm sorry. I was hoping I might hear from someone this evening."
"Someone that isn't...?"
"Yes, someone I met here. Recently."
"Is it the Doctor?"
"How did you know!" Ellana shrieked., covering her face in embarrassment. She could feel her face grow hot and red at the mention of the professor's name. She hadn't intended to be obvious about her feelings.
"You play with your hair or blush any time you mention him. You always do that when you have a crush."
"That situation is complicated."
"Please tell me he's not married."
"No! Cassandra, why would he be married?"
"You said it was complicated."
"Do you remember...that bad review of my book last year?"
"Yes, of course."
"He wrote it."
Cassandra sat sipping her drink with a quizzical look on her face as she was thinking through all of the possible consequences.
"Is that how you met-did he seek you out?"
"No. I was lost on the first day of classes, and Solas ran into me-literally-afterward, he helped me find my classroom."
"Almost as if fate were driving the two of you together," Cassandra mussed. "That must have been quite the apology to get you to let go of that, as you referred to it, 'grave injustice'."
"I might have been overly indignant," Ellana admitted. "He is rather kind. He drove me home from the hospital after he saved my life. He even stayed to make sure I would be ok after I was nothing but difficult."
"He sounds considerate. Why did he write the review, though?"
"I don't know. The answer he gave me was so haphazard. He's a bit elusive, but underneath that, he is so compassionate, and our conversations! Ugh, I've never had a crush on someone with a mind like this. I don't really understand the mechanics of what he does, but just the way he talks..."
"Where is he right now?"
"Navarra, actually, for a medical conference and then consulting on some difficult cases in the rural countryside. He said he would text me when he returns-which should be any minute now."
She could feel the heat rising to her face again.
"You're infatuated," Cassandra observed. "I don't know if I've ever seen you this way."
"What should I do?" Ellana asked. She had often relied on Cassandra's judgment over the years. Surely, if she felt lost, the prosecutor would know what to do.
"Do whatever is in your heart, my friend. If the obstacles you experience are surmountable, you will overcome them. I also think the only one that can decide that is you."
If the advice had come from anyone else, Ellana would have thought it was sarcastic. Only she knew Cassandra to be eternally forthright, no matter the situation, even if it were at her friend's own expense.
"I'm so glad you moved her Cass. I've been feeling so off the entire time I've been here-in Tevinter, even when I was adjuncting around the country, I had a life, hobbies, friends. I have some of those things in Orlais. Only it's been challenging to get settled enough to feel like I'm part of the city. I've never felt so indecisive and lost."
"I am your friend, Lala, I will always be your friend," Cassandra said, squeezing her hand. The act earned her another deep embrace from Ellana, who clung a little longer than necessary.
"That's enough!" Cassandra groaned. "You can buy me a drink if you really feel that appreciative. Or several"
Ellana laughed, feeling for the first time in a long while, like her normal self.
"You're lucky, Cass, that I actually receive a paycheck now."