Skyhold-War Room
Benjamin Trevelyan watched the war map. Now, a lot less crowded then it was during the campaign for Corypheus. He had wiped the board clean, and made sure that it had stayed that way since the war with the Elder One. Not that the Inquisition was as busy these days, they had few active operations going on at the moment.
Though now, a circle was drawn into one corner of the map. Depressed into it showing the likely location of the small fort they were trying to investigate.
The briefing notes said it was old, abandoned, in need of repair, but appropriately placed where it could make a good place to hit Inquisition forces. A former Templar fallback built in the Second Age, when the Circles were still new and magic was thus considered dangerous. Should the Circles fail this fort, and others like it, would provide a place for them to fall back to and regroup to deal with the apostate threat.
Like Therinfall Redoubt and a series of forts in the Anderfels and along the Nevarran boarder.
Wonder why there, Ben thought sarcastically.
Plus, at least from his spymaster's information it was built on a hole in the Veil. It was weak there. Another reason for the Forts presence.
But, its history only probably made it weaker. It was the sight of many small skirmishes.
I wonder if that is the reason, to keep me away in fear of demons? It is a slight possibility.
"So, what have we got, is this the place that has been launching attacks against the Inquisition?" Benjamin asked.
"It is likely, the position is good, and strategic, and unlike in Skyhold they have an even path right through the Frostbacks and are not built in the mountains. They are also near the Imperial Highway, closer then we here are. Though we cannot be sure until we investigate the area and ensure the existence of said bandits." Leliana reported.
"We should send a small force to occupy the fort and prevent anyone from using it against us." Cullen pointed out.
His spymaster cast him a bemused look, "and risk wasting resources on a fool's errand? What if there is no one there but a few bandits? And going there will reveal to the people who we are and that we are finally hunting for them?"
"And while you and your spies dither about more of our patrols could be attacked. Your plan will take days to execute, then days more for them to get back with a report. Our people are dying spymaster."
"And if you are wrong they will die anyway." Leliana said sharply. Drawing a look from Cullen.
"Advisors, please." Benjamin sighed. "Nothing is gained by these disputes. Nothing is gained by rushing into a situation we do not know about. Leliana, send your spies, but to save time the Inquisition's Inner Circle will prepare to muster to meet them, if we need Cullen's forces, we will call."
"Yes, Inquisitor." Cullen nodded.
"It will take several hours to draw up the orders."
"Then do so."
…
The Inquisitor marched out into the Great Hall, now somewhat empty now there weren't any judgements going on, and now that Corypheus was defeated, it did not seem to be as much of the center of the Known World anymore. Suits me just fine.
But, there was Varric, always staring off into space. Looking deep in thought.
Benjamin shook his head and decided to approach the erstwhile Dwarf.
"You know," He said even before Benjamin could open his mouth to speak, and then he turned around and looked over the Inquisitor, "I should have left for Kirkwall while the getting was good."
"Why'd you stick around then if you dislike being here so much?" He asked with a wry quirk of the lips.
The Dwarf shrugged. "It's a long, and without Cassandra, lonely journey." His eyebrows knitted. "Don't tell her I said that." He smiled lightly. "Though maybe I thought with Corypheus defeated I should stick around and make sure you do not forget about the little people. Cannot do that in Kirkwall…of course now someone is attacking us out of the middle of nowhere. And someone is threatening to kill me because I am related to his merry band of travelers."
"It keeps life interesting."
Varric barked a short laugh. "My life was plenty interesting before, thank you."
The Dwarf descended into silence.
Benjamin looked down at him.
"The Inquisition needs you Varric, if anyone can keep us on the straight and narrow you can. The world needs advocates for you, though I doubt I will lose my perspective and become power hungry, you keep my grounded…literally."
The Dwarf sighed.
"Something else is bother you isn't it?"
Varric turned a gaze on him, staring intently. "I know I can help, I know the Inquisition can help. I know that with Corypheus defeated and our growing pains put to an end we are an order dedicated to keeping peace in Southern Thedas, from Val Royeux to Starkhaven. Fighting only when we need to, settling disputes and not enabling them, being an advocate for change."
He paused. "But sometimes I am tired of the killing. I am a businessman, a 'merchant prince', a nobody who even turns his nose up at my fellow guild members. I am a writer, a creator, yet time and again I have had to kill, to defend myself, my home, and my values…the people I love. Yet, here we go again."
"I know how you feel, but you can't let this change you. If you lose that spark of creativity and humor then we are all truly doomed."
Varric smiled, "I know. Maybe a game of Wicked Grace for when all this is over?"
"Sounds like a plan."
Ben patted the Dwarf on the shoulder and moved on. Time to visit Cassandra I think.
He found her in her usual place, looking over the Inquisition foragemasters continuing to buld and maintain the weapons and the supplies that were still necessary. As Varric had pointed out, the fact was unfortunate.
Her hands were cleaning over the railing as she watched them work.
"Having fun?" He asked coming up beside her.
"I have been…thinking, Inquisitor. Why can't we catch a break?"
"As I recall we have gotten nearly four months of a break before this crisis broke." Ben pointed out wryly.
She shot him a look, and sighed. "I know, it does not seem enough. We bought peace to the world. We defeated the Venatori, stopped the Red Templars, bought Corypheus to heal, and yet…it is not enough. Some madman, some lunatic is attacking the Inquisition and threatening the peace of the world? Why? What does he hope to gain?"
Benjamin shrugged, "It could be as simple as my death. Or there could be a larger plan at work, we cannot know until we uncover him, and I hope the fortress will provide some clues."
"And if it doesn't?"
"Then we continue to seek the truth," He winked at her, "you should be good at that."
She chuckled, "How do you do that, maintain your humor in such darkness?"
"Because, I have been through worse…"He stared off at the far wall, "I have been alone and starving. But now I have the Inquisition…now I have you." He turned towards her and pulled her in close. "And come what may, if we fail or succeed. We do so together."
She gave him an incredulous look, "But you have to be worried."
"Of course I am, but the future will come when the future comes."
She sighed, the tension draining from her body, "I love you, you know."
"I know," he nodded.
"But, you should probably go, I can't have you all to myself. Not yet, at least."
"Later, I promise."
"You better keep that promise," she put a finger to his lip.
With a spring in his step he climbed the stairs, briefly stopping at where Solas used to be, wondering once more where the Elf had gotten off to. He was somewhere, and Benjamin was left to puzzle it out. But, he made his way to Cullen's office.
The former Templar was stalking the small room, once more reading through a report. As usual.
"Cullen, how goes the planning?"
The man turned to him and sighed, "I am still not sure it's wise to dilly about at this fortress, the best lead we have had since this all started. Our forces remain powerful enough to deal with one small fort. We still have most of our equipment from the siege on Adamant."
"Indeed?" The Inquisitor cocked an eyebrow.
"Our army stands ready. We are still powerful enough to serve."
"The Inquisition's public face was our army, during the war, when we needed a demonstration or someone to show the flag, it was your soldiers. But our power lies in Leliana's spies and in Josephine's diplomats."
"Perhaps, I just hope we have enough time." Cullen sat behind his desk and winced.
"Your Lyrium withdrawals still bothering you?"
"Always," He chuckled, "I suppose you are never recover but always recovering. But it is worth it in the end."
"Indeed, I am glad you feel that way."
He shrugged, "The worse is the headaches, but it will not impair my abilities. If that is what you are concerned about."
"I was not, not about me, the Inquisition, or the personal problems. I am concerned about a friend."
Cullen smiled lightly, "And I am glad you are my friend Inquisitor. I am glad that you support me, and that I found a home in the Inquisition."
"And you have been a great leader in the Inquisition Cullen." He nodded.
"Our armies stand ready Inquisitor, for whatever may come."
He nodded, and left the room.
Only to find himself in the top of the Skyhold, Leliana's quarters.
"The orders have been sent out Inquisitor, they will be arriving soon in Caer Branach, and my spies will mobilize."
"Excellent," He said dryly, "though…I wanted to catch up."
Leliana smiled, "It has been a while…hasn't it?"
"Indeed, I suppose I have been…aloof recently."
She shrugged, "You wanted to go back to your books. No time to study during the war. And now, we are in a crisis again. I am sorry Inquisitor…for not seeing this coming."
"You are not perfect."
She shook her head, "I missed this, I missed Corypheus, and what kind of spymaster am I when I keep on missing the obvious threats?"
"So much for letting go of your burdens…"
"I am serious."
"So am I," He borderline snapped, "you can't feel like you are responsible for everything. Because even if you live life without making mistakes sometimes bad things happen. No one saw this coming. And I am the Inquisitor."
"So it is your responsibility then?" She asked, sounding dubious. "To find out the truth of the matter no matter the cost."
"It's in the title Inquisitor. Inquisitor. Maker now I sound like Sera."
Leliana smiled at that, slowly. But then sighed. "If you feel that way then this situation must be tearing you up inside."
Benjamin opened his mouth to reply, but then looked out, towards the open door, as he could see out to the Frostbacks. He tried to gaze beyond them, to that fort and even beyond. Trying to see the future, the turn of the universe, probing his own heart for the obvious answer.
"It is," he finally admitted. "Which is why we must put a stop to it. Which is why we don't have time to worry about the what ifs of the past, but must focus on the solutions. Maybe it will be the fort, maybe it won't be."
"Yes, Inquisitor." She nodded.
A mischievous grin crossed across "So, how is Schmooples doing?"
Leliana craned her head back, leaned back in her chair, blinked, and laughed. "My pet nug is doing fine. Though I miss him greatly, did not think it appropriate to bring him to Skyhold."
"Meh, maybe it's time, our little facility here is one of the safest places in the world. No force will really be able to penetrate these walls, not easily, that is the truth." Benjamin offered.
"I will think on it," Leliana said. "In the meantime, you have preparations to make."
"Sadly, that I do, though maybe in the morning…first…some rest."
"Sounds like a wonderful idea."