The king's soldiers stood waiting. Cullen had come out to try and calm the situation before the Inquisitor's arrival. Rubeus arrived alone. Cullen looked at him in alarm.
"Where is the Warden?" he asked.
"Gone. I haven't seen her since last night," Rubeus replied. A bead of sweat formed on Cullen's brow.
"King Alistair is not toying around with us. He wants Elissa," Cullen expressed.
"And I am telling you she's no longer here," Rubeus reiterated. Rubeus pushed past Cullen to speak directly with the King's captain. Rubeus stood fearlessly in front of the captain. Though he was dressed in a simple dress shirt and unarmed, the irritated and stony expression was still enough to send chills down the spine of those trying to oppose him.
"No one by the name Elissa Cousland is here. The hero vanished at some point last night." Rubeus stated.
"Our men will search the grounds and determine that for themselves." The captain said as he puffed his chest out at the Inquisitor who's lack of preparation to meet with armed forces, did little to intimidate. However, the snap of magic from his palm was enough to make some of his soldiers' quiver.
"You are free to search Skyhold, just do not disturb the people here," Rubeus said directly.
"Unless they are harbouring the fugitive, they will have no problem. My name is Captain Ivan McKellen, I have questions for whoever has spoken with the Warden. Yourself included. I will need to interview everyone in private, " The captain said as his soldiers marched past and into Skyhold.
"You can set up inside the Tavern," Cullen suggested.
"Nice to meet you, Captain McKellen," Rubeus said, still deadpan in his expression. "There are few people that even knew the warden was here, but we can accommodate the interviews."
"The warden is a dangerous enemy, and her capture will be greatly appreciated by his majesty," Ivan affirmed as Cullen broke eye contact to look away.
It was a small brigade, but they were heavily armed and on horseback. They crowded the stables upon arrival, giving their staff too many animals to care for while understaffed. Ivan was escorted by Cullen into the Herald's Rest, where the chargers fled with their morning meals confused and concerned.
The soldiers started their search, locking down the gates so no one was in or out.
"I need to speak with a prisoner you have in your Dungeon. A Tal'vashoth with red hair, he is a known associate of the accused with possible ties to assassination as well. Where is he?" Ivan said to Rubeus. Rubeus pointed towards the door leading to the prison cells.
"He's down there." Rubeus replied, "I would like one of my men to accompany you if you plan to speak with him."
"Fine, who would that be?" Ivan asked suspiciously. Cullen still trying to avoid eye contact, making the Captain stared at him longer. Rubeus's gaze fell on The Iron Bull who was stood with the chargers just outside the tavern.
"Bull!" Rubeus called out, "May I ask for your assistance?"
"S'up Boss?" The Ironbull said using his tough voice. The chargers ghosting behind him at a distance. The group was fully armed to back up the inquisitor as the Captain's confidence began to waver.
"This is Captain McKellen, here on orders of King Alistair." Rubeus introduced The Iron Bull to Skyhold's guest. "He requires an escort."
"I wish to question the prisoner you captured in your dungeon. Come along." Ivan said strongly, not yet ready to give up control of the conversation. He took off his helmet to reveal his face. A man with long grey blonde hair with a beard and moustache would make Thom Rainer jealous. His temples were peppered with grey hair which matured his face. At his side was a heavily armed woman who held a shield at the ready, marching at his flank.
"Hey pal, it's this way," Iron bull said and pointed for the cell doors at the base of the castle.
"Lead the way," Ivan said turning on his heel to change direction. Cullen unlocked the door to the dungeons and opened it for them. Iron bull laughing a bit as the Captian was embarrassed.
"Thanks, I'll keep him out of trouble." Iron bull winked at the commander who moved swiftly once The Iron Bull descended the steps, Ivan quickly followed and the door swung closed.
"Inquisitor, if I may go give word to our council," Cullen asked, approaching Rubeus to whisper. "Where is she?" He sounded desperate. His pupil pinned as he scanned the grounds behind him anxiously.
"I'm not lying to you when I say she's no longer here," Rubeus stated. Cullen looked at the Inquisitor for any tells that he was bluffing but he found none.
"Wait… You are serious!" Cullen exclaimed.
"I wouldn't have let them past the gates if I thought Elissa was here." Rubeus explained, "not that I am in any state to push back at the moment." Rubeus tugged at the lite fabric of his shirt.
"I want Josephine to act as liaison with the group that has set up in the tavern. Cullen, have your men keep an eye on the soldiers to make sure they are not bothering our inhabitants. I need to change into something else, but I will be going to the tavern shortly for questioning." Rubeus laid out a game plan.
"Of course, Listen Rubeus…" Cullen paused, nervously shifting on his heels. "I should have apologized to her before she left." He sighed and marched off in distress.
Once Rubeus dismissed himself he made a beeline back to where he had last seen Edward.
"I hope those two haven't killed each other," he muttered to himself.
Rubeus entered the castle halls to see Edward and Dorian sitting at the fireplace where Varric would sign letters. The two had cleaned up and we were sitting with fresh bowls of oatmeal which was mostly eaten.
"I'll admit, I was expecting you to spit acid at me or something of that sort," Dorian admitted.
"I didn't mean to blast Rubeus with Ice. That… I lost control of my magic again." Edward admitted.
"Seems the imperium lifestyle was much harder on you than I originally thought." Dorian examined Edward with an eye of curiosity this time. The magic was seamless, even with Dorian's knowledge he still had a hard time telling him there was even a spell in place.
"I didn't learn everything, but I stole enough books and studied on my own to get by. For a long time, I suppressed my magic, which didn't work well, what with the blight nightmares mixed in the dreaming." Edward pinched the bridge of his nose. Images of last night's dream are fresh in his mind. When he opened his eyes, Dorian's quizzical glance had him blushing again.
"Are you going to pull out a sketch book and capture my beauty or are you seriously checking me out right now?" Edward rolled his eyes, this time smiling through his nerves. Dorian laughed.
"Not this time." He said playfully, "I am trying to figure out what kind of spell you used to make yourself look this way."
"My spell? Oh… uh…. This isn't a spell. Michela was the spell." Edward explained as he took a sip from his coffee. Rubeus ghosting around the table, making the pirate nervous.
"Okay, you gotta sit or go do something, you're coming at me with too much right now, I'm not fighting with him anymore." Edward sighed defensively. Rubeus took a seat with them at the fireplace. He looked frazzled but oddly calm at the same time.
"Wait! I know that look. You are ten seconds away from filleting someone, should I be concerned?." Dorian said, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. Rubeus reached into his pocket and pulled out the parchment from earlier and handed it to the pirate. Edward picked up the note and rolled it open to read, the silence at the table while he patiently scanned the letter. Edward's face didn't crack, not a twitch as if he were made of stone.
"Alistair." Edward sighed sadly and rolled up the note.
"The King's men are searching the castle. I told them point-blank that Elissa is not here," Rubeus said.
"Who's Elissa?" Dorian asked. Rubeus waved his hand dismissing the question. "Not the time for that conversation," he replied.
"Elissa Cousland was the eldest daughter and was killed at the invasion of Highever. Her corpse can be found buried in the garden with the rest of the Cousland family in their crypt outside Teryn Fergus' castle." Edward handed the note back to Rubeus and wiped his hands on his shirt. "But I doubt that's who he is looking for."
"Correct. But… well, you read the letter," Rubeus stated.
"He's looking for the Warden, and someone has loose lips within these walls. I should have known... Did he send a lot of warriors?" Edward asked nervously as he cautiously looked around the grand hall biting his thumbnail.
"Has the King lost his mind? Even I know the warden is dead. Why would he be looking for them?" Dorian asked. Rubeus ignored the question and addressed Edward's concerns.
"There's a fair amount, but I've dealt with bigger crowds." Rubeus shrugged, trying not to sound as concerned as he was.
"I don't want bloodshed for me, I have to lay low. Or sneak out and get back to my ship. Which by the way are we going to sail to Tevinter? Where are we in that?" Edward asked as he sunk into the chair, sitting ridiculously with one leg tucked up under him as the other propped up on the table.
"Bloodshed was never my intent," Rubeus clarified. Dorian's eyes widen with realization.
"Hold on, The warden is-" Rubeus shushed Dorian before he could say more.
"-Not here. Elissa is not here," Rubeus finished his swain's sentence.
"Right," Dorain passed a knowing glance at Edward and smirked.
"I was hoping to set sail tomorrow morning, but with the soldiers here…." Rubeus sighed. "I am hoping we can get the King's men out in a timely fashion and get back on course with the Emilio matter."
"Where are they now?" Edward asked as he finished his coffee.
"Searching around Skyhold for Lady Cousland. Bull took Captain McKellen to the holding cells. He wanted to speak with Fritigern," Rubeus explained.
"Why are they talking to him? Only Leliana, yourself and Cullen know the truth… once Dorian catches up he will too. Fritigern doesn't know I'm…" Edward paused.
"Well, it gives us some time to prepare," Rubeus said calmly. He looked over to Dorian.
"Can I trust you to help us?" he asked.
"Of course, do you have a plan?" Dorian replied.
Krem burst through the front doors and rushed over to the table. "Inquisitor! Where is Captain Michela? They have to run!"
"I have not seen Michela since last night." Rubeus told Krem, "I was just asking if Dorian and Edward could help search for her while I meet with the captain for questioning."
"What did McKellen want with Fritigern?" Rubeus asked.
"Nothing good," Edward replied, looking to the door suspiciously.