Cassandra frowned as she climbed the steps to the Inquisitor's room. After the sideways glances and open flirting on the journey home, she had thought to see the rogue far earlier than now. The look in the younger woman's eyes when she had finally emerged from the stables had refrained Cassandra from instantly seeking out her lover, but when Evelyn failed to appear for evening meal the seeker knew something was amiss.
A quick test on the door handle only further confirmed her suspicions; Evelyn only locked the door to her quarters when the two of them were engaged in... Discussion. The rest of the time the Inquisitor left the door open so that whomever sought to speak with her could do so without the young woman having to stop whatever she was working on to let the other person in. It was an attitude Cassandra loved and, unsurprisingly, one Leliana hated - claiming that it left the Herald of Andraste open to distraction and assassination. Hardly a surprise; since their introduction over a decade ago, She and the former Left had rarely agreed.
Cassandra knocked lightly, surprised when a muffled voice told her to go away. Frowning and undeterred the seeker knocked again, ignoring the repeated command to leave. Raising her hand a third time, Cassandra's knuckles had barely brushed the wood before the door swung open; a pair of green flashing eyes glared dangerously back.
"Either age is taking away your hearing seeker or this door is thicker than it looks; either way you have succeeded in disturbing me. Pray tell Lady Cassandra, what can the ill-famed Herald of Andraste do for you?"
Cassandra frowned at the cold greeting and the mocking tone. The cold sarcasm reminding her of the Evelyn before that night they dueled and the seeker was very sure she did not miss it. Refusing to take the bait, Cassandra cleared her throat and crossed her arms.
"Forgive the intrusion; I worried when I did not see you for evening meal. You looked upset when you left the stables. What has happened?"
Evelyn ignored the warmth that blossomed from hearing the concern in that unconsciously husky voice. She could not allow sentiment to cloud her resolve to push the seeker away. She had thought long and hard on Leliana's unwelcome words and had spent the evening in a rare study of self-reflection.
In doing so she had concluded that the spymaster had been right. Her affections for the seeker were not the least bit hidden. Had their companions been more observant, the entire keep would likely know about the two of them. The danger of such affections was a given and though Evelyn could give a shit about what such danger meant for herself, she would not risk putting Cassandra in even more harms way. It was an odd feeling to care about the wellness of another before her own; she could not recall ever having done so before.
Evelyn kicked herself for allowing such emotion to cloud her judgment. It would have been better had she never allowed her desire for this woman to bear fruit. Had she not pursued the seeker, challenging the laconic woman to think outside her own limited experience none of this would have happened. She certainly wouldn't be standing in this doorway about to break not one heart but two.
Evelyn had played this conversation over and over again in her own mind as she tried out all the various scenarios of how the seeker would respond. She had whispered the words to herself until her heart and mind were numb from the pain such actions would cause. Daring to meet the warm cinnamon colored gaze, the Inquisitor swallowed down all regret and began.
"You are right Lady Pentaghast something has happened. This dalliance of ours was fun but I fear things between us have regrettably run their course."
Evelyn stopped as Cassandra's kohl lined eyes widened in disbelief and continued before the urge to comfort the woman outweighed the Inquisitor's resolve to see this course of action through. Evelyn allowed cold mirth to color her voice as she gave a little laugh, reaching forward to run a hand along the seeker's bicep.
"You're a beautiful woman and you are more than welcome to warm my bed but the feelings I pretended to have are simply no longer there."
Evelyn felt the bicep beneath her hand tense, shifting quickly away from her light grasp and the Inquisitor turned away, hoping that the seeker would at least spare her face. She braced herself for impact and when none came she dared to look back at the warrior only to have her body slammed back against the cold stone of the keep's walls and her lips claimed in a bruising kiss.
A slender tongue invaded her mouth as her hands were dragged upwards and pinned above her head. Evelyn bit back the groan that threatened to escape her lips as Cassandra's lightly armored chest pressed against her unarmored one; the cold metal in direct contrast with the burning heat that poured from the seekers skin. A lack of air made Evelyn pull away from the seekers mouth but not before the Warriors teeth had captured her bottom lip, biting hard enough to draw blood.
"Bullshit."
The accented tone echoed in the silent stairway and the sound of it only increased the pounding of Evelyn's racing heart as the seeker twisted her hold, shoving the rogue through the open doorway. In all her imaginings of Cassandra's reaction, this had not been one of them. Her mind drew a blank as the seekers mouth found hers once more and Evelyn fell back against the stairs leading to her room as the thundering sound of a door slamming echoed in her ears. Another tug at her bottom lip and this kiss ended as well, followed by a low growl.
"Move or I will take you on these Maker cursed stairs."
Evelyn felt her breath catch and instinctively moved to comply. She was mesmerized, struck by the ferocity in the seeker's tone. Cassandra had never taken this approach to their lovemaking and Evelyn was dumbfounded by the experience unfolding before her very eyes. She turned as she reached the top of the stairs; her face whipped to the side by a stinging slap.
"What the..."
Evelyn felt calloused fingers gripping her chin, stopping the flow of words.
"No. You've said more than enough. You don't get to speak anymore until I tell you to."
Her stubborn nature flared at the command but any response she might have given was lost beneath the slow burn of the Navarran's kiss. Gone was the bruising force, replaced instead by a familiar steady pressure that fanned the flames of need ignited by the seekers earlier actions. Evelyn let herself get lost in the slide of tongues and the scrape of teeth as she allowed herself to be walked backwards towards the bed; her mind rationalizing her compliance. Why shouldn't they at least have this last night together?
The rogue moaned as knowing hands found the hidden fasteners of her tunic, the material dropping to the floor followed shortly by her breeches. The Inquisitor felt the cool sheets slide against her bared skin as the seeker pressed her back down against the bed. Evelyn moved to help Cassandra with her clothing only to have her hands batted away as that same ragged tone husked into her ear.
"You don't get to touch either."
Evelyn opened her eyes and shuddered at the intensity in the seeker's stare as the warrior straddled her hips, reaching down to jerk the laces of her own breeches free. The Inquisitor watched as her hands were once again lifted above her head and bound to the headboard with the removed lacing. She bit her lip, unsure where this was going. She wasn't innocent to such bedroom games but she was unused to being the submissive party.
Cassandra's face was unreadable but her hands were far from idle. Evelyn studied the warrior above her as those calloused hands worked to remove what little of her clothing remained. Her lips parted as cold air hit the sensitized peaks of her breasts and chilled the soaked flesh previously hidden by dampened small clothes. Evelyn watched as dark eyes raked over her body and stifled a moan as Cassandra shifted lower until the warrior loomed above her. She felt leather clad knees nudging hers apart and she gasped as sharp teeth nipped along her collarbone as the heated weight of the seeker pressed down between her spread thighs.
Husked words lightly caressed her skin between long kisses and chastising teeth.
"You don't think I see the truth behind your lies Inquisitor..."
Evelyn bit back a gasp as sharp teeth scraped over her nipple only to have the brief pain laved away by the gentle swirling of Cassandra's tongue.
"Your eyes betray you..."
Those same eyes rolled back as the seeker's lips covered the pebbled peak, suckled slow and hard before releasing it back into the chilled air with a scrape of her teeth.
"They show your fear even though the desire you wish you no longer felt for me... For this..."
Evelyn growled softly and opened her mouth to refute the truth of her lover's words but Cassandra had anticipated her rebuttal and she groaned into the seeker's mouth as the other woman stole her breath once more.
She pulled against her bonds as the warm lips left and moved steadily lower, systematically teasing and driving Evelyn's need to a fever pitch. The rogue grit her teeth refusing to beg for her release, refusing to grant the seeker a single note of encouragement until she felt calloused fingertips slipping briefly through her folds.
"Damn you..."
Cassandra lifted her head at the whimpered sound above her and felt her lips quirk at the other woman's glare. Holding the hostile stare, the seeker shifted lower and replaced her fingers with an appendage of a different sort. Slowly she slid the tip of her tongue through slick flesh, watching as thick lashes fluttered close, shutting away that burning gaze. The ragged gasp that escaped those parted lips echoed in her mind as the seeker repeated the motion, daring to press momentarily deeper before retreating only to slide the tip of her tongue up to slowly circle around the very spot she knew Evelyn wanted her most.
Evelyn yanked hard, wincing as the leather laces bit into her wrists further. The seeker's slow patience was infuriating and such a languid pace would never be enough to allow her release. She thrashed her head from side to side, her hips lifting to force firmer contact only to be held down in an iron grip as a breathless voice growled from between her legs, "try that again and I will bind your legs as well."
Evelyn bit her lip as the sound vibrated through her lower body before groaning in exasperation as she lifted her head from the pillows staring down the length of her body at the face of woman she was determined not to love. "What are you waiting for seeker? Just fuck me already!"
Cassandra felt her lips twitch with surprise at the curse even as she lifted an eyebrow at the growled command. Calmly she slid back away from between the rogue's thighs and stood to her feet as she internally toyed with between binding the other woman's legs or simply leaving her to be found by the next visitor. Decision made, the seeker moved forward, kneeling between splayed thighs to plant a gentle kiss against her lover's lips, almost chuckling she began her retreat but not before whispering in the infuriated woman's ear:
"I do not fornicate with liars Inquisitor. When you decide you want to tell me what is really going on, you know where to find me."
Evelyn halted her movement, shocked by the seeker's words and she watched in disbelief as the tall warrior turned her back and walked away. The echo of a slamming door forced the gravity of her situation upon her and Evelyn cursed again as she yanked roughly at the leather ties; her movements only tightening the knots further. She lifted her head, teeth scraping the rough hide as she tried again and again to yank at the knots free, but her efforts proved to be futile. Neck throbbing and flushed with the exertion, the noble lay back closing her eyes in defeat. She could only pray that she was found by someone with enough tact to keep her current predicament to themselves; she would never live it down if word spread that she'd been found tied up and naked in her own rooms.
Calpernia studied the notes from her spies, scratching her own on the dusty parchment that seemed to cover the abandoned circle tower. It was foolish of the Ferelden's to have left so rich an archive to the mercy of thieves; bandits and whomever else had any interest in the abandoned mage prison. She sneered at the thought and wondered how it was that so many mages had allowed themselves to remain trapped here for as long as they did. It was little wonder that they had sided with her master on so scant a promise as freedom. Her research on the Hero of Orlais was far from complete, even though much of the woman's life history was an open book.
Her lack of friends and family made laying a trap all the more difficult; the only thing the former Tevinter slave could find that might lure the seeker away was another seeker. Luckily her master had secured plenty to choose from but Calpernia remained unsure whether or not such a plan would work. Cassandra Pentaghast would show up, that much was certain, but would she show alone? Surely not; so seasoned a warrior would be foolish to enter into a potential enemy stronghold without at least one other ally. Frowning at the thought, the mage continued to plan, playing devil's advocate as she worked all possible angles and scenarios; hyper aware that any failure on her part could very well forfeit her own life – Corypheus had been explicit in his warnings against such a thing. Sighing she lay down her quill and studied her agent's notes once more, blinking as she read something her eyes had previously skipped over as frivolous information. Frowning, Calpernia leaned forward and read the note again, a smile starting to play at the corner's of her lips; a plan formulating fresh in her mind.
Cassandra swung her sword in a downward arc against her target, feinting as she slammed her shield forward into Cullen. The former Templar grunting loudly as the force pushed him along the dirt. The seeker smirked and pulled her shield to attack once more; grateful that the commander had felt well enough to spar. After her run-in with Evelyn the seeker had needed to blow off some steam. She had not been immune to her own needs that had been awakened by the situation she had created in the room above the great hall. Even now her mind wandered to the woman she had left tied to the bed; to the way her pale skin had looked flushed with anger and desire, the taste of her body and the breathy sounds the redhead been unable to bite back. Cassandra growled at the memory as her shield deflected her sparring partner's blows. Surprisingly she had not heard any news regarding the younger woman and the seeker curiously wondered if anyone had found the Inquisitor.
Shaking her head to clear away the intrusive thought as well as the amused smile that threatened to turn the corner of her lips, she launched herself at Cullen again, pulling her blow at the last minute as she noticed his focus directed elsewhere. Cassandra turned, surprised to see the very person who had infiltrated her thoughts only moments before. Standing in the shadows of the keep stood Evelyn Trevelyan, clothed in her usual bland tunic and breeches, arms crossed and with a slightly murderous glint in her eyes. The seeker watched as a pale hand was raised; extending a single finger at her, crooking it to indicate that the seeker should come with her.
Cassandra felt a warm hand touch her shoulder and turned to look at Cullen who offered her a sympathetic smile, his deep voice barely above whisper. "I don't envy you Cassandra. Our leader looks especially angry, should I accompany you?"
The tall brunette shook her head and let a hint of smile touch her lips. "I thank you Commander, but since it is me she is beckoning, it seems best if I go alone."
She watched as the blonde dipped his head in acknowledgement before turning back towards the glaring leader. Cassandra was not one to feel fear but the look in her lover's eye made her stomach drop. She wondered how the Inquisitor had slipped her bonds or who had been the unfortunate party to have found her in such a predicament. The seeker figured she was about to find out as she fell into step behind the slightly smaller woman. Hazel eyes traveled down the curve of the Herald's spine, taking a moment to admire the provocative sway of hips before the seeker shook her head in irritation at the way that lust seemed to constantly cloud her mind and actions when in Trevelyan's presence. She found herself thanking the Maker that she had managed to avoid such complicated feelings for much of her life. The heavy sound of an opening door drew her from her thoughts and for a moment Cassandra found herself surrounded in dank darkness, her hand finding the hilt of her sword in a moment of reassurance before arms like small bands of steel wrapped around her from behind, a soft voice husking dangerously in her ear.
"Your actions earlier were unacceptable seeker."
Cassandra growled and spun out of the hold to face her accuser, anger flaring at the other woman's tone and by the fact that she could still see nothing. She reached out to where she was sure the younger woman stood but her hand clutched nothing but air. Fists clenched, Cassandra stayed her next action, instead crossing her arms over her chest. As she let an airy tone color her next words.
"Have you come to offer me the real reason you are attempting to push me away or will you try spinning even more lies?
Evelyn glared through the darkness at the haughty tone; annoyed by the unwanted way her body seemed to crave the other woman's nearness. She was still fuming at the way the seeker had left her in her rooms; at the audacity of the powerful warrior at using the rogue's own desire against her. She had allowed the tiniest sliver of hope to crawl through her when she'd heard the door to her rooms open, but that hope quickly faded into horror when she realized that the footsteps of the person who had entered her room was not her decidingly infuriating lover but none other than the Inquisition's Ambassador.
Evelyn could still see the look of utter surprise that had shaped the features of the attractive Antivan's face and the startling blush that had stained that warm tanned skin red. The Inquisitor had been even further mortified when the ambassador had failed to undo the knots that tied her to the bed and, after covering her, ran to obtain the assistance of none other than Leliana.
She had to hand it to the spymaster for keeping her features in a perfectly composed mask of polite indifference, but those bright blue eyes had twinkled as pink lips threatening to break into a smile. Evelyn was sure the seneschal would never let her live down such an embarrassing moment but she found herself grateful for the other woman's silence and apparent skill at loosening knots.
"Your silence speaks volumes. Do not waste my time like this again."
Cassandra huffed in annoyance when her words once again failed to illicit a response and reached out for the door she was sure was behind her only to be shoved hard against it, the cloud of darkness dissipating to reveal burning green eyes.
"Don't you dare walk away from me again Cassandra…"
The seeker growled and pushed the hand on her shoulder away, "Or what?"
Evelyn felt the coal of aggression burning hot in the pit of her stomach and she replaced her displaced hand, holding the slightly taller woman firm against the wood of the door once more as she snarled back, "Or I will teach you the true meaning of submission seeker. Forget what we were to one another, that is over, but I am your chosen leader and you will at the very least show me that respect!"
Cassandra blanched slightly at the words, the pain of repeated rejection cut her like a knife. So, it appeared that Evelyn was serious, that it was… they were…
She shook her head, tossing aside the thought and the unwanted weakness it brought, focusing instead on the rest of the arrogant words spoken by the fierce rogue in front of her. Once again she tossed the hand holding her to the door aside and stepped forward, placing her almost chest to chest with the Inquisitor, her low voice dripping with ill-concealed sarcasm.
"I will respect you, your worship, when you begin acting worthy of such. Playing with another's heart, lying, pushing your subordinate into a dark room and issuing threats are not acts worthy of the Herald of Andraste. Such actions do nothing more than prove that our choosing you to lead this Inquisition was a mistake. Had I or Leliana known such was in your character we never would have supported you as…"
Cassandra's harsh retort was cut off by a searing kiss; her body rocked back against the door and held there fast by the weight of the slim rogue pressing against her. The unexpected action as well as the resounding throb of need she had pushed away earlier shocked the seeker into inaction and she released an involuntary gasp against pliant lips.
Evelyn groaned as she took advantage of the seeker's slackened jaw, slipping her tongue through narrowly parted lips to slide against the other woman's; her senses awash in the seeker's scent and taste. She had not meant to kiss Cassandra, had not meant to give into the cutting desire their current spat had re-awakened, but the disdain laced with hurt in the accented voice she had grown to love so well compelled her to prove the other woman wrong. She didn't want this to end; she was tired of the internal warfare her earlier decision was causing and so she poured herself into this single connection, trying to physically strengthen what her previous words had sought to sunder.
Cassandra fisted her gloved hand in the Herald's hair, jerking those lips back as she reversed their positions and attacked the smooth column of the rogue's neck, marking the young noble. Hands battled to remove belts, buckles and buttons as each woman sought to rid the other of every obstruction. The seeker moved first, ungloved fingers sliding up between newly bared thighs to thrust her claim. She caught and swallowed the moan that escaped her lover's mouth as she slid her free hand under Evelyn's leg, hooking it around her waist as she rocked her hips in time with the undulation of her fingers.
Evelyn jogged her hips into the slow steady thrusts, and gasped, her release seizing her with little to no warning. She hiked her other leg up around Cassandra's waist letting the warrior support her weight as she rode out the waves of her orgasm on the relentless strength of the seeker's fingers. Briefly sated, the Inquisitor let her head fall back against the door as she slowly untangled her limbs from around the seeker and shuddered as those long fingers slipped free. She could feel dark eyes watching her and looked up to meet the long stare. Evelyn felt fingertips trace the line of her jaw and then the curve of her lips as heat melted into concern; a ragged whisper replacing the silence between them.
"Tell me why?"
Evelyn furrowed her brows at the unexpected question, her thought process still shattered from the unexpected intensity just moments before. She shook her head, repeating the question back to the seeker, startled by the way the dark eyes glittered with an emotion the Inquisitor had yet to see reflected there.
"Why… would you push me away? Is it something I have done…?"
Evelyn shook her head, pressing a gloved finger to slightly swollen lips. The question created an uneasy feeling at the pit of her stomach one she sought to dispel as she leaned forward to brush her lips against Cassandra's. The rogue slid her arms around the seeker, pressing their bodies together from breast to hip. She felt the seeker relax into the touch momentarily before stiffening and pulling away. Evelyn fought the urge to tighten her grip but instead, she allowed her arms to fall and the distance between them to resume.
Cassandra frowned at her own urge to lean into that touch. She had already forgone her earlier statement that she did not fornicate with liars and shame at her own desperate actions was creeping into her subconscious. She cursed the relentless desire the redhead awoke in her. She had not experienced anything like it in all her years. The unwanted feelings were like a drug she knew she needed to quit for her own sanity but could not because the cravings for such a connection were too strong. Maker help her, she was proving time and time again that she was not strong enough, even after a lifetime of self-deprivation, to resist it. Cassandra startled from her thoughts by the brush of a hand against her scarred cheek and she turned aside the gesture as a soft voice murmured to her through the darkness of the room.
"Cassandra…"
The seeker felt that touch against her skin once more, attempting to turn her towards the bright eyes she sought to avoid. "Don't," she bit out harshly as she moved out of the rogue's reach. She did not want to be placated, did not want the other woman's pity but the stubborn rogue pushed closer still, whispering her name in that soft voice once more as deceptively strong arms encircled her waist. Cassandra growled softly and made to push the other again but the next words uttered shattered that resolve.
"I am afraid."
Evelyn winced as the words escaped. She had not meant to use such a term. She had caught the seeker, refusing to allow her to leave and pushing into her personal space with the intention of as brief an apology as possible. The redhead wanted to assure Cassandra that she had done nothing, that it was a decision made to protect them both but just as it had happened that first night together her heart seemed to have overruled her head and she had blurted out the true depth of the one feeling she wished best to hide. Evelyn watched the effect her admission had, the softening of harsh angular features, the surprise shifting the colors in those dark eyes, the slackening of Cassandra's clenched jaw. Such were a welcome change from the ever-familiar scowl but the admission left her open and the rogue hated it. She dropped her arms, freeing the seeker from her grasp and turned away; stopping as strong fingers gripped her chin, stilling her movement.
"Why?"
Evelyn took a deep breath, ignoring the way her skin tingled at the insistent touch. She opened her mouth to answer, faltering as the distinct sound of Leliana's voice sounded from outside the door.
"Find the Herald, quickly, and tell her to come to the War Room there has been an urgent development and her counsel is needed. Oh, and Lady Cassandra as well. They are somewhere here in the keep or my agents would have reported their departure."
Evelyn glanced down at her ruined tunic; the breeches that still encased one of her legs hung mid-thigh, her other bared. Her eyes darted to the seeker's half unfastened gambeson and then to the pile of boots, gloves and weapons that now littered the floor around them. As is if on cue, both women sprang to action, replacing displaced clothing in a rush towards presentability lest someone happen upon the scene of their impromptu tryst.
She had just finished replacing the unbuckled straps of her armor when a soft knock on the door stilled her movements, instinct causing her to move in front of the Inquisitor as her hand came to rest on her sword. Cassandra tensed as the heavy door swung open to reveal mischievous blue eyes beneath a heavy cowl. The seeker huffed in annoyance as the spymaster slipped inside, closing the door behind her.
"Well well… I wouldn't have guessed such a thing would have occurred so soon after finding our dear leader bound to her own bed in nothing but twisted sheets. Really Cassandra, apparently you can still surprise me even after all our years of working together."
Leliana held a single hand up as her former counterpart opened her mouth to provide, what she was sure would have been, an impassioned protest. Her eyes scanned the scene in front of her; the seeker's hastily buckled armor, the absolute ruin of Evelyn's tunic and the heavy, unmistakable scent of sex that permeated the air. A smile teased her lips and she allowed her mirth at the situation to color her tone.
"As fun as I am sure your extemporaneous assignation has been, I am afraid duty calls to you both once more. We have received news of a massive rift opening in the Western Approach as well as word about Lucius and the missing seekers."
She paused briefly, her arm extending towards the leader of the Inquisition as her mouth twitched. "It is a good thing I have diverted the search party from this area or else you, my Lady Trevelyan, might have a difficult time explaining why your tunic is in the state it's in."
"Leliana…"
The spymaster turned towards the low warning growl emanating from Cassandra's flushed form and felt a fond smile turn her lips. She had always enjoyed teasing various shades of red from the seeker but this color was much deeper than any she had been able to previously elicit. Smirking now, she continued.
"One day, when I have time Cassandra, we will talk more on the various methods of tying your lover up in such a way that they can escape if it is duty that calls you away from the pleasure of such acts. As well as a much less destructive way you can disrobe your love without the ruination of a commodity that is better used on blanketing our men then re-clothing our Inquisitor. Alas, such interesting talk must wait. It is fortunate for you both that I have had this keep searched from top to bottom and I happen to know of an obscure route that will take you to the door outside Josie's office and away from prying eyes. As such follow me Lady Trevelyan. Cassandra, we shall see you in the War Room soon no?"
Evelyn threw the seeker an apologetic look as she followed the cloaked form of Leliana to a secreted door in the far wall of the small room and fought back the childish giggle at the murderous look the warrior was giving them both. She felt a soft tap on her arm and turned to see the playful smirk that greeted her beneath the ever present cowl.
"Come. She will be fine. It will take us some time to navigate the hidden paths within the keep. We will see her at the War Room soon enough. I daresay it will give you both time to calm yourselves yes?"
Evelyn rolled her eyes at the whispered tease and sighed, "Fine; but first I need to change. As much as I love a good scandal I think appearing half naked in front of my own war council is something someone called the "Herald of Andraste" should probably seek to avoid."
Leliana nodded once and turned to make her way down the dark passage, "Agreed, which is why this little jaunt is going to take twice as long as it should since there is a connecting path that leads almost directly to your quarters." She turned to give her fellow redhead a saucy wink before continuing towards the Inquisitor's rooms.
Calpernia smiled as she read the response sent from Lucius. Her spies had alerted her earlier that news of a new rift as well as the rumors they had circulated about the seekers had reached the Inquisition. It seemed all players were in place; now all that was left to do was to wait and let the game play on. She felt the air shift as a long shadow stole away from the dim lamp light. The Tevinter knew, without turning, that her master had appeared.
"It seems I was right to have put you in charge of this."
The deep gravelly voice made her turn, her eyes lowered in submission; a sign of respect to a being she could never dream of surpassing. "That is too early to say. There is still much that can go wrong."
That much was true. There was always the chance that the seeker would choose to travel with that Trevelyan bitch to address the rift her master had newly opened before traveling to investigate the seekers' whereabouts. If that happened the plan would have to be abandoned and they would have foolishly lost a strategic ally. Corypheus had plans for the seeker's; though there was little doubt that the remaining seeker's could overpower both women, especially since neither was a mage. Still, even pawns had their uses. Calpernia sighed and tossed the letter from Lucius on her makeshift desk amid her spies other reports. Patience was the least of her virtues and it seemed, she would once again, have to rely on it in order to see her plan through.
Cassandra leaned against the cold stone wall as she listened to Leliana relay the numerous reports she had received from her agents concerning the huge rift that had appeared in the Western Approach. She resisted tapping her foot in impatience. She had been searching for her order since the Inquisition had formed and she was anxious to know why they had, so far, stayed so hidden. Lucius's behavior had been disturbing at best when they had passed each other in Val Royeaux all those months ago and, even though she had all but left the order, there were still those that had remained that carried a fond place in her heart.
"Cassandra?"
The seeker snapped out of her thoughts and flicked her gaze to the hooded woman. She thought she could detect the hint of a playful smirk twitching in the corners of the redhead's shadowed features at catching her during a momentary lapse in attention. Her previous annoyance rekindled, Cassandra pushed away from the wall and approached the war table, careful to keep a suitable distance away from both the spymaster and the Inquisitor.
"I apologize Lady Nightingale… my thoughts were with those that are missing. I had hoped by now to hear the news you say you have received."
Leliana suppressed the urge to grin roguishly at her counterpart. The seeker only used that particular moniker when she was in an extremely bad mood. As tempting as it was to delicately push at the warrior's buttons, regrettably, time was of the essence and they had all wasted more than enough of it.
"I will not keep you waiting any longer then. My agents have reported that the Seekers of Truth are holed up in Caer Oswin and have been for some time.."
Cassandra jerked her head to stare intently at the spymaster. "Caer Oswin? Are you certain? That is the seat of the Order of Fiery Promise! There is no reason for the entire order to be in that location unless…"
Leliana nodded, excusing the interruption as she continued. "The implications are dire indeed, which is why I am sure you will agree that we will need to split our party into two teams to tackle both threats at the same time."
Cassandra opened her mouth to agree but stopped short, her eyes cutting over to glance at the beautiful noble to her right; brow furrowed she turned her glare back to Leliana. "What you are suggesting is dangerous Leliana. To do so means that I must either choose to leave the fate of my order in the hands of others or abandon my duty to defend the Herald on the battlefield…"
Leliana held up a hand, silencing the thoughtful protest. She knew what she was asking of Cassandra. She was asking her to trust the life of not only the only weapon they possessed that could effectively seal the rifts in the sky but also the woman the spymaster was more than sure the seeker loved. It was either that or trust the future of her order to those who could not understand it.
"Peace Cassandra, I would not ask you to abandon the Inquisitor nor would I ask that you do the same to your order. Blackwell can stand in your place at her side and, even though his skill cannot surpass your own, even you cannot deny the man has talent in the field of battle. We shall send Lady Trevalyan, Blackwell, Solas and Varric to seal this new rift."
She paused, as the seeker's jaw clenched and stubbornness flashed within that ruthless gaze and made a rare impromptu decision she was sure would put Cassandra at ease. "I will accompany them if that will quiet those doubts in your mind. Meanwhile I will leave the assembly of your own party to you. Choose who you would have accompany you from the remaining companions as you know best what skills will be required for this. Does this plan meet with your approval?"
Cassandra took a deep breath, silently trying to dispel her sense of unease. It helped to know that Evelyn would be with Solas, whose healing arts were unparalleled and that Leliana herself would accompany them all. The seeker knew if the battle proved to be overwhelming or if Evelyn's life were in danger, Leliana would not hesitate to do what had to be done even if it meant abandoning the rest of the team to an uncertain fate. She could not deny that it was a sound course of action and nodded curtly at the former Left Hand.
"It helps to know that you will accompany them Leliana. I thank you for understanding my concern. I will take the rest of the melee fighters and rogues with me. It will not do to storm Caer Oswin with magic users. If the situation calls for it my order will neutralize them first. I also understand it that Cole and the Lord Seeker have met once before; perhaps a familiar face will be needed to help Lucius see reason."
"Excuse me? Do I not get a say in what course of action we take? Is this not a council meeting? What of Josephine and Cullen? Do they not get a vote in what course is set?"
Evelyn had been watching the verbal play in silence as the enormity of the situation became clearer. Since becoming part of the Inquisition she had not fought away from Cassandra's side except for once and that campaign had proven to be a disaster; a fact that obviously needed to be brought up once again.
"Do any of you not recall that the one battle campaign I attempted without the seeker at my side ended in a retreat with Blackwell needed a fortnight to recover from the wounds he suffered? Clearly the warden and I are not a good match on the battlefield."
She paused turning towards Leliana, "I've yet to test your mettle on the battlefield Sister Nightingale but even if the tales of your skills are not exaggerated, they are the same as mine. I fail to see why we must split apart what we know to be a successful team just to attack on two different fronts. Why do we need to address the seeker's now of all times? They have been missing all this time and I've yet to see their absence affect a thing. We found them and it does not look as though they are going to be moving from this fortress any time soon. Would it not be more prudent to attack the breach with our best and then address the seekers after?"
Evelyn watched as Josephine nodded in agreement and looked to Cassandra for her sure support only to find the seeker looking out into the courtyard, her face frozen in serious contemplation. She started towards the other woman, concerned by her silence but stopped as Cullen's tired baritone answered.
"Cassandra cannot leave the seeker's in the thrall of whatever has occured between the Lord Seeker and the Order of Fiery Promise."
Evelyn turned to look at the commander, the pallor of his cheeks, the raw red of his eyes. The withdraw seemed to be sucking the very life out of him. Lyrium was a cruel leash indeed but she could not help but admire the man for wanting to rid himself of his dependency. She frowned as he continued, moving to look out of the other window to the same courtyard.
"They are not just an order of missing men and women… they are Cassandra's family, the only ones she acknowledges and she must do all she can to save them. It is a feeling I understand all too well."
The Inquisitor watched as he turned that tired blue gaze towards her, his voice sounding far away, his thoughts clearly on his own flawed order. "And because they are family, it must be her that decides if they are worth saving… and if not then it must be her that strikes the killing blow."
Evelyn turned to look at the dark silhouette and nodded slowly. She could understand the fierce bonds of camaraderie formed during battles for life and death. Cassandra herself had told the rogue that the seekers were the only home she had ever known and Evelyn felt a sad smile touch her lips as she remembered that night by the fire so many months ago. The dam of memories broke free and flooded her mind as she stood and stared at the woman she had shared them with; memories of their first kiss, the slow teasing build up of the inferno of sexual tension between them and the night that frustration had broken. The rogue could still remember the way the seeker had tasted, the rare smiles and even rarer laughter. She tore her gaze away and shifted it to each of the members of the war council before her eyes found Cassandra once more.
"Leave us."
Cassandra turned at the command in that familiar voice, a command that warranted no argument from the other councilors within the small chamber. Her eyes found Evelyn's as one by one the other members of the war council filed out of the room one by one. It was no surprise that Leliana was the last to go, her lilting voice whispering softly before closing the door behind her.
"Take your time and leave the preparations to me. I will send for the both of you when it is time to depart."
Alone once more, Evelyn stepped forward, her hand reaching for the seeker's only to be met with a voice that sounded laced with steel.
"Tell me why you are afraid."
The Inquisitor cocked her head to the side slightly, a brief moment of confusion settling in upon her as she wondered how the seeker could have known just what she was feeling right then, before realization of her words from earlier dawned upon her. She plastered on what she hoped was a convincing smile as she defaulted to humor in order to deflect the seriousness of the question.
"Well… I would be a fool not to be. You are sort of a force of nature are you not?"
Cassandra frowned as she recognized some of the first words she had exchanged with the newly minted "Herald of Andraste." Shaking her head, she waved away the teasing compliemnt much as she had the first time. "That is besides the point. That is not what was meant when you spoke those words to me earlier." Sighing, the seeker raised her eyes and looked deeply into the monochromatic swirls of green that flashed behind the other woman's bright unflinching gaze.
"I know that there are risks to exposing our… familiarity. I know that such knowledge in the wrong hands could prove disastrous for, not only our personal reputations but also, that of the Inquisition. If this is your concern it is well placed and yet I find myself undeterred but if you cannot respect what it is we have or once had enough to tell me that this is so, then perhaps it is best that we let go whatever feelings we might have…" The seeker trailed off as a soft voice cut above her words.
"Tell me you love me Cassandra."
The warrior flushed at the command and hesitated. They had only ever said the words once to each other, in a moment of passion and such feelings had never come up since. She huffed her response, frustrated by the constant shift of hot and cold emotion.
"I could demand the same of you but that does not address the question I have asked."
Evelyn sighed and turned away, her voice raw from the emotion the choked from within. "I don't want to do this; fight on the eve of what may be the last time I see you. I don't want to think about what it would mean to me to lose you now."
She paused for a moment to brace her bent arm against the wall, resting her head upon it as the Maker cursed and unwanted tears blurred her vision. Closing her eyes to stop the unwelcome flow she plowed forward.
"I cannot protect you from those risks and I would rather have you at my side as just a comrade in arms then to lose you to my enemies for no reason but being the object of my affections. I would give anything to keep you safe, even my own potential happiness...but now I may not have a choice. Our paths are diverging and there is nothing I can do to stop…"
She looked down as strong fingers curled around her bicep, pulling her arm away and she looked up into the dark hazel she so loved to lose herself in.
"We have a duty beyond ourselves to all of Thedas; you are the only one who can stem the flow of evil that spills forth from the rips into the Fade and I… I may be the only seeker left untainted by the corruption that may or may not have swallowed the whole of my order. Do not be afraid… Leliana will protect you with her life and her skills are not exaggerated and I… I will burn Caer Oswin to the ground if it is the path that brings me back to you.. Words. Emotions. These are not the favored weapons in my arsenal… but… I"
Evelyn yanked the slightly taller woman forward; crushing together their lips silencing the confession of an emotion she knew they both felt. She backed the seeker against the large wooden table, her hand sweeping aside the heavy pieces that marked supplies, missions and troop movements before leaning the seeker back as she slowly devoured every inch of bare skin she could reach. She dimly heard the flapping of wings to her back as strong fingers fisted in her hair. A sharp peck to her free hand caused her to pull back, a yelped curse escaping her as she flung her injured hand out to shoo the raven away. Glaring at the unwanted intruder, Evelyn noticed the small scroll of parchment that hung from the bird's tethered talon. Sighing in disgust, for she knew only one person who would have the gall to send such a messenger, she reached forward ripping the paper from its tie, eyes rolling as she read the spymasters words:
"You didn't truly think I would leave the two of you alone long enough to resume whatever activity I interrupted earlier…
Preparations are almost complete and your presence has been cordially requested in front of the stables.
You should also know I have given Poe the instruction to peck you every few minutes until you have arrived… his beak can be quite sharp…"
Evelyn crumpled the note in her hand and yelped as a sharp peck hammered into her ungloved flesh once again. "Damn bird! Give me a minute! Peck me again and your mistress will be eating crow the entire way to and from the Western Approach!" The soft chuckle of the woman beneath her drew her attention and the rogue returned the light laughter with a exasperated grin that quickly faded as a soft touch cupped her cheek.
"The quicker we depart, the quicker we can return."
Evelyn nodded and moved back, extending her hand to the other woman; pulling her up from the table and back into her arms, pleased when Cassandra returned the tight embrace and warm breath mused her hair.
"Remember what I said… I will take whatever path brings me back here to you…"
Evelyn nodded, "And I will be here when you return."
Cassandra allowed the ghost of a smile to touch her lips briefly before a stabbing pain stole the pleasant warmth of returned affection away. She shook her hand, releasing the slim redhead to grasp the hilt of her sword as the voice normally reserved for battle roared forth;
"Maker take you bird!"
Evelyn felt her shoulder shake with unsuppressed amusement as she watched Cassandra unsheathe her sword and swing it unsuccessfully at the nuisance Leliana had sent. Hope blossomed in her chest, erasing her earlier un-ease at the prospect of taking the field without her seeker at her side. She had never seen anyone best the impressive warrior before her, except perhaps the spymaster's bird. Lips curved into a smile, she reached forward and stilled the enraged warrior before her.
"Come. You said it best… the sooner we depart the sooner we can return."
She paused to give the inquisitive messenger a long look before continuing, "And the sooner we return the sooner I can exact vengeance on this damndable creature."
Evelyn watched as the raven took flight with a loud "qwork" and exited the window to fly towards the stables below before extending her hand to Cassandra once more.
"Well my lady, shall we?"
Cassandra surprised herself by taking the proffered hand, lips twisting into a slight smirk as she moved towards the door, "Lead the way Inquisitor."