After so many days wearing armor, she felt all but naked in the formal attire. Not that it wasn't flattering in its own way. Ruya took a brief moment to sneak a glance at Cullen's backside, and then elbowed Dorian when she caught him doing the same thing. Dorian merely laughed and gave her a peck on the cheek before heading off to mingle.

"Inquisitor Trevelyan." Grand Duke Gaspard strode towards her. "It is an honor to meet you at last." He kissed her hand. "The rumors coming out of the Western Approach say you battled an army of demons." His gestures were grand. "Imagine what the Inquisition could accomplish with the full support of the rightful Emperor of Orlais?"

Ruya smiled in response. "And which one was the rightful one, again? I keep getting them confused."

He bowed with a flourish. "The handsome, charming one of course, my lady." His smile was warm, but the eyes behind the mask were untouched. "I am not a man who forgets his friends, Inquisitor. You help me, I'll help you." He offered her his arm. "My lady, are you prepared to shock the court by walking into the Grand Ball with a hateful usurper. They will be telling stories of this into the next age."

Hopefully, Varric's version. She took his arm. "I can't imagine that crowd had seen anything better than us their entire lives."

"You're a woman after my own heart, my lady." He led her into the garden. "As a friend, perhaps there is a matter you could undertake this evening. This elven woman, Briala - I suspect that she intends to disrupt the negotiations. My people have found these 'ambassadors' all over the fortifications. Sabotage seems the least of their crimes."

"Tell me there's more to your suspicion than 'the elves were acting dodgy.'" She kept her voice light and playful.

"That 'ambassador,' Briala, used to be a servant of Celene's. That is, until my cousin had her arrested for crimes against the empire to cover up a political mistake. If anyone in this room wishes Celene harm, Inquisitor, it's that elf. She certainly has reason." He sighed. "Be as discreet as possible. I detest the Game, but if we do not play it well, our enemies will make us look like villains."

They parted ways inside the garden. She wandered a bit, returning a lost ring to its owner. Her companions mingled as well. After some consideration, she'd put Brehan into Otwin's entourage. Both her brother and the Dalish elf wore masks fashioned to look like owls, after the Trevelyan family crest. A bit of light eavesdropping told her that the problem in the Exalted Plains was bad indeed.

With a sigh, she headed towards the entrance into the palace.

#

Josephine met her just inside the entrance. "Inquisitor, a moment, if you please?" They stepped off to the side. "I must warn you before you go inside: how you speak to the court is a matter of life and death. It is no simple matter of etiquette and protocol. Every word, every gesture, is measured and evaluated for weakness."

Ruya nodded. Vivienne had spent hours drilling her. "I'll keep my guard up, don't worry."

Clearly, Josephine was not to be easily comforted on the issue. "The game is like Wicked Grace played to the death. You must never reveal your cards. When you meet the empress, the eyes of the entire court will be upon you. You were safer in the Fade with the fear demon."

"It might be a good idea for the others to hear this warning." She started to step away, and then came back to Josephine. "Especially Sera. Maybe tell her twice."

"I'll have a few..." Josephine played with the edge of her glove. "Discreet words." She took a deep breath. "Everything will be fine."

As Ruya started to walk in, she heard Josephine murmur. "Andraste watch over us all."

#

"It's her." Brehan's voice was quiet.

"The occult adviser. The Inquisitor will need to be warned." Leliana kept her face pleasant and composed as she looked around the garden. "Has she gone in already?"

"I just missed her at the gate. What is Morrigan doing here, Leliana?"

"A good question. We had best find the answer."

#

Both Cassandra and Cullen were at the top of the stairs, standing stiffly in the dress uniforms. Cullen mentioned some of the others had already gone inside. Ruya mingled a bit more before nodded to them and heading in.

#

"And now, presenting: Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons. And accompanying him..." Ruya walked in beside the Grand Duke. Once again, she could feel a thousand eyes staring at her. One would think by now she'd be getting used to it. "Lady Inquisitor Trevelyan, of the Ostwick Cricle of Magi. Vanquisher of the rebel mages of Ferelden, crusher of the vile apostates of the Mage Underground."

The who of the what? She heard Sera's voice whisper fiercely. "He is so full of it. That's not how it went."

The announcer continued. "Champion of the Blessed Andraste herself."

Gaspard actually snickered. "Did you see their faces? Priceless."

"Accompanying the Inquisitor: Seeker Cassandra Allegra Portia Calogera Filomena -"

"Get on with it." Cassandra's gait was far closer to 'stalking' than a 'ladylike glide'.

Ruya continued walking as she heard her various companions announced. Solas was introduced as her manservant. Part of her wondered if that had been his idea. She nearly choked when she heard Sera introduced as 'her ladyship Mai Bhalsych of Korse'. From the look that crossed Josephine's face, Sera was going to pay dearly at some point.

The Empress met them at the end of the hall. Duke Gaspard bowed. "Cousin. My dear sister."

"Grand Duke. We are always honored when your presence graces our court." The Empress gestured grandly, and even managed to make her voice sound warm and pleasant.

"Don't waste my time with pleasantries, Celene. We have business to conclude."

Celene graciously inclined her head. "We will meet for negotiations after we have seen to our other guests."

Gaspard bowed to Ruya. "Inquisitor."

"Lady Inquisitor, we welcome you to the Winter Palace." Celene spread her hands, and then gestured to the woman beside her. "Allow us to present our cousin, the Grand Duchess of Lydes, without whom this gathering would never have been possible."

"What an unexpected pleasure." The Grand Duchess wore a dress that put Ruya in mind of a moth. "I was not aware the Inquisition would be part of our festivities. We will certainly speak later, Inquisitor." She withdrew.

"Your arrival at court is like a cool wind on a summer's day." Celene continued grandly.

"I am delighted to be here, Your Majesty." Once upon a time, she might have stammered at finding herself talking to the empress.

"We have heard much of your exploits, Inquisitor. They have made grand tales for long evenings. How do you find Halamshiral?"

"I've never seen anything to equal the Winter Palace."

"We hope you will find time to take in some of its beauties. Feel free to enjoy the pleasures of the ballroom, Inquisitor." Celene inclined her head. "We look forward to watching you dance."

#

"Inquisitor. A word, when you have a moment." Brehan's voice reached her ears as she came up the stairs. He walked towards the door without looking at her.

She followed at a more sedate pace, occasionally smiling and nodding at various people. Ruya went through the door to find Leliana waiting for her rather than Brehan. She couldn't quite stop herself from smiling. Despite their recent argument, the two still worked together all but flawlessly. Leliana stepped over to the side. "What did the duke say?"

"He points the finger at Ambassador Briala." Though, based on what Brehan had said, Briala wasn't exactly an innocent party.

"The ambassador is up to something, but she can't be our focus. The best place to strike at Celene is from her side." Leliana leaned against the wall. "Empress Celene is fascinated by mysticism - foreseeing the future, speaking with the dead, that sort of rubbish. She has an 'occult adviser'. An apostate who charmed the empress and key members of the court as if by magic." Leliana folded her arms. "I've had dealings with her in the past. She is ruthless and capable of anything."

Ruya raised an eyebrow at the barely concealed anger in Leliana's voice. "How can Celene openly keep an apostate in the Imperial Court?"

"The Imperial Court has always had an official position for a mage. Before now, it was little better than court jester. Vivienne was the first to turn that appointment into a source of real political power. When the Circles rebelled, technically every mage became an apostate. The word has lost much of its strength."

An apostate. A blood mage? "That sounds exactly like the person we're looking for."

"She's worth investigating. Can't be sure of anything here. Both leads point towards the guest wing. It's a promising place to start." Leliana stepped away from the wall. "I'll coordinate with our spies to see if I can find anything better. I will be in the ballroom if you need me."

#

Cassandra and Blackwall were clearly not enjoying themselves. Blackwall was being pestered by some noble who kept insisting he knew him from somewhere. Ruya overheard some elven servants talking about a package in the guest wing, and something about a statuette. She'd found a halla statuette in the garden. Another potential lead.

Solas was leaning against a statue. She blinked. The man almost looked to be enjoying himself. He caught her eye as she walked over. "I do adore the heady blend of power, intrigue, danger, and sex that permeates these events."

She smiled. "Have you seen anything useful?"

"No, sadly. I do not have the look of one of the elven servants, or I might well be invisible. I wonder how masked men live their lives without ever seeing that servants have an entire society of their own?" He nodded at where a few of the servants were gathered at the other end of the hall. "If you want to find something useful, I would pay attention to what the servants do."

Ruya nodded. Brehan had told her much the same thing. It was part of the reason he was pretending to be Otwin's servant. "Have you encountered any trouble with the nobles?"

"The Orlesians do not quite know what to make of me." He shrugged. "I have kept to myself, for fear of giving them some purchase to cling to. The food and drink are excellent, however, and the servants have been happy to refill my glass."

She blinked. If she wasn't mistaken, he was actually a bit on the tipsy side. It was kind of nice to see him relaxing a little. "You seem more comfortable with a grand Orlesian ball than I'd have expected."

"I have seen countless such displays in my journeys in the Fade. The powerful have always been the same. Only the costumes change."

"I'll be back."

"Hunt well."

#

She marveled that Josephine and Yvette were related. Surely the age difference between them couldn't be a mere three years. Sera was making very catty remarks about various people. Vivienne seemed to be having fun, and was conversing with various people she knew. Leliana had something of a shoe obsession. Varric had come in with them earlier, but was now nowhere to be found. For that matter, neither was Cole. Hopefully, the two of them had just gone off together somewhere and weren't getting into trouble.

Cullen was surrounded by what appeared to be admirers. "Are you married, Commander?" a woman fluttering a fan asked him.

"Not yet, but I am..." He shifted uncomfortably. "Already taken."

"Still single, then..."

She forced down the urge to arc some lightning across all their masks. He saw her approaching, and took a step towards her almost desperately. "Inquisitor. Did you need something?" He glanced over his shoulder at the slightly dispersing group. "The sooner we track down this infiltrator, the better."

"You've attracted quite a following. Who are all these people?" Maker, was that a note of jealousy in her voice?

"I don't know, but they won't leave me alone." Frustration was evident on his face.

"Not enjoying the attention, then?" She smiled sympathetically.

"Hardly. Anyway, yours -" He coughed, and then lowered his voice to barely above a whisper. "Yours is the only attention worth having."

Butterflies danced in her stomach. "I don't suppose you'd save a dance for me?"

"No, thank you."

She blinked, and stared at him. "Oh."

"No. I didn't mean to -" He gave her an apologetic look. "Maker's breath. I've answered that question so many times I'm rejecting it automatically." He sighed. "I'm not one for dancing. The templars never attended balls."

They chatted for another minute about what he'd observed, which was unfortunately little. He assured her the soldiers were in place. Reluctantly, she went back to mingling.

#

She chatted politely with one of the Council of Heralds, and then sympathized with an attache who was seeking to find a lost 'Pierre'. Iron Bull had some marginally useful information. Nothing that would help them find an assassin, but passed to Leliana could net them a bit of sway among the nobles. An eavesdropped conversation on the servants Solas had pointed out earlier netted her a missive. It appeared Briala's people were having some difficulties. She passed it to Leliana before heading into the garden.

The Empress's handmaidens stopped her just as she entered the garden. "My lady. My lady Inquisitor."

"May we have a word? It's very important."

"The empress has sent us with a message for you."

Three of them for one message. Orlais. Ruya nodded politely. "I'm always honored to hear from Her Majesty."

"Oh. She is the honored one, Inquisitor."

"Empress Celene is eager to assist the Herald of Andraste in her holy endeavor."

"She will pledge her full support to the Inquisition as soon as the usurper Gaspard is defeated."

Frankly, she'd expected a bit more subtlety. "That's a generous offer."

"The empress believes wholeheartedly that the Inquisition is our best hope for peace in these difficult times."

"She looks forward to cementing a formal alliance."

"As soon as Gaspard is out of the way."

"But we have taken enough of your time."

"Please, enjoy the Masquerade, Inquisitor."

Ruya walked into the garden, comforted on some level that Sera would probably shoot her in the head long before she needed three pretty masks to do all her talking for her."

#

"This is all so familiar. I half expect my mother to materialize from the crowd and criticize my manners." Dorian took a sip from his wine glass.

"Mine would be appalled I'm not wearing at least pearls." She shook her head. "Is this how the elite of Tevinter would carry on?"

"You could almost mistake this for a soiree in the Imperium. The same double-dealing, elegant poison, canapés..." He gestured. "It's lacking only a few sacrificial slaves and some blood magic." Dorian shrugged. "But the night is still young."

"What if our mothers were actually here? Where would we be then?"

"Short a couple mages, I expect. I'd be dragged out by my earlobe."

She tilted her head to one side at the mental image. "I'm having difficulty picturing that."

"Picture me a young boy of five years, then. She certainly always has."

"You might want to move closer to the railing, observe the view. Duke Montefort's guard is rather..." She winked at him. "Decorative."

"A suggestion worth heeding."

"Try not to get too drunk."

He sighed, and looked dejected. "You ask so much of me."

#

Another eavesdropped conversation netted her a potential contact for Leliana. After a bit more exploration, she sighed, and then went back to Dorian. "I don't suppose you could arrange a minor distraction?"

His answering grin almost had her regret asking. She waited out of sight until she saw heads start to turn in his direction. A few moments later she had climbed the wall and was on the upper level. A quick glance into the garden revealed a nobleman apologizing profusely to Dorian, with Dorian apparently channeling every ounce of Tevinter he could muster into a withering stare. Good. At least he wasn't going to get thrown out.

Some searching uncovered a hidden study, and a letter to a 'Lady M'. She pocketed the letter. The study clearly belonged to a mage. There was even a sconce burning with veilfire. This would be the apostate's lair, then. She'd send Brehan back to do a more thorough search. Quietly, she slipped over to the room the servants had mentioned, and used the statuette to get the door open. Inside, she found several bodies and a packet of letters. Briala's sabotage at work.

Rather than climb back down, she went through the library. She was most of the way through when she stopped short. Cole was standing, looking over the railing. How had he gotten in here? "Cole?"

"The faces talk even when they aren't moving. Silk on satin on skin, always wanting, chaste but chased. Too many."

"Are you all right, Cole? You seem distracted. More than usual?" She put a worried hand on his arm. Maybe she should have someone take him out.

"They have faces inside their faces, lying with a layer that tells the truth. I don't know how to help them."

"Have you observed anything happening yet?"

"Cullen is afraid. They're hunting him, following fear. He shouldn't be here."

She closed her eyes briefly. Cullen was more than just uncomfortable at the attention then. Hopefully, she'd be able to get him out of here soon. Maybe she'd tell Otwin to stick by him. "Stay out of trouble, Cole."

"Socks get wet when the tide rises."

She started to reassure him again, and then heard the bell. So she just gave him a quick hug and advised him to stay put.

#

She was walking towards the door when she heard a voice. "Well, well, what have we here?" Ruya turned to see a woman in a dark red velvet dress coming down the stairs. She was unmasked, her dark hair swept up but not covered. And her eyes were a piercing yellow, unlike any Ruya'd ever seen before. "The leader of the new Inquisition, fabled Herald of the faith. Delivered from the grasp of the Fade by the hand of Blessed Andraste herself." The woman's lips wore a small smile. "What could bring such an exalted creature here to the Imperial Court, I wonder? Do even you know?"

Ruya returned the smile. "We may never know. Courtly intrigues and all that."

"Such intrigues obscure much, but not all." She inclined her head. "I am Morrigan. Some call me adviser to Empress Celene on matters of the arcane. You..." Morrigan gestured, and then began to walk towards the great hall. "Have been very busy this evening, hunting in every dark corner of the palace." Morrigan raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps you and I hunt the same prey?"

"I don't know. Do we?" So this was the apostate. There was something odd about the woman, and it wasn't just the yellow eyes. This was no mere hedge mage.

Morrigan actually laughed. "You are being coy."

"I'm being careful." Leliana's warning echoed in her mind.

"Not unwise, here of all places. Allow me to speak first, then." She turned over a hand. "Recently I found, and killed, an unwelcoem guest within these very halls. An agent of Tevinter." She turned over her other hand, which contained a key. "So I offer you this, Inquisitor: a key found on the Tevinter's body. Where it leads, I cannot say. Yet if Celene is in danger, I cannot leave her side long enough to search. You can."

The woman was protecting Celene? She was going to need to talk to Leliana again. "You left Celene alone? Is that wise?"

"I must return to her anon, but she is safe enough..." Morrigan twitched a shoulder. "For the moment. 'Twould be a great fool who strikes at her in public, in front of all her court and the imperial guard."

There was a puzzle here, and she was missing several pieces. "What's your interest in protecting Empress Celene? Are you her bodyguard?"

Laughter answered her. "Do I seem a bodyguard to you?" Morrigan gestured at herself. "If anything were to happen to Celene, eyes would turn first to her 'occult adviser.' Even if they knew otherwise. There are sharks in the water, and I will not fall prey to them. Not now, not ever."

Self-interest. That made sense. But the pieces still weren't fitting right. And she thought she knew where the key might lead. She took it from Morrigan. "Briala's people are whispering about disappearances in the servants' quarters. This key may lead there."

"The ambassador does have eyes and ears everywhere, does she not? Proceed with caution, Inquisitor. Enemies abound, and not all of them aligned with Tevinter." Morrigan inclined her head graciously. "What comes next will be most exciting."

#

She passed what information she'd collected to Leliana, and mentioned Morrigan. "You said you'd had dealings with her in the past?"

"You heard stories of the Blight, yes?"

Ruya started to nod, and then blinked. "That was the swamp witch?"

"Tread carefully, Inquisitor."

Ruya nodded, and then went to collect a few of her friends before investigating. She looked around for her brother. He was on the dance floor. With... She blinked. Yvette Montilyet. Oh. She took a breath. One problem at a time.

#

The bodies of several servants lay scattered around the room. Sera's face was furious. "Caught in the middle of this crap. What fully qualified arsehole stops to kill a cook?"

Ruya sighed. "Must be the elves Briala's people are looking for."

Sera clenched her fists. "Whoever did this oughta be down here somewhere."

She nodded to Sera, and then glanced over her shoulder at Cassandra and Solas. The faces of both were grim.

They continued through the servants' quarters, and found only more corpses. Some were... very young. Sera was practically growling by the time they reached the garden. Solas touched Ruya's arm, then pointed. The body of a well-dressed man was lying by a fountain, a knife hilt sticking out of his back. Ruya moved in to take a closer look. "This was no servant. What was he doing here?"

Sera nodded. "This guy's way too fancy to belong down here. What's his story?"

Cassandra gestured at the knife. "The crest of the Chalons family. Duke Gaspard will answer for this."

It was too obvious. Or maybe it wasn't. Gaspard could have used the knife so he could claim someone had set him up. The Game made her head hurt. "Time to have a word with the Duke."

She rose just as someone let out a cry. A serving girl was running. Ruya started to put up a barrier around the young woman, but wasn't fast enough. A masked figure put a knife through the girl's heart, then looked up at them and fled. Several Venatori emerged from the same path. Without their gear, options were limited. She and Solas stepped forward, casting the spell simultaneously and feeding into each other's magic. Lightning arced among the Venatori.

Cassandra hit one of the Venatori with a tackle, and came up with the man's blades in her hands. She tossed one to Sera before moving in to attack. Ruya summoned the spirit blade, and closed. She and Solas both put up barriers, reinforcing each other's spells. A moment later, the last of the venatori was down.

Sera had found a bow on one. Instead of nocking an arrow or using the knife, she was kicking one of the Venatori in the head. Repeatedly. With a rather impressive string of curses. Ruya stripped a shield off one, and tossed it to Cassandra. Cassandra strapped it to her arm, and then nodded. The seeker held up a staff, and Ruya jerked her head at Solas. Cassandra tossed it to him.

#

They killed two more groups of Venatori. Sera had found a few more halla statuettes, and managed to get a door open. Ruya looked around the vault, and her eyes fell on an elven style locket. Celene had kept Briala's locket. Interesting. She picked it up.

Sera snerked. "The empress can't give up her pretty things."

#

Sera crowed triumphantly as she got the outlandishly dressed assassin with an arrow right to the eye. Ruya swiped her spirit blade through the man trying to attack Solas, and Solas aimed his staff at one of the two men attacking Cassandra. A fist of green energy smashed the man against the wall, and Cassandra finished the other off a heartbeat later. The last man started to run, but a knife grew in his eye as soon as he reached the corner.

An elven woman stopped to retrieve her dagger before walking towards them. "Fancy meeting you here." She gave a small bow. "Inquisitor Trevelyan. I was surprised to get your message. We haven't been properly introduced, have we? I'm Ambassador Briala."

Ruya returned the bow. "I'm glad to meet you finally, Ambassador."

Briala looked around at the bodies, and then smiled and gave a nod. "Your reputation for getting results is well deserved. You cleaned this place out. It will take a month to get all the Tevinter blood off the marble." She leaned on the doorway to the balcony. "I came down to save or avenge my missing people, but you've beaten me to it. So..." She glanced over the railing. "The Council of Herald's emissary in the courtyard..." Briala raised an eyebrow. "That's not your work, is it?"

"He was dead when I arrived." So it wasn't Briala's work then.

"I expected as much." Briala shrugged. "You may have arrived with the Grand Duke, but you don't seem to be doing his dirty work. I knew he was smuggling in chevaliers, but killing a council emissary? Bringing Tevinter assassins into the palace? Those are desperate acts. Gaspard must be planning to strike tonight."

Desperate, perhaps, but she wasn't yet convinced Gaspard was responsible for all of them. "The empress needs to know what's going on."

"You can try to warn her. She won't believe anything from me." Briala tilted her head to one side. "The Raven says you're an ally worth having. What could you do with an army of elven spies at your disposal? You should think about it."

The Raven. Brehan. If even half of what he'd told her was correct, she wasn't sure this was an opportunity she could pass up. "You know how to make a pitch, Ambassador."

"I do, don't I?" Briala gave a small bow. "I know which way the wind is blowing. I'd bet coin that you'll be part of the peace talks before the night is over. And if you happen to lean a little bit our way? It..." Briala shrugged. "Could prove advantageous to us both. Just a thought." Briala walked to the edge of the balcony, leaped down, and was gone into the shadows.

"More politics and double-dealing." Cassandra kicked a sword out of her path as they walked back to the stairs. "Is there anyone here who is not corrupt?"

"Call it politics or the Game or whatever, that's personal hate." Sera glanced back over her shoulder. "Heh."

Ruya sighed. She needed to talk to Leliana and Brehan.

#

They stashed their found weapons, and parted ways. Ruya was walking back to the great hall when a man stopped her. "Is it true what they say? You're the Inquisitor, are you not? We've heard stories of your accomplishments."

The men were standing guard on a door to a room she wanted to investigate. She smiled. "I'd wager I have better tales than anything you've heard."

"I told you, Philippe."

"Not everyone fights an Archdemon and lives to tell. It's an inspiration."

"If you'd like, Commander Cullen could give you all the details of that battle." And he'd probably rather do that than be stalked by various nobles. "He's in the ballroom."

"Really? But..." The man shifted awkwardly. "I shouldn't leave my post..."

"You'd only be gone a moment." Ruya smiled at him encouragingly.

"Philippe. The world is coming to an end. If we don't hear this story now, we'll never have a chance."

"You're right. Thank you, Inquisitor. Let's go."

She waited until they were out of sight, and then jerked her head at Sera. The elf grinned broadly, and followed her in to search the room. Ruya smiled with satisfaction when she found Gaspard's orders. More for Leliana.

#

"Inquisitor?" Ruya turned to see the moth-like duchess. "We met briefly. I am Grand Duchess Florianne de Chalons. Welcome to my party."

Had the woman been lying in wait for her? Ruya put the polite, warm smile back on her face. "Is there something I can do for you, Your Grace?"

"Indeed you can. I believe tonight you and I are both concerned by the actions of..." Florianne took a step closer to her. "A certain person." She gestured. "Come, dance with me. Spies will not hear us on the dance floor."

Well, it seemed there was some advantage to having spent most of her dancing lessons with another woman. "Very well. Shall we dance, Your Grace?" She held out a hand.

Florianne took the hand. "I'd be delighted."

They moved through the opening steps of the dance. Florianne watched her carefully. "You are from the Free Marches, are you not? How much do you know about our little war?"

"What do you think I ought to know?" Questions, never answers.

"My brother and my dear cousin have been at each other's throats for too long." Florianne moved gracefully. "It took great effort to arrange tonight's negotiations. Yet one party would use this occasion for blackest treason. The security of the empire is at stake. Neither one of us wishes to see it fall."

Ruya moved through the next part of the dance, taking the lead. "Do we both want that, Lady Florianne?"

"I hope we are of one mind on this."

"In times like these, it's hard to tell friend from foe, is it not, Your Grace?" Vivienne's drills had paid off. She was able to move through the dance without having to take her attention from Florianne. The woman wanted something, that much was clear.

"I know you arrived here as a guest of my brother, Gaspard. And have been everywhere in the palace..." Florianne's voice was soft. "You are a curiosity to many, Inquisitor..." She was watching Ruya from the corner of her eye as they twirled across the floor. "And a matter of concern to some."

"Am I the curiosity or the concern to you, Your Grace?"

"A little of both, actually. This evening is of great importance, Inquisitor. I wonder what role you will play in it. Do you even yet know who is friend and who is foe? Who in the court can be trusted?"

"An excellent question. I might ask the same of you, Your Grace."

"In the Winter Palace, everyone is alone. It cannot have escaped your notice that certain parties are engaged in dangerous machinations tonight."

And she was dancing with one of those 'certain parties' at this very moment. "I thought 'dangerous machinations' were the national sport in Orlais." She dipped Florianne low.

"You have little time. The attack will come soon. You must stop Gaspard before he strikes. In the Royal Wing garden, you will find the captain of my brother's mercenaries. He knows all Gaspard's secrets. I'm sure you can persuade him to be forthcoming." They bowed to each other as the dance ended.

"We'll see what the night has in store, won't we?"

#

Josephine certainly looked pleased. "You'll be the talk of the court for months. We should take you dancing more often."

"It's a relief to do something other than fight demons and horrors."

"You still face demons and horrors." Josephine smiled. "These ones are simply better dressed."

"Were you dancing with Duchess Florianne?" Leliana looked disbelieving as she approached, followed by Cullen.

Cullen gave her a concerned look. "More importantly, what happened in the servants' quarters? I heard there was fighting."

"I hope you have good news." Josephine glanced over her shoulder. "It appears the peace talks are crumbling."

Ruya glanced at Leliana. "Morrigan helped me get into the servants quarters, where I found a group of Venatori. And Gaspard's dagger." Leliana looked less surprised than Ruya would have expected.

"The man would truly do anything to become emperor."

"Then..." Cullen unfolded his arms. "The attack on the empress will happen tonight."

"Warning Celene is pointless." Josephine looked frustrated. "She needs these talks to succeed, and to flee would admit defeat."

"Then perhaps we should let her die." All of them turned to stare at Leliana.

"You have an idea, Leliana?" Surely the woman couldn't actually mean let the empress die.

"What Corypheus wants is chaos. Even with Celene alive, that could still happen." Leliana gestured. "To foil his plan, the empire must remain strong. This evening, someone must emerge victorious."

Reluctantly, Cullen nodded. "And it doesn't need to be Celene. She's right.

Josephine looked faintly horrified. "Do you realize what you're suggesting, Leliana?"

"Sometimes the best path is not the easiest one."

This was ridiculous. "We came here to save Celene."

"Then you must not only save her life, but also her empire." Leliana set a hand on her hip.

"That means giving her a victory over both Gaspard and Briala." Josephine glanced towards the other end of the ballroom.

"If there truly is proof Gaspard's in league with Corypheus, that would be a start." It was clear Cullen didn't actually believe that to be the case.

"What did Duchess Florianne tell you?" Leliana asked.

Too much, and just enough. That woman was playing her own game. "She said Gaspard's mercenary captain is in the royal wing. That he knows about the assassination."

Cullen rolled his eyes. "Which could be a trap."

"Or a lead." Josephine waved a hand. "Either way, you should search the private quarters in that wing for clues."

"Then get me access, and in the meantime, get your soldiers into position." She looked at Cullen, and he nodded.

"At once. Be careful, Inquisitor."

#

She found her brother, and they spoke for a few minutes. Otwin seemed a tad besotted with Yvette. She winked and let him go on, and then spared a glance for the servant standing next to him. Brehan offered her a drink. She accepted the glass, and felt the key as he passed the glass over. "A council of Herald's emissary was also killed in the servants' quarters. Gaspard's knife was in his back."

"Not a bad play on his part," Brehan said quietly. When she raised an eyebrow, he continued. "He can play the wounded party, pointing the finger at Briala. After all, he has been in here the entire evening, he couldn't possibly be the guilty party. And yet the council gets the warning clear. His threats are not empty, and any one of them could be next." He took her empty glass from her. "Celene duels with feathers, Inquisitor. Gaspard reaches first for the sword."

She nodded. "The key to the royal wing?"

"Courtesy of Briala."

"I found an elven locket in Celene's vault." She kept her voice low.

"Before Gaspard made his move, Briala was able to guide Celene towards doing much for the elves. Love is a powerful force, Inquisitor."

Ruya nodded, smiling at her brother. Otwin smiled back. "Do save me a dance, little sister."

"Of course."

#

More because her mother would box her ears if she didn't than for any other reason, she asked the dowager for a dance. The woman looked surprised and pleased, and promised a dance later.

Ruya walked to the balcony. Briala was watching the people inside, and nodded when Ruya stepped onto the balcony. "Inquisitor Trevelyan. Slumming even more than usual, I see. You've charmed some of the nobles. We'll see how long you can keep their favor. What brings you to me?"

A hope that Brehan was correct. "I found an elven locket hidden among Celene's things." She held it out, using her body to block the view of any onlookers from inside. "This isn't yours, is it?"

"Let me see that." Briala's voice lost its collected tones as she stepped towards Ruya. The elven woman had paled slightly. "She kept this? What was she thinking? If Gaspard had found this, it would have ruined her."

"It might have meant something to her." Not all victories required blood.

"Maybe it did. She held on to it..." Briala began composing her face once more.

"I had a question about you, Briala."

The other woman smiled. "You have one of Dirthamen's ravens on your shoulder, Inquisitor. Doubtless you know much of me already. Empress Celene and I have... history. There was a time when I put my spies at her disposal. She knows my qualifications. We had a falling-out. Now we're negotiating to determine whether I return to her side in the war."

"I'm surprised you'd admit that, considering the circumstances."

Briala merely smiled. "I know it's incriminating. Few harbor more resentment against Celene than I." Her smile faded. "But if she died after inviting me here, the court would certainly pin her death on me. An elf assassinating the empress? Alienages across Orlais - across all Thedas - would be purged. That cannot happen." Briala's voice was quiet and fierce.

Yet one more weight. "We'll speak more later, Ambassador."

"Another time, Inquisitor."

#

This next part would be tricky. Ruya took a deep breath, and walked to the empress's handmaidens. One fluttered her fan. "Inquisitor, to what do we owe this honor?"

"We are always delighted to speak with you, of course."

"Her Imperial Majesty is unfortunately occupied at present."

Ruya wasn't entirely sure which of them she should be looking at when she spoke. She imagined that was probably the point. Whenever she addressed one, the other two could study her. "I made a fascinating discovery: an elven locket, in the empress's vault."

All three went still a heartbeat. "Oh dear."

"That is very interesting..."

"I'll get Her Majesty."

#

Celene moved gracefully, a butterfly in blue. "Inquisitor, I regret that we did not have time to speak earlier. No doubt you have questions about many things."

"I found an elven locket sealed in the palace vault. You must have considered it quite valuable."

"It was..." It was hard to read Celene's face behind the mask, but there was the slightest tremor to her voice. "Sentimental. I don't know why I kept it. It was a foolish thing to do."

"Maybe you kept it because you still care for Briala." She saw the words reach the empress, if only for a moment.

"Perhaps I do. But I cannot put her above all the people of my empire. Dispose of the locket however you like. It means nothing to me." The empress turned and walked away.

For a woman who ruled Orlais, and by all accounts was a master of the game, she'd expected the woman to be a better liar. She tucked the locket away and headed back out to collect her friends.

#

A couple of Sera's friends had left presents. She really hoped that wasn't going to come back to bite them in the ass. Sera was glaring around the royal wing. "Room after room, and for what? Ruffle storage? Real useful."

Cassandra appeared equally annoyed. Ruya blinked when she saw Solas help himself to one of the books in the library as they passed. He shrugged, and she just laughed softly.

Someone cried out, and the four of them immediately headed in that direction. Cassandra kicked the door open, and Ruya saw one of the garishly dressed assassins advancing on an elven woman who was scrambling backwards across the floor. She strode forward, wrapping a barrier around herself, and delivered a solid kick to the clown's stomach. The assassin went tumbling out the window. Sera cackled.

The elven woman wrapped her arms around her knees. "Thank you."

Ruya knelt next to her, and used her healing magic on the light slash the woman had taken on her arm. "Are you all right?"

"I'm..." The young woman nodded. "I don't think I'm hurt." They both stood. "No one's supposed to be here..." The woman took a couple deep breaths to steady herself. "Briala said..." Anger entered her voice. "I shouldn't have trusted her."

"Briala told you to come to this wing of the palace?"

"Not personally. The 'ambassador' can't be seen talking to the servants." The woman gestured. "We get coded messages at certain locations. But the order came from her. She's been watching the grand duke all night. No surprise she wanted someone to search his sister's room."

"This wing is sealed. How did you get in here?"

"Easy. The door was unlocked. One of the others probably handled it."

And yet it had been locked when they'd come in. Interesting. "It takes great courage to come to the royal wing unarmed."

The woman laughed. "It's not 'courage' to blindly follow Briala's orders into a trap. I knew her. Before. When she was Celene's pet. Now she wants to play revolution. But I remember. She was sleeping with the empress who purged our alienage."

Suspicion. And here was proof. "Would you be willing to testify to that, if I asked?"

"Absolutely. If..." She nodded. "If the Inquisition will protect me, I'll tell you everything I know about our 'ambassador.'"

Sera cackled. "Knew it. I did. And I bet the hate made it feel real good."

"Go to the ballroom." Ruya gestured. "Find Commander Cullen. He'll keep you safe."

"Thank you. Maker protect you, Inquisitor." The young woman dashed out.

#

They were walking past a fancy door when Ruya thought she heard another voice. She pressed her ear to the door. There was clearly someone inside, calling for help. "Got any more of those halla statuettes?" She asked Sera.

Sera grinned, and a few moments later the door was open. They walked inside. Ruya started up the stairs, and then stopped short. There was a man. Chained to the empress's bed. Naked except for a helmet. On the empress's bed. Naked. Chained. Bed. "What..." Naked. Chained to the bed. "Happened?" She glanced at her companions. Sera was grinning broadly. Cassandra was looking anywhere but at the bed. Solas was just shaking his head, expression clearly amused.

"It's not what it looks like." The man yanked at the chains. "Honestly, I would have preferred if it were what it looks like." He smacked the back of his head into the mattress. "The empress led me to believe I would be..." He sighed. "Rewarded for betraying the grand duke. This..." He pulled at the chains again. "Was not what I hoped for."

"You're telling me that Empress Celene left you naked and trussed like a roast duck?" Orlesians. Maker have mercy.

"Please, I beg you, don't tell Gaspard." He began tugging at the chains again. "The empress beguiled me. Into giving her information about..." He continued struggling. It was more than a little obscene. "Plans for troop movements in the palace tonight. She knows everything. Everything. The duke's surprise attack has been countered before it ever began. She's turned it into a trap. The moment he strikes, she'll have him arrested for treason."

Behind Ruya, Sera lost her battle against laughter. "She'll be all prim, but here's you with your bits out."

Cassandra was still pointedly not looking at the contents of the bed. "I don't know which is worse: Celene for using such a tactic, or him for falling for it."

Solas was pressing his knuckles to his lips as if trying not to laugh himself. She made a mental note to ask him if he'd ever seen anything like this before in the Fade. Or maybe she didn't really want to know. She turned back to the man on the bed. "I'll protect you from Gaspard if you're willing to testify about Celene's trap."

"I'll do anything. Anything."

She gestured for Sera to pick the locks on the chains, and started rummaging around to find the man a pair of pants. Solas tossed over a waistcoat. The man put them on hurriedly before scrambling out of the room.

"Do they even like being so..." Sera spat. "Like they are? Ugh."

#

The mark on her hand sparked. All of them stopped and stared at it. There was a rift nearby. Ruya exchanged nods, and they headed to the garden door, hands on their weapons.

Hanging in the air was a rift. Below, there was a man tied to a post. Archers stood at the ready. And on the balcony above... Florianne. "Inquisitor. What a pleasure. I wasn't certain you'd attend. You're such a challenge to read. I had no idea if you'd taken my bait."

Ruya began channeling power into the mark, her hand behind her back. "I had a feeling you were mixed up in all this." She caught Solas's nod out of the corner of her eye.

"Such a pity." Florianne gestured grandly. "You could almost be Orlesian. If you were just a little quicker. It was kind of you to walk into my trap so willingly. I was so tired of your meddling. Corypheus insisted that the empress die tonight, and I would hate to disappoint him."

"At this point, I'd think disappointment was an old friend." Ruya heard Sera snort at the comment.

"You poor, deluded thing. You don't know half of what Samson and I have planned." The grand duchess's face was smug. "And now, I suppose you never will. In their darkest dreams, no one imagines I would assassinate Celene myself. All I need is to keep you out of the ballroom long enough to strike." She spread her hands. "A pity you'll miss the rest of the ball, Inquisitor. They'll be talking of it for years." She started walking back to the door. "Kill her. Bring me the marked hand as proof. It will make a fine gift for the master."

Ruya tumbled forward as soon as the archers moved. She felt a surge of magic from Solas as he flung a barrier into place. She gestured with the marked hand, and tore open the rift. The archers began to panic as the demons fell on them.

#

"Andraste's tits. What was all that?" The prisoner leaned forward so Sera could unbind him. He rose as soon as she finished. "Were those demons? There aren't any more blasted demons coming, right?"

"No more demons. It's safe." She'd sealed the rift as soon as Cassandra had run the last demon through.

"Maker. I've never seen one that close before. I knew Gaspard was a bastard, but I didn't think he'd feed me to fucking horrors over a damned bill."

Ruya raised an eyebrow. "Duke Gaspard lured you out here?"

"Well, his sister, but it had to come from him, didn't it?" The man gestured. "All that garbage she was spewing doesn't mean anything. Gaspard had to be the mastermind."

"Your accent sounds Fereldan. I thought you were one of Gaspard's mercenaries."

"Born and raised in Denerim. Seems like I should have stayed there." He kicked the post he'd been tied to. "The duke wanted to move on the palace tonight. But he didn't have enough fancy chevaliers. So he hired me and my men. He had to offer us triple our usual pay to come to Orlais. Stinking poncy cheesemongers."

She rubbed her forehead. "Want a new job? One that pays better? The Inquisition can always use a good mercenary company?"

He nodded. "You hiring? I'm game. Anything's better than this bullshit. You want me to talk to the empress, or the court, or sing a blasted song in the chantry, I'll do it."

Ruya sent him to go find Iron Bull, and started to head back into the party.

#

Cullen met her as soon as she'd stepped back inside. "Thank the Maker you're back. The empress will begin her speech soon. What should we do?"

"The grand duchess is the assassin. Don't let her anywhere near the empress."

He blinked. "The duchess?" His eyes narrowed. "At once, Inquisitor." He moved quickly, heading toward the honor guard.

Ruya began moving towards the other end of the ballroom. She saw the announcer step forward, and his voice rang through the hall. "Let all gathered attend. Her Imperial Majesty will now address the court."

Celene spread her hands in a grand gesture as she began to speak. "Lords and ladies, as a nation we mourn our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and lovers claimed by war."

She kept moving forward as the empress continued to speak. On the other side of the dance floor, she could see Cullen doing the same. Cassandra, Sera, and Solas were still behind her. They were still some distance away when Celene turned and gestured towards the woman in the moth dress. "This would not have been possible without the efforts of many. Dear cousin, please step forward."

Florianne emerged from the crowd, walking towards Celene. Ruya growled. Without a staff, there was no way she could direct her magic precisely enough with that many people around. She called out. "Grand Duchess, stand down."

The grand duchess whirled at the sound of Ruya's voice, dagger in hand. Two men emerged from the crowd to put themselves between Florianne and the empress. "Now," Florianne yelled. "For Corypheus, kill them all."

Venatori flooded into the room. The first two inquisition soldiers to reach Florianne died to her blade. Ruya broke into a run. The grand duchess saw her coming, and fled. She gave chase. "Cullen, protect the people."

"Yes, Inquisitor." He broke off pursuit and headed back towards the empress.

#

She put up a barrier as the grand duchess retrieved a longbow from the bushes. Florianne turned towards them, pointing the tip of the arrow directly at Ruya. "Beaten at every turn. You stole the moment of triumph, just as you stole the demon army from Erimond." She smirked. "And now you've chased a defenseless woman into the garden. Are you proud of yourself?"

"We have the palace." Ruya narrowed her eyes. "Surrender, Your Grace. You don't have to die today."

Florianne laughed. "Surrender? Now? Oh, you poor deluded thing." She loosed the arrow. Ruya stepped to the side, letting it pass over her shoulder harmlessly. Florianne leaped off the balcony, landing atop the fountain. "The night is still young. All I need to recover..." She nocked another arrow. "Is to kill you, Inquisitor." More venatori poured into the garden. "So good of you to attend my soiree."

Sera sent an arrow into the throat of a venatori archer as Ruya and Solas both arced lightning into the newly arrived forces. Cassandra set her shield, and then barreled down the stairs, knocking the two oncoming venatori off their feet. Ruya reinforced barriers on herself and Cassandra, then left the high ground to Solas and Sera as she summoned the spirit blade and moved in.

Cassandra's shield blocked an incoming blow, and Ruya came around to sweep the spirit blade through the attacker. Venatori started to surround them, and Ruya let magic burst out of her, knocking them backwards. Cassandra moved in quickly to take advantage of the telekinetic burst, and Ruya did the same with her spirit blade. Florianne popped out of cover to try to take a shot, and Sera and Solas hit her simultaneously. The combination of arrow and glowing green fist knocked Florianne from her perch. She tumbled to the ground and landed with a sickening crunch.

#

Ruya strode back in and got a quick report from Brehan. Four Inquisition soldiers were dead, but the empress was alive and unharmed. She nodded, and then went to join the Celene, Gaspard, and Briala on the balcony.

Briala gestured at Gaspard. "Your sister attempted regicide in front of the entire court, Gaspard."

"You're the spymaster." He glared at her. "If anyone knew this atrocity was coming, it was you."

"You don't deny your involvement." Briala folded her arms.

"I do deny it. I knew nothing of Florianne's plans. But you..." He pointed at her. "You knew it all and did nothing."

"I don't know which is better: that you think I'm all-seeing or that you're trying so hard to play innocent and failing."

"Enough." Celene gestured sharply. "We will not bicker while Tevinter plots against our nation. For the safety of the empire, I will have answers."

Maker. Let this be the right decision. "I wouldn't have caught Florianne in time without Briala's help."

The mask did little to hide Celene's surprise. "You were working together?"

"Of course." Briala nodded to Celene.

Ruya gestured. "Thanks to Briala, Gaspard's mercenary captain will testify that he hired men to infiltrate the palace."

"Hired thugs?" Celene turned to glare at Gaspard, as if she hadn't actually known all along. "I didn't expect you to stoop so low, cousin."

"Don't be naive, Celene. The only difference between a mercenary and a common soldier is a uniform." Gaspard folded his arms. It was clear he knew the night was about to go very badly for him.

"Keep talking, Gaspard. Eventually you'll convince somebody." Briala smiled.

"He also murdered a Council of Heralds emissary. I found the body and his knife in the servants' quarters."

He turned towards her, startled. "I have done no such thing."

She blinked. His surprised and confusion actually seemed genuine. A puzzle for another time. "He also ordered his general to sneak troops into the Winter Palace." She gestured to Briala. "Briala found all this out for your sake, Celene."

Celene drew herself up as she stared at Gaspard. "In light of overwhelming evidence, we have no choice but to declare you an enemy of the empire." Her eyes narrowed. "You are hereby sentenced to death."

Gaspard nodded in acknowledgment. He kept his back straight as the guards led him away. Ruya sighed. He wasn't an innocent man by any means, but she doubted he was any guiltier than the two women still on the balcony with her. If she'd thought there was any chance the three of them could work together... No. Brehan was right. They would tear each other apart. Time to play the Game to its conclusion. "I think Ambassador Briala deserves some reward for uncovering all this."

For a heartbeat, she thought she saw tears in Celene's eyes. "I can scarcely believe you did all this for me."

"Celene..." Briala's face softened.

"Thank you, Inquisitor. For all your efforts tonight." Celene gave a small bow. "I owe you my life. And Orlais owes you its future."

#

Celene walked next to Ruya as they reentered the ballroom. "You have done so much. For my people and..." She glanced at Briala, and for a moment, Ruya thought the empress was actually blushing. "For us."

"We won't forget this," Briala said, her voice soft.

Watching them gave Ruya some small comfort. Love was a powerful force. Perhaps this had been the right thing to do after all. "It was my pleasure. The two of you deserve to be happy." And their alliance would benefit all of Orlais, elves and humans.

"We truly are." Celene extended her hand. "Come, stand with us, Inquisitor. We must give the good news to the nobility."

#

"Lords and ladies of the court, this is a night for celebration." Celene raised her hands. "Those who sought to poison our empire with treason have been brought to justice. It is a new age for Orlais. We shall build a world in which all men and women live in harmony. Let the cornerstone of change be laid. I introduce the newest member of our court: Marquise Briala of the Dales."

Briala stepped forward. "This is not just a victory in Halamshiral, or within the empire, or even for elves alone. This is a triumph for everyone. Over a thousand years ago in the Valarian Fields, elves and humans together defeated the Imperium. We can do so much more now. We are greater than our ancestors ever dreamed. Together, we will start by saving our world from the enemy who took the Divine and tore the sky apart."

Ruya moved to Briala's side. "This evening proves what we can accomplish through cooperation. We are already tracking these Tevinter agents. Soon they'll have no place to hide."

Applause greeted their words. Celene's voice rose above the crowd once more. "But that is tomorrow. Tonight, we celebrate our newfound fellowship. Let the festivities commence."

#

Otwin was dancing with Yvette again. Josephine was starting to look a bit concerned. Ruya smiled, and slipped out onto the balcony. The night air was cool on her skin, and she took a moment to just stand there and breathe.

"The Orlesian nobility make drunken toasts to your victory, and yet you are not present to hear them?" The night breeze brought Morrigan's voice to her. "Do you tire so quickly of their congratulations, Inquisitor? 'Tis most fickle, after all your efforts on their behalf."

"Everyone suddenly wants to talk to me." According to Cullen's report, the woman before her had saved the lives of both himself and Leliana, as well as the empress, when the fighting had begun. "You, at least, I'm glad to see."

Morrigan laughed softly. "Then I have happy news, as you shall be seeing a great deal more of me. By Imperial decree, I have been named liaison to the Inquisition. Celene wishes to offer you any and all aid - including mine. Congratulations."

Ruya gave the woman a small bow. "Welcome to the Inquisition, Morrigan."

"A most gracious response." Morrigan returned the gesture. "I shall meet you at Skyhold." She turned, and went back into the ballroom.

#

"There you are." Cullen walked towards her, and put his hand on her shoulder. "Everyone's been looking for you." He brushed her hair back over her ear. "Things have calmed down for the moment. Are you all right?"

That was a very good question. Was she? "This isn't over yet. Corypheus will strike back at us for this loss."

Her general nodded. "I'll put our troops on alert. When he strikes, we'll be ready." His face softened, and he ran his fingers through her hair gently. "I know it's foolish, but I was worried for you tonight." He smiled. "I may never have another chance like this, so I must ask." He stepped back, bowed, and held his hand out to her. "May I have this dance, my lady?"

Her heart fluttered. "Of course. I thought you didn't dance?"

He drew her to him. "For you, I'll try."

The worries of the night fell away, leaving just the two of them there on the balcony. Dancing.