Chapter 75: Mark of the Assassin pt5

There are many lords and ladies in Val Royeaux.

And I mean this literally. Once, the system of noble titles in Orlais was labyrinthine: There were barons and baronnes and baronets and sur-barons and a horde of others, each with its own origins and its own nuances of comparison. The Orlesian aristocracy is ancient and much given to competition. All the nobility play the Grand Game, as it is known, whether they wish to or not. It is a game of reputation and patronage, where moves are made with rumors and scandal is the chief weapon. No gentle game, this. More blood has been drawn as a result of the Grand Game than any war the Orlesians have fought. Of this, I am assured by almost every gentleman here.

As far as titles went, everything changed with the coming of Emperor Drakon, who established the Orlesian Empire as it exists now, and who created the Chantry. There is no more venerated figure in Orlais; in Val Royeaux, the statue of Drakon stands as tall as the statue of Andraste. Drakon determined that the Grand Game was tearing Orlais apart, so he abolished all titles besides his own, and lord, and lady.

I am told, with some twittering amusement, that this action did not end the Grand Game as Drakon had intended. Now the lords and ladies collected unofficial titles rather than official ones, such as "the exalted patron of Tassus Klay" or "uncle to the champion of Tremmes." It is a headache to remember such titles, and one winces to think of the poor doormen at the balls who must rattle them off as each guest enters the room. The aristocracy is different from Ferelden in other ways, as well. The Orlesians' right to rule stems directly from the Maker. There exists neither the concept of rule by merit nor the slightest notion of rebellion. If one is not noble, one aspires to be—or at the least aspires to be in the good graces of a noble and is ever watching for a way to enter the patronage of those better placed in the Grand Game.

And then there are the masks. And the cosmetics: I have not seen so much paint since the kennels at Highever. But that is another story. —From Beyond the Frostbacks, by Bann Teoric of West Hill, 9:20 Dragon

Chateau Courtyard

Ericks and Tallis approached a lone guard, hoping he had the key to the famed vault of Chateau Haine. The guard yawned as he stood at his post, he was bored out of his mind but could not do much until his shift was over. He stood at attention once Ericks and Tallis met with him. "Is something the matter?"

"My friend here has had a bit too much to drink. She needs to sit down before she gets sick on the duchess" Ericks said. Almost on cue the elf started to sway left and right drunkenly while slurring her words. She gagged and heaved and caught her mouth.

"Ooh, I can hear the ocean in my head!" Tallis said with a dazed giggle. "Tide goes in, tide goes…urp…out"

"Maker's breath, Tallis! I told you the Carnal would be too much for you"

"Very well, I'll see what I can do. Just…keep her a few feet away" The guard went away and Tallis composed herself.

"Let me handle him. As soon as I have the key, we can signal the others" Ericks waited outside drinking cider for what looked like hours. He could hear Tallis laughing, the elf was currently working the guard and the guard ate it up like candy. "My, what a big sword you have?"

"Do they give those to all the chevaliers? So impressive!" Ericks just rolled his eyes, a little to thick for his tastes but then again most men he knew back in Kirkwall would be putty in Tallis' hands. The other guests walked over and gazed at Ericks; the rogue greeted them as to not look suspicious.

"Lovely party, you must try the glazed nug from Navarra" he said. "Simply to die for" The door opened and Tallis came out shaking her head. "Well?"

"He doesn't have it"

"What?"

"He 'forgot' he'd given the key to one of the servants. What kind of idiot forgets that he locked himself out of the castle?"

"Then we keep mingling until we find a way in or get so full of caviar and wine, we fall asleep"

Tallis sighed. "Right. Nothing to worry about…this can still work" she said. "So, let's find this servant. After all, how many could there be?"

"One for every cheese tray?" Ericks asked dryly.

"I'm trying to stay positive, you know" They continued with conversing with the other guests while looking out for the servants that may have the key. With each conversation, Ericks was reminded on why he didn't enjoy going to gathering involving nobles. They spoke about such inane drivel about their wealth and other nobles they hated. Despite being a noble himself, the rogue had nothing in coming with them but his mother would have enjoyed carrying on with them. While talking with Bann Tegan, Ericks spotted one of the elven servants coming out of the Chateau with a plate of food. The rogue motioned Tallis to get ready. Just as Ericks was about to end his conversation with the Bann, his friend the Arlessa of Redcliffe approached them.

"I beg your pardon. Isolde, this is the Champion of Kirkwall" Teagan said. "Hawke allow me to present Arlessa Isolde" The arlessa curtsied and then faced Teagan.

"Teagan, I must speak with you right now about the horrible thing Dulci de Launcet said!"

"I…of course. Please, excuse me, Messere Hawke" he said. "A pleasure to meet you. If you speak to Bann Perrin, I do not advise you to bring up the Chantry. Or…knickers" Ericks and Tallis made their way at the servant at her post. She smiled and bowed to them.

"Can I interest you in some Antivan olives? Or some smoked ham from the Anderfels. I've heard it tastes of despair"

Tallis raised a brow. "Wait, does it really? How can ham taste like despair and why would anyone eat it if it did?"

"Don't ask me, the importer said that. They all talk that. 'The wine has notes of oak and springtime. This cheese tastes of sorrow"

"Who needs more despair in their diet? What is that good for?" Ericks asked.

"I've heard that artists are fond of it"

"Very interesting, I don't suppose we could have a peek at the kitchens?" Tallis asked. "I would love to see this hopeless dish in all its glory" The elven servant became a lot more nervous.

"I... I don't know. I shouldn't leave my post…"

"What a scandalous reprieve from olive duty! Think of what the other servants will say!" Ericks said with glee. The servant gave it some thought, and a slight smirk came across her face.

"The upstairs maids will be so jealous when they find out. Very well, follow me!" Once again Ericks was on the outside as look out while Tallis was scouting the inside. A couple of moments later he could hear the two women's voice from the inside. Apparently, there was an incident from the higher-ranking servants, an incident that more than likely involved the word 'knife ear'

"I know, right? They treat you like part of the furniture! I'm surprised they don't sit on us!" More of the guests came Ericks' way.

"Avoid the cheese plate. Terrible" The door opened and Tallis walked out. "Have you got the key?" The elf just sighed. "So back to square one…again"

"I'm usually better at this" she said. "She didn't have the key either…this wasn't supposed to be so complicated!"

Ericks crossed his arms. "We could always steal the dessert spoons and tunnel our way into the vault"

"That's...not terrible. Hang on to that idea" Tallis said. "But I got a lead at least, she gave it to the duke's son, Lord Cyril"

"Elegant said he was one of the people we should meet" the rogue said. "Let's get properly acquainted"

"Let's hope he didn't pass it on to his father…we would really be in a shit creek then" Duke Prosper de Montfort is a member of the Council of Heralds, the final arbiter over all disputes involving titles in Orlais, including that of emperor. The Council of Heralds is comprised of seven members, who belong to some of the oldest and most powerful noble families in Orlais. Though the titles and heraldry of the Orlesian nobility were banned by Emperor Kordillus Drakon I, the nobles of Orlais would not give up centuries of culture and tradition so easily, and instead found themselves mired in conflicting claims of birthright and inheritance. Emperor Reville's habit of handing out new titles to his supporters only made the situation worse. When Emperor Judicael I inherited the political turmoil left by his father, which had already cost the life of his brother Emperor Etienne II, he created the Council of Heralds in an attempt to win over the nobles of his court.

When Emperor Florian died without naming an heir in 9:19 Dragon, the Council was called upon to choose who would inherit the throne between Celene Valmont and Gaspard de Chalons. Though Gaspard was the eldest of Emperor Judicael I's surviving grandchildren and Celene the youngest, they gave the throne to Celene. Her ascension however was swathed in rumors, with some Orlesians claiming the assassination of her uncle, Emperor Florian, was organized to allow her to take power. Should anything happened to Duke Prosper, his son Lord Cyril de Montfort, would take his place on the council making him the youngest councilman in the history of Orlais.

In the middle of the courtyard, three men were talking about affairs in the empire. In the middle was a young man dressed in green fine clothing. He spotted Ericks and Tallis walking over. "Excellent! Join us, Champion! We were just discussing your famous confrontation with the Qunari leader"

"You must tell us the tale! News of your battle had even reached us in Denerim!" The Fereldan noble said. "I can hardly believe it myself" Cyril gave the noble a look and he quickly nodded and walked away.

"You have never been to Chateau Haine, yes? Please, allow me to give you this Caprice. It is an old custom" Ericks received a silver coin stamped with a lion on one side and the Chantry's sunburst on the other. It is said if one tosses these coins into a fountain, the person who threw it would receive good fortune for a year. "Leandra enjoyed tossing these in the fountain with my mother when they were young. They were great friends…it is a shame neither could be here"

"Where are your knickers this time, Perrin?" A female guest asked with a giggle.

Perrin frowned with a blush. "Shut up, you painted shrew!"

Cyril sighed and shook his head. "Such entertaining manners out guests have, wouldn't you agree, Hawke?"

"Reminds me of a certain place back home, actually" Ericks said. "Tallis here has been asking such fascinating question about the garden, but I can't answer them, I'm afraid"

"I suppose I can do my duty for the family and show her around" Once again Ericks was outside as Tallis was working. It seems Cyril was serious about giving that tour of the gardens.

"But…yes, the Regency wallpaper is quite lovely. I agree" Tallis said in an attempt to be flirty. "It et I'd…ha ha I wouldn't sit…oh, forget it" Another group of nobles walked by Ericks.

"That wyvern blood has kick, doesn't it?" The door opened and Tallis walked out annoyed and frustrated.

"This is officially my worst night ever"

"Not the Lord's type, I take it?" Ericks asked dryly.

The elf crossed her arms. "Maybe he just doesn't like elves…or women" Tallis looked at Ericks with eyes lit up, the rogue did not like where this was going. "Hawke, perhaps you could entertain our dear lord here…"

Ericks eyes went wide. "Oh, you got to be out of your fucking…"

"You're the answer, he has the key" Tallis said pushing Ericks into the room. "Go get it"

The rogue groaned. "I should have just saved time and assume a plan would fall apart from the start"

"It hasn't fallen apart! It's just…not entirely cooperating with reality" the elf said. "Just…try something" The door closed behind Ericks; he was now alone in the same room with Cyril. The rogue's eye twitched in annoyance…this was going to be a long night.

Romancing of the key! Next Time! As always Review and Comment!