Do not own Dragon Age
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3 Wintermarch, 9:42 Dragon, Skyhold
Solona barges into Josephine's office, looking straight at the diplomat, then at the noble she is talking to.
"Get out! Now!" Solona directs to the noble, her anger apparent.
The noble scrambles out, he's not stupid enough to start anything with the Warden-Commander.
"Solona, what is...!" Josephine starts.
"Did you enlist aid for the Inquisition based on the Grey Warden Treaties!?" Solona demands, cutting off the diplomat.
"Well, yes. They give the Grey Wardens the right..." Josephine tries again.
"That's correct, the Wardens." Solona emphasizes. "To fight Blights. And Blights alone. You will return everything. And I mean everything you acquired with the use of the Treaties, or the Grey Wardens of Ferelden will disavow our aid immediately. You will apologize to the affected parties, and you will pay reparations to them as well. You had absolutely no authority to use or even attempt to use those Treaties. Do I make myself clear?" Solona orders, leaving no room for argument, her tone steel.
"With all due respect, Warden-Commander. The Inquisition was founded on the principle of restoring order to Thedas. I was under the impression, that Grey Wardens were also advocates of that same endeavor." Josephine rebuttals, trying her hand.
"Oh, they are. But you overstepped your bounds by invoking the Treaties. Only a Warden-Commander may call for aid outside of a Blight, and only when absolutely necessary. You have tarnished the reputation of the Grey Wardens in Ferelden. So you will fix it. Now." Solona reaffirms her stance, seeing right through the diplomat.
"I..." Josephine begins.
"No. The only answer I will accept is, yes. Or, yes, Warden-Commmander. Now, try again." Solona tells her, not backing down.
"Do it Josie. She's not kidding." Leliana comes in, knowing that this was coming.
Josephine sighs, "Yes, Warden-Commander." she says, relenting.
"Thank you, Ambassador. I will work to smooth things over as well." Solona offers, her tone light and friendly.
Josephine is astounded by the turn of Solona's countenance. The diplomat watches as the mage leaves, nodding to Leliana on her way out.
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Cullen finds Solona hunched over a book, sleeping at an odd angle. He smiles softly at her, before waking her up gently. She looks up at him, a tad startled and a little embarrassed.
"Is everything alright?" Solona queries groggily.
"Yes, but I started to worry when you didn't join me for dinner." Cullen replies quietly.
That perks her up, "Oh. I'm sorry. This book is really boring." Solona informs him.
Cullen chuckles, he moves a little closer, taking a peak at what she is looking through. "Is this a family tree?" he asks, confounded.
"Yes. We found Corypheus' real name. I was just checking back through the Liberalum, seeing if there was anything else of import." Solona explains, smiling softly at the man next to her.
"Well not any more. Come on, let's grab something to eat." Cullen steps back, pulling the mage to her feet.
Solona laughs lightly, happy to be led away by him.
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"I wanted to ask you...I have some...I need to go take care of some Inquisition business in the southern part of Ferelden. I was wondering if you wanted to come with me. The Inquisitor will be leaving for a few weeks while she looks into the Emerald Graves and Emprise du Lion. I thought maybe..." Cullen finally gets out before Solona stops his rambling.
"I would love too." she interrupts, blushing a little, "Where exactly?" Solona is curious.
"It's a surprise, but a good one." Cullen offers, his gaze loving.
Solona nods, the two finish their meal, before taking a walk along the battlements, both enjoying the quiet it brings.
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10 Wintermarch, 9:42 Dragon, Honnleath
Solona is certain she has been here before, "Are we close to Honnleath? I remember this lake." she says, as the two walk along the shore.
"We are. I grew up not far from here. Maker, when I saw Shale standing next to Knight-Commander Greagoir, I thought I was truly going mad. But then it moved and Greagoir started talking to it. How did you come to possess the Golem anyway?" Cullen wonders, leading her to a dock further along.
"If you ever see her again, do not say that I possessed her, she'd likely turn either me or you into human paste." Solona starts, telling Cullen the tale of acquiring Shale and her subsequent past life.
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"Maker! To think that you came to my home village and saved the people there. I wonder sometimes if fate had a hand in some of the events back then." Cullen muses, stopping at the end of the dock.
"I have wondered about it too, from time to time. I wanted to tell it to 'piss off', other times, I wanted to 'thank it'. I sometimes think of Fate, as playing a game of Wicked Grace. Some rounds are good, some are bad." Solona elaborates.
"I like that. That's actually kind of comforting, in a 'Solona' kind of way." he tries to articulate, grinning.
"I know that your family stayed in South Reach after the Blight. Do you miss it here?" Solona inquires, chuckling at his previous comment.
"No, not really. It's more of the memory of the carefree times here. The day before I left to join the Templars, my brother brought me out here. He gave me this coin," Cullen tells her, showing her the object, "He told me it would bring me luck. I know it was just a coin in his pocket, but I appreciated the sentiment, so I kept it. It was the only physical thing I took with me to Kirkwall form Ferelden and I wasn't even suppose to do that. We are told to leave our worldly possessions behind and give ourselves in service to the Maker. I just couldn't let this piece go." Cullen finishes, his demeanor light, open.
"I understand." Solona reassures him, overjoyed that he shared this with her.
"I...I want you to have it. I want to know that a piece of me is with you. For luck." Cullen offers her sincerely.
"Are you...are you sure? I...I want to take it, I really do, but I want..." Cullen pulls her into him.
Solona embraces him back, laying her head on his shoulder.
"I'm certain. I took you with me to Kirkwall, as well. And even though you didn't know it, you saved me there too." Cullen tells her softly.
Solona lets her tears fall, unable to stop herself. Cullen just holds her, his own tears falling. They stay like that for some time, just content to hold and support each other.
"In my backpack. I carry a knight chess piece. The one from the game board we would play with in the Tower. It was the only thing I was determined to bring with me, when Warden-Commander Duncan recruited me." Solona tells him, trying not to start crying again.
"That was you! Bran was looking for that piece for a month!" Cullen exclaims, mildly amused.
"Really, Cullen. I am..." Solona pulls back to look at him, but is cut off by his soft lips, kissing her tenderly.
The kiss is sweet, loving, and caring. Solona melts into him, her heart filled to bursting.
"I want you to have my coin." Cullen assures her, resting his forehead against hers.
"Only if I can give you the chess piece." Solona offers back.
"I would be honored." Cullen agrees, smiling down at her.
"You know. I don't think anyone will miss us anytime soon. Could we stay here for a bit? Alone?" Solona suggests, grinning madly.
"Absolutely." Cullen concurs, leaning in to kiss her again.
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20 Wintermarch, 9:42 Dragon, Skyhold
Vivienne is talking with some people in the great hall when Ellana and Solona enter. The First Enchanter waves them over, wanting to introduce the two. Vivienne tries to control the conversation, Solona smirks and circumvents her.
"Lord and Lady Ghislain this is Ellana Lavallen, the Herald of Andraste, and leader of the Inquisition. And this is Solona Amell, Warden-Commander and Hero of Ferelden." Vivienne introduces.
"It is a pleasure. It was valiant of you to champion him in his final hours." Lord Bastien comments.
"I'm sorry, who are we talking about?" Solona queries, playing along for a moment.
"My father, Duke Bastien de Ghislain." the young Lord informs, a tad confounded.
"I..." Ellana begins, before the Warden-Commander interrupts.
"The sweet taste of wine can mask the deadly intent of bitter fruit. And it often comes in a glass handed to you by a friend." Solona interrupts.
Lord and Lady Ghislain gasp, understanding the meaning.
"How dare you?!" Vivienne gets out, outraged.
"I triple dog dare. I am known for my healing abilities, Vivienne. It was talked about in other Circles, long before they voted for independence. I have been here at Skyhold since the Inquisition relocated. At no time was my help asked for or consulted with. I have seen every poison know, and even some that are unknown to topsiders. Do not think I can be easily manipulated into your Game, Vivienne. You don't even have enough pieces to play." Solona lays into the Enchanter, a venom in her voice.
Ellana is wide eyed, shocked at the turn of events, then stunned when Solona strikes again, in a completely different direction.
"Lord and Lady Ghislain. I am so sorry for your loss. If the state of his condition had been but known to me, I would have offered myself at your disposal. Please tell me of his symptoms. I know that it will not bring him back, but perhaps I can arm you with an antidote, should another hand of friendship be offered to someone else." Solona glides in, showing Ellana how to set up the pieces of this Game.
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"I did not know of Solona's reputation within the Circles. If I had been made aware, I would of course, enlisted her aid. Please, forgive my oversight. I humbly beg your forgiveness." Ellana moves closer, pushing Vivienne out of the conversation.
Ellana and Solona lead the Lord and Lady to the gardens, leaving Vivienne behind. Solona turns her head just slightly, a sinister smirk on her face.
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After the two nobles depart, Ellana looks to Solona.
"The Game is a dance, Inquisitor, but the song is what guides it. Everyone becomes so focused on following the music that is playing. I learned that the easiest way to win, was to change the tune." Solona explains with a smile.
"Turn it around of them. Force their hand before they are ready, or reveal the card up their sleeve at an inopportune time." Ellana remarks in understanding.
"Exactly. Vivienne tried to use you. Now she will think twice. And with me somewhere around here, she will be focused on me, not you. You are free to flutter about, unnoticed." Solona takes the Inquisitors hand.
"How did you learn this? You're a mage of a Circle." Ellana inquires, as she is spun into Solona's chest.
"I suppose I can share this secret." Solona spins Ellana out, still holding Ellana's hand, "My father is a Bard, and a very good one." she says, showing Ellana how to dance in court. "I was at the tower for two years when a transfer from Kirkwall arrived, a Templar." she eludes.
Ellana is amazed, then starts chuckling, "They never knew?" she asks.
"As I said, he's very good." Solona states, smirking.
"It certainly explains a lot." Ellana comments with a smile, being led around the garden.
"I am still me. I will always help those in need. But I will not allow myself to be taken advantage of. I can see through most people, their games, their lies. It's one of the things that drew me to Cullen. He's a good man, with a good heart, he plays no game and is open and honest in his regard. I taught him a little. It made it easier to talk to him while we were in the Tower. Most of the others just assumed that we were discussing chess or a book. They had no idea that we were talking about ourselves, getting to know each other." Solona elaborates.
"And now the two of you have the chance to be clear with your feelings. To explore the possibilities of a relationship." Ellana states, happy for both of them.
"Yes. We are a little different now, older, maybe a little wiser." a jovial tone in her voice, "Both of us have seen and been through a great deal. But as long as we are open to each other. I can hope for the best." Solona tells her.
"I wish you both that hope of happiness." Ellana remarks, bowing to the Warden-Commander.
"Thank you. Now tell me of you and Solas. How's that going? And I demand details. Does he truly know how to use his staff in a fierce battle, or is the battle yet to come?" Solona teases, eyebrow raised.
"You are horrible. And we have danced around each other, but the exhilaration of battle has yet to reach us." Ellana replies, smiling at herself.
"Very good. And give it some time. His ogling is sweet." Solona comments, grinning.
The two women move out of the garden, splitting up at the great hall. Ellana to meet up with Solas, Solona to meet up with Cullen.