Once in Val Royeaux I could feel the culture, singing was everywhere and women and men alike whispered, gossiped and fawned over the latest fashions. The smells of spices, the merchants everywhere hawking their wares. The vibrant colours everywhere were blinding at first. I had thought Val Firmin to be rich and wonderful sight, but this was brilliant and I could barely find words to describe it. The buildings had at least one story, and at most five. The tops were decorated in gold leaf showing off the wealth of the city, most of the walls were either a rich blue or white clearly showing off the Orlesian pride. I had noticed all of that and more as I walked down the back streets as to not pick up attention with my dark outfit that clearly was not within the current fashion trends.

Once I was out of sight of anyone and everything I took the liberty to remove my outfit in exchange for more common clothes that I picked up a while back in Val Firmin.

I kept my distance from the richer end of town and stuck to alleyways. Not smart, but I have this tendency not to like nobles as the last time I talked with one I almost hit the bastard. Eventually, I made it to an inn near the more common district, but still close to the merchant side of town. This one was more within my price range until I needed to pack up and leave. I smiled ruefully at the street signs silently glad that I had learned Orlesian with Gwen or I would have walked into some very shifty looking places that reminded me of the courtesan's house. I suppressed a shiver of discontent from going down my spine at the thought of every time one of the women, and men for that matter, attempted to gain my attention outside of their lucrative business establishments.

I threw my weight un-graciously onto my rather comfy bed, well at least compared to the ones they had in the Chantry that is, and sighed in content. I had registered as Paul with the Inn keep, I hoped it was a viable name. I caught myself humming a tune that I didn't recognize, I shook off the feeling of homesickness as I had many times before, and stood up from my bed to examine my small room further. On a small one-person table on the other side of the room sat my coin purse with the key to the room Next to the chair was a chest for any belongings I had or wanted to store here, not that I would. No; money that I earned would be kept in a different location and a well-hidden one. The only thing that would be here would be clothing. The walls had wallpaper on them rather than plaster, gold leaf patterns on blue with white wood trimming. Very Orlesian I realized. While on that thought I wondered what the streets of Denerim actually looked like now, or even Minrathous in Tevinter. The culture of the world was always something that interested me, and architecture was a good way to see the culture of any civilization. Now I was curious to see what Val Royeaux looked like on the main streets and where people live.

I smiled as I walked down one of the busier market street. I kept my sword at my hip leaving my staff back in my room. I would need to find a smith that could make a staff that could collapse and be hidden on my person, but that kind of object would be expensive and most likely dwarven. (I would also not want the connection to be made to me as I am. L'orage was a fine to have connected to that but not me). Just my back up sword hung at my hip It was just to hopefully to ward off cutpurses. Even then, I kept my coin on the inside of my jacket inside pocket that I sewed in, not at my hip.

I hummed to myself as I walked down the streets of Val Royeaux. It was a beautiful city. Flowers hung from windows of all colours and the walls varied from blues to pinks to yellows. And the streets were kept pristinely. They probably had an underground sewer system and that impressed me just as much as how clean they kept the streets.

I eventually came across a little fountain with very little city noise and only a few people sitting around reading books. Looking at the buildings, it turned out that it was a library courtyard. I was a little shocked to see something like this open to the public, but by the looks of it, most of the people entering the place were nobles. Looking at the scene was breathtaking, I felt the itch to go buy art supplies, but I doubted that they would be the same as from... The sudden bout of homesickness washed over me again I closed my eyes, took in a breath and glared at the sky and stormed my way off to find a market stall that sold paper and charcoal. I would not let the situation crush my will to make art.

I had claimed a blank leather-bound book and some charcoal. I sat in the courtyard of the library for a few hours trying to get used to the charcoal, having not used much of it before. Eventually, I managed to get the same range of tones I would with a graphite pencil once upon a time. But time here crept on, and before long,it was dark and voices from the main street gained my attention. I cursed my lack of observation while under the influence of art. I quickly wrapped the charcoal and stuffed it into my jacket, tucked my new found sketchbook under one arm and made my way around the alleys. I eventually came across a clock set in one of the market squares and stood shocked at the time: it wasn't even 8 o'clock. I huffed. Winter was coming and Val Royeaux was clearly going to be colder than Val Firmin.

I made it back to my inn with little issue. The winter season coming around was going to bother me somewhat, but it wasn't something I was unused to. I had a feeling that Orlais would have much less snow than my childhood home ever did, however, the colder weather meant warmer clothes would be needed. I had a feeling this country focused more on the way something looked rather than for warmth. I would have to go to the lower end tailors to get clothes made up.

I shivered. A light snow had started to fall and L'orages clothes did not accommodate winter yet. The tailor I intended to go to for L'orages winter ware was not open. I thought it strange, mostly because the woman that owned and ran the shop was open late everyday but Sunday, but no one was open Sundays on account of mass at the Chantrys scattered about the city. Not everyone could go to the Grand Cathedral after all. After some clever investigation, meaning I asked everyone I came across about the tailor, I found out where she lived and her name. Mélissa and she lived in a very quiet part of the merchant district.

It was kind of eerie how quiet this part of the city was. It made the other sounds more prominent. The sounds of rats in the trash, the cats hunting them and the sounds of people moving in their homes. A brisk wind cut through me causing me to shiver once more. Whatever has happened better be worth the cold.

I made it the Mélissa's home in short order, only to hear the cry of a woman, the shattering of glass and the nearest door of her home opening and the young woman I recognised as Amelia running out in nothing but a nightgown hair a mess, tears running down her face and a cut above her left eye and a nasty bruise around her neck. A man followed after her. I dropped from my spot on the roof and landed between the man and the woman facing him. She startled and stopped to stare, he didn't seem to care that I was in his way and with a broken bottle in hand and went to make a swing at me, he appeared drunk if the smell of booze was anything to go by. Removing his the bottle from his hand and knocking him out was almost comically easy. I sighed and turned to face Mélissa. She flinched when I did so. I sighed.

"My lady it seems I have done the gentlemanly thing and helped you. Perhaps though we should go elsewhere to talk as it is cold and you are not dressed for the weather." This seemed to move Mélissa from her stupor.

"Oh yes of course." She appeared flustered "Please come in." She entered her home and encouraged me to come in. I sighed and thanked the maker silently that I decided to pack up some medical supplies as L'orages kit of equipment. I followed her into her home and made sure the door to her home was locked. "Would you like anything to drink?" she was in shock that much I could tell from the way she moved and her demeanor.

"Mélissa, yes?" She nodded "I think perhaps you should sit and let me help you. You are shaking like a leaf in fall and bleeding." She blinked momentarily and reached up to touch the cut on her head only to flinch at the touch and do so again once looking at her hand. I guided her carefully to a couch near the fireplace and pulled the throw blanket over her shoulders. It didn't take much to get her to hold onto it. I used my supplies for L'orage to tend to the small but still bleeding wound on her head, removing any glass I could and cleaning it with the small vial of spirits I kept in the kit. She fell asleep not long after thanking me and her head bandaged. I moved a chair to be facing the possible entrances of her home and waited, she would need more protection.

Loud banging on the door to her home and shouting woke Mélissa up with a startle and fear. I made the motion of 'shh' and stood and moved to the door. Once I got closer I could hear the voice of a man "Mélissa! Let me in. Maker, damn you woman! I will get sick if this keeps up!" It had only been a few hours since I knocked the man out and left him in the street, I honestly expected him to wake up faster. I turned to face Mélissa and pointed to the door.

"Do you want him in your home?" I asked, he appeared to hear my voice and started demanding to know who was in the house with her and that she would regret having another man in the house. She flinched at this and curled up a little on the couch. That was all I needed. I unlocked the door and opened it and the man landed face first on the floor, I would have laughed if I didn't need to deal with him now rather than later. "You sir are trespassing. I am going to request you leave before I remove you myself." Needless to say he did as I expected and said he wouldn't leave. I sighed, comically removing him from the house and rather loudly. "Sir, you are not welcome in the home of Mélissa! You have proven unwelcome here and I will notify the guards if I see your face within a block of her or her home again!" By the scruff of his neck I tossed him out the door and slammed it shut and locked it again.

That night I took Mélissa to a local women's shelter. A week later I had an unexpected guest arrive at the docks where L'orage could be found. A young woman in her late thirties approached me. She carried a package with her.

"Monsieur L'orage, my name is Annabelle, I run the women's shelter you brought Mélissa too just last week." I bowed overdramatically to Annabelle that got a giggle out of her.

"Oui, that would be I." I greeted by kissing the back of her hand as well.

"Oh you are a charmer, no wonder Mélissa is infatuated by you" Annabelle cooed. "I have a gift for you from her for you." She handed me the package in her hands.

"Oh really? I was not expecting gifts." I took it as I spoke. The package had been wrapped with colourful paper and a bit of ribbon. I untied the ribbon and neatly opened the coloured paper. Fabric sat inside. I folded the paper and ribbon and tucked them into my belt and unfolded the fabric. The fabric revealed to be a jacket. It was beaded and embroidered in black on the collar and around the cuffs. I pulled it on and did the buttons up. It fits rather well over my shoulders and armor and left room for movement, and most importantly it was warm.

"You look smart in it. Tomorrow come by for drinks, the ladies are all excited to meet you." Annabelle walked away then, her dress swishing as she walked.

After a few weeks, my line of work as L'orage became very lucrative. A lot of nobles caught wind of my being able to take in people alive. I did a lot of mercenary work for the guard of Val Royeaux. They often asked for dead or alive but I still squeamish about killing anything other than a demon so I always brought them in alive. Many nobles wanted to scare their adversaries, not kill them... I was quickly becoming good at the art of climbing. I also had a little help with some imaginative magic at my fingertips. Literally, my hands became magnets to the walls I climbed. The magic I put into my hands while climbing also helped slightly with the fear of falling to my death. But the trick was also becoming an easy getaway from the templars. I would run down an alleyway and bam!I would be missing.

The docks had become the place to find L'orage in Val Royeaux as well. The snow had started to fall from the sky giving a peaceful look to the docks. If not for L'orages mask I my breath would be very visible, for now though I would have to suffer with a damp mask. I never did have to wait long for someone to find me here, nobles in Val Royeaux were far more paranoid than in Val Firmin. They would send a guard to speak with me then I would be guided to the actual lord and then I would be handed a contract that I would read and then I would either deny and go out the closest window. Or I would accept get half my payment and then do the job and get paid the rest when I completed it. Tonight was such a night where a guard came to me and asked me to follow.

The noble in question, Marquis Etienne, but he was paying well. He wanted me to basically be a babysitter, sorry bodyguard, his adult son. I privately wondered why this job was paying so well but it was only for a week and the money was too good to pass up. At the end of the week the noble would be back in Val Royeaux and would expect a report on his son's comings and goings. It should be an easy job.

I had gained so much practice with staring off into space, this prick of a boy was horrible. He didn't care who was in the room when he did anything. I had spent the better part of the week of keeping harm from happening to the young man. He would insult merchants, nobles and small folk alike. He walked around like he owned Val Royeaux and I am nearly 100% sure that Empress would not be impressed with that. He was drunk nearly all the time, spent more money on whores than I did on food in a week.

I stared out of the window of the room this boy was currently using. He didn't care that I was in the room, didn't care that I had to be there and was partacking on one of the most basic acts of human needs with two whores. I was waiting for midnight to arrive, as soon as the clock ticked midnight I was gone to give my report to this pricks father and get my payment.

"L'orage~" I mentaly bemoaned my suffering as the noble called for me in a drunken sing song voice from the bed. I didn't move, I refused to acknowledge him. I heard some shuffling and giggling from the bed and cursed my luck. "You are so stiff! Come join us" The boy put himself in his birthday suit between me and the window. This has happened more than once and keeping a blank level stare was to easy by now.

"No" was my simple response. I wasn't allowed to hurt him I kept chanting to myself mentally. He seemed put out by this.

"Come now that's no fun, oh way you're working so much money. How much to convince you?" I closed my eyes and bit my tongue. I took a deep breath. The clock in the room chimed midnight and I punched him square in the nose. The ladies gasped in surprise as he fell to the floor. That was extremely satisfying to do. I took a sheet and wrapped it around his lower half before luging him over my shoulders this was going to be a fun story to tell his father to say the least.

I actually had a cup of wine in my hands as I sat across from the Marquis. The poor man was very unimpressed with his son, who currently was sitting on the floor near the two of us, a healer had attended to him some time ago. He was fine just drunk and unconscious. Now the Marquis and I were bonding over the uselessness of his son.

"Oh maker!" The Marquis laughed at my suggestions on how to discipline his son. "I might just have to do all these things, you certainly know how to do poetic justice." I shrugged nonchalantly The Marquis was on his second glass of wine. I had made it so that I was not facing him, he did pull out a damn fine wine. We heard a groan came from the boy, I pulled my mask up and set my wine glass down. The boy looked around the room upon seeing me. He looked vividly mad but then his eyes passed over his father and he paled by several tints. "Oh good you are awake. I think you will be pleased to know that from your antics this week for the next year your allowances will not go to you but to a charity of L'orages choice in your name. Also for dealing with your antics this week he will be getting this month's as compensation." Marquis Etienne looked so done. His son's jaw might have it the floor if that was possible. I had to stifle a laugh. The Marquis stood up and placed a hand on my shoulder "Your payment is in the foyer for you. I might have to hire you again sometime L'orage." I chuckled at the Marquis.

"Just no more babysitting. No matter how well this paid, I don't think I could do it again."

That very night I came to the women's shelter as L'orage and knocked on the door three times. The door opened and I entered quickly. I watched as the series of locks were done up each bigger than the last. The door from this side was much different. Steel and with a dozen locks and a bar to keep determined people out. Windows were also barred to keep assassins from entering. "L'orage, mon amie, come we will drink! It is so good to see you!" The proprietor of the women's shelter voiced as she came over after locking the door and giving me a kiss on each cheek before dragging me off to the parlour.

"It is always a pleasure to see you Annabelle." I as she poured wine into glasses. "I heard about the generous donation the Marquis made this afternoon and just had to come give my congratulations." She barked out a laugh at my comment.

"And no doubt that you had a part to play in it, non?" She handed me a glass of wine and made herself comfortable by the fireplace. "Well I can't say we didn't need the money. The Marquis' generous donations will be coming monthly for the next year because of you." She sighed over dramatically before continuing "You are a strange one L'orage, though Orlais is kinder to women of Thedus there are those that would still abuse us; not all of us are the left hand of the Divine. But you, non, you help us for nothing. Well almost. Here" she pulled a letter from her bodice of her dress. I rolled my eyes and took it. The seal of the Marquis kept the letter shut. I opened it and began to read it out loud.

"Dear L'orage,

It is within my understanding that you are a man who values his privacy and would not ask for more than money. However, from our talk in regards to my son, I found that you are a man that perhaps might value your education." I stopped for a moment and looked at Annabelle's reaction. She was wide eyed and had stopped drinking her wine. She motioned for me to go on. "The University of Orlais is not an easy university to get into, however monthly sponsorships can be gained through the investment and endorsement of a noble. Marked with my seal is such an endorsement from myself. I hope to have a rather interesting conversation with you the next time we speak.

Use your time wisely

From the Marquis Etienne"

I very carefully pulled out the endorsement as Annabelle started to celebrate and shout with joy gaining the attention of the other residents of the home. Soon the room was very lively. The endorsement was done in fancy calligraphy and stamped with a wax seal of the Marquis. I had no doubt that this was what the Marquis felt was more suitable a bribe then a month salary of his sons allowance. I wasn't going to complain about the free education. Now the question is: what did I choose to study? What classes are even available at the University?

For the longest while I pondered what kind of classes I would study at the university. I was sponsored so the classes I picked I would have to be good at, that was difficult. What was I good at? I had a surplus of information from my time in the fade, but none of that could be useful. The fade was reenactments of memories. Yes, Gwen collected memories of historical moments and as many as she could, but that didn't mean I had the full timeline or truth to everything. I also needed to pick a subject that wouldn't be connected to me outside of mercenary life.

I think I surprised the clerk responsible for accepting students. I didn't wish to attend as myself, L'orage would have to attend the classes. I also didn't need people knowing who L'orage really was. The point was so that I didn't get hunted down by Templars left right and center. It would be amusing seeing them arrive at the University for L'orage actually. The clerk cleared their throat once he got over his shock.

"Can I help you sir?" He seemed more suspicious of me than anything else, I didn't blame him. L'orage didn't exactly follow the current fashion trends and the University was notorious for being full of noble children.

"Yes I do believe you can~" I. L'orage was beginning to become easy to pretend to be almost second nature at this point. I leaned on the counter and pulled out the Endorsement from my jacket and handed it to the clerk. "I would like to see what classes you have available please."

Two hours and multiple people later they had finally confirmed that the marquis was in fact sponsoring a man named L'orage and that man was in fact was me. I was in fact now enrolled at the university. I had decided to take the basic Engineering courses.

The School was large, and beautiful, like all things in Val Royeaux, it also had a chantry on the property. Though I didn't have much time to enjoy the property while I was enrolled. I silently cursed myself for having taken one of the most academic heavy courses in the school. I had to take three different maths, materials studies, physics, two different alchemy classes, some civil studies classes were all things I was studying because I hate myself. I spent most of my time in the library while at the University. Writing essays and leafing through books, getting the same amount of sleep as I normally did and that was nearly nothing as per normal, but I was studying instead. There felt like a silent expectation that I was to do well, granted if I didn't do well there would be actual repercussions. The marquis being disgraced and made a laughing stock and that would come back at me in ways I didn't want. Regardless, I didn't expect to be the top of the course within a month.

It is official. I hate school. If I ever had to go back I might kill someone. It was time consuming, I was tired and stressed and all for a slip of paper that said I was good at learning about engineering and several dozen people would support those claims. They school said I would have to go back if I wanted anything more than a degree, and seemed to want me to continue at the school but I really didn't want to spend the rest of my time cooped up in a library reading and writing.

Jaque Garcon looked nothing like his name sake, Garcon meaning boy. He was older and looked bitter. I stared at the mural that was nearly finished in a nearby city square near my choice of Inn. I had taken to taking walks during the day and drawing things I came across, I found it rather relaxing after the whole university ordeal. The painting was of the events of the 5th era. It nearly blew my mind at how talented this man was with a paint brush. I sat down and began to sketch out what was all ready painted. Maybe I could learn something from the painting.

"Boy!" After several hours, I had several sketches of the painting in my book now each from different angles, when I heard someone call out. I looked up from my packing up having decided that I was finished for the day. "Yes you boy come here!" Jaque Garcon called from his spot at the mural. Think I might have looked shocked for a moment and moved over tentatively. "Let me see it boy."

"See what sir?"

"Your sketchbook lad!" He didn't look pleased that he had to explain that but it made sense now. I made a silent 'oh' and handed him my sketchbook. Suddenly very nervous as to why he wanted to look at it. He hummed in thought taking his time flipping through the pages. I could feel the nervous sweat break down my neck and back. "Tomorrow morning, 6am sharp, be at my studio. You have talent that needs polishing. Keep your day free, you will be there all day." With that he handed me back my sketchbook and walked away. I probably stood there for a good half hour after super confused holding my sketchbook. I must have looked like an idiot just standing there confused.

Turns out Jaque needed an apprentice and I needed a space to stay that wasn't an Inn, I also didn't need to spend as much money on food because Jaque covered it with me staying at his studio. He didn't live there himself but across the way in an apartment. Granted I was paid nothing. Fed, clothed and a roof over my head but that was all I got from being an apprentice. Apparently It was so that I could devote my time to learning so that I would go on to make art sooner so that I could make an income for myself.

Jaque was a slave driver! He demanded so much, clean this, paint that! Make sure this piece of white clothing doesn't have a black paint stain on it! By the way, that last one was impossible to do without magic. Granted I made sure that I washed it six times for show that I put effort into removing it before breaking down and using just a tiny bit of magic to remove the stains. Oh I did other things too. I stretched canvas' and learned how to mix and make the paints from scratch. So much effort went into one painting it was ridiculous. I had to prime the canvas, mix the paints, draw the model and sometimes I even did my own painting while Jaque painted as well. I also had the job of making sure the models were comfortable because Jaque was not good at that at all. He wouldn't make sure they were warm or make them tea if they needed it. He would just demand they remain as still as possible. He didn't get them blankets, nothing. I often would keep a pile of blankets near the fireplace just for the models to use. It was frustrating sometimes working under Jaque, but I was learning how to paint so there was that.

"Painting is just another way of earning an income, boy." That was another annoying thing about Jaque. He never used the name Paul for me. It was always, boy this, boy that. It was frustrating most days and down right infuriating others. "You might have talent but enjoyment is now what you are to get out of this."

"Jaque, if we do not enjoy what we make, then how can we create? If we are forced to become nothing but a cog in the machine that makes art for nothing then how are we to gain the most splendid pieces of art the world has ever seen. Not everything has to be done for the sake of" I didn't get the chance to finish before Jaque came over and pulled the canvas I had been working on away from me and forced me to clean instead of paint.

"Tomorrow we are going to get you fitted for more formal clothes and a mask, we are going to the winter palace and you will look the part." Was all that he said before leaving. I started at the water in the wash basin. The winter palace. I could feel uneasiness in my stomach. I tried my best to avoid the Empress' home in Val Royeaux just in case the Baron made an appearance. The Winter Palace was much closer to the Baron's lands. I certainly hoped he was still a hermit in his own home and didn't make an appearance at court.