- Chapter Twelve -
Free to Choose
Brianna stepped into the main hall, almost colliding with Vivienne and Josephine.
Vivienne smiled demurely, returning her attention to the ambassador. "The Inquisitor will join us when she is ready, I'm sure. Thank you for your time, Lady Montilyet." She breezed away, heels clicking against the stone floor.
Brianna scratched her head, watching as a handful of people moved about the hall. "Sorry for interrupting."
"No apology is necessary," Josephine replied with a smile. "Lady Vivienne is… preoccupied, at the moment."
"Yeah, I can see that."
She hesitated, then led her into the adjacent hallway. "It is I who should be apologizing. For what happened at Haven."
Brianna's stomach turned.
"I feel the need to explain, especially after you risked your life to save the Inquisitor. The details of your condition were… withheld… under mysterious and unfortunate circumstances. Had we known of your plight, the situation would not have been permitted to stand. We are deeply grieved that you had to experience such an ordeal alone and without support. Sister Leliana and Commander Cullen have asked me to convey to you that all of us wish to see you remain with the Inquisition. I believe the Inquisitor has voiced similar sentiments?"
"Yes. Yes, she has."
"If you have need of anything during your time with us, please do not hesitate to ask. We are at your disposal, Brianna."
She flung her arms around Josephine, her nose stinging. "Thank you. It helps. It really does." Josephine looked surprised but pleased. The warmth of Josephine's tentative embrace lingered as Brianna hopped into the rotunda.
When she rounded Solas's desk, she found him seated, grimacing in disgust as he pushed a cup away from him. At his expression, some of the weight lifted from her chest. "Your face! That bad, huh?"
"It is tea. I detest the stuff."
Brianna perched on the edge of his desk. "Here, let me try." She lifted the cup to her lips and downed it in several gulps. Making small smacking noises, she peered into it and then at Solas. He had such an adorable look of uncertainty on his face that she giggled. "I guess I was thirsty. I didn't really taste anything."
"That is why I find it so repulsive. It has no taste or substance. It is utterly loathsome."
She set the cup down. "Well, it's gone now. You're safe from the evil tea."
Solas shook his head. Picking up his brush and bowl of paint, he crossed the room to one of his paintings.
A new voice echoed through the rotunda. "There you are!"
"Hi!" Brianna jumped off the desk and threw herself at Neirah. Yep. Definitely in a hugging mood.
"Hey, Peewee." Neirah lifted her off the ground with a squeeze.
"It sounded like Vivienne and Josephine were looking for you?"
"Oh, yeah…" Neirah set her down and scratched the spot between her horns. "They want me to get ready for the Winter Palace."
"Who doesn't like parties?" Brianna asked with mock incredulity.
"Me." Neirah made a face. "Can't even breathe without everyone watching you."
"That is one of many facets of the Game," Solas said. "A simple gesture could mean the difference between life and death. A nod, or yes, even a breath, can send a message as easily as proclaiming it openly. There is power to be found at court for those who have the mind to wield it."
"That's what bothers me. Subtlety isn't really my strong suit."
"I am confident you will do very well. You are the Inquisitor. Your words and actions will be remembered and repeated for years to come. If I recall correctly, you have a way of making an impression."
"I'm afraid my impression-making skills are limited to kicking down doors and making rude gestures, Solas."
"That's why we love you!" Brianna quipped.
Neirah flashed her a grateful grin.
"Past interactions with nobles interested in the Inquisition have proved otherwise," Solas reassured her.
"As long as Peewee's coming with me, I think I could survive one noble-infested night."
Brianna opened her mouth, then closed it. Even though the room was warm, a chill raised the hairs on her arms. "You sure that's a good idea after Therinfal?" The word was bitter on her tongue, and a heavy silence followed.
Neirah grasped Brianna's shoulders, drawing her attention. "Hey. It's okay. You're with friends now, and we're here for you. I couldn't ask for a better person to stand beside me than the girl who saved my life."
Brianna smiled faintly. A disgusted noise reached her ears and she glanced over Neirah's shoulder to see Cassandra stalking past the table where Varric sat, shoulders tense. "If looks could kill… I'm guessing Cassandra found out about Hawke?"
"Almost strung Varric up by his toenails for it," Neirah said with a long-suffering look. "I still think he should've given me all the information up front."
"Hawke went through a lot. She pretty much lost her whole family and had to turn a city around almost single-handedly. That's a lot for one person to deal with."
Neirah eyed her quizzically. "She?"
"Uhh…"
"Baritone and facial hair, so I don't think so, unless I'm missing something."
Neirah was grinning, and Brianna heard Solas chuckle softly from the other end of the room. "Okay, I'm sorry! He. Sheesh. Hawke's usually a girl where I come from."
"How do you get that wrong?" Neirah tittered as Brianna shrugged helplessly. "Hey, don't sweat it. Your information has been flawless the vast majority of the time. Even some conversations you've repeated nearly word for word. We don't get that kind of luck every day."
Brianna's gaze flicked to Solas. His hand moved steadily across the wall, his back to her. Apparently, she was on her own. "Uh… yeah. About that… I've been thinking about it, and… I dunno, I'm just not sure about… you know… I know I told you I would tell you what I knew, but it's changing things, and I'm sorry, but I'm so scared things are going to go terribly wrong, and you can totally fire me if you want."
Neirah cocked her head. "So, I'm just going to translate that to mean… what exactly?"
"I don't want to tell the future anymore." The words came out in a rush and she ducked her head, unable to look her friend in the eye. "I mean, like, do you still need me even if I don't tell the future anymore?"
"Are you crazy? Of course I still need you! We make quite the unlikely pair you know." Neirah grinned, her eyes warm. "I thought you were strange at first, but you're like a little sunbeam and p I don't know what I'd do without you now. Whatever you decide to do with what you know, you're free to choose your own path. That doesn't change what we have. Convinced yet?"
"I think so…"
"Good." Neirah clapped her on the back, and Brianna coughed. "Now back to business. What would you think of coming with me to the Forbidden Oasis? I have to do something with all these damn shards." She glared at Solas, who was content to ignore her.
"I'd like that." Brianna smiled gratefully. "It would be nice to get out."
"Thought so. You're coming, too, Solas."
"As you wish. I am happy to assist."
"I'm sure," Neirah drawled. "What would I do without your scintillating conversation?"
Brianna giggled and Neirah rolled her eyes. "I'm leaving in a couple days, so I'll see you both then. Oh, and Peewee. Since you're coming with me to the Winter Palace, Josephine suggested you join our lesson things."
She nodded slowly. "Okay…"
Neirah laughed. "Don't sound so excited. I'm counting on you to get me out of it."
When Neirah left a few minutes later, Brianna let out a gusty sigh and collapsed onto the couch. "Yikes."
Solas moved to his desk. "I assume that was not what you were expecting."
"No, but I should've, because I need someone to show me the ropes if I'm going to be there. Otherwise, I'll embarrass myself and the Inquisition. Anything Neirah does would look tame compared to me."
"You give yourself too little credit. The Game can be brutal, yes, but I am confident your charm will garner the favor of many at the Winter Palace."
"Wait, I'm charming?"
"You possess an unsullied innocence and strength of character that would win the heart of anyone with little effort."
What about you? She opened her mouth to reply. But with what, she didn't know.
