The conversation began to get stilted, and Josephine did her rounds to see how everyone was doing. Her first stop, the Duchess who was still sitting with the Commander. A strange silence had fallen between them as they enjoyed the music, and Josphine feared the worst. Before she could reach the table. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Dorian and Rubeus making a ruckus at their table. They were heavily flirting in plain view of everyone as Rubeus's infectious grin was the first she had seen in a few months. Rubeus nudged Dorian and the two dismissed themselves and disappeared from the party to find somewhere more private.
Relieved that she did not need to intervene, Josephine approached the table where Cullen and Michela sat.
"That was such a splendid display," she cheered. "Congratulations on your victory, commander."
"Thank you, Josie," Cullen said he sounded grateful to have the awkward silence broken. "The captain is a formidable opponent. She had me on the ropes."
"You won because of the cake stand, but yes. you won. This round" Michela quipped. "I do enjoy games, especially puzzles. It's been a while since I've been able to enjoy crisp clean air. I'd forgotten what old fish smelt like." Michela giggled.
"And how are you finding things, Lady Di'Pasqua?" Josephine asked.
"It's been clear. I can sense the powerful magic of the veil here which has done wonders for my mental health. Tell me, there is an orb fueling fade magic here. Who installed it? Or was it already here" Michela asked.
"That would have been the work of Solas," Cullen commented as he scratched the hairs on his chin.
"I'd be very interested in speaking with this mage," Michels said with a glimmer of inspiration in her eye.
"Solas…" Josephine thought of the best way to phrase it. "Is no longer with the Inquisition…"
"What! Ugh, to think… I was this close to finding another Fade specialist." Michela said truly heartbroken. "Could I take a gander at some of his notes or journals he left behind?" Michela asked curiously.
"If you are interested I can take you to his study," Cullen offered.
"Oh please! If that's not a problem for the inquisition." Michela asked.
"It's not a problem, it's on the way to my office," Cullen replied and stood up. "Follow me."
"Oh, thank you! Ambassador Montileye, thank you so much. I had a wonderful time, I'd love to pay you back for your kindness so let me know if there is anything I can do." Michela said and stood up to shake Josephine's hand. Josephine beamed happily as she shook Michela's hand.
"I'm just glad you enjoyed yourself," The ambassador exclaimed, "I would love to have tea with you again in the future."
Cullen escorted Michela out of the garden towards Solas's former study.
"I appreciate this, any information on the fade helps me manage my problems. You wouldn't believe the nightmares I have to avoid just to get some rest." Michela said as they walked.
"Of course," Cullen said. "We still have our questions about the fade and any information you could provide us would be very helpful." They cross the main hall heading towards the door.
"How long did Solas work for the Inquisition?" Michela asked.
"From the very start," Cullen explained. "He and the Inquisitor worked closely together. They even fought side by side during the final battle with Corypheus." Cullen opened the door leading to the study.
"His writings will be valuable then if he was a master of the fade. I could take a crack at solving some secrets." Michela said. "It's a shame he's not here to work with us."
"It was a shock when Solas did not return with the others," Cullen continue
"He just left?" Michela asked curiously. Cullen nodded.
As they entered the study, Michela had to take a pause and look at the paintings on the wall.
"My word, these are the chronicles of." Michela was floored, she spun around a view times overwhelmed by the art and what it meant.
"The breach is here," Michela said pointing to the first painting. "Then, through time… mages. These paintings…" Michela looked to Cullen who was very staring at her.
"Who are these done by?" She asked.
"Solas," Cullen answered. "He's the one who painted them."
"Any books that were left here have been taken to the mage tower or library to see if we can learn why he left," Cullen explained.
Michela was awestruck by the paintings, and her silence was concerning.
"Are you alright?" Cullen asked.
"This son of a bitch made me lose eight thousand gold that's what," Michela said in a disgusted tone. "Ancient elvhan frescoes sell for thousands on the black market. And this scam artist must be the same bastard who scammed my buyers and I had to flip the bill! Augh!" Michela huffed. Though Cullen had heard this type of lie before, the very same attic Leliana expressed when she was hiding something in the winter palace.
Michela walked over to the desk and noticed very little was left behind, but she searched it carefully. Even as far as to look for secret compartments in the framework of the desk. Too little success.
"You might have better luck in the mage tower," Cullen expressed.
"How is that not the first place we went," Michela said and clapped her hands in joy. "Mage Tower of the Inquisition sounds like a candy shop to me."
"Come with me," Cullen directed and he led Michela down a nearby hallway. A shuffling sound down the click of metal on stone came from up ahead. Cullen raised an eyebrow and looked over to Michela. He kept the captain behind him defensively. A soft moan rose from the hallway making them both halt. Cullen approached slowly as Michela licked her teeth. Her good mood was being tested.
They neared the end of the hall and peered around the corner of the stairwell. What they found was Dorian pinned to the wall by the inquisitor. The leather belts and silver buckles of Dorian's outfit were on the ground as was his shirt and Rubeus's vest. Dorian's hand gripped Rubeus's ass, the waist of the elf's trousers just below the Altus's fingertips. The two men were lip-locked in a heated make-out session. Both too focused on each other to notice the intrusion. Cullen recoiled and Michela marched past him to the door. Opening it with a loud slam on the wall. She snapped her fingers and a light metallic ping sounded at the same time.
"Ops!" She said loudly, keeping her back turned to the stairs. "These doors are lighter than they look. After you Commander."
Rubeus noticed the sound of dragging metal. He broke away briefly.
"Was that Mi—" he started but Dorian pulled him back and kissed him. The lovers continued to canoodle.
Once the Commander went through, Michela smirked and looked at her feet. All of Dorian's buckles had been dragged across the floor to her feet. She picked them up swiftly and closed the door behind her as she left. Tossing the buckles over the side of the walkway into the trees below.
"Something there?" Cullen asked.
"Oh, nothing," Michela said and skipped after Cullen.
"I'm sorry about that," Cullen apologized. "They've been warned before. But it just led to more creative hiding spots."
"Oh, I think they will learn their lesson eventually," Michela said innocently with a smile.
"I doubt that, I think Dorian's leaving before either of them will get it," Cullen said with a serious tone.
"Enough of that now, let's stay focused." Michela winked at him and skipped ahead. Walking at a fast pace even with her high heeled boots.
"Yes, the mage tower." Cullen straightened up and gave Michela directions.
The tower was lively that day. Then many mages who stayed on with the inquisition instead of returning to their circles used every resource available to them to practice their craft and research. Several templars stationed themselves in the tower to aid with any problems that arose and break up any fights. A bubbly looking human with soft brown hair pulled up in a tidy bun noticed as Cullen and Michela entered.
"Commander!" She exclaimed with a thick Orlesian accent, her eyes wide. "This is a surprise."
"Good afternoon, Minette," Cullen replied.
"Is there something I can help you with?" Minette asked. She spoke to Cullen, but her eyes looked around to Michela. Michela bowed in a gesture of greeting common among Tevinter. A few mages inside from Kirkwall recognizing the foreigner quickly.
"Yes," Cullen replied. "The papers Solas left. Are they here?"
"Oh, they are upstairs," Minette replied. Cullen thanked her.
"Wonderful," Michela said and followed Cullen up the stairs.
Once on the second level, there were more mages and one more templar. Inside they casually sat about the tables reading in quiet peace. The templar looked over from his station and stood up at Cullen's presence. Saluting in respect, stationed at his table. Cullen nodded to the Templar and guided Michela to a nearby desk. It sat across from a window with a roll of parchment and an inkpot left on the top right side. An ornate silver candlestick on the left.
"Please, sit. I'll be right back," Cullen said, pulling the chair out for her.
"Thank you," Michela said and sat down, as Cullen walked away. She watched him stride across the room in a flurry of marron. The candlelight shining off the bright of his blonde hair.
Cullen disappeared into the shadows leaving her to sigh and pout.
"Don't be silly," Michela whispered to herself, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear before straightening her white blouse. The frill of lace tucked between her breasts which she frantically pulled out and straightened. Finishing just in time before he came back with a book bound in Halla leather. There was no title or spine, it easily could have been mistaken for a journal of some sort.
"I've been informed this is a book Solas left behind that speaks about the fade." He handed the book to Michela. "It's been asked to not be removed from the tower because there is still research to be done with it."
"Oh! I will not take it I promise." Michela said and sat patiently as he handed it to her. She quickly flipped it open, and his eyes widened.
"Oh no… it's written in elvhan." Michela sighed. Cullen looked over her shoulder, and at first glance, it looked like a common tongue.
"If you need help reading Elvhan, you should be able to ask Rubeus when he's… less busy. Or Morrigan if she's still here." Cullen suggested.
"Look, there is a code," Michela said and gestured to the middle of the page. There were divots and strange lines scattered around the page, and when Michela turned it, it revealed some hidden phrases in elvhan.
"This… is going to take me a while to read, and fully comprehend it." Michela bit her lip scanning a few pages. "Sneaky demon knows how to avoid revealing his hand," Michela said, fascinated. "I wonder."
"If you can crack this, the Inquisition would be very grateful," Cullen said and smiled.
"Thank you, I'm going to need some time," Michela said and found a page in the centre.
"If you are comfortable I can leave you be," Cullen offered, as she stared deeply at the page.
"I need a room with privacy," Michela said and stood up and leaned over to whisper in his ear. Cullen looked at her with unease.
"I can't do magic around here, there are too many people," Michela whispered. Cullen could feel a small lingering tickle of magic nearby. As Michela brought the open book closer to him, he could see it on the page. Written in the ink itself. The Templar's unease heightened and he tried to focus on something else.
"I can't leave you alone in a room alone to do that," he said, stepping back.
"Just you, if you can trust me," Michela asked quietly. The whispers of the room started to pick up watching them talk over Solas' book. The call of lyrium lingered and the watching eyes felt heavy. Cullen hesitated and then shook his head.
"My office," Cullen suggested. "Let's go."
Quickly, they left the mage tower. Michela followed with a nod and stayed on his heel carrying the journal with her cautiously under her arm. They walked with a quick step and Michela's eyes were downcast to the rock at his boots. Not paying attention to the surroundings but listening to the song in her ear.
Soon they were in the office, and Michela quickly darted over to the desk and sat down on it given there were no chairs in the room. Perched on his notes and papers with little care as she began to read. Focused on the page with the magic at first.
Cullen lingered at the door. The pull of Lyrium felt fainter the further away he stood from the Captain.
"I wonder." She said to the page and closed her eyes. Merely studying the vibrations of the veil as the magic echoed off the page.
"What is it?" Cullen questioned.
"There was an old way the elves learned to communicate. Unlocking emotions and feelings with written text. Pictures of the past reflected in the mind's eye. This feels similar, but complex at the same time. As if to lock away those images." Michela said and lowered the book. Cullen appeared taken aback. "That sounds unpleasant and possibly dangerous."
"The magic isn't dangerous. Nor is it a concern. It's more about what he doesn't want to share. Why lock away a memory from yourself." Michela asked. "I can try to unlock it, but I will probably end up carrying the weight of empathy to go along with whatever is here and his problems are not mine thank you," Michela said and turned away from the spell page.
"You don't need that extra burden on top of everything else," Cullen said, firmly. The call of the Lyrium faded and he stepped closer to Michela. "Thank you for cracking this book though. It will help our research."
"A word of warning, most things that are locked. Are locked for a reason. If he left it behind on purpose. I bet whoever unlocks it, is in for a nasty surprise." Michela said cautiously.
"We'll keep that in mind," Cullen took note.
"Perhaps cracking the rest of the book will tell me what it is in detail," Michela said and flipped back to the first page.
"Arla vhen'kedan. That doesn't make sense." Michela said and ran her fingers over the print. "Arla vehnan? Ke…. hm." Michela summoned the quill on the desk to her hand without really moving. Then wrote into the book, correcting the punctuation and crossing out some letters.
"There we go, It's a greeting," Michela explained before stopping what she was doing. Cullen looked shocked.
"You need to speak with Leliana about this," Cullen responded.
"Oh." Michela blinked a few times, patiently waiting.
"Yes, it is Leliana who asked for the books to be investigated. The inquisitor did not want to speak about the matter," Cullen replied apprehensively.
"Oh do tell, why is Rubeus not involved in the history of his people?" Michela asked curiously as she brushed the feather of the quill to her chin. Studying to the page once again.
"He gets… agitated when you try to talk to him about Solas," Cullen explained. "He'd let his fervour get in the way of figuring out what happened."
"I think," Michela said and handed the quill back to him. A little lip print of her red lipstick stained on the feather. She waved her hand over the book and removed the ink she had written and returned it to the pot. "The inquisition can't afford my consultation fee. I've seen your treasure room." Michela stated and flipped to the next page. Reading quietly now without making changes to the book.
"If there is no more magic involved the book should be returned to the tower," Cullen stated.
"When I am good and ready. Sugar." Michela said with a smirk.
"Lady Di'Pasqua!" Cullen exclaimed, "Just because you are a guest here does not mean you are exempt from the rules!" He tried to take the book but Michela jumped up from the deck and walked away to the wall. With grace, she stuck her foot to the side of the wall and walked up horizontally until she was upside down on the second floor. Cullen ran for the ladder.
"Oh, cute! Your bedroom is up here! You know you should patch the roof before the mattress grows mould." Michela said as she used her magic in an audacious way to keep the book away from him.
"Michela! Halt!" Cullen demanded. Without the Lyrium he could no longer stop her magic. As he got closer to her the call of Lyrium became more intense. Cullen started second-guessing his tactic.
Michela walked next to the hole in the roof and was already a good chunk into the book. By the time he reached the second floor, she looked down at him. Gravity making her long hair tumbled above him in reach of Cullen jumped.
"Return down here at once," Cullen commanded.
"Really commander, do I have to go be among all those prying eyes gossiping about us? You know it's hard to read when someone's watching you like a hawk." Michela said. "And when you're jumping around like that it is very distracting." Michela giggled. Cullen sighed, she had a point about the gossip. People were already whispering about the new mage's arrival.
"You will finish reading the book here. At my desk and not in my quarters," Cullen replied firmly. "Now please get down."
"Okay! Okay, I'll come down. It's a shame really, I can picture it now." Michela said and held her fingers up like a frame of a painting.
"Picture what?" Cullen questioned.
"Sheets of gold and crimson would be better." Michela giggled again.
"What are you on about?" Cullen asked, baffled.
"I'm an artist." Michela turned to walk back down to the lower level. "You inspire me." Michela fixed her hair as she walked down tying back her tangled curls in a quick messy bun. Cullen followed the mage to the lower level.
Time passed slowly. True to his word, Cullen let Michela read the book peacefully at his desk. The commander sat in a chair by the door reading various requisitions and documents. Michela jotting herself notes in a spare parchment, which soon turned into doodles. She was nearly through the book before It reached twilight. by that time Cullen had to speak up.
"That's enough, I can no longer monitor you. We need to return the book and we have to meet with the Inquisitor."
"I'm almost done," Michela said looking up from the page.
"I've been generous with you today. But I can not permit you to be in here alone with that book." Cullen explained, "if you want to continue reading it will have to be in the mage tower or library."
"Seriously? Just take it then!" Michela stood up in a huff and stormed away. Not waiting for him to reply as she slammed the door open and closed.
When Cullen collected the tomb, the notes were merely rough sketches of Cullen sitting in the corner. A few of the finer details of his face and one species of his eye. They were accurate and expertly drawn. There was nothing about the journal, but she was in the last few pages which were difficult to read. The common was complete nonsense and Cullen could tell here the code was but not what it said. Cullen went after Michela but Michela disappeared as soon as she left the room, jumping off the ramparts and sliding down the rooftops startling the random common folk walking about. She retreated to the outer wall, where there was a path along the bridge she could pace around on. He did not have time to chase her. Cullen was already running late. He instead put the book in his side pouch and headed to the war room.
Rubeus, Leliana and Josephine stood around the table. Rubeus was a lot more relaxed and in higher spirits. The three were discussing the success of the tea party when Cullen walked in.
"You're late," Josephine commented.
"I'm aware," Cullen replied and he took his place at the table. Rubeus glanced over at the door expectantly but no one else entered.
"Well, you're here now that's all that matters," Leliana said gently.
"Where's the captain?" Rubeus asked.
"She was in my office but now... I don't know," Cullen admitted. He looked frustrated.
"You don't know? You are supposed to watch her!" Leliana's smile quickly disappeared.
"I see," Rubeus sighed. "We can't have her wandering around Skyhold on her own."
"We still don't know if she is working for someone," Leliana added. Her crossed expression reflecting off the stained glass window she stood near.
"I'll look for her," Rubeus offered. "I need to speak to her about the schematics."
"What about the missing Dreadnaught pieces?" Josephine asked.
"Leliana, send one of your agents to search the storm coast for the pieces," Rubeus directed.
"I'm on it," Leliana said and rubbed her chin in pause.
"I'm going to find the captain," Rubeus left the room.
"Cullen, what did she tell you?" Leliana asked. "Did you learn anything from her?" She pressured. Cullen shook his head.
"Very good strategist. But, tight-lipped."
"As I suspected. She is known for keeping secrets." Leliana said with a sigh. Cullen removed the book from his pouch.
"She's almost completely through this. But she's also vandalized it." Cullen sighed and revealed Solas's Journal from his coat.
"Oh? What did she do?" Leliana asked
"She refuses to listen to rules," Cullen added.
"I am not surprised, The Captain of the Hateful Barnacle is known for working as a free agent. When she first came to us about assisting our efforts she made it clear it was only to protect Fenris. Perhaps she is looking for a personal reward or some information to give her leverage back in the imperium. Word has it she is trying to reclaim her position at court. Well, at least the rumours say that." Leliana said and took the journal from Cullen and inspected it.
"She's invested in helping the elves, at least that is how she is presenting herself," Cullen offered. "She did not want to give information about what's in the book unless the inquisitor is involved."
"The inquisitor?" Leliana cocked a brow. "Haven't we already spoken to him about this?" She asked with a knowing sigh.
"I've approached Rubeus a few times about it. He just flips through it, mutters some things in Elvhan and then tells me to take it away."
"He trusts us to find what is left behind to track him down," Leliana confirmed. "Michela just doesn't understand what we are doing. She only thinks of her own goals, what did you find out about her? Anything? Something that might help me understand his line of thinking." Leliana asked. "Something must fuel her desires."
"She wouldn't be able to say any of those things allowed." Cullen stated, "and all I learned from watching her today is she likes a challenge."
"A challenge?" Leliana mused
"If we want to know what her goals are we need to watch her actions more carefully." Cullen pondered. He looked down at the map on the table and fiddled with the model boat.
"Perhaps not, maybe if we give her the freedom to work. We can watch and learn without her knowing." Leliana suggested. "Do you think you can relax a little? Let her have the freedom she wants then report it back to me?" Leliana asked.
"I will try to be a little laxer, but I don't need other inhabitants of Skyhold thinking they will also get such leeway," Cullen fretted.
"You'll be fine, good luck commander," Leliana said and headed out of the room. "Josie has something for you, talk to her okay."
Off she went, following the inquisitors tail as he crossed the ballroom to the main gates.