A/N: I'm back everybody! Hope you all had a good Easter, just got back from seeing the family and decided to put this latest chapter down, hope you all enjoy it!
DG
Chapter 56: The Sister and the Mother
"You're sweating, Commander, relax, try taking a deep breath."
Cullen glared at Leliana; he knew she was only trying to help, but…
"For the love of the Maker, can you please stop looking at me like that!"
"Like what?" she inquired.
"That," he said flatly, "That…that amused…smirk of yours, it is not helping, not one bit!"
The spymaster laughed lightly, it did not sound threatening but it did little to improve his mood.
Cullen sighed.
He suspected that there was very little that could improve his mood right now. All he could do was try to focus and not make a fool of himself or Ana.
He shook his head.
Both of those things were easier said than done.
The Inquisitor had summoned them both to her chambers. She had a plan to keep her family safe from the Venatori and wanted her advisors there to offer any suggestions that might help. The meeting had likely already started, Ambassador Montilyet was likely already there, but Cullen had been slow to answer the call, not out of a desire to displease his Inquisitor but a sense of nervousness about his…his…whatever it was he now shared with the Lady Ana.
He swallowed hard.
Her mother was going to be at this meeting, the Lady Ana's Mother!
He had no desire to embarrass her.
Leliana was not helping his mood any, that cat in the cream smile of hers only continued to further sour his mood. He hated the fact that she found this all so bloody amusing. It was…troubling, annoying, and terrifying, anything but…amusing.
The spymaster gave him a sympathetic smile.
"It is just Ana's Mother, Cullen," she said gently.
"Only her mother," he replied, "Why does that not fill me with confidence?"
Some of the amusement faded from the spymaster's eyes, she actually looked a little…sympathetic.
"Lady Trevelyan is a very pragmatic woman," she informed him, "She will likely be pleased that her daughter has turned to a man who can protect her, a man that is both loyal and strong. The lady Ana will need that in the days to come. Her mother will come to see that."
Cullen shook his head.
"Why do I feel this way," he asked, "I…I have met with many nobles over the years, parlayed with Grand Clerics and Knight-Commanders. I stood face to face with Knight Commander Meredith at her worst and did not feel so…so…uncertain. Is there something wrong with me, am I starting to lose my mind?"
Leliana's eyes warmed.
"Commander, Cullen, what you are feeling now is not unusual, if anything, it shows that you are absolutely in control of your faculties."
Her smile widened slightly.
"You wish to please the mother of the woman you love. That is not madness that is compassion that is understandable. You just need to be confident and try to relax.
The spymaster shrugged.
"After all, Lady Trevelyan is a person, not a dragon."
Cullen almost laughed mirthlessly.
"A dragon I could deal with," he said morosely, "Combat is something I understand…this…this…"
He shook his head.
"This…is beyond me."
IOI
Leliana tried very hard not to laugh. She felt nothing but compassion for Cullen, she truly did, but at the same time, she could not fight that old sense of excitement, that moment that she discovered weakness in someone. During her youth, she had lived for that moment, and the opportunity to exploit it. Cullen was scared, part of her wanted to turn that to her advantage.
Her smile faltered somewhat.
She both loved and hated that part of herself. It was useful in her work, both as a bard and as Justinia's spymaster. It had served her well since the Inquisition had begun, but…
It always kept her a little distant from those she considered friends and allies. Justinia had understood it, and had not condemned her for it, but the others…
Leliana shook her head.
She did not think that they would be quite so forgiving.
She found herself thinking back to Kirkwall, back when Cullen had first joined them. He had tried to be good Knight-Commander. He had tried to make things better in Kirkwall, even after everything that had happened. He had confessed to them then that he had felt like he was trying to steer a sinking ship. It seemed that no matter what he did, the Templars of Kirkwall would not bow to his wishes, he condemned the use of red lyrium, but they ignored him. He tried to make things better for the mages, but they still could not forget what Knight Commander Meredith had done, nor could he or she blame them for that.
It was no surprise when he had decided to come with them, that he had chosen to stop trying to save a sinking vessel and try to make a difference elsewhere. She had respected him for that choice, just as she respected him for deciding to stop taking lyrium.
She pursed her lips slightly.
Cullen was strong, maybe stronger than even he realized. She had recognized that fact the first time they had met, those she suspected that he did not remember her.
She however…remembered it all.
They had come to the Ferelden Circle of Magi. Elissa had volunteered to help Knight-Commander Greagoir deal with his Circle problem, she had chosen to try and save the mages from Enchanter Uldred's madness…
It had nearly resulted in their deaths, on several occasions.
When they finally reached the top of the tower, they had found one lone Templar still alive, imprisoned by the blood mages, clearly not one of their thralls. He had been tortured and denied food and water for what must have been days.
Cullen had been lost in prayer then, just a boy then really, half mad from torture perhaps, but still holding strong to his faith, at first he had refused to believe they were real, likely having been tormented many times by the promise of rescue.
It had taken a bit for Liss to get him to realize they were real, but when he did…
They had all caught a glimpse of the fire and steel within.
At the time, he had pleaded with them to kill every mage in the chamber above. He felt that it was necessary to ensure that the horrors of the tower not escape to the outside world. Liss refused, but that did not mean that she did not understand the boy's pain.
Elissa Cousland understood loss, she knew what it was like to watch those she loved die around her. She knew what that pain could do to a person. Properly channeled it could turn a person into a great hero…
…or turn them into a very dangerous monster.
Elissa had never forgotten that boy, when she became warden commander, she had sought him out, for recruitment, but by then he was gone, transferred out of Ferelden. Still the warden queen had not given up.
She turned to her friends, and Leliana was more than willing to help.
Elissa could have asked her to jump into Andraste's pyre, and she likely would have done it.
That was the degree of her respect her loyalty…her love.
Liss had wanted Cullen found, and so she did it, and then…she watched.
Over the years, she had kept tabs on Cullen, after Justinia had become Divine, it had become even easier. He seemed to fit well into the Kirkwall Templars. He was extreme, but not as bad as some of the Kirkwall Templars. Knight-Commander Meredith was a woman known for her extremes, she seemed to expect that of her followers, and reward those who showed such zeal. Cullen had risen quickly in her ranks, given his history, he should have become just another of Meredith's loyal fanatics, but something had stopped him, something stronger than his pain.
It was that something that made Leliana want him with them, that one thing that made him more than just another Templar.
At his heart, Ser Cullen Rutherford was a good man. Neither Uldred nor Meredith had managed to drive that from him.
That was why he was here. That is why the troops fought so hard for him. The potential that Elissa has seen ten years ago was finally realized.
Leliana saw it. That is what had driven her to recruit him.
Cassandra saw it. That is what made her trust him with their soldiers.
Then Ana had seen it, and had been drawn to him because of it.
She smiled slightly.
It pleased her to see that the feeling with mutual. Cullen was strong, but even he might falter before the hunger for lyrium. That hunger was a powerful chain; strength was not always enough in the face of addiction.
Cullen needed something more…in the Inquisitor he had found it, or at least she hoped he had.
The Inquisitor would be there for him, she would help him be strong. She would give him something to fight for, motivation beyond just his next draft of lyrium. Love for another could change someone; she had seen that first hand. Elissa's love for Alistair had turned him from an insecure young warden into a strong and good king.
The Inquisitor had done much; no one doubted that, if anyone could keep Cullen on his path, it would be her.
She had faith in the girl, now Cullen just had to have faith in himself.
It would not be easy for him, but nothing worth doing ever was.
Cullen was a good man; she knew that to be true.
Now Cullen had to show that to Ana's mother, show her that he was worthy of her daughter.
He could do it.
She knew he could.
They came to the doors of Josephine's office, where the meeting was taking place.
She opened the door.
Cullen stepped through.
Leliana smiled slightly.
Let the battle begin.
IOI
"I still do not like this."
Lady Aliza turned to her daughter who was leaning against the wall; the meeting had been going on for almost an hour now. Both Andreas and Maxwell had joined them, after a brief reunion with Anastasia she had let them in on the plan. The Montilyet woman remained seated at her desk, as they awaited the arrival of her daughter's other advisors.
She had hoped that one of them would be able to come up with something else besides this plan, but she did not have much hope.
Anastasia had not budged from her decision to have her own mother disown her, she could not deny that the plan had some merit, she only heard a little about these…Venatori, but it was clear that they were more dangerous than she had given them credit for, still…to turn her back on her own child…
She did not want to do that, even if the reason to do so was a good one.
"I understand your feelings mother, I truly do," Anastasia sighed, "this is not a decision I take lightly, but I don't see any other option."
"Try to understand, Lady Aliza," Ambassador Montilyet added, "Corypheus commands many dark forces, forces, and he has a reach far longer than any of us could have ever guessed. He likely already has agents in Ostwick."
"Your Inquisition caught his Templars," Aliza reminded them.
"Yes," her daughter agreed, "But he has more than just red Templars under his command, he has mages, and nobles as well. Maker's breath mother he had the Grand Duchess of Orlais eating out of his hand. Can you honestly say that no one in Ostwick might support him for the promise of power? That they would not turn to the Venatori if they promised to raise their family up when Corypheus is victorious?"
Aliza sighed.
She hated to admit it, but she could think of several nobles who might just jump at the chance to raise their station. The Teryn of Ostwick had enemies, but would they go that far, she could not say for certain?
That uncertainty was like a dagger in her heart.
She had always done what was the best for their family, always. She had made sacrifices but this…this…
"They would have had the mages had Cousin Anastasia not intervened," Maxwell reminded her, "The First Enchanter was a proud woman, if this Corypheus could get to her, then some minor noble in Ostwick would be child's play."
"It could be done," Andreas added, "and it doesn't have to be forever, just until these Venatori cultists have been dealt with."
He turned to his mother.
"It is a solid plan mother, I don't like it, but between you and Elizabeth it could be sold quite easily."
Lady Aliza shuddered at the mention of her eldest child.
Doing this would confirm everything that Elizabeth had said, her heir would feel vindicated, but that did not make it right.
It would not be hard to convince Elizabeth that Anastasia was a threat, she already believed the Inquisition dangerous, but she recognized that she would need something more, something that would convince her fellow nobles that her hands were tied when it came to the Inquisition, that they were enemy yet she could not act.
She hated the thought of cursing one of her own children, especially when she had finally gotten her back, but it needed to be done!
The choice was hard, but she had no desire to become the weak spot that her daughter's enemies chose to exploit. She would not do it.
When this threat was ended, she could redeem her daughter's name, but for now. She would need to drag it through the mud, for the good of their family, and of Thedas.
The door opened admitting two more of Anastasia's advisors. The hooded woman was no doubt this Sister Leliana that her daughter had told her about, the man was…
Aliza pinned him with her gaze, he did not quail exactly, but he did shudder slightly.
This… was no doubt Commander Cullen.
She glanced over at her daughter. Anastasia eyes seemed to light up as the man entered; he smiled warmly at her, a smile that brought a slight blush to her cheeks. Then she caught the look Aliza was giving her. Her eyes seemed to plead with the elder woman.
Mother please, they seemed to say.
Please give him a chance.
"Lady Trevelyan," the Montilyet girl said behind her, "Allow me to present Sister Leliana and Commander Cullen, our spymaster and Commander of our military forces respectively."
"Your Ladyship," the red haired sister said with a slight bow.
"M…Milady," the man replied, he bowed his head in submission.
"Greetings," she said icily.
The hooded sister did not respond, but the man almost flinched, it was barely noticeable, but it was there.
The Lady Aliza sized him up, much as she had done with Elizabeth's husband Miles.
She could be intimidating, she knew that, and at times like this, it was necessary…
She wanted to see what kind of man was pursuing her daughter.
She needed to see.
Anastasia had told her a bit about him. He had been Knight-Commander of Kirkwall for several years before joining the Inquisition, since that time, he had led several military campaigns for the Inquisition, all of them successful.
Aliza frowned slightly.
He was also ten years her daughter's senior, as a noble she recognized that that was not the most important of issues, after all the Teyrn of Ostwick had wed a girl almost thirty years his junior when he took the throne, at had been a political match of course, not a matter of the heart, but…
When it came to matters of power, age was not really an issue.
Then of course, there was the matter that he was a commoner, a former Templar with no holdings. As one who always sought the best match for her children, that needed to be considered. However this situation was far from normal.
She almost sighed.
Since becoming Inquisitor, Anastasia now ruled a large part of eastern Orlais and Western Ferelden. Neither the Empire nor its eastern neighbors were in any position to deny the Inquisition these lands. The various Banns, Barons, and Comtes were already paying tribute.
Anastasia would need a strong arm to keep those nobles in order, but she also needed a man who would not undercut her, that would not put his ambitions before hers.
Was this Cullen that man?
She needed to find out.
"My daughter speaks well of Commander," she began.
""the Inquisitor is generous," he replied.
She almost smiled.
A politically correct answer, that was good, but she needed to see more.
"You served in Kirkwall for a time, yes? You were a Templar, a Knight-Commander?"
"Yes."
"Then perhaps you can answer a question for me."
"Of course," he answered, clearly not sure where she was going with this.
That pleased her, she wanted him off balance.
"Excellent," she purred.
Her posture became rigid, almost threatening; she needed him to feel threatened now.
She needed to see what kind of man he truly was.
She pushed her attack.
"Tell me, young man, who do you serve first, the Inquisition, or your Inquisitor? If victory meant sacrificing my daughter, would you be able to do it? After what happened in Kirkwall, you can hopefully understand my fears"
Her daughter coughed, she likely knew where Aliza was going with this.
That was good, her daughter needed to be smart right now.
"Mother," she heard Anastasia murmur.
"A moment dear," she answered.
She gave him a cold smile.
"Well Commander, what do you have to say? I have heard that the Knight-Commander of Kirkwall betrayed his first superior, would you do so again, in the interest of victory of course."
Cullen almost gasped; his expression was shocked, as was likely the others in the room.
That shock did not last long, Cullen's eyes narrowed, they flashed with anger.
Lady Aliza did not budge.
She would not give ground.
He raised his head then; all of the shyness left his gaze.
She stared coldly at him, and he stared coldly right back.
"Lady Ana is the Inquisition," he said, "Her will is our will; we acknowledged that when we asked her to take the position. Any enemy that would threaten either would meet a very bad end."
He took a step forward, she did not back up.
The room fell silent.
"As for my loyalty," he growled, "When I was a Templar, I served the chantry first, not the delusions of my fellows. If I did, I likely would be marching with the Red Templars right now. They betrayed their oaths. I never did."
He stood almost nose to nose with the older woman.
"I would die for your daughter, Milady," he purred dangerously, "And I would dare anyone to say otherwise."
He smiled coldly.
"They would likely not survive the experience."
Aliza held his gaze for a moment, looking for any sign of lying or trickery.
She saw none.
She smiled slightly.
Her daughter had chosen well, it seemed.
Loyal and handsome both, it was an excellent combination for a consort.
"I meant no disrespect dear boy," she said curtseying slightly.
Behind her, Anastasia sighed with relief.
Lady Aliza held out her hand to Cullen.
"I love my daughter, Ser," she said, "I only want what is best for her."
She bowed her head respectfully.
"I hope you can understand that."
IOI
Cullen blinked, it…it…
What had just happened?!
He had expected hostility, but…when she had brought up Kirkwall…he…he…
Something in him had just snapped.
Now the Lady was offering her hand, she looked…well…she looked pleased.
He was trying to digest that.
Had she been testing him? It seemed like that, and if she had…had he passed?
It seemed that he had.
He glanced at Leliana, she nodded slightly. She was clearly pleased with his answer. Ana…his Ana, was beaming now; perhaps she saw what had just happened. She knew her mother best of course.
He hoped that he had pleased her.
He smiled at her.
Ana blushed slightly.
He turned to the older woman; he could see much of Ana in her mother, that same quite strength, that same spine of steel, that determination.
The two women fought on different battlefields, but it was clear they both were masters of their craft.
Lady Trevelyan loved her daughter, he could understand that.
As for wanting what was best for her, he understood that too.
He intended to prove to the woman that he was what was best for her, and if he wasn't…
He would endeavor to become what was best for her.
It would be challenge, but one he gratefully accepted.
For Ana, and for himself.
He took Lady Aliza's hand in his hand, and brought it to his lips.
He kissed it chastely.
"Your servant, Milady," he said.
IOI
Aliza nodded.
She was pleased.
Her daughter had won a powerbase, and now, she had a strong man to protect both it and her.
Anastasia had chosen well this time, it seemed.
The boy had passed her first test, there would be others of course, but that was to be expected, still she could not deny his victory, or Anastasia's.
Her daughter had chosen well.
A/N: We will be going to Crestwood next, plus a little more Ana and Cullen. Aliza has given her blessing sort of, and now we will see what come out of this. Until next time, dear readers, see you all soon!
DG