Chapter 6: Diplomatic Immunity
Marcus tugged uncomfortably at the high collar of his red and gold-trimmed dress uniform as he lead a small column of mounted Inquisition troops down Val Royeaux's main thoroughfare. It seemed to him that half the city had turned out to line the streets. Orlesian soldiers stood at attention, men cheered and saluted, women waved and called his name, and children threw brightly colored flowers along his path. The crowd in all its finery set against the background of the gilded towers of the Orlesian Empire's capital made quite the spectacle.
"Incredible," Marcus murmured. Riding next to him, bedecked in his own formal attire, Cullen turned his head slightly and raised an eyebrow.
"How so, Inquisitor?" he asked.
"I'm just remembering the first time I came to this city," Marcus commented with a shake of his head. "The people couldn't get out of my way fast enough. Some of them actually threw stones at me, now they're throwing flowers." Cullen gave a rare chuckle.
"You were a rebel back then," the Commander said, "A dangerous heretic who threatened to overturn the establishment. Now you're a hero, the man who saved the world." Cullen shrugged. "The temper of the masses is fickle, you should know that by now. There's a chance that by the time we leave this city, their opinion of you may have changed drastically." Cullen looked up at the tall spires of the Grand Cathedral as they passed under its arch. "A good chance," he added grimly.
Marcus clenched his jaw and gripped the reins a little tighter. Cullen wasn't wrong. As far as the people in the streets knew, the Inquisition had the official backing of the Empire and the Chantry, both of which had placed mind-boggling bounties on Solas' head. Now he was here to inform Divine Victoria, the head of the Chantry and spiritual leader of all the Andrastian faithful that the most dangerous man in Thedas was under the Inquisition's protection, and their partner in fighting…
What, exactly? Marcus still hadn't worked out how he was going to explain that. An army that had yet to materialize, a villain that he couldn't even put a name or a face to, nothing but the vague promise of danger to come. And what proof did he have? Only the word of the man who had unleashed the Breach upon the world, betrayed the Inquisition, torn off Marcus' own arm, and intended to rip down the Veil and destroy the world as they knew it. That, and the uneasy feeling in Marcus' own gut, and the mad whisperings in the back of his mind. Vivienne was never going to believe him.
Victoria, Marcus reminded himself as he dismounted in the courtyard of the Grand Cathedral. The Most Holy, Divine Victoria. She had been elevated to the Sunburst Throne in no small part due to the Inquisition's efforts. While he never considered them to be friends, Marcus at least felt there was a mutual respect between them. Yet he harbored no illusions that their personal history guaranteed Victoria's support. As Divine, she had been as calculating and cold a strategist as she had ever been. Three revolts had erupted in response to her coronation, on account of her being a mage, and all three had been crushed with ruthless efficiency. She had reinstated the Circles of Magi and the Templar Order, and kept both factions on a short leash that was fastened securely to the Sunburst Throne. She was without a doubt one of the most powerful people in all of Thedas, and one that was not afraid to use her power liberally. Marcus truly had no idea what the outcome of this meeting would be. If the Inquisition lost the Chantry as an ally, Orlais and Ferelden would likely follow suit. Then they would be rebels and heretics once more.
The Inquisition honor-guard remained standing at attention in the courtyard as Marcus and Cullen climbed the wide steps to the Cathedral's doors.
"We're going to have to kiss her ring again, aren't we?" asked Cullen with obvious distaste. Marcus snorted a chuckle in response.
"If she helps us, I'll lick her whole bloody arm," he said. Cullen looked at him without the slightest hint of amusement on his face.
"Are you sure you still want to do this?" he asked. Marcus nodded.
"We need the Chantry's support in this," he said. "The kingdoms of Thedas must face this threat together, and the Chantry is still the best vehicle we have to promote that kind of unity. We have to convince Viv…Victoria, that Solas' warning has merit." Cullen made a face as though he had swallowed something unpleasant.
"Of course, I just wish I was convinced it had merit."
Marcus didn't have time to reply before they reached the top of the stairs and were met by a group of brightly attired priests and lay-sisters. They escorted Marcus and Cullen through the Cathedral to the throne room. They halted at the doorway and a herald announced their presence.
"Presenting the right-honorable Ser Marcus Trevelyan of Ostwick, Inquisitor, Herald of Andraste, Lord Steward of Skyhold, and the Honorable Ser Cullen Rutherford of Ferelden, Knight-Captain of the Templar Order, Seneschal of Skyhold and Marshal of the Inquisition."
The two men looked at each other and Marcus shrugged at the titles as Cullen failed at suppressing a scowl of annoyance. The two were then ushered into the presence of the Divine. She sat on the Sunburst Throne arrayed in all the finery and symbols of authority her station demanded. She was flanked by several attendants, one of which Marcus looked to with a smile and a nod. Leliana returned the nod and favored Marcus with a small smile of her own, but he observed that there was no warmth in it. Cullen noticed as well and glanced at Marcus out of the corner of his eye. He looked around the chamber at the dozen Templars standing at attention along the walls. Nothing but an honor-guard for the Divine, but something about the tension in their shoulders gave Marcus pause. He looked up at Victoria perched on the Sunburst Throne, her face a stoic mask. Marcus and Cullen bowed deeply.
"Most Holy," Marcus said respectfully. Victoria gave a small snort and waved her hand dismissively.
"Let us dispense with the formalities and titles, my dear." Marcus frowned and raised an eyebrow.
"You always insisted that formalities and titles were important," he said.
"Indeed they are," Victoria said, "But in our present circumstances, I would prefer to get to the point. You come to Val Royeaux with dire news I believe?"
"Indeed," Marcus said cautiously, "A situation has arisen that must be discussed. Perhaps in private?" Marcus asked, glancing at the Templar guards lining the room.
"So your letter stated," Victoria said. "Perhaps you are here to discuss why the traitor Solas is in your custody, still breathing, and totally bereft of chains?" Marcus tensed and felt a cold, sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He looked at Leliana, she was standing at the Divine's left hand. She met his gaze for a moment and then looked at the ground. Marcus felt his heart sink.
"You knew!" Cullen said, "We rode all the way here, and you already knew!"
"Of course I knew, my dear," Victoria said with a cold smile. "Did you learn nothing from that debacle at Val Chevin? Spies are everywhere, and as I'm sure you know, my spymaster is the best." Cullen glared at Leliana and made to take a step forward, but halted as the gauntleted fists of the Templars gripped their swords. Marcus stepped in front of Cullen and held out his hand.
"Please, Vivienne, just hear me out. Solas came to us under a flag of truce, he came back to warn us, he didn't have to, but he did. Thedas is in terrible danger."
"Danger?" Victoria asked, her eyes going wide. "Why I certainly agree, Thedas has been in danger for some time. In danger of the machinations of Solas."
"No!" insisted Marcus, "There is something else, something is coming!"
"And what might that be?"
"I…I don't know!" Marcus stuttered. "An army, a conqueror, a being of power known as the Dragonborn."
"The dragonborn?" Victoria asked with a raised eyebrow, "An army you say? And pray tell, how do you know of this army? This conqueror?" Marcus felt his arms go limp at his sides as he bowed his head.
"Solas told me," he whispered. Victoria nodded slowly and leaned forward. "But I have felt it as well!" he said, "The whispers, the voices from the Well, they've come back, they're trying to warn me!" Victoria sighed and tapped the arm rest of her throne.
"Marcus, my dear, you are unwell," she said with what might have been genuine compassion. "Solas is quite powerful, I believe he may have ensorcelled you." Anger flashed in Marcus' eyes and his hand balled into a fist.
"I am a mage," he said hoarsely, "I am not under any enchantment!"
"That remains to be seen," Victoria said as she stood. "I am sorry Marcus, but until we can ascertain what Solas' designs are, you and Commander Cullen will remain here under the protection of the Chantry."
"What!?" yelled Marcus.
"You cannot do that!" insisted Cullen.
"I can, and I will," said Victoria. "At this moment, a regiment of Templars, Seekers, and Circle mages are en-route to Skyhold to take custody of Solas. When they return, we will untangle this web and Solas will stand trial for his crimes. Until then, you shall remain here." Marcus felt numb. He couldn't believe what was happening, she had not even given him a chance to explain.
"You are overstepping your bounds, Vivienne!" Cullen said defiantly, "He is the Inquisitor! The Inquisition has diplomatic immunity, as agreed upon by treaty of all the monarchs in southern Thedas! You cannot detain us here!"
"Am I a monarch of Thedas?" Victoria asked with an edge of steel in her voice. "The Inquisition retains its authority as defenders of the faithful, a responsibility which rests ultimately with the Chantry! Marcus Trevelyan has demonstrated that he is unfit for duty, as have you, Commander, by not relieving him sooner!"
Cullen shook his head in bewilderment and looked to Marcus, but he was no longer listening. The whispers in the back of his mind had grown to a roar. He sank to his knees and gripped his forehead.
"Marcus!" Cullen rushed to his side, taking him by the arm and lifting him back to his feet. A look of concern flashed across Victoria's face for an instant before her calm reasserted itself.
"Guards," she said, "Escort them to their chambers, and send for a healer to tend to the Inquisitor." Several Templars stepped forward and Cullen went for his sword with one hand while trying to prop Marcus up with the other. The Templars stopped short, some of them half-drawing their own swords.
"Sir," one of them said, "Please." Cullen looked at the man's face, his expression softened, and he released his grip on his hilt.
"Help me," Cullen said grimly. The Templar nodded and slid Marcus' other arm over his shoulder. As they carried him toward the door, Marcus' head suddenly snapped up. He broke free of Cullen and the Templar and spun to face Victoria.
"You will rue this!" Marcus yelled. The Templars jumped back in alarm and bared their steel. Flame was flickering in Marcus' open palm and his eyes flashed with an insane focus.
"Marcus, don't!" Cullen cried. For a tense moment, the Inquisitor and the Divine locked eyes across the room. Templars stood poised with swords raised, channeling their power into their blades as the flame in Marcus' hand grew hotter. Marcus took a deep breathe, closed his hand, and extinguished the flame.
"You will listen to me," he said intensely. "The time will come very soon when you will listen to me." A Templar moved forward to take him by the arm, but Marcus halted him with a glare, turned, and strode out of the room. The guards followed him warily, their swords down but not sheathed. The last stayed by Cullen, who paused before leaving and looked over his shoulder.
"I hope he's wrong," Cullen said quietly, "But what if he's not?" Cullen left with the final Templar, leaving Victoria and Leliana alone in the throne room. The two women exchanged glances as Victoria silently sat back down in the Sunburst Throne. Marcus' eyes still shone bright in her mind, and she felt a dangerous feeling crawling up her spine.
Doubt.