The Ghislain estate was a beautiful property. There were a few attendees milling about in the courtyard as I walked towards the mansion. Leliana had instructed that a couple of her agents attend with me for protection, but wait outside to avoid offending Lady Vivienne.
I felt many eyes turn to me as I approached the open doors to the estate's foyer. I couldn't see their faces as it was an Orlesian custom to wear masks. Leliana had fitted a delicate, gold mask designed to look like wings over my eyes before I left the inn. An agent went in to pass on the invitation before exiting. The agents saluted and stood outside the doors as I walked inside.
Quiet chatter echoed about the grand room as I heard myself, or rather Ellana, announced. "Lady Lavellan on behalf of the Inquisition."
I couldn't help but admire the ostentatiousness of the estate. Giant statues, marble everywhere, a fountain large enough to swim in all within the foyer. I scanned the room, seeing if I could spot the Lady Vivienne. Leliana had given me a dossier on the First Enchanter with a description and relevant information to give me an idea of what I was walking into.
Vivienne sounded like a force to be reckoned with as she had taken charge of her own life despite being a mage. She had improved her life within the constraints of the Circle in ways I'd never considered possible. I had to admit I was somewhat eager to observe the Lady. Yet, it seemed only her guests were here and she had not yet graced them with her presence. A couple of the attendees approached me.
"What a pleasure to meet you, my lady," the man dipped his chin, "Seeing the same faces at every event can become so tiresome." I inclined my head in return. "So, you must be a guest of Madame de Fer? Or are you here for Duke Bastien?"
"Are you here on business?" the woman eagerly interjected, "I have heard the most curious tales of you! I cannot imagine half of them are true."
"I was invited here by First Enchanter Vivienne," I offered.
"Madame de Fer is a...fond nickname the court has given to Lady Vivienne," he said with a chuckle, before adding in a whisper, "It means Lady of Iron."
"I've heard she finds it amusing," the woman added.
"Who is Duke Bastien? I have heard very little of him," I asked.
"He hasn't been seen much at court lately," the woman said.
"His business with the Council of Heralds often takes him away from home for long periods. It can't be good for a man of his age," the man gossiped.
"And of course there's the civil war," the woman added as if civil wars were a daily occurrence. "Bastien probably wishes to distance himself from the actions of his one-time son-in-law."
"Tearing up the Dales in a foolish bid for power? It will end in disgrace for Gaspard," the man sneered, "Everyone knows it."
"And what have you heard about me?" I asked, genuinely curious and wanting to steer the conversation to a place where I understood what they were talking about. Leliana had given me a short explanation of what was happening in Orlais, but it had been hard to follow.
"Some say when the Veil opened, Andraste herself delivered you from the Fade!" the woman exclaimed. "Then you faced down the remaining clerics in Val Royeuax, singlehandedly brought balance to the peasant settlements near Redcliffe while sealing rifts opened all across the map of Thedas."
"Some of those story tellers may have gotten carried away," I conceded.
"But only for the best effect," she chuckled, "The Inquisition is a ripe subject for wild tales!"
"The Inquisition?" a sneering voice snorted, "What a load of pig -" He swore the last word in Orlesain. I turned to find a man descending the steps, a sword strapped to his belt. "Washed up sisters and crazed seekers," he raised his voice, vying for the attention of all in attendance. "No one can take them seriously." He approached me and when I didn't back down, he walked past me. "Everyone knows it's just an excuse for a bunch of political outcasts to grab power."
"The Inquisition is working to restore peace and order to Thedas," I stated calmly as I stared into the man's eyes.
"Here comes the outsider!" he laughed without humor, "Restoring peace with an army." He stalked closer to me. "We know what your 'Inquisition' truly is," he sneered. I could smell stale wine on his breath. "If you were a woman of honor, you'd step outside and answer the charges."
I had to keep myself from laughing. This man was asking me to step outside for a duel to defend my honor? He was the one hurling insults while I had claimed nothing. I stayed silent, only staring him down. He went for his sword, but was frozen - literally - before he could draw it.
"My dear Marquis," a refined voice called from the top of the other set of stairs, "how unkind of you to use such language in my house to my guests."
I followed the voice to find a tall woman descending the stairs. She was elegantly dressed in the finest materials coin could buy, her face partially covered in an elegant silver mask topped with horns. She swayed her hips as she descended the stairs, causing the material of her robes to reflect the light of the room as her full lips twisted in a smile that had no warmth. Every eye turned to her as her heels clicked on the marble floor. This had to be the Lady in question.
"You know such rudeness is..intolerable," she scolded sweetly as she approached the Marquis.
"Madame Vivienne," he sputtered out, "I humbly beg your pardon!"
"You should," she smiled wider, "Whatever am I going to do with you, my dear?" she murmured when she faced him. The Marquis said nothing, fear dripping off him in waves. Vivienne turned to face me, a frown pulling on her glossed lips. "My lady, you're the wounded party in this unfortunate affair," she shook her head, her dark eyes boring into my own, "What would you have me do with this foolish, foolish man?"
I could tell this was a test, though she would carry out whatever I desired. She wanted to know what I was made of and wanted others to see if I was to be feared or respected. I decided to lay the choice at her feet. "The Marquis does not interest me," I replied nonchalantly. "Do whatever you like with him."
She smirked and turned back to the man. Grabbing his face as if in pity. "Poor Marquis," she pouted, "issuing challenges and hurling insults like some Fereldan dog lord." She snapped her fingers and he unfroze, he coughed and shook with cold as Vivienne continued to tear him to pieces with her words. "And all dressed up in your Aunt Solange's doublet," she clicked her tongue. "Didn't she give you that to wear to the Grand Tourney?" He said nothing, which made her sink her claws in even more. "To think," she said with mock surprise, "all the brave chevaliers who will be competing left for Markham this morning...and you're still here." The Marquis lowered his head. Vivienne looked down at him, her hands on her hips, "Were you hoping to sate your damaged pride by defeating the Herald of Andraste in a public duel? Or did you think her sword would end the shame of your failure?"
The Marquis opened and closed his mouth, lowering his head again when he said nothing. "Run along, my dear," Vivienne dismissed, "Do give my regards to your aunt." The Marquis tucked tail and walked out the door as Vivienne turned back to me, "I'm delighted you could attend this little gathering, I've so wanted to meet you." She gestured me to follow her as she ascended the steps to a deserted hallway."Allow me to introduce myself," she began, "I am Vivienne. First Enchanter of Montsimmard and Enchantress to the Imperial Court."
"Is that Marquis going to pose a problem?" I asked.
"His aunt is the vicomtesse of Mont-de-Glacé. Not a powerful family, but well-respected...and very devout. Alphonse will be disowned for this. It's not the first time he's brought his aunt disgrace, but I'm sure it'll be the last. And after such a public humiliation, I expect he'll run off to the Dales to join the empress's war effort. Either to make a good end or to win back a modicum of self-respect."
"Your salon has certainly exceeded my expectations so far," I commented.
She smirked, "I'm glad to keep you entertained, my dear. I wanted to meet face to face. It's important to consider one's connections carefully. With Divine Justinia dead, the Chantry is in shambles. Only the Inquisition might restore sanity and order to our frightened people. As the leader of the last loyal mages of Thedas, I feel it only right that I lend my assistance to your cause."
"Loyal to whom?" I asked.
"To the people of Thedas, of course," she said as if it were obvious. "We have not forgotten the commandment, as some have, that magic exists to serve man. I support any effort to restore such order."
"What exactly can you do for the Inquisition?"
"I am well versed in the politics of the Orlesian Empire. I know every member of the Imperial Court personally. I have all the resources remaining to the Circle at my disposal and I am a mage of no small talent. Will that do?"
"Does that mean you'll be aiding the Inquisition from the Imperial Palace?"
"Ordinarily, I would be happy to serve as liaison to the court, but these are not ordinary times. The Veil has been ripped apart and there is a hole in the sky. It is now the duty of every mage to work toward sealing the Breach, and so I would join the Inquisition on the field of battle."
"While appreciate the desire to serve on the battlefield, perhaps you could still be a liaison from a distance?" I questioned. Having someone with an ear to the ground within the court would be invaluable.
"Perhaps," Vivienne conceded. "I understand your Ambassador Montilyet is quite versed in the Grand Game and the workings of the court. Upon my joining of the Inquisition, I would be happy to offer her further assistance if she so desires."
"Since you title yourselves 'loyalists', are you in favor of restoring mages to the Circle then?" I questioned.
"Where else can mages safely learn to master their talents?" She challenged. "We need an institution to protect and nurture magic. Maker knows, magic will find neither on its own."
"Are you devout? What's your opinion of the Chantry?" Being loyal to the Circle led me to believe she must be at least of the mind to work within the boundaries set by the Chantry, but wether she was truly Andrastian or not was harder to discern.
"I was a great admirer of the late Divine Justinia the Fifth. The Chantry, at its best, unites the disparate cultures of Thedas and looks after the most vulnerable. Had she lived, Justinia could have accomplished so much." Her words echoed my thoughts to a degree, but she placed too much value and responsibility on the Divine. The Chantry as a whole should reflect the best of its figurehead.
All she had said thus far rang true to me as I felt much the same as she did. Her answers also aligned with what Leliana hoped she would say and thus I felt she would be welcomed by the Inquisition. I asked the most vital question last. "What's in this for you?"
"The same thing anyone gets by fighting this chaos: the chance to meet my enemy, to decide my fate. I won't wait quietly for destruction." A fire burned in her eyes that she had kept hidden until that answer, but I felt there was more to it than just taking her fate into her own hands.
"The Inquisition will be happy to have you, Lady Vivienne," I dipped my chin.
"Great things are beginning, my dear, I can promise you that," she smiled.
...
We returned to the salon after we discussed travel plans. Vivienne said she had a few things to tie up at home before she could depart, but if we were willing to wait a few days, she would happily sail back to Ferelden with us. She encouraged me to stay the evening, to which I obliged and she introduced me to all of her guests. I could hardly remember any of their names as all their faces were covered. I just thanked the Maker no one asked me to dance.
My bare feet were aching and blistered by the time I returned to the inn. Vivienne had been kind enough to offer her coach to take me back which I eagerly accepted. Leliana was gone, but Ellana was asleep in her bed, Tale of the Champion lying on her chest. I laughed to myself to see her reading that, but hoped it meant she was willing to give Cullen the benefit of the doubt. It looked odd to see her with the white-blonde wig and absent of her vallaslin. I made a mental note to as if she was truly okay with them being covered. I stripped down to my pants and undershirt before climbing into bed.
I awoke in the morning to the smell of breakfast. Leliana was pouring a dark liquid that wasn't tea into delicate cups for each of us and Ellana was already seated at the table. I stretched before sitting down across from her.
"How did the salon go?" Leliana asked as she spread butter across a flaky roll.
"Aside from a Marquis wishing to duel me, it was rather uneventful," I smirked before sipping at my cup. It was fantastic. Rich, smooth and bold versus tea's delicate, subtle flavors. "What is this?" I asked.
"Antivan coffee," Leliana replied. "What did Vivienne think of the Marquis?"she quirked a brow.
"She would have killed him if I asked I think, but she did with her words anyway. We best tread carefully with her, we don't want to be on her bad side."
"I'd heard as much," Leliana nodded her head. "Did you find her agreeable to joining?"
"Very much so," I nodded. "I would be cautious, however, as I feel she has ulterior motives. She does truly want to help - not only to restore order, but to have mages viewed in good light."
Leliana dipped her chin. "I will have my agents keep an eye on her and her communications. She will be a valuable asset, but could just as easily be a debilitating enemy."
"She didn't suspect anything?" Ellana asked before taking a bite out of her bread slathered with dark jam and honey.
"No, but why would she? She's never met you."
"I know," she sighed, "I can't help but feel that people just know."
"I understand, but we are twins after all, Ellana."
She gave me a small smile that didn't reach her eyes. I looked at her with concern, but she looked away from me. A soft knock sounded at the door and Leliana stood to open the door. It was Solana. "Good morning, ladies," she beamed.
"Good morning," we greeted.
"Our trip has been delayed a few days," Leliana informed her, "You're welcome to wait with us or sail on ahead."
"I'll wait, I need to see to a few customers and finish transferring everything to the woman taking over the shop." Solana sat in the remaining chair, Leliana offered her a cup of coffee which she greedily drank.
"I will miss this food on Vivienne's dime," I sighed.
"I received a letter from her this morning," Leliana began, "I didn't want to mention it until I had gotten your opinion on her. With her joining the Inquisition, she is bringing not only her own financial support, but the support of a number of wealthy nobles." She gave me a look saying this was what we needed to secure our plans for addressing the templars, I gave her a slight nod. "Do you think we are okay to accept the money or will she use it against us to assert dominance?"
"She may later on, but for now I see no harm in it," I shrugged. "If she wants to be a part of the Inquisition and see it flourish, surely she understands coin will have to be involved? As for her wielding it against us, gaining her trust would possibly ease that likelihood as well as ensuring Josephine makes other, more substantial connections if possible."
Leliana nodded, "Right on point, my lady." I was taken aback by her addressing me that way causing her to smirk. "You need to get used to it. After all, when you are the Herald, you will hear many titles." I said nothing, staring into my coffee.
"Vivienne is a harpy," Solana grimaced, "and she knows it. I'll do my best to avoid her to keep any...unpleasantries from occurring."
I laughed. "That would be appreciated my friend."
We spent the morning chatting, until Solana left. Then Leliana led us out to the streets to visit the market stalls. A few of the stall keepers offered aide to the Inquisition either in discounted prices or the steady supply of goods. They had heard about the Hinterlands and found the cause hitting close to home. Leliana then led us to the various boutiques tucked within the city walls. Clothing, shoes, furniture pieces, food, wine; almost any good that could be thought of was sold in Val Royeaux.
We entered a shop that sold paints, brushes, canvases and other various goods for artists. Ellana purchased a set of paints, a slight blush on her cheeks. It didn't take much guess work to discern who they were for, even if she did say they for her. I bought some more charcoal for drawing.
At another shop, Leliana perused the shoe selection. She wanted to try on everything they had and when I realized it was going to take quite some time for her goal to be accomplished, I headed out to the main street. I found a bench by a tinkling fountain and drew Val Royeaux. The bustling people, the fountains and shops, the city guards, small gardens and the afternoon light.
I drew the Gishlain estate from memory as well, wanting to show Minaeve, Bethany and Cullen. When I'd finished both, Leliana and Ellana were both still in the boutique. Ellana seemed to share Leliana's fondness for shoes. I told them I was going to continue on. Leliana assured there were eyes on me that would keep me safe.
I worked my way to a small courtyard with benches tucked into arched alcoves. There were a few boutiques tucked into a far wall. I ducked into one to find books, globes, maps, rolled parchment and chess sets. The shop owner greeted me in Orlesian to which I apologized that I did not speak it. He waved a hand, switched to Common before he listed off his wears and then let me browse. I walked over to his shelves of books and looked over the titles. Mostly Orlesian historical texts, but a few Fereldan as well.
"I have maps of Orlais and Ferelden as well," the shop owner offered. "Recent maps and older. Are you a collector?"
"I am not, but...a friend of mine may be interested. What would you recommend?" I asked. "They would appreciate historical texts as well as a chess set."
"Do you have a budget, my lady?"
I uttered my price. The owner nodded and began flitting about his shop, bringing various items back to his table. He unrolled maps, stacked a few texts and brought over a single chess set. "Unfortunately, my lady, this is the only chess set I have within your budget. It is still made of the finest quality, but the other sets I have are...finer." His posture said he was uneasy and desired not to offend.
"I understand," I smiled, trying to assure the man he had not offended me. "My friend prefers utility to finery anyway, so it will suit them." He seemed relieved by my words. I looked over the chess set and found my statement to be correct. It was handsome, yet simple; made of dark woods, marble and smooth metals. The pieces were housed in a wooden box that served as the base for the board which folded. I thought he would appreciate its ability to be compact and easily moved. "I will take it." He gave a slight bow and began to package the set. I looked over the texts and maps, requesting a recent map of Ferelden and a text on Ferelden history. I purchased a copy of Genitivi's In Pursuit of Knowledge as I had not read it since the early days in the Circle. The owner packaged everything neatly, thanked me profusely as he revealed his shop was rarely visited. "That's a shame. I will have to return when I can then." At that, I left.
I found Leliana and Ellana, both with shoeboxes in their hands. They asked about my purchases, causing me to blush profusely. Ellana rolled her eyes, but seemed to be fighting a smile at the look on my face. Leliana was quiet, but her eyes shone with mischief which caused me to worry for Cullen and I. "It's repayment for my armor and sketchbook, that's all!"
"You've already admitted that you love him," Leliana quirked a brow. "Why shy away from the truth now?"
"I-I'm not," I stammered. "I did want to say thank you for his gifts and this seemed the perfect way."
"A kiss would be better," Ellana mumbled.
"Ellana!" I gasped. She shrugged, but chuckled. "That - that would be - I couldn't."
"You could, but I won't tease you any more about it," Ellana smiled.
My face felt scarlet as we worked our way back to the inn. We passed the evening in conversation as Leliana helped me to break in Cullen's chess set. I had wanted to save it for him, but she offered to teach me how to play properly. She was patient and instructive, her moves often subtle and devious. Ellana thumbed through Genitivi's work until she fell asleep. Leliana and I retired soon after, though I had a hard time falling asleep as I imagined giving Cullen his gift.
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