*** I am very sorry for the delay. Real life is hectic right now. I really am trying my best to get this story updated in a timely manner. Thank you for being patient. ***
Do not own Dragon Age
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1 Guardian, 9:42 Dragon, Orlais
Ellana meets Gaspard outside the Winter Palace, after exchanging pleasantries, the Inquisitor looks around for Solona. The Warden-Commander saying that although she had an invitation, she was going to sneak into the grand ball.
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The introductions are rather ostentatious, but necessary for appearances sake. Ellana is strolling through the gardens, when Solona slides up next to her.
"How is your evening going so far, Inquisitor?" the Warden-Commander inquires delightfully.
Ellana recognizes Solona's voice, but the mask hides her face. "I am ready to throw a fireball at the dance floor." the elven mage returns, annoyed with the crowd.
"Well that will certainly give this shindig a new twist. But knowing Orlais, they may like it, or make it a new tradition." Solona comments, amused.
"I need to look around, but people will notice if I just up and disappeared." Ellana remarks, frustrated.
"Not to worry. Give it about five more minutes. You'll know it when you see it." Solona tosses out, moving through the crowd gracefully.
Ellana roams around the garden, tossing a few Caprice coins into the fountain, when all of a sudden, fireworks begin to shoot off. It draws the crowds attention, giving Ellana the opportunity to sneak away. Ellana smirks, her mood improving quickly.
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The Inquisitor is walking back to the ballroom, when a woman in a black dress speaks out.
"Well, well, what have we here? The leader of the new Inquisition. Fabled Herald of the Faith. Delivered from the Fade by the hand of blessed Andraste herself. What could bring such an exalted creature here to the Imperial court, I wonder? Do you even you know?" the woman remarks.
"We may never know. Courtly intrigues and all that." Ellana replies jokingly.
"Such intrigues obscure much, but not all. I am Morrigan. Some call me advisor to Empress Celene on matters of the arcane." Morrigan begins, gesturing for the Inquisitor to walk with her, "You have been very busy this evening. Hunting in every dark corner of the Palace. Perhaps you and I hunt the same prey?" she continues walking back towards the doors of the ballroom.
"I hope so. I could use another ally here." Ellana returns, optimistic.
"A sentiment I share, considering recent events." Morrigan comments cryptically.
"Recent events?"
"Recently I found and killed an unwelcomed guest in these very halls. An agent, of Tevinter." Morrigan pauses, then hands Ellana a key, "So I offer you this Inquisitor. It was found on the Tevinter agents body. Where it leads, I can not say. Yet, if Celene is in danger, I can not leave her side long enough to search, you can." she finishes.
"You left her alone. Is that wise?" Ellana queries.
"I must return to her anon, but she is safe enough...for the moment. Twould be a great fool who strikes at her in public, in front of all her court and the Imperial guard." Morrigan replies.
"What's your interest in protecting Celene? Are you her bodyguard?" Ellana inquires.
Morrigan chuckles lightly, "Do I seem a bodyguard, to you? If anything were to happen to Celene, eyes would turn first to her occult advisor, even if they knew otherwise. There are sharks in the water and I will not fall prey to them. Not know, not ever." she says, a hardness to her at the end.
"If you truly want answers, help me find them." Ellana suggests, testing.
"I already told you, I must return to protect the Empress." Morrigan turns, walking through the doorway, she stops for a moment, "Proceed with caution Inquisitor. Enemies abound and not all of them align with Tevinter. What comes next, will be most exciting." she states before continuing on.
Ellana watches the woman move into the area with Celene, standing in the shadows behind her.
"She's not entirely wrong." Solona whispers into the Inquisitor's ear.
Ellana steps back, scared for just a second. "Don't do that. Scared the life out of me." she admonishes.
Solona giggles quietly, then nods her head.
"Did you find anything?" Ellana asks in a whisper.
"Nothing on the larger plot, but a few secrets. I gave them to Leliana on your behalf. Although you may wish to search the servants quarters, I heard the squeak of a little mouse, it spoke of hidden things. Things kept behind closed drawers, and hushed, sweet romantic voices, betrayed." Solona tells her cryptically, before moving into the ballroom herself.
Ellana shakes her head, sometimes she wants to strangle the Warden-Commander.
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Ellana searches around some more, after defeating Florianne's Venatori henchmen. She swears for just a moment, she saw a fox out of the corner of her eye. Turning that direction, she finds three of the Halla Statues, sitting in a row, the last three she was looking for.
"Did you see a fox?" Ellana asks Solas.
"A fox? Here? No, I saw no fox." Solas replies, confused.
"Did you say a fox?" Cassandra inquires.
"Yes." Ellana confirms.
"There is an old legend in Orlais about a bard. Known as the Fox of Stars. He was different from other bards, he had no patron and worked for the poorer folks. He would steal from nobles houses and give the money to those that needed it most. He became a folk tale told to children. There is a book written about him. I would ask Leliana about it." Cassandra informs them.
"I read that as a child. I loved that book. I made my parents read it to me every night, for a year, before I started reading it myself. I wouldn't mind picking up a copy of it while we are here." Varric adds fondly.
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While Ellana was searching about the Palace, Solona was weaving about, seeming to appear one moment then disappear the next amongst the crowd, listening to gossip and making the rounds around the room. Slipping details to Leliana as she wandered about. It was incredibly freeing to not be recognized, but Solona remained focused on her task.
She passed by Cullen, who was looking extremely uncomfortable, when she saw a noble woman press into him. Solona steered herself towards him, squeezing the woman out of his space and planting herself into it. Cullen immediately puts his arm around her waist, holding Solona to him.
"My darling fiance', is this woman taking liberties?" Solona queried pointedly.
"Fiance'? I didn't know, my lady. I apologize. Please excuse me." the woman says with a curtsy.
The two watch her leave, grinning at her quick departure.
"I wish you could take that mask off. I would very much like to kiss you right now." Cullen whispers into her ear, before nibbling the appendage.
Solona can not hide her delighted moan, "I...I...Oh Maker!" Solona gasps, her mind a little befuddled. "I should probably go. You are far too distracting. Save me a dance though." her words breathless, as she steps away from him.
"I look forward to it, my lady." Cullen agrees softly, taking her hand and kissing the back of it.
The look in each others eyes says more than anything words can convey.
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Ellana convenes everyone together, Solona whispers a few words into the Inquistors ear. Ellana takes to the ballroom floor, exposing Florianne's plot to the court. The Inquisitor mediates the negotiations between Briala, Celene and Gaspard, finding a solution to the end of the Civil War. Which in Orlais, is through blackmail.
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Solona watches from the doorway, as Morrigan and Ellana talk. The Warden-Commander smirks upon learning that Morrigan has been assigned as liaison to the Imperial Throne of Orlais to the Inquisition. Morrigan walks towards Solona, the former has a knowing smile on her face. Just as she passes, Solona springs her own surprise.
"I have a wonder." Solona starts, drawing a gasp from Morrigan as she turns around fast, "If you will indulge me?" Solona queries, grinning madly as she removes her mask.
"You?! How did you get in here?! How did you find me?!" Morrigan fires off quickly.
"I never lost you, Morrigan. I always knew where you were. I just thought this would be more fun." Solona admits calmly with a crooked smile still in place.
"You...!" Morrigan begins, then takes a deep breath, "You always did like the dramatics of springing a surprise on unsuspecting people." Morrigan comments a smile forming on her lips.
"It brings me a small bit of happiness, to thoroughly unnerve someone, who is over-confident in themselves. And do not take that as a challenge. It will never happen." Solona remarks, before surprising the witch again by rushing forward and embracing her, "I missed you, my friend." she tells her.
Morrigan is shocked for a few seconds, but relents and embraces Solona back. "I missed you too." the wilder woman returns.
Solona releases her, with the two promising to catch up back at Skyhold. Solona winks at Ellana, then bows to Solas, who watched the affair with a smirk of his own. He will have to watch the Warden-Commander carefully, what a delightfully clever woman.
Solona makes her way to Cullen, the two move to the dance floor, both blissfully happy. Solas takes Ellana's hand, the two dancing on the balcony. Solas has had a little too much wine, releasing some of his inhibitions. The elven male leans in kissing Ellana, who returns the affection. The two elves sneak off to a quiet room, grabbing a bottle of wine on the way.
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In the morning, a small red bird taps on the window of a room in the Winter Palace, waking two entwined lovers with a groan.
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10 Guardian, 9:42 Dragon, Skyhold
Solona grabs a pitcher and begins to pour herself and Cullen some wine. The table is lively, those gathered are talking and laughing. Varric finally arrives with the Inquisitor, and Josephine is shuffling the deck. Bull and Cullen are trading stories. Dorian and Varric are trading insults. The game is bringing them together. They play several hands, Josephine is ahead, but Solona is keeping up with her. In the last round of the night, Cullen somehow ends up naked. Solona does not look at him, trying to give him some dignity.
"Never bet against an Antivan." Josephine tells him with a knowing grin.
"Not a word, Varric!" Cullen demands.
The storyteller just chuckles with a crooked grin.
Each person stands one by one, departing to their sleeping areas. Solona smiles to Cullen in a mischievous way, before standing herself, walking over to Ellana, the two of them turn around to face the door. Cullen makes a dash for the side door, he doesn't see Solona turn her head to peek at him. Ellana bumps the Warden-Commander teasingly. The two women share another laugh, before Solona wishes the Inquisitor a pleasant evening, nodding to Varric. He had been waiting by the rooms fireplace, the storyteller steps over to Ellana.
"I'm going to put this into one of my books." Varric comments.
"The game, or the...aftermath?" Ellana eludes with a smirk.
Varric laughs lightly and winks. The two walk together back to the main hall, before going their separate ways.
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11 Guardian, 9:42 Dragon, Skyhold
Solona watches as Ellana walks into the Eluvian with Morrigan. She waits for them to return, stepping into the room.
"This could lead him to the Fade, if he finds the right mirror." Morrigan concludes.
"And you are guessing, but it's as good as a lead as any other." Solona remarks.
"You have another idea?" Ellana queries.
"No. I've seen the reports. The Venatori are moving into the Arbor Wilds, searching for something. If it's what I think it is, then the Inquisitor should get there first." Solona tells them.
"What do you think it is?" Ellana is learning you have to be direct with the Warden-Commander sometimes.
"Something no one outside of the elven people should possess." Solona answers cryptically, before walking away.
Ellana sighs. Even directly, Solona answers what she wants, how she wants.
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17 Guardian, 9:42 Dragon, Orlais
The group is pushing through the crowd near the gallows of Val Royeaux. Ellana sees Blackwall walking up the steps. He stops the execution of a man, and reveals his dark past to the crowd. The guards take him away.
Inside the jail, Ellana talks to him, but his answers only confirm his story, but they also reveal that he regrets his choices. Cullen stops Ellana from leaving. The two talk about what to do, when Warden-Commander's Solona and Stroud walk in. Solona smiles softly.
"You knew! You knew he wasn't a real Grey Warden. Why didn't you say anything? Why let me believe? Why let him get away with it?" Ellana questions angrily, her voice conveying her hurt.
"Because to out him at any other time would have only hurt the Inquisition. You can honestly say that you and your organization had no knowledge of his actions, and believed him to be genuine in his word, at the time." Solona explains, sorrowfully.
Ellana is taken back by the admission. She hangs her head, because Solona is right.
"What happens now?" Cullen asks, agreeing.
"That's up to Thom Rainier. I can invoke the right of Conscription, but he will go to Stroud. We can delay his Joining until after his business with the Inquisition is done, but he will have to leave after." Solona informs them.
"This is not a mercy. The Joining is sometimes fatal. It is all we can offer." Stroud adds, mournfully.
Ellana sighs again, "Do it. At least we can give him a chance." she finishes regretfully.
"Atonement is available to all who seek it. Not everybody looks. It takes a special person to begin the search. It means that Hope is still within." Solona states enigmatically.
Ellana nods in understanding.
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22 Guardian, 9:42 Dragon, Skyhold
"...and if I want it to blow up?" Solona finishes.
Ellana is checking on Dagna in the undercroft, she is not sure that she heard that right.
"You mean on purpose? I suppose that could work. It would be extremely unstable though, but I can work on it in my spare time." Dagna offers.
"It's just a thought. It could help take out large swaths of darkspawn, without endangering my comrades, but if it's too dangerous by your standards, then I will defer to you on the matter." Solona concedes.
"No. It has potential. I'll see what I can come up with. Safely, of course." Dagna adds, chuckling.
The two laugh about whatever they were talking about.
"Are you trying to blow something up?" Ellana inquiries, concerned.
"Just rolling around ideas. Weapon runes are a careful craft, but what if they could be augmented. Attach one to the end of an arrow, kaboom, no more darkspawn. That kind of thing." Solona explains.
"Or in the midst of a Venatori camp?" Ellana remarks, seeing the merit.
"Exactly." Solona agrees.
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