Since red Jenny appeared to be in town, Erina decided to track her down first. She followed a series of clues that had her meandering all over Val Royeaux. Cassandra was glad Josephine was not here to see this. How Erina clambered all over things to get to the next clue could hardly be considered lady-like. However, she was glad that Erina seemed to be having fun with this. It was a bit like playing, something a child her age should be doing. For that, Cassandra was grateful to this red Jenny.
Eventually, the group found themselves wandering into a back alley. As they opened a gate at the end, a ball of magic fire struck the wall.
"I should have known! Of course a child and her friends would be behind this mess!" A nobleman shouted.
"How dare you!" Cassandra yelled, standing defensively in front of Erina.
"How dare I?! Do you have any idea who I am? I..."
"Oi!" a voice shouted.
Everyone looked to see a young elf woman nearby, raising a bow at the nobleman.
"Just say what."
"What is the mean..."
The man was cut off due to the arrow now lodged in his head.
"Bloody wanker. Told him one word and he says four. Well, three and a half." The elf said as she retrieved her arrow.
"Um, red jenny?" Erina asked, noting the red tunic the elf archer wore.
"Sort of. I'll explain later. That arse-faced noble's friends are coming. I snatched all their breeches." the elf said with a snort.
Guards came running in, with nothing but weapons, shirts and underwear on. Erina couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
"Glad you approve, tiny. Now we have asses to kick." the elf said.
The five soon had the semi-nude guards bested. Erina snickered like a mad woman the whole fight.
"Erina..." Cassandra said, embarrassed for the child.
"I'm sorry. Its just so funny. And I haven't laughed this much in ages. I can't stop!"
Cassandra paused for a moment. In the heat of everything, it was often easy to have how hard Erina's life had been thus far slip. She was supposed to laugh and play, not be responsible for the fate of the world.
"You poor girl. Go on then. Enjoy this to the fullest." Cassandra thought.
Once Erina had calmed down, she turned to the elf.
"So, sort of red Jenny, who are you?"
"Well, the name's Sera. Red Jenny is a name me and a bunch of others use. See, we are the little people who got tired of being punched down by the stuffed shirts. Red Jenny and friends are a way to punch back up."
"I get it. Sort of like a group mask that lets you fight back."
"Right."
"So, what is it exactly that you and your friends do?" Cassandra asked.
"All you just saw, and more."
"So, pranks and assassinations?" Varric asked.
"Yes, yes, and more. We got friends in places. All sorts of places. See, nobody expects the errand boy to be able to do anything when he's abused. But, if he's got friends, then maybe he lets slip that his master is carrying on an affair. And maybe a friend or two or three finds out who the mistress is and kips a pair of her knickers. Then somebody makes sure that the unmentionables end up tied to the flag pole right outside the master's wife's window. And then everybody enjoys the show. So, as you can see, we punch back up."
"So, it would be fair to say that they could act as scouts, spies and assassins. All of which we could use more of." Solas deduced.
" Yep, and if you ever want to pie somebody in the face or get them pantsed in public, my friends could do that to. You'd be surprised how many nobles back off after a couple custards from nowhere or a convenient hole shows the world their racy bits. "
" Hmm, wonder if they could find my old orphan master. " Erina thought out loud.
"Erina!" Cassandra said, exasperated.
"You tell me his name and I bet a friend is somewhere close, Tiny." Sera said.
"Don't encourage her."
"Okay, mummy. So, what's the word, little miss shiny pants?" Sera asked Erina.
"The word is yes, miss loony moonie. Welcome to the Inquisition." Erina said, with Sera snorting at the name the girl called her.
"These two are going to be a nightmare together." Cassandra said, as she shook her head.
"Alright, see you back at Haven, herald. Huh, herald. Yeah, I like tiny better."
"Sera,I'd like to talk to you when we get back." Varric called.
"I'll be at the bar!" She hollered back as she rounded the corner.
"Well, she seems fun." Erina said.
"If by fun you mean ever so slightly insane, then yes, she is fun." Cassandra said.
"Oh come on, it's not that bad, 'mummy'." Erina joked, not knowing the switches she was flipping.
Cassandra sputtered for a moment before forcing a cough to regain her composure.
"Ahem. At any rate, we should be seeing to Madame De Fer."
"Knowing high society like I do, I doubt they'd like all of us showing up." Varric said.
"That may be true. Very well then. I shall accompany Erina and stand guard outside while she speaks to the madame. You two go back to Haven and ready up for whatever we may face with the Redcliff mages."
"Okay, mummy. We'll see you later." Varric said as he and Solas left.
"I am going to throttle that damn dwarf one day." Cassandra said, making a fist.
"Oh, come on, Lady Cassandra. He's only teasing." Erina said.
"There is a time and place for everything. He should learn that. Now, come along."
"Right behind you."
As the pair walked, Cassandra noticed Erina straightening her hair and clothes meticulously.
"Erina, I can assure you that you look marvelous."
"Well, I figure that I need to look my best. So, I need to look at least as pretty as you."
"Ha! I have been called many things in my life but pretty?"
"Not even once?" Erina asked sadly.
"Well, in my youth, perhaps. But, certainly not recently."
"Well, that's not right. You are really pretty, lady Cassandra."
"You flatter me, Erina. Thank you."
" Only telling the truth. "
"Speaking of the truth, tell me this. Lelianna mentioned that you said that you could come to love me as you do her. Could you truly?"
"Of course. We got off to a rocky start but since then, you've been very kind to me. At first, I thought maybe it was just because I have the mark. But, back at the cabin, I remember hearing your and big sister's voices. I couldn't make out everything you were saying. I was mostly asleep. But I did hear sister say that you had done a lot of nice things for me when I was out after we tried to close the breach. And you were there, waiting for me to wake up after I heard you and sister talk. I could tell you were keeping watch over me, like a vigil. So, you've shown that while you can seem scary and a little strict, you always have my best interests at heart. Not my mark's, but mine. You obviously care about me, so naturally, I care about you too. The feeling is mutual. "
Erina then hugged Cassandra about her waist tightly.
"I love you, Lady Cassandra."
Cassandra's eye's lowered in fondness and a content smile came upon her lips. She returned the hug.
"Just Cassandra from now on. We are becoming like family after all. Family doesn't address each other by titles."
"Understood, Cassandra."
The pair continued on and eventually reached the manor of Madame De Fer. Cassandra noticed they were taking names at the door and could hear the people being announced as they walked in. An idea hatched in her mind. One that would scratch a growing itch in Cassandra's mind.
"Erina, when we get to the door, give your name as Lady Erina Pentaghast."
"But, that isn't my name. Its yours."
"And I'm giving it to you for now. The Pentaghast family is Nevarran royalty. Its name will grant you greater respect amongst the nobles inside."
"Wait, royalty? Cassandra, are you a princess?" Erina asked, her eyes lighting up some.
"Technically, yes. But, do not make such a fuss. I am seventy-eighth in line for the throne. The likelihood that I would ascend to queen before I die of old age is astronomical."
"Even so, it's still a pleasure to know a real princess."
"The life is not like what children's books would have you believe. Not for me at least."
"I would love to hear about it later. If you don't mind sharing that is."
"As long as you tell me more about you as well."
"Deal. Um, say, what do I tell people if they ask how exactly I'm related to you? I'm pretty sure word of me being an orphan has gotten around as part of the story of the Herald."
"You are right. Hmm, something simple should suffice."
"Oh, I know. What if I tell them that you took a liking to me and decided to adopt me as your daughter? It's close enough to the truth."
"Er, ver-very well. We shall go with that."
"Well, then lets go, mother." Erina said, grabbing Cassandra's hand and pulling her forwards.
The two approached the door and the attendant asked their names.
"Lady Erina Pentaghast. I'm with the Inquisition."
"Ah, yes. The Madame is expecting you. But there's no mention of your last name."
"Oh, she must have not heard yet. I was recently adopted by this lovely lady. This is my adopted mother, Lady Cassandra Pentaghast."
"Ah, the famed Dragon slayer of the Nevarran royalty."
"Dragon slayer?" Erina asked, her brow arching.
"I'll tell you later." Cassandra said.
"I'll hold you to that, mother. Anyway, may I go in?"
"Your mother will not accompany you?"
"I came with her to shield her from bandits and the like. She's a wonderfully bright girl. She can handle a room full of nobles on her own. I will stay here and help stand guard for her sake." Cassandra explained.
"Oh, well, great to have you then, Lady Cassandra. Please, head on inside, your highness."
"Wish me luck." Erina said to Cassandra.
"I doubt you'll need it."
"Hmm, just in case, how about a kiss for luck? Please,mummy?"
Cassandra realized that Erina was enjoying this pretending a bit too much. And that she needed to comply to keep up the ruse.
"Once again, I set myself up for disaster." Cassandra thought.
"Oh, fine."
Cassandra knelt down and gave Erina a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Now get in there."
"I'll make you proud, mummy. "