Siara didn't say much at all on the trip back to Skyhold. She didn't seem particularly upset, but she didn't seem her usual snarky or smily self, either. She was distant, though she was still paying attention to everyone and everything around her. When people asked her questions, she answered. Cullen could tell that she was distracted, but he didn't think that many people would be able to tell that she was upset. She'd retreated back to the place she was when Jacen died, if not even further back into her shell.
When they reached Skyhold, she just seemed to disappear. She was hardly ever in her room, not in the courtyard, and not at the training yard. Every now and again she could be found in the tavern, but even then it wasn't guaranteed. Even if she was there, there was no guarantee that she would be capable of having a proper discussion about anything. Usually if she was there, then she was accompanied by Varric, Dorian, Bull, or even sometimes Sara would keep an eye on her. It seemed that there were a few people who were keeping an eye on her, though it was hard to tell if they were keeping her out of trouble or just preventing her from doing something stupid. There was a subtle difference.
Cullen looked for her once the majority of his paperwork was done. There were a couple of matters that he wanted to talk to her about, but he couldn't really do that if he couldn't find her.
He spotted her by sheer luck, more than anything. She was standing at the top of one of the more remote towers, where no one really went. Every now and again one of Cullen's men would go up there on patrol to keep an eye out for danger, but not very often. There were places less far away and just as good for watching over that direction, so usually the tower was left alone. Evidently Siara had noticed that, electing to spend her time there. He took a deep breath, slowly letting it out as he made his way to the tower. Part of him was… apprehensive of the conversation he was going to have. He didn't want to go so far as to say he was nervous, but he wasn't looking forward to it.
"There you are," he greeted. "I've been looking all over for you."
"Funnily enough, I've been avoiding you all over," Siara muttered. "Don't go taking it personally, I've been avoiding everyone."
"I see," Cullen stopped next to her, unsure what to say next. "How are you coping?" he asked eventually.
Siara half glared at him for a moment before folding her arms and looking out across the mountains again.
"I'm fine."
Silence fell between them again. Cullen wasn't entirely sure how exactly to talk to her at that moment. He knew she still hadn't forgiven him for the things he had said about Anders, but he wanted to be there for her. He wanted to be able to help. But at the moment, it felt like he may as well have been talking to the stone tower they were standing on.
"I'm sorry," he said eventually, figuring he may as well just get it out there. Again.
"Good for you. Be as sorry as you like. It doesn't change shit."
"I'm not just sorry for what I said," Cullen sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I know that it's going to take a lot more than words to make up for that. I'm sorry about Anders."
Siara scoffed, her lips hardening into a thin line and her jaw set determinedly.
"Don't kid yourself, Commander. You're not sorry Anders is dead. You hated him, and I'm sure you're glad he's not a problem any more."
"You're right," Cullen admitted, "I can't say I'm sorry that he's dead. We never saw eye to eye, and I don't agree with what he did. But I am sorry that you lost him."
Siara's face softened slightly and she looked down at her feet for a moment. She didn't say anything, didn't really acknowledge what Cullen said.
They just stood there for a while in silence, looking out over the mountains. They looked beautiful, if blinding. Almost completely covered in snow that reflected bright white in the sunlight, the occasional tree standing proudly with the barest hints of green beneath the snow. There were also patches of grey stone visible where the side of the mountain was too sheer for the snow to stick to, and Cullen thought that he could see some goats searching for food in the distance.
It was rather nice, and he could see why Siara was up here. If Cullen was being honest with himself, he was rather enjoying taking a break from thinking about work. He kept getting too caught up in it, whether it be paperwork or training recruits, and he found it quite nice to just stand there not thinking about anything to do with being Commander of the Inquisition's army.
"Was there anything else you wanted?" Siara asked suddenly, pulling him from his thoughts. He turned to face her.
"Yes, there is. Jacquelyn - uh, the Inquisitor - told me that you wanted to find the former Mayor of Crestwood. She's asked me to send people out to find him, and I thought you might like to go with them."
That actually brought a small smile to Siara's lips. It was barely perceivable, and not at all a kind smile, but it was there.
"Oh yes. I would very much like to hunt that bastard down. Who else is going?"
"A few men that I'm not sure you know, and Ser Barris will be accompanying in case of rogue mages."
"Any other Templars?"
"Only if Ser Barris chooses them."
Siara just nodded once. Cullen watched her for a moment, trying to figure out how she was feeling, but he couldn't. He was worried about her, but he didn't know how to help her other than to do his best to distract her with jobs. Ser Barris would be going in search of a few rogue mages after Mayor Dedrick was found, and Cullen was sort of hoping that Siara might accompany him with that, if only to keep her away from large populations of people that might want to give her their condolences. Now that he knew her a bit better, she didn't particularly seem like the kind of person to put up with sympathy for long.
"One thing before I allow you to go on this mission," Cullen said, Siara raising an eyebrow at him. "You are not allowed to kill the Mayor. He must face justice."
"What I would do to him would be him facing justice," she scowled.
"Not the sort of justice the Inquisition is delivering, and not the kind of justice we want to be associated with."
It looked like there were several things that Siara wanted to say to Cullen in response, and he doubted any of them were nice, but she stayed silent. Her jaw was set, portraying stubborn determination, and her eyes were hard. He was certain she was mentally swearing at him, and quite possibly about him as well, and wanting to tell the Inquisition to go screw itself, but she didn't. Instead she stopped herself, took a deep breath, and nodded.
"Very well. But if I find him first, don't be surprised if he's a little… damaged."
"Please try not to hurt him too much," Cullen sighed, "but I'm sure we can live with him being a little bruised."
Jacquelyn was dealing with her own problems. She felt like they had only just gotten back from Adamant and the Fade, and now it looked as though Josephine was having mild difficulties dealing with someone. She took in a deep breath, bracing herself for whatever issue she was about to assist with.
"Is everything all right?" she asked, greeting Josephine with a smile. She was well aware that there was still a contract to kill the diplomat, and Jacquelyn found herself apprehensive of almost everyone who came close to her. It was impossible to tell who might be an assassin in disguise.
"My Lady Inquisitor! May I have a word with you?" the Revered Mother that Josephine was talking to cut in before Josephine could answer.
"Of course. How may I assist you, Revered Mother?"
"With the political turmoil put to rest, our minds turn to a single question: the next Divine."
Jacquelyn wanted to sigh, but she didn't. She didn't want to have to think about yet another issue, yet another thing that apparently she would have to sort out. But after half a second of thinking, she could see the good that her being a part of the decision making process on who the new Divine should be would do.
"We cannot answer it without the Left and Right hands of Divine Justinia the Fifth," the Revered Mother was saying. Josephine spoke before she could explain anything more.
"I have already told you, Revered Mother: Lady Leliana and Seeker Cassandra cannot be spared from their duties."
"But surely with the support of the empire, the Inquisition will not be harmed by the loss of just two souls?"
"May I inquire as to why you require both Leliana and Cassandra?"
"They were Her Holiness' most trusted advisors. They represent her legacy, her hopes for peace in Thedas. They could rally the grand clerics to follow as no candidate from the clergy has been able to."
Jacquelyn felt her eyebrows rise ever so slightly.
"Leliana and Cassandra are both candidates to become the new Divine?"
"Not yet. But they could be. We need them to be. There is precedent - other times when clerics remained deadlocked, a successor was chosen from outside the clergy. Lady Leliana and Seeker Cassandra were Justinia's most trusted friends and advisors. Our late Divine is still held in high esteem. To honour her, the grand clerics might support one of them as successor."
Jacquelyn thought a moment on what the priestess was saying, contemplating what it meant.
"I respect the importance of their attendance," she said, speaking slowly so she could think on her words as she spoke, "however, I am afraid that at this time both Lady Leliana and Seeker Cassandra are required here, attending to their duties in the ranks of the Inquisition. I apologise, and I promise I will send them straight to you as soon as the current threat has been dealt to."
The priestess looked as though she was about to say something more to object, but Josephine cut in before she could.
"The Inquisitor has only just returned and has important matters to attend to," she said. "You must excuse us, Revered Mother."
The woman paused for a moment, then bowed and turned to walk off. Jacquelyn watched her go for a moment, thinking about the conversation that they had just had, then looked back at Josephine.
"Don't let them detract from your victories," Josephine said. "We've beaten his Wardens and stopped his intrigues. Soon, Corypheus will have no place to hide. Cullen is hoping to press our advantage. We'll plan our next attack when you are ready."
Jacquelyn smiled, nodding to Josephine.
"I must thank you for all your hard work," she said, then paused and frowned ever so slightly. "Has there been any more information come to light regarding the attempt on your life?" she asked.
"Leliana is still waiting to hear back from some of her people that she sent to investigate," Josephine told her. "I shall inform you as soon as we hear something."
"Thank you. Your safety is one of my top priorities."
"I am sorry that I am being such a bother, Inquisitor."
"Nonsense, Josephine. Protecting you is no bother," Jacquelyn smiled at her kindly. "I must attend to my duties, and I shall leave you to attend to yours."
"Of course, Inquisitor."
Jacquelyn started to walk away from Josephine, frowning slightly. She thought about the words that the revered mother had said. Leliana and Cassandra were possible candidates to become the new Divine. Jacquelyn would have to think upon it further as more information came to light, and she would have to make a point of discussing it with her advisors when the opportunity arose.