Skyhold
Benjamin Trevelyan was walking down the stairs by the owlry, after just meeting with Leliana and comparing a few notes with the Inquisition's spy master. Slowly, things were going their way.
Slowly he felt like they were actually making process.
"Ah if it's not the grand Inquisitor, coming into my neck of the woods." A voice spoke out from the darkness. "Rather than hiding in their room all the time."
Benjamin grinned. "Yes, sir. Sorry, been a little...uptight over this situation developing in Orlais."
"Yes, it seems the Orlesians tend to make anyone uptight." Dorian stated.
Ben snorted. And folded his arms across his chest.
"Any ideas?"
"Of who would dare challenge your mighty Inquisitorialness?"
Ben nodded.
"No, the Tevinter Imperium has already lost one god and one cult over this mess I doubt they would really continue to poke this particular bear in our rump."
Is this a statement about my posterior? Benjamin wondered. But he had to at least consider the possibility. Both trying to look under every rock, and realize the rock probably will not have something spooky hiding under it.
The problem with having to deal with a world as large and complicated as Thedas, even the southern part, was the possibilities was nearly endless on who could be after them. Sure Leliana indicated that it was not a major power player, but that did not rule them out, in fact it only served to make their job that much harder.
No, someone new had a personal grudge against the Inquisition? A disturbing thought, Ben thought.
"You look tense," Dorian said, glaring at him through concerned though narrow eyes. Not warm in the least, but an aggressive concern.
"I'm fine," He sighed, "though I suppose it is harder to banter yourself out of this particular situation rather then what we did with Corypheus."
"We'll figure it out." Dorian said turning back to his books.
Ben blinked, "WellI know I'm confident, I mean I am the Inquisitor, but what makes you so sure?"
"Because you are the Inquisitor." Dorian turned back to him smiling,
Ben snorted, "Fair enough. Just I would feel better knowing who we were fighting."
"So would I," Dorian murmured, Ben could barely hear him as he began walking back down the way he came, heading for his meeting. "So would I."
…
Brandon looked up over the towering mass of spires and stone that made up the central Head Quarters of the Inquisition. Even though he had spent his time here, training, and then the several times he returned here after the missions and campaigns representing the Inquisition. Maybe a half dozen times in total.
Yet, he was never unimpressed at the sight. It always made his mouth drop in awe, always stirred his sense of pride given he was a part of this. Always made him feel important, and that Skyhold was the perfect mirror for what the Inquisition was and what they could in fact be. A powerful, and large, Organization. Standing as a bedrock for peace. The Organization he joined under Benjamin Trevelyan.
He came to the Inquisition after Haven. His farm was burned by a group of Templars and Mages, who decided to fight at the edge of his fields, summoning a fire storm, slashing his crops, and destroying everything he built. With little on his back but his clothes he set out for the Inquisition. Finding Skyhold, and then joining up. Petitioning Cullen to allow him to join. Which was accepted and he was put through training under an especially vicious sergeant, but he succeeded.
The sergeant was now gone back to his home in Orlais, and he was now a Captain.
"Sir, welcome back to Skyhold." The gate guard said as he and the rest of his men crested the opening into the entrance courtyard. Still open to the sky.
"Greetings," he waved, dismounting his horse, "Please see her back to the stables please…the Inquisitor wants to see me."
"Yes, sir, with pleasure sir."
He looked to the rest of his men, attending to their needs. The meeting with the Inquisitor might have been important enough to delay taking care of his horse, but this was more personal. He needed to make sure the needs of his men were well taken care of.
And they were as they milled about on the ground and began tearing into their remaining sets of rations. Sitting cross legged or spread out on the grass. He nodded, barked out a few short orders to his Company XO, and then began the slow climb to where he was to meet the Inquisitor.
It took him about a minute to get to the Main hall, with its large tables, and the throne sitting off to one side. It was there where the Inquisitor was sitting, along with the other leaders of the Inquisition.
He froze. Despite being a part of the Inquisition, and despite Benjamin Trevelyan seeming to be approachable, he had only met the leadership of the Inquisition rarely. The most he interacted with was Cullen, during briefings, graduating from training, and his promotion to Lieutenant and eventually Captain. Leliana, just the once, and Josephine not at all. Now they were all here, waiting for him.
"We don't bite Captain Durrow," The Inquisitor stated.
"Much," Leliana opined.
"Hush, be nice." Josephine said.
Leliana dropped into a teasing pout.
The Captain cleared his throat, ambled over to the bench, came to attention, and then sat down.
"Tea, cookies?" Leliana gestured to a plate of Orlesian biscuits.
The Captain frowned, "I thought this was a debriefing on what is happening to our patrols."
"It is," Benjamin nodded, "but, no reason we cannot be a little comfortable. After all you have had a long journey."
"I am…fine." He said.
"Very well," Ben arched an eyebrow, and folded his hands. "So, report, what of the situation?"
Durrow nodded, "We received a courier message from Inquisition command in Suledin Keep, reporting one of our patrols failed to report in at a regularly scheduled time and that we should 'keep an eye out for them'. Since we were in the area, and were in fact due to make a change over with this very group. We stuck to the Imperial Highway figuring it was on the way and the central hub for all of our Orlesian patrols.
"We found them on our third day, dead, signs of heavy battle. Some of the carts were still burning. And, all of them were accounted for…dead."
"Any signs of who might have done it?" Cullen pressed.
He shook his head, "Nothing, which is curious, not even the arrows looked anything distinctive, which was the only physical evidence we had of everything and anything going wrong."
"So, no new leads then, another dead end?" Josephine asked looking down the length of the table.
"Well…"
The eyes on the table all swiveled around towards him, and he nearly blanched, but held his ground.
"This is a group that has an extreme amount of professionalism, and one dedicated to not being found out, and doing a good job of it. They ambushed one of our patrols. Killed them outright so they could not even get off much of a shot, using bows, and then they cleaned up all relevant physical evidence. That shows skill, dedication, and professionalism on a level that most people have not seen before and cannot imitate. Only the best orders of Thedas."
"So, you are saying this is an established group?" The Inquisitor turned a curious gaze to his spymaster.
I wonder what that is all about?
He shrugged, "I do not know who they are now, whether they are an order, an order within an order, or just a former jilted order made up of new and powerful members, I do not know. What I do know, is the mark of a professional."
"Hmm," Ben thought aloud, "thoughts?"
"It bears investigating," Cullen mused.
"Indeed it does." Leliana agreed. "But the question remains, who is powerful enough and skilled enough yet has a personal grudge against the Inquisition?"
"Are you sure it's just attacks against the Inquisition ma'am?" Brandon advanced, eyes furrowing, then hands twisted nervously in his lap.
"For the moment that seems to be the case, no odd or increased traffic against the Orlesians, Ferelden, or even the Grey Wardens. Banditry is still a thing…but these groups certainly do not show the professionalism or dedication you seem to describe."
"Yes ma'am."
"But, it is still worth investigating. The possibility. We could just be the start of a brand new campaign."
Cullen coughed, "Excuse me Inquisitor but that would seem to expand the field…not narrow it."
"It seems very few big organizations want a big war," Josephine pointed out, "Orlais, the Grey Wardens, the Chantry, the new Templars, all of them are licking their wounds and gathering their strength, it could be years before any of them are truly ready to move again."
Benjamin nodded tugging at his beard. He leaned back in his chair, and cast Brandon a look. "Thank you Captain, the Inquisition has a…lot to discuss."
Brandon nodded and left the room. Maybe I can go get some practice in.
…
A little later Benjamin was eating with his Inquisition Inner Circle. Cassandra, Leliana, Josephine, Cullen, Varric, and the Iron Bull. All enjoying some comradery. Now that it was night, and they had done all they could do about the crisis, until the morning. Then the Inquisition would once more start to mobilize.
"You know we never have had that game of Wicked Grace, the rematch," Varric chuckled from one end.
Benjamin snorted, "I think everyone is just afraid of Josephine and her…coyness."
"I am sure I can take her in," Cullen boasted.
"Says the man who lost his…everything." Iron Bull commented running his eyes up and down the former Templar, and causing the latter to shudder.
"I recall you didn't do too well yourself Bull," Ben noted, while taking a long pull from his mug.
"Pfft," Bull waved his mug around dismissively, "Qunari are not supposed to play cards. Especially in the Ben-Hassrath…you know, play minds instead."
"But since you are a Tal'Vashoth now," Benjamin opined.
"Exactly!" Bull agreed. "I get to act…all…drunk...and bestial."
"Just don't get too many ideas," Cullen eyed him wearily.
"Oh you don't have to worry your pretty blond head."
Benjamin snorted.
It had been too long since the Inquisition was here, like this. What with the recent string of assassinations and ambushes, and with Cassandra being gone, the Inner Circle really could not gather…though not all the Inquisition was able to do so. Or willing. Some even preferred waiting in their ivory towers. And some preferred to come and visit even though they had technically moved on to a new life.
"So, Bull, how is the Chargers going…do you have anything to say for us?"
"Your patrol situation?" He cocked an eyebrow. "No…sounds like something the Qun might run. After all you did reject the Alliance and bailed Orlais collective backsides out of the fire. But no, I have heard nothing…other than the events have happened. News is traveling quickly through the ranks of various mercenary groups. Someone is challenging the Inquisition."
"Now come Inquisitor, tonight is the night for celebrating, we do not need more of these doldrums."
"Tomorrow Iron Bull goes back to being a mercenary, away from the Inquisition, and I won't have the chance to ask." Benjamin replied meekly.
"Did you hear that the Duke Willhelm is trying to establish a political marriage with an Orlesian Dowager?" Leliana turned to Josephine across the table.
"No, but then living in Skyhold makes it hard to hear the society's gossip pages." Josephine's smile managed to combine predatory instinct, with noble grace.
The party descended and quickly broke out into another short, but vicious game of wicked grace. Though it was not noteworthy except for the brief struggle between Varric and Josephine, which he won.
Though they had desert slowly, each member of the Inner Circle went back to their quarters or place of residence. Leaving Iron Bull and the Inquisitor standing at the top of the stairs. Looking up at another starry night. The one good thing about being set in the middle of the wilderness, the middle of the Frostback Mountains.
No Light Pollution. The nearest city was miles away, and Benjamin liked to keep Skyhold dark. With the smaller population making up the fortress these days it made Benjamin's job even easier.
And plus, he believed that it should be kept dark to not interfere with the few guards he should have, watching the boarder for any surprise attacks. Like that will ever happen…not even Corypheus attacked us.
The downside though, Bull was just a giant horned shadow standing there in the middle of night.
"Are you sure I cannot convince you to come back Bull? The Inquisition needs you."
Bull grunted in the night, "And I need…to be away. I left because the Inquisition could easily have become a second Qun. I needed to find my own way. At least for now." He smiled. "Not sure I will even then."
"Fair enough Bull, and thank you."
"Anaan, Inquisitor Trevelyan."
Benjamin bowed his head to him.
And so the Iron Bull left through the gates of Skyhold. Benjamin Trevelyan watched him go. One of the best and most noble men of the Inquisition was once more leaving it.
Whether he knows it or not. Benjamin mused.
The night was still relatively young. And I still feel…buzzed. Benjamin decided. The mountain air was nippy, but yet invigorating.
Looking over he saw the lights of the Tavern were still twinkling in the night. Warmly, inviting him to go there. I have not been there often, unless it was to talk to one of my companions. Ben mused. Well I suppose tonight is as good as any.
He walked down the stairs, turning left, his footfalls crunching on the ground.
The Herald's Rest.
Captain Brandon Durrow looked on as the rowdy crowd caroused well into the night. Even with the Inquisition's numbers, the tavern bearing the name of Andraste's herald still seem packed. Though, maybe not all of these members were a part of the Inquisition, after all Skyhold had become both a pilgrimage for the faithful…determined to see their herald whether he wanted it or not…and also a major trading hub on a potential path through the Frostbacks.
Though given the weather there might be some overlap.
And with Benjamin Trevelyan keeping a mostly open door policy throughout most times of the day, except the darkest parts of the night, when no traveler would travel and would find secure quarters for the night…quarters Skyhold was more than glad to provide.
But yet, he watched. From a corner booth refusing to participate, only watch, and enjoy his mead.
That is until Benjamin's bearded face plopped in front of his vision.
"May I join you?" He asked, his voice managing to convey his cultured attitude.
"How can I refuse my Inquisitor?" Brandon asked simply.
Benjamin shrugged his shoulders. "Simply, though it does look like you could use the company."
"It is not necessary," Brandon paused, "but it will not be unwelcome either."
"Good," Benjamin sat, waving over one of the tavern girls and politely asking for a mug of beer, which she went off to go get, the look on her face indicated she hardly believed her luck.
'The Herald of Andraste, here!'
"If I may ask Brandon, why are you sitting here, alone?"
He shrugged his shoulders and leaned forward, "I have seen to my men, they are safe and secure for the night. Safe in their barracks. It is…good…to get close to the men but you need to maintain a certain professional distance, at least from what I have always found."
Benjamin nodded, "I suppose I do not have, and yet have that problem. I find it hard to get used to all members of the Inquisition, yet I am very close to my Inner Circle."
"Yes, we have noticed how close you are to your Inner Circle, some more so then others." Brandon smirked wryly.
Benjamin took the ribbing with a good natured smiled.
The two dropped into an uneasy silence, Benjamin stared at the Captain for a moment, as if sizing him up.
"If you will pardon me Captain but…the Inquisition's Inner Circle currently has two vacant spots. Well three if you count Solas missing but you aren't a mage. And since I am there is a lot more need, for a Warrior, of your talents."
"What about Cassandra?" Brandon asked with raised eyebrow.
"She is just one woman, and if something were to happen to her…like if she got down and fatigued from over work…we'd be out of a warrior."
"It's a huge responsibility…why sir?"
"Because the Inquisition needs new blood, and new people. We have grown old…already. Thus, part of our problem."
"I am hardly new blood sir," He smiled. "I have been here from almost the beginning."
"True, but there is a huge difference between being a Captain of the Inquisition and one of its leaders. You could help shape policy, and see us through this present crisis."
"I will…think about it sir."
"Very well, all I can ask."
With that, the Inquisitor thumped the table, downing the rest of his beer.
"Well, I think I should go back to bed…Cassandra gets ever so fussy when I am late."
Brandon grinned, for a moment getting lost in the past and better times. "I can imagine sir."
The Inquisitor got up and left the room, leaving Brandon alone with his thoughts.
Author's notes: First off I did forget to post my usual disclaimers, Dragon Age is not mine, it was created by EA and BioWare for our pleasure, I just play in it, and practice certain writing aspects from time to time.
Second of all. This chapter is a good example of 'writer writes himself in a corner because writer forgot what was in last chapter then writer finds a way out of corner and turns it to his advantage'. Honestly bits of this is starting to feel like Picking up the Shards of a Broken Galaxy my huge ME fic, which is a good thing.