– And remember: you are the Heroes of Thedas!
The following day after arriving from comte Neruda’s manor, the agents met up with Leliana. She explained them the reason why the Inquisition needed the agents back to Haven as soon as possible. Gerald, the minstrel that joined the group barely a week ago, was needed for a solo mission. The Nightingale mentioned something about Gerald’s bard skills, but none of the agents knew the meaning of that. It was a hard farewell, even for Oerik. In the end, travelling together made all of them feel like belonging to a little family. After the Orlesian left to the Ambassador’s chamber, Leliana grabbed some papers from her desk. As more people were arriving to Haven, she had assigned everyone a tend, except Dazkar, who had a room at one of the cabins.
– You’ll be leaving to a new mission soon. It’ll be a hard one, so I designated you two new agents. The first one is a Rivani pirate called Brisa. We don’t have much intel about her, but she’s been working for the Inquisition with a group of mercenaries for weeks now. This group, the Red Lions, are meant to start a stealth mission. Therefore, some of its members are going to be split up. She’s a young red-haired woman, you’ll probably find her at the tavern. The second one is Levi Cypranus, a former Tevinter slave that ran away from the Imperium. His magical skills could be useful for your group. I think there’s none else with moustache at the mage quarters, so you’ll spot him easily. – she stated.
As the Nightingale talked, the agents mood began to be tainted by uneassiness. Oerik realized Fenrraor wasn’t pleased about having a Tevinter with them, for obvious reasons. On the other hand, Dazkar was combing a lock of her hair with her fingers and looking away. The dwarf knew the mage did that every time she was nervous.
– I bet you’d already investigated him, Leliana. – Oerik said, hoping the sisters’ words could calm his comrades.
– Of course, master dwarf. He’s clean, and a valuable asset now we know more about Tevinter’s intentions in Ferelden and Orlais. – the agents were surprised and intrigued about Leliana’ statement. – I’ll give you more details tomorrow morning, once you gather your new members. Today, the Herald of Andraste has prepared a special… Activity. I’m clearly against this ridiculous festivity, but it seems is being popular in Orlais. Lady Trevelyan thinks it’s a good idea to rise everyone’s morale.
– Which festivity are you talking about? – Fenrraor asked.
– Saint Valentoine. It’s supposed to be some sort of celebration for lovers. Maker’s breath, we’re at war, there’s no time for such silliness. – Leliana shook her head in disapproval. – Anyway, there’s a special dinner today, and I have to make sure everyone is invited. Now, if you excuse me, I still have a lot of work today. Farewell.
As the agents left the Nightingale’s tent, Keaton made sure he was not being listened before adding.
– That totally sounded like something lady Trevelyan would do.
Suddenly, a strong voice called their attention.
– Is that you, Big Boy?
– And talking of the devil… – Keaton smiled widely, recognizing the woman.
A short strong human came running from the chantry’s entrance, leaving Commander Cullen in mid-sentence. She had short dark hair, all messed up, which highly contrasted with her pale freckled skin. When the woman got closer, the agents could see she had a scar crossing her left brow – a cut that could almost take her light blue eye out.
– I’m so damn glad to see you, man! – she punched Keaton’s arm as a sign of camaraderie, although she didn’t seem to repress her strength. The warrior laughed.
– I’m glad to see you’re alright too, now Herald of Andraste. – Keaton giggled.
Fenrraor, Oerik and Dazkar realized then that their mate was talking lightly with the head of the Inquisition herself. The woman was speaking so fast none of them dared to interrupt her, and her grave voice was more than menacing.
– Oh, please, don’t join that nonsense you too. I’m not Herald of anything, I’ve just got this damn thing on my hand by chance. – lady Trevelyan rose her left hand, that sparked with green light. – And now I’m Andraste’s chosen? This is magic, and you know I don’t trust anything I cannot stab with my daggers.
Fenrraor nodded, totally agreeing with the woman’s words. Dazkar sighed, she had already heard that sort of comment thousands of times. Oerik was just fascinated Keaton was so close to someone such important as lady Trevelyan. In that moment, Cullen called out for the Herald, telling her they were in hurry. However, he didn’t come closer to the agents, leaving lady Trevelyan to catch up with her soldier.
– Anyway, I’m busy now. Today’s Sant Valentoine’s day, I hope you enjoy my special activities and dinner, you all deserve it for your hard work! – the Herald exclaimed while already walking back to the chantry and waving farewell to the agents.
– You just take care of yourself, milady! – Keaton added.
– Well… Big Boy… – Oerik made special emphasis on the nickname lady Trevelyan used for the warrior. – I think is time to get on our way and find our two new friends.
The first stop was the tavern. While Oerik took a few minutes to speak with her lovely Flissa, the rest of the agents looked for the so called Brisa. She was easy to spot: alone on a table, drinking, wearing a long wavy red mane loose. As she stared outside the window with her green eyes, her hair glowed in orange around her, like in flames. Her skin was tanned by the sun, which indicated she was probably the pirate they were looking for.
Dazkar was the first to act. The mage sat down with her and stretched her hand.
– Hey, I’m Dazkar. And I bet you’re Brisa. We’re going to travel together for now on. Nice to meet you.
Slowly, the pirate turned her head to put her sleepy eyes on the mage. Compared with Dazkar’s abrupt introduction, the woman seemed to move very softly. She shook the mage’s hand gently.
– You’re right, my darling. My name is Brisa.
Then, the pirate crossed her arms on the table and leaned forward, which highly increased the volume of her already oversized breasts. Fenrraor gave Oerik a nudge so he wouldn’t miss the scene.
– And you say we’re going to be working together? That sounds fantastic. Do you want to come to my room to get to know each other better? – the pirate asked.
Dazkar blushed. The mage didn’t expect the red-haired to flirt with her, and couldn’t avoid to look at the pirate’s breasts. “How can they be so big?”, Dazkar asked herself over and over, and finally she put her hands over her own chest, ashamed.
– I-I’m not interested in women, madam. – she stood up and walked through the room to the exit. When she passed by the agents, who were giggling, she added. – I’ll wait outside!
Oerik laughed out loud, amused. Brisa looked at the agents, and understood they were also part of her new group. She invited them to sit down with a gesture, and took her drink. The pirate analyzed them all, observing every detail. Once proper introductions were done, the dwarf suggested to move on and find the other new member. When they stood up, Keaton noticed that the pirate took a broadsword and placed it on her back. In fact, the long leather coat she wore had only one metal shoulder, which indicated the warrior that Brisa was prepared for the two-handed weapon combat. And Keaton liked that.
– Good morning, friends. How may I help you?
Leliana was right: there was only one mage with moustache in Haven, and that was Levi. The agents found him sitting outside on the stairs of his shared cabin. He was drinking a strange blue tea. The man talked on a friendly tone while looking to the agents with his honey brown almond-shaped eyes. His black hair was well combed back, long to his shoulders. As Keaton was happily discussing about swords with Brisa, Fenrraor was glaring at the man, and Dazkar was some meters away (probably still annoyed by Brisa’s presentation), Oerik answered the Tevinter. The dwarf introduced him the members of his new group.
– Well, well, it seems we’re going to have fun together. – the mage said while smiling at Dazkar, who looked away as soon as she realized the Tevinter was watching her. – I guess sister Leliana has already told you about me, but you seem to have questions. Am I right, Dalish?
While Levi made the question, he stood up and faced Fenrraor. They had the same height, which made Oerik sigh, resigned to be the shortest of the team. However, the dwarf didn’t grasped the tension between Levi and Fenrraor. While the elf was looking daggers at the mage, the Tevinter just affably smiled.
– She didn’t tell us how did you manage to escape, and I simply don’t trust the ones like you. – Fenrraor stated.
– What do you mean for “the ones like me”? I was a Laetan, a simply commoner with magic skills that managed to have some political influence and tried to uncover blood mages. However, I chose poorly, and those I was trying to expose had more power than I did. In the end, I was accused of sharing state secrets to the Qun, which was merely an excuse to make me a pariah and sell me as slave. Luckily, I could escape thanks to some good people that are still fighting against the blood mages’ influence in our country. And now I’m here, supporting the only and true organisation that is fighting to save Thedas. Aren’t we the same kind of people, my friend?
Everyone stayed in silence for some seconds, surprised by Levi’ story. However, Fenrraor was still suspicious about him, and Oerik realized this time.
– That was brave from you. Now we’re all together, why don’t we have lunch? – the dwarf suggested.
– Great idea, master dwarf. – Levi agreed.
The agents made their way to the tavern. Dazkar was leading the way, on her own, while the rest walked behind listening to Oerik telling Levi the same old stories about Redcliffe. Fenrraor passed by to reach Dazkar’ side.
– Are you alright? – he asked.
– Yes, is just… There’re too many mages here. When I first came to Haven there were just a bunch of us. I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t like it.
– If it helps, I feel the same. – Fenrraor smiled under his mask. She could grasp it by the glow on his eyes, so Dazkar smiled him back.
As they walked by the training grounds, as always, Sergeant Ghislain was working hard on the conscripts. This time, Keaton approached, feeling sympathy for the recruits.
– If you allow me, Sergeant, I would like to suggest some exercises.
The warrior talked as politely as he could but, still, the Sergeant looked angrily at him. The conscripts stayed in silence, scared, and so did the agents.
– If you allow me, Nobody, I would like to suggest you to fuck off. – she answered with sarcasm, and turned back to the recruits.
Keaton was annoyed about her words, so he put a hand over Ghislain’s shoulder and made her turn around. Even Oerik had never seen him so serious.
– What’s got into you? I was just trying to help.
Sergeant Ghislain put the warrior’s hand off her shoulder with a slap. Again, she pointed Keaton with her sword.
– You’re trying to one-up me, and I’m not going to tolerate that.
Keaton took a sword from one of the recruits, and, with a fast movement, he tried to hit Ghislain. However, she parried the blow, so they both ended up so close to each other’s face that they could sense the other’s breath.
– I told you not to point me again with a weapon. – Keaton whispered, menacing.
The Sergeant pushed him back, and they both started to fight. This time was fiercer than the past one but, again, they both had the same level of skill. Everyone in the training grounds was watching the fray and, for a moment, Oerik thought his bet with Fenrraor could be solved once and for all.
– STOP THIS, RIGHT NOW!
And again, Commander Cullen appeared to separate them. This time it was harder: Keaton and Ghislain were almost brawling like kids. Cullen sent the Sergeant to the chantry in order to help Josephine, and Keaton to the blacksmith’s. Once both left, the Commander turned to talk to the agents.
– I swear you I don’t know what to do with Sergeant Ghislain. She’s been more aggressive than usual since your friend is helping us with the training. I just don’t understand.
– If you allow me to make a point, Commander, those two are drawn to each other. It’s pretty obvious. – Oerik said, while the rest of the group nodded in agreement.
– I see… But you know Ghislain would never allow anything to happen between them. And her temper is killing me, what can we do?
The plan was simple, and Oerik knew it. He suggested him to give Ghislain the order to meet the Herald of Andraste at the blacksmith’s that same night. The Sergeant couldn’t refuse such an order. Meanwhile, the dwarf would tell Keaton lady Trevelyan asked to have some drinks with him for the old times, also at the same place and the same time. Therefore, both warriors would have time to discuss whatever they have to alone.
– And today is Saint Valentoine’ special dinner, lady Trevelyan won’t have any objection if we use her name for this. The plan is perfect. – Oerik added.
After thinking about it, Cullen agreed.
– Whatever is needed to calm her down. – the Commander said before leaving.
Giggling, the dwarf joined his mates back to the tavern. Oerik loved being such a nosy-parker.
Inquisition Agents 