Dragon Age
"The Relic"

Chapter Eight: The Council

The Divine Council, or just simply 'The Council', was established by order of the Divine and the other powers of southern Thedas. Its design was to foster transparency between the nations and address threats. It also made sure that the Inquisition remained as a peacekeeping neutral force. Being neutral meant that they could objectively settle disputes, in theory anyway, so far it had worked with all but Tevinter. The Imperium had no idea what to do with the Inquisition and the enormous army they had amassed. The main reason for the Council, however, was to stop Solas. So far that was easier said than done; they'd thwarted him at every turn, captured his Eluvian's at every chance, and captured or killed his agents. Keeping a very close eye on the Qunari was the other reason; the Qun came uncomfortably close to destroying southern Thedas with one big boom at the Exalted Council but thanks to Solas, the plot was discovered and thwarted…just in time to scramble to stop his.

The Council meetings were generally a standing room only; when everyone was in attendance it was crowded around the war table. Meetings varied depending on how upside down things had gotten and those in attendance varied also, dictated by where people were when a session was called. Mostly they were on a set timeframe and typically met at Skyhold. Once they'd met in Starkhaven, twice at the Winter Palace, and at several Inquisition strongholds throughout Thedas. They were intended to be secret and some were but one like this was hard to hide, thus the stringent security in Skyhold.

Orlais and Fereldan began the Council, Alistair and Lydia represented Fereldan as Lydia also represented the Fereldan Wardens. Gaspard remained the most loyal to Khrys and had the biggest army to back her up. Starkhaven was the third most powerful ally the Inquisition had so Sebastian always had a seat at the table, after proving his unwavering loyalty in Wycome and his success in bringing the Free Marches to heel it wasn't a shock when Khrys extended him the invitation to join. Dorian 'represented' Tevinter although it wasn't like the Imperium was clambering to be a part of this, they still didn't care if the south fell to chaos.

Basically it was a conglomeration of Inquisition Inner Circle and senior agents, the powers of southern Thedas, and powerful orders. After herding all those who were required into the War Room, Khrys and Cullen were the last to enter and the doors were closed. Khrys surveyed the room making sure everyone that needed to be there was in attendance. Her eyes went to the new comers to the meeting, Duncan and Jean, standing at the corresponding ends of the war table. They couldn't be more different, Duncan was awestruck like a kid on his birthday and Jean was quiet and reserved just like his father.

"I call this meeting of the Divine Council now in session," Josie intoned and the room's murmuring died down a little and Khrys smiled at someone who had apparently slipped in under every one's noses.

"Bull," she grinned up at the enormous Qunari warrior extending her hand to him.

Bull's massive hand could have snapped hers off with a flick of his wrist. "Sorry, I'm late, Boss. The road is a little crowded," he said and let a glance go to Dorian. Things were still a little awkward between them but that was for later.

"Glad you could make it…good to have you here," she replied, Skyhold always felt a little more secure with the Chargers on hand. Bull's people were the silent, hidden guards when they were in Skyhold. Unseen until it was too late. "You almost missed the party."

Bull waved it off. "Nah…I'll wish the birthday girl well when we're done," he said and she patted his arm before moving past him. Bull then regarded Fenris speaking to him in Qunlat; there were a handful of people in the Inquisition that even spoke the Qun and only two in this room. Dorian may have called Fenris everything in the book including uneducated but in reality he spoke three languages and was working on a fourth, for someone who still couldn't read very well he certainly had an aptitude for languages. The only one he hadn't mastered so far was Elven.

Fenris and Bull got along famously, similar views, similar fighting styles, Bull absolutely loved Fenris' prized Blade of Mercy. Even though they fought on different sides they'd both spent time in Seheron so they had plenty to chat about. Their conversation was short and probably consisted of basic pleasantries before they returned their attention to everyone else.

Khrys looked over the room noticing the gaatlok keg she had waiting to ignite, Sebastian and Anders, Anders and almost everyone else, Bull and Dorian, Fenris versus mages. "Well, this'll be interesting," she thought to herself and sighed as the room quieted before looking at her. "Alright, what do we have?" Khrys asked with sigh. Getting this done and over with was easier said than done. "Qunari?"

"So far no rumblings about Dragon's Breath, they seem to be happily satisfied with taking a renewed interest in Seheron," Dorian said brightly and Bull stepped up to add his own information.

"Information from those who still talk to me in the Ben-Hassrath, tell me that Dragon's Breath is active but inactive, like they're trying to figure out the next move or some bullshit like that," Bull informed. "When the Viddasala were killed, things went ass up for it, they weren't expecting their master plan to be blown to the void by us."

It wasn't the Inquisition that put the brakes on Dragon's Breath, they just brought the hammer, Solas provided the nail. "By Solas," Khrys corrected and there was that awkward silence that everyone got when it came to the topic of Khrys and Solas. "He told us about it and he's the one who killed the Viddasala."

"Point is, they're biding their time…it'll spring up again," Bull continued being as blunt as he normally was.

"That makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside," Alistair commented from the end of the table opposite Gaspard and Sebastian. His sardonic tone echoed what everyone else was thinking. "How's the Imperium doing holding them off?"

Dorian shrugged. "Same as they have for decades…stalemate," he answered with a smile. "The Imperium knows that if the Qunari take the island they will have the perfect set up to invade Thedas. Regardless of how they feel about 'the south' they won't let that happen because that means Tevinter will fall as well."

"So can we assume that since Tevinter is preoccupied with the Qunari that their 'saber rattling' from a few years ago has been put back on the shelf?" Cullen asked and Dorian took a moment but shrugged tentatively.

"Well, they'll always take issue with the Inquisition, Commander; they still don't know what to make of us." Dorian didn't have a military mind but he knew the basics and rule number one: don't fight on two fronts.

Gaspard must have read his mind or they were thinking the same thing. "Even Tevinter isn't foolish enough to start a fight on two fronts," the seasoned general stated taking the words directly from Dorian's mind but in an Orlesian accent. "Invading Orlais with the Qunari at their backs would leave them open for invasion and if the Qun gets a foothold in mainland Thedas-…"

He was right, but that was beside the point. "Pompous bastard," Dorian hissed under his breath. "The rest of us are screwed," Dorian cut him off and leaned forward bracing on the table. "Thank you for painting such an obvious picture for us, Your Highness."

Gaspard cocked his head at the mage with a curious expression hidden behind the mask. "Have I done something to earn your ire this evening, Lord Dorian?"

That was like fanning the flame but Dorian didn't move, he just glared at him with the signature irritated Dorian glare, a mix of arrogance and annoyance. "Pompous, arrogant bastard," he thought again. "Oh, where do I begin?"

Khrys' shoulders fell slightly as she sighed heavily. "You mean when do I begin and that'll be later, Dorian," she said sharply managing to keep everything on point for the moment. "Gaspard-…"

The Emperor's orders or task on this Council really hadn't changed much in the past decade so he was certain of what she was about to say. "The Empire of Orlais would be delighted to keep an eye on the Imperium border, My Lady."

"Pompous, arrogant, smug, bastard," Dorian's thoughts continued and he was fairly certain his thoughts at the moment were a whole lot cleaner than those that were occupying Michel's mind at the moment. The Chevalier's expression was impassive, merely a façade; his eyes were locked on the Orlesian who was far too smooth, friendly, and forward with the love of his life. They may have been on friendly terms but Michel was protective of Khrys and would defend her no matter the situation. The idea of Michel beating the Emperor into a bloody heap on the floor made Dorian smile. Grinning like an idiot in front of everyone.

Khrys was as graceful as she always was and nodded respectfully at him. She could count on Gaspard; he was one of a handful of people she trusted completely. Now for the uncomfortable part of the meeting, the topic of her former lover Solas, the evil mastermind who wanted to sunder the world…again. Even after over a decade it was still uncomfortable for her to talk about him but she sucked it up and dealt with it. "Okay…," she breathed out a in a sigh, "Solas. Warden-Commander?"

Lydia wasn't expecting to lead off and had wandered from the table but her attention snapped back to them sharply with a 'huh'. She returned to her initial place and ignored Alistair's little chuckle as her son looked on probably getting an overwhelming onslaught of information even though it didn't seem like much at the moment. "So far scouting parties in the Deep Roads from Orzamaar to Griffon Wing have found five total Eluvians. Two were corrupted and dark, one was shattered, and the other two were overridden and are now a part of Morrigan's network."

"Bringing our total so far to 30," Morrigan put in, her resonating voice speaking for the first time that evening.

"We have seen no sign of Solas anywhere in the Deep Roads…not even his agents," Lydia continued and it was a moment of thought for everyone. "It's strange…four years ago you couldn't go 10 feet without tripping over one of his agents, now…nothing."

"It's simple," Khrys began, "what he wants isn't in the Deep Roads. He had his agents scour as much as they could so he's either looking for another way to somewhere he can't get to, or what he's looking for isn't in the Deep Roads," she finished, something else was bugging her though, still bugging her. "Speaking of a Solas sighting, have you heard from Sutherland?"

Her question was aimed at Charter, standing to her left on the other side of Cullen by Duncan. The red haired spymaster shook her head. "I sent ravens to agents in Antiva and Rivain; no one has seen or heard from Sutherland, Shayd, or Voth in months."

Khrys got that sinking feeling, something wasn't right. Sutherland was a good agent, he always had been and he was good about checking in. Something was wrong. "When I received your raven, I put my people across the Free Marches on alert, if they turn up we will inform you immediately." She heard Sebastian add.

Khrys returned his words with a smile and a nod of appreciation. "Charter," she began, something wasn't right, Sutherland had to be in trouble for him to go this long without sending up some sort of flare, "send a few people to look for them."

Charter nodded quietly as Khrys directed her attention to Cassandra, Lady of the Seekers; she took over for Lucius after his transfer to six feet under. To her right was a back haired man that most of Thedas knew, he had a reputation as an archer that rivaled Sebastian, and his name was Ashton Reyne. A smart mouthed, Ander-Orlesian Seeker who was Cassandra's second in command. The rumor mill around that was that he was also her lover but most were too damn scared of Cassandra to confirm that. The Seekers weren't exactly a power player but they aided in the pursuit of Solas as best that they could. They were mostly preoccupied with rebuilding the Templars and getting back to their original mandate. Leliana placed the Seekers in the Council to be the neutral party of the neutral party. Watching the watchers, they made sure the Inquisition remained neutral. Sometimes the pecking order of the council made Khrys' head hurt.

"I do not have anything to add that wasn't in my last letter to you, Inquisitor," Cassandra said, clear, plain, and proper…same old Cassandra. "No sign of Solas thus far. The spy Ashton managed to capture was a Viddathari, though we do not know why she was watching us."

The room looked to Bull who shrugged. "Don't look at me…they're gathering intel on you the same way you're gathering intel on them."

"I will update you when we know more, Inquisitor."

Duncan quietly observed the dynamic of the room. Given the heady group, the feel was more relaxed than what he thought it would be. He figured something like this would be more formal but it was literally just a meeting. He observed the players, Gaspard first, the Emperor was confidant and arrogant. He earned that though, the Emperor was a distinguished war veteran and still the best Chevalier in Orlais although his son may be ready to bump him off the top. The masks were strange to him though, an entire nation that preferred to wear masks in public was beyond odd. They looked goofy too, the ridiculous outfits and the designs of the masks didn't appeal to him. Jean patiently observed the room same as Duncan but because of the mask he wasn't sure who he was looking at, if anyone in particular.

Prince Sebastian was in his finest clothing and seemed to be on his best behavior, given the relationship between Anders and the Prince everything was running smoothly so far. Given the fact that Skyhold was on neutral ground, or Sanctuary, as he'd heard Anders call it, Sebastian had to play nice.

Duncan still couldn't believe he was standing here, among the most powerful people in Thedas. The Seeker and the Inquisition were professional and on point with their investigations, Khrys, Cullen, Charter, and Dorian monopolize the majority of the conversation at the moment.

"You're curiously quiet this time, Anders," he heard Khrys comment and the blonde apostate looked up and gave her a curious expression.

He smiled to her, a smile that nearly made Khrys blush. Anders was smooth and dashing…Khrys saw the appeal. The rebel mage was hard to ignore. "The last time I was here I apparently spoke too much…now not enough, please make up your mind, Khrys."

"That depends, do you have anything or not?" she asked and he chuckled softly.

"Along for the ride this time, Inquisitor," he replied with a smile. Khrys could definitely see the appeal that Tess fell for.


Jean was less wide eyed and awestruck than Duncan was, while he hadn't been to a meeting before, he'd been briefed and coached by his father for years about everything that went on. He'd been groomed as his successor since as far back as he could remember, and ever since he'd shown his battle prowess at 16 Gaspard had ramped up the education on how to be a ruler. The 19 year old Prince took in his surroundings; the people, the feel of the room…rulers, powerful orders, terrorists, agents…could be a fun meeting.

The Inquisitor was just as his father had always described, she was little but she had a presence. Calm, cool, collected, she had an air about her that was hard to deny. A commanding presence and she was without a doubt the one in charge. His main observation was Dorian; the magister obviously didn't like him. Jean knew all about his father's offer of marriage, he wasn't exactly thrilled about it but that all stopped when he met Bree. She was a delight, spirited and direct, he loved that in women. He didn't like the mousey noble daughters that he was constantly surrounded by. He blinked and stopped thinking about the raven haired beauty he danced with not long ago and returned to his observations of the Council.

Dorian didn't like him and in all honesty he couldn't blame him, Jean had a little sister and he was certain that both he and his father would carry the same suspicion Dorian had for someone courting Charlotte. Nobles didn't marry for love, or at the very least it was extremely rare, his father had been married twice. The first was arranged and the second was actually for love, Gaspard loved Lady Sabine or that's what he was always told…he never met his mother since she died bringing him into this world.

The Warden King and Queen were noteworthy for him also; those were two people that he'd been taught to be wary of. The lingering animosity between Fereldan and Orlais was hard to ignore, Orlais had invaded, and brutalized its people. Alistair, a goof to the point that people might think he was incompetent, but in reality King Alistair was a very good military commander. His father actually respected him but Jean felt better reserving his judgement for later. Lydia was a mage…that still didn't sit well for a lot of people, a mage ruling a kingdom. If he in fact married Bree then the same could be said or Orlais…my how the times had changed.

Sebastian Vael was another person he turned his attention to. The Starkhaven prince he had met a few times, he knew his exploits and his credentials. Jean had been warned that Sebastian's nemesis was also on the Council, Anders…the mage that started it all. Apparently, Council meetings with the two of them present usually resulted in an argument. Jean snorted and he continued to look over the room listening as jabs and jokes were traded among those around. His attention returned to the meeting fully when the Inquisitor spoke again.

"There is one more bit of business that needs to be addressed, it's not necessarily related to the Council but I have been asked to address it," Khrys said and looked across her table to Sebastian. "Everyone will remain to bear witness, this concerns Sebastian and Varric."

The room went silent to the point you could hear a pin drop. Varric blinked. "Holy shit," he thought, she's gonna do it.

"Sebastian, how long have you occupied Kirkwall?" she asked and Sebastian suddenly felt on the spot and faltered in his answer with a stammer before he got the whole thing out.

"20 years," he answered and heard a scoff from Anders.

"And you don't consider yourself a tyrant?" Anders asked with an irritating cackle.

Sebastian glared at him as Khrys scolded the mage. "Anders," she warned sharply.

"What? What would you call a man who has occupied a city for 20 years because of a monumental grudge?" Anders went on and Varric actually felt better than he had an ally in this. He and Anders were by no stretch friends but this was one thing that they actually agreed on.

"It's not a grudge," Sebastian hissed in return at the mage he hated so much. "You turned that city upside down; you destroyed it when you destroyed the Chantry. That city can barely function without my men maintaining order."

"Maintaining order?" Anders laughed. "Is that what you call it? I call it oppression…you taking your anger out on the city because you can't get to me...well…Brother Sebastian, here I am."

"That's enough!" Khrys barked loudly before Sebastian could rebuttal. "If I have to say that again, I'm gonna throw you both out." Sebastian fell silent as soon as she spoke but Anders contemplated testing her threat but caught his wife's familiar glare and thought twice. "Varric, you want Sebastian out of Kirkwall, I seem to remember a few years back he tried to do just that. He left and the city nearly destroyed itself again."

Varric was pleased he had an ally in this even if it did come in the form of Anders. Khrys was an ally too but he understood her need to balance the situation. "That won't happen this time."

"Ensure that it won't," Khrys said and Varric's mouth worked but nothing came out, she was taking a hardline with this probably because she was annoyed. Every year there was something about Kirkwall, more fighting, feuding, accusations that Sebastian was a tyrant.

"Kirkwall has no stable government; no one will accept the position of Viscount so the criminals try to take over every chance they get," Sebastian informed and Varric rolled his eyes.

"So forcing your men on the city is the answer?" Varric questioned. "Admit it, Anders is right…you're a tyrant with a grudge."

Sebastian was growing irritated with that word being tossed around. "The next person who calls me a tyrant will be missing my aid when they need it the most," He hissed his tone full of venom. He'd heard that people likened him to a tyrant; largely those people came out of Markham and Kirkwall. Sebastian wasn't kidding; he had no problem leaving this ungrateful bunch to burn when they came crawling to him for aid.

"Sebastian," Khrys warned but she could understand his irritation. He didn't appreciate the attacks on him. All he was trying to do was keep the Free Marches stable and safe but people didn't see it that way, all they saw was a Prince who took Wycome and executed it's Duke, invaded Kirkwall and still hadn't left, and took Markham by force to protect Ostwick.

"Apologies, Your Worship," he said quickly and collected himself again resuming the calm, collected demeanor he always had. Khrys forgave him with a nod and a sympathetic expression.

"Okay…Varric, I understand your frustration, 20 years is a long time," she began and Varric got this sinking feeling, he didn't like how that began, "we need to Free Marches stable and like it or not Kirkwall seems to be that key so here is my compromise: you accept the Viscount position, Sebastian, you will accept the change in power and withdraw slowly. Your men will help the city guard maintain order and provide whatever aid they need to make the power transition go smoothly. Sebastian, if all goes well I want you out of Kirkwall at the end of 6 months if not sooner," she declared her edict firmly as Sebastian and Varric looked at each other trying to decide if they were okay with this situation. "Can you both swallow that?"

Varric nodded slowly and Sebastian was a little more reluctant. "I can." Varric replied.

Sebastian's first thought was 'no' but he thought twice about this. "If that is your wish, Your Worship."

"Holy shit she pulled it off!" Varric laughed to himself. Sebastian would do whatever she told him to but it still counted it as a victory over the pious Prince.

Sebastian didn't know what to feel, Khrys was his ally and his friend, and she always understood his reasoning for doing what he did in the Free Marches. He couldn't help but take this personal, especially coming from Khrys of all people. He fumed quietly masking his offense about the whole thing. Anders had a point, but as hard as he tried he couldn't get the image of the Kirkwall Chantry being destroyed in the blink of eye out of his mind. All those people, Elthina, people who were completely innocent, gone with the firm stamp of a mage's staff.

His quiet fuming would probably be misconstrued as a sore loser, a tyrant pissed off that he lost a city but they would be wrong. The memories about what happened haunted him, the idea that he couldn't bring the person responsible to justice, and the insult to injury…that person was within striking distance. All he needed was his bow and a single arrow and the thousands dead because of Anders' hissy fit would be avenged.

Sebastian missed the last words of the meeting and didn't realize that he had until people began to disperse. He moved away and couldn't help but briefly lock eyes with Khrys although he said nothing.

Anders couldn't resist, Sebastian was quietly fuming like a child who lost his favorite toy. "Tyrant," he said bluntly and Sebastian paused in mid step. His teeth were going to crack if he clinched his jaw any tighter. His tightly controlled restraint was admirable, Anders gave him that.

Tess cursed and elbowed her husband. "You just can't help yourself can you?" she asked and Anders shrugged but got the message from her glare, 'shut up or I'll kill you myself'. His shrug would have been more believable if he wasn't chuckling the whole time.

Cullen flanked Khrys with Dorian on her other side. "That went better than expected," Cullen commented and Khrys smiled slightly.

"Any meeting that doesn't end in bloodshed is one in the win column," Dorian added and she snorted as she eyed Sebastian and Anders. She wasn't sure what new mess she had unleashed between Starkhaven and Kirkwall or between Anders, Sebastian, and Varric. It would be interesting to see but to be frank; it was about time Sebastian let Kirkwall stand on its own no matter his feelings toward it or the man he was actually hunting.

Khrys let them move ahead of her as she called to Sebastian. She needed to talk to him to make sure her friend and ally was going to remain that way. "Sebastian."

The Prince stopped and turned toward her, the tense expression he had was enough for her to realize that he wasn't thrilled about this. "Inquisitor." He regarded and she raised her eyebrows to that. He usually called her something religious, Herald or Worship but not usually just 'Inquisitor' in a tightly curt tone.

"It's not personal, Sebastian." She assured looking up at him.

He didn't doubt that. "I never said it was, Inquisitor." He replied but his tone was anything but his typical soft and kind one.

Khrys scoffed. "Then why do you sound like you're ready to kill me, Anders, and Varric?" she asked and he set his jaw again.

"I promise you Kirkwall will fall apart." His tone was blunt and serious but it was hard to tell if he was speaking from the command experience or the vendetta that drove him.

"You don't know that." She replied flatly and saw the calm controlled Prince's face fall to what could only be described as sardonic.

"I do and it will."

"Then I'll deal with it if it comes to that."

"You mean I'll deal with it." He snapped and she sighed as he closed his mouth regretting his tone with her. "I apologize, Herald, I am as always, at your service."

His words would have been more convincing if she could literally hear him grinding his teeth. She could understand his irritation but she trusted him to use common sense. Sebastian turned and began to walk away irritated with the topic of Kirkwall. "Sebastian." She called and heard the Prince stop and turn toward her with a huff.

"I am a man of my word, My Lady Herald; I will honor your edict." He said giving her a bow before leaving. Truer words were never spoken; Sebastian kept his word no matter what it was. He vowed to avenge his family, retake his birthright, take Kirkwall, and hunt Anders down. With the exception of bringing Anders to justice Sebastian was doing pretty well. Khrys sighed, satisfied with his words and took a minute before following everyone else back onto the main hall.