Elentari was inside a room in the Chantry, irritably removing the fine pins that had held her intricate hairstyle during the visit to the Duke of Ghislain, which she had attended disguised as an elven princess at Leliana's request. Not only that. They had also put makeup on her, accentuated each of her facial features (which they said were exotic to the shem), and fashioned a striking hairstyle that had proven "impressive" among the nobles. She had felt out of place, but she had trusted her spymaster's good sense… Too late had she realized it had not been a good idea. Mainly after witnessing the contempt Lady Vivienne had drawn across her gaze upon finding a representative of the elven race who, apparently, was playing at being the sensation of the moment.
Oh, of course. And there were also the recent developments within the Inquisition's group. New members had joined. The Grey Warden Blackwall, a very peculiar elf named Sera, and finally Lady Vivienne, First Enchanter of Montsimmard and Enchanter to the Imperial Court of Orlais, whom she had insulted with her attire.
- Herald… - she heard the commander's voice inside the Chantry, calling in a firm tone.
Solas and she had already trained with Cullen a couple of times before leaving on the next missions. Elentari liked him. He was upright, polite, and confident in his experience. During training he usually gave her good advice and, the last time, he had even agreed to put the templar armor back on to show her, in practice, how to defend herself against the Order's characteristic attacks.
Solas had asked to take part, so the exercise ended up turning into an uneven fight... he attacked both of them and also defended against both. It was wonderful. Elentari had never trained that way, and what she enjoyed most was that neither Solas nor Cullen acted protective toward her; they attacked her with intensity and pushed her to answer with that same intensity. That allowed her to discover a strength within herself that until then had remained hidden. It also left her body covered in bruises, but that was a small detail (she refused to mention the muscle exhaustion).
- Herald. - Once again he called her.
Elentari wished she could disappear that very instant. She had held on to the hope that no one would witness the embarrassing dress she was wearing, nor the makeup, nor the ridiculous hair. But, well… what did it matter? It was the commander. That man had seen her sweat, bleed, and fall countless times over the last few days. Seeing her in an elven princess dress could not be worse.
She gathered the little dignity she had left and opened the door of the room in the Chantry. She peeked her head out and waved to catch his attention.
The blond shem saw her and answered with a brief gesture before approaching with a steady stride, carrying a bundle of papers under his arm.
- Elentari… - Cullen was saying just as he stopped in front of the half-open door.
She was still struggling with the pins trapping her dark hair. Fenedhis! What were those things made of? How had they gotten so tangled in her hair? She lifted her gaze for only an instant and noticed the way he had been unable to disguise his look. Clearly, he had not been expecting that ridiculous outfit.
Elentari frowned, annoyed. Other shemlen had given her that same look during the meeting. What did it mean? Couldn't an elf dress absurdly without being looked at as if she'd committed a crime?
- Forgive the outfit, Cullen. - she said, not fully hiding her irritation. - Leliana thought it convenient to disguise me as an elven little princess to attend a meeting in Orlais. Don't give it any importance.
Even though she tried to soften it, the disdain in her tone was evident. Cullen smiled a little awkwardly and averted his eyes to her face, as if trying to correct himself. Elentari thought she noticed a barely perceptible blush on his cheeks, but at that moment he extended some reports to her and she busied herself taking them.
- Well… I don't think it was a good decision to present you to a group of Orlesian nobles like this, Elentari. - he joked; he sounded a little intimidated by the way he dragged out the words.
- Right? - She looked at him with a mix of irony and exhaustion. - And don't even mention the makeup. - He shook his head slightly. - Why do you think Leliana got it so wrong with this choice?
- I'm not an expert in politics - he admitted - but even I can see that something like this can be offensive. And let me clarify something... Leliana rarely makes mistakes. I'm sure there was an intention behind this decision. Maybe you should ask her.
He was right. And that only irritated her more.
Without realizing it, she handed the papers back and focused again on the urgent task of freeing her hair, once and for all. - Will you help me?
Cullen set the papers on the floor and stepped closer to begin unfastening the ones on the side. As he did, he took the chance to tell her about the reports (she assumed):
- Maybe what I've come to show you will lift your spirits. - He paused, and she turned slightly so he could reach the ones at the back of her head. She wasn't going to get those. He understood and took matters into his own hands.
- Recently, rumors about the Inquisition's efforts have spread among the farmers and towns of Ferelden. People are speaking well of what you've been accomplishing. - He continued. - We've received many new recruits; even some locals from Haven have come to speak with me to join the army. As well as pilgrims, rather than only refugees. - At last, the commander managed to remove one of the pins. She felt him sigh in frustration, but he kept working through her hair, and he kept speaking:
- And, as you requested, Josephine contacted the monarchs so they would provide supplies for the village, and they did.
- Oh, that's wonderful.
- Yes. Recently, we signed a trade treaty that will increase the presence of the king's soldiers along the main trade routes so merchants will dare to come up here. It's a way to ensure the protection of caravans. That will stimulate the local trade.
- Wow… I wasn't expecting such good news. That's great, isn't it? - Elentari exclaimed. Three pins fell to the floor. - Cullen, you're very slow.
- My fingers are too big for these things. - he defended himself. - I'm trying.
She laughed.
- Alright. - she joked, and let him continue at his own pace with her hair.
- It is good news, of course. - he admitted, though his voice sounded slightly somber.
- Uh-huh… buuut…
- But I don't think we're a solid enough military force yet to defend so many civilians if we were attacked. - he continued. - That's what worries me.
- Well, but you just said a lot of recruits are coming. - she replied. - And how do you feel about that?
- About which part?
- About the part where you keep adding more soldiers to your cause, Cullen.
- The responsibilities don't bother me. - he clarified. - But they're novices. Young enthusiasts, which I do appreciate, of course. Still, I have to train them as fast as possible.
He paused briefly and smiled.
- And remember, I'm very demanding as a commander. For me to see my recruits as soldiers, they still have to learn many things to satisfy me.
- You're not demanding with me.
- Your tutor is Solas. - he clarified.
- Right. - Elentari let a few more pins fall. She smiled with satisfaction. There were fewer left now.
- When I go on the next missions... - she told Cullen, who had just managed to remove three pins. - I'll make sure to pay attention to merchants who want to come to Haven, and I'll accompany them so they can reach here under our protection. - He didn't say anything, but he must have nodded. - And I'll talk to Threnn about supplies. You… don't neglect the importance of our armor and weapons with Harritt… and everything will keep improving…
- Of course not. Harritt has already fulfilled the first delivery. Now… as for the new order I'll make… - She felt him sigh. - Let's say he'll be annoyed.
Just as she was about to answer the commander, she heard the click of slow footsteps approaching. She turned and, to her surprise, found Lady Vivienne walking with notable pride, swaying her hips and looking at her with the same disdain she had given her earlier.
- Herald, dear… - Vivienne began. - Perhaps we should take a moment to speak about certain details.
The loyalist mage stopped beside the commander and slowly crossed her arms. Then she cast a glance at Elentari, raised a brow, and without the slightest attempt to hide it, directed that same critical look toward Cullen.
The commander cleared his throat and took a step back, immediately interrupting his assistance. He crouched to pick up the papers from the floor. Elentari thought bitterly that her day could hardly get worse.
- Yes, tell me what you have in mind, Vivienne. - she replied, resigned.
The imperial enchanter let out a slight exhale.
- Well… - she commented with a smile that was anything but innocent. - I didn't know the Inquisition encouraged this kind of hair intimacy. I must say, Commander, I didn't imagine you as so… versatile. - Her eyes traveled over Cullen with deliberate slowness until they finally settled on Elentari's hair. He tensed at once; so did she, and she found herself grinding her teeth. The woman unsettled her.
- The Herald needed help, Lady Vivienne. - Cullen replied, straightening. - Nothing more than that.
The tone was firm and correct, but a faint blush crossed his cheeks and Elentari felt guilty for having pulled him into this.
Vivienne smiled a little more. She seemed pleased to bother them.
- Of course, Commander. - she replied. - How reassuring to know military diligence also includes domestic skills. - Then she tilted her head slightly and added. - Ah, by the way. I met an elven mage a moment ago. Solas, I believe was his name… - The woman offered Cullen a smile heavy with disdain. - I must admit I didn't expect to find an apostate walking freely within the Inquisition. - She raised a brow. - But then, I also didn't expect a commander playing hairdresser.
- That's enough mockery, Lady Vivienne. - Cullen confronted her, irritated. - And yes, Solas is a courageous member of the team, and an apostate mage. - She tightened her crossed arms. - And the Inquisition is not the templar order.
- I am also a mage who was not trained within the Circles. - Elentari interjected, trying to warn her to be careful with the words she used for elven mages. Even if the enchanter was not aware, Solas and she were becoming a confidant duo, and she would not let her imply stripping him of his freedom. - I hope that isn't a nuisance to you.
- Oh, dear, such insignificant things won't manage to annoy me—don't worry. - Vivienne answered arrogantly. - Tell me, what were you doing at the Conclave when it exploded?
Elentari didn't remember anything of that event, and she didn't like the tone the woman was using with her. Still, for prudence, she decided she would not show irritation with someone who had voluntarily joined the cause.
- Trying to understand the impact the decisions taken that day between mages and templars would have on the Dalish clans. Right now, in the Inquisition, trying to restore order. - The imperial enchanter's lips curved into a subtle smile. The woman seemed like a venomous snake.
- Oh, dear, I have rarely witnessed words so wise. - she said, but Elentari caught the mocking tone. Apparently Cullen did as well, because he narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms, still holding the papers.
- Justinia's death has broken the balance of power in Thedas. - Vivienne added. - Restoring order in this unwanted war should be everyone's priority. If only the rebel mages were capable of seeing it that way… - And then she turned her attention back to Cullen. - And now the fate of mages, templars, and innocents of every kind depends on the Inquisition, does it not, Commander?
- Not only on us. - he said. And then he let it slip - Oh, but I see. That is why you've joined our cause… because you want a part in deciding that 'fate' and not to be far from major events…
- Don't you? - she mocked, this time without disguise. - For nearly a thousand years the world believed itself in the Maker's hands. And now you make them believe an agent of His will lies here. - She cast an inquisitive look over Elentari. - A messenger of our virtuous Andraste's voice. - Now she looked her up and down and smiled, poisonous. A moment later, she added - Whatever the truth may be, it grants you power… I believe the proper question in this matter is: what privileges do you serve, Herald? Those of the innocent, or those of your race? - A deliberate pause. - Or those of your class…
- You're being more than impertinent, Lady Vivienne. - Cullen warned at her side, to which she responded with a lift of her brows.
- Not at all, Commander. I simply believe that history is often shaped not so much by deterministic relations of power as by tragic errors that come from believing in captivating but harmful narratives.
- Speak plainly, Enchanter. - Elentari asked, tiring of the games and planting herself before the imperial enchanter with a defiant look.
- Oh, yes, of course, dear. I'll translate it for you. - she mocked. - I must admit I find it worrying that our 'Herald' is an elven woman who strolls through castles and palaces wearing a disguise of her people. - Elentari felt heat rise through her cheeks, and despite the mage's insolence, she had to admit she was right. - To which I must add that, on top of it, she is an apostate and Dalish mage, just like the one our former templar has defended—and who enjoys a freedom that should be questioned after the uproar the Chantry's traitor mages have caused. - Then she turned her gaze to Cullen. - I would simply like a bit of honesty here. What exactly are we building in this Inquisition? A biased plan to grant raw freedom to magic? Or an organization that intends to bring some order?
- We are trying to bring order to a world plunged into chaos, Lady Vivienne. - Cullen replied firmly. - And I will not allow you to cast doubt on our commitment.
- You have cast doubt on it yourselves… - she replied, before making a feigned bow and leaving.
Silence stretched between the commander and the Herald.
Finally, Elentari tore out the last pin with a rough motion, feeling her hair fall free over her shoulders. The slight pull at her scalp was an irritating reminder of everything that had just happened.
She felt ridiculous. As if she had dressed up to play a role that did not belong to her and that she still didn't fully understand. And it wasn't the first time she'd felt that way… only now, that woman had spat it in her face. She closed her eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and bit her tongue to keep from unleashing a string of obscenities about Vivienne.
The enchanter had humiliated her. Reduced her to a marionette in a play she didn't even completely understand.
- Cullen, I apologize... - she said at last, straightening and hiding the anger that still burned at her throat. - It wasn't my intention to make you uncomfortable with all this. And sorry about the hair.
He looked surprised by her words. - You don't have to apologize, Elentari. In any case, the one who crossed the line was Vivienne.
Elentari pressed her lips together and nodded stiffly before turning toward the door. She didn't want to continue this conversation. In fact, she didn't want to stay in this cursed place another minute.
- If you'll excuse me, I have something to do.
She didn't wait for his answer.
She left the room with a firm stride, feeling the fabric of the dress brush her legs as she moved through the Chantry's corridors. Her steps were steady; she noticed the enchanter's inspection—Vivienne was also inside the building—and in her anger she wasn't aware that she had left barefoot like a savage, but Vivienne certainly noticed. And that image did nothing to help the judgment the shemlen was forming of the Herald of Andraste…
And though Elentari didn't know where she was headed, her mind had decided before she did. She was going to look for Solas.