Skyhold
Benjamin Trevelyan and the Red Templar Samson both looked down at his chest, his now smooth chest thanks to Dagna's operation on him. Removing the shard of Red Lyrium embedded there.
"I…don't know what to say…I don't know what to feel. I don't know how I feel." He muttered.
"Just consider this a second chance on life," Ben murmured, "make the best of it."
Samson looked at the Inquisitor skeptically. "Why did you 'cure' me? After everything I put the Inquisition through especially."
Benjamin shrugged, "Not sure, perhaps to take mercy, never look mercy in the mouth. It does not come often."
"But what will I do?" Samson asked.
"I have a few suggestions," Cullen muttered.
Benjamin shot his Military Commander a less than happy look but turned back to Samson. "Anything you want to. Anything at all. Build a new life for yourself. Now that you have been purged of the Red Lyrium and the physical alterations have been…altered…you can blend in again. Go anywhere, be anything."
"I am still reliant on lyrium though." Samson growled. "Either the red stuff or the blue, it does not matter, I am a slave."
"Then follow Cullen's example," Benjamin muttered, "he has stopped taking the stuff."
Samson looked at the man skeptically.
"Oh yeah, it's great." Cullen murmured. "I feel like a whole new man," he tried again, sounding more convincing.
"Right," Samson snorted.
Benjamin sighed, "It is possible Samson. If you really want a second…or third…or fourth…chance then this is it."
Samson shrugged, "I will think about it," He moved to turn to leave.
"And Samson," Benjamin spoke stopping him dead in his tracks.
The former Templar turned towards him.
"If you do happen to catch our eye again, become a further threat to the peace and security of Thedas, our next meeting will not end on such pleasant terms." Benjamin warned.
Samson brought up a slow smile, "I am sure." He turned to leave again, departing across the bridge, and they watched him go out of sight.
"Well," Cullen murmured, "don't we have a council meeting to attend to?"
Benjamin nodded slowly, still trying to follow the former Red Templar with his eyes. It took him a moment before he fell in behind his Military Commander, heading for the war room. Their pace was leisurely, after all the Inquisition operated on his schedule. And there was no rush. At least not in theory. It took the two of them about five minutes to get to the war room from the bridge, and Josephine was just meeting them there as well. The three of them traded greetings and nods before heading in.
Leliana was already waiting for the group. Her expected pile of paper work stacked on the table in front of her. All of them greeted each other before they got to business, Cullen and Josephine assuming their positions.
"First, the military situation?" Benjamin looked over at Cullen curiously.
"I have recalled the patrols, Skyhold is back to fully manned. We are now secure from attack, as secure as we can ever be." Cullen said. "Though I had to pull off some of our patrols from Orlais, this weakens our commitments to the Empire."
"I am sure the Empress will understand." He looked over at Josephine tellingly.
She flinched, "I will compose a letter for her as soon as we are done here."
"Good," Benjamin smiled.
"You might actually get a chance to deliver it in person," Leliana uttered stepping slightly forward into the group.
"Oh?" Benjamin frowned, his eyes twinkling with his curiosity.
"We intercepted a message, in one of their facilities my spies raided. We have been busy the last couple of weeks and tracked down another one of their safe houses," Leliana paused, "though it was empty when we got there we discovered documents. Detailing a plot to destroy the Orlesian Empire, and assassinate both the Divine and the Empress."
"Haven't we heard this plot before?" Cullen mused. Smiling lightly and brows furrowing.
Benjamin shared in the joke.
But Josephine did not, "It makes sense. With the two figures disabled, and clearly his plan was also to disable the Inquisition, with all three organizations plunged into chaos they can get what they want."
Benjamin shook his head, thinking deeply. "No, there is still a piece missing."
They all looked to Leliana.
The spy master did not disappoint, "They were going to frame it on Ferelden sympathizers…"
"Thus drawing the two nations into war," Josephine blanched.
"With Ferelden and Orlais occupied in the war, they will not be watching their internal affairs, soldiers will be called up already tired by the Civil War, they can easily encourage the alienages to rebel, and the new Circles might dissolve." Cullen whistled. "It is brilliant."
"It is barbaric," Josephine hissed. "Thousands will die, if he succeeds who knows who else will be drawn into the conflict. Nevarra certainly. The Free Marches possibly, even Tevinter could become involved. And all so they can change the world?"
"Never underestimate the desire to change the world, or the will to use it." Leliana murmured.
I am forced to agree with her, Fiona, the Red Templars, Corypheus, and even myself, we all want to change the world. Benjamin mused.
"Any details on a time table?"
Leliana shook her head, "The documents we recovered were short on the details. They outlined the general plan, but not the when, why's, or how's."
Benjamin sighed. "Which means we have to keep an eye on the situation, try and tip them off, and also monitor them, shadow them. Divine Victoria and the Empress."
Josephine smiled, the look looked positively wicked given the circumstanced, "I am sure the Empress will forgive the absence of our patrols in favor for the personal protection of the Inquisitor."
Benjamin nodded, a smile dancing on his face. Josephine always did have the right political situation handy when she needed something accomplished in her world.
It feels like an ending, Benjamin understood. Though things may not have been as bad, nor as epic, as during the war with the Elder One the stakes were just as high. If the Inquisition failed in their objective, chosen or not, here, now, then the world could easily fall with them. Thousands would die. Maybe a great many more would be enslaved.
It is up to us to stop them, once more
Benjamin nodded once more, "Good job everyone, we have recovered from this crisis, Durnham may have sought to cripple us. Instead he bought us together and reminded us what we can accomplish. I am proud, of each and every one of you. Maker willing, we will see this through."
"It has been an honor Inquisitor," Cullen came forward and nodded.
Benjamin called the meeting to order, and left. Heading out of the room, and down the stairs.
To find Cassandra training in her courtyard with the dummies, her great sword was out and she was taking a few, long, arching, easy swings with the weapon. More getting exercise and breathing down rather than training to use the thing. Benjamin stopped to admire her for a second.
"I take it the meeting went well?" Cassandra asked mid swing, her thick accent drifting over to him out of the air. She then looked over her shoulder and smiled at him.
Ben blinked, and then smiled. "Our Spymaster says she has found out where Durnham plans to strike."
Cassandra stepped towards him, nodding, "Good, when do we leave?"
"We?" Benjamin's eyes widened.
"I am coming with you of course!" Cassandra huffed sounding outraged.
"No…yes…well of course. Just Durnham is planning to assassinate the Divine and Empress Celene, in two different locations more than likely. We need to try and save them both, to do that-"
"We need to divide our forces," Cassandra nodded. "I see, it is logical at least."
Ben frowned, his bristles bristling, "I haven't exactly made up my mind yet."
Cassandra snorted, "Well you should, and the plan makes perfect sense. And remember." She stepped up close to him, "I will be here with you when you return."
Benjamin growled in the pit of his throat and scooped her up. Pulling a hand on her waste and another hand in her palm. They began swaying slightly.
"You know I do regret never taking you dancing to the ball…I was too scared."
Cassandra snorted, "Please, we would have made fools of ourselves. Tripping over our own feet. Think of the scandal." She laughed aloud.
He chuckled, "Maybe you are right…I never had much time for dancing in the Circle. Never learned how…never thought I wanted to. Of course, since I met you I have been doing a great many things I never thought I'd do."
The smile she returned was simple, yet positively radiant…and made him weak in the knees.
She grew a mischievous smirk on her face, "I assume we are not leaving for a while?"
"Leliana, Josephine, and Cullen all have their own preparations to make, why?"
"Come on," She said taking him by the hand…and leading him to his quarters. His grin grew by leaps and bounds.
…
Benjamin woke up bright and early the next morning, tucked nice and snug in his warm blanket. Chest exposed to the air. He looked to the right and saw the first rays of dawn poking their heads through the window. To the left, he rolled over, and Cassandra was sleeping there, in a similar state to himself.
He draped an arm over her and drew her in close, eliciting a smart but rather nice grunt from her.
She turned around craning her head around, blinking the sleepiness out of her eyes. When she adjusted, she smiled.
"Was it good for you too?" She purred.
The Inquisitor nodded quickly, eagerly, and several times. Like a small child contemplating the largest, most delicious piece of chocolate pie he had ever laid his eyes on.
She grinned. "Good, I'm glad." She ran her fingers through his thick beard and gave him a kiss.
"Hmm." He said.
She snorted.
They stayed like that for several minutes. The Inquisitor sent a runner for the kitchens to fetch them breakfast, while Cassandra busied herself with the table dressed in nothing but a red robe.
They ate quickly. Without saying hardly any words to each other. Benjamin smiled. Must have been all the hard work we put in yesterday.
"What?" Cassandra asked picking up on it.
"Oh…nothing." He smirked.
She snorted at him, clearly picking up on his thoughts.
It took them to almost ten to finish up. Cassandra cleared their places and he cleaned off the table. They embraced one last time.
"Well, duty calls." He said.
"I know my love, one last tour?"
"Well hopefully not the last tour." Benjamin smiled.
"You know what I mean," Cassandra whispered rolling her eyes.
Benjamin nodded, "I will see you out there."
He left through his door and then up and through to the main throne room.
First was Varric. The Dwarf was standing by a blazing fire. The fire was much hotter than it had been. Though it was strictly speaking always cool in Skyhold, being in the middle of the Frostback Mountains the weather was turning decidedly cold. Chilly even. So the fires were getting more stoked. The guards were huddling closer to their fire pots. And people who were not on duty were hiding in the tavern or their personal quarters.
A ripe situation for trouble if Durnham does decide to make another move here. Though Benjamin realized that was unlikely.
"You know, as a writer, I must say the quality of your enemies is less than desirable. You have had a would-be-god who wanted to breach the Black City, plunging the world into chaos to do so, and then now we have a crazed Templar who wants to assassinate the Divine and the Empress of Orlais. Wish they were a bit more…original."
Benjamin blinked down at the Dwarf, then smiled. "Yes, but sadly real life is not a book. And from his perspective it probably makes sense."
"If you say so." Varric shrugged. "If killing people for a political agenda ever makes sense."
Benjamin tisked looking at the fire, gathering his thoughts before turning back to the Dwarf. "You've seen it before, with the Qunari, Anders…Meredith, and even our own adventures with the Grand Duke. People kill each other over political belief all the time, because they believe it is the right thing to do, for their love of country or their belief system."
The Dwarf shook his head, "Maybe that is the problem, all the times I have seen it I still cannot believe it. Wrap my head about it. How can people really think all that death, forcing death on others, will ever actually solve anything?"
"We use violence," The Inquisitor pointed out.
"To protect ourselves and the people who have violence forced upon them."
Benjamin nodded, "Good, glad you understand the difference."
"Yeah," Varric sighed.
With that Benjamin turned around, and started marching up the stairs. Back for Dorian's 'room.' He was still there, still studying the books along the wall intently.
"You know, as much time as you spend up here, you probably could have read every single book in this library about three times." Benjamin snorted stepping forward.
"But there are so many books." Dorian stated brightly. "Besides, I don't have a dog and I am from Tevinter, really the only hope that I have to attract any attention around here is to look thoughtful."
"What, a dashing dresser like yourself can't find any company?" Benjamin asked.
Dorian snorted, "You are too kind."
Benjamin joined him in looking at all the books. The titles were impressive and though Benjamin imagined this library only held a small percentage of books that the main one could hold, though they still had yet to clean it out. Where does all the time go? Benjamin wondered. Though all the spider webs would take a while.
This place at least was nice and clean.
"You know in Tevinter I would likely be chased by Magisters who would want to kill me, and here, with the Inquisition, I am chased by Templars who want to kill me. One to keep the people enslaved, the other in some desperate bid to free people."
Benjamin glanced over at Dorian, "And?"
Dorian smirked at the Inquisitor, his mustache bristling epically, "And just an observation is all."
Ok then…
"Well, I'm off."
"Later, Inquisitor."
He started back off, down the way he came, walking quickly. He crossed through the Great Hall, feeling Varric's eyes on him, but not bothering to stop to talk to him again.
Crossing into the open air it was chilly. Despite it being almost the middle of the day Benjamin had to wrap his hands about himself and started to rub slowly. Bringing warmth back to his body and his limbs. It was perhaps the main disadvantage of wearing the 'formal wear' around here. It was not precisely the warmest dress around. Though he supposed it was adequate to his purposes.
It took him about a minute, a fast minute, to get to the Herald's Rest.
Inside the fires blazed. Making the room so hot it was almost stifling. Still quite welcome compared to the cold outside.
It was also jam packed full of people. Singing, carousing, scrape of drinks and wooden chairs on the floor. Despite the threat to the Inquisition, despite the assault on Skyhold itself, traders still traded and business was good.
A testament to our power if nothing else.
He walked up to the second floor, sticking to the perimeter, and the shadow. He kept a small smile on his face though, short, and sweet, as he started walking up the stairs.
Sera was leaning up against her wall with her eyes closed and listening to the music. Also apparently his steps as her eyes flew open upon him entering.
"Ah, here we are for talky talk. Right before we kick another high born noble right in their dangly bags."
"Kick them eh?" Benjamin smirked.
"With arrows." Sera agreed.
"Any regrets?" He asked her.
"None."
"Want cookies?" Ben asked.
"Too damn cold out."
Ben bowed slightly, "Nice talking to you Sera."
"And you," She returned the bow with a wide mocking grin and an over exaggeration.
Next, he went down towards the back of the top of Herald's Rest. Towards where Cole normally stayed. Feeling sudden heat rise to his cheeks as he began looking around for the young looking rogue.
He found him back in his usual spot pacing around in a sort of oval pattern on the floor.
"Uh Cole…" He blinked at the Rogue, biting his lip as he worried about how to proceed. "I believe I have forgotten about you."
"It's ok." Cole looked around and smiled. "I am used to it, but it does not hurt like it used to…I know I belong now." He said.
"How are you?" Benjamin pressed leaning against one of the pillars.
"I am…ok." Cole shrugged. "I have been helping the hurts. While you have been away. Dealing with the Templars…always the Templars."
"Have any insights about Durnham?" Benjamin asked suddenly, eyes twinkling in curiosity.
Cole's eyes unfocused as he looked past the wall. "He is…lost, uncertain. He has been…trained. To right, to conquer, and he has been hurt in the past. A terrible hurt that gnaws at him like teeth on hard bone. It drives him, makes him do…terrible things."
Benjamin bit his lip and nodded once more. "Thank you Cole."
The rogue blinked, refocused, and turned for Benjamin.
"Why?"
"Do I ask?" Benjamin shrugged. "I need to understand our enemy. I need to know why. According to Leliana, her information is rather spotty indeed, in this case. All she can come up with is he served as a Templar of no real note, before disappearing from the order and the public eye. Something about some mission or another. And now, he is back."
"Well, I wish I helped." Cole smiled sadly.
"You did Cole, you did." Benjamin smiled, before heading off.
The barracks was right across from the Herald's Rest. Where the officer's quarters were. Ben did not know where he was going. Or why he was going in this direction. But he half suspected to see Brandon standing there in the middle. For some reason.
His hunch proved correct as Brandon was there, about in the middle of the rows of bunk beds staring down at the wood panels of the floor.
The Inquisitor came up short. As Brandon had to have seen him. But did not react to his presence.
Finally, Brandon's voice broke out. "The servants have done a good job cleaning up the filth. I see. You can hardly tell that people were here, just a few weeks ago, getting butchered."
Benjamin grunted, "Well, that's grim."
"Is it?" Brandon finally turned around to face his Inquisitor. "If you ask me it is not grim enough. We lost people here Inquisitor. And here we are, having fun. While our enemies are out there maybe getting ready to strike. Maybe getting ready to strike at the entire Orlesian Empire. We have to do something about it."
"We are. And we can't move until that happens."
"Why not?" Brandon pressed.
"Because then the cure might be worse than the disease." Benjamin shot. "We are not gods, and I will not delude myself into thinking I can become one.
Brandon sighed, and began staring at the bed once more. His view alternating between confused, hurt, and angry.
"Don't do this to yourself." Benjamin whispered, pleading with the man.
Brandon looked up at him, surprise darting across his face, then his eyes narrowed.
"Don't do what to myself?"
"Become consumed by hurt, by wondering if you could have done more. It's not worth it. Not worth it at all. You will either destroy yourself, or destroy those around you."
He frowned, his eyes growing distant, he sighed. "I will try and keep it in mind Inquisitor. But…I was responsible for men before. And now as a part of the Inner Circle I bear some responsibility with all men within the Inquisition." His eyes narrowed again. "Doesn't it hurt you?"
Benjamin looked at the bed again before responding, "I believe it does, yes. And it is my ultimate responsibility…it hurts very much losing these people. But in the end we have to move on, because if we don't we might end up like Durnham."
"I will certainly…consider it Inquisitor. But we have a lot to do… a lot to be responsible for." With those words Brandon shut down again, once more getting lost in the bed, and the floor.
Ben nodded, and left, leaving him to his peace.
The last stop took him to the courtyard, back out into the cold. It was now afternoon, and almost time for the lunch for the Inquisition if nothing else.
And there was Cassandra, once more practicing by swinging her Great sword in giant sweeps and arcs, tearing up the small dummy she was working on.
"Done with your tour Benjamin?" Cassandra asked as he came up to her.
"Indeed," He nodded, and smiled.
She came over to him and he enfolded her loosely in his arms.
"All is left is to wait for Josephine to finish her letter, and get our people in position."
"So….next week then?" She smirked mischievously.
Ben laughed, "I am sure."
"And all we have is each other in the meantime…"
"Well, yes, and making any other additional preparations." Ben winked.
"I understand Inquisitor." She said with mock solemnity.
They both glanced at each other and snorted at one another. Rapidly growing into laughter.
But he sighed, "Join me for lunch?"
She nodded. "Of course Inquisitor."
He took her hand in hers and went off, heading for the Great Hall.