I gave my head a shake and cleared away any thoughts about Evelyn's confession once we headed back inside. Sure, it gave me a reason to smile to myself, but as she walked away, I had a quick word with Leliana before returning to the action. It was time to focus on the matter at hand and worry about anything else later. I circled the room again, receiving one or two comments about my dancing, one or two other comments about the fact I seemed to care for the Herald of Andraste a great deal. That was true, of course, but I wouldn't admit the entire truth. That would make her a target of people who didn't like me, and she was already a target enough on her own.

Tracking down Gaspard again, I had another chat with him, this time purely about the peace talks and the civil war. The longer I talked to him, the more I realised he wasn't on the verge of performing a coup that evening, unless I was simply reading it all wrong. He expected the negotiations to fail, that much was obvious, but he still didn't sound like someone planning to have Celene murdered. And if it wasn't Briala, then it had to be either Florianne, or someone we simply hadn't considered, which was perhaps the most worrying aspect of all.

Walking back towards Leliana, I whispered that I was going to track down Briala again. She grabbed my wrist as I walked by. "What for?" she whispered.

"Because I want to know if what she told Cassandra is true. If she's willing to help us, then I want to know on what condition, who she's willing to work with…"

Grabbing a pair of drinks from a passing tray, I eventually tracked Briala down to one of the balcony's, where she was standing by herself, looking rather lonely. I guess the only elves you would find in the palace, apart from herself would be servants. She was leaning against the balustrade, grazing out over Halamshiral. I stopped a couple of steps behind her. "Beautiful view," I said. I may have been running my eyes up her at the same time.

"It certainly is on a night like this, Inquisitor." She turned around with a smirk though it turned into a smile when I offered her the drink. "Well, not often a human will give me a drink."

"Penny for your thoughts, Briala? About all of this?"

"Anything for my people, Inquisitor."

I closed the distance between us, amused she had to look up. "Take off your mask," I asked softly.

"Why?"

"Because I want to see your face when I say what is next."

She was amused but did as I asked. I definitely smiled when I finally got to see her entire face. No wonder she'd managed to bed the Empress of Orlais. She was stunning. One of the most beautiful women I'd ever laid eyes upon. She knew that too. "I take it the Inquisitor approves," she stated softly.

"I want to help the elves by helping you, Briala. Because when I think of the elves, I think of Gawen. He has been by my side for years now. He is a friend and a confidant. Yet I know, if he wasn't with me, he'd probably be stuck in an alienage or something. Being belittled and abused just because he has different ears." I could see that confession definitely surprised her. "But I don't want Gaspard on the throne. He will only bring war and chaos, even if you were the one behind him, pulling the strings."

She turned around to look over Halamshiral, as I stood close behind her. I inhaled her scent. It was wonderful. And I was left fairly sure she hadn't been wearing it before. She had probably realised the first time we had met I'd found her attractive, though the actual conversation hadn't gone exactly smoothly. Now she was using the attraction to advantage. She didn't have to. I wanted to help her.

"Thousands of elves were killed when she marched on this city, Uhtred…" She did that on purpose. I wasn't stupid. "Celene's orders. I was sent here to assassinate someone who was on the verge of causing an elven rebellion. I was assured, if I did that, the city would be saved and my people would not be harmed. She broke her word. She sent her chevaliers in. They murdered and pillaged the entire city, nearly burning it to the ground. She promised to loosen restrictions on elves in Val Royeaux. She broke that promise as well." She turned around, lifting her head to meet my eyes. "She's responsible for the deaths of my parents. She never loved me, Uhtred, I was only ever a pawn in her part of the Game. All I have from her is a string of broken or empty promises and a final betrayal of my people. Could you really work alongside a woman responsible for all of that?"

"Has Gaspard made you any promises?"

"I assume you mean if you allow him to take the throne, which means Celene would be dead, and I figured that is something you don't want. But for sake of clarity, he hasn't but someone like him is easily blackmailed and manipulated. He can take his armies and do what he wants. I will hold the real power and only then will my people finally have their freedom."

"And what would you have them do with their new found freedom?"

"If you're worried about retaliation, fear not. I simply want my people to have the same opportunities like anyone else. Let's not forget, not every human is a noble, not every human treats an elf like dirt. Like elves, dwarves, even Qunari, there are a few bad apples, a few good apples, and the rest are simply forgettable."

"And you don't believe Celene would offer that?"

"She's offered it before. What would change her mind now? And why would I want to rule alongside her? That part of my life is in the distant past."

"I'm not saying you reform your relationship, but for the good of Orlais, and also for your people, we find a way for you two to work together."

"I can tell you want Celene to remain in charge, Uhtred. Very well. I want proof she even gives a damn about the elves. Give me something that can change my opinion of her, because at this moment in time, I would rather Gaspard on the throne, whether I'm involved or not, than have Celene in charge."

I finished my drink, leaning past her to place in on the balustrade. I felt her look at me as I pulled back. "Well, another interesting conversation, Briala. I'll take what you said on board and see what I can do."

"May I ask a personal question, Uthred?"

"Sure. I have nothing to hide."

"Leliana, your spymaster, you are with her?"

"We are both veterans of the Fifth Blight. Apart from a rather extended break apart, we've been together for a long time now."

"But you find my kind… I mean, relations between a human and an elf are not that uncommon, but still…"

I couldn't help chuckle. "Have I left you flustered, Briala? The human barbarian finding the diminutive elf appealing?"

She wasn't wearing a mask and seemed to forget, as she noticeably blushed. Maybe she wasn't used to getting compliments. In the world she lived in, she probably didn't hear the truth all that often. "Heard about you and your honeyed words, Uhtred. What does Leliana have to say?"

"I may look, talk to, even flirt…" I stepped forward, causing her to look up again. "I may even touch," I whispered.

"Well, I will admit you are with an exceptional woman, Uhtred. I have met her before, obviously."

"I am a very lucky man."

"Think over what I said. If you can somehow convince me to support Celene, then I will give my word that I will." She waved her hand in front of her face. "I am an open canvas. What do you think?"

"You're telling the truth but you have no reason to lie. I don't play the Game unless I need to, Briala. If we become allies, I will only ever be honest. I can only ask you are the same."

She laughed lightly, a wonderful sound. "Oh, you would not fit in here at all, Uhtred. And that can only be a good thing." She paused, finishing her drink, before placing her glass next to mine behind her. "What we need is a position of influence, Uhtred. That means nobility. At the moment, the elves can easily be ignored because we have no voice. We need a voice, even if it's only one. If an elf can become part of Celene's court, part of the nobility, we will finally have a voice."

"And you will be that voice?"

"Come now, do you really think it wouldn't be me?"

"Hmmm. I guess not."

"As I said, give it some thought. I will wait until the final moment. Don't dither too long otherwise you might be too late to stop whatever happens, and any influence you may have won could be lost in the snap of a finger."

I stepped forward again, causing her to step back, doing the same again until she was back against the balustrade. Leaning forward, resting my hands against it, Briala watched me with interest. "May I ask a blunt but personal question, Briala?"

"Of course."

"Do you hate humans?"

"Not all of them. Just those that keep my people down."

"And men?"

"If you mean do I enjoy the company of men…" She looked away immediately. The body language told me everything. It was a story I'd heard before. Using a finger, I gently moved her chin so she looked back at me.

"You were hurt by one," I said softly.

"More than one," she added.

"I'm sorry. Some of us are not good people."

"And you are?"

"I try to be. I try to do the right thing most of the time."

"That's why you want to help my people."

"I've been wrong about things before, Briala. Helping you and your people would… ease my conscience about things. As I said, I think of Gawen. I think of Solas inside. A brilliant man, shunned before he's an elven mage. I think of Sera, struggling through life, despite the fact she's bloody good at what she does. I think of the elves in all the alienages I've visited. Back where I'm from, the races of Tamriel at least lived alongside each other without keeping one particular race subjugated. Well, mostly…"

"You are a curious man, Uhtred." She paused before an easy smile appeared. "I could use your attraction to me to my advantage."

"And I can see your own interest, Briala."

"Well, I have heard rumours… They are intriguing, to say the least." She took a deep breath. "But even then, I worry. Because of what Celene did. How do I know you won't do the same?"

"Guess I'll have to make sure you can trust me."

"Keep your word and we'll certainly see."

Raising a hand, I wasn't sure how she would react when I caressed her cheek. Her skin was incredibly soft. She… smiled. I'll admit, I really wanted to kiss her. I know, I know. I had other women inside, but when I thought about it, I'd been around elven women before, but Briala was something else entirely. No wonder she'd managed to get Celene's attention.

"Are you contemplating something, Inquisitor?"

"I am. I'm thinking about it."

"What about Leliana?"

"Those rumours you heard, I can guess what they are, and they are true."

I removed my hand and stepped back, taking a deep breath. She actually looked slightly disappointed I hadn't gone through with it. "Maybe we can talk again, Inquisitor?"

"Of course. I'll make sure we do."

I nodded, immediately turning and heading back into the ballroom, straight for Leliana. Explaining most of the conversation, she listened and nodded until I was finished talking. She suggested it was easy enough, that all we would need to do would be to infiltrate Celene's personal quarters and see if we could find anything relating to Briala, a memento of affection that she kept to prove that Briala still meant something, despite everything else that happened.

"Are you suggesting?"

"Cassandra and the rest are busy. You and I can go. I know this palace well. I can get us there and back without being noticed. We do it silently and quickly."

We left together, both of us giggling to appear like we were simply heading out to get some air, perhaps for a little canoodling out in the garden. Once we were out into the foyer, Leliana led us straight to the door that led to the Royal Wing. The door was locked, no problem for someone like Leliana, who picked it with ease and slipped us inside within seconds. I let her take the lead, and I definitely found myself distracted as we crept along silently. We hadn't done anything like this together in years.

The royal chambers were as exquisite as one would expect. There must have been more rooms than I could count, marble floors and columns, enormous stone statues of Andraste and previous rulers, bookcases, artwork on the walls, a four poster bed with a naked male strapped to it… Okay, that last one wasn't something I expected.

"I thought Celene was… you know, she was with Briala, so I assumed..."

"Celene has many interests, Uhtred. Surely you have gathered that, for many people in Thedas, sexuality is fluid."

"True, you being the obvious example."

"Behave, Uhtred," she warned with a grin.

"Okay… This is a surprise though."

The man was awake, admitted to being a soldier, and had been told he would be 'rewarded' for betraying Gaspard. "Oh, I'm sure she would have rewarded you later. We're not exactly meant to be here, though you are precisely what we need," I said.

He also told us everything we needed to know about Gaspard. Though it was the word of a naked soldier tied to a bed, it backed up plenty of the information Cassandra had already found. Gaspard was up to something, ready to stage a coup. Everything I had believed was turning false. But Celene had learned what she needed.

Leliana laughed. "Of course she knows. Celene didn't grab the throne for herself only to be outsmarted by Gaspard. She would have planned for any eventuality."

"What do we do with him?"

"If you want to help Briala, you get him to testify. Gaspard is dirty, that much is clear. You can't seriously want to back him now, do you?"

"Not really."

"We speak to Celene, warn her we know of this soldier, and he will spill the beans if required. All we need now is something from Briala. They were lovers, and I know Celene. She would have kept something here as a memento. No matter how hard you think you are, we're still humans at heart."

We found what we wanted within a few minutes. It was a simple locket, but Leliana recognised it immediately. Having found what we wanted, we got out of there quickly. Slipping back through the same door, there were a pair of guards close by, so she dragged me into the corner for a kiss. We were both rather distracted for the next couple of minutes, the guards having long since disappeared by the time we broke apart. "This has been a long night, Uhtred."

"You're telling me. Seems like it's been going on forever."

"I still want my dance after all this is done. Then when we get back to the mansion, I might just tie you to the bed myself."

"Oh, and what else?"

"I'm going to do enough that, once I'm done, you won't be able to move a muscle until the next morning, such will be your relaxation and state of mind."

Returning to the ballroom, Cassandra had also returned, and she came to us with news. I let her explain to Leliana as I quickly walked down the side of the ballroom to where Briala was thankfully still waiting for me to return. She seemed amused I'd returned so quickly. Before she could ask, I gently reached forward to grab her wrist, placing the locket in her hand.

"Just wondering if that might mean anything to you," I said.

"She kept it? What was she thinking?"

"Despite everything, maybe there is regret. Returning to what you once shared isn't possible, or so it seems, but perhaps you can at least work together. It seems, even with this small token, she couldn't let you go completely."

"Did you find anything else?"

"A soldier tied to the bed that we're going to blackmail her with so she will co-operate with you going forward, give you what you want."

She couldn't help smiling. "You have fulfilled your part of the bargain, Inquisitor. I guess it is time I fulfil mine. If you wish to back Celene, then you will have my support."

"Thank you."

Heading back inside, Cassandra was still in deep conversation with Leliana, waving me over as I was filled in with news. We apparently had a new agent, a man from Ferelden who had been one of the mercenaries hired by Gaspard for the coup that evening. But Florianne's hands were all over the events.

"She's working for Corypheus!"

That solved any issue I had with backing Celene with the help of Briala from the side. "Evelyn has gone with the rest to seal a Fade Rift. Thankfully it stopped demons long enough we could get away. Other than that, they had evidence a mile-high implicating Florianne, while Gaspard, it seemed, was an innocent dupe in her machinations, though he was still clearly trying to plan a coup tonight. So we'd take care of both of them. The only question I had was why."

"She's fucking insane," was Cassandra's reply, "She talked of there being an alternative god to the Maker, and that Corypheus would remake the entire world. It's obvious she has been promised a new position once he's done his work." She took a breath. "She also mentioned Samson. I'll inform Cullen he's deeply involved in this plot as well."

"Who's the assassin?" Leliana asked.

"Florianne herself."

I immediately raised my head, glad that I towered over nearly everyone for once. And I could see Florianne on the other side of the ballroom. Waving for Leliana and Cassandra to follow me, I gestured at Cullen, who immediately recognised the signal, while Leliana grabbed the attention of Josephine. Walking down onto the ballroom floor, I sensed the eyes of everyone on me once again as I walked towards Florianne, Gaspard and Briala. The latter glanced my way and smiled, though being where she was, I tried to suggest with my eyes. She noticed and tried to shuffle away without being noticed.

With her back to me, I could have easily put a knife in her back, but there would be no blood shed by my hands that evening. Cassandra and everyone else had done the killing. "We owe the court one more show, Your Grace."

At that moment, Celene made her first appearance for what seemed like hours. Walking towards the balustrade, she stopped and looked down. Someone must have made a gesture, as she nodded once and stepped back, immediately flanked by a pair of guards.

Florianne turned around, no doubt wondering my intentions. Surely she must have realised I would have been told everything. "Inquisitor, to what do I owe the pleasure? I'm afraid it is not the time to dance."

"Oh, I think it is, Lady Florianne. The eyes of every noble of the empire are upon us. Remember to smile." I glared as I climbed the steps, Briala moving to the side, even Gaspard took a couple of steps back, as I closed on his sister. "This is your party, Lady Florianne. You wouldn't want them to think you had lost control."

She smiled, a fake smile I recognised from earlier. "Who would not be delighted to speak with you, Inquisitor?"

"Lady Pentaghast, can you join me please?" Once I sensed her next to me, I asked, "Can you please repeat the words Lady Florianne spoke to you outside?"

"Of course, Inquisitor. You are obviously in here, unarmed, and though you would certainly show bravery in trying to prevent a strike, it appeared plans had been in place to prevent us from saving a life. Her words were 'All I needed was to keep all of you out of the ballroom long enough to strike. Your Inquisitor simply doesn't have a clue what he's involved in.'"

"Thank you, Lady Pentaghast. Sister Leliana, what other evidence have we found this evening that have the Lady Florianne's fingerprints all over them?"

"There is the framing of her Grand Duke Gaspard for the murder of a council emissary."

"Indeed. I approached the grand duke in regards to this matter. I must humbly apologise to him for even the mere thought of accusing him, simply wishing to understand the matter at hand. I will admit, Lady Florianne, your plan is fiendishly clever. Many would even admire such cunning. Celene, Gaspard, the entire Council of Heralds. All your enemies under one roof."

Florianne wasn't going to go down without a fight. I don't mean physically. I'd beat the shit out of her if I really wanted to. "This is all very entertaining, Inquisitor, but you do not imagine anyone believes your wild stories?"

"I did not wish to, but I believe the Inquisitor. He is an honest man."

Florianne turned to her brother, no doubt surprised that he actually spoke up to believe me. "Gaspard? You cannot believe this! You know I would never…"

He turned and walked away with Briala at his side. Guards converged on her position from the stairs. Those of us in the Inquisition barred any escape via the ballroom floor. If she was actually armed with a weapon, she chose not to use it at that time, as I didn't believe she'd have the guts to use it on herself to escape justice.

I stepped towards her, grabbing her by the throat and forcing her back against the wall. Then I smiled. "You lost this fight ages ago, Your Grace. You're just the last one to find out." I let her go and took a few steps back as she fell to the ground on her knees. Within seconds, half a dozen guards had her wrists in chains and she was led away, her dreams now laying in tatters.

Celene had watched on impassively the entire time. Only now did I look up. "Your Imperial Majesty, I think we should speak in private. Elsewhere."

I headed outside, waiting for those in power, or who craved power, to join me. By now, Leliana, Cullen, Josephine, Evelyn and Cassandra had joined me, while the rest were dotted around the balcony. Soon enough, Celene, Gaspard and Briala appeared through the doorway, no surprise that Briala and Gaspard were bickering in regards to the events that had taken place. Eventually Celene cried enough, demanding answers for what just happened.

She was rather attractive when demanding things. I must have had a look on my face, as I heard Leliana cover her mouth as she laughed at me.

"Your Majesty, if I may?"

"Of course, Inquisitor. How have you managed to discover all of this tonight?"

I gestured to Briala. "Ambassador Briala has been a tremendous help all evening. If not for her assistance, I would never have discovered the plot implicating Lady Florianne."

Briala, now wearing her mask again, nodded her head once towards me in thanks. Celene was definitely taken aback by that. "You were working together?"

"Of course," Briala stated simply. Best thing she could have done. Keep it simple so there were not too many questions.

"And Gaspard?" Celene asked.

"He was not involved with the plot created by Lady Florianne. He had a plot of his own, which I know you are aware of. We have all the evidence you may need. The orders. The mercenaries. The threats." I gestured as I added, "My people have all the evidence of what was planned for this evening. My people have worked hard alongside Briala to bring this to you." I then met Gaspard's eyes. I owed him that much. "This brings me no joy, Duke Gaspard. But this is the right decision for Orlais, the Inquisition, and Thedas. More importantly, and personally, you would be a threat to Ferelden. I cannot have a man on the throne who will threaten and would seek war with the place I still call home."

"Anything else, Inquisitor?"

I gestured at Briala again. "Briala did all of this for you, Celene."

Leliana and Josephine walked forward, offering the paperwork to Celene to read. Cullen, Blackwall and Bethany had moved in closer to Gaspard, their hands at the hilt of their swords. Gaspard did not appear to be armed, but he could have a secret weapon on his body somewhere. Best be careful in moments like that. Celene took her time reading everything before she handed them over to Briala. "In light of overwhelming evidence, we have no choice but to declare you, Gaspard de Chalons, an enemy of the empire. You are hereby sentenced to death."

I thought about intervening, about trying to save his life, but I knew, at heart, that he must die to ensure the safety of the throne. Having him executed might make him a martyr in the eyes of some, but leaving him alive would keep Celene exposed on the throne. With Briala reconciled at her side, she would be safe from most threats. To his credit, Gaspard did not threaten nor bluster. He was an honourable man, and accepted his defeat, and his fate, with good grace. A trio of guards approached him, and with a final bow, he was escorted from the balcony.

"Your Majesty, if I may, I think there is somewhere here who has done more than one could expect. Ambassador Briala has helped foil two major plots against you tonight. She has done it for Orlais, but also for you."

Celene looked away towards her. "I can scarcely believe you did all this for me." The shock in her tone was mixed with something else. Regret, but also a sense of loss. The bond had obviously been strong. Maybe they had truly been in love. Even an empress can fall in love with someone unexpected.

"Celene…" Briala said softly, and that told me everything I needed to know.

Celene looked back at me before she gestured for everyone to join me. "You all have my thanks for what you have done here tonight, but in particularly yourself, Inquisitor. I owe all of you my life. And Orlais owe you all its future. You have already done so much for my people. And… for us."

Briala had moved slightly, standing closer to Celene. "We certainly won't forget this, Inquisitor," she added. The look in her eyes suggested she was thankful. Whether anything else would happen, at that moment, I didn't mind one way or the other.

Celene glanced at Briala and seemed to make up her mind. "There will be changes, Inquisitor," she said, but she never looked at me. Only Briala, who turned to glance at Celene only for a moment. When she looked back at me, I noticed her eyes. She was already on the path to forgiveness, as long as Celene kept up her end of the bargain.

"I hope to hear good news soon, Your Majesty."

"Come, stand with us, Inquisitor. All of you. We must give the good news to the nobility."

The noblemen and women of Orlais were now on the ballroom floor, each of them with a drink in hands, conversing quietly with each other, waiting for the main speech of the evening. As soon as Celene stepped forward, the entire place fell silent. You could have heard a pin drop. I couldn't read any of their faces, but the body language suggested there was affection in the room for Celene, at least from the majority.

"Lords and ladies of the court, this is a night for celebration! Those who sought to poison our empire with treason have been brought to justice." There was a quiet reaction, nothing more. Any supporters of Gaspard had probably disappeared into the night. "It is a new age for Orlais. We shall build a world in which all men and women live in harmony. Let the cornerstone of change be laid. I introduce the newest member of our court: Marquise Briala of the Dales."

To say Briala was stunned, despite this being her entire plan, would be an understatement. She first turned to me, mouthing 'Thank you', before she glanced at Celene, then stepped forward alongside her. There was definitely a murmur from the assembled crowd. "This is not just a victory in Halamshiral, or with the empire, or even for elves alone. This is a triumph for everyone. Over a thousand years ago in the Valarian Fields, elves and humans together defeated the Imperium. We can do so much more now. We are greater than our ancestors ever dreamed. Together, we will start by saving our world from the enemy who took the Divine and tore the sky apart."

Briala glanced at me, and I guess it was my turn to take a speech. There were definitely one or two whispered comments from behind, such as 'Maker, here we go again. Another bloody platform for him.' I ignored them for now, of course. "Our enemies can run, but they cannot hide. But Corypheus and his armies are like nothing we have ever faced before. It is only coming together that we can possibly hope to defeat him. Orlais is the centre of Thedas, and it is only with the help and support of Orlais that the Inquisition can hope to defeat Corypheus and his allies. We are already tracking the Venatori and their agents. Soon they'll have no place to hide."

"But that is tomorrow. Tonight, we celebrate our newfound friendship," Celene added, "Let the festivities commence!"

Celene and Briala both turned to me. Celene and I bowed at each other, but I think Briala broke protocol when she stepped forward, kissed my cheek, and whispered 'Thank you' into my ear. Then the pair walked off together out to one of the other balcony's, perhaps to clear the air, perhaps to make new plans, perhaps… I don't know. I wished them luck in both their private and public affairs. I was going to need them going forward.

Now that everything was sorted, I suddenly felt exhausted. Not physically, despite the fact I'd been on my feet for hours. The night had been mentally draining and I was tired of playing the Game. As my companions split up, I told Leliana I was just going to take five minutes to myself with a glass, and grab some fresh air, with a promise of a dance once I'd had a moment.

Heading outside, my plans were immediately ruined, of course. I'd completely forgotten about Morrigan, so she just had to be the one that found me and ruined my moment of privacy. She immediately tried prodding me, but I was tired, and I didn't feel like putting up with her shit. "What do you want, Morrigan?"

"Do I tire you so already, Dragonborn?"

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "No… I'm just drained, and I don't need… I know you well enough despite the fact I haven't seen you in over a decade. I remember you always have you own agenda, so you are only out here now talking to me because you either want something, or you want to ask for something. But remembering you as I do, I think you want something."

"By Imperial decree, I have been named liaison to the Inquisition. Celene wishes to offer you any and all aid, including me. Congratulations."

"And are you willing to come or not?"

"Corypheus is a threat to Orlais, and to me, Dragonborn. Thus I will do anything in my power to stop him."

"Hmmm. I remember what you mean by 'anything'."

She laughed at that. "It's been over ten years, Dragonborn. Are you still bitter about that?"

"No. I just remember, that's all."

"So, do you accept the appointment, or will I have to return to Celene with my tail between my legs?"

"I accept, Morrigan. I remember how bloody good you were. If you're willing to join us, I accept."

She seemed surprised. I honestly think she thought I was going to say no. "Thank you, Dragonborn. I hope I meet your expectations."

"We're returning to Skyhold tomorrow. I'm sure someone can give you directions to where we are staying. You can choose carriage or horseback."

"I'll decide tomorrow. I will see you in the morning, Dragonborn."

I'll admit, I watched her leave, as I had visions of what she had looked like when dressed in what seemed like rags. The Morrigan in front of me now was a complete stranger. Still, she still looked at beautiful as ever. I'd thought that of her since the day we had met in the Korcari Wilds.

Gesturing to a passing servant, I grabbed a pair of glasses, placing the empty one down as I leaned against the balustrade, sighing to myself. I probably had two minutes at most of alone time before I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?" a soft accented voice asked.

"I'm just absolutely knackered. Longest night of my life, or so it seems. I don't think I've had a chance to even breath for five seconds."

She picked up her drink, clinking it against mine. "You were marvellous, my love. Orlais is in safe hands, you've possibly even reunited mismatched lovers. I think you're just an old romantic at heart."

"I am. Briala is… something else."

"Ah, so there is another reason then."

The smirk on her face made me laugh, at least. "You know I'm a sucker for a pretty face. But she is also doing it for the right reasons."

"You're trying to change the world, Uhtred."

"Just make it better for everyone, if I can." I gestured behind me. "Most of those people in there are… well, are they really the best of society or are they in their position due to taking advantage of the system? The Freemen of the Dales went about it completely the wrong way, but their core arguments were rather sound. There are very few at the top, and then everyone else is left fighting for the scraps."

"Changing the whole system would create an upheaval that could shake not just Orlais, but Thedas to its core. And after what we did tonight…"

"Aye, I know. I'm just thinking aloud at the moment. I don't have any plans for revolution." I finished my drink, placing the glass down before offering my hand. "I do remember offering you a dance, though."

She took the offered hand as I pulled in close, earning a giggle as I leaned down to kiss her, feeling her hand caress my cheek as she leaned back. "One dance, then we'll go."

I didn't step on her foot once as we twirled around the balcony. One dance turned into two, then three, before others came to find us still dancing, laughing away as I spun her around more than once, showing her everything I had learned from herself, Josephine and Evelyn over the preceding few weeks. They must have watched in silent for at least a few minutes before there was a cleared throat, both of us stopping and finally noticing the audience. "The ball is starting to wrap up, Inquisitor. I suggest we should make a move," Cullen stated.

"Very well. Leliana, are you…"

"Let's go."

Walking back into the ballroom, we had definitely been dancing for some time, as the ballroom floor was now empty, and servants were already starting to tidy away the mess. Walking through the foyer and out into the gardens, most of us were definitely in a good mood at how events had worked out. I guess there was no reason why any of us should be disappointed. Even Cullen, who had suggested we back Gaspard, understood why we had chosen Celene and Briala. He understood it meant stability for the country, and for Thedas.

Our line of carriages were already waiting by the time we made it to the gates, Leliana and I leaving first. By the time it started to move, she was all over me, though it was no more than kissing, as the ride to our mansion for the evening wasn't too far away. I almost banged on the roof with my fist, though, ordering them to go faster.

The door was opened by a servant, stepping out and offering my hand to Leliana, and we walked quickly inside to our bedroom, shutting and locking the door, before resuming what we started in the carriage. To be honest all she did was undo her trousers, drop those and her underwear, before sitting back on the bed, helping me do the same, before I slid inside her, both of us groaning loudly, before we just… well, fucked. As we did, we focused on finishing undressing ourselves, laughing away as doing that while fucking could be rather awkward. Once she was practically naked, I attacked certain areas with my mouth, earning squeals of delight following by plenty of moans and whispers of my name.

I was never going to last long, at least that first time, but after she helped bring me back to lie with her mouth a little later, the second time certainly satisfied her, taking delight in watching her ride me as usual. She eventually leaned forward when doing so, her movement slow as she asked, "So Morrigan is joining us?"

"Aye."

"What do you think of that?"

"You're asking me that question now?"

"You're always far more honest when your cock is inside me, Uhtred." She has a point there. "So, what do you think?"

"She's been sent by Celene but no doubt she's been in her ear about wanting to join. She's joining for her own reasons."

"Exactly. So we will have to be careful around her."

"You're not worried, are you?"

She scoffed. "Can she do this?" she asked, doing something that made me groan, almost roll my head back in bliss. "That's what I thought."

"Now you're just showing off."

"If I was doing that, I'd put my ankles behind my head." I gave her a look which caused her to smirk. "Thought that would get your imagination working."

"Can you still do that?" I asked quietly.

"I'd probably need to do some stretches first but I'm still rather flexible, as you know." She leaned down to kiss me. "Now, enough talk. I'm not done with you yet."

"I love it when you're in this sort of mood."

"I watched you all night, Uhtred. You owned that room nearly the entire time. So in control. So… dominant almost. You had them all eating out of the palm of your hand. Even Celene was charmed by you in the end. They didn't stand a chance."

"And you liked that?"

"I loved it. Now," she leaned down to kiss me again, "No more talking until you've made me pass out with bliss."

Oh, I loved it when she gave me a challenge. And that was one I was always bound to accept.