Val Royeux and The Game

It takes several days of travel to reach the capital of Orlais, trotting over miles of wide landscapes and murky marshlands. You and your cavalcade had to make a few stops along the way to rest and resupply. Luckily all the towns you had passed have given their full cooperation due to your status as Inquisitor (and Champion of Andraste).

The Winter Palace of Halamshiral never failed to impress no matter how many times you visited it before. Passing through its gates you are greeted with the usual sight of Orlesian extravagant hospitality; the streets of Val Royeaux were decorated with the Inquisition sigils and colors as throngs of people and Orlesian troops line the streets. Music fills the air as a band of trumpeters plays a song to announce your arrival.

A half-pregnant Empress Celene and her entourage of prominent and immaculately-dressed nobles all wait expectantly as you pull to a stop at the Palace entrance before the steps, and the door to your carriage swings open.

Out of the carriage you stepped forth with a swagger and flair, the kind oft written about in generic and repetitive fantasy novels written by countless imitators. Dressed in a black cloak and simple but immaculate clothes, you cut a dashing and heroic figure, your sword hanging confidently by your side.

"Inquisitor,” Josephine steps forward, “May I present the Empress of Orlais, Celene Valmont.”

"Your Majesty…” You bow before her in respect.

"My dear Inquisitor,” Celene rises to speak, " Allow me to welcome you to the Winter Palace. We’re so thankful a person of your stature would deign to visit us. I’d love to speak privately with you but I understand you had a long journey. Perhaps tomorrow night would be appropriate?”

You resist the urge to smirk at the grimaces of more than a few nobles. Loyal they may be to Celene or not, old pride dies hard.

"That would be wonderful, Your Majesty, my cavalcade deserves a good rest," You said.

"Magnifique,” Said Celene, who clapped her hands.

At once an army of disciplined servants helped lead the horses and carriage away, neatly packing unkempt miscellaneous items with meticulous ease.

“I must go now, I’m afraid,” Said Celene, “We’ve a war council due tonight on how to counter the Venatori skirmishes, and we need to make necessary preparations.”

“Of course, don’t let me keep you,” You said.

And Celene leaned in close, her earlier joyful tone replaced with severity.

“Be careful, Aedan,” She said, “There’s a lot of unsavoury eyes and ears watching us.”

You subtly nodded, then quickly donned your mask.

“I’d like to retire for now, Your Majesty,” You said.

“Of course, Inquisitor,” Said Celene, her mask ironclad, “Please follow the servants to your quarters.”

Then you subtly cast glances and hand gestures to your inner circle, and they nodded in response as you dispersed towards the guest quarters.

The Winter Palace’s guest quarters were lavishly decorated and furnished with the finest decor Orlesian extravagance could provide; gold-trimmed curtains and cushions of finest silk, carpeted floors scrubbed clean and soft like feathers, and ornately carved furniture with a mirror sheen.

You had to admit, you loved how soft the Orlesian couches were, they just could do with simpler decor and not tasteless decor that made you cringe at times.

“Celene truly said that to you, Inquisitor?” Asked Leliana.

“Yes, she did,” You said, “And I’ve had this ominous feeling for a while now, like my neck itches irritatingly.”

“The news of Anora’s pregnancy was already a hectic festival,” Josephine said, “And we are having pandemonium in Val Royeaux as well, which is under remarkable control, might I add.”

“It was inevitable,” Said Cassandra, “Two monarchies, each with their own sovereign identity and established power bases, have had their thunder stolen in the form of, and I quote, an upstart nobleman who has no relation to royal blood and relies on his cowardly cock.”

You smirk at that, saying, “I wasn’t aware they had such colourful descriptions of me.”

“There’s more,” Said Cullen, “Quite a number of known powerful nobles are leery at the thought of your child taking the Orlesian throne.”

“With your marriage and the Queens’ pregnancies, you inheriting the thrones of Ferelden and Orlais have planted a huge target on your back, Inquisitor,” Said Leliana, “I’m honestly not surprised they want you and your unborn children gone.”

Your eyes darkened, and you said, “No one threatens my women or my children.”

“Regardless, we’ve our work cut out,” Said Cullen, “Despite the Venatori threats, a good number of the most influential Houses have withheld support for the Inquisition, and according to Leliana’s reports, may be plotting to seize the throne for themselves.”

“While normally they’d be at each other’s throats, the Venatori, ironically enough, will pose a severe obstacle to any plans to have them weaken each other,” Said Cassandra.

“Then that is where diplomacy will come in,” You said, “Or rather, sham diplomacy.”

“Oh? I take it you have a plan in mind, Inquisitor?” Asked Cassandra.

“Knowing him and considering the circumstances, I have a pretty good idea,” Said Cullen.

“And it’s likely the same as last time,” Said Leliana.

You smirk, saying, “Then I take it we’re all in accord?”

“Actually… do we have to do this?”

You turn to face an apprehensive Josephine.

“What’s the matter, Josie?” You asked.

“It’s just… I don’t like the thought of using **** like this, even if it’s for the best,” Said Josephine, “Sometimes, I feel… they could lead better lives one day when they change. It’s a very vain hope, I admit, but still…”

You merely sigh, saying, “Josie, we can’t avoid **** at this juncture. Too much is at stake and if we let them be, they’ll fester like a rot until it’s too entrenched to cut away without burning the whole tree down.”

“Aedan’s right, Josie,” Said Leliana, “Just put aside your reservations for now.”

“...Can I ask if you would have any other reason, Inquisitor?” Asked Josephine.

You then said, “I know that there are people like you, Josie, people averse to **** no matter the reason, people who prefer to wage a battle of reasoning and sophistry. However, some people will just resort to **** no matter what, and you can’t always take a non-violent approach.”

Memories of Anora’s near-**** at the hands of the assailants sends a throb of rage through your heart, and you clench your fist in response.

“And I’d rather be feared as a tyrant than let any of my loved ones suffer for my inability,” You finished.

Cullen and the others nod solemnly at your words, and Josie seemed to lose just a slight bit of her hesitation.

“...I still can’t truly wrap my head around it, Inquisitor,” Said Josephine, “But… you are right, in this case.”

You nod, then said, “Good, now we have a war council to prepare. Everyone, be ready; we’re about to take one of the biggest gambles we’ve made since the Inquisition’s formation.”

“Since when have we ever been the cautious kind?” Said Cullen with a smirk.

“Hardly any month passes that we do not gamble,” Said Cassandra.

“Then what are we waiting for?” Said Leliana.

“Even so, we’re dealing with seasoned players of the Game,” Said Josephine, “They likely won’t take what bait we set.”

“No, I think they will,” You said smilingly.