PART THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

"Vhenan," Solas greeted Myra as she snaked her arms around his waist.

She smirked and kissed his neck. Looking at the wall before them, she saw the beginnings of a painting decorating the space. The Orlesian masks gave away the scene immediately.

"You're painting Halamshiral?"

"I am."

"You seem to be missing a vital part."

"And what part would I be missing?"

Myra could hear the smirk in his voice. He knew, he just wanted her to say it. "Set down your paintbrush and I'll remind you."

Solas paused his painting to give her a sideways gaze. Myra smirked.

"A tempting offer," he returned to painting.

"How tempting?"

"Very."

A hard thunk.

"Ow!" Myra cried. She looked down to see her assailant was a book, most likely thrown by the same Tevinter mage making blanching noises the floor above them.

"Get a room!" Dorian cried.

"Stop eavesdropping and we'd have one!" Myra called up to him.

Dorian poked his head over the railing.

"Why a book?" Myra picked it up off the floor.

"It's Swords and Shields."

"Varric's?"

Varric cried from his chair outside Solas's study. "Quit throwing my books!"

"It's Swords and Shields!" Myra called.

"…Carry on."

Myra turned back to Solas. Her eyes twinkled with mischief. "It sounds like we need a room, then."

"Perhaps." Solas set down his paintbrush.

The second chapter of Swords and Shields fell from above.

"Dorian!" Myra cried.

"Room!"

"So long as you close the door, I'm fine," Varric piped in. "I can even pen a 'Do Not Disturb' sign."

"Varric, you sick bastard!" Dorian called. He was coming down the stairs.

"Oh, come on, Sparkler, let the kids have their fun."

"I am hardly a child," Solas murmured.

Myra laughed.

"So," Dorian sauntered down the steps and lounged on the couch, much to Solas's distaste. "Empress Celene and Briala are reunited, and now the clerics argue amongst themselves over who becomes the next Divine. Personally, these politics are giving me a dreadful headache."

"It is rather fortunate you are not involved, then," Solas said, a tinge of venom in his voice.

Myra frowned at him and moved to sit next to her best friend. "Who do you think I should pick for Divine?"

"I'll tell you one thing," Dorian turned his head, smirking at her. "Vivienne would certainly be the most fashionable."

Myra laughed. "The Orlesians would fawn over her."

"Leliana is the only hope for mages," Solas said. "Though the mage's freedom would come at a price, given her ruthless nature."

"She does what needs to be done," Myra said. "It's a thankless job, but she doesn't do it for anyone's approval."

Solas cast a knowing smile her way. "You see yourself in her."

"A real shocker with how you played the so-called 'Game,'" Dorian winked at her.

Myra twisted her mouth thoughtfully. "The 'Game' was a great deal of fun. Did I really seem that different?"

"Immensely so," Dorian waved his hands grandiosely. "Your mask was so impenetrable, I barely recognized you as my expressive best friend."

"Solas?" Myra looked at him, hoping to hear his commendations as well.

"You know my feelings on the matter," Solas replied rather enigmatically.

He loved it.

"I've always been curious: what is your sex life like?"

"Dorian!" Myra flushed.

"No, really? Sera thinks it involves some sort of 'elven glory' ritual."

"She's mentioned that."

"Did you ever do it in the forest?"

"I am not Dalish," Solas interjected.

"No," Myra said.

"I'll get you to spill everything with a couple shots of whiskey." Dorian elbowed her.

Myra sighed. "That you will."

"Is he old enough to start having problems with—"

Solas stopped painting. "I believe we've heard enough from Dorian, haven't we, Inquisitor?"

"Sorry, Dorian." Myra said. "Seems you've lost your visitation privileges."

"I deserved it this time," Dorian laughed and stood up. He walked to the stairs to the library. "But, you and I have some interesting things to talk about tonight."

"Meet you in the tavern at dusk?"

"Wouldn't miss it," Dorian waved his hand in a sassy salute to Solas. "Farewell, apostate hobo."

"Hm?" Solas said, looking at Dorian. "Sorry, I couldn't hear you over the loudness of your outfit."

Dorian faked a pained look. Myra sensed his distaste from downstairs, but tried her best to ignore it. Dorian had crossed a line, she couldn't imagine Solas would be happy. She prepared for the worst.

"I'm sorry for his behavior," Myra said, twisting her betrothal ring.

Solas chuckled a bit. "You say that as if you are personally responsible."

"I certainly didn't stop him."

"It is not your job to stop him. His actions are his own." Solas continued painting. "I understand what you see in him. 'Din'Arlathan,' as you once told me." Solas shook his head as he painted the night sky in a dark, dark blue.

Myra frowned. "Do you mourn Arlathan?"

Solas stopped painting for a moment. Then, he continued. "The Elven Empire had its faults, but it is sad to see what took its place is no better. That slavery still exists."

"It is sad, but it's not Dorian's fault." She stared back at his painting. The night sky was finished now and the Orlesians stood unreadable behind their masks. "When are you going to paint us?" Myra asked.

"The hour of your victory, of course," Solas said. He cleaned up his paints. "Picture this, a brilliant night sky, the balcony of Skyhold, and us, together."

"That sounds wonderful," Myra said. She paused in thought. "What do you think will become of the Inquisition after Corypheus?"

"I believe that is up to you to decide, my Lady Inquisitor," Solas teased.

"You know what I mean."

Solas gave her a look. "I could say the same." Solas stood and walked to her. He snaked his arms around her waist and held her close. "I am not a seer, I cannot tell you. The future is unknown."

"But what should it do?"

"It depends on what you wish from it. Power will remain in your hands after you defeat Corypheus. What would you use that power for?"

"The same thing I've always done: what's right, no matter the cost."

Solas chuckled a bit. "The fate of Thedas dependent on your conscience?"

"Yes," Myra said. "Hahren ma ghilani."

Solas smiled and kissed her forehead. Then, his expressions turned sad. "Da'len, what if things…don't happen as they should?"

"What do you mean?" Myra asked.

"If you try, and things don't work in the way you intended," Solas said. "What then?"

"Then, I'll take a deep breath, rethink things, and start over. I want to build a better future, Solas. It can't be how it is now, with people killing each other and demons falling out of the sky."

"You are correct," Solas said. "And thank you, da'len, for your idealism, your drive to better. You give me hope for the future." He kissed her.

Myra smiled into the kiss. "As do you."

A week later, Cullen finished leading the troops, Josephine, and prisoner of the Inquisition, ex-Duchess Florianne, to Skyhold. Empress Celene had turned over the ex-Duchess to the Inquisition for judgment. Myra ruled to make the ex-Duchess a jester. Sera got a kick out of that one. Now, Myra headed to the War Room with Josephine for the first meeting following Halamshiral.

"A rather amusing ruling," Josephine commented as they left the throne room.

"I thought so," Myra said.

Morrigan waited in the hallway outside the War Room. Myra smiled in greeting and Morrigan nodded back. They entered the War Room.

Cullen and Leliana were already updating the War Table. Myra felt her heart flutter as Cullen looked up at her. Their gazes rested on each other for a time.

"Welcome back," Myra said. I missed you.

"It's good to be back," Cullen said. I missed you too.

The moment ended.

"Allow me to introduce Lady Morrigan," Myra said, "Arcane Advisor to Empress Celene."

"Previously," Morrigan corrected. "It appears I am now Arcane Advisor to the Inquisition."

"We would be remised to not accept your aid," Josephine said.

"Lady Morrigan and I spent some time on the road talking. She is an expert on elven lore and the arcane arts, and personally I am eager for her advisement."

"Quite the welcome," Morrigan smirked.

"Leliana," Myra said, "any updates?"

"Since you foiled Corypheus's plans in both Adamant and the Winter Palace, he has focused his forces toward the Arbor Wilds."

"The Arbor Wilds?" Cullen pointed to it on the map. "What could he possibly want there?"

"My agents say there are elven ruins in the Wilds. Perhaps he seeks an artifact," Leliana said.

Morrigan tsk'ed. "The Wilds do not take kindly to visitors."

"Please, Lady Morrigan," Josephine said, "lend us your expertise."

Morrigan smiled at the Lady Ambassador. "I believe I know what Corypheus seeks." Morrigan turned to Myra. "It would be far easier to show you."

Myra nodded and went to follow her out of the War Room.

"Myra?" Cullen stopped her on the way out of the War Room. "Hold a moment?"

"What is it, Cullen?" Myra asked.

"I will be in the gardens when you are ready, Inquisitor," Morrigan said and left.

Cullen waited until the door closed behind her. "Myra, she is an apostate," Cullen said.

"As am I."

"That's not what I mean," Cullen shook his head. "Something doesn't seem right about her."

"I agree," Leliana said. "I have dealt with her before, she is a snake."

"She is power-hungry," Myra said. "But that is not because she is an apostate." And with that, Myra left the War Room, following Morrigan into the gardens.

Morrigan led her inside an empty room. A large mirror stood at the far end of the room.

Myra approached it in awe. "These engravings…this is an elven artifact."

"Indeed," Morrigan said. "It is called an eluvian. It—"

"Can aid in communication across long distances, or so Merrill of the Sabrae clan thought last time we spoke." Myra ran her fingertips over the glass. "There's no reflection…How does it work?"

"Each eluvian needs a key to unlock it. The key could be a phrase, knowledge, skill, power… I hold the key for this one." Morrigan murmured a few words and her hand glowed bright blue. The eluvian responded, the glass glowing bright blue. Morrigan touched her fingertips to the shimmering portal. The portal rippled like a pond. The Arcane Advisor beckoned Myra to follow. Awing, Myra stepped in after her.

On the other side of the eluvian lay a massive expanse with thousands of dead eluvians…a Crossroads, of sorts. All these dim doorways, Myra mourned.

"I believe Corypheus seeks to use an eluvian to enter the Fade," Morrigan said.

"Then we must stop him," Myra said.

They headed back to Skyhold.

Another Chantry service passed. Fennec held Myra and Cullen's hands as they exited into Skyhold's gardens. Lady Morrigan gave her an odd look and motioned her over.

Cullen sighed. "What does she want?"

"Probably just to talk," Myra said.

"Who's that boy with her?" Fennec asked, pointing.

"That's Keeran, her son," Myra said.

Cullen blinked a few times as the information processed.

Myra giggled. "Something wrong?"

"I…simply didn't take her for the mothering-type."

"She seems to have raised him well."

Fennec shifted restlessly. "I kinda wanna tackle him."

"Let's get past introductions first," Myra said, petting Fennec's hair. She and Fennec began walking towards Morrigan and Keeran only for Cullen to stop them.

"Wait."

Myra turned around and cocked her head. Cullen looked down at his feet and shuffled them around.

"There's something I want to give you," he said. "Before I leave for the Arbor Wilds."

"Cullen…"

"Humor me," Cullen said.

Myra bit her lip but nodded. She headed back to Cullen. He placed a small gold coin in her hand. "My brother gave this to me before I left for my Templar Training. I left everything behind but this." He closed her hand with his. "It's for luck."

Myra smiled at him. It was a sad smile. She knew what the coin meant to him, and what it meant for him to give it to her. He cares. "Thank you."

Cullen nodded. "The Inquisition needs its Inquisitor to survive. I won't let Haven happen again."

"I know you won't," Myra said.

She felt a familiar trill in the air. The trill that came when they touched. The trill, waiting for resolution. Her heart fluttered as she looked into his eyes. The rest of the world faded, and for a moment, she wondered if they could be.

"Myra, come on, I wanna tackle him," Fennec whined, tugging at her robes.

The moment ended. Myra shook her head laughing a bit. "Yes, you will get to tackle him, my child." She turned back to Cullen. "Dareth shiral, ma falon."

"What does that mean?" Cullen asked.

"It means 'Safe travels, my friend.'" Myra bowed her head. "Do not forget, the Inquisition needs its Commander too." Please don't be reckless. I need you safe. Please, by Mythal's grace, return him to me.

Cullen nodded and left her.

Myra headed over to Morrigan and Keeran.

"It is rather curious you waste time with such idle fantasies," the Arcane Advisor said as she approached.

"It brings the little one comfort," Myra said, petting Fennec's hair. The child had hidden in her robes. As she peeked at Keeran, her face flushed bright red. The boy looked quizzically at the girl, then up at Morrigan, as if for guidance.

"This is my daughter, Fennec," Myra said. "She's a bit shy around strangers."

"Keeran did not have many chances for interaction with other children in the Orlesian Court," Morrigan said.

Keeran looked at Fennec. "Her blood is young…" He looked to Myra, "But yours is old."

"Pardon?" Myra asked.

"Run along, Keeran," Morrigan said quickly. "You have your studies, yes?"

"Yes, Mother," Keeran said. He made to the guest quarters. Fennec trembled a bit then bolted after him.

"I assume preparation for the Arbor Wilds are well in order for you to take the time for such fanatical dribble," Morrigan said.

"From what you told me, is there ever a way to fully prepare for the Wilds?"

Morrigan plucked a stray hair from her robes. "A fair point."

"I've outfitted my companions, the Spymaster has sent her agents, the Lady Ambassador has called our allies, and the Commander is preparing to leave as we speak."

"Ah, yes, the large, hulking figure looming at your side. It surprises me to see him leave."

Myra furrowed her brow. "How so?"

"I wondered if he was raised by dogs with how he trailed after you and barked at me, as though I were some wolf eyeing his mistress."

Myra chuckled. "That certainly sounds like him." Then she frowned. "I do apologize for his behavior. As an ex-Templar—"

"I've dealt with his sort," Morrigan said, waving a hand dismissively. "Though I do wonder if his guarding of you is a statement of his feelings toward me or towards you."

Myra flushed. "Perhaps both?"

"Curious, but no matter. 'Tis trivial what he thinks of me. The Inquisition has made it this far, which suggests he is not completely incompetent."

"My, my, Morrigan. You have such little faith."

"I am a woman of many things, Inquisitor. Faith is not one of them."

Myra sighed. "I wonder what awaits us in the Arbor Wilds. Where will the Eluvian be? Will it be intact? Working?"

Morrigan smirked. "I am pleased you share my interest in the marvels of magic, Inquisitor."

"As a fellow apostate, how could I not?"

"And yet you attend the service where sheep flock—"

"Not all of them are sheep," Myra said. "Besides, not all were meant to be wolves."

"So which might you be?" Morrigan asked.

Myra smirked and said nothing.