Holly smoothed her hands over her new overshirt. It was leather that had been dyed a deep plum shade, and flowers embroidered in a lighter thread on the seams and hems. Her black tunic poked out from underneath, and she wore plain, black trousers. The first shipments of everyones' clothes had come in the day before, and she was very grateful.
She didn't grab her cloak as she left her temporary quarters, as Skyhold's magic made the grounds warmer than the surrounding mountains. She did, however, grab a thin folder that sat on a table next to the door.
She had claimed the room right next to the stables to be her lab partly because it was a decent feet away from most of the others, partly because Cullen's office was only a few steps away. She had told Graham that it was because they often worked together and no other reason when he had raised an eyebrow at her choice. She didn't think he believed her.
She walked up to the tower, and opened it. It was still full of junk, but a hefty wooden desk had been shoved in there. Cullen wasn't there to ask why she was using his office as a shortcut. She got mad at herself for being disappointed as she opened the door to her right, and walked across the bridge into the keep. She was glad to see Solas standing in the rotunda, reading a long scroll.
"Good morning, Solas," Holly said.
"Good morning," he nodded, barely looking up from the scroll, "Did you need something?"
"Yes, actually. Now that we have an actual Inquisitor, Graham has decided to make things a little more organized. He's decided to give you and some others official titles and duties. Partly because you deserve the title, partly because we need these things taken care of."
"I am flattered that you both think that much of me."
"You more than deserve it," Holly smiled, "Anyway, I wanted to ask you if you'd be willing to step forward as our official expert on the Fade as well as Elven history. You'd be guaranteed to get proper support for any research you'd do, and assistants. You would still be expected to follow Graham as he travels about. I would be your boss, with the only other person you have to answer directly being Graham of course."
"I see why you are telling me. Tell our new Inquisitor I accept, and that I am very flattered."
"You'll get to do that yourself. He should be coming to find you soon to talk about it. Now," she said, opening up the folder. She handed him a piece of parchment with several names scrawled on it, "Here are the people I thought would be the best fits for assistants for you. If you know of anyone else who would be a good fit, talk to them . This list isn't set in stone."
"Thank you."
"Of course. I hate to cut this short, but I have others I have to talk to," she held up the folder.
"I should let you know Graham has decided to let Cole stay."
"I know, he told me yesterday. Between your insight, and a conversation he had with Cole, he couldn't find a strong enough reason to turn him away. Especially with templars nearby in case of the worst possible outcome."
"Did that conversation have an impact on this decision?" Solas asked almost cheekily.
"Perhaps. Who knows how that man's mind works. But, I'd wager it has more to do with you saving his life right after the initial explosion that created the Breach."
"That's a fair guess," he said before looking at the folder again, "I should let you get back to your duties. I just wanted to let you know the news."
"Thank you, and before I go, you wouldn't happen to know where Dorian or Vivienne are, would you?"
Just as she finished the question, Dorian's voice rang out from the library above them, "I'm up here!"
"Well, that answers that question. Good day, Solas."
"Good day, enchanter."
With the first of her conversations out of the way, she headed up to the library. She found Dorian sitting in one of the windowed alcoves. He had a fancy chair, and had some random history book open with a rather uninterested look on his face. As she drew closer, though, she saw that a second, smaller one opened behind it.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Reading."
"I can see that, but why are you hiding what you're actually reading?"
He snapped the book closed, and pinched the bridge of his nose. He set the book down, and she caught the title, Swords and Shields by none other than Varric Tethras.
"Are you hiding it, because it's by Varric?"
"What? No. I'm hiding it, because it's easily the worst thing he's ever written. Cassandra leant it to me, and I feel stupider for attempting to read this sorry excuse for literature."
Holly's brain struggled to process what he had just said, "I… Cassandra recommended you a book, and it's by Varric? I heard that correctly, right?"
"You did indeed. Believe me, I'm just as shocked as you are. Especially since it's this garbage. Anyway, you wanted to talk to me?"
"I did. I suspect that you heard the entirety of my conversation with Solas?"
He feigned shock, "Are you implying that I would snoop on a private conversation?"
She raised an eyebrow at him.
"Alright, I did."
"Well, a similar offer stands for you. The difference being instead of being our expert on the Fade and Elven history, you'd be our expert on Tevinter, both history and magic."
He pretended to be insulted again, "Is it just because I'm Tevinter?"
"Solas is an elf."
"Touch é ."
"Graham also wants you to come with us when we scout around the lands looking for fade rifts and such."
"And here I thought my camping days were done," he sighed.
"Would you rather be stuck up here with everyone constantly giving you the stink eye while the people who won't are gone?"
"Oh, absolutely not. Wait. Why do you go with Graham? Shouldn't you be staying with the other advisors?"
"One of my jobs is ensuring the health of the Herald, now the Inquisitor, and his Inner Circle. Since he is often fighting demons when he leaves, it makes sense that I would be following him around. Besides, another large part of my job is figuring out who does what more than anything."
"That actually clarifies a lot."
"I would hope so, anyway, here is your list of possible assistants," she said, handing him his piece of paper.
He scanned the paper, "Can… is someone able to help me find these people? I haven't spoken to very many people."
"I'll help you later."
"Thank you."
She glanced around the library, "You wouldn't happen to know where Vivienne is, would you?"
"I actually do. You see that door?" He pointed to the door at the opposite side of the stairs.
"Of course."
"It leads to the balcony. She went that way, though, I don't know if she went any further."
"I'll be able to find her, thank you."
"Of course, now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find a way to dispose of this, " he said as he gestured to Swords and Shields.
"I'd just return it to Cassandra," she said as she walked away.
"That's a great idea," was the last thing she heard before she opened the door to the balcony.
She turned the corner and found Vivienne surrounded boxes, and very fancy furniture. They had everything from magical equipment to beautifully made clothes. Unlike Graham, Holly, Cullen, Blackwall, and others, Vivienne had been able to contact her friends as well as Duke Bastien back in Orlais to get many of her belongings transferred to Skyhold. Vivienne had her back turned to Holly as she emptied a box full of what looked like spell books. Holly spotted something at the top of an open box that made her eyes go wide.
"Is that a hilt of a spirit blade?" Holly asked.
Vivienne turned, and looked at what Holly was looking at, "Oh, hello dear, and yes, it is. I didn't bring it with me when I came to Haven, because I didn't think I would need it. I was obviously wrong, but it's better than losing it in that tragedy."
"Oh, I definitely agree. I just had no idea you were a knight-enchanter. I almost became one, you know. The rebellions came before that could happen."
"That's a shame. The rebellions took too much from us. You would have been an excellent knight-enchanter," Vivienne said. She sounded completely genuine, which caught Holly off guard.
"You really think so?"
"Of course I do. Despite our differing opinions, I have a great deal of respect for you. You've gotten our fellow mages organized surprisingly quickly, and you possess many qualities that our brethren lack. If every mage had our levels of skill, patience, and control, then I would begin to doubt the need for circles and templars, though, only slightly."
"That is very kind, thank you."
"It's simply the truth. Now, I doubt you came here to hear me sing your praises."
"No," Holly chuckled, "if anything, I came here to sing yours. Graham is helping me get things more organized, and as part of that, we are giving you an official title and position within the Inquisition. If you are willing, we'd like to make you the Inquisition's official expert on the southern circles and magic. You would have proper support and assistants from us, and you would only answer to me and Graham, though, I suspect Leliana and Josephine will want your input at times. He would also like you to continue traveling with us, if you like."
"He's only been the Inquisitor for a week, and he's already making excellent decisions. I accept, and do expect me to come with you when you travel. Cassandra will need help keeping the chaos in check."
"I am very glad to hear that, and I know Graham will be too. Here is a list of possible assistants, but if you have other ideas, go ahead," Holly said, and handed the last of the papers to Vivienne.
"I recognize many of these names. You did well in choosing them. I'll talk to them later."
"I'm glad to hear it, now, I have a meeting with Josephine. I know Graham will be very happy to hear your answer."
Vivienne nodded, and narrowed her eyes slightly, "Before you go, I have an offer for you."
"You… do?"
"If you are still interested in becoming a knight-enchanter, I have people I can contact to get you a hilt. Once it arrives, I can help get you started on the path," Vivienne explained.
"I appreciate it, but that isn't necessary."
"Nonsense, the role of knight-enchanter would be honored to have you. Besides, it would help me practice."
Holly grinned, "Well, in that case, I accept your offer."
"I'm glad to hear it, now, don't let me keep you any longer."