Family Ales
it was a few weeks after that last talk with Cullen, we had two more people join our fledgling inquisition.
The Iron Bull, the leader of a band of mercenaries off the Storm Coast and Warden Blackwall, a brooding man, with honor and a good sense of humor.
It was all going so well
Until I had woken up to the light caws of Hector on the window sill with a letter packet stuck to his leg.
I knew who it was from but I didn't want to open it.
I grabbed the letter from Hector treating him with some of the bread I had brought from the market. There was only one thing to do, I put on my jacket and exited the cabin into the fresh snow that had fallen the previous evening and walked over to the tavern.
I passed Varric's tent along the way his eye followed me showing for what could amount for concern.
I opened to door to the tavern thankful for the warm hearth and the light music that flowed through the air from the bard in the corner. Some of the occupants looked up as I entered. Some of the soldiers saluted and the others just went back to their drinks.
I ordered a large mug of the strongest ale Felissa had in stock and took it to the table by the hearth.
I took a look at the letter the wax seal was of the family crest and it was unmarred.
Good, I don't need everyone in my business.
I took a large swig of the ale it was sweet and bitter at the same time and burned going down my throat. It was then Varric had come over to sit with me, pulling himself up to a seat. "What's the trouble Quips? Anything I can do to help?"
I laughed at that "not unless you can turn back the last 30 years and give me a new father."
I took another large swig of the ale, it burned less this time but still didn't solve the ache I was feeling. Varric looked at the letter in my hand and then to me. He took a moment to call Felissa for a pint as well.
"Family troubles? I have some experience in those want to talk about it?" he smiled.
"Thanks, Varric but honestly if I share this with you, it does not go in any book." I gave him a meaningful glance.
He put his hand up to his mouth and back down again.
"My lips are sealed.'' He smiled.
I needed to talk so I guess I'll take him at that.
I took out one of my throwing daggers and lifted the seal on the letter. "My father does not approve of any action I take outside his wishes. He thinks I should follow his perfect plan for the good of the family." I twirled the blade.
I looked at Varric he just sat silent; nodding.
I fingered the parchment and lifted the letter. "This is from him." I took that moment to drink the last of my ale.
I raised it to show Felissa I wanted another.
"I guess I could do with some company reading it, but I doubt it will be any different from all the others."
Felissa came over with drinks for Varric and I. nodding my thanks, I pulled out the letter and unfolded it. Varric read over the crook of my arm.
Dear Lady Trevelyan,
How could you?
It's enough that you went on this criminal escapade since you assaulted the Duke de Chagny's Son.
What would your mother think if she saw you now? A criminal and a False Prophet.
How far can you go to spite me for wanting the best for you? All you had to do was play nice and marry the man I chose for you.
Nothing Else.
To honor the family and to help it to remain strong with that marriage.
I have no choice but to disavow you should you choose to remain with the dregs of society.
Should you choose to return may consider forgiving you for I have selected another alliance for you to help us gain.
May Andraste be your guide,
Bann Reginald Trevelyan of Ostwick
I looked at Varric he seemed to find as much humor in it as I did.
"A dreg, well it's not the worst thing I have been called." He jested trying to lighten my mood.
I smiled and looked towards the hearth. How could you, he said. This by all standards is a good endeavor and he wants to stay blind to our problems. Thedas problems. I placed my hand on my face.
"Why can he just once see the good I am trying to do here. Instead of always taking issue with my choices?" I grumbled; very un-ladylike.
"Family always seems to ignore these things," Varric said
I crumpled up the letter and threw it into the hearth, happy that no one else had read it. Good Riddance not even my saint of a stepmother did anything to soften him. I didn't need or want my Father's forgiveness since I have never forgiven him.
"Varric remember I don't want anyone in my past. Not even the Inquisition."
He nodded "Yeah I can see why you want no one in that mess."
I heard the door barge open and I glanced. It was Iron Bull, the Qunari ducked in, his horns almost hitting the frame.
I liked him when I met him on the storm coast didn't mind when he told me he was a ben-Hassrath spy and any other day I would have been happy to see him.
Krem followed in right behind him, another person I didn't mind even now.
He could understand. Being born the wrong sex does that for him. They ordered drinks and sat down to join us. Iron Bull's chair groaning under the strain of his size.
"What's with the faces? It's a bar we should be enjoying ourselves." He said jovially.
"Let's say it's something that should not be aired, anywhere." I looked meaningful at him.
"No worries chief. Like I said I'll let you read my reports." He smiled taking down his pitcher with one big chug.
Varric looked at him and said "Family Troubles."
He looked at Varric then at me. There was understanding in his eyes. "Well family is not my area of expertise, just how to get over disappointments but, you seem to be working on that well enough yourself."
Krem just looked at me and nodded. He knew exactly what was going through my mind. Breaking convention was something we both did.
That's when Sera came over from her corner to join us. "Hey what's got the stick up your arse Herald? You look like shit." She said sitting down.
I motioned to get her a pint as well. "Sera be happy you don't have a family of nobs. Cause they are shit."
Varric just took a drink.
Sera looking to me "What you mean your Pisser of a father?"
I looked at Sera with a bit of shock I had not told anyone about my family till now.
"How do you know about that Sera? Did your friends tell you?" I took another swig, this was not going to help me in the morning but I didn't care.
"Yeah! Your Father is like the biggest pomp nob in Ostwick. Started asking around after you let' slip you were a nob yourself'."
It figures. "So what does your 'Friends' Say about the Bann?" I was sure this was going to be shiny after what I knew.
She looked a little grim and looked around. For once Sera looked as serious as her nature could let her get.
"I heard from one of the house boys that 'fter you left he started mistreatin' all of them with pissy demands and harsh punishment." She looked like she hated my father as much as I did. "and he has even been harsh to your family'. Y'ur younger sister especially."
I grimaced and clenched my fist. I wish I had known he was doing that. To my stepmother and Half siblings… they did not deserve that. It was hate meant for me, not them. And the staff. I shivered at the thought of what he could be doing to them. What happened to them while I was gone?
"Was there anything else Sera?" trying not to let them see my rage. She shook her head and took a swig.
Varric took this moment to chime in "It's always the family. Quips don't be so hard on yourself you had no Idea."
I looked to him "Did I? I feel like a fool for even thinking my father would accept this as my 'destiny', No this is my fault and I have to fix it." I looked into the hearth where the letter was still burning down.
Modest in Temper, Bold in Deed; the family motto.
He would ruin us if this came to light. I lived by that statement my whole life regardless of my father's wishes.
I remembered getting up late one night to stare at the family seal on the wall. My father told me he was grooming me to be his heir since most of my siblings were married to higher stations or … dead; some even joined the chantry: most likely to be free of him.
I knew then if I wanted to be worthy of the family name I would need to be better than my father and his grand plan.
"We could always take h'm down a peg if ya want?" she offered.
She shocked me out of my stupor, Varric lightly grinned like he knew what I was thinking of. For a chatty dwarf, he was being remarkably silent.
I smiled half-heartedly took another swig of ale. "Nah Sera, thank you but as much as I want to pie my father. I got to try to fix this myself."
I need to check in with my great-aunt and see if she can help me get my stepmother and siblings away from him.
"If that does not work, then we can take him down a peg, together." I Smiled trying to hide my pain for a moment. She just giggled "Pies."
While her offer was sweet, a prank would not solve my problems right now. Make public what would ruin our family name would harm my family more than the Bann.
I have to find a way to get my family away from... him. I knew my Great-Aunt would try to help if she could.
My father got my grandfather's intelligence… and temper. So anything I tried will need to be done without suspicion for fear of retaliation against my stepmother and younger siblings.
We sat there in bleak company for most of the day I didn't have much time to care for anything else except my plans. And my Glass.
It was almost nightfall I was on my way back to my quarters when I spotted Tara slumped on the tavern wall. What was she doing here? I ran up to catch her before she hit the ground.
"Herald?" I asked shaking her shoulder.
"Huh? Oh commander what are you doing here? Is it time to spar? I don't even have my... jerkin." She slurred. She had had way too much ale. I wasn't going to let her walk back to the cabin, not in this state. I lifted her up.
"You are so strong. No wonder I liked you." She said as I started to carry her back. She still liked me. Even after Kirkwall?
"You are drunk Tara. You need to rest and some elfroot." I said trying to keep her from saying things she would regret. I walked past Varric's tent thinking how much I liked her heat against reminded me of Kirkwall, all those times I carried her home from the City's drunk tank. But then she was my ... neighbor, and now she was the herald of andraste.
"I like it when you say my name, you have a lovely voice. And lovely eyes, Gold, like honey. I like honey." Her slurring was getting more pronounced.
I started down the steps to Seggrit's shop, what drove her to drink till she passed out this time?
"Tara" I shifted her trying to keep her from passing out. "Why did you drink so much?" I said it softly as to not give her a headache.
"Cause I wanted to forget. You know how it is," She looked at me and leaned her head against my chest.
"Forget what?" I asked with curiosity.
"The Past" she passed out in my arms as I turned towards her cottage.
I felt the same. there were things I would like to forget.
The Circle.
Meredith.
My nights were plagued with everything I had done. was she just as tormented by hers?
I shifted her higher to open the door to her cottage. It was warm and decorated simply, she did not add much of her own to it.
Hector, was sitting in the corner enjoying what looked like a small meal of nug meat. He watched me as I laid her on the cot and grabbed the blanket she had around the back of her desk chair. I covered her as best as I could.
I looked at her. How could she, a woman this beautiful, be so troubled.
I noticed a piece of faded parchment on her bedside table. I picked it up planning to put it on her desk. I couldn't help but read the page.
Dear Tara, my beloved grandniece and The Raven of Kirkwall:
The tales have reached me of your latest endeavors sweetheart.
I especially like the touch you did with the Comte. He shall be feeling the sting of that for quite some time. When I got your letter I was surprised that you decided to finally tell him.
Well done darling, leaving things like that unsaid does not do well for your health.
Also, I must say your descriptions of the commander are quite colorful and I hope to meet this handsome man someday.
But to business, I have sent some bonds for you to cash so you might get out of Kirkwall.
If there is another uprising I could not bear the thought of what might happen to you.
I suggest you get swiftly out of Kirkwall for awhile before your father descends.
I hear he has another match for you. The bothersome boy never learned his lesson about meddling with destiny.
I hope this letter finds you well
Lady Bann Lucille Trevelyan of Markham
P.S. Darling I have included some of your favorite sweets.
I felt some satisfaction that maybe she didn't hate me after that night. But I should not have pried. I folded and placed the letter on her desk. Glancing back over at her sleeping form I slowly walked out of the cabin. Hoping we could get some time to talk soon.
It was the next day I had already had a few pints to prepare myself to deal with people and questions. And to stop the hangover.
I still didn't know how I got back to my cottage last night most of it was a blur after the 5th mug.
I walked into the chantry planning on checking some map movements in the war room. Nodding to Mother Giselle and Vivienne who was enjoying her latest book; it was apparently the book of the month in Orlais.
Josie caught me as I passed her office. "Ah, Lady Trevelyan may I have a moment." She led me into her office. It was still small but she had spruced it up with some of her personal touches.
Her use of that title though reminded me of the letter. I kept my mask on; my mother would be proud. I walked over to Josie.
She sat down on her cushioned chair right behind the desk in the middle of the room. It looked comfortable with red upholstery and stitched with gold filigree, the wood was carved with finesse.
Perfect for anyone having to deal with nobles all day and every day. The desk was neatly organized with papers and letters being stacked neatly to the sides.
"Yes, Ambassador?" I walked up to her desk. Hoping she would not notice the ale stain on my pants.
"I would like to discuss your family." She said opening up her ink and sliding a quill out of one of the desk drawers.
Of course, but this was going to be awkward. Another member to know my… secrets.
"Well this is sudden but I guess someone has to make an honest woman out of me." I did my best to smile.
"Oh very funny but this is serious." She pulled out her quill and started taking notes.
"So I guess want to know about the 7th most illustrious family in all of Ostwick or is it 8th?" I said trying my best not to show my pain.
I took a seat in the chair, to not show how unsteady I was. I should not have had that last drink or the three before that. As I was pondering this I almost missed her first question.
"What I would like is to dispatch a courier to ask the Banns of House Trevelyan to align themselves with us. And Whatever the rank, We should approach your kinsman as friends. What are your thoughts should we approach your family for their support of the Inquisition.?" She looked up with her pen hovering over the page.
"While I may not be on good terms with my father the Bann, the rest of my family adore politics, the way they scramble for power, you would think we were Orlesian." I looked away trying not to let anything show.
"That Depends: how much do they like gold brocade?" she smirked.
I chuckled at that; maybe she is not so serious after all.
"People have noted your lineage It gives the inquisition some legitimacy. Though not as much as we hoped." Writing another note on the parchment in front of her.
"Why is that?" I said, thinking it was my history.
"You are from Ostwick. Orlesian nobles consider the Free Marches somewhat… quaint." She said dipping her quill into the inkwell.
I was thankful it was not my father's latest doings.
"Orlesians are just baffled that we can govern ourselves without an empress holding our hands, not that I care for what the court thinks." Trying to look prideful. The court could jump into the waking sea for I cared for it.
"A Peasant might get away with that insult but not someone like you." She got up and walked over to her bookcase.
"Also Do not take this lightly. What the court thinks could do more harm to us than the breach." She pulled down what looked like the DeBrett's. Lovely she is going to contact any Trevelyan.
"Regardless it Might be best if you avoid my father right now. He has said he wants to disown me. If you are going to contact them I suggest you do it quickly before that gets around."
"Ah, I will try to use tact then" Nodding and sitting back at her desk. Yes, like not mention my name to my father. that would help.
"Also I should thank you for your patience with the simple quarters. The accommodations here are surely rough for someone of your birth."
Heh, she forgets who I was.
"This must not be what you're accustomed to lady ambassador?" I grinned. I shifted in my seat attempting to look relaxed.
"I keep busy, Helps take my mind from the surroundings. And the cold. And the wildlife. And the lack of civilization for miles around." She said. I could tell that she would rather be in some palace than the rustic mountains.
She let out a breath "Why anyone lived here before we found Andraste's ashes, I cannot imagine."
"Don't worry about me Haven is more than livable." I smiled.
She looked surprised "Really? If that's how you feel I am happy to hear it."
Wait a minute. I scooted closer to the desk trying to place her face.
"I'd swear our families have met before," I said still trying to place her.
"Perhaps everyone of distinction in the free marches attends Lady Trevelyan's summer balls." She replied not looking away from her letter.
"Ah, Great-Aunt Lucille always did love a party." And me. She was like a second mother to me, she always sent me letters to ask me how I was doing and if I needed any 'funds'. She also enjoyed taking advantage of any of my acts against others. I didn't mind much and I tried to save her letters when I could. She was a bit like me in some ways and enjoyed breaking the rules. She just did it differently.
As my grandfather's younger sister she was just as much as a rebel as I was in her day. So now I have taken the mantle as the family's black sheep and she aids me when she can.
"I don't recall seeing you at any of them." She said starting on her letter. She didn't see me Cause I was in a dark corner somewhere trying to refuse all the men my father was throwing at me.
"Attend one ball and you'll be fending off invitations for a dozen more." I bluffed. Only ever got the annual one from my Great-Aunt Lucille.
"That reminds me. The Herald of Andraste has received several invitations from the curious." Josie looked up at me remembering something.
"To parties? How many am I getting?" I was shocked. How could they so readily forget my past?
"only seventeen this month I'm afraid" she looked back to her letter.
"Only Seventeen this Month! It must be my endless wit and charm." I said with a smile on my face. A little happy that my father's actions may not hurt me as much as he wants.
"Anyway if you are going to be sending letters I suggest you try my Great-Aunt Lucille first. She loves to go through these affairs." I got up from the chair to leave.
I hope that this does not come to bite us back.
