47: For the Glory (Part II)
"If you aren't going all the way, why go at all?"
-Joe Namath
"It's in two weeks. What say you?" Varric pleaded his case in the War Room, followed closely by Blackwall.
Evelyn bit her lower lip discreetly and glanced back at her advisers hopefully.
Leliana pretended not to hear the request and peered down at a corner of the war table map with great interest. Cullen stood stolidly, his arms crossed, while Cassandra scowled at them.
"A jousting tourney? When we are in the middle of fighting Corypheus?" Josephine wrung her hands.
"A grand tourney," Blackwall interrupted helpfully.
"We are in a holding pattern right now anyway...We can't move forward until we determine Samson's current whereabouts," Evelyn suggested.
"Isn't there anything the Inquisition can do up in Markham?" Varric insisted. "I am sure there is something. It's the Free Marches! Come on, Ruffles! Work with me!"
Josephine looked around helplessly.
"Well, to be perfectly honest, I had been planning on setting up meetings with different dignitaries in the Marches. There is sufficient evidence indicating that Venatori operatives have crossed into Ferelden from the Marches and we have been contacted-"
"The meetings would be more successful if the Inquisitor were present," Cassandra stated coolly. "You could travel ahead and negotiate any preliminary terms. I can handle the Inquisitor's security team."
Just like that! Evelyn thought delightedly.
"Well..." Josephine hesitated, glancing towards Leliana.
"We already have agents gathering intelligence in the area. Might as well take advantage of the tourney, since many leaders will already be in the area," Leliana stated. "I'll stay here, where I'll be of greater help."
Varric, Blackwall, and Evelyn all beamed at each other.
Like children, Leliana chuckled quietly.
"Won't you come too, Commander?" Evelyn asked eagerly.
Cullen stiffened.
"I was going to offer to put together a detail and security, but Cassandra already—"
"You can be my personal security," Evelyn smiled.
Cullen quickly cleared his throat.
"Oh, come now," Leliana chided them. "You all want to attend the tourney," she teased. "Just go, Cullen. Breege is more than capable and has been ready to stand in for you at a moment's notice; this may be the much needed opportunity she seeks to run things herself—without the stress of a true emergency," she reasoned.
"So who else wants to go?" Josephine wondered.
"Solas, Bull, Dorian, Cole...Vivienne declined. Sera did as well, when she heard Cole was going..." Blackwell explained.
"I believe Vivienne's exact words were: 'One of the grownups has to stay behind to answer the door and explain to Corypheus why no one is home when he comes knocking, darling,'" Varric imitated.
"I have to admit," Josephine began, giddily, "this is rather exciting. I'll secure us all the tickets."
"I can't wait," Varric grinned broadly. "This is going to be great. I get to watch Revata sweep the grand tourney surrounded by good friends..." he said playfully.
Cassandra hissed.
"Amateurs! It's obvious Isaure Pentaghast is going to win," she said calmly, collecting her belongings and striding towards the doorway. As they watched her leave the room, they heard her state firmly, a fist pumping into the air, "For the glory of Nevarra!"
"I'll be damned," Varric scratched his head. "First my novels, now jousting. If we weren't already at each other's throats, I'd say we were destined for each other."
"I haven't attended a jousting tourney in ages," Josephine realized. "I hope I still remember how the rules go-"
"Don't worry, Ambassador, I'll gladly escort you and refresh your memory," Blackwall offered gallantly.
Josephine smiled almost shyly, blinking rapidly.
"I would like that," she said. "We can cheer for your champion, Lady Honorine, together," she said sweetly.
Evelyn watched him puff his chest out proudly.
"And i look forward to cheering for the Antivan jouster—Gaetano Scarandello. He's so much fun to watch! He's so dashing in his outfits! And he's so charming when he tosses flowers to the public! Will you help me cheer him on?" she asked.
Varric and Evelyn pressed their lips as Blackwell stammered for a few moments.
"Yes, of course, my Lady!" he finally managed to say reassuringly.
He then cast both of them a withering glare that did not invite further inquiry.
"How about you, Curly? Who is your money on?"
"I...Well..." Cullen hesitated, rubbing his neck.
"Don't worry," Evelyn teased, "I don't expect you to cheer for Ser Brigid. We won't have a row over that."
"Lady Chastaine," Cullen revealed. "She is a very talented jouster."
"Oh, come on!" Varric cried out. "You lived in Kirkwall! What's up with that?"
"Excellent choice, Commander!" Blackwall cheered.
"I am wondering just exactly which of her abundant talents you are referring to..." Evelyn arched an eyebrow, resting her hand on her waist.
As they left the War Room all together, talking enthusiastically, Evelyn sidled up to Cullen, brushing her hand lightly over his.
"You know I am only jesting, right?" she whispered. "I'm not really jealous."
He breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good, since there is no reason-"
"-Because Ser Brigid is going to trounce her into the ground!" Evelyn uttered passionately, her fists clenched. "But I'll be right there, ready to receive you in my arms and console you..." she said sweetly, kissing him delicately on the nose. She then jaunted ahead of the group, leaving Cullen behind smirking and shaking his head.