Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The Lady knelt at his side, saying:

"Arise, Aegis of the Faith. You are not forgotten.

Neither man nor Maker shall forget your bravery

So long as I remember." — Apotheosis 2:17

It had been a difficult few weeks.

Actually to hell with that, it had been a difficult year. The last few weeks were perhaps almost normal again other than the giant hole in the sky and the explosion at the Temple of Sacred Ashes that had wiped out a huge number of the Order’s most faithful. Knight-Templar Barris, however, was nowhere near high enough on the list to have been invited to the conclave and all the better for it. In the aftermath though the Lord Seeker had taken definitive hold of the Templar Order and things were feeling a little less unsure and for the last few weeks there hadn’t been a moment where he doubted what he should be doing. 

The Templars had returned to Val Royeaux and he was more occupied watching the crowds for possible problems than listening to the Revered Mother.

He’d been ordered to keep an eye out for the Inquisition. The way they made it sound though he half expected to see soldiers marching into the city square with banners and acting like the most important people in the city. There had been soldiers, admittedly, that he’d noted while patrolling the square, but none of them had been causing any problems or looked to be doing anything more than keeping an eye out. If they were meant to be spying they weren’t doing a very good job of it with the Inquisition emblem on their uniforms.

Admittedly he thought he saw another familiar face, but… Well she’d have to be mad to have come here when there were so many templars in the city.

“Good people of Val Royeaux, hear me. Together we mourn our Divine. Her naive and beautiful heart silenced by treachery.” 

It was the same sort of thing he’d heard the last few days before she led the people in prayer, both for the safety of the people and that those whose minds had been clouded by the lies of the Inquisition and their Herald would come to see the light. It made it a little easier to tune her out and get lost in his own thoughts. Grace’s last letter had been short other than to say she was in the Free Marches, but at least he knew his younger sister was okay…

“You wonder what will become of her murderer. Well, wonder no more. Behold the so-called Herald of Andraste! Claiming to rise where our beloved fell.” 

The title caught his attention enough to draw it back to the square. There had been no banners or barely even more than a movement in the crowd of a small group that he might have questioned where the Herald was if he didn’t already recognized the woman at her left side. The right hand of the Divine was a formidable presence alone and Barris had only met her in passing, Cassandra Pentaghast having far more important people to deal with than himself.

The Herald held her own though as her arms just crossed as the attention of the crowd fell on her, if anything standing a little straighter now. Even without reading the short report he’d been given on Danielle Trevelyan he would have guessed her for nobility just on how she held herself. She was slightly shorter than the Seeker next to her, the green eyes watching the Mother less than amused at the public callout.

“We say this is a false prophet,” Hevara still echoing the same talking points she’d been using since they’d first heard the Inquisition was “marching” on the city. “The Maker would send no mage in our hour of need.” Barris was almost more surprised she didn’t spit on the ground if it wouldn’t have been entirely undignified.

Trevelyan stepped forward and a hand went to his sword though he couldn’t sense anything that she was about to use magic. “You say I am the enemy. The breach in the sky is our true enemy.” She motioned toward the east and the green discoloration that still hung in the sky. “We must unite to stop it.”

Seeker Pentaghast chimed in, “It's true! The Inquisition seeks only to end this madness before it is too late.”

“It is already too late.” He could hear the sound of the armored footsteps marching in unison, the alert apparently having come that the Herald had actually shown herself today. “The Templars have returned to the Chantry. They will face this "Inquisition" and the people will be safe once more!”

So far, however, this Inquisition hadn’t shown itself as doing anything other than defending themselves from the accusations being thrown against them. The soldiers he’d seen wouldn’t be enough to make much of a stand if this broke into a fight, and as much as he still held a deep distaste for Orlais, the Knight-Templar had no desire to see the cobblestones stained in blood. He also had little desire to see first hand just what the Seeker could manage to do to him and the others.

He was more shocked when it wasn’t the Inquisition numbers that were attacked however but the Revered Mother as she was struck right in the face. He might not have liked or agreed with her various declarations, but Barris couldn’t imagine anyone striking a member of the Chantry, any less one of the Templars. They were the defenders of the faith, protectors of the people…

The Lord Seeker’s hands were on his shoulder, drawing his attention away from the woman on the ground. “Still yourself. She is beneath us.”

If it had been someone else Barris might have dared to speak up. Lucius Corin was not the sort of man he wanted to cross.

Trevelyan, however, did not seem to have that issue. “What's the meaning of this?!”

“Her claim to authority is an insult, much like your own,” Lucius responded before leading them off the stage with the Inquisition group already in pursuit. Barris followed, unsure what else he should be doing.

“Lord Seeker Lucius, it is imperative that we speak with–”

“You will not address me.”

Pentaghast looked like she’d been struck as well. “Lord Seeker?”

“Creating a heretical movement. Raising up a puppet as Andraste's Prophet. You should be ashamed,” the Lord Seeker listed her crimes before looking back at the rest of them and back toward the assembled crowd that was still there. “You should all be ashamed! The Templars failed no one when they left the chantry to purge the mages. You are the ones who have failed. You who'd leash our righteous swords with doubt and fear.”

Then he turned his attention to Trevelyan who still stood at the head of the group. “If you came to appeal to the chantry you are too late. The only destiny that demands respect here is mine.”

Her jaw worked for a moment and Barris could almost see his father having to deal with another of the Banns he disliked. Albeit far prettier with the sprinkling of freckles on her medium brown skin and blonde hair with the tight curls cascading down her back as she addressed Lucius evenly. “What we truly need is an alliance that will seal the breach.”

Corin only sneered back. “Oh, the breach is indeed a threat. But you certainly have no power to do anything about it.”

For a moment, at least, Barris found his voice as he approached the man. “But Lord Seeker, what if she really was sent by the Maker? What if–” For a moment he met her eyes, an apparent curiosity there. Perhaps she had expected everyone here to think the story of her being saved from the Fade by Andraste was nothing more than a story, but… He was admittedly having a hard time discounting it.

At least until he was reprimanded by the officer that had struck the Chantry mother, marking him of being unworthy of even being addressed by the Lord Seeker. “You are called to a higher purpose. Do not question.”

Lucius went on, brushing off the brief interruption like Barris had been little more than an annoying fly buzzing in his ear. “I will make the Templar Order a power that stands alone against the void. We deserve recognition. Independence. You have shown me nothing, and the Inquisition? Less than nothing.” Barris disagreed, but speaking would only bring down more possible punishment than he was already likely to receive for his moment of indiscretion. 

“Templars, Val Royeaux is unworthy of our protection. We march.”

That was another surprise, but he was in no position to question being “called to a higher purpose”. Hopefully it wouldn’t be somewhere even deeper into Orlais, but the empire had its own issues with their civil war going on. He was already torn after that display, but orders were orders and it was possible there were larger things at play that he hadn’t yet realized.

He glanced back for a moment though, the Herald already up on the stage knelt down and offering a hand up to the woman who had been tearing into her only minutes before. A small moment of kindness for someone who had shown her nothing but disdain…

It was an image he held onto as he turned to follow the others out of the city.

Chapter Text

To Her Worship, the Herald of Blessed Andraste, Defender of the Faith and Thedas, Lady Danielle A. Trevelyan,

Or assuming that would be the proper way to address my favorite niece now. Fracesca suggests I leave the florid language for the Orlesians, but why should they be allowed all the fun? You will have to correct me if I missed something, Dandelion. I don’t think either of us expected all of this when the First Enchanter showed up at my door looking for you to go to this bloody thing in the first place, but things have certainly been interesting in Ostwick since news came of your (still rather miraculous if potentially not divine?) survival at the Conclave.

For one there are stories from a party recently being held for Teryna Wyrfell’s name day in which young Bann Samuel was in attendance with his mother. The Teryna supposedly was inquiring after you, assuming Matyld would know such things. She was apparently vague but complimentary enough to satisfy before Sersi was looking to your brother who loudly pointed out you could have walked in that second and he wouldn’t know you from Andraste herself before warning Wyrfell that Matyld gets angry when you get brought up. Honestly I only wish I could have been there myself to see your step-mother’s reaction first hand, but the reporting has been just as amusing.

— Except of a Letter from Lord Cristofer Trevelyan, Dated 9:41 Dragon

Danielle had to wonder why it seemed like Orlais was a little more willing to back the Inquisition. Then she also wondered if perhaps she shouldn’t have found something else a little nicer to wear considering all of the nobles that were here outside of the Seeker fortress. She wasn’t expecting a fight here, dressed in her lightweight armor like she was, but after they had closed two rifts along the way she could at least be glad that she wasn’t coated in dust from the trip.

At least she’d been able to bring Pepper. Cassandra had probably thought her slightly mad when she’d gone running from the horsemaster’s home to the stables to see the Fereldan Forder. It was the happiest anyone had seen the Herald since she’d woken up in the Haven dungeons with a chunk of her memory gone and a mark on her hand. The horse was already a friend and confidant, not about to judge her for her doubts and just listen as long as there was an apple in it for him.

Here they were deep in Fereldan though with ten Orlesian noble houses backing her request to meet with the Lord Seeker to settle the issue of the Breach. She was grateful for any support after their trip to Val Royeaux had ended so questionably, but it felt a little strange bringing Orlesian nobles into Queen Anora’s territories. And for her, a mage, to be standing there about to ask help from the Templars when it wasn’t as though the Magister in Redcliffe had said refused her assistance…

No, she was not going to go marching into a castle that would likely be filled with these Venatori cultists that could apparently twist around time without the back-up of the group that could actually do something about it. Even if she could only convince a handful of the Templars to join their cause it might be enough to liberate Redcliffe from the Tevinters and earn her the gratitude of the rebels who were less than enthused to join the Imperium.

She finished talking with one of the templars that stood near the gate, admiring the signs of work Josephine and Leliana had put in to keep up the stories of Andraste’s divine intervention. The longer this went on the more she believed it herself admittedly as she glanced up after thinking she saw someone sitting on top of some scaffolding and watching, but when she blinked it was only a raven watching her just as intently… She could have sworn… Well, no matter.

Lord Abernache was already up greeting their welcoming party: one of the Knights she was almost sure was the same man she’d seen defending her possible divinity back in Val Royeaux. Ser Delrin Barris of Fereldan… Who was completely bypassing the Lord’s attaché that was in the middle of introducing him to approach her the moment their eyes met, amused at the man’s snubbing of his Lordship.

“I’m the one who sent word to Cullen. He said the Inquisition works to close the Breach in the veil.” Apparently the dear Commander had been busy with more than just training the troops, but knowing the small bit of influence had already been at play made her smile a little as Barris glanced around at some of the assembled group. “I didn’t think you’d bring such… Lofty company.”

“Barris. Moderate holdings, your family. And the second son?” Lord Abernache sounded a little unimpressed, but it made sense to her. The Trevelyans had a tendency of younger siblings ending up placed in the Chantry in some respect as she had numerous cousins of varying levels of closeness that had joined the Templars as well. None that had reached out, but having magic had put her with a bit of a black spot on the family. She had to bite her lip though to keep from pointing out to Abernache that they were there for their fighting skills, not to set up marriage contracts. Holdings had little to do with how well he could handle the sword at his side.

“This promise of status has garnered interest from the Lord Seeker. Beyond sense. The sky burns with magic, but he ignores all calls to action until your friends arrive.”

That was a little strange, particularly since he’d declared that they would stand alone against the breach, but was making no attempt to deal with the rifts that had popped up. If they wanted to prove she was nothing special then they were doing a bad job of it as she looked back to her companions. “Cassandra, should a Seeker lead the templars this way?”

“In an emergency, if there’s no other recourse. But his goal should be to restore them to order.”

“He has taken command. Permanently.”

“If he feels there is a holy mandate…” She noted Cassandra’s discomfort with the idea. Danielle could only guess what else the Lord Seeker might be able to order if they considered leaving the gem of Orlais unprotected as part of their “holy mandate”.

“That is what the Lord Seeker claims, and our commanders parrot him.” Barris let out a soft sigh as he stepped a little closer to her. “The Lord Seeker’s actions make no sense. He promised to restore the Order’s honor, then marched us here to wait? Templars should know their duty, even when held from it.” It echoed her own thoughts on the matter that hiding away here felt like the opposite of what the man had suggested he was going to do.

Danielle looked back at him though almost challengingly. “You’re with us?”

Barris nodded slightly. “Win over the Lord Seeker and every able-bodied knight will help the Inquisition seal the Breach.”

“If you think we’re right, abandon the Lord Seeker and help us,” she pressed further. If she could get just one that was willing to push back against Lucius then maybe more would follow.

Was it her imagination or did it look like he wanted to? If circumstances were different at least... “We can’t abandon our orders. Not while the officers who survived the Conclave follow him.” Danielle supposed she could understand, but she’d still been hoping for more like Lysette back in Haven, but she was at least slightly more reassured as he continued. “We’ve been asked to accept much, after that shameful display in Val Royeaux. Our truth changes on the hour.”

“Don’t keep your betters waiting, Barris. There’s important work for those born to it.”

Danielle looked over at Lord Abernache but stayed quiet. She would have preferred someone a little less brash for the head of their retinue, but Abernache could get things done as they headed into the fortress with the others at her heels. There was still a bit of hope that as long as she came to the negotiations in good faith she might convince at least a few of the officers even if the Lord Seeker was just playing with them by bringing them out here. Or maybe the heads of the Inquisition were wrong in thinking that they could manage to get the Templars without convincing the Lord Seeker completely that aiding them was the right thing.

Barris was also wishing she would have brought someone less full of himself, but at least it hadn’t been Teryn Cousland there berating him for his lineage. For one, his family had always gotten on well with the Couslands (even if his elder sister had called the Hero of Fereldan a terrible flirt), but more because he respected the man more than any of these Orlesian nobles they were expected to treat with now.

He’d play nice with the man, for now, but he also wasn’t going to take the abuse without saying something if pressed. His pace slowed a little as they went to the courtyard, looking back at the Herald. Barris had his orders even if he did think it was a little strange.

“The Lord Seeker has a… request before you meet him.” He paused by the three banners, remembering his own choices as he looked over at him. After everything recently he wondered if he would make the same choices now as he had then. “These are the Standards. An honored rite centered on the People, the Maker, and the Order. The Lord Seeker asks that you perform the rite so he may see the order in which you honor them.”

Danielle glanced at him questioningly before turning her attention back to the banners. “What if I fail?”

“There is no “correct” answer. The ritual simply shows watchers who you are and what you value.”

So it was a test even if it wasn’t one with a right answer it would determine how they saw the Inquisition and she wasn’t sure she was comfortable deciding for the whole group what they really held most important. She certainly didn’t feel like she was all that important compared to anyone else here. Cassandra was the one, after all, who had declared the Inquisition and been a hand of the Divine. 

“Fancy title aside, Ser Barris, I don’t actually command the Inquisition.” Not that anyone did, as their new mercenary captain had pointed out.

“That doesn’t seem to matter…” Barris lowered his voice, not wanting to be heard by those that might run off and tell someone he was being at all subversive when that wasn’t his intention. Or to cause any dissent in the ranks. “The Lord Seeker changed everything to meet you. Not the Inquisition— you. By name.” And something about that scared him just a little on her behalf.

Danielle could feel the hairs already prickling up on the back of her neck. “Why?”

“I don’t know. He’s been fixated on you since your horde of nobles arrived.”

That was more than a little nerve-wracking, but at the same time it meant that she didn’t have to worry about the “Inquisition’s” answer to the challenge, only her own heart. Danielle only closed her eyes for a moment as Abernache argued against them taking the time for this. She could do this and perhaps it would win over a few in the courtyard.

“We’ll complete the ritual… As the Lord Seeker requests.”

Barris was relieved, glad he wasn’t going to have to argue on behalf of the request. “When you’ve completed the rite, I’ll take you to him.”

Danielle looked between the three. Prioritizing the Order would be a purely political move, but if there was ever a time for politics it felt like this was it. She’d gone from having her rightful inheritance taken from her as the eldest to being someone that was asked to do a ritual for the leader of the Seekers of Truth… It was a bit jarring after years of anonymity to be one of the best known people in Thedas.

No, she’d follow what she actually believed and not just the answer she thought she’d want as she started to raise the People’s banner, looking over at Barris. He’d stood up for her in Val Royeaux and now she was curious if he’d thought any more on his “what if”… “So, do you believe Andraste saved me at the Conclave?”

Barris was a little taken aback by the sudden question as he’d just been watching as she went to raise the Maker’s banner. He knew what he believed, but he was also skilled enough at playing to the nobility. Perhaps exactly why he’d been chosen to greet them on behalf of the Order. “Some of my brethren look to the rent in the sky and pray Andraste has sent a savior. But my thoughts aren’t important. Only the outcome of your visit matters.”

“I didn’t ask your brethren though, Ser Barris. I asked you…” Danielle smiled back at him, waiting for a moment to see if he’d say anything before shrugging a little. “But fine, keep your secrets.” She had a final decision to make on which she’d put higher, finally stepping toward the sunburst.

And then she heard the whispers, confusion that she would pick the Chantry first when they were the ones that had denounced the Inquisition. Danielle stopped as she had specifically heard him call them for the People, the Maker, and the Order. If that was not the case however, she’d rather know now. “The Maker or the Chantry?”

“They are one and the same, are they not?” Ser Barris responded, confused.

Those green eyes just pierced into him before she went over and raised up the flag of the People to the top, stepping back and motioning to the Knight. Apparently she disagreed with his assessment. “There.”

He straightened up, sure she wouldn’t be pleased that it wasn’t quite over yet. “Traditionally a participant in the rite now explains their choices to those assembled.”

The Herald let out a soft sigh. Why did everything have to feel like they were playing a game they wanted her to lose? “The Order should serve the Maker, or Chantry if you want to put it that way. But the Chantry should serve the People… It’s the Chant of Light that states: all men are the work of our Maker's hands, from the lowest slaves to the highest kings. All are equal in the eyes of the Maker. The people should be our priority. Without them you neither have a Chantry nor a Templar Order. I let my faith guide my answers.”

He could only imagine that if the Lord Seeker had been listening at all from afar that she might have just made a slip by even the implication. Because if all were equal then should it have really mattered if she showed up with the noble houses of Orlais or the baker’s guild of Fereldan…

If Abernache noticed as much, he was saying nothing about it which made Barris sure it had gone over the man’s head. “On a whim? If it wasn’t to impress the Lord Seeker, why bother at all?”

“I suppose that is your intention.”

“My intention is to deal with people who matter.” Herald’s point was most definitely missed if he’d even been paying attention in the first place. “You helmed louts are wasting the Inquisition’s time — and my time. Unacceptable!”

Barris let out a small sigh and led them forward. He would be wasting his energy arguing with the man. “The Lord Seeker awaits you both. Follow me.”

Or at least he’d been told the Lord Seeker would be waiting for them there. It was mildly ridiculous that even after the time they’d taken with the flags that the man couldn’t manage to show up, likely trying to make a point: no matter how big they’d gotten the Inquisition was to wait for him, not the other way around.

Danielle was more amused at that point that Abernache hadn’t decided to go on through the door at the other end of the room and try to track the man down himself after all the comments about being left waiting already. She might be pushed to comment on it later, when the man showed up. It was a little disheartening the disrespect that was being shown when she was supposedly a welcome guest in their halls.

The man who finally entered with two more guards flanking him though was not the one they’d been told to expect. Nor could he apparently be bothered to even take off his helmet as he approached the table.

“You were expecting the Lord Seeker. He sent me to die for you.”

Die? She looked over to Barris who seemed just confused by this turn of events as she was and by the Knight-Captain’s words. Abernache was not one to be deterred by the man’s words as he approached to introduce himself even as the Knight-Captain brushed him off just as easily. Danielle kept her eyes on Denam though other than to glance over when she addressed him, not caring at this point if it sounded like she was insulting the man. “Ser Barris, I’m right in assuming the knight-captain has seen better days?”

“You. Be ready,” Denam ordered, leaving Barris to nod slightly to the previous question. Something about the man was… Off. Better days was an understatement. 

And Abernache was still intent on doing his part with single focus on little else. “Yes, be ready to be left behind.”

They could hear it then. Sounds of swords clashing in the courtyard behind them and Danielle felt it was safe to assume that it wasn’t a matter of training drills having started suddenly with the sounds of shouting, a creeping feeling climbing up her spine. Not to mention the Knight-Captain looking more crazed by the second. “The Lord Seeker had a plan, but the Herald ruined it by arriving with purpose. It sowed too much dissent.”

Barris was confused, hoping some sense could still be made from this as he approached his superior officer. “Knight-Captain, I must know what’s going on!”

“You were all supposed to be changed! Now we must purge the questioning knights!”

“For once, I agree with the—”  The Knight-Captain’s declaration had been some sort of cue as Lord Abernache was cut off with an arrow, dead before he hit the ground. 

“The Elder One is coming. No one will leave Therinfal who is not stained red!” 

The others that had come with the Knight-Captain wasted no time in slaughtering the other templars that had come with them from the courtyard. She went for her staff, already casting a barrier spell on the ones still standing and taking head count. Cassandra, Varric, and Vivienne all alive… For now.

Barris was in shock as he saw it unfold before him. Half his brethren were murdered by the other half that looked infected. “Maker’s breath…” A barely deflected arrow off the barrier shook him to his senses as he went for his sword. They had made their choice and he would do the same: survival. Find out what was going on here and deal with the problem, even if it meant imprisoning the Lord Seeker himself for the murder of the templars there.

If there was one thing to be said for the Inquisition group with Trevelyan though, it was that they were efficient as the diseased templars were soon dead as she started to put her staff away and go to get a better look at one of the corrupted templars. What had looked like blood vessels drawn to the top of the skin was something far different… Although what it was exactly she didn’t know other than it seemed to pulse with an odd sort of magic. “Is the Knight-Captain alive?”

Barris went over, pushing the man with his foot and getting a small groan. “Barely. If you use a healing elixir, he might survive. If he even deserves it.” All through the fight he’d been ranting and raving about this “Elder One” as though it was supposed to mean something to anyone but himself.

“We’ll heal him,” Danielle ordered. “Let’s judge the Knight-Captain after we find his master.”

“He hardly deserves our charity,” Vivienne argued.

“Killing him won’t get us any more information about what might be going on here. And deserve it or not, it’s what we’re doing.” She tried to back track to the courtyard, but the door wouldn’t budge. Apparently the time spent keeping them there waiting had been used to make sure that they couldn’t escape easily… Just as well. It was unlikely that the Lord Seeker was behind them so the better option was to push forward and see what was waiting for them.

More people to fight and it broke her heart a little more with each one they had to take down to protect themselves. None of them were normal however with the same sort of corruption as the ones in the meeting room. “Stained red”, she assumed, and not just with the blood of their fellows. Had they come too late? Was there going to be anything to save when this was over?

Danielle shook the thought off.  She had to stay positive as they pushed forward into the fortress, a loud voice echoing in her ears. Prepare them! Guide them to me!

“Was that the Lord Seeker?” It had sounded like him, but she looked to Barris and Cassandra hoping one of them would have recognized it.

“Where? I don’t hear anything.”

“I’m… Afraid I didn’t either.”

Oh lovely. Herald of Andraste and now she was hearing voices in her head. Well that just added to the whole divinely sent now, didn’t it? Though if she was going to have auditory hallucinations, the least they could be was the chant of light and a little more encouragement. She’d gotten where she could hold her own in a fight, but Danielle was still better at holding back and supporting the others with protective spells and the occasional blast of ice.

I would know you! Show me what you are! You will be so much more!

If only you could tell a voice in your head to shut up. They’d found a few more at least untouched by whatever was wrong with the others, but it was still such a small part as they used the Knight-Captain’s keys to get into a side office Barris hoped might have some additional information.

Unfortunately the first thing they came across inside the door was a body in elaborate Templar armor. “That’s the Knight-Vigilant… The Lord Seeker told us he died at the Conclave.”

“The Lord Seeker lied. Maker help us,” the Seeker looked just as disheartened by this whole event as Barris was. The man had held both of their respect and it was difficult to reconcile that with someone who would do these things.

“I’m beginning to understand why I’ve never met an old Templar,” muttered Varric as he went looking through the chests for anything of use while Danielle went to check the papers on the desk.

Barris stood back and just let them look, unsure what else he could do here other than make sure someone didn’t sneak in behind them and attack. “Was the knight-captain hiding the body for the Lord Seeker? Did he kill the man himself?” He asked the questions more to himself than expecting any of them to answer. “Maker, what’s happening to the Order…”

“Ser Barris, what went on here?”

Once again he was struck by the Herald’s piercing eyes, wondering how many others she’d fixed with that stare that made you sure she’d know if you were lying. If nothing else she seemed skilled at knowing when he needed to be pulled out of his own thoughts. “Lord Seeker Lucius told us the knight-vigilant died at the Conclave…” And Denam had known considering he had passed down the orders. The more he thought on it though, the angrier he was getting. “Our officers hid a murder. Did they manipulate us for this “Elder One” bullshit the knight-captain screamed about?”

Danielle’s voice only stayed calm though as she tried to get more information to piece this all together. “Do you know anything about this Elder One?”

“No. Templars serve the Maker and the Light of Andraste. I’ve never heard of an “Elder One” before the knight-captain began ranting.”

He wished he had more for her, but unfortunately they were all in the dark. Trevelyan just pursed her lips for a moment before deciding she was apparently done with questions for now. “We’ll find out what’s going on. Let’s move.”

“We’re owed an explanation. The dead are owed more.”

Danielle paused for a moment as the others left the room, taking in the simple comment. It was hard to say what about it struck her so much, but she nodded to him before continuing onward, the voice yelling at her again. The Herald of Andraste! It’s time we became better acquainted! Come! Show me what kind of woman you really are. If it was the Lord Seeker then he’d acquired a new trick since it still looked as though no one else had heard it. What do you think to accomplish? What will you become?

A fucking nightmare for you, for one , she thought to herself, wishing she could project as much back. She could be kind and empathetic, but there was a certain point that her kindness reached its limits and hers had ended the moment he had started killing his own people and trying to blame her for arriving “with purpose”. As they caught sight of the man at the top of the stairs though she was reassured with the sounds of weapons being drawn.

Barris, for one, was not going to give the man any chance to hurt someone else. The other uncorrupted templars they’d come across had been headed here and would hopefully be inside, but what more had the man possibly done if he still stood between them and the rest of the Order?

The Templar was going to have a hard time explaining just what he watched in those next brief seconds. Seeker Corin grabbed the lapels on Trevelyan’s coat and dragged her forward to the door, muttering “at last”. Followed by the door splintered suddenly into pieces as she knocked him forward with a blast and then… 

Lucius Corin was gone and the grotesque form stood before them, screaming at the group before fleeing behind a barrier behind the Great Hall’s altar, no sign of the man left.

“The Lord Seeker!”

Danielle Trevelyan just rubbed her head, looking as though she’d been through far more in those few seconds than a blast of magic. “No. An Impostor.”

Then whatever it was had taken control of the Order, which looked good for none of them. Of course it had also had the backing of the officers though it was difficult to say if they’d known what it truly was or if they thought they were following the Lord Seeker… No matter what sort of corrupt orders that thing had been giving. “That monster ensured we weren’t prepared. I still don’t know what we’re up against…”

Trevelyan was looking around her though as if she expected to find someone else there, frowning before focusing back at him. “I’m sorry. An Envy demon replaced the Lord Seeker.”

“Envy?! Then the Lord Seeker…”

Barris digested the information like so much else that had been thrown at him today. “Is caged or dead… Maker. And my captain knew.” The captain and how many others? They had already slaughtered their way through likely half the Order posted at Therinfal to get this far and there were likely more waiting. “It’s the red lyrium isn’t it? I knew that wretched stuff was risky! They often give us new kinds of lyrium.” Usually though it had been from a different mine that claimed to be more pure or effective for what they needed to do. “Our commanders… Some used the red stuff first, to prove it was harmless. The knights would have been next. That demon turned our leaders so we couldn’t question when this started.”

“I can tell you first hand, it’s a clever liar.” It was just sinking in that whatever had happened in those few seconds had probably involved it trying to take her over. He’d heard of mage’s accounts of their Harrowings, often lasting far longer to them than it had actually been on the outside. At least she was still fully herself so he didn’t have to be the man to cut down the Herald of Andraste for becoming an abomination. “Bring your best to stop it.”

“Our best…” Were their best even still alive? He could hope for that much, but in the meantime would need to rally the ones they had in case it was all that actually remained. “Templar! What is Envy?”

“A coward, brother!”

“It studies. Makes less mistakes. But most of all, it hides.”

The plan was quickly forming as he looked back to Trevelyan. This wasn’t going to work unless they all worked together. “We need our veterans. Our commanders have turned, but our lieutenants may still be fighting.” He rested a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll hold the hall. You find the lieutenants and uncorrupted lyrium stores. Bring them here and I’ll give you Envy.” One way or another they would end this.

Danielle, however, had more questions as she tried to fill in her picture of what had been going on here. “Any thoughts on when the Lord Seeker might have been taken over?”

“I’m shamed whatever I say.” There was no good answer. “If he was fake at the start, we let a demon walk in. If he was genuine, Envy took the Lord Seeker from under our noses. Who knows how long the knight-vigilant has actually been dead. The knight-captain “relayed” his orders.” Perhaps it was good that they had kept him alive if only to get more answers when this was over. Assuming any of them were still standing.

“You’re not mages. You really need lyrium for this?” She looked over at the barrier, wondering how long it might take for her and Vivienne to break it open… If that would even work, admittedly.

“Templars deny magic, but envy demons are tough. Especially when they’ve had time to entrench themselves.” As quick as it had been he was sure the barrier had been there when they entered which was only going to make it all the more difficult to get past. “The veterans can show us how to push. The lyrium will help so when we break, we break the enemy.”

Her thoughts of trying to take the barrier on as mages were interrupted by his phrasing as her eyes grew wide. “ Break ? You mean you could die?”

“A demon holds the honor of the Order. There isn’t a man or woman here who will let that stand.” Barris tried to smile a little more reassuringly rather than leave her in a possible panic. “Have no fear, Herald. I don’t intend to give up easily. But I won’t let that thing keep its hold any longer than necessary.”

She nodded, still looking troubled but with a plan in place there were things that needed doing. Her concern was touching when so many were willing to just take them for granted. At least he could be sure whoever was left here would be plenty willing to help with the Breach. “Go, we’ll make sure that thing doesn’t escape.”

The battle that followed was rough. Barris found himself trying not to look for any signs that might suggest who their attackers had been before they’d turned monstrous. It was difficult though not to see the spots where a sweetheart had carved their initials into the armor so a piece was always with them. A bracelet that looked like it had been made by a child as a token of thanks. Little pieces of lives that were now gone because their whole Order had been betrayed and corrupted.

There was a feeling of hope though that seemed to surge every time they started to get a slight chill in the air. It seemed to be a preferred magic for both the Herald and Madame de Fer. There seemed to be other things that troubled the Inquisition group but the Templars never saw them falter. Whatever else was going on wasn’t enough to mention and likely above his station to really request answers to sate his curiosity.

Thankfully they’d found the knight-lietenants, taking a moment in the Great Hall to just catch their breaths and take a drink of water. “Do you think the others..?” Danielle didn’t want to think about it, but it had been on her mind since the attack started. “Maker, we brought some of the higher members of Celene’s court with us.”

Cassandra smiled, patting her on the shoulder. “Have faith. There were also a number of Inquisition soldiers out there with the other templars as well.”

“They’re well trained, Cullen made sure of that, but I’d still prefer to have the casualties at a minimum.” Danielle sighed and pushed away from the pillar. This wasn’t supposed to turn into a bloodbath and the fact that they didn’t know what was going on beyond the walls of Therinfal just made her worry all the more.

The dead are owed more . None of the men and women in here had asked for this either and the ones littering the grounds outside deserved their sacrifices to mean something and not just cover for a strategic retreat to let the demon just have the broken fortress. Push away the thoughts that wanted to return later with better forces that could deal with this decisively… But they were here now and she would hold onto faith that they could manage to end this now. Andraste had put her on this path for a reason and she had to hope her Lady was still with her enough to keep her safe long enough to deal with the Breach.

“Let’s go. We still need to go find that lyrium.” They had the keys but had cut their search short to make sure the Great Hall was still secure.

It was times like these she was glad to have Varric there to make her feel a little more sane. It felt like so many of her newly acquired companions were the tops of their field: A seeker of truth and hand of the Divine, first enchanter and court mage to Orlais, a Grey Warden that had been in the middle of Fereldan during the blight, a mercenary captain… Even Solas being self-educated seemed like he had knowledge far beyond her own still extensive education. Varric had been running around with the Champion of Kirkwall, but never had the slightly untouchable feeling of the others. And Sera… But Danielle could smile a little just imagining the variety of swear words that would be coming out of the woman’s mouth at the Envy demon they were planning to take on.

Thankfully it didn’t take long to return with the lyrium stores. The lieutenants at least seemed to have some idea how to use it to break through the barrier and give them their shot at the Envy demon. And if the Inquisition failed then it would be up to them to see that this thing didn’t escape Therinfal Redoubt to sow more chaos in Thedas. Already they were pulling aside the youngest of the Knights to hold back and just do whatever it took to get out. 

Someone needed to alert the people of what had happened here if it all went wrong. Someone needed to be alive to make sure this wouldn’t happen again.

The templars took a bit of time to recover once the barrier was down, Barris watching as the young Knight took his orders and slowly headed toward the front gates to leave them behind. He would hold at the stables as long as it was safe to do so and hopefully he wouldn’t be alone as he was to take anyone who hadn’t made it to the great hall yet. If nothing else perhaps there would be some of the nobles remaining to help as well.

Barris was also noticing even though the veterans that had been saved outranked him that everyone there was deferring to him as to what to do next. It was not a position he’d expected to find himself in when the day started, but he also wasn’t one to flinch away from doing his duty. Eventually someone might come who would remind him of his place and take command, but until then he would lead to the best of his abilities.

“Let’s go. If the fight continues then we will join the fray, if not hopefully it is the Herald that stands victorious.” They were all tired and worn to the bone, but he would rally them to the very end if that was what it took.

It would not prove necessary though as they approached the courtyard, the pale monstrosity dead on the ground as the five– no, four figures returned. Odd, for a moment he thought he’d seen… Well that would have been impossible unless the figure had climbed up the side of the fortress to join the fight. And Barris had no time to be considering the implications of people just appearing and disappearing.

"The demon is dead. Andraste be praised: she shielded you from its touch.” He was glad to see her in one piece if a little scratched up from the continuous fighting. “We’ve numbers across Thedas, but we let this happen. Our officers either failed to see it or were complicit.” At the very least the worst was over and they could focus on the original purpose of the Inquisition’s visit. And if the others were going to defer to him as de-facto leader then he would do his part to negotiate the terms. “The templars are ready to hear what the Inquisition needs of us."

Danielle paused looking up at the Breach in the sky. The mission hadn’t changed but these were Templars who had just seen their numbers greatly diminished by the people they trusted. She didn’t want to be another leader that was just going to cause them more grief. They didn’t need someone who was going to pull them down but someone who wanted to lift them up as she turned back to address the group remaining.

“You need to hear this. To feel the truth in your hearts.” To believe it as much as she did in her own heart because it continued to give her the confidence to get done what needed to be done. “I am the will of our Lady manifest. I am the Herald of Andraste. She sent me to remind you of your sacred duty: a shield against dark magic. Knights who will end the Breach.”

Barris had to give it to her, if there was a single doubt she didn’t waver. Even if he hadn’t already believed she might have convinced him with her own conviction as he approached. “We will not deny our Lady’s will. Not anymore. You speak truths we should never have ignored. But the Order is leaderless, gutted by betrayal. We must rebuild it.” And they both knew the Chantry was too busy with their own problems to help. If they would even do so after the display in Val Royeaux, demon or no demon.

"Your Order is a symbol that holds the people's respect. That cannot die today.” The people of Thedas needed to be able to have faith in their institutions. And currently the only one who seemed in a position to actually act was the Inquisition itself. “We offer you an alliance. Supplies, weapons, grounds to shelter you. All we ask is that you help us close the Breach."

It was far better than they deserved considering the sort of concessions she could have likely gotten out of them after everything they’d seen. He was not going to look a gift horse in the mouth as he turned to the others. "Do we take the Inquisition's terms brothers and sisters?"

The cheers of approval that followed were more than enough as he looked back at the Herald with the slightest of smirks. "The Templars will come. I hope your stronghold is ready."

"We'll be ready— Whatever's coming."

Chapter Text

Redcliffe continues to haunt us all. Eamon refuses to leave the area before he can find some sign of his son since the disappearance of all of the mages from the town. Most suggest they fled knowing our troops were coming to reclaim the arling, but there has been no reports of them boarding ships to cross the Waking Sea nor crossing the border into Orlais. I have sent word to the Empress in hopes of warning her before the Magister perhaps sells off part of his new collection to her cousin, but thus far have not received anything back.

The Inquisition in the meantime continues to occupy Haven, growing by the day including reports that they have taken control of the Templars. We will wait and see just what comes of this new organization occupying our lands without permission. Maker help them if they decide to move against us.

— Journals of Queen Anora Theirin of Fereldan

They had not been ready.

For the Templars, yes. There had been some complaints about the apostates that were allowed to wander around and a few other minor ones about the accommodations, but nothing could have prepared Haven for a millennia-old magister from a story that had just been a story until a few days ago. 

And now they were here… Wherever here actually was since only the Maker seemed to actually know.

Danielle shivered, pulling closer the makeshift cloak made out of a wool blanket. After an hour of sitting by the fires without much improvement, it felt like she hadn’t actually been warm since crossing the Waking Sea. Oh, she was sure there had been a few occasions between Haven and their wandering in the Fereldan Hinterlands, but after the last few days of trekking through the mountains it was hard to remember sunlight warm enough to pierce through the chill in the air.

The fire was still nice as she listened to the chatter around the camp, glad to hear the sounds of life and laughter still around her. If she couldn’t be physically warm at least her heart could be just knowing how many still survived.

And at least they weren’t singing again. It might have been nice if she hadn’t been the center of attention during it…

“Is this seat taken?”

She looked up to meet the eyes of Knight-Templar Barris, scooting over a little more on the log she was seated on. “Please, sit if you’d like. I think three-quarters of the people around here are afraid they might be crowding me if they come within five feet.” At least she never had to feel like they were all pressing in on her, but at the same time there was a bit of loneliness. Reverence felt a lot like the fear people had shown her in the past simply for her magical talents. “How have the templars fared with… Well, everything going on?”

“Those who weren’t already in Haven as part of the group helping to close the breach were following up to offer assistance to Queen Anora’s troops in Redcliffe. As your scouts already searched though, I doubt they’ll find much.”

“No…” She let out a low sigh. Krem and the Chargers had dealt the last of the group there. “I’m afraid not since Grand Enchanter Fiona was already part of Corypheus’ forces attacking us at Haven.” The mage that had come running had said he’d taken the rebels and little good news had come out of Redcliffe in those last days in Haven. “It probably sounds wrong to say I feel like I betrayed them… Even if I was trapped in the middle of an impossible to guess situation.”

Barris leaned forward a little as she seemed to be hunching over all the more since he’d sat down. “Cullen said you hoped to have our help dealing with the Tevinters in Redcliffe. If we hadn’t retreated to Therinfal…” Maybe they could have done something earlier to actually help. The whole situation with the mages though had sounded dangerous and there was no saying these Venatori cultists wouldn’t have taken the Herald as one of their own if she’d gone without them. Then she would be a valuable hostage at best, dead now at worst.

“Mm, yes. With an Envy demon that was intent on feeding all of you red lyrium and killing anyone who questioned orders.” Possibly more or less the same as what went down with the mages. It appeared the Magister had never intended to actually follow through on his offer of protecting them, only turning them over to this Corypheus. The ones who questioned had likely been purged or used for testing to see just what a mage with red lyrium could do… She wasn’t sure she wanted to find out. “It’s not the Templars’ fault. No one could have known how that would turn out... I suppose I just wish I could have helped.”

No, it wasn’t, but making the right choices seemed far easier in hindsight. As for her helping though… “You have,” he assured her. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen the others so inspired as they did after that speech you gave. There’s hardly a templar here who wouldn’t have followed you right into the void if requested.” And after they’d seen so many of their superior officers corrupted and so much of the remaining Order destroyed, they had needed that inspiration more than ever.

Danielle just smiled faintly at the praise, her left hand flexing though as she remembered the darkspawn magister wanting to take away the “anchor” as he’d called it. That if it was a gift from Andraste then it was meant as a curse upon her… As if she hadn’t heard that before from some of the zealots among the chantry for years now about magic and mages. “I don’t intend on asking any of you to enter the void, Ser Barris.”

“Well if you ever do, my sword is yours.”

Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that, but she also didn’t know just what was to become of her after this. They’d sealed the breach as they intended and while the legend that was the “Herald of Andraste” only seemed to be growing bigger by the hour she was still just a cog in the clockwork of the Inquisition. One who was also hoping to get her mind off of their more immediate concerns. 

“If you don’t mind my asking, how does the second son of a Fereldan Bann end up a Templar all the way out in Orlais? Did the Grey Wardens take over Fereldan after the Blight and push as many of you out of the country as possible?”

Barris let out a small laugh. “Not quite. Second son, but third born so my brother and sister have the whole heir and spare taken care of rather neatly. I was stationed in Fereldan for a time after taking my vows. Had a rather exciting assignment in Dragon’s Peak my first year actually..." She probably didn't want to hear about that though. "Ended up in Denerim when the darkspawn attacked at the last big battle. Nasty things.” Whole nasty affair in reality considering his Grandmother had been among the Banns at the time that had sided against the regent, leading him to be questioned about his own loyalties, but people didn’t tend to want to hear about the politics unless they turned bloody. “Few years later though, I ended up being assigned to the Circle in Montsimmard when they needed new templars… Largely sticking to the chantry in Val Firmin after the circles dissolved until we were recalled to Val Royeaux.”

“You never thought about going back to Fereldan? Becoming something of a rogue Templar yourself?”

He had thought about it, but only as a passing fancy here and there when he’d gotten homesick. He still had his duty even if he didn’t have standing orders at the time. “Orlais isn’t so bad when you don’t have to deal with the nobles. And with Gaspard and Celene at each other’s throats and putting the common people in the middle of it they were glad to have me and a handful of the others there. Some of us still followed through on our vows to protect the people. That shouldn’t have changed just because the people in charge made questionable decisions like allowing the mages to vote for independence in the first place.”

Danielle’s eyebrows rose a little at the sentiment. “I realize I don’t carry around my staff constantly, but you do recall I am a mage, yes?”

“A mage that trusted the Templars to do their duty when the Inquisition needed aid,” he countered.

“The Inquisition still requires aid as far as that goes.” There were still demons that needed to be dealt with and with Corypheus taking charge of the mage rebellion it was exactly the sort of thing that Templars were trained to deal with. “But given the reports I’ve heard of some of the abuses at certain circles, I can see why some wanted them dissolved. There also weren’t reports of massive blood magic and abominations in Dairsmuid but that didn’t stop them from invoking the Right of Annulment on everyone there…”

Ah yes… He could lie and spout the usual rhetoric that the Circles weren’t made to be operated so openly and that it had been a danger to the people. At this point though he thought he could be honest and speak his own mind rather than parroting his commanders. “One of the more questionable decisions that were made by the Order and the Chantry.”

“I’d also put deciding to annul an entire circle because an apostate with no ties to said circle decided to blow up a Chantry on the list… Honestly, I have a hard time thinking of any situation where it makes sense to purge all of the mages for the actions of a few. But maybe I’m too soft-hearted.” It wouldn’t be the first time it had been said of her. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to turn this into any sort of deep discussion on mage freedom… My feelings on the circles are rather complicated as it is.”

Barris wasn’t entirely put off by the issue. They were obviously coming at it from two different sides and after seeing two of the better experiences for mages when there had been others that weren’t as lucky. “I don’t mind a bit of discourse on the subject as long as it stays civil…” Some people seemed to grow claws when you didn’t automatically agree with every word they were saying, but he felt like she would at least hear him out first. “Ostwick held out for a while though, didn’t it?”

The expression on her face as she stared at the fire made him wonder if he should retract the question. There was enough to worry about without causing her further distress.

“A month,” she responded quietly after a few quiet seconds. “I thought we would be fine and just ignore the whole thing and the Templars seemed to be in agreement. Stick to our double-walled city and ignore the rebellions going on… And then one night I just woke up to screams. A group had decided instead of just abandoning the Circle and leaving the rest of us in peace that they were going to start a revolution and you were either with them or against them. Which of course sent the Templars against all the mages, not being sure who was friend or foe.” 

She could still remember Ser Gregory’s face when they’d run into each other, grabbing her after breaking through her barrier and the dagger at her throat before he’d realized who she was. Fighting every instinct that said to fight back but knowing it would only give him justification to harm her and the others as she’d softly asked him to just let them leave. Asking him to come with them after he’d let them go only for him to refuse. Duty first… “Thankfully some of us got out, but I don’t think my poor uncle knew what to do with himself when I showed up in the middle of the night with a group of us just wanting somewhere safe. By then you could see the fires burning inside the tower from across the city. Almost like a second lighthouse.”

He allowed for a moment of silence, letting it all sink in. He could imagine it well enough, trapped in a tower where everything was chaos and hoping the person next to you wasn’t about to stab you in the back. Scared people had a habit of making bad decisions and he could imagine a lot of innocents ended up dead. “Do you really think they would have let the rebels just leave peacefully?”

“Probably. The Knight-Commander might not have agreed even if they exiled themselves from the city, but the First Enchanter just wanted peace and stability so helping them sneak out would have been a small sacrifice for the good of the whole Circle.” Lydia might have still been alive in that case. She would have been in a better position to know where her friends were as well even after asking after them in Redcliffe.

Danielle straightened up again. There was no need for letting the weight of her responsibilities cause actual slouching. “Even sending me to this Conclave was in hopes of being able to reestablish our peaceful life. Here I was looking forward to having my own private room as a Senior Enchanter and instead I’m running around the Frostbacks just trying not to freeze,” she added with a small laugh.

Silence seeped back into the moment which was fine with her. Recounting the past few years wasn’t fun but it was nice there was someone who at least could understand where she was coming from even if it had been from a different side of things. Not all the mages had been pushing for this freedom and to join the rebellion. Some just wanted somewhere they could feel safe and not have to worry about people being scared of them. Others had good reasons for rebelling though which was why she couldn’t be angry at them for wanting to be free of the abuses when changing things from the inside had thus far been impossible. 

It was not the black-and-white issue people seemed to prefer because having a hero and a villain was so much easier than looking into the actual problems.

She felt an extra bit of weight on her shoulders, looking up to find Ser Barris draping his cloak over her. It wasn’t a lot but it was a surprising action from the Templar, even as kind as he’d already been this evening.

“I, erm… Well, it wouldn’t be good for the Herald of Andraste to freeze to death out here.” And between the layers he was already wearing he wasn’t feeling the cold quite as keenly as she apparently had been. “Besides, I have to get back to report to Cullen anyhow.” 

Danielle watched as he made his retreat before pulling it a little tighter around herself and pulling up the hood. The added layer with the blanket and the fire was admittedly a little more cozy. Enough that after a few more minutes she didn’t dread moving away from the fire again in order to curl up into her bedroll and get some sleep for the night.

Cassandra was the only one still awake in their tent as she snuck in and smiled faintly at Sera curled up under what she was fairly sure were Cullen’s missing furs. She did go over though and pull up the blankets on Josephine before settling into her own spot in the tent. Maker only knew where Leliana was at this point, more likely to just appear already asleep before any of them noticed she was back.

“I know you recruited the Templars, but I didn’t think they’d gone and made you one of their own,” commented Cassandra softly to avoid waking the others.

Danielle hadn’t even realized she’d been walking through camp with the flaming sword on her back as she pulled it around to take a better look. “A gift from a friend. Or I think he’s a friend.” It might just be that he was worried about displeasing Andraste or looking for Her favor. “Anyhow, I planned on returning it in the morning.”

“A friend?” The tone suggested Cassandra thought there might be something more to this and, unfortunately, Danielle was having a difficult time with the slight blushing.

“A handsome friend, but a friend nonetheless. I’m still a mage and no amount of divine intervention has changed that.” Besides he would likely forget she existed beyond the occasional passing one another between missions and whatever came next. They still needed to find this fortress that Solas knew of and hope it didn’t just exist in the Fade alone.

For one night though it had been nice to just sit and talk with someone who didn’t automatically treat her like she was special. And a Templar who stood true to his ideals and understood that bad orders sometimes required ignoring your superiors. It made her feel a little safer just being out here.

“You know, in Nevarra the wedding ceremonies traditionally involve placing a cloak on the bride’s shoulders as a way of her being brought in under the family’s protection…”

“How very interesting and not at all related to anything going on around here.” Danielle could still hear the soft laugh though as she curled up under her covers with the cloak still draped over her. She wasn’t going to read anything more into it other than a kind gesture. 

“Good night, Cassandra.”

Chapter Text

Dear Mother and Father,

I’m sure reports of Haven have reached you before this letter could, but I wanted to assure you that I am safe and well. The Templars remain with the Inquisition for now and I believe will continue to do so until a new Divine can be elected and the chantry pull itself together. Even the Inquisition has found its Inquisitor with Lady Trevelyan, the Herald of Andraste, and I believe they couldn’t have chosen better. She’s managed to heal the breach in the sky and continues to do good work for the people of Thedas.

I’ve also heard Sabina and Markus are expecting once again? Please pass on my best wishes including my hopes that she finally gets the girl I’m sure she’s hoping for. I’ll look forward to hopefully getting to meet my new niece soon though I also haven’t met Leo’s youngest yet. Perhaps if there is time enough I will see about visiting home or at least a short assignment nearby that I might be able to see you all.

All my love,
Delrin

– Letter addressed to Bann and Lady Barris, 9:41 Dragon

“Inquisitor!”

Danielle just realized they had been referring to her after the third time, shaking her head to get out of her daze as her companion stepped back, turning away from the messenger and adjusting her hood.

“Apologies. Still not used to it.” She took the letter and flipped it open, reading over the contents before letting out a soft sigh. There was always something to do around here now, but there was a certain reassurance in knowing what her place was here. Even if it was being the leader.

“Tell Sister Leliana to have her people find out what they can and the Commander to have his men ready to go.” If Val Colline needed assistance then she was not going to deny it to them, nodding as the messenger saluted and went to leave. 

Though Danielle was also going to take the excuse to get out for a short ride and some fresh air, assuming Ser Barris wasn’t already somewhere in Skyhold.

“Welcome to the joys of leadership… Though I only had a city. You have an organization looking to shake up all of southern Thedas,” commented the cloaked woman who waited until the messenger was gone before lowering her hood again. The Champion of Kirkwall was still trying to avoid too much detection while she was here. “Honestly I’m looking forward to watching it.”

Danielle smiled back at her. She’d asked Megara to wait on her trip to Crestwood while she went to see if Josephine still had the letter they’d received before the attack on Haven. She should have known better than to doubt her ambassador as she’d been able to correct the woman’s statement of Sebastian Vael being a chantry advisor as he was Prince of Starkhaven now. 

Hawke had carefully traced over the letters of the signature like she’d forgotten Danielle was there beside her, the first real smile she’d seen from the woman since Varric had made introductions. She had mentioned sticking around long enough to send a letter to congratulate him. Meg hadn’t directly said anything, but Danielle could take the hints well enough to piece things together that they were a little more than just friends.

“I should head for the stables though. Job fit for the Templars and I’ve been meaning to see how they’re settling in.” She would have preferred to have somewhere a little closer to Skyhold for the Templars, preferably within the fortress itself, but even the Great Hall was barely getting pulled together enough for their visitors. It was a balancing game of so much to do and only so many hours in the day to actually get it done. For now they were just going to have to be satisfied with well-supplied tents.

“I’ll walk with you. Been a while since I could torment Cullen a little…”

Danielle wasn’t sure if she should feel bad for her Commander or not, but she had a feeling he was already used to whatever Hawke might have to throw at him. “So these Templars who came after you… Any idea where they were getting the red lyrium?”

“I had a theory at the time. I’m sure you’ve heard about Commander Meredith either between the stories out of Kirkwall or just being here around Varric long enough. I’d assumed someone had gotten it off her statue in the Gallows and made quite the fuss with the Guard-Captain over it and not doing better with protecting the area from possible thieves. I suppose I owe her an apology…” Hawke sounded less than enthused at the idea. “Though I suppose there’s not actually any proof that Corypheus didn’t get his lyrium from there. Just that there seems to be a lot more of it popping up all over the place.”

“Sounds like you have a few letters to write.” And Dani would catch her later to ask more about Prince Sebastian. Maybe after they met up in Crestwood, though she was already wondering how many Grey Wardens there could possibly be named “Alistair”.

The Inquisition was turning into a who’s who of established heroes of the Dragon Age, as if it wasn’t already.

“Later,” Hawke insisted before breaking off to go see the Commander. Though Dani wasn’t too sure she didn’t hear "Maker preserve me" before the office door closed behind Meg.

Master Dennet was already busy at work cleaning out the stalls as the Inquisitor approached and pulled out a pair of sugar cubes for her Pepper. Cullen had insisted if she was going to give the horse a rank to go with her own that Captain would be more appropriate, but Danielle had still liked dubbing him Sergeant. It wasn’t anything she was going to put in official paperwork for anyhow or they’d all start questioning her sanity. “Need something, Inquisitor?”

“Nothing I can’t manage myself.” She’d come close to missing a strap or two early on when she’d been out of practice on saddling her own mounts from childhood, but it had come back to her quickly enough that she wasn’t worried about accidentally ending up slipping off mid-ride. “I should be asking you that. Mountain fortress like this can’t be the easiest to keep your charges well supplied.”

“We’re doing well enough with more coming in every day. More worried about the ones that are still spooked after Haven.” Here they’d been worried about bandits and the mages and templars causing problems around the Hinterlands when so far the biggest problem had been that massive dragon.

“If you think they’d be better off back at your farms then we’ll get them there. I’d rather not see these beautiful creatures stressed out by being pushed to keep working if they don’t have the mindset for it.” She already worried enough about the people here after Haven and surprised herself with how well she’d been adjusting since the attack. It had reminded her she had friends who were looking out for her, and even making a few new ones now that Cole and Dorian were getting settled in… Maybe even Hawke, though she didn’t know how long the woman would stick around to help. “For that matter, take care of yourself as well, Master Dennet.”

“I’ll do my best, Inquisitor.”

She mounted up, riding slowly through the courtyard until she got to the bridge and the empty path ahead to allow her to speed up to a gallop. The wind whipping against her face and back through her hair was a welcome feeling compared to the war meetings and making decisions about how they should utilize the courtyard best. 

At the same time for the various stresses that came with the job, she wouldn’t have traded being Inquisitor for anything. If not for her magic then she would have been a Bann of Ostwick now so leadership was already something Danielle felt she had been born to do. But it also put her where she knew what her place was within the Inquisition finally. She wasn’t just their Herald. A position where they’d put her in positions to make monumental decisions only to tell her after the fact that she should have done better. True, she could have demanded more of the alliance with the Templars, but she had also been the one there dealing with the Envy demon while most of them had been back in Haven.

Besides, she wanted people to see that the Templars could still stand on their own without needing to lean too heavily on the Inquisition. That Corypheus had only made both them and the Inquisition stronger by giving them a renewed purpose.

And renewed it was, as many had managed to regroup into a formidable squad outside Skyhold. Word of Barris taking the lead at Therinfal had spread to even those who hadn’t been present and he had found himself being looked to for continued leadership in these difficult times. Corypheus’ reach had been far, considering how many they had still lost to the monster based on the reports of more red templars across southern Thedas, but he wasn’t going to lose hope so easily.

It was still strange having his own tent after being so used to the barracks, but he tried to keep it simple. Not that he had all that much in the first place. A Templar was meant to give up material goods, but it hadn’t stopped Cullen from having a new blade commissioned for him. Though some sort of enchantment had been done to it as well considering the blade maintained being cool to the touch and had left streaks of frost in the training dummies when he’d used it.

The bells sewn into the entrance tinkled gently, both a warning for intruders and a way of knocking on the canvas for the hopefully more welcome guests. “Enter.” Barris was just finishing a letter anyhow and it could wait until later as he rose to greet his visitor, a touch surprised at the woman standing inside his tent. 

“Inquisitor Trevelyan… Was I supposed to be at a meeting?” He didn’t recall receiving anything, but it also wouldn’t surprise him if a messenger got distracted and forgot to pass on information.

“Not at all, Ser Barris. Or at least none that I’m aware of.” She smiled serenely, hands clasped behind her back. He noted the only weapon on her was a dagger at her belt, but she also didn’t look ready to go running into the wilderness either. “Honestly I could have sent a messenger down here, but the excuse to get out for a little while was a bit too tempting. Besides I pulled you all together and dragged you out here. I should probably make sure your needs are being met.”

Even that seemed like something a messenger could have told her or even one of her advisors instead of coming out here on her own. Particularly with no Inquisition guards unless they were waiting outside…

“Just some mild complaints about the living conditions, but nothing worth making note of. There are always going to be those that are only content if they have something to complain about, so next it will likely be the quality of the bedsheets.” He was sure most of the complainers had been positioned in the Circles where the accommodations were nicer or located within the cities where it was easy enough to find companionship for those bedsheets for the right price. 

Somehow he couldn’t see a request for the Inquisition to invite out some of Val Royeaux’s finest ladies of the evening going over particularly well. Not that it would necessarily keep some of the lieutenants from approaching the ambassador to see what she might be able to do.

“Well, thankfully I’ve got something to keep them busy. For a little while anyhow.” She offered over the brief letter from the Baron, Barris taking it and listening as she continued. “Venatori trying to raid the armory in Val Colline and who better to show those Vint cultists they should have stayed home than some southern Templars?” There were other reports of the cult but they didn’t sound as organized as the group in Val Colline. Her group could deal with the reports of stragglers here and there. “Assuming you accept, we’ll make sure you have everything you need. Commander Rutherford has already offered to send extra men with you and our agents will make sure you have reports on everything going on… And I’m sure Josephine can make sure you’ll have whatever lyrium you’ll need.”

She took his smile though as a good sign. “This… This is good. Not good for the people there of course, but…”

“I understand.” There was no point in pulling them from Therinfal if she was just going to keep them isolated out here. Dangerous magic still needed to be dealt with after all and there was plenty of it. “I take it then I can inform my councilors that you’ll be on your way soon?”

“Of course, Inquisitor. If I might ask though..?” He had been waiting for some report to come down even when they were in Haven but had yet to hear anything. “Denam. What do you intend to do with him since you saved his life?”

The smile she’d had since entering faded with the question, eyes dropping from his face as she was quiet for a moment. “To be entirely honest with you, I’m not altogether sure what to do with him. Traditionally I understand exile to the Sea of Ash would be appropriate, but that also feels like handing him right back to Corypheus.” Assuming the monster would put the effort into recovering him in the first place. “What would the Templars likely do if I handed him over?”

Barris didn’t have to think about his answer. “Execute him. He’s already shown he knew well enough what Envy was doing even if he didn’t know it was a demon behind the actions.”

The laugh that followed was lacking in amusement. “So save a man so he can be killed later. Seems like a waste of time when we could have just gutted him right then and saved ourselves all this trouble now.”

“You’re the Inquisitor.” Hard decisions were going to need to be made and she had suggested mercy at a time when they hadn’t known the list of crimes against the man. “If you have a problem with killing people then you’re in the wrong position. There are some people you can’t save from their own stupid actions.”

“I am not without good sense, serrah, but also well trained in the many ways that a demon can manipulate someone even without possessing them. I am also very aware of the blood that is already on my hands since I joined the Inquisition as it is.” But there was still a job here that needed doing and she intended to see it through regardless, no matter how stained it left her feeling. “If that is what he deserves however then it won’t be from me shuffling off the responsibility on the Templars. Denam is my responsibility now.”

He was still reeling a little from the “serrah”, her Marcher accent out in full swing when it was clear he’d irritated her. “I seem to have caused offense which was not intended. If you’ll accept my apologies, Inquisitor Trevelyan?”

She let out a soft sigh as she relaxed, shrinking back a little. “There’s nothing to apologize for in the first place. I asked a question and should not be offended when I get an answer…” Even if it wasn’t the answer she wanted, but then she should have expected it after the harm he’d done. “I hold it off because I want to know what to do before it even starts because I know myself well enough that I could be swayed if his defense is largely that he was being manipulated by Envy. That we would not give tranquility to a mage who admitted to even being slightly tempted by their first encounter with a demon.”

“If he admitted to that then he should have never been made Knight-Captain,” Barris countered.

“Perhaps… But even on the pyre itself, Andraste requested mercy from the Maker for those who would rather see her dead. I don’t think I have the will to follow in her footsteps, but I can try.” The kind smile returned as she gave a small bow. “I should be returning though so everything will be in place and I’m sure someone will be by with more details on your new mission.”

“Of course. I’m honored you would even take the time to come yourself.” He followed her out of the tent, noting the lack of guards with her as she went to take the reins of her horse from one of the Templar-Recruits. So she had come entirely alone into the middle of a Templar camp as the only mage in sight. Brave or stupid? Though perhaps those two weren't as far apart as he'd like to think. “Stay safe, your worship.”

“I’m only off to deal with more demons. You’re the one off to take care of the real monsters, so you better stay safe and try not to break…” She went and mounted the horse, for a moment outlined by the sun behind her as she looked down upon him as though she’d planned to give herself a halo even as she teased him. “I’d be very annoyed if you went and died now after getting you out of Therinfal in one piece, Ser Barris.”

He didn’t think it would come to that but the continued concern was touching. “I’ll do my best.”

Chapter Text

 Items delivered to the Inquisitor’s Quarters:

• Tub, dwarven make from King Aducan (Dagna has suggestions for possible improvements, speak with Inquisitor before allowing)
• Lute, Serrano-made. Sent with a book of music from an anonymous source in Markham. Signed off by L as nothing nefarious
• Twelve Candles
• Three books from Philliam Trevelyan, others gifted to be placed in the Inquisition Library
• Inquisitor’s requisition request of herbs and a dozen flasks
• Two planting pots with soil

- A Note Left on Ambassador Montilyet's Desk

Val Colline had been a good mission. The Templars were able to go back to their duties as defenders of the people against the harms of dangerous magic and there were a few less cultists to deal with in Orlais. He’d left behind a small company to maintain things in the area and warn them if any more showed up. Admittedly he hadn’t gotten out of the fight entirely unscathed himself, but reports needed to be made which had led him back to Skyhold.

Barris had hoped to put the infirmary off until morning though, but with the bandages already starting to seep through it couldn’t wait. Even getting back to camp might be a little too much if he wanted to avoid staining his shirt, assuming the camp surgeon would have time between the other cases. He was already here so he might as well just deal with it now.  A few healing herbs and fresh bandages and he could return to his brethren.

“One minute,” came a voice from behind a curtain as the infirmary door shut behind him. “Just take a seat on one of the beds.”

Barris looked around. Only two of the beds were currently occupied, but he preferred to just stand and wait, moving out of the way of the door in case anyone else entered. It only took a few minutes before another young man came out with a thick cream smeared over part of his face and down his neck smelling strongly of salt.

“Come back if you need more and try not to scratch, though I’m sure it’s difficult,” commented the healer as she followed him out. Even with the scarf holding the blonde curls back instead of her usual ponytails there was no mistaking Inquisitor Danielle Trevelyan. Now he was wishing he’d taken his chances with the camp surgeon having a minute to see him instead. “Ser Barris? Is there something wrong?”

“I could ask the same of you. I would have thought the Inquisitor would have more important things to do than running the infirmary.” Nobles to be met with or reports to be read or generally anything other than being down here studying him with those emerald eyes.

“I volunteered to assist and Ursula was called away to deal with another case if you wanted to wait… But judging by the fact that you’re still able to stand, I’m sure it’s something I can handle,” she responded and started to take a few steps back toward the curtain before looking back to see if he was following.

Barris wasn’t sure he was exactly comfortable with this, but waiting it out for the sake of a quick dressing change and his pride would also be ridiculous. He followed her to the back end of the room past the curtains and was already pulling off his shirt and exposing the bandages wrapped around his lower torso.

“So what can I– Ah, I see.” Danielle didn’t need further prompting to pull out the bandaging supplies and started going through the cupboard, vials clicking together as she looked for the ones she wanted as she glanced over at him. “Assuming this is from Val Colline, I don’t recall anything in your report about you being wounded.”

“It’s not anything worthy of being put in the reports, Inquisitor.”

“Danielle,” she corrected softly. “As long as we’re down here and I’m just another healer, I think you can use my name.” She washed her hands in the basin before going over and finding the end to start unwinding the used bandages and trying to focus on the task at hand. “And as your healer, I will be the judge of what is worthy of being reported. We can’t be sending out our best templars already bruised and broken against demons, Venatori, and their former comrades in arms.”

“Your best templars?” He sounded amused at the prospect. Until recently he’d been blindly following the orders of others, one who had apparently been a demon so he wasn’t sure he really qualified as “best”.

“The Inquisition’s. Not mine personally,” she responded, looking up to meet his eyes for a moment. “Or are you doubting your status as being the best, Ser Barris? You’ve already taken the reins when the metaphorical carriage of the Templar Order had gone out of control and gotten them steady again.”

She had a point but he had another. “Delrin, if we’re going to be informal down here… And it’s clearly no less than you yourself have done.” He’d seen the state of the Inquisition after Haven. And how she’d taken lead and rallied the people in the time since that the deeds of their little organization were echoing further and further away from the Frostbacks. “Something trained into us from a young age that you put the good of your people over the good of yourself? Or I might just be guessing the sort of nobles your parents are.”

Danielle was quiet for a moment, finishing unwrapping and setting the bandages aside to be washed out later. “My father was one of the best when it came to things like that… I can only hope that it passed on to my younger brother even without his direct influence.” It was a sore spot and she was glad he decided not to prod further as she cleaned up his wound, mentally making notes to write down. The surgeon would want to make sure it was healing up properly as the days went by. Especially the area where it looked he’d been pierced by something about as big around as her pinky.

“I’d like to see how deep this spot goes, but it’s prob– No, it’s definitely going to hurt a little.” She grabbed another one of the bottles and offered it to him. “That should help with some of the pain, but with your permission I can use a little magic to numb up the area as well. Just some mild entropy magic and a little ice.”

Unlike most in Thedas he’d been around enough mages that the idea of magic didn’t automatically put him on edge, but he appreciated she didn’t just expect him to be fine with it. “Whatever you think is necessary,” Delrin replied, already downing the potion. Not the greatest tasting thing, but if it helped… “Are you going to heal it up a bit more since it’s one of the worse spots?”

She hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. “No. I can make a paste that should keep infection out, but something like this is a little complex for my skills. Give me some scratches or a burn or something more surface level, no problem, but this I’d be too afraid of healing it over and leaving a space underneath that could get infected without proper continued treatment.”

Danielle took a pair of tweezers from the cabinet before kneeling down to get a better look, one hand pressed to his side working with a mild freezing spell to numb the area before she started probing the area gently, a small wisp of light illuminating the area better for her. Though it was also doing a fine job of lighting up the contours of his abdomen that she was pointedly trying to ignore other than the space in front of her.

At first he was doing fine dealing with the bit of pain that was breaking through, but apparently something had caught her attention as she grabbed on to it with the tweezers and yanked. He cried out in response from the sharp stab of pain as she gave a soft apology before examining the large splinter she’d managed to get out. Plant of some sort. She had plenty of experience with botany, but she would still have Elan look it over to see if it was anything they needed to be concerned about. At least it was out of him now. The wound itself was a little deeper than she’d like, but it should have an easier time healing now as she went to mix up her paste.

Barris did his part by holding a fresh bandage to the area that was now freshly bleeding again rather than just seeping. “I don’t know if I should thank you or curse you a little for that, Inquis– Danielle.”

“Probably better you weren’t bracing for it. Might have tensed up and caused more injury…” She smiled a little at him, silencing any arguments. “As it is, I’d ask you to come back here and have Ursula or I take care of it so it’s being checked by the same people.” She was sure the healers down by the camps were good at their jobs as well, but she was concerned someone might miss something or rush because there were other patients.

“That’s a bit of a ride if I’m not already in Skyhold,” he countered.

Ah yes. She had a number of rooms for guests that she was sure Josephine could put on hold for a time, but it would probably be a little excessive when he likely would prefer to stay near his brethren. Which left one semi-logical solution. “Well then if you don’t show up by a certain hour then I’ll just have to saddle up Pepper and come to you.”

It was not the reaction he was expecting. Seeing the Inquisitor down here helping care for others was one thing, but drawing her out just to take care of him was a little above and beyond the usual duties expected of her. Barris didn’t know quite what to make of this woman as she finished applying the paste and putting fresh bandages on. Though he also found himself studying her freckles a little too intently as she worked, flushing a little as she pulled back to check her handiwork before starting to take notes.

“I think that’s everything, Ser… Delrin. Just try to take it easy for a while.”

“Right… Well have a good rest of your evening, Danielle. And thank you.”

She nodded in response, turning to her paperwork while he got his top on and stealing another small glance as he left… Oh yes, Josephine was probably going to have a few things to say about their new Inquisitor offering to go play traveling healer for a single person and the rumors that might come of it. But if there was one thing she’d learned about Orlesians was that they could turn the simplest things into a scandalous rumor.

“You really have no idea where he is?”

“Dani, are you trying to get someone else to take over for you already? Because I’m already rejecting the job no matter what your Seeker might have wanted.”

Danielle just gave Hawke a pointed look. They’d found a quiet space near Herald’s Rest where the illustrious group could have their drinks without having to worry about people interrupting them. The newest addition just grinned at her and shook his head.

“Not in the slightest. Not that I think you could convince him either if that is your goal, Inquisitor,” he took a drink and sat back. “In fact he’d probably be giving me that disappointed look of “why didn’t you just do it instead of waiting around for me for once, Alistair?” To which I say Fereldan is still far better off after letting him take the lead.” They had won after all, hadn’t they? Even if he didn’t agree with all of Cousland’s decisions no one could deny that the Blight was over. They’d just argue about whether it had existed in the first place. “But no, he vanished maybe just less than two years after the Blight? Occasionally letters are all any of us have gotten since then… You actually want to find Eric, I have a feeling you’ll need to find Morrigan first.”

“Well that’s still a better lead than anything Leliana has so far.” Or at least anything the spymaster was willing to admit to the Inquisitor considering they’d been friends and Danielle hadn’t even known about this Morrigan or that the Hero had been gone far longer than most of Fereldan seemed to realize.

“And Leliana’s probably already been in contact with Zevran for information,” Alistair commented, trying to think of who else might have some idea but was distracted with Meg’s groan. “Should I take it from that you’ve met him then?”

“Blonde Antivan elf with an extremely flirty tendency?”

“So you have met!” Alistair was clearly amused at this turn of events. “What, did he try and kill you too?”

“Why do I have a feeling I don’t want to meet this man?” Danielle inquired, finishing the cup in front of her.

“No, someone else tried to hire me to kill him and lied to me about it. I don’t like liars so he ended up dead instead… Right before your friend propositioned me for a good time.” The chuckle from the Warden suggested that was about right on brand for the elf. “Wait, did you say Morrigan? Does she have a mother who is also a dragon?”

Alistair paused, brow wrinkling in thought. “Maaaybe?”

“Or also known as a Witch of the Wilds?” Meg continued.

“Oh… Yes, that’s her. Saved me and Cousland at Ostagar by turning into a giant bird apparently. I don’t really remember it all that much.”

“Saved most of us from a horde of darkspawn while we were trying to flee Lothering.”

Well… Morrigan and her mother were going on Danielle’s “maybe” on the wanting to meet list in terms of their old companions and associates that seemed to run into each other. It was a little strange though that the pair seemed to know a lot of the same people.

It was nice to get them away from their troubles for a little while. Even if it was a very little while before they needed to head out for the Western Approach to find this ritual tower. She hoped they would stay the night, but the pair were supposed to be scouting ahead and Danielle’s crew would be leaving in the morning.

“I have things I need to deal with, but if I don’t see you before, try not to get too lost in the sand.” Hopefully the meetings wouldn’t last long, but she liked to keep the Inquisition flowing when she wasn’t around and doing the work that was needed around Thedas. She generally trusted her advisors to deal with whatever came up, but there was always something that needed her attention.

At least once it was over she could take a break in the garden. Her quarters would have been far more private, but after the day she’d been having Danielle didn’t want her only time outside to be just running from one location to the next. She settled in under the gazebo with the lute that had been sent, starting with a hymn after she spotted Mother Giselle. She didn’t know just who in Markham would have sent it or if it was a misdirection to keep her from knowing exactly where it had come from, but she was definitely going to mention it in her next letter back to her Uncle. It seemed the most obvious.

The gift was appreciated, regardless of sender, as she’d considered requesting one from Josephine even if it was used. This one had a far richer sound than the one she’d borrowed from Lydia back in the day and let her get her mind off of the various problems of the world and just focus on the music.

She was surprised to hear a small applause at the end of her latest song, looking up to meet the now rather familiar sour apple green eyes. “I didn’t know I had a captive audience.”

“I didn’t know you played.” Barris invited himself to sit on another bench nearby as she plucked a few more strings. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised though since you seem to have many hidden talents. The surgeon’s been rather impressed with how quickly I’ve been healing. Figure I owe you thanks for that.”

“I don’t know how much I really had to do with it, but Ursula might be insulted if I ask how much experience she’s had with working on Templars. Pretty sure the regular doses of lyrium help with the healing process even if it’s just a small bit. Perhaps I’ll ask Cullen.” Not that he threw himself into a lot of battles these days, but she would be impressed if he managed through the battle at Haven without so much as a scratch to show for it.

Barris didn’t know why Cullen would be any more knowledgeable about it than anyone else within the Templars, but as long as he had the Inquisitor by herself he was a little curious to get to know her better. “I’ll still credit it to good care and a knowledgeable healer. What made you decide to start working down there though? I would have thought being the Inquisitor would keep you plenty busy.”

“It does. Some days it doesn’t seem like I get a moment to myself.” Today had been a good day though for all her annoyances over the duties required while she was in residence at Skyhold. “But in a way it’s a balance. I spend most of my time dealing with people who are attacking me and I’ve not quite mastered the art of cutting myself off from remembering they’re people who had lives and likely families that they’ll never see again… So I come back here and hope I can help someone else go on living.” It made it a little easier to sleep at night that way. At least most of the time. “Though I had someone accusing me of just patching people up so I could send them off to try and get them killed again. That was… Fun.” The woman in question had apparently lost her brother recently, hoping he would have given up on “playing soldier” after he’d gotten hurt during Haven.

“That was unfair of them.”

“She wasn’t entirely wrong though. If we hadn't patched him up then he likely would have gone home with her. The knee would have kept bothering him for the rest of his life, but at least he would have had a life. I can’t be responsible for everyone’s decisions, but I can understand why people might try to make me.” Thankfully Cole had been nearby and done his own form of magic in helping her and getting Danielle an apology, but it was a moment that had stuck with her.

The weight of leadership, unfortunately. Though some people could probably use a verbal slap on the face to be reminded that just because you were in charge didn’t make everything that happened your fault. “One of these days I’m going to stop stumbling into conversation topics that make you sad.”

She smiled a little at that, but it implied he’d have to keep talking with her which she found she rather enjoyed. “I have a number of sad stories, but most of them are things I’ve made my peace with… Parents are both gone to the side of the Maker, eldest child stripped of my inheritance due to being a mage, and the heir of it all someone I’ve barely seen since he was two because my step-mother doesn’t want him influenced by the wicked mage… Or more likely because she’s not a nice person and he might figure that out.” She plucked a few more strings on the lute, making a small adjustment. 

“He’s apparently a good kid in spite of her though, or maybe she’s having a harder time after I became Andraste’s Herald convincing him I’m evil. I still have my uncle and aunt and one of my step-sisters for family, though now half the Trevelyans have started climbing out of the woodworks looking for acknowledgement. And I had the Circle…”

“Anyone special? Or is that going to go into some other tragic story?” Barris was admittedly curious, but hoping it didn’t sound like a forced question.

“I already told you what happened at Ostwick’s Circle. In terms of “alive as far as I know” though… I’m hoping my friend Basil is still alright, but he wasn’t the sort to get caught up with the rebels. I don’t think so at least.” No one at Redcliffe had heard anything about him which she took as good news, but Basil had also still been in contact with part of his family. “He was… Very special, but we broke up when the vote came down. Didn’t know what might happen next though we weren’t expecting what actually did happened at Ostwick. He had four other siblings who were all mages so maybe he went looking for them.”

So questionable, but Barris also told himself that it wasn’t like it really mattered what her romantic status was. She had plenty of others who were likely fawning around her anyhow but he could still be a friend. “What was the last name? Maybe one of them were at Montsimmard.”

“Amell. Meg– Hawke thinks it’s possible they’re related considering the name, but she hasn’t met any other mages other than her sister.” Still, five children and all of them ending up mages had to leave one questioning what the Maker had against them.

“None that I knew of.” He would ask around though as they had at least one templar from most of the Circles. Maybe at least one would know of another to at least give her a lead.

“What about you though? I seem to be the only one talking here.”

“Well you weren’t asking any questions until now.” And he preferred to hear more about her than talk about himself, but since she had asked. “I have a general idea where most of my friends are, although between the war and Therinfal the answer is often “dead”.” It wasn’t something he tended to linger on however and knowing was at least better than wondering.

“So are you one of those Templars that took a vow of celibacy?”

“I, erm… Pardon?” Had he even heard that question correctly?

“I asked Cullen once if Templars took a vow of celibacy.” Mostly because she was enjoying teasing him a little. “He said some, but that it wasn’t required. And you didn’t mention anyone special, so I just wondered…”

Barris was trying hard not to read anything more into it than genuine curiosity on her part. Or perhaps just projection on his own. “Last person who was “special” was a laundry woman for the Circle. I wasn’t aware until later that I wasn’t the only one on her list for extra special service.”

Danielle winced a little, offering a sympathetic look. “That does sound rather unfortunate…” Especially if it wasn’t something he’d been aware of from the beginning. “But I think it might be your turn for a question again.”

Barris tried to think of something that wasn’t too personal. “What was your favorite thing about Ostwick?”

She smiled a little brighter, him noticing the dimples she gained when she was smiling that widely. “The night markets in the summer time. The harrowed mages could volunteer to be responsible for keeping the enchanted lanterns going through the evening and given a small stipend for our work to spend at the stalls, but just the center of town having people out selling their various goods, farmers coming in with their various crops, and the food and the music… I still volunteered to help out last summer, but the Teryna politely turned me down with the reminder that all mages were requested to leave the city at that point.” 

Danielle was sure she was fully aware of the handful that had hidden away with family within the city, but the punishments would have been twice as severe for causing problems even unintentionally. So she had stayed home at Uncle Cristofer’s and tried to just be content with his gardens and the library while slowly going mad. “What about you? What’s the one thing I need to see of Fereldan before I consider running away to the Marches again when this is over?”

“Well visitor-wise, you can’t go wrong with Denerim. It might not be quite as fancy and gold-plated as somewhere like Val Royeaux, but it is the last place an archdemon was killed and you might enjoy looking around the Wonders of Thedas shop… Though I’m sure you’d have an invitation to the palace as well, Inquisitor. As for what I miss about Fereldan, it’s probably very cliche to say, but the mabari. I think you automatically lose your status as a noble in Fereldan if you don’t have a kennel with at least three of them.”

“I have been somewhat disappointed that all my experiences with the breed so far have been getting attacked.” She wouldn’t mind it if they could be friendly and a little less trying to wage war on her.

“I’ll speak with the Commander. Maybe we can look into starting our own kennels here to fight back against Corypheus.” Though with their short coats he’d feel bad for them being stuck up here in the mountains even if things within the walls of Skyhold always seemed to feel like the perfect level of springtime. Still, Cullen was a Fereldan himself so he might be convinced.

They kept it up for a few more hours, mostly going back and forth as he talked about his four other siblings and his growing collection of nieces and nephews while she told him about her mentor Lydia keeping up her lute education to keep the young mage focused on her studies so she didn’t fall prey to demons. Barris also found it interesting to compare some of their early education as he’d always been pretty much destined for the Templars or the Chantry while she’d been firstborn heir before her magic came in.

Eventually they were lighting the lanterns around the gardens and Danielle realized just how late it was getting. She still needed supper and sleep before leaving in the morning and he still needed to get back to camp though it would be fully night by the time he got there now. Not that he was afraid of the dark as he rose to leave.

“Good night, Lady Inquisitor… We’ll have to do this again sometime after you return.”

“If we can find the time.” It had been nice though to just chat with someone. “Sleep well and I expect to hear you’ve been fully healed by the time I return.”

“Is that an order?”

Danielle considered before nodding resolutely. “Yes. And I expect my orders to be followed, Ser Barris.” Though even her best attempt at a serious face had her cracking a bit of a smile.

“Understood.” He backed out of the gazebo though before he finally turned to head out. Something was definitely developing, but he thought her absence might be just what he needed to cool his heels before he got ahead of himself. At the end of the day she was still the Inquisitor and he was just… A Templar waiting to see who would decide to remind him of his place as just a knight.

Chapter Text

It still feels like any day now I’m going to wake up and have someone insisting I hit my head too hard after the escape from Haven. “Inquisitor Trevelyan? Wherever did you get that idea that we would put YOU in charge?” Perhaps I should blame it on all those years I spent being bitter over no longer being father’s heir. That they would put a mage in charge of a relatively religious-based organization still feels like something I must have dreamed up, but here I am… Being invited to a grand ball in Orlais held by the Empress herself and chasing after a Darkspawn Magister that was supposed to just be a chantry tale against pride.

I don’t know what my life has become, Uncle Cristofer. But for the most part I like it. There’s purpose, duty to be fulfilled, and apologies for saying so, doesn’t involve me being the most wilted thing in your gardens after hiding away for my own safety. Doesn’t mean though that I don’t miss Ostwick and think of you all daily. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. I don’t want the Marches overrun with demons just because I’m busy down here. I’ve already sent some of my best to Ansberg with great success at clearing up their problems.

-Letter to Lord Cristofer Trevelyan from Inquisitor Danielle Trevelyan, 9:41

“You could have asked first,” Megara grumbled as she looked over the presented fabric samples.

“As well I should have, but if the Duke would have refused then there also would have been no need for the… Inquiry,” Josephine responded. 

Danielle tried to tuck her smile away considering it would have likely been less of an inquiry and more of a confrontation that her poor Ambassador was expecting. “We can always send your condolences to Duke Cyril that Lady Hawke-Vael will unfortunately not be able to join you this evening as she’s taken ill rather suddenly…” She suggested. “If you’d really rather not go.”

She’d take the bit of grumbling as acceptance. It had been a good idea if they hadn’t received invitations to the Empress’ ball to still manage as many people as possible to protect Celene, and Hawke did have a bit of history with the de Montforts. Not that they probably wouldn’t have had an easy enough time finding someone who would be looking to suck up to Starkhaven or Kirkwall a little if the offer hadn’t come through.

First things first though, if she was going to an Orlesian gala as the guest of the man who would be Emperor, Danielle was going to have a gown fitting for the occasion. So Josephine’s office had been turned into a fitting room as the seamstress flitted about getting measurements for the women.

She was still in her chemise and the hooped underskirt with a layer of petticoat when there was a knock on the door, Leliana going to answer and usher in the messenger.

“Inquisitor,” the young woman entered, saluting before averting her eyes. “You had requested I bring Ser Barris to you immediately upon his return? Shall I tell him to please wait..?”

She looked down at her state of dress, but it also wasn’t anything necessarily indecent about it. “No, I still want his report immediately.” The messenger nodded, going back to the door to apparently tell Barris she would see him now as the man soon appeared.

“Your worship, I–” 

Delrin paused at the sight before him. Every time he’d run into her thus far Trevelyan had always been either in her fitted leather armor or her slightly more relaxed choices around Skyhold that had still always involved trousers. Standing there though in her stockings and under things though she looked… Softer. Barris quickly averted his eyes. “I erm… Can come back later. You’re clearly busy with other things and there’s nothing that urgent to report.”

“You were in Ansberg, were you not?” Barris paused before nodding considering she’d known where he was headed so it was more of a rhetorical question. “I have the report back from Guard-Captain Weinman which I’m sure you can help fill in the extra details all the more, but I want to know the state of the Free Marches. You must have sailed into Kirkwall or Ostwick. Perhaps passed through Markham? If there are demons as far north as Ansberg… It might not be urgent to you, Barris, but it’s my home.”

He could certainly understand that, but also none of it would change in the next hour or however long it would take for her to finish what she was doing. “I would still prefer–”

“Maker,” she cut him off with a huff and turned to the seamstress. “Let’s try that one and then you can go take a break.” Danielle helped put on the green gown with the gold embroidery on it she’d been considering, standing still as the seamstress straightened it out and got the laces done up in the back. It would need a little taking in around the chest but it at least had her covered so he wouldn’t feel the need to delay. And it would give her a little while to decide if it was the right one or not. “There, fully clothed and ready to hear what you have for me.”

He turned a little at first to look before giving in. It didn’t help in the slightest in getting over his newfound shyness that didn’t seem to have any logical sense tied to it. He would have been better off to just let her do her inquiries with his back turned as now his focus was more how the color brought out the green of her eyes all the more. Or the way all of her hair being pinned up just showed off the curve of her neck in a way he’d never noticed before.

But he wasn’t here to admire the Inquisitor. He was here to give her his personal report as he cleared his throat and hoped any heat in his cheeks would be excused for earlier embarrassment. “We traveled through Highever to Kirkwall. The harbor there is not doing well though. The rifts seem to have cause more destruction around the docks and they currently can’t handle larger ships for trading vessels. Even we had to wait for high tide to go in as the debris would have destroyed or marooned our boat… We didn’t spend long in the city itself other than to pick up supplies, but the people seemed friendly.”

“Kirkwallers are far happier when the Fereldans are just dropping their gold and leaving,” Meg commented with a faint smile.

Danielle listened intently even while carefully moving to kneel on the floor. If the seamstress got to have a break then she was going to take one as well, now with the skirt spread around her with its golden leaves and vines pattern. It left little doubt in Barris’ mind that she would have no difficulty blending seamlessly in with the others at any Orlesian party, focusing back a little more toward Lady Montiliyet who was making notes as usual. 

“Ansberg itself was a nightmare. If there was a demon for any particular sin, there was undoubtedly at least one wandering the streets. We were more than prepared however with the troops you sent with me. There were still casualties, but far less than we originally expected, and the countess is beyond grateful if that was anything you intended to leverage…” He knew well enough how the political games were played after all, but he also thought he knew the Inquisitor well enough to believe that most of the work they did wasn’t for the political gain. If anything it just increased the reputation of both the Inquisition and the Templars as well as their trust in them.

“Other than being on the outskirts of Markham though, we weren’t making a point to look into the state of the other cities. Commander Rutherford already has the maps marked with every rift we saw in the area but the majority were already sealed. Not resolutely without you there, but…” He wasn’t quite sure how to put it that made sense. Hadn’t people been associating them with doors? “They’re shut but not locked. Like they could open again at any time.”

“I see…” She seemed disappointed or perhaps just pensive. It was difficult to say when she wasn’t the focused on him to better read her expression.

“I knew someone who mentioned tears in the veil that they were able to fight closed… Those were also caused by a particular demon though and not this hole in the sky, but maybe they’ll stay shut,” Meg suggested, trying to be helpful.

“Any chance you could get ahold of this friend?” Josephine inquired.

“He’s dead.” Her tone was very clear that pushing any further about said “friend” would not end well for the asker. “There were others there at the time, but I believe Sister Nightingale is already working on trying to contact them as it is for other matters.” There was a soft “ah” of acknowledgement from Leliana. “Since we have nothing so far suggesting that anyone other than our lovely Herald here can seal them completely though, I wouldn’t be hanging my hopes on it,” Meg finished.

Barris wasn’t sure there was much more he could do or add that would make things better and if he stayed much longer it would involve making absolutely sure his eyes didn’t wander anywhere they shouldn’t. “If that’s all, Inquisitor?”

Danielle looked back up before nodding. “That will be all for this , Ser Barris. I still expect to hear that you had the surgeon has checked on that leg wound…” And then there was the smile, directed only toward him. “And thank you. You’ve brought a little more hope to Ansberg in an otherwise dark time.”

“Only doing my duty… Ladies,” he added, addressing the rest of the room before ducking out of there as quickly as possible.

Megara waited until the door was shut before her own smirk finally appeared. “Pretty sure he’s off to pray… A lot.”

“Well that is what we set up the small chapel for, wasn’t it?” Danielle asked, half distracted and not catching the suggestion in Meg’s tone while rising back to her feet to take a better look at the gown she was wearing. Another time she might have liked it better, but with the glowing hand and all the rifts she was about done with the color green for a while.

“I… Never mind, Dani, you’ve got enough to worry about.” Particularly without pointing out the subject of Ser Barris’ possible “prayers”. It wasn’t the first time her dry humor had failed to miss the mark.

Danielle only looked at her questioningly for a moment before shrugging it off. “I think we can recall the seamstress then. I think I know which one I want to go with,” she commented, eyeing another one of the gowns with its silver detailing.

He didn’t know what he was doing in the gardens again. By the time she’d returned from the Western Approach he had been on his way to the Free Marches and not expecting her to be there when he returned. Besides, it had probably just been a nicety last time suggesting that they should do it again some time… Or maybe he was just out here so he could clear his head a little from the scene he’d left behind that morning.

Cullen had taken the opportunity to challenge him to a game of chess, surprised when Barris had asked if he’d known any mages named Amell. Apparently there had been one in the circle in Fereldan, rumored to have survived both the attack there and subsequent sequestering while they tested them for signs of blood magic. He’d had no idea where to find her however. It wasn’t much, but he was trying to gather some information for Danielle and so far managed three of the four siblings. Two of which were with the Inquisition’s mages apparently but he hadn’t gone to approach them personally.

He’d also lost the chess game, but he’d never been all that good in the first place. It was nice to sit and talk with someone for a while. And with her hair still up it had taken a moment to recognize the Inquisitor kneeling in front of a set of pots and gathering up the herbs. Another job he was sure someone could and would have gladly done for her, but here she was just blending in with her people like she was just another worker and not the leader.

Danielle preferred the little things that had become a comfort in more recent years. Her 10 year old self that had first entered the Circle probably would have been cringing at the idea of digging her hands into the dirt, collecting herbs for more poultices and potions, and just enjoying the simple things in her life. She’d already apologized to both her fellow apprentices and poor Lydia for the terror she had probably been in those early years. No wonder some of the other apprentices had mocked her with “Lady Trevelyan” considering how she’d thought herself better than them.

Now at least it felt a little more earned than something she thought she deserved as she heard the familiar voice address her. “Ser Barris.” She dusted her hands off on her trousers, changed back into her usual attire, and tucked away her newly harvested elfroot as she stood. “I trust you’ve been following orders and already had that wound seen to?”

Delrin smiled a little but shook his head. “You really don’t need to worry yourself about me, your worship. I can take care of myself.”

“I don’t think my supplies are so low I can’t spare a little worry when I want. Especially when our friendship started with the suggestion you were going to break yourselves if needed in order to stop a demon that wanted to steal my face.”

So she did consider them friends. Not that she was lacking in them now, but it was a nice feeling. “Well it is a very nice face… Certainly far better than the Lord Seeker’s.”

“Well you better not start thinking about stealing it either,” she responded but a faint blush had creeped into her freckled cheeks. Barris could think of a few things he’d rather do with it, but speaking them aloud would likely have her reconsidering the friendship. “Do you have something against me worrying about you a little?”

“Not necessarily that. I suppose I’m not used to it.” He motioned over to one of the empty benches where they could sit and talk for a while.

Danielle took the suggestion, settling in and using a touch of magic on the bush next to them with several budding flowers. A few opened their petals allowing her to breathe in the scent. “Haven’t you ever had someone worry about you?”

“Not…” He paused while taking a seat and leaving a small space between them, trying to think if there had ever really been someone outside of the obvious. There had been Clara the laundry woman but considering how things had gone he didn’t think that she’d ever worried herself that much for his safety. “Grace. My younger sister. Not to say that the rest of my family doesn’t, I’m sure, but anything I’ve done has been for the Order. Even Grace knows as much as a Seeker of Truth, but we’ve always looked out for each other since we were little. I keep in contact with her more than my own parents usually.”

“Usually?”

He let out a small sigh. “I haven’t heard from her since Therinfal and writing to tell her about the Lord Seeker. So I’m not altogether sure if she even received my letter. I’m hoping if anything it means she’s looking for any sign of Lucius or her letters have just gotten held up somewhere along the line.” He tried not to worry considering there was still so much going on, but it was difficult when he didn’t know where she was now.  “So she’s usually the one worrying after me.”

“I’m sure it’s just a matter of missing messengers or something of the sort.” There were still plenty of Venatori running around causing problems. Blocking communications wouldn’t be unheard of, but then they were doing it right back. “For now you’re just going to have to deal with me being the one to glare you down until you see a healer of some variety.”

“I promise I will before the end of the day.” Apparently it was important to her though he couldn’t imagine why. “It’s not troubling me currently and I’d rather have it done just before bed so I can rest afterward.”

“And there’s something keeping you from resting now?”

“Well I was enjoying our talks, but if you’d rather I leave, Inquisitor..?”

“I…” She paused, perhaps a little chastised for sounding like she was trying to push him away. “Fair enough, Ser Barris. You’ve won this round.”

“I didn’t know there was anything to be won. Besides the joy of your company for a while longer.” Still it was nice to know she was concerned about him even if it was probably more a skill of making most people feel that way. Much like remembering the names of people’s children or prized pet fox. “I’ve been meaning to come see you. You said your friend Amell had four other siblings somewhere in the Circles?”

Admittedly it was a bit of a gamble bringing it up that she might be upset that he was nosing in on what was her business. Danielle’s arms crossed but she still looked like she was waiting for him to continue. “I’ve found three. Admittedly two were in the same circle at Hasmal, twins I think, but they’re part of the mages we have here. I haven’t gone looking for them or mentioned anything so you can do whatever you want with that information. The other was in the Fereldan Circle, back when Cullen was still there, but he didn’t know where she might have gone after they dissolved.”

It didn’t really give her much more than she already knew about Basil’s whereabouts, but she was genuinely surprised he remembered and had even gone to the effort far more than she had clearly to try and actually find any of them. If some were with the Inquisition though then it was unlikely they would know much about their brother. Hasmal had held together after all which is why she even had a decent number of mages in the first place after the disaster that had been Redcliffe.

“You’re a curious man, Delrin Barris. And no, even I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing yet. Thank you for the information though.” She would probably follow up on the twins at least to see if they knew anything. Cullen’s lead was probably less helpful if he didn’t know where to find the sister. All assuming, of course, that any of them were actually siblings and not just distant cousins that happened to have the same surname. “How is Commander Cullen doing though? I worry about him trying to put on a brave face when I’m around.”

So he wasn’t the only one she worried about, but perhaps that was a good thing. “I wasn’t aware of anything being wrong with the Commander.” Though perhaps it wasn’t any of his business what was going on. Barris still reported to the man after all.

“He’s…” Danielle wondered how much if anything she should say, but considering the company she might be able to get a better feel on how bad this could be. “He’s stopped taking lyrium since Kirkwall. Completely cutting away from the Order.”

His face twisted to a frown. “Fighting against what we are and he decided to cripple himself?” Barris thought it sounded borderline idiotic.

“I think it’s brave.” He knew what he was doing and how it could potentially affect him. “And you have to admit, if you didn’t notice anything was wrong with him then maybe he can do it. Better than losing yourself to it eventually, isn’t it?” She had faith in Cullen even if the timing wasn’t the greatest. He’d dedicated himself to doing it though and hadn’t wavered because things had gotten worse.

It was a fear however that Barris had seen all too frequently. Templars that would slowly start to lose pieces of themselves and try to make excuses as to why a name might slip their mind, tremors in their hands, or why they were headed down toward the dining room at midnight thinking it was time for lunch. Little things that slowly started to build and get worse the longer it went on… The price one was expected to pay as a Templar.

It still didn’t make for good timing. “Foolishness and bravery usually go hand in hand… I can’t argue the good intention however.” He’d keep an eye on the Commander though and be sure to report any issues he noticed. Delrin had come to consider Cullen a friend and didn’t want to see him turning into one of the ones drummed out of the Order that ended up begging on the street for coin enough to afford some from a smuggler.  Though he also preferred to change the subject. “I take it you’re looking forward to this party.”

Danielle let out a small laugh. “Probably a little too much. Sure it would be nice to have something that didn’t involve having to keep Empress Celene from a possible assassination, but as long as there’s time for a bit of dancing then it will all be worth it.” It also meant having Leliana, Josie, and Vivienne making sure she didn’t make a fool of herself in the middle of the Orlesians and the intricacies of playing “The Game”. So far she was a quick study.

“Somehow I don’t think you’ll be lacking for dance partners, Inquisitor.” The Inquisition was growing by the day as was their reputation. And there was still time before this huge gala for it to just grow all the more.

“I can’t say I’ve had much luck there, actually. Then my last big social event was my step-sister’s engagement party and that was twelve years ago. Marrying into the Reinhardts who still had a reputation that made them worth persuing at the time. Not that they’re terribly off now.” Explaining the whole scandal that had brought them down wasn’t worth the time right now, but had turned into an amusing discussion with Hawke on Marcher nobility. “Not a single dance partner the whole night. I think that was when it really started to hit me though that no matter how much I still wanted to be “Lady Trevelyan” that it wasn’t going to work out… I was always going to be a mage to them and therefore some sort of monster.”

She focused on her flowers while trying to pull herself back from that memory and remember the better parts of it: Her other step-sister, Adeline, sticking by her side so she wasn’t entirely alone, the music, and the food. Danielle didn’t notice the hand moving to take her own before she unknowingly pulled away to brush a loose lock of hair back behind her ear before it could reach her. “It’s very strange having to pull on all of that training I had before the Circle on how to be a proper young woman. An heir to make my father proud.”

Barris pulled his hand back to his side rather than leave it awkwardly in the middle of the bench between them. “I know what you mean.” He’d been the third child though but still taught in his early years when they were all still young and there had still been the possibility of ending up the heir. He was comfortable in the Templars and his position with the Inquisition now with no regrets on how things had turned out considering his distaste for playing politics. “Though you’re still dealing with far more nobles and diplomats than I am, thank the maker.”

“Made you the perfect one to greet us at Therinfal though.” She was glad for that as well, thinking it might have protected him from ending up at the wrong end of one of the Red Templars when things had gone to shit. “I’m sure you have other things you could be doing. Drills or something.”

Yes but more because he’d been probably spending a little too long lingering around the gardens already. “Like having the surgeon make sure my leg wound isn’t about to be infected?”

She smiled a little brighter. “Exactly. Though I happen to be heading toward the infirmary myself if you wanted to walk together.”

For a few more minutes alone he probably would have followed her to Val Royeaux itself. “After you, Lady Trevelyan.”

Chapter Text

Dear Father,

I don’t know if this will even reach you or if you’re still in Markham. If it does, however, I just want you to know that Lynden and I are doing well. Hasmal held together even after the vote and he’s even been made a Senior Enchanter in the aftermath. Have you heard from Rose, Basil, or Willow though? Apparently Basil is a friend of the Inquisitor’s as she came asking about him and Lynden was a bit rude about it all… That we don’t know where you are and haven’t spoken since we went to the Circle. 

I can’t tell with him if it’s wanting to protect you and the others by cutting ourselves off or to protect ourselves if something happened. Denial is so much easier than finding out you’re the only two left I suppose…

-Crumpled Letter left discarded in Skyhold’s Library

The Inquisitor slowly circled the table, listening as Cullen laid out the plan for the upcoming battle. The War Room was a little fuller than usual with the map of Adamant Fortress laid out before them on the table and their various leaders getting their individual orders. She knew her part: try and shield the battering rams while they knocked down the front gates and then make her way as quickly as possible to the Warden-Commander.

Danielle sighed as she traced over another path through the fortress. “This would be easier if we knew for sure where Clarel would be.” Or what sort of mindset they were going to find her in.

“Easy isn’t nearly as fun,” Alistair commented. “Swooping will be fun, as long as we’re the ones doing it… Still seems to me the best spot though would be here if she’s rallying the crowd and doing a bunch of demon summoning. The Great Hall’s large enough but you don’t want a rage demon breaking all the dinner plates.”

“I’ll remember not to invite them to any banquets,” Danielle responded with a small smile.

“I agree on the location,” responded Cullen, not allowing the conversation to be sidetracked and adding the marker to the central courtyard. “And if not, we improvise. The quicker we can get control of the keep the better.”

They had several groups set to take it on from various angles, Hawke seemingly pleased with getting her own crew set to climb the battlements and hopefully give them a more solid foothold as they moved through the fortress. Danielle was still a little iffy about Cullen’s suggestion of sending in their Templars as well in Inquisition armor to blend in with the others, but it did seem like the worst of their enemies inside were going to be the mages. And Alistair was hopeful they’d be able to talk some of the others into at least standing down if not fighting with the Inquisition rather than against it.

Still, she didn’t like the idea that they were putting the two groups at odds with each other, essentially, even if the reasoning was sound. Though it wasn’t quite all of their templars as she glanced toward the back of the room and caught Barris’ eye for a moment. 

Lady Seryl might have given them her sappers, but she also had need of Templars in Jader for reports of an abomination. Danielle could at least hope that he wasn’t going to hold it against her for keeping him out of the action of Adamant, but his history of dealing with some of the bigger problems needing the Templars had been impressive. 

His history of not getting injured while doing so slightly less so, she added mentally with a faint smile.

He’d caught that look but her focus had gone right back to the map afterward. Barris was a little jealous he hadn’t been invited to fight the Orlesian Wardens, but duty meant being elsewhere and the city wouldn’t stand long if they were dealing with an actual abomination. He stood a little straighter as everyone was dismissed. He had hoped to catch a brief moment but she hadn’t switched her attention away from the table even though the room was empty other than the two of them and the Commander and they were supposed to be having a more detailed briefing of his own mission.

“Inquisitor?” Cullen probed gently.

Danielle’s focus just remained on the map. “I’ll stay here unless you think you really need me,” she looked up again with a slight smirk. “I think I have the least experience when it comes to dealing with abominations out of the three of us after all. Meanwhile, I’d like to have this map mostly memorized so we don’t end up in a closet somewhere while trying to find another route.” With all of the attacks that would be going on she needed to know the layout as well if not better than Skyhold itself.

“Very well.” Cullen led the way back to his office, leaving her to her study much to Delrin’s disappointment. He followed along though as they left the Ambassador’s office and cut across the great hall to another door.

Barris slightly distracted as they passed through the open tower as he looked over the murals on the walls. Usually his path to the Commander’s quarters were taken from the outer ramparts rather than the shortcut from the great hall. He hadn’t known they had an artist around there, but there was little time to actually stop and examine the work when he needed to keep up.

“The library is up on the second level, if you’re ever curious in finding something,” Cullen commented, noting his interest in the area they passed. “There’s also a door there to the upper level of the great hall where Vivienne seems to enjoy spending time… She speaks rather highly of you.”

“Of me?” Barris had known the First Enchanter in passing at best when he’d been stationed at Montsimmard, but he couldn’t recall having exchanged more than a handful of words with the woman while he’d been there. “Forgive me, but I find it somewhat difficult to believe she noticed me more than any other Knight-Templar. And that being rather minimal.”

“You might be surprised. They pay attention to us just as much as we pay attention to them,” Cullen commented. “Vivienne’s views on the Templars are rather traditional however. It’s refreshing after so long in Kirkwall. Then I’ll gladly take praise from any mages here who don’t automatically label us villains for wearing the armor.”

“There seem to be a number of those here.” Then most of the ones who would have were probably with the rebellion that had been in Redcliffe. Barris waited until they were inside before posing his next question. “I’m surprised you still consider yourself one of us. Especially considering rumor is you’ve decided to off the lyrium entirely?”

Cullen paused, trying to guess who might have brought it up considering he wasn’t really spreading that information around as much more than a need-to-know. And the wrong guess could just end up giving away who else was aware.

“Don’t worry, I haven’t mentioned it to anyone else. The Inquisitor was just concerned about how you’re holding up and I believe hoping I’ll pass it on if it seems to be affecting you too much. That you’ll just put on a brave face rather than admit anything is wrong and possibly disappoint her.”

“Rather difficult to catch me incognito if I know you’re watching, don’t you think?” Cullen countered.

“Perhaps, but I don’t think you’re trying to impress me.” At best perhaps trying to convince him and perhaps others that it would be possible to one day get off the lyrium without it almost killing them in the process. A tempting thought but not one Barris was looking to entertain at the moment.

“It’s not been easy…” He confessed. “And I don’t pretend I want to be some example for others to follow, but if they can then all the better. I still believe in the Order and the good that the Templars can do, but good leadership is going to be required for what is to come.” Cullen went into the office, heading straight for the desk and picking up a pile of papers to find the ones he was looking for.

“You realize when this gets out though there are going to be those that label you something of a traitor. Likely by those who haven’t had to see those left to serve until they can barely remember their own names.”

Cullen looked up from the papers for a moment with a faint smile. “And yourself, Barris? Speak plainly, I swear I won’t hold it against you.”

It was a rare thing to hear. Delrin knew plenty though who would say as much and then do the exact opposite, but he’d come to trust Cullen and the man’s honesty and that he could take criticism without it being a personal attack. “I think your timing is terrible and would suggest holding off at least until this is over. But I’m not the one making the judgments here about what you should or shouldn’t do.”

“I’ll keep it in mind… And I do appreciate your candor. There’s more than enough doublespeak with the number of nobles we have around here saying one thing and meaning another.” Some might have suggested he was less than refined compared to their ambassador and spymaster, but he just preferred people being forward. He finally separated out a few pages. “Reports from the city guard in Jader. Hopefully rather straightforward mission.”

Barris took them, scanning over the words. It was difficult to say if they were dealing with anything that was actually magic and potentially demonic or just the fear of mages continuing to rear its head. “I suppose we’ll see…” He just needed to gather his men and be off, preferably before the end of the day. “I do hope you succeed though, for what it’s worth. After everything these last few years I think there’s those who want to leave the Templars but the thought of going off the lyrium is a terrifying prospect. It would be good to have hope.”

“That does seem to be a theme for the Inquisition.” Hope that there was still going to be a future for the rest of Thedas as long as they stood fast. And right now, hope that they would be able to save the Wardens from themselves and whatever this Lord Erimond was convincing them was the right path. “I won’t keep you any longer though… I do expect another game of chess however when you return.”

“I think you just enjoy beating me.” Barris smiled a little though as he took his dismissal, off to gather his people.

Unfortunately one he wasn’t looking for was already there waiting on him. Fletcher was already smirking a little as he pushed off the wall to follow Barris along the ramparts. 

“You know you might get a little further if you weren’t just staring all the time.”

Delrin was not in the mood to play games or guess what he was on about. “A little further with what?”

The man just laughed in response, leaving him all the more bewildered. “Please, Barris. She’s rather pretty, I’ll give you that, but she is also the Inquisitor.”

Ah. That. He hadn’t thought he was “staring” as Fletcher put it, but perhaps he hadn’t been paying attention to how long his eyes tended to be focused on her. Particularly when there hadn’t been quite the need for him to focus on what they were talking about with Adamant. “She’s the leader here and Herald of Andraste on top of that. If anything I’m looking to her for guidance,” he tried to defer.

“Guidance on which way to the bedroom?” The man held up his hands however when he received a glare in return. “Only teasing, brother… If you’re not interested then you’re not interested, but you might want to watch where your eyes are wandering in that case. You and Rutherford both seemed to be focusing on her rather intently when she was going over the plan.”

Barris hadn’t really considered that there might be someone else she was already interested in. Not that he’d been asking either, but she had shown a particular concern for the Commander when talking about his lyrium withdrawal… And that she’d already been teasing Rutherford about possible vows of celibacy. Now he was going to be questioning if he was setting himself up for failure. Assuming he could get the nerve up to say anything in the first place.

Fletcher was thinking that the continued silence was not very convincing if he was not interested. “I assume you’re taking the lead on this Jader issue then? I can if you’d rather head to Adamant as part of the undercover forces to keep an eye on certain… Assets.”

“No, I said I would do it and I intend to follow through.” She put her trust in him after all and switching it out just to follow her felt wrong. Like he’d be betraying her trust by delegating it off to anyone else. “I’m sure you’ll be fine. Just a bunch of men and women who are trained to take on darkspawn and archdemons. Easy stuff.”

“Oh worse comes to worse there, I’ll just toss one of the recruits at them and tell them this is their revised trials for full knighthood.”

“Ah yes, nothing like trials by fire.” Hopefully not literally but it also seemed likely when going against Wardens. The poor recruits they had left these days had already seen more than enough, but there was also no one in charge who could really offer them their knighthoods currently. “Have you seen Ser Keran though? I could use a few more and the Kirkwall group do have some history with abominations if that is what we’re dealing with.”

“Down at the training ring, I believe… But Barris?” Fletcher paused for a moment to make sure he was listening. “If you are going to do anything about this little crush, I wouldn’t suggest putting it off forever. The Vint might beat you to it.” If Rutherford didn’t first... There might very well be others as well he just hadn’t noticed, but anyone in that sort of power was bound to gain the attention of plenty of others who might not have her best intentions at heart. Fletcher wasn’t interested himself but coming out of Therinfal together, he didn’t want to see her being taken advantage of either.

Delrin still wasn’t sure it would be wise. He liked their friendship as well and the chats in the garden might very well go away if he actually confessed. Continuing to deny there was anything there was only going to egg Fletcher on all the more. “I’ll think about it.”

“Still… Sooner rather than later. We could all die tomorrow.” They were all lucky enough to have made it this far. The knight didn’t want to find out when this luck of theirs might end up running out.

“Nothing but overwhelming optimism with you.” It was true, but that was the same as every other day even before the war had started. You never knew when a Harrowing might go wrong and the Knight-Recruit hesitate leaving someone else to deal with matters before they got out of hand. Hopefully that wouldn’t be a problem this time though all the more reason he needed to be on the road and not continuing to discuss his personal life.

There were plenty of men and women already running drills and sparring when he arrived. It didn’t take long though to find the blond man working with a quarterstaff against a woman he knew more by reputation and their passing acquaintance since she’d become a steady fixture at the Inquisitor’s side. Kirkwall’s Champion just looked up at him standing by to see who won this little duel.

“Afraid I’m all booked up for the day if you were looking for a sparring match here, Barris. Though the Inquisitor might indulge you if you asked nicely.” She grinned a little (Delrin wondering if he really had been staring that much or if this was just Hawke’s usual teasing) before returning her focus to Keran, almost knocking the man off his feet. “C’mon, I didn’t save you from blood mages to have to report back to your sister we lost you to a few Grey Wardens.”

“Grey Warden blood mages ,” he corrected.

“Semantics.” She wasn’t going to let up on him too easily as her hands slid to one end of the staff before she swung out like it was a sword. Barris was left to move around to avoid getting caught in the middle as well as trying to actually follow through with why he was here. 

“Actually, I was hoping,” he paused while side-stepping around, “that Ser Keran…” Barris backed up a little more as they were pushing the limits of their sparring circle, leaving his best option if they got too close to be block with his arm. A blade was only going to get stuck and potentially get yanked from his hand and make the whole thing more dangerous. “Might be interested in going to Jader instead?”

Instead he was met with the annoyed violet gaze of Hawke who apparently wasn’t going to argue about him being assigned to her squad for Adamant. The man just looked back curiously before blocking one last move from the Champion before he motioned for a hold to their sparring.

“Less chance of blood magic. Only one potential abomination… Hoping it’s nothing but some of these other knights haven’t seen much outside a Chantry. Never had to deal with mages beyond the rebels. To put it bluntly, I could use a few who aren’t going to possibly shit their smallclothes if this does end up going badly.”

Keran looked over at Hawke. “To be fair, it does sound slightly safer…”

Meg shrugged. “Hey, if the abomination eats you, I’m not going to be the one telling Macha about it.”

“And you would if something happened at Adamant?”

“No.” She crossed her arms and stepped toward him. “Because I’d be there. Ergo you would not die despite your questionable staff fighting skills.” There was a faint smile on her lips though as she pulled back. “I’m not going to be all insulted if you decide to go with Barris here. I only request that he bring you back in one piece.”

“I’ll… Go get my pack then, Barris.” Keran tossed the quarterstaff back toward Meg as she caught it with a faint chuckle and went to put it away.

“I would still challenge you to a round myself, but you have places to be… And I plan on sticking around in the long term.” Any fight had a risk of being her last, but she was hopeful this wouldn’t be the one. At least not before she got an actual chance to punch Corypheus in the face.

“I might hold you to it,” he commented, wondering just how well he’d hold up again Kirkwall’s Champion. It still sounded preferable to chess with Cullen admittedly. “I take it you two go back quite a way?” Barris nodded toward Keran.

“Back when he was still a recruit. Bunch of blood mages were kidnapping the younger ones through the local brothel and then sticking demons in them to make a point about the fallibility of Templars. Also how I met Cullen when I saved his ass from one of their abominations…” Sometimes even she questioned some of the insanity that had gone on during her life in Kirkwall. “Anyhow, he did me a good turn a few years ago directing me on where to find a rebel group that kidnapped my future husband to try and get me to join up with them. Keran was the smart one and balked when he found out it was me they were trying to blackmail, but it kept him out of the line of fire when Kirkwall went to hell… And he’s one of the few Templars my sister was fond of in the Circle.”

Delrin had heard plenty of some of the various things that had happened in the city, but listening to Hawke name off what was probably just a handful with such non-chalance was jarring. “Truly, you’re making me miss Orlais where some of the biggest issues we had with the Templars and mages were the sex scandals…”

He was surprised when she laughed, a genuine smile appearing as she worked off the wraps around her hands. “Well, I wouldn’t want to do that to a fellow Fereldan. Missing Orlais , sweet Maker, I think that’s a crime.” Not that she personally had anything against them as a group, but she was still Fereldan even if recent events were the first time she’d been back in a decade. “Maybe Jader will disabuse you of that notion… But do be careful. I think our dear Inquisitor might turn to necromancy if you die just so she can tell you off.”

Even in his imagination, Barris was having a difficult time seeing Danielle learning darker magicks. No matter how angry she might be. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good. Now fight valiantly or whatever ends up being required of you. I have to go back and refigure my plans now that I’m short one Templar. May Andraste watch over you.” 

She turned and headed off, Delrin watching for a moment before letting out a soft sigh. “May she watch over all of us.”

Chapter Text

Admittedly I wonder what you would be doing if you were here. Probably would have already single-handedly told Clarel to stand down and clear this whole thing up without anyone getting hurt. Or at least no one who hasn’t already. You always did have a way of making people listen to you when you spoke, but I suppose that is what comes of having a name like Cousland.

This is where I can almost hear you arguing with me that I’m capable of just as much if not more if I would just try. That one Theirin bastard is at least almost as convincing as a second-born Cousland if I would just speak up. Well look, I spoke up and now I’m a traitor again so where’s your logic now, Eric? 

On second thought, don’t answer that…

-letter found amongst Warden Alistair’s Belongings at Skyhold

Danielle could still hear her own words echoing in her head, wondering just what sort of stories would be floating through the camp come daybreak. They could tell whatever stories they liked. She’d already figured out that there was little use in trying to control the narrative when it came to her various feats and doings. Including those who still would fully believe that she was guided by Andraste. No matter what the truth of the matter actually was.

In the moment of utter panic as they fell to what was supposed to be their deaths she had torn open the Fade and given them a place to land. Not a safe place, by any means, but it had been softer than whatever would have been waiting for them under that bridge. She could also only imagine how it must have looked with her companions racing out of the rip that had been left behind by Erimond’s demon summoning. 

The storied Herald of Andraste last out before she sealed the breach behind them and saved the day… The sort of story you told your children and grandchildren.

Danielle had leaned so hard on that title. Believed in it with all of her heart that she could do this because she was chosen by the Maker’s Bride herself to save the Templars from the Envy Demon. To lead this Inquisition. To be proof, despite what some had said for years even to her face, that mages were as much children of the Maker as any other. All for it to have been Justinia that people had seen before Danielle had failed to save her. 

Just like the people in Haven. 

Just like Alistair.

The Warden hadn’t hesitated or given either of them the chance to argue about who would be able to distract it long enough to get the other two to safety and at first she’d gone along with it. At least until the realization sunk in that it wasn’t just a matter of distracting it for a minute and then following at their heels… Hawke had needed to grab Danielle to keep her from running back to help, a silent understanding passing between them before they’d lept back into the courtyard in Adamant. 

They both wanted to help but if all three of them died then Alistair’s sacrifice would have been worthless. 

It didn’t make it any easier to accept right now…

She pulled herself out of her bedroll and pulled her jacket and boots back on. If sleep wasn’t going to come then she at least could patrol the camp. Perhaps see how the injured were fairing and if the healers there could use an extra pair of hands… Barris wasn’t going to be there, after all, to just show up and give her a pep talk like he had after Haven.

Apparently she hadn’t been the only one who couldn’t sleep though. 

“Inquisitor! Come join us,” Dorian called from the fireside surrounded by a handful of their other friends. “Varric was just recounting when they met and helped a somniari fight off some demons in the Fade.”

“Also known as why I have trust issues ,” Hawke added as she passed over a bottle as Danielle took a seat.

She sniffed it questioningly before taking a long drink. Whatever the liquor was burned the whole way down, leaving a slight warmth in her stomach. Smooth as well which made her wonder just where they’d gotten it from. A few grateful Wardens perhaps? Blackwall just chuckled a little at the face she’d made, only earning a very mature tongue sticking out as she passed the bottle on. She’d also noticed Cole keeping to the shadows, but Danielle could only imagine what her spirit-adjacent friend was going through tonight with so many pained souls around him.

“So as I was saying, the kid gets a bit spooked when the demon shows her face, running off into another part of the dream and leaving us to deal with it. And of course since she can’t get a hold of him she decides to turn her attention to Isabela instead. Ends up offering up this big, beautiful ship in exchange for betraying us all… Probably should have taken that as some well-timed foreshadowing actually.”

Danielle sighed gently and just listened to the story. She was a little curious how they’d ended up in someone else’s dream since she’d missed that part, unless this dreamer had just let them in. Solas still hadn’t really shared all the details with her on how he’d managed to pull her in to that whole dream of Haven. Particularly in a way that she couldn’t even recall going back to her own quarters, only waking up there. Though now it also left her pinching herself at times when something felt off, making sure she hadn’t been tugged into another dream without her prior knowledge.

“I think these are some of my favorites actually…” Hawke commented over to her in a whisper as Varric got into the fight with their lyrium-infused companion wanting to take the offer of another demon that had Dorian shaking his head. “Purely because he wasn’t actually there but still tells it like he was. Easier to remember it his way.”

Danielle allowed herself a small smile. “Like Andraste instead of Justinia…”

“A little,” Megara conceded. Varric did have a tendency to cut out Anders much like the stories would likely continue to cut out the Divine as the one standing there behind her. Hawke wasn’t sure she wanted to start comparing Varric to Andraste though. “We can talk more about that later.” Her favorite dwarf would get miffed if he thought they were paying more attention to their own conversation than to his story.

Danielle tried to pay attention. Varric knew how to tell a story though in a way that kept you engaged and didn’t let her mind wander too far waiting to hear what happened next. The bottle continued to make rounds of the circle and soon she had gotten to a comfortable point between sober and drunkenness. She hadn’t really allowed herself much more than a glass of wine with meals, particularly since being named Inquisitor, but tonight felt like it needed that warm, fuzzy blanket of decent liquor. Hawke was also good at keeping him going, prompting another tale about the search for a missing glass eye with apparent great sentimental value to the man who had been hunting for it.

Eventually the group started to excuse themselves, perhaps just far enough gone that the events of the last day wouldn’t continue to haunt them into their dreams. Danielle invited Meg back to her tent, noting after she’d stood that maybe she’d had a sip or two too many, so they could talk in private about their day. She took one last look around the fire, making sure no one had fallen asleep out there, before turning down the line of tents.

“Ells!” She heard Dorian call after her, still amused that he seemingly refused to go with the more common “Dani” when it came to shortening her name. She waved Hawke on that she would join her in a few minutes, assuming this wouldn’t take long.

“What can I do for you?” She asked, trying not to rock on her feet to go along with her shifting balance. Dorian’s hands had reached out to rest on her shoulders seemingly in an attempt to steady her.

“Well I just… We were in the fade back there, physically in the Fade. Are you— How are you holding up?” Dorian looked at her with such concern that it warmed her heart. Knowing she had such good friends in this hard time made things easier to bear.

“We lost people. Good people who didn’t deserve to be gone and all because of that—” The anger swelled for a moment, averting her eyes as she thought of Clarel and Erimond. The former had at least done the right thing in the end, but Erimond was going to be hers to deal with and right now she was tempted to give him the one thing that might actually strike fear in his heart.

“Tell me why I shouldn’t give him exactly what he deserves…” Her nails dug into her palm as she clenched her fists at her side. “Tranquility might even suit him in the end. He could go serve the Wardens since he was so eager to help them…”

Dorian was quiet for a moment, perhaps wondering if she was actually being serious. Inquisitor Trevelyan had always shown mercy and kindness to others and was now showing that kindness had limits. That even she had a breaking point and it was clearly very close to being reached. “Because you’re better than he is. Revenge is tempting, don’t get me wrong. But at the end of the day is it really going to make you feel better? Make anything better?”

She didn't respond but looked back at him, prompting Dorian to add, "and, generally speaking, people who want to do something don't ask others to talk them out of it…” He squeezed her arms slightly with a faint smile. “Get some rest first, Ells. Everything is rather fresh right now and you need a clear head. The Inquisition isn’t going to crack to pieces before we get back to Skyhold. And we can always talk more later." He didn’t want to keep her and she wasn’t really in the right state to discuss the bigger implications of what might happen if this got out that actually entering the Fade was possible.

“Doesn’t mean I don’t still wanna at least punch him,” Danielle slurred slightly. Sleep would be good to do first. “You sleep tight too. It’s getting cold out here and you might freeze, delicate thing that you are.” She smiled again though when he chuckled at her concern and ushered her back to her own tent.

Megara was waiting, a canteen of water pushed into her hands that Danielle gladly took a drink from. Her good senses weren’t completely gone to the point that she didn’t know how to ward off a possible hangover. She’d give it to Hawke though that the woman just found a comfortable spot and waited for her to be ready to talk rather than push regardless of how exhausted they both were after today.

Danielle was the one to finally break the silence. “So it wasn’t Andraste at the Temple…”

“No, apparently not,” Meg conceded as she pat on the ground next to her as Danielle came to join her still holding the canteen with two hands. She’d already been thinking about this a little before now. “But listen. So what if it wasn’t actually Andraste that they saw lingering behind you in that rift? If anything that just seems to prove they think the Maker’s Bride can’t do with better hats than those monstrosities that the Divines wear.” 

Meg was glad to see Danielle look a little bit amused at the idea as she wrapped an arm around her. “Point is that the Temple of Sacred Ashes that day was full of people. Mages, Templars, Probably a few Seekers, and more Grand Clerics than anyone wants to think about all there in one place… But something put you there when Justinia needed help. Something gave you the courage to go running into the unknown to try and protect her instead of going the other way to get help… I’m not saying it was Andraste, but I’m certainly not saying it wasn’t.” 

Megara was rather faithful though, a point that many had attributed to her future husband at the time when she’d started attending services frequently. After losing her mother it had just been a comfort in what was about to become increasingly dark times in Kirkwall. Having the excuse to see Sebastian at that point had been secondary. “Besides, where were her Knights-Divine when this was all going on?”

“Probably taken out by those Wardens that were holding her while Coryphie-pheenus was trying to… Maker.” It was hard to reconcile the heroes against Darkspawn that she’d always heard about with the group that would hold the Most Holy hostage so she could be used in whatever blood ritual had powered up the orb and  given her the anchor on her hand.

“If it makes you feel any better…” Megara paused, frowning hard for a moment and trying to steel herself. “Corypheus does have a rather strong influence on Wardens. I’ve seen it firsthand. Not just the group that wanted to release him to use his power and thought they could shackle him, but…”

Danielle just looked at her curiously, taking another drink of water and waited. Whatever was about to come seemed difficult.

Meg finally continued. “Corypheus managed to turn one of my best friends against me. Anders… I would have sent him back to Kirkwall and away from there before if I could have when he started hearing voices, but leaving him alone in the prison surrounded by darkspawn felt like a worse solution considering we were basically locked in there. Anyhow, Anders attacked and thankfully I had Bethany there to shield us or he might have burnt us to a crisp… Managed to get him pulled back to himself after knocking him on his ass a few times, but it was still insane to see what Corypheus could do to someone with the blight in their blood. And that was when he was still sleeping so I can only imagine what it would be for the Wardens to get close to him now… Another story though that Anders conveniently goes missing in the retelling most of the time.”

“So Varric wasn’t actually there in the Vinmarks?”

“Eventually. The barrier dropped after we’d dealt with him but Corypheus was very dead and full of holes and burn marks when we left… Still trying to figure that one out.” 

Alistair had said something about a theory but that they could talk about it after Adamant… Sounded like something he could have been drummed out of the Order for sharing which now seemed minimal in the aftermath. There was no point in even bringing it up other than to perhaps go push Blackwall for information as the only Warden around here Hawke slightly trusted.

Danielle frowned but trying to think right now was a little difficult when everything was fuzzy around the edges. Even the thought of sleeping though was feeling less and less like something she wanted to do considering it would mean going back into the Fade. Not physically, of course, but enough that she wasn’t fond of the idea. 

She got up and headed over to her desk they’d set up for any Inquisitor work that might need doing out here but all she could think of was that she should probably write a letter of condolence for Alistair’s next of kin.

Problem was, she didn’t even know who to write to, if anyone. Leliana might have a better idea when they returned to Skyhold. Would Queen Anora even care? The Wardens already knew what had happened so there wasn’t anyone in that immediate group that would need a heartfelt letter about the Warden’s bravery. Cousland perhaps, but even he was out of touch…

She set down the quill and picked up the various messages that had already been left for her. Most were just updates on their other troops and Leliana’s attempts to find a hole in Calpurnia’s metaphorical armor that they could exploit. Danielle paused at one though with a Templar seal, breaking it and unrolling the parchment to reveal the neat, even handwriting inside.

Inquisitor Trevelyan,

When I arrived in Jader, a crowd of citizens were already pressed up against the manor of Lady Seryl. They demanded that she give them the man accused of being an abomination, Noam Willit, for "justice." Willit came out, not wishing his hosts to suffer, and the crowds swarmed him for his courage.

I stepped between him and the mobs and the sight of a templar's armor brought the people back to their senses. I persuaded them to leave the matter to us. It is a good thing I did, as Willit is no abomination, only a mage newly come into his powers. He is timid but grateful, and willing to begin his training when we return to gain better control of his new abilities.

I hope things have gone well for your worship as well and that the Wardens can be brought to their senses. Maker knows what state Fereldan would be in now without them, but we’ve already seen what good men can end up doing with bad orders.

Ser Delrin Barris

Her smile brought Hawke over to investigate the cause as Danielle reluctantly handed it over for the other woman to read. “Admittedly I’m curious what would cause someone to suddenly gain magic… I suppose there must be some that come into it older, but I think the oldest starting apprentice I ever met was only thirteen or so. Other than the apostates, of course.”

“Something with the rifts perhaps? Might have triggered something.” Meg handed it back, noting the way Trevelyan held onto it again rather than just set it aside. “If so though, I better watch out. Thank the Maker they got there in time… Their Herald might be a mage, but there’s still far too many who would have probably torn that man to pieces.”

Danielle nodded with a sad smile. “Ignorance is a far more dangerous curse than magic… My mentor used to tell me that. Partly because I was a terrible student when I first joined the circle and power growing without the knowledge on how to control it is very dangerous. But also just people will fear what they don’t understand… And then some people just don’t want to understand.”

Meg could see that. She and Carver had been raised with magic always being a part of their lives so it had never been an issue of fearing their father and eventually sister. Others though… “I wish I could have done more to protect Bethany. I mean, she can protect herself as she enjoys reminding me, but she’s still my family. Used to think it was hilarious that anyone would be scared of her because I was always more the scary one while Beth was the soft hearted one who was always willing to lend a hand. The kind one… Definitely the one who was better at the whole nobility thing once she got a chance to actually try her hand at it.” Though it sounded like even as Sebastian’s mage advisor she was keeping plenty busy in Starkhaven from recent letters. “You remind me of her a bit.”

“Is that why you tolerate me?” Danielle teased.

“If it were just tolerating you then I wouldn’t be here right now.” Meg didn’t make friends easily. Danielle was about the same age as Bethany which didn’t help to dissuade her from the comparison. Both were also definitely better people than she was, but that was something Hawke was working on. “I’ll leave you though in case you decide you want to start hugging onto that letter you won’t let go of… Sleep tight, Inquisitor, and drink all your water.”

“Yes, Mama Meg.” She wasn’t going to comment about the teasing over the letter other than to set it down on the desk again. 

Danielle was definitely developing a bit of a crush on the Templar that had decided to become her friend, but she also reasoned he wasn’t the first one she’d ended up infatuated with. She had gotten rather starry-eyed over Ser Gregory in her later teenage years but it had also been just a crush and nothing she’d tried to push. He had been one of those Templars she’d never questioned about potentially being willing to cross the line to end up in a relationship with one of his charges…

Much like Barris there. They weren’t in a circle so the dynamics were definitely different, but she also didn’t think he’d ever see her as anything other than a friend. Someone he was charged with protecting as a Templar much like he’d done for the man in Jader. The feelings would pass with time and she had other things that needed her focus.

First of those being sleep, no matter how much she wanted to avoid it, as she curled back up in her bedroll and dimmed the lights in her tent. The liquor and getting some of her troubles off her chest helped as she quickly dozed off.

Danielle didn’t need to pinch herself to know it wasn’t real as she found herself sitting in a courtyard with music playing, a young boy of ten or so sitting there eating ice cream and humming along slightly to the music. He was slightly darker complexion than herself but a few freckles were still showing through as he smiled at her with those matching green eyes. The ones they’d both inherited from their father.

“You’re turning into Varric, Solas…” She was smiling a little as she turned back to look at the elf. “Changing up the story into something happier.”

“Less a falsehood and more a single moment on repeat before it went badly… And I wasn’t looking to delve too far into your memories. Just enough to find somewhere happy.” He’d been in Ostwick once but only in passing and it had been nothing quite like this. His focus had been on learning more about the Qunari that had attacked there at the time rather than whatever festival was going on here. This particular dreamscape also had the added reason that he was curious to see again how clearly the anchor allowed her to dream. Particularly one feeding mostly on her memory rather than his own.

She considered pushing his annoyance about her requesting the Wardens to join them, knowing he already hadn’t liked it when she’d brought on the Templars, but Danielle liked to think they still had a mutual respect for each other at least if not a genuine friendship… She hoped it was a friendship. The more difficult conversations could wait until they were both awake.

“My younger brother,” she commented about the boy who didn’t seem to really respond to her. “I didn’t even tell him my name though he found out later… Snuck off on his own and I ended up saving him from a thief before buying him the ice cream. His mother showed up before he had a chance to finish it.” She reached over to try and brush back one of the dark curls but it didn’t move other than for her hand to pass through it. “Only time I’ve seen him since he was two. My step-mother likes to feed him a constant flow of stories about how mages are wicked and Maker-forsaken and such, so of course I’ve been kept away from family events.”

Perhaps it had worked out in the long run considering she had ended up here at the end. Less bitter at least about the boy that was heir to everything she’d wanted at one time because she’d built another life rather than just pining after the past.

“Enjoy it for tonight. I try not to wander into the dreams of others whenever I can help it, and you would not want to know what others dream about…” Solas let out a soft chuckle. “But after everything, I hoped you would not mind the intrusion.”

No, after everything she was grateful for somewhere safe to linger though it might be tempting to see how much of her Ostwick existed in this small pocket of the Fade. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“I’ll leave you to it then, Inquisitor.”

Even in the dream she closed her eyes after a few more moments, focusing her thoughts on the music playing that she might still remember the tune when she got back to Skyhold and the strings of her lute.

Chapter Text

Things are feeling a little tense here in Ostwick, but nothing I think you need to worry about just yet. But yes, it is still hilarious watching mother dance around the fact that she’s kept you away for the last decade whenever anyone asks about her step-daughter the Inquisitor. Questions that probably wouldn’t have been asked in the first place if she’d just told the truth in the first place rather than pretend like you two were once the best of friends. Our brother also continues to have developed teenage defiance and I'm quietly encouraging it as much as possible. He knows the limits he can push her to for the most part, but even Liz was telling her to lay off the poor boy at the last family dinner.

Do share more of the charming Templar next time though. Him taking up nearly half your last letter wasn’t nearly enough for Marj and I to get a full mental image of this knight in shining armor off to save the day and sweep you off your feet… And alright, it was probably only about a third, but even in the middle of all this madness you deserve to have a little bit of happiness Dani.

-Letter from Lady Adeline Tremaine, 9:42 Dragon

He was going to tell her.

Barris had decided somewhere on the way back from Jader with Noam that he was going to confess his feelings and at least see where things ended up going. The worst, he assumed, she could do was laugh in his face and question if he’d been possessed by demons. Perhaps find an assignment for him somewhere on the edges of the map to keep him as far away from her as possible, but that might also help clear up his feelings for her if she wasn’t such a constant presence in his life right now.

It took some time for the group to travel back to Skyhold, but the news back from Adamant was mixed. Both of the Wardens who had defeated the Blight suddenly gone even if the one was just missing, rumors aplenty that they had been in the Fade itself when it had happened, but no talk of an explosion to equal that of what had happened at the Temple of Sacred Ashes thankfully.

In that time though he’d been sent out on scouting missions and guarding additional relief being sent to Redcliffe. By the time he’d returned again she was back… But she was also the one summoning him by a rather official looking letter. No one seemed to know just why the Inquisitor was requesting his presence, but he also didn’t think anyone else would have mentioned something to her. Or that she wouldn’t just talk to him first about any rumors rather than calling him to Skyhold.

To meet in front of what looked to be half the Inquisition all in the Great Hall. Wonderful.

Danielle was sitting up on the throne at the head of the room, leaning on one arm as she spoke to Cullen. At the very least she didn’t look much worse for wear. There was the slight twinge of jealousy when she grinned over something Cullen had said, but even his attempts to find anything rumors-wise had only led to her being connected to at least a dozen different people for some sort of sordid affair. People loved a story, even if they had to make it up entirely themselves.

When they saw him, both straightened up and took their respective positions. It was all the more nerve-wracking as the crowd in the area parted to let him through and, unsure what else he was supposed to be doing, he went up and stood before the throne.

"You sent for me, Inquisitor?"

Cullen, however, was the one to address him. "Knight-Templar Delrin Barris, we have gathered to review your military service to the Inquisition.”

For a moment he felt a rush of nerves. Had he done something wrong? He certainly couldn’t think of anything he could have done differently unless he’d just accidentally insulted someone but he kept quiet and decided to listen considering both were smiling politely at him.

“You showed exceptional valor defending the people of Val Colline from Venatori, and broke a siege of demons in Ansburg. You stood against an entire town that wanted to kill a mage for imagined demonic possession. Without raising a sword."

Danielle adjusted in her seat, legs crossing. "In thanks for your service, and your help at Therinfal Redoubt, I endorse your promotion to Knight-Commander of the Templar Order."

So it hadn’t been anything bad, quite the opposite. Still he was speechless as he moved to kneel, looking up at her. "Your Worship. I…” He licked his lips for a moment, trying to find the words. “I am not worthy."

He caught the small shake of her head as her voice lowered slightly although still projecting enough for the room. "You've shown loyalty. Determination. Courage… As all Templars should."

How did one even start to argue against that? "I will honor your faith in me." As much as he was still questioning the decision, if she believed in his leadership abilities…

"Templars! Will you take Ser Barris as your Knight-Commander?"

Barris got to his feet and looked back at the mixed group of Templars that had been gathered. A few smiles suggested at least some had known what was about to happen, but they all saluted him in response. No one could say now it had been solely the Inquisitor's promotion.

Still, it threw a spanner into his intentions. She’d put him in charge of all the Templars they had there at Skyhold and if he made his next move something that had the potential to make her want to retract that immediately he would only feel guilty. That and some of the more traditional minded ones there who, even if things went well, would likely still protest over him courting a mage.

He waited long enough for her to finish as they pulled out one of the wardens for her judgment. Delrin didn’t think they had intended to put the whole Order on trial one by one, but Josephine clarified that the woman had turned herself in out of some guilt. It was troubling to see just how much the whole thing had affected this woman as she begged for punishment.

Danielle calmly rose from her chair and went to rest a hand on the woman’s shoulder. “Ser Ruth… The Herald of Andraste forgives you in our lady’s name. Go in peace and do good with the time that is given to you.”

A simple thing, but again she was not helping ease his infatuation with her. Then he shouldn’t expect any less than the usual kindness from her.

There was a certain mischievous look in her eyes though when she approached once her business was concluded and the crowds had started to disperse. “Come on, Commander . I have something to show you. Haven’t even told anyone else yet except well… Cullen and such.” Her hand was already wrapped around his as she pulled at him slightly.

He followed along as she pulled him outside and down to the courtyard. Knowing Danielle it could be any number of things she wanted to show him, but he also just enjoyed the time together. “You could have warned me a little before this promotion. I don’t even know what to say.”

“What you’ve already said was perfect. No one expected a whole speech about upholding Templar ideals and the like.” She probably would have needed to contain her laughter if he had started spouting off something poignant in the moment. She paused a little as they reached the steps up to the ramparts. “They already looked to you as a leader; that much has been obvious since Therinfal. This is only making it official. I admittedly wouldn’t have thought of it if Cullen hadn’t brought it up and insisted there was no reason I couldn’t endorse it.” 

First Enchanters didn’t get a say, after all, in the raising of one Templar over another. Just the occasional demotion with good cause and even that would be at the discretion of the Knight-Commander. “Besides, someone mentioned you have some in your ranks that are still titled Recruit only because there’s been no one official to knight them? Well now you’ve got your work cut out for you.”

She wouldn’t lie that she also liked the idea because it meant he’d likely be spending more time in Skyhold for the future. As much as she was pushing away her feelings in hopes they would fade away, she still wanted him safe… And hopefully her surprise would help with that as well as she continued up the stairs and over to one of the towers that had been crumbling into itself until recently.

“Close your eyes,” she ordered outside the door. Barris was already wanting to insist that he didn’t need some office space there at Skyhold like Cullen’s, but decided to wait and see just what she had in mind and did as he was told.

She took hold of both his hands, warning him of a slight step down. It was further into the room than he expected before she allowed him to open them.

It wasn’t an office. It was its own small library with sitting areas set up as well as a chess board to one side. A Templar banner had been hung up, designating who the area was meant for. There was also a set of stairs going upward to another level.

“We can go on a full tour, but the entire tower is for the Templars. Admittedly not sure we’ll be able to get everyone here all at once, but I’m hoping it’s at least a start.” There were so many out in the field at any given time and with repairs getting made she was also able to clear up more space they could use for additional bedrooms. 

“Also hoped with it over here you wouldn’t end up with people wandering in from outside where somewhere like Cullen’s office is just a central hub of activity… Do you like it?”

Delrin was already stunned just by the main floor. It wasn’t as big as things in the Circles but it was already nicer than some of the Chantry housing he’d seen just in having somewhere they could come and relax while off-duty. Somewhere they could make their own that wasn’t just the tents outside the walls of Skyhold. A place they could call home.

“I’d like to see the whole thing first, but yes.”

She beamed up at him, making it impossible not to smile back as he followed her up. There were only a few rooms separated out on the short hallway. “Two for a Captain or Lieutenant as you see fit and then the one at the end would be yours… We can look there first, but the dormitories for the others are up on the top floor.” Danielle looked back to him to decide.

“Upper first,” he suggested, continuing up the winding staircase to the space. It would give him a better idea how many people he was going to have to disappoint with the shortage of beds. He was pleased to find that they’d done the usual double bunk beds to save on space and allow them to house as many as possible. He was also impressed with the rugs already placed around and the fireplace that was just waiting to be lit. Little touches that had already been added to make it more cozy.

She just stood back and let him wander around examining things. The Inquisitor had been wanting somewhere for them for some time now and while it wasn’t perfect she was still pleased with the results. “You know,” she started, “with capturing Griffon Wing Keep from a group of Venatori out in the Western Approach, I’ve also got strongholds in both Fereldan and Orlais if you’re looking to station any a little beyond just Skyhold. Admittedly we’re still working out a few kinks with the Grey Warden fortress like a solid source of freshwater, but…” She shrugged. It was still relatively stable as long as they didn’t start fights with the wildlife. “Rylen took charge out there if you have any specifics you’d want to ask.”

“Not exactly centered in Val Royeaux then. Still, spreading out our forces a little more wouldn’t be a bad thing…” They’d be better positioned to respond to threats rather than everything being centralized to Skyhold. “Nothing for me in the Marches then?” He inquired, more teasing.

Instead he got an eyeroll and a small huff although clearly not directed at him. “It’s always ‘someone else’s problem’. Even with Ostwick the Teryna just says that the old mage tower is still in need of repairs and the nobility are reluctant to have a bunch of “oathbreakers” within the city. It’s all ridiculous. Ansberg is the only one that didn’t try to shuffle it off on the others but even they’re stretched on resources after the demon attacks that most of the additional chantry housing is currently in use… Then I suppose if some of these places started taking responsibility for themselves and being reasonable, I’d be out of a job.” The Inquisition was positioned to act while the others squabbled about who should do it which put her as the one to direct them.

“I’m surprised Starkhaven wouldn’t have given you anything you wanted considering Lady Vael’s already been whipping my Templars into shape.” He still owed Hawke a sparring match if she was still interested after all.

“Prince Sebastian wasn’t so much a refusal admittedly as not wanting to look like I’m favoring them over any of the other city-states. Particularly given the newness of his tenure despite the years that the Vaels have held the throne there.” She was still a little annoyed with Teryna Wyrfell, but Ostwick also probably didn’t need to look like she was outright favoring them either.

Even without the third outpost he was going to have his work cut out for him now organizing them instead of just being a rag-tag group that was held together by their common goal. They might actually feel more like the organization they’d been rather than just a mostly independent arm of the Inquisition.

But for now he still had a tour to go on, pointing over to the ladder up to a door on the ceiling. “And that leads to..?”

She just went right over and led the way, climbing up far enough to push the door open before continuing on up and vanishing into the ceiling. Barris could already feel a faint breeze coming down and the open sky beyond before following her again.

Admittedly it was just access to the top of the tower where they could look out over the Frostbacks beyond. Nothing too exciting but he was sure it would be a beautiful view at both sunrise and sunset and they’d be able to keep an eye out on the happenings around the upper courtyard and gardens to a point. It was nicer to see her just leaning against the edge and just gazing out at the mountains as the breeze toyed with her hair.

“I love spots like this in Skyhold…” She commented without turning away from the view. “It’s quiet. I can actually think and not have someone running up looking for me. Pretend for a few moments like I’m not the one they’re all depending on to get this right.” And it was nice to occasionally have company along that she felt she could consider a friend who didn’t just put her on a pedestal. “I suppose you’ve heard about Adamant?”

“A little. Sounded somewhat similar to Therinfal Redoubt except you weren’t invited in but still left with an alliance.” Two of the most powerful organizations in Thedas who owed their survival to the Inquisition. It was enough to make anyone nervous and that before she had Celene’s ball in just under a fortnight. “And that Alistair didn’t make it out.” As well as others, but there was something strange about the bloodline of Calenhad the Great just ending like that. Then many in Ferelden still said it had ended at Ostagar with Cailan rather than admit Maric might have had a bastard running around.

Danielle nodded, focusing back out on the mountains. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to people feeling like they need to sacrifice themselves to protect me.” But wasn’t that the cry whenever any major battle broke out with her nearby? Protect the Inquisitor . “I’m… just me.” It wasn’t really her that needed protecting, was it? More the anchor on her hand that could close the rifts that were left behind, flexing her left hand as a frown etched itself onto her face.

“You’re still the Inquisitor.” And one of the few people he would have trusted to do the job so well, but it was more than that as he remembered the moment with Ser Ruth. “And the Herald of Andraste as well.”

“Maker, you really haven’t heard what happened at Adamant…” There was a slightly sad smile as she looked over at him before starting in with the details.

He listened as she recounted chasing after Clarel and Erimond and the return of the dragon that had burned Haven and almost gotten her once already if not for the trick with the trebuchet. The fall that had landed all of them into the Fade and running into Divine Justinia who helped return her memories and beating back the rather powerful nightmare demon… And the revelation that it hadn’t been Andraste that had been standing behind her as so many had assumed as well as Meg’s suggestion that there might still be unseen forces at play.

“What am I going to tell people who still believe it? That we were all wrong and it was just picking up an orb that burned its magic into my hand and a case of mistaken identity? People need hope right now… Perhaps even that Andraste is actually looking out for us when there’s so much doubt. Maybe I’d feel differently if they’d have picked a new Divine already to add some stability to everything, but until then there’s the Inquisition. And their Herald of Andraste.”

She felt the sympathetic hand on her shoulder and tried not to lean into it. What she really would have liked after all of this was a hug but there was really no one she felt comfortable just asking for it, so she accepted all the well meaning squeezes, half-hugs, and nuzzles. (Though the latter were solely from Pepper or there would probably be some questions about her companions.)

Danielle straightened up and tried to brighten up. “But look at you. Running off to protect Jader from a possible massacre, but not hesitating to defend the mage in question. Some would have probably poked at him a few times just to see if he’d go all killer on you, but Willit’s had nothing but praise for you and wondering why the mages would ever want to rebel if that’s what the Templars were like. I had to explain that not all have your moral code and bravery.”

“You’re far too complimentary, Danielle.”

“Or you’re just too modest, Delrin… You earned this. Just continue being the example of what they should be and you’ll do fine. But c’mon, we still haven’t gone to your quarters and I’m still eager for feedback.”

She let him go down first as she took one last look at the view from the tower before turning back to the ladder. The realization was hitting now that she was up here that the fact that it didn’t extend further up to give her a handhold to start getting down would probably make things difficult. “Suppose I didn’t really think about…” She stopped before deciding to try and take the angled ladder like a steep staircase back down. 

Danielle made it about halfway when her foot slipped and sent her falling forward where she would have made a less than elegant landing if not for Barris being right there to catch her.

“Are you okay?!” He’d acted on pure reflex but continued to keep his arms around her in case she’d hurt herself, even with the relatively short fall.

“Think so.” She had grabbed on to him as the nearest solid thing and tested her weight on both legs. Maybe a slight sprain at worst. Nothing was standing out as immediately hurting either as she looked up at him.

They had been close before, but always in a more professional setting where she’d been dealing with his wounds. As such she knew already exactly what sort of physique he had under all of that armor he currently had on as her hand brushed over the embossed flaming sword on his breastplate. Her own heart was already pounding in her chest as she added a soft “I’m fine.”

And Barris was fully aware it would take little movement on his part to just close the gap and make his confession with actions rather than words. Close enough that he could smell the light florals of her soap and the specks of darker green in her eyes as she continued to be pressed close.

He swallowed hard and made himself pull away. 

“Good. I’d hate for one of my first actions as Knight-Commander to have it implied I hurt you somehow.”

The room felt like it had dropped five degrees as he moved away and she didn’t think it was from her magic. Danielle just tried to laugh it all off as an awkward moment but would be doing her best to keep some distance between them for the last bit of the tour… No point in making him uncomfortable with her lingering looks.

“I would gladly correct them that I was the one being clumsy and you were just the one that saved me from worse injuries.”

He was the one that led the way back down to the second floor, glancing into the other two rooms on either side of the short hall before entering what was to be his own quarters. It was not as fancy as he’d expected, which was honestly good. He didn’t need anything over the top as it would operate as everything he’d need, the sleeping area just behind a fabric divider while the rest of  the space was a desk and an armor and weapon stands. Still larger than Barris thought he really needed but he wasn’t going to complain. 

And right after what happened up there he felt the need to be more professional than ever. “Thank you, Inquisitor. It might take a day or two to get beds assigned and the like, but I think they’re going to be thrilled. One more sign of the Inquisition’s dedication to this alliance.”

“I want everyone to be able to feel comfortable while they’re here,” she commented, pausing for a moment before adding. “You’d tell me, wouldn’t you, if I was doing something that made the Templars uncomfortable?”

He didn’t know where this was coming from but nodded. “As long as you’re not giving the mages here free reign to start practicing blood magic, I can hardly think of anything you’d do regularly that would make them uncomfortable.”

She bit her lower lip slightly, finding his answer agreeable. “Good. Well… I should let you get settled in and the like and I’ll get back to see which of my advisors needs me now.” This had been enough of a break and a little space would be good right now before she potentially tried something she might regret.

“I’m sure I’ll see you around then, your worship,” he responded with a small bow.

“I should hope so, Commander Barris.” Things still felt a little awkward as she left, but Danielle tried to tell herself that she was overthinking everything. If he hadn’t noticed her lingering a little too long then bringing it up would only make things worse.

Delrin was glad for the time alone as well, wondering if he shouldn’t have asked the same from her if he ended up pushing the line of what was comfortable. Then she hadn’t specified for him but the Templars in general… Much like any good host would whose home you were occupying. Making sure they felt welcome and comfortable.

He returned back to the encampment to the sounds of cheers for their new Commander, letting himself just be pulled into the evening of celebration and camaraderie. Barris still wasn’t sure about naming anyone as his Captain just yet, but figured out who would get a bed assigned in the new tower by making them volunteer to be added to guard rotations with Cullen’s men in exchange for keeping quarters at Skyhold. Besides the assignments to the Inquisition's other keeps though he’d also left Griffon’s Wing as a purely volunteers-only. 

By the end of his second full day they were settling into the new tower, filling the space with almost constant chatter. This was more what he was used to since joining the Templars: the sounds of constant life moving around him rather than the quiet of his separate tent.

He’d been writing another letter for his sister that night when he’d started to stare out the window trying to think what else there was to even tell her. The Inquisition stronghold sat before him as a largely outlined figure against the darkening sky with the curious exception of the top of the tower where the lights were going. And a figure that was pacing back and forth rather deliberately. The Ambassador Montilyet perhaps? Or…

No, he realized even before she came out on the balcony that he knew the woman’s outline in her bed clothes with a robe wrapped around her as she was clearly focused out past the confines of Skyhold and off to the mountains beyond. Probably another one of the Inquisitor’s “few moments” to look out and ignore the immense weight on her shoulders.

He couldn’t quite see her expression from there, but he could tell when she noticed the lights were on over there as well as he waved and got one in return. It made sense as well that she would have one of the higher rooms in the keep, as a sign of leadership if nothing else.

Danielle disappeared back inside and he wondered if she wouldn’t end up drawing the curtains for privacy but instead she pulled over a chair. His senses could also pick up the faint bit of magic that sparkled around his window, waiting curiously to see just what she was doing exactly as she took a seat.

A moment later soft music started at the window as if she were sitting just outside instead of the solid gap between them. Some sort of projection spell apparently as she sat there with her lute. He found himself forgetting about the letter and just listening to the private concert he was getting instead. Some he could identify but others were less familiar.

She continued for almost a half hour, Delrin making a show of his applause that he was guessing had come across as she gave him a curtsy before heading back inside, pulling the chair along with her.

It was a bit of a strange little moment between them as he saw the lights dim before the room completely darkened above, but he appreciated that. Even if she wasn’t dashing across the courtyard, she was willing to share a bit of her free time with him.

Maybe he’d still tell her eventually. Just not right now.

Chapter Text

Dancing is one of the things that ties the various cultures of Thedas together. It has been suggested as a method of communication that requires no words; motions that can bring to mind both battle and beauty.

It has also been seen as a curse with records of a dancing illness in the first decade of the Exalted Age in which records state hundreds of people began dancing, unable to stop. Many have suggested it was a final attempt by the Tevinter Imperium against the Exalted Marches, but several sources from the time period have suggested no signs of magic. Just people who would begin dancing and not stop until they expired, roads painted red with the bloody footprints. Attempts to outlaw the practice of dancing in the aftermath were short lived, however, with the beginning of the Fourth Blight.

-From “In Pursuit of Knowledge: The Travels of a Chantry Scholar”, by Brother Genitivi

Danielle was sure the pair that were trying to get her hair pinned into place and her make-up done were slowly going mad as she tried to alternate between slight nodding and verbal responses as Vivienne went over all of the last-minute details again of her manners and how to avoid this night turning into a possible disaster.

“And remember, my dear, if things are already going badly it would be better to ignore Mantillon entirely than to make her feel like you’re attempting to use her.”

“I understand.” She’d already made a faux pas in her choice of gown apparently but Vivienne had also decided perhaps the Empress would see it as a compliment or some idolization by her choice of blue. Danielle would play the part even though her choice had been purely what she’d liked and not looking to impress Celene in particular. Otherwise she might have been more willing to wear a mask as well.

Danielle did her best to push down the nerves that were settling in her stomach. She was a Trevelyan after all and besides that had been drilled in every bit of possible etiquette by Josephine, Leliana, and Vivienne for weeks… 

And if all else failed, she had Hawke volunteering to cause a distraction. It was good to have friends willing to make sure you weren’t the worst embarrassment of the night.

She had waited until they were all done with their poking and adjusting to turn and face the full length mirror. The gown she’d seen on her already as they’d done their various fittings between her missions and the other chaos that was being Inquisitor, but the whole effect of everything together… She was quickly blinking back tears.

For once she felt like she actually looked like the head of an organization like the Inquisition. Like she belonged at a party like this instead of just some mage from Ostwick with a decent name that they’d plucked out of the ruins of the explosion. And, admittedly, she looked like the old paintings of her mother who had otherwise been barely more than a vague memory. Lady Trevelyan finally coming into her own.

The blue and silver gown had been adjusted to fit her perfectly with the fitted sleeves covering most of her growing collection of scars. There had been a decent amount of discussion about gloves as well in part to cover the anchor before deciding to leave her hands exposed so they might see it. Her hair had been twisted up into a bun with a few carefully chosen curls allowed to remain loose to frame her face and brush against her shoulders. Matching silver and sapphire jewelry had been chosen as well to compliment the gown as she held her head a little higher to see it glitter in the lights.

The only thing she wasn’t sure of was the powder that lessened the appearance of the few faint scars on her face and shoulders but also had covered all signs of her freckles. Still, even she was willing to admit that she looked beautiful.

As such it was slightly difficult to pull away from the mirror. She had a carriage to get to  that would take her from the small estate they were occupying for the evening to the Winter Palace itself. And it wouldn’t do to be too unfashionably late.

Golden lions sat guard as she watched out the window, taking the moment as the honor guard assembled to settle her nerves. Everything after she entered was going to be picked apart and judged after all and she didn’t want to give them any more ammunition beyond the crimes of her being both a Marcher and a mage.

Thankfully the Grand Duke was right there to greet her on arrival so she didn’t have to look around and hope she hadn’t accidentally passed him. An honest man or at least someone who wanted to come across that way as he admitted his distaste for “The Game” and the elven “ambassador”. And just a bit of a flirt, but nothing she couldn’t handle with grace. Despite his charms he would be the one to most benefit if Corypheus succeeded in his assassination attempts… Though his position also put a target on his back as well which was why she was trying not to get too drawn in by him or anyone else.

At best she was here to make alliances, not friends. The only people she really dared trust here would be those she already knew.

Barris had essentially done what he needed to in order to just get inside as quickly as possible. He didn’t think he’d agreed to come along when he’d accepted the position of Knight-Commander, but argument had been made that it would show a united front between the Templars and the Inquisition. 

He couldn’t help but notice no one had invited any of the new Wardens to join them if they were going for a “united front”. Just Blackwall. Though the man had also seemed unusually twitchy like he didn’t want to be there either.

Still, the plan was that they’d be slowly pulling in more “guards” as the evening went on in case the whole thing went sour and it ended up in a fight. Having him there was just one more fighter ready to protect the Inquisitor. There was also the matter of Celene’s arcane advisor as anyone who made Nightingale nervous was someone that needed an eye kept on them as much as possible. They’d made sure he had a full draught of lyrium at his disposal if things did take a turn for the worst.

Unlike Cullen who looked ready to run out of here at the first opportune moment, Delrin was at least familiar with the people here after escorting so many mages to their various parties and celebrations over the years. Definitely not skilled at The Game, but one they would excuse as just being another “Fereldan turnip” as it were for any slips he might make. They didn’t need him to be perfect so long as he didn’t start a scandal in the middle of the ball. For now he just mingled with some of the other guests while they waited for everyone to get inside for official introductions.

He might have questioned who was standing there with Cullen if she’d been wearing a mask like most of the attendees. Though that small smirk as she adjusted Cullen’s sash would have given Danielle away regardless, but Delrin was already taking the time as he headed over to appreciate the whole look so he wouldn’t be staring too openly when he arrived at her side.

She greeted him with a smile. “Cullen here was just informing me that Templars aren’t trained to dance and I believe I need a second opinion on that matter.”

It was just a bit of light teasing then from their Inquisitor who was already looking to fill her dance card. He did his best however to try and copy her accent. “Well, messere, what does one expect from someone who’s practically a Kirkwaller?”

It was enough to bring out a grin from her. Less so from the other Kirkwaller as he hadn’t considered Varric also standing nearby. “Hey! Just because Curly’s got two left feet doesn’t mean you need to paint us all with the same brush.”

“Does that mean you’ll be dancing then, Varric?” Danielle inquired, pressing on.

He hesitated, giving her a slight glare before responding, “... No.”

Delrin was noticing a difference in her tonight. She seemed a bit lighter, pleased to be there, and perhaps even a little more confident with how she held herself. It was a nice change to see her shake off some of the shadows of Adamant. And there was admittedly a bit of a flutter when she turned his attention fully on him.

“So how about it then, Commander Barris? Will you save me a dance?”

He gave a small bow with a smile. “If that is what the Inquisitor requests of me then I will be happy to oblige. Though I may be a touch rusty if it is anything too quick.” He would avoid stepping on her feet at least, but hopefully she would forgive him if he slipped up a little.

“Fair warning, I’ll hold you to that.” She had told him before of her last party like this and being snubbed for being a mage. Tonight however she was hoping her status as Inquisitor might earn her a few dances through the evening even if it was just people attempting to get on her good side. For once it wouldn’t be a matter of how good she was with her magic, but more her powers of diplomacy.

Or she hoped. Her staff and leathers had been stashed away in case they were needed later, but wasn’t the point of having spies and soldiers so she could order them to deal with the assassin if they were found? The Winter Palace surely had to be one of the most secure places in Orlais, letting her take the opportunity to enjoy the spiced punch and music tonight.

She made sure everyone was together, sans Cole who could have been anywhere by now, before signaling to Gaspard that they were ready for their introductions. It did feel akin to falling into the lion’s den as they entered the ballroom with all of the nobles there ready to eat her alive if they didn’t like what they saw.

“And now, presenting: Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons.” She took a small breath before taking her first step down. “And accompanying him, Lady Inquisitor Danielle Artemesia Trevelyan of the Ostwick Circle of Magi. Shepherd and leash of the wayward Order of Templars, purger of the heretics from the ranks of the faithful! Champion of the Blessed Andraste herself!”

That was a somewhat new one. She had to resist the urge to look back at the suggestion that she had “leashed” the Templars, but she did like the idea of champion rather than Herald all things considered as she slowly made her way across the ballroom. She was too busy reminding herself with each step to keep her head straight and steps even so it would seem more as though she were floating across the room to pay attention to the others too closely as they went down the line of her small entourage of fellow guests.

She kept her small smile even as Gaspard refused to engage in the pleasantries, but then a Grand Duke could probably get away with that where she couldn’t as she just dipped slightly in curtsy and turned her attention to Celene and the woman at her side that the Empress introduced as her cousin Florianne. Apparently her brother hadn’t mentioned he would be arriving with the Inquisitor at his side.

Celene, like most leaders, managed to go with the flow of the moment than focus on the usurper showing up with the Herald of Andraste. “Your arrival at court is like a cool wind on a summer’s day.”

“Let’s hope the breeze does not herald an oncoming storm,” she responded in kind, a faint warning but a coded one.

She was sure she’d gotten just a faint smile from the Empress as those cool blue eyes focused in on her. “Even the wisest mistake fair winds for foul… We are at the mercy of the skies, Inquisitor.” They seemed to be on the same page and Danielle had to admire the woman’s unwillingness to show weakness before her court. “Tell me, how do you find Halamshiral?”

This she could answer honestly. “I have no words to suffice.” Even she was taken in with all the finery that was the winter palace. “Halamshiral has many beauties, and I couldn’t do them justice.”

“Your modesty does you credit, and speaks well for the Inquisition. Feel free to enjoy the pleasures of the ballroom, Inquisitor. We look forward to watching you dance.” She knew when to take her cue to go, giving a deeper curtsy for Celene before heading almost right into Leliana waiting for her.

“Inquisitor… A word, when you have a moment.”

Danielle’s smile tightened slightly but she nodded before the Nightingale disappeared into the crowds. She had at least made a decent impression so far as she went to make her rounds of the ballroom, trying not to end up lingering too long with any of the others there with the Inquisition lest it look like she was too good to associate with anyone else. 

She did stick next to Cullen’s side for a few moments longer as she worked some magic quietly around him. It wouldn’t entirely ward off his admirers, but they would find their feet starting to numb the longer they lingered near him. He was a better asset to keep an eye on the room if he wasn’t being constantly distracted with his new Orlesian friends. 

As much as she wanted to steal away for a dance, introductions were still ongoing and her spymaster was undoubtedly waiting for her moment to speak with her.

Delrin had been left free to largely do as he pleased. Not that it had been long before Megara had been introducing him to Duke Cyril before he noted that the woman had vanished into the crowd and used him as a distraction. Still it was always fun to play the game of pondering if he was being flirted with or if the Duke was genuinely curious in his training regimen in great detail. 

He’d already learned long ago the best way to get rid of unwanted attention was to turn the conversation to something most would find entirely too dull that he also knew more than enough about to keep the conversation going until they got bored enough to excuse themselves. A few minutes on the attributes of what to look for when breeding mabari and he soon found himself alone to watch the crowds and try to pick out any strange behavior. Stranger than usual, at least.

There was one person he’d noted had seemed to vanish after a time. The music had started with couples starting to fill the dance floor and Inquisitor Trevelyan was nowhere to be seen. He’d pretty much expected she would be flitting about the ballroom by now, gaining new allies with her wit and charm. About three songs in he noticed the movement above and Danielle standing there over the crowds with the mysterious young man (Cole? He was pretty sure it was Cole). He couldn’t help but wonder if she was already attempting to hide from the crowds if only for a few minutes as she moved away from the spot. He didn’t think that area had been open to the public anyhow, but he also didn’t know the entire layout of the palace and what spaces were currently being remodeled.

He excused himself to linger toward the back of the room where he could keep an eye out from both Danielle and on the balcony where Celene and Gaspard were meeting. Then if they hadn’t sat down to discuss this all before now then that was half the problem in Orlais standing out there regardless of which side should be on the throne.

Danielle had slipped in intending to just drop a few notes and other things she’d found with Leliana that might be of interest. Along with the key she still had pressed in her hand from her new acquaintance that she wasn’t going to mention to the spymaster hadn’t seemed all that terrifying. Perhaps she would change her mind later about just how dangerous Morrigan actually was, but it had been nice to see one other around here not wearing a mask. They were already starting to get a little unnerving with only being able to see half of anyone’s face.

Still things were going well. Well enough that she was feeling her resolve strengthen as she approached the woman lamenting the loss of her fourth husband to her steadfast audience of one.

Barris found her just finishing her brief conversation with Lady Mantillon, a woman he knew well enough to avoid if he wanted to avoid getting caught up in The Game. That was, unfortunately, what Danielle was here for as she maintained that polite but serene smile and wished the woman a good evening as she turned away. 

He noticed her smile did seem to brighten a little more when she spotted him, but perhaps she was glad to just see a friendly face around there. Barris didn’t need to get his hopes up right now.

“Do you have a moment for that dance now, Inquisitor?” Better to ask now before she ended up too busy with other partners.

She wished she could just say yes and let herself just be swept out onto the ballroom floor to play their games on her own terms. The longer she held off looking into what was going on in the servant’s quarters the more people were potentially at risk including herself and their mission here. Perhaps even get to the bottom of Gaspard’s concerns about the elven servants and their ambassador…

“Later, Commander. I have some business that needs seeing to first, but I am looking forward to it.” More than she should probably admit as she swept past him.

He could take a small bit of promise in that, taking in the faint scent of lavender that she left behind. He could only imagine the sort of business she might have to get up to around here, particularly after speaking with the dowager… Her goal here might be to keep the Empress safe from her assassins but his hope was to keep her safe. They could handle whatever aftermath came from tonight as long as the Inquisitor was still breathing at the end of it.

Barris had his own job to keep busy with while she was away, slipping soldiers within the walls in coordination with Cullen. Even between the moments of distraction he was counting as each of the songs ended and another began without her return. Two. Three.

Oddly there was still no sign of her even when he made a slow round of the public areas, even scanning over the unlocked library that was now empty of the spirit turned young man. Four. Five.

It was strange that someone who had been looking forward to this evening’s events was nowhere to be found near the ballroom as the seventh song began with no sign of her. Nor any sign that Gaspard and Celene were coming to any sort of agreement soon, but that was slightly less strange by comparison.

Danielle was... Frustrated to say the least. This evening was getting less diplomatic by the minute as she watched Briala dash off into the night. All she’d wanted was one night with dancing and minimal bloodshed and instead she was dealing with Venatori agents and fingers pointing toward the man she’d been invited here by as the one that had helped them inside.

Which also meant Gaspard was entirely too full of himself thinking he would fool the whole Inquisition, a complete idiot who thought the same, or someone who was potentially being framed. For the moment she was hoping it was a framing, but she had a feeling there was more to it than she just wasn’t seeing yet. She was going back inside though and going to get at least one dance in tonight.

“Inquisi–” Delrin cut himself off with a small laugh as she grabbed his hand and just kept walking for the ballroom. Apparently whatever was going on around Halamshiral was enough to have her short on words for the moment, but he didn’t mind as he just kept up with her.

What he did almost mind was that someone was already waiting on them as they entered and considering he was far outranked by the Empress’ cousin, his hand quietly slipped from her own as the woman smiled and focused in on Danielle. “Inquisitor Trevelyan. We met briefly. I am Grand Duchess Florianne de Chalons. Welcome to my party.”

Danielle internally was ready to throttle someone at this point, but she needed to remain cordial here if she was going to get anywhere. This was one of the women in the very middle of everything and likely one that wasn’t going to wait to do pleasantries until later. “Is there something I can do for you, your Grace?"

"Indeed you can. I believe tonight you and I are both concerned by the actions of... a certain person.” She was already headed for the stairs, almost glancing back to see that Danielle was following. “Come, dance with me. Spies will not hear us on the dance floor."

Danielle had to bite her tongue that she already had a dance partner, but Barris was more likely to be understanding than the Grand Duchess at this point. And at least it was getting out on the ballroom floor like she’d wanted from the beginning.  "Very well. Shall we dance, your Grace?"

Delrin saw her spare a small glance back at him, shaking his own back with a small smile. Her duty was always going to come first and he wasn’t going anywhere in a hurry. Besides, it put him right near the front to watch, but Florianne had been correct that no one was going to hear what the two were talking about from there even as people seemed to be drawn in to watch.

He was still waiting for the first chance to sweep in as soon as the music ended from her dance with Florianne. Unfortunately the moment she had stepped off the ballroom floor she’d practically been ambushed by her advisory council. He kept back rather than get involved but something Josephine had said something to earn her a glare he hadn’t wanted to be on the wrong end of as soon all three had apparently become subject of the Inquisitor’s ire. 

Delrin had already decided against asking what was going on and the group dispersed and left her there still looking troubled no matter how much she was trying to hide it. He’d been around her long enough to notice the little crinkles in her brow even as she went more for aloof.

“Any chance you’ve got a moment now?” He inquired, holding out a hand for her to take.

She took his hand for a moment, but it was with a slightly sad smile. “I’m officially tasking you to remind me if I throw an Inquisition gala that the first person who interrupts my intentions to dance the night away is to be ousted into the nearest snowbank…”

Her fingers dragged slightly on his palm as she pulled away and headed back for the foyer. Apparently there was still more work to be done and he would be needed here eventually. Still, tonight was clearly not going the way she hoped and he was barely in a position to change that. With any luck there might still be a moment later, but as the night dragged on it was getting to be fewer and fewer opportunities to even ask.

He slid around though to greet Josephine and her sister who had some rather impressive stories of Theirinfal that had apparently reached Antiva. It was a nice bit of levity in the evening to have someone mostly unattached to the whole thing recount the stories she’d heard. While Josie might have been annoyed with the exaggerations, it was something he’d gotten used to early on. One did not become an unwitting subject of Philliam, a Bard! without being willing to accept some minor changes to one’s own story.

He noticed when Cullen hurried over as the Inquisitor slipped back into the ballroom through one of the side doors. Delrin wasn’t far behind, motioning silently however for her to wipe the slight bit of blood off her cheek. She managed to get it or at least to a point that it wasn’t noticeable as she turned her focus to the Inquisition commander.

"Thank the Maker you're back! The Empress will begin her speech soon. What should we do?"

Danielle stood a little straighter as she looked out over the ballroom. She preferred to avoid an all out fight with so many people around that could get caught in the crosshairs. Hopefully Florianne wouldn’t dare to hurt anyone here just to get to the one person who could unwind her and her master’s plans. “Wait here, Cullen. I'm going to have a word with the Grand Duchess.”

“What?” Cullen clearly had his men ready, not sure what she was planning. “There's no time! The Empress will begin her speech any moment!”

She placed her hand gently on his shoulder for a moment. “Trust me, Commander. If this doesn’t go well then we can go back to stabbing people if that’s what you really want.” For now she was about to show Orlais just how well a “Marcher” could play their little Game as she went down so she could cross the ballroom and hopefully keep Celene from her speech for just a few moments longer.

Danielle was going to assume Florianne had already seen her plan to rid herself of the troublesome mage had failed and was watching more Gaspard and Briala’s reactions to her approach. Neither one seemed to suggest they’d been aware of Florianne’s “dangerous machinations” but that didn’t mean they didn’t have plenty of their own problems. Celene too for that matter but Danielle already knew what she intended to do there as long as she could avoid the Grand Duchess slipping a dagger between the Empress’ ribs.

She paused just short of the stairs up to the trio before addressing Florianne. “We owe the court one more show, Your Grace.”

It might have been her imagination, but Danielle thought she saw a slight flinch. “Inquisitor.”

“The eyes of every noble in the empire are upon us, your Grace. Remember to smile.” She put one on of her own as she headed up the last of the stairs to the dais just below the Empress. The perfect little stage as the room started buzzing as people started to pay more attention. “This is your party. You wouldn't want them to think you had lost control.”

The Grand Duchess was looking more and more like a caged animal still trying to maintain her calm and control. “Who would not be delighted to speak with you, Inquisitor?”

“I seem to recall you saying: All I needed was to keep you out of the ballroom long enough to strike.” As much as she wanted to see how the others were taking it, she kept her focus on the one woman wondering if Florianne noticed the faint chill in the air. Danielle didn’t think she’d try to attack her but she was prepared all the same to defend herself if it came to that. 

“When your archers failed to kill me in the garden, I feared you wouldn't save me this last dance.” She allowed herself a small smirk before she continued. “It's so easy to lose your good graces. You even framed your brother for the murder of a council emissary.” She could hear Gaspard’s disgust from his position nearby at the revelation. “It was an ambitious plan. Celene, Gaspard, the entire council of heralds… All your enemies under one roof.”

“This is very entertaining, but you do not imagine anyone believes your wild stories?” Florianne was faltering but still trying to hold on to the idea that someone might still believe her.

Celene had heard enough already. “That will be a matter for a judge to decide, cousin.”

One potential ally down she had turned to the next. “Gaspard? You cannot believe this! You know I would never…” The Grand Duke continued to be a man of few words as he headed back past the approaching guards and away from his sister, leaving her desperate. “ Gaspard ?”

Apparently Corypheus hadn’t gifted Florianne with the use of his dragon for this battle. All the better. “You lost this fight ages ago, your grace. You're just the last to find out.” Danielle stood by as the guards went to arrest her, almost feeling a pang of sympathy for the woman as she started to sob. She had brought it upon herself after all, much like the others Danielle was about to condemn as she looked up to where the Empress was watching her with an unreadable expression. The Inquisitor just pressed on.

“Your Imperial Majesty, I think we should speak in private. Elsewhere.” She headed up and straight out to the nearest balcony just assuming Celene would follow.

“Did that just happen?” Cullen commented softly. They’d spent most of the night getting their forces into the palace, ready to deal with the possible assassination and aftermath that would come from it. And they had dealt with a number of agents from Tevinter even beyond what had made it into the gardens that evening, but nothing could have prepared him for that public denouncement. And that the Grand Duchess hadn’t even tried to put up more resistance when cornered.

“At least the worst is over?” offered Barris. The entire room was in a stir now from the absolute scandal of it all, but they’d saved the Empress and he could only guess whatever private conversations were happening would only help secure the Empire itself. He was admittedly impressed considering how badly it could have gone if they wouldn’t have believed Danielle’s “wild stories” and sided with Florianne. She’d wooed the crowd over the span of the evening.

He held back and just waited for whatever orders would come until they reappeared. No Gaspard or Ambassador Briala who had followed the pair out there, only Celene expressing the well deserved praise of the Inquisitor. The Orlesians would be falling over themselves now for just a moment with her. He decided to stay back and let her just bask in being the center of attention rather than keep pressing if she wanted that dance. It was her moment after all.

It hadn’t escaped his notice that even a few minutes later she was sneaking off to one of the now empty balconies.

Barris hesitated for a minute before he’d gone to see if there was anything he could do or say or just make sure no one troubled her for a few minutes. By the time he reached the door Celene’s arcane advisor was already out there in the middle of conversation with her. While Barris tried to stay back and out of earshot, he was sure he still picked up Danielle welcoming the witch to the Inquisition.

Well he was going to have his work cut out for him in Skyhold then…

Danielle was sure she needed to get back when even Morrigan had noticed her brief absence already, but even after the witch left she was going to allow herself just thirty more seconds to pull herself together and remember she’d succeeded in what they had come here to do. Celene was safe. Orlais was finally done with their petty civil war. And while she could smile for the nobles, inside there was part of her that would be seething for the innocents that had gotten caught in the crosshairs of the cousins and Briala.

“Copper for your thoughts?” She heard Barris’ familiar baritone, wondering if she’d taken a little too long with those thirty seconds, but looking back she could still see Morrigan just vanishing into the crowd inside as she focused back over at him as he moved to stand next to her.

“Just tired. It’s been a very long night.” A disappointing one in other ways but she would get back to her rooms before she let herself think about that. There would be other parties in the future, assuming she didn’t end up dying before this was all over. She just stared off into the gardens below and not trying to mask what she was feeling.

“Well I wanted to say that was rather impressive back there. Disgracing the duchess in front of the entire court and then not waiting for Celene to agree to the private meeting before just walking off… She owes you now and that is either going to go very well or very badly.” Though Celene turning against her might not go well for the Empress after all Danielle had done and how much she’d already endeared herself to the court.

“I suppose we shall see which…” She let out a soft sigh. She should be ecstatic right now that they’d won the day, but instead it just felt off. “I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks and now that it’s over I’d rather just be back in Skyhold.” Back to what had become home where she could just refocus her attentions and make sure the fortress would be ready if Corypheus decided to dare try to retaliate against them again. 

Delrin was quiet as he contemplated possible escape routes to allow her to leave. The shift of the music inside coming to an end and on to another song changed his mind about aiding an escape plan just yet. There wasn’t any harm in asking after all, was there? 

“You’re not going to stand me up after asking me to save you a dance now, are you Lady Trevelyan?” He waited until she turned toward him before giving her a bow and holding out a hand. “I’ve been looking forward to it all night.” If she rejected him then he’d accept it, but…

The smile that appeared was akin to the sunshine breaking through the clouds after a long, gray day as she took his hand. “Well, I wouldn’t want to disappoint you. Particularly after putting you off all night… Apologies.”

“I don’t think you could disappoint me. And there’s nothing to apologize for, Danielle.” 

His other hand went to her waist before he started going along to the music. Delrin hadn’t been lying about being just a little rusty, but out here on the balcony they also didn’t need to keep up with the other dancers on the floor or even follow the same steps. 

It also meant his focus could be solely on her rather than keeping track of others. Through the night most of the make-up had gotten brushed away leaving her looking a little more like the Danielle he knew rather than the painted up doll that had arrived there. Then there was also the fact that she just looked genuinely happy, keeping step with him and even seeming to know how to adjust slightly when he made a misstep without it feeling too obvious.

She was enjoying herself. Even if this was just a friendly attempt at cheering her up after a difficult night, it was working. She was even blushing a little as he managed to keep eye contact without missing a step. Or at least none that she noticed even in the moments where she twirled out and back in again after which it only felt like he was holding her closer. 

Less room for error but also all the more able to admire those bright green eyes of his.

Danielle felt light as air as the music came to an end and they stopped, still smiling up at him. “That was… Wonderful. Far better than dancing with Florianne,” she added with a light laugh.

The music shifted to another song, a slightly faster dance likely from the beat of it although one she might not have minded learning the steps for if she wasn’t becoming all the more aware of the hand still resting on her waist. 

Or the way Delrin Barris was looking at her like all the gold and jewels in Halamshiral were dull in comparison to her face. 

The way his hand stroked along her cheek and down along her jaw, lifting her chin gently and likely noticing the way her gaze had gone to the soft curve of his lips for a moment before looking back up into his eyes.

At least before they closed as he leaned closer, feeling his lips press softly against her own. Her fingers curled a little into the sleeve of his uniform as his hand dropped away from her face.

It was the perfect moment even when he pulled away again and for a moment she was faintly smiling.

And then the peaceful moment ended as she abruptly pulled away. “I— I should go. Josephine’s probably looking for me and Maker knows how many people are still looking for a moment with the Inquisitor and then there’s Leliana and Morrigan and… things.”

Delrin was ready to argue they could wait a few more minutes for her but she was already gone back into the ballroom. He let out a small sigh, feeling all the more confused and lost. Chasing her now would only cause a scene and it wasn’t as though he didn’t know where she would be… 

Let the Orlesians have her for tonight, eventually she’d be back at Skyhold. Maybe by then he’d have himself braced for rejection.11

Chapter Text

IB & DP - 50s MHV
V & IB - 2g DP
DT & DB - 5g MV
DT & CR - 5g VT
CP & GB - 3g VT
JM & L - 2g VT
L & M - 2g MV, 1g DP
CP & CR - 3g MV
DP & CR - 3g TIB, 1g MV
Se & LH - 3g MV

Note to self - Inform CB his wife has a gambling problem.

I do not

-Wager Book found in Skyhold

Danielle had been going back over those minutes on the balcony most of the night.

Her disappointment over how she thought the ball compared to how the night had actually gone melting away the moment she’d taken his hand. For someone who claimed he might be rusty on the dance floor it hadn’t been enough for her to notice.

Hadn’t she said so though? It was harder to remember every detail leading up to that moment. The way he had touched her so gently like she was something precious to be treasured. The kiss itself just something soft and sweet that she was having a difficult time seeing it as anything but intentional. Not someone just caught up in the moment who perhaps was just lonely and she’d just been the one standing in front of him.

He’d wanted to kiss her and, Maker help her, she had wanted him to…

And then she’d run. She could have just as easily grabbed him by the collar and pulled him down for another kiss, but instead she had fled back to Josephine’s side and pretended nothing was wrong while asking if there was anyone else she needed to try and give attention to that evening. The ambassador had been correct in stating after what she’d pulled off that if she stood still long enough they would be flocking to her instead of her needing to find them. 

She hadn’t seen Barris again for the rest of the night though it hadn’t lasted even another full hour before Vivienne had been insisting it would be good timing for them to vacate the premises. Leave the people wanting for more of the woman who had brought a definitive end to their civil war so they might be willing to trek out to Skyhold instead. He’d likely been dealing with trying to discreetly clear the palace of the additional guards. Or just offering up assistance with making sure Briala’s spies weren’t still lurking once their leader had been disgraced.

She’d taken the coffee when it was offered the next morning after dousing it with milk and sugar. Danielle was getting used to the strange “gifts to the Inquisition” that would show up, perhaps intending to introduce her to something new, but Francesca usually had some for the long nights when she was working on a piece of art. Her aunt would probably have a few things to say as well if she knew what had her sobrina barely able to sleep.

Everyone seemed to be in high spirits at least as they loaded up to leave the estate. Leliana and Cullen had already started back for Skyhold last night after the ball had been over along with part of their forces, but there were still plenty to keep with the Inquisitor’s group. She distracted herself with checking over the various mounts, Josephine pointing out a few new additions that had been gained since last night. She paused for a long moment to admire a pair of Amaranthine Chargers. Her father had gotten her one long ago, sparking her interest in horses in the first place… She might have to write a special note for these two rather than her standard letters of appreciation she usually left to Josie.

“They’re beautiful.” She wished she had more apples but what she had currently was saved for Pepper. “Are our Templars ready to go or did they leave last night with the Commander?”

“A majority already left with the troops, but the are still a handful who were assisting with the Venatori last night will be traveling with us.” The Ambassador looked her over, trying to decide what led to the question and leaning the wrong direction thankfully. “I do not believe Lady Morrigan has waited for us, but I can understand if she makes you nervous.”

Danielle just offered her a smile, taking it that it was unlikely she was going to have Barris around with things feeling all the more awkward. “I’m sure Lady Morrigan will be on her best behavior despite Leliana’s concerns. We don’t know what sort of magic we might run into next and Solas has already more than proven that apostates aren’t inherently out to sow chaos.”

Josephine was somewhat hesitant. “I would still consider Solas more of an exception than the rule, Inquisitor. Be that as it may however, I do believe she is here to help rather than harm. I will still personally feel better knowing the Templars are near after some of the stories Leliana tells.”

“We’ll see what happens.” She laid a hand reassuringly on Josie’s shoulder for a moment before heading back to make sure her own mount was properly saddled and give him his apple.

If Delrin had lingered behind he was keeping his distance. It would take a few days to return to Skyhold, but getting back to camping would feel a little more reassuring. Though she was already tempted to break off from the group and head toward the Exalted Plains for a few weeks. 

Avoidance would only work for so long though unless she had him relocated which would only raise questions and… Truthfully would be rather unfair. He hadn’t done anything wrong.

As the countryside passed though, Danielle had been contemplating with the steady rhythm just leaning forward and trying to take a brief nap while Pepper kept pace with the others. The sound of approaching hooves rushing just enough to catch up with her pushed that thought from her head as she looked over to find herself sandwiched between Hawke and Dorian.

“So, about last night..” Meg started.

“We just wanted to know if the rumors were true,” Dorian continued.

Maker, there were rumors going around already… Not that they’d been anywhere private out there in all reality but she had hoped no one had noticed. And denial was only more likely to egg the two on as she let out a groan before responding. “Yes, he kissed me.”

Based off the surprised look on either side that had not been the rumor they’d been inquiring about. Maybe she should have had more of that coffee before they got going though it might not have stopped her tongue in time either.

Dorian just smiled after the initial shock wore off. “I mean… we were wondering if it was true you had Briala and Gaspard arrested just for interrupting your talk with Celene, but this is far better.”

“Please don’t, Dorian,” Danielle protested.

“Was it that bad?” He inquired only to earn himself a glare from Meg while Danielle looked more and more like she wanted to just turn invisible.

“We won’t talk about it if you don’t want to,” Meg started, giving Dorian another warning look, “but I thought that would be a good thing. He likes you and I thought you were pretty fond of him.”

That was the problem though. She was. Far too much so and she still didn’t know what to say or do whenever she did see him again.

And what if she did say something to the favorable side only to have him suggest it had all been a lapse in judgment? That he regretted it now?

“I’m the Inquisitor…” She finally responded softly. “I need to be keeping my focus on Corypheus and dealing with Calpurnia, not… Whatever this is.”

“Respectfully, Inquisitor… Bullshit.” If she was going to talk about it then Hawke was going to call her out on it. “You’re human. No one’s expecting you to be a borderline Tranquil to do this job and trust me when I say that the burdens of everything are far easier when you have someone to lean on. Even if that’s just your friends… Even the annoying ones from Tevinter with surprisingly good hair, and no I am not just talking about you Pavus.”

Meg smiled at her gently. “If you only want him to be a friend then that’s your decision, but there’s no need to be the lonely hero that deals with everything alone. Trust me.”

“You can’t know that many Tevinters with good hair,” Dorian grumbled softly, not looking to actually interrupt before clearing his throat. “She has a decent point. Focusing on nothing but Corypheus is only going to lead to you stressing yourself out… If you’re not interested in the strapping young templar though, just tell him. I’ll even buy him a drink afterward. Assuming you wouldn’t mind, Ells.”

She shouldn’t mind. Not that she thought Delrin would actually be interested in anything beyond a friendly drink, but she already found she didn’t like the idea. Maybe not Dorian, but there were still plenty of others that would probably be willing to warm the Knight-Commander’s bed. Ones who wouldn’t go running off at the mere thought of their affections being returned. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”

“So what was it supposed to be like?” Dorian prompted, wondering if his suggestion had its intended effect.

Danielle let out a low sigh. “You can’t really help who you start feeling affection for, but generally if it was going to be one of the Templars it’s better to be the ones who are going to stand by their vows. A bit of a fantasy doesn’t hurt anyone… No one gets sent away. There’s not all the messy bits that come with an actual relationship.”

Hawke just chuckled softly beside her. “Mm… I might know a thing or two about pining after the seemingly unattainable. Though mine was a former Chantry brother who kept wanting to rejoin the Chantry… Still not going to tell you what to do, but admittedly sometimes the messy bits are fun too. But if you’ll excuse me, Varric owes me five crowns now.”

“For what?”

“Oh just a little wager on your love life.” There was a faint grin before she slowed to fall back in the line, making it difficult for Danielle to throw anything at her.

“I do believe they might have wagers out on most of us to be fair,” Dorian commented. “Something to fill the time between saving people from their own bad decisions.”

“And who do you have money on?”

Dorian at least tried to look insulted at the insinuation before giving in. “Nothing to do with you, I’ll assure you… I might have a bit riding on Cassandra and Varric before this is all over, but Varric’s obviously not in on that one.”

As much as she’d initially been annoyed at their approach, it was nice to be pulled away from her own angst to ponder just why the constant bickering equated to the two potentially ending up together. Then there were probably a lot of unlikely couples in the wager books, but as long as it kept them entertained…

“And there was nothing that exciting going on out on that balcony with Celene… As usual, the stories are far more interesting than the reality.”

Skyhold felt all the smaller on her return. Particularly when she was already having requests being made for Cassandra and Leliana so they could decide on a Divine now that the civil war was over (though she was barely keeping herself from inquiring if that was what the hold up was all this time), and politely telling the woman the pair weren’t going anywhere unless they wanted. Then Danielle had also found her favorite spot in the garden was now regularly being occupied by Morrigan and decided to just let her have it. There were bigger things to worry about now.

She first caught sight of him at Florianne’s judgment. Danielle intentionally hadn’t been asking after Barris because word would have inevitably got to him that she was looking for him. So far though he hadn’t actively tried to seek her out either. It gave her a little bit of hope that they could still salvage what friendship they had without things continuing to be awkward.

Barris, for his part, had been spending his extra time trying to figure out just what was going on in her head. Thus far she hadn’t shown up to tell him off for what happened which was a plus. She also hadn’t been out playing her lute in the garden since but he wasn’t sure if that was avoidance of him or of their newest recruit and her son. So far he was leaning toward the latter. Then there also hadn’t been any late night concerts which he was admittedly starting to miss.

When it had been a week since her return with nothing, he had decided to take matters into his own hands. Barris had caught sight of her heading for Cullen’s office early that evening and gone to wait outside. It was a gamble if he’d even pick the right door for her exit, but if not then he could always try again later or the next day.

The wager paid off as she exited with an already troubled look, shifting quickly into perfect posture with a polite smile that she usually kept on hand for the numerous nobles and diplomats usually. Apparently he was now to be included in that… “Commander Barris. How are you doing this afternoon?”

“Well enough, Inquisitor… Just hoping to catch you for a moment.”

“Of course. I’ve been meaning to tell you that Empress Celene was quite pleased with how well you’ve managed to rally them back under one banner and remind them of what’s important: duty and protecting Thedas,” she tried to gently hint without trying to deal with the main conversation topic still hanging over them.

Celene was truly one of the least of his concerns but he tried to take it in stride. “I’m only doing what any other should have in my position… As I’ve said before.”

“And how have you been doing on supplies? New Boots? Uniforms? As the Templars’ stand-in for the Chantry currently I want to make sure they’re properly prepared for whatever climates you might be sending them to, Commander. Holey boots aren’t religious artifacts after all…”

“Danielle…” He paused and decided to just ignore the question for now or they were never going to get it out there at this rate. “Are we going to talk about what happened at Halamshiral eventually or am I meant to just forget that it happened?”

Delrin watched as she went quiet, tugging at non-existent loose threads on the end of her sleeves before letting out a soft sigh. “I’m a mage. And you, Commander Barris, are a Templar. A good one. An excellent one, actually… Which means you’re not supposed to be kissing mages.”

Somehow he didn’t think that’s all that was the issue here. “Well, this is not a Circle of Magi unless I missed some change around here, which means you are not one of my charges. In fact if it comes to one of us potentially abusing our power, you’re the one in charge around here and we already owe you a great deal.” He would never actually accuse her though of abusing that power. Particularly when he’d been the one to make the first move. “And at the end of the day you don’t seem as much the Inquisitor as the woman who forces me to take a break to listen to her musical interludes from across the courtyard. A rather welcome break, I might add.”

She should have known he’d already find a way to counter her argument, blushing slightly though at the mention of her playing. “I thought you might enjoy it and I’m playing anyhow. If only just to try and clear my mind for a little while before having to tackle another problem… It wasn’t… I wasn’t trying to flirt.”

It wasn’t just that admittedly but as long as they were talking he pressed on. “Well then… Forgive my Fereldan forwardness but rather than beat around the bush all evening: are you just not interested in me that way? Or is there someone else? Because that’s all you need to say and I will back off and we can hopefully just go back to being friends.” It was one of the reasons he’d hesitated with this as long as he had, but in that moment… He thought he’d been telegraphing his intentions rather clearly that she could have pushed him away before he’d leaned in, but there was always just the chance that she’d gotten caught up in the moment and regretted it immediately after.

“There’s not anyone else.” Plenty of rumors of course, but she was finding that came with being a subject of interest around here as well as an apparent source of income if Varric’s books were anything to go by. Danielle was still hesitant to answer the other part of his question. “And it would be better if we were just friends.”

Well, that discarded the rumors about her and Cullen or Pavus. And she hadn’t said she wasn’t interested which gave him a bit of hope. “Better for who?”

She huffed in frustration, losing her patient diplomatic approach. “Both of us! What happens when this is over if the Circles go back into place? Even if we wanted to be at the same place, they’d never allow… At least if we’re still just friends then there’s no broken hearts left behind. I don’t want this to start because I know it’s going to have to end.”

Barris took the moment to take hold of her hands and paused to make sure she wasn’t just going to pull away before continuing. “Even ignoring that I’m sure no one is going to be putting you back into a Circle without your permission, Inquisitor , I am somewhat offended that you think I would be so quick to just let you go. Because I fight for the things I care about and I care about you. You are, by far, the most incredible woman I’ve had the fortune of knowing. At least as long as you don’t tell my mother and sisters I said so in which case I will deny, deny, deny,” He added with a small smile before giving her hands a small squeeze. “I don’t know where this might end up going, but I know I’ll regret it if I don’t at least try to find out.”

She listened, remaining quiet for some time as he continued to hold her hands. She was still afraid of what might end up coming. Even with everything she had now it was difficult to think of a future where she wasn’t going to be locked back up for the safety of others. Assuming she was even still alive at the end of this. 

Eventually her silence had dragged on for a bit too long though as he started to pull away.

“Think on it at least, Danielle. I don’t need an answer right now if you need to sleep on the idea.” He wasn’t going anywhere after all or at least nowhere that he didn’t intend to return from.

Already she was grabbing his hands before he could completely pull away, finding her voice. “Wait.” She blushed slightly but she was already finding she didn’t want him to slip away, even if it was just for tonight. She was relieved when he moved closer and took hold of her hands again as she looked up at him. 

Damn him. Here she thought he’d only been pulling at her heartstrings and he’d already managed to steal the whole thing. “Please don’t go.”

He wasn’t sure that was an actual answer but nodded slightly. "Alright." 

She apparently took that as an agreement to follow her as well as she pulled him further along the ramparts to a quieter corner. Then with the still damaged walkway beyond the only reason anyone would have for wandering this far would be guard duty or coming to see one of them now.

“Sorry, I like to get a clearer view of the sky when the sun's starting to go down and… Well it seemed slightly more proper than pulling you up into my chambers after everything.” There likely would be talk then despite how it was also her personal office space and she wasn’t looking to stir up rumors already. “And it’s still a little more private out here.”

As long as it meant more time with her, Delrin wasn’t going to complain. “Is it just sunsets you enjoy or sunrises as well?”

“Sometimes… My aunt likes to tell though how when an artist dies the Maker lets them paint the sky one last time with sunsets. All the colors at their disposal to do with as they please. It’s always seemed only right to admire them after that.” When she wasn’t busy fighting demons at least, but she was sure her companions had potentially noticed how the Inquisitor would pause to look over the skies as the sun started to set. 

Though the views at Skyhold were beautiful as well as she finally seemed assured in his presence to let go of his hand and lean against the wall.

“Makes sense to me.” Though he wasn’t going to question what happened when there got to be a backlog of artists. Did they all have to share that night or take turns? Regardless he wasn’t going to rain on her enjoyment with asking questions as he went to stand next to her. He was admiring the skies a little but also glancing over as it bathed her in the warm golden light. Up here she did seem a little more at peace as well as starting to lean against him a little until she finally broke the quiet again.

“I don’t know where anything between us might go either… But you make me want to hope for a better sort of future. One perhaps where we wouldn’t have to be worried about people finding out.” She didn’t want to be some secret he had to keep locked away for the sake of his position, but already he wasn’t asking that of her. It was still a little scary though which so much of the future still in flux.

 There was no saying just what the Circles would look like with the new Divine and the likely influence of the Inquisition itself. The Templar Order as well was likely going to get something of a shake up as well once things were allowed to settle… Assuming they were allowed to get to that point and Corypheus didn’t  manage to succeed.

For now she was going to enjoy the moment, hand brushing up against his rough unshaven cheek before she pulled him down into a kiss. It wasn’t quite as sweet and light as on the balcony at Halamshiral, but at least this time when he pulled back she was still there. Standing by his side as the last rays of daylight faded away.

Chapter Text

Your friend’s sister is not wrong that one should allow for the muses to inspire, but at the same time that is difficult when there is a deadline. Perhaps you should see if you can attend and see if the hero of the evening was of any inspiration to her. Then I’m sure next season will prove quite entertaining to see just how many pieces there might be of Andraste’s Herald… 

Then it seems some time since you left that the details are getting fuzzy and I may need a refresher for my own work. Perhaps you could ask your templar if he would do me the service of describing you so I can get it as accurate as possible? Something with enough adjectives and similes that Phlliam will be trying to “borrow” it. One also needs to make sure the young man properly sees the treasure he has before him or I wouldn’t be doing my duty as an overprotective aunt.

-Letter to Inquisitor Trevelyan from Lady Francesca Trevelyan

“You’re brighter… I didn’t think that would be possible.” The boy-spirit looked at her, confused as he sat nearby in the infirmary while she worked.

“I’m happy. Not that I wasn’t happy before, but this is… Different.” She sort of appreciated she was too bright for Cole to get a hard read on her and her pain. Most of them were things she felt she had worked through but there were still plenty of issues she’d rather keep to herself. “I thought you were here to help me though.”

“All the hurts here you can handle without my help… The man in the back needs a blanket but he doesn’t want to disturb you. The rest are quiet for now.”

Danielle looked back for a moment and let out a soft sigh. She knew Cole would have gladly taken care of it himself but there were some around Skyhold that were getting wise to the sudden appearance or disappearance of things with no discernable source. Talking to them was one thing, but some could just forget where they placed their mug of ale these days and were claiming “ghost”. She went and got the man a blanket just claiming she noticed he seemed cold before returning to her workstation to continue making poltices.

“Rhys and Evangeline seem to be settling in well… Though I did ask and we could have brought them here. Barris suggested the others would accept her back into their ranks with time, but they seem glad to help.”

Cole smiled slightly which in itself was a rare thing. “ They might have been fine… Faith, less so with the witch here. It has been here a very long time for a spirit and may have been temperamental around someone it remembers.”

Danielle wondered if she should even ask, but when it came to things about spirits she was admittedly curious. “Are you going to get temperamental if you stay here for too long?”

“I can return whenever I want. Evangeline needs Faith to remain.” Cole went to stand up, head tilted slightly like he was listening to something she couldn’t quite hear. “I won’t leave you though. Not yet, but there’s somewhere else I’m needed.”

She didn’t even have to glance away and he was gone. Something that had become all the more familiar since she’d gotten that amulet for him, but sometimes she wondered if she’d made the right choice in letting Solas help Cole deal with his feelings about the man that had killed his human self… Then she wondered just what would become of the former templar and if he would continue on the lyrium just to keep the nightmares away. Then as a mage there was a lot about Cole’s story of his death that already troubled her, but she was afraid to ask for more details.

His wasn’t the only story that had been troubling her lately though. She’d no more set things up for a “proper first date” as Delrin had put it than she’d had to leave for Val Royeaux to figure out what had caused Blackwall to disappear with little more than a note. Or “Thom Rainier” as he had actually been this whole time. She was still having a bit of a hard time with that one but at least he was in Skyhold’s custody now rather than waiting to be hung and put out on display.

The urgent business in Emprise du Lion before she’d returned had also gained her a new outpost in Orlais and currently the services of Michel de Chevin. She had a lot to talk to Barris about when he returned from his own mission which was supposed to be tonight.

She’d passed on everything about the current state of their patients to the next healer and almost went running out to the courtyard when they reported back that the templars had returned.

The horses were still being shuffled around by a few of the new knights, tempering her disappointment when she didn’t immediately see him. It wouldn’t take much for someone to have pulled him away shortly after returning after all.

“Looking for someone, Inquisitor?” came the familiar voice from behind her. Danielle broke into a grin for a moment but settled back into a smile before turning around.

“No one in particular, Commander Barris. Certainly not any tall, handsome templars that fate seems to keep getting in the way of me seeing.” She was admittedly looking him over to make sure he was okay, apparently having the same done to her as he took her hand where the bandage was peeking from the end of her sleeve.

“And what happened here?”

It unfortunately was only one of a few wounds she was currently sporting. “Is that a professional inquiry or a personal one?” she just teased slightly. “I’ll catch you up on everything later, assuming we’re still on for dinner?”

“Only been looking forward to it since you had to cancel on me.” He had already known that would be likely, but it also made the little moments like this worth all the more. “Meet me in about an hour in the gardens? Still need to clean up and get a few things put together.”

“Alright. Don’t keep me waiting too long.”

He paused for a moment before deciding to err on the side of caution and left her unkissed to head back to the tower. They still hadn’t really had the opportunity to discuss how public she was comfortable with this whole thing considering how reluctant she’d been at the start. He’d only mentioned it in passing to a few though Fletcher had been purely so he could get some help with setting things up. And, he assumed, it would only be fair that someone would know where they were in case something happened.

Thus far though he hadn’t been harassed by any of her inner circle which made him wonder just how much any of them knew. Just because it would inevitably get around didn’t mean he was going to start announcing to anyone that would listen that he was courting the Inquisitor. It was, however, why he’d told a few of the other Templars, Briony in particular. He liked knowing he had the backing of his Knight-Captain when the more traditionalists might decide to speak out against their Commander and a mage.

He didn’t take long to get washed up and changed into clean tunic, spending more of his time setting up the location and making sure the food would already be there for their supper before going to find her in the gardens.

Danielle was waiting over on one of the benches, but it wasn’t the same outfit she’d been wearing in the courtyard. She’d changed into a pale blue dress, the sleeves still not entirely covering the bandage he was still concerned about. Orlesian in style if he was pressed to guess as they tended to be cut a little lower in the necklines but not enough to be indecent. She’d also just tied the top layer of her hair and otherwise left it loose and glowing in the early evening sunlight.

“You’re wearing a dress…” He was still a little surprised she’d gone to the trouble of changing at all.

“Yes.” She wondered if she hadn’t overdone it for a moment, deciding from the surprised look that she was fine. “Though if I knew it was going to get that reaction I might have done so a little earlier.” Most of her work around Skyhold didn’t require trousers after all, but it was also easier to get around as she rose, a little nervous now that he was actually there and they actually had the time. 

“Is it alright? Vivienne decided we might as well make the best of a bad situation while we were in Val Royeaux and took me to her tailor for a new wardrobe.” A bit of a fuss over not having an appointment until he’d discovered he had Inquisitor Trevelyan and then he’d been falling all over her. The dress was one of the few things that had arrived already. “Have to look the part after all. The shoes are all Leliana,” she added, showing off the slightly darker blue slippers. They weren’t coated in jewels like many at the Winter Palace, but the embroidery on them had won her over.

“It’s fine and you look beautiful. Not that you don’t usually,” he added quickly, trying to recover as she smiled at him. “Just planned a little climbing, but I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

Again he was unsure of how to handle this, nodding for her to follow as he led the way back through the main keep and back outside along the ramparts. It wasn’t long though before he felt a hand slip into his, keeping hold the rest of the way as he continued across the broken part of the wall. 

She could see now what he’d meant by “a little climbing”, but let him help her up and over onto a roof, finding a hidden little nook on the other side and everything set up for an evening picnic including multiple candles that were yet to be lit. A look around suggested it would be difficult for anyone to find them there but still open where they could see the sky and the mountains beyond. The warmth of the kitchens below also seeped up into the stones beneath them as she settled onto the blanket. “Not bad for an hour’s work.”

“A little more than that, but I had help keeping it cleaned up so I only had to do the set up… I’m working on scouting a few other locations.” Quieter places where they could just relax, sitting next to her. “I take it that this is acceptable then?”

“Delrin, you could just take me for drinks at Herald’s Rest and I’d be happy. Not that I don’t enjoy this as well, but I don’t think I’m difficult to impress. At least when it comes to this.” Though this was probably one of the few places in Skyhold she hadn’t found already and now she was enjoying the stillness while knowing she still had the protective walls of the fortress around her. “I’m not opposed to you coming up to my quarters either though I might need to find more space for clothes before long.”

He didn’t think he was quite ready to go that far, just for the insinuations even if nothing more was going on. “You’re not afraid people are going to talk?”

“People are always going to talk. Some are even going to have betting pools apparently that they won’t let you in on…” The small frown was enough to keep him from asking for further details. “I’m not looking to flout all of our private business around, but I’m not going to sneak around and pretend it isn’t going on… Or was I mistaken in what you were looking for? Just for clarification.” She didn’t think he was trying to hide her away like a dirty secret, but she wanted to be sure before she ended up doing something to upset him.

Barris just chuckled considering his own concerns felt a little unnecessary now. “I was thinking of asking you the same thing. Not looking to necessarily start kissing you in the middle of the Great Hall while you’re sentencing someone to… Whatever has come up now. But a drink and some dancing sounds like a nice time.”

“Maybe I’ll see if I can’t get Harding enough of a break to do these dance classes she’s been wanting to have. Show them how it’s done.” Another day though as she went looking into the basket to see what all he’d brought, finding bread, fruit, and a thick stew that was still plenty warm.

They sat and ate while she recounted her time clearing the mines around Sarnia from the red templars there. It was easier than talking about “Blackwall”, letting Barris worry about her a little as she pointed out the bandages around her leg and the wound on her back in addition to the one on her forearm he’d already noticed. Also better than letting her mind linger too long on the people there that had already been infected with the red lyrium and pieces of the larger puzzle starting to fall together.

His own mission had been more simple: finding the supplies that had been sent to Verchiel that were being gone through at far too high of a rate for the number of people that were being reported. Considering the number of problems she’d already had in the area Danielle was thankful to find it was just a matter of a reverend mother that was hoarding the supplies out of concern for the next possible disaster rather than someone selling them off to smugglers and the like.

Shortly after they’d finished eating she was already leaning into him, a little happier when he took the hint and wrapped an arm around her.  The Orlesian silk was unsurprisingly not as warm as her wool shirts, but such was the price of fashion. Thankfully, he was plenty warm as the evening started to set in and had her lighting the candles so neither of them had to move.

“So how long is this visit to Skyhold lasting? Or just the usual wait and see what comes up?” He inquired, hoping they might be able to make some future plans.

“Mm…” She hummed in thought, knowing there were a few strings she needed to decide the priority on but the one that was currently standing out. “Shorter journey to a dwarven outpost in Fereldan just south of Redcliffe. Hawke’s demanding to go though since it involves something to do with the thaig she and Varric found, but apparently also a lead on where Corypheus has been getting some of his red lyrium so need to get that shut down. I could just let her take lead on it, but…”

“The Inquisitor’s work is never done,” he sighed,

She pulled back enough to look at him. “I mean you could probably come with, if you wanted? Red lyrium is a templar concern as well after all.”

“I could send someone with you, but admittedly I should be organizing some Templars for this Suledin Keep. Sounds a lot nicer than the White Spire already, though I’m sure some of my more Orlesian comrades would disagree with that assessment.” The Spire also had memories now of those early days after the Conclave and how they’d failed to notice their leader was not the man he claimed to be. Though hopefully he was still out there somewhere, alive. “Don’t put off Inquisitor work on my account, Dani. We’ll find time where we can.”

“There’s my constant optimist.” She kissed his cheek before resting her head against his shoulder. “On a somewhat serious note, you have done very well at keeping my spirits up through all of this. Even when we were lost in the Frostbacks you were making sure I didn’t fall into a hole of thinking it was all hopeless.”

“Some people would just call that foolishness.”

“As Sera would point out, most people are stupid.”

“I think I’d have to agree with Sera there, admittedly… Don’t tell her.”

“My lips are sealed.” Though she wondered if the reassurance would mean much. Other than perhaps lessening any pranks she might plan against him.

The sky kept getting darker, stealing away the warmth of the day and finally urging them to leave the safe area. The journey felt a little more perilous in the dark, but at the same time it was hard for Barris to regret anything that caused her to cling onto him for a moment as they reached the wall again.

“Next time I’m sticking to trousers… Or at least my boots,” she grumbled.

“Next time I’ll be sure to suggest the possible dress code for any outings, particularly if it keeps the dresses around. You just seemed a little less stressed.”

“That had more to do with the company than the wardrobe in question. But for the most part I like it.” She was just going to put in a suggestion of a proper cloak for the future. Something that would still exude authority without just coming across as the Inquisitor was cold and used to a more coastal climate.

The Great Hall was thankfully empty as he kept hold of her hand to the back of the room and the doorway up to her quarters. “So was the evening worth the wait?” He inquired.

“Well, it was missing one thing, but I think you can fix that rather easily.” She smirked for a moment, as she moved closer and pouted her lips slightly for good measure.

He had just started to lean in as her eyes had closed.

“Inquisitor! There you are, I–” Josephine paused as the two pulled apart, both avoiding looking at the other as she realized she could have probably waited another minute. “Oh, erm… Reports. Leliana said they were urgent.” She handed them over to Danielle who took them while avoiding eye contact as she flipped through. “Commander Barris, always a pleasure, and… Apologies.”

“My fault for not making sure Lady Nightingale knew where she was,” he assured her, a little annoyed but willing to accept the apology.

Besides, the further Danielle got into them the more frowning she was doing. “Caer Oswin? You’re sure?”

“It’s very strange I’ll admit, but lately the stranger the thing is the more likely it is to be true.”

“That’s Bann Loren’s castle.” Barris didn’t know what was going on, but it seemed strange Loren would be caught up in anything. “Used to tease my younger sister about being sweet on his son who was about our age. Thought he’d been mostly reclusive since losing his wife and son near the start of the Blight.”

“You think Corypheus might have used that to get the Bann to join with him? Something for the greater good?”

“Well… Beginning of the Blight, but Dairren Loren was Bryce Cousland’s squire so he was there when Howe killed almost everyone in the castle. I can’t think of any connection that he could use to exploit that would be of any use to you though.”

Well possible causes or not, she still needed to go and look into this. “I’ll go let Cassandra know we’re heading out in the morning… And let Hawke take lead with this whole red lyrium situation.” Too much to do and it all needed to be addressed sooner rather than later.

“I think I know where to find her. There’s usually a Diamondback game going on at this hour.” Josephine responded, heading out to find Meg and leaving the two of them alone again.

“What was it you said earlier? The Inquisitor’s work is never done?” Danielle tucked away the reports in her pocket with a sad smile. “You should go get some sleep. Thank you for at least trying to walk me to my door, but Seeker Pentaghast tends to go to bed early so I best go now… I did have a very good evening though, Del.”

She left him with one last smile and the realization that she hadn’t specified just what was at Caer Oswin that needed her immediate attention…

And he was admittedly concerned that had been intentional.

Chapter Text

My newest apprentice continues to show promise in her magical abilities, but also a continued apathy toward learning new concepts without some incentive. Having given her access to a lute however in exchange for improvement seems to be working thus far and she’s been catching up with her peers in gaining control of her magic. Madeline seems to feel I’m coddling Trevelyan, but I’m sure is finding it difficult to argue with the results of a little individualized attention. Particularly when she seems so isolated from the others in her age group. 

Whether that’s from her own doing or their unwillingness to allow her in is something I’m still working on. I know all too well it could be either knowing young teenagers. Especially when dealing with someone who doesn't seem to know how to control her own abilities.

-From the journals of Senior Enchanter Lydia, 9:28 Dragon

Cassandra crossed her arms as she stared down the templar. “It’s not up to me who is coming and who isn’t, so I don’t know why you’re appealing to me.” He hadn’t even known what was going on when he’d shown up, seemingly only connecting the dots that the first person Trevelyan had come to see about Caer Oswin was her: meaning it had something to do with the Seekers.

“But she’ll listen to you if you ask,” Barris pressed on. Perhaps it was wrong to go behind  Danielle’s back like this, but he had a stake in finding out what was going on as well for more than one reason. “At the very least I owe the Lord Seeker to do whatever I can to make sure he’s safe.”

“I. Am. Not. Getting. In. The. Middle. Of. This.” She reiterated. If he wanted to come to Caer Oswin then he was going to have to take it up with the Inquisitor. “Besides, regardless of what happened to him, it’s hardly your fault."

“Just because I’m not at fault doesn’t mean it isn’t my responsibility now as Commander to take care of it.”

“Should I come back?” Danielle had heard voices but not what either was really saying as she’d come in, looking between the two. It explained why Barris hadn’t been in his quarters when she’d stopped by, but at least she was still getting to see him even if it would probably only be for a moment. “I mean I can’t wait for very long because we need to be on our way, but if you two were discussing something important I can wait.”

“No, I should be the one going so you can settle this amongst yourselves.” Cassandra didn’t think it would be that big of an issue, but she was staying out of this and making her escape while she could. “I’ll meet you at the gate.” She moved past Danielle who was still confused as when she entered the room, just looking to Delrin instead.

He sighed, wondering if he shouldn’t have just gone to her first considering the awkward turn this had taken. “Cassandra only confirmed my suspicions that you’re going after the Lord Seeker. I want to come.”

“I thought you were otherwise occupied? Sorting out Templars for Emprise du Lion and the like… Not to mention the Venatori I was hoping you’d help deal with in the meantime. Left the details on your desk when you weren’t in your rooms.”

“Is that why you didn’t tell me this had to do with the Seekers?”

Danielle’s head tilted slightly, a small frown growing for a moment. “This is Inquisition business,” she said finally, holding up a hand before he could add anything more. “I realize for you this whole thing with the Seekers is also personal, both because of the Lord Seeker and your sister, but if it were anyone else in my position do you think you would have known anything at all?” 

She took it from the small sigh that he realized another Inquisitor likely would not have shared that information at all. “I’ll let coming to talk to Cassandra about this first slide, but I am still the Inquisitor here, Commander Barris . Assuming this between us continues I expect you’ll end up hearing a lot more information that you wouldn’t have otherwise and as I respect your advice and I’m sure I will be asking for it… But I did intend to tell you but I wasn’t expecting to be guilted for not doing it quickly enough.”

It wasn’t a side he had considered, but then nothing had come up until now that had drawn his attention like this. There were probably countless things that were going on over that war table that he wasn’t involved in; that he’d probably never know about. And he likely wouldn’t have known anything about Caer Oswin if he hadn’t been right there with her when Josephine had shown up last night. “Apologies. I may have gotten over eager when wanting to help… And it is personal.” Something he felt like he should have a hand in fixing if Corin needed their help, and if it led to missing Seekers then maybe there would also be a lead to explain why he’d still heard nothing from his sister.

Her hand went to rest on his chest plate right over his heart, softening at the apology. “All the more reason for you to take a step back and trust me to handle this. I’m already slightly reluctant about letting Cassandra come but she’s also been the one with the threads to follow that led us here… And it may still be nothing, but I promise if there’s anything to find that I will search everywhere.”

Barris nodded. It was difficult but there were few others in Skyhold he trusted as much to follow through on her word. “Be careful. Anything that could get a hold of Lucius Corin is undoubtedly going to be powerful.” They didn’t know just who or what Corypheus might be allying himself with now. “And where are these Venatori that need dealing with on such strangely short notice?”

She looked away, a little sheepish. “Like I said, intended to tell you what was apparently going on at Caer Oswin or at least what we know… The venatori at another elven ruin might have been a well timed distraction.” She wanted to keep him safe as well even though the Tevinter cult wasn’t necessarily “safe” it still felt better than whatever might be waiting for them in Ferelden. “Up to you what ends up getting done with that information. I need to be heading out before Cassandra comes back looking for me.”

He took her hand for a moment, pulling her back in long enough for a brief kiss.

For once, Danielle was not looking forward to getting back to Skyhold. 

Even with her small party things were tense. Sera wouldn’t even look at her and if not for all the other revelations that had come out she was sure Cassandra would have been reconsidering their choice of Inquisitor. Even Cole’s words of comfort that it had at least been quick were not helping.

She had offered to take first guard duty as part of their rather minimal camping set up. She wasn’t sure she would be able to sleep anyhow, hand going over the slight bulge where the letters were. There had been dozens, possibly hundreds in the chest. Some small packages that had been left unopened and all addressed to various people across Thedas from the various Seekers that had been tricked into coming. One of Leliana’s agents, a fellow going by Cooper, had already started going through them for any snippets of information they could use.

All except for the four that she had tucked safely in a pouch that were all addressed to the same person: Ser Delrin Barris.

She had only opened one to confirm the sender, leaving the others untouched. It wouldn’t be her decision to let Sister Nightingale or her agents read any of them. Particularly not before Barris himself had been allowed to see them.

They had gone looking for bodies or even signs of fresh graves that might have been placed. The closest thing though had been the red lyrium growths around the castle and the creeping suspicion after Daniel’s report of what had been happening that she’d found the missing Seekers.

It wasn’t all that had bothered her though as she looked up at the tent flap opening and Cassandra stepping out. “Come to tell me I’m under arrest?”

“Even if I were, I do not have that authority.” At least not alone, Danielle was sure. But if Josephine, Cullen, and Leliana all agreed she was more of a danger than she was worth… “And my concern is still more for you than what happened.”

Danielle flexed her left hand for a moment, the power in it still tingling. She’d used it countless times before near other rifts when dealing with demons driven mad from being pulled over to their side of the veil, opening a new one that would draw them in and send them back into the Fade.

She’d never used it on another person though. Not until Lord Seeker Lucius had stood there showing absolutely no remorse for what he’d done to the Seekers. For everything she’d seen at Therinfal Redoubt. Something in her had just snapped in that moment and she’d gone right for the most powerful spell she knew and allowing the rift to tear him to shreds before Cassandra had put him out of his misery. She’d seen how the Seeker had looked at her in that moment and how Sera had backed away.

For someone who had always been a little leery of her own magic use, it had scared her too once the fight was over and she’d come back to her senses.

“I’m fine. I’m just… So damned tired of watching these people in power abusing the trust others have in them. I’ve seen it in Templars before, even had one threaten me with tranquility once.” He probably would have again after today even if she was under control considering she hadn’t hurt anyone she hadn’t intended to hurt. “If Corin wanted to burn himself and pull away from the Order then fine, but after Fiona and Clarel and the whole damned Orlesian court dragging everyone they could into the fires they started I’m exhausted.”

Cassandra went to sit down, close enough to make her feel like she wasn’t being avoided but probably distant enough to defend herself if the mage lost control. “To be fair, I don’t think that was Clarel’s intention.”

“That’s… Less helpful than you might think, Cassandra…” Good intentions were clearly not enough and she was all the more concerned what path she might be ending up on. “Still, I’m depending on you and Leliana at the very least to finish me off before I’d get that far. Envy was all too glad to show me just how bad things could get with a tyrant Herald of Andraste.” Even if they had already dealt with the sort of things the demon would have done with her face. It still worried her just what she might be willing to do in the name of “justice”. If something happened next time and she did lose control and ended up hurting others unintentionally. 

“I should be asking how you’re doing though. Considering everything.”

Cassandra just had her usual stoic frown. “I will feel better when I’ve had time to read everything in that book. There are things already that are troubling me… But we can discuss those later when I have a fuller picture. I also wanted to thank you. I know how stretched resources have been and you could have told me there wasn’t time to look for the Seekers, but you didn’t. And even if I do not like what we’ve found, it is better than not knowing.”

“You’re welcome, but… I’d say after Halamshiral that our resources are at an all time high. Seems all we have to do is vaguely suggest we need something and five different lords are jumping to give it to us in order to gain favor.”

“I won’t argue it is easier to sleep outside with the new quilted bedrolls and blankets that don’t have any holes yet, but time is always going to be limited and the bigger the Inquisition gets the more demands there are going to be on that time. So I am still grateful you looked into it and came with me.” 

Time was, unfortunately, one thing that the lords of Thedas couldn’t just give them. Even now she had Hawke and Varric off dealing with another possible supply of red lyrium after giving up going herself to deal with this instead. Little things she was going to have to delegate more and more while prioritizing what needed her immediate attention.

Much like she could have sent Cassandra and Barris since he’d been so eager to go. Then considering what they’d found she was still all the more glad he hadn’t been there. The news would be delayed a little longer but, as Cassandra said, it would hopefully be better than not knowing anything at all.

“You should try and get some sleep though, Danielle. I can take over from here.”

“I have a feeling it will only be trying,” she responded, heading into the tent.

Danielle had gone up to see Cullen immediately upon returning the next afternoon only to find Barris was out running drills for the next few hours with a number of his templars and the Inquisition mages. She had just requested if he saw the Knight-Commander to send him to see her as soon as possible. There were other things that still needed her to deal with including the faux-Warden that had been sitting in her prison cells and leaving Sera a bottle of Cabot’s best to apologize for “the creepy magical shit”.

Rainier’s comments about the Inquisition’s corruption for getting him out cut deeper than she cared to admit. She had already made her decision to give him his freedom, but for a moment she had strongly been reconsidering not just letting him sit down there and argue with Erimond for a few more days. The next time someone died from her cashing in on a few political favors she might listen to him, but not after the week she was currently having as the Inquisitor went to find somewhere Barris would be sure to find her.

Still, there were few things that proved the size of Skyhold as well as his attempts to find Danielle after Cassandra sent him off looking, refusing to say much more than he should go see Trevelyan. He almost laughed when he resigned himself to at least go back to his quarters long enough to get out of his armor and found her sitting there behind his desk apparently waiting patiently for him.

“Here I’ve been searching half the fortress for you and I should have just come up here the whole time… Cassandra said the Lord Seeker was dead?”

She looked nervous even to him. Like a rabbit caught in a trap that would rather chew their own leg off than be caught for a second longer. It took a moment for her to look up, sure she already knew the answer but asking anyhow. “What else did she mention?”

“Just to come see you.” A suggestion that was feeling all the more ominous by the second. Then maybe depending on what they’d been doing to Lord Seeker she was just shaken and had come here for comfort. “I suppose I should ask if you’re here as Inquisitor or Danielle.”

It was a little thing but for a moment it brought a faint smile that he’d stopped to see just how professional she was expecting from him right now. Or perhaps just trying to figure out how bad things were that they’d sent him to her rather than just having Cullen give him the report. “Both.”

She gathered her courage and rose from behind the desk. There were things he needed to know just as Knight-Commander, but also building the foundation of what had been happening at Caer Oswin for the news to follow. “There’s still a lot we’re sorting out about what all was going on, but the Lord Seeker wasn’t already dead or trapped as we feared. Lucius had been fully cooperative with the demon that was running the Templars, and we’ve already pretty much figure out what its intentions had been. But…”

This was the harder part. The part that had sent her here rather than someone else. “He’s also been working with Corypheus to corrupt and eliminate the Seekers of Truth. Drawing them in one by one so they were easier to subdue. Forcing red lyrium into them. Not unlike the templars or the people in Sarnia…” She didn’t want to go into further detail. She’d already thought about it too much herself and how much suffering they had to have gone through. Remembered how her hand had gone to the dagger on her belt as they spoke to Daniel in case Cassandra couldn’t bear to aid him along to the Maker’s side. 

“From the looks of it though a lot of them were writing letters in their captivity. I don’t know why Lucius didn’t just burn them, but it’s also probably the only definitive record we’ll have of who all he took…” 

Barris listened, anger rising over the fact that it had all been intentional. There had been no tricking of their leaders. Just Corypheus taking advantage of the already fractured order and a man that had been all too willing to betray them at the first opportunity. The way she continued on about the Seekers though was tying his nerves all the tighter as he watched her reach into her vest and take out a small stack of letters before pressing them into his hands as she looked up at him.

“I’m the only one who has read any of them and that was only to confirm it was from Grace. I’m so sorry, Delrin…”

Barris took them, recognizing the familiar handwriting just on the outer address. Flipping through them and turning them over like they might somehow be counterfeit. Letters he’d been waiting to arrive for months now, and… 

They’d been concerned someone was holding on to her letters, but not the Lord Seeker himself. 

“This doesn’t prove anything.” He insisted, not wanting to even open them. “Maybe she realized what was going on and got away before he could— She’s fine. She has to be fine.”

“Del…” Her heart broke just watching him try to make sense of it and reason out a way his sister could still be alive. It was true they didn’t have a body, but the lyrium growths had been rather damning. Then if they’d given any of them the proper Andrastian rites there would have been little to find but ashes as well. 

“No, you don’t understand! Grace is a fighter, she wouldn’t have just blindly done whatever he wanted. She would have fought and killed the bastard herself rather than… This can’t be right! Some trick of Corypheus or Corin just looking to demoralize us or something. Or more demons, maker knows there have been plenty running around…”

Danielle would have given anything to keep him from this pain. But if Grace Barris had gotten away, she hoped they would have heard something before now about what was going on. She also was no stranger to denial in the wake of losing a loved one and arguing that he was being irrational would only cause more problems in the moment than it solved. 

“Let’s at least get you out of this armor,” she commented softly.

She wasn’t used to so many buckles and just how heavy it would be as she helped and got it put back onto the armor stand. He’d gone quiet which almost worried her more than the flat out denial of what was going on. Denial was at least a reaction. This was just a stillness she didn’t know how to respond to or what the correct move would be after she finished getting the armor set aside. Danielle stood there helpless for a moment as he sat on the edge of the bed, still staring blankly at the unopened letters.

“I’ll just go… If you want to be alone.”

Delrin started to respond to ask her to stay before stopping himself. Regardless of what was going on, she was still the Inquisitor. Duty was expected to come first. “You have things to do, I’m sure. I’ll be fine,” he responded quietly. At the very least he wasn’t going to go storming off to do something stupid. Right now he was just trying to hold himself together while still considering if there was any other rational explanation other than the seemingly obvious one in front of him.

If he had told her to just go she would have instead of standing there a little longer. There were probably things that could be done, but for the moment looking at him she didn’t care. Instead she went over to the other side of the bed, quickly undoing her boots and tossing them aside before moving so she was kneeling behind him. Danielle wrapped her arms tightly around Delrin as her cheek rested against his shoulder. He was still larger than she was so she wasn’t entirely sure it had the same effect on him as it did with her when he’d just hold her like this. Maybe it didn’t have to though. 

“I’m here and I’ll stay as long as you need me.” It wasn’t as if they didn’t know where to find her if things had gone too sour to handle. She felt a hand go to rest over her own, squeezing a little tighter. It was difficult when so much of your job was to fix things to come across something like this that she couldn’t make better. She could just hold on to him and remind him that he didn’t have to be alone.

And for Barris it was more than enough. She was holding him together even when the sobs started to overtake him as his resolve broke. He was never going to see his sister again. Never have her laughing at him over how the Templars would all straighten up when she came for a visit because a Seeker had shown up. No more hiding away in trees from their tutors though they hadn’t done that for years now…

Danielle didn’t push for anything in return either. He was the one that pulled her around so he had someone to hold onto, continuing to just do her best to comfort him without pushing him to talk about it. Just brushing away the already dried tears and holding onto him as the comfortable silence dragged on as the sky got dark.

Even when he’d gotten into bed she had just laid on her side on top of the covers to take up as little room as possible with an arm still around him. He assumed she would vanish into the night after he’d fallen asleep and catch up with whatever work she had been putting off to stay there with him and likely get some supper since he couldn’t even muster up the energy to even do that much. If there was a time for him to indulge in a little selfishness though in wanting to keep her close, this was it. It was enough to fall into a thankfully dreamless sleep.

When he’d woken the first lights of dawn were creeping into the window, urging him awake. Even the small movement he made though to check the window was met with a soft grumble as he felt the weight of one Inquisitor still laying against him, arm around his chest and a leg up over his hip as she settled back into sleep.

Not exactly the sort of circumstances one wanted for someone spending the night for the first time, he thought.

The excuse of not disturbing her though was welcome considering he didn’t want to move much. Eventually he was going to have to get up and back to his duties, but he would take the extra time for now to readjust slowly so he could focus on something other than the ache in his chest.

She didn’t snore or at least he was sure it might have woken him up at some point if she had. For once she also looked completely at peace, the small seemingly permanent wrinkle between her brows vanishing. He had to resist the urge to trace his fingers over her face or anything else that undoubtedly would wake her.

Even when he did slip out from under the covers though she had rolled over and ended up hugging the pillow instead. Delrin carefully folded the blanket back over her before going to the other side of the room. Undoubtedly no one had taken the time yet to write to his parents and he was sure they would rather hear it from him than rumors circulating about Bann Loren and the Seekers.

Besides it was exactly the sort of little thing Danielle would take upon herself to do personally. This one was his to deal with no matter how hard. The difficulty was only compounded by the fact that he already hadn’t written as often as he probably should have given the circumstances.

An hour and seven crumpled letters later he could hear movement from the other side of the room divider, looking up from his eighth attempt to Danielle attempting to straighten out her bedhead with only half success, leaving her shirt untucked for now. It was a sight he could get used to given the opportunity.

“Sleep well, Inquisitor?”

“Extremely well, actually.” She felt a little guilty considering the circumstances and the fact that he’d gotten up before her. It suggested he hadn’t slept as well. “How are you doing though?”

“It hurts. I imagine it will for a while.” He shuffled around a few papers before picking up one and offering it to her. “For your spymaster. There might be less obvious clues in the other letters I’m not seeing, but it suggests Bann Loren was aware of what was going on. And that Lucius was telling her they were waiting for others before heading here to pledge their support to the Inquisition.”

Danielle didn’t read it, only folding it over before tucking it away to pass on to Leliana. “There was no immediate sign of the Bann though Leliana’s agents are probably already combing over the whole castle for anything of note.” And probably gathering enough to take to the Queen so Anora would be aware of what had been going on. “I won’t push, but if you ever want to talk…”

“I know.” He gave her a small smile. “For now though, I think this might be something I need to tell my parents in person. Knight-Captain Briony can keep things running smoothly for you here as I don’t think I’d be long, maybe a week? Barrfield Bannorn is about a day and a half’s ride from here and… Admittedly I haven’t been home in some time.” Probably almost three years now and undoubtedly he would be expected to stay long enough to meet his new niece. It would be good to see them all again and hopefully afterward he’d be better able to focus on what needed to be done here.

“Could I come?” Barris had not been expecting that response or the implications that would come over meeting his family. “I mean as Inquisitor, not… We wouldn’t have to tell them anything going on between us. And I’m sure you would be fine traveling alone. Just if you’re open to it. If not, that’s fine.” If he really didn’t like the idea she was already blaming it on being barely woken up, wanting to spend more time with him if she could

“I mean…” He was sure they’d insist on at least a few guards if she was there, but Cullen would also probably request he take a few people with him just on the off chance of running into trouble along the way. And with all the time apart it would be nice to go somewhere together and show her a bit of Ferelden. “I’m sure there’s probably reports of a rift or something of the sort nearby that would require Inquisitor Trevelyan to be in the area without it seeming too suspicious.”

Danielle smiled, quickly curbing her excitement at his approval. “I’ll see what Commander Rutherford has on his maps. And probably drop this off with Leliana, but keep me updated. Especially if you change your mind.” She vanished back behind the divider for a moment before returning with her boots and taking a seat to get them back on and laced up. “First though, to get through a floor that is probably teeming with templars enjoying their leisure time while trying not to make it look like I’ve been here all night.”

“Just walk like you belong here and they probably won’t even look up enough to notice.” Maybe. He wasn’t going to start confirming any rumors if they started spreading. “And I’ll see you later then?”

“Yes. If only to make sure you’re still taking care of yourself and eating.” Even now she was worrying after him, but if it meant seeing her again then Barris wasn’t going to complain.

Chapter Text

There’s a sort of sadness to Bann Loren. Sometimes I think he looks at me though and still sees the little girl with pigtails playing hide and seek with Darren. Constantly trying to keep me from over imbibing on the red wine at every meal. 

Then there’s also a bit of tension between him and the Lord Seeker that I can’t quite figure out. Loren insists he’s glad to host the Seekers for as long as we need to wait, but it’s hard not to notice the looks he keeps giving Corin when the man isn’t looking.

-Letter to Delrin Barris from his sister, Grace

Delrin had forgotten how much he missed being in Ferelden. Yes, he had been back in the last several months including the time at Therinfal, but it had always been with a purpose and not really allowing time to enjoy the little things about being there.

Admittedly it might have also been the company. He and Danielle always had their own missions to deal with that felt like they were keeping them apart more of the time than allowing them to just be together. Probably the same amount as before Halamshiral, but he had definitely noticed it more since.

“I don’t think I’ve ever noticed these just growing wild. We had some in the greenhouse at the Circle, but I don’t believe any of it survived the fall,” she commented, carefully holding the Andraste’s Grace flowers he’d found for her. Then the name had felt all the more poignant considering what they were here to do.

“We’ll have to see if we can get some to transplant into Skyhold’s gardens. It might take?” He would leave the growing things to her.

“Worth the attempt at least. Maybe I’ll actually get some time eventually to continue some of my research.” Or see if Dorian was interested in assisting at all. She’d taken a personal interest in the Blight and tried to find a potential cure to the blood poisoning. Either way the flower did have noted medicinal properties.

For the moment though they had bigger issues. First, the sickly green glow ahead right where Cullen’s map had suggested it would be. Thankfully it wasn’t actively spewing out demons which gave them a moment to prepare as she set up glyphs along the ground. “I take it this is the sort of thing you meant about the “shut but not locked” metaphor for the ones in the Marches? And be careful where you step, these will freeze you in place.”

“Pretty much,” Barris replied. It was out in the farmlands but he didn’t like the fact that there was one on his family’s holdings at all. Then that’s why they were stopping here first.

Danielle nodded, apparently finally satisfied with her work. Then it was just the two of them and a handful of guards to deal with whatever came out of there, turning to address them. “Do what you can to draw them over the glyphs and once they’re frozen give them everything you’ve got. It won’t last forever, but it will give you an opening and makes them more fragile. Work together! We should get out of this in one piece easy enough.” She smiled confidently before turning to Delrin. “Same for you. Though when it looks like something is trying to open to let something else out, try and pull away the magic or however Templars do it. My counter spells seem to work against them so I can only imagine it would work the same with Templar abilities. And then less demons to fight.”

Barris had never seen the opportunity to see her work up close. He’d been there when she closed the Breach which had been massive and taken a large group effort. Usually she was apparently handling multiples of these smaller rifts though with just a handful of companions. He could feel the pull of the magic though as she connected with the tear, unlike anything he’d experienced in his time as a Templar. Something old and powerful that was causing him to suppress ever instinct that suggested it was dangerous. It was easier to focus though when he saw what she meant about “something trying to open”, leaning in hard to his Templar training to keep at least some from being able to find solid enough form to attack.

It was not quite as difficult as he’d expected, drawing a large pride demon toward another one of the ice spells and glancing back to make sure Danielle was still holding up while trying to run her mostly defensive maneuvers.

Except there was no sign of the Inquisitor. Logic said she had to still be conscious or the magic wouldn’t be holding, but he didn’t spot her on the rather limited battlefield. Delrin tried to just calm his panic and keep his focus on the fight ahead of him as those multiple pools of black the thing had for eyes stayed focused on him, readying a whip of lightning to come crashing at him.

“Move left!” He heard Danielle’s voice right as a new ice mine took hold of the demon. He did as he was ordered though, narrowly being missed by the large fist shape of rock that slammed right into the chest of the demon. The combination shattered the huge creature before what remained got pulled back into the fade, sending the rift into a sputter.

That pull of magic was there again as she connected with the rift, giving it a final tug like a seamstress who lost track of her scissors and needed to break the thread. She had barely looked over at him with a smile though before she vanished right before his eyes.

“Danielle?”

“Damned thing…” He heard before she reappeared, shoving something into a pouch at her belt. “Great ring for stealth but I don’t think the enchanter knew what they were doing. Or maybe they did and just liked being invisible. Who am I to judge?” It had proven to be a useful little trinket to keep around though for fights like this where she could get a better position or just take a moment to recover.

Her eyes went over him, looking for any possible injuries before being satisfied enough to go on to check on the others. A few scratches, bruises, and a case of frostbite but they were all still standing at the end of it and nothing she couldn’t handle with the supplies she already had on hand.

They did stop to wash up and have their midday meal. Danielle could see how someone could be happy growing up here. It might not be all out on the coast with the sounds of the waves only a brief walk away and traders that would often stop between larger ports like Amaranthine, Llomerryn, or Minrathous with their spices and perfumes and accents that filled the air and made up her Ostwick, but it had its own sort of charm.

Her first thoughts as they neared the estate though was comparing it to the size of Caer Oswin as they approached, closing her eyes for a moment and just focusing on her breathing. Just because they were here to report the events that had happened there was no reason for her to get caught up in bad memories.

Still it almost hurt seeing how happy his parents were at their arrival knowing they would be less happy before the visit was over.

Delrin was off his horse and hugging them both before the rest of the group could join at their more controlled pace, smiling a little as his mother demanded to know if they were feeding him well enough. As difficult as this was going to be, he was glad to see them again after so long.

“Father, mother, I’d like to introduce you to Inquisitor Danielle Trevelyan, daughter of Bann and Lady Trevelyan of Ostwick. Inquisitor, my parents Bann Jevrin Barris and Lady Beatrice.”

It was such a little thing, introducing her by her family rather than her connection to the Circle but she also had to wonder why while shifting into diplomat mode. “A honor to meet you both. You’ve raised quite a remarkable son and I can’t imagine having found a better Knight-Commander in all of southern Thedas.”

“The honor is ours, Inquisitor. We’ve heard quite a few good things including that you’ve been known to move mountains,” Bann Jevrin responded, nodding back to her horse. "A fine mount. You don't often see Fereldan Forders with foreigners."

"A gift from Horsemaster Dennet of Redcliffe," Danielle responded proudly. She could play up the small talk for a while. “Pepper’s a favorite in my stables.”

“And the Inquisition is certainly not lacking in fine horses. Leoric would be—” Delrin stopped suddenly when he saw who was coming out to join them.

“I’d be what, little brother?” 

Danielle looked over as well at the man and woman that were approaching and back to Delrin who was already showing little signs of discomfort she wasn’t sure the other four would catch. Why would he be uncomfortable here amongst even more family after all? 

“Jealous, Leo. The Inquisition’s stables have quite the collection these days.”

“Well if I’d known there were this many rare beauties out at Skyhold, I would have looked to make the trek out there myself,” Leoric responded as he moved in on Danielle, already holding out a hand. “Lord Leoric Barris, your worship. I must say, Andraste chose well for her Herald.”

She allowed herself a faint blush as he took her hand and kissed the back of it. Then Danielle also had to remind herself not to look for Delrin’s reaction as it was likely to give something away. Leoric wasn’t quite as tall as his brother anyhow, she noted. “A pleasure, Lord Barris, I assure you.”

Admittedly she might have mistaken the woman with him as his wife if not for her pale green eyes that were more like her younger brother’s. Danielle was also quite sure Leoric just had a child while this woman looked like she was edging on her last months of pregnancy. “And I’m going to guess this is Lady Vigard?”

The woman nodded with a small curtsy. “An honor, Inquisitor.”

Danielle clasped her hands together as she looked back to Bann Jevrin. “I must say, I wasn’t expecting to meet the whole Barris family this visit.”

The Bann smiled back at her gently. “To be fair we’re still short Grace and Bertram, but it only seemed right we hold a proper reception while hosting the Herald of Andraste and the Knight-Commander of Skyhold.”

“Father’s invited everyone of note within a day’s ride,” Leoric added, confirming the suspicions that the elder siblings had come for more than to just see their brother.

It was good she’d been training all those weeks to deal with the Orlesian court that she managed to hide the distress she was feeling over the revelation. It was not what she had come along for, but also difficult to argue for canceling something that was meant for her on such short notice. 

“You’re truly too kind… I hope you won’t be insulted if I request to see my quarters? It’s been a long ride and I would prefer not to meet the Lords and Ladies of Ferelden still covered in dust from the road. And Commander Delrin? Perhaps we can discuss security measures as soon as you get a moment so our guards have some standing orders?”

He looked at her, noting that it was his first name she’d used and nodded. “Of course, Inquisitor.” As though Cullen wouldn’t have already ordered them to answer to the seneschal as long as they were here. An excuse for a moment alone was one he was ready to cluch onto right now as he just tried to keep his calm as she was escorted away, likely looking to give him some time alone with his family.

“Ellie just got laid down for her nap so you’ll have to meet her later,” Leoric commented. “Though I already have to keep an eye on this one. One more boy and I think she’ll try trading them and hope my wife doesn’t notice I came back with the wrong child.”

“You would still have Iris,” Sabina teased back.

Delrin could hardly blame her after the four boys she already had running around. “I’m hopeful to get to see all of them before I have to go back. Someone has to be the fun uncle.”

“I’m a fun uncle!” Leoric protested.

“Who do you think a group of little boys are going to like better? The one who has to play it safe because he’s the first born or the one who can teach them how to fight with a sword and tell them about seeing an archdemon?” As much as he was trying to enjoy the moment, there was a part of him that was sure Grace would have argued she would have all three of them beat for being the “fun” one.

Poor Bertram would never have won the argument. Unless one of them wanted help memorizing the Chant of Light and looking to join the Chantry.

“To be fair, Bryce is already saying he wants to join the Templars when he grows up. For now at least, but I think he already knows his father wouldn’t approve. I’m heading back inside however unless you two intend to duel for it.”

“Against Del? He’d probably call the Herald of Andraste down on me.”

The thought alone amused him, particularly as any actual fight would probably devolve into the two of them wrestling around in the dirt. “She’d yell at both of us to stop acting ridiculous… And anyhow, I have work to do but I’m sure I’ll see plenty of you later.”

He wasted little time going to see about “guard rotations”, only barely looking around to see what had changed in the last two years. He barely had to guess which room she would be in even with the impending guests. The Barris’ were devout Andrastians after all and wouldn’t want to insult the Herald with anything less than the suite usually set aside for the rare visits from the Teryn or potentially the Queen if she ever happened through.

He had barely finished knocking on the door before she was opening the door and ushering him into the sitting room. “Are you alright? I’m sorry, I should have at least suspected–” She cut herself off and based on the path that already clear of even the rug on the floor he wondered how long she had been pacing before he got there.

“What do you have to be sorry about? You were perfect out there.” Unless she was worried about Leo’s small bit of flirting but he was used to his brother.

She stopped in her pacing at least. “I’m sure your family loves you dearly, Delrin, but I’m also going to guess they wouldn’t be inviting everyone here if you’d come alone.”

Ah. That. “I’d say you’re probably safe in that assumption.” They could tag him on to the end to their cause for celebration, but the nobles would be here to see the Inquisitor. “It’s not ideal, but we’ve already learned to roll with the punches.” He let out a sigh. “I can’t tell them now. It’s too late to cancel everything and not fair to make them stand there with smiles and pretend nothing is wrong.”

“It’s not fair for you either.” As much as she could try to share this burden with him there was only so much she could take on. Danielle took the moment of privacy to wrap her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “One more night. And if you need a moment of quiet to keep yourself together then I’ll do everything I can to provide it.” 

She smiled a little more as he hugged her back. It would probably be a while before they’d get an opportunity like this again and she wanted to make the most of it.

Maybe it was the expectations set by Halamshiral, but there were admittedly fewer people than she’d expected. Still plenty of names and faces to try and remember but those that had some form of their family crest made things a little easier. Then there were a few like Bann Vigard who she’d already met at Skyhold who seemed pleased to have her greeting him like an old friend as he introduced his son who was staying close to his wife’s side as Sabina watched him fondly. He was also pleased to go on about his grandsons and give her a little more insight into one section of the Barris family without sounding too personally invested.

Then there was also Arl Teagan. The man had apparently heard she'd been in Redcliffe before the Corypheus had come to claim his mages, but from an unexpected source.

“My nephew speaks quite highly of you, Herald. A little doubtful of some of the stories myself, but you made quite the impression on the lad.”

Connor. She remembered the troubled young man avoiding most of the population of the town. A young man who had ended up in a situation not entirely unlike her own but no one in her family had tried to hide her away. “Stories have a way of getting a little out of hand, but I still try to inspire with my deeds and not just legends. I hope Connor is doing well. I wasn’t sure anyone made it out of there before the Magister and Grand Enchanter made off with them.”

“Apparently there were at least a few that decided better to take their chances with the rogue Templars than Tevinter and escaped. One of the mages from the Circle on Lake Calenhad continues to work with him on his magic so he can stay in Denerim with his father.”

It was reassuring to hear there were a few that had escaped Corypheus’ grasp. The whole party she was keeping an eye on Delrin, sweeping in when needed with some excuse for him to take a step back if needed and currently it was looking like she might be needed. “I’m still hoping to make it out to Denerim some time in the near future. Quite the history after all, but if you’ll excuse me, Arl Teagan, I believe I’m being summoned.” She gave a small curtsy before heading over to Delrin’s side.

“Commander Barris, I believe the guard captain wanted to see you for a moment as soon as you’re free?” She smiled at the small bit of relief that crossed his face, wishing she could do more than stand guard as he took a moment to retreat from the event and make sure no one followed. Unfortunately the one person coming toward her next was Delrin’s mother.

“Is everything alright?” She looked concerned and rather like she intended to go on right past Danielle if her answer proved less than satisfactory.

She just tried to cover as quickly as possible. “No trouble, Lady Beatrice. More than likely Jim just guarding as normal and wandering into the wrong spot. Had a whole big incident with him walking in on one of my mercenary captains and a Duke’s daughter in a rather… Delicate position. She was… Less than pleased.”

“I see.” The woman seemed to take her at face value as she went to see to the other guests though Trevelyan felt guilty for lying to the family at all. Hopefully they would forgive her tomorrow once everything was out in the open. She was mid-conversation with Teryn Cousland when she saw Delrin slip back out looking a little more relaxed. Now that she was down here she almost wished she would have brought that invisibility ring with her just for a moment to give him another hug without drawing attention to both of them going missing for a few minutes.

The party continued with her carefully navigating conversations to not keep anyone in particular for too long. She had noticed the attention of one man however who had been watching occasionally as though he were trying to place her from somewhere. When he did finally come over Danielle smiled politely, trying to connect who he might be so she could try and greet him properly while trying not to be unnerved by his attention through the evening. 

“Pardon the forwardness, Inquisitor, but I’ve been curious since the whole incident at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Are you related to Maximillian Trevelyan by any chance?”

For once this visit someone had managed to throw her completely off-guard. The man only looked maybe a decade older than herself and yet… “He was my father.”

“I thought that might be so. You have the same eyes.” Her smile shifted to a little more genuine at the comment, relaxing herself. “Bann Aloysius Tremaine. I believe you know my cousins and unfortunately my late uncle’s wife, social climber that she is.”

She laughed, quickly holding it back as she nodded. Danielle hadn’t expected to find anyone else familiar with her dear step-mother and daughters all the way out here. “I believe Lady Matyld is quite content currently as my brother is still too young, leaving her as regent to my father’s title. The girls were doing well last I heard though admittedly I hear more from Adeline than Lizbeth.”

“And both married off undoubtedly.”

“Lizbeth, yes. A rather respectable family at the time, but the Reinhardts have fallen into a few scandals since then. Adie has managed to avoid complicated things like marriage and trying to please her mother.” All while living with her girlfriend that her mother undoubtedly still thought was little more than a good friend without the proper breeding. Not that she was going to point that out to a man she just met no matter how cordial.

“Ah.” Bann Tremaine just took it in with a small nod. Perhaps she shouldn’t have mentioned the part about the Reinhardts, but it was known around the Marcher nobles. “Well next time you see them, please pass on I would be glad to host them for a visit.”

Danielle could not see that happening any time soon, but she would add it to her next letter to Adeline at least. Bringing up that she hadn’t seen the other two other than in passing in over a decade now only felt like being petty. “I’ll be sure to let them know.”

She had gotten so caught up in the conversation though that she hadn’t been paying attention as well as she would have liked other than to note Delrin’s attempted escape from the room with now both of his parents on his heels. Panic gripped at her heart as she continued to smile. “A pleasure to meet you, Bann Tremaine. Hopefully if we do so again it will be in calmer times.”

“One can only hope, Lady Inquisitor. In the meantime, I’ll be in contact with your Ambassador. Family by marriage is still family after all.”

She nodded, carefully measuring her steps so it wouldn’t appear as though she were fleeing the event to catch up while trying to think of any excuse she could use to bring the Bann and Lady Barris back to the ballroom or give Delrin some space… 

Perhaps a distraction? She wasn’t entirely sure how convincing her fainting could be.

They hadn’t gotten far as she quietly closed the door behind herself, already too late to avoid at least something of a confrontation.

“We’re just concerned about you, that’s all.” Bann Jevrin was saying as she entered. “There’s no need to be upset, Delrin.”

Delrin already looked trapped, not even looking back at the new addition. “Why wouldn’t I be upset? My sister is dead and you’re here just throwing a party!”

Well, fainting wasn't going to help now. “Commander Barris!” The sharp tone was enough to pull him to attention immediately. It didn’t match the look on Danielle’s face, eyes sympathetic as she just barely shook her head. It’s not their fault .

His anger faltered immediately, the guilt setting in as he saw the reaction his poor parents were having over the news. “I’m sorry... This is not how I wanted to tell you.” He was stressed from the whole event and had finally reached his breaking point.

“Grace is..?” Lady Beatrice was in shock, holding onto her husband’s arm. “What happened?!” She looked between her son and the Inquisitor, wanting answers from someone.

Danielle knew this wasn’t really her news to share as she bowed her head slightly. “I should leave you to discuss this as a family, but I am so very sorry for your loss. With your leave, I’ll see to our guests.” Not that she had invited or wanted them here, but it was clear the family would need some privacy and people would start to ask questions if all four of them were missing for too long. There was guilt though about coming this far just to leave Delrin on his own at the crucial moment.

“That would be appreciated. Thank you,” Bann Jevrin responded. He was still in shock but there were things to be seen to and no point in drawing others in trying to find them.

Danielle quickly retreated back to the ballroom, intent on keeping herself as a barrier between the rest of the guests and the Barris family in the other room.

Which would be easier if the next person who approached her hadn’t been Leoric Barris. Though he wasn’t making the move to try and get past her and only standing at her side. “My brother, parents, and you all go into a room and thus far you’re the only one to walk back out… Should I be in there as well?”

Danielle was quiet for a second, glancing back against her better judgment. It was his sister as well, but at that point she might as well make sure the whole family was there. Still… “I can’t in good conscience tell you not to go in there, but at the same time would request that you stay here.”

It seemed enough to get across that something wasn’t quite right, but Leo stayed as she requested. “Is everything alright with Del?”

Not really . Particularly as she still worried about him but she was there as a friend only. “It will be. Eventually…” The pain of a loved one’s death usually dulled with time and he wouldn’t have to deal with it alone. “It’s not my information to tell, Lord Leoric, but I’m sure you’ll be filled in on everything soon. Until then, I’m short one escort at the moment and I’m sure you have some embarrassing stories you could give me.”

Leoric allowed himself a bit of a smile. “Has Delrin ever mentioned how he and Bertie redecorated the royal standards? King Cailan was here on an official visit and ended up being the first to notice the mabari had acquired some new clothing…”