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Chapter 5: Vivienne Really Likes to Give Advice

They all made their way through the Chantry doors. Cullen held the door for Elise and Cassandra after Dorian and Nicholas walked in. He closed the door behind him with a loud creak.

He looked at the unknown, most likely the "Dorian" in Trevelyan's letter. "You must be Dorian," Cullen said as they made their way to the war room.

Dorian smiled widely. "Dorian of House Pavus at your service. And who might you be? Wait-a strapping, young Templar. You must be the Commander I here so much about."

Cullen narrowed his eyes at the mage. He didn't know him. And by the looks of it, Dorian was from Tevinter. It was dangerous to trust anyone from there. "Ex-Templar, actually."

"Ex-Templar?" Dorian asked. "Interesting…" He folded his arm and put his hand on his elbow thoughtfully.

Cullen furrowed his eyebrows. Yes, he could not be trusted. The mage was obviously intelligent and this could all be a plot to lure the Inquisition into disaster. He put his hand on his sword's grip as a precaution, but whatever power this man had was still mysterious. Dangerously mysterious.

Entering the war room, they were met with Lelianna and Josephine, both gazing at the map in front of them. Markers were laid out, some discarded on the side, others in key locations. The tallest marker was pinned at Redcliffe Castle.

"Herald," said Josephine in a thick Antivan accent. She was holding a board with a candle in her left hand, and a quill in her right hand. Most of the darkness in the room was cast away from the light of her flame. "I see you have returned."

Nicholas nodded. "Yes, and unfortunately, not with good news."

Lelianna looked at him amusingly, "When is it ever good news?"

Nicholas smiled at that. "This is Dorian by the way," he said motioning his arm to the mage. "He's going to help us with this whole time magic shit."

Elise stood in corner as the discussion went on. She could not believe that such a magic could exist. Bending time? How is that even possible? And how could Nicholas take part in such a movement that could only bring more destruction. They were taught that mages belonged in a Circle, far from civilization and close to Templars. Had he heard nothing that the Chanters preached?

Maybe Nicholas could still join the Templars and leave the mages? Their family ties to the Chantry could help. Yes, of course.

Just then Cullen's voice rang in, "How can we even get into the castle?!" His arms were thrown up in disbelief of the situation.

"That is a good point, Commander," said Josephine worriedly. She held her quill shakily.

Nicholas looked to Dorian, hoping for a way, but Dorian simply tilted his head down.

Elise folded her arms across her abdomen, "You could still join the Templars."

"What?" Nicholas' eyes widen, as did Dorian's.

Elise straightened her back, "I mean with our family's influence on the Chantry we could."

Nicholas rubbed the back of his neck anxiously, "We can't no-"

"Wait!" Lelianna interjected. "There is a way."

Nicholas leaned his hands on the table, "Really?"

"Yes, there is a secret passage in Redcliffe leading to the castle. Only the royal family knows of it."

Cullen narrowed his eyes with interest, "How do know this?"

Lelianna smiled. "During the Blight, Solona and I used that passage to get to Arl Eamon."

"Solona," Cullen murmured. His features softened at the mention of her name.

"Solona?" asked Elise.

"Yes, First Warden Solona Amell," Lelianna replied to her question.

Elise gasped inwardly. That Solona, the one who Cullen loved, was the First Warden? The famed Hero of Ferelden!? Elise couldn't believe what she was hearing. She knew Cullen was a Templar and that the Warden was a mage, so his infatuation with her was forbidden.

But still, Cullen hadn't forgotten about a woman from ten years ago. Have they met since the Blight? Were they something more?

Elise tilted her head down, which was noticed by Nicholas. "Are you ill, sister?" he asked worriedly.

She shook her head, her hair flipping side-to-side with her movements. "No, I am simply tired. I will return to my chambers."

With that she walked out, feeling the stares boring into her back, tears welling in her eyes. How could she compete with the First Warden? The Arlessa of Amaranthine, Hero of Ferelden, who put King Alistair on the throne. Of course, Cullen would prefer a woman with more influence than Elise could ever possess.

"Darling," a velvety voice called out. "Whatever is the matter? You look terrible," Vivienne called out. The candlelight illuminated her white robes, and it danced on her ebony skin elegantly. She was sitting upon a chair, with a blue book in her hands.

Tears slid down Elise's eyes. Her breathes came out in gasps, "Vivienne," she said shakily. "I-"

"Say no more, dear. I understand this is about the Commander."

Elise wiped her tears, "He loves her, not me. Not ever."

Vivienne furrowed her eyebrows. "Who is she?"

"Solona Amell."

Vivienne snapped her book shut. "First Warden Solona Amell?"

Elise's voice cracked, "Yes, her."

Vivienne chuckled softly. "Then you have nothing to worry about, dear."

"What?"

"Solona Amell has been missing for years. She is most likely dead by now."

"Really?"

"Of course, dear. Cullen will move on eventually. He will fall for you."

Elise smiled, "Maybe, you're right," she whispered.

"Of course. And most everyone is aware of the love she had for the King. If anything, it is the Commander who bares an infatuation for her."

Elise smoothed her dress with her palms and straightened her back.

Standing up from her chair, Vivienne strolled up to Elise. "Remember, darling, if anything is wrong, you must come to me. Do you understand?"

Elise nodded her head with a smile. "I understand, Lady Vivienne."

"Good. Now run along. You must fix yourself up."

Nicholas was eyeing the marker for Redcliffe Castle on the war table. Both Dorian and Cassandra left after the plan to infiltrate the Castle was decided on. Josephine had walked off to her office to contact some nobles in the nearby areas.

"Cullen?"

Cullen looked up from his report towards Nicholas. "Yes, Herald?"

Nicholas turned his face hastily. "Can we really do this? I mean do you think I made the right decision? The mages—can I truly help them?"

Cullen was surprised at the Herald's sudden want for advice. It was strange to see the usual happy-go-lucky rogue be so… serious. "Do you doubt yourself, Herald?"

"No. I just—I mean I've never—" Nicholas heavily sighed. "I've never made such decisions before. My family. They have so much power over me that I just can't seem to move away from them."

"Is this about what Lady Trevelyan suggested before?"

Nicholas smiled slightly. "My little sister is less rebellious than I am. That is obvious. But I want to do things on my own, without my family in the way." He grabbed the marker that was placed on his family's estate in the Free Marches weeks ago when Elise was first arriving. Nicholas played with the marker between his fingers.

Cullen watched as Nicholas flitted with marker. "Herald," Cullen reached for the marker from Nicholas' hand. "You do not have to worry. The Inquisition is by your side. It will always be your home." With that, Cullen placed the marker back where the spare markers were discarded to.

"Thank you, Cullen. That… means a lot."

Cullen chuckled, "Anytime."

Just then, the door opened quietly. "Herald," an Orlesian voice called to him.

"Lelianna," Nicholas responded.

"Have you noticed anything different with ravens lately?" Her eyes were glazed over and darkened by her hood.

"Yes, actually. I've been meaning to speak to you about it."

Lelianna poked her head outside the door, looking for anything suspicious, and then closed it behind her. She waltzed up to the war table and looked upon it. "Someone is interjecting our messages."

Cullen made a strangled sound. "Who?"

Lelianna glanced at Nicholas and then back to Cullen. "I don't know. But only messages between the Herald and us have been taken."

"But they have always been set back on course a few days later."

"Yes, someone is reading our letters, most likely looking for information on us. I have sent my agents, but they have returned with nothing."

"What about the ravens?" asked Nicholas.

"The ravens have also been tracked, but again nothing was found."

Nicholas sighed, "Another problem to deal with. As if we didn't have enough," he laughed.

"I suggest that we do not put any information into letters that could compromise the situation further."

"Agreed."

Lelianna walked towards the door, but stopped when she reached to it. "Whoever this is cannot be a simple rogue, Herald. He's left no tracks. Be on your guard."