How, in fuck's sake, did Sili manage to get herself into messes like this? The Winter Palace was something she hoped she wouldn't have to do in a long time... if ever again. Tonight was beyond chaotic and Sili was finally catching her breath as she leaned against the railing. Morrigan had slowly walked away, leaving the Inquisitor, Desilinaris Lavellan, alone with her thoughts.
First, just getting to the event and hearing whispers of her being an elf and such a blasphemes notion. Then meeting up with Gaspard and choosing every word with caution and weight, but somehow she managed that with some ease, especially with Celene.
Then, wandering around and finding out all the dirty secrets, which she preferred over the gossip and talk. Briala's schemes, Gaspard's duplicity, and Celene's fondness of her lover... that one of all three was, in some regard, the nicest and more honest of anything she had seen tonight.
Oh wait... there was Grand Duchess Florianne, Gaspard's sister. She had tried to turn the Inquisition against Gaspard, but Sili found out that it was Florianne who was working with Corypheus and the Venatori. Florianne was the agent that was responsible for Celene's assassination and cause the chaos in Orlais.
Sili was still disgusted by the fact that Leliana, Cullen, and a small part of Josephine were willing to let Celene die. Stating that it would help Thedas if she were removed, but Sili wouldn't allow it to happen willingly. That was part of the Game that she hated... calculating the benefits of someone's life or death.
By the end of the night, Florianne was in custody and the three others agreed to a truce. Sili had to blackmail everyone of them, but it was worth it to her, it kept people alive and from her travels around Orlais, she knew that each of them had loyalists to calm.
"There you are! Everyone's been looking for you." Cullen called from behind her, causing her to jump a little, "Things have calmed down for the moment. Are you alright?"
What could she say, but Sili really wasn't sure she wanted company right now, "I'm just worn out. Tonight has been... very long." Sili settled on, looking from the countryside to Cullen, giving him a small smile.
"For all of us." He agreed, "I'm glad it's over. I know it's foolish, but I was worried for you tonight."
Sili stared at Cullen in disbelief. Why would he be worried about her, the fighting was the easiest thing she had done tonight.
"I may never have another chance like this, so I must ask." Cullen said, changing the subject and walking into the middle of the balcony, "May I have this dance, my lady."
Sili smiled, the mirth reaching her tired eyes, "Of course. I thought you didn't dance?" Sili said, taking Cullen's hand.
"For you, I'll try." Cullen said as began to lead.
They dance maybe only fifteen minutes before the music stopped. Leliana and Josephine greeted them as they made their way back into the ballroom, watching as other guests were heading into the Vestibule to leave.
"That is our cue as well. We need to get back to Skyhold and start planning for our fight with Corypheus." Leliana stated with a smile, "Now that we have Orlais as our allies."
Back at Skyhold, their caravan arrived around mid-morning. One would have thought Skyhold had been attacked by the way all of advisors were 'greeted' by their agents. Sili dismissed everyone; advisor and companion alike, as Master Dennett and a few of his stable-hands dealt with the caravan and horses. Sili thanked them before heading off herself.
She had been walking the grounds, making her way up to the Grand Hall, when she came upon Josephine and someone from the Chantry. By the way the Antivan woman looked, whoever the woman was, she was being aggravated.
"The matter is urgent, Lady Josephine." The woman stated.
"I am well aware of that, Revered Mother." Josephine shot back.
"We need them to return to Val Royeaux as soon as possible. There are ceremonies-ordinations. Maker's mercy!" The Revered Mother exasperated.
"That's quite impossible at the moment." Josephine shot back, "However, I will see to this matter as soon as possible."
"My Lady Inquisitor. Please, may I have a word with you?" Sili had decided to walk by, possible to relieve Josephine, but the Revered Mother was going to beg her now.
"Just when you've solved one crisis, another springs up to take its place." Sili jabbed, already hearing part of the conversation and knowing this woman wasn't taking a hint.
"I am sorry to place this burden on your shoulders, but you are the only one who can help. With the political turmoil put to rest, our mind turn to a single question: the next Divine. We cannot answer it without the left and right hands of Divine Justinia V." The Revered Mother explained.
"I have already told you, Revered Mother: Lady Leliana and Seeker Cassandra cannot be spared from their duties." Josephine countered, but Sili could see her seething behind her mask of composure.
"But surely with the support of the Empire, the Inquisition will not be harmed by the loss of just two souls?" The Mother shot back.
"Why do you need Leliana and Cassandra?" Sili asked. Yes she had explained that they couldn't answer the successor of the last Divine without the 'Hands', but both had been nearly denied any recognition from the Church, both labeled heretics, until now...
"They were her Holiness's most trusted advisors. They represent her legacy, her hopes for peace in Thedas. They could rally the Grand Clerics to follow as no candidate from the clergy are able to." the Mother tried to explain, "They were her friends and our late Divine is still held in high esteem. To honor her, the Grand Clerics might support one of them as successor."
So the truth finally came out. That was why the Church really wanted them. They were to be amongst the candidates to succeed Divine Justinia V, after all they had done. The Chantry was seeing how much power and influence the Inquisition and those that were at the forefront really had, "How long would they be gone?" Sili settled on.
"Several months, but if one of them is crowned Divine... she would not be returning to the Inquisition." The Revered Mother replied, a smug tone hinted her voice.
The Inquisitor settled on the best response she could, "Leliana and Cassandra would have to make that decision for themselves."
"And they certainly will. At a later date." Josephine added, a hint of her own 'got you' voice, "The Inquisitor has only just returned and has important business to attend to. You must excuse us, Revered Mother."
The Revered Mother shot both of them a look before bowing. Taking her leave, she still gave Sili a scorned looked as she passed. Sili bowed respectfully as she passed, ignoring the glare as if she didn't notice.
"Do not let this dampen your victory at Halamshiral. You have dealt Corypheus a major blow. Now, we just have to deal with the Wardens, which Varric is waiting for. He really wants to go help his friend, Hawke." Josephine said, a smile spreading across her face.
"Are Cassandra and Leliana up for Divine?" Sili asked.
"Yes, but with the Venatori, Corypheus, and the end of World... that will be the last of their concerns." Josephine tried to ease Sili's worries, "Once you've dealt with the Warden problem, we will plan our next move against Corypheus." She added, bowing her head slightly and heading back to her desk.
Sili stood there, watching the Antivan walk up the stairs and into the main hall of Skyhold. She was actually lost at that moment. Her 'so-called' victory had been tainted, but now she felt as if it were being burned in front of her.
"Inquisitor?" The voice of a half worried Scout Harding asked from behind, "You look like you could use a drink..."
"Maybe... why not." Sili replied with a hallow laugh.
Harding ignored her tone and lead her into Herald's Rest and right to Cabot. The dwarven bartender had a few mugs of ale ready as the women sat at the bar. They raised their mugs to one another before downing the contents in one gulp. Sili felt the alcohol hit her stomach and by the Creators, it felt good. The two talked quietly over another round, about the Inquisition and what was the next step.
Sili explained that the Inquisition's next move was to lay siege to Adamant Fortress, "We are on the attack this time, so if you want in, you need to speak with Commander Cullen." Sili explained.
"I think I will stay with what I am good at, but I will talk to Leliana. See if there is something that she requires of me." Harding tilted her mug towards Sili before finishing it off.
Sili nodded her thanks, slowly finishing her ale as Harding left the tavern, but she wasn't alone long. The Iron Bull came up besides her and just gestured for her to follow. Sili followed without question as he lead her back to his hang out. She was a little surprised to see Varric and Dorian there, but knew what this meant.
No titles, formalities, anything... just friends drinking, telling stories, and Sili loved this. When she felt more... grounded. Desilinaris Lavellan wasn't the Herald of Andraste, the Inquisitor, or anything else. She was just... Miss Sili.
"Marvelous business, the Winter Palace." Dorian said as Sili sat beside them, "Saving the day, reconciling lovers, mediating a civil war... so sugary, it's nauseating. All the dancing, politics and murder makes me a bit homesick." The mage sighed before taking a large gulp from his mug.
"You... miss that?" Sili asked.
"Who wouldn't? All the drama, the scandal, the petty maneuverings." Dorian shrugged, "Back home, we engage in social affairs with the grim intensity if war. When blood is spilled, the battle is won. Less fun when you're the target, but to watch? My, yes."
Sili looked to Varric and Bull for some hint that what Dorian was talking about was just near insane, but they were acting as if they agreed with him, "I will let you have all that then, Ser." Sili settled, tilting her mug towards him.
"I hope you tried the ham they were serving by the way. Tasted of despair. Fascinating." Dorian laughed, "What's wrong Varric?"
"I need to have a few words with my publisher. The first one will be you and second will be bastard." Varric sighed, rubbing his face, "They've claimed for years that my crime serials don't sell in Orlais. So why is the Council of Heralds asking me for autographs?" Varric asked them.
"Let us know how that works out." Bull stated, turning to Sili, "You know, I've got no problem with Orlesians, but Halamshiral was a mess. At least under the Qun, you don't get everyone tripping over each other's dicks while the country goes to crap."
"I know and believe me, some days I really hate politics." Sili replied with a drink.
"You've got a crappy job, then, Boss." Iron Bull laughed.
Cole suddenly appeared next to Sili with a confused look. Sili knew that one, where Cole truly looked like a young child trying to figure out the world, "I didn't understand the Grand Ball. It would have been easier if they said what they wanted."
"That's just them, but what did you think of the masks, Cole?" Varric asked.
"What masks?" Cole replied, "Those weren't their real faces?"
No one knew how to answer that besides trying to hide their smirks.
After a few more drinks, Sili decided it was time to meet with the advisors before lunch. She went up and thought checking in on Sera would be a good idea. She had been at her best behavior even though it had been hard. Walking around the stairs and to Sera's room, Sili noted that the door was shut.
"One for the Empress." Thud. "Gaspard." Thud "Briala." Thud. The Duchess." Thud. "And Coryphefuss, right in the dangle-bag!"
An arrow tip burst through the door, right next to Sili's nose, "Creators! Remind me to stay on your good side..."
"Don't worry, you're sparkling compared to that lot." Sera laughed, letting Sili into her room.
The two elven women sat on some cushions, "A cook here, a footman there. What's it matter, so long as there's a butt for the throne? A pretty one, sure. But how many lives are worth one Empress's arse?" Sera asked, waving her hands in emphasis, "That place... Should have just thrown in some bees and slammed the doors."
"No, I think earwigs would be better." Sili laughed.
"EW... I hate those things, with their little pinchy butts!" Sera replied with a laugh herself, then got a look in her eyes, "Josephine should add that to her paper threats!"
Then Sera got serious, "You know the real lesson from all this? Never sleep with an Empress. We patched their spat, Briala and the Celene. But without their breakup, none of it would have happened like that."
"This was their mistake and made the whole thing worse." Sili nodded as she stood.
"Wrong way around, it started worse. Lots of people died before there was a hole in the sky. That's who you're saving. If you get a chance, maybe remind them not to be idiots." Sera stated as Sili nodded and left...
